Death by Auction
Abby McCree Mystery #3
By Alexis Morgan
ISBN#9781496719553
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Not only did Abby McCree inherit her aunt’s house in Snowberry Creek, Washington, she inherited a handsome tenant and a whole lot of trouble ….
It’s hard to say no to Tripp Blackston. That’s how Abby found herself on yet another committee, organizing a bachelors’ auction to raise money for Tripp’s veterans group. The former Special Forces soldier is mortified when Abby enlists him to be one of the prizes, but she has a covert plan to bid on him herself. Before she caDeath by Auction
Abby McCree Mystery #3
By Alexis Morgann, she’s foiled by a sniper bid from a gorgeous stranger, who turns out to be Tripp’s ex-wife, Valerie.
Still reeling from the shock that Tripp was married and wondering what his ex is suddenly doing in town, Abby goes looking to pay the auction’s emcee, radio personality Bryce Cadigan. She finds him in the parking lot, dead in his car. Valerie appears to be the last one to have seen Bryce alive, so she’s the cops’ best bid for suspect. When she asks Tripp for help–and lodgings–it’s Abby’s turn to block by inviting Val to stay with her. But did she just open her home to a murderer? (Goodreads)
Review:
Death by Auction, the third cozy mystery featuring Abby McCree, is the best yet in the series. Though the mystery is easy to solve, the entertaining dialogue and chemistry between the protagonist and her tenant more than make up for it.
Abby finds herself in charge of yet another committee fundraiser, this time organizing an auction and dance benefitting Tripp’s veterans group. She is looking forward to sweeping in with the high bid for Tripp but is outdone by a gorgeous stranger. Abby is shocked to learn that Valerie is Tripp’s ex-wife. When the auction’s emcee Bryce is found dead, Valerie becomes the prime suspect, and Abby must set aside her feelings to track down the real killer…even if that means it is Valerie.
I like Abby a lot. She is practical and engaging, inquisitive without being pushy and nosy. She is genuinely nice, along with being a great hostess, and cares about those around her. She does struggle just like the rest of us, though, and opening her home up to Valerie is hard. I do find it hilarious that she calls Valerie “the barnacle” because she is always hanging on Tripp. Catty barbs are exchanged throughout providing loads of entertainment. As much as I like Tripp, he is a bit insensitive and obtuse to Valerie’s effect on Abby. Valerie is easy to root against, and I really wanted to smack her more than once. The older ladies that make up Abby’s quilting group are not featured as much this time, and I miss them.
The mystery is quite easy to crack, but I did not figure out the killer’s full motive until late in the book. The victim Bryce is a local celebrity but smarmy enough that readers will not feel too bad that he met an unfortunate end. There are few suspects and really not that many clues for Abby to weed through, but her journey to the truth is fun all the same.
I really enjoyed Death by Auction and hope there are many more mysteries to solve alongside Abby, her dog Zeke, and friends.
