Silenced by the Yams

Barbara Marr Murder Mystery #3

by Karen Cantwell

Soccer mom, Barbara Marr attracts trouble the way the North Pole attracts short men with odd wardrobe choices. So it’s no surprise when she finds herself in deep doo-doo while attempting to prove the innocence of friend and ex-Mafia goon, Frankie Romano, after he’s arrested for the murder of a famous action movie director.

This third book in the popular Barbara Marr Murder Mystery Series brings Barb out of the suburbs and into the slimy, urban world of bright lights, nightly news, and drive-by shootings. Luckily, she never loses her sense of humor or her ability to befriend some decidedly quirky characters.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Cozy, Fiction, Comedy, Romance

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2012

About the author

Karen's novel, Take the Monkeys and Run was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest (under the original title of Monkeys in My Trees)and has gone on to be a Kindle bestseller on Amazon. She has written three more books in the Barbara Marr Murder Mystery Series: Citizen Insane, Silenced by the Yams, and Saturday Night Cleaver.

When she's not writing, Karen loves gardening and spending time with her family. She is currently working on the release of Keep Me Ghosted, the first book in the new Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance Series, as well as beginning the draft of Kiss Me, Tate, part of the upcoming Barbara Marr spin-off, Love in Rustic Woods Series. Karen loves to hear from readers, so feel free to drop her a line at karen.cantwell@yahoo.com. You can also stay in touch by liking her Facebook Page, Karen Cantwell Author

Karen's website: Karen's Website


Karen's books and short stories:

Take the Monkeys and Run (Barbara Marr Murder Mystery #1)
Citizen Insane (Barbara Marr MM #2)
Silenced by the Yams (Barbara Marr MM #3)
Saturday Night Cleaver (Barbara Marr MM #4)
The Chronicles of Marr-nia, Short Stories Starring Barbara Marr
It's a Dunder-Bull Wife, A Barbara Marr Holiday Tale
A Spirited Season, Holiday Tales with a Paranormal Flair

Books to be released in 2013:

Keep Me Ghosted (Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance #1)
Kiss Me, Tate (Love in Rustic Woods #1)
Piper Nash and the Power Police (YA Fantasy)
Dead Man Stalking (Barbara Marr MM #5)

Reviews

[FangirlNation · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Silenced by the Yams by Karen Cantwell, Barbara Marr has finally had her movie blog take off, and she gets invited to a press screening of a new movie, complete with a fancy dinner beforehand. Barb has gotten her friend, ex-Mafia member Frankie Romano, who has become an excellent Italian chef, the catering job that night, so to return the favor, he takes her over to the director of the movie, Kurt Baugh, to introduce her. Within 20 minutes, the director is dead.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUGE Cliff-hanger!!!!!!!!!

This series just keeps getting better. I'm so glad that I abandoned my usual practise of not buying authors who under value them selves and jumped at the first book in this series Take the Monkeys and Run: A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery. This series is a combination of slapstick comedy,an Agatha Christie type mystery, the Pink Panther, and a tiny bit of a romance. Those who have read previous books know that there is something about Colt. And of course now that her husband is back in her life...

Well this particular book is filled with not only a wonderful mystery we also have Barbara showing her true colors as a caring human being, a whole bunch of revelations, some drive-by shootings, the usual plot advances and a HUGE and horrible cliff hanger that still has me ticked off.

So take the plunge and go for the Barbara Marr series. I don't think you will regret it !

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't keep this book quite it needs to be shouted about because it is such a great series and the rest of the books need to be turned into audio books too! As you can tell I really enjoyed this book and think it is such a fun book that even if you aren't laughing out loud listening to it then it will certainly bring a smile to your face. This is book three in this wonderful series and the books are stand alone books but I would really recommend that to get the full enjoyment out of the series, that you start with book one. The characters are great and normally I find home life distracts from the mystery but with Karen's writing this isn't the case and in fact Barbara 's home life adds to the enjoyment, as do the movie quotes. The mystery was good with lots of twists and turns and I liked the way it unfolded and set up the story for the next book. Really looking forward to the next book because each book some how seems to better than the last. If that is impossible.
Barbara is excited to attend her first movie review screening until it ends tragically. On her recommendation they hire ex-mafioso Frankie as the catering and he is the one arrested when the film director dies after eating a plate full of yams. Barbara knows what a softie Frankie is and the fact that if he couldn't kill her than there was no way he would start now. So without the help from her best friend Roz, who has decided knowing her is to dangerous and is moving away, she sets out to prove Frankie innocent. That is unless her mother gets into any more trouble with Howard's mother who is visiting and needs bailing out. How can she find time to investigate with three children, two cats, a dog, a parrot and her mother in law in residence not to mention the secret her own husband is keeping from her. It's a good job for an old college friend, Colt. Who else is going to save her when the bullets start flying? Steven Spielberg and Meryl Streep? Can the pair of them work together to find out who would have a motive to kill the director and how it was done? Especially with the police so focused on Frankie.
The author choose to go with a different narrator with this book, so while she did do a good job, I was use the previous narrator and it took a while to get use to the change. She isn't quite as bubbly as the previous reader but still does a good job with the voices

[PJ Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never a boring moment.

It's amazing how much trouble a movie reviewer and housewife can get into without even trying.
Funny and engaging, lighthearted and exciting. It's never boring in the Marr household.

[Katie Storer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0 stars

Okay, the main character is getting quite irritating to me. I can see why readers might want to finish the series…it ended on an interesting plot point. But I cannot deal with the main character anymore. I am DNFing the rest of the series.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book

This book was fun and kept my interest. However, more thorough editing was needed. For instance, Juarez was referred to as both Benito and Emilio.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Barb just can’t stay out of trouble! Problem is she drags friends in with her. Lol Howard barb and colt. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a very fun ride!!

[Roxi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a surprising ending. Grab it.

[Hamzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and amazing

[Angela Holtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

On my list of favorite authors, I would put Karen Cantwell up there just above Janet Evanovich. I am in love with Barbara Marr and all her friends. It's so good to have a heroine who is not perfect and is just trying to do what she loves, raising her girls and watching movies. She started a movie review website - which made me lover her all the more. I reviewed a few movies, but books are my passion - lol.

This is the 3rd book, but there are a few short stories out there featuring Mrs. Marr. The way bad things happen around her, has people telling her she's a bad luck magnet and distancing themselves. One of her best friends is even moving far away. I felt so bad for her in this book. And the poor thing can't even deny that she does have bad luck. On the other hand, it's funny that Karen calls attention to how ridiculous it would be in real life to keep stumbling across murder-mysteries.

But here is why you will love Barbara too, she doesn't stop. Her friend, someone she believed in was arrested. She knew he was innocent and just kept plugging on to help him, no matter what. I would like to say I would do that for a friend, but really we don't know until we are there. Most of us would trust in the justice system. Of course, having a husband in the FBI and a best friend investigator give her a different perspective.

I can't wait to see what happens next. It just keeps getting more out there, and the people around her keep losing patience. Plus I love seeing what the mystery is and how it plays out. Cantwell keeps it silly, but the mystery is strong.

If you love quirky mystery - go get a copy. It's free right now, and only $3.99 regularly.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silenced by the Yams is the third installment of the hilarious Barbara Mar Mystery Series. Barbara's movie review website has taken off, netting her an invitation to an advanced film screening. However, the night does not go as planned - Barbara once again finds herself investigating another murder - of legendary director Kurt Baugh. Only this time, her close friend Frankie (ex-mafia henchman from the first Barbara Marr book) is sitting in a jail cell charged with the murder!

Silenced by the Yams was my first Barbara Marr read, I borrowed it from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library without realizing it was the third installment. That being said, not once did I feel lost in the plot or confused by the characters. Karen Cantwell did a magnificent job giving background into the characters for new readers, without detracting from the flow of the plot.

However, I do feel this is a weaker whodunnit plot compared to the previous two books. The mystery all came together at the end, from almost no where. Whereas in the previous two books, the pertinent clues were dropped from beginning to end. It was still a great story, I just wish the solution to the crime had flowed from beginning to end. Instead, the beginning portion of the book was more dedicated to Barbara's fears for her friend Frankie, and her stress over her mother in law visiting.

The book once again ends at a cliffhanger -- making me hope that Karen Cantwell hurries up and releases the forth book - PRONTO!

[Debra Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third title in the Barbara Marr mystery series and it's the best one yet. With so many laugh-out-loud scenes, it's hard to put the book down. In this story, we find Barbara happily reunited with her husband, Howard, the FBI agent. Life is settling down and getting back to normal or so she thinks. When Barbara is invited to a local movie screening, she's thrilled, that is, until the film director Kurt Baugh keels over and dies right in front of her after eating the yams. It's bad enough that the director is dead, but it's her ex-mafia friend Frankie, who catered the event and he is now the #1 suspect. Never one to leave things alone when she should, Barbara feels it's up to her to follow the clues that could possibly exonerate Frankie.

Ms. Cantwell has a definite flair for comedic writing and this book is pure entertainment. She brings back characters from previous stories as well as introduces a few new ones including Mama Marr--Howard's mother to the mix. The laughs keep coming especially whenever Barbara and Howard try to have an intimate moment together.

There are so many good things to say about this book, but I don't want to spoil anything. If you want to enjoy the full flavor of the Barbara Marr mysteries, start with book 1, "Take the Monkeys and Run." I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, and I highly recommend them. It's the perfect way to wile away an afternoon.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantabulous Laugh-Out-Loud (LOL) Mystery

Silenced by the Yams (A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery #3) (Kindle Edition)
This is the 3d in a series of the Barbara Marr Mysteries. But it is the first of Karen's books that I've read (but it won't be the last!) I needed a laugh. I got more than a laugh. I was laughing out loud as I read it ... even in the bagel shop where we frequent. Main character Barbara is a wife, mother, and a noted film critic in Washington, DC. Did I mention her husband is a FBI Agent? Barbara reminds me of the "Jane Doe" Hallmark series where Jane is a wife and mother but also, unknown to her husband, is a secret CSA agent. In this story, Barbara is at a movie review screening where the film director falls over dead on top of her. She is covered with .... well, it's hard to say ... vomit! Her friend Frankie, former mafia-turned-chef, is arrested for the murder. Barbara knows he could not have done it. Despite obstacles (cats, a canary, kid dilemmas, noisy dog, critical mother-in-law, and other unpredictable incidents) she is determined to solve the crime. This is an awesome, funny, enjoyable story. Don't miss out on the fun!

[Maria Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was first published for DailyCheapReads.com and is reprinted here with permission.

If you’ve ever read The Spellman Files you know how zany things can get when a dysfunctional family intrudes in a murder investigation. Well, the Spellmans have nothing on Barbara Marr. She’s a one-lady adventure (read: disaster waiting to happen) all by herself.

In this third Barbara Marr book, Barb is out to save an old friend from the slammer. There’s been a murder and Frankie, the ex-mafia man, is the assumed killer. This is a cozy read, with a full cast of endearing characters: Colt, Howard, the three girls, and Barbara’s mom. Add in Howard’s mom, a bird, a dog and enough criminal characters to provide mad confusion and your head will spin as you follow the improbable trail of clues to the end. The pace is quick and funny and as with the best cozies, it’s a chance to spend time with characters you’ve been waiting to see again.

This is chic-lit with a lightly plotted mystery.

[Eileen Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't like the way this character's husband treats her. He's a jerk. she keeps saying she's lucky to have him, but he's condescending and he doesn't take her feelings into consideration and I'm about ready to jump into the book and bash his face with a brick. Seriously, he doesn't consult her when planning to make serious life changes that will affect their entire family, but gets mad at her when she doesn't tell him where she's going when she leaves the house throughout the day? Can we say controlling asshat? And his job as an FBI agent is so OMG TOPSECRET that he can't even tell her he IS an agent? Right, bullshit. I just don't like him. she is funny and witty but she is way too self-deprecating, especially when she mocks herself because of things he says about her. I'm not a fan of this kind of controlling "marriage."

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm surprised at the high ratings. The writing was a bit twee and cutesy at times, the plot was overdone and just had too many eccentric/stereotypical characters in it. Not to mention the sudden reunion of adult child and parent who didn't even know of child's existence. Every book needs one of them, semi-randomly tossed in the middle. As a reader, I barely got time to grasp one thing before it was off in a completely different direction. I see that other readers think this makes it "zany" or "fun-filled", but how many times *can* a regular person get shot at in just a few days?

I think it was just overdone in an effort to be clever or to keep the story moving. It's getting deleted from my Kindle (even though it was a free ebook anyway).

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third title in the Barbara Marr mystery series and it's the best one yet. With so many laugh-out-loud scenes, it's hard to put the book down. In this story, we find Barbara happily reunited with her husband, Howard, the FBI agent. Life is settling down and getting back to normal or so she thinks. When Barbara is invited to a local movie screening, she's thrilled, that is, until the film director Kurt Baugh keels over and dies right in front of her after eating the yams. It's bad enough that the director is dead, but it's her ex-mafia friend Frankie, who catered the event and he is now the #1 suspect. Never one to leave things alone when she should, Barbara feels it's up to her to follow the clues that could possibly exonerate Frankie.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just can’t believe it’s over! I inhaled these books, neglecting other obligations because I just had to find out what happened next, and now, having finished the last in the trilogy, I’m at a loss.

For three books the author managed to keep her momentum. She didn’t let the plot lag, even when she knew her devoted fan base would forgive some minor laziness. This last installment (or can we hope for a fourth?) did not disappoint. It was witty, exciting, intriguing, and Barbara was just as plucky as ever.

A wonderful book, but remember to warn your family that they might be somewhat neglected for a few days while you’re absorbed in the adventures of Barbara Marr.

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barb's career as a film critic is taking off, and she's letting her friends ride her coat tails. Her friend and former mobster Frankie caters an event she is attending and is then accused of murdering one of the high-profile guests. Of course, Barb isn't going to let her friend be convicted of something she knows he didn't do, so she and her long-term friend Colt investigate. I really liked this story! The action took place almost immediately, and the characters are very likeable. This story had some definite twists to it as well as a cliff-hanger that has me anxiously awaiting the next installment!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Marr, soccer Mom, wife of an FBI agent, and attractor of dead bodies, does it again. Barbara has a movie review blog, and has been invited to a movie review screening. There she finds her friend, ex-mafia gangster-turned-chef, doing the catering. There she also finds herself under film director, Kurt Baugh, when he falls on her, vomits and dies. YUK! Never one to sit on the sidelines, Barbara enlists her friend, Colt, private eye, to help her snoop. In the meantime, her Mother-in-law has invaded her home, throwing even more zaniness into the mix. As always a good mystery, and lots of fun.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best Barbara Marr book so far. Life's are changed in this story, the mystery is compelling and the humor abounds. Barbara doesn't go looking for trouble; trouble finds her wherever she goes. The plot is complicated and fast moving; I found it hard to put down.

Barbara is an intelligent, well grounded and caring wife, mother and friend. This tends to land her in the most unusual, but not unbelievable, predicaments. This book ends in a terrifying cliff-hanger that adds to the depth of Karen's books that hasn't been reached before. I will be on pins and needles waiting for the next book!

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book laugh out loud funny Karen Cantwell writes a fantastic story. Barbara Marr is a soccer Mom. Happily reunited with Howard her Husband who is an FBI agent. She thinks her life is finally settling down but when she is invited to a movie screening and the film director keels over and dies in front of her after eating the yams. It's bad enough he died but her friend Frankie an ex mafia man catered the event. So he is now the number 1 suspect. Barbara feels its up to her to help exonerate Frankie. By following the clues.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

#3 in the Barbara Marr Mysteries.

These books are so fun to read. They are fast to read and enjoyable. A little mystery with a dash of suspense. Perfect for an evening in with your favorite beverage.

If you haven't figure it out by now, the author loves to use variations of current events for titles to make her plots stand out. (Granted, this might date her work after a period of years...but what's the fun in that?) These books don't take themselves to seriously, and I can appreciate that.

Three stars.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less mayhem than the prior books in the series, but also a more realistic murder-plot-motive scenario as well. My tastes may be changing or my expectations were too high, but it seemed that Barb's character was a bit more two-dimensional this time around. My perception was that there was less depth of who she is, as a woman, a mother, a sleuth, a neighbor, overall less depth to her character. I liked the book and the story was engaging but I can't quite decide between 3 and 4 stars for my rating. I'll stick with 3 ("I liked it" but not quite "really liked it").

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book of the series, and the rest are great! If you like the humor of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum you'll like Karen Cantwell's Barbara Marr. The book is laugh-out-loud funny in parts - even while Barb courts dangerous situations.

This one astounded me because we have a cliff-hanger, something not seen in the first two books in the series. I would have been looking forward to number four anyway - now I have a lot vested in the next release.

[Misha Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delicious Barbara Marr mystery! This time, Barb is up to her eyebrows in local celebrities and framed former Mafiosos. Between her mother-in-law moving in, and her best friend Roz moving out (to California), Barb is vomited on, shot at, and kidnapped. But then, that's just another day in the life of Rustic Woods' most intrepid soccer mom. I loved this book as much as the first two, and I can't wait for number four!

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a light-hearted murder mystery about a movie reviewer and her friends solving a murder that happened right on top of her. The style was too breezy for me, and I was getting irritated over phrases like, "I'm done for." There were plot points that I found unbelievable, but I might be a bit harsh on those. I think the author was trying for a Janet Evanovich style book, but she just didn't get there.

[Darlene Ferland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, anyone following my short reviews will just be bored by this one. Karen Cantwell's third Barbara Marr mystery is another fun read. . . I love the relationship among Barbara, Howard and Colt. Two guys both in love with Barbara as well as being best friends since College. It took me a couple of hours to finished this book. Once again Barbara is involved in murder and mayham in the greater DC area and the action is non-stop. . .

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Barbara Marr series!