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A review by nonna7
Brush with Death by Karen MacInerney
3.0
The fifth in the Gray Whale Inn series is, as usual, a light read with a very slight edge. Natalie Barnes has made a happy transition from a previous job in Texas to owner of a bed and breakfast on an island near Bar Harbor, Maine. In this book, she is engaged to John, a hunky sheriff's deputy and artist. It's December. Christmas is coming. This is down time for the inn.
However, Natalie is glad to have the breather. Having recently refinanced the inn, she now has a cushion. Life is good, right? Now if the engagement ring John gave her, the one that was his grandmother's, seems to have triggered an allergy. To complicate matters, John's mother is visiting. She makes Natalie feel inadequate, and Natalie has the feeling that her future mother-in-law was hoping for a better match for her only son.
In the meantime, her niece, Gwen, a gifted artist is getting ready for her first show. Meanwhile, a famous artist and her agent have rented a house on the island so the artist can rest and paint. The island's resident artist, Fernand, is hosting a party for her. The day after the party he is found dead, an apparent suicide. However Gwen is NOT convinced. Fernand has been mentoring her, and there has been nothing in his behavior to indicate that he was depressed. I
n the meantime, Natalie also has to deal with the fact that the lawyer who handled the closing for her refinance apparently did NOT pay off her previous mortgage. Now the previous mortgage holder is preparing to foreclose. There's not a lot of mystery here, but the characters are interesting and complex. The scenery is wonderful, and there are even some great recipes at the end.
However, Natalie is glad to have the breather. Having recently refinanced the inn, she now has a cushion. Life is good, right? Now if the engagement ring John gave her, the one that was his grandmother's, seems to have triggered an allergy. To complicate matters, John's mother is visiting. She makes Natalie feel inadequate, and Natalie has the feeling that her future mother-in-law was hoping for a better match for her only son.
In the meantime, her niece, Gwen, a gifted artist is getting ready for her first show. Meanwhile, a famous artist and her agent have rented a house on the island so the artist can rest and paint. The island's resident artist, Fernand, is hosting a party for her. The day after the party he is found dead, an apparent suicide. However Gwen is NOT convinced. Fernand has been mentoring her, and there has been nothing in his behavior to indicate that he was depressed. I
n the meantime, Natalie also has to deal with the fact that the lawyer who handled the closing for her refinance apparently did NOT pay off her previous mortgage. Now the previous mortgage holder is preparing to foreclose. There's not a lot of mystery here, but the characters are interesting and complex. The scenery is wonderful, and there are even some great recipes at the end.