Trumpet of Death
A Martha's Vineyard Mystery
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4.4 • 8 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
When 92-year-old poet/sleuth Victoria Trumbull takes her city-bred tenant Zack Zeller on a nature walk on one of Martha’s Vineyard’s conservation areas and shows him a mushroom she calls black trumpet of death, he’s sure he's found the way to rid himself of his troublesome girlfriend, Samantha. But the mushrooms he's given Samantha end up on her daddy's dinner table, and Zack, one of the invited guests, is sure he’s doomed the diners to an untimely death.
Meanwhile, dead bodies are cropping up on the Island. The police have questions about the identity of the culprit and call upon Victoria Trumbull, who knows the Island and its inhabitants intimately. Will she be able to find the truth and clear the name of someone close to her before the murderer finds its next victim?
In addition to giving us more of the eccentric cast of characters and quirky plot we love, Trumpet of Death, the 13th book in Cynthia Riggs' Martha’s Vineyard mystery series, describes in loving detail little-known parts of the Island that visitors seldom see.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
At the start of Riggs's satisfying 13th Martha's Vineyard mystery (after 2016's Bloodroot), feisty 92-year-old Victoria Trumbull, a poet, takes her young and not-too-sharp upstairs tenant, Zack Zeller, on a nature walk. In the woods, she shows him some poisonous mushrooms known as black trumpets (aka trumpets of death). Zack, who has a summer job as a dishwasher, has been loaning money to his spoiled girlfriend, Samantha Eberhardt, a drug user and dealer, who promises to pay him back but never does. When Zack breaks up with Sam, she threatens him. To get back at Sam, Zack gives her some of the deadly mushrooms in the hope they will sicken her, but things don't go as planned. When Sam's body turns up on a bike path, Zack isn't the only murder suspect, since she may have had a hand in ruining a number of lives on the island. Fans of darker cozies will enjoy Riggs's blend of crime, island lore, and well-drawn characters.)
Customer Reviews
13th book in series!
Trumpet of Death by Cynthia Riggs is the thirteenth book in A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series. It is September in West Tisbury and Victoria Trumbell is enjoying a nature walk in Sachem’s Rock with her tenant, Zach Zeller. Victoria points out various mushrooms to him including the black trumpets which are very rare and expensive (aka trumpets of death). Later that day, Zach visits his troublesome girlfriend, Samantha Eberhardt to break up with her. Unfortunately for Zach, it does not go well. Zach remembers the black trumpet mushrooms, picks them, and delivers them to Samantha. Samantha, who is not fond of mushrooms, gives them to her father, Bruno Eberhardt. Bruno is thrilled with the delicacy and plans a dinner party around them. Zach is invited to the party and is shocked to see black mushrooms on the menu. Zach ends up fleeing the party. Victoria and her young friend, Robin are walking to the softball field when they discover a body on the bicycle trail. The police discover it is Samantha Eberhardt, and Zach ends up a prime suspect. Despite Zach trying to make Samantha sick with the mushrooms, Victoria knows that Zach would not commit murder. Victoria sets out to find the real killer and prove Zach’s innocence. Can Victoria find the murderer before he claims another victim?
Trumpet of Death has a fascinating main character. Victoria is ninety-two years old and seems to know everyone in her town. She is a feisty, intelligent, and quite active for someone her age. Trumpet of Death has good writing and a nice pace. There is some humor in the book (just the right amount and right type) that will have readers laughing. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town. I give Trumpet of Death 4 out of 5 stars. I appreciated the mysteries complexity (such a rarity in cozy mysteries). I believe many readers will be surprised at the culprit’s identity. I did find some information repeated a few times throughout the book (such as peoples full names, where they worked, and their occupation). I thought Zach was lacking in intelligence. For someone his age, he seems very dense (maybe it was the drugs). I would recommend reading earlier books in A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series (at least the first book) before Trumpet of Death. It would give you a better understanding of Victoria and the town dynamics. I thought the book had a good ending that wrapped up all the loose ends. Trumpet of Death is a book that many cozy mystery readers will appreciate.