Easter Bonnet Murder

Lucy hurries to the hospital when she hears that Miss Tilley is gravely ill. Lucy and Rachel, Miss Tilley’s caretaker, enter Miss Tilley’s room to find that her fever has broken and she is back to her normal cantankerous self. After the hospital, Miss Tilley is sent to Heritage House, an assisted living facility for seniors, to recover. When a resident of Heritage House goes missing, the patient’s daughter asks Lucy to help locate her mother. She says that there are rumors that something is amiss at Heritage House. Can Lucy find the missing senior and uncover what is happening at Heritage House? Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier is the 28th A Lucy Stone Mystery. I believe Easter Bonnet Murder can be read as a standalone. I do, though, recommend reading A Lucy Stone Mysteries from the beginning. It will allow you to get to know Lucy and the rest of the gang (their personalities and backgrounds plus you get to know the town). It is amazing the changes that have taken place since Mistletoe Murder. The story is well-written with developed characters who live in a charming Maine town. It is always a joy to visit Tinker’s Cove, Maine. The mystery was different. A woman is missing from Heritage House, but she is an senior who likes to be active. You do not know if there is a crime for a long time (is the woman just missing or has she been murdered). There are plenty of suspects with various motives. There is little evidence or clues to help Lucy. There is so much going on at Heritage House (the cliques, the intense Easter bonnet competition, all the activities, and potential crimes) that it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. As we near the end, it soon becomes clear who is responsible for the terrible deed. This is the type of story where you need to suspend your disbelief and just go with the flow (leave reality behind). Lucy’s youngest daughter, Zoe will be graduating from college soon and is looking for a job. Zoe comes across more as an immature teenager than someone who is twenty-one. Zoe is focused on herself and there is some drama. I think it will be a good thing for Lucy and Bill to have an empty nest. A romantic getaway is what this couple needs (hint to author). Miss Tilley is such a vibrant character. If she were a little younger (she is around 100), I would love to see her have her own series. She provides humor that lightens up the story. We get to see what life is like inside an assisted living facility. The façade and décor may be lovely, but there is more than meets the eye at this facility. I do not want to spoil Easter Bonnet Murder for you. Let me just say that this is one busy book. I enjoyed reading Easter Bonnet Murder and I look forward to Lucy’s next adventure. Easter Bonnet Murder is an eventful cozy mystery with an Easter bonnet battle, a stubborn and rebellious senior, a missing mother, an independent daughter, a colorful receptionist, and a prying reporter.