On Borrowed Crime: A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery

Lyla Moody, the 31-year-old narrator of this amusing series launch from Young (the Marygene Brown mysteries), works for her uncle Calvin as a receptionist at Cousins Investigative Services in the “Mayberry-esque” town of Sweet Mountain, Ga. Her mother would rather see her working behind the makeup counter at a department store. Indeed, as Lyla observes, “Here in Sweet Mountain... old southern families resided. Our tea was sweet, our accents were sweeter, and our ladies were expected to be the same. Murder didn’t quite fit in.” One afternoon at work, she gets a call from Judge David Timms, who tells her his wife, Carol, a friend of Lyla’s and a fellow member of the Jane Doe book club, has been missing for four days. Back home, Lyla finds a large suitcase on her doorstep, and inside is Carol’s body. Carol, as it turns out, had been investigating a local cold case murder. Agatha Christie–like clues and a witty narrator who knows how to handle herself enhance the subsequent sleuthing. This skillful blend of detective work and chick lit will appeal to cozy readers. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Agency. (Oct.)