The Monet Murders

Murders by Design #2

by Jean Harrington

Interior decorator Deva Dunne never dreamed she'd see a Monet hanging on someone's dining room wall. Then she snags a client with two Monet seascapes. Her thrill lasts until she finds one of the paintings missing, cut from its frame, and the cook shot dead.

Rough-around-the-edges, but gorgeous all-around police lieutenant Victor Rossi insists Deva leave the sleuthing to the police. But what could it hurt to come up with a list of suspects that doesn't include herself? Like the owners of the Monets, a rich man and his trophy wife, and their frequent guests. Even the cook's husband is suspect. Then Deva finds another victim, clutching a very strange set of clues.

Desperate to save her business amid the negative publicity, Deva helps Rossi investigate. And when he needs advice decorating his bedroom, she just might find a client for life. Unless a killer gets to her first.

71,000 words

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Writing has me hooked though the realization was a long time coming. As a child I wanted to be a foreign correspondent when I grew up. I must have been a romantic even then, but reality set in and instead I went to the exotic University of Rhode Island for a degree in English literature and stayed on as a teaching assistant while I earned my master’s degree.
In the meantime, I had married John (he loves it when I give my heroes his name), and we have two grown children, Mary Lee and Chris, and three granddaughters, Amy, Laura and Carolyn.
Following URI and a stint writing PR and advertising copy, I taught writing and lit for sixteen years at Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts. I enjoyed this period of my life tremendously, but when I think back, I realize that always simmering on the back burner of my brain was the old adage, “Those who can do; those who can’t teach.”
Not necessarily true, but after I raised my children, left Becker and moved to Florida with Big John, the gig was up. I began to write, and write, and write, and, well, you get the picture . . . .
My debut novel tells the tale of the captivating, defiant Grace O’Malley, THE BAREFOOT QUEEN, who risks everything she loves for a vow she holds dearer than life itself.

Reviews

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

#PopsugarReadingChallenge2019
Prompt - Two books that share the same title (2)

A cute cozy mystery series that it growing on me little by little.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually can't stick with mysteries. I want to like them! But usually I lose interest halfway through.

However, I did enjoy this one. But I'll admit that the romance likely carried me through a few times.....

[Deb Novack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Monet Murders was a mystery with humor,sadness,murder,theft and romance. Deva Dunne a young widow, who is an interior designer who always seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, she seems to discover dead bodies and stolen art. Lt Rossi is the investigating office and Deva's love interest. There are many clients of Deva's that she thinks are suspects. The characters in this story are well plotted and written into the story. If you are a fan of Cozy Mysteries please read this one as it is extremely enjoyable.

Thanks to Carina Press and Net Galley.

[JoAnn Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor and suspense—a winning combination.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much my ideal of a cozy. Good writing, good plot, good characterization, fairly fast paced.

[Kensly Jolyn Lawson Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t like it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming murder mystery combining murder, romance and lots of deceit! Engaging characters and a very readable style.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Very entertaining. Kept you guessing on who was the bad guy. Slightly hokey in spots.

[February Four · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this series on book 2, but so far so good. I look forward to number three!

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deva Dunne is working to expand her designing business, but keeps finding dead bodies. There's a strong mutual attraction between her and Det. Rossi, but he says he won't make a move until this case is done. Deva suspects everyone, and ends up running through the Florida underbrush to escape the furious murderer.
I enjoyed the mystery, I also liked that Harrington doesn't struggle to create zany humor where it isn't needed. It's a light hearted cozy, but she doesn't create crazed characters. I like the way she keeps a strong focus on the mystery and doesn't wander off except for some light romance.

[Milena Benini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much was crammed into a relatively short book, and none of it was actually bad but, unfortunately, nothing was outstandingly good, either. The tone hovered somewhere between a cozy and a serious whodunnit, never really hitting the right notes in either subgenre. The end result was a lot like taking a glass of water when you're thirsty and realising too late it's lukewarm. You can still drink it, but it's not an experience you care to repeat.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. The Monet Murders is a superbly crafted novel that is full of unexpected twists and turns. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy....

[Wendy Soliman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! I read the first book in this series, not imagining that the author would hold my attention so avidly in the second. How wrong was I?

Fast moving, with more twists and turns than I imagined possible, I was thoroughly entertained and didn't see the ending coming.

More of the same please.

[Doreen Legault · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice little book lots of local flavor so I may read this author again. no cussing or such which can be a nice change imho. I did not figure out the mystery so either she is really good or I was sleeping at the switch.

[Carol Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it was an enjoyable little mystery, not outstanding, but a nice summer distraction.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

[Jean]

It was an ok book. Naples is beautiful--but little was said about it. She is a designer--but little is said about designing.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't bother finishing it. Boring and dull.