There are some stories that I find hard to give a teaser for without being a spoiler as well, and this is one of those stories. What does that usually mean? It means you've got a well-written novel that will keep you glued till the end.
Bitter Truth is part three of the Green Dory Inn Mystery series by Janet Sketchley, and yes, I'd recommend that you read the previous stories to help you become more familiar with the characters and what had previously occurred.
I've enjoyed this series, but as far as mystery, this one is the best. A nice assorted cast of possible suspects, and lots of twists in the plot that will keep you guessing.
However, the best part are the characters. It was nice to see some favorites like Nigel back in the story, as well as some visitors from Sketchley's Redemption's Edge trilogy. But the other characters are definitely three dimensional, and there are plenty of issues to think about. I've read some cozy mysteries that seem shallow and even silly; this is not true about this series.
I've read reviewers that seem allergic to anybody mentioning issues of faith, and mainly the Christian faith. This book does have a faith thread in it, but 1) that thread is organic to the story and not used as an opportunity to preach and 2) recognizes that the Christian life isn't easy and deals with true dillemas many believers have.
I would without reservation recommend this book and the rest of the series. You also might enjoy Sketchley's Redemption's Edge stories.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for my unbiased review.
One last comment for my blog readers: This is a book I'd love to be able to discuss in a discussion group.
Thank you for taking time to read and review, Jeffrey. Funny, I've seen a few people say they like it when Nigel shows up. I do plan to keep him around :)
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