"strong tale"
Sophie Greenway, the owner of the Maxfield Plaza historic
hotel in St. Paul and restaurant reviewer for the
Minneapolis Times is a close friend with Elaine Veelund,
the CEO of Veelund Log Lodges. Elaine is going through a
difficult time right now worrying about her daughter Tracy
who is sliding deeper and deeper into a depression. When
Tracy attempts suicide Elaine takes her daughter to the
house of her mother Millie to recuperate and be watched. Millie abruptly announces she is selling Veelund Industries
to the dismay of Alex (the president and CEO of the
company), his lover Roman Marchand (the president of
Veelund's KitchenVisions) and Elaine. Danny, the youngest
son, is there on a visit that is personal in nature and
couldn't care less about the business. When Millie dies in
her sleep everyone thinks it is of natural causes until the
autopsy proves she was murdered. Millie was a rigid,
bigoted redneck who made many enemies but when another
Veelund is also murdered Sophie finds herself in danger of
becoming victim number three. Ellen Hart can always be counted on to write a good mystery
but DEATH ON A SILVER PLATTER goes one step further. This
enthralling story is a heart wrenching relationship drama
concerning the social dynamics of the Veelund family. It
would be great if the author created another mystery series
starring Elaine Veelund, a complex and strong heroine who
has no problems giving justice a nudge. Although Sophie is
an integral part of the story, her role is not that of an
amateur sleuth but that of a wife and friend. This is a
one sitting reading experience. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 8, 2003
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