Class Reunion of Murder

Lacy Steele Mysteries #5

by Vanessa Gray Bartal

Finally, everything in Lacy Steele's life is going well. Business is booming, and her love life is on track. The only blip on her radar is her sister's hasty marriage, but Lacy vows not to get involved in their mess. Instead she immerses herself in planning the centennial celebration of her high school's band and football team. Her new relationship provides extra motivation to make sure the reunion is perfect.
Everything is going according to plan until Lacy's old rival is found dead, throwing the reunion into chaos and pitting two groups against each other. In a game of popular versus geek, Lacy knows whose side she's on. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how it will affect the tenuous hold she has on her new romance because in order to clear her friends, Lacy must make peace with her high school self once and for all. In finding herself, will she lose her new love? Or will she lose her life?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Vanessa Gray Bartal is primarily a foodie who began writing when she was unable to find people willing to pay her to eat. She believes everyone deserves a happily ever after and works hard to make it happen, even in a murder mystery.

She would love to hear from you. Check out her Facebook author page for upcoming new releases, and drop her a line while you're there!

Reviews

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, everything in Lacy Steele's life is going well. Business is booming, and her love life is on track. The only blip on her radar is her sister's hasty marriage, but Lacy vows not to get involved in their mess. Instead she immerses herself in planning the centennial celebration of her high school's band and football team. Her new relationship provides extra motivation to make sure the reunion is perfect.
Everything is going according to plan until Lacy's old rival is found dead, throwing the reunion into chaos and pitting two groups against each other. In a game of popular versus geek, Lacy knows whose side she's on. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how it will affect the tenuous hold she has on her new romance because in order to clear her friends, Lacy must make peace with her high school self once and for all. In finding herself, will she lose her new love? Or will she lose her life?

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I worked in the bookstore one of my best selling points for a series was “ This is the best in the series so far” . One thing you have to know about me is that I am brutally honest when it comes to books. Most of my regular customers were on a fixed income and I didn’t feel right recommending something that I didn’t deem worthy. That said…This was the BEST in the series so far!! This author has a gift for keeping the pace rolling and the storylines fresh. The mysteries are dead on ( pun intended) “who done its” that keep you guessing to the end. The characters in this series are allowed to evolve, they learn and grow and mature. This is an absolute must read series for anyone who likes good solid stories.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery a lot. It was a fun and quick read. I especially enjoyed that the main character was an underdog who ended up with a happy ending -- always good to read!

[Bekah Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

So upset

Without any kind of background on Riley you have her marry tosh, lacey's best friend...who BTW should have loyalties lie with Lacey after what Riley pulled with the Robert fiasco. It just seems off. Yes I read the monolog Riley spouted in the end ...and how tosh was supposed to be wild and crazy b4 being a minister...I don't care for Riley's character ....and the mother seems just as self centered, shallow and selfish...sometimes a Villan can become liked or understood...but the way this book went about it did not make me want up to either Riley or her mother

[Wendy Welton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny I had tears running down my face laughing so hard. I 100% relate to the characters in this series - especially the un-sporty ones like Lacy.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light reading, entertaining.

[Nancy]

Finally, everything in Lacy Steele's life is going well. Business is booming, and her love life is on track. The only blip on her radar is her sister's hasty marriage, but Lacy vows not to get involved in their mess. Instead she immerses herself in planning the centennial celebration of her high school's band and football team. Her new relationship provides extra motivation to make sure the reunion is perfect.
Everything is going according to plan until Lacy's old rival is found dead, throwing the reunion into chaos and pitting two groups against each other. In a game of popular versus geek, Lacy knows whose side she's on. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how it will affect the tenuous hold she has on her new romance because in order to clear her friends, Lacy must make peace with her high school self once and for all. In finding herself, will she lose her new love? Or will she lose her life?

The coach did it. He and Lacy's rival had an off and on affair for years. Lacy is still with the policeman, Jason, and Reilly and Tosh are going to be parents.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacy is revitalizing her home town one building at a time,her class reunion is the setting for murder and assault. One of the popular girls is found dead in the bottom of the hotel's pool. One of the popular boys assaulted outside the local hang out. The embarrassments of teen years all rehashed and remembered, as Jason tries to uncover the truth surrounding the murder. Lacy can finally let go of her high school years and be happy with being her self as the killer is exposed. The secondary characters are interesting and captures what high school were like for both the geeks and the popular kids.

[P.A. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the series of Lacy Steele mysteries. This time murder comes to town along with multiple grads classes of her high school. Dealing with the cool kids, the band nerds, brings back all the insecurities of her teenage years.
If you follow the series and liked the previous 4 books, you’ll enjoy the continuation of the series. the romances progresses, unlike a lot of romance series. If you haven’t read any of the series, I recommend staring at book one, Morning Cup of Murder. A series of romantic involvements wrapped around a brutal murder.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the last in the series! Lacey was finally treating Jason like a real boyfriend, and Tosh and Riley were working on their relationship! The only problem was Lacey's mother was coming to town!

There were a lot of twists and turns in this murder mystery and I didn't figure out what was going on until the very end. Looking forward to the next in the series coming out later this year!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series so far, and the dialogue has made me laugh more than I have in any books I've read lately. The characters are all interesting in their own way, and their stories help make the pages fly by. Once I finish one of the books, I can't wait to start the next. The ending of this book created a much-needed scene from another book, and I didn't realize how much until I was laughing & crying. I can't wait to read #6!

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't really a class reunion, but rather a whole school reunion based on the band and football teams' longevity. Still, it brings together many members of Lacy's high school graduating class, and the victim was also her classmate. How Lacy and her cop boyfriend go about solving the mystery and bringing the perp to justice is a good and fun read. Enjoy! I know I did.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 in the Lacy Steele cozy mystery series. Love, love this series. Sometimes the interaction between Lacy and her sister Riley drive me crazy but I see growth in this book. Can't wait for "Wedding Day of Murder" coming summer 2013. I will buy it!

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Lacy Steele mystery. this is book 6 in there series, but could be read as a "stand alone" story. It is an easy read, very enjoyable. Brings back memories of high school days and how unenjoyable those times can be for kids who are not in the in group.

[Rita McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorous and Entertaining

The characters in this series of books are so realistic and life like that you find yourself comparing their lives to your own. Truly remarkable use of humor throughout the entire series. Excellent.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, stalking, high school geeks -vs- high school jocks and the popular girls and boys, and of course romance Makes a great mixture for repartee.

This is a re-read for me, and a very enjoyable one. I had forgotten the humor, the fun characters who populate this series.

[Leslie Mccarthy cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all five books over a of couple weeks, I liked them all. They were quick, funny summer reads.

[Kathryn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 in the Lacy Steele series.
Tosh is with Riley, she is with Jason.
At a class reunion, one of her high school nemesis is murdered. Plenty of suspects as she was not a very nice person.

[Gayla Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series. Can't put them down! On to the last (for now).

[Monique nylander]

Good read

I love the simplicity, and the journey these stories tell.
This is not just about mystery, but relationships and love.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not into book reports, all I can say is that I'm ready to start the next book in this series. Good Read

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book...

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 5 in the Lacy Steel cosy mysteries series. Another fun read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of changes in the family - can't wait for the next one!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute mystery.