The Queen of Staves — Anne R. Allen

The Camilla Randall Mysteries are a laugh-out-loud mashup of romantic comedy, crime fiction, and satire: Dorothy Parker meets Dorothy L. Sayers. Downwardly mobile bookstore owner and etiquette expert Camilla Randall is a magnet for murder, mayhem and Mr. Wrong. But she always solves the mystery in her quirky, but oh-so-polite way. Usually with more than a little help from her gay best friend, Plantagenet Smith. This sixth episode in the series brings back some of our favorite characters. Camilla is, as usual, on the brink of financial disaster when a trio of wacky women enter her life and the questions (and bodies) start piling up. Why does everyone think Camilla has the lost Portuguese crown jewels? Will homicidal Mack Rattlebag discover Camilla's boyfriend Ronzo only faked his own death? And what has turned polite little Buckingham into an attack cat? It's one surprise after another in this warp-speed comedy-mystery. Ronzo helps Camilla keep her struggling Morro Bay bookstore afloat with his unexpected tarot reading skills...until the lover of one of his tarot clients turns up dead on the beach. It's up to Camilla and Ronzo-and the tarot cards-to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, Camilla's ex-husband Jonathan Kahn resurfaces, sparking old feelings, and Ronzo has a new rival: a too-perfect doctor who may or may not be in cahoots with a gang of murderous New-Agers. *** "There is a depth and freshness about Anne Allen's work that makes for a pleasing surprise " Poet Janice Konstantinidis Tremendous fun, wittily satiric and highly recommended." Nigel J. Robinson "A perfect blend of wild and wacky characters spouting hilarious dialogue while finding themselves in unpredictable and unexpected situations." Paul Alan Fahey, Rainbow award-winning author of The Mother I Imagined, The Mom I Knew. "Lots of fun Anne R. Allen is a hugely talented writer, and her Camilla Randall series never fails to entertain." Claude Forthomme, senior editor, Impakter magazine. "Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys romance, and crime suspense, with a lethally satiric edge." Dr. John Yeoman, author of How Did the Author Do That?