Death by Killer Mop Doll: 2 (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery) Paperback – 7 Feb. 2014

This was an excellent book. It's not too heavy and not too light. The characters and setting are as good as ever. I won't bore you with a plot summary as I know other reviewers are fond of doing that. Usually, I wouldn't give any spoilers away about a book, but this time Ifeel I need to do so, so stop reading now if you want to be surprised. Generally, I would praise inclusivity in literature, but in this case, it is the old trope of making a gay person the Villain. I don't think the author did it with any malintent in this case as she did it without the accompanying "They did it because they're evil" line that used to accompany the trope. However, it's a very old trope that I just personally wish would die. If you liked the first book, and you can live with my tiny spoiler, I say that you should give this one a sot because I don't think you'll be disappointed. Have at it. I can't wait to read the next one.

Anastasia is back, just three months down the track from when her unlamented husband, Karl, dies in a casino having blown all their savings, college funds, insurance and mortgage money. The two grannys - Anastasia's mother and mother in law are still in situ with their animals - Mephisto the dog and Catherine the Great, the cat - doing battle with Ralph the parrot. The sons are still not helping their mother in the house - nor are the grannys - and Anastasia is battling with her workplace, which has come up with a scheme whereby the employees will do twice the work for no extra pay.I won't give a spoiler - I never do that if I can help it, because it's not fair to the author or future readers - however, the plot is fast-paced, a sort of a much smarter and likeable Stephanie Plum battling the odds. The dialogue is good.I have to say that the ending is not as satisfying as I would have expected, it finishes abruptly, almost as though the author didn't quite know how to end the story. Perhaps she might be going to write another carrying on from the last page? I certainly hope so, because there's a bit more mileage to be had out of these characters and I for one, hope to find out what happens to them. A trilogy would round it off perfectly!!

Liked all!

i enjoyed reading this fun and light-hearted, "who-done-it" mystery. the characters are interesting and the plot was intriguing without being too serious or intense. this is well written and gives the reader a chance to gather the clues, along with the characters, to solve the mystery. light and entertaining!

This is a fun, easy read. I really like Anastasia she seems like someone I could hang out with and I must confess I would like to know what happens to her mother and mother in law. While I probably will never make another mop doll, the instructions are clear and easily followed.