It is so rare for me to find a mystery that makes me laugh out loud over and over again. When Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series was bright and shiny new, I laughed so much while reading it on my breaks at work that co-workers insisted I had to read the books aloud. But the bright and shiny new wore off with both cast iron plots and a main character that never changed. My interest flagged, my enthusiasm waned, and I stopped reading the series. I was bereft.
Until I picked up Wendall Thomas's first Cyd Redondo mystery, Lost Luggage. I fell head over heels for Cyd Redondo, a MacGyver in stilettos with her Balenciaga bag and her Tupperware. The critter lover in me also loved the fact that each mystery has something to say about wildlife. But even more... I laughed. And I laughed. And I laughed.
I've followed Cyd from Africa to Australia to England, and when I learned that my next trip with her would be to Bali, I couldn't wait to pack my bag.
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| Available October 30, 2023! |
Synopsis:
"It’s 2007 and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, has Eat, Pray, Love
fever. Every book club in town is devouring the bestseller and all of
Cyd’s senior citizen clients are dying to head to exotic Bali. But the
travel agent in Cyd only sees its dangers—three active volcanos, six
venomous snake species, no wheelchair ramps, about fifteen possible
tropical diseases, and the death penalty for smugglers.
So she’s hurt and furious, but also terrified, when her mother, Bridget, sneaks off with two friends on a Bali tour booked by Cyd’s archnemesis, Peggy Newsome. Of course, Bridget and her friends wind up stranded and smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Now Cyd must navigate Balinese culture, battle songbird smugglers and thieving monkeys, commandeer a funicular railway, infiltrate an underground Tupperware network, and find the real killer, all while trying to keep three hungry, endangered Bali Starling chicks alive in her purse . . ."
So she’s hurt and furious, but also terrified, when her mother, Bridget, sneaks off with two friends on a Bali tour booked by Cyd’s archnemesis, Peggy Newsome. Of course, Bridget and her friends wind up stranded and smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Now Cyd must navigate Balinese culture, battle songbird smugglers and thieving monkeys, commandeer a funicular railway, infiltrate an underground Tupperware network, and find the real killer, all while trying to keep three hungry, endangered Bali Starling chicks alive in her purse . . ."
I'll follow Cyd anywhere, and if you love to read laugh-out-loud humorous mysteries with strong plots and fantastic characters, you need to book a trip with her, too!
Cathy! Since your very first review of LOST LUGGAGE, I have just been hoping I don't let you down. Thank you so much for this, it's a real shot in the arm.
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is be true to Cyd, and you'll never let us readers down. x
DeleteI had exactly the same experience with the Stephanie Plum series, Cathy. And to be honest, I felt bad about it, too, because I had really enjoyed the first few books. This series sounds like a lot of fun (not that I need to add to my TBR!)
ReplyDeleteOh... but you have to add this one, Margot!!!
DeleteGotta love a book that makes you laugh out loud. And this one's set in Bali? Count me in. I got to go to Bali once and it's an amazing place. :D
ReplyDeleteOoh, I bet it was!
DeleteI have a problem with series characters who never seem to change or run into one of life's rougher patches, too. Just becomes too cartoonish after a while, I suppose. Does the main character of this one change enough, do you think, to make you a longer term fan?
ReplyDeleteYes, Sam, I think she does.
DeleteI'm not familiar with this series but it sounds very interesting and I appreciate your bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteJust call me The Enabler. ;-)
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