The heroine is Jennifer (Jennie) Connors, divorced/single mother of two, is Activities Director of Riverview. She holds it all together in a realistic and admirable way; she's neither a neurotic mess nor Super Woman, so she felt real to us from the very first page. Her two sons are well drawn and sympathetic without being stereotypes.
The mystery begins when two diners are poisoned at a restaurant owned by Jennie's best friend, Lilly. Complicating matters is the fact that Lilly's teenage daughter may somehow be involved. Jennie investigates, using a sort of Edgar Allan Poe technique of paying attention to details that others have chosen not to focus on. And she's helped greatly by a set of six elderly residents of Riverview nicknamed the "Tea Ladies." Each of them is a hoot in her own way, but what we found really enjoyable about them was the way each had her own distinct personality, and used life experience to give Jennie insights.
We thought Jennie's relationship with her husband (usually cordial, sometimes strained) seemed very real, as did her relationship with her two sons. The mystery itself is well done and logical even if it's not ground-breaking or filled with shocking surprises (a couple of us figured out the "perp" long before Jennie), and the story is an incredibly pleasant way to spend an afternoon or evening. While the term "cozy" applies here, we thought it was an exceedingly well done cozy, feeling very real, warm, and rich, without any anufactured cuteness or cloying sentimentality.
Overall, we recommend it and hope to see more of Jennie and the residents of Riverview.
Claire MaManus on Dorothy L
A COZY WITH A MARY HIGGINS CLARK FEEL
Sandra Carey Cody's Consider the Lilly is a well-crafted mystery and cozy that's entertaining and smooth. Cody writes like Mary Higgins Clark but definitely has her own unique style and voice. You'll be sucked in from page one, and want to spend lots of time with Jennie Connor, her family, and quirky friends. Lots of sinister goings on here that you won't want to miss from this masterful author.
Kelly Jameson Author of Dead On
FUN COZY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY
Jennie Connors' good friend, Lilly, is in big trouble. Two people were poisoned in Lilly's restaurant and her eldest daughter, Jasmine, could be a suspect. Lilly's business has been shut down and her family's in crisis, so Jennie wants to help. Convinced of Lilly's and Jasmine's innocence, she sets out to find the truth, despite police warnings to stay out of the investigation. As activities coordinator at a retirement home, Jennie has a lot of unwanted investigative help from her "tea ladies". When the niece of one of these ladies is killed under suspicious circumstances in a car crash, Jennie's determination to find the killer really ramps up. But, as a single parent, Jennie also has her hands full caring for her own two boys, doing her job, and fielding phone calls from her meddlesome ex.
Although there's tension and turmoil, Sandra Carey Cody creates a remarkably calm atmosphere in CONSIDER THE LILLY. There's something soothing about her writing style, which makes for a pleasant, entertaining read. The characters are believable and I look forward to reading more of Jennie's adventures.