The Death of Goldie's Mistress - (A Liza and Mrs.Wilkens Mystery) by Linda Norlander (Paperback)

About the Book

Liza Johnson, at loose ends on summer break from teaching fifth grade, is drawn into intrigue when her 84-year-old neighbor insists that Ramona, Liza's former GED student, has been murdered.

Book Synopsis

Liza Johnson, at loose ends on summer break from teaching fifth grade, is drawn into intrigue when her 84-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Wilkens, insists that Ramona, Liza's former GED student, has been murdered. Everyone assumes Ramona, a recovering addict, died of an accidental or intentional overdose, but Mrs. Wilkens is out to prove them wrong. Liza is urged to act when the voice in her head of her twin sister Charlee, who died at age four, tells her, Help Mrs. Wilkens. Spurred by the irrepressible Mrs. Wilkens and Charlee, Liza finds herself embroiled in an investigation involving a failing church, a very ill pastor's wife, and a secret within the walls of the parish house. Adding to the intrigue, she becomes the begrudging caretaker of Goldie, Ramona's cat-the only witness to her death.

Review Quotes

"In Linda Norlander's engaging novel, The Death Of Goldie's Mistress, intrepid sleuth Liza Johnson-with some help from a delightfully persistent octogenarian, a cat named Goldie, and a voice from within-unravels the mystery behind a suspicious death in a shady church congregation. An excellent start to a new series!"-Alan Orloff, Anthony, Agatha, Derringer, and two-time Thriller Award Winning Author of Sanctuary Motel

"Prompted by her irrepressible 84-year-old neighbor, Liza agrees to investigate the death of a former student. Haunted by her own childhood trauma, Liza finds help and inspiration in Charlee, the voice of her dead sister, who appears intermittently to guide her pursuit of a killer. Rounding out Liza's unlikely band of co-conspirators is Goldie, a cat whose personality is rendered in comedic detail... With an abundance of red herrings, a host of well-placed clues, and a satisfying conclusion, The Death of Goldie's Mistress is a must-read for mystery fans."-Lori Robbins, award-winning author of the On Pointe mysteries

"The Death of Goldie's Mistress by Linda Norlander is a true cozy with modern motivations and clues. Norlander takes us on amateur sleuth Liza's reluctant journey to discover who really killed a recovering drug addict that Liza had befriended. Along the way, a tenacious octogenarian, religious charlatans, drug dealers, and recovering addicts fill Liza's days as she investigates. An unexpected attraction to one of her sources keeps Liza busy, along with the pushy adorable cat, Goldie."-Lou Kemp, author of the cross-genre Celwyn series