Saks & Violins by Mary Daheim (2007, Paperback, Reprint)

I have read all of Mary Daheim's bed and breakfast novels and have enjoyed most of them. I won't go into the complete story details from the beginning. I felt Ms. Daheim's heart was not in this novel. Even Judith protesting that she was through with sleuthing a number of times...well, I had to agree with her that as many characters and twists and double twist that this book had, I would have given up also. Too many extra mysteries thrown in making it difficult to concentrate on the main one. I found too many parts of the book annoying in content and so I would skip quickly, which I don't like to do! Gertrude use to be funny, but now she is more annoying and if Ms. Daheim had a heart, she would give her a nice burial. Judith is a slave to solving a mystery but has to stop to get her mother's lunch or dinner because the old women brow beats her until she does by calling her insulting names. Not funny anymore. That scene has been played out too many times and has lost its humor. Cousin Renie is the only one with a backbone.....Judith could take a lesson. Joe, Judith's husband, is once again off somewhere NOT being involved, but even when he is home he is no help. Phyliss, the housekeeper and Sweetums, the cat, keep the whole thing going. If you are new to Mary Daheim's B&B's......please do not read this one first. You won't want to pick up another. If you are a fan you will want to read it because we are hooked, bad or good