No Good Deed Unpunished: (A Vangie Guillory Mystery)

by C.H. Sessums

Summertime, suicide, and secrets…

The mid-year slump is about to turn into a nosedive for Vangie Guillory’s bookstore. To keep The Mystery Book Nook firmly out of the red, she needs an influx of funds to bolster sales, but how can she make that happen with revenue at little more than a trickle?

Lucky for Vangie, the town gossip has dropped the perfect opportunity into her lap. A local attorney’s suicide has revealed a treasure trove of books, including some collectors’ editions, and the estate hires Vangie to inventory and market them. The fee for her services is just what she’s looking for, but when Vangie’s heartbreaking past and overactive imagination collide, she begins to suspect the attorney’s death might not have been by his own hand.

It's hard to know whose secrets are more Vangie’s or the dead man's. But one thing is clear… no good deed goes unpunished.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Ebooks

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

C.H. SESSUMS is a pen name for USA Today Bestselling Author Olivia Hardin. While Olivia writes all manner of romance, C.H. scribbles out cozy mysteries set in her beloved state of Texas. Whether exploring urban legends from all over the lone star state or solving capers set in far off times, mystery meets history in all of her stories.

In real life, C.H. lives in gorgeous East Texas with her hubby and their two rescue dogs. Every weekend all four of them pile up into their bunkhouse to watch classic movies and listen to old-time radio.

Reviews

[Vanessa Beerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the ending wasn’t a real ending.. it was an unresolved question of what happened to her son, and then just when she was about to get the answers the book just.. ends? I don’t know why it was left like that even after the question surrounding her son’s death was brought up every chapter. As for the main ending it was very anti-climatic and came in a quick 3-4 sentences.

[Kristen Bauerle]

DNF.

This book revolves around the topic of suicide. This isn’t a topic that bothers me to read about but the amount of times the author says “i know it wasn’t a suicide” just annoyed the hell out of me.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had a good premise for an excellent mystery, however the writing fell short to build suspense and create a thrilling mystery.

It is difficult hold the book to a high standard given it is short with 117 pages, yet it falls short of what it could have achieved.

The main character has a repetitive inner dialogue that we hear from way too often for a short book. These pages could be have been used far more effectively to explore characters, discover new evidence, create suspects but instead we get pointless interactions that does not progress the story.

At the ‘big reveal’, it was the first time in the book I felt intrigued, I was full of questions and started to piece together evidence BUT then only to find I was almost at the end of the book… then even when my questions were answered it was all said from one person in about 4 sentences and that was the end. I can’t even say that after finishing the book I was left wanting more as I just didn’t care after that disappointment.

[Avis Witter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the author’s usual theme and I did wonder if having a pet pig accompanied by his feline friend wandering around the home and book shop would make the story a little unreal but I actually found it very intruiging. When your assistant goes away for a holiday why shouldn’t she leave her pets in the care of her boss? Trying to juggle this whilst getting the job of a huge book inventory makes life interesting for Vangie. To top it all has the deceased owner of the books really committed suicide or was it murder? Maybe her obsession with suicide will take her down the wrong path or could she actually be in danger because she is getting too close to the truth?

I received an ARC from the author and enjoyed this first in series book. My scepticism conquered, I look forward to the next episode in Vangie’s Book Nook.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed quickly meeting Vangie and Erin in the little prequel I’d read to this series about how she made a Christmas wish come true for a dying man. In this book, we learned even more about the ladies and Erin’s pets that Vangie kept for her. That little Elroy pig was adorable and a super cute snuggler for Vangie!

I thought it was pretty hilarious how she caved to the pet side and let the cat and pig sleep in her bed, but never in a million years would she tell anyone! Even though he didn’t take down a perp, little Elroy the pig was still useful in the showdown. The main murder was solved in a tense but good ‘n quick showdown although Vangie’s side mystery seems like it might be ongoing.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vangie owns The Mystery Book Nook and when her assistant Erin goes on a week’s vacation, she is reluctantly talked into her into caring for Erin’s pet pig, Elroy, and her one-eyed cat Clem. As pets they’re well-behaved and used to coming to the shop in the daytime with Erin. When Vangie gets a contract to inventory and value a large collection of books owned by a local man who recently committed suicide, she can’t resist. She begins to wonder if the man’s death was really a suicide and what she finds is more than she bargained for! A great first book in a new series that I’m looking forward to reading more of! I received a free copy of this book and write this review voluntarily.

[NurseyByNature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to the author and I am so glad I found the book! The characters were realistic in their own ways, Vangie especially. The book also had some serious and poignant themes while still having more lighthearted sections too.

I loved the unique pets, the bookstore setting, the crisp writing, excellent dialogue and clever mystery. For a novella, this book packed a serious punch, with no wasted space. I very much look forward to reading more by Sessums and more in this special world she's created.

Thanks to the author for my copy, I write under no obligation.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

This is my intro to this author and I'm hooked!
I like the characters, the two and four-legged ones, that she created. They are full enough to get a feel for them despite the shorter from of the story.

The story was fun and intriguing without causing anxiety.
The type of mystery story I like!
The clues were enough to see where Vangie was going... and just one step beyond, but not so much that the reveal is ruined.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Good Deed Unpunished is the first installment of A Vangie Guillory Mystery series written by C.H. SESSUMS. This mystery with all its twists and turns will keep you guessing right to the surprise end. This was a great first book in a new starter series that I’m looking forward to reading more advanced copies of them! I received an advanced reader copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vangie takes the case of the attorney's suicide personally due to the tragedy from her past. She therefore decides to investigate the mystery, noting down who were friends and who were enemies with the attorney. Vangie is an endearing character and the writing is extremely pleasant to read, delving into Vangie's thought process.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vangie is hired to categorise the private library of a lawyer who committed suicide. But did he kill himself? An entertaining and enjoyable story with enjoyable characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

so Good

A really good mystery, I loved the plot, the characters and well everything. A satisfying ending with a twist. I highly recommend.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

New mystery

A delightful mystery with an engaging characters and protagonist. The lead protagonist is Vangie she is a widow with a mystery to solve.

[Peggy Loehrke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Love this author and all she does. Books are well written and full of suspense. Keeps you guessing till the end.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting interweaving of plots

[Jane litherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vangie Guillory is hardly keeping head above water where her Mystery Book Nook is concerned but when a silver lining comes in the shape of a suicide. She thanks her lucky stars for the rare book haul she is charged to inventory and market ,but she starts to suspect things aren’t as first appear in regards to the deceased’s demise ….Suspense and mystery and secrets to keep.. A very good well written Mystery book.
I read an arc of this book and my review is voluntary and my own words