What I’m Reading–Winter Deception by Sally Jo Pitts brings back Jane Carson and her boss Robert Gray on holiday until murder happens. But first, the photo and scripture above. I thought the winter setting went so well with the book title. It’s another of those early morning photos, and I’ve always loved Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.
Now onto Winter Deception:
Private Investigators Robert Grey and Jane Carson intend to combine business with pleasure when they arrive at Topazus, their client’s South Carolina antebellum estate.
But the property’s trustee is murdered and when their client’s mother is arrested for the crime, Robert and Jane are pressed into service. This newly formed investigative team is adjusting to private eye status. Robert is a former lawman who no longer carries a badge and Jane is a kindergarten teacher.
When the investigators dig into the mysterious happenings in the mansion, they are convinced the police arrested the wrong person. Topazus, which withstood the ravages of a Civil War, is imbedded with bitterness, deception, and an array of suspects.
It’s a case where the unlikely duo must pool their intuition and unique skills to unravel clues before the real killer gets away with murder.
My Take:
I really enjoyed this whodunnit with all its twists and turns. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another suspect popped up. Pitts did a fantastic job with the secondary characters giving several of them means, motive and opportunity.
The victim was a nasty sort so he’d made plenty of enemies, including the person who hired the two detectives.
She is also developing Jane and Robert’s romance ever so slightly, and I’m rooting for them. Robert found himself a fish out of water at the hoity-toity luncheon when they first arrived. I loved the way Jane helped him through the pitfalls of which fork or spoon to use. In return, Robert helps navigate the troubled waters between Jane and her brother after he didn’t come to their mother’s side before her death.
Winter Deception will draw the reader in from the first page and keep you there until the end.
Leave a comment, and I’ll enter you in a January drawing for a book from my library. What would you do at a fancy luncheon if you didn’t know which fork or spoon to use?
Check out What I'm Reading--Winter Deception by Sally Jo Pitts and maybe win a book from my library! Share on XOh! I almost forgot to pick a winner of Delores Topliff’s book! And the winner is…Connie Porter Saunders!
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Comments 41
Quick, before my workout starts! That’s easy, watch the person beside me, and if they get it wrong, we can laugh together. But I’m pretty down-to-earth, so would probably manage to salvage the situation with a good laugh?!
Author
That’s what I do, Monique! lol So glad you stopped by before your workout. 🙂
I am definitely not a fancy meal guy. Don’t these affairs have the silverware arranged in the order you’re supposed to use them? I would follow Monique’s advice and watch the people next to me. If nobody makes the first move, we’re all in the wrong place, and can laugh about it. It’s just food isn’t it?
Author
I think anything can be solved with humor, don’t you, Tim. 🙂 And I’ve been at table’s like that at conferences–no on knew any more about what to do than I did and we did what you said–all laughed.
I’ve been there, wondering which cup was mine. Like Monique I’d ask and that’s what I thought my character would do in the face of his discomfort. Thanks for the review!!
Author
Love your books, Sally Jo! Thanks for stopping by and giving your reasoning. 😉
Your review made me put this on my must-read list. Sounds great and I’m looking forward to it.
Author
It’s a really good whodunnit, Delores. One with lots of people with motive and opportunity. 😉 Thanks for dropping by.
In the past, I would have watched others and try to figure it out without being too embarrassed, but at my age and with everything I’ve been through, I realize how little those things matter. I’d probably just do my own thing and not worry about it. I’d be more interested in getting to know the people around me.
Author
Absolutely, Linda! Which fork to use is so inconsequential compared to things that matter. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
I would watch or whisper and ask the person beside me.
Author
Been there, done that, Lucy. 😉 So glad you stopped by.
I start on the outside and hope I am using the correct one.
Author
That sounds like a plan, Betti. When I first started attending conferences and luncheons, I didn’t even know that. lol Glad you stopped by.
I think today even basic table setting is a lost art. It was such fun growing up and mom using all the fancy stuff. That’s the hospitality coming out in me that I love to set a beautiful table that welcomes not intimidates. ..to make them feel special. This sounds like an awesome series. Thanks for another new author suggestion.
Author
Toni, I wish I’d had that experience growing up. We were so poor, I couldn’t pay attention. But one year for their anniversary Mother had mentioned she’d love to have a set of silver sterling silver flatware and my dad bought it for her. Which she promptly put away for when company came which was very rare. 🙂
This sounds like a really good book. I need to check it out. As for the fancy luncheon, I have been to a few and I watch to see what another person is doing. I am not the kind of person that can laugh about my mistakes so I try to be careful in those kind of situations.
Author
Stella, I’m the person who always knocks over a glass of water or tea. Every time. But it usually broke the ice at the table as everyone jumped to do whatever spiritual gift they had–one person would try to make me feel better about it, another would mop up the liquid while another was getting the waitstaff’s attention to bring me another glass. So glad you stopped by!
If I remember correctly, the silverware is arranged to use from outside in. If in doubt, watch others.
Author
Gloria, I finally got that through my head and it made it easier. 🙂 So glad you stopped by.
I can’t wait to read this book, it sounds so interesting! I would watch the people around me to be sure I was using the right utensil. I think you start on the outside and work your way towards your plate.
Author
Mj, I had actually forgotten that until everyone brought it up. lol Thanks for stopping by.
I would wait and watch what others did.
Author
Lisa, that seems to be the consensus! So glad you stopped by–always good to ‘see’ you.
watch and see what everyone else is using
Author
Lynn, that’s a good suggestion, one that I generally use. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
My mom always taught me that you start from the outside and work you way in when it comes to cutlery at fancy places. Or if you’re really not sure you can try to observe what others are doing.
Author
Your Mom is a wise woman, Megan. Thanks for stopping in and commenting!
First of all , I love you photo and I love Ecclesiastes ! This book sounds like a great read, and the cover is very nice , I love it! Well, I would look around at the persons I was sitting close by to to see what fork I should be using. Thank you for the chance . Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
That’s a beautiful picture and the verse goes with it so well.
Whenever I attended a fancy meal, I did one of two things. I either just used whichever utensil for each dish that I thought would work, not caring what others did. Or I watched others at the table who seemed more comfortable and did what they did. Frankly, I never attended enough of those events to give it a lot of thought. 🙂
Author
I haven’t attended many of these events, either, Edward. And I did what you did. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I would probably watch others around the table to see which utensil they use for what dish. I do know that you start from the outside….say, usually the salad fork is on the outside, then each dish you work yourself inward. I do know the difference between a soup spoon & a regular spoon, lol! Thankfully, I’ve never been to a real fancy dinner before.
I love your picture! I think sunrises are the prettiest, but I’m not usually awake early enough to see them. I especially love sunsets over the ocean here on the Oregon coast. Each minute brings a different color scheme 🙂
Author
Sunsets over the ocean are beautiful, Trixi! I’d love to capture some out West! Thanks for stopping by.
might watch others to see what they do or if really hungry, just do my own thing lol
Author
I’ve been known to do my own thing more than once, Shelia. lol Thanks for dropping by.
I know you are supposed to start at the outside but I’d also watch other people!
Author
That’s more than I knew, Joan! Thanks so much for stopping by.
I would watch and see which one the others picked up for that. But, I don’t think I’d have that problem. That’s something my mom and dad taught my brothers and me growing up. Every night we had a sit down dinner with the table set and candles lit. The table had a tablecloth, too. They wanted us to know how eat properly and use the correct silverware. I still remember those table lessons!
Author
That was awesome of your parents! I wish they taught etiquette in school! Thanks for stopping by.
Another new author to add to my TBR list. The book sounds interesting. I have kept this photo up all weekend and keep coming back to it. It is so full of hope. I kept thinking about a sermon I heard years ago. It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming. Love the photo and the encouragement.
Author
Thank you, Joni! I love doing the photos and scripture verses. Thanks so much for stopping by.