I read Jana DeLeon’s first two books, Unlucky and Rumble in the Bayou, and enjoyed them, so when Trouble in Mudbug came out I bought it. I’m glad I did. Published by LoveSpell as a Romantic Mystery, the romantic part takes a back seat to the mystery. In fact, through most of the first half or more of the book, Maryse Robicheaux, (A nod to mystery’s grand master James Lee Burke’s famous bayou detective Dave Robicheaux?) barely even sees Luc LeJeune, so calling it a ‘romance’ is kind of a stretch. The ghost of Maryse’s late mother-in-law, Helene, has a bigger role than Luc, so I consider it more a paranormal cozy mystery. Regardless of what you call it, it’s a good read. Trouble in Mudbug is first in a series of Mudbug Ghost-in-law series.
Maryse Robicheaux and her best friend Sabine are in church for the funeral of Maryse’s mother-in-law from hell, Helene Henry, the richest woman in Mudbug but not its most loved. Suddenly, Helene sits up in her casket and starts complaining – but no one seems to notice. Maryse does her level best to pretend she doesn’t see her waving and yelling at people as she walks down the aisle, then faints when Helene does it to her. That night, after assuring her friends Sabine and Mildred she’s really fine, Maryse makes a quick stop at the office. A drop dead gorgeous stranger is sitting at HER desk! Seems Luc LeJeune is a state zoologist on temporary assignment and will be working from the same office space. Nosy man was trying to get into her computer ostensibly for business. Hrumph! She makes him feel unwelcome and leaves – being sure to close her computer down. Damn it’s been a long day.
Marsey heads to her boat access only house out in the bayou to think about next day’s reading of Helena’s will. Helene not exactly fond of Maryse. For the last two years she’d been paying Helene back for the loan she needed to pay off the debtors her son Hank ran out on when he fled. Would Helene leave her another bill? Marsey is convinced the world’s goes mad when she sees Helene’s ghost walking on water to reach her house. Helene claims she’s been murdered. It’s obvious even to Mayse that Helene knows a lot more than she’s saying, but Marsey is stuck. She wants Helene’s help finding her worthless son Hank so Maryse can finalize her damn divorce from the bum. State law requires he be served. Helene can’t move on till she figures out who murdered her and Maryse is the only one who sees her. Neither is happy, but for the moment, they just might need each other. (more…)
Tour's Books Blog 