Armed and Outrageous
by Madison Johns
by Madison Johns
Description
Senior sleuth -
Grandma Mazur meets Murder She Wrote -
cozy mystery.
Agnes Barton is not
your typical senior citizen living in Tadium, MI, on the shores of Lake Huron.
She drives a red hot Mustang, shops at Victoria's Secret, rankles local police
officials, and has a knack for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong.
What does a murder
that happened forty-three years ago have to do with missing tourist Jennifer
Martin? Agnes makes it her personal mission to find out, and she's not letting
the fact she's seventy-two get in the way. Butting heads with Sheriff Clem
Peterson is something she's accustomed to, but lately Clem seems to be acting
even more strange, making Agnes wonder what he may be hiding ala the Martin
disappearance.
Agnes’ partner in
crime, Eleanor Mason tags along, Watson to her Holmes.
Together, they
unearth clues. If only Eleanor would behave, as although lovable, she has a
knack for getting into trouble by tangling with her rival, Dorothy Alton, or
flirting with anyone—male or female—and gossiping! She's incorrigible, but she
does carry a Pink Lady revolver in her purse, one that has proved useful at
times.
Life for Agnes and
Eleanor is shaken up when Agnes' former boss and secret crush comes to Tadium.
Before long, the lady sleuths have more on their hands to contend with as goons
roll into town and bullets begin to fly.
Review
By mel
As mysteries go, this is probably not your grandmother's "cozy," but it may be your grandmother! Agnes Barton, a 72 year-old widow, is sometimes down, but never out. She's got a hot car and a hotter wardrobe, and an insatiable desire for...justice. While there have been other elderly female sleuths - Agatha Christie's Miss Marple comes immediately to mind - I doubt there have been the likes of Agnes Barton and her side-kick Eleanor Mason. Not content to sip tea and eat a crumpet or two, Agnes is all action and always on the go. She'll solve this crime or die trying (and almost does). The story revolves around - and weaves together - a newly missing young woman (Jennifer), a previously missing young woman (Agnes's granddaughter) and an unsolved crime from 1968. Toss in an old flame who's back in town, a rather inept sheriff, some out-of-town "goons," and an understanding State Trooper, then season with a bit of sass, a special "lipstick" that would make James Bond blush, some very adult shenanigans and a pinch of pot, and you've got the perfect mix for a great read. And did I mention the cat ... and the mice? Oh, and be prepared to laugh ... a lot.
As mysteries go, this is probably not your grandmother's "cozy," but it may be your grandmother! Agnes Barton, a 72 year-old widow, is sometimes down, but never out. She's got a hot car and a hotter wardrobe, and an insatiable desire for...justice. While there have been other elderly female sleuths - Agatha Christie's Miss Marple comes immediately to mind - I doubt there have been the likes of Agnes Barton and her side-kick Eleanor Mason. Not content to sip tea and eat a crumpet or two, Agnes is all action and always on the go. She'll solve this crime or die trying (and almost does). The story revolves around - and weaves together - a newly missing young woman (Jennifer), a previously missing young woman (Agnes's granddaughter) and an unsolved crime from 1968. Toss in an old flame who's back in town, a rather inept sheriff, some out-of-town "goons," and an understanding State Trooper, then season with a bit of sass, a special "lipstick" that would make James Bond blush, some very adult shenanigans and a pinch of pot, and you've got the perfect mix for a great read. And did I mention the cat ... and the mice? Oh, and be prepared to laugh ... a lot.
While the mystery
itself is well handled, what really makes this book a stand-out is the
portrayal of the old folks who populate the story. Madison clearly knows the
elderly, and not only has a handle on how they talk - and what they talk about
- but also is very adept at showing us the humorous side of old age. But more
importantly, Madison also sensitively delves into the things not generally
discussed - the need for companionship, love, sex, and the difficulty of
adjusting to the loss of a spouse. Her people are real people, with real needs,
and they are not afraid to talk about them - or seek out ways to meet them. It
is clear that Madison has affection for her characters.
This book is a
first-class read. It moves along well, is full of colorful characters, and is
very, very funny. I can't wait for the sequels; I'd like to see these people
again. Madison has described this book as a "cozy," and that's
exactly how you should be when you start this ... and a glass of wine would be
just fine, too.
About the Author
As a child, Madison Johns preferred to distance herself from other
children her age, and had been described as a dreamer. Even as a small child,
she remembers staying awake many a night fighting dragons, whisked away to
foreign lands, or meeting the man of her dreams. She was a voracious reader of
historical romance in her teen years and has always wished to one day journey
to England, France, Ireland, and Scotland.
The writing bug bit her at the age of 44 and she pounded out three
books since that time. As the publishing climate changed she took a risk and
decided to self publish, first a collection of two horror short stories geared
for YA, Coffin Tales Season of Death.
Madison's caring nature had led her to work in the healthcare
field, where she was employed as a nursing care assistant at a nursing home,
and it was there that she was inspired to write her first mystery, Armed and Outrageous, introducing amateur detective Agnes Barton. The book depicts two
elderly ladies digging up clues with enough laugh out loud antics to make James
Bond blush. Madison has just released the sequel, Grannies, Guns and Ghosts, as well as the romantic comedy, Pretty and Pregnant.
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