I just finished reading a really delicious book entitled "Death By Killer Mop Doll". This is the second book in the series of an Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery,by Lois Winston. The first book is "Assault With A Deadly Glue Gun". I didn't see that one on the shelf,otherwise I would have gotten that. I am so glad I read this book though. I am now hooked on Anastasia Pollack as I am on Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Mysteries.
Anastasia Pollack is an editor of crafts for a magazine in New Jersey. She was recently widowed when her gambling addict of a husband went to the big casino in the sky. She is left taking care of her two teenage sons;mother-in-law and her dog,Manifesto;sometimes her own mother and her cat Catherine The Great; an African Grey parrot she inherited from her Great-Aunt Penelope Periwinkle that quotes Shakespeare;and a mountain of debt left by her louse of a husband. When her husband died and left her to be the sole bread-winner of the household she took on a tenant who moved into the garage apartment she previously was using for her crafting studio. Her new tenant is a photographer for National Geographic and travels a lot. He is very good-looking and the sons and mother keep trying to fix them up.
The story starts when Anastasia's mother arrives home from a cruise three days early. It seems on this trip she has met a man and is now engaged. This will be her fifth husband. Her intended is also the producer of a morning show that is owned by the same company that runs the magazine Anastasia is an editor for. He wants to revamp his show by having a makeover segment on the show. No one(the editors of the magazine or, the hosts of the show) is happy about this. Anastasia and the editors thought it might be a good idea until they heard they wouldn't be paid.Now they have twice the work and no extra pay. They hosts of the show don't want to have to share the limelight with anyone and make things difficult for the editors every chance they get. The person that seems the most happy is the assistant to the producer who claims this was her idea. Then the producer end up dead with a knitting needle through the chest. Atop him is one of the mop dolls Anastasia made for her craft segment of the show. She didn't do it, but she's sure to find out who did.
This is a really entertaining book. The characters are so funny and I kept wondering what could possibly happen next. I haven't even touched on the constant chaos that seems to be Anastasia's life or her mother-in-law's campaign to legalize jaywalking. It's one thing after another with her,and I loved it!
Even if you aren't a crafty-type person(as I'm not) this book is highly enjoyable. If you are then you are sure to love it as it has the craft instructions in the book. Right after she says what craft she is starting on,she goes through the supplies you need and the steps to take. I thought that I have friends that would love doing this! I just loved reading the book! Can't wait to read more!
