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Robin Merrill is an award-winning writer and performance poet from rural central Maine where she lives with her husband, their two children, and many, many animals. She is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestselling Shelter and the popular Jesus Diet devotionals. Her individual poems, essays, and short stories have appeared in hundreds of publications, and three of her poems have been featured on The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor. She has featured in venues all over the country and has won the opportunity to represent Maine at three national poetry slams. Visit her at robinmerrill.com.
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
Introducing Gertrude, Gumshoe by Robin Merrill is an entertaining cozy mystery. Searching for her missing cat, Gertrude stumbles upon two children whose mother didn't come home from work the night before. Going through the woman's mail, Gertrude finds that she works at a local strip club. Concerned and displeased, Gertrude leaves her cat in the custody of the children and goes to retrieve their mother. Unexpectedly, Gertrude discovers a corpse and, not happy with the way the police are handling the murder, she decides to investigate it herself. Relying on a walker to get around and with no transportation of her own, Gertrude finagles her crabby old neighbor, Old Man Crow, into being her partner. Unfortunately, Gertrude's hi-jinks have caught the attention of the murderer. Will she be the next victim found face down in a pool of balls?
Introducing Gertrude, Gumshoe by Robin Merrill is an amusing sleuth/murder/mystery. Although Gertrude is elderly, a hoarder, and has difficulty walking, the spunky woman won't admit to any of these attributes. As a matter of fact, she is affronted when they are mentioned and becomes quite indignant. Gertrude questions everything and everybody without discretion and doesn't comprehend the word no. Gertrude's strong and obstinate personality and her indefatigable capacity to overcome what others insist is impossible accomplish what the police cannot. You can't help but laugh out loud as you read how Gertrude finagles, manipulates, and bumbles her way to a satisfying conclusion. Gertrude is a remarkable character and I loved her ability to live life, letting nothing stand in her way. I highly recommend this outstanding, humorous novel to those who enjoy an entertaining cozy mystery.
