Drawing Blood
by Deirdre Verne
Drawing Blood
(A Sketch in Crime Mystery)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Setting – New York
Publisher: Midnight Ink (February 8, 2016)
Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738742281
E-Book ASIN: B019KKTX0I
Synopsis
CeCe Prentice returns with her band of Dumpster-diving pals in this fast-paced mystery that puts the eco-friendly heroine back on top—of a pile of trash.
When Big Bob, manager of the town dump, goes missing, CeCe is worried about more than where she’ll score her next salvaged car. First at the scene when Bob’s body is recovered from under the weekly recycling haul, CeCe is quick to identify potential witnesses and provide crucial scene sketches. But when CeCe is uncharacteristically startled by an unidentified woman at Bob’s abandoned house, her artistic talents are challenged, and her drawings, much to her frustration, come up short.
With CeCe’s observational talents on the fritz, Detective Frank DeRosa, CeCe, and her network of Freegans are forced to recreate Big Bob’s life from the garbage up. The team is soon thrust into the underworld of recycling where what appears to be junk could actually be the clue that saves a life.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
As I ended my review of Drawing Conclusions
Cece and her friends are “freegans“, a unique lifestyle. They dumpster dive for food, have a huge garden, and visit the local recycling center and thrift stores for most of their needs. In this installment Cece’s friend and housemate Katrina is due to have her baby any day, her friend, Big Bob, manager of the local recycling center in missing, and Cece is looking for a child that could be hers that would have been carried by a surrogate. And that is just how the story starts, there is so much more. The synopsis tells you Big Bob’s body is found under a pile of garbage and that Detective Frank DeRosa in on the case but when Cece and her friends join the investigation it all leads to something you have just have to read for yourself. I really enjoyed that Frank knows he can ask for and get help from Cece and the others.
As with the first story, this author’s distinct writing style shines. The plots and subplots twist all together throughout the story and each twist has its own little “wow” factor. Cece’s unique ability to see people in her mind so clearly and pick up their nuances and put the images down on paper is key to solving the case. She has trouble with the facial details for one person that she knows is so important. She works so hard to try to grasp that image. The investigation seems to be turning up more questions than answers but Frank, Cece, Charlie and even a very pregnant Katrina each help to put things together and details start to fall into place. This sets up a very suspenseful and dramatic ending that had me sitting up straight in my chair.
Excellent from start to finish. A story that deserves more than 5 stars!
This story does build on the first book so I do recommend reading that one first. In fact a perfect winter weekend curled up with both books is something I recommend wholeheartedly.
I will not wonder about Verne’s next book because I just know if will be as amazing as the first two. I just hate that we will probably have to wait a year for it.
About This Author
Deirdre Verne (Lower Westchester, NY) is a mystery writer, college professor, and an active college blogger. Deirdre’s interest in green living inspired her to create an off-the-grid character who Dumpster dives her way through the “Sketch in Crime” mystery series. Verne’s second book, Drawing Blood
A member of Sisters in Crime, Deirdre’s short stories appear in all three New York chapter anthologies – Murder New York Style, Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices and Family Matters. Visit her online at DeirdreVerne.com.
Author Links
Twitter – @deirdreverne GoodReads
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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.”
Sounds like an interesting story.
The cover is intriguing; the review certainly makes it sound like a great read.
Sounds good to me.
Deirdre Verne is a “new-to-me” author … thank you for the introduction!
Call me spoiled but I really don’t think I could dumpster dive for food. I do enjoy visiting thrift stores and often buy various items there. Having not ready either of Deirdre Verne’s books, I am sure I will be adding them to my list. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks for the review. I have the first book on my wish list and now this one will be joining it.
I could never go dumpster diving but I always wonder about some of the things people toss out. Me, I donate things that can be used by others. This sounds like it will be interesting.
Sound like a great read.
Sounds like a great read. Adding to my TBR list.
Thanks for the review — I look forward to reading this book!
Years ago we did a “freegan” (the term was unknown way back then) new years. The onion soup, compliments of the fancy grocery that threw out anything with the slightest spot, was lovely.
Thank you Lori for the intro to a new-to-me author. Sounds like a good read!
New to me author, sounds interesting
This book really caught my eye. New author, new series is always exciting. But the setting for this book is so close to home. I have a neighbor whose been down on her luck and had been sleeping in her car. I told her about Carolyn Jabs, the recycle Queen. She took it from there and started dumpster diving. She is braver than I am. I don’t think I could ever do that. But what she has found, using my computer, she sold on eBay. and has been doing quite well. She has also collected bottles and cans to turn in. Papers metal, etc. I can’t wait to tell her about this series. She sorta likes to read. But this will be right up her alley. (No pun intended) yes she has even walked the alley ways and picked up cans and bottles and she is back into an apartment. Finally landed a part time job. So dumpster diving has been a god send for her and CeCe. To top it off. A few years ago. I had a neighbor whose cat was named CeCe. And he left me a really nice present as a thank you on one occasion. I really want this book, not only to read myself. But to share with Marion And it is on my TBR. Thank you for the chance to get it sooner