The Absence of Alice is an enthralling, dark, unusual, and just plain fun cozy mystery.
Someone is taunting Sarah. She has seven days to find her landlady and friend Stella. But she must follow the kidnapper’s rules.
- No talking to the police, your DA boyfriend, Seth, or your mobbed-up neighbor, Mike.
- Continue your daily routine.
- Complete all my daily tasks.
The first task is discovering a dead body in a deserted house. The body is dressed garishly as Alice in Wonderland. When Sarah calls the police, she is punished by the kidnapper by speeding up her deadline. What is the kidnapper’s purpose? Is he trying to punish Stella, Sarah or both of them? And why is Alice in Wonderland spread throughout the clues?
OMG, I just loved Absence of Alice. It is a real challenge to solve. The characters are fully fleshed-out and felt like old friends by the end. Plus it’s a blast to use my favorite childhood book, Alice in Wonderland, as a plot device in a cozy mystery. I have read thousands of cozy mysteries and the plot of this one is totally unique. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up! 5 stars and a favorite.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.