As part of a blog tour organized by RABT Book Tours, I recently read Dead in a Dumpster by B.L. Blair. Although it’s not a new release, this was my first time reading anything by this author.
About the Book
When Leah Norwood finds the body of Isabel Meeks in the dumpster behind her store, she can’t believe the police consider her a suspect. Sure, she didn’t like Isabel, but then again, neither did anyone else. Isabel had a condescending attitude and a bad reputation. As manager of the antique store, Patina, she had made a lot of enemies.
There is Patina’s assistant manager, the handsome and charming Trent. Isabel was blackmailing him. There is Patina’s owner, the aloof and influential Anthony Thorpe. Isabel was smuggling drugs through his store. And there is the entire drug dealing Cantono family. Isabel had lost a box containing heroin from one of their shipments. That is just to name a few and didn’t even include the stranger who was seen arguing with Isabel just hours before her death.
The police have too many suspects and too many soft alibis. Leah needs to prove to the sexy new chief of police that she had nothing to do with Isabel’s death.
Leah loves a good mystery. Can she find the killer before the police arrest her for murder?
My Review
Leah Norwood runs a small shop in a quaint town. She is a likable character with a more than healthy dose of curiosity and some great friends. Ironically, she’s more afraid she’ll be accused of murder than she is of the “bad guys” in the story. The tone of the writing was light, with Leah telling you the story as if you are one of her friends. A friend who doesn’t mind when she repeats herself. The plot was interesting, well paced at start and toward the end, however this reader found the middle a bit longwinded. A pleasant first in what promises to be a nice cozy series.
FTC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Read an Excerpt
It was a quarter to eight before I was finally ready to leave. I went to the bathroom, gathered up the trash, and headed out the door. The sleet was still falling, and I could feel the ice pellets hitting my head. I hurried over to the dumpster setting the trash down by the bin. I pulled back the large lid and propped it against the brick wall. As I reached down for the trash, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.
I looked into the dumpster and saw Isabel Meeks staring back at me. It took my brain a few moments to determine she wasn’t actually looking at me but sitting perfectly still, eyes wide open, a surprised look on her face, and a huge bloodstain on her chest. I had never seen a dead body outside of a funeral so I did what any rational, mature human being would do. I screamed. I then turned and ran as fast as I could back to the store. I fumbled with the lock a moment but finally managed to get the door open. I even disabled the alarm before stumbling to my chair. I sat there shaking and staring at the door trying to process the scene. An image of Isabel flashed into my head, and I bolted from my chair and to the bathroom where I promptly lost my lunch.
Still a little shaky and somewhat nauseated, I rinsed out my mouth and walked back to the chair. I don’t know why it took me so long, but it finally occurred to me that I probably needed to tell someone. So for the second time that day, I reached for my phone to call the police.
Giveaway
Enter a rafflecopter for you chance to win an Amazon gift card from the author.
About the Author
B. L. Blair writes mystery/romance stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.
She is the author of the Leah Norwood Mysteries and the Lost and Found Pets Mystery Novellas. She loves reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.
Contact Links
- Website: http://www.blblair.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blblair100
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blblair100
- Blog: https://blblair.com/blog
- Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/blblair
- Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/blblair100/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blblair100/
- BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/b-l-blair
Purchase Links
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Dumpster-Leah-Norwood-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00MZC65YG
- Barnes and Noble (Paperback only): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-in-a-dumpster-b-l-blair/1120429016?ean=9780990658405
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