Bookmarked for Murder

A trip to Chicago draws Sam and Nana Jo into a murder that occurs on their bus. In Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns, the seniors from Shady Acres Retirement Village have planned a special trip between Christmas and New Year's Eve. After a busy day in Chicago, all the passengers are looking forward to being back at Shady Acres. (Bookmarked for Murder was published by Kensington Publishers on November 26.)

When they discover a substitute bus driver, they are worried about their return trip, especially when the driver refuses to stop for a rest break. When he finally stops, nearly everyone scrambles off the bus except Irma's new boyfriend Max Franck. After everyone returns, Irma discovers Max dead in his seat. Hardly anyone knew Max, but it's obvious someone on board wanted him dead.  It's up to Sam, Nana Jo and the rest of the "girls" to solve that case.

As much as she hates to get involved in another murder,

Sam decides it's safer to investigate rather than let her grandmother and her friends meddle. Max was a Pulitzer Prize investigate journalist, and had written a book he said would blow the lid off the murder of Robert Kennedy. Sam wonders if someone from his research wanted him dead, but as she learns more about Max she discovers he was not the best father or grandfather. And that's another avenue to investigate. 

Sam sees Max arguing with a woman in the bookstore in Chicago and then again on the bus. She decides to discover the identity of the woman and learns the woman was Max's estranged daughter. There is a health reason behind the estrangement. 

While trying to solve the case, Sam continues to work on her Victorian era novel. She believes her writing helps her clarify her thinking about the current case.  I very much enjoy the dual plot lines.

Bookmarked for Murder has a cast of quirky characters and they are up to their usual antics while solving the case. A delightful mystery.