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Hope Herring #13
Taking Chances
This is book 13 in the Hope Herring paranormal cozy mystery series by USA Today Bestselling Author J A Whiting and Nell McCarthy.
It is spring in Castle Park, NC and Hope Herring’s teenaged daughter Cori performs a solo in the school talent show and impresses the audience with her talent. The teen wants to take voice lessons and she and Hope decide to hire the glee club coach to give her private sessions.
In the meantime, a case of infidelity quickly becomes a problem in Castle Park when Hope and her daughter find a dead body. Someone from town has been killed and someone else is a suspect, but Hope has her hands full with teaching, keeping their resident ghost out of trouble, and helping Cori stay realistic about a singing career, and doesn’t want to get involved with the case.
It doesn’t take long for Detective Robinson to pull Hope into the investigation, and joining forces, they work to unravel the clues and attempt to solve the confusing case before an innocent person is charged with murder.
It is spring in Castle Park, NC and Hope Herring’s teenaged daughter Cori performs a solo in the school talent show and impresses the audience with her talent. The teen wants to take voice lessons and she and Hope decide to hire the glee club coach to give her private sessions.
In the meantime, a case of infidelity quickly becomes a problem in Castle Park when Hope and her daughter find a dead body. Someone from town has been killed and someone else is a suspect, but Hope has her hands full with teaching, keeping their resident ghost out of trouble, and helping Cori stay realistic about a singing career, and doesn’t want to get involved with the case.
It doesn’t take long for Detective Robinson to pull Hope into the investigation, and joining forces, they work to unravel the clues and attempt to solve the confusing case before an innocent person is charged with murder.
- GenresMystery
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2023
About the author
J.A. Whiting
183 books327 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
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For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 6, 2023
Sex, Lies, and Illusional Paintings!
Taking Chances is Book 13 of A Hope Herring Mystery series, written by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy. I love this series and the authors so much that I have every booking this series and their other series, The Tipperary Carriage Company series in my Kindle library. The Hope Herring series focuses on Hope, her fourteen-year-old daughter, Cori, and the resident ghost in their house, Max, as well as their female cat, Bijou. The series is also about Hope and Cori's abilities to solve mysteries. My favorite parts are the beautiful relationship between mother and daughter, which is the best I have seen in any book I have read. Cori is not rebellious like so many teenagers today, and she fully appreciates the "teachable moments" that her school teacher mother gives her.
This specific episode is about a woman who is unfaithful to her husband, the lies that surround that family, the murder of the unfaithful wife's lover, and the essence of magical, illusional Paintings that helps Hope and Cori solve not one, but two murders. A subplot in this book is the resident ghost, Max, who was murdered over a hundred years ago, Hope solved his murder, but he has decided to hang around because he loves Hope and Cori. Max has a new job: Online Editor and Obvious Ghostwriter. I laughed during these scenes because he fusses about how the people he is editing for not having a good education, not writing in complete sentences, and those people being tyrants with him over the Internet. However, he is doing this editing to make money for Cori, so that she can get a piano. The money is paid directly to a special account Cori and Hope set up specifically for the PayPal money to be deposited. I recommend this series to all mystery lovers. I gave this book, as well as the entire series, 5 big fat stars.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author, and this is my totally voluntary review.
Taking Chances is Book 13 of A Hope Herring Mystery series, written by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy. I love this series and the authors so much that I have every booking this series and their other series, The Tipperary Carriage Company series in my Kindle library. The Hope Herring series focuses on Hope, her fourteen-year-old daughter, Cori, and the resident ghost in their house, Max, as well as their female cat, Bijou. The series is also about Hope and Cori's abilities to solve mysteries. My favorite parts are the beautiful relationship between mother and daughter, which is the best I have seen in any book I have read. Cori is not rebellious like so many teenagers today, and she fully appreciates the "teachable moments" that her school teacher mother gives her.
This specific episode is about a woman who is unfaithful to her husband, the lies that surround that family, the murder of the unfaithful wife's lover, and the essence of magical, illusional Paintings that helps Hope and Cori solve not one, but two murders. A subplot in this book is the resident ghost, Max, who was murdered over a hundred years ago, Hope solved his murder, but he has decided to hang around because he loves Hope and Cori. Max has a new job: Online Editor and Obvious Ghostwriter. I laughed during these scenes because he fusses about how the people he is editing for not having a good education, not writing in complete sentences, and those people being tyrants with him over the Internet. However, he is doing this editing to make money for Cori, so that she can get a piano. The money is paid directly to a special account Cori and Hope set up specifically for the PayPal money to be deposited. I recommend this series to all mystery lovers. I gave this book, as well as the entire series, 5 big fat stars.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author, and this is my totally voluntary review.
August 20, 2023
This book was disappointing. Hope has a very poor opinion of kids and students. When Cori gets a standing ovation for her solo Hope says to herself that she did think it was deserved but she joined in anyway. When she’s trying to solve a murder she puts down students as being only into themselves and they would be of no help to her.
There are parts of the book that make me wonder what the authors are thinking. Why would Hope believe the IRS is after Max for putting a fake social security number on a website? Hope doesn’t know the IRS is not going to email you? Hope thinks if Cori gets a job and puts money in her current bank account the IRS will want to tax the money she already has in the account. Hope is fine having Max use Cori’s ss# for work? Hope makes a comment that kids don’t walk to school because it’s not safe and even a short bus ride is a better option.
Teaching moments are overdone.
The 2 murders are just background noise to a poor storyline. This will be the last of the series for me.
There are parts of the book that make me wonder what the authors are thinking. Why would Hope believe the IRS is after Max for putting a fake social security number on a website? Hope doesn’t know the IRS is not going to email you? Hope thinks if Cori gets a job and puts money in her current bank account the IRS will want to tax the money she already has in the account. Hope is fine having Max use Cori’s ss# for work? Hope makes a comment that kids don’t walk to school because it’s not safe and even a short bus ride is a better option.
Teaching moments are overdone.
The 2 murders are just background noise to a poor storyline. This will be the last of the series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Hope's daughter Cori gets a standing ovation at a school music program. She's interested in learning more about music and possibly taking piano and voice lessons. Hope isn't thrilled, thinking that her chances of success are limited. There are millions who try and never succeed in entertainment. I didn't think Hope showed herself in her best light in this 13th book in the series.
Cori starts taking voice lessons from the school music teacher. When he's murdered, Hope and Cori find the body. It doesn't take long for it to be all about Cori, like the man's death is a sign that maybe she shouldn't sing. But she quickly finds another teacher.
When there's another murder, Hope is drawn into the case because the two deaths are likely related.
The solution was fairly obvious to me almost from the beginning. This was not one of my favorite books of the series.
Cori starts taking voice lessons from the school music teacher. When he's murdered, Hope and Cori find the body. It doesn't take long for it to be all about Cori, like the man's death is a sign that maybe she shouldn't sing. But she quickly finds another teacher.
When there's another murder, Hope is drawn into the case because the two deaths are likely related.
The solution was fairly obvious to me almost from the beginning. This was not one of my favorite books of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2023
Didn't see that coming
So Hope has solved another case, why? Because the police take the easy way, they never look outside the box. Most of Hope's solves are definitely outside the box. She's a great "Sherlock Homes" and we enjoy reading them. I love these books as well as the story lines. Now I'm hoping there will be a next book maybe a romance for Hope ¡ it would be nice. .
So Hope has solved another case, why? Because the police take the easy way, they never look outside the box. Most of Hope's solves are definitely outside the box. She's a great "Sherlock Homes" and we enjoy reading them. I love these books as well as the story lines. Now I'm hoping there will be a next book maybe a romance for Hope ¡ it would be nice. .
November 13, 2023
Singing lessons
Cori performs at school and now wants to take lessons. Brad the band teacher offers to teach Cori. I liked the development of the characters, the story and the interactions between them. Cori decides she needs to get a job to buy a piano, Brad gives her an old electronic keyboard he has. The murder doesn't happen until mid way through the book which was surprising when it happened. Then its time for Hope to try to figure out who and why.
Cori performs at school and now wants to take lessons. Brad the band teacher offers to teach Cori. I liked the development of the characters, the story and the interactions between them. Cori decides she needs to get a job to buy a piano, Brad gives her an old electronic keyboard he has. The murder doesn't happen until mid way through the book which was surprising when it happened. Then its time for Hope to try to figure out who and why.
September 25, 2023
Wonderful escape, grab a drink of choice, a comfy chair to snuggle into, and enjoy your visit!
WOW, I got carried away with the title. Hope, Cori, Max and friends are almost like family and the stories are fun reads. A great way to escape every day life for a bit, refresh a little and then carry on with every day life.
WOW, I got carried away with the title. Hope, Cori, Max and friends are almost like family and the stories are fun reads. A great way to escape every day life for a bit, refresh a little and then carry on with every day life.
August 20, 2023
A great mystery!
McCarthy and Whiting write a really good mystery. I have enjoyed every book. Hope Herring is such a good character, her daughter, Cori, and the family ghost, solve the best mysteries. Love these books!
McCarthy and Whiting write a really good mystery. I have enjoyed every book. Hope Herring is such a good character, her daughter, Cori, and the family ghost, solve the best mysteries. Love these books!
November 27, 2025
Taking chances
Very interesting plot and way beyond my calculating how this story would conclude.
I thought it was a most ingenious and truly mind bogglingly way the author surprised us readers.
Very interesting plot and way beyond my calculating how this story would conclude.
I thought it was a most ingenious and truly mind bogglingly way the author surprised us readers.
August 6, 2023
Great book
This is another great book in the Hope Herring series by J A Whiting. I can't wait for the next book.
This is another great book in the Hope Herring series by J A Whiting. I can't wait for the next book.
August 16, 2023
Taking Chances
I like the chances Cori is getting mixed in with amidst mystery. Seems like Cori is good at solving mysteries too.
I like the chances Cori is getting mixed in with amidst mystery. Seems like Cori is good at solving mysteries too.
August 26, 2023
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews