Peggy Darty offers a new “Cozy Mystery” in her series from the fictional town of Summer Breeze, located in the panhandle of Florida. It is a light and entertaining mystery about a new clue that turns up that might help solve a murder from several years ago.
The main character is Christy Castleman who writes mysteries about pirates and treasures chests and other legends surrounding nearby Shipwreck Island. She is also part owner of a second hand shop in Summer Breeze. The mystery begins when a little girl comes in to the shop hoping to sell an old jewelry box so she can get medicine for her dying grandmother.
When Christy tears out the faded lining in order to refurbish the box, she finds the clue to the robbery and murder of home town nice guy, Kirby Strickland. Christy not only writes about mysteries, she takes a personal role in solving them when she finds them in real life. This one is dumped in her lap, and she can’t resist the challenge.
The murderer is still around of course, and he is anxious to have his secret remain hidden. Christy and Zeffie, as well as others who help Christy ferret out information are in danger as long as he is at large.
“When Zeffie Got a Clue” is an imaginative mystery that has you guessing, but not shuddering in horror. You might call it a Christian “Cold Case File” episode. The book has romance and heart as Christy and her friends and family rally around little Zeffie and her grandmother. The charming setting in tropical Florida leaves little else to be desired for someone who is looking for a light read. I liked it, and would read the other “Cozy Mystery” books that Peggy Darty has written.
Reviewed by Joan Tyvoll
