Willowtree A Bruce DelReno Mystery

Bruce DelReno plays a lot of golf.  Well, he's retired because the Postal Service drove him to it.  His wife, a nurse, still works.  A lot.  So, Bruce frequents the Mesquite Hills Golf Club in the fictitious town of Willowtree, Arizona.  One day he finds bones near the course.  This discovery begins his pursuit of the killers  of three individuals whose bodies were found nearby, but 30 years apart.  This mild mannered ex-postman is emboldened by the police's slow progress, and encouragement from his wife, and best friend, an Apache Indian.  Bruce's investigating centers on a group of locals who grew up in Willowtree together.  There is murder, humor, golf, food, and local color in this tale, as well as twists and some interesting characters.  Beautiful desert willows grow wild in the area around Willowtree, contributing to the stability of the land and the sustenance of wildlife.  So does a certain weed that can be used in sinister ways. 

This is a cozy mystery, meaning it contains no explict sex, obscene language, or gory violence. 

This was an enjoyable read.   Bruce is retired and his wife is working a lot of hours so he keeps himself busy and his mind sharp by helping the police, sort of....when he's not playing golf or giving gratis golf lessons to his friends.  It's an interesting cast of characters and the story is told by Bruce.  It reads just like a narrative conversation you would imagine having over a cup of coffee, if Bruce was telling you the story in person.  I don't think you need to know a lot about golf to read this but if you know anything about golf, you will find this book quite interesting and "get" some of the underlying humor.  I can't play golf worth a lick but I still "got" it.  It kept my attention.  It's suitable for all adults and young readers also.  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the next Bruce DelReno adventure.
- Pauline Tilbe on Goodreads.com, and Amazon.com   8/11/11

http://www.amazon.com/Willowtree-ebook/dp/B005DNYFZK