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Golden Eggs and Other Deadly Things |
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 Golden Eggs and Other Deadly Things byNancy Tesler Dell Publishing 224 pages, 2000. ISBN 044000226155 Reviewed by PJ Nunn Here's another one of those "Why have I never heard of this author before?" books. Carrie Carlin is a biofeedback specialist and has an interesting life, mystery aside. After a recent divorce, she's raising two pre-teen children, involved in a blossoming romance with a police officer, and trying to adjust to the woman her father has recently married. She also has a predisposition for stumbling into homicide investigations, much to the chagrin of Ted, her boyfriend. With the kids visiting their father, she's looking forward to a romantic weekend, but her plans are spoiled by an unexpected visit from Eve, her step-mom. The woman has never liked her, and the feeling is mutual, so Carrie can't imagine why she'd drop in unannounced and alone. Eve's explanation is vague. She calls it helping out a friend but it sounds to Carrie like Eve is paying off an extortionist. Carrie's doubts explode into full-blown suspicion when she follows Eve, catches her climbing out a window and scooting down the fire escape after being locked in an apartment with a dead body. It hardly seems possible, but the situation rapidly disintegrates and has Carrie fighting to save her family and her life. The title, Golden Eggs and Other Deadly Things, would never have enticed me to pick up this book but I am so glad I did. Tesler does an outstanding job of maintaining balance between plot, characters, humor and suspense - not an easy task. Immediately, Carrie is likable, presenting a persona and family situation that one can easily relate to. With a minimum of words, readers embrace her character and get a glimpse of the relationships that fill her world. The plot, although twisted and complex, is easy to follow and by the conclusion, all the loose ends are neatly tied. Readers who have not yet experienced Tesler's work might want to start with the beginning of the series, but Golden Eggs is a delightful start in itself. It is amateur sleuthing at its charming, endearing, laughable and surprising best. |
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