
Cozy mysteries are like the “light” version of a classic murder mystery. The focus is usually on the relationships in the book, rather than the murder or suspect. The action usually takes place in a small town, or is confined to one neighborhood. Murder on a Starry Night by Sally Goldenbaum is a great example of this. It is the third in the Queen Bees Quilt series, but the beginning of the book includes an illustrated cast of characters and labeled map to bring the reader up to date. The library’s copy is also in large print.
Set in the fictional Kansas college town of Crestwood, our story starts with the murder of a quiet, middle aged stargazer named Ollie Harrington. Why anyone would want to kill a gentle soul like Ollie is unthinkable. After his death, Ollie’s sister comes to turn the family mansion into a Bed & Breakfast, and the Queen Bee Quilters are tasked with making quilts for the new bedrooms. This gives the leader of the quilters – Portia “Po” Paltrow, the perfect opportunity to investigate the death. Although a murder is what moves the plot along, readers will no doubt be just as interested in the accounts of the daily lives of the other 7 ladies in the Queen Bee quilting group. If you find you like this author be sure to ask about our interlibrary loan services.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles in both our permanent and rotating collection to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit, on the North Campus. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”
Murder on a Starry Night by Sally Goldenbaum
ISBN: 9781933466071, 244 pages
Rotating Collection, Mystery