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BOOK INFO
Title: For Better or Worse
Author: Donna Huston Murray
Publisher: Donna Huston Murray
Publish Date: January 10, 2018
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: A Ginger Barnes Mystery #8
My Rating: 4/5
BOOK BLURB
FINALLY back to her spunky self after the loss of her husband, men have once again become an issue for amateur sleuth Ginger Barnes–men who mistreat their wives, men suspected of murder, and men who ask her out.
WHILE WORKING on a DIY project at her newlywed daughter’s house, a bag of bricks is thrown from the neighbor’s third-story window. Next, pops that sound like muffled gunshots have Gin racing for her phone. Eric, who lives in the house with his grandmother, claims she’s obsessed with mystery novels. Yet after the septuagenarian falls down a flight of stairs, she’s so frantic to keep Eric away that Gin must intervene. Was the fall actually attempted murder?
IN HER HUSBAND’S eyes, Cissie Voight can’t do anything right. Gin occasionally helps the frazzled young mother, and when she needs a dresser carried upstairs, Gin brings Eric along. Bad move! The electricity between the two new acquaintances sparks a chilling premonition. This time Gin’s good intentions will produce grave consequences–for everyone involved.

MY REVIEW
For Better or Worse is the latest book in the Ginger Barnes Mystery series. Ginger is working on a DIY project at her daughter’s house when she gets involved with some of the neighbors. One is a frazzled young mother with a controlling husband. The other is a young man who is helping to care for his grandmother, who ends up in the hospital after a fall down some stairs. Meanwhile, after Ginger’s best friend tries to set her up with a new fella, Ginger finds herself working as a babysitter for the man’s grandson… though Ginger suspects something is off with the parents. With all these new people in her life, Ginger tows the line between being nosy and keeping her mouth shut versus stepping in when something is really going on.
Ginger is a widow with a recently married daughter and a son in college. She enjoys walking her dog and working on DIY projects… and occasional sleuthing. Ginger seems to question most everyone and everything she encounters. This was a well-written character that seemed real, with real life worries and concerns.
This was a quick, lighthearted book. Great for fans of cozy mysteries. Though the story is written in an easy reading and lighthearted way, some difficult topics are discussed, namely domestic abuse.
For Better or Worse was the first book I’ve read in this series. It was a good read, and I look forward to reading more about Ginger Barnes and her amateur sleuthing.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Books in the Ginger Barnes Mystery series:
- The Main Line is Murder
- Final Arrangements
- School of Hard Knocks
- No Bones About It
- A Score to Settle
- Farewell Performance
- Lie Like a Rug
- For Better or Worse