Death of a Red-Hot Rancher (A Love Is Murder Mystery)

Lizzie Hale owns Love Under the Covers, a romance bookstore, in Tinker's Creek, Ohio. Lizzie finds local hot shot bison rancher, Brody Pierce stabbed to death in his barn. She worries that her free-spirited aunt will be accused of the crime, so Lizzie sets out to find Brody's killer. Death of a Red-Hot Rancher by Mimi Granger is the beginning of A Love is Murder Mystery series. Lizzie Hale loves to read romance novels, but they do not help her with her own love life. Lizzie's mouth has a way of saying the wrong thing when she is with a handsome man. Men seldom want a second date after enduring her babbling commentary or when Lizzie begins talking about romance novels. Lizzie's aunt, Charmaine is a quirky, free-spirited woman. I am a fan of the aunt. She is fun, outgoing, and friendly. We are introduced to a host of secondary characters. It can be difficult to keep them all straight. I enjoyed the descriptions of Tinker's Creek, Ohio. It sounds like a cozy small town that reminds me of Upper Sandusky (from when I was a kid). The whodunit is straightforward. I thought it was obvious who would die right from the beginning. The killer can be discerned before Lizzie finds the victim dead (my mother says I have read too many mysteries). I did enjoy the slight twist before the reveal. Lizzie uncovers a variety of secrets while (some humorous) investigating Brody's death. One secret reminded me of my favorite CSI episode. The clues are there for readers to find in order to solve the crime. Death of a Red-Hot Rancher is easy to read, and the story moves along at a steady pace. At times, though, it felt more like a romance novel than a cozy mystery. I loved Violet, Brody's shedding dog. She is a smart, sweet pooch. Death of a Red-Hot Rancher is a lighthearted cozy mystery with a departed rancher, funny money problem, big bison, a desolate dog, a quirky relative, a loving letter, and a sleuthing bookstore owner.