A trip to the local library and a few too many mystery novels has Gladdy knocking on Detective Morrie Langford’s door. Morrie thinks that Gladdy’s imagination has been working overtime, but Gladdy has caught Morrie’s father’s eye and she might just be able to convince Jack to get his son to take her seriously.

In the meantime, Gladdy and her gals snoop around the Lanai Gardens trying to find the murderer before someone has - or doesn’t have -another birthday.

At first, it may seem there are too many characters, each with too much character, but shortly the residents of Lanai Gardens become as familiar as old friends. Gladdy is very likable and it is quickly forgotten that she is well into her seventies. She takes good care of her sister and their friends and tries to be kind to all the residents and give them the benefit of the doubt.

There are plenty of details about life in Lanai Gardens and the surrounding environs, along with many Yiddish phrases thrown in for atmosphere. Several good suspects offer many theories of the crime, though when one is arrested, there is quite a bit of doubt that he is the right one and Gladdy conceives and sets a trap for the real killer.

During the final arrest, there is a chase scene that seems unnecessary, but might play well on the big screen. Gladdy is a welcomed new detective to the ranks of amateur detectives and readers will eagerly await her return.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry