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Jeff Resnick Mystery #3
Room at the Inn
Jeff Resnick is definitely out of his element when he and Maggie take a working vacation at a quaint Vermont inn. For most people, the chance to spend time with a beautiful woman in a romantic, isolated setting would be a plus, but the moment Jeff crosses the Sugar Maple Inn’s threshold, his sixth sense warns him that someone is about to meet a violent death.
His anxiety intensifies when he travels on one of the local roads and he is nearly overwhelmed by feelings of impending doom. Ultimately, Jeff can only find respite in his brother Richard’s presence and it is only after one of the inn’s guests is murdered that Richard reluctantly becomes a third wheel on Jeff and Maggie’s trip. With their own lives at stake, Jeff, Maggie, and Richard must use all their wits and skill to bring a ruthless killer to justice. And if they don’t, one of them might just become the next victim.
His anxiety intensifies when he travels on one of the local roads and he is nearly overwhelmed by feelings of impending doom. Ultimately, Jeff can only find respite in his brother Richard’s presence and it is only after one of the inn’s guests is murdered that Richard reluctantly becomes a third wheel on Jeff and Maggie’s trip. With their own lives at stake, Jeff, Maggie, and Richard must use all their wits and skill to bring a ruthless killer to justice. And if they don’t, one of them might just become the next victim.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
115 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Bartlett
26 books418 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square and Lotus Bay Mystery series, and now the Tales of Telenia fantasy saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works here: http://www.LLBartlett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 8, 2012
I like it. I wrote it.
September 10, 2014
Jeff Resnick and Maggie take a working vacation at a quaint Vermont inn, there's a murder, then it drags on until the murderer is apprehended. The plot is really simplistic. Just OK, sorry, nothing more: canned literature.
May 13, 2016
A turning point for Jeff, May 21, 2013
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Room At The Inn (The Jeff Resnick Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)
This was a special book to me in this series. I've read all the Jeff Resnick books and found them to be in a class by themselves. The paranormal theme is not far fetched, on the contrary, due to Jeff's horrendous mugging that took place months ago, his psychic abilities seem quite believable.
This story begins with Jeff and Maggie being asked by Maggie's friend, Susan, to do an article on the Sugar Maple Inn. Susan and her husband Zack have put all their finances into making a go of this B&B. Located next to a ski resort they could make quite a bundle during the skiing season. The problem was getting enough paying guests to enable them to renovate the rooms beforehand. That's where the idea for this article comes in. Maggie doing the writing and arrangements of the rooms while Jeff takes all the pictures. The photography equipment costs money and Richard, Jeff's brother, was there for Jeff for that endeavor.
But something doesn't seem right to Jeff. Negative vibes keep popping into his head and he decides to call on Richard for assistance. At first I was already for Jeff to be totally abandoned in this psychic world that's now a part of his life, but I was especially pleased when that was not the case. Richard not only chose to answer his brother's call for assistance but actually was communicating with Jeff on every angle of what Jeff's psychic senses were showing him. That's the special quality for me in this book. Jeff was not abandoned and his brother, Richard, proved that over and over. They worked as a team delving into the unknown as to what lie beneath the surface of Jeff's sense of urgency.
Maggie also played a vital role as their relationship rose to a higher level. They were working on their magazine article project together, communicating about what their take on the guests as well as Susan & Zack were as well as her accepting Jeff's psychic abilities in order to solve this mystery.
If you want to read a book that opens up the possibilities of another dimension in a mystery then you may want to consider "Room at the Inn" and the Jeff Resnick series.
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Room At The Inn (The Jeff Resnick Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)
This was a special book to me in this series. I've read all the Jeff Resnick books and found them to be in a class by themselves. The paranormal theme is not far fetched, on the contrary, due to Jeff's horrendous mugging that took place months ago, his psychic abilities seem quite believable.
This story begins with Jeff and Maggie being asked by Maggie's friend, Susan, to do an article on the Sugar Maple Inn. Susan and her husband Zack have put all their finances into making a go of this B&B. Located next to a ski resort they could make quite a bundle during the skiing season. The problem was getting enough paying guests to enable them to renovate the rooms beforehand. That's where the idea for this article comes in. Maggie doing the writing and arrangements of the rooms while Jeff takes all the pictures. The photography equipment costs money and Richard, Jeff's brother, was there for Jeff for that endeavor.
But something doesn't seem right to Jeff. Negative vibes keep popping into his head and he decides to call on Richard for assistance. At first I was already for Jeff to be totally abandoned in this psychic world that's now a part of his life, but I was especially pleased when that was not the case. Richard not only chose to answer his brother's call for assistance but actually was communicating with Jeff on every angle of what Jeff's psychic senses were showing him. That's the special quality for me in this book. Jeff was not abandoned and his brother, Richard, proved that over and over. They worked as a team delving into the unknown as to what lie beneath the surface of Jeff's sense of urgency.
Maggie also played a vital role as their relationship rose to a higher level. They were working on their magazine article project together, communicating about what their take on the guests as well as Susan & Zack were as well as her accepting Jeff's psychic abilities in order to solve this mystery.
If you want to read a book that opens up the possibilities of another dimension in a mystery then you may want to consider "Room at the Inn" and the Jeff Resnick series.
September 18, 2012
"Room at the Inn" turns out to be the third in the tremendous series revolving the life of Jeff Resnick. Jeff was an insurance investigator when he received a mugging that changed his life.
Jeff is a psychic. Now, not one that finds ghosts or reads palms, but the type that can 'read' emotions on certain persons and places or objects. As Jeff and his girlfriend, Maggie arrive to do a magazine layout for Maggie's school chum's bed and breakfast, Jeff is assailed by 'death.' Now he doesn't know if someone has died, is dying, or will die, but he knows the Inn is connected. Even more scarily, he knows that he, himself and Maggie must become involved.
Jeff's main support since the accident is his half-brother, Richard Alpert. Richard is a medical doctor and tries to keep Jeff's pain (brain injury) at a livable level. Jeff 'knows' that he must have Richard's aid on this trip, but why?
Also, what is with that stretch of highway outside of Stowe, VT that terrifies him? Are all the three connected?
This novel is a murder mystery series, but really it is much more. The pace of the dialog and storyline is that of a major suspense novel. Yet, we become so comfortable with the characters, it reads like a cozy mystery going down your throat like warm honey. As with many top mysteries, the story is told from the male viewpoint and is refreshing in it's outlook and understanding of emotions.
This novel was written but not published at the time. It is an intricate part of the series. I seriously suggest that the reader read the books in order. You will not be sorry.
Ms. Bartlett is going to be one of the major suspense novelists of the twenty-first century and I , for one, can't wait to read the next novel in the series.
Jeff is a psychic. Now, not one that finds ghosts or reads palms, but the type that can 'read' emotions on certain persons and places or objects. As Jeff and his girlfriend, Maggie arrive to do a magazine layout for Maggie's school chum's bed and breakfast, Jeff is assailed by 'death.' Now he doesn't know if someone has died, is dying, or will die, but he knows the Inn is connected. Even more scarily, he knows that he, himself and Maggie must become involved.
Jeff's main support since the accident is his half-brother, Richard Alpert. Richard is a medical doctor and tries to keep Jeff's pain (brain injury) at a livable level. Jeff 'knows' that he must have Richard's aid on this trip, but why?
Also, what is with that stretch of highway outside of Stowe, VT that terrifies him? Are all the three connected?
This novel is a murder mystery series, but really it is much more. The pace of the dialog and storyline is that of a major suspense novel. Yet, we become so comfortable with the characters, it reads like a cozy mystery going down your throat like warm honey. As with many top mysteries, the story is told from the male viewpoint and is refreshing in it's outlook and understanding of emotions.
This novel was written but not published at the time. It is an intricate part of the series. I seriously suggest that the reader read the books in order. You will not be sorry.
Ms. Bartlett is going to be one of the major suspense novelists of the twenty-first century and I , for one, can't wait to read the next novel in the series.
December 28, 2014
Although published as the 5th full length novel in the awesome Jeff Resnick series, this book falls third in the sequence.
Jeff and Maggie take a working/romantic weekend at a high-end bed and breakfast in Vermont. Unsurprisingly very little goes as expected. Jeff's "non-psychic" sense starts sending him messages even before they arrive at the inn and none of them are good. The most surprising message he gets is that his brother needs to be there but Brenda shouldn't come.
It quickly becomes obvious that many of the guests already know each other although some of them act as if they have never met. These relationship create a real complication when one of the guests is murder. Since Maggie and Jeff where the last people known to have seen the victim they are naturally among the top suspects. A situation that draws immediately draws them into case.
When Jeff asks his brother for his help, Richard immediately makes arrangements to join them and rather unsuccessfully tries to direct attention away from the couple as they investigate. Attacks against them start with a ransacked room and grow more personal and more dangerous until the situation becomes a true matter of life or death.
Note to me: needs work, the book is better than this.
Jeff and Maggie take a working/romantic weekend at a high-end bed and breakfast in Vermont. Unsurprisingly very little goes as expected. Jeff's "non-psychic" sense starts sending him messages even before they arrive at the inn and none of them are good. The most surprising message he gets is that his brother needs to be there but Brenda shouldn't come.
It quickly becomes obvious that many of the guests already know each other although some of them act as if they have never met. These relationship create a real complication when one of the guests is murder. Since Maggie and Jeff where the last people known to have seen the victim they are naturally among the top suspects. A situation that draws immediately draws them into case.
When Jeff asks his brother for his help, Richard immediately makes arrangements to join them and rather unsuccessfully tries to direct attention away from the couple as they investigate. Attacks against them start with a ransacked room and grow more personal and more dangerous until the situation becomes a true matter of life or death.
Note to me: needs work, the book is better than this.
July 9, 2015
I read this one after the others, even though it's set earlier in the series, so was a bit confused; I kept thinking Brenda was home recuperating from the stress of the most recent story. I see it was written in 2012, but I wasn't aware of the book until its release as an audio book.
Unfortunately, the audio edition drags down an otherwise so-so plot. The narration is just awful! I stuck it out from determination to see if the story might be worth it - not really; I ended up regretting I hadn't read a print copy instead. Instead of the voice of Buffalo native Jeff, we get a guy who sounds more like he spent his life in the New Jersey suburbs. Richard seems a bit of a well meaning, loyal sidekick, whose main feature is to be a handy doctor when needed, as well as being rich enough to splash money around as needed.
I didn't care who committed the murder, as I found the suspects largely a boring lot. Jeff's psychic ability, which comes into play regularly (more than I recall from the other stories) was the redeeming feature for me.
This one is definitely NOT a stand-alone at all. Read the first book first to understand Jeff's background, and Richard's. This one adds nothing to the series as I don't recall these events affecting later plotlines.
Unfortunately, the audio edition drags down an otherwise so-so plot. The narration is just awful! I stuck it out from determination to see if the story might be worth it - not really; I ended up regretting I hadn't read a print copy instead. Instead of the voice of Buffalo native Jeff, we get a guy who sounds more like he spent his life in the New Jersey suburbs. Richard seems a bit of a well meaning, loyal sidekick, whose main feature is to be a handy doctor when needed, as well as being rich enough to splash money around as needed.
I didn't care who committed the murder, as I found the suspects largely a boring lot. Jeff's psychic ability, which comes into play regularly (more than I recall from the other stories) was the redeeming feature for me.
This one is definitely NOT a stand-alone at all. Read the first book first to understand Jeff's background, and Richard's. This one adds nothing to the series as I don't recall these events affecting later plotlines.
June 29, 2015
A working vacation has Jeff and Maggie going to Stowe, Vermont.
Jeff's senses are telling him someone is going to or has died. A guest at the Inn is found dead in the hot tub.
An action packed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!!
Jeff's senses are telling him someone is going to or has died. A guest at the Inn is found dead in the hot tub.
An action packed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!!
August 11, 2013
This is not the best in this series about a former insurance investigator who is nearly killed in a brutal mugging that leaves him with unexplainable psychic abilities. The story begins slowly and sluggishly. It gets better as it progresses, but isn't as gripping as the first book.
June 18, 2019
First part of the book was a little slow. Not sure that I like Maggie, seems a little wishy washy to me. Would like to see someone a little feistier for Jeff. Picked up after the brother came into the picture. Mystery was nice and convoluted which how they should be. Good read.
November 1, 2017
It was all a bit silly, really, the premise about a guy becoming psychic after a blow to the head, but nevertheless I found I couldn't put it down. Jeff Resnick's voice pleased me as a narrator. A no-nonsense guy, a bit macho, but with a good heart. I liked his relationship with Maggie, and how he thinks and feels about her. The relationship with his brother was a bit over the top though, almost fluffy at times. The plot was so-so, main problem being why should we actually care about the murder victim? We have no time to establish a bond with her before she dies. Story drags in the beginning, and was wrapped up too quickly near the end.
But all in all a fun, easy read.
A solid 2,5 stars.
But all in all a fun, easy read.
A solid 2,5 stars.
March 23, 2020
Jeff and Maggie are on a working vacation, heading to Vermont to stay at the inn of a woman Maggie knew in high school. On the way, Jeff has some bad premonitions and when they get to the inn, it turns into a full feeling of doom. Someone is going to die. But he can't tell who. But, readers know it will probably be the unpleasant woman who seems to have ties to many of the other characters.
This was an interesting story but a little more stilted than I remember the others being. I think, had I read it closer to reading the rest of the series, I would have enjoyed it more but the time span between the last book and this one had me struggling to remember all of the bits and pieces.
This was an interesting story but a little more stilted than I remember the others being. I think, had I read it closer to reading the rest of the series, I would have enjoyed it more but the time span between the last book and this one had me struggling to remember all of the bits and pieces.
August 25, 2019
Room At The In
Another busy romp for Jeff Resnick. He’s getting to know his new girlfriend Maggie more and beginning to feel better about his big brother Richard. Helping his gal at a job/photo shoot for a magazine he finds intrigue again. The rest is pulse pounding antics only he can get himself into with his new found attribute.
Another busy romp for Jeff Resnick. He’s getting to know his new girlfriend Maggie more and beginning to feel better about his big brother Richard. Helping his gal at a job/photo shoot for a magazine he finds intrigue again. The rest is pulse pounding antics only he can get himself into with his new found attribute.
November 4, 2019
Excellent science fiction thriller.
Brilliant sequel to complement the first two books in series. A must read if your a lover of crime thrillers. Keeps you guessing till the very end.
Brilliant sequel to complement the first two books in series. A must read if your a lover of crime thrillers. Keeps you guessing till the very end.
June 15, 2020
Easy read
I enjoy these books. It takes my mind away from the reality of life. They help me pass the time.
I enjoy these books. It takes my mind away from the reality of life. They help me pass the time.
July 6, 2021
Good reading
Things seem to go a little slow in the beginning. But true to Bartlett's writing skill the pace churned up to page turning. Great ending.
Things seem to go a little slow in the beginning. But true to Bartlett's writing skill the pace churned up to page turning. Great ending.
June 16, 2022
I only have two things to say:
1) Maggie is everything.
2) The brotherly love in this series is literally going to seize my heart.
1) Maggie is everything.
2) The brotherly love in this series is literally going to seize my heart.
March 10, 2023
excellent
The perfect cast of characters. The exquisite timing. All add up to a delightful and delicious mystery. These keep getting better with every book.
The perfect cast of characters. The exquisite timing. All add up to a delightful and delicious mystery. These keep getting better with every book.
May 11, 2024
Great audio book! Looking forward to the next one!
July 10, 2017
rather than try putting books in a 'not interested' folder, I'm going to claim I read them and give a low rating. Putting in not interested, the algorithm seems to think I like the book.
February 25, 2024
Room at the Inn by L. L. Bartlett is the third book of the Jeff Resnick mystery series, set in contemporary Stowe, Vermont. Jeff and his girlfriend Maggie travel to the Sugar Maple Inn in Vermont for a working vacation: Maggie will write up the inn for a freelance assignment; Jeff will take the photos. Owners Susan and Zack are renovating the inn, renting guest rooms as they complete them, trying to pay off the bills.
They expected a romantic weekend - nope! As they arrive, Jeff senses a death recently occurred or will occur soon (a near-fatal head injury provided him with a sixth sense). Jeff and Maggie are stuck in a closet-sized unrenovated room without a shower; no meals included. Driving into town for food, Jeff gets scared (for no apparent reason) on a particular stretch of the highway through the woods.
Sure enough, guests are murdered at the inn, and tragedy strikes on that stretch of road. Jeff needs his brother Richard's presence to cope. Jeff must covertly snoop each room at the inn, touching personal items, to discover the killer. Jeff, Richard and Maggie barely survive their trip to Sugar Maple Inn.
They expected a romantic weekend - nope! As they arrive, Jeff senses a death recently occurred or will occur soon (a near-fatal head injury provided him with a sixth sense). Jeff and Maggie are stuck in a closet-sized unrenovated room without a shower; no meals included. Driving into town for food, Jeff gets scared (for no apparent reason) on a particular stretch of the highway through the woods.
Sure enough, guests are murdered at the inn, and tragedy strikes on that stretch of road. Jeff needs his brother Richard's presence to cope. Jeff must covertly snoop each room at the inn, touching personal items, to discover the killer. Jeff, Richard and Maggie barely survive their trip to Sugar Maple Inn.
February 12, 2019
I love this series,the characters really grow on you and the suspense makes it hard to put down.
September 23, 2012
It's another great Jeff Resnick story. Jeff, was mugged and almost died. When he came to, he could "feel" things. Not so good for him. In this one he and his lady go to Vermont so Maggie can do a story for a magazine on a B&B. Little do they know that there is danger in those mountains. LL Bartlett did it again. I can't get enough of Jeff and his family. If you want a good weekend read, this is it. There is suspense, murder, and attempted murder. I really hope there will be another book in the series.
November 7, 2013
Another great Jeff Resnick novel. When Jeff was viciously attacked he survived with a new psychic ability. And this is always cause for a suspenseful story. In this book Jeff and his girlfriend Maggie go to Vermont on a freelance assignment. They are to review and photograph a Bed and Breakfast. Jeff Resnick is not the B&B type and is out of his element. However his psychic sense is still working. When he senses doom and know it is coming and I start turning the pages looking for what mayhem is to come. And the result is an exciting and fast paced mystery.
July 20, 2021
Listened to this one again on Audible. I really enjoy this series. The narrator is pretty good, although I think sometimes his reading of the lines is too dramatic and his female voices are shrill. Still a great listen and I would be a horrible narrator so I will just leave it at that. This book is a little out of sequence (not author's choice) so you can listen to it after #2 (I think?) but it's one of the "cozier" ones (NOT COZY) in this series. I like the supernatural crime-solving element but I mostly enjoy these for the relationships between all the characters.
September 14, 2012
I don't know how she does it, but I have loved each and every installment of the Jeff books.
I missed Brenda in this one, she had a presence but no actual involvement. There is just something about all of the main characters that fascinates me and I hang on every word! Write faster please! I need to know what Jeff, Richard, Brenda & Maggie are doing right now, at this very minute!
July 2, 2013
Can't say this story disappointed me. This is number 3 in the series and it's a great read. The different location setting in Vermont was a wonderful new touch to keep the characters fresh and once again, the author did a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life; not just the starring players- Jeff, Richard, Maggie & Brenda but also the supporting cast.
April 15, 2014
This is an interesting mystery series. In the original book Jeff is injured in a mugging. He survived, but now receives psychic images, wether he wants them or not. His girlfriend Maggie and he go to a bed and breakfast for the weekend of work. He as photographer, and her as writer, they weren't prepared for what happens next!
November 11, 2014
I love the Jeff Resnick series. After reading the first one I googled to see if there were more and found a whole list (in order by story line) that I methodically check off as I read them. I really feel for Jeff and enjoy the escapades he gets into innocently. I have one left Dark Waters. Hopefully there will be more. I plan to check out other books by LL Bartlett.
March 8, 2016
My least favorite of the series. Maggie is also my least favorite character, and there was a lot of Maggie in this one. I like Jeff best when he and Richard are working together. Here Richard seemed like a background player. I have read all of the books in this series and this one just didn't keep my interest like the others.
September 6, 2019
A working vacation has Jeff and Maggie going to Stowe, Vermont.
Jeff’s senses are telling him someone is going to orchad died. A guest at the Inn is found dead in the hot tub. An action packed story that will keep you on the edge of you seat!!
Jeff’s senses are telling him someone is going to orchad died. A guest at the Inn is found dead in the hot tub. An action packed story that will keep you on the edge of you seat!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews