At the request of a friend, Jennifer Marsh has taken the job of keeping a careful record of everything that goes on in the house of socialite, Mary Bedford Ashton. Ms. Ashton is convinced that someone is about to kill her and she wants Jennifer to make sure the killer doesn't get away with murder. Mary is finding threatening notes telling her the end is near. Jennifer moves into the mansion thinking Ms Ashton is a bit senile and nothing's going to happen, but she couldn't be more wrong. On her very first night in residence, Jennifer is awakened by Mary's terrible screams and finds herself locked in her bedroom. When she finally frees herself she finds Mary's blood soaked bed and Mary is missing. Now Jennifer feels obligated to keep her promise and find Mary Ashton's killer.....

Judy Fitzwater has just gotten better and better and this is the best Jennifer Marsh mystery to date. Her writing is very entertaining, her fast paced plot is full of twists, turns and surprises and her original characters, just terrific. This is a mystery that has it all...a huge old mansion, creepy housekeeper, colorful victim, tight lipped suspects who seem to know more than they're telling and a hardworking, likeable, though sometimes inept detective. Dying to be Murdered is the fifth book in this delightful series. For those new to Jennifer Marsh and company start at the beginning with Dying to get Published and read them all. For those who are already fans, you certainly won't be disappointed this time out.

EXCELLENT