Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

 Buried in a Good Book

Book Summary

A thriller writer who knows way more than anyone should about death and dismemberment

Her young daughter who's more intrigued by dead bodies than she probably should be

An isolated cabin in the woods that's probably―definitely―hiding something

The tiny mountain town that seems less than troubled by a sudden abundance of murders

Bestselling thriller writer Tess Harrow is almost at the end of her rope when she arrives with her teenage daughter at her grandfather's rustic cabin in the woods. She hopes this will be a time for them to heal and bond after Tess's recent divorce, but they've barely made it through the door when an explosion shakes the cabin. Suddenly it's raining fish guts and...is that a human arm?

Tess was hardly convincing Gertie that a summer without Wi-Fi and running water would be an adventure. Now she's thrust into a murder investigation, neighbors are saying they've spotted Bigfoot in the woods near her cabin, and the local sheriff is the spitting image of her character Detective Gabriel Gonzales―something he's less than thrilled about. With so much more than her daughter's summer plans at stake, it's up to Tess to solve this case before anyone else gets hurt. 

My Thoughts

Tess Harrow, thriller writer, and her daughter, Gertrude aka Gertie arrive at the cabin she inherited from her grandfather.  Tess decided they needed a break after her divorce plus Gertie needs a place where she cannot continually check her phone (no electricity, no running water, no wifi).  Gertie has not heard from her father in six months, and it has taken a toll on the teenager.  They are on the front porch when “BOOM”.  They head towards the sound (of course).  At the lake, there is another “BOOM”.   Fish and body parts begin raining down on them (an arm lands on Tess).  Instead of peace and tranquility, Tess and her daughter find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation.  Tess is excited and her fingers are itching to get to her typewriter as ideas start to flow.  The local sheriff, Victor Boyd is a doppelganger for the detective featured in Tess’s books.  On the way to the sheriff’s office to identify the dynamite fisher, Sheriff Boyd and Tess encounter Big Foot running through the woods.  There is no keeping Tess out of this investigation now.  She sets out to discover what is happening in the town of Winthrop. 

Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry is the debut of By the Book Mysteries.  Buried in a Good Book is a lighthearted cozy mystery.  I am torn on my thoughts about this book.  In the beginning, I was amused by Tess and Gertie as well as the mystery.  I love Gertie (my favorite character).  She is a precocious teen.  Gertie is helpful and comes up with good ideas.   She is often several steps ahead of her mother.  Gertie is, though, going through that teen angst phase thanks to her absentee father (and arguments with her mother).  There is a large cast of characters (Sheriff Boyd, Peabody brothers, Ivy, Nikki, Quinn, and Carl to name a few) which can make it hard to keep them all straight.  Tess is a strong character.  She can be hard to like at times, but I do find her amusing (for the most part).  Her thought processes are what I love (she always has murder on the brain).  Her mind can wander at times when a writing idea takes hold (usually at inappropriate times).  Sheriff Victor Boyd is a good counterbalance for Tess.  He is normally a calm, levelheaded man who conducts his investigations by the book.  Tess likes to take liberties with the rules which ruffles Sheriff Boyd’s feathers.  If the poor man did not have high blood pressure before meeting Tess, he will have it now.  Gertie also loves being part of a murder investigation (which upsets and impresses Tess).  The mystery is convoluted.  I felt the author tried to put too much into one book. However, it is a fun crime to solve.  There are a variety of suspects, a red herring or two, plus plenty of humor.  I like how it all wrapped up at the end with an entertaining reveal.  I did find it challenging to keep track of the differences between the real crime and Tess’s books.  There are numerous references to Tess’s crime thriller series.  In addition, we have the bookmobile librarian who has read all of Tess’s books (knows them very well) and a deputy who has written a science fiction novel that she would like Tess to read.  I did find it amusing how she got Tess to read her lengthy manuscript.  Let us not forget the errant ex-husband who shows up and causes drama.  If you like light, comical cozy mysteries, then you will enjoy Buried in a Good Book.  I wonder what Tess and Gertie will get up to next time in On Spine of Death.  Buried in a Good Book is an entertaining whodunit with flying fish, a derelict dwelling, bothersome brothers, a blue bookmobile, a vexing ex-husband, a staid sheriff, and a witty writer who loves whodunits.

Buried in a Good Book comes out Tuesday, May 24 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  The next By the Book Mystery is On Spine of Death which publishes on November 29.  Tamara Berry has also written An Eleanor Wilde Mysteries.  If you follow Tamara Berry on Amazon, you will receive notifications when she releases a new book.  I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my book review.  On Saturday, I am featuring Her Amish Springtime Miracle by Winnie Griggs.  It is the second book in the Hope's Haven series.  I hope that your day is filled with happiness.  Joy keeps us upbeat and positive.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Seances are for Suckers: An Eleanor Wilde Mystery by Tamara Berry

Hello!  I hope you have had a lovely week.  A Season of Grace by Lauraine Snelling will be available on November 6.  It is the third book Under Northern Skies series.  High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann releases on November 10 and A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston will be out on November 13. 

Seances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry is the first installment in A Eleanor Wilde Mystery series.  Eleanor “Ellie” Wilde makes a living with her business Eleanor’s Cleansing Service.  She cleanses houses of ghostly spirits or at least that is what she tells her clients.  Ellie has learned that many things can cause the noises (from rats to noisy pipes), but to satisfy the client, she must put on a show.  While Ellie’s brother, Liam does not approve of how she makes a living, it does pay for Happy Acres Sanctuary where their catatonic sister resides.  After finishing her latest job, Ellie is ready to head off to two weeks in Mexico when she is approached by Nicholas Hartford III.  Nicholas does not believe in ghosts, spirits or goblins, but his mother is convinced their ancestral estate is haunted by a mischievous spirit named Xavier.  Nicholas wants Ellie to find out what or who is behind the various incidents, take care of the problem and then convince his mother that Xavier has moved on.  Ellie arrives in England ready to tackle her new job, but she is unprepared for eccentric Hartford family, the worn dorm room furniture in her bedroom and the lackluster food served in small quantities.  She begins her assignment by getting to know the Hartford clan, poking around the house and investigating the local museum.  Xavier is proving to be a challenge which Ellie thrives on.  Things get tricky when she stumbles upon a body in the kitchen which vanishes by the time Ellie returns with help.  Ellie will need to pull out all the stops if she is to unveil the entity behind the illusive poltergeist.

Seances are for Suckers is a comedic tale.  You will find yourself laughing your way through this spirited cozy mystery.  Ellie was not one for academics.  After an auto accident when she was eighteen which resulted in her mother’s death and putting her sister in catatonic state, Ellie needed to find a way to earn good money.  Her flair for the dramatic plus her practical nature along with an eye for detail combined into Eleanor’s Cleansing Service.  People seem to believe in a supernatural cause for their problems over a practical one.  Ellie takes care of the problem (rats, bats, noisy pipes, and problematic house cats) and then puts on a show for the client to eliminate the vexing apparition.  Ellie is a smart, plucky woman who loves her family and her job.  Nicholas is handsome, intelligent, level headed and wise to Ellie’s ways of eliminating problems, but he admits that she comes highly recommended and always leaves a satisfied client.  I especially enjoyed Nicholas’ droll wit.  He has some great lines in the book.  The author took the time to develop the characters.  Rachel, Nicholas’ niece, is entertaining and provides a different perspective.  She also gives Ellie with some needed intel and a sidekick along as food is provided (the mother’s cooking is abysmal).   The story is told from Ellie’s point-of-view and her train of thought (practical insights) provide many laugh out loud moments.  The mystery is complex and multi-faceted with red herrings, multiple suspects and unexpected twists.  However, avid cozy mystery readers will have no problem solving this ghostly whodunit.  This book has romance, quirky characters, a charming village, an ancestral estate, humor, spooky elements, and a puzzling mystery which have been combined into one entertaining cozy mystery.  I am giving Seances are for Suckers 4 out of 5 stars.  I look forward to Ellie’s next phantasmal adventure.

Thank you for reading my review today.  I am going to feature The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher tomorrow as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour (there will be a giveaway).  I hope you will stop by and check it out.  I hope you have a whimsical day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader