Death of a Trickster
A Cobbs Landing mystery

By Kate Borden

     It's Hallowe'en time in Cobbs Landing and mayor Peggy Jean Turner is busy trying to carve her pumpkin for the annual pumpkin float. She isn't making much progress with interruptions caused by her son's misbehavior in the classroom and Gina Alsop's worry about her aged father-in-law, Luigi. Gina is struggling to keep the bakery going while her husband is serving in Iran.

   While Mrs. Cartwright's class is on a field trip through the Alsop woods, they discover a body which turns out to be the science department's skeleton, planted there as a prank. The prankster has his fun several more times before he is revealed to be the police chief's son, Roger.

   Gina reports Luigi missing and in their search for him, they uncover the body of the police chief, Henry Cartwright's son, Roger. Trying to discover the reason for Luigi's disappearance, Peggy and her childhood friend, Lavinia, uncover a scam from Nigeria that is defrauding Luigi of his money and property. Their endeavors reveal hidden secrets in the police chief's past. They must discover the killer and the perpetrator of the fraud before harm comes to Luigi.

   This is a fine picture of a small New England town and its inhabitants. The bonds of friendship between Peggy and Lavinia are heartwarming. Peggy's struggle to maintain a balance between being the mayor, running her hardware store and being a single mother is a marvel. The atmosphere of the town with the interplay between the citizens and their problems is well portrayed. The investigation into and the discussion of the infamous and well-known "Nigerian Scam" is well documented and serves as a warning to the uninitiated.

   This is an enjoyably easy quick read.