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A Scarlet Wilson Mystery #1
Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter
When the Wilson family is hit with a financial Ponzi-style fraud, losing everything but the old family manse, they get creative and turn their home into a small inn. The Four Acorns Inn sounds like a good idea, except for one thing -- someone is out to ruin them anyway possible, and that includes murder.
As if that's not bad enough, Scarlet Wilson's love life keeps tanking, no matter what she does. Pretty sad when the elderly ladies have a better romantic life than the forty-something innkeeper. Is she cursed when it comes to men, or is there something more sinister going on?
Better known as "Miz Scarlet", the feisty former teacher finds she's up to her eyeballs in questions when someone posts a threat in the garden. Who's in danger and why? What does it have to do with the Jordan family, who disappeared without a trace? When Miz Scarlet comes across items belonging to the Jordan children, her fears are only heightened.
Enter Kenny Tolliver ("Captain Peacock"), the still-handsome hunk who captured Miz Scarlet's heart all those years ago in high school. Widowed, retired as Assistant Director of Public Safety at Princeton University, now working for Mercer Security, "Captain Peacock" has all kind of tricks up his sleeve. Good thing, because two guests of the Four Acorns Inn have been murdered and no one knows who's next.
What can possibly come between "Miz Scarlet" and "Captain Peacock"? How about the constant interference of "Colonel Grey Poupon", Scarlet's annoying, twice-married brother? Even as Bur Wilson slides into fifty, the old sibling rivalry lives. As brother and sister vie for Kenny's attention, things spiral out of control, further endangering them. Just how involved was Bur with one of the now-dead guests?
When the challenges seem insurmountable, the trio puts differences aside to find the motive for the series of bizarre attacks on the family. Secrets can be buried deep, and it's not always easy to dig them up, even as the guests are dropping like flies. Is there a killer inside the Four Acorns Inn? It's up to Miz Scarlet, Captain Peacock, and Colonel Grey Poupon to solve the clues before someone else winds up deader than a doornail.
As if that's not bad enough, Scarlet Wilson's love life keeps tanking, no matter what she does. Pretty sad when the elderly ladies have a better romantic life than the forty-something innkeeper. Is she cursed when it comes to men, or is there something more sinister going on?
Better known as "Miz Scarlet", the feisty former teacher finds she's up to her eyeballs in questions when someone posts a threat in the garden. Who's in danger and why? What does it have to do with the Jordan family, who disappeared without a trace? When Miz Scarlet comes across items belonging to the Jordan children, her fears are only heightened.
Enter Kenny Tolliver ("Captain Peacock"), the still-handsome hunk who captured Miz Scarlet's heart all those years ago in high school. Widowed, retired as Assistant Director of Public Safety at Princeton University, now working for Mercer Security, "Captain Peacock" has all kind of tricks up his sleeve. Good thing, because two guests of the Four Acorns Inn have been murdered and no one knows who's next.
What can possibly come between "Miz Scarlet" and "Captain Peacock"? How about the constant interference of "Colonel Grey Poupon", Scarlet's annoying, twice-married brother? Even as Bur Wilson slides into fifty, the old sibling rivalry lives. As brother and sister vie for Kenny's attention, things spiral out of control, further endangering them. Just how involved was Bur with one of the now-dead guests?
When the challenges seem insurmountable, the trio puts differences aside to find the motive for the series of bizarre attacks on the family. Secrets can be buried deep, and it's not always easy to dig them up, even as the guests are dropping like flies. Is there a killer inside the Four Acorns Inn? It's up to Miz Scarlet, Captain Peacock, and Colonel Grey Poupon to solve the clues before someone else winds up deader than a doornail.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
173 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Sara M. Barton
77 books78 followersSara M. Barton is the author of several fast-paced cozy mysteries featuring lively characters: The Scarlet Wilson Mysteries, The Off the Books Mysteries, The International Killer Chefs Competition Mysteries (The first book in the new series is entitled "Frosted!")
She has also written hybrid "cozy thriller" series, offering likeable characters and wild twists: The Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mysteries, The Cornwall & Company Mysteries
She also has written dark and dangerous spy thrillers based on historical events dating back to the Cold War. Some of these touch on now-unclassified government-funded research programs examining the feasibility of psychic abilities: The Project Stargazer Thrillers, The Arden Woods Thrillers
Sara M. Barton offers helpful tips, information, and education for families providing care to a loved one on The Practical Caregiver Guides website and her blog. As a passionate advocate for improving the lives of cancer patients and others managing serious health challenges, she has written "The Practical Caregiver's Essential Guide: How to Help Someone You Love" and a short, free guide for caregivers providing end-of-life care called "The Practical Caregiver's Guide to Home Hospice".
She is also a classically trained artist who loves to paint landscapes, seascapes, and portraits.
She has also written hybrid "cozy thriller" series, offering likeable characters and wild twists: The Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mysteries, The Cornwall & Company Mysteries
She also has written dark and dangerous spy thrillers based on historical events dating back to the Cold War. Some of these touch on now-unclassified government-funded research programs examining the feasibility of psychic abilities: The Project Stargazer Thrillers, The Arden Woods Thrillers
Sara M. Barton offers helpful tips, information, and education for families providing care to a loved one on The Practical Caregiver Guides website and her blog. As a passionate advocate for improving the lives of cancer patients and others managing serious health challenges, she has written "The Practical Caregiver's Essential Guide: How to Help Someone You Love" and a short, free guide for caregivers providing end-of-life care called "The Practical Caregiver's Guide to Home Hospice".
She is also a classically trained artist who loves to paint landscapes, seascapes, and portraits.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 19, 2022
Miz Scarlet Wilson is an innkeeper. After financial losses including getting caught in a Ponzi scheme, she has turned the family mansion into a destination inn for those who are handicapped or in need of medical care. But when a very suspicious guest is found dead, Scarlet finds out that she is in the middle of long-range and deadly plot.
There is a lot of family background to begin this story which introduces ancestors and tells the family history. Currently, Scarlet is living with her mother, her mother's cousin, and her twice-divorced brother Bur. There are also a variety of guests at the inn.
Bur's friend and Scarlet's teenage crush is now a security professional who has been called in to look into the disappearance of a family from another of Scarlet's family's home. He is also interested in investigating where the family money has gone.
The plot was a little bit all over the place. Things happened very quickly and involved a couple of Scarlet's old boyfriends who had a definite agenda for dating her. I thought the story tried to do too much. Plot twists kept appearing and making things more complicated. Then the story ended without really resolving a lot of the issues.
While I enjoyed Scarlet's snarkiness, I didn't enjoy her relationship with her brother which seemed too juvenile for people in their late 40s and early 50s. Bur comes across as a juvenile prankster instead of a the well-respected professional that he should have been. I did like the budding romance between Scarlet and Bur's friend but thought it got too little page time.
There is a lot of family background to begin this story which introduces ancestors and tells the family history. Currently, Scarlet is living with her mother, her mother's cousin, and her twice-divorced brother Bur. There are also a variety of guests at the inn.
Bur's friend and Scarlet's teenage crush is now a security professional who has been called in to look into the disappearance of a family from another of Scarlet's family's home. He is also interested in investigating where the family money has gone.
The plot was a little bit all over the place. Things happened very quickly and involved a couple of Scarlet's old boyfriends who had a definite agenda for dating her. I thought the story tried to do too much. Plot twists kept appearing and making things more complicated. Then the story ended without really resolving a lot of the issues.
While I enjoyed Scarlet's snarkiness, I didn't enjoy her relationship with her brother which seemed too juvenile for people in their late 40s and early 50s. Bur comes across as a juvenile prankster instead of a the well-respected professional that he should have been. I did like the budding romance between Scarlet and Bur's friend but thought it got too little page time.
June 27, 2020
I didn't like the language.
February 25, 2018
Miz Scarlet runs a speciallity boarding house in the New England countryside and is sucked into a perplexing mystery when guests and neighbours start disappearing...
Overall I enjoyed the story but think it got bogged down at the start with too much background information about the main character and her business and family connections that I feel could've been introduced in stages throughtout the narrative.
Once the story got going it galloped along and kept me entertained with the plot but once it got to the solving of the mystery and the explanation of the circumstances surrounding the reasons for all of the intrigue it again struggled with too much information and a convoluted resolution.
This is the first in the series so now that the background and central characters are set up then hopefully the next title will be allowed to concentrate on the storytelling and go easy on the, far too full, explanations.
Marketed as a 'cosy' mystery I'd expect it to have a lighter subject matter and a far less complicated baddie.
The chapter points also felt a bit strange and on a couple of occassions the chapter ended and started again in the middle of the same conversation.
Overall I enjoyed the story but think it got bogged down at the start with too much background information about the main character and her business and family connections that I feel could've been introduced in stages throughtout the narrative.
Once the story got going it galloped along and kept me entertained with the plot but once it got to the solving of the mystery and the explanation of the circumstances surrounding the reasons for all of the intrigue it again struggled with too much information and a convoluted resolution.
This is the first in the series so now that the background and central characters are set up then hopefully the next title will be allowed to concentrate on the storytelling and go easy on the, far too full, explanations.
Marketed as a 'cosy' mystery I'd expect it to have a lighter subject matter and a far less complicated baddie.
The chapter points also felt a bit strange and on a couple of occassions the chapter ended and started again in the middle of the same conversation.
June 6, 2019
Well well well, a terrific read. Editing excellent, use of language excellent, character build up excellent. As the story unfolds you get the history and also the feel for this large diverse family. I liked them although not the older brother Bur, I hope he’s redeemed in the following books, or at least unmasked. Plot development is a bit hurried at times and at one point I lost track of who was living currently at the B&B and who in the past. Otherwise a fascinating plot and satisfying ending. I was pleased that Ms. Barton allowed the book to be a standalone, whilst giving me good reason to purchase the next in this series. I have only read a handful of GOOD books lately and this was one of them.
December 29, 2023
Complex example of the long game--just no vampires (yep, I think I may have read a lot of urban fantasy). I liked the story well enough but found myself rushing through parts and feeling like it really needed one big overall edit for continuity--especially once I got to the part where Scarlett was expounding on education. Until that point, I had forgotten she was a teacher. Curious to see how the series grows. As an aside, I got thoroughly annoyed with "Bur"--twobreasons--one, he was an ass and, two, I need my glasses adjusted--I kept misreading "Bur" as "but" and having to go back and reread those sentences.
November 18, 2019
I enjoyed the story, especially because of the characters. They are interesting and different. The plot keeps the reader's attention. However, there were a few times when the storyline gets sidetracked with something that just doesn't seem to help. It made me wonder if the author added it to make the story longer; as though she needed a certain word count.
But that said, it doesn't detract from the story too much. And I will definitely read the next book in the series.
But that said, it doesn't detract from the story too much. And I will definitely read the next book in the series.
October 29, 2019
I love Miz Scarlet!
As a former school teacher, I truly appreciate a novel about a complex and well rounded realistic educator whose skills are essential and appreciated. Miz Scarlet's interesting and challenging personal life and sleuthing ability prove to be of great value in solving crime.
As a former school teacher, I truly appreciate a novel about a complex and well rounded realistic educator whose skills are essential and appreciated. Miz Scarlet's interesting and challenging personal life and sleuthing ability prove to be of great value in solving crime.
September 3, 2024
Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter
I just could not get into this book. The brother and sister got on my nerves from the beginning. I ended up skipping through to the end. I'm sure someone has more patience than me and will enjoy this book, just not me. Since I bought others in this series, I'm hoping they're better.
I just could not get into this book. The brother and sister got on my nerves from the beginning. I ended up skipping through to the end. I'm sure someone has more patience than me and will enjoy this book, just not me. Since I bought others in this series, I'm hoping they're better.
February 11, 2018
I found this to be a fun mystery where it is hard to figure Out why these things are happening to these nice people and who could be causing all the problems. I want to read more of Miz Scarlets adventures.
April 12, 2019
Secrets
This book kept my interest so much so I couldn't go to sleep until I finished it. Lots of suspense lots of drama, lots of twists a d turns. Enjoyed this book very much looking forward to read more by Sara Barton!
This book kept my interest so much so I couldn't go to sleep until I finished it. Lots of suspense lots of drama, lots of twists a d turns. Enjoyed this book very much looking forward to read more by Sara Barton!
November 21, 2019
Really good
I enjoyed this book, Scarlet and her brother Bur run their home as a hotel for people who need a little assistance. Things start happening that don't make sense. Then there's murder and kidnapping. I was gripped, I can't wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed this book, Scarlet and her brother Bur run their home as a hotel for people who need a little assistance. Things start happening that don't make sense. Then there's murder and kidnapping. I was gripped, I can't wait to read the next book.
April 1, 2019
Great whodunnit
I loved every minute of reading this book. I couldn’t figure out who did what. The characters are wonderful. Funny, tough. Can’t wait to read the next book.
I loved every minute of reading this book. I couldn’t figure out who did what. The characters are wonderful. Funny, tough. Can’t wait to read the next book.
July 31, 2019
I could not put this down! Wow! I am settling down to read book 2. Can not wait. Maybe I should just go ahead and get on the edge of my seat!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2020
The writing in this was above the standard of most cozy mysteries. The characters were interesting and the plot had enough twists to keep your on your toes. Good summer read.
August 15, 2020
Fun read!
September 7, 2020
Thoroughly enjoy reading this series. Like the characters and the writing. Just ordered the next in this series. It is easy reading with twist and turns.
January 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this light mystery. Great characters. I read the first three books in 2 days!
February 11, 2021
Miz Scarlet & her quirky friends, family, & others, are a likeable bunch, & the mystery is good & well written. I love the series.
May 30, 2013
I do like the characters and how they play off each other. I like that the older ladies still find new friends and sometimes know more about what is going on around them. I like also the play on names from Clue had to laugh at a scene in the end of the book. This is also a clean read.
I can see how this would be a could setup for more mysteries that could come up at their inn in the future. How Scarlet and Bur could have issues trusting in future stories.
Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter (A Scarlet Wilson Mystery) is a complicated mystery. Miz Scarlet is a feisty character and a hard worker. She was a teacher but quit working to be a full time caretaker of her mother. Then their family money was lost in a Ponzi scam. Scarlet did not let that stop her. She has had bad luck with her dating life but she keeps trying.
Scarlet lives in her family mansion and she turned it into a inn for special needs. She lives in the attic room. Her mom and cousin Lacey. She has started helping out her mom's friends who need care after hospital or during cancer treatment and it evolved into a business. Her brother lives over the garage and is on hand to help.
Scarlet is a good cook and takes good care of her guests, even when they bug her. For some reason she does not like one of her guests right now and notices some things that don't add up.
A family that was working from home disappeared in the middle of the night. When Scarlet was walking her dogs she found a threatening note with a knife in it warning somebody off. Scarlet and her brother Bur followed the footprints right to the missing family's home. Where a guy with a gun told them to go away.
Bur decided that they should call a old buddy Kenny who is in security to come to town as a guest to help solving the mysteries. Before Kenny meets with Scarlet to hear all the fishy details of what is going on. Scarlet finds a body up in the woods where she is to meet Kenny.
Scarlet had a crush on Bur's friend Kenny growing up. She had no idea that Kenny had liked her too. Now he is back in her life as a widower. Who knows what might happen in the future.
I was let know that this book was out and free on amazon today and so I got it and like it. I have enjoyed reading it.
Publisher: Sara M. Barton (May 25, 2013) File Size: 389 KB
July 26, 2013
"Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter" by Sara M. Barton
5 STARS
Characters:
Scarlet: Unmarried daughter of Laurel and sister to Bur.
Bur: brother to Scarlet
Laurel: mother to Scarlet and Bur, an invalid since being hit by a car years ago while crossing the street.
Kenny: a special friend from Scarlet's childhood.
Guests at the Inn:
Mary Anne Turley: writer from Denver with a respiratory condition.
Paul Duchamp: plans to spend recover from cardiac surgery at the Inn.
The Powicks: Lonnie-the mother of Gretchen and victim of a stroke.
Gretchen-daughter of Lonnie.
The story/mystery begins with a history lesson on Scarlet's family including the grandfather and his brother. Both worked their way up from being sons of a foreman to starting the Four Oaks Pressboard Company. Years later the family losses their family fortune in a Ponzi scheme. Instead of allowing herself to become a victim Scarlet (& family) opens the Four Acorns Inn. This is not just any Bed & Breakfast. It has been established primarily for the consideration of guests with challenges/disabilities. (that was the first eye opener for me as the reader that set this story apart from most other bed & breakfast mysteries) Quite original and very creative on the authors part.
Scarlet while outside the Inn notices a note fastened to a post in the bird garden by a Swiss army knife. The note, on Four Acorns Inn stationary, reads "GET OUT NOW, BEFORE I AM FORCED TO ACT" Scarlet shows the note to her brother Bur. But who wrote this note and to whom was it intended and lastly...why?
This note comes at about the same time as the Jordan family goes missing. And so begins our mystery.
To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting this book to be this good but believe me it was. The story was thoughtfully written with no down time, interesting throughout. I found nothing shallow about the story or the characters. This was written by an author who respects her readers.
There are quite a few characters in this story so you may want to consider taking notes. Loved this story and I intend to read more in this series.
5 STARS
Characters:
Scarlet: Unmarried daughter of Laurel and sister to Bur.
Bur: brother to Scarlet
Laurel: mother to Scarlet and Bur, an invalid since being hit by a car years ago while crossing the street.
Kenny: a special friend from Scarlet's childhood.
Guests at the Inn:
Mary Anne Turley: writer from Denver with a respiratory condition.
Paul Duchamp: plans to spend recover from cardiac surgery at the Inn.
The Powicks: Lonnie-the mother of Gretchen and victim of a stroke.
Gretchen-daughter of Lonnie.
The story/mystery begins with a history lesson on Scarlet's family including the grandfather and his brother. Both worked their way up from being sons of a foreman to starting the Four Oaks Pressboard Company. Years later the family losses their family fortune in a Ponzi scheme. Instead of allowing herself to become a victim Scarlet (& family) opens the Four Acorns Inn. This is not just any Bed & Breakfast. It has been established primarily for the consideration of guests with challenges/disabilities. (that was the first eye opener for me as the reader that set this story apart from most other bed & breakfast mysteries) Quite original and very creative on the authors part.
Scarlet while outside the Inn notices a note fastened to a post in the bird garden by a Swiss army knife. The note, on Four Acorns Inn stationary, reads "GET OUT NOW, BEFORE I AM FORCED TO ACT" Scarlet shows the note to her brother Bur. But who wrote this note and to whom was it intended and lastly...why?
This note comes at about the same time as the Jordan family goes missing. And so begins our mystery.
To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting this book to be this good but believe me it was. The story was thoughtfully written with no down time, interesting throughout. I found nothing shallow about the story or the characters. This was written by an author who respects her readers.
There are quite a few characters in this story so you may want to consider taking notes. Loved this story and I intend to read more in this series.
June 12, 2018
Some people hold grudges
Terrific. When the family fortune is lost it is more by luck than judgement that a speciality Inn is born. However threats, missing neighbours and dead guests mean that she has her work cut out to get to the answer of Why. Great characters with a wonderfully diverse range and a plot that will keep you reading. Can't wait for the next book.
Terrific. When the family fortune is lost it is more by luck than judgement that a speciality Inn is born. However threats, missing neighbours and dead guests mean that she has her work cut out to get to the answer of Why. Great characters with a wonderfully diverse range and a plot that will keep you reading. Can't wait for the next book.
March 7, 2015
Wow, a. Great Story
This is a great story, it kept me guessing and I usually figure them out early on. The characters are a delight. The sibling relationship realistic. I can't imagine living that close to my brother. I ENJOYED the other characters too. And am anxious to see if Scarlett and Kenny can get together. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Scarlett goes after the U.S. educational system speaking honestly about how teachers should be teaching kids how to this k critically and question everything, rather than indoctrinating them into their progressive and socialist ideals. There are to many politics negatively impacting our kids. Read it and enjoy it, I rarely give a five (5) star rating.
This is a great story, it kept me guessing and I usually figure them out early on. The characters are a delight. The sibling relationship realistic. I can't imagine living that close to my brother. I ENJOYED the other characters too. And am anxious to see if Scarlett and Kenny can get together. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Scarlett goes after the U.S. educational system speaking honestly about how teachers should be teaching kids how to this k critically and question everything, rather than indoctrinating them into their progressive and socialist ideals. There are to many politics negatively impacting our kids. Read it and enjoy it, I rarely give a five (5) star rating.
July 14, 2015
I absolutely LOVED this one! A really good book and as I had already read books 2 & 3, this provided some necessary background information that I had been missing. I really like this series and would recommend this to anyone who likes cozy mysteries. Well written and intelligently, plotted.
January 28, 2016
Deception
Miz Scarlet finds a threatening note in the bird garden. She doesn't know who the note is referring to but strange things start happening. For a cozy, this turned out to be not cozy. It has more violence than is typical.
Miz Scarlet finds a threatening note in the bird garden. She doesn't know who the note is referring to but strange things start happening. For a cozy, this turned out to be not cozy. It has more violence than is typical.
June 30, 2016
Really love Miz Scarlet
Great mystery within a much bigger mystery. Live the way the author ties it all together. Live the relationships of the characters and the history of the Four Acorns Inn and the whole family. A must read!!
Great mystery within a much bigger mystery. Live the way the author ties it all together. Live the relationships of the characters and the history of the Four Acorns Inn and the whole family. A must read!!
July 10, 2015
Intriguing.
This mystery is the first of this series and is fantastic. I couldn't help myself, but having read this book in a day and a half, can't wait for the next in the series.
This mystery is the first of this series and is fantastic. I couldn't help myself, but having read this book in a day and a half, can't wait for the next in the series.
October 24, 2015
This was an enjoyable mystery. I liked the characters and the story line was good. I rate it 4.5 stars.
November 9, 2015
Kept my attention
For a seriously plotted book with some light humor, it kept my attention. I'd follow Miz Scarlet again. Good read.
For a seriously plotted book with some light humor, it kept my attention. I'd follow Miz Scarlet again. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews