I was wandering around the Tucson Festival of Books last month when I was greeted by a great smile. Next thing I knew I had a book in my hand and an interesting conversation. Well, I finally got a chance to read that book and boy am I glad I responded to that smile. D. R. Ransdell put together a fascinating story.

The main character, Andy, is in a mariachi band. I must admit I know little of that music except for the songs I have enjoyed in Mexico. However, even a novice can enjoy the mood that the music helps to build as a background for Andy’s escapades. While this book might be labeled a cozy, ameatur sleuth by accident, interesting side characters like his almost identical brother and Mrs. Sfirakis, his neighbor, it has more going on than the typical cozy. And no, I am not going to tell you what – that would spoil the fun of you reading it!

This book is the first in the series. However, the author did a really nice job of tying up the loose ends and not leaving the reader hanging in the middle of a tale. Thank you! Instead the book left me curious – what could happen next? What is Andy going to do about the situation? (yeah – thought I was going to spoil it – well you’ll just have to read the book to figure out what I am talking about!)

SUMMARY

Andy Veracruz is the leader of a mariachi band in Southern California, but when his boss goes out of town, the restaurant where Andy performs turns to chaos. Andy tries to avoid the boss’s flirtatious wife, but when Yiolanda is accused of murder, Andy isn’t sure whether to help her or to run the other way. The more Andy learns, the more trouble he gets himself into. He’s a sleuth only by accident! He would much rather spend afternoons working on new songs instead of following leads or trying to decipher Yiolanda. He goes to his lookalike brother for advice, but why is he too stubborn to listen?

Click Here to Buy Mariachi Meddler (Andy Veracruz Book 1) on Amazon