If the sub-category of mysteries called "Cozies" are your passion, then you probably know all about Churchill and her series of paperbacks about a cat-loving Chicago housewife and amateur detective named Jane Jeffrey. (The last one was called -- ready? -- The Silence of the Hams.) Now Jeffrey is making her hardcover debut, in a story full of the same kind of homey, light-hearted stuff. The head of the Snellen Museum, founded by pea king Auguste Snellen, has been shot to death during a Civil War battle reenactment at the annual pea festival. Jane -- single mother of three troublesome teenagers -- helps her policeman boyfriend solve the case in typically clever style.


From Publishers Weekly
The intuition, wisdom and penchant for prying of Churchill's series heroine Jane Jeffry (The Silence of the Hams) make her an invaluable ally to police detective and significant other Mel VanDyne in this swift and agreeably perplexing tale. Regina Palmer, director of the Snellen Museum (dedicated to the study of rural history and founded by pea king Auguste Snellen) near Chicago, has been shot with an antique derringer during the Civil War reenactment that is a highlight of the small town's annual pea festival. Jane, who was one of the reenactors and who has her hands full as a single mother of three teenagers, utilizes her volunteer hours at the Snellen Museum to relentlessly pry beneath the surface of small-town respectability in hopes of finding Regina's killer. Was the murderer a rejected suitor? Was the insufferably arrogant Snellen family enraged that the museum took most of their inheritance? Was the killer (who strikes again in a particularly grisly fashion) seeking an heirloom pea? A slew of suspects?smarmy, lecherous, devious and greedy, but never dull?are queried by Jane and her equally nosy friend Shelley, with relevant information passed on to Mel. This is the eighth appearance for Jane and her first in hardcover. Churchill's cozy setting, beguiling plot and three-dimensional characters will keep readers fully engaged?and amused. 30,000 first printing; author tour. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Somewhere near Chicago exists a small family museum dedicated to the pea. When series heroine Jane Jeffry volunteers at the museum, she winds up not only taking part in a Civil War reenactment during the Pea Festival but also casting about for clues to the museum director's murder. Suspicions congregate around a sexist wannabe director and a disgruntled heir. No psychological insights or terrifying suspense in Churchill's hardcover debut, just a simple tale for fans.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
All but one of the corpses stand up to take a bow at the end of the Civil War battle reenactment that climaxes the Snellen Museum's annual Pea Festival. But since the one corpse who doesn't is museum director Regina Price Palmer, stirring times are ahead for museum volunteer Jane Jeffry and her best bud, Shelley Nowack. Emboldened by her romantic attachment to Detective Mel VanDyne of the Chicago police force, and by her success in seven paperback mysteries, Jane sticks her nose into the nooks and crannies of the museum and its board, and finds that Caspar Snellen, covetous rival heir of late Pea King heiress and museum angel Miss Daisy Snellen, isn't the only person who didn't like Regina Palmer, or who had something to hide. Somewhere beneath the decorous breasts of Caspar's sister Georgia, toy boy assistant director Derek Delano, publicity director Lisa Quigley, museum attorney Tom (``Jumper'') Cable, Daisy's old friend Babs McDonald, and Regina's ingenuous secretary Sharlene Lloyd beat the hearts of an unprincipled seducer, an embezzler, a spouse-killer, and, yes, a double murderer who'll think nothing of dispatching a second victim by smothering him with peas. Jane, a widowed homemaker who brightens her hardcover debut by baking a mean tuna casserole and worrying about freezer burn, dispenses a tireless cheer that'll make like-minded readers forget how lightweight the final revelation is, and how remote from the suspicions that have been so generously distributed. (First printing of 30,000) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
Wealthy old Auguste Caspar Snellen, the legendary Pea King, is long gone, but his greatest legacy lives on: the Snellen Museum, an institution dedicated to the glorification of local lore and legumes. But at this years annual Pea Festival, the museum sustains a terrible loss when its able, innovative director, Regina Price Palmer, is shot to death during a noisy reenactment of a Civil War battle.

Suburban single mom Jane Jeffrey was a costumed participant in the deadly pageant. Now her part-time work at the museum has put Jane and best friend Shelley Nowack in the midst of a veritable podful of murder suspects. And its up to Jane and Shelley to determine who fatally beaned poor Regina--before another victim is planted six feet under.


About the Author
Jill Churchill is the author of twelve Jane Jeffry mysteries and two Grace and Favor novels. She lives in the Midwest -- on purpose.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Wealthy old Auguste Caspar Snellen, the legendary Pea King, is long gone, but his greatest legacy lives on: the Snellen Museum, an institution dedicated to the glorification of local lore and legumes. But at this years annual Pea Festival, the museum sustains a terrible loss when its able, innovative director, Regina Price Palmer, is shot to death during a noisy reenactment of a Civil War battle.

Suburban single mom Jane Jeffrey was a costumed participant in the deadly pageant. Now her part-time work at the museum has put Jane and best friend Shelley Nowack in the midst of a veritable podful of murder suspects. And its up to Jane and Shelley to determine who fatally beaned poor Regina—before another victim is planted six feet under.

Author Biography:

Jill Churchill is the author of twelve Jane Jeffry mysteries and two Grace and Favor novels. She lives in the Midwest — on purpose.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The intuition, wisdom and penchant for prying of Churchill's series heroine Jane Jeffry (The Silence of the Hams) make her an invaluable ally to police detective and significant other Mel VanDyne in this swift and agreeably perplexing tale. Regina Palmer, director of the Snellen Museum (dedicated to the study of rural history and founded by pea king Auguste Snellen) near Chicago, has been shot with an antique derringer during the Civil War reenactment that is a highlight of the small town's annual pea festival. Jane, who was one of the reenactors and who has her hands full as a single mother of three teenagers, utilizes her volunteer hours at the Snellen Museum to relentlessly pry beneath the surface of small-town respectability in hopes of finding Regina's killer. Was the murderer a rejected suitor? Was the insufferably arrogant Snellen family enraged that the museum took most of their inheritance? Was the killer (who strikes again in a particularly grisly fashion) seeking an heirloom pea? A slew of suspectssmarmy, lecherous, devious and greedy, but never dullare queried by Jane and her equally nosy friend Shelley, with relevant information passed on to Mel. This is the eighth appearance for Jane and her first in hardcover. Churchill's cozy setting, beguiling plot and three-dimensional characters will keep readers fully engagedand amused. 30,000 first printing; author tour. (Nov.)

Library Journal