Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance by David Ahern Published by Malin Press on April 12, 2018
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 362
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon
A surprise role in a movie takes actress Derry O’Donnell to a romantic castle in the Scottish Highlands. But romance soon turns to fear and suspicion. Someone means to kill, and Derry, moonlighting as celebrity fortune-teller Madam Tulip, is snared in a net of greed, conspiracy and betrayal.
A millionaire banker, a film producer with a mysterious past, a gun-loving wife, a PA with her eyes on Hollywood, a handsome and charming estate manager—each has a secret to share and a request for Madam Tulip.
As Derry and her friend Bruce race to prevent a murder, she learns to her dismay that the one future Tulip can’t predict is her own.
Madame Tulip and the Bones of Chance is the third Madam Tulip adventure.
Derry is back waiting for that next big audition. When she is given a spot on a movie with no audition she is very skeptical. Especially when she finds out she was recommended by someone she does not trust. After some negotiating she and Bruce get onto the movie. Things get dicey when she puts on her Madam Tulip costume and finds herself deep in a mystery. As always she gets more involved than planned as she tries to figure out what is going on.
In an Oyster Shell – I feel like this was the best installment yet. I love this series and am excited when a new book comes out.
The Pearls – I love the push and pull of Derry and her Madam Tulip persona. She’s getting to be well known in Europe and that makes for exciting possibilities. It’s very interesting that she get’s cast as a fortune teller though they really wanted Madam Tulip. I love her seventh son sense that always seems to get her in trouble.
This book is extremely well written. There is great word economy with excellent style. Ahern is a very talented author and it came through in this particular book. The writing devices used made for an almost immaculate novel.
You can’t talk about the Madam Tulip series and not say something about the characters. I love that Bruce is Derry’s sidekick and is often there in her time of need. There was a nice array of characters that were causing lots of trouble this made for an interesting read. Vanessa and Jacko always add depth to the story and more problems for Derry.
The Sand – There is one part of the story I don’t understand but I’ll ask the author. I’m sure I just missed something.
5 pearls! Well done David!
About David Ahern
David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate and taught in major universities but could never explain to his granny why he didn’t own a stethoscope.
Finding the challenge of pretending to know things exhausting, David Ahern shaved off his beard and absconded once more, this time to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series. He won numerous awards but found nobody was much impressed.
For want of a better plan, David Ahern took to writing fiction. Madame Tulip isn’t his first novel, but writing it was the most fun he’s ever had with a computer. He is now writing the third in the series and enjoys pretending that this activity is actual work.
David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud.
