MURPHY'S SLAW

An Alaskan diner owner takes on yet another case of murder.

Charlie Cooke, her BFF Annie Jensen, and reporter Chris Doucette have helped their lawman friend Cody Graham, fondly known as Trooper, in the past. So they don’t hesitate when Trooper asks for help again. Charlie’s been reluctant to visit the Alaska State Fair, but when Trooper, whose vast territory keeps him constantly short-staffed, tells them that one of Charlie’s produce suppliers has been killed there, the three take off for the fair. Though Charlie’s not a fan, at least there are numerous food stands whose offerings may give her ideas for her diner fare. The dead woman, KC, was an inoffensive schoolmate of Charlie’s, and it’s hard to imagine who would want her dead. Feeling that their success depends on uncovering a motive, Charlie and her buddies start digging into KC's current life and her past. They find a dicey boyfriend, a nasty property dispute with a current neighbor, and an ancient lawsuit from the plane crash that killed her sister and brother-in-law, leaving KC to raise their son, Milo, who’s just turning 18. Although Charlie doesn’t think they’re making much progress, apparently the killer does, for he starts sending her warning notes. In the absence of her vacationing parents, she relies on Chris for help, and their all-but-romance is complemented by the support of Charlie’s adored feline companion, Benny.

Even the beauties of Alaska can’t make up for the slow-paced not-such-a-mystery. The recipe for coleslaw is a winner, though.