Murder on the Toy Town Express (Vintage Toyshop Mystery #2) by Barbara Early

Liz McCall has come to love running her father's vintage toyshop back home in East Aurora, NY, so when the Train and Toy Show comes to town, she's all aboard for a fun toy-filled weekend. The only hitch is that her childhood bully Craig McFadden, now local business rival, has set up a booth next to hers. But the fun and games are over when Craig falls from the ceiling in a publicity stunt gone wrong. 
What was initially thought to be a fatal accident proves much more sinister. Pulled into the case by her feelings for both Ken, the police chief, and Jack, her high school sweetheart whose brother is one the prime suspects, Liz dives headfirst into the investigation. But as she digs deeper, she's shocked to learn her father may have been the intended target. 
The trouble train is barreling down and Liz may have just bought herself a first class ticket in Murder on the Toy Town Express, Barbara Early's delightful second installment in her Vintage Toyshop mysteries.  (Summary via Goodreads)


What would you do if your childhood bully was in an accident right in front of you and later died ?  And it is ruled murder ?  And if he was a business rival whose business was right across from your business ?  What if you met his employee, liked her and felt sorry for her ?  And what if your father was the retired chief of police ?  Oh and you are sort of dating the new chief of police as well as the brother of one of the suspects ?

These are all questions that are asked of Liz McCall who is the main character in Murder on the Toy Town Express by Barbara Early.  Liz does what any normal main character in a cozy mystery does...she dives head first into the investigation.....okay maybe head first isn't a great way to say it seeing as Craig McFadden falls to his death from a catwalk during a stunt at the Train and Toy Show.

There is a lot going on in Murder on the Toy Town Express but the way that Early writes and brings it all together seems effortlessly.  Not only is she telling an attention getting story but she takes the reader down memory lane with her mention of nostalgic toys and comics.  It is also amazing how Liz and her dad work together with each other and the lead investigator on the case.  Especially with her dad retired there is a lot of respect among the group....which is a nice change when looking at other cozy mysteries.  It's nice to see everyone getting along.  

Early has a colorful cast of suspects in this story but when the dust clears and you find out who the guilty party is you will be blown away !!!  I can almost guarantee that you will be as shocked as I was and you will want to go back and re-read it again......

One thing I ALWAYS do when I read a book is read the Author's Notes and Acknowledgments at the end of the book.  This gives me a little more insight into the author and what they are about.  This was the last paragraph in the Acknowledgment's section at the end of Murder on the Toy Town Express and I felt it needed sharing.  

"And thanks to you, the reader.  There are many books on the shelves, and you picked this one.  I hope you've enjoyed the time we've spent together!"

There are a lot of books on the shelves and I HOPE that this is one that you, the reader, will choose.  You will enjoy the time you spend with author Barbara Early.  I know I did.

Review by Missi S.