Review - Labor Day Murder
Another Holiday Murder Mystery by Lee Harris
When former nun, new mother, and part-time sleuth, Christine Bennett is offered a oceanfront cottage on Fire Island, she's thrilled. But, she finds murder, not shells.
Labor Day Murder is the tenth in a series of holiday-themed mystery novels featuring Christine Bennett. Christine, a likeable thirty-something blonde, left the convent after 15+ years, only to find love, marriage, and motherhood soon afterwards. She also found a penchant for solving murders.
On Fire Island
In Labor Day Murder, Christine and her family are offered the use of a huge oceanfront cottage on Fire Island, a barrier island just off of Long Island. The secluded and exclusive Blue Harbor enclave is accessible only via ferry and no cars are allowed on the island. Most of the residents just come over to the island from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The majority of homeowners have owned property there for decades.
The Bennett's trip is supposed to be relaxing -- the first vacation they have had since 2 1/2-year-old Eddie was born. However, no sooner than they arrive on the island, Christine and her NYPD husband, Jack, are swooped into a murder investigation. Their first night, during the annual parade, the well-loved fire chief, Ken Buckley, is found murdered inside his home, which someone has tried to burn down. That the married Buckley loved women a little too much is a known island fact, but who would want to kill him?
Murder Times Two
The Island really isn't equipped to solve a murder. They have only a one-man police force, and he's part-time. Plus, Christine saw someone leaving the Chief's house the night of the fire -- only, no one will believe her. When she starts asking questions, it seems everyone has something to hide -- the 90-year-old year-round resident and former fire chief, who lives at the end of the cove; the beautiful attorney who has been seen out with the philandering chief; and the police chief, who'd rather Christine pursue shelling instead of a murderer.
Labor Day Murder is an enjoyable book with a tight, well-developed plot, an interesting setting, and amusing and believable characters. I'm a big fan of the Christine Bennett series, which combines the best parts of cozies and thrillers to form a unique and very readable genre.
About Lee Harris
Lee Harris is the author of a series of murder mysteries, featuring Christine Bennett and revolving around holidays. The first in this series, The Good Friday Murder, was nominated for an Edgar Award. The most recent of these is the 2007 Cinco de Mayo Murder. In addition to these books, Ms. Harris writes the Manhattan Mystery series.
