Digging Through the Backlists
I have been delighted to begin the Squeaky Clean Mysteries by Christy Barritt.
These mysteries feature a crime scene cleaner as the amateur detective and this character is so much fun. Straight-talking and a little coarse, Gabby St. Claire is a character to truly love. She's authentic and genuine, if a little rough around the edge. She has a genuine desire to do the best she can in all she does, so it's easy to like her.
The first story, HAZARDOUS DUTY, jumps into the action immediately. Gabby is busy cleaning up from what is assumed to be a robbery gone wrong leaving the homeowner with a bullet in his leg and the man's wife dead. While Gabby might imagine some duplicity going on, she doesn't have to spend much time in the crime scene to be certain that something deceptive is going on.
The action barely gives time to breath through this first book. Add to that the budding of a romantic triangle, some quirky neighbors that add to Gabby's trouble, and her cleaning assistant who is blamed for the crimes that occur, and Gabby's in over her head.
This is a fun story, and the characters have all sorts of potential. I enjoyed Book 2 as well (SUSPICIOUS MINDS) and I'm now well on my way through Book 3, ORGANIZED GRIME.
If you, like me, missed this series when it was new, don't miss it now!
Here's a little more about HAZARDOUS DUTY.
Hiring Trauma Care to clean afterward: $1,500
Having that same cleaner uncover evidence that frames you: Priceless
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.
With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right person is put behind bars. Can Riley help her before another murder occurs?
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I'm giving away a copy of my award-winner, BREAKING POINT, to someone who comments, sharing the title of the oldest book on your current reading list. Mine is the one I'm reading by Christy Barritt - Book 3, ORGANIZED GRIME. What's the oldest one on your list.