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A Fine Year for Murder Book Review and Giveaway


I love mysteries and I also love Lauren Carr's writing style. I just finished one of her recent books, A Fine Year for Murder, and want to share my review and offer readers the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in my review. All opinions are my own. 

Quick Summary of A Find Year for Murder. After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple? 

Quirky Characters Keep Readers Guessing. Lauren Carr manipulates a fairly large cast of characters in her novels. At first glance, readers may be a bit daunted by the rather long glossary of characters explained at the front! However, readers will find that many of them appear in her other series and books--and then meet new murder suspects and victims along the way. Even if you haven't read the other books, a quick read of the character descriptions give readers enough details to get the story rolling. Carr creates another host of quirky, flawed characters for this book--and makes them all just flawed enough to keep the reader unsure about each one until fairly late in the book!  

Carr builds her story around character flaws and back-and-forth dialogue. While the novel may be about murder, the conversations are sarcastic and humorous at times. Sometimes the characters seem so eccentric or cliche that they couldn't possibly be real people--but, yet, most readers may well know someone very similar to these fictional train-wrecks. The conversations and character backgrounds evolve to tell the story as the characters move through the book. And--as with all of Carr's books, the canine companions play active roles in the story--from finding evidence to displaying "human like" instincts.  

Would I recommend A Fine Year for Murder by Lauren Carr? Carr's mysteries are easy to read and flow well from scene to scene. The lively characters keep readers entertained and guessing a bit--as almost any one of Carr's characters could be involved in the murders. The author dots each page with humor and sarcasm--and sheds light on imperfections in even her main characters. This book is a fun, page turner that takes readers on a trip to the "darker side" of a prominent family in a small, rural town. I love these mysteries because I find an interesting mystery story without a lot of unnecessary blood, gore, and sex. The book is a stand alone novel--but, if you have read any of Carr's other books, you may spend a little less time getting to know the main characters and in understanding their connections. All in all, it's a complex cast of characters playing out a real-world mystery and revealing long buried, family secrets in a very well executed storyline.

Buy A Fine Year for Murder



 
Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns! Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook





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2 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for the fabulous review for A FINE YEAR FOR MURDER! I am sure your followers are going to enjoy the latest Thorny Rose Mystery as well. Here's wishing everyone luck in the giveaway to win the #100 Amazon gift card.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thought I would ask a question, if you had the opportunity to write with anyone who would it be and why?

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