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Aurora Teagarden #5
Dead Over Heels
What's the world coming to - when you can't relax with an ice-cold beverage in your own backyard without a body falling from the sky and landing in your garden? Part-time librarian and frequent amateur investigator Roe Teagarden has good reason to ask herself this question when the remains of one of the Lawrenceton, Georgia police department's finest catapults into her flower bed one beautiful sunny morning. Roe's friend and bodyguard, the long-legged, bikini-clad Angel Youngblood, is mowing the grass and Roe is reclining on a lounger when a small red-and-white plane flies low overhead and drops its unlikely debris more or less at Roe's feet. Roe's husband of two years, wealthy businessman Martin Bartell, immediately wonders if the killer chose his dumping place to send some kind of message to Roe. And the mystery deepens when two federal agents arrive in town to investigate the murder. It's only when Madeleine the cat provides a clue that Roe and Martin realize Roe herself may be in danger and that using Roe's yard as a temporary landfill for dead bodies was no accident.
267 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1996
561 people are currently reading
7239 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
203 books37k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 737 reviews
March 11, 2013
These books just keep getting worse - and I keep reading. At this point I think it's morbid fascination to see just how bad they'll get. (And as I'm several chapters into book #6 - pretty bad).
Aurora Teagarden has got to be the most annoying protagonist I have ever come across. I haven't found a redeeming quality in her yet and since she has to recite a mantra to herself that she "likes black kids as much as she likes white kids and black patrons as much as she likes white patrons," I'm starting to find her reprehensible.
As far as the so called mystery - it was kind of stupid.
Aurora Teagarden has got to be the most annoying protagonist I have ever come across. I haven't found a redeeming quality in her yet and since she has to recite a mantra to herself that she "likes black kids as much as she likes white kids and black patrons as much as she likes white patrons," I'm starting to find her reprehensible.
As far as the so called mystery - it was kind of stupid.
June 19, 2011
A lower than average mystery. And sheesh, could Harris work out her racism problems with a therapist and not in her books. Ya know what all black people have in common Charlaine? Nothing! Not even a common skin color.
May 23, 2015
I cannot stop reading these books. Not because they are amazing, but in a "can't look away from a car accident or train wreck" kind of way. I am going to say it and not feel bad about it: Aurora Teagarden is STUPID. She's supposed to be well-educated and well-read, yet she has all the common sense and sophistication of a jelly bean. UGH. Not to mention I HATE HER HUSBAND! What. The. Heck. Again the stupidity and suspension of intellectual thought that a woman would have to possess to buy into Martin's lies and secrecy is beyond the pale. And to accept his lies and secrecy because of what? He's a dynamo in the sack? He's wealthy? He has prematurely graying hair? WHAT???? UGH. Again.
October 8, 2018
I’m enjoying this series more and more with every book. Aurora has a special blend of inquisitiveness and kindness and some really interesting people in her life! The character development is great and the mysteries always intriguing.
And...Seriously....when a book starts with “My bodyguard was mowing the yard wearing her pink bikini when a man fell from the sky” you know you are in for a fun read! 😎
And...Seriously....when a book starts with “My bodyguard was mowing the yard wearing her pink bikini when a man fell from the sky” you know you are in for a fun read! 😎
December 9, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Library Book 📕
Dead Over Heels was not as good as the previous Aurora books. The racism made me uncomfortable as did the sexual parts with her and Martin. It’s supposed to be a cozy mystery and I didn’t get that at all with this book. I felt more like a therapist listening to her issues, than a reader trying to solve a mystery. I hope the next one is better.
Dead Over Heels was not as good as the previous Aurora books. The racism made me uncomfortable as did the sexual parts with her and Martin. It’s supposed to be a cozy mystery and I didn’t get that at all with this book. I felt more like a therapist listening to her issues, than a reader trying to solve a mystery. I hope the next one is better.
August 5, 2022
An Arresting Crush
I continue to enjoy this series. The twists, turns, and various relationships keep me engaged and entertained.
Having seen the Hallmark production, there are things I like about both. There are more realistic interactions and relationships in the book, which I really like.
As for the movie, if you like cozy mysteries and Hallmark, I'd recommend checking it out. Book or movie, I'd recommend enjoying them in order.
I borrowed a library copy of the audio book. The narrator continues to be Therese Plummer. I do like her for Aurora.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.5x
I continue to enjoy this series. The twists, turns, and various relationships keep me engaged and entertained.
Having seen the Hallmark production, there are things I like about both. There are more realistic interactions and relationships in the book, which I really like.
As for the movie, if you like cozy mysteries and Hallmark, I'd recommend checking it out. Book or movie, I'd recommend enjoying them in order.
I borrowed a library copy of the audio book. The narrator continues to be Therese Plummer. I do like her for Aurora.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.5x
March 17, 2019
What do you do when you’re suffering from a severe case of insomnia? If you’re me, you wander to your bookcase and say to yourself, “Which of these books is interesting, but I’ll be willing to set it down when sleep finally feels possible?” I gave up at about 2 a.m. on Saturday morning and started to read--finally, at 4 a.m. I managed to set down the book and sleep for a while.
I’d have to call this both a cozy mystery and a Southern mystery. Charlaine Harris includes so many of the details of Southern life--the churches that people attend, the community conflicts, the everyday lifestyles of her characters. Some readers obviously love these details--I must confess that they are why I chose it as a “sleeping pill.”
Despite that, Aurora is a character that drew me in and made me care what happens to her. This is the fifth book in the series after all, I’m still reading them, and I have no doubts at all that I’ll continue on with her adventures when I have another sleepless night.
I’d have to call this both a cozy mystery and a Southern mystery. Charlaine Harris includes so many of the details of Southern life--the churches that people attend, the community conflicts, the everyday lifestyles of her characters. Some readers obviously love these details--I must confess that they are why I chose it as a “sleeping pill.”
Despite that, Aurora is a character that drew me in and made me care what happens to her. This is the fifth book in the series after all, I’m still reading them, and I have no doubts at all that I’ll continue on with her adventures when I have another sleepless night.
August 29, 2009
How can you not enjoy a book that begins: "My bodyguard was mowing the yard wearing her pink bikini when the man fell from the sky." ??
C'mon!
Another sweet and twisted glimpse into Aurora Teagarden's strangely complicated simple life.
C'mon!
Another sweet and twisted glimpse into Aurora Teagarden's strangely complicated simple life.
October 16, 2022
Uno de los mejores libros de la saga hasta ahora .
Comienza con un crimen desde primera hora y te tiene intrigada hasta la última página. Se lee super rápido.
Comienza con un crimen desde primera hora y te tiene intrigada hasta la última página. Se lee super rápido.
January 15, 2009
Very disappointing! Harris can do *much* better than this book. The plot is just incredibly unbelievable. Once again the Youngbloods are wasted characters and Martin is just two-dimensional. But that's not really even the worst of it! It's almost as if Harris sat down one weekend and decided to write this book without any thought or planning.
August 9, 2022
Maybe I didn’t notice in her other books, but there was a lot of racism here. Very casual, hidden in a weak story.
January 17, 2018
To describe this in one sentence (or even one word), I would say: "pop-corn" book – a quick read, that neither gives nor takes much; meaning you shouldn’t search for some deep/hidden purpose in it, but it doesn’t waste a lot of time or patience either – in that way, you can end up enjoying this type of story for the time being.
Random thought, #1 – Got to love, how it is enough to write one bestseller and then all of your books (series) have that “The No.1 Bestselling Author” mark all over it.
Random thought, #2 – Got to love how at times the cover is way more seductive (in a way of making you want to read as soon as possible,) than the actual plot and book.
Random thought, #3 – Got to love, how Aurora is so used to people being murdered around her (or finding dead bodies in various places,) that she doesn’t care that much about it anymore. Some family murdered in her recent home (hint to previous book) – oh well, I still like this house. The man falls from the sky into her garden and then police is all over it. Oh damn, my lawn.
Random thought, #4 – Got to love, the very first sentence of this book, certainly my favorite so far: “My bodyguard was mowing the yard wearing her pink bikini when the man fell from the sky” Well if that doesn’t make you want to continue reading a book, I don’t know what does.
Random thought, #1 – Got to love, how it is enough to write one bestseller and then all of your books (series) have that “The No.1 Bestselling Author” mark all over it.
Random thought, #2 – Got to love how at times the cover is way more seductive (in a way of making you want to read as soon as possible,) than the actual plot and book.
Random thought, #3 – Got to love, how Aurora is so used to people being murdered around her (or finding dead bodies in various places,) that she doesn’t care that much about it anymore. Some family murdered in her recent home (hint to previous book) – oh well, I still like this house. The man falls from the sky into her garden and then police is all over it. Oh damn, my lawn.
Random thought, #4 – Got to love, the very first sentence of this book, certainly my favorite so far: “My bodyguard was mowing the yard wearing her pink bikini when the man fell from the sky” Well if that doesn’t make you want to continue reading a book, I don’t know what does.
January 5, 2018
A body lands in Aurora's yard and it turns out to be the police chief who had been harassing her regarding her involvement in previous mysteries. Another person is attacked and later dies and eventually Aurora figures out that the two are related. How? I can't say without giving spoilers but Aurora once again gets immersed in mysteries and Martin's life is in jeopardy.
February 9, 2013
Before I go into my review, just want to remark that I've always thought this title was wasted on this book. It would've been much better as a title for one of the SVM/Sookie books.
Moving on, this was definitely when the series jumped the shark. All this build up to who was doing all these horrible things, and then literally no explanation of why. I would've much preferred to find out WHY he was obsessed with Roe, what brought it about, how the other crimes were actually committed, etc. It only merited about one paragraph, but yet you have to sit through several about mundane things like Roe reading a story to some schoolkids at the library, the descriptions about Aida's secretary, and other stuff that's been covered in these stories before. I guess the ideas were running scarce at this point.
Moving on, this was definitely when the series jumped the shark. All this build up to who was doing all these horrible things, and then literally no explanation of why. I would've much preferred to find out WHY he was obsessed with Roe, what brought it about, how the other crimes were actually committed, etc. It only merited about one paragraph, but yet you have to sit through several about mundane things like Roe reading a story to some schoolkids at the library, the descriptions about Aida's secretary, and other stuff that's been covered in these stories before. I guess the ideas were running scarce at this point.
February 1, 2023
Fifth in the Aurora Teagarden amateur sleuth cozy mystery series and revolving around a librarian in Lawrenceton, Georgia. The focus is on that flying body.
It's been a couple of years since The Julius House , 4.
My Take
Oh, lol, the opening sentence definitely caught my attention.
Then Angel (and we) discover she's pregnant and, hoo boy, does this ever create problems! Yeah, those vasectomies . . . sometimes the tubes grow back. You guys may want to go for a recheck.
Harris is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Roe's perspective, so everything we know is when Roe's around or thinking or feeling *grin*.
Poor Roe does love being married to Martin, except for those dinners. Oy. Dinners for this, dinners for that, dinners for whatever you can imagine. As for Roe's realization about her and Martin's social life . . . oh, oh. It's not helped by those whispers of "trophy wife". Still, Roe's speech at Arthur is a humdinger, and I can't imagine a better accolade to a good marriage.
A number of small things get weird. Those penetrations into the yard, putting a ribbon on Madeleine!?! Whoever it was likes to live dangerously! There's the attack on Shelby. The dead body flying out of the plane. The murders. Oy. Although, Dryden's confession at church had me laughing. All these little offerings . . . ick.
It's an odd blend of characters and action. I couldn't tell you if the story was being driven by one or the other — they're driving each other! Harris does keep the pace moving, there's always something going down.
The Story
Aurora Teagarden surprises even herself with how quickly she’s settled in to domestic bliss with her new husband, Martin. But when the body of Roe’s nemesis, Detective Jack Burns, drops from an airplane to land in her yard, Roe once more finds herself involved in a mysterious death.
It isn’t long before Roe realizes that strange things are happening to those around her, including anonymous “gifts” appearing at her home. Suspecting that everything is somehow related, Roe digs for her own answers before someone else winds up dead. She’ll have to investigate everyone she knows, and the truth she uncovers will change her life forever.
The Characters
Lawrenceton, Georgia, is . . .
. . . home for Aurora "Roe" Teagarden, a used-to-be retired librarian, she has been married for some two years now to Martin Bartell, vice-president of manufacturing at Pan-Am Agra and a Vietnam vet, who must've been born with a love for danger and a need for control. Madeleine, the white cat Aurora inherited from Jane ( A Bone to Pick , 2), loves to taunt both Aurora and Martin. Angel and Shelby Youngblood, Martin's longtime friend and fellow vet, are the bodyguards Martin hired, although Shelby's career at Pan-Am seems to be thriving. That Shelby, he's such a romantic. Jimmy Dell had been Angel's older brother. Barrett is Martin's ungrateful son.
Aurora's mother is Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland, a very successful realty agent. John Queensland is her fairly new husband, a retired businessman.
The Police
Spalding County Law Enforcement Complex "Spacolec" is control central for the police station, small claims court, the county sheriff's office, and the jail. Padgett Lanier is the sheriff. Tom Nash Vernon is the chief of police. The zealous Detective Sergeant Jack Burns is with the city PD. He hated Aurora. Bess Burns, his wife, also works at the library. Their children are Jack Junior and Romney. Marva Clerrick, a popular and busy teacher at the high school, is the Burnses' neighbor. Her husband, Sam, is the head of the library.
Detective Arthur Smith (Robbery) had once dated Roe but is now married to Detective Lynn Liggett Smith (Homicide). They have a child, Lorna. Although he is eyeing Roe with lust . . . and has separated from Lynn. Faron Henske seems to be in Robbery as well. Officer Jimmy Henske is Faron's nephew. Officer C Turlock is a snarler.
Sue is Arthur's date at the big dinner. Murray.
The Library
Sam Clerrick, the head of the library, is a great manager but lousy with people. Perry Ellison works at the library (and he's Sally's son), as does Roe's nemesis, Lillian Schmidt. The pregnant Lizanne Sewell, a friend of Roe's, is a library volunteer who's married to Bubba Sewell, a local lawyer and a state representative. The storytime attendees include Irene. Beverly Rillington, a library aide who is efficient and reliable, is quite "sensitive" with a giant chip on her shoulder. Beverly's mother, Selena, is in a coma after a beating. I like that Lillian is terrified of Beverly, lol. Cile Vernon wants to read Anne Rice. There are various groups which book storytelling times: WeeOnes, Kid Kare Korner, and the First Church of God the Creator day-care group.
Sally Allison is a reporter for the local paper, the Lawrenceton Sentinel , which is owned by Macon Turner who is also its editor. Sally has been married and divorced from (1) Steve Allison who is Perry's dad, and (2) Detective Paul Allison, Steve's brother. Perry is dating Jenny Tankersley, a widow since her husband Jack made a fatal mistake, who is giving flying lessons. Dan Edgar is a fellow reporter, but lazy. Sam Edgar may not have a punching bag at the end.
Carey Osland works at Marcus Hatfield ( A Bone to Pick , 2). The burial will be through Jasper Funeral Home since Jerry Saylor of Saylor's Funeral Home had the poor taste to divorce Bess' sister. Dr Pincus "Pinky" Zelman is Roe's doctor; Trinity is his receptionist and wife. Linda Ehrhardt Pocock is his nurse and in whose wedding Roe had been a bridesmaid. Although Linda's divorced now with two children, Carol and Macey. Dr Jamerson is the valiant veterinarian willing to see Madeleine. Aubrey is the reverend at St James, which is attended by Roe and her mother.
The rude John Dryden and Don O'Riley are from Atlanta. Bunny Black owns Daredevil, a flying school. Stanford Foley owns something at the airfield.
Pan-Am Agra is . . .
. . . a combination of foods, farm machinery, and agricultural teachings. Mrs Marnie Sands is Martin’s secretary. Bettina Anderson, who seems to have a pash for Martin, is married to Bill Anderson, the plant safety manager. Deena Cotton works in the shipping department and is dating Paul Allison. Jesse Prentiss is one of the division heads; Verna is his wife.
Select Realty is Aida's business. Eileen Norris is Aida's second-in-command. Patty Cloud is now a real estate agent while Debbie Lincoln, who has evolved in many ways, succeeded her at reception and is the office computer expert. Mrs Kaplan wants to sell her house.
Short 'N Sweet in Atlanta is Roe's favorite petite shop. DeLane is delivering flowers for Call-a-Posey. Charlie Gorman was a nice boy Roe had dated in high school. Shady Rest is an old cemetery; Mr Early Lawrence for whom the town is named is buried there. Mount Zion is the black cemetery.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep peach with a deeper orange in triangles scattered all over the background. A lighter peach pair of scrolls frame the title (in white) that angles through the middle. At the top is the author's name in a deep reddish orange. At the bottom is that row of colorful books, standing straight up, in a pile, and leaning with a white glowing line outlining the exposed parts of the books. On the right are a pair of glasses lying a'slant, slightly framing the seres info in brown.
The title is all about the flying body, the one who's flying Dead Over Heels.
It's been a couple of years since The Julius House , 4.
My Take
Oh, lol, the opening sentence definitely caught my attention.
Then Angel (and we) discover she's pregnant and, hoo boy, does this ever create problems! Yeah, those vasectomies . . . sometimes the tubes grow back. You guys may want to go for a recheck.
Harris is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Roe's perspective, so everything we know is when Roe's around or thinking or feeling *grin*.
Poor Roe does love being married to Martin, except for those dinners. Oy. Dinners for this, dinners for that, dinners for whatever you can imagine. As for Roe's realization about her and Martin's social life . . . oh, oh. It's not helped by those whispers of "trophy wife". Still, Roe's speech at Arthur is a humdinger, and I can't imagine a better accolade to a good marriage.
A number of small things get weird. Those penetrations into the yard, putting a ribbon on Madeleine!?! Whoever it was likes to live dangerously! There's the attack on Shelby. The dead body flying out of the plane. The murders. Oy. Although, Dryden's confession at church had me laughing. All these little offerings . . . ick.
It's an odd blend of characters and action. I couldn't tell you if the story was being driven by one or the other — they're driving each other! Harris does keep the pace moving, there's always something going down.
The Story
Aurora Teagarden surprises even herself with how quickly she’s settled in to domestic bliss with her new husband, Martin. But when the body of Roe’s nemesis, Detective Jack Burns, drops from an airplane to land in her yard, Roe once more finds herself involved in a mysterious death.
It isn’t long before Roe realizes that strange things are happening to those around her, including anonymous “gifts” appearing at her home. Suspecting that everything is somehow related, Roe digs for her own answers before someone else winds up dead. She’ll have to investigate everyone she knows, and the truth she uncovers will change her life forever.
The Characters
Lawrenceton, Georgia, is . . .
. . . home for Aurora "Roe" Teagarden, a used-to-be retired librarian, she has been married for some two years now to Martin Bartell, vice-president of manufacturing at Pan-Am Agra and a Vietnam vet, who must've been born with a love for danger and a need for control. Madeleine, the white cat Aurora inherited from Jane ( A Bone to Pick , 2), loves to taunt both Aurora and Martin. Angel and Shelby Youngblood, Martin's longtime friend and fellow vet, are the bodyguards Martin hired, although Shelby's career at Pan-Am seems to be thriving. That Shelby, he's such a romantic. Jimmy Dell had been Angel's older brother. Barrett is Martin's ungrateful son.
Aurora's mother is Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland, a very successful realty agent. John Queensland is her fairly new husband, a retired businessman.
The Police
Spalding County Law Enforcement Complex "Spacolec" is control central for the police station, small claims court, the county sheriff's office, and the jail. Padgett Lanier is the sheriff. Tom Nash Vernon is the chief of police. The zealous Detective Sergeant Jack Burns is with the city PD. He hated Aurora. Bess Burns, his wife, also works at the library. Their children are Jack Junior and Romney. Marva Clerrick, a popular and busy teacher at the high school, is the Burnses' neighbor. Her husband, Sam, is the head of the library.
Detective Arthur Smith (Robbery) had once dated Roe but is now married to Detective Lynn Liggett Smith (Homicide). They have a child, Lorna. Although he is eyeing Roe with lust . . . and has separated from Lynn. Faron Henske seems to be in Robbery as well. Officer Jimmy Henske is Faron's nephew. Officer C Turlock is a snarler.
Sue is Arthur's date at the big dinner. Murray.
The Library
Sam Clerrick, the head of the library, is a great manager but lousy with people. Perry Ellison works at the library (and he's Sally's son), as does Roe's nemesis, Lillian Schmidt. The pregnant Lizanne Sewell, a friend of Roe's, is a library volunteer who's married to Bubba Sewell, a local lawyer and a state representative. The storytime attendees include Irene. Beverly Rillington, a library aide who is efficient and reliable, is quite "sensitive" with a giant chip on her shoulder. Beverly's mother, Selena, is in a coma after a beating. I like that Lillian is terrified of Beverly, lol. Cile Vernon wants to read Anne Rice. There are various groups which book storytelling times: WeeOnes, Kid Kare Korner, and the First Church of God the Creator day-care group.
Sally Allison is a reporter for the local paper, the Lawrenceton Sentinel , which is owned by Macon Turner who is also its editor. Sally has been married and divorced from (1) Steve Allison who is Perry's dad, and (2) Detective Paul Allison, Steve's brother. Perry is dating Jenny Tankersley, a widow since her husband Jack made a fatal mistake, who is giving flying lessons. Dan Edgar is a fellow reporter, but lazy. Sam Edgar may not have a punching bag at the end.
Carey Osland works at Marcus Hatfield ( A Bone to Pick , 2). The burial will be through Jasper Funeral Home since Jerry Saylor of Saylor's Funeral Home had the poor taste to divorce Bess' sister. Dr Pincus "Pinky" Zelman is Roe's doctor; Trinity is his receptionist and wife. Linda Ehrhardt Pocock is his nurse and in whose wedding Roe had been a bridesmaid. Although Linda's divorced now with two children, Carol and Macey. Dr Jamerson is the valiant veterinarian willing to see Madeleine. Aubrey is the reverend at St James, which is attended by Roe and her mother.
The rude John Dryden and Don O'Riley are from Atlanta. Bunny Black owns Daredevil, a flying school. Stanford Foley owns something at the airfield.
Pan-Am Agra is . . .
. . . a combination of foods, farm machinery, and agricultural teachings. Mrs Marnie Sands is Martin’s secretary. Bettina Anderson, who seems to have a pash for Martin, is married to Bill Anderson, the plant safety manager. Deena Cotton works in the shipping department and is dating Paul Allison. Jesse Prentiss is one of the division heads; Verna is his wife.
Select Realty is Aida's business. Eileen Norris is Aida's second-in-command. Patty Cloud is now a real estate agent while Debbie Lincoln, who has evolved in many ways, succeeded her at reception and is the office computer expert. Mrs Kaplan wants to sell her house.
Short 'N Sweet in Atlanta is Roe's favorite petite shop. DeLane is delivering flowers for Call-a-Posey. Charlie Gorman was a nice boy Roe had dated in high school. Shady Rest is an old cemetery; Mr Early Lawrence for whom the town is named is buried there. Mount Zion is the black cemetery.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep peach with a deeper orange in triangles scattered all over the background. A lighter peach pair of scrolls frame the title (in white) that angles through the middle. At the top is the author's name in a deep reddish orange. At the bottom is that row of colorful books, standing straight up, in a pile, and leaning with a white glowing line outlining the exposed parts of the books. On the right are a pair of glasses lying a'slant, slightly framing the seres info in brown.
The title is all about the flying body, the one who's flying Dead Over Heels.
May 1, 2013
Booooooooooring. Too many mundane details, not enough murder mystery intrigue, character substance interest. Like the last book, I don't like Aurora's perfect slightly racist Christian housewife personality - she's kind of an idiot. She reminds me of a female Ned Flanders (annoying). I still hate how she idolizes her husband and tries to be the perfect subservient wife. I liked her MUCH better as a single independant woman who was interesting and had a much better personality. I don't like that Harris just randomly threw in the fact that Row can't have kids (and how she was being an unconvincing cry-baby about it) and that the mystery of Angel's pregnancy remained unresolved. It was irritating that there was no explanation for the break-up of Arthur and Lynn and how Lynn was surviving alone with their baby. It's generally weird that Martin hired Angel and Shelby to be live-in body guards to Roe, especially since they didn't really protect her from anything and turned out to be superflous and uselss in the end. The ending was anti-climactic: I don't like that the murderer turned out to be practically a nobody character - yes we would never have guessed it was Paul, only because he's so lame and insignificant. A practically random crazy man in love with and stalking Roe? As if her ego wasn't big enough with Arthur childlishly pinig after her. The denouement offered no explanation as to why Paul stocked, murdered and injured other charactersfor 'Roe's sake', nor how he committed these acts. Harris seems to be recycling characters too much. I read and painfully finished book #4, and was deissappointed. The same is true for this book - I'd hoped #4 was a one-off bad apple of the bunch, but turns out this book was too. I am determined to finish the series, as painful and boring as it may be. It's hard for me to believe that Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series (which I love) and the Harper Connely series (which I liked) wrote 2 such crappy books in the Teagarden series. What happened?? A final word about the confusing title: it would have been a better title for the Sookie Stackhouse series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2012
I got this book from the library, without reading the first four in the series. Luckily for me, the characters were well introduced so that it wasn't necessary for me to have read the first books in order to understand this one. This was a very short novel, and it was easy to read, making this a fast read. I thought that the characters were interesting, and while I wouldn't say this was a good enough book (at least in my opinion) to spend money on, I think that it was a good way to spend an afternoon.
I thought that from the very beginning of the book, the mystery was fascinating - how many books involve a man falling out of the sky into a particular target's yard? The murderer has a very interesting way of trying to attract the person whom they desire, and one of the nice things about having a shorter book is that there isn't a lot of time to refocus on every little aspect of the mystery and the personal lives of the main characters - some authors are very prone to repeating various details several times in mystery books, which seems to make them drag on forever.
While Aurora isn't the most compelling protagonist, she had enough character to make it through a 120 page book. If you have enjoyed the previous books or other writings by Charlaine Harris, you should like this one.
I thought that from the very beginning of the book, the mystery was fascinating - how many books involve a man falling out of the sky into a particular target's yard? The murderer has a very interesting way of trying to attract the person whom they desire, and one of the nice things about having a shorter book is that there isn't a lot of time to refocus on every little aspect of the mystery and the personal lives of the main characters - some authors are very prone to repeating various details several times in mystery books, which seems to make them drag on forever.
While Aurora isn't the most compelling protagonist, she had enough character to make it through a 120 page book. If you have enjoyed the previous books or other writings by Charlaine Harris, you should like this one.
February 4, 2020
Another Aurora Teagarden finished! Love this series. If you've watched the movies, the story lines are different. The further I go in the series, the more different they are from the movies. Looking forward to the next one!!
October 23, 2014
Better than the previous books. There's not as much of a rush to wrap it all up at the end. Still a candy book - fun & quick to read. Engaging writing & characters. A good who-dunnit.
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November 8, 2025Dead Over Heels begins a after a gap of a year or two since the events of The Julius House and has a settled tone. Roe and Martin are adjusting to married life, not always easily, but getting on well. Then a body falls from the sky and a new murder mystery lands, literally, at Roe’s feet. Charlaine Harris does a fantastic job of blending life, love, and mystery in a Southern small town with her Aurora Teagarden series.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.15.26.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 5.15.26.
April 22, 2019
Five books into this series and I feel I’m getting over it. Just how many more situations can one character fall into? There are still five more books *sighs* I’m not willing to abandon the series just yet. I’m hoping this book is just a bump in the road. I really do enjoy them as they are a light quick read. This one just felt a bit too predictable.
July 19, 2022
Bastante mejor de lo esperado
July 17, 2021
A very easy audiobook to listen to while driving in the car. The story started out exciting with a body being dropped in Aurora’s yard from a plane, but fizzled out quick. A perfect not too much thinking read.
June 29, 2018
This series keeps getting better, especially now that Roe is married. Really enjoyed this one and the unique method of death for the victim!
March 20, 2020
RATING 2.5 STARS
Dead Over Heels is my least favourite so far. It was just a bit more annoying and longer than usual. I am not a fan of Martin and Roe anymore. It seems like every book, we get more his bad characteristics.
Dead Over Heels is my least favourite so far. It was just a bit more annoying and longer than usual. I am not a fan of Martin and Roe anymore. It seems like every book, we get more his bad characteristics.
December 3, 2013
Mystery. Two years have passed since the last book. Aurora is settled into her new house with her new husband and her new bodyguards and is presented with a new mystery when Detective Sergeant Jack Burns—always suspicious of Roe and her proximity to dead bodies—falls out of an airplane and lands dead in her backyard.
I was really disappointed in this. Aurora spends the entire book making poor decisions and being really oblivious about the mystery. While I like that these books change up the type of investigating Roe does—it's not always full-on amateur sleuthing with her—she was incredibly passive in this one, just bumbling along her daily routine while murders and assaults happened all around her. She finally gets some agency at the end, but she uses it to make another dumb decision. As for the killer, his motive is unimaginative, yet at the same time hard to understand. It's a stretch to ask me to believe he had any kind of interior emotional life when he was so underdeveloped I couldn't even remember his profession.
The other thing I (used to) like about this series is that Roe changes from book to book, but she seems to have stagnated here, and she's still married to Martin who I continue to find boring and unlikeable.
Two stars. Weak mystery, with no good character stuff to make up for it.
eBook: No cover and lots of annoying little typographical errors.
I was really disappointed in this. Aurora spends the entire book making poor decisions and being really oblivious about the mystery. While I like that these books change up the type of investigating Roe does—it's not always full-on amateur sleuthing with her—she was incredibly passive in this one, just bumbling along her daily routine while murders and assaults happened all around her. She finally gets some agency at the end, but she uses it to make another dumb decision. As for the killer, his motive is unimaginative, yet at the same time hard to understand. It's a stretch to ask me to believe he had any kind of interior emotional life when he was so underdeveloped I couldn't even remember his profession.
The other thing I (used to) like about this series is that Roe changes from book to book, but she seems to have stagnated here, and she's still married to Martin who I continue to find boring and unlikeable.
Two stars. Weak mystery, with no good character stuff to make up for it.
eBook: No cover and lots of annoying little typographical errors.
August 10, 2015
The Aurora Teagarden series has become one of my go-to series when I need a fast, good read and this book was no disappointment. In Dead Over Heels Aurora and Angel are in their backyard when a body suddenly falls from a plane and drops into their backyard. Soon after when a woman Aurora has an argument with gets severely beaten, and other questionable events happen Aurora finds herself scared and wondering if this maniac is after her or her friend, Angel.
Many sleuths in the cozy subgenre break down when they see a body, which is perfectly understandable, but Aurora is different, she logically makes sure the body is deceased before calling the police and she takes it all in stride, it's a nice change from most of the other cozy sleuths. I absolutely love Angel and Shelby and I hope that they will return in future books.
The mystery was outstanding, the one main clue the author dangled out in front of you was not obvious and yet obvious at the same time. The killer completely surprised me, and I have to admit I was scared something would happen to Roe or Martin by the end.
Overall an excellent book, I have only one minor complaint; so much stuff happened between this book and the last that it took awhile to get used to it. However, as that's my only complaint Dead Over Heels gets 4/5 stars.
Many sleuths in the cozy subgenre break down when they see a body, which is perfectly understandable, but Aurora is different, she logically makes sure the body is deceased before calling the police and she takes it all in stride, it's a nice change from most of the other cozy sleuths. I absolutely love Angel and Shelby and I hope that they will return in future books.
The mystery was outstanding, the one main clue the author dangled out in front of you was not obvious and yet obvious at the same time. The killer completely surprised me, and I have to admit I was scared something would happen to Roe or Martin by the end.
Overall an excellent book, I have only one minor complaint; so much stuff happened between this book and the last that it took awhile to get used to it. However, as that's my only complaint Dead Over Heels gets 4/5 stars.
May 3, 2015
Good gawd, this book made no sense! The ending just comes, and it's like - didn't see that coming. Not because it was some clever plot twist...it was just straight up weak writing grasping at straws for a conclusion that wasn't set up to make particular sense.
Is this some kind of weird 90s southern picture of adventurous wifely womanhood? 2015 feminist Amy goes roar! This protagonist (although compelling for her librarianly qualities) is perfectly vexing! And - how do I put this - not that I hate her, I just wouldn't be sad if she dies?
I'll be perfectly honest with you at this point though - although these books are getting steadily worse/didn't start out that great to begin with - I will still totally read the next one. For some unknown reason.
PS - I'll agree with other reviewers...this title was wasted on this heap, should have gone with the Southern Vampire Mysteries series.
Is this some kind of weird 90s southern picture of adventurous wifely womanhood? 2015 feminist Amy goes roar! This protagonist (although compelling for her librarianly qualities) is perfectly vexing! And - how do I put this - not that I hate her, I just wouldn't be sad if she dies?
I'll be perfectly honest with you at this point though - although these books are getting steadily worse/didn't start out that great to begin with - I will still totally read the next one. For some unknown reason.
PS - I'll agree with other reviewers...this title was wasted on this heap, should have gone with the Southern Vampire Mysteries series.
November 28, 2017
I get a little fixated on series, but despite my usual need to finish / keep up with a book series, this will be my last Aurora Teagarden. The series started pretty strong, but dear GOD these characters make me cringe. Roe reminds me of those friends that change completely as soon as they get married. And not for the better. Her relationship with her husband is vaguely creepy to be honest.
I could get past the characters, if there were solid mystery plots; but this is so ridiculous... While I won't add spoilers, I would like to say that Harris' preoccupation with everyone's appearance is getting old. It works well (I think) in the Sookie series, but with 'real people' characters it's just tacky. As previous reviews mentioned, the suspects are so bland that you have to remind yourself which one was which. And the motive - so. flippin'. ridiculous. Red herrings that went nowhere and a solution that, while completely obvious on the who, lacked any indication of the why.
I could get past the characters, if there were solid mystery plots; but this is so ridiculous... While I won't add spoilers, I would like to say that Harris' preoccupation with everyone's appearance is getting old. It works well (I think) in the Sookie series, but with 'real people' characters it's just tacky. As previous reviews mentioned, the suspects are so bland that you have to remind yourself which one was which. And the motive - so. flippin'. ridiculous. Red herrings that went nowhere and a solution that, while completely obvious on the who, lacked any indication of the why.
April 27, 2015
Even though someone on Goodreads spoiled the denouement a bit by revealing the murderer early in their review and did not hide it as such, I found myself reading this book without wanting to put it down. It is not the best book in the series but neither is it the worst. As another reviewer noted, Harris wasted the Youngbloods, especially after such a promising introduction in the previous installment.
I like this series despite the unevenness of some of the plotting - the first and third books are the best in my opinion. While a new reader of the series can probably pick up anywhere in the series, they might understand more the dynamics of the relationship between Martin and Roe if they read "The Julius House" (#4) first. To understand the importance of the first victim, Jack Burns, "Real Murders" (#1) is the best place to start.
I like this series despite the unevenness of some of the plotting - the first and third books are the best in my opinion. While a new reader of the series can probably pick up anywhere in the series, they might understand more the dynamics of the relationship between Martin and Roe if they read "The Julius House" (#4) first. To understand the importance of the first victim, Jack Burns, "Real Murders" (#1) is the best place to start.
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