Courtesy Call

When Rick loses reelection as sheriff, Kat believes she can finally relax and not worry about him. Until the newly elected sheriff is murdered and the ladies become Rick’s Angels and vow to find out who did the deed. But are they gambling, with their lives, or are they going to win big and take down a murderer?

How have I not ready one of the first eight books in this series? I found it uniquely charming, laughably amusing and a solid whodunit.

A solid whodunit. This book grabbed my attention from the first and kept it. Love the characters! They are fun and very likable. My first in this series but certainly NOT my last. Already have purchased the eight previous ones. Call me Happy! Thanks #netgalley and #BacklitPR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
#netgalley #BacklitPR
#BarbaraBarrett
#CourtesyCall

cozy-mystery, Florida, law-enforcement, small-town, amateur-sleuth, friendship, retirees, murder, murder-investigation***

I was floundering because I had not read any of the earlier books, but I found the characters well done and the sleuthing different but good.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Backlit PR via NetGalley.

Courtesy Call is a great must-read cozy mystery.

It features four retired amateur sleuths living in the small town of Serendipity in Florida. It has all of the characteristics of a great whodunit. You can't help but fall in love with the well-crafted characters.

Can't wait to read more.

When Katrina Faulkner’s husband loses his bid to be re-elected sheriff she hurts as much as he does. Then she meets Rick Formero to help solve the fiery murder of the man who eat him at the polls. While the police department is in chaos it’s up to Kat and her mahjong ladies to step inas Rick’s unofficial staff to unravel the crime. As tips rollin and suspects multiply seems the late sheriff led a complicated life gambling. No one is betting on who’s to blame Syd is planning a many tournament. Marianne is writing a play and journalist Mickey can’t wait to get her hands on a juicy story. When the chips are down they and the men in their lives are up to the task of helpingKat and Rick get into the world of high stakes gambling in pursuit of an elusive killer even if they’re rolling the dice on danger. Fun story with everyone working together to catch the sheriffs killer.

This is the ninth in the series, but only the second one I've read. I read the first in the series (and the short "Introduction" book too). This series follows four female friends in their sixties (I'm guessing). They are very active and don't act like "grannies." I wasn't lost skipping around in the series, so don't let that discouraging you if you haven't read all in the series, in order. It is well written and entertaining (close friends, funny parts, good mystery). I would definitely recommend this book. It's nice to read a cozy mystery with older ladies; less relationship drama. The ladies are smart and mature. I'll be filling in the missing books that I haven't read yet.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Backlit PR and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Barbara Barrett knocks it out of the park again. The Mah Jongg Mystery series are a delightful cozy mystery series.

This was the first book in this series I have read (there are already 8 of them), and it a fun little book, due to the fact that the characters are MATURE. Not young, not old, but Mature, with full lives! Concept, LOL. It's an interesting look at what happens to cops when they retire (BORED), and how their WIVES have to deal with it! Then the whole concept of a bad sheriff, and being asked to help the department on the side, is an obvious set up to building a detective agency, but it reads authentically as to how the group convinces Rick, that together such an agency can exist and work. Call it a run through for the real thing! It's a quick read and perfect for getting to know the characters in the series.

This book was part of a series which is new to me as was the author but I was not disappointed. It works as a stand alone because the author gives you enough background so that you are comfortable with the characters and situation going forward. The plot development was good and she did not make it formulaic or obvious . The ending was good because it prepares you to move ahead with the series if you choose but also ends well by itself as you know what the characters will do now that the case is solved. Overall a good cozy read.

Kat's significant other, Rick Formero, is having a difficult time adjusting to his loss in his effort to be re-elected sheriff. It doesn't help that the new sheriff, Jett Carmody, is a total jerk (I'm being kind) and has created a toxic atmosphere at the sheriff's department. So there's no real broken hearts when he is found murdered in his car which had been set aflame. Because of the problems at the sheriff's department and the fact that there is no one there with any really investigative experience, the Serendipity Springs Board of Supervisors persuaded Rick to undertake the murder investigation. Rick enlists the Mah Jongg ladies - Kat, Syd, Marianne, and Micki along with their partners to assist him in gather evidence and interrogating suspects. They man the Tip lines as well as review financials, each in their area of expertise.

I really enjoy this series, not just for the Mah Jongg references, but the characters are no spring chickens! I love their zest for life even in their golden years!

Another entertaining story in this good series. I was glad to catch up with the characters, had a lot of fun, and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Even it can be read as a stand alone I recommend to read the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine