The Murder at the Murder at the Mimosa Inn    by Joan Hess Order:  USA  Can Minotaur, 1999 (1986) Hardcover, Paperback     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Though this book was first published in 1986, it is one that will never be too outdated to read and enjoy. You have to pay attention when you read a book by Joan Hess, or you might miss the wonderful humor that peppers her work. The Murder at the Murder at the Mimosa Inn is light and moves quickly through the requisite action that ultimately reaches a very satisfactory and clever ending. Claire Malloy and her teenage daughter Caron arrive at the Mimosa Inn to spend the weekend trying to solve a staged mystery. Claire has a bet with a local police official that she will solve the crime and win a case of champagne - which she doesn't really care for. She just wants to win. Enter a real murder and all bets are off. Claire's sleuthing is fun and her daughter's acerbic comments and actions are typical for her age group. Hess creates real characters along with a plausible crime. This book is light and frothy and is perfect for clearing the mind after a bout of heavier reading (I read while waiting for someone to have pre-admission testing at a hospital). Any of Joan Hess's books will delight. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews