Final Arrangements

A Ginger Barnes Mystery #2

by Donna Huston Murray

Writer's Digest Award Winning AuthorOn paper, it was a great idea. Ginger Barnes would chauffeur her mother’s dear friend, fierce floral competitor Iffy Bigelow, to the world-famous Philadelphia Flower Show in time to perfect that day’s “Sew What?” entry. In return, Gin and mother Cynthia would tour the magnificent displays with almost no one in the aisles. Heaven!No such luck. Iffy gets herself strangled behind the Tastee Freeze booth, and Gin’s mother raises a ruckus. The police favor the victim’s mentally unstable niece for the crime, but Cynthia will have none of it. “You solved a murder for your husband,” she reminds the amateur sleuth she raised. “Now you can solve one for me.”What Readers and listeners “Excellent! This is a fast-paced story that I was glued to from beginning to end. The author is a master of her craft, the narrator was fantastic with the various characters, and I never figured who the culprit was until it was revealed. Ginger Barnes is likeable, fierce, loyal and does everything in her power to keep her loved ones safe. I highly recommend this book.” 5* RobynKFLNJ“Altogether fun, satisfying and saucy, with just a light dusting of danger.” 5* Cleargrace“Charming audio book. Listen to [Ginger’s] wisdom on dealing with her kids and the bad guys. She's a delightful character that you will fall for...” 4* Marissa“…an easy, well-flowing read, speckled with humor.” 5* Diana M Hockley, Australia“…a great way to spend some time…a well written, entertaining who-done-it with twists and turns to keep you guessing.” 5* llenhard“I was jumping from one suspect to another trying to solve the murder. I loved…the fact that I could picture the show and plants in my mind…I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a really good mystery!” 4* C.H.

Genres: Mystery, Amazon, Cozy, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 1996

About the author

Donna Huston Murray’s cozy mystery series features an amateur sleuth much like herself, a DIY headmaster's wife with a troubling interest in crime. The eighth Gin Barnes, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, was awarded Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Award for mysteries, and the first two novels in the Lauren Beck mystery/crime series won Honorable Mention in genre fiction from Writer’s Digest. The series third, STRANGER DANGER, also achieved Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards.

Donna recently became the tenth inductee into her high school’s Lifetime Achievement Award Hall of Fame. To hint that she’s still writing, the plaque reads, “…and more,” below her listed books.

When she isn’t plotting mayhem, Donna assumes she can fix anything until proven wrong, calls trash-picking recycling, and, although she should know better by now, got a new puppy. Check her socials and you’ll understand.

Donna and husband, Hench, live in Gwynedd, PA, USA.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much insignificant details. Can't say I enjoyed it, but did finish just to see who committed the murder. Probably will not read another by this author. It seemed to ramble on about nothing to do with the case.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ginger Barnes is tasked with driving her mother's friend to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Ginger and her mother accompany "Iffy" and her niece, Julia inside to see the flower and garden displays. When they become separated, Ginger is forced to look for Julia. Returning to her mother without finding her, Ginger is informed by security that "Iffy" has been found murdered. When Julia becomes a prime suspect, Ginger goes to work to find the truth. Was it the husband, someone from his office, one of the other exhibitors in the cut throat flower world or none of them. I found the characters to be both realistic and entertaining. I also enjoyed the flower show background because it is one I have experienced. The murder plot threw several unexpected curves that made the ending a big surprise. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend and took it with me on a trip to read on the plane. I thought the premise would be fun as I love going to the flower show. Unfortunately I did not care for the book. The author used a lot of odd phrases and word choices. Like describing a boys sleep over as an orgy of popcorn and calling people cowcatchers which I still can't figure out the meaning of. There was also fat shaming. And a lot of the actions of Ginger made no sense...like why would she bring a dog to the airport in the end or why is her husband having her wash drapes? These oddities were just too distracting for me to enjoy reading the book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginger Barnes is a normal mom with a normal family. She gets involved with murder when her mom's friend is killed at a flower show. The characters are interesting, but can use a little more development. It starts slow, but gains momentum and gets your mind working more as it goes along. It's a pleasant story with enough mystery in it to keep you guessing. I'll read more of Donna Huston Murray's books.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced story that I was glued to from beginning to end. The author is a master of her craft, the narrator was fantastic with the various characters, and I never figured who the culprit was until it was revealed. Ginger Barnes is likeable, fierce, loyal and does everything in her power to keep her loved ones safe. I highly recommend this book. I received an advanced audio book for an honest opinion.

[Lyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy with a true amateur sleuth who employs the invisibility of a middle aged married woman to her advantage. This book has a strong sense of place and I suspect if I were more familiar with Philadelphia, I would have enjoyed this more, as I found myself lost in some of the details.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Ginger Barnes mystery series. A light and entertaining cozy mystery.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final Arrangements is the second book in the Ginger Barnes mystery series. Although it was the first that I have read in the series, I thought it was an exciting mystery. I was caught up in it from the beginning.

The author did a good job on developing the characters. Ginger was someone you felt as if she could be your best friend. She was an average mom who happens to investigate murders. :)

I loved the the flower show parts and how great the author describes it. I loved the fact that I could picture the show and plants in my mind. Another part that stayed in my mind was the leaf raking scene. Very realistic.

Now, onto the mystery. I was jumping from one suspect to another trying to solve the murder. I love it when it doesn't come easy figuring out who did it!

This was a really enjoyable read and I definitely plan on reading more of this series. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a really good fun mystery!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with Donna Huston Murray's work, and it was fun. Although this was the second book in the "A Ginger Barnes Cozy Mystery" series, I still found it delightful. I was entertained by Ginger Barnes, and I enjoyed the relationships between Ginger and her family members. The mystery was an intricate puzzle that I liked trying to solve through the clues left throughout the text. I'm looking forward to getting the first book in the series and then completing the rest of it. Robynne M. Graffam's narration was fine as I was entertained by the different voices performed for the various characters. I was given a free copy of the audiobook through Spotify, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I've read on a Kindle. Having said that I am assuming that this version includes the entire book. It was a fast interesting read. I actually had no clue as to how this mystery would play out. Usually I form an opinion early on as to who is guilty, this time it actually had so many loose ends that until the author shared who was guilty I had no inkling as to who to blame. Not sure if that is good or bad, for me it was just different. Would like to read more by this author in the future.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

kindle book This was a pleasant sort of murder mystery. It starts out at the Philadelphia Flower Show--where we used to go. Later in the book, it mentions Berwyn, which is where an aunt and uncle of mine lived years ago. Ginger Barnes is a nice unofficial detective, with a dishy sounding husband and two agreeable teenagers. Ginger really immerses herself in the problem. It is detectives like her who really give the real ones a bad name.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute mystery about a married mother of two who has a knack for solving mysteries. When she escorts her mother and her mother's cranky friend to a flower show, she gets a first hand look at how abrasive the friend is. When she is found murdered, several suspects are uncovered as the main character, Ginger, searches for the truth.
Good characters, good plot, although it seemed a little slow at times in my opinion.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving the second book in the series a chance. At least I know the main characters now. This one was much better than the first. I have one more selection to try. Ginger is quite an accomplished detective working on her own mostly with the help of her friend Didi and her mother in this case. Somehow she fits in her job of mother and wife of the headmaster of the small private school Bryn Derwin Academy near Philadelphia.

[Linda Caward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read. I know nothing of the world of flower shows and horticulture, but it's easy to believe how obsessive people can become with some hobbies. was relieved when the murder was NOT related to the flower show.

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked it despite a minor timing error on page 162.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little cozy mystery. Enjoyable read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Ginger Barnes....the story is very good and the characters very realistic. This story keeps you reading.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light read, it was OK. I thought the plot was a little thin.

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives instruction to a teen on when, how and where to cuss - this from her mom. Lost me after that.

[Michelle's Book]

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Good.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Iffy Bigelow gets herself killed at the Philadelphia Flower Show, her friend and mother of Ginger Barnes asks her to discover the killer.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This new series looks promising.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written murder mystery, this is the second book in A Ginger Barnes Mystery series. I had not read the first book in the series, but the character from the first book that was a carryover was introduced (police officer) in such a way that the story flowed smoothly and there wasn'the a waste of time or space in explaining connections. It is a very intertaining read with lots of twists and turns and laugh out loud moments.