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A Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery #1
Appraisal for Murder
ASIN B005PJM8WO moved to the most recent edition
300 pages, ebook
First published September 25, 2011
69 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Orr
41 books263 followersAlso published as Elaine L. Orr
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including four mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including four mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 21, 2021
Jolie Gentil moved to Ocean Alley to live with her Aunt Madge and help with the B&B after her husband – soon to be ex – was arrested for embezzlement. He’d emptied her bank account as well and Jolie was frustrated at how she didn’t notice what was going on. Her little cat Jazz accompanied her to Ocean Alley and she, along with Aunt Madge’s two dogs, would hopefully keep Jolie from dwelling on her catastrophic past.
Jolie’s job as a real estate appraiser took her to many homes but it was the one where she found an elderly woman dead in her bed, which began the raft of events which had her fearing for her life. When she was approached by a shady person demanding Jolie pay back the money her ex-husband owed, Jolie was at her wit’s end. She was determined to uncover the truth, but would her life be in danger?
Appraisal for Murder is the first in the Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery series by Elaine Orr and I quite enjoyed it. Plenty of action, a few silly decisions made by Jolie I liked Scoobie’s character, and Aunt Madge was delightful 😊 A good start to a new series which I recommend.
Jolie’s job as a real estate appraiser took her to many homes but it was the one where she found an elderly woman dead in her bed, which began the raft of events which had her fearing for her life. When she was approached by a shady person demanding Jolie pay back the money her ex-husband owed, Jolie was at her wit’s end. She was determined to uncover the truth, but would her life be in danger?
Appraisal for Murder is the first in the Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery series by Elaine Orr and I quite enjoyed it. Plenty of action, a few silly decisions made by Jolie I liked Scoobie’s character, and Aunt Madge was delightful 😊 A good start to a new series which I recommend.
September 2, 2019
Some editing faux pas but not terribly off-putting. A good mystery with good people. Looking forward to reading the next one.
May 11, 2015
Small town living reminiscent of Cabot Cove...Appraisal for Murder has all the ingredients of a great cozy mystery; a likeable protagonist as well as a cast of quirky supporting characters, a cat called Jazz as well as two prune-eating dogs and last but not least, a bed and breakfast located in a tiny blip of a town known as Ocean Alley on the Jersey Shore. Jolie Gentil is still smarting after her ex-husband, Robby, embezzled large sums from their bank as well as stole money from their joint IRA account. She leaves her husband and her former life, arriving at her Aunt Madge’s B&B on the Jersey Shore to lick her wounds and reluctantly start another chapter of her life. Unfortunately, Jolie’s new life quickly becomes complicated, thanks to a loan shark, a dead body and a potential love interest. The quirky cast of supporting characters as well as the town of Ocean Alley is somehow reminiscent of idyllic Cabot Cove with the protagonist Gentil not unlike J.B. Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. The author has an innate knack for portraying her characters, and especially her settings, in such a way that they are almost familiar, taking her readers on a trip back to Smalltown USA where small town living means everyone being acquainted with everyone’s business and thinking nothing of gossiping about it. The storyline is solid with just the right amount of whodunit to make it a most enjoyable read.
Marta Tandori
Author of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series
Marta Tandori
Author of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series
December 9, 2011
Elaine Orr's APPRAISAL FOR MURDER is the first in her Jersey Shore mystery series. The book is a snappy read with all the ingredients of a first class mystery including a sleuth with an unquenchable spirit who will engage your heart and mind.
If you've been through a divorce or an otherwise gruesome time of your life, you will appreciate the unquenchable spirit and wry humor of Ms. Jolie Gentil, the protagonist of this series.
In APPRAISAL FOR MURDER Jolie returns to her roots in Ocean Alley, a town so small it doesn't appear on any map. But Jolie tells the reader it's on the Jersey Shore. The protagonist comes back for convalescence following the sudden and surprising financial betrayal (read `theft') by her estranged husband. She interacts with the inhabitants of Ocean Alley with wit and verve, brings along her cat, Jazz, and stays with Aunt Madge and her two dogs.
Jolie reacquaints herself with the community, including some former classmates and earns pin money by doing real estate appraisals. When one of Aunt Madge's friends is murdered, the police are quick to point to a suspect, but at the end of the book Jolie proves them wrong. As a plus there's hint of a romance or two bubbling on the burner.
Told from the first-person point of view of Jolie Gentil ("It's pronounced Zho-Lee Zhan-tee," the protagonist is quick to tell us), the author, Elaine Orr, brings the Jersey Shore to life. Jolie runs on the boardwalk, takes the dogs on long walks, smells the salt tang of the sea air, reacquaints herself with old high school chums, and slowly uncovers evidence to reveal the perpetrator. She leaves no stone unturned. Evidence, leads, suspects, all are presented logically, slowly, and uncovered completely.
Along the way Jolie is harassed by one of her estranged husband's thuggish creditors. He is one of the antagonists. Without spoiling the mystery, I won't say any more, except that he is not out of place on the Shore. The author handles his presence and storyline quickly and deftly, weaving this line into the rest of the story. He is a surprise each time he appears, and not the only one. The humor as well as the plot make this book fresh and new and hard to put down.
Themes include the healing power of humor, the success, if slow, of honest labor. Lucky Jolie, to have her sense of humor and an aunt like Madge; lucky us, to have an author like Elaine Orr.
But don't look for blinding epiphanies or Sturm und Drang. APPRAISAL FOR MURDER is a light mystery, and billed as such. I did not see any character arc: there is no essential change in the protagonist, other than solving the mystery.
The book is the first in a series. The second has already been published, thanks to the miracle of Amazon and Smashwords, so you won't have to wait to read it, and doubtless the third is in the pipeline. If you seek a new mystery series with a protagonist who will win your heart, a place that reeks of the Jersey Shore, a story that will keep you turning pages, APPRAISAL FOR MURDER is for you.
A word about accidentals. First, the cover. The packaging does not do justice to the story or the writing. If you can believe all the marketing wags, this author would sell a lot more if she hired a slick cover designer and paid a little more attention to her Amazon page formatting. That being said, Elaine Orr has a real hit in the Jolie Gentil mystery series.
I found only one typo, an article typed twice. Otherwise, the grammar, punctuation, and formatting are immaculate.
If you've been through a divorce or an otherwise gruesome time of your life, you will appreciate the unquenchable spirit and wry humor of Ms. Jolie Gentil, the protagonist of this series.
In APPRAISAL FOR MURDER Jolie returns to her roots in Ocean Alley, a town so small it doesn't appear on any map. But Jolie tells the reader it's on the Jersey Shore. The protagonist comes back for convalescence following the sudden and surprising financial betrayal (read `theft') by her estranged husband. She interacts with the inhabitants of Ocean Alley with wit and verve, brings along her cat, Jazz, and stays with Aunt Madge and her two dogs.
Jolie reacquaints herself with the community, including some former classmates and earns pin money by doing real estate appraisals. When one of Aunt Madge's friends is murdered, the police are quick to point to a suspect, but at the end of the book Jolie proves them wrong. As a plus there's hint of a romance or two bubbling on the burner.
Told from the first-person point of view of Jolie Gentil ("It's pronounced Zho-Lee Zhan-tee," the protagonist is quick to tell us), the author, Elaine Orr, brings the Jersey Shore to life. Jolie runs on the boardwalk, takes the dogs on long walks, smells the salt tang of the sea air, reacquaints herself with old high school chums, and slowly uncovers evidence to reveal the perpetrator. She leaves no stone unturned. Evidence, leads, suspects, all are presented logically, slowly, and uncovered completely.
Along the way Jolie is harassed by one of her estranged husband's thuggish creditors. He is one of the antagonists. Without spoiling the mystery, I won't say any more, except that he is not out of place on the Shore. The author handles his presence and storyline quickly and deftly, weaving this line into the rest of the story. He is a surprise each time he appears, and not the only one. The humor as well as the plot make this book fresh and new and hard to put down.
Themes include the healing power of humor, the success, if slow, of honest labor. Lucky Jolie, to have her sense of humor and an aunt like Madge; lucky us, to have an author like Elaine Orr.
But don't look for blinding epiphanies or Sturm und Drang. APPRAISAL FOR MURDER is a light mystery, and billed as such. I did not see any character arc: there is no essential change in the protagonist, other than solving the mystery.
The book is the first in a series. The second has already been published, thanks to the miracle of Amazon and Smashwords, so you won't have to wait to read it, and doubtless the third is in the pipeline. If you seek a new mystery series with a protagonist who will win your heart, a place that reeks of the Jersey Shore, a story that will keep you turning pages, APPRAISAL FOR MURDER is for you.
A word about accidentals. First, the cover. The packaging does not do justice to the story or the writing. If you can believe all the marketing wags, this author would sell a lot more if she hired a slick cover designer and paid a little more attention to her Amazon page formatting. That being said, Elaine Orr has a real hit in the Jolie Gentil mystery series.
I found only one typo, an article typed twice. Otherwise, the grammar, punctuation, and formatting are immaculate.
April 17, 2015
Great light mystery--good characters, lots of suspense, love the "in your face" heroine!
December 10, 2013
Elaine Orr has created some lovable not perfect characters that I'll enjoy living with for some time. This is a perfect book for a light beach read or for a last read at night. Nice cozy.
April 25, 2013
I read a lot of cozy murder mysteries. Having said that I also should say that I have a handful of writers who I absolutely love. Last week I 'discovered' this series and I am so glad I did as it now falls into a very select group of my favorites.
Jolie Gentil has left her gambling soon to be ex-husband after he gambled away all their money. Turns out he also borrowed a great deal of money from a loan shark who wants Jolie to pay back her husbands debts. Course she can't but that doesn't stop them from trying to get her to pay.
Jolie also has to move in with her Aunt Marge to live. Marge runs a B&B in New Jersey and she has a couple of prune loving dogs. This all adds to the assortments of characters that we get to meet in this series opener. We also have Ramona and Scoobie Jolie's old high school friends. Mr Steele who gives Jolie a job as a real estate appraiser, and Michael who's mother is found murdered on Jolie's first appraisal job. All these characters are well thought out and truly hold your interest.
I'm already anticipating the next book in this great series to see what happens to Jolie next.
Jolie Gentil has left her gambling soon to be ex-husband after he gambled away all their money. Turns out he also borrowed a great deal of money from a loan shark who wants Jolie to pay back her husbands debts. Course she can't but that doesn't stop them from trying to get her to pay.
Jolie also has to move in with her Aunt Marge to live. Marge runs a B&B in New Jersey and she has a couple of prune loving dogs. This all adds to the assortments of characters that we get to meet in this series opener. We also have Ramona and Scoobie Jolie's old high school friends. Mr Steele who gives Jolie a job as a real estate appraiser, and Michael who's mother is found murdered on Jolie's first appraisal job. All these characters are well thought out and truly hold your interest.
I'm already anticipating the next book in this great series to see what happens to Jolie next.
July 5, 2013
Fun read characters grow on you
October 10, 2013
Delightful. Very fun characters and a plot interweaving two mysteries.
March 20, 2017
Appraisal for Murder by Elaine Orr opens with Jolie Gentil's having moved in with her Aunt Madge to Ocean Alley, a small tourist beach town in New Jersey, after the arrest of her husband for embezzlement in order to repay his immense gambling debts. Further, Richard drained all their joint accounts, leaving Jolie to start life over in the town where she lived a year and attended 11th grade. She gets a job as an appraiser of property and makes a few friends in the community, which is a challenge for Jolie, as she had been so wrapped up in her own life's challenges during high school that she made very few friends. But she approaches those still around in trying to start over with them from the perspective as an adult, as the class's 10-year reunion approaches. Happy to start her new job as an appraiser, Jolie begins with the home of Mrs. Riordan, whose son Michael attended Jolie's high school class, only to walk in on the woman lying in bed dead.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
January 17, 2025
After learning that her husband has spent all their life savings plus embezzled from his workplace, Jolie Gentil files for divorce and moves to the coast to live with her great-aunt, Madge. Once Jolie finds gainful employment, her life seems to be back on track - until she finds a dead body. Suddenly, everything is complicated again.
4.5 Stars
Elaine Orr has created a spunky heroine whose dry reflections are a delight! I couldn't contain my chuckles (which admittedly devolved into cackles - a rare event for me). Her asides were a source of mirth and her interactions with people who annoyed her were often hilarious and shocking at the same time. The supporting cast (Great Aunt Madge, Scoobie, Rowena, and Harry) was a mix of sublime characters with great personalities.
The mystery was tricky. I was unable to solve it before the wrap-up, but once I knew the whys and hows, it all made sense. Some reviewers have mentioned that it was a lengthy process to get to the end, but I felt this gave the story authenticity (and allowed me more time to spend with my new best character-friend).
I am looking forward to reading the next book. This introduction to the series was nigh on perfect. I can't wait to see where Jolie takes us.
4.5 Stars
Elaine Orr has created a spunky heroine whose dry reflections are a delight! I couldn't contain my chuckles (which admittedly devolved into cackles - a rare event for me). Her asides were a source of mirth and her interactions with people who annoyed her were often hilarious and shocking at the same time. The supporting cast (Great Aunt Madge, Scoobie, Rowena, and Harry) was a mix of sublime characters with great personalities.
The mystery was tricky. I was unable to solve it before the wrap-up, but once I knew the whys and hows, it all made sense. Some reviewers have mentioned that it was a lengthy process to get to the end, but I felt this gave the story authenticity (and allowed me more time to spend with my new best character-friend).
I am looking forward to reading the next book. This introduction to the series was nigh on perfect. I can't wait to see where Jolie takes us.
May 18, 2018
I’m glad is started this series when the Prequel has been released, otherwise I would have been a little lost in places in Appraisal to Murder, book number 1 in the Jolie Gentil series.
Boy was this a fun and fabulous read! I certainly didn’t see that ending that’s for sure! This author is great with writing the right amount of suspense that it will keep guessing without getting bored and you can’t help but laugh at some of Jolie’s antics.
Scoobie is still a mystery to me. I really want to know more about his background before my brain lets this character grow on me.
Michael was a surprise! In the sequel we figure that Michael really doesn’t want to know Jolie at all. But I guess with time, people’s perceptions change. Though he’s still arrogant, his personally has had a complete clean up since his high school days.
There was some speech that I didn’t get, maybe it was really American and I’m British so there can be quite a contrast with the language.
Great first (official, excluding the prequel) to this series and I can not wait to read the rest!
Boy was this a fun and fabulous read! I certainly didn’t see that ending that’s for sure! This author is great with writing the right amount of suspense that it will keep guessing without getting bored and you can’t help but laugh at some of Jolie’s antics.
Scoobie is still a mystery to me. I really want to know more about his background before my brain lets this character grow on me.
Michael was a surprise! In the sequel we figure that Michael really doesn’t want to know Jolie at all. But I guess with time, people’s perceptions change. Though he’s still arrogant, his personally has had a complete clean up since his high school days.
There was some speech that I didn’t get, maybe it was really American and I’m British so there can be quite a contrast with the language.
Great first (official, excluding the prequel) to this series and I can not wait to read the rest!
Read
April 4, 2013If your name translates to "pretty nice" in French, you've probably gotten used to teasing. It doesn't prepare you to find out that your soon-to-be-ex-husband has a gambling problem, raided your assets, and embezzled from his bank. Jolie Gentil moves to Great Aunt Madge’s bread and breakfast at the Jersey shore, taking her cat Jazz, and joining Madge's pair of prune-eating dogs. Jolie does not view this as a retreat, just a smart change. She had no idea her life was about to get even more complicated.
Jolie settles into the rhythm of late fall in a beach town and finds a work as a real estate appraiser with Aunt Madge’s friend Harry Steele. But a low-life named Joe Pedone demands that Jolie repay some of her husband’s gambling debts and she runs into Michael Riordan, her high school crush -- she's not sure which one is more trouble. Michael's good-looking but arrogant, and when she appraises his mother's house and finds Mrs. Riordan dead in bed she's not sure what to think.
At the Riordan home after the funeral, Jolie begins to think that Aunt Madge is right -- Michael couldn't have murdered his mother. The police disagree. His mother's death leaves him as owner of the house, adding greatly to the wealth of the estate he is to inherit. After the funeral they arrest Michael.
Soon, the mundane work of appraising real estate and dodging suggestions that she go to the 10-year high school reunion become mixed with calls from reporters, scary suggestions from Pedone, and requests that she help the local busybody with First Presbyterian's social services work. Jolie also runs into Scoobie, the high school friend she hung out with most. With his blue jeans and longer hair, he’s the antithesis of oil company executive Michael, and much easier to be with. His haunting poetry reflects how different his life has been since Jolie knew him.
Scoobie cuts Michael no slack. Still, with Aunt Madge upset that her late best friend's son stands accused of murder, Jolie looks for indications he's not guilty. Michael, out on bond, insists that Jolie leave his defense to his lawyer. If only she could.
Jolie takes Aunt Madge’s dogs for a run on the boardwalk and runs into Pedone, who has Jolie’s roughed-up ex-husband, Robby, in tow. Pedone wants his money, but the exuberant dogs call attention to Pedone’s threats, so the thug leaves Robby with Jolie and Scoobie. He warns he'll be back.
Jolie balances her fear of Pedone, conviction that Michael is innocent, and sometimes uneasy friendship with Scoobie. Her growing list of other possible murder suspects includes Michael's soon-to-be-ex wife and a couple other beneficiaries of Mrs. Riordan's will. Those suspicions don't include Scoobie, but he makes it to the police department's list. Jolie plots other ways to prove both friends innocent. But will Pedone's plans leave Jolie alive to find the truth?
Join Jolie and friends in solving a murder and laughing a lot along the way.
Jolie figures out that Mrs. Jasper, of the Pres Church, is the killer. She wanted more of Mrs. Riordan's money for the church. Jolie and Mrs. J are in the Riordan house when Pedone appears. Mrs. J pushes Jolie down the stairs, Pedone shoots and Scoobie rescues Jolie. Michael goes back to Houston and Jolie stays at the shore.
Jolie settles into the rhythm of late fall in a beach town and finds a work as a real estate appraiser with Aunt Madge’s friend Harry Steele. But a low-life named Joe Pedone demands that Jolie repay some of her husband’s gambling debts and she runs into Michael Riordan, her high school crush -- she's not sure which one is more trouble. Michael's good-looking but arrogant, and when she appraises his mother's house and finds Mrs. Riordan dead in bed she's not sure what to think.
At the Riordan home after the funeral, Jolie begins to think that Aunt Madge is right -- Michael couldn't have murdered his mother. The police disagree. His mother's death leaves him as owner of the house, adding greatly to the wealth of the estate he is to inherit. After the funeral they arrest Michael.
Soon, the mundane work of appraising real estate and dodging suggestions that she go to the 10-year high school reunion become mixed with calls from reporters, scary suggestions from Pedone, and requests that she help the local busybody with First Presbyterian's social services work. Jolie also runs into Scoobie, the high school friend she hung out with most. With his blue jeans and longer hair, he’s the antithesis of oil company executive Michael, and much easier to be with. His haunting poetry reflects how different his life has been since Jolie knew him.
Scoobie cuts Michael no slack. Still, with Aunt Madge upset that her late best friend's son stands accused of murder, Jolie looks for indications he's not guilty. Michael, out on bond, insists that Jolie leave his defense to his lawyer. If only she could.
Jolie takes Aunt Madge’s dogs for a run on the boardwalk and runs into Pedone, who has Jolie’s roughed-up ex-husband, Robby, in tow. Pedone wants his money, but the exuberant dogs call attention to Pedone’s threats, so the thug leaves Robby with Jolie and Scoobie. He warns he'll be back.
Jolie balances her fear of Pedone, conviction that Michael is innocent, and sometimes uneasy friendship with Scoobie. Her growing list of other possible murder suspects includes Michael's soon-to-be-ex wife and a couple other beneficiaries of Mrs. Riordan's will. Those suspicions don't include Scoobie, but he makes it to the police department's list. Jolie plots other ways to prove both friends innocent. But will Pedone's plans leave Jolie alive to find the truth?
Join Jolie and friends in solving a murder and laughing a lot along the way.
Jolie figures out that Mrs. Jasper, of the Pres Church, is the killer. She wanted more of Mrs. Riordan's money for the church. Jolie and Mrs. J are in the Riordan house when Pedone appears. Mrs. J pushes Jolie down the stairs, Pedone shoots and Scoobie rescues Jolie. Michael goes back to Houston and Jolie stays at the shore.
October 30, 2018
The characters in this book weren't the usual cast doing the usual things. The heroine, Jolie Gentil, had no patience--which I liked--and a bit of an attitude--which I liked even more. The love interest, or so it seemed, wasn't always nice and didn't mind irritating Jolie at all. The detective, who was a good, solid cop, didn't get friendly but did his job. And Jolie's longtime friend, Scoobie, was working through so many personal problems that he was quirky, to say the least. It wasn't very hard to figure out who did it, but I enjoyed the process anyway. Add in a thug, and there was enough to keep me turning pages. I'd have liked the scenes to be a bit more polished, but I enjoyed how offbeat the story felt.
Read
November 23, 2020This is the author. I have yet to figure out how to add one of my books without being asked for a review, so I don't rate them. The first edition of this book in audio came out in June 2013. There were a some negative reviews about the narration--it was the first audio book for the narrator and for me. We were a good team, and narrator Paula Faye Leinweber re-recorded much of the book. You can expect the new version in September 2013, if not earlier. Paula also did the second book in the series (Rekindling Motives)--she has really nailed Jolie's persona.
February 12, 2018
I received a free copy from the author for a review. I would like to thank her for the opportunity to read this book. The first book in this series. Jolie Gentil moves to Ocean Shores after husband had gambled all their funds away. She is staying at her Aunt Madge's B B Resort. Jolie meets old friends from her high school days. She finds work as a real estate appraisal and the first day on the job Jolie finds a dead woman. One of her husband credits attempts to force her to pay her husband debt.Jolie needs,to finds answers before her life expires. I highly recommend this series.
June 19, 2012
Pleasant story of Jolie, who has moved into her aunt's B&B in a NJ beach town after she left her embezzling husband. With no funds, she starts doing house appraisals. While doing an appraisal she comes across the body of a woman who did not die of natural causes. Jolie believes the policed have arrested the wrong man so she begins investigating on her own.
May 23, 2013
A fun read. A little too much middle for me but I will read the next one in the series.
August 4, 2023
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; AUGUST 3, 2023
Narrator: Paula Faye Leinweber
I've learnt, from experience, to have low expectations from cozies when it comes to the murder set up and ensuing police investigation but this book takes the cake. It was so bad I'm going to need to stay away from cozies for awhile. What am I talking about? Without spoilers, the killer goes to the victim's house with the intention of killing her but someone comes home unexpectedly so the killer hides in the closet but...falls asleep until the next morning???
While whodunit authors do, at times, try to obfuscate the details to throw the reader off the resulting premise should still be believable and this author's ploy was just too ridiculous and implausible. Only reason why I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 is because I finished it - and the only reason why I finished it is because the said incident was revealed near the end of the book.
On second thoughts I will give the second book a try to see if it's as bad as this one.
Narrator: Paula Faye Leinweber
I've learnt, from experience, to have low expectations from cozies when it comes to the murder set up and ensuing police investigation but this book takes the cake. It was so bad I'm going to need to stay away from cozies for awhile. What am I talking about? Without spoilers, the killer goes to the victim's house with the intention of killing her but someone comes home unexpectedly so the killer hides in the closet but...falls asleep until the next morning???
While whodunit authors do, at times, try to obfuscate the details to throw the reader off the resulting premise should still be believable and this author's ploy was just too ridiculous and implausible. Only reason why I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 is because I finished it - and the only reason why I finished it is because the said incident was revealed near the end of the book.
On second thoughts I will give the second book a try to see if it's as bad as this one.
May 13, 2017
Appraisal For Murder is the first book in Elaine Orr's Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series. I read a lot of cozy mysteries and appreciate the time and effort authors put into coming up with original plots that both entertain and keep the readers interest.
Appraisal For Murder was an enjoyable read until the midway point at which time the story seemed to stall out for me. I couldn't get past the feeling that the author was trying to satisfy a word count rather than tell a good story. When authors drag their stories out at a snails pace I lose interest quickly and can be heard muttering under my breath, "just tell me who did what."
Appraisal For Murder was not as good as I had hoped it would be.
Appraisal For Murder was an enjoyable read until the midway point at which time the story seemed to stall out for me. I couldn't get past the feeling that the author was trying to satisfy a word count rather than tell a good story. When authors drag their stories out at a snails pace I lose interest quickly and can be heard muttering under my breath, "just tell me who did what."
Appraisal For Murder was not as good as I had hoped it would be.
November 18, 2018
Jolie Gentil has moved in with her Aunt Madge following her separation from her embezzling husband who has also wiped out her accounts. Forced to abandon her realty career Jolie takes a part time job as an appraiser to get back on her feet. But when the untimely death of her aunt's friend, Ruth Riordan ends up being murder and Ruth's son, Michael a suspect, Jolie can't help but want to help. Michael was a former high school friend and doesn't seem to have any motive. Another friend from high school, Scoobie, makes an appearance as a recovering addict and derelict. Throw in a gangster type who wants Jolie to pay back some of her husband's loans and you have quite a mix for a plot. Good first in a series, particularly like Scoobie. Interested in seeing where the characters go from here.
August 20, 2018
What a great first book in a series. I have had the volume containing books 1 through 3 for several years and have just now read this one. The main characters are interesting and likable , and the book has more plot action than what I would consider a cozy mystery. I look forward to moving on to the second book, which picks up where the first one ends.
I would recommend this book for fans of Gemma Halliday and Laura Levine.
I would recommend this book for fans of Gemma Halliday and Laura Levine.
October 28, 2023
Great mystery with a twist!
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Jolie Gentility Cozy Mystery Series! I found the book easy to read and very “cozy” indeed! I finished the book in just a few days and found it hard to put down between my chores! E
I’m excited to read the rest of the books in the series, which I purchased for my Kindle, during the upcoming winter months. I’m looking forward to finding out what adventures Jolie gets up to!
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Jolie Gentility Cozy Mystery Series! I found the book easy to read and very “cozy” indeed! I finished the book in just a few days and found it hard to put down between my chores! E
I’m excited to read the rest of the books in the series, which I purchased for my Kindle, during the upcoming winter months. I’m looking forward to finding out what adventures Jolie gets up to!
April 8, 2021
A fun, sometimes subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle cozy mystery. Jolie Gentil comes back to live with her aunt in Ocean Alley and revisits more of her past than is comfortable. Nothing is as straight-forward as she thinks she remembers, including her failed marriage and new love interest. Relationships are intriguing among very real characters and left me wanting to know more!
March 17, 2022
I think this book really deserves 4 1/2 stars but I couldn't give it 5. Its interesting but seemed to drag on in a manner that didn't add much to the storyline. I had decided who the murderer was halfway through. After one scene, I knew I was correct. I plan to read others in the series since I already have them. Hopefully, I'll be able to rate them higher.
April 17, 2020
A very servicable cozy mystery with some entertaining characters and a few good twists.
June 28, 2023
Great start to a new series.
January 27, 2024
A good easy read that made me want to turn the pages and open another chapter. Recommended.
February 24, 2024
A cozy mystery that is well-written with diverse and well-defined characters. The flow of the book makes it an easy read for a rainy afternoon or a day at the beach. Very enjoyable plot
June 3, 2025
This was a good cozy mystery. There were some typos that annoyed me, but the book was free on my Nook along with the next 3 in the series, so I guess I shouldn't complain.
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