Candy Apple Red

c Waterloo Public Library 2007

Just when I thought that I had enough “favorite” new authors, I recently came across several new writers who have me hooked after one book. One of them is Nancy Bush, and while reviewers compare her to Janet Evanovich—and I can see why—I would have enjoyed Candy Apple Red whether or not I had ever read any of the popular Stephanie Plum novels. Candy Apple Red introduces us to Jane Kelly, a young woman in her 30s who used to be a bar tender back in Los Angeles, and now works part time for a private detective.

The story takes place in Lake Chinook, Oregon and Bush does a skillful job of making the setting an essential part of the story. People who live on the lake are as apt to take their boat to Foster’s On the Lake, one of the local restaurants, as they are to drive. Foster's is where the locals go to enjoy a cool drink or fancy dinner. While Foster’s prices are generally beyond Jane’s budget, she goes there serveral times throughout the book. The description of the lake, and the island in the middle of it, are nicely done and made me nostalgic for the days I spent living out east, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Jane is an interesting character. She is likeable, flawed, and stubborn--and very curious. She is also tougher than she thinks she is, and does not see herself as a sentimental person; however, when she inherits an ugly dog named Binky from an elderly aunt, she is forced to take responsibility for the well being of someone else. She renames the dog "the Binkster" and the dog becomes a key character in the book.

Jane rents a little cottage on the lake and supports herself serving eviction notices for a local landlord and doing temporary jobs for a friend, Dwayne, who is a private detective, and one of her friends. Dwayne is one of those wonderful male characters who at first appears to be a good old boy from Texas who is laid back; however, there is more substance to this cowboy than first meets the eye. He’s smart, tough, and extremely loyal to his friends. He is also incredibly charming, with a drawl that he seems to turn on and off, and is doing his best to persuade Jane to come work with him full time.

As the story opens, Jane is still trying to get over Murphy, the old boyfriend responsible for her move from L. A. to Oregon: unfortunately, the relationship didn’t last. One of Murphy’s best friends, Bobby, killed his entire family—his wife and children--and then disappeared four years ago. Bobby’s father, Cotton, is wealthy, owns the island, and clings to his belief in his son’s innocence--as does her exboyfriend, Murphy. Cotton is also divorced from Bobby's mother, Tess, and has remarried a much younger woman.

Tess hires Jane to find out if Cotton has been helping his son stay in hiding. There is a big party coming up on the island, and Jane goes to the party. Tess is hoping that Cotton will open up to Jane, since she is Murphy's exgirlfriend. Things get really interesting when Jane finds out that Murphy is coming back to town for the party....and then they see each other, and start remembering their attraction for each other. In the meantime, Jane follows up on a handful of tips, and the story really takes off.

Along the way we learn more about her family--she has a mother back in L. A. and a twin brother, who is a cop--and meet some of her other friends. The contrast of Murphy and Dwayne as two males who both know what Jane should be doing with her life provides another storyline that hooks the reader in, along with great dialogue and description.

I had hardly finished the book when I got my hands on Electric Blue--the second Jane Kelly book in what I hope is a long series.