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Augusta Goodnight #3
Shadow of an Angel
After the sudden death of her husband, Minda Hobbs returns to Angel Heights, S.C., the home of her forebears, to seek peace and purpose in her life. Instead, she finds her n'er-do-well cousin Otto as cold and stiff as yesterday's grits in the ladies' room at the historic Minerva Academy.
Shocked by her cousin's murder and still grieving over the loss of her husband, Minda has mixed emotions when she's greeted by her guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight. Shimmering with church window radiance, and smelling of strawberry jam, Augusta is a temp who's come on a double mission-to help Minda solve Otto's murder and to take care of unfinished business from an assignment in 1916.
Even though Otto could be unbearable at times, an annoying laugh is hardly cause for murder. Minda's only lead is a tiny gold pin, found wedged in a Minerva Academy bathroom stall, and its connection to a club called the Mystic Six. Together, Minda and Augusta trace the descendents of this secret society, piecing together clues that lead to a special quilt and the mystery behind Cousin Otto's unfortunate demise.
Shocked by her cousin's murder and still grieving over the loss of her husband, Minda has mixed emotions when she's greeted by her guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight. Shimmering with church window radiance, and smelling of strawberry jam, Augusta is a temp who's come on a double mission-to help Minda solve Otto's murder and to take care of unfinished business from an assignment in 1916.
Even though Otto could be unbearable at times, an annoying laugh is hardly cause for murder. Minda's only lead is a tiny gold pin, found wedged in a Minerva Academy bathroom stall, and its connection to a club called the Mystic Six. Together, Minda and Augusta trace the descendents of this secret society, piecing together clues that lead to a special quilt and the mystery behind Cousin Otto's unfortunate demise.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2002
5 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Mignon F. Ballard
31 books78 followersMignon Franklin Ballard grew up in a small town in Georgia, and now lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 30, 2009
Minda Hobbs returns to her home town of Angel Heights, South Carolina.
to find some purpose in her life after the death of her husband. she finds her cousin Otto dead in the girls bathroom of the historic Minerva Academy an all girls school that is now like a museum. she also meets her guardian angel Augusta Goodnight. next to otto she found a pin . when attempts are made on her life after she starts asking questions about the pin . she finds out it was a secret girls society. and they also made a quilt. which somehow tells a story . she must solve the murder of Otto who it turns out knew something he wasn,t supposed to. . which is why he was murdered. its an excellant read. keeps you interested from page one
to find some purpose in her life after the death of her husband. she finds her cousin Otto dead in the girls bathroom of the historic Minerva Academy an all girls school that is now like a museum. she also meets her guardian angel Augusta Goodnight. next to otto she found a pin . when attempts are made on her life after she starts asking questions about the pin . she finds out it was a secret girls society. and they also made a quilt. which somehow tells a story . she must solve the murder of Otto who it turns out knew something he wasn,t supposed to. . which is why he was murdered. its an excellant read. keeps you interested from page one
August 23, 2019
Too many interrelated characters for my taste. It was an interesting story, but dragged on too long.
April 10, 2024
In "Augusta Goodnight Takes the Cake," author Minda Hobbs introduces readers to the charming world of Angel Heights, South Carolina, where the determined Augusta Goodnight temporarily fills in as Minda's guardian angel. Tasked with unraveling the truth behind her cousin's recent murder, Minda finds herself delving into the town's mysterious past, uncovering secrets that stretch back generations. As Minda grapples with personal grief and seeks solace in her childhood home, she becomes entangled in the enigmatic activities of the Mystic Six, a clandestine group of private school girls. With the help of Augusta's unconventional wisdom and a dash of humor, Minda navigates through a labyrinth of clues, hoping to unveil the secrets that lie at the heart of the town's mysteries. Although the novel starts off with a slightly lackluster tone, the plot gains momentum as the story progresses, culminating in a satisfyingly complex mystery. Readers will be drawn in by Augusta's endearing malapropisms and the intricacies of the puzzle she and Minda are determined to solve. While not the pinnacle of cozy mysteries, "Augusta Goodnight Takes the Cake" offers an entertaining and engaging read, leaving readers eager for the next installment in the series.
July 31, 2018
I wasn't really wowed about this book.
Maybe because the person doing all the killing, well one kill and then a bunch of maiming and attempts to kill again, was just plain crazy. Maybe because the person who caused all this died before he could see justice. Maybe because everyone I wanted to see happy was already dead. Maybe because other then for one moment, that angel was all but useless.
I didn't like our main character. I get she was at the end of her grief, but for it to be in the forefront of her whiny little mind at the beginning and then to vanish twenty pages later was rather strange to me. You don't just snap your fingers and stop mourning, it doesn't work like that, help from an angel or no.
Also the mystery and the attempts to solve it were juvenile and if it weren't for the angel whispering little hints along the way no one would have figured it out and the crazy person would have got them all.
But other then that, it was well written and I got through the book relatively quickly. It was moderately enjoyable when I wasn't frustrated with the main character but I wouldn't read any more in this series.
Maybe because the person doing all the killing, well one kill and then a bunch of maiming and attempts to kill again, was just plain crazy. Maybe because the person who caused all this died before he could see justice. Maybe because everyone I wanted to see happy was already dead. Maybe because other then for one moment, that angel was all but useless.
I didn't like our main character. I get she was at the end of her grief, but for it to be in the forefront of her whiny little mind at the beginning and then to vanish twenty pages later was rather strange to me. You don't just snap your fingers and stop mourning, it doesn't work like that, help from an angel or no.
Also the mystery and the attempts to solve it were juvenile and if it weren't for the angel whispering little hints along the way no one would have figured it out and the crazy person would have got them all.
But other then that, it was well written and I got through the book relatively quickly. It was moderately enjoyable when I wasn't frustrated with the main character but I wouldn't read any more in this series.
May 23, 2020
This was number three in a series and I had not read the other two, so I may not be giving this book enough credit. Armina returns home to Angel's Flight, NC and there are some tangled family relationships. She finds her cousin dead and someone tries to harm her as well, but the story line was tangled with one from the way past and leaps of intuition and logic were taken. Also, to further confuse the matter was the Angel who appeared to some people, but not all and helped Armina heal from the loss of her husband.
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September 21, 2024This was ok. I like cozy mysteries less than I used to. To me this was pleasant but not suspenseful and just a bit ho-hum. The guardian angel added a touch of variety though. Lots of nostalgia and a small, southern town setting did give it a kind of down-home feel.
January 19, 2018
Another Augusta Goodnight mystery, this one spanning several generations. Quick, if not easy read. Adult issues discussed.
March 12, 2018
I enjoy these Augusta Goodnight mysteries.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
December 30, 2011
Temporarily filling in for Minda Hobbs' guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight is determined to help Minda discover the truth behind the recent murder of her cousin and its connection with mysterious events that occurred generations before in the small South Carolina town of Angel Heights. Minda, still grieving over the loss of her husband, had hoped to find peace in her childhood town. In order to do that, though, she must first help Augusta settle long-unresolved debts from her family's past. Minda is certain that her cousin's death is somehow connected to the secret society of private school girls known as the Mystic Six. Their flower-shaped pins and missing quilt are somehow at the core of the mystery. Will Minda be able to uncover the group's secret before someone else is killed? If August has anything to say about it, she will and she may even find someone to help heal her heart at the same time.
I can't help but like a book whose introductory sentence is "Things got off to a rotten start when I found Cousin Otto dead in the ladies' room." Although the writing at the onset of the book is a bit lackluster, the plot and characters are just interesting enough enough to hold the reader's attention until the middle, when the pace picks up and the book becomes truly interesting. Augusta's quirky malapropisms and a nicely complex mystery combine to make this a very satisfying read. Though it's not the best cozy I've read in a while, it was entertaining and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series!
I can't help but like a book whose introductory sentence is "Things got off to a rotten start when I found Cousin Otto dead in the ladies' room." Although the writing at the onset of the book is a bit lackluster, the plot and characters are just interesting enough enough to hold the reader's attention until the middle, when the pace picks up and the book becomes truly interesting. Augusta's quirky malapropisms and a nicely complex mystery combine to make this a very satisfying read. Though it's not the best cozy I've read in a while, it was entertaining and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series!
January 29, 2009
An Augusta Goodnight mystery (Augusta is an Angel).
Good mystery and easy to read.
We follow Minda Hobbs who returns to her home town, following the death of her husband, Jarvis, who was struck by lightning. she has come home to seek solace with her family.
But she discovers her cousin, Otto, dead in the ladies toilet at the historic Minerva Academy.
Minda then sets out to discover why Otto was murdered and along the way, uncovers family secrets that have been hidden for many years.
Good mystery and easy to read.
We follow Minda Hobbs who returns to her home town, following the death of her husband, Jarvis, who was struck by lightning. she has come home to seek solace with her family.
But she discovers her cousin, Otto, dead in the ladies toilet at the historic Minerva Academy.
Minda then sets out to discover why Otto was murdered and along the way, uncovers family secrets that have been hidden for many years.
March 23, 2013
I gave it a five for what it was and what it fulfilled. It is a light, quick read, funny, and irreverent. There is no blood or gore. No vampires, no blood sucking, no frozen bodies. But there was one great wonderful guardian angel that goes by the name of Augusta Goodnight.she cooks like a dream and pushes Minda in the right way so she never chooses the wrong path. After all isn't that what guardian angels are supposed to do?
February 8, 2011
Who doesn't love the idea of guardian angels. That mixed together with an enormous family and relatives full of nutcases, eccentrics, and other animals, add a bit of mystery to the mix that takes place in the past and present and voila you have this book.It did not rock my world, but some of it was warm and funny, so i liked it.
April 23, 2016
Kinda sweet, kinda interesting. I did like the unusual storyline and well rounded characters. Not sure how much the guardian angel contributes but am prepared to start another one to see how it fits.
June 28, 2009
Nice fluffy mystery with an angel to boot.... seems like a good series if you want light mystery without the gore.
May 25, 2014
I read to the end so I guess that means I actually liked it somewhat. It's short and I like a good mystery, but it wasn't interesting enough that I would want to read it again in the future.
June 27, 2014
Liked this book. Can definitely get spooky while you try to figure out what the angel is all about, but a fun read and well done mystery.
March 7, 2015
The guardian angel helps someone to help solve a mystery - light and enjoyable.
August 18, 2015
Angelic!
A fun mystery with just enough fear and joy. A thumping good, divine read for any one. Try it out.
A fun mystery with just enough fear and joy. A thumping good, divine read for any one. Try it out.
October 15, 2009
Another mystery "lite."
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews