Geared For the Grave

A Cycle Path Mystery — Book 1

Another Comedic Novel by Duffy Brown

By Jeff Salter

Duffy Brown is a Grade-A HOOT — in the finest definition of that term… and she’s one of the most generous and reader-involved authors I know. I’ve been a member of her street team for several years and she’s sent me bunches of cool gifts (including decorated book bags).

As I recall, I was first introduced to Duffy through my talented author friend Tonya Kappes — because they were working on some joint projects. Later, I had two opportunities (in 2013) to meet Duffy in person — at a Kentucky Book Fair in Bowling Green and at Lori Foster’s Reader-Author Get-Together in Cincinnati.

Along the way, I’ve read at least two of her titles in the Savannah-based Consignment Shop series: Iced Chiffon and Killer in Crinoline. There are others in that series on my TBR list, but after my wife made a visit to Mackinac Island a couple of years ago, I knew I wanted to read Duffy’s series based there.

But, somehow, her title got lost in my Kindle — truth be told, the entire Kindle was lost for about two years… but after I re-located it, charged it back up, and checked my contents, this book of Duffy’s was among the first I read.

Blurb

Geared For the Grave

A Cycle Path Mystery — Book 1

Mackinac Island is a peaceful summer resort town where everyone coasts through the streets on bicycles. But after someone sends a prominent local on her final ride, it’s up to one resourceful visitor to get things running again in the first Cycle Path Mystery.
Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble.
After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJXV47W

 

Jeff’s review notes:

This novel – like the author who wrote it – is a hoot. The fabled tourist island is so well described that we can feel the sea breeze, smell the horses, and taste the fudge. We even learn about the rivalry between those who reside on the toney bluffs and those who live and work in town!

There’s a full cast of wacky characters, some of whom are so mysterious that you won’t know what they’re up to until the very end of the story. We get a look at the island’s comings and goings from at least three perspectives: the residents who live there and run the businesses, the tourists who arrive by the ferry load to spend usually a day or two, and individuals like our heroine – Evie – who thinks she’s there for a brief assignment but soon finds the place (and people) growing on her.

As usual, in a Duffy Brown tale, dead bodies begin to appear. In this case, the locals all agree that they don’t want said death – even of a wealthy resident – to dampen the seasonal tourist trade. What they do with the deceased, and how – and why – will be your delight to discover. Along the way, Evie seems to run into the resident chief of police more than could be expected — and he’s a hunk. There are suspects galore and almost everyone seems guilty of something. But who killed Bunny? And why?

Duffy will keep you guessing.

Bio

Duffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, her license plate is Sherlok and she conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own for Berkley Prime Crime. Duffy’s national bestselling Consignment Shop Mystery series is set in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries are set on Mackinac Island

Duffy’s FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/authorduffybrown

Duffy’s website:

http://www.duffybrown.com/?fbclid=IwAR3FZj2A46KbnJG7k4QqHFPrw0tk3LsVBQFsJMA9IcXcRHLrliyh8fDOSFk

In case you’d like to see my earlier 4F1H review of Duffy’s Savannah series, you can find it here:

https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/duffy-brown-visits-the-hound/

Question:

Have YOU read one of Duffy Brown’s books? Which series?

[JLS # 501]

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