The Convenient Cadaver (Grandma Bertha Solving Murders Book 1) by Matt Ferraz

When Grandma Bertha moved to her son’s place, she brought along three dogs, several cases of beer and many, many horror film DVDs. While her daughter-in-law insists on the idea of sending Grandma Bertha to a retirement home, a dead girl appears near the house, shot three times in the back. Many years ago, Grandma Bertha let a murderer escape for not trusting in her own detective abilities. Now, armed with her wit and wisdom, she decides to solve that crime before the police. Could this crazy dog lady be a threat to a cold-blooded killer? And for how long can the family stand that situation?  (Summary via Goodreads)

Wow !!  What a hoot !!  I don't know about you but I love when a cozy mystery has an older person solving the crime....like a grandmother. 

 Matt Ferraz introduces us to Grandma Bertha in his book The Convenient Cadaver and you cannot help but love her !!  

Grandma Bertha lives in a remodeled garden shed in her son's backyard along with her three dogs.  She has an okay life there.  She has her beer and her collection of horror movies.  She is able to see her grandson Stu often.  The only bad thing is that her daughter-in-law, Lydia, things she belongs in a retirement home.  And Grandma Bertha getting "involved" in a murder that happened right on the other side of the wall in the alley helps strengthens Lydia's case.

Grandma Bertha won't let it go..... The murdered victim is the young daughter of Todd's boss and it looks like the crime scene was staged in the alley on purpose.  Grandma Bertha is very interested in finding the killer.....especially when her family is threatened.   It seems that the police are actually listening to what she has to say....which is very rare.   

Can Grandma Bertha solve the murder ?  Can she show Todd and Lydia that she can take care of herself ?  
Just cause a person is old doesn't mean that they can't do what they want....even if it is solving a murder.....or two.  Grandma Bertha proves that !!!

There is so much to like and love in this story....you can't help but fall in love with Grandma Bertha and want to see her succeed.  And you also cannot help but dislike Lydia throughout most of the book....which is okay.  Every book needs a villian or two.  

I look forward to the next Grandma Bertha adventure.....Ferraz ends the story on a very interesting note and Grandma Bertha is already digging her toes in the crime scene....

Review by Missi S.