Merry Muffin Mystery #3

Third book in the Merry Muffin Series down, and I admit my interest in the series is starting to flag. This one just didn't do it for me like the previous two. That might have something to do with reading it too close to the other two, or maybe just the characters weren't as appealing in this one. One of my favourite characters from the first books was Shilo, and she barely made an appearance in this one. And I don't recall Jack McGill at all, another favourite character.

Merry is still at her castle, but now she has five house guests. All are wealthy older women who want to indulge in living in a castle and are willing to pay plenty. The rent is helping Merry keep the castle for longer, but she increasingly cannot stand them. Especially Cleta who manages to antagonise everyone she meets. In fact, Cleta is so horrible a person it seems strange that it took as long as it did for someone to polish her off. And, of course, there is the question - does anyone really care who killed such a horrible person?

I did think the writer cheated a little with cosy mystery convention - a vital piece of information was concealed from us, so there was no way we could pick the motive and hence the murderer.

Still a competent mystery for a quick, fun read. Enjoyable but not my favourite in the series. However, I do like how Merry's character is developing over the series, and that's enough reason to go on to book four.