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Jennifer Marsh #2
Dying to Get Even
ASPIRING MYSTERY NOVELIST JENNIFER MARSH IS BACK--
WITH A TASTE FOR DETECTING!
Edgar's Down Home Grill is flourishing, but the reprehensible owner, Edgar Walker, is finito. Jennifer Marsh finds his body--and catches her dear friend Emmie, Edgar's former wife, nearby, gripping a bloody knife.
Jennifer knows that gentle, white-haired Emmie could never kill anyone. Edgar's current wife, however, with her lush body and scheming brain, fits the bill. But unless Jennifer and her writers' critique group can figure out who's been plotting murder, Emmie's neck will be in the noose . . . and reluctant witness for the prosecution Jennifer will be the one to tighten it!
WITH A TASTE FOR DETECTING!
Edgar's Down Home Grill is flourishing, but the reprehensible owner, Edgar Walker, is finito. Jennifer Marsh finds his body--and catches her dear friend Emmie, Edgar's former wife, nearby, gripping a bloody knife.
Jennifer knows that gentle, white-haired Emmie could never kill anyone. Edgar's current wife, however, with her lush body and scheming brain, fits the bill. But unless Jennifer and her writers' critique group can figure out who's been plotting murder, Emmie's neck will be in the noose . . . and reluctant witness for the prosecution Jennifer will be the one to tighten it!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 5, 1999
24 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Judy Fitzwater
21 books27 followersJudy Fitzwater loves a great mystery. That's why she started writing novels, and why her Jennifer Marsh mystery series was born. Murder is nothing to laugh at, but how Jennifer thinks is, and that's what made writing the Jennifer books so much fun. The first in the series, DYING TO GET PUBLISHED, was sold without an agent to Ballantine Books, a division of Random House. It went on to receive an Agatha Award nomination and become an 8-book series. The latest Jennifer book is DYING AT HONEYMOON INN. She has also written two suspense novels, DROWNING IN AIR and NO SAFE PLACE. Less humor in these but lots of action, adventure, danger, and intrigue. VACATIONING WITH THE DEAD, a fun-filled romantic romp, is a paranormal romance filled with ghosts. She invites you to join her in the adventure, danger, and comedy that inhabit her books. Her most recent publication is THE ROCKY ROAD TO PUBLISHING: ADVICE ON WRITING. It's a fun read packed with advice and info on writing and publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 20, 2015
I enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series. It boasted plenty of humour, quirkiness, and enough twists and turns and red herrings to make the identification of the culprit difficult to discern right away.
Jennifer's character was also a little better this time around. She didn't have that I-have-to-get-published-at-all-costs-no-matter-how-ridiculous-and-stupid-my-actions-are-to-get-there desperation that she showed in the first book. Her main concern was to help Emma Walker prove she was innocent in the murder of her ex-husband Edgar, and I admired her loyalty and commitment to helping the elderly woman. I also liked how she made only a few references to her unconceived offspring, Jaime, instead of constantly mentioning him/her as she did in the first book.
Ben was such a patient, tolerant man once again as Jennifer waffled back and forth with her feelings toward him. Hopefully, she will realize what a good catch he is one of these days and finally commit to him.
The members of the writers' critique group were an eclectic, quirky mix of personalities, which made for a lot of humourous moments, even though I'm not sure I really liked some of them some of the time.
All in all, this is not a bad series and, as I said, Jennifer is becoming more of a likeable character than she was in the first book. So, for now at least, I will continue with the series and see how it goes.
Jennifer's character was also a little better this time around. She didn't have that I-have-to-get-published-at-all-costs-no-matter-how-ridiculous-and-stupid-my-actions-are-to-get-there desperation that she showed in the first book. Her main concern was to help Emma Walker prove she was innocent in the murder of her ex-husband Edgar, and I admired her loyalty and commitment to helping the elderly woman. I also liked how she made only a few references to her unconceived offspring, Jaime, instead of constantly mentioning him/her as she did in the first book.
Ben was such a patient, tolerant man once again as Jennifer waffled back and forth with her feelings toward him. Hopefully, she will realize what a good catch he is one of these days and finally commit to him.
The members of the writers' critique group were an eclectic, quirky mix of personalities, which made for a lot of humourous moments, even though I'm not sure I really liked some of them some of the time.
All in all, this is not a bad series and, as I said, Jennifer is becoming more of a likeable character than she was in the first book. So, for now at least, I will continue with the series and see how it goes.
March 31, 2018
This was easy easy chewing gum for the eyes kind of book. It requires no thought, has no subtext, and should be read for what it is. It is a book to read when you are taking a breaking from reading. I enjoyed this more than the first in the series. In fact, based on the first novel I wouldn't have purchased any further of the Jennifer Marsh series, but I brought for the first 4 together in a compendium hence the reading of the second. I will most likely read all 4 at some point.
For repetition - a super no brainer book and great for it.
For repetition - a super no brainer book and great for it.
July 7, 2017
Jennifer Marsh, mystery novelist, returns in this wonderful sequel to the first book. Once again, the book give me a mystery that not only intrigues and interests me, but also I want to be solved. The characters are all back and better than ever, likable when they should be and unlikable otherwise. This book was fantastic, and I hope the series continues to deliver.
November 3, 2019
Cute mystery but started to get confused on the relationship between some of the characters.
December 15, 2020
Interesting a mystery writer is a "witness" i a murder but knows the suspect didn't do it. So she tries to write a mystery based on what she knows.
March 18, 2017
Loved it
It is so nice to read a clean story that doesn't include cursing or mature content. I enjoy Jennifer and her friends.
It is so nice to read a clean story that doesn't include cursing or mature content. I enjoy Jennifer and her friends.
March 7, 2017
Dying to Get Even (Jennifer Marsh Mystery #2) — Judy Fitzwater (35 chapters) March 7, 2017
One of the things I like the most about this series is the way the author pokes fun at her main character’s writing ability and her inability to get published. There are some funny scenes comprised of nothing but those shenanigans.
This series is just a dependable cozy that doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously. I read the first book in this series a long while back and am now reading this second one. Despite having not re-read the first book again after this long spell, I was able to pick up the characters rather quickly and that was quite refreshing and made for enjoyable reading.
This book reads fairly fast. My version of this book is part of a three book set (#1-#3,) which I got at an incredible great price, considering how well written the plot was.
One caveat: there is a fair amount of grammatical errors and sentence structure issues. However, given that this is a self-published book, I’m not to hard on the author. It seems the errors are all around the same place in the book, as I didn’t notice them before or after that part.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books in this series.
Three stars.
One of the things I like the most about this series is the way the author pokes fun at her main character’s writing ability and her inability to get published. There are some funny scenes comprised of nothing but those shenanigans.
This series is just a dependable cozy that doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously. I read the first book in this series a long while back and am now reading this second one. Despite having not re-read the first book again after this long spell, I was able to pick up the characters rather quickly and that was quite refreshing and made for enjoyable reading.
This book reads fairly fast. My version of this book is part of a three book set (#1-#3,) which I got at an incredible great price, considering how well written the plot was.
One caveat: there is a fair amount of grammatical errors and sentence structure issues. However, given that this is a self-published book, I’m not to hard on the author. It seems the errors are all around the same place in the book, as I didn’t notice them before or after that part.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books in this series.
Three stars.
March 9, 2017
A Jennifer Marsh Mystery. We have a man who owns five barbecue places with an ex wife and other relatives he wants to take over. Someone kills him, and somehow I couldn't care who or why.
July 1, 2013
When Jennifer Marsh is forced to testify that she saw her friend, Emma Walker, standing by the swimming pool at Emma’s ex-husband’s estate holding a knife while Edgar Walker’s body was floating in said pool, killed by a knife stabbing, she tried to evade the question and ended up being arrested for contempt of court. Jennifer didn’t believe Emma could have committed the crime and the prosecutor saw it as the obvious solution. Journalist Sam Culpepper, Jennifer’s longtime and patient boyfriend paid to get her released the next morning.
Jennifer decided the only way to prove Emma’s innocence was to find the actual killer who she is certain is Edgar’s current wife, Lisa. With the assistance of the other members of her writing group and Sam, she set out to do just that. Among her discoveries are a stolen identity, a secret sauce, and confused family relationships.
Jennifer also weaves a fictional story of her mystery story heroine, Maxie Malone, into the plot as a way to figure out how she, Jennifer, should act and how to solve the crime.
As usual, Judy Fitzwater writes a quickly paced, well-written, clever book. One favorite segment: “She wasn’t abut to let Lisa throw her off with criticism. She knew all about those tactics. She’s had parents.”
One criticism, there is some repetition as Jennifer reviews some of the information she, and we, already know. It isn’t done as often or in as much detail as most other authors do, though.
Jennifer decided the only way to prove Emma’s innocence was to find the actual killer who she is certain is Edgar’s current wife, Lisa. With the assistance of the other members of her writing group and Sam, she set out to do just that. Among her discoveries are a stolen identity, a secret sauce, and confused family relationships.
Jennifer also weaves a fictional story of her mystery story heroine, Maxie Malone, into the plot as a way to figure out how she, Jennifer, should act and how to solve the crime.
As usual, Judy Fitzwater writes a quickly paced, well-written, clever book. One favorite segment: “She wasn’t abut to let Lisa throw her off with criticism. She knew all about those tactics. She’s had parents.”
One criticism, there is some repetition as Jennifer reviews some of the information she, and we, already know. It isn’t done as often or in as much detail as most other authors do, though.
February 17, 2016
PLOT OR PREMISE:
Jennifer Marsh is back with her reporter boyfriend. This time, her elder friend Emmie Walker is in trouble: Jennifer finds her standing next to the dead body of Edgar Walker, with the murder weapon in her hand.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
The rambling around by all of the characters is great. As usual, Jennifer's writing group throw themselves in to help her investigate all the goings-on at Edgar's Down Home Grill, complete with a special sauce that may be to-die-for.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The storyline jumps around a bit in time at the start. It might have read a lot better in normal linear fashion rather than the resulting stilted jumping. Its only the first few chapters though, so it doesn't overly hurt the story.
.
BOTTOM-LINE:
Even better than the first in the series
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, but I have interacted with her on social media.
Jennifer Marsh is back with her reporter boyfriend. This time, her elder friend Emmie Walker is in trouble: Jennifer finds her standing next to the dead body of Edgar Walker, with the murder weapon in her hand.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
The rambling around by all of the characters is great. As usual, Jennifer's writing group throw themselves in to help her investigate all the goings-on at Edgar's Down Home Grill, complete with a special sauce that may be to-die-for.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The storyline jumps around a bit in time at the start. It might have read a lot better in normal linear fashion rather than the resulting stilted jumping. Its only the first few chapters though, so it doesn't overly hurt the story.
.
BOTTOM-LINE:
Even better than the first in the series
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, but I have interacted with her on social media.
March 31, 2013
A delightfully fun read. Aspiring mystery novelist Jennifer Marsh, along with her writers' critique group, are out to find out who killed restaurauteur Edgar Walker before Edgar's ex-wife Emmie is unjustly imprisoned for the crime. What's not to love about a mystery that includes a variety of genre writers as the MC's goofball friends, and a restaurant whose existence depends on secret sauce? All that's missing is the recipe for the secret sauce.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it!
October 16, 2013
Edgar's Down Home Grill is flourishing, but the reprehensible owner, Edgar Walker, is finito. Jennifer Marsh finds his body--and catches her dear friend Emmie, Edgar's former wife, nearby, gripping a bloody knife. Jennifer knows that gentle, white-haired Emmie could never kill anyone. Edgar's current wife, however, with her lush body and scheming brain, fits the bill.
March 3, 2015
Smashing
Adventures of Jennifer Marsh, book two was as delightful as book one. A few hours spent read on this cold winter day (would be nice on a warm beach too). Fun characters, fun dogs and a good "cozy" mystery. Already have book three waiting to be read
Adventures of Jennifer Marsh, book two was as delightful as book one. A few hours spent read on this cold winter day (would be nice on a warm beach too). Fun characters, fun dogs and a good "cozy" mystery. Already have book three waiting to be read
March 2, 2013
I enjoyed it. The plot and the main character are appealingly crazy. It's a good beach book!
May 22, 2013
A clever mystery with a basically clueless heroine who somehow stumbles into getting it right and a hilarious group of writer friends who involve themselves to their peril.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews