Review - Death in a Difficult Position

Death in a Difficult Position by Diana Killian is the fourth book in the “Mantra for Murder” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2011

Though he’s new in Stillbrook, the charismatic Reverend David Goode has wasted no time in pointing a righteous finger at the town’s center of sin: A.J. and her studio. A.J. tries to have a civil word with him, but the fire and brimstone only gets worse. In fact, her former partner turned ruthless yoga rival, Lily, approaches her suggesting they present a united front against Goode before he drives them both out of business. But when Goode is found murdered and the hot-tempered Lily is accused, A.J. discovers that the good reverend was actually a bad, bad boy, with a flock full of motives for murder. And if she wants to clear Lily’s name, A.J. is going to have to stretch her sleuthing skills to the limit.

Yoga, a sin? That is what the newly arrived Reverend is telling his congregation. While A.J. and the other yoga owners tried to talk some sense into him, Lily lets her temper get the best of her and when he is murdered, Lily becomes the prime suspect. Knowing that A.J. like sleuthing, Lily asks A.J. to find the killer before she is doing a 7-year stretch. I enjoyed this lighthearted and fast-paced story. The mystery was good, as I didn’t pinpoint the killer until later in the story and it was fun watching A.J. and her mother “work” the case. New characters were introduced in this tale and I hope we get to see more of them in the next installment of this likeable series.

--Dru

  Previously appeared at dru's book musing