Bishop, best known for her 14 "Inn at Hemlock" culinary mysteries, has crafted likeable and interesting characters for this new venture. Austin McKenzie, a retired upstate New York veterinary medicine professor has returned to private practice after some investments turn sour. His wife, Madeline, is the love of his life and a master at tact, intuition, and household management.
When Dr. McKenzie is asked to fill in as an official for the regional week-long jumping event, the doctor and his wife go looking for an assistant to help with the practice and daily animal chores. Instead of one, they find two assistants: Joe Turnblad, a young veterinary student from the Bronx, and Allegra Fullbright, a music major with ample horse experience. When the McKenzies are unable to decide between the two, the pair decides to share the job and both move into the McKenzie household.
Too Many Murders
Dr. McKenzie's detective curiosity is piqued when first one, then another area veterinarian is killed. The local police chief is inclined to think that the murders are the work of a sniper, but Dr. McKenzie isn't so sure. By applying the same logic and deductive reasoning that he uses on his cases to the murder investigation, he seeks to find the murderer. But will he find him or her in time?
The Casebooks of Dr. McKenzie
The Case of the Roasted Onion is a fun cozy novel from a seasoned author. Ms. Bishop creates an interesting plot and tells the reader just enough about her new cast of characters to make us want to learn more. I, for one, am eager to read the next installment in "The Casebooks of Dr. McKenzie."
About Claudia Bishop
Claudia Bishop is the author of fourteen "Inn of Hemlock" mysteries, featuring Meg and Sarah Quilliam. Under her real name, Mary Stanton, she is the author of a series of young adult novels. Ms. Bishop (Stanton) divides her time between the Finger Lakes region of New York and West Palm Beach. According to her Web site, she is currently working on the second novel in the Dr. McKenzie series.
Related Links
- Shop for your own copy of The Case of the Roasted Onion
- Review of Dark Tort, another recommended cozy mystery
- Murder Most Frothy, a coffee cozy
- Claudia Bishop Official Site
