image Murder on the Ol’ Bunions
by S. Dionne Moore

Latisha Barnhart and her husband Hardy enter the local bookstore to pick up a box of books. The Barnhart couple stumble onto more than the scent of books, but a distinct odor that points to the store owner Marion Peters’ deceased body. This proves to be stressful to Latisha since Marion was her former employer. It was known the two didn’t get along. So, the last thing Latisha needed was to appear to be a suspect. 

Currently attending school to obtain a degree in Political Science, she doesn’t mind sticking her nose into Chief Conrad’s investigation. Being understaffed the chief actually appreciates Latisha’s help. With the help of her reluctant husband Hardy, Latisha sets out to have a personal conversation with others known not to get along with the victim.  The list of suspects grow and then narrows down to persons who were right under Latisha’s radar the whole time.

I loved this couple! The author nailed down the character development of this down-to-earth older African-American couple very well. The banter back and forth between the husband and wife kept me giggling.  There are plenty of contemporary stories with younger couples but I rarely see the strength and comfort level displayed by the Barnhart’s in a novel.  It warmed my heart the author chose to display a black couple in such a positive light.

I must say I had my suspicions about the "killer" early on, but the author placed enough red herrings in the story to throw me off just a bit. Still the ending was not a major surprise. I probably enjoyed the antics of Latisha and her husband Hardy more so then the crime investigation. These two would be a hoot to be around if they were “real people.” The thing about cozies is they are truly light reads and this is one I would recommend for a good laugh as well as a good “who-dun-it.”

Reviewed by Tyora Moody