Death For Sale

Sally Witherspoon Mystery, #3

by

Erik S. Meyers

Someone is killing off the elderly citizens of Berry Springs!

Death for Sale is the third novel in Erik S. Meyers Arkansas-set Sally Witherspoon Mystery series, featuring the owner of the local bike bar who gets swept up into the investigation of the deaths of some well-loved, elderly figures in her small town. As the holidays approach, the residents of Berry Springs, Arkansas, prepare for their annual Thanksgiving dinner held at the local hotel, but the following day sees several attendees at the hospital suffering the symptoms of what appears to be food poisoning. Two older members of the community are hit particularly hard, and Belle, the long-time diner waitress, succumbs to the effects, while the other, Mama Arnold, the town's matriarch, struggles along but survives. However, she is not so lucky later, after hosting her exclusive holiday party in her own home. With Sally and local restaurateur, Joanna, briefly viewed as suspects, Sally jumps in to investigate as yet another death occurs. 

Sally is her same irascible self, fully confident she can uncover the killer before local law enforcement; however, this time, the local cop shop is in full agreement. With little to go on, they eventually embrace Sally as an additional investigatory weapon in their crime-fighting arsenal. She receives the town's full support as she gathers opinions and observations from everyone she knows while trying to find answers. 

The story is well-paced as Berry Springs experiences Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with a killer on the loose. As the massive list of possible suspects slowly narrows, readers are introduced to many characters who appeared in the prior books. The biker bar, Sally's Smashers, is a fun setting. Although a little outside the town limits, it still attracts a good number of the regular folk and feels like a home away from home for many. 

While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, and the author provides ample explanations worked into remembrances and conversations of what has transpired in the past. Sometimes, however, these mentions became a bit repetitive, even for readers who hadn't read the previous books, while the development of recurring characters received only cursory attention. Still, the plot firmly held my attention, and I was surprised and satisfied by the final resolution. 

I recommend DEATH FOR SALE to cozy mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.