CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian's Reviews > Mindful of Murder

Susan Juby has always been good at creating lovable oddball characters and her latest book, which is an unconventional mystery, is no exception. Although there are some characters here with, shall we say, a lot of flaws, Juby manages to see the humanity in them.

This story centres on a west coast island spiritual centre and its former manager, Helen who used to be a Buddhist nun and is now a formally trained butler who comes back to the institute to decide who is the best person to run it in the wake of its owner Edna's unexpected death (aka murder!)

The fascinating characters include Edna's three rich niece and nephews, one (not rich).just discovered niece, two of Helen's friends from butler school, eccentric dance and flower arrangement teachers, a guy who lost his job as a counselor at theatre summer camp, and more.

This book felt very quirky west coast island, and therefore it felt like home.

My library hosted Susan Juby just before the pandemic struck and she read from this as yet unfinished book. It was so cool to experience the full story!