Dead End Street (A Museum Mystery)

Dead End Street by Sheila Connolly is the seventh book in A Museum Mystery series. Nell Pratt is the president of the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society. Nell gets a visit from Tyrone Blakeney and Cherisse Chapman. They inform her that the Society owns a row house (slated for demolition) in North Philadelphia (at 387 Bickley Street). They would like some assistance with a project they are working on to save neighborhoods. Nell was under the impression that the Society had divested itself of all properties (people die and leave things to properties as well as money and other items). Nell agrees to go with them to visit the house (she really will regret this decision). They arrive at the house and are sitting in the car when another car comes by and starts shooting at them. Cherisse dies from her wounds and Tyrone is severely injured. Nell, thankfully, came out alive (with minor injuries). James Morrison, an FBI Agent and Nell's boyfriend, quickly arrives at the scene. Who was the gunman's intended target? Because of the neighborhood, the police believe it was random violence (it occurs frequently in the area). Nell thinks there is more to the story and sets out to get answers (but at what cost). Join Nell on her latest investigation in Dead End Street.

I have red and enjoyed every book in A Museum Mystery series. However, this is the first one that I did not love. The mystery was not at the forefront of the book. I wanted to know where were the clues. Instead of an investigation, it is like it just played out and the killer was revealed. It is easy to guess the identity of the killer (when the person is finally introduced) which was such a shame. I thought maybe there would be a great twist or something unpredictable would happen (one could hope). Dead End Street is well-written and easy to read. Nell was a little different in this book. I know the shooting shook her up, but she was not her usual confident self. Nell doubted herself (quite a bit) which led to long paragraphs of Nell thinking, worrying, analyzing, and questioning. I give Dead End Street 3.75 out of 5. I just expected more (and have received in the past) from Sheila Connolly. Will I read the next book in A Museum Mystery series? Definitely. This book might just be a fluke. I will be sure to check out the next novel in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of Dead End Street from NetGalley (courtesy of the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.