I Scream, You Scream
A Mystery à la mode
Wendy Lyn Watson
Obsidian, October 2009
ISBN: 978-0-451-22835-2
Paperback, 302 pages
$6.99
Reviewed by Sue Ann Connaughton
The fictitious small town of Dalliance, Texas is the setting for I Scream, You Scream. Tally Jones, the financially-strapped owner of an ice cream shop, Remember the A-la-mode, contracts with her ex-husband Wayne to cater ice cream sundaes for his annual company picnic. In addition to the employees of Wayne’s Weed and Seed, the colorful collection of picnic attendees includes Tally’s high school sweetheart; the mayor and his wife; Wayne’s major business competitor; and local socialites. As the picnic winds down, a very public altercation develops between Tally, Wayne, and Wayne’s girlfriend Brittanie. By noontime the next day, the whole town buzzes about the news that Brittanie is dead. The cause of death is determined to be murder by poison and Wayne and Tally emerge as the leading suspects. With bits of help from others, Tally sets out to identify the murderer. Her research reveals that several persons had motive and opportunity to kill Brittanie. She brazenly confronts those she considers most suspicious and learns some interesting facts about each as she checks them off her list. Finally, Tally zeroes in on a culprit with an unpredictable motive for murder.
I Scream, You Scream is written from the perspective of the main character, Tally. In the first few chapters, Tally’s language sounds so relentlessly wise-cracking that it’s overbearing. However, by page 80, Tally’s language settles into a less-jolting pattern and the book picks up a fast-paced, suspenseful rhythm. I Scream, You Scream unfolds into a murder mystery that drips with the dense, cold, rich, seductive features of ice cream from the first page to the last. The characters form unlikely bonds; the plot twists just enough; and the resolution surprises the reader.
Copyright 2010 Sue Ann Connaughton
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION
I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.