The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead by Diane Noble

A Professor and Mrs. Littlefield Mystery, Book 1

She’s Passionate about Solving the Case ... with the Town’s Life-Long Bachelor.

El Littllefield runs The Butler Did It catering. It’s the perfect cover for her to solve “who-done-its” (nothing too dangerous, please!) in this small university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While catering her most important event yet—a fancy retirement dinner for Dr. Max Haverhill, life-long bachelor and history dean—countless guests fall ill, a 200 year-old relic is stolen, and her best friend vanishes. All in the first hour.

As El and Max race to solve the mystery, they discover there’s more to their relationship than simply solving the case. Welcome to Eden’s Bridge—the perfect small town setting for big intrigue, romance, and humor.

My Review:
This first book of a new series centers around a female sleuth. It contains humor, romance, as well as a good mystery. The protagonist, El Littlefield, is a caterer who owns a company called, "The Butler Did It." She loves to cook and turns to baking cookies whenever she's under stress. As the story opens, everything is running smoothly for a huge dinner party. Shortly after the final bite is consumed, dinner guests begin dropping like flies! (Perhaps the butler DID do it!)

To complicate matters, a valuable, recently discovered relic is stolen.

El has a quick wit and a snappy personality. Of course, she immediately begins to investigate these unfortunate events. Helping her is handsome Max Haverhill. It's no mystery that he plays the romantic lead.

I love the way El thinks. For instance, after saying an extended grace, thanking God for more than the meal, she explains, "I like to let God know how much I like the life He's given me. I think He loves it when we notice." (183)

El's best friend, Hyacinth, is someone I'd like to know better. I hope she plays a big part in the next volume. I also expect to read more about the relationship between El and Max.

Chapters are written in the point of view of several characters allowing different perspectives. I really enjoyed this technique.

I look forward to reading book two of this series.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.