Book Review: Dearly Departed: A Secret Sisters Mystery

Book: Dearly Departed: A Secret Sisters Mystery
Author: Tristi Pinkston
Tristi's website here

Dearly Departed is the second installment in a series based in the LDS religion. These stories are about hilarious, little, old Relief Society ladies who take up sleuthing. I've LOVED these books! I don't think it's absolutely necessary to read the first book in order to understand and enjoy the second, but I'm glad I did. You probably would be too (plus you'd end up missing out on a really awesome ending to the first! Frying pans make AMAZING weapons!)

Okay, I know I've got friends who have been wanting to read this book, and I'm going to tell you the reasons you should. :-)

First, the plot is fun.
Second, the characters are hilarious.
Third, many of the twists and turns are surprising*
Fourth, the author is intelligent and humorous - which carries into her words.
Sixth, it's a book you won't want to put down. You will enjoy every single moment of it.

*I say "many of the twists and turns are surprising" because I believe it's important there is some predictability, else readers won't relate. Things will be too far-fetched. When I started reading Dearly Departed, I expected to be able to predict most of it, but was very pleasantly surprised. It had some great twists!

This book is a cozy mystery. There's plenty of intrigue to keep you reading, yet it isn't quite like a Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton. This worked really well for me - my schedule is pretty hectic right now, what with having just gotten married and still working three jobs. Having a suspenseful, stressful book to read would have probably caused an anxiety attack. :-) I absolutely love the characters in these stories - Ida Mae and Eden, especially. It's easy to relate to them, and a lot of fun to discover things alongside them.

And, again, Tristi is highly entertaining! I laughed out loud so many times - I know my husband thinks I'm crazy. :-) The one-liners are excellent, and the characters spunky, warm, and familiar.

Go. Now. Pick up a copy of Dearly Departed, then come tell me what you think. You'll love it!