Step into the life of an artist, Jessie O'Bourne, a zealous red-head who could be considered an amateur sleuth with an eye for detail. Death at Crooked Creek is woven with an art expo, friends reuniting, and murders. Author Mary Ann Cherry draws on her own love of art, cats, and Montana to create a thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the last chapter. Several people have had motive, means, and opportunity for a few of the deaths, but only one has a connection to all five. Jessie stays busy with her guest artist requirements, but her friends are concerned about the threats she is receiving after a young man is killed and stuffed into her mobile home. Not only could she be next on the list, but maybe die by the hand of a friend.

Here comes a woman who uses her skills as an artist to spot the details left by a killer. Mary Ann Cherry adds a lot of suspense and cleverly plants evidence in plain sight. Death at Crooked Creek is a well written mystery with a touch of romance. I loved how she made the people come to life through their distinct personalities, making them seem like the person next door. Friendships are sacred and the author builds this around an art expo, which is something she herself enjoys attending as an artist. She enlightens the reader as to the world of artists and the ups and downs they experience in their line of work or hobby. I enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading more every time I had to set it down.

The vivacious and determined artist Jessie O’Bourne has returned in the second book of the Jessie O'Bourne Art Mystery Book series. She was invited to an art show at the Crooked Creek Lodge in Montana. When a body was found in her beloved motor home that she lovingly referred to as the Hawk, her involvement in the mystery was sealed. Her friends, Detective Sergeant Arvid Abrahmsen and his wife Esther, from Sage Bluff, Montana, soon joined the quest for the killer. Arvid sought permission to work with Sheriff Fischer, and he watched over Jessie who received threatening notes, accompanied by toy tractors. This was not the first murder in Crooked Creek, and it seemed that all of them might have a common thread, but what could it be? In Death at Crooked Creek by Mary Ann Cherry, the mystery becomes more and more convoluted.

Although finding the killer, or killers, is the main focus of the story, there are many additional features. Jessie’s skills as a painter are aptly described, and these are interesting for those who are not familiar with artistic techniques. The overwhelming tasks of hosting an art show, the joys and concerns of the artist vendors, and even the FBI involvement in possible illegal activities in the art world are eye-opening. And, there is just enough romantic interest in Jessie, from several different men, to add a lightheartedness to the growing number of murders. Author Mary Ann Cherry has written an intriguing art mystery story in Death at Crooked Creek. I enjoyed how convoluted and complicated the story was - better than many other mystery books! A fascinating read!

In Death at Crooked Creek by Mary Ann Cherry, artist Jessie O’Bourne goes to the annual Crooked Creek Art Expo in Montana as a replacement for a guest artist who couldn’t make it. Together with her tom cat, Jack, she resides comfortably at a lodge that hosts the art show, leaving her motor home, the Hawk, unattended for some time. When she discovers a dead body hidden in the Hawk’s storage area, she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation, and soon receives threats. The killer, hidden among the artists, guests, and people who run the art show, must be found before Jessie becomes the next victim.

Crooked Creek, Montana in March is a great setting for this solid whodunit story. Cherry described the place well enough for me to imagine the snowy environment which also revolves around the artists and their art. The plot is substantially complex, well structured and has a moderate pace overall. The narration is clear cut and an easy read. I’m glad that the romance between the well fleshed out characters is somewhat toned down and doesn’t overwhelm other aspects of the story.

At times I felt there was a bit too much going on, and I was slightly ambivalent about the chronological style. However, after a few chapters, they were not an issue, and Cherry did well to connect the events from the past and the present. I had fun trying to piece all the clues together and guess the perpetrator from quite early on. Without giving away any spoilers, Jessie’s encounter with some of the characters about a mysterious text message was when the real detective fun started for me. All in all, an enjoyable read.