Death on Beguiling Way

Finished June 19

Death on Beguiling Way by Patricia McLinn

This is the third book in the Secret Sleuth series. Sheila Mackey has started a new life in small town Haines Tavern, Kentucky. She and her new friend Clara go to yoga twice a week. One evening, their usual instructor is away with a more energetic substitute leading the class. When they go to class the following morning they find their instructor from the previous evening was killed just outside the studio and the police are on the scene. 

While the police talk about the murder being random, Sheila and Clara are sure it wasn't and begin to investigate. As usual, their dogs Gracie and Lulu are helpful in engaging with others and in providing a reason to be places. 

Sheila also has new friend Teague reconfiguring the bedroom closets in her house, bringing along his dog Murphy when he works there. Teague, an ex-cop and now teacher and handyman is discouraging of the amateur detective work, but seems to have inside knowledge of his own. 

I enjoyed this plot, with themes of financial fraud, family disfunction, and women trying to restart their lives. A light, engaging read. 

Breathe In, Cash Out

Finished June 2
Breathe In, Cash Out by Madeleine Henry

The main character in this book is Allegra Cobb, a young woman driven to succeed. Her mother died when she was young, and her father is her biggest cheerleader, pushing her to be the best at whatever she does. She graduated from Princeton University, going right into an analyst job at Anderson Shaw. During her college years, she had a point where she lost her way a bit and found yoga. With her father's support, she applied for the American Yoga National Competition and won. This didn't change her goal to get a job at Anderson Shaw, but it did change her long-term outlook. Allegra is nearing the end of her second year as an analyst, a point where people normally make a move in some direction. She's been living as leanly as possible, saving as much as possible so she can move into a career as a yoga instructor, something she's pretty sure no one else in her firm is considering.
As the book begins, she is in a yoga class, and another member of the class propositions her. Out of character, Allegra gives in, and the next morning discovers that the man is her new boss.
This puts her in a vulnerable position and she is open to an overture from another young woman who's made a name for herself in the yoga world, and who has reached out to Allegra.
Thus begins a time in which Allegra's life takes a turn for the chaotic. Surviving on a minimum of sleep, working on intense projects, and lacking the focus she should be giving her current project, Allegra makes a few bad calls, and then has to determine how to move forward.
I liked Allegra and her cube mates. and there is lots of good humorous moments here. It has romance, interesting information about both the investment banking world and the yoga world, and a fun plot. I really enjoyed it.
I also found it interesting that the author's life has some of the same elements. Madeleine Henry is a Yale graduate who worked for Goldman Sachs and in investment banking in New York City, and yoga plays a big role in her life.

Murder Strikes a Pose

Finished March 30
Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber

This first novel is set in the Seattle community of Greenwood. Kate Davidson is a yoga instructor who runs a studio in Greenwood. When a homeless man, George, and his dog Bella set up to sell newspapers in front of her studio, at first she just wants their disturbance to move, but ends up finding a way to work with the two of them and becomes friends with George. When Kate finds George dead one night and Bella confined, she can't help but wonder if George's death was premeditated and, if so, who would be behind it. Despite being warned off by the police and George's estranged family, Kate is persistent and works even harder to find the answers to George's death.
With George gone, Kate has also taken on Bella, hoping to find her a welcoming forever home, but Bella's issues are more complicated than Kate realized, and with her health issues and her reactions to other dogs and now some men, finding a good home won't be easy. But Bella seems to attach herself happily to Kate and Kate is determined to do her best by her.
Also, Kate's best friend Rene is determined to do something about Kate's love life, and who better than the owner of the new pet store in the area. But will Kate be able to take down her defences long enough to make a real commitment?
A nice mystery with a strong main character and interesting plotline.