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Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite
Final Arrangements by Donna Huston Murray is about Gin, a happily married mother of two teens who uses her amateur sleuthing skills to solve unusual murders. Gin's fascinating adventure begins after driving her mother's friend, Iffy Bigelow, to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Iffy plans to compete in this renowned event. However, because of Iffy's snarky temperament, Gin anticipates that something off-putting might occur at the flower show. Sure enough, disaster rears its ugly head. Iffy's body is discovered, and the evidence indicates she has been strangled with her own scarf. The police want to hold Iffy's mentally unstable niece responsible for the murder, but fortunately, Gin decides to launch an investigation of her own. Amidst the shocking secrets buried in Iffy's past, Gin is dead set on discovering the identity of the killer before she ends up becoming the next murder victim.
Final Arrangements is an utterly unputdownable cozy mystery, ideal for fans of Clare Chase and Agatha Christie. Evenly-paced, witty, and full of unexpected twists, this murder mystery will keep readers guessing until the end. This book was my first time reading a book from the Ginger Barnes Cozy Mystery series, and it definitely won't be my last. Gin is a charming character who naturally blossoms in her amateur sleuthing role. Her decisiveness in solving the case and quirky interactions with the other characters add a sense of intrigue to every chapter. I also found Gin's family dynamics to be endearing, nostalgic, and beautifully executed in the background of the case. Donna Huston Murray does a fantastic job of bringing all the characters to life using immersive dialogue and vivid descriptions. Fascinating suspects, suspense, and a satisfying ending will earn the admiration of mystery fans everywhere. I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a read.
