Cold Turkey

Events Unlimited #1

by Janice Bennett

This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic) First in Events Unlimited series. When Annike McKinley returns to her Aunt Gerda's home for Thanksgiving she finds the body of Clifford Brody, C.P.A., bleeding all over her aunt's tax receipts. While Sheriff Owen Sarkisian and the crime team track mud through the house, the Service Club of Upper River Gulch Environs (the SCOURGEs) sticks Annike with organizing the town's Thanksgiving weekend activities, which gives her the opportunity to investigate the murder on her own to clear the chief suspect—her beloved aunt. She's soon up to her neck in pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests, community dinners—and a raffle prize that threatens to take over her life.After ordering Annike to stop interfering, Sarkisian is forced to beg the aid of her accounting skills to help unravel the case. She keeps a tight rein on her growing enjoyment of his company, though, for as the widow of a former sheriff of the county she is determined not to get romantically involved with another law officer. Then one of the suspects is found dead, stripped to his boxers and socks in a vat of apricot brandy. Before the murderer is captured, both Annike and Sarkisian narrowly avoid adding to the body count

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2006

About the author

Janice Bennett never intended to be a writer, but with B.A. degrees in anthropology and classical civilizations and an M.A. in folklore and mythology, what choice did she have? Her first jobs included the usual abc's—archaeologist, bookkeeper and college craft instructor. Then, on a whim, she submitted her first novel, a Regency, and life took on a fascinating new twist.
Several books later, she began presenting work-shops, teaching novel writing at a community college, serving as a writing panel member at WorldCons...then became an editor. So far, she has written twenty-six novels and more than twenty novellas and received a number of awards, including two Lifetime Achievement awards from Romantic Times/Rave Reviews.
In her spare time, she spins wool (and pet hair), knits, crochets, weaves, and quilts. She lives in a rural town with her husband, never enough cats, a huge dog, an organic garden—and a computer she swears runs on chocolate chips, not silicon ones, which explains a lot about her.
www.janicebennettbooks.com

Reviews

[Kara O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hilarious mystery! Poor Annike gets roped into planning some hefty Thanksgiving activities, and I couldn't contain my giggles. This was all a bonus to the mystery part of the book. I was left guessing until the end on who the murderer was. Very well-thought out crime. Loved the characters, too! I saw many of my relatives in these people, which just made the whole book even funnier!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanksgiving mystery

This truly is a Thanksgiving mystery. Many times in Thanksgiving storyline Thanksgiving is an after thought. Fun and mystery fill the story. Fast easy read

[Karen Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this off beat mystery! The humor and quality of writing were fantastic. It was wonderful to get so completely caught up in a book I forgot to go to bed until I reached the ending!

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into this book at all. It was slow for me. On to something more exciting. I guess it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a suggestive romance (love scenes are not graphic) First in Events Unlimited series. When Annike McKinley returns to her Aunt Gerda's home for Thanksgiving she finds the body of Clifford Brody, C.P.A., bleeding all over her aunt's tax receipts. While Sheriff Owen Sarkisian and the crime team track mud through the house, the Service Club of Upper River Gulch Environs (the SCOURGEs) sticks Annike with organizing the town's Thanksgiving weekend activities, which gives her the opportunity to investigate the murder on her own to clear the chief suspect—her beloved aunt. She's soon up to her neck in pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests, community dinners—and a raffle prize that threatens to take over her life.After ordering Annike to stop interfering, Sarkisian is forced to beg the aid of her accounting skills to help unravel the case. She keeps a tight rein on her growing enjoyment of his company, though, for as the widow of a former sheriff of the county she is determined not to get romantically involved with another law officer. Then one of the suspects is found dead, stripped to his boxers and socks in a vat of apricot brandy. Before the murderer is captured, both Annike and Sarkisian narrowly avoid adding to the body count

[Lisa Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister recommended this book, and I'm really glad she did. I got so entertained by the eccentric characters of the small town that I forgot to keep my mind on figuring out "who-dunnit". It is a light-hearted mystery, but that doesn't mean that it's a no-brainer. I usually figure out the culprit in the mysteries I read, and I did not come close on this one. The ending is also very unexpected and caused me to laugh out loud, literally, much to the annoyance of the rest of the household.

[sidewalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Althoug at times it was a bit rambling and long drawn.. the author tried so hard to paint a wonderful picture,that it slowed the story down a bit at times. Sometimes less is more..but I fell in love with the characters! I will definitely read the next one! Better too much good writing, then not enough! :)

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

i do enjoy my cozy murder mysteries, and this one was just the ticket! the heroine is a strong woman who finally gets fed up with her boss and job and quits, to come home to her aunt's house, finding a dead body in the study! the hero is the new sheriff--BTW, the heroine is the widow of the old sheriff--a rather laid back guy who does get the job done. free and enjoyable!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love light mysteries (aka cozies), but I am picky about them. So many of them are just silly. This one was well written, with good plot twists and great characterization. I got this book as a free Kindle edition, but I bought all the other three books in the series after reading it. Can't wait to read them.

[Jeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read - it's based on quirky characters in a small town. I was pleasantly surprised by the free e-book! I found myself actually laughing out loud at times. Great for a weekend to escape into a book!

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't until I got more than half-way through the book that my interest finally took hold. I wasn't real interested in all the details regarding a pie eating contest and a raffle. It was well written, just wasn't too exciting.

When I did get interested, it held my interest until the end.

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a quarter of the way into the story and wondered if it was a romance, not sure who the hero was going to be. I skimmed a couple chapters at the end and still couldn't tell. It seemed like a Nancy Drew book. I did not finish.

[Luckngrace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy mystery with lots of humor. As a mother who has suffered performance anxiety when responsible for preparing those huge Christmas meals, I did suffer right along with Annike as she has a 3-day festival thrust upon her. Solving a murder mystery is by far the least of her problems IMHO.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the two stars is maybe a little harsher than I meant, but the fact is that this book was just okay, and it's not really worthy of three. I thought it was overall pretty silly and not that interesting. Not terrible, and a quick fluffy read, but that's about it.

[Amy Mahle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick light murderer mystery with a hint of romance. Throw in a few quirky characters and some humorous and you have a great reaad for a rainy afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Will look for others in the series to tuck away for another day.

[Donna Cone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this who-done-it quick read. It had a few laugh out loud moments. No gross elements, just a soft murder mystery. All in all a worth while read.

[Nora Leduc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining cozy. As you can guess by the title, its just what you need for Thanksgiving.

[Susan Faloon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a big kick out of this book and it's main character. Enjoyable read, especially just before Thanksgiving!

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining Thanksgiving mystery. I loved the fiesty turkey that took up residence in Annike's Mustang's backseat--too funny.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little mystery with the quirky if not strange characters. Couldn't wait to find who done it.

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found myself chuckling throughout this cute little cozy.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable escapist read with a Thanksgiving theme. I enjoyed the bit of romantic attraction thrown in, though it was light.

[Kathleen Rota · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking this, it's amusing and fast paced. Best of all it was a freebie!

Finished and came to love TDB. Good quick read.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, but I wasn't attached. Would maybe check out others in the series from the library.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, cozy Thanksgiving mystery (okay, yes I'm a little bit late in reading it in May.) I didn't guess the person who did it, either. Thanks Nook, Free Fridays for introducing it to me.

[Jennifer Anderson]

False

[Carolyn Van · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Cute Story

[Tjm · Rating 1 out of 5]

annoying

[Sandra Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading it now. Its a hoot.

[Mitzi]

Free Kindle book 11/1/11. EC book-Blush