The Fog Ladies, by Susan McCormick

An ominous suspicion creeps into the minds of the resident ladies at the Pacific Heights apartment building as they watch the fog bank inch its way over the Golden Gate Bridge. There had been a number of grave accidents in their building recently. It’s suspicious. None of the group, nicknamed The Fog Ladies, are as nimble as they used to be but they’re smart and compassionate, and determined to solve this mystery. After all, they’d called this building home for decades, and the next “accident” could be one of them. They enlist the help of Sarah James, a medical intern renting the apartment just below Frances Noonan, one of the fog ladies. And so this curious group of friends begins investigating.

Circumstances will have these ladies doubting themselves, and each other. There are complicating factors and concerns from the busy lives they lead that fascinate. These intricacies unfold and intercede upon these amateur sleuths. Gossip flies as the possible motives of other residents, their visitors, and even building maintenance people are questioned. How fun to catch little glimpses into all these interesting lives. The reader can’t help but be pulled in as a virtual friend on the team, weighing theories and judging suspects.

Many of the primary characters are seasoned seniors. This gives them such interesting personal histories and engrained personalities that are delightfully portrayed. Over their decades, they have gained perspectives and wisdom that sometimes bring compelling insights. But are they always correct? Over time have things changed, and have these ladies kept up? Do they really know contemporary human nature?

The city on the Bay is almost a character itself. San Francisco is a beautiful and yet intriguing setting that also has its own part to play in this cozy mystery story. If you like puzzling out the solution to everyday situations, The Fog Ladies is sure to give you an enjoyable challenge.

The author, Susan McCormick, writes cozy murder mysteries. She is also the author of Granny Can’t Remember Me, a children’s picture book about Alzheimer’s disease. She is a doctor, and that background is seamlessly woven into the clues of her mysteries, giving authenticity and dimension to the plot. You can learn more about the author at www.susanccormickbooks.com.

— By Wendy Kendall

Wendy Kendall is an author soon to be published by The Wild Rose Press, project manager and volunteer at the Friends of the Edmonds Library