The Cashmere Shroud

Isabel & Alma Trumbo #2

by Ed Lynskey

Down in the sleepy, quaint Virginia town of Quiet Anchorage, murder is the last thing any townie living there would expect to happen on a summer day. Sisters Isabel and Alma Trumbo—both are in their seventies although Alma is quick to point out she’s the younger sister—look forward to spending their leisurely days playing Scrabble and sipping tall glasses of iced tea. They love nothing better than chatting with the Three Musketeers—Ossie Conger, Blue Trent, and Willie Moccasin—lolling on their wooden bench just outside of Main Street’s flower shop. Or relaxing at Eddy’s Deli where they munch on his irresistibly delicious bear claws, catch up with his waitress Tabitha, and drink his fresh brewed coffee. When the sisters’s young friend Sammi Jo Garner becomes the prime suspect in her father Ray Burl's homicide; however, they shrug off taking it easy and get back to work investigating his murder. Of course, someone driven to bump off Ray Burl isn’t likely to be intimidated by a pair of little, old lady sleuths snooping around—until they get too close to revealing who the killer is. The Cashmere Shroud is the second title in the popular, well-received cozy mystery series featuring a memorable cast of characters and a charming small village setting. The series titles are clean reads and traditional whodunits. Join Isabel and Alma Trumbo when they set off on their latest mystery as amateur sleuths that is as fun and challenging for them as it is for the reader.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Ed Lynskey is a crime fiction author who writes the P.I. Frank Johnson Mystery Series and the Isabel and Alma Trumbo Cozy Mystery Series. His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Reviews

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful murder mystery by my Goodreads' friend, Ed Lynskey. As I read it, I wondered if he had some aunts like Alma and Isabel Trumbo with their dog Petey Samson. Sammi Jo's father has been killed wering a cashmere suit later referred to as hs shroud since he is expected to be buried in it. The three of them set out to solve the crime. They interview quite a few people, in spite of the fact that they are not supposed to do so, and of course, solve the crime. Good job there, Ed!

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that they are retired, Isabel and Alma Trumbo are enjoying a quiet life revolving around walking their dog and playing Scrabble. However, when the father of their friend Sammi Jo is murdered they agree to investigate especially since the sheriff doesn't seem to be looking past Sammi Jo as a suspect. The more the two sisters dig the more they discover secrets in Sammi Jo's fathers past. Will they be able to catch the killer and will Sammi Jo be able to accept the truth about her father?

“The Cashmere Shroud” is a delightful cozy mystery featuring a pair of endearing amateur sleuths. For me, cozy mysteries work best when they have not only strong characters but a strong setting and this book has both. Quiet Anchorage. Virginia is a small town where just about everyone knows everyone else and certain residents can claim a town bench all to themselves yet the town isn't as quiet as its name implies. Isabel and Alma are delightful characters - I love it when cozy mysteries feature older amateur sleuths – who love each other even if they quarrel a bit at times. Each of them has delightful quirks - my favorite is that they telephone each other to talk while they are in the same house! Sammi Jo is another strong character, devastated at the loss of her father and determined to find his killer. The minor characters are also delightful - I do wish Phyllis had been in the book more. The mystery itself is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns. I thought for sure author Ed Lynsky was going in one direction with the character of Sammi Jo's mother, was totally wrong, and surprised at what did happen to her. The identity of the killer also came as a surprise - to me all of this adds up to good writing and good plotting and author who didn't take the easy way out.

“The Cashmere Shroud” is a nicely done cozy mystery.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cashmere Shroud: An Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mystery (Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mysteries) (Volume 2)

The Cashmere Shroud: An Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mystery (Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mysteries) (Volume 2)
by Ed Lynskey
Edition: Paperback
Price: $13.89




5.0 out of 5 stars All is not quiet in Quiet anchorage, August 15, 2013






This review is from: The Cashmere Shroud: An Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mystery (Alma and Isabel Trumbo Mysteries) (
Alma & Isabel Trumbo- Sisters in Quiet Anchorage and co-owners of The Trumbo Sisters Detective Agency.

Sammi Jo Garner- (aka the steel magnolia)Close friend of the Trumbo sisters who lives in an apt. just above the local pharmacy.

Roscoe Fox- Sheriff in Quiet Anchorage with a bone or two to pick with the Trumbo sisters.

Petey Samson-The Trumbo sisters adopted dog from the SPCA. Petey keeps the sisters active with daily walkies.

The 3 Musketeers- Willie Moccasin, Blue Trent and Ossie Conger. A trio of senior gents that can be found on the local bench.

Ray Burl Garner-Sammi Jo's father and foreman at the Mr. Barclay's sod company.

The Trumbo sisters live in an orange brick rambler and take turns driving their sedan. Their small town of Quiet Anchorage is just that...Quiet. That is until the shooting death of Ray Burl Garner, Sammi Jo's father. Mr. Barclay's receptionist, Karmine, found Ray Burl on the job...shot dead. Sammi Jo's first stop after learning of her father's murder is straight to her dear friends, the Trumbo sisters. Sammi Jo, AKA the steel magnolia, vows that she won't rest until her father's killer is found and she asks Alma & Isabel to investigate. The Sisters agree and the games afoot.

Alma & Isabel start their search into the possible reasons behind Ray Burl's murder but they need some outside assistance from locals. And they begin to delve into the background of the victim.

I enjoyed every page of this 2ND entry into the Trumbo Sisters mysteries. All the same characters are here and the author was wise enough to explore and develop their working relationships with each other. The details in the local environment as well as the dialog kept me in pace with this investigation.

So glad this cozy is continuing to shape up into a more involved mystery. I will be watching for the next entry. Highly recommended for all lovers of cozies.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful murder mystery. Isabel and Alma Trumbo are retired and living a nice quiet life with their dog Petey .However when their friend Sammi Jo's father is murdered. They agree to help investigate since the Sheriff doesn,t seem to be looking for any other suspects. He thinks Sammi Jo did it. The more they look into it the more secrets they discover about Sammi Jo's Father's past. Will they catch the killer ?Will Sammi Jo be able to accept the truth about her father? I love small town cozy murder mysteries. This one was well written with plenty of twists and turns. I look forward to reading more books by Ed Lynskey

[Yvonne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trumbo sisters are at it again. When Sammi Jo's father shows up murdered, sheriff Fox is quick to blame her. That is where Alma and Isabel draw the line. With the help of the town gossips, and a lot of quick thinking they are out to outsmart the sheriff.
These little ladies are so lovable, and extremely smart.
When the second body turns up, they know they are running out of time.
Ed Lynskey has a way of pulling you into his stories. It is not until the very end, that some of the loose ends are finally visible.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second read of a very delightful author's books. He has the most unusual characters in a mystery that i have ever seen. This is what is described as a cozy mystery it takes place in a small town called Quiet Anchorage where nothing much really happens except for your occasional murder. In this particular mystery there are in fact two murders though they take place off camera if you will. The title characters are two little old ladies in their 70's who love their mysteries (books that is). They do investigate much to the displeasure of the local sheriff.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these two ladies. They're smart, outspoken and sarcastic, no nonsense types that I like to read about. They're helping their young friend find her father's murderer. With many eccentric small town characters to meet with for the local gossip and any information they can get they also have to keep the sheriff from throwing them in jail for interfering with his investigation. Great fun and light read.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

too much unnecessary descriptions - I got to the point that I didn't want to read any more. Sorry didn't flow- didn't finish book and I usually finish even books I don't like. Gave it one star because the author did try.

[Andree Sanborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet read. Now I am understanding why I felt that the phrasing in many sentences was off: it a Southern way of talking that I would understand if I heard it spoken but have difficulty reading. But I'm catching on and it's easier now. Well done, Mr. Lynskey.

[Sandy Voegtlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still like the sisters, but I wish they would stop being wishy washy about being detectives.

[Beth Yeary]

It didn't take me long to read this one. Murder is taking it's told on Quiet Anchorage. It's a good thing that the sisters and their friends are there to solve to mystery.