An A-Lost for Death

An A-List for Death is the second book in the Poppy McGowan series by Pamela Hart. When visiting her Aunt Mary, Poppy is asked to check on Mary's neighbour, Daisy, who had said that she would visit Mary that morning. When Poppy entered Daisy's appartment she discovers Daisy unconcious in the bathroom. Initially it is thought that Daisy had had a fall but Poppy is not convinced and when Daisy's family arrive on the scene Poppy begins to ask questions.

Poppy finds herself in the media when she is photographed talking to rock star, Nathan Castle (Jonathan Montgomery - Daisy's son), and the tabloids have a field day. Shortly afterwards the photographer is found murdered and Poppy's boyfriend, Tol, is a prime suspect. Then there is the box of poisoned chocolates.

Poppy tries to find out who is responsible for these crimes as well as carrying out her work researching children's television programs for the ABC, ensuring that the renovations on her home are finished and trying to raise money so that she can spend time on an archaeological dig in Jordan with Tol. She also has to decide how she really feels about Tol who leaves for Joran in three weeks.

Pamela Hart has written another action packed, amusing Australian mystery with lots of twists and turns. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Digging Up Dirt

Poppy McGowan's house in Sydney was being renovated, including having the floor replaced. However, when Poppy received a phone call from her builder informing her that he had found bones buried under the house, the project was immediately put on hold. 

Poppy worked at the ABC where she helped create school programs for young children. As one project was introducing children to archaeology it was suggested that this find could be used as an example of how archaeologists worked. Staff from the Museum, where Poppy had contacts, agreed to have a look at the site and identified the bones as animal bones. Then the next day the body of a woman was discovered at the house- she had been mudered overnight.

Poppy found herself seconded to conduct interviews and help provide stories about the investigation for  ABC news and current affairs. The murdered woman had been standing for preselection for a right wing political party associated with the Radiant Joy Church. Poppy was included among the considerable list of suspects for the murder so there is additional incentive to assist the police in finding the killer. She would also like her house back so that the renovations could recommence.

In Digging Up Dirt, Pamela Hart has written an entertaining murder mystery and has introduced us to a character who, I suspect, will appear again in future novels.