Killing Time (A Dodie O’Dell Mystery #6) by Suzanne Trauth

Killing Time

(A Dodie O’Dell Mystery #6)

by Suzanne Trauth

Paperback, 218 pages

Expected publication: June 2nd 2020 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Goodreads synopsis: 

BAD BLOOD

With Halloween just around the corner, Dodie O'Dell is making preparations to transform the Windjammer Restaurant on the Jersey Shore into a haunted house, while the Etonville Little Theatre is staging Dracula. But casting the titular Transylvanian is proving challenging. The amateur actors in the company are not shy about chewing the scenery, but who among them can convincingly sink their fangs into a victim's neck? When a mysterious newcomer with a transfixing Eastern European accent lands the part, rumors that he might be an actual vampire start to take flight--not unlike the bat who's recently been spotted in the town park.

But everyone's blood really runs cold when a stranger is found in the cemetery with a real stake in his heart. Dodie decides to put her Halloween theme menu on the back burner and stick her neck out to bring the killer into the light of day. She'd better keep her wits about her, though--or Dodie may be the next one to go down for the Count . . .

***

4 Stars 

This is the sixth book in the Dodie O’Dell mystery series by Suzanne Trauth.

The premise: During the production of Dracula put on by the town’s local theater company, a stranger ends up dead in the cemetery from what looks like a stake to the heart. Dodie had been transforming her restaurant to echo the needs of the Dracula production but is sidelined when she realizes she needs to figure out what is really going on in her town.

I thought this was a pretty good read. The mystery was compelling and the setting at Halloween/Thanksgiving time was nice. Always a plus to have a holiday book to cozy up with. The Dracula aspect was very gimmicky but it worked for me.

Dodie sure did take a lot of needless chances with her life in this book. When it ends, she is a pretty banged up restaurant owner. I wish there had been more Bill in this book. The main police presence was a woman on the force who works with Bill. I know this is cliche but I like it when the men come in and rescue the damsel in distress. And Dodie needed that strong shoulder to rest upon more than once during the course of the story.

There is a nice twist at the end but the real culprit didn’t shock me. I was kinda expecting it. Needless to say, that didn’t keep me from completely enjoying myself. A wonderful Halloween read that ends up with a thankful vibe at Thanksgiving. Nice.

If you want to read a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.