4 out of 4 stars
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Miami Iced by Susan Sussman is a book in the Mystery genre. This is Sussman's 23rd book, but the first in the Miami Maven series. She has published fiction and nonfiction for ages, preschool through adult.
The story centers around Laura Marks a recently widowed woman. Her days consist of booze, sleeping pills and an occasional puzzle or two. Her worried older sister Bitsy, recently divorced, moves in to help Laura find her way back into the real world. Bitsy and Laura have different lifestyles and the road, to a kind of middle ground, is comical.
The ride begins when Laura receives a summons for jury duty. After much nagging by her sister Betsy, Laura pulls herself together and heads off to the courthouse. Several hours later the jurors have all been picked and to Laura's relief she has not been chosen. Attempting to stay dry, in a sudden thunderstorm on her way back to her car, she wanders into a courtroom. Realizing that the court is in session she squeezes into a seat to wait out the storm. After a few minutes of testimony she grasps the reality that this is a 'high profile' murder case.
From that moment until the conclusion of the book the story is captivating, thrilling and quite humorous. The courtroom pretty much becomes the backdrop for the story. The author creates a colorful description of Laura and her uncommon new friends from the courthouse. The Miami setting is described in detail; beaches, sunsets, marinas and way of life are vivid. Drama occurring on each page shall definitely keep the readers hooked.
Three persons become Laura's co-conspirators in court. Lucille Mendez an elderly lady who knits the entire time the testifying is taking place; Nikki Delano an aspiring actress who mimics each female witness as part of her research; Joe Farley who brings his Racing Form to court every day. Eventually, Laura is drawn into the daily ritual each shares. The four of them sit together in court then go to lunch at Lulu's to discuss the mornings testimony and give their own individual opinions.
Back at the condo, Bitsy has made a few friends of her own. These new stimulating characters take Bitsy's mind away from her displeasing ex-husband and bitter divorce. Through twists and turns of laughable antics, all eventually intertwine with each other. Let the sleuthing begin!
The author has an adept way of describing each personality forming your relationship to them; the places in the book become real bringing you there; the thrill of the mystery unfolding makes the reader part of the crime solving team.
I loved this book! Susan Sussman writes in a fast paced, easy read style. I think more women than men will enjoy this mystery, but I feel the gentlemen may connect with a couple of the characters and be pleasantly surprised. Miami Iced kept me turning the pages, not wanting this enjoyable romp to end. If Mystery is your genre, pick this book up and look forward to a good time.
This book is a definite 4 out of 4 stars. Miami Iced is a book that you come away from anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
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Miami Iced
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