Garage Sale Mystery: Messaggio di morte

Some items given to Lori Loughlin for sale by rockstar Emily Tennant skyrocket in value when she's found dead of an apparent suicide. It looks like Tennant hung herself from a beam in her house.

The whole group she was part of (they look like the Mamas and Papas with a few Uncles and Aunts thrown in) is pretty devastated. Only to Loughlin does this seem like murder. She doesn't even get any help from her friendly medical examiner Jay Barzeau.

This case is all in the how because as long as the cops don't think it a homicide, but a suicide the killer is free to operate pretty much as the killer pleases. It's Loughlin that finds the clue as to how it was done and from their it's downhill.

The victim left a considerable estate and that figures into things only partially. But there's more to it than that.

The final touch for Loughlin is provided by her computer nerd son Connor Stanhope. Maybe he ought to go into partnership with mom.

I had a bit of a problem believing the cops were so dumb on this one.

Just amused by the fact that it's snowing and freezing cold and in one scene the stars are wearing "summer" clothes! Costume what were you thinking? That said nice film.

While not my favorite in the series so far, it did keep me guessing until the end whodunit.

Famous country singer John Dalton's concert rehearsal is stalled when the entire crew receives a suicide note from Lita, the band's bassist. After discovering that a Taser was used to immobilize her before her death, Jenn is skeptical that Lita's death was actually suicide. But by whom? Is it her estranged husband that just shows up out of the blue or one or more of the other band members? She begins her own investigation that includes a forensic pathologist and an investigator. Also, Dani's older sister Beth Ann comes to Town to Visit her.

A faked suicide that is actually murder is a well worn occurrence in mysteries with the detective pointing out why it isn't suicide, but here in this good mystery Jenn is struggling to prove it's murder except for a few signs and her instinct. It's another well done mystery, though some subplots such as Dani's sister scenes can hamper the pace a bit.

"Chocolate donut or bear claw?"-Dani "What happened to smoothies and kale?"-Jen "This is medicine."-Dani

Dani's judge-mental older sister Beth Anne is coming to town...and musician John Dalton's bassist and creative designer come in to Rags to Riches looking for a jacket for his local concert inviting both Jen and Dani to the pre-concert soundcheck. While at the soundcheck, the bassist texts the band her suicide note. Needless to say Jen's curiosity is piqued especially since she just dropped of some items for consignment.

Detective and friend Frank Lynnwood seems to think it is a cut and dried suicide.

Meanwhile on the home front, Hannah along with a bunch of fellow college students is protesting the tearing down of a historic Hatcher building...the big condo development project her dad Jason is working on. So, conflict on the home front!

A solid entry in this cosy mystery series with both a tight family unit and exceptional friendships.