“In the world of logic, it’s always our assumptions that lead us astray.”
A spooky old house, rumors of a hidden Civil War treasure, a neighbor’s murder, and an ex-fiancé falling unconscious at her feet—Charlotte Ross has her hands full when she’s invited to stay at her friend, Jane Marshall’s home while her apartment is being renovated.
Jane and her new fiancé have sold everything to move to the large estate she’d just inherited near the small town in Illinois, where she grew up. She’s always loved the house, but the cost of living in, and fixing up, a deteriorating old mansion is more than both their incomes combined. If she can’t come up with the money for the next property tax payment, she’ll be forced to give it up.
Charlotte is intent on winning back her ex, but her efforts are stymied when he’s suspected of murder.
The two couples soon discover the rambling old house holds more than one secret when they join forces to find the real killer—and the elusive, Tarkington treasure.
~~~oOo~~~
MY REVIEW
Forget the Civil War-era valuables, this book is a treasure all on its own! It's like I had a little reading angel on one shoulder and a little reading devil on the other. The angel said, "You should get some rest." The devil countered, "NOT until you are done. Now get cracking!"
We've all had those 'just one more chapter' kinds of books. The Tarkington Treasure by Evelyn Cullet pulled me in with the first word and would not let go. And I certainly didn't want it to!
Charlotte's apartment is being renovated and her friend Jane (who happens to be engaged to Charlotte's cousin) invites her to stay with them while the construction is taking place. Kenny (the fiance) doesn't seem to be there when Jane and Charlotte arrive. Then Jane gets a last-minute call to meet her lawyer. Hmmm....curious. Both known residents not there. Oh well, Jane tells Charlotte to go on in and they'll meet up with her later.
But Charlotte is not alone in the house. Not only is the place reputed to be haunted by the recently-deceased former owner, but Charlotte had some flesh-and-blood company that didn't want any company for their own nefarious purposes.
Well, the house has a rumored treasure from the time of the Civil War. And you know how people get when there is treasure about. (How many treasure hunter reality shows are there now? *lol*)
And the love story casserole is a great extra. Let me explain. Charlotte used to be engaged to Brett, but they had a bad break-up. Jane is Kenny's fiance. Kenny is Charlotte's cousin. Jane used to be involved with the sheriff (Todd) conducting the investigation. Brett, former FBI, has become a PI, and has been hired to find the man who becomes the murder victim. His former FBI partner has become his business and would like to take their merger to the next level, and she shows up. Jane invites Todd to supper to try and fix him up with Charlotte. When Todd arrives, he brings a 'date' (actually a woman he rescued from a flash flood).
All these relationships could end up getting very messy or 'soap-operish'. But the author, Evelyn Cullet makes it work, and work well. Parts of me wish I would have read the previous installment(s) to better understand the backstory between Charlotte and Brett, but the book read very well nonetheless. In any case, I will be reading the previous Charlotte Ross Mysteries (
Love, Lies and Murder,
Masterpiece of Murder and
Once Upon a Crime) to be followed by re-reading of this book anyway, so it's all good.
Definitely add this one to your TBR's!
~~~oOo~~~
MEET THE AUTHOR
Evelyn Cullet has been an author since high school when she wrote short stories. She began her first novel while attending college later in life and while working in the offices of a major soft drink company. Now, with early retirement, she can finally write full time. As a life-long mystery buff, she was a former member of the Agatha Christie Society, and is a current member of the National Chapter of Sisters In Crime. She writes cozy mysteries with warm romance and a little humor. When she’s not writing mysteries, reading them or reviewing them, she hosts other authors and their work on her
writer’s blog. She also plays the piano, is an amateur lapidary, and an organic gardener.
~~~oOo~~~
GIVEAWAY!!!
~~~oOo~~~
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book tours in exchange for my honest review.)
