Your Killin' Heart: A Mystery (Nashville Mystery)

Your Killin' Heart by Peggy O'Neal Peden is A Nashville Mystery. Campbell Hall runs a travel agency in Nashville, Tennessee. When Doug Elliott mentions he is going to Jake Miller's home, Campbell convinces (twists his arm) him to allow her to tag along. Doug is going to repossess paintings from Jake Miller's widow, Hazel for his brother, Ken Elliott. Ken owns The Mockingbird Gallery. Hazel never paid for six paintings she acquired from his gallery. Campbell grew up hearing the music of Jake Miller and is excited at the opportunity to see inside the deceased star's home. They arrive at the house and are told that Hazel is not available. Doug, always the lawyer, wants to make sure he has the proper releases signed by Hazel for the paintings. Hazel's assistant, George Lewis assures him that she has authorized this venture. While waiting for Doug, Campbell starts snooping around. She opens a door and discovers it is a bedroom. The room is dark, but she does see a shadowy figure on the bed. Campbell quickly closes the door and waits for Doug. They deliver the paintings back at the gallery and head for dinner. The pair later hear that Hazel Miller was found dead inside her home. Was Hazel in the bedroom that Campbell looked in? Campbell is visited by Detective Sam Davis and asked about her visit to the Miller house. Campbell believes something is rotten about this whole affair and starts her own investigation. Someone, though, is not happy with Campbell's snooping. Despite threats to her life and Doug's pleas for her to quit, Campbell perseveres. Can Campbell find the killer or will the killer stop her meddling forever?

Your Killin' Heart was a light cozy mystery. While I liked the setting, I did not like Campbell Hall. Her nosiness knew no bounds. Her curiosity (nosy nature) is why she went to the Miller house and why she investigated the murder. Campbell was going to continue despite the danger it was posing to Doug's future political career and to her own life. I can see Campbell when she is retired, sitting at her front window with a pair of binoculars (keeping an eye on her neighbors and their visitors). The story is written in the first person. It seemed like Campbell opened her mouth and never stopped talking. We are given every little detail of rooms, Campbell's life and her thoughts. I give Your Killin' Heart 3 out of 5 stars (okay, but not for me). The mystery was uncomplicated and can easily be solved early in the book. I found the ending unsatisfying. I was left with some unanswered questions. While Your Killin' Heart was my type of cozy mystery, readers who enjoy lighter cozies with levity will be entertained.