From Bad to Wurst: A Passport to Peril Mystery By Maddy Hunter

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review.

Germany may have withstood bomb attacks, uprisings, and a World War or two, but it could never have prepared for the geriatric invasion of Iowa’s Destinations Travel adventurers. Owned by Emily Andrew Miceli and her husband Etienne, Destinations Travels caters to the fiscally conscious retirees of Windsor City, Iowa. Also along for the tour are several local brass bands planning to sound off in Bavaria during Oktoberfest celebrations. Before one horn can be tooted, though, an unexploded bomb that changes its status sends Emily to the hospital and one of their touring accordion players in the morgue. A traveling psychic soon joins her, and when the investigating Kriminaloberkommissar refuses to allow them to leave the country, Emily finds herself questioning Oompah bands while attempting to corral her wandering explorers and preventing an international incident.

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In this tenth of the series, the many side-plots are just as entertaining as the murder mystery—if not more so. Emily had thought that her biggest problem would be negotiating the hostage release of her grandmother from her mother’s toddler tether, but a freak medical occurrence ensures that it will be Nana who keeps her daughter in line. An exotic skin balm results in an astounding transformation of one of their most abrasive and anti-social Iowans, but even a horde of male followers won’t be able to tone down Bernice Zwerg’s aggressive non-tolerance of fool’s policies.

Image source: Midnight Ink

The author takes readers on a gloriously descriptive tour of Munich, Bavaria, and the most ancient sites of Germany. Unfortunately, the Destination Travelers will be hard-tested to remember their visit due to their affection for taking Kardashian-worthy selfies. These Iowa senior citizens are the first to embrace new technology and social media; the snafus occur in their use of it. While these tendencies may have Emily pulling out her hair, readers will delight in the antics of these entertaining and very likable characters. Despite the chaos that continually surrounds Emily and her irrepressible explorers, she remains a constant beacon of intelligence, practicality, and amiability. The humor is always spot-on and will surprise readers with its deft wit, originality, and satire.

To enter to win a signed copy of From Bad to Wurst, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “secret,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 12, 2015. If entering via email please include your mailing address.

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From Bad to Wurst

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).