Judy Alter (1) (1938–)

I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

If mystery is your go to reading genre then you must check out Judy Alter’s series.
Her characters are well developed, the setting feels like any town you may have visited or gone through at one time. There is enough mystery here to carry you through from beginning to end.
The main character Kate Chambers operates a small café in the town of Wheeler, Texas. It is a town that is quaint but on the verge of losing some of it’s vital businesses. Enter Dallas developer Silas Fletcher. He wants to help revitalize the town starting with the old bus depot. The bus depot was the site of a 30 year old unsolved murder. Kate isn’t thrilled with Silas’ plans for the old depot so she tries to save it because of its historical significance. Enter another murder. Kate decides that if she is going to save her town and keep its quaint charm then she is going to have to find the murderer on the loose.
This is the fourth book I have read by Judy Alter. However, this is the first one I have read of this series. It held up as a stand-alone book even though it was part of a series. However, now I need to go back and read the first three in the series. From the time I was small mysteries were my favorite genre. As an adult who teaches middle school, I am more in tune with middle school mysteries than adult mysteries. So, when I come across an author who writes wonderful adult mysteries I want to shout his/her name from the top of the world, or at least from my blog. Please pick up a copy of this wonderful book. You will find the characters as charming, and the mystery as engaging as I did.… (mere)

I could tell this book was made in the 80's by the title page. Simple text with no flash and only two colors. The book has a table of contents consisting of only six chapters but don't let that fool you. The author Judith Alter covered everything I think about when I picture the old west.
This book talked about the hardship of the journey to get to the west. Up to a third of the wagons were abandoned in Missouri. I actually learned a lot of new things from the book. Children in the west learned how to have fun by enjoying the wildness, animals, and waterways. The had to go on a lot of picnics until civilization gave them more opportunities to have fun. The details in this book let me know I could never make it. Its extremely hot and hostile from diseases to Indian attacks. This book covered more than I expected. There are pictures and illustrations that detail the reality they lived in and the book utilized them well. I appreciated having the ideas reinforced through the pictures. Ms. Alter didn't waste any space on the page or conversely our time while we read the fantastic book. If your interested in the west and don't mind the dated ascetics, give this book a try. It's well written, covered a lot of topics, and really gave you a sense of what it was like, Growing Up In The Old West.… (mere)

Kate Chambers runs the Blue Plate Cafe and it keeps her pretty busy. It is a cute little cafe that serves delicious food and has great service. But trouble walks in her cafe and its name is David Clinkscales. They team up to help Mrs. Edith Aldridge . She once was accused of killing her husband. Even though she was acquitted , people still whisper behind her back. I guess once you get accused of something, people will always have doubts of your innocence. I loved her character. She is a feisty woman determined to not give in to her step children's greed. After an attempt on her life, Kate and David must move quickly to solve the case before it is to late. Between running a cafe, starting a relationship with David and trying to solve a mystery, Kate has her hands full. Who wants Edith dead? Are Kate and David's lives in danger ? Is it a coincidence thst Dsvid just happens to be Edith's lawyer? Unexplained things start to happen that take this mystery on a great adventure . I loved the writing that was engaging and held my attention. Get ready for a twist that will surprise you as Edith's stepchildren suddenly surface with an agenda. Seems there is some bad blood between dear old stepmom and stepchildren. Why do bodies and dead peacocks start turning up?

This is a great book that I couldn't put down and it has all the elements of intrigue and action that are sure to satisfy any mystery buff.… (mere)