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Cluttered Crime Mysteries #2
Deadlier Than Fiction: A Strong Female Lead Mystery
Can she get the right read on this situation before someone ruins the ending?
Professional organizer Crystal Ward is at a crossroads with her business, Organizing Chicago. Her husband, Rick, isn’t on board with online advertising, and their friends and family are running out of referrals. And now her client’s husband is outraged to learn that Crys donated novels he had promised to his brother. Crys’s only hope of salvaging the situation is to recover the titles.
But she shouldn’t have judged those books by their covers. The secret they contain is valuable, and she’s not the only one trying to find them. What’s more, she’s now hiding a secret of her own. She’d promised Rick, a former homicide detective, that she’d avoid sketchy situations that could land her in danger. Her best move? To team up with a retired detective, who suddenly has his own agenda.
With danger mounting, she must use all of her sleuthing skills to sort out friend from foe and fact from fiction before a killer can write her own final chapter.
Professional organizer Crystal Ward is at a crossroads with her business, Organizing Chicago. Her husband, Rick, isn’t on board with online advertising, and their friends and family are running out of referrals. And now her client’s husband is outraged to learn that Crys donated novels he had promised to his brother. Crys’s only hope of salvaging the situation is to recover the titles.
But she shouldn’t have judged those books by their covers. The secret they contain is valuable, and she’s not the only one trying to find them. What’s more, she’s now hiding a secret of her own. She’d promised Rick, a former homicide detective, that she’d avoid sketchy situations that could land her in danger. Her best move? To team up with a retired detective, who suddenly has his own agenda.
With danger mounting, she must use all of her sleuthing skills to sort out friend from foe and fact from fiction before a killer can write her own final chapter.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2023
12 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Carol Light
12 books30 followersWhat's life without a little mystery?
Carol Light is an avid reader and writer of mysteries. She loves creating amateur sleuths and complicating their normal lives with a crime that requires their talents and wits to solve. Her Cluttered Crime series features amateur sleuth Crystal Ward, a professional organizer in Chicago who solves crimes with the often reluctant assistance of her husband, Rick. Carol is currently writing her new Southern Secrets mystery series. The first book, Deadly Inheritance, will be released by Tule Publishing in March 2025. Follow Carol at https://www.carollightauthor.com
Carol has traveled worldwide and lived in Australia for eight years, teaching high school English and learning to speak “Strine.” Florida is now her home. If she’s not at the beach or writing, you can find her tackling quilting in much the same way that she figures out her mysteries—piece by piece, clue by clue.
Carol Light is an avid reader and writer of mysteries. She loves creating amateur sleuths and complicating their normal lives with a crime that requires their talents and wits to solve. Her Cluttered Crime series features amateur sleuth Crystal Ward, a professional organizer in Chicago who solves crimes with the often reluctant assistance of her husband, Rick. Carol is currently writing her new Southern Secrets mystery series. The first book, Deadly Inheritance, will be released by Tule Publishing in March 2025. Follow Carol at https://www.carollightauthor.com
Carol has traveled worldwide and lived in Australia for eight years, teaching high school English and learning to speak “Strine.” Florida is now her home. If she’s not at the beach or writing, you can find her tackling quilting in much the same way that she figures out her mysteries—piece by piece, clue by clue.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 11, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The second installment featuring professional organizer Crystal Ward, “Deadlier Than Fiction”, by Carol Light (Tule Publishing), brings more of the intrepid “private investigator” adventures along with scenes of domesticity and family and community life incarnated by very ordinary people.
Juggling family and a new occupation, Crys somehow finds herself witnessing criminal activities and can’t help investigate them and trying to help innocent people involved, despite her husband’s caution, concern and even opposition.
The balance between the horrific murders and the heroine investigation and the scenes of domestic life, involving Crys’ family and old and new friends, colleagues and neighbors is wonderful.
Crys negotiates the household chores while trying to solve the mystery around the missing donated books, involving several people in her efforts.
I really liked how love, friendship and true affection flows and is shown between people – the close family and their friends, colleagues and neighbors – in the very plain domestic scenes that Carol Light describes so well.
I also loved the way Rick’s challenges are handled and how the paraplegic former homicide detective mobility issues and back problems are incorporated into the narrative.
Crys goal to adapt the house to her husband so that barriers and limitations are overcome is always present.
The closeness, intimacy, love between the couple are wonderful, too.
All these elements give the story realism and authenticity and make it a pleasure to read.
The second installment featuring professional organizer Crystal Ward, “Deadlier Than Fiction”, by Carol Light (Tule Publishing), brings more of the intrepid “private investigator” adventures along with scenes of domesticity and family and community life incarnated by very ordinary people.
Juggling family and a new occupation, Crys somehow finds herself witnessing criminal activities and can’t help investigate them and trying to help innocent people involved, despite her husband’s caution, concern and even opposition.
The balance between the horrific murders and the heroine investigation and the scenes of domestic life, involving Crys’ family and old and new friends, colleagues and neighbors is wonderful.
Crys negotiates the household chores while trying to solve the mystery around the missing donated books, involving several people in her efforts.
I really liked how love, friendship and true affection flows and is shown between people – the close family and their friends, colleagues and neighbors – in the very plain domestic scenes that Carol Light describes so well.
I also loved the way Rick’s challenges are handled and how the paraplegic former homicide detective mobility issues and back problems are incorporated into the narrative.
Crys goal to adapt the house to her husband so that barriers and limitations are overcome is always present.
The closeness, intimacy, love between the couple are wonderful, too.
All these elements give the story realism and authenticity and make it a pleasure to read.
September 9, 2023
"Deadlier Than Fiction" by Carol Light, the second installment in the Cluttered Crime series, is a gripping and suspenseful mystery novel that stands on its own, offering readers a thrilling journey into the world of professional organizer Crystal Ward. In this intricately woven tale, Light expertly combines elements of business struggles, family dynamics, and a high-stakes mystery, creating a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Crystal Ward, the protagonist, finds herself at a crossroads in her professional life as she grapples with the challenges of promoting her business, Organizing Chicago, in the digital age. Her husband Rick's reluctance to embrace online advertising adds an extra layer of tension to their relationship, setting the stage for a realistic portrayal of the complexities of married life.
The novel takes a riveting turn when Crystal becomes entangled in a mystery surrounding donated novels and the valuable secrets they conceal. As she races against time to recover these books, she unwittingly steps into a dangerous web of intrigue and deceit. The plot thickens as she realizes that she is not the only one searching for these elusive titles.
Carol Light skillfully builds suspense and tension throughout the narrative, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth. The addition of a retired detective as Crystal's unexpected partner adds depth to the story, creating an intriguing dynamic as they each pursue their own agendas.
One of the novel's standout qualities is its well-crafted characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Crystal's determination and resourcefulness make her a relatable and tenacious protagonist. Her promise to her husband, a former homicide detective, adds an extra layer of complexity to her character as she navigates treacherous situations.
"Deadlier Than Fiction" is a story of danger, intrigue, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. Carol Light's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, and her ability to keep readers guessing until the final chapter is commendable. The novel is a testament to her skill in crafting intricate and compelling mysteries.
In "Deadlier Than Fiction," Carol Light has delivered a stellar mystery novel that will leave readers craving more. It is a story of secrets, lies, and the pursuit of justice, all set against the backdrop of a professional organizer's world. This novel is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted and suspenseful narrative. Light's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this captivating installment of the Cluttered Crime series, making it a true gem in the genre of mystery fiction.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crystal Ward, the protagonist, finds herself at a crossroads in her professional life as she grapples with the challenges of promoting her business, Organizing Chicago, in the digital age. Her husband Rick's reluctance to embrace online advertising adds an extra layer of tension to their relationship, setting the stage for a realistic portrayal of the complexities of married life.
The novel takes a riveting turn when Crystal becomes entangled in a mystery surrounding donated novels and the valuable secrets they conceal. As she races against time to recover these books, she unwittingly steps into a dangerous web of intrigue and deceit. The plot thickens as she realizes that she is not the only one searching for these elusive titles.
Carol Light skillfully builds suspense and tension throughout the narrative, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth. The addition of a retired detective as Crystal's unexpected partner adds depth to the story, creating an intriguing dynamic as they each pursue their own agendas.
One of the novel's standout qualities is its well-crafted characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Crystal's determination and resourcefulness make her a relatable and tenacious protagonist. Her promise to her husband, a former homicide detective, adds an extra layer of complexity to her character as she navigates treacherous situations.
"Deadlier Than Fiction" is a story of danger, intrigue, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. Carol Light's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, and her ability to keep readers guessing until the final chapter is commendable. The novel is a testament to her skill in crafting intricate and compelling mysteries.
In "Deadlier Than Fiction," Carol Light has delivered a stellar mystery novel that will leave readers craving more. It is a story of secrets, lies, and the pursuit of justice, all set against the backdrop of a professional organizer's world. This novel is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted and suspenseful narrative. Light's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this captivating installment of the Cluttered Crime series, making it a true gem in the genre of mystery fiction.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2023
Carol Light’s second book in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries, Deadlier Than Fiction, is a terrific book. I was fortunate to receive an arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review. The series is set in Chicago and since I’m from there, it is even more fun to read. The books are about Crystal Ward who has started her own business, Organizing Chicago, her husband and their neighbors and friends. Crys’s husband Rick was a detective who was injured while working and is paralyzed. He is working a desk job and is very protective over her, only wanting her to accept jobs from friends or people he has vetted.
In the second book, Crystal has started a job helping a lady (Barb) declutter their den. They have removed everything from the room and begun getting rid of things and moving things back in. The woman’s husband asks about the books from the bookcase and Crys tells him she donated them to charity. He insists she get them back because they had been his mother’s and he promised them to his brother. The brother and his wife and their sketchy business associates get involved in the mix, causing fear and anxiety as they push and threaten. As the book progresses, Crys tries to get the books back from the shop she left them at and runs into all sorts of problems. It turns out there’s more to the books as they contained old jewelry that has disappeared. After Barb and another woman are attacked, Rick becomes more concerned about Crys’ safety. She teams up with a retired detective after it is learned that there might be a connection to an old unsolved jewelry heist from many years ago.
The book is very exciting and I enjoyed seeing the characters from the prior book again. Carol is a wonderful author who has created some great mystery stories. She kept me guessing through the whole book. All of the characters are down to earth and likable people. There’s some humor and lots of suspense in the book. I highly recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.
In the second book, Crystal has started a job helping a lady (Barb) declutter their den. They have removed everything from the room and begun getting rid of things and moving things back in. The woman’s husband asks about the books from the bookcase and Crys tells him she donated them to charity. He insists she get them back because they had been his mother’s and he promised them to his brother. The brother and his wife and their sketchy business associates get involved in the mix, causing fear and anxiety as they push and threaten. As the book progresses, Crys tries to get the books back from the shop she left them at and runs into all sorts of problems. It turns out there’s more to the books as they contained old jewelry that has disappeared. After Barb and another woman are attacked, Rick becomes more concerned about Crys’ safety. She teams up with a retired detective after it is learned that there might be a connection to an old unsolved jewelry heist from many years ago.
The book is very exciting and I enjoyed seeing the characters from the prior book again. Carol is a wonderful author who has created some great mystery stories. She kept me guessing through the whole book. All of the characters are down to earth and likable people. There’s some humor and lots of suspense in the book. I highly recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.
September 6, 2023
Deadlier Than Fiction by Carol Light is an awesome second book in The Cluttered Crime Mysteries. The mystery was intriguing with an extremely surprising ending. I love the characters especially professional organizer Crystal Ward and her detective husband, Rick. While life is not perfect these two usually work out any difficulties that they have before an evening is over.
Crys ends up in danger without trying to do anything but organize her client’s areas. So it is a cozy mystery with danger that does not contain graphic gore or violence. I liked Crys’s compassion for a difficult character’s demise. This is not what is often shown, sometimes it is a “good riddance” attitude. Crystal Ward is better than that; the kind you would want not just as an organizer to help you but as a close friend.
Everything about this series is first rate. The slow rise of the suspense is dead on while always building to keep you reading. The characters’ lives are as normal as possible after Rick work injury, and the characters’ emotions and feelings are relatable. If you like contemporary cozy mysteries this is author to read.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Crys ends up in danger without trying to do anything but organize her client’s areas. So it is a cozy mystery with danger that does not contain graphic gore or violence. I liked Crys’s compassion for a difficult character’s demise. This is not what is often shown, sometimes it is a “good riddance” attitude. Crystal Ward is better than that; the kind you would want not just as an organizer to help you but as a close friend.
Everything about this series is first rate. The slow rise of the suspense is dead on while always building to keep you reading. The characters’ lives are as normal as possible after Rick work injury, and the characters’ emotions and feelings are relatable. If you like contemporary cozy mysteries this is author to read.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2023
More danger in decluttering
Crys is struggling to get her organizing business to be more profitable. While redoing Barb Shirley's den a box of books is sent to a book store that the husband demands be returned. When she meets him at the bookstore the next morning and some of the books are gone he goes crazy and chases a sore employee out into traffic where he is struck by a car. While in hospital his wife has no explanation for the bizarre behavior in his desire to get the books back and give them to his brother. Some new characters are added to the cast from book 1 and those we met there are fleshed out more fully. Also Crys' curiousity becomes even more insatiable as she tries to help her employer and figure out why these books are so important. A good mystery with interesting characters that keeps you guessing till the end.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crys is struggling to get her organizing business to be more profitable. While redoing Barb Shirley's den a box of books is sent to a book store that the husband demands be returned. When she meets him at the bookstore the next morning and some of the books are gone he goes crazy and chases a sore employee out into traffic where he is struck by a car. While in hospital his wife has no explanation for the bizarre behavior in his desire to get the books back and give them to his brother. Some new characters are added to the cast from book 1 and those we met there are fleshed out more fully. Also Crys' curiousity becomes even more insatiable as she tries to help her employer and figure out why these books are so important. A good mystery with interesting characters that keeps you guessing till the end.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2023
Deadlier Than Fiction is book two of the Cluttered Crime Mystery series. In it, Crystal Ward, a professional organizer, accidentally donated some very important books during her zealous attempt to help her client get organized. Now, her client's husband is irate and she must do everything in her power to return them. In them hides a valuable secret and she must race against others to find them first. Can she balance her home life, her commitment to her husband and her need to find the missing books? Maybe. . .This was a very interesting cozy which held my attention for the most part.
I'm a part of the ARC team and have left my honest review voluntarily.
I'm a part of the ARC team and have left my honest review voluntarily.
September 19, 2023
Crys unintentionally throws out important books and promises her client's husband she'll retrieve the books. However, as she attempts to retrieve the books one by one, Crys discovers it's a life-threatening mission as dark secrets about the books are slowly revealed thus explaining the reason the husband was apoplectic for losing them and resulting in a murder. With help from her detective husband, Crys intends to retrieve the books and track the killer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2023
Cosy mysteries set in bookshops or libraries always appeal to me, which is why I was interested in this one.
This was a charming cosy mystery. I thought the characters were fun, quirky and likeable, and it was a very light, entertaining read. I would probably read another book from this series.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a charming cosy mystery. I thought the characters were fun, quirky and likeable, and it was a very light, entertaining read. I would probably read another book from this series.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2023
I just finished the 2nd book in Carol’s Cluttered Crime Mysteries series and it was absolutely fantastic. Professional organizer Crystal Ward is caught up in another mystery that turns deadly after donating a client’s books which were promised to his brother. As the mystery unfolds I love the captivating story with the mystery interwoven with family life. This one had so many twists and turns I had a ball trying to guess the outcome. Thanks to @tulepublishing for sharing this with me early.
September 10, 2023
Chrys’s business is the organization of her client’s homes but she seems to find herself in the middle of crimes and murders.
In this fast paced crime novel, there is suspicion everywhere but no direct link between the suspects. Chrys treads deeper into the clues finding more confusion than facts. Great mystery!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this fast paced crime novel, there is suspicion everywhere but no direct link between the suspects. Chrys treads deeper into the clues finding more confusion than facts. Great mystery!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2023
This is the second book in the Cluttered Crime series and it is even better than the first. This book has great characters and I love the twists and turns in the book. Crystal is a professional organizer and her husband, Rick is a police detective. When Crystal winds up in trouble through no fault of her own her husband has to figure out what is going on and save her.
September 10, 2023
This is the second book in this series. It is just as entertaining as the first book. The characters are very well written and the storyline just draws you in. I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2023
Wonderful who done it with interesting characters that have to work together to solve the mystery. Keeps you hooked with all of the twists and turns the story provides. Like the strong female character. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 19, 2023
That ending was priceless!! 😂😂😂 you know Rick and Mitch are foaming at the mouth at the comment and Vince will be too when he hears about it. That was awesome. I want so much more from this series. This has been a blast to read!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2024
Well written
This high quality cozy mystery follows a very kind policeman's wife just trying to organize and feed her family and bam, finding a murder leads to some super sleuthing.
This high quality cozy mystery follows a very kind policeman's wife just trying to organize and feed her family and bam, finding a murder leads to some super sleuthing.
February 1, 2024
I didn’t figure it out!
An excellent story. I really enjoy this series. Carol Light has a great writing voice! Looking forward to the next book in this great series.
An excellent story. I really enjoy this series. Carol Light has a great writing voice! Looking forward to the next book in this great series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews