This tightly controlled first mystery novel is set in the California oceanside town of Santa Angelica, where the mugging death of wealthy widow Margaret Byrd sets off shock waves that reach to the highest level of the city's bureaucracy. Part of Margaret's estate, an invaluable and as yet undeveloped stretch of beachfront, now reverts to her daughter Kate, an outspoken professor of history who feels that her mother's death was not a random killing but a pemeditated murder by a member of Kate's own eccentric family, who covet the highly desirable property. When an attempt is made on Kate's life, she intensifies her investigations (aided by charmingly protective Lieutenant Roger Tejeda) and reveals a whole closetful of family skeletons, including an imprisonment for stock market swindles, abortions ending in death and strong evidence of one or more illegitimate offspring who may now be trying to claim their inheritance. A rich jumble of well-defined relatives helps search for the killer, including elderly but stalwart Uncle Dolph and Aunt Mina, who reveal vital keys to elusive family history. Meanwhile, Esperanza, the staunchly loyal family maid, does her best to conceal everything. And Kate's ex-husband Carl, a shrewd attorney, lends an appropriately sinister note.

Added to Affinity4book's Cozy Mystery Bookbox.

This came home in my Cozy Mystery Box. Thanks for sharing! A new author for me. I may include it in the next round of the box or share it with another BCer.

Taking from Affinity4books' Cozy Mystery Bookbox.

Quick read; held my interest and kept me guessing until the end.

Thanks again for sharing this, copchic905 and affinity4books!

For release at the BookCrossing meetup.

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