A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio – a Review

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Description:
Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the body of golden girl, Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside Gilda’s office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation. When three more dead blondes turn up, all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders.

Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

Review:

A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio is a murder mystery with a touch of light romance. This is a delightful read if you like mystery/murder stories with a feel of community people. This takes place in October of 2011 in Sudbury, Canada, so for me, who has never been there, it’s already excitingly located.

The story begins as Gilda tells the story of why Carlo a detective is in the back alley of her newly opened re-careering office (I’m leaving out last names on purpose). On the day that was to be her grand opening, the body of a local blonde woman, Carrie Ann Godfrey was found posed in the dumpster in the alley behind her office. The dead woman is a town icon and had been the prom queen when Gilda and Carlo had been in high school, and the mystery begins.

The murder is investigated and Gilda is questioned, as is her cousin Sofia. When a second blonde is found murdered, after an altercation with our heroine Gilda, it becomes apparent to her that someone is trying to frame her for the murders. The handsome blue eyed detective goes above and beyond to secure her alibi, when our heroine could not prove her whereabouts and also promising a dinner date after the investigation is over. There are many suspects, some are more subtle while some are the usual. Then another cousin ends up murdered along with a Russian step-sister (not a blonde).

Okay, that’s the setup and all the murders…I don’t do spoilers. This is a story you must read to enjoy and I believe you will enjoy it. I certainly did and look forward to more from this author.

The writing is wonderfully descriptive but not overbearing. Characters are well described and events are discussed like imported pastries for her grand opening…giving you the feel you’re standing there with people you’ve known your whole life. Some you like, some you don’t. The location is also well described with points of interest, letting you pretty much picture where you are. However, the descriptions are done in small doses, totally enhancing the story without boring the reader.

The story builds slowly, letting you know many of the characters and leading you on a merry chase. It’s good entertainment and thoroughly enjoyable.

If you like a good mystery and a little murder, a possible blossoming romance…give it a read!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author