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Smart, But Dead
by Nancy G. West
Smart, But Dead
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Henery Press (November 17, 2015)
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1943390250
E-Book ASIN: B0147MW9RS
Synopsis:
Skirting forty and appalled by the prospect of descending into middle-age decrepitude, Aggie Mundeen blasts off to the local university to study the genetics of aging. In addition to providing youthful hints for readers of her column, “Stay Young with Aggie,” Aggie is doggedly determined to stay young.
Despite conflicts with her professor, she learns about the Human Genome Project and DNA. When she discovers a dead body, Detective Sam reminds her not to “help” with the investigation. But dangerously curious and programmed to prod, she races to solve the crime, winds up the prime suspect and is on target to become next campus corpse.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Set in 1997 – Aggie is excessively preoccupied with the idea of getting old. She writes a column “Stay Young with Aggie,” where her fans write her letters like Dear Abby. She finds out about a class about the genetics of aging at the nearby university and quickly signs up. The professor teaching it and Aggie have a past, she was kicked out of his last class, but she promises to behave herself this time. Unfortunately the professor dies shortly after the course begins.
Now the professor was a very intelligent man but he ends up dead. Aggie is a smart woman, but she sets herself on a brainless path and she may end up dead as well.
Aggie is an interesting character with what I think is a huge secret that has been batted about since the first book. She is also in love with a man that she hopes will fall in love with her. But this obsession of staying young is a bit over the top. If the man doesn’t love her for who she is inside and out the man is not worth her time. Thankfully Sam is an extremely patient man and readers know he loves her as is, it is time Aggie knows it too.
Aggie goes off on quite a tangent trying to figure out who killed the professor and doing her lands her in even more hot water. I remember my mother telling me that sometimes the smart people have book sense but no common sense. That is Aggie. The rushes into things without thinking. This time she get just what she needs, a little time behind bars. Will that wake her up? Time will only tell.
I enjoyed the story but there were parts where it got a little bogged down with the technical aspect of DNA and aging. The mystery itself was very good. The story does have a message about jails and prisons that opened Aggie’s eyes to something tragic and true. I wish the reveal of Aggie’s secret would have played out a little differently but hopefully it will be talked about more in the next installment. I do like Aggie but being the woman’s friend would be absolutely exhausting. 🙂
About This Author
I’ve been writing since age seven: poems back and forth with my mom. I had a real poem published in the Library Journal, Pegasus, at age fifteen. At eighteen, I wanted to study journalism and English literature, but friends who chose that college route were making minimum wage or selling lingerie. Being practical, I earned a business degree. After marriage and two children, I decided I HAD to study literature and write. I wrote non-fiction articles, a biography, and a suspense novel in 2004. That’s when whimsical Aggie Mundeen cut through the suspense, popped into my head and demanded her own series. The Aggie Mundeen mystery capers were born. Aggie must have been right:
FIT TO BE DEAD
Chat with Aggie and Nancy on their blog here.
Author’s Webpage Author Page at Henery Press Author GoodReads
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Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!
Tour Participants
November 17 – CLUB HEN HOUSE – Guest Post
November 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight
November 19 – Killer Hobbies – Guest Post
November 20 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK – Spotlight
November 21 – Community Bookstop – Review
November 22 – Book Babble – Review
November 23 – Back Porchervations – Review
November 24- Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Review
November 25 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – Review
November 26 – U.S. THANKSGIVING
November 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
November 28 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Spotlight
November 29 – A Blue Million Books – Interview
November 30 – Girl with Book Lungs – Review
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thanks for introducing me to Nancy West’s work. I haven’t read anything by her yet. robeader53@yahoo.com
Dollycas,
Thanks for your thoughtful Four Star review! I agree that Aggie is headstrong, determined and her curiosity sometimes leads her to act precipitously. Sam understands that, which is part of his reluctance. They come to a welcome understanding at the end of this book. Lets hope it lasts.
I wish I had more of Aggie’s energy, though. (:
Nancy G West
(who reveals Aggie’s stories.)
Thanks for introducing me to a “new to me” author and series. The synopsis and review have made me put it on my “must read” list! Thanks.
All of those titles made me chuckle. This sounds like a fun series!