On borrowed crime

Lyla Moody, the 31-year-old narrator of this amusing series launch from Young (the Marygene Brown mysteries), works for her uncle Calvin as a receptionist at Cousins Investigative Services in the "Mayberry-esque" town of Sweet Mountain, Ga. Her mother would rather see her working behind the makeup counter at a department store. Indeed, as Lyla observes, "Here in Sweet Mountain... old southern families resided. Our tea was sweet, our accents were sweeter, and our ladies were expected to be the same. Murder didn't quite fit in." One afternoon at work, she gets a call from Judge David Timms, who tells her his wife, Carol, a friend of Lyla's and a fellow member of the Jane Doe book club, has been missing for four days. Back home, Lyla finds a large suitcase on her doorstep, and inside is Carol's body. Carol, as it turns out, had been investigating a local cold case murder. Agatha Christie--like clues and a witty narrator who knows how to handle herself enhance the subsequent sleuthing. This skillful blend of detective work and chick lit will appeal to cozy readers. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Agency. (Oct.)

A wannabe Georgia detective gets closer than she'd like to a murder. Much to the dismay of her mother, who'd rather she be thinking of marriage than murder, Lyla Moody's been working for her uncle Calvin, a private detective in peaceful Sweet Mountain. Lyla, a member of the Jane Doe book club, whose members enjoy delving into crime, spots club member Carol Timms sitting in a car with an unidentifiable person and looking desperate. Carol had thought she knew the identity of one of many dead women found along the I-85 corridor and wanted the club to investigate. Now she's missed her chance, for all too soon after her husband, Judge David Timms, calls Calvin to find his missing wife, her body turns up stuffed in a suitcase left at Lyla's door. The local police focus on Lyla's ex-boyfriend Kevin, who's just moved in across the street from Lyla with her disagreeable cousin, Ellen, whom he's now involved with. Carol had been squabbling with Kevin, who was her former stepbrother, over the disposition of an inheritance from a relative. But she also was arguing with her husband and getting psychological help from Lyla's father. The club members investigate until they turn up enough dirt to earn Lyla threatening notes from a possible serial killer. She works with both the police chief, another former boyfriend, and the investigator of the I-85 cold cases and is not deterred when they both warn her of the dangers. A fine outing for a spunky heroine whose job and other activities provide plenty of grist for future investigations. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.