A Viv and Charlie Mystery, Book Three - Dig Deep My Grave

Vivian Witchell and Charlie Haverman return for their third (and what appears to be final) mystery. Set in 1939, this installment finds our intrepid sleuths solving a murder that hits way too close to home. I find these period mysteries to be thoroughly enjoyable, as it is nice to see sleuths who have to solve crimes the old-fashioned way (without cell phones, internet, or any other technology that gives them access to information at the touch of a button). And while the previous two mysteries seemed to focus more on Viv's career as a radio personality, this one focuses more on Viv and Charlie's relationship, as well as revealing more about Viv's own childhood and rebellious teenage years.

Dig Deep My Grave brings Viv and Charlie to her family's lake house in Wisconsin. Charlie finds himself a fish out of water among members of the Witchell family, all of whom are used to opulent wealth and turn their noses down at the working class. And when Hap, Viv's old flame from her teenage years, shows up dead with Charlie standing over him, a bloody pair of scissors in his hands, what is Viv to think? Did her current boyfriend kill her old flame in a fit of jealousy? Did Hap somehow provoke Charlie into a rage? What really happened?

Author Cheryl Honigford writes her most intriguing mystery yet, as Viv sets about to prove her love's innocence of a crime that she's just not sure he didn't do. Her family is acting very strange about the whole thing, and her boss is on her back about the meeting she has in Hollywood with the head honchos at MGM about producing a live-action film of their radio feature, "The Darkness Knows," leaving Viv in a constant state of uncertainty and confusion.  And when she finally decides to head off to Hollywood, with the promise of her uncle that he will clear all of this up so that Charlie can go free, Viv begins to believe things will work out. Until she gets the telegram from Charlie's attorney...

C CHARGED - ON LAM - PHONE ME

Viv is faced with the toughest decision of her life - does she continue on to Hollywood for the chance of starting her career as a film actress; or does she get off the train and head back to Wisconsin to find Charlie and help him prove his innocence? Anyone who has read the previous two books knows right away which decision Viv makes - really, it's the only decision she can make (after all, this is a murder mystery series, and what good would it be if she ignored the mystery and headed off to Hollywood?). Instinctively knowing where he would go, Viv catches up with Charlie, and the two begin to formulate a plan to prove his innocence.  Viv returns to her family's lake house, where she sets about investigating her own family members, unsure if one of them isn't the murderer. What she uncovers though is the most unexpected surprise of all - even I didn't see this one coming! I mean, I did figure out the one person - even figured out that person's motive; but with all of the twists and turns that Honigford threw into this one, it was more fun than trying to figure out a game of Clue!

And one of the best things about this book (besides the well-written mystery itself) is the ending of the book - if this truly is the final Viv and Charlie mystery (and I see nothing to indicate any more are on the way), then Honigford gives the two characters a beautiful send-off.  This is definitely a must-read for any mystery fans, even if you haven't read the previous two books.

RATING:  10 copies of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express out of 10 for a superbly suspenseful mystery with a spectacular payoff at the end!

A Viv and Charlie Mystery, Book Two - Homicide for the Holidays

This book made me realize exactly why it is I love "series" books so much, rather than just stand-alone stories.  It's because, no matter how long between each book, the minute you pick up the next book in a series and start reading, it's like catching up with old friends.  And while it took me a while to pick up the first book in this series, The Darkness Knows, after reading that one, I didn't hesitate to buy the second book the moment it hit the shelves!

Homicide for the Holidays brings back radio celebrity Vivian Witchell and private detective Charlie Haverman, this time to solve a crime that hits close to him for Viv.  This time around, Viv does not stumble across a dead body - instead, she find a key, that leads her to a locked drawer, that opens up to reveal an envelopes stuffed with cash ... and a threatening note!  Viv's father passed away some some time ago, so why did he have an envelope full of cash in a locked drawer of the desk in his study?  And who would threaten him?  Or was he threatening someone else?  The mystery deepens even further when the envelope, cash, and note disappear - but yet another key is discovered taped to the backside of the drawer!  What does it all mean?

Author Cheryl Honigford provides a mystery full of twists and turns, constantly flipping the readers thoughts on what kind of man Arthur Witchell was.  We follow along as Viv traces the last few weeks of her father's life, trying to uncover the truth, no matter how horrible it may be, and as every layer is pulled back, it seems that there are more and more secrets to be unearthed - not just about Arthur Witchell, but about his law partner, his clients, and the secret life that he kept from his family.  Of course, it's not all fun and mystery-solving for Viv - remember, she's a big radio celebrity now, starring in that radio show, "The Darkness Knows," with Graham Yarborough, the radio channel's big star.  Plus, the public at large knows how close Graham and Viv have become - the only problem is, it's all for show.  Viv still yearns for Charlie, who has been conveniently absent over the past few months since they solved the murder in the previous book.

Before you know it, Charlies comes back on the scene to help Viv track down the truth about her father - but he keeps her at arm's length because of her relationship with Graham.  Viv wants to tell him the truth, but can't because if it gets out the relationship is a fake, it could ruin both her and Graham's career, not to mention the station's number one rated show.  Of course, what Viv doesn't know is that Graham has a secret of his own - one that made him a suspect of the murder in the last book, and one that, if it comes out, could very well spell his end in this one!

And if all of that is not enough to whet your appetite for a good mystery, let's add into the mix a nosy housekeeper, a lovestruck brother, a determined reporter wannabe, an old crush who returns to the scene, and a legal secretary that unwittingly holds the secret to unraveling the truth about Viv's father's death, and suddenly you have a story worthy of a daytime soap opera - or in this case, a radio serial!

It's so enjoyable to step back into the past (the 1930s in this case!) and see just how much simpler things were back then.  No cell phones, no computers, no technology to control our lives.  People talked, they went to dances, they held impromptu parties, and for mysteries like this, they find themselves in danger with no way to text or call someone!  Footsteps following behind on a darkened path ... coming home to find your house ransacked ... a car screeching around the corner just as you step off the curb ... and accidents made to look like accidents when they aren't really accidents.

All in all, book two in the Viv and Charlie series was even better than the first!  That definitely sets the bar high for book three, due out later this year...

RATING:  10 Kewpie dolls out of 10 for taking radio drama mystery and bringing it to life so vibrantly!

A Viv and Charlie Mystery, Book One - The Darkness Knows

"Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of man? The Shadow knows!" This catch phrase from the Shadow radio serials is pretty much commonly known, and quite frankly, it's what attracted me to the book. The title is clearly a play on the words, and the fact that it is set in 1930s Chicago and centers around a radio starlet sold me (well, honestly, it actually took a couple of months before I bought it, but I did pick it up pretty much every time I went into Barnes and Noble).

The Darkness Knows is Cheryl Honigford's first novel, but she definitely hits the ground running with this tale. The protagonist, Vivian Witchell, is a former secretary turned up-and-coming radio star who may finally be getting her big break on the detective drama, "The Darkness Knows."  Life is great, as she may also have finally caught the eye of her co-star, the gorgeous actor, Graham Yarborough. But, as with any good mystery, fate has other plans.

When Vivian overhears a has-been actress arguing with an unknown man, she doesn't really think much of it.  After all, Marjorie Fox may think she is still the big star of radio dramas, but in reality, everyone knows she is little more than a washed up drunk.  Why the station's owner, Mr. Hart (and yes, the name made me think of 9 to 5 as well), keeps her around is anyone's guess. But that was none of Vivian's concern.  At least, not until she comes back to the station late that night to pick up the umbrella she left behind and stumbles across Marjorie's body in the radio's lounge.

Who killed Marjorie Fox? That is suddenly the question everyone is asking, and Honigford writes a wonderful murder mystery that is filled with suspects. No one liked Marjorie Fox, and it seems no one feels bad that she is gone.  There are plenty of people who had motive and opportunity - but the strange note found next to Marjorie's body indicates that Vivian could very well be the next victim.  Enter: Charlie Haverman - a private detective hired as a consultant for "The Darkness Knows" radio show who now is being assigned to protect Vivian from the potential threat.

But is Vivian really in danger?  Honigford does a great job of keeping the reader guessing on that point, and it seems just when you think you have it figured out, she throws you a curve ball and leads you in a completely different direction. Now, I will say that I did guess the killer pretty early on, but that's not because the author makes it obvious - I think it's simply because all my years of reading mysteries and watching television mystery shows has taught me how to pick out a killer from a cast of suspects. However, that did not stop me from enjoying the book at all - instead, it left me thrilled at the end that I was able to solve the crime right along with Vivian and Charlie (and while I did guess the killer's identity, I did not have the motive right at all).

Honigford provides two very interesting characters in Vivian and Charlie.  Vivian is headstrong and determined, does not want to fall back on her family's wealth, and when she wants something, she will do what she needs to in order to get it (to a degree).  Charlie, on the other hand, is a man's man, a product of his time who is very protective of the females around him and who has trouble coping with a woman who won't just let him tell her what to do; yet, at the same time, he finds himself attracted to Vivian's stubborn nature, and yes, the two definitely have the whole sexual tension thing going on that every male/female detective duo seems to have.

There are also plenty of supporting characters who ground the story and bring Vivian and Charlie's world to life - Vivian's best friend and fellow secretary, Imogene ("Genie"); the elevator operator, Angelo; the owner's daughter and station gopher, Peggy; the station's electronic whiz, Morty; Vivian's arch-nemesis, Frances; Vivian's mother; fellow voice actors; and so many others that flesh out this tale of 1930s radio and give the reader a sense of reality.  It will be interesting to see how many of them carry over into the next mystery.

Overall, an excellent read and another great adult mystery series to add to my collection.

RATING:  10 cowhide chaps and matching vests out of 10 for showing readers just want kind of evil really does lurk in the hearts of men!