Jennifer Oberth
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Jennifer Oberth

Goodreads Author


Born
in Chicago, The United States
Website

Twitter
JenniferOberth

Genre
Mystery & Thrillers, Humor, Short Stories

Member Since
June 2011


Jennifer Oberth is a sweet, gorgeous, intelligent gal with a great sense of humor. She likes long walks on the beach.

Oh, this is an Author Bio? In that case…

Ahem,

Jennifer Oberth is a sweet, gorgeous, intelligent gal with a great sense of humor. She likes to take long walks on the beach where she thinks up delicious ways to murder people and give them motives, means, opportunities and fake alibis.

Don't randomly ask her what she's thinking because she'll tell you. She doesn't want a repeat of that time she was with a group of strangers and she blurted out her frustration at her car. "How on earth am I expected to kill somebody in the woods without being seen when I can't turn off the automatic headlights?"

She didn't know why they shrank b ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

When you write, do you use outlines (a planner) or do you have a general idea and then just see where the characters take you (write-by-the-seat-of-your-pants method?)
Jennifer Oberth I used to write by the seat of my pants a lot more than I do nowadays. I'm actually planning for the next three Ella Westin's. (I'm going to write the…moreI used to write by the seat of my pants a lot more than I do nowadays. I'm actually planning for the next three Ella Westin's. (I'm going to write them in November.) I outline but I call it "my version of an outline" because it's not very detailed and I tend to skip a lot. I basically jot down notes I want to appear in the book or don't want to forget to include - pieces of dialogue, having a character follow the clue to this (wrong) destination, humorous moments and so on.

Having said all that, I sometimes don't follow the outline at all because the characters know what they want to do and when I force them, it doesn't work. When I follow them, it's a fun ride.

Thank you for asking!(less)
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Dear Ms. Oberth, Have you ever included personal experiences in your books, or experiences you have heard? I don't mean actually killing someone, but just part of the drama involved.
Jennifer Oberth Hi John. I can't think of a direct experience that I've had that has made it into any of my books. I tend to combine different aspects of life I've en…moreHi John. I can't think of a direct experience that I've had that has made it into any of my books. I tend to combine different aspects of life I've endured or combine different characteristics of people I've met.

I do include more generalized facets of life. The type of humor in my books is the exact same as my family's - both sides, actually. When in bad situations (whether sudden or long-term), my family makes jokes. When I was a small child, a bunch of us were in the living room while my Grandpa was painting outside the window. We all watched in horror as the ladder fell over and Grandpa very slowly fell. All the adults burst into laughter before running for the door. (Grandpa is, to this day, fine!) My family also points out the elephant in the room when, I suspect, other families would politely pretend it isn't there. Maybe that's why I lean toward writing stories with a strong family element and strong family bonds. (The family that laughs together - even at one another - stays together.)

So, quick answer to your cool question, no, not really. Of course, now I'm thinking of what I can include in my next book that I've actually lived through!

Now, there is one tiny exception to all of this. In my Masked Rider series, Jack Westin sighs a lot. That is because my mother sighs at me all the time, in complete and utter exasperation. Most of the time I have no idea why. So I use that when Jack is dealing with his six adult children.

Oh, and there is one character in one of my books that is my sister, a little exaggerated. I have a lot of fun with that character!

Thank you, John, for making me reminisce about some things I could include in my stories - and probably be so kooky that my readers would assume I made it up!(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.45 · 51 ratings · 29 reviews · 16 distinct works
Married To Murder
4.29 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions
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Ella & Jasper Shorts
4.25 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions
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Masked Rider: Origins (The ...
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions
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Honeymoon Homicide (Ella We...
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions
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Unpacking the Undertaker (E...
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2015 — 2 editions
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Queen's Quest (Ella Westin ...
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 3 editions
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Toxic Train (Ella Westin My...
4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions
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Bury the Boss (Ella Westin ...
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 2 editions
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Georgia Meets Virginia (Geo...
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions
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Christmas Caper (Ella Westi...
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — 2 editions
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More books by Jennifer Oberth…

141 posts
Jennifer Oberth's Blog

 Greetings, everybody!I'm not a prolific blogger, as...

 Greetings, everybody!


I'm not a prolific blogger, as you can clearly see if you scroll down a post and look at the date (you don't have to do that, seriously, it's embarrassing), but I do tweet and am fairly active on Goodreads.

I'll just leave some links here in case you want to connect with me.

And I wouldn't be a writer worth her salt if I didn't ask for you to leave reviews of my books, so p

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Published on October 16, 2020 10:18
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Series by Jennifer Oberth

Married To Murder Honeymoon Homicide Toxic Train Unpacking the Undertaker Queen's Quest Bury the Boss Christmas Caper
(10 books)
by
4.47 avg rating — 43 ratings

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Jennifer’s Recent Updates

Jennifer Oberth made a comment in the group The Challenge Factory — 2026 Reporter's Challenge topic
" I'm going for Club Reporter (1 from each category) or Columnist (2 from each category)

0/5
WHO
Protagonist is a baker
Any Character who is a dead person ( ...more "
Dec 27, 2025 12:08PM
Jennifer Oberth rated a book really liked it
Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland
Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys (Mrs. Claus #4)
by Liz Ireland (Goodreads Author)
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Dec 26, 2025 10:00AM  ·   ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth rated a book did not like it
Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey
Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery, #1)
by Julie Anne Lindsey (Goodreads Author)
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0 stars. Hello!!!!! You DON”T harm animals in a cozy! Even for a quick backstory. This is not difficult, people!!!!!!!!!!
It’s also not an enjoyable read, and I found myself wondering how the protagonist is let out on her own. She investigated nothing ...more
Nov 01, 2025 10:10AM  · 1 like ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth rated a book did not like it
Witchin' Impossible by Renee George
Witchin' Impossible (Witchin' Impossible Cozy Mysteries #1)
by Renee George (Goodreads Author)
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0 stars. This is NOT a cozy. Sex and gore. It’s incredibly disrespectful to label things incorrectly. It was also not well written.
Nov 01, 2025 10:08AM  · 1 like ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth rated a book did not like it
Killer Jam by Karen MacInerney
Killer Jam (Dewberry Farm #1)
by Karen MacInerney (Goodreads Author)
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0 stars.
You don’t harm animals in a cozy. This is not a cozy.
Nov 01, 2025 10:07AM  · 1 like ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth rated a book did not like it
Witchin' Impossible by Renee George
Witchin' Impossible (Witchin' Impossible Cozy Mysteries #1)
by Renee George (Goodreads Author)
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0 stars. This is NOT a cozy. Sex and gore. It’s incredibly disrespectful to label things incorrectly. It was also not well written.
Nov 01, 2025 10:02AM  · 1 like ·   · see review ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth finished reading
A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard
A Murder for the Sages (Sunflower Café Mysteries #3)
by Amy Lillard (Goodreads Author)
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Nov 01, 2025 09:58AM  · 
Jennifer Oberth is currently reading
Killer Jam by Karen MacInerney
Killer Jam (Dewberry Farm #1)
by Karen MacInerney (Goodreads Author)
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Aug 12, 2025 05:38PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
Jennifer Oberth rated a book did not like it
Chicken Culprit by Vikki Walton
Chicken Culprit (Backyard Farming Mystery, #1)
by Vikki Walton (Goodreads Author)
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I give this 0 stars - and if I could - negative stars.

This is NOT a cozy. I don't understand why the author would cross that line and betray a reader by stating this is a cozy. See the axe and the chicken on the cover? The two meet - and it doesn't e ...more
Aug 12, 2025 08:40AM  · 1 like ·   · see review
Jennifer Oberth has read
Special Delivery by Jacqueline Vick
Special Delivery: A Wilder Women Mystery Short Story
by Jacqueline Vick (Goodreads Author)
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Aug 09, 2025 07:17PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Mystery ABC's, Round 2 12168 1139 Mar 21, 2016 12:30PM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Mystery ABC's, Round 3 13220 640 Apr 24, 2017 10:00AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Title and Author Game, Round 7 5584 563 Feb 22, 2022 09:26AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Mystery ABCs game, Round 7 5180 412 Feb 24, 2022 08:47AM  

Jennifer’s Quotes

Arthur Conan Doyle
“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
tags: inspirational
6790 likes

Arthur Conan Doyle
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story
tags: deception, detection, evidence, facts, obviousness, sherlock-holmes
2565 likes

Arthur Conan Doyle
“You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes
tags: sherlock-holmes, silence
1126 likes

Ralph Ellison
“What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
3916 likes

Tom Hiddleston
“The dream is to keep surprising yourself, never mind the audience”
― Tom Hiddleston
tags: inspirational
91 likes

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Jennifer’s Groups

60534 Cozy Mystery Corner — 5146 members — last activity 54 minutes ago
Cozy Mystery Lovers! If you enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries, please join us to read the featured monthly books, play some games, and participate in ...more
1357 Cozy Mysteries — 24365 members — last activity 17 minutes ago
For those who love a good cozy mystery while curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee/tea/cocoa and maybe a dog/cat next to them. Please be kind ...more
58571 Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge — 550 members — last activity 18 hours, 29 min ago
This group is for all of those who would like to participate in the cozy mystery challenge I host on my blog Socrates' Book Review Blog. I thought I w ...more
220 Goodreads Librarians Group — 313080 members — last activity 3 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
44234 Goodreads Self Published Authors — 1399 members — last activity May 25, 2025 09:51AM
A group for authors to help fellow authors in book promotion, review pools, and other things
50920 Beta Reader Group — 29879 members — last activity 3 hours, 48 min ago
A place to connect writers with beta readers. Sometimes writers get so involved in the plot they can't see the wood for the trees. Hang on a sec'--th ...more
55345 The Challenge Factory — 1702 members — last activity 14 minutes ago
The Challenge Factory offers a variety of fun and engaging challenges for all interests and schedules, including year-long, monthly, team-based, games ...more
26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 56072 members — last activity 1 hour, 17 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
105786 Goodreads Reviewers' Group — 13364 members — last activity 20 hours, 40 min ago
This group helps to bring Reviewers and Authors together! Reviewers can make their own thread to post their reviews in, or post their reviews in the r ...more
69484 Book Promotions — 3004 members — last activity Jan 31, 2026 07:03AM
Well, it seems there is a group for everything else out there, but not one specifically for promoting books. There are places within groups to do it, ...more
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