Book Review: Puzzle Pieces

Today's book review is Puzzle Pieces by Betsy Brannon Green. I've been a longtime fan of hers since Hearts in Hiding came out many years ago. That book introduced us to Miss Eugenia and the residents of Haggerty, Georgia.  Now, here we are revisiting those same people and Miss Eugenia is embroiled in another murder mystery.

The book starts off with Presley DeGraff undertaking a daring escape from a mental hospital. It drew me right in and kept me turning pages to see why Preley was running and who she was running from. The pace slowed down after the initial escape and answers are drawn out through the entire book as Presley makes it to her aunt's house in Haggerty. There is definitely an eclectic cast of characters to greet Presley after she arrives, but nothing surprises her more than when Miss Eugenia's dog, Lady, finds a skeleton on her aunt's property.  As the press descends on the murder scene, Presley knows her past won't stay a secret for long. But can she count on her new Haggerty friends to keep her safe? Or has she put them all in danger?

I loved how each of Ms. Green's books are true to the southern spirit and traditions. Miss Eugenia hasn't changed much, and her character is as colorful as ever.  Presley was a nice addition to Haggerty and it was heartwarming to see how much she came to love everyone.  Mac was a different sort of hero, a hard-working repo man that gets beat up a lot, and has a few secrets of his own.  The romance in the story was subtle and understated, but had a good buildup.  I definitely closed the book with a smile.  This is an entertaining mystery that will leave you with all the feels of southern hospitality and charm.

Here's the back copy:

Presley DeGraff is a young woman on the run. With nothing but the clothes on her back, her escape from the ruthless manipulations of her former fiancé leaves her with little time to hide. There is only one person to whom she can turn, only one place she may be safe . . . Haggerty, Georgia, is known for its Southern hospitality and quirky inhabitants. For Presley, her Aunt Violet’s home in the tiny town is a lifesaving haven. Her aunt, along with a cast of delightful friends and neighbors, warmly welcomes her. For the first time in so long, she feels hope—a hope that hinges on hiding her past. But the dreams of solitude that she had envisioned quickly fade when a disturbing discovery is made in her aunt’s backyard: a human skeleton. At the first hint of crime, Haggerty’s own amateur sleuth, Miss Eugenia, is on the case. Along with handsome Haggerty resident Mac and sprightly ninety-nine-year-old Loralee, Presley is quickly drawn into a mystery spanning generations of Haggerty’s history. But when news coverage of the investigation digs up Presley’s own secrets, it’s up to her new friends to come to her aid, by whatever means necessary.

You can buy your Kindle copy here