Just in Time

By Suzanne Trauth

FACE THE MUSIC
 
Business is humming at Dodie O'Dell's Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There's a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie's last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.
 
But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she'll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it'll be bye bye Dodie…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781516107216

Suzanne Trauth

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a former university theatre professor. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Dramatists Guild. When she is not writing, Suzanne coaches actors and serves as a celebrant performing wedding ceremonies. She lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Readers can visit her website at www.suzannetrauth.com.

Reviews for Just in Time

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just in Time by Marie Bostwick takes readers to Portland, Oregon. Grace Saunders is looking for a support group, but none of them are the right fit for her or her situation. Grace meets Nan Wilja and Monica Romano who are also looking for a different type of support group situation. The three of them form their own support group that meets each Monday night. They are helping each other move on and the three women became more than friends. Grace’s husband, Jamie is in a permanent vegetative state. Monica’s husband died in a boating accident with his girlfriend and she is left to run his restaurant as well as raise his children. Nan has been widowed for twenty years, but now her children are out of the house which leaves it very quiet despite her dogs. While visiting with Jamie in the evenings, Grace works on a memory quilt. Each block represents Jamie and their relationship. One evening, Monica sets up Grace with Luke Pascal (she tricks her). Luke is a lawyer turned furniture craftsman. Grace is attracted to Luke (and he makes her smile), but she feels that she cannot move on while Jamie is still alive. Each of these women must work to overcome their grief, heartaches and fears. It is time to move forward with their lives and with each other’s encouragement, they can get their second chance at happiness.Just in Time is nicely written and has a good pace. It is a lovely story about three women that are ready to move forward, but they each need support (compassion, comfort, encouragement). These women have loved and lost. We follow them as they work through grief and heartache to get a second chance at having a joyful future. I liked the inclusion of the dog rescue, Rainbow Gate in the story and the therapy dogs. I did, though, feel that Just in Time was predictable. Why do the women have to have a man in their lives to be fulfilled? I would love to see a something different (a better role model for the younger generation). Just in Time is a heartwarming story about women getting a second opportunity. Grace’s story was the dominant one, and I felt that the business world was portrayed realistically. Grace’s company is bought out and in order for her to keep her job, she is required to do twice the work along with working long hours (she needs her job for the insurance for Jamie). I wish the quilting had been more prominent. It was an aspect I wanted to see woven throughout the story. I am giving Just in Time 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay). Just in Time is not the author’s best work. I have read all of her books, and I know she can do better (her Cobbled Court series is wonderful). I keep hoping Ms. Bostwick will go back to what she does best.

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just in Time by Marie Bostwick Three women meet in a parking lot after attending part of a grief support group. The group is not for them BUT the three find they may have reason to spend time supporting one another in their own smaller group and thus begins a friendship that is one all women would like to someday have. The ages are 60’s, 40’s and 30’s. Two of the women have lost their husbands to death and the other woman’s husband has been in a coma for almost two years. All have issues to contend with that their friendship helps alleviate. Whether the issue is money, difficult children or finding money that is needed they are there for one another through thick and thin AND all three find a way forward that brings them a great deal of happiness. If you are looking for a feel good story with strong women that have great stories to tell then this book is one I can and do recommend. It made me think, care and want to be friends with these three women. Great story by a wonderful writer and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I first started this book, it took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but from then on it became a page turner, and is reminiscent of a Debbie Macomber read, and I wanted more once the last page was turned.The author introduces us to three women who share a common bond, in that they have all lost or are losing a spouse. We get to walk in each of their shoes and get to know them personally, what makes them happy and what makes them tick.As we journey with them we see what dear friends they have become, and wouldn’t we all want the same. As for me I am a dog lover and a quilter, think I could fit in with this group, and one of the reasons that I chose to read this book, and I am so glad that I did.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.