September Mourn by Jess Lourey

First published as September Fair in 2009; reissued by Thomas & Mercer on August 27, 2024

September Mourn is a novel of the northern Midwest. The pace is easy. Characters are at least superficially and often genuinely friendly. Cows are abundant.

September Mourn is the fifth entry in a series that stars Mira James. Mira is a librarian and part-time reporter for a small-town newspaper in Battle Lake, Minnesota. She regularly stumbles upon murder victims, a habit she would like to break. I confess that I haven’t read the first four “Murder by Month” mysteries — the series was first published by a Minnesota publisher that subsequently closed its crime fiction imprint — but I don’t think that impaired my ability to understand or enjoy this one.

The story takes place at the Minnesota State Fair. Ashley Pederson is awaiting coronation as the new Milkfed Mary (a/k/a Queen of the Dairy) while a sculptor carves her likeness from a large block of butter. The lights go out. When they come back on, Ashley is dead. Her skin has turned “the brightest red” Mira has ever seen. There’s a clue in the skin color, yes?

Mira takes a picture of Ashley just before the lights go out, but someone steals her camera before she can study it. As a reporter whose story will be better if she can solve the crime, Mira dutifully interviews people who might offer insight into the murder. She discovers that locks of hair have been cut from the heads of several Milkfed Mary contestants. Another clue? She uncovers scandals and crimes, some related to the murder and others not, as she assembles a bucket full of clues that will help her find the killer.

Ashley was a Mean Girl, so the list of murder suspects is lengthy. Is the killer a competitor for the crown? Could it be the chaperone, the pageant sponsor, or the state fair’s corporate president? Might it be the eco-terrorist Aeon Hopkins or a Milkfed Mary from the past? The lengthy list of potential suspects should engage the attention of murder mystery fans.

September Mourn has the light tone of cozy mystery with a dash of romcom. Violence is restrained and not particularly graphic. Mira doesn’t try to be an action hero, although she does defend herself when necessary. Mira is attracted to Johnny Leeson (the Adonis of Battle Lake) but she doesn’t jump into bed with him. For Mira, sex is a matter of desire rather than action. She shares thoughts with the reader that are slightly saucy (“I wanted to kiss so long that our lips pruned”), but cozy mystery fans can probably read the story without blushing. The few ribald comments in the novel are made by a senior citizen.

The senior who contributes lusty thoughts to the story is Mrs. Berns. Some of those thoughts are inspired by Neil Diamond, who is performing at the fair. Mrs. Berns’ friend Kennie Rogers is the mayor of the small town in which Mira lives. They provide comic relief in a novel that never takes itself too seriously.

Jess Lourey’s prose is consistently witty. The mystery’s resolution is satisfying. The characters are enjoyable. Atmosphere is spot on. I was pleasantly surprised by September Mourn and look forward to dipping into other entries in the reissued series.

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