Moving Is Murder: A Mom Zone Mystery (Ellie Avery Mysteries)

Author's Summary

Moving four times in five years has honed Ellie's considerable skills. But unpacking with a newborn daughter, record-breaking heat wave, and the realization that their dream neighborhood is known as Base Housing East is enough to make her turn to chocolate for comfort. She and her husband, Mitch, moved off-base for privacy and peace of mind. Now half of their neighbors are with the 52nd Air Refueling Squadron. Forget privacy. Forget peace of mind, too. Driving home from her first squadron barbecue, Ellie finds neighborhood environmental activist Cass Vincent dead on the side of the road. The police call it an accident - Cass, fatally allergic, was stung by wasps - but Ellie's not so sure. Cass' husband said she always had an EpiPen in the car. Unfortunately, all Ellie found was a cup with sugary gunk and bits of bees at the bottom. She saw Cass argue violently at the barbecue with Mitch's buddy Jeff about something mysterious...and it just so happens Jeff knows a lot about bee-keeping. Hoping to clear Drew before the police get around to suspecting him, Ellie starts snooping in earnest. What she finds shocks her - alcoholism, blackmail, betrayal, secret debt...even illicit medical treatment the Air Force would never tolerate. But what's the connection to Cass? When suspicious "accidents" start happening in her own backyard, Ellie realizes she's getting closer to the killer...maybe too close!

MWSA Review

MWSA 2006 Bronze Medal for Fiction, Mystery

Amateur sleuthing by a military spouse, a murder, lots of suspects and moving to a new base assignment are some of the elements that make "Moving Is Murder" a great tale. Author Sara Rosett takes her experiences as a military wife and weaves a tale into that fabric that is rich and full of excitement, intrigue, action and enough plot twists and turns to keep you guessing as to who done it and why. 

To say that I enjoyed it would be an understatement--I loved it! I think the little heart symbol on the book's front cover indicating that it is "A Mom Zone Mystery" might scare off some male readers--but never judge a book by its cover. It is a great read for men as well as women--murder is not gender biased. It was a pleasant surprise to me to find myself hooked on this story plot so quickly. 

The book is well constructed and she has made good use of personal glimpses of the characters in the story; so we get to know the people in the story and get caught up in the action. Rosett has significant writing talent, that is a given; she delivers an entertaining and absorbing story. 

Those in the military will enjoy reading about their lifestyle and be able to identify with the actions and situations that take place on and of base an Air Force Base. There is also a nice side benefit for military families reading the book because at the end of most all chapters there are moving tips thrown in. That may sound a little odd but trust me she makes it work and it keeps the flow of the mood and energy rolling along. 

Reviewed by: Bill McDonald (2006)