It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder: A Cassie O’Malley Mystery
by Jeff Markowitz
Published by Five Star Publishing – a part of Gale, Cengage Learning (October 16 release)
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Reviewed by Beth Cummings
In Jeff Markowitz’s second book in the Cassie O’Malley Mystery series, tabloid journalist, Cassie O’Malley has been assigned to do a Christmas piece revolving about the Mall of New Jersey. Cassie isn’t feeling especially festive for the holiday season, but she finds a spot in the mall food court where she can observe the shoppers and the children visiting the mall Santa Claus.
Santa himself, a.k.a. Tommy V, has taken the job only because he is deeply in hock to local mobsters, Big and Little Mack. When Big Mack is found murdered in the mall men’s room, Cassie’s story begins to have some interesting possibilities. In addition, the mall’s mild-mannered security guard claims to have done the killing while apprehending Big Mack for shoplifting. Detective Eggs Bebedict doesn’t really believe that story, but doesn’t have much to go on. He isn’t sure he wants Cassie’s help either, but he is sure he is interested in Cassie – in a non-professional way.
This light-hearted murder mystery was a lot of fun to read. Jeff Markowitz has added several tongue-in-cheek clichés and other word plays, i.e. Big Mack and an odd motel called Bhait’s that provide amusement and interest beyond what is inherent in the characters and plot.
I would certainly recommend the book for light pre-Christmas reading and for mystery fans that may have already met Cassie O’Malley in Markowitz’s other work.
Armchair Interviews agrees.
Author’s Web site: http://www.JeffMarkowitzMysteries.com