|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
It's Easter in New Orleans. Charlotte LaRue conducts daily routines with her Maid-For-A-Day business. Her son, the doctor, keeps reminding her that she could retire and some days it is true that she probably should slow down. She does employ some other people, but still most of the decisions and back-up turn to her. Besides her cleaning business, Charlotte has a family that requires quite a bit of her time and energy. She also has a next door neighbor Louis who is an enigma. Madeline, Charlotte's sister, has been a struggle. After a divorce, Madeline and her two children moved in with Charlotte and they have added to the already financial drain. Madeline is not particularly likable but she occasionally will show a bright side. Normally she whines a lot, especially about her adult children. She does not like the people they date. Imagine her dismay and anger, when her son Daniel announces that he is married to Nadia. Daniel plans to adopt Nadia's son Davy. Nadia works for Charlotte at her cleaning business. When Nadia calls in sick for work, Charlotte needs to sub at Patsy Dufour's home. When a large urn is moved and breaks, Patsy is dumbfounded when human bones are found inside this urn. So starts the treadmill of activities. The deceased may be Davy's father. When Charlotte conjures up potential suspects, she does not like what she is thinking. Her nephew Daniel and her new niece are the most likely candidates. Nadia's son Davy is the heart-catcher of the book. Watch him win everyone's heart, even winning the approval of Charlotte's pet bird. He needs to stay with Charlotte for awhile and certainly brings a lilt to this story. Nadia appears to be a weaker character and hopefully she will have more of a punch in the continuing series. Louis, a retired policeman, rents from Charlotte. He used to partner with Judith, Madeline's daughter. Louis may be a potential suitor for Charlotte; he continues to surprise her with ideas but does not want her so involved in the dangerous business of murder. She does some sneaking around, literally, behind his back. Louis has some possibilities but both he and Madeline can be frustrating people to Charlotte. Both of them, especially Madeline, were frustrating to me. In her search for the truth, Charlotte visits an old professor friend. This teacher has a wealth of information and a brilliant memory. This is a character that I would like to revisit and see expanded in future stories. Looking for potential clues, Charlotte needs to delve back into the past of one of her clients through the help of the professor. What she learns both surprises and saddens her. Not only does the reader get to peek into Charlotte's maid service business but there is also an introduction to her clients as well. She has one client who is a nosy, lonely, gossipy woman. Constantly, Charlotte tries to balance her dislike of gossip with her ability to learn the truth and find the person responsible for murder. POLISHED OFF is the third book in the series, preceded by MAID FOR MURDER and DEATH TIDIES UP. Next one in this series is WIPED OUT.
Reviewed by Rita Ratacheck, December 2004
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
