Going Through the Notions

September 1, 2013

Former New Yorkers Daisy Buchanan and her husband have retired early and moved to pastoral Bucks County, PA, where Daisy owns a vintage notions shop. Then, out of the blue, her picking buddy and auctioneer Angus Backstead is arrested for the murder of Jimmy Kratz, a local trash hauler and no-goodnik. Adding to the punch, an extremely valuable auction set of fountain pens is missing. Daisy, convinced that Angus is innocent, goes amateur sleuth with clumsy ardor. It doesn't help that the local detective hates Angus and that the victim's widow gives off a bad vibe. Daisy is rudderless in her search for the real killer, and she needs help soon. VERDICT Price's debut series doesn't break new ground here, but her protagonist shows promise for those who delight in small-business cozies. Her emphasis on family relationships and crises almost smothers the murder plot, so let's hope the next outing finds Daisy sleuthing more and fussing less. Consider partnering with titles by Camille Minichino, Kylie Logan, and Sharon Fiffer.

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