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Murder at the Painted Lady
Allie McGregor is thrilled when she inherits a Victorian Mansion from her estranged aunt, Eliza Ramsdale. The mansion is one of Stony Point, Missouri's famous Painted Ladies, but the inheritance comes with strings attached. Eliza wants Allie to find the truth and clear the name of her husband, Otis Ramsdale, who died in prison. Allie accepts the challenge, but first she has to discover who is trying to drive her out of her new home.
Clay Carver just wants the job of restoring the Ramsdale house. He never planned on falling in love with the attractive new owner, but as the threats grow in intensity, Allie and Clay join forces to find the person behind the attacks. Can they stop the attacker before he or she goes too far?
Clay Carver just wants the job of restoring the Ramsdale house. He never planned on falling in love with the attractive new owner, but as the threats grow in intensity, Allie and Clay join forces to find the person behind the attacks. Can they stop the attacker before he or she goes too far?
186 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2011
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266 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
July 27, 2018
An okay read when you need something to read. I like mysteries, but the writing was really corny and the title of the book did not go with the story.
August 11, 2017
Simply Beautiful
This was a well-written and well told story. The characters and plot are well defined and it has been a real pleasure to read. I'm hoping that this will be the first in a new series, but even if it's not, I'd HIGHLY recommend it to anyone liking for a good mystery and love story.
This was a well-written and well told story. The characters and plot are well defined and it has been a real pleasure to read. I'm hoping that this will be the first in a new series, but even if it's not, I'd HIGHLY recommend it to anyone liking for a good mystery and love story.
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October 7, 2018Allie McGregor is thrilled when she inherits a Victorian Mansion from her estranged aunt, Eliza Ramsdale. The mansion is one of Stony Point, Missouri's famous Painted Ladies, but the inheritance comes with strings attached. Eliza wants Allie to find the truth and clear the name of her husband, Otis Ramsdale, who died in prison. Allie accepts the challenge, but first she has to discover who is trying to drive her out of her new home.
Clay Carver just wants the job of restoring the Ramsdale house. He never planned on falling in love with the attractive new owner, but as the threats grow in intensity, Allie and Clay join forces to find the person behind the attacks. Can they stop the attacker before he or she goes too far?
Maud is killed in Allie's parlor and the killer was Maud's friend, Mary Olson. Mary was also some sort of relative of Otis' and wanted the jewels her uncle stole and left there.
Since the house was used by the underground railroad a hidden door was found; that is how Mary got in and began to harass Allie. Mary abducts Allie, but the puppy, Taz, finds Allie.
Allie and Clay get together.
Clay Carver just wants the job of restoring the Ramsdale house. He never planned on falling in love with the attractive new owner, but as the threats grow in intensity, Allie and Clay join forces to find the person behind the attacks. Can they stop the attacker before he or she goes too far?
Maud is killed in Allie's parlor and the killer was Maud's friend, Mary Olson. Mary was also some sort of relative of Otis' and wanted the jewels her uncle stole and left there.
Since the house was used by the underground railroad a hidden door was found; that is how Mary got in and began to harass Allie. Mary abducts Allie, but the puppy, Taz, finds Allie.
Allie and Clay get together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2015
Nice mystery with a touch of romance.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
September 20, 2011
Allie is at loose ends when her estranged great aunt leaves her a rundown but beautiful Victorian house in Stony Point. But there are other people who feel entitled to the house, including the local bookstore owner, who runs a cult in her spare time, and a real estate developer, who's willing to sue her. But Allie finds friends, too: the handsome young contractor who wants her to rehab the old building, the neighbor who's being persecuted by her unloving brother, the old lady who was a friend of Aunt Eliza. Despite attempts to get her out of the house, Allie persists with what most be the easiest rehab on record. There is a murder, and Allie is a suspect, but she has defenders. A mystery with a strong romance subplot.
October 5, 2014
Allie inherits her great aunt's old Victorian house. When she moves in, weird things start happening and relatives start coming out of the woodwork laying claim to her house. After receiving a small inheritance along with the house, she decides to fix it up and open a bed-and-breakfast. Enter Clay a handsome contractor, Cora a great cook and friend who moves into the guest house, and Harry a handyman who also moves onto the property. The author keeps the pace moving forward with multiple suspects as to who is causing all the mischief and mayhem. It's an easy, enjoyable read and I enjoyed the ride.
August 20, 2016
A very pleasant murder mystery!
As I am an avid reader for murder mysteries I chanced upon this, as I do enjoy reading murder stories! I also have not read any of Barbara's previous novels. This is a very gentle read but also intriguing as you can feel for the heroine of the story, Allie as she takes on a old house left to her by a great aunt. There are lots of twists and turns to the story, and after half way was unable to put it down as I was wanting to see if i got it right as to who the murderer was! If you like Agatha Christie you will enjoy this! A definite must and well written.
As I am an avid reader for murder mysteries I chanced upon this, as I do enjoy reading murder stories! I also have not read any of Barbara's previous novels. This is a very gentle read but also intriguing as you can feel for the heroine of the story, Allie as she takes on a old house left to her by a great aunt. There are lots of twists and turns to the story, and after half way was unable to put it down as I was wanting to see if i got it right as to who the murderer was! If you like Agatha Christie you will enjoy this! A definite must and well written.
January 3, 2015
Interesting story, but....
The author wrote In a way that left me feeling as though a longer book had been edited for a smaller space. In some chapters, several events and locations were thrown together without smooth connections between them. The story was choppy, predictable, and too ma y details left out. I don't like the author's style and am not interested in reading any more of her work.
The author wrote In a way that left me feeling as though a longer book had been edited for a smaller space. In some chapters, several events and locations were thrown together without smooth connections between them. The story was choppy, predictable, and too ma y details left out. I don't like the author's style and am not interested in reading any more of her work.
December 2, 2014
The Painted Lady Returned
I think this was a decent story of restoration on many levels. Much more than the old mansion was restored. I don't know if there is a second book but I hope so. To many subjects were left untouched. What happened to the heels? And a lot of other matters. I await the sequel.
I think this was a decent story of restoration on many levels. Much more than the old mansion was restored. I don't know if there is a second book but I hope so. To many subjects were left untouched. What happened to the heels? And a lot of other matters. I await the sequel.
May 31, 2015
I read some bad reviews on this book but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It was a nice mystery that kept you guessing till the very end. Even after you find out who the bad guy it there is still a little bit of a mystery left to solve. It was a nice book to read while I was sitting at the hospital with my husband. It kept me turning pages while he was resting.
January 30, 2013
An unexpected inheritance, noises in the night, a murder, and even some romance – what more could a girl want? Allie McGregor finds it all and more when she moves to Ramsdale mansion in Stony Point, Missouri. This light mystery was a quick read by a new author. I look forward to her next book.
March 21, 2015
Beautiful cozy mystery.
Love the fact that there was no foul language, excessive violence, or graphic sex. Just a delightful, cozy mystery that leaves you with a good feeling. Love happy endings. Well done. Thank you for a book I could enjoy.
Love the fact that there was no foul language, excessive violence, or graphic sex. Just a delightful, cozy mystery that leaves you with a good feeling. Love happy endings. Well done. Thank you for a book I could enjoy.
July 14, 2017
Well written page turning whodunit!
The prose of this murder mystery whodunit is crisp clear and well written. The dialogue makes sense and isn't sappy or contrived. The plot is well designed and constructed as the story continues on its unexpected twists and turns at roller coaster speed. Although the characters are not terribly complex they are well-developed and likeable(except for the distasteful characters who are well-developed into distasteful).While it is also a romance that part of the story doesn't overshadow the ongoing mystery. At one point it truly looks like the heroine will be defeated. The ending was a surprise to me unlike most mystery whodunits that I typically have figured out halfway to three-quarters in. An excellent and fast whodunit that will grab and entertain you the whole way through. I can't wait to read another Barbara Warren novel! You'll completely enjoy this well-crafted murder mystery whodunit!
The prose of this murder mystery whodunit is crisp clear and well written. The dialogue makes sense and isn't sappy or contrived. The plot is well designed and constructed as the story continues on its unexpected twists and turns at roller coaster speed. Although the characters are not terribly complex they are well-developed and likeable(except for the distasteful characters who are well-developed into distasteful).While it is also a romance that part of the story doesn't overshadow the ongoing mystery. At one point it truly looks like the heroine will be defeated. The ending was a surprise to me unlike most mystery whodunits that I typically have figured out halfway to three-quarters in. An excellent and fast whodunit that will grab and entertain you the whole way through. I can't wait to read another Barbara Warren novel! You'll completely enjoy this well-crafted murder mystery whodunit!
January 6, 2022
Are "Direct-to-Video" movies still a thing? Murder at the Painted Lady is basically that, with flat characters, wooden dialogue, utilitarian prose, and a few (mostly) predictable twists along the way. The mystery plot was compelling enough to see through to the end in that Hardy Boys kind of way... but had this been a much longer book I doubt I would've stuck it out. The scaffolding was there for this to be a far better book than it was, and I mostly spent my time wishing I was reading the book this could have been.
In its favour, I will say the romantic subplot did not feel tacked on or forced, and if you're a reader looking for a "clean" mystery story, there's no graphic violence, invective, or sexual content to speak of.
Rated at 3, but it's really closer to 2.5 stars.
In its favour, I will say the romantic subplot did not feel tacked on or forced, and if you're a reader looking for a "clean" mystery story, there's no graphic violence, invective, or sexual content to speak of.
Rated at 3, but it's really closer to 2.5 stars.
August 19, 2017
Better than I expected
It started out slow and the actual murder didn't occur until halfway through the book . But by that time lots of strange and mysterious things had happened and plenty of characters have been introduced who could just possibly be the killer . Some people with tempers, some people seemed a bit off, some people who seem to be hiding something . So many choices for a potential killer . Just right for a nice cozy read . Nothing chilling to keep me up at night . Just a puzzle to try and solve.
It started out slow and the actual murder didn't occur until halfway through the book . But by that time lots of strange and mysterious things had happened and plenty of characters have been introduced who could just possibly be the killer . Some people with tempers, some people seemed a bit off, some people who seem to be hiding something . So many choices for a potential killer . Just right for a nice cozy read . Nothing chilling to keep me up at night . Just a puzzle to try and solve.
August 22, 2017
I love mystery books. Some of those mystery books are very involved, or complicated, intense while still being interesting and fun to try and figure out "who run it".
This book was a wonderfully written mystery, simple, but it still had the mystery of "who run it". The main characters were so likeable and the story also had a sweetness about it that you don't find in most mystery books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.☺
This book was a wonderfully written mystery, simple, but it still had the mystery of "who run it". The main characters were so likeable and the story also had a sweetness about it that you don't find in most mystery books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.☺
September 16, 2017
2.5 stars officially! This was a quick read. Quite predictable and silly really, but I still enjoyed it. Perhaps I liked it because I think I'd love running a B&B myself one day. It's a romantic notion that probably wouldn't pan out - the idea of fixing a place up and sharing it with others, meeting fellow travelers, etc. Crazy notion since it's actually a lot of work to run a B&B and ties people down since someone needs to run it, but it's fun to dream...
February 15, 2023
I decided to branch out and read something other than fantasy, and I am glad I did. This was a nice little mystery novel.
The suspense was good. The mystery wasn’t super complex, but still very enjoyable. The romance was a nice addition.
I really enjoyed that it was a clean read, no swearing, no sex, nothing super gory.
My one complaint was Allie never contacting the police when she knew someone was or had in her house.
The suspense was good. The mystery wasn’t super complex, but still very enjoyable. The romance was a nice addition.
I really enjoyed that it was a clean read, no swearing, no sex, nothing super gory.
My one complaint was Allie never contacting the police when she knew someone was or had in her house.
August 11, 2017
Murder and Romance
First time to read anything form this AUthor. Truly loved the story absolutely could not put
It down. Page after page made me want more, think it's worth the read. Story of murder, hidden treasure and a little romance. 5 Stars
First time to read anything form this AUthor. Truly loved the story absolutely could not put
It down. Page after page made me want more, think it's worth the read. Story of murder, hidden treasure and a little romance. 5 Stars
August 23, 2017
!Cute story but the ending was an easy figure for serious readers.
! !.
no murder for quite a while, just doings to scare Allie out of the house she inherited. Then a murder and investigation by all leads to history, and sinister and greedy conclusion
! !.
no murder for quite a while, just doings to scare Allie out of the house she inherited. Then a murder and investigation by all leads to history, and sinister and greedy conclusion
August 24, 2017
A nice read for a rainy day
This is was a nice cozy read. I love a good mystery and must say I was surprised with the, "Who done it" I will look forward to reading another Barbara Warren book.
This is was a nice cozy read. I love a good mystery and must say I was surprised with the, "Who done it" I will look forward to reading another Barbara Warren book.
August 27, 2017
Enjoyable
This book was light and a little predictable. But it took place in a wonderful old house and the characters soon became friends of mine. Just right for a rainy day, a muffin and a glass of milk.
This book was light and a little predictable. But it took place in a wonderful old house and the characters soon became friends of mine. Just right for a rainy day, a muffin and a glass of milk.
August 30, 2017
Ozarks Hills Madness
A fast moving, non gory mystery with some mighty odd cousins after the title to an old Victorian home and causing havoc for the heiress. One can smell the fresh Ozarks air it is so vivid.
A fast moving, non gory mystery with some mighty odd cousins after the title to an old Victorian home and causing havoc for the heiress. One can smell the fresh Ozarks air it is so vivid.
September 1, 2017
Interesting story
A review of this book made me buy it and I enjoyed it. At times the writing style seems strange, a lot of one sentence paragraphs but looking back that style seems ok. It read like someone is telling you a story.
I would buy another book by this author.
A review of this book made me buy it and I enjoyed it. At times the writing style seems strange, a lot of one sentence paragraphs but looking back that style seems ok. It read like someone is telling you a story.
I would buy another book by this author.
September 9, 2017
Murder of the painted lady
This was an awesome mystery. I had a hard time putting it down when I started reading it. I am going to read some more of her stories. Go ahead and read this book. You will enjoy it for sure.
This was an awesome mystery. I had a hard time putting it down when I started reading it. I am going to read some more of her stories. Go ahead and read this book. You will enjoy it for sure.
September 20, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed the book very much. The. Further into it the better it got. The suspense at the was great as well as unexpected. Thank your Barbara Warren and hope for mote. Gayle C.
I enjoyed the book very much. The. Further into it the better it got. The suspense at the was great as well as unexpected. Thank your Barbara Warren and hope for mote. Gayle C.
January 15, 2018
4 Star
Would of gave 5 but so much of great -niece, sister, great grandmother, etc. I was getting confused. Other than that I really thought a good book, story. I enjoyed the book overall. I would buy this author's other books.
Would of gave 5 but so much of great -niece, sister, great grandmother, etc. I was getting confused. Other than that I really thought a good book, story. I enjoyed the book overall. I would buy this author's other books.
December 14, 2017
Couldn't put it down!
I literally read this book in one sitting! It was a compulsive page Turner. The characters were believable and diverse enough to carry the plot to an exciting finish; totally intriguing!
I literally read this book in one sitting! It was a compulsive page Turner. The characters were believable and diverse enough to carry the plot to an exciting finish; totally intriguing!
March 29, 2018
Gripping and sweet
Inherit a grand old home and the crazy ppl climb out of woodwork. Thank goodness you've got good ppl to depend on. I totally didn't see it coming when the culprit was revealed. Very nice story, that didn't take me long to read.
Inherit a grand old home and the crazy ppl climb out of woodwork. Thank goodness you've got good ppl to depend on. I totally didn't see it coming when the culprit was revealed. Very nice story, that didn't take me long to read.
July 20, 2018
Fun, easy read
This was an enjoyable book. The characters were likeable and the mystery held my attention. Lots of connections that get sorted out in the end -- plus a couple of sweet romances. An easy and fun read.
This was an enjoyable book. The characters were likeable and the mystery held my attention. Lots of connections that get sorted out in the end -- plus a couple of sweet romances. An easy and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews