Book ~ "A Secondhand Murder" (2013) Lesley Diehl

From Goodreads ~ Spunky and outspoken Eve Appel moves from Connecticut to rural Florida intent on starting a new life, free of drama, and more importantly, her soon-to-be ex-husband. The rural Florida town of Sabal Bay, situated only an hour from West Palm, proves to be the perfect spot for her consignment store. Thanks to the recent economic downturn, Florida's society matrons need a place to discreetly sell their stuff and pick up expensive-looking bargains. But Eve's life, and her business with it, is turned upside down when a wealthy customer is found stabbed to death in a fitting room.

As accusations fly and business slows, Eve decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of an unlikely bunch of friends--including her estranged ex, her best friend, a handsome private eye, and a charming mafia don--she struggles to find answers and save lives. Through a maze of distorted half-truths, dramatic cover-ups, and unrequited passions, Eve learns just how far the wealthy will go to regain what they have lost.

Eve and her best friend, Madeleine, recently opened a thrift shop in Florida.  Former wealthy women stealthily drive from their mansions hours away to sell their stuff in Eve and Madeleine's shop and in return buy what the ladies have to offer.  One day Valerie Sanders arrives to do that but is stabbed and killed in the dressing room.  This sets off the hunt for the killer.  Caught up in the tangle to find out what's going on include Eve and the Madeleine, Alex (a private detective), Freida (a cop and friend of Eve and Madeline's), Jerry (Eve's soon-to-be-ex-husband), Nappi (a mobster and Jerry's soon-to-be-father-in-law), Grandy and Max (Eve's grandmother and step-grandfather) and some local cowboys.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it.  I like mysteries, especially light-hearted fun ones.  I liked the writing style ... there were lots of twists and turns but it's also comical.  The language is fairly clean.

I liked the cast of characters ...there was quite a variety in the cast.  Eve was funny and brave.  Madeleine was cute and clutzy.  Alex was attracted to Eve (and she was attracted to him but was still leery of men because of her ex) and didn't give up his pursuit of her.  Jerry was a slimy dog who had cheated on Eve but I still couldn't help but like him.  Nappi, though a mobster, was dangerous but loyal and likable.  Freida was a cop who is still protective of her friends.

This is apparently the first in the Eve Appel Mystery Series and I look forward to reading future books in the series.