Book Description 

When the World’s Greatest Detective reunites with her college friends, she discovers that time doesn’t heal all wounds.

It’s been four decades since the women of Sigma Delta Tau were last together. The passing years, growing families, and maturing careers may have strained the bonds of sisterhood, but now a reunion at the Western ranch of one member offers an opportunity to renew acquaintances…and at least one long-standing grudge.

Still, this weekend is supposed to be a pleasant diversion for former sorority member and current private investigator Aubrey Merritt. She’s come to New Mexico to reconnect with old friends and she’s brought along her personal assistant, Olivia Blunt—an aspiring detective who is learning more about packing bags on this trip than about solving crimes.

The shocking murder of a sorority sister changes everything. With the local police overmatched, all eyes turn to Merritt and Blunt to crack the case. With a surprising abundance of suspects, it’s going to take both of them to cut through the knot of old hurts and current grievances to find the killer.

My Review 

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was excited about the opportunity to read about the next case for Aubrey Merritt– the World’s Greatest Detective— and Olivia Blunt, the assistant. 

This time, the duo travels to New Mexico for Aubrey’s sorority reunion. As the title suggests, someone has been harboring a grudge for decades and the resentful feelings result in a shocking murder. 

It is perhaps the epitome of hubris to commit a murder when one is aware that a famous detective is going to be in residence, but here we are. 

Once again, the narrative unfolds from the perspective of Olivia Blunt. She desperately wants to be a successful detective like her mentor; she has some good instincts, but she also has a lot more to learn… most notably that facts are more important than instincts. 

I enjoyed this mystery because of the camaraderie between Merritt and Blunt, but I liked the first book more. I didn’t like the tension between Olivia and her husband, especially since the source of the strife was Olivia’s job and the fact that she was away from home for an extended period of time. It is certainly not going to help Olivia’s ability to concentrate, but then again, perhaps that’s the point. 

I would recommend The Forty Year Grudge. Start with the first book and then read this one. These are interesting mysteries and it’s such a treat to watch Merritt at work as she meticulously gathers evidence and then presents her findings in the big denouement. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from Berkeley/NetGalley.