Review: Dial Om For Murder by Diana Killian

Today I am reviewing a recently published book that is only the second in the series.  The Mantra for Murder mystery series has a Yoga studio as a main location, but the story is not overly yoga centered so anyone will enjoy this series.

Author: Diana Killian

Copyright: Nov 2009 (Berkely); 288 pgs.
Series: #2 in Mantra for Murder Mysteries

Sensuality: Tame
Mystery sub-genre: Cozy
Main Character: A.J. Alexander, recently inherited a Yoga Studio, Sacred Balance
Setting: Stillbrook, a small Northwest New Jersey town

Obtained book through: Library Find

A.J. has two celebrity clients at her yoga studio, Sacred Balance, that test her commitment to a peaceful and serene life. They appear to have personal grudges against each other and it carries into the yoga studio. In the midst of a particularly hectic day, diva actress Nicole insists that A.J. retrieve her left-behind cellular phone and hand deliver it to her house. A.J. reluctantly complies and finds Nicole dead in her home. A.J. insists she is not getting involved - she is absolutely under no circumstances investigating Nicole’s murder.

Then her ex-husband shows up on her doorstep limping and a bump on his head that he won’t explain and pleads for sanctuary and her mother cancels her Egyptian vacation and rushes home to aid A.J. in ferreting out the murderer. She gets dragged into investigating in spite of her good intentions. A.J. gets threats and even her very new relationship with the sheriff is at stake this time. But there is no stopping after the local newspaper calls her “the local Miss Marple” because the murderer has read that article too.

There are only a few people who could have had the time or motive to kill the diva actress so A.J. starts asking questions. It seems as though none of them could have done it, but somebody is lying. There is tension throughout the story with A.J.’s ongoing struggles with the co-manager of the Yoga studio and then complications with her policeman boyfriend over the case.

Stillbrook was the kind of village one might expect to find along the California coast. While it wasn’t precisely an artist’s colony, there was a strong arts and crafts element to the town. In addition to the art galleries and book stores, there were little bakeries and speciality shops. Several museums were within twenty minutes driving time, and the Mauch Chunk Opera House was less than an hour away. In the center of town, cute historic buildings circled and old-fashioned village green with a large pond and a bronze statue of a WWI soldier and a mule.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In her final letter, Aunt Diantha had written: Darling Girl, the blessings that I would bestow upon you are a joyful spirit and a heart at peace. A.J. didn’t know if she had actually achieved a joyful spirit and a heart at peace, but she realized she was coming to terms with the past – and that was a lot right there. Far too many people never had that much.

Though she had to admit, it was easier to hold onto this mildly nostalgic sense of peace and harmony with her mother safely out of the country on an Egyptian cruise, and Andy, A.J.’s ex, in New York, where she never had to see him or deal with his troubling desire to remain friends.

Good solid story with a nice plot that keeps you guessing as information is revealed. Characters are well portrayed and come to life with just the right mix of background data and struggles. A.J.’s mother, Elysia, ignores facts she doesn’t like and as a supporting character is half quirky and half aggravating for a dash of spice. A.J. is an enjoyable main character that most readers can identify with. She is level headed and vulnerable while gutsy. Even the ex-husband Andy adds to the story and shows that A.J.’s heart is in the right place. I actually like the “ex” and I feel Ms. Killian deserves kudos for how carefully this character has been developed

The big reveal was brought about smoothly and logically with the reader side-by-side with A.J. figuring it out. Although the murderer may have been suspected the reader will likely add the last piece at the same time as A.J. does.

I had read the first book in the series, Corpse Pose, but I think this book stands alone fine. I recommend the first book as well. This is a good example of the modern cozy for the reader who enjoys a younger heroine in a contemporary setting. Good story telling with just the right mix of murder plot, suspense, good characters and romantic potential. The book includes directions for the Sun Salutation morning Yoga routine and a healthy recipe.

For your convenience, you may purchase your copy here.

Until next Monday and another author interview, I wish you many mysterious moments.

Review: Snake Dreams by James D. Doss

In honor of Native American day coming up on Oct 12, I am reviewing the latest in the series of mysteries all taking place in or around the Ute Indian reservation in Southern Colorado written by James D. Doss. During the month of October we will be reviewing paranormal mysteries to get us “in the mood” for Halloween. So this review is appearing now.


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Snake Dreams by James D Doss

This is the thirteenth book in the Charlie Moon Mysteries (first in the series was The Shaman Sings.) Charlie Moon started out as a Ute Tribal “Policeman” in Southern Colorado, but he has become a rancher with his own spread and cattle while being a tribal investigator on the side.

In this installment, we see the seven-foot tall Ute Indian planning on asking his ladylove to marry him. But things go south quickly, as they tend to do for Charlie. One of the continuing storylines is Charlie’s aunt Daisy, who is an elderly and cranky shaman (or medicine woman) and her schemes. The ghost of a Ute woman, Chiquita Yazzi who had lived on the Reservation but took off (gossip said with another man) has visited Daisy. She has been viciously murdered and is worried about her daughter, Nancy Yazzi, that she had left behind. And that is the extent of that murder. It isn’t investigated. It was just the entry point to get the focus on the daughter.

The murder of Chiquita’s husband (Mr. Wetzel) who is the stepfather to the teenage Nancy, is the crux of the story. The vast majority of the book is various activities of Aunt Daisy, her charge Sarah Frank, and a new conspirator in Aunt Daisy’s schemes - Millicent Muntz. The book is full of Doss’ characteristic humor but short of an actual mystery. This installment is more a delightful tale than a coursing mystery screaming to be solved. It seems the series has changed and I am longing for the older books when Charlie Moon and his best friend Scott Parris actually investigated crimes more.

The strong point in this book is the humor and the characters. Used to be Charlie Moon and his sense of humor was the source of laughter, but now the omniscient narrator leads the reader with wry humor.

Here is a sample of the humor and writing style. We pick up the story with Charlie finishing a phone call with his love interest.

 Time to say, “Goodbye Charlie.” To this, she added a kissing sound!

Did this make an impression on Mr. Moon?

Here he comes, out of the kitchen, deep voice booming “I Walk the Line” with so much heart and soul that the most diehard fans of the Man in Black would sit up and expect to see Mr. Cash appear around some dark corner. But can out man sing and dance at the same time? You know he can. Hot-footing it along that well known Line, Moon is doing the best takeoff of your classic buck-and-wing that could be expected of a big, lanky fellow wearing heavy cowboy boots who has never had any formal training in classic ballet. Look at him go! He bops all the way across the dining room – and the performance does not end there. Charlie Moon’s hard heals and sharp toes echo across the hollowness of the parlor, where juniper flames snap and crackle in the stone fireplace. Has our hoofer shot his wad? Not a chance. Up the stairs he boogies, to the second floor, down the long hallway and through his bedroom door…

It is a fun read, no doubt about it. I just miss the old style I got in The Shaman Sings or The Shaman Laughs that were a blend of tribal police procedural and Ute mysticism. That was a potent combination and built the series. While Snake Dreams is a good tale it wasn’t the heady mix I was looking forward to.

Doss is expert at character development and you really come to know the characters. Doss’ ability to integrate humor throughout the entire story is practically an art form in itself. There was a twist at the end that was surprising since the reader believes all along that they know who murdered Mr. Wetzel, but did they really? 

For your convenience you may purchase this book here

Until Monday when meet again for another "My Musings" I wish you many mysterious moments.