Murder Runs in the Family

Edgar winner Berry (the Eleanor Wilde series) delivers a sprightly whodunit centered on an almost-licensed private detective. For the past three years, 31-year-old Amber Winslow has been learning the ropes at her boyfriend’s detective agency. When he refers to her as his secretary, however, she realizes he’ll never give her the recognition she deserves. She packs her things and sets off for the luxurious Seven Ponds Retirement Community in Draycott, Ariz., where her grandmother, Jade McCallan, lives. Though Amber and Jade haven’t spoken in years, the older woman’s octogenarian friends immediately welcome the budding PI. The day after Amber arrives, George Vincent, one of the facility’s wealthiest residents, is found dead in the on-premise recording studio that Jade and her friends use to produce their true crime podcast, Death Comes Calling. After Jade is arrested for the murder, Amber steps up to clear her name, and to track down George’s missing tortoise and diamond ring. Colorful characters, snappy dialogue, and plausible plotting make this cozy sing. It’s a winner. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (Apr.)