Cozy Mystery

When Julia, a newspaper astrologer, implies in her column that a church might be swindling an old woman out of her home she becomes the latest target for their vitriol. As the church’s attacks increase in ferocity, San Francisco’s police turn a blind eye. But Julia isn’t one to go quietly into the night and she decides to fight back.

Then an older woman, the aunt of her closest friend becomes entangled with the church, and Julia discovers just how far the church will go to protect their secrets.

I quite like a good cozy mystery, and truthfully I requested this from Netgalley based entirely on the cover. After reading a few pages, I was thinking to myself that perhaps it was going to be a miss for me. I’m a hippie at heart, but I don’t believe in astrology –– I don’t believe the stars guide us, any more than I believe tea leaves or coffee grounds can predict the future.

But you know what? It doesn’t matter. Astrology is a part of the story, but this book is about much more than that. I can’t help but be reminded of the way some from the christian right bully and intimidate health care providers at organisations like Planned Parenthood. So a good cozy mystery that is made great because the author isn’t afraid to toss a few hand grenades at some of the less christian christians.  The ones who have long since forgotten the bits in the bible that say, “judge not or you will be judged” and “love your neighbour as yourself”.

Many thanks to Midnight Ink and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC

Orange, Red, Yellow. What it means:  YOR-Guide