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Claire Hanover, Gift Basket Designer #3
A Basket of Trouble
When Claire Hanover saddles up for the opening event of her brother Charley's new riding stable, the last thing she expects is a murder investigation. Kyle Mendoza, one of the stable hands, is found dead in Gunpowder's stall. Everyone thinks the horse trampled him, until it's discovered someone killed Kyle before dragging him into the stall. Charley's troubles worsen with Kyle's family suing him and a rival stable owner wrangling up his clients, so Claire decides to find the real murderer before her brother's business is put out to pasture.
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Beth Groundwater
9 books581 followersI write two mystery series, the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series and the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner. The first book in my Claire Hanover series, A REAL BASKET CASE, was released in hardcover in 2007 and re-released in trade paperback and ebook in November, 2011. It finaled for the 2007 Best First Novel Agatha Award. The second book in the series, TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, was released in hardcover in 2009 and re-released in trade paperback and ebook in 2012. The third book, A BASKET OF TROUBLE, was released in November, 2013.
The first book in my Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series, DEADLY CURRENTS, was released in trade paperback and ebook by Midnight Ink in 2011 and became an Amazon bestseller. The second book, WICKED EDDIES, was released in 2012 and was a finalist for the Rocky Award, for the best mystery set in Western North America. The third book, FATAL DESCENT, was released in June, 2013. DEADLY CURRENTS was re-released in September, 2020 by Speaking Volumes.
I was an avid "river rat" in the 1980s, running whitewater rivers in the eastern US, and enjoyed reacquainting myself with that subculture while researching this series. In June, 2011, I was the parade VIP for the First in Boating on the Arkansas River (FIBArk) whitewater festival in Salida, Colorado, which is featured in DEADLY CURRENTS. I live in Colorado and enjoy its many outdoor activities, including skiing and whitewater rafting.
My science fiction novella, THE EPSILON ERIDANI ALTERNATIVE, was released in ebook and paperback 2009. Also, I have published nine short stories, many multiple times in various formats, including audio. I enjoy meeting with book clubs in person or via Skype or speakerphone to discuss my books. Visit my website at http://bethgroundwater.com/ and my blog at http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/ for more information.
The first book in my Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series, DEADLY CURRENTS, was released in trade paperback and ebook by Midnight Ink in 2011 and became an Amazon bestseller. The second book, WICKED EDDIES, was released in 2012 and was a finalist for the Rocky Award, for the best mystery set in Western North America. The third book, FATAL DESCENT, was released in June, 2013. DEADLY CURRENTS was re-released in September, 2020 by Speaking Volumes.
I was an avid "river rat" in the 1980s, running whitewater rivers in the eastern US, and enjoyed reacquainting myself with that subculture while researching this series. In June, 2011, I was the parade VIP for the First in Boating on the Arkansas River (FIBArk) whitewater festival in Salida, Colorado, which is featured in DEADLY CURRENTS. I live in Colorado and enjoy its many outdoor activities, including skiing and whitewater rafting.
My science fiction novella, THE EPSILON ERIDANI ALTERNATIVE, was released in ebook and paperback 2009. Also, I have published nine short stories, many multiple times in various formats, including audio. I enjoy meeting with book clubs in person or via Skype or speakerphone to discuss my books. Visit my website at http://bethgroundwater.com/ and my blog at http://bethgroundwater.blogspot.com/ for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 24, 2014
This was very entertaining. I liked Claire Hanover. Definitely want to read more of this series and by this author.
February 10, 2017
This was not my first book by Beth Groundwater. I have read all of her books from her RM Outdoor Adventure Series to this her last book in the Claire Hanover Gift Basket Series. Her books are always quick and easy reads with believable characters and interesting dialogue. The plots are fast-paced with lots of adventure, mystery and suspense. This book features Claire Hanover's brother, Charley, and his new riding stable business. One of the stable hands has been found dead and Claire is determined to help the police find the killer before her brother's new business is ruined.
An important issue of immigration reform is a center point in the novel and the reader gets both sides from the employer to how it also impacts the immigrant. There are many twists and turns in the story until the very surprising ending. If you decide to read her books, I would suggest you read them in order so as not to feel left out when past happenings are mentioned. I would highly suggest these books to those who love mysteries with lots of outdoor activities.
An important issue of immigration reform is a center point in the novel and the reader gets both sides from the employer to how it also impacts the immigrant. There are many twists and turns in the story until the very surprising ending. If you decide to read her books, I would suggest you read them in order so as not to feel left out when past happenings are mentioned. I would highly suggest these books to those who love mysteries with lots of outdoor activities.
April 6, 2014
A Basket of Trouble is the first book that I have read by Groundwater, and I found that I really enjoyed it. Despite being book three in the series, I was able to just dive right in and get caught up in this book's story and mystery. Groundwater does a great job with her character development, and this book has Claire and her brother needing to face the sibling rivalry that has haunted them since childhood as well as the deep bond that they share as their mother's health worsens. Claire is a great heroine, and I love that it was her love for her brother that made her determined to solve this mystery. The book is full of enough twists and turns to keep the reader's interest, and I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
July 21, 2013
Midnight Ink, ISBN 9780738727035, November 2013
Claire Hanover is thrilled to be attending the official opening of her brother's riding stable, now relocated from Durango to Colorado Springs. She's also hoping that, with her younger brother close by now, she'll be able to grow closer to him, and heal some of the wounds from their childhood, when she was held up as the shining example he could never quite live up to.
What she's not expecting is that the day will be marred by the death of one of Charley's trusted wranglers, apparently kicked to death by one of his most valued horses.
It's the first of a series of frightening events that will threaten the survival of Charley's business, and test the relationship between the siblings as never before.
Groundwater skillfully develops the relationship between brother and sister, as well as between Charley and his wife, Jessica, while planting the clues and building the tension in the murder mystery. Claire's own husband, Roger seems almost an afterthought, though I gather he figured much more prominently in an earlier volume. The rivalries between Charley and his competitors, as well as Jessica's hippotherapy non-profit and the other hippotherapy provider in the area, Nancy Schwartz, are also well-developed. And Claire turns out to have some really interesting friends, frenemies, and occasional allies who make the whole texture of the novel richer.
It does bother me a bit, given the large role played by issues of illegal immigration and undocumented workers in the plot, that Groundwater did not do a little research and take into account the fact that E-Verify does, indeed, make it possible to verify workers' Social Security numbers and other relevant documents. However, many will regard this as an unreasonable complaint, since this is a very entertaining mystery with likable and engaging characters.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
Update Beth Groundwater contacted me to say that the E-Verify inconsistency I noted is fixed in the text that will be published in the fall.
Claire Hanover is thrilled to be attending the official opening of her brother's riding stable, now relocated from Durango to Colorado Springs. She's also hoping that, with her younger brother close by now, she'll be able to grow closer to him, and heal some of the wounds from their childhood, when she was held up as the shining example he could never quite live up to.
What she's not expecting is that the day will be marred by the death of one of Charley's trusted wranglers, apparently kicked to death by one of his most valued horses.
It's the first of a series of frightening events that will threaten the survival of Charley's business, and test the relationship between the siblings as never before.
Groundwater skillfully develops the relationship between brother and sister, as well as between Charley and his wife, Jessica, while planting the clues and building the tension in the murder mystery. Claire's own husband, Roger seems almost an afterthought, though I gather he figured much more prominently in an earlier volume. The rivalries between Charley and his competitors, as well as Jessica's hippotherapy non-profit and the other hippotherapy provider in the area, Nancy Schwartz, are also well-developed. And Claire turns out to have some really interesting friends, frenemies, and occasional allies who make the whole texture of the novel richer.
It does bother me a bit, given the large role played by issues of illegal immigration and undocumented workers in the plot, that Groundwater did not do a little research and take into account the fact that E-Verify does, indeed, make it possible to verify workers' Social Security numbers and other relevant documents. However, many will regard this as an unreasonable complaint, since this is a very entertaining mystery with likable and engaging characters.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
Update Beth Groundwater contacted me to say that the E-Verify inconsistency I noted is fixed in the text that will be published in the fall.
January 16, 2016
Gift basket designer Claire Hanover is so excited to have her brother, Charley, and his wife, Jessica, move closer to Colorado Springs. She hopes his riding stable and trail ride business is a great success. There are a few details to work out with the neighbors but they never expected a murder would change everything. Kyle Mendoza, one of the stable hands, is found dead in one of the stalls. It looks like one of the horses kicked him and trampled him to death. Then it was determined that the horse didn’t kill him. A human did and then dragged him into the stall. But Kyle’s family files a lawsuit, a competing business is working hard to steal all of Charley’s customers and the neighbors are pushing to have the city shut the place down. Claire is determined to find the real killer “before her brother’s business is put out to pasture.”
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This 3rd installment in this series interested me on many levels.
The story is set in the Garden of the Gods which sounds just beautiful.
Plus Charley’s wife, Jessica, runs a non-profit which uses hippotherapy, a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. This therapy caught my attention. I had heard of kids with disabilities riding horses but after reading this I understand the therapy so much better. While my disability is permanent it would be cool to still be able to ride a horse again.
The story also shines a light on the immigration issues we have in this country. Groundwater entwines this hot button issue in the story from the employer and immigrants viewpoints without get political or preachy at all.
The author takes all this and wraps a great mystery around it. I can’t believe how fast I read this book. It just flowed so well in true Beth Groundwater fashion. She gives us characters that keep evolving, that are as real as our own neighbors. The plots are tight, the dialogue is true. There is the perfect balance of humor and suspense. She just writes a darn good story. One that when you pick it up you won’t put it down.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This 3rd installment in this series interested me on many levels.
The story is set in the Garden of the Gods which sounds just beautiful.
Plus Charley’s wife, Jessica, runs a non-profit which uses hippotherapy, a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. This therapy caught my attention. I had heard of kids with disabilities riding horses but after reading this I understand the therapy so much better. While my disability is permanent it would be cool to still be able to ride a horse again.
The story also shines a light on the immigration issues we have in this country. Groundwater entwines this hot button issue in the story from the employer and immigrants viewpoints without get political or preachy at all.
The author takes all this and wraps a great mystery around it. I can’t believe how fast I read this book. It just flowed so well in true Beth Groundwater fashion. She gives us characters that keep evolving, that are as real as our own neighbors. The plots are tight, the dialogue is true. There is the perfect balance of humor and suspense. She just writes a darn good story. One that when you pick it up you won’t put it down.
March 12, 2017
Claire is an empty-nester and designs gift baskets part time. She is getting ready for the opening of her brother Charley's new stable, which will offer tours by horseback of Garden of the Gods park. What should be a happy and celebrated time becomes troublesome with the death of Kyle, one of Charley's stable hands. Though it appears as if he's been trampled by accident, things start to unfold that show an ulterior motive once Claire gets involved.
I have recently started getting into Cozy mysteries and have found myself wanting to get involved with more series (something to look forward to!). A family friend has given me a box of books to read through so I've been reading various installments in different Cozy mystery series. This was one of my favorites, though. I love how the varying themes addressed in this one kept me reading. There's the issue of illegal immigration (from the views of the police, employer, and employee) and there's also a look at hippotherapy.
Well written and fast paced, this is one I was able to breeze through in a few hours.
The mystery is enough to keep you engaged and it's not-so-easily figured out. A perfect way to pass a horribly rainy day or even a fluffy snow one.
November 17, 2013
In this third installment with Claire Hanover, empty-nester and part-time gift basket designer, Claire is getting ready for the opening of her brother Charley's new stable in Colorado Springs, which will offer horseback tours of Garden of the Gods park. Problems plague Charley right out of the gate, most notably the death of Kyle, one of his stable hands in a horse's stall (it appears Kyle was trampled). Add to that Kyle's family is threatening to sue, plus a rival stable owner is threatening to close down his business as well. Determined to see her brother succeed, Claire gets involved, especially when Kyle's death turns out to be much more than an accident.
Very enjoyable cozy that explores several themes: There's the issue of illegal immigration, not just from the view of law enforcement but the view of employer and employee. Also a fascinating look at hippotherapy: Charley's wife Jessica teaches Claire the basics of horseback riding for people with disabilities. Claire is still tenaciously determined to solve the mystery of Kyle's murder and it turns out the police might actually rely on some of Claire's connections.
Very enjoyable cozy that explores several themes: There's the issue of illegal immigration, not just from the view of law enforcement but the view of employer and employee. Also a fascinating look at hippotherapy: Charley's wife Jessica teaches Claire the basics of horseback riding for people with disabilities. Claire is still tenaciously determined to solve the mystery of Kyle's murder and it turns out the police might actually rely on some of Claire's connections.
February 1, 2014
Beth Groundwater's third installment of the Claire Hanover mystery series, A Basket of Trouble, is a fast-paced, enjoyable read. Set near Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, the story centers around the riding stable Claire's brother has just opened, which is great for me because I love anything to do with horses and cowboys! Immediately following the opening of Gardner Stables, one of the trail riders turns up dead. Soon after, another ranch hand is killed, putting into motion Claire's sleuthing skills.
Ms. Groundwater has woven a clever whodunit. She has brought back some memorable characters from Claire's first mystery to aide Claire in determining who the killer is from a colorful list of suspects. With a few twists and turns, and more insight to Claire and her personal life, A Basket of Trouble will keep you guessing until the very end. And if you're fond of horses, you'll fall in love with Gunpowder from the start and champion him throughout the story. I look forward to the next installment of Claire's Mystery series.
Ms. Groundwater has woven a clever whodunit. She has brought back some memorable characters from Claire's first mystery to aide Claire in determining who the killer is from a colorful list of suspects. With a few twists and turns, and more insight to Claire and her personal life, A Basket of Trouble will keep you guessing until the very end. And if you're fond of horses, you'll fall in love with Gunpowder from the start and champion him throughout the story. I look forward to the next installment of Claire's Mystery series.
July 15, 2013
The third book in the Claire Hanover gift basket designer mystery series, ‘A Basket of Trouble’ features her brother Charley's new riding stable. Charley has relocated to Colorado Springs at Claire’s suggestion for more consistent summer tourism. The stables feature trail rides into the Garden of the Gods Park. (See the video below for a glimpse of this awe inspiring location.) Charley’s wife Jessica does hippotherapy which uses horses to provide treatment for individuals with disabilities.
Before the stable really gets off the ground, Kyle Mendoza, the lead trail guide and wrangler is found dead in Charley's favorite horse, Gunpowder’s stall. Troubles mount for the new riding stable when Kyle’s family decides to sue them, competing businesses challenge them and the city threatens to shut him down.
See the rest of the review at: http://www.examiner.com/article/read-...
Before the stable really gets off the ground, Kyle Mendoza, the lead trail guide and wrangler is found dead in Charley's favorite horse, Gunpowder’s stall. Troubles mount for the new riding stable when Kyle’s family decides to sue them, competing businesses challenge them and the city threatens to shut him down.
See the rest of the review at: http://www.examiner.com/article/read-...
June 11, 2015
I really enjoyed the latest installment in Groundwater's Claire Hanover series. Being the third book in a series, I find authors sometimes fall into a pattern which makes mysteries a lot easier to solve and often become contrite.
Not so with Groundwater! Being a Colorado Springs native, I love mentions of places I actually know. The book has a good pace to it, enough twists to keep you guessing, and overall good story telling. My only critique is that I am surprised the police let Claire get so involved in investigations - it's the only part of the stories that is really hard to buy into. However, it's a small suspension of reality to accept, and in return, you get a well-done mystery!
Not so with Groundwater! Being a Colorado Springs native, I love mentions of places I actually know. The book has a good pace to it, enough twists to keep you guessing, and overall good story telling. My only critique is that I am surprised the police let Claire get so involved in investigations - it's the only part of the stories that is really hard to buy into. However, it's a small suspension of reality to accept, and in return, you get a well-done mystery!
September 19, 2014
A Basket of Trouble by Beth Groundwater is the third installment of the Claire Hanover, Gift Basket Designer mystery series and it's another well-written, quick-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable read.
I really like the character of Claire Hanover and, with each successive book, I find that I identify with Claire and the situations in which she often finds herself, especially her relationships with various family members.
The murder and the mystery that surrounds it kept me guessing until the resolution at the end of the story.
A Basket of Trouble was a perfectly pleasant way to pass a dreary, gray, and rainy day . . . relaxing on a recliner, a hot cup of coffee close at hand, and a Siamese kitty curled up on my lap = reading heaven.
I really like the character of Claire Hanover and, with each successive book, I find that I identify with Claire and the situations in which she often finds herself, especially her relationships with various family members.
The murder and the mystery that surrounds it kept me guessing until the resolution at the end of the story.
A Basket of Trouble was a perfectly pleasant way to pass a dreary, gray, and rainy day . . . relaxing on a recliner, a hot cup of coffee close at hand, and a Siamese kitty curled up on my lap = reading heaven.
November 18, 2013
Interesting!
This is the 3rd book in the Claire Hanover mystery series. After a few pages you will be hooked. Well written with many current event topics discussed. Lots of nice twists in the path so you will stay interested. There is a bit of grumbling exchanged among the family – but that’s life isn’t it! Enjoy! NetGalley and Midnight Ink provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 3rd book in the Claire Hanover mystery series. After a few pages you will be hooked. Well written with many current event topics discussed. Lots of nice twists in the path so you will stay interested. There is a bit of grumbling exchanged among the family – but that’s life isn’t it! Enjoy! NetGalley and Midnight Ink provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2014
Loved this mystery and it was a great page turner. I read it in a few days. So glad to read it and happy they could order it special for me from a off location branch. I know you will enjoy this too, if you like good reads that hold your attention and you cannot wait for the next page. I don't want to tell the story, so just try it and you will be surprised. thanks Beth for all your great talent.
May 12, 2015
This is a fun read. It is not the first in the series, yet it is the first one I have read. I was still able to follow the characters and had no problem with the background. Claire makes gift baskets and solves murders. This time, her brother needs her help. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery fell nicely into place.
February 7, 2014
This story kept me interested in finding the killer. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story
December 31, 2013
A great mystery with lots of twists and turns and a plethora of viable suspects. And has an even more exciting ending. I totally enjoyed this book.
February 19, 2014
I really liked this book. This is the 3rd book in the Claire Hanover series. If you like cozy mysteries this book is for you.
July 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and will read the other books in the series. I liked the. Claire Hanover character. She felt very real.
August 24, 2016
A good mystery. I'm sorry to see this series come to an end.
February 12, 2022
Claire Hanover's insecure younger brother has started up a riding stable that is plagued with problems large and small. The largest, a series of murders, threatens to put her brother out of business, if not in jail!
I kind of liked this book, though it is sort of all over the place. First and foremost, what kind of book is this? I guess it's a cozy mystery? But it can be very serious for a cozy. Which, I appreciate; cozies where only mean people die, nobody swears and every romance is happy, they reek of saccharine and baloney. This book deals well with grief, Alzheimer's, unfair laws and financial difficulties. Again, is it actually a cozy? I don't know who the target audience is, really. I'd recommend this book, but I'm not sure who it's supposed to be for. There's swearing, and a startlingly blasé interaction with a friendly cocaine dealer. What? If you don't mind a harsher tone than usual cozy mysteries, but the usual 'suspension of disbelief' needed for a cozy, you might like this...
But, there are two big problems, editing and resolution. Beth Groundwater made a lot of errors, but that's what an editor is supposed to catch. Her brother Charley's name is sometimes spelled 'Charlie' (sometimes it's spelled both ways on the same page). Sometimes the (3rd person) narration has exclamation points and "Oh god!" commentary. Worst of all, the book is sympathetic toward people who immigrate due to financial difficulty, but they all talk in Sesame Street quality Spanglish that is half unintentionally hilarious, half groan-inducing. "Mi mama y hermanas cannot live without el dinero I send to them." Groan. Has the author never actually talked to a Hispanic person? It's all very distracting.
The book is filled with instances of Claire suspecting and accusing people of murder for the most trivial reasons. When we find the actual murderer the motive is, indeed, startlingly trivial. An otherwise good ending where the protagonist is smart and proactive, is pretty much ruined by the motive for cold-blooded murder being... a small amount of cash?
After cringing from a series of cozies where I hated the writing, the main character, and the mystery, I liked this one.... kind of. But it was so all over in plot, cohesion, mood, editing, and big ending, that I really don't think I'll be reading others in the series.
I kind of liked this book, though it is sort of all over the place. First and foremost, what kind of book is this? I guess it's a cozy mystery? But it can be very serious for a cozy. Which, I appreciate; cozies where only mean people die, nobody swears and every romance is happy, they reek of saccharine and baloney. This book deals well with grief, Alzheimer's, unfair laws and financial difficulties. Again, is it actually a cozy? I don't know who the target audience is, really. I'd recommend this book, but I'm not sure who it's supposed to be for. There's swearing, and a startlingly blasé interaction with a friendly cocaine dealer. What? If you don't mind a harsher tone than usual cozy mysteries, but the usual 'suspension of disbelief' needed for a cozy, you might like this...
But, there are two big problems, editing and resolution. Beth Groundwater made a lot of errors, but that's what an editor is supposed to catch. Her brother Charley's name is sometimes spelled 'Charlie' (sometimes it's spelled both ways on the same page). Sometimes the (3rd person) narration has exclamation points and "Oh god!" commentary. Worst of all, the book is sympathetic toward people who immigrate due to financial difficulty, but they all talk in Sesame Street quality Spanglish that is half unintentionally hilarious, half groan-inducing. "Mi mama y hermanas cannot live without el dinero I send to them." Groan. Has the author never actually talked to a Hispanic person? It's all very distracting.
The book is filled with instances of Claire suspecting and accusing people of murder for the most trivial reasons. When we find the actual murderer the motive is, indeed, startlingly trivial. An otherwise good ending where the protagonist is smart and proactive, is pretty much ruined by the motive for cold-blooded murder being... a small amount of cash?
After cringing from a series of cozies where I hated the writing, the main character, and the mystery, I liked this one.... kind of. But it was so all over in plot, cohesion, mood, editing, and big ending, that I really don't think I'll be reading others in the series.
October 8, 2018
This was okay - I liked the setting - Colorado Springs by the Garden of the Gods. I also liked hearing about the gift baskets that Claire designed. I didn't like Jessica cutting down her husband at the beginning of the book but there was some redemption toward the end.
June 14, 2016
Title: A Basket of Trouble - Claire Handover Gift Basket Designer Mystery 3
Author: Beth Groundwater
Published: 11-8-2013
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Pages: 314
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women's Sleuths; Cozy Mystery;
ISBN: 9780738727035
ASIN: B00FM5E1QW
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
When gift basket designer Claire Hanover saddles up for the opening event of her brother Charley's new riding stable, the last thing she expects is for a death to ruin the festivities. But before the grand opening can even begin Kyle Mendoza, one of the stable hands, is found dead in a horse stall. At first it appears that the horse trampled him, until it's discovered someone killed Kyle before dragging him into the stall.
Charley's troubles worsen when a rival stable owner starts wrangling up his clients and Kyle’s family decides to sue him for negligence. Claire is determined to find the real murderer before her brother's business is put out to pasture and before the killer strikes again.
I kept the blurb from the book because it best sums up the story without any spoilers. As usual Beth Groundwater's characters are strong and independent thinkers, not afraid to stand up to whomever threatens those they love or against an injustice. Claire Handover and her brother believable characters who along with this fast paced plot that keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. There are plenty of twist and turns along the way. I gave A Basket of Trouble a rating of 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FM5E1QW/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-bas...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Beth Groundwater
Published: 11-8-2013
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Pages: 314
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women's Sleuths; Cozy Mystery;
ISBN: 9780738727035
ASIN: B00FM5E1QW
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
.
When gift basket designer Claire Hanover saddles up for the opening event of her brother Charley's new riding stable, the last thing she expects is for a death to ruin the festivities. But before the grand opening can even begin Kyle Mendoza, one of the stable hands, is found dead in a horse stall. At first it appears that the horse trampled him, until it's discovered someone killed Kyle before dragging him into the stall.
Charley's troubles worsen when a rival stable owner starts wrangling up his clients and Kyle’s family decides to sue him for negligence. Claire is determined to find the real murderer before her brother's business is put out to pasture and before the killer strikes again.
I kept the blurb from the book because it best sums up the story without any spoilers. As usual Beth Groundwater's characters are strong and independent thinkers, not afraid to stand up to whomever threatens those they love or against an injustice. Claire Handover and her brother believable characters who along with this fast paced plot that keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. There are plenty of twist and turns along the way. I gave A Basket of Trouble a rating of 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FM5E1QW/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-bas...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
March 13, 2014
A setting in Colorado Springs' Garden of the Gods is sure to get my attention and that's where this contemporary American cozy is set. Claire Hanover's brother Charley has established his new riding stable there hoping to leave behind troubles of the past. When one of his wranglers is found dead at the grand opening, that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Events keep going from bad to worse as the wrangler's family threatens to sue, rival stables try to get his license suspended and then a second dead body shows up. Claire has to step in to try to help her brother before it's too late.
This is the third in this series but the first one I had read. I do believe that I should have read the others first. There are lots of references to past events that made reading this one not as smooth as I would have liked since I didn't know what the past events were. No trouble following the mystery, just a feeling that everyone knew something I didn't know.
I'm undecided about whether I'll continue with this series. The writing fell a little flat to me at times and despite a setting that interests me, I didn't feel quite as drawn in as I usually do with this genre. To be fair, I'll probably see if I can find the first two to read and then I'll have a better judgement of this one.
I received this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third in this series but the first one I had read. I do believe that I should have read the others first. There are lots of references to past events that made reading this one not as smooth as I would have liked since I didn't know what the past events were. No trouble following the mystery, just a feeling that everyone knew something I didn't know.
I'm undecided about whether I'll continue with this series. The writing fell a little flat to me at times and despite a setting that interests me, I didn't feel quite as drawn in as I usually do with this genre. To be fair, I'll probably see if I can find the first two to read and then I'll have a better judgement of this one.
I received this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2016
Horses and a cozy mystery: I jumped at two of my favorite motifs! Yet this book was so incredibly bland and boring with such heavy-handed characterization.....I could not force myself to finish this book. Or even the first chapter. After nine pages, I gave up. I did not care what was happening and I certainly didn't care about the grey hair of the main characters. Most books try to grab you in the beginning, but this was just painfully dull.
January 16, 2014
This is a well-structured murder mystery set on the grounds of a stable and involves, indeed requires, a horse to help solve the crime, relegating the presumed theme of the series, gift baskets, far in the background. A generally enjoyable if not exactly memorable entry in this cozy series. Read our full review, here: http://www.mysteriousreviews.com/myst...
April 25, 2015
This is a fun cozy mystery series featuring Claire Hanover, gift basket designer extraordinaire. In this third outing in the series, Claire's brother, Charley, has opened a riding stable in Colorado Springs but trouble plagues the business right from the start when one of his wranglers is trampled to death. Claire calls on her cast of friends to help her solve the mystery before Charley is put out of business. I just wish I could get some of Leon's barbecue!! :-)
November 12, 2013
* Received a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This was the first book I've read in the Claire Hanover mysteries and I plan on reading more. I thought it started off a little slow but it then picked up and I found myself engrossed in the mystery, the characters, and the setting. Now I want to visit Colorado.
This was the first book I've read in the Claire Hanover mysteries and I plan on reading more. I thought it started off a little slow but it then picked up and I found myself engrossed in the mystery, the characters, and the setting. Now I want to visit Colorado.
December 8, 2013
Claire's brother Charley has moved near her and he has opened a stable for renting horses to ride the local trails. One of the wranglers is found dead in one of the horses' stall and everyone blames the crazed horse. Claire tries to help so that Charley's new business can survive.
This is the first book I have read by this author but this book is not the first book of the series.
This is the first book I have read by this author but this book is not the first book of the series.
August 16, 2019
A very good read with multible murders. All in the same area but different killers.
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