When the Sandpiper Calls [Paperback]

From prolific novelist Peggy Darty comes WHEN THE SANDPIPER CALLS, a nice, down-South whodunit spiced up with a little romance and murder.

Christy Castleman is the local "mystery lady" of Summer Breeze, a town on the Florida Panhandle. Her first mystery novel is a success, and now Christy faces a looming deadline for her second, which keeps her at her computer at all hours. Then she discovers an antique green bottle on the beach with a note: "Call the police. Someone is trying to kill me." Is this a joke? Or is something more sinister going on in Summer Breeze? And what's happened to aggressive realtor Marty McAllister, who has suddenly disappeared from the town? A real murder mystery is brewing right in Summer Breeze, and Christy is in the thick of it.

Darty gives Christy a loving extended family, ranging from her benevolent pastor father to a kid brother who is off in Australia trying to "find himself." One of the most enjoyable characters is Jack, a fisherman and at one time her future father-in-law, with whom Christy maintains a delightful relationship. Christy's almost-too-good-to-be-believed Granny provides respite in the form of country cooking, deep faith, sage advice, and her own wisdom about the murder. Her Granny is hoping Christy will find romance, and it isn't long before Christy meets the handsome war hero Major Dan Brockman, who seems intent on sweeping her off her feet. However, Christy's heart is still aching from a tragic love affair in the past, and she's unsure if she's ready for another man in her life.

This is an enjoyable story that won't demand much from the reader. Darty gives Christy some appealing quirks, such as a penchant for shredding rejection letters and anything else she wants to forget. She loses things, enjoys wearing too-high heels, and sometimes prefers her fictional world to her real world. Christy is also patriotic to the point that "she got goose bumps just hearing the national anthem, and she was, indeed, proud to be an American." A little over the top, but there it is.

When a homeless man and then another resident who had protested the realtor's aggressive development on his island are arrested, Christy worries that the real murderer is still on the loose. A further development in the case comes when a jewelry heist in New York back in the 1980s is tied into the murder.

Can Christy discover who is responsible before it's too late? Darty does a good job concealing the true perpetrator until the closing pages. However, there are a few trouble spots. Occasionally, the dialogue can become a little stilted, and often Darty offers too much information, which can slow down the pacing. (One example: "In her office, she turned everything off, then disconnected the surge protector from the wall. She was taking no chances. While she had the latest and best devices to protect her computer, a sudden storm could wreak havoc.") Occasionally, she tells instead of shows ("He was very open and easy in conversation").

The Sassy Snowbirds, a fun group of "red hat" women over 50, are never really fully developed, but add color and a bit of help with clues in some of the scenes. For those who like their mysteries with a little faith and some light romance, this one should prove entertaining.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. (...)

Christy Castleman is a novelist who's first book was a hit and is now trying to finish up her second novel. One day she finds a bottle buried in the sand with a message asking for help because they are going to be killed. The Sassy Snowbirds, a group of women in the Red Hat society, think it's the missing realtor who wrote the note and are eager to assist Christy in what feels like her mystery novel come to life. While investigating, she also peaks the interest of the new guy in town, military veteran Dan Brockman. In between juggling this new relationship, Christy uses her detective skills to find that the murder may be connected to a jewelry heist in New York from back in the 1980s. Suddenly the little town is involved in a series of events that will shake up the community, with Christy at the center of it all.

I love a good mystery and this book definitely makes my top ten list of mystery novels. I've enjoyed Peggy Darty's novels from the Palisades series and her writing in this book is even better. The story is very descriptive and keeps you wanting more. Christy was a good lead, she's strong yet sensitive, and even when annoyed she doesn't let it show. I really liked her relationship with her former fiance's dad. She's still close to him even though his son is dead, and he treats her like the daughter in law he would have had, allowing her to bring him food, visit him often and asking him for advice on stuff. Other people might have turned away from this awkward situation, but it showed Christy's compassion for what would have been her future family. I love the Sassy Snowbirds because I enjoy reading stories that involve Red Hats. I only hope when I get to be that age I'm as spunky and adventurous as they are! They always seem to be looking for excitement to happen. I won't spoil the ending, so let's just say I totally wasn't expecting it and I don't think I could have been as calm as Christy was when she found out who the killer was. I highly recommend this book for fans of cozy mysteries or anyone that enjoys a really good page turning read. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

...not just red hats either! What a delightfully fun read. A host of quirky characters, a devilish villain and a perfectly breezy setting. This is perfect for Fall evenings - find a cozy chair, a nice lit fireplace and a warm cup of cider and treat yourself to the charm of Peggy Darty's SANDPIPER. You won't be disappointed.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars