Park Ridge: A Senior Center Murder

Cheryl Hagedorn
Booklocker (2006)
ISBN 9781601450234
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07)

Park Ridge is a senior center in Chicago.  Like at most senior centers, the members play cards, play pool, visit and take dance classes.  Jack, Ellie, Margaret and the Professor play cards each day.  Gordon was less than enthusiastic about Jack.  “Hot headed Jack with his typical short man’s bluster coupled with an acid tongue had a hard time being civil to anyone including the director.  Don’t know how those other folk put up with him.”  The feeling was mutual.  Jack just plain didn’t like Gordon. 

When Gordon is found murdered, his fellow card-playing friends consider Jack the prime suspect.  A lively discussion ensues on who each would like to murder.  “Presuming, of course, that the perpetrator would not be discovered, and therefore, not apprehended?  If I didn’t think that I would get caught, I would select as target for my exercise the esteemed (but not by me) Benjamin Wilson, resident computer guru, I loathe that man.”

So begins the game of murder.

Detective Stanley Nevins is sent to investigate the case.  From the moment he and Teresa Cusentino, director Park Ridge, lay eyes on each other, they feel an attraction.  As Stan investigates the escalating case his relationship with Teresa grows stronger.  

Cheryl Hagedorn’s “Park Ridge” is a delightful murder mystery.   The plot is interesting and not only held my attention but also was extremely funny.  The characters are well developed.  Jack, Margaret, and Ellie were a senior center’s worst nightmare -- out of control card players, developing a new game, one that’s deadly.  The romance between Stan and Teresa was nicely developed without rushing things.  I eagerly turned pages to see what the seniors would come up with next.  This is an excellent read.  I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers.

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