BOOK REVIEW: Swan Dive by Kendel Lynn (Elliott Lisbon Mystery #3)

Swan Dive (Elliott Lisbon Mystery #3)

by Kendel Lynn (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 250 pages

Published March 17th 2015 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: It’s Opening Night at the Ballantyne Foundation’s production of The Nutcracker, but it’s curtains for the Sugar Plum Fairy. When her body is found backstage, fatally poisoned by a cupcake she baked herself, rumors turn to suicide. But Elli Lisbon, director of the Ballantyne and coordinator of the ballet, smells something rotten amidst the sugar and spice.

   As Elli applies her PI-in-training skills on the troupe of suspects, she discovers an eccentric herbalist, a temperamental chef, a stalking choreographer, and a bevy of backstage secrets. Between her off-the-record investigation, duty as director, and highly-charged love life, she finds herself caught in a dance to stay one pirouette ahead of a half-baked killer.

_+_+_

Elli knows a lot about the ballet. Her adopted mother and father run a foundation that sponsor the arts and they, the Ballantyne's have provided funding for The Nutcracker every year for as long as she can remember. This year is different when the lead dancer is found dead in her dressing room. Elii decides to use her expanding PI skills to help the police solve the murder. Elli is training to be a PI (Private Investigator) and expects ex-flame and now detective, Nick Ransom, with the police to play fair. But Nick doesn't always understand the meaning of the word share. His idea is that she shares and he doesn't have to.

When Nick came back to town, Elli became perplexed waffling between a relationship with School master, Maddie and Ransom.

Since this is book three in a series, there has already been a lot of things that have happened in previous books between these characters. But you don't feel like you are left out about any history between them because the author puts in those little gems of explanation very well. 

Elli knows the dead ballerina. She has danced this particular show in previous seasons and she is... err... was the best. And her personal life is way more complex than anyone knew. 

This mystery was very entertaining and fun to follow. I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series. And you should too. Cozy lovers will adore this one!

4 Stars!

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