Do you like cozy mysteries set in real small towns? If so, consider Solid Ground by Danny and Wanda Pelfrey. Their descriptions of quaint Adairsville, Georgia just might inspire a road trip!
Seven years between them, Kirby and Riley Gordan, nurtured by their pastor father and loving mother, experienced almost ideal childhoods growing up in the Boston area. Then a season of misfortune culminated in the worse of all possible tragedies – the death of their beloved parents.
Four years have passed. Kirby, having failed at marriage and pro-baseball, is now a Florida police detective. He finds himself in little Adairsville, Georgia along with Riley, his law school bound sister. They are there to settle their uncle’s massive estate. It is soon apparent that Uncle James’s death was no accident. But the worst of it is their names at the top of the suspect list. The siblings are embraced by spunky caretakers, Amos and Carol, whose love, wit, faith, and plain ole horse-sense bolster efforts to solve the murder and put Kirby’s life back on track.
Danny Pelfrey along with his wife, Wanda, is currently writing mysteries with a message set in Adairsville, Georgia. Four volumes in the Davis Morgan Mystery series are available. A new series, The Adairsville Heritage mystery series, now occupies much of his time. He is also active in the areas of inspiration and Georgia history. Danny is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
My Impressions:
I love visiting small towns especially in my home state of Georgia. Alas, Covid has limited some of my ramblings, but I lucked out when I found Solid Ground by Danny and Wanda Pelfrey. A cozy mystery set in northeastern Georgia, this book includes some great descriptions of Adairsville and surrounding areas. I love it when a book captures the setting so well. In addition, the characters are likable and relatable, while secondary characters round out the cast well. Kirby and Riley are siblings who have just come into a sizable inheritance from their Uncle James. Some mystery surrounds his death, and Kirby, a St. Petersburg police detective, and  his sister Riley are on the case. There are a number of suspects with motive, keeping the reader guessing. There is also a promise of romance for both main characters — more books are promised in the Adairsville Heritage series. The faith message is strong and woven throughout the narrative. Characters are in various stages in their faith journeys. I especially liked the spiritual mentoring between the older characters and the young. There is a lot of backstory shared that slowed the book down a bit, but I imagine in future books the pace will increase. Also I found some of the dialog a bit stiff. Kirby, in particular, comes off as much older than someone in his 30s. But these are minor concerns.
A charming setting, down-to-earth characters, and a twisting plot make Solid Ground a good choice for fans of the cozy mystery series. I am looking forward to more in the series.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Tags: cozy mystery fiction, Danny Pelfrey, Wanda Pelfrey
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