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Recommend this book:
Tea, Anyone?
A Brooke & Abby Cozy Mystery Book 1
S. R. Mallery
2020 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Tea, Anyone? by S. R. Mallery is Book One in the Brooke & Abby Cozy Mystery Series. Brooke is a non-sworn police officer, helping with research in crimes and other areas. Abby is her next-door neighbor, claiming to be a psychic. Brooke doesn’t believe her but, agreeing to give her a chance at the request of her roomie, Henry, lets her get involved in the research on the latest murder. And Junie, Brooke's cat, seems to like her anyway. It soon becomes clear that Abby really does have a talent and she’s about to prove that her help can solve the spate of murders in the town. How? With a little time travel back to 1773, the time of the Boston Tea Party. Between that and Brooke trying hard not to fall for Tony, her best friend’s new police partner, she’s got her hands full. But how can time travel possibly help solve a current-time murder case? Only one way to find out!
Tea, Anyone? by S. R. Mallery is one of those books that you just fall into and stay there until it's finished. Brooke is the kind of woman you can easily bond with, a get-go person who’s like a dog with a bone – she’s not backing down, no matter what. This is action all the way; a story that will draw you in from page one and will hold you there until you have finished. The plot is clever, unique, and is told in a believable way. All the characters are wonderful, well-developed, and a really eclectic mix too. At first, you will wonder how going back in time can help solve a murder mystery but it all comes together very neatly. This story moves at a fast pace and is full of wit and humor. Each character has their own story to tell, even Junebug, the beloved housecat. An intriguing story, this is guaranteed to hold your attention late into the night.
Tea, Anyone? by S. R. Mallery is Book One in the Brooke & Abby Cozy Mystery Series. Brooke is a non-sworn police officer, helping with research in crimes and other areas. Abby is her next-door neighbor, claiming to be a psychic. Brooke doesn’t believe her but, agreeing to give her a chance at the request of her roomie, Henry, lets her get involved in the research on the latest murder. And Junie, Brooke's cat, seems to like her anyway. It soon becomes clear that Abby really does have a talent and she’s about to prove that her help can solve the spate of murders in the town. How? With a little time travel back to 1773, the time of the Boston Tea Party. Between that and Brooke trying hard not to fall for Tony, her best friend’s new police partner, she’s got her hands full. But how can time travel possibly help solve a current-time murder case? Only one way to find out!
Tea, Anyone? by S. R. Mallery is one of those books that you just fall into and stay there until it's finished. Brooke is the kind of woman you can easily bond with, a get-go person who’s like a dog with a bone – she’s not backing down, no matter what. This is action all the way; a story that will draw you in from page one and will hold you there until you have finished. The plot is clever, unique, and is told in a believable way. All the characters are wonderful, well-developed, and a really eclectic mix too. At first, you will wonder how going back in time can help solve a murder mystery but it all comes together very neatly. This story moves at a fast pace and is full of wit and humor. Each character has their own story to tell, even Junebug, the beloved housecat. An intriguing story, this is guaranteed to hold your attention late into the night.
Recommend this book:
Bells, Tails, & Murder
A Dickens & Christie Mystery
Kathy Manos Penn
2020 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Bells, Tails, and Murder by Kathy Manos Penn is a Dickens and Christie Mystery. Leta and her lovable pets are taking on a new mystery as they settle into her retirement in England. Little does she know that her retirement won’t be as quiet and peaceful as she dreamed it’d be. When she finds a body, she’s determined to find the killer even if it means putting herself in danger. She turns to her close friends for help in her investigation as her duo of lively pets helps her uncover clues. Together, they’re whisked into an exciting murder mystery that blends some of Leta’s favorite things: sleuthing clues and delightful connections to some of her favorite works of fiction.
The world is stunningly brought to life by Kathy Manos Penn who gives lovely details that make the Cotswolds setting vibrant and alive. The humor is quirky and keeps the story light with a heartwarming tone that is inviting and welcoming. Leta is a delightful sleuth with a personality that is perfect for the British sleuthing environment and is reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher. The mystery delivers fun from beginning to end and weaves several surprises throughout while introducing the variety of characters that populate Leta’s world. The story is a book lover’s dream with several literary references woven throughout, which includes the subtle use of names like Wendy and Peter, Belle, Alice, and the names of the pets with Dickens, Christie, Tigger, and Paddington.
The talking animals are a natural part of the world and are as important as the human characters with their own role in solving the mystery. Dickens and Christie are Leta’s little duo with personalities that balance each other out as they each provide Leta with a companion and friend as well as being trusty sleuthing sidekicks. Cozy mystery lovers won’t be able to get enough of Leta and her world as Penn makes you feel right at home with them and wishing to dive into this wonderful world to meet the characters. Bells, Tails, and Murder has everything you’d want in a cozy mystery: heart, talking animals, literary references, and sleuthing delights.
Bells, Tails, and Murder by Kathy Manos Penn is a Dickens and Christie Mystery. Leta and her lovable pets are taking on a new mystery as they settle into her retirement in England. Little does she know that her retirement won’t be as quiet and peaceful as she dreamed it’d be. When she finds a body, she’s determined to find the killer even if it means putting herself in danger. She turns to her close friends for help in her investigation as her duo of lively pets helps her uncover clues. Together, they’re whisked into an exciting murder mystery that blends some of Leta’s favorite things: sleuthing clues and delightful connections to some of her favorite works of fiction.
The world is stunningly brought to life by Kathy Manos Penn who gives lovely details that make the Cotswolds setting vibrant and alive. The humor is quirky and keeps the story light with a heartwarming tone that is inviting and welcoming. Leta is a delightful sleuth with a personality that is perfect for the British sleuthing environment and is reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher. The mystery delivers fun from beginning to end and weaves several surprises throughout while introducing the variety of characters that populate Leta’s world. The story is a book lover’s dream with several literary references woven throughout, which includes the subtle use of names like Wendy and Peter, Belle, Alice, and the names of the pets with Dickens, Christie, Tigger, and Paddington.
The talking animals are a natural part of the world and are as important as the human characters with their own role in solving the mystery. Dickens and Christie are Leta’s little duo with personalities that balance each other out as they each provide Leta with a companion and friend as well as being trusty sleuthing sidekicks. Cozy mystery lovers won’t be able to get enough of Leta and her world as Penn makes you feel right at home with them and wishing to dive into this wonderful world to meet the characters. Bells, Tails, and Murder has everything you’d want in a cozy mystery: heart, talking animals, literary references, and sleuthing delights.
Recommend this book:
The Carlswick Mythology
The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 5
SL Beaumont
2019 Finalist
252 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Carlswick Mythology: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 5 is a sleuth mystery novel written by S.L. Beaumont. While they had had their share of adventures together, Stephanie Cooper and her rock-star boyfriend of eighteen months, James Knox, were finally going away together on vacation. She had just finished her second year at Oxford and had returned to her grandmother’s home in Sussex when James sprung the news of their surprise vacation on her. When they finally arrived at Heathrow, Stephanie was thrilled to discover that James had booked them for four days on the island of Santorini where her friend, Kerry, just happened to be working on an archaeological dig. She and James would be touring the Minoan ruins with Kerry the very next day. As the unexpected usually did happen when Stephanie was involved, their visit to Santorini was no exception. Armed intruders stole irreplaceable objects that were not Minoan in origin, and Kerry’s colleague and romantic interest seemed to be the most likely suspect. But how did they get there?
The Carlswick Mythology is a fast-paced and exciting novel of suspense set in the Greek islands. I loved exploring the island of Santorini with Stephanie and James and touring the Minoan ruins with them was a marvelous bonus. Beaumont’s characters are authentic and credible, and Stephanie’s musings over her future will resonate with many new adults. The underlying mystery will keep armchair sleuths mulling over the red herrings strewn in their path, and the tension between the police procedural and private sleuth aspects of the series continues to enthrall and delight. The author’s story is well-written and fun to read. The Carlswick Mythology: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 5 is most highly recommended.
The Carlswick Mythology: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 5 is a sleuth mystery novel written by S.L. Beaumont. While they had had their share of adventures together, Stephanie Cooper and her rock-star boyfriend of eighteen months, James Knox, were finally going away together on vacation. She had just finished her second year at Oxford and had returned to her grandmother’s home in Sussex when James sprung the news of their surprise vacation on her. When they finally arrived at Heathrow, Stephanie was thrilled to discover that James had booked them for four days on the island of Santorini where her friend, Kerry, just happened to be working on an archaeological dig. She and James would be touring the Minoan ruins with Kerry the very next day. As the unexpected usually did happen when Stephanie was involved, their visit to Santorini was no exception. Armed intruders stole irreplaceable objects that were not Minoan in origin, and Kerry’s colleague and romantic interest seemed to be the most likely suspect. But how did they get there?
The Carlswick Mythology is a fast-paced and exciting novel of suspense set in the Greek islands. I loved exploring the island of Santorini with Stephanie and James and touring the Minoan ruins with them was a marvelous bonus. Beaumont’s characters are authentic and credible, and Stephanie’s musings over her future will resonate with many new adults. The underlying mystery will keep armchair sleuths mulling over the red herrings strewn in their path, and the tension between the police procedural and private sleuth aspects of the series continues to enthrall and delight. The author’s story is well-written and fun to read. The Carlswick Mythology: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 5 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Death in Disguise
A Beth Getty Mystery, Volume 1
Karen Neary Smithson
2019 Finalist
330 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
In Death in Disguise: A Beth Getty Mystery, Volume 1 by Karen Neary Smithson, Beth Getty is an amateur sleuth, married to a police detective, who manages to get herself into some scary situations while trying to solve the case of who murdered the nanny of one of her best friends. Beth’s husband repeatedly asks her not to become involved, but Beth finds it impossible as she discovers a clue that always seems to lead to another clue to which she must find the answer. Beth uses her fey instincts to guide her and gets much help along the way from various friends, both new and old. The story has so many twists, turns and surprises that I just don’t want to spoil it for readers by revealing any more.
Death in Disguise is everything I could ever want in a mind boggling mystery. I was pulled in from the beginning and amazed by the ending, which I never saw coming. There are several plots going on at the same time and each one kept me glued to my Kindle. Murder, romance, deception, infidelity and everyday and celebrity characters fill the pages in a very well written, exciting book. I really loved Death in Disguise. I am anxiously awaiting a follow-up and so look forward to Beth’s next adventure. Karen Neary Smithson has everything it takes to be an award-writing author with many more volumes of Beth Getty books in her future. I also can clearly see Death in Disguise being the next favorite sleuth TV show. Please, do not pass this one up, but put it at the top of your summer reading list.
In Death in Disguise: A Beth Getty Mystery, Volume 1 by Karen Neary Smithson, Beth Getty is an amateur sleuth, married to a police detective, who manages to get herself into some scary situations while trying to solve the case of who murdered the nanny of one of her best friends. Beth’s husband repeatedly asks her not to become involved, but Beth finds it impossible as she discovers a clue that always seems to lead to another clue to which she must find the answer. Beth uses her fey instincts to guide her and gets much help along the way from various friends, both new and old. The story has so many twists, turns and surprises that I just don’t want to spoil it for readers by revealing any more.
Death in Disguise is everything I could ever want in a mind boggling mystery. I was pulled in from the beginning and amazed by the ending, which I never saw coming. There are several plots going on at the same time and each one kept me glued to my Kindle. Murder, romance, deception, infidelity and everyday and celebrity characters fill the pages in a very well written, exciting book. I really loved Death in Disguise. I am anxiously awaiting a follow-up and so look forward to Beth’s next adventure. Karen Neary Smithson has everything it takes to be an award-writing author with many more volumes of Beth Getty books in her future. I also can clearly see Death in Disguise being the next favorite sleuth TV show. Please, do not pass this one up, but put it at the top of your summer reading list.
Recommend this book:
You Say Goodbye
Keith Steinbaum
2019 Honorable Mention
330 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Sean Hightower didn’t have the best of musical careers, but he just kept going. After earning his one-hit wonder title, the rock musician tried his luck again and again. After one particularly gruesome stage performance, Sean thinks it is best to go to his girlfriend and seek comfort from her. However, when he enters her condo, he finds her naked and dead on her bed. She was shot in the head, leaving two notes taped to the wall that said “hello” and “goodbye” on them. They make absolutely no sense to Sean but the police detective connects them to the return of the “Beatles Song Murderer.” What really baffles the detective the most is the fact that Sean possibly knows the killer, only he has no idea who it is. The detective needs his help, but how can Sean help him when he doesn’t even know who that person is?
You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum is a murder mystery that uses Beatles' song titles in the best way possible. The title of the novel is perfect for the story and I gave the author brownie points just for this! Apart from that, the novel is actually pretty great. From the moment the story begins, the author gives readers a bomb to start their journey with. After that, the author kept the momentum and ensured that the reader was interested and invested while at the same time making sure that they stayed fully immersed in this adventurous ride. Sean is not a character that you will instantly like, but you will be cheering him on, wanting him to survive because you will not be able to live without finding out who is the killer. The narrative is so powerful that you cannot help but feel as if you are transported right there beside Sean and living his life with him. This is the best kind of experience that an author can give to a reader and I love the author for giving me this. I can see this story becoming a movie or a TV series and being an instant hit.
Sean Hightower didn’t have the best of musical careers, but he just kept going. After earning his one-hit wonder title, the rock musician tried his luck again and again. After one particularly gruesome stage performance, Sean thinks it is best to go to his girlfriend and seek comfort from her. However, when he enters her condo, he finds her naked and dead on her bed. She was shot in the head, leaving two notes taped to the wall that said “hello” and “goodbye” on them. They make absolutely no sense to Sean but the police detective connects them to the return of the “Beatles Song Murderer.” What really baffles the detective the most is the fact that Sean possibly knows the killer, only he has no idea who it is. The detective needs his help, but how can Sean help him when he doesn’t even know who that person is?
You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum is a murder mystery that uses Beatles' song titles in the best way possible. The title of the novel is perfect for the story and I gave the author brownie points just for this! Apart from that, the novel is actually pretty great. From the moment the story begins, the author gives readers a bomb to start their journey with. After that, the author kept the momentum and ensured that the reader was interested and invested while at the same time making sure that they stayed fully immersed in this adventurous ride. Sean is not a character that you will instantly like, but you will be cheering him on, wanting him to survive because you will not be able to live without finding out who is the killer. The narrative is so powerful that you cannot help but feel as if you are transported right there beside Sean and living his life with him. This is the best kind of experience that an author can give to a reader and I love the author for giving me this. I can see this story becoming a movie or a TV series and being an instant hit.
Recommend this book:
Life Without Shoes
The First Father Ambrose Mystery
Emma Cyrus
2019 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite
Emma Cyrus’ Life Without Shoes: The First Father Ambrose Mystery is a contemporary mystery novel set in Green Butte, Northern California. Father Ambrose is the abbot at the New Life Ecumenical Retreat, a spiritual community which practices meditation to guide its members in all aspects of life. The community sustains itself through farming, selling its products and processed foods locally, and throughout the US via online orders. In late August as the busy harvest begins, the peace and calm of the retreat are shattered when a young woman’s dismembered corpse is found in an orchard. Father Ambrose finds himself helping Sheriff Charlie Cormley in the murder investigation. The unforeseen and bewildering intrusion of the outside world tests Father Ambrose’s inner strength to guide New Life through an extremely harrowing time and to learn and grow from the experience.
I enjoyed reading Life Without Shoes: The First Father Ambrose Mystery because of the way Cyrus brings together Father Ambrose's experiences at the New Life Retreat, his insight into human nature, and his inner spiritual strength to help solve a murder. I also liked the way Cyrus weaves into her story how Ambrose guides the New Life community to work towards calmness, think meditatively, and focus on the harvest. As the investigation proceeds, Ambrose finds himself learning to think and see the outside world in different ways: at times like a cop; at times like a reporter; and at times like a chaplain and counselor. No matter whom Ambrose deals with, he keeps compassion as his guide.
Emma Cyrus’ Life Without Shoes: The First Father Ambrose Mystery is a contemporary mystery novel set in Green Butte, Northern California. Father Ambrose is the abbot at the New Life Ecumenical Retreat, a spiritual community which practices meditation to guide its members in all aspects of life. The community sustains itself through farming, selling its products and processed foods locally, and throughout the US via online orders. In late August as the busy harvest begins, the peace and calm of the retreat are shattered when a young woman’s dismembered corpse is found in an orchard. Father Ambrose finds himself helping Sheriff Charlie Cormley in the murder investigation. The unforeseen and bewildering intrusion of the outside world tests Father Ambrose’s inner strength to guide New Life through an extremely harrowing time and to learn and grow from the experience.
I enjoyed reading Life Without Shoes: The First Father Ambrose Mystery because of the way Cyrus brings together Father Ambrose's experiences at the New Life Retreat, his insight into human nature, and his inner spiritual strength to help solve a murder. I also liked the way Cyrus weaves into her story how Ambrose guides the New Life community to work towards calmness, think meditatively, and focus on the harvest. As the investigation proceeds, Ambrose finds himself learning to think and see the outside world in different ways: at times like a cop; at times like a reporter; and at times like a chaplain and counselor. No matter whom Ambrose deals with, he keeps compassion as his guide.
Recommend this book:
Death said the Gypsy Queen
A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery Book 4
Susan Boles
2019 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite
Death said the Gypsy Queen by Susan Boles is the fourth book in Boles' Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series. The story begins with Lily Gayle retrieving her late husband's red 1965 Mustang from storage. The Mustang had been sitting in storage for eight years. With the help of her friend Dixie, Lily Gayle decides it's high time she conquers her fear of driving. Pulling over at a rest stop, Lily Gayle and Dixie meet an old gypsy woman who warns Lily Gayle to "beware the vampire blood." As fate would have it, Lily Gayle later finds the corpse of an old man. His cause of death? A stake through the chest.
If you are a fan of books like Agatha Raisin, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, or Sarah Graves' Home Repair is Homicide, then you will undoubtedly love Susan Boles' Death said the Gypsy Queen. This was my first Lily Gayle Lambert book, but it likely won't be my last. Death said the Gypsy Queen is the sort of novel you would want to unwind with after a long day of work. The cast of characters felt familiar to me, despite my never having read any other novel in the series before now. I guess that's due to Boles' tremendous writing talents. I felt like a welcome reader, free to come and go as I pleased. It isn't a mystery-thriller, but it is a cozy mystery at its finest. The sort of book that readers will pick up, knowing the author will deliver what is promised.
Death said the Gypsy Queen by Susan Boles is the fourth book in Boles' Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series. The story begins with Lily Gayle retrieving her late husband's red 1965 Mustang from storage. The Mustang had been sitting in storage for eight years. With the help of her friend Dixie, Lily Gayle decides it's high time she conquers her fear of driving. Pulling over at a rest stop, Lily Gayle and Dixie meet an old gypsy woman who warns Lily Gayle to "beware the vampire blood." As fate would have it, Lily Gayle later finds the corpse of an old man. His cause of death? A stake through the chest.
If you are a fan of books like Agatha Raisin, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, or Sarah Graves' Home Repair is Homicide, then you will undoubtedly love Susan Boles' Death said the Gypsy Queen. This was my first Lily Gayle Lambert book, but it likely won't be my last. Death said the Gypsy Queen is the sort of novel you would want to unwind with after a long day of work. The cast of characters felt familiar to me, despite my never having read any other novel in the series before now. I guess that's due to Boles' tremendous writing talents. I felt like a welcome reader, free to come and go as I pleased. It isn't a mystery-thriller, but it is a cozy mystery at its finest. The sort of book that readers will pick up, knowing the author will deliver what is promised.
Recommend this book:
Fatal Fortune
A Dr Pippa Durrant Mystery Book 1 (Dr Pippa Durrant Mystery Series)
Miranda Rijks
2019 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Fatal Fortune is the first book in the Dr Pippa Durrant Mystery Series by Miranda Rijks, a compelling opening for a series that features sleuth and mystery. Pippa’s photo is found on the body of Leanne Smith, a lottery winner, and now it seems like someone intentionally did that to frame the psychologist. As a human polygraph, she believes she can weave through the lies and the media hype and find the killer. Both her career and her life are in jeopardy. It is not long before another body turns up. The tension mounts as Pippa races to identify the killer. Time is running out but she doesn’t just know when the next murder might happen and she could be next on the killer’s list. Can she solve the riddle before it is too late?
There are two things I look for in books like this — the complexity of the characters and the intricacy in plot development. Miranda Rijks does both perfectly. The author creates a female protagonist that is rich and vulnerable at the same time, qualities that win the sympathy of readers for her. I was hooked from the beginning of the narrative as the author puts readers into the twisted mind of the killer, using a stream of consciousness that establishes a direct link between this character and the reader. I wanted to know more about who this character is and what they will turn out to be. The cast list is wonderful: Pippa, who is losing clients because of her photo being released to the public as a suspect in the murder; the family of the victim that is devastated; and the shadowy killer who intrigues readers while eluding the authorities. Fatal Fortune is gripping crime fiction with powerful hints of mystery, and a real delight for fans of crime and sleuth novels.
Fatal Fortune is the first book in the Dr Pippa Durrant Mystery Series by Miranda Rijks, a compelling opening for a series that features sleuth and mystery. Pippa’s photo is found on the body of Leanne Smith, a lottery winner, and now it seems like someone intentionally did that to frame the psychologist. As a human polygraph, she believes she can weave through the lies and the media hype and find the killer. Both her career and her life are in jeopardy. It is not long before another body turns up. The tension mounts as Pippa races to identify the killer. Time is running out but she doesn’t just know when the next murder might happen and she could be next on the killer’s list. Can she solve the riddle before it is too late?
There are two things I look for in books like this — the complexity of the characters and the intricacy in plot development. Miranda Rijks does both perfectly. The author creates a female protagonist that is rich and vulnerable at the same time, qualities that win the sympathy of readers for her. I was hooked from the beginning of the narrative as the author puts readers into the twisted mind of the killer, using a stream of consciousness that establishes a direct link between this character and the reader. I wanted to know more about who this character is and what they will turn out to be. The cast list is wonderful: Pippa, who is losing clients because of her photo being released to the public as a suspect in the murder; the family of the victim that is devastated; and the shadowy killer who intrigues readers while eluding the authorities. Fatal Fortune is gripping crime fiction with powerful hints of mystery, and a real delight for fans of crime and sleuth novels.
Recommend this book:
Sharpe Shooter
Skeleton in the Closet (Maycroft Mysteries Book 1)
Lisa B. Thomas
2019 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
The heroine of Sharpe Shooter is Deena Sharpe who has been a teacher for thirty years and is ready for something new and exciting in her life. As she leaves teaching behind and begins looking for a new career, one finds her. When her uncle’s skeleton is discovered in a police locker, after he has been missing for over fifty years, Deena is presented with a brand new opportunity. Deena’s grandmother, aunt, and uncle call on her to search for clues and find out what happened so many years ago. Deena is faced with many twists, turns, and surprises. Her dead uncle is accused of being an assassin among other things. Deena now has to find his old friends and try to find out the details of her uncle’s life. She and her husband, Gary, and brother, Russell, quickly find themselves in several scary situations. This is a book that must be read for itself because if I tell you more, I would be revealing way too much and ruining it for you!
Sharpe Shooter: Skeleton In the Closet (Maycroft Mysteries Book 1) is a different level of mystery sleuth story written by Lisa B. Thomas with humor, no gory violence or unnecessary sexual content. I found Sharpe Shooter to be an entertaining read; it was not too long and the action was continuous. The good guys had charm, humor, likability and good sense. The bad guys were annoying, evil and looking for trouble. Together they combined to make the perfect mystery story. Sharpe Shooter: Skeleton In the Closet is for fans of the mystery/sleuth genre, both young and old. Don’t miss out on reading this book!
The heroine of Sharpe Shooter is Deena Sharpe who has been a teacher for thirty years and is ready for something new and exciting in her life. As she leaves teaching behind and begins looking for a new career, one finds her. When her uncle’s skeleton is discovered in a police locker, after he has been missing for over fifty years, Deena is presented with a brand new opportunity. Deena’s grandmother, aunt, and uncle call on her to search for clues and find out what happened so many years ago. Deena is faced with many twists, turns, and surprises. Her dead uncle is accused of being an assassin among other things. Deena now has to find his old friends and try to find out the details of her uncle’s life. She and her husband, Gary, and brother, Russell, quickly find themselves in several scary situations. This is a book that must be read for itself because if I tell you more, I would be revealing way too much and ruining it for you!
Sharpe Shooter: Skeleton In the Closet (Maycroft Mysteries Book 1) is a different level of mystery sleuth story written by Lisa B. Thomas with humor, no gory violence or unnecessary sexual content. I found Sharpe Shooter to be an entertaining read; it was not too long and the action was continuous. The good guys had charm, humor, likability and good sense. The bad guys were annoying, evil and looking for trouble. Together they combined to make the perfect mystery story. Sharpe Shooter: Skeleton In the Closet is for fans of the mystery/sleuth genre, both young and old. Don’t miss out on reading this book!
Recommend this book:
Death at the Midnight Dragonfly
A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery
Susan Boles
2018 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Death at the Midnight Dragonfly by Susan Boles is the third book in the Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series, a wonderful blend of murder and mystery, set in the quaint neighborhood of Mercy, Mississippi, during the Christmas season. Lily Gayle’s childhood friend, Vlad Templeton, has returned to the city where he grew up to conduct his state-sponsored sleep study. When Vlad finds one of the participants in the study, the local bank manager, Tom Hammond, dead on his front porch, he knows this means trouble. Evidence makes Jack, the husband of one of Lily’s friends, one of the top suspects. Lily is out to help Dixie clear her husband’s name. As they get closer to unveiling the mystery, they suddenly become targets — this means they have to act fast or become the next victims.
A perfect read for fans of murder mystery and sleuth, the story is crafted in crisp prose and set against a cozy backdrop. Readers get a feel for life in the community and the cultural aspects of the setting, like Christmas activities, come out beautifully in the story. This author has a great sense of realism which she uses to give life to the setting and to create relationships between the characters and the world around them. You will love this novel if you are into stories that are suspenseful, and Susan Boles knows just what it takes to make readers eagerly anticipate what happens next in the story. She makes readers care about her characters so much that they begin to worry about them. Her skilful use of red herrings coupled with the sense of mystery make this book a page-turner. Death at the Midnight Dragonfly will keep you awake all night.
Death at the Midnight Dragonfly by Susan Boles is the third book in the Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series, a wonderful blend of murder and mystery, set in the quaint neighborhood of Mercy, Mississippi, during the Christmas season. Lily Gayle’s childhood friend, Vlad Templeton, has returned to the city where he grew up to conduct his state-sponsored sleep study. When Vlad finds one of the participants in the study, the local bank manager, Tom Hammond, dead on his front porch, he knows this means trouble. Evidence makes Jack, the husband of one of Lily’s friends, one of the top suspects. Lily is out to help Dixie clear her husband’s name. As they get closer to unveiling the mystery, they suddenly become targets — this means they have to act fast or become the next victims.
A perfect read for fans of murder mystery and sleuth, the story is crafted in crisp prose and set against a cozy backdrop. Readers get a feel for life in the community and the cultural aspects of the setting, like Christmas activities, come out beautifully in the story. This author has a great sense of realism which she uses to give life to the setting and to create relationships between the characters and the world around them. You will love this novel if you are into stories that are suspenseful, and Susan Boles knows just what it takes to make readers eagerly anticipate what happens next in the story. She makes readers care about her characters so much that they begin to worry about them. Her skilful use of red herrings coupled with the sense of mystery make this book a page-turner. Death at the Midnight Dragonfly will keep you awake all night.
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