Croaked

by Carol Verburg, C.J. Verburg

Cape Cod! To Lydia Vivaldi, the seaside village of Quansett looks like sanctuary--until she learns her one friend here was killed last month. How could an ex Fix-It Chick fall off a ladder at a film shoot? Over lunch at Leo's Back End, Lydia’s questions spark a flirtation with the filmmaker but no answers. When Leo offers her the job of soup-chef, she grabs the chance--and realizes a number of people in Quansett know more than they’re telling. Leo’s Wampanoag pastry chef had a fling with the dead girl. His gossipy cook claims that wasn’t her only secret romance. But the police have closed the case, and the parents don’t want anyone tarnishing their daughter’s memory. Only Edgar Rowdey, famous author of creepy little books, shares Lydia's suspicions. Can this unlikely pair of sleuths find out what really happened before it happens again?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2011

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immense fun and above all, kept me guessing while I cradled one or two red herrings for most of the book, which I only put down unfinished a few nights because the diphenhydramine was kicking in. Great characters, events, descriptions and funny! Made me want to visit Cape Cod for reasons other than the Sturgis Library in Barnstable.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though its called an "Edgar Rowdey" mystery. He isn't the main character, but does get in the investigation. The honor of amateur sleuths / protagonist belongs to Lydia Vivaldi. She comes to the village of Quansett, on Cape Cod, looking for a fresh start only to find a friend has died. She takes a job at the local eatery and inserts herself in the community to get answers. Its a great mystery with great characters.

[Candy Wood]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery involving a number of eccentric characters, some of whom have lived on Cape Cod all their lives while some are newcomers. Similarly, some are “artistic”--an artist-author, a filmmaker, a theatrical couple--while others work in restaurants and a bookstore, or as police officers. The subtitle is a bit misleading because Edgar Rowdey is neither the protagonist nor the detective; however, he is a sort of tribute to Edward Gorey, whom the author knew, and I wouldn’t mind at all seeing him help tackle other cases. Other wordplay with names contributes to the enjoyment: for example, the bookstore is called the Frigate, and the computer geek who helps run it, Wallace Hicks, has a dog named Gromit. The book’s title has multiple meanings, too. Plot, characters, and setting combine for enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing, and reading. Highly recommended.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Lydia Vivaldi arrives on Cape Cod looking for an old friend and hoping to make a new life for herself but she soon discovers that her friend has died in what appears to be a tragic accident and strange things are going on in this sleepy little village. She finds a job working at a local eatery and as she begins to get to know the regulars, in short order, one of her new friends is murdered outside the restaurant. If you are from Yarmouth Port, you will recognize Exmouth, Quanset, and their colorful characters such as Leo from Leo's Backend and Ken Boose from the Frigate. I can't even type this with a straight face - too amusing! Real people, real places, some gone from the local scene but never forgotten. A page from Yarmouth Port's history featuring a time not so long ago when things were simpler and more fun. I was talking to another resident and we agreed that it was almost like having them back for a little while. We both hope this author makes it a series.

[Victoria Gaile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of fun. A small Cape Cod town full of quirky characters who are much more important to the story than the actual murder or its solution.

I don't feel a strong desire to go get the next one in the series, but it was an entertaining way to rest my brain between theology books over the past few days.

[Katherine Becvar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very engaging - the characters were wonderfully realistic and quirky. The prose drops you into the action, so I found I could hardly put it down. LOVED the Edward Gorey tie-in -- I could imagine that the author had a lot of fun writing about that character (since she had a longstanding friendship with the famous author).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery and setting!

As a true, born and raised Cape Coddah. I found the recognizable Cape locations fun to relate to as the story moves quickly along with rich characters and as many twists and turns as 6A itself. I'm on to the next book in the series as soon as I hit enter here.

[Whitney]

The author was a friend of my favorite, Edward Gorey, and she included in this book a tribute character to him, so I was very excited to read this. Unfortunately, I could not get into it.

[Carol Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real page-turner with many moving pieces, wonderfully fey characters, and delightful surprises throughout. Great Cape Cod color, terrific fun, and a must for anyone who loves to curl up with a good mystery.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first-in-series mystery. The characters are likeable and three-dimensional, the mystery has all the right twists and turns, and the writing is breezy and engaging. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining yarn with Edward Gorey like character along helping solve the mystery. Atmospheric and definitely a cozy mystery read.

[Rebecca Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verburg's pacing, quirky characters, and writing style make "Croaked" a fun read. I got the feeling Verburg laughed as she wrote this delightful mystery! I enjoyed it immensely!

[Rosy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this book