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Kitzi Camden is a woman I'd like for a close friend, most of the time. She cares deeply about those close to her, she's willing to do what it takes when the chips are down, and she has clout in places most women normally don't. This comes both from her prominent family and her status as a retired state senator. The down side, and there is invariably a down side, is that she tends to run rough-shod over other people without thinking about what she's doing -- all in their best interest, of course. This can cause some problems, but once Kitzi gets going . . . watch out! Kitzi and her friend Beth are headed for the semi-annual crafting retreat at Camp Green Clover, the place where they met so many years ago. Green Clover has been bought and renovated by Cordelia Wright, who hosts retreats like this beading weekend. Beth has been informed that there will be a buyer from Tivolini at the retreat, looking for new artists. "If Cellini were producing work today, it would be for Tivolini." Beth is very good, but doesn't have the self-assurance she will probably need to get a contract. There are other great beaders at this retreat: Tony Campanelli, who produces kits under the name TonyCraft; May Feather, a semi-Native American who works primarily in turquoise and silver; and Lynn Donaldson, "my pieces are noir", like the beaded head with the dagger coming out of the neck, complete with droplets of blood. The competition will be fierce. Green Clover is a rustic camp, and during the retreats, cars and cell phones are not permitted on the grounds. Lots of alcohol is consumed, the food is great, and old friendships are renewed as well as new ones created, with workshops and shopping on the side. It all sounds like heaven, until May Feather is killed. There are plenty of obvious suspects, as well as few unlikely ones. Beth's daughter Shannon has just found out, with the unwitting and reluctant help of Kitzi, that Mo-Ron (as Kitzi so lovingly refers to Beth's husband) has been having an affair with May. Does Beth know? Did Shannon kill May? Why is Kitzi's ex-husband Jeb Wright in the neighborhood? What is Zeke, his brother who is so much better looking and more personable than Jeb ever was, doing here? Not to mention Nate, yet another of the Wright brothers; is there a family reunion or what? This list doesn't even begin to cover the people with professional reasons for wanting May dead, and there are plenty of them to go around. The sheriff, Ben Gonzales, is inclined to underestimate Kitzi and her abilities, at least for a while. It doesn't help that Kitzi, for all kinds of reasons, is less than forthcoming with Sheriff Gonzales, on more than one occasion. So who killed May? Kitzi does figure it out, with minimal damage to her friends and family. Beth and Ron have some major work to do on their marriage, and Ron has some big fences to mend with his daughter Shannon. Kitzi has a developing romantic interest in Nate, which is fun to read about. Unfortunately, Barbara Burnett Smith will not be writing any more Kitzi Camden mysteries. I would have enjoyed following this series as I like the characters. The plot held my interest, although I must say that it could just as easily have been about quilters or potters or almost any kind of folk artist; the beading aspect is relevant with respect to how Smith uses it for motivation but not intrinsically because of the beading. The setting is bucolic, a nice contrast to the crime and the reasons for the crime. If you enjoy the writings of Monica Ferris or Earlene Fowler, with their strong female leads and the focus on different kinds of crafts, then BEAD ON TROUBLE may well be something you will delight in as well. I only wish there were more already written.
Reviewed by P. J. Coldren, April 2005
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