Fairhope, Alabama is hosting an antique car show and Harbor Village is doing it's part by having a lecture series about antique cars. Things get a bit difficult when one of the shows sponsors is found murdered and Cleo's ex and current boss could be a viable suspect. Can Cleo figure out the murderer before the murderer kills someone else?

The older characters add some depth to the stories that isn't always available in other cozies. But I would like to see more of creative ideas that could be showcased at a senior community.
Totally enjoyable. ( )

A great read by G P Gardner ( )

Murder at Royale Court is the second story in A Cleo Mack Mystery series. I recommend reading Murder at Harbor Village before picking up Murder at Royale Court. It will allow you to learn how Cleo came to be living in Fairhope and managing Harbor Village. Cleo Mack is enjoying her new life in Fairhope, Alabama. She has a close group of friends, an active social life and is busy learning her new job at Executive Director of Harbor Village. As part of their new lecture series, Reg Handleman will be giving automobile themed talks for three days which ties in with the upcoming automobile show to benefit the hospital. Cleo is surprised to learn that money can be made by investing in cars and that there are scam artists who take advantage of that fact. When Devon Wheatley, a local financial planner is murdered, Cleo finds herself searching for answers. The mystery is complex as Cleo plunges into the world of finance looking for suspects. One clue, though, gave away the identity of the culprit to me. I wish solving the crime had been more of a challenge. The resolution of the crime was supposition instead of facts. I would have preferred definitive answers. There are a numerous characters in Murder at Royale court, and I found it difficult to keep track of them (employees, residents, guests, shopkeepers at Royale Court). While I found some of the information on automobiles interesting, I could have done with less of it (though car lovers will relish it). I thought it bogged down the story. I like the developing romance between Cleo and Riley. They make a cute couple and seem compatible. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story and lovely descriptions of Fairhope. I liked the reference to Fannie Flagg and the movie Fried Green Tomatoes based on her book. Murder at Royale Court has charming characters, frisky felines, a complex crime, amazing automobiles, and vindictive villain. ( )

Murder At Royal Court is the second book in the Cleo Mack Mystery series.

Cleo has taken early retirement and moved to Fairhope, Ala. She decided to take a part-time job at the Harbor Village retirement village, but when the executive director is found dead, Travis McKenzie(her ex-husband) appoints her as the new executive director. Cleo is making changes to the community and the residents are extremely happy with them.

Cleo’s neighbor, Nita, has agreed to watch her friend Ann’s knitting shop for a few hours and asks Cleo if she would like to go with her and look over the shop. When they get there, Evie who has a dollhouse shop next door comes over and asks to use the bathroom that is shared by the two shops as somebody has locked the door on her side. Upon opening the bathroom door she sees a body on the floor. It’s quickly identified as Devon Wheat, a financial planner, who has an office at the back of the building. Ann, who remembers that Cleo recently helped solve a murder, asks if she will investigate this death, as she feels her brother will be the prime suspect. Cleo with the help of Nita and some other residents of Harbor Village begin to search for the killer. They soon find that Wheat’s financial planning may leave something to be desired and possibly one of his clients was out for revenge.

The story is well-plotted and told. There is a wonderful cast of characters which are also interesting and well developed.

I will be watching for the next book in this new series. ( )