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"Fast-paced, well plotted, and exciting"

It has been over a year since Aurora "Roe" Teagarden's husband has been murdered but the Lawrenceton, Georgia librarian is still in deep mourning. She is not at all happy that a Hollywood crew is coming to town to shoot the scenes from "Whimsical Death" based on the first homicide Roe ever solved. Also coming to town is Robin Crusoe, Roe's ex-boyfriend, and the person who helped her solve the case but subsequently went on to write the book on their investigation that has led to the movie.

Roe is also unhappy that her stepson Barrett is starring in the movie because they despise each other. When Robin hits town, old sparks ignite and Roe begins to realize that the movie filming might be a blessing in disguise. What Roe doesn't know is that there is a murderer amongst the Hollywood set. This person plans to kill the movie's star and target Roe as his next victim.

Fans of the Aurora Teagarden series will like the way the heroine displays her grief while moving on with her life. Readers will delight with the appearance of a new man in Roe's life, one that is different than her deceased husband. It is very easy to see why Robin and Roe click. The story line is fast-paced, well plotted, and exciting with enough twists and turns to keep readers on full alert.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 15, 2002

In the first installment of the Aurora Teagarden series, Real Murders, the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, was beset by a series of horrific murders. Librarian Aurora "Roe" Teagarden teamed up with true crime writer Robin Crusoe to catch the killer, and the results of their investigation have gone down in Lawrenceton history. Now Robin is back in town, set to begin filming the movie version of the terrible events of so many years ago. Of course he's not alone-he brings with him a cast and crew the size of which nearly overwhelms the tiny excitement- starved town. Roe is disturbed to discover that the film's crew includes her stepson, who despises her, as well as an actress set to play her in the film. Everyone in Lawrenceton suddenly goes movie crazy, mentally composing awards-acceptance speeches while prancing around the fringes of the set awaiting discovery.

Roe's not so crazy about the whole thing...and neither is a secret, vicious murderer. When bodies start dropping, it's up to Roe to reprise her role as amateur sleuth and stop the carnage before it gets out of hand. It's no problem for the beloved small-town librarian in this wonderfully cozy installment in the adored Aurora Teagarden mystery series.