Maria Picass Picass itibaren Tantsura Kramarenko, Krasnodarskiy kray, Rusya
I tend to avoid most mysteries that seem to be based on hobbies, crafts, or oddball jobs, because I expect them to be too cutesy. However, I'd heard enough praise of Mary Jane Maffini to be willing to try one of her books. I'm glad I did, because it was well-written and the organizing tips didn't get in the way of a very complicated plot and some engaging characters. The setting, a small town in upstate New York, was nicely drawn (the protagonist even shops at the same supermarket I do, and I know that's accurate). My only real quibble with that was that the town doesn't seem to have a public high school, since most of the characters went to Catholic high school together. Ms. Maffini is Canadian, and I know their system is somewhat different. Otherwise, this book provided a welcome relief from some heavier things I've been reading, and I'll look for more in the series.
I found this when I got back home from Hawaii, in my mail box!! Thank you so much. I read it in 3 days and I loved it! I highly recomend this book for anyone who likes to learn a bit of cultural life of women in the Middle East and fast action. I couldn't put it down. I have found my new favorite author.