Gift basket designer Claire Hanover trades in her scissors and ribbons for some good old-fashioned sleuthing. Her brother Charley is opening a new riding stable when trouble strikes. One of Charley's wranglers and trail guide, Kyle Mendoza, is found dead in a horse stall. Just days later, another of his wranglers is discovered dead in his car in the stable parking lot. Both deaths are determined by the police to be cases of murder. Claire just can't keep from doing some investigating of her own; anything to help her brother who has had a run of bad luck lately. She even uses one of her gift basket creations to ferret out some information for the police. Will Charley's business falter before it even gets off the ground? Is there a serial killer on the loose?

A BASKET OF TROUBLE is the second book in Beth Groundwater's Clair Hanover Mystery series. Claire is a strong character who is determined to do all she can to help the police, whether they want her help or not. The supporting characters are likeable, for the most part, and realistic, a real eclectic mix. Claire suspects a number of individuals, but there is no clear killer revealed in the plot until the end.

This one is not easy to figure out! Throughout the story the themes of self-esteem, personal perception and sibling rivalry are explored. Ms. Groundwater brings the social issue of immigration reform to the table through the Mexican farm hands in her story. She also introduces us to and enlightens us about the benefits of Hippotherapy and the tragedy of Alzheimer's. All of these issues and themes are seamlessly blended together in a gripping cozy mystery that you do not want to miss. Check out BASKET OF TROUBLE!

Book Summary

When gift basket designer Claire Hanover saddles up for the opening event of her brother Charley's new riding stable, the last thing she expects is for a death to ruin the festivities. But before the grand opening can even begin Kyle Mendoza, one of the stable hands, is found dead in a horse stall. At first it appears that the horse trampled him, until it's discovered someone killed Kyle before dragging him into the stall.

Charley's troubles worsen when a rival stable owner starts wrangling up his clients and Kyle's family decides to sue him for negligence. Claire is determined to find the real murderer before her brother's business is put out to pasture and before the killer strikes again.