Book Review/Giveaway: Granny Snows a Sneak by Julie Seedorf

Granny may be retired as Fuchsia, Minnesota’s one-woman undercover sleuth for the Fuchsia Police Department, but that doesn’t mean she still doesn’t need a trusty weapon. Her weapon of choice? A pink snow shovel. When Granny runs over a dead body with her snowmobile, she unwittingly sets off a chain of events that involves mislabeled corpses, empty graves, and stolen money—lots of it! Who’s at the bottom of this years-old crime? Granny has an idea, but she has little time to investigate, when in just days she’s scheduled to marry the love of her life, Franklin Gatsby, in a post-Christmas ceremony. So, Granny decides to enlist the help of her friends and neighbors. Add in Christmas Holiday excitement and the arrival of Granny’s family, who are all there for her wedding, and mayhem ensues. Of course, Granny can always count on her many furry friends to provide her with moral support, but it’s quite possible that Granny—that is, Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt—has a secret or two of her own, which may very well be revealed as Granny Snows A Sneak.

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REVIEW

YAY!  GRANNY'S BACK!

Last year, I was fortunate to read and review Granny Skewers a Scoundrel, the second in Ms. Seedorf's "Fuchsia, MN" series, although it was my introduction to all things Granny.

As Granny Snows a Sneak opens, Granny and Franklin are preparing to get married in a tandem ceremony with Granny's son Thor and his lady love on the day after Christmas.  Franklin has stored Granny's car for the winter, leaving the rambling grandma without wheels.  Luckily, there is a second, underground system of streets in Fuchsia, with access to many homes and businesses in the town that allows people to skirt the weather issue entirely.  (Personally, I think EVERY city and town in Minnesota should have this.)\

Nonetheless, Granny decides on the spur of the moment to buy a snowmobile to travel above ground when she wants and proceeds to 'drive' it home, even though she had never been on one before.  Of course, the neighbor she loves to hate hitches a ride without asking.  Of course, Granny has to go the the cemetery into her back yard, so the word does not spread too fast that she is mobile again.  And of course, on the way out of the cemetery, Granny hits a bump in her back yard.  The 'bump' turns out to be a long-dead corpse, wearing the clothes in which Granny's husband was buried some years ago.

Ready.  Set.  And it's business as usual for Granny in Fuchsia.

I'd like to see a picture of Granny's custom-decorated snow shovel-cane that she buys after her snow shovel is confiscated after she tries to bean her crotchety old neighbor.  (It just doesn't pay to get on Granny's bad side, as many of those denizens of questionable character who walk on Fuchsia's streets have found out.)

I have sympathy for Granny as she negotiates her changes in abilities as she ages.  She is adamant about not being shipped off to the 'wrinkle farm' by her grown children, and resents the decisions Franklin makes unilaterally for 'their' future.  (Obviously her kids and Franklin have not seen the previous paragraph of this review.)

The number of bodies and newly revealed family connections in Granny Snows a Sneak pile up faster than snow drifts in a Minnesota winter.  Luckily for us, Ms. Seedorf handles this situation with skill and humor; seriously, I was laughing so hard sometimes I had to wipe my eyes.

The newest Fuchsia novel is light in tone, despite the danger involved, and a quick thoroughly enjoyable read.  So pick this up when you want to enjoy the pure, unadulterated fun of reading.  And best of all, you can look forward to more Granny in the future, thanks to the 'mystery guest' who pops in at the end.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Julie Seedorf a dreamer. She has been weaving imaginary tales in her head all her life. She has used her imagination to raise her children, spoil her grandchildren, chair volunteer organizations, teach Sunday School in her earlier years, and write her column Something About Nothing which appears in the Albert Lea Tribune and Courier Sentinal. Her imagination kept her going while working in the real world. She started a new career at 55, becoming a computer technician, starting her own business at the age of 61. At the age of 62 she decided to go for her dream of publishing a book and added writing to her career. In 2013 she signed her first contract with the publishing company Cozy Cat Press and her book Granny Hooks A Crook was published. She wants her grandchildren to hold on to their dreams and know that it is never too late, no matter what age to go for your dreams. You can learn more about Julie Seedorf at her website. Her blogs are Just a Little Fluff and Thankful Joy. Follow me on Facebook and/or follow on Twitter.

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GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky commenter will receive an e-copy of Granny Snows a Sneak.  In your comment, please make sure I have a way to contact you and state your preference for book format.  You have until Monday, April 6th to enter.

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Click the banner to visit the tour page where you can find more reviews, as well as guest posts, interviews and more chances to win!)

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of Granny Snows a Sneak by Julie Seedorf from the author and publisher via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.)