Loren knows she is working too hard on the center and appreciates the volunteers who have tirelessly donated their time and energies, but she still feels responsible for the overall project.  One night on her way home from supper with boyfriend Don, Loren stops at the almost completed center and finds what she assumes is a dead body in the French and Indian War display, one that is definitely does not belong.  

She summons the local police, but when they arrive, they do not find the body. Instead they find the ladder Loren had been using earlier, and carefully put away laying on the floor with a tipped can of paint.  Thinking that the mayor may be confused between working too hard and falling off the ladder, the police send Loren home and promise to check out the surrounding woods.  Several days later, the body of wealthy volunteer Madeline Hathaway is found dead and the police suspect murder.

At the memorial service for Madeline, her widower announces he would like to make a donation to the center in exchange for naming the center after its most dedicated volunteer, Madeline. Loren is a bit confused.  While Madeline was an enthusiastic volunteer, she was not at the center as much as her husband seemed to think.  Loren doesn’t want to canonize someone who may not deserve immortalization and begins looking into what Madeline was doing while her husband thought she was at the center. Loren is sure there was more to the local philanthropist’s wife’s life than meets the eye.

Lake George is a popular vacation spot, especially for those on the East Coast, and many readers will have memories of being in the area and will enjoy the setting.  Loren is a likable, but not completely developed character.  It is difficult to get a read on what Loren does other than be the mayor.  She is very enthusiastic about her job, but must have other interests (besides Don) outside of serving her constituents.  Readers will suspect early on what Madeline’s secret is and who she shares it with, but may not be as sure who would kill to keep it a secret until the very end. Readers will find Best Laid Plans enjoyable, light summer reading without being too taxing.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry