Book Review: Every First Saturday by Bobby Jaye Allen
Every First Saturday
Bobby Jaye Allen
Accolade Books, 2002
ISBN 0971208204
Trade Paperback
Set in a small college town in Ohio, this is a tale of the murder of the campus golden girl during the week before Homecoming. Cy Sweetly seemed to have it all—beauty, charisma, brains, a future of wealth and fame, but there is little sorrow shown for her death. As Chief of Security Brady Kincaid investigates, other truths about Cy Sweetly begin to emerge and the retired Cleveland police detective finds himself with a plethora of theories and suspects.
Aiding in his investigation are the Carroway cousins, Claudia and Joyce. Both women grew up in the town and are alumnae of the college and Cy’s sorority; Claudia is now the Dean of Women while Joyce lives in Michigan and has returned for Homecoming. The two women are a treasure trove of information and useful gossip, including speculation about an unsolved murder of another coed twenty years earlier.
Who was the real Cy Sweetly? Who hated her enough to kill her and what had she done to cause such hate? Was it a spurned lover, a jealous wife, an envious fellow student, someone from her past? And just what was her past?
This is a very enjoyable, well-written story and is full of twists and turns. Even the title, Every First Saturday plays a crucial role in solving the mystery. I particularly enjoyed the way Joyce and Claudia are very important in Brady’s investigation but are not actively involved as sleuths. This is a mystery that’s difficult to categorize—part cozy, part police procedural—but author Bobby Jaye Allen has created an engaging set of characters I hope to meet again.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, 2002.
Review first published on murderexpress.net in 2002.
Note: I read all four books by Bobby Jaye Allen and loved each of them. Unfortunately, I can’t find a website for her or any information since the 2005 publication of the last book. If anyone can share anything about Bobby Jaye, I’d appreciate it very much.
July 26, 2010
Tags: Accolade Books, mystery Posted in: Full Reviews, My Reviews
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