Review - The Forty Year Grudge

Mysteries and My Musings · 3 months ago · 91 views

 Liza Tully lives in Boston, MA with her husband and their dog, Fred. She is a firm believer in reading escapist fiction that makes you laugh as well as think."When the World’s Greatest Detective reunites with her college friends, she discovers that time doesn’t heal all wounds."I hadn't read the first book in the series, The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant, but I was able to understand any backstory easily.   Author: Liza TullyCopyright: June 2026 (Berkley) 352 pgsSeries: 2nd in Merritt & Blunt MysteriesSensuality: Some languageMystery Sub-genre: Cozy, Private detective/investigatorMain Character: Olivia Blunt, personal assistant and detective in trainingSetting: Modern time, New MexicoObtained Through: NetGalley/publisher for honest reviewBook Blurb: "It's been four decades since the women of Sigma Delta Tau were last together. The passing years, growing families, and maturing careers may have strained the bonds of sisterhood, but now a reunion at the Western ranch of one member offers an opportunity to renew acquaintances…and at least one long-standing grudge.Still, this weekend is supposed to be a pleasant diversion for former sorority member and current private investigator Aubrey Merritt. She's come to New Mexico to reconnect with old friends and she's brought along her personal assistant, Olivia Blunt—an aspiring detective who is learning more about packing bags on this trip than about solving crimes.The shocking murder of a sorority sister changes everything. With the local police overmatched, all eyes turn to Merritt and Blunt to crack the case. With a surprising abundance of suspects, it's going to take both of them to cut through the knot of old hurts and current grievances to find the killer."My Thoughts:Olivia Blunt isn't perfect, but she is learning the PI business from the best. She isn't sure of herself yet, but she is determined to improve. I liked her character and could relate.Aubrey Merritt is precise and analytical, but this case presents personal connections, particularly the host of the reunion is a friend - and Merritt doesn't count many in the category. At times there is a hint of Merritt perhaps starting to like her green assistant/trainee.Sigma Delta Tau sorority members attending the weekend with spouses are all interesting and the past slights and betrayals start popping to the surface. This makes for a full suspect pool.The remote New Mexico setting ramps up the atmosphere of being isolated with a killer. A killer clever enough take advantage of a perfect situation to murder where somebody else will be the obvious prime suspect. This is a classic murder plot with enough red herrings to keep it interesting. The pacing kept things moving along at a good clip without feeling slow or rushed. The climax was the only part that I wished different. It seemed rather uneventful. I love a gripping killer reveal, but that doesn't happen here. It is a bit more like the old Ellery Queen show and books where the suspects are gathered together and the killer is revealed. Nothing wrong with that at all, seems I've gotten a little spoiled.Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list Have you read this or the prior book in the series? Please leave a comment on what you thought. I love comments, so share.THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.Join my author newsletter: Click Here