Books

A Fatal Development

After a devastating experience as an investigative reporter for a large Chicago newspaper, Meg Smyth took a leave of absence and moved, temporarily, into a lakeside cottage in the village of Bramble. She found she enjoyed the slow pace and friendliness of the town and her neighbors in “Cottage Row,” so when the paper offered her the position of “Miss Polly,” syndicated advice columnist, she accepted. She filed articles from the laptop on her kitchen table and put down roots. No more investigation for her—until murder came to Bramble.
First book in the Bramble mystery series.
349 pp.
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A Grave Matter

Former investigative reporter for a large Chicago newspaper, Meg Smyth moved to the quiet village of Bramble where she now writes a syndicated advice column. She enjoys the pace of small-town life–a contrast to the stress of the big city–until she receives terrifying threats: a phone call in the middle of the night, a dismembered bird.

When murder comes to Bramble, Meg is the chief suspect!

 

Second book in the Bramble mystery series.
353 pp.
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Well-written, with a winning combination of dry humor, suspense, romance and fine characterization. Kudos to the author for planting clues carefully throughout so when the reveal comes, readers can say, “Of course!”

It was funny and suspenseful all at the same time. I wanted it to go on and on. I thought I had it figured out but in the end, well…

This mystery had me stumped til the very end! The characters are very real and the plot unfolds with interesting historical information sprinkled throughout. Meg’s humor had me from the beginning. I felt like I knew here! Make a cup of tea, sit back and treat yourself to this adventure!

Full of twists and turns and fun references to hometown Chicago. I loved all the quirky characters in the town of Bramble, and the mystery had me turning every page until the very end.

This is a super enjoyable cozy mystery—good believable plot—a pleasure to get to know the characters—written with a sense of humor—I couldn’t put it down.

Wonderful mystery! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Enjoyed book immensely. It is a mystery written by an author with a great sense of humor. I laughed throughout the book—as I tried to figure out whodunit. I definitely encourage you to read it and enjoy it.

If you love mysteries with a hint of mischief, you’ll love this book!

Great Read!!! I am an avid reader and have read a lot of mystery books that get lost in laying the foundation and then the ‘mystery’ is not really a mystery. This book is nothing like that. I really liked how the author gave just enough foundation information to keep the story moving. It was a good mystery that kept me guessing till the end. I also liked that there was just enough romance to feel inviting but not so much that you were overwhelmed with it. The romance added to the storyline as the author cast doubts on every character until she decided to reveal the true killer. A real quick and easy read. I look forward to the next adventure of Meg and finding out how she keeps moving forward with her life and love and romance.

Funny, and charismatic sleuth in the neighborhood. Julie’s debut novel is the first of a planned series featuring the exploits of Meg Smyth, a version of Sara Paretsky’s beloved V.I. Warshawski. Meg has settled in for what she thinks will be a peaceful retreat from the city of Chicago, in a lakeside community only a train ride away, when murder comes to the town of Bramble. Who did it, and why? Does it have anything to do with the planned upscale redevelopment? Is it something more sinister? Who’s cheating on whom? Pick up a copy of “A Fatal Development” to learn more, and to get to know the newest independent, funny, and charismatic sleuth in the neighborhood!

What a fun book to read! I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a mystery written by an author with a great sense of humor. I laughed throughout the book as I tried to figure out whodunnit. I definitely encourage you to read it and enjoy it.