Fantastic Characters
Dollycas's Thoughts
Chloe Jackson is one lucky girl, somebody loves her and they are pulling out all the stops to tell her so. An airplane flying a banner I LOVE YOU CHLOE JACKSON, her favorite flowers, wine, an invitation to a fancy dinner. When Rip Barnett calls asking "Is there something you want to tell me?"she knows he may be her admirer but he is not the secret admirer sending the gifts. Who would know all her favorite things?
It couldn't be, could it? It is! Her ex-fiance has traveled from Chicago into her new neck of the woods for an accountants' convention. Does he think he can win her back with a few nice gifts? Before she can find out she finds his dead body in the lake right next to her new home! Grasping a picture of her in his hands! Rocked to her core she faints dead away. When she wakes up she tells Deputy Biffle who the man is setting off a quick interrogation leading to Rip becoming Biffle's prime suspect. Chloe knows she has no choice. She has to track down a killer but the killer may also be tracking her.
I love the characters in this series. Things started out a little prickly between Vivi and Chloe but they are slowly finding their way to owning the Sea Glass Saloon together and even becoming friends. So much so that Vivi has taken quite an interest in Chloe's private life. Even a dead body doesn't deter her much. Joaquin and his partner Michael have become true friends to her as well. Even Deputy Biffle is learning to tolerate all her questions even though he may not answer them. I love the relationship between Rip and Chloe, taking things slow and maybe even slower because Chloe's brothers show up to "protect" her. All these core characters continue to develop at a realistic pace. Vivi and Chloe are still each mourning Boone in their own ways. Grieving takes time and it is different for every individual. I am so happy the author continues to include that in each story.
It was a real treat to have Kenny and Randy make a surprise visit being urged by their wives and parents. Their deep-dish pizza dinner meeting with Rip was funny and heartwarming. They really love their little sister.
Ms. Harris created a very complex character in her victim. While Perry Franklin was killed off very early in this story his character immerged over the course of the book and he had a whole different side that Chloe never saw. Everyone told her changed after they broke up but she really dodged a bullet when she broke up with him.
The mystery of Perry's death was a complicated one with several suspects. The accountant's conference brought several people in from the Windy City. Set in Florida it is only proper that the story is full of a ton of red herrings. Each suspect on Chloe's list could have motive to have shot Perry dead. How many secrets can one man have? The book has a very brisk pace but I did my best to slow it down to try to catch every clue. Even doing that I was kept guessing right up until the exciting reveal.
Anytime I open a book by Sherry Harris I know I will be delightfully entertained and that my armchair sleuthing skills will be tested. Three Shots in the Wind did just that. What a fun read!
I am very excited for this series to continue. Randy and Kenny have promised to return with their families. That sounds will be like a fantastic good time especially when you mix it with Chloe's next mystery to solve.
