“Eat, Drink, and Be Wary” A Sleuth Sisters Mystery By Maggie Pill

by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win an EBOOK copy of this book at the end of the review & a link to purchase it.

The three sisters of the Smart Detective Agency may be facing their toughest case yet: infiltrating a retreat promoting the celebration of traditional, old-fashioned values where the woman’s place is in the home—preferably in the kitchen, raising sons. Baby sister Retta has been asked by the FBI to go undercover within Love-Able Ladies to meet Dina Engel, an aspiring fashion designing who will be showing her first collection at the retreat. The FBI hopes that away from her crime boss father Roger Engel, Dina will be more amenable to testifying against her rather lamentable father. Considering that older sister Barbara’s staunch feminist attitude and her inability to pretend otherwise, it will be up to Retta and their middle sister Faye to blend in and attempt to cozy up to the mob boss’s daughter.

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Alternating narrations by each sister reveal the different investigations of the sisters, which become dire when inept criminals kidnap Retta and hold her hostage. Faye is left on her own to sway Dina to her side, so it’s fortunate that Faye’s budget-saving sewing skills have her essential to the fashion show. Making alterations to designs meant for statuesque models but now must be fitted on second-tier strippers was not in the Smart Detective Agency’s initial plans, but it gives Faye access to the behind-the-scenes actions of the mob boss and his many business entanglements. With the male halves of the sisters back at home, it truly is up to Barbara, Faye, and Retta to prove their skills while definitely not being the complacent, privileged, housewives who are promoted by the retreat.

Image source: Gwendolyn Books

The bond between these three sisters is the highlight of this series, as despite their many differences they always come together in the end. They may bicker, manipulate, and occasionally attempt to avoid one another, but they are sisters in the purest sense of the word. Young Retta uses her charm to always get her way, oldest Barbara assumes she knows best, and Faye is the insecure middle child who attempts to make peace between them all. When they are together, they are at their most fun, especially they act like children in the most relatable ways. What is unexpected is that while the Love-Able Ladies enjoy a lifestyle that is one available to a select few, they receive a sympathetic and very fair depiction. Just because they’re old-fashioned, it doesn’t mean that they are entirely wrong. The mystery, which proves to be far more complicated and surprising than it appears, is as entertaining as the personal lives of these very engaging, very smart women.

To enter to win an EBOOK copy of Eat, Drink, and Be Wary, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “eat,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 15, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please included your mailing address.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

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).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.