A Fatal Fondness (A Mary MacDougall Mystery) - Richard Audry

It's 1902 and Miss Mary MacDougall is proud to announce she has her own detective agency - Moody Investigations. Granted this came with a few stipulations but it's nothing the young woman can't handle.

Nonetheless, Mary is determined to make a go of things and prove to her father (and all of Duluth society) that a woman can run a detective agency - successfully - even if she is being chaperoned by her cousin Jeanette Harrison.

However, reality sets in as no one approaches their office door. But, just as she laments, silently, about not attracting enough business, a few cases land on their desks. Wrapping up the stolen napkin rings case, the two women are appointed to investigate missing felines and a stolen pocket watch.

During their investigations where Mary insists that "applying good old-fashioned shoe leather" will assist in finding clues and answers, the young woman ponders about a recent drowning of a young boy. Detective Sauer who visited them to stress the importance of not interfering in police matters when they carried out Moody work let slip a case he was looking into which had "international implications."

Obviously this piques Mary's interest despite being told categorically to leave matters alone and don't meddle. But when has the young woman ever listened to that advice? The heiress gets involved even more so when it becomes clear that the body belonged to an Ostovian Prince. The lady who makes exquisite lace that adorns her dresses is Ostovian. Surely a few innocent questions won't go amiss?
As Mary becomes embroiled in international intrigue, her personal life is taking a bit of a battering and her cousin's love life is improving. With the death of a young boy consuming her thoughts though, Mary devotes little time to her would-be relationship with Edmond Roy as she finds herself getting deeper into hot water. Will she be the unsung heroine again or become a victim?

In Richard Audry's fourth book about the budding sleuth, the innocent case of a stolen pocket watch develops in to a case that Mary soon realizes is so much more. Despite her concerns and the threat of imminent danger, she can't leave well alone and investigates in her unique way.

An excellent installment in the series, the story is absorbing and filled with great descriptions and historical references as usual. For me, a sign of a good writer is when I get annoyed, smile etc., with a character and I found myself irritated with Mary! In my head I was 'yelling' at her not to investigate, for once listen to Detective Sauer. But that's Mary for you. She has a nose for what's not quite right and has to investigate. With an exciting proposal at the end, it seems that Mary's adventures are set to continue. A recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Then opinions expressed are not my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

A Daughter's Doubt (A Mary MacDougall Mystery) - Richard Audry

Mary MacDougall's summer, so far, is filled with wide-brimmed hats, brass bands and her first case.

When Detective Sauer becomes her mentor (she did help solve the case of a missing jewel after all), he seeks Mary out to help him with what he believes is just a case of grief and nothing ontoward.

One Mrs. Clara McColley is convinced that her mother, Agnes Olcott, did not die from cholera. In fact, she believes her step-father - Merton Olcott - has something to do with the woman's demise. Whether its murder or not is something that Clara would like to be investigated.

Mary is giddy with excitement. Her first real case!

With a trip already planned with her Aunt Christena that will take them to past the small town of Dillmont (where the death occurred), she takes her Aunt into her confidence explaining that they may have to carry out a tiny investigation, a few questions, and then onto their stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

And, as it happens, travelling to their vacation means passing through Ishpeming where her former teacher Edmond Roy is painting a mural for a bank. Mary is still not quite sure of her feelings for talented artist and she hopes that this chance meeting will perhaps cement their relationship.

When Mary and Christena ('Tena) make general enquiries they get told the same cholera story but when Mary visits the Dr. Applegate, signer of the death certificate, his strange behavior makes Mary dig further into the sudden death of Mrs. Olcott. Everything is not as it seems, especially when the young sleuth discovers that a number of men, especially those who are wealthy, intern their wives into the local asylum stating mental health problems.

Did Agnes meet her death at the institution? Is the doctor hiding something? And, is Merton Olcott really innocent of any wrongdoing?

A full-length mystery,  Audry's third outing with the amateur sleuth brings a compelling and entertaining puzzler. Although she still struggles for people to take her seriously about becoming a detective (and a female one to boot!), Mary is determined to bring closure to her client - whatever the outcome - and have an official investigation closed. With this case, Mary understands that solving a would-be crime means being prepared for the unexpected. Enlisting the help of her aunt and Edmund, Mary knows that she is not only perhaps opening them to danger but putting strain on her would-be relationship with the artist. 

I found this longer length mystery more involved and certainly allowed the author to add more dimension to the MacDougall family and their friends. Historical references and descriptions add more depth to the story. The introduction of Mary's cousin felt a little bit of an afterthought, but I don't think it distracts from the main story and I accepted it as a premise of the next installment in Mary's detecting adventures. Overall, a great mystery that has twists and turns and will keep the reader guessing 'whodunnit' until the last few chapters. A recommended read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Mary MacDougall Mystery Duet - Richard Audry

A Pretty Little Plot

With confident steps, Miss Mary MacDougall, makes her way to class. As the daughter of John MacDougall - a renowned, wealthy businessman - she has the luxury of spending her time taking painting lessons.

However, Mary is not your typical society girl. She longs to become a private investigator, to find a mystery filled with clues desperate to be found and deciphered.

So, when she awakes one morning to find one of her fellow classmates has been kidnapped, Mary's brain goes into overdrive and fingers itch to solve the case. Matters take a turn for the worse when she discovers another friend was also taken and that their teacher, Edmond Roy, is arrested for the crime.

The intelligent, practical 18years old uncovers that he was the last person to see Harriet Crosby and Daisy Larkin before their capture. Why the sudden invitation and insistence of his joining them for lunch? As facts reveal themselves to the would-be detective, Mary needs to establish Edmond's innocence. Is he incarcerated mainly because of his Indian heritage therefore enabling the real culprit to get away with a crime?

A great introduction to an amateur sleuth. Audry's main protagonist is engaging, intelligent and ahead of her time in wanting to become a female investigator. Fueled by stories from likes of Conan Doyle, Mary approaches the kidnapping in a thoughtful manner. The plot is easy to follow and the twist of who committed the deed, surprising. Set in the 1900s, the author gives glimpses of Duluth at that time adding richness to a well thought out mystery.

A Stolen Star

In Mary's second outing as a budding detective, she finds herself befriending an international opera singer, Josephine Borrell. The esteemed singer is to wear the Star of the North, a spectacular sapphire owned by Mrs. Ensign, a widowed millionairess.

Before Joesphine leaves Duluth, she is invited to a dinner at Mrs. Ensign's. And, before Mary leaves for said dinner, a knock at her front door reveals Edmond Roy along with two fellow artists - introducing them as Erno Ritala and Annika Ritala, jewelers. They all live in North Michigan where Edmond has been commissioned to work on a mural for a bank. Shocked at seeing him after so long, Mary arranges to meet him the next day.

Distracted at seeing the young, attractive artist again, Mary reminisces over the passionate kiss shared at his departure and barely eats the sumptuous meal prepared by Josephine's personal French chef. When Mrs. Ensign requests an impromptu reenactment of the concert, she also insists that the famed opera singer wear the North Star again. When the box is opened, the revered jewel is missing.

Immediately alert, Mary dons her imaginary deerstalker and starts to investigate. Who benefits from taking the sapphire? Mrs. Ensign claims its cursed (although it had no effect on her), and it wouldn't be easy to sell. The young sleuth centers her suspects to those in the old lady's house - including the servants. Is it an inside job or should Mary look further afield, further to two strangers who make jewelry using precious stones?

A great second outing for Mary MacDougall. Audry reminds the reader of key characters from the first book and brings others up for consideration. With an essence of (Agatha) Christie about the missing gem, the plot is straightforward but with enough complexity to keep the reader guessing. The author has packed a lot in to a novella but it's not overwhelming. The budding romance between Mary and Edmond is light relief.

Both stories are an excellent foundation to Mary MacDougall, private investigator. With engaging, well thought out characters and believable plots and great historical references, this series will surely become a favorite go-to for fans of mysteries. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

King Harald's Snow Job

The boss is planning a weekend away to catch up with friends, go to a concert, have good food and maybe even a new woman to date at the end of it. And, I get to go, so thinks the affable, King Harold. 'The Boss' is Andy (Anders) Skyberg, almost reluctant Mayor of a New Bergen, is packing to leave as soon as he makes a stop to help his Aunt Bev with a Holiday Faire. What could go wrong?

Plenty. Firstly, the weekend has been coupled with 'The Girls Weekend Out' - a two night stay with lots of different activities planned. Secondly, Rosemary, the woman in charge of the faire, is recuperating after falling off her bike. This means, Aunt Bev is now responsible for managing the whole event. And with Tim, the smarmy hotel manager, keen to see her fail, Anders insists on making sure it all goes well for his beloved aunt. 

With popular novelist, Logan Kennedy arriving to add to the festivities, it should make for a fun weekend for all. And then a blizzard blows in to town and it's now open season for mayhem. All manner of secrets are discovered on the snowy weekend - suggested affairs, odd tattoos and missing jewelry. And with King Harald sniffing out (and hiding) a key piece of evidence, what should have been a straightforward helping hand, turns into a complicated mystery for man and his best friend. 

I love King Harald. He's amiable, inquisitive and a genius in his own right. What I particularly like about this great series is that Audry doesn't humanize King Harald. What he thinks is what I would imagine a dog saying to himself. And that's why this works. Anders may well solve the mystery, but he has a lot of help from his faithful friend. A great story and highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

King Harald's Heist - Richard Audry

Autumn begins its descent in the town of New Bergen and part-time worker for his sister's cafe, Andy (Anders) Skyberg is keen to spend as much time as possible with the strikingly beautiful Finnish architect who is designing a new cafe and art gallery.

But with the best laid plans, Andy is finding it increasingly difficult. But what does he expect when he's the "go-to guy"? For starters his elderly neighbors (Elsie and Emma) want him to have a few words with a professor/historian who's convinced they're twins of ill repute. He does but Andy learns from Lance Robeson -  a man he met whilst delivering a lunch order who was having a heck of fight with his ex-wife at the time - that the professor has some solid facts.

Then his parents, taking a short break from their RV vacation, ask him to entertain a couple they met on their trip. Mona is easy enough to get on with but her husband, Joe is annoying - he has to be the person who's done one better.

His Aunt Bev heavily suggests that he takes the role of interim Mayor until her son, Myron (Ronnie) returns home to take up the role. Andy mulls it over but before he has a chance to say no to his aunt, his friend shows him a campaign poster of sorts that his aunt has put together. Looks like he won't have a chance to decline the proposal now.

And then to top things off, King Harald, Andy's loyal pooch, has a penchant for thievery - a thousand dollar note hidden in a famous yellow magazine and a risque garden gnome. He has to return them to the rightful owners. However, questions arise. How did his sweet old neighbor have a thousand dollar note? Is it somehow connected to Professor Robeson?

In no time at all, the affable large mutt detects a familiar smell. One that he's not too keen on but he knows. And then he stumbles upon a body. Somehow the boss isn't going to be too happy about this.

The reluctant crime-finding duo try their hardest not to get too involved in this latest murder. Thankfully a full plate of art, a Finnish lover with a secret, politics, squirrels and entertaining friends doesn't lend to to much investigating.

Anders curiosity is piqued and wants to know if Elsie or Emma did have a colorful past. They must have more of those bills stashed in the National Geographic magazines. He hopes they're not involved, they're sweet old women. But more than that he hopes Harald keeps his nose out of trouble!

Audry's canine cosy is an exciting yet laid back quick read. His characters are solid and likable, especially Harald. The author writes the dog's perspective on the murderous situation adding a great dimension to the story. Well written in an easy style and wonderful language, if it's your first time meeting the lovable dog, I suggest reading his first adventure. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.