Suture Self (Bed-and-Breakfast Series #17)

Patients are dying after surgery, is it murder?

Judith and Renie are at it again. These cousins are a hoot! Judith is off to the hospital for hip surgery. Renie is having rotator cuff repair. Unfortunately right before they are admitted, they learn that two recent well-known patients didn¿t make it after they had routine surgery. Then while they are in the hospital recuperating, the ex-pro quarterback in the next room dies after minor knee surgery. Was he killed? The cousins begin to look into the deaths at Good Cheer Hospital. This is not easily done. Judith is pretty much bed-bound, so Renie ends up doing a lot of the leg work. Most of the staff won¿t talk, but they do find a few who will give them a little information. But then most of them mysteriously go on vacation or are transferred. Plus Renie is not the best patient. She is constantly finding a way to order in better food. Their neighbor across the hall, assists in this activity on a few occasions. Then a snow storm brings the town to an almost standstill. This also means that their husbands can¿t visit. The husband of the first woman to die is a reporter. He stops in and chats with the cousins. A few minutes later Renie observes him being hit by a car in the hospital parking lot. They know someone is up to no good and hope that they can survive while working to uncover everything! I love this series. These cousins always make me laugh. They get into some of the wildest situations! Judith¿s husband and her mother are not as prominent in this book. They really add to this series as well. I like how the author can weave the various characters in and out depending on the setting. They still play a part, but maybe not as big. The author has a real winner! If you are looking for a cozy that you can fly through and enjoy, you¿ve found it! I highly recommend this book and the entire series!

Exciting cozy

When last seen, Judith McMonigle Flynn, owner of the Hillside Manor Bed and Breakfast, needs a hip replacement due to an accident that confines her to a wheelchair. In a strange coincidence, Judith¿s cousin Rennie needs an operation on her shoulder. Thus, the two best friends check into the Good Cheer Hospital, managing to share a room.

Before the duo actually enters the hospital, a famous athlete and a locally known actress die while recovering from successful surgery. The police report that both of them died from an overdose of drugs. Judith learns from a gossiping nurse that neither of the deceased were users. When a third person dies under suspicious circumstances, Judith, who has solved previous homicides, decides to investigate without knowing how close the killer is to her.

This long running series makes its hard cover debut with a tale that proves Mary Daheim deserves the status. SUTURE SELF is the best novel in a well-written series as the precious interludes between Judith and Rennie appear poignant and dramatic, yet humorous. The investigative techniques used by Judith while recovering from surgery is unique or at least along the lines of Rear Window. Ms. Daheim is at the top of her game as she provides her fans with a wonderful cozy.

Harriet Klausner