Dead Dancing Women

September 1, 2008
Finding the head of a neighbor in her garbage tarnishes the peace and quiet that failed mystery writer Emily Kincaid had sought in the north Michigan woods. Emily strikes a bargain with local police representative Deputy Dolly, and the two immediately plunge into danger as they investigate a controversial local cult called Women of the Moon. Although this series launch is a bit wordy and slow in getting to the point, debut author Buzzelli is notable as one of the growing number of women writers who use female protagonists trying to make a life for themselves, such as Sue Henry.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2008
For the three years after her divorce, journalist Emily Kinkaid has been living in rural northern Michigan, writing for local publications and writing mysteries that arent selling. One day she finds the head of a local woman in her garbage can. Working with prickly sheriffs deputy Dolly Wakowski, widely disliked because she has taken it upon herself to keep the local back roads safe from speeders, Emily begins an investigation independent of the state police. When another murder occurs, it seems that a local group of nature-loving elderly women has been targeted. Is the killer Emilys eccentric neighbor, a member of the church group whose pastor publicly condemned the womens group, or one of the womens children? Emily and Dolly make the most of town gossip to track the killer, while Emily deals with her houseguestsher ex-husband and his new, much younger girlfriend. Emily and Dollys developing friendship, the particulars of small-town Michigan life, and the eccentric characters enliven the story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)