I read a really good book, y'all — A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio. Let me tell you a little about it.

A Season for Killing Blondes is a cozy mystery starring Gilda Greco, a former school teacher, who is changing careers four months after winning a $19 million lottery jackpot. As the book opens, Gilda is about to have an Open House to kick off her new career counseling office in Sudbury, Ontario, to help other Baby Boomers re-evaluate or change careers. Her mother, Aunt Amelia, Uncle Paolo, and cousin Sofia are all quite involved in the planning stage of the Open House; in fact, at times they're taking over!

Reading about how involved Gilda's rather pushy Italian family is in her new office was one of my favorite things about A Season for Killing Blondes. Here is one example:

But my mother and Aunt Amelia were adamant. The open house for my new career counseling office needed a proper launch, one that could only be achieved with pastries from a Sicilian bakery.

Oh, speaking of bakery.... This is a culinary cozy, so there are eight dessert recipes included, for Pineapple Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Muffins, Banana Muffins, Sponge Cake, Zucchini Cake, Ice Cream Roll, and Tiramisù. I haven't tried any yet, but they all sound scrumptious!

Here's another favorite quote about Gilda's family (and those pastries again):

Even with a dead body in a Dumpster, thousands of euros of pastries wasting away, and policemen swarming about, my mother and aunt could still indulge in their favorite hobby — trying to find me another husband.

I liked A Season for Killing Blondes, and I think you will also. You'll learn the answers to these burning questions:

When Gilda was advised to get legal representation, after being framed for murder, why did she decide to conduct her own investigation?

What other amateur sleuth helps her with the investigation?

After Gilda won the lottery, who are the others whose lives were changed, plus how and why?

What does Carlo have in mind for himself and Gilda, after all of this is over? Hmm??

And what's with all the double names????

I am looking forward to reading more of Author Joanne Guidoccio's books in the series — #2, Too Many Women in the Room, and #3, A Different Kind of Reunion. I really enjoyed A Season for Killing Blondes, and hereby award it Four Kitties!


Note: I received a complimentary copy of A Season for Killing Blondes in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own. ( )