Fawcett, Sept 2003, 6.99, 352 pp.
ISBN 0449007316
Sophie Greenway, the owner of the Maxfield Plaza historic hotel in St. Paul and restaurant reviewer for the Minneapolis Times is a close friend with Elaine Veelund, the CEO of Veelund Log Lodges. Elaine is going threw a difficult time right now worrying about her daughter Tracy who is sliding deeper and deeper into a depression. When Tracy attempts suicide Elaine takes her daughter to the house of her mother Millie to recuperate and be watched.
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Millie abruptly announces she is selling Veelund Industries to the dismay of Alex (the president and CEO of the company), his lover Roman Marchand (the president of Veelund's KitchenVisions) and Elaine. Danny, the youngest son, is there on a visit that is personal in nature and couldn't care less about the business. When Millie dies in her sleep everyone thinks it is of natural causes until the autopsy proves she was murdered. Millie was a rigid, bigoted redneck who made many enemies but when another Veelund is also murdered Sophie finds herself in danger of becoming victim number three.
Ellen Hart can always be counted on to write a good mystery but DEATH ON A SILVER PLATTER goes one step further. This enthralling story is a heart wrenching relationship drama concerning the social dynamics of the Veelund family. It would be great if the author created another mystery series starring Elaine Veelund, a complex and strong heroine who has no problems giving justice a nudge. Although Sophie is an integral part of the story, her role is not that of an amateur sleuth but that of a wife and friend. This is a one sitting reading experiences.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner