Book Review: Goldie Vance vol #1

Book: Goldie Vance volume #1 (issues #1-4) by Hope Larson with illustration by Brittney Williams, colors by Sarah Stern and letters by Jim Campbell

Edition: Single Print Issues

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I feel like I've really honed my ability in finding good books because this first volume of Goldie Vance was an absolute delight to read.

When Marigold "Goldie" Vance is not at her actual job as one of Crossed Palms Resort's valet drivers, she's "assisting" the hotel's in-house detective Walter Tooey with cases. And they found themselves investigating a really interesting one when hotel guest Dieter Ludwig needed them to find a missing necklace.

Finding the necklace took a little thinking outside the box from Goldie along with a little illegal car racing but retrieving it was probably the easiest thing she had to deal with. Because no sooner than she brought the necklace back to the hotel, they find out Ludwig was missing and his hotel room showed signs of a struggle.

Back in Tooey's office, they found an interesting clue on the back of the necklace but they also realize that someone may have taken Ludwig. Even though the necklace was found, they now believe someone is after it.

Over the course of trying to solve the case, Goldie inadvertently got herself and her father (who manages the hotel) fired from their jobs. I guess there are consequences to Goldie unofficially getting involved with solving cases. But that's not going to stop Goldie from trying to find Ludwig and get the necklace back after it was stolen again.

Besides featuring a great mystery there are a lot of interesting characters in this story such as Goldie's co-worker valet driver Rob who has a crush on her friend Cheryl and he may have done something really stupid in order to get her attention. Meanwhile, Cheryl who is very smart, works at the front desk of the hotel but one day hopes to become an astronaut.

You also find out some interesting things about Goldie along the way. She is very observant but rather impulsive which tends to get her in huge amounts of trouble. Her parents are divorced and although she lives with her father, she has a great relationship with her mother. She has a long standing rivalry with Sugar Maple, the daughter of the hotel owner. She also has a crush on Diane who works at the record store.

This was a great read because the story which was a lot of fun is filled with suspense, twists and humor. What I love about this series is you have a plucky wannabe assistant who is actually the one who is really solving the cases. Poor Walt, it's a wonder he hasn't been fired yet.

As a mystery fan, I really enjoyed this and now I can't wait to read the second volume.