Manna from Hades

January 12, 2009
Set in Cornwall “somewhere in the 1960s and '70s” (per an author note), this lively first in a new cozy series from British veteran Dunn (Death at Wentwater Court
) introduces Eleanor Trewynn, a plucky widow who runs a charity shop in the village of Port Mabyn. Eleanor gets entangled in a murder investigation after she and her curious dog, Teazle, happen on a dead body of what first appears to be a tramp in the shop storeroom. Eleanor exasperates Detective Inspector Scumble as her less than perfect memory trickles out details of her discovery. Scumble, whose partner is on sick leave, doesn't relish pursuing the case with Eleanor's determined niece, Det. Sgt. Megan Pencarrow, who has to continually prove herself to the gruff, old-school inspector. Adept at showing character through witty dialogue, Dunn paints an amusing picture of a small town that readers will want to visit again soon.

February 15, 2009
Eleanor Trewynn, a widow who traveled the world with her husband, is now living in Port Mabyn, a small Cornish fishing village, whereshe runs a secondhand store that supports a charity. Her niece, Megan Pencarrow, is a recently promoted detective sergeant now assigned to a local station. Unfortunately for Megan, her DI does not approve of women on the police force. He also does not like Megans aunt, who rather enjoys baiting him. When Eleanor and the vicars wife findthe dead body of a scruffy-looking young man in the stockroom of the shop, Eleanor becomes involved in the investigation. Then, after some donated jewelry that they thought was paste turns out to be very expensive and stolen in a London robbery, everyone assumes that the two cases are related. Dunn has a knack for writing meatier-than-usual cozies with strong female characters, and she has another charming winner here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)