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C.J. Whitmore Mystery #1
Picking Lemons
Economic theories can predict many things--just not the death of a renowned Economics professor. When Professor Edmund de Beyer is found in his office strangled to death by his own PhD hood, the police don't have to look any further than his colleagues in the Economics Department for suspects. After all, Edmund was the most despised faculty member in the department. CJ Whitmore, the department's only tenured female (who also has a penchant for wearing pink-cowboy-boots to class), resolves to get to the bottom of the mystery using economic principles. Comparing tracking down murder suspects to selecting a used car, she attempts to discern the real deals from the "lemons." That is, which suspects are really telling the truth and which are lying to protect their guilt? Will CJ be able to pick the lemon before her clever adversary strike again?
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2013
51 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 31, 2017
Who knew that university economics professors could be so cut-throat? Actually, I should have guessed as much because as the book said, the smaller the reward, the more people fight over being king or queen of the mountain.
The protagonist CJ is the only tenured female professor who has a snarky way of viewing the world and doesn't sugar-coat the nature of academic world.
The mystery itself was pretty good and I can't say enough about the writing. It was delicious. I enjoyed it so much that I picked up the next book in the series.
If you like your mystery books with a heavy dose of snark, you'll love this series. I'm actually surprised it doesn't score a higher average rating on Good Reads. Readers don't know what they are missing!
The protagonist CJ is the only tenured female professor who has a snarky way of viewing the world and doesn't sugar-coat the nature of academic world.
The mystery itself was pretty good and I can't say enough about the writing. It was delicious. I enjoyed it so much that I picked up the next book in the series.
If you like your mystery books with a heavy dose of snark, you'll love this series. I'm actually surprised it doesn't score a higher average rating on Good Reads. Readers don't know what they are missing!
May 13, 2017
CJ Whitmore, the Ivy League Eaton University ecnomics department's only tenured female, finds her department in turmoil when one professor ends up dead...quickly followed by another. Is the whole department in danger? Is this an economics professor serial killer? Professor Whitmore and her pink cowboy boots try to solve the mystery, mostly out of curiosity but also out of the discomfort of the extra teaching duties the murders bring to her plate. Looks like this is labeled as #1 in the CJ Whitmore series, but what will be the premise? Another department is hit next? There wasn't much going on outside the campus in this one, and CJ seems settled in at Eaton.
November 9, 2020
Not a bad debut, but a bit long-winded. The main character CJ is a loud, obnoxious woman who finds herself becoming a crime solver, although it takes a while to get to. There isn't a whole lot of character development to make you love or hate anyone (except CJ) too much, well, maybe one other - decide for yourself. This is a quick read at 194 pages.
May 11, 2017
Pretty darn good
Interesting quirky characters and an original plot for a cozy. Economics school can be interesting, who knew? No sex scenes or gooey romance, thankfully.
Interesting quirky characters and an original plot for a cozy. Economics school can be interesting, who knew? No sex scenes or gooey romance, thankfully.
February 15, 2023
Who done it?
Quick read mystery. Interesting who-done-it, that moves along to its surprising conclusions aided by Professor C.J. Whitmere. I found it mildly interesting.
Quick read mystery. Interesting who-done-it, that moves along to its surprising conclusions aided by Professor C.J. Whitmere. I found it mildly interesting.
November 18, 2024
This was enjoyably different.
I recommend it.
I recommend it.
January 31, 2014
Synopsis (from bn.com): Economic theories can predict many things–just not the death of a renowned Economics professor. When Professor Edmund de Beyer is found in his office strangled to death by his own PhD hood, the police don’t have to look any further than his colleagues in the Economics Department for suspects. After all, Edmund was the most despised faculty member in the department. CJ Whitmore, the department’s only tenured female (who also has a penchant for wearing pink-cowboy-boots to class), resolves to get to the bottom of the mystery using economic principles. Comparing tracking down murder suspects to selecting a used car, she attempts to discern the real deals from the “lemons.” That is, which suspects are really telling the truth and which are lying to protect their guilt? Will CJ be able to pick the lemon before her clever adversary strike again?
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this new cozy! Why you ask? Well, most certainly because of it’s main character . . . C. J. Whitmore! She is feisty, sassy, funny, outspoken, says what is on her mind, and a strong female character. Anyone who has ever read my blog knows how much I love a strong female character in my cozies.
I loved that this book had great humor to it . . . who doesn’t love to have a great laugh in their cozies as well.
Overall I really like this book. The overall theme of college professors, economics students, universities is new in the cozy world and goes beyond cute little shops, bistros, stores, etc. (although never get me wrong, I love those too :)
You know a cozy or any book is good when you are about half way through and find yourself asking “I wonder what C. J. is going to get into next. I sure hope this author writes another book and continues this series.”
A quick, fun read for all you cozy lovers out there!
And remember,
Books Are Life,
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this new cozy! Why you ask? Well, most certainly because of it’s main character . . . C. J. Whitmore! She is feisty, sassy, funny, outspoken, says what is on her mind, and a strong female character. Anyone who has ever read my blog knows how much I love a strong female character in my cozies.
I loved that this book had great humor to it . . . who doesn’t love to have a great laugh in their cozies as well.
Overall I really like this book. The overall theme of college professors, economics students, universities is new in the cozy world and goes beyond cute little shops, bistros, stores, etc. (although never get me wrong, I love those too :)
You know a cozy or any book is good when you are about half way through and find yourself asking “I wonder what C. J. is going to get into next. I sure hope this author writes another book and continues this series.”
A quick, fun read for all you cozy lovers out there!
And remember,
Books Are Life,
January 30, 2014
Eaton University is a typical Ivy League school, a community of aspiring students and self-absorbed faculty where competition, pettiness, and one-upman-ship are common practice. Murder, however, is way beyond the norm. Thus, when distinguished professor Edmund DeBeyer is found strangled to death in his office on the first day of the fall semester, the entire Economics Department is thrown into a tizzy. It’s no secret that DeBeyer was detested by his co-workers for his despicable, backstabbing ways. And in a department full of suspects with strong motives and shaky alibis, several professors become persons of interest. One is quickly arrested, and yet another confesses to the crime. But when a second professor is found murdered on campus, it is apparent that the real killer is still at large.
As the police investigation drags on, one faculty member begins to connect the dots. C.J. Whitmore, the department’s only female tenured professor, applies her research skills and knowledge of economic theory to analyze the “data” and solve the crimes. In her own inimitable style, this sassy, outspoken transplanted Texan who favors pink cowboy boots and flashy clothing unravels the secrets behind the suspicious behavior of her colleagues and discovers the truth. In true academic fashion, C.J. delivers her findings in a departmental seminar.
Picking Lemons is a highly entertaining, rapidly-paced whodunnit peppered with snappy dialogue, witty sarcasm, and over-the-top characters. Besides poking fun at the foibles of academia, author JT Toman introduces a colorful, spunky protagonist who is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre. This series is off to a spectacular start, and I eagerly await Professor C.J. Whitmore’s further adventures.
As the police investigation drags on, one faculty member begins to connect the dots. C.J. Whitmore, the department’s only female tenured professor, applies her research skills and knowledge of economic theory to analyze the “data” and solve the crimes. In her own inimitable style, this sassy, outspoken transplanted Texan who favors pink cowboy boots and flashy clothing unravels the secrets behind the suspicious behavior of her colleagues and discovers the truth. In true academic fashion, C.J. delivers her findings in a departmental seminar.
Picking Lemons is a highly entertaining, rapidly-paced whodunnit peppered with snappy dialogue, witty sarcasm, and over-the-top characters. Besides poking fun at the foibles of academia, author JT Toman introduces a colorful, spunky protagonist who is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre. This series is off to a spectacular start, and I eagerly await Professor C.J. Whitmore’s further adventures.
February 1, 2014
4 STARS
I liked this more than I thought I would. Just because I saw the word economics I was afraid it would be boring. There were little parts that were but not many. I did figure out a few of the mysteries but not all of them.
I really liked C.J. Whitmore and her pink boots. She hid her true personality till she made tenure. Now that she has tenure she is not hiding. She teaches, does research and is busy. She is single. She starts to figure out where everyone was and if they were telling the truth.
One character is a very old Professor, a young man who was denied tenure, black man who might win a Nobel prize, only woman with tenure, head of department, the wife.
The rest have alibies or were still on vacation.
One of C.J.'s classes wanted to use economics to solve the case as a class project. They wanted to find the lemon car in the used car business to compare it too.
Their are a lot of professors who I did not like but to kill them. The police for having two murders were not really involved in the story much.
We find most of the information about the murders by gossip.
I like the story of example by telling that no one liked Professor Edmund DeBeyer by his not winning a job when he ran unopposed.
The story is set in Eaton University close to New York.
It would be interesting to read another C.J. Whitmore Mystery see where it leads too next.
I was given this ebook for purpose of reviewing it by the author. All opinions are mine
March 3, 2016
Hey there Guys and Dolls,
C.J. Whitmore is not only a savvy gal, but a stylish one to boot! When a colleague is found strangled to death in his office, the police don’t need to look any further for suspects than the staff of the Economics Department. Edmund Debeyer was not a popular professor, in fact he was despised by many faculty members and students. C.J.’s investigation using economic principles may or may not prove fruitless. Pretty, witty and wise-cracking girls rise to the top of the academic ladder, too.
Is C.J. smart enough to outsmart a killer or will she become a casualty of her own curiosity? J.T. Toman has written an airtight tale of many alibis and lies that add up to a cozy with enough unexpected twists and turns to keep one turning the pages. The only lemons you’ll be picking are the ones you’ll be making lemonade with when you read Picking Lemons the first book in the C.J. Whitmore mysteries. Think pink, think well-heeled and think clever! The truth will come to light in more ways than one and you can be sure that theories will prove who-done-it in the end.
C.J. Whitmore is not only a savvy gal, but a stylish one to boot! When a colleague is found strangled to death in his office, the police don’t need to look any further for suspects than the staff of the Economics Department. Edmund Debeyer was not a popular professor, in fact he was despised by many faculty members and students. C.J.’s investigation using economic principles may or may not prove fruitless. Pretty, witty and wise-cracking girls rise to the top of the academic ladder, too.
Is C.J. smart enough to outsmart a killer or will she become a casualty of her own curiosity? J.T. Toman has written an airtight tale of many alibis and lies that add up to a cozy with enough unexpected twists and turns to keep one turning the pages. The only lemons you’ll be picking are the ones you’ll be making lemonade with when you read Picking Lemons the first book in the C.J. Whitmore mysteries. Think pink, think well-heeled and think clever! The truth will come to light in more ways than one and you can be sure that theories will prove who-done-it in the end.
May 11, 2016
The murder of a despised economics professor at a prestigious North East university has Professor C. J. Whitmore playing amateur sleuth.
Although the subtitle of this book is “A C. J. Whitmore Mystery” this is most definitely not just C. J.’s story. In fact, there is a sizeable cast of characters for the readers to wade through…most of which are thrown into the story right at the start. To make matters even more confusing, practically every character gets his or her own POV. I never really got a sense that we were supposed to be concentrating on C. J., which was fine since her incessant Texas sayings were ridiculous. As a Texan myself, I found this bordered on insulting. Honestly, I found most of the characters to be unlikable and I never connected with any of them.
I figured out the outcome far before the end of the story and lost interest early on, but I did stick with it through the end. The author is clearly an intelligent woman and the book is impeccably edited, yet I’d be reluctant to read another C. J. Whitmore mystery since I wasn’t all that impressed with this one.
3 of 5 Stars, Review by http://ebookreviewgal.com
Although the subtitle of this book is “A C. J. Whitmore Mystery” this is most definitely not just C. J.’s story. In fact, there is a sizeable cast of characters for the readers to wade through…most of which are thrown into the story right at the start. To make matters even more confusing, practically every character gets his or her own POV. I never really got a sense that we were supposed to be concentrating on C. J., which was fine since her incessant Texas sayings were ridiculous. As a Texan myself, I found this bordered on insulting. Honestly, I found most of the characters to be unlikable and I never connected with any of them.
I figured out the outcome far before the end of the story and lost interest early on, but I did stick with it through the end. The author is clearly an intelligent woman and the book is impeccably edited, yet I’d be reluctant to read another C. J. Whitmore mystery since I wasn’t all that impressed with this one.
3 of 5 Stars, Review by http://ebookreviewgal.com
January 16, 2014
Really a 4.5 but until Goodreads gives me that option... The beginning of the story seemed to take a little while to warm up (maybe the first 15%) but once it did, the story went full steam ahead. The deduction of "stars" is mainly because of the typos I encountered. I loved the story of an "Eaton" professor who wears her Texas-style pink cowboy boots and solves not one but two homicides. What made this story most interesting to me is that although it is a fictional town, I read loud and clear that it was based on New Haven and the university of course, was Yale. Having been in law enforcement in New Haven, I got a kick out of reading the descriptions of the people and places and comparing it to my experience and knowledge. Wallaby's coffee house - makes me wonder if Willoughby's is in fact still doing a good business in the old Elm City.
January 21, 2014
Picking Lemons by J.T. Toman
CJ Whitmore is the only tenured economics Professor at the University. Professor Edmund de Beyer, not well liked by many is found strangled in his office. CJ is determined to find out who the murderer is. Tension is high, as the Professors knows there is a Killer among them. The suspect list is high, no one is exempt from the possibility of doing the dirty deed. Will CJ be able to solve this mystery?
Fast paced murder/mystery. I really liked CJ she is out spoken and sassy. I liked the plot and the who-done-it theme. This list of suspects is long and the plot is thick and each person is hiding something. Which for me makes an interesting read. I recommend to murder/mystery readers.
CJ Whitmore is the only tenured economics Professor at the University. Professor Edmund de Beyer, not well liked by many is found strangled in his office. CJ is determined to find out who the murderer is. Tension is high, as the Professors knows there is a Killer among them. The suspect list is high, no one is exempt from the possibility of doing the dirty deed. Will CJ be able to solve this mystery?
Fast paced murder/mystery. I really liked CJ she is out spoken and sassy. I liked the plot and the who-done-it theme. This list of suspects is long and the plot is thick and each person is hiding something. Which for me makes an interesting read. I recommend to murder/mystery readers.
December 7, 2013
CJ Whitmore is an economist professor at at east coast university. She played the tenure game well and now has tenure. First day after receiving tenure, she walks onto campus with her pink cowboy boots and her Texas drawl. One of the other econ profs was found murdered and a tenure-seeking instructor has been arrested. But, is he the right person? Wait, another professor has confessed to the murder. It seems like every one in the Econ department has a secret. Boy, these economists aren't all that dull!
Wonderful mystery solved by CJ Whitmore. I liked the use of her Texas-isms such as "I do heart to hearts like a bull does ballet" or "thankful as a pig at Hanukkah".
Fun read.
Wonderful mystery solved by CJ Whitmore. I liked the use of her Texas-isms such as "I do heart to hearts like a bull does ballet" or "thankful as a pig at Hanukkah".
Fun read.
January 28, 2014
Interesting premise for a new series....set in an Economics department at a prestigious university. CJ is a wise cracking Texan that once she was given her tenure reverted to her real self, after all economics is not known to be a "fun" field.
As CJ is revealing the killer at the end it came to me "whodoneit" but until that point I had no idea.
I also like how they used economic theory/model to come up with the title of the book. I'll admit to Econ being part of my major in college but I sure don't remember much of it! :)
As CJ is revealing the killer at the end it came to me "whodoneit" but until that point I had no idea.
I also like how they used economic theory/model to come up with the title of the book. I'll admit to Econ being part of my major in college but I sure don't remember much of it! :)
February 10, 2014
I enjoyed this ... I liked the uniqueness of the setting and characters ... an economics department of all things ... and the characters are professors of economics ... sounds boring, but is full of uni politics and people who live in ivory towers (or so they think they should). I did not guess who didi it, until near the end. I felt some of the writing was a bit clunky at times, but could see where it was going and thus my imagination filled in the gaps. I look forward to reading more if this is a series.
May 10, 2016
Economists are supposed to be really smart, right? I mean we trust them to decide what to do with all of our money! Well, then, why would you expect any of them to commit a murder? That's just what happens in this book, where an entire department of economists are all suspects in a murder--and amateur sleuth economics professor CJ Whitmore, the department's black sheep, steps up in her own unique way to solve this crime--using tried and true economic principles!
If you like academic who-dun-it's, you will like this one!
If you like academic who-dun-it's, you will like this one!
May 8, 2014
This a story about C.J. Whitmore and murders happening in the Economics department where she worked. The story was entertaining and continually moving. Was a little worried about reading a book that had economics in it but this was as refreshing a story about a college economics as C.J. was in the Economics dept. Laughed out loud at some of the phraseology C.J. uses. Look forward to reading more by Ms. Toman.
May 11, 2016
Oddly intriguing
The majority of this book is spent introducing characters and chronicling everyday routine. If you don't pay close attention to what you're reading you will miss the fleeting details that could lead you to solving the puzzle. This book did not feel like the typical murder mystery. It was more like eavesdropping on someone else's gossip. The author made that work very well without it becoming boring or feeling too drawn out.
The majority of this book is spent introducing characters and chronicling everyday routine. If you don't pay close attention to what you're reading you will miss the fleeting details that could lead you to solving the puzzle. This book did not feel like the typical murder mystery. It was more like eavesdropping on someone else's gossip. The author made that work very well without it becoming boring or feeling too drawn out.
December 27, 2014
A lot of characters were introduced in the first 2 chapters, but you were able to get them all straightened out as the story progressed. This is a lightly written whodunit murder, which takes place over one week.
August 2, 2014
Never thought there could be so many unlikable characters in one book. But interesting and sneaky and funny. I kept reading and reading to find who had done the killing. You won't love the characters but the book is worth the read.
February 14, 2015
Professor Edmund de Beyer an economist professor is found strangled in his office.
Professor CJ Whitmore, the department's only tenured female decides to find out the killer from the suspects in the Economics Department.
An enjoyable read.
Professor CJ Whitmore, the department's only tenured female decides to find out the killer from the suspects in the Economics Department.
An enjoyable read.
January 19, 2017
Good!
The heavy economics at the beginning almost made me abandon this book. It becomes more interesting soon. I was not able to figure out who did the dastardly deeds, and was surprised by the ending. Enjoy!
The heavy economics at the beginning almost made me abandon this book. It becomes more interesting soon. I was not able to figure out who did the dastardly deeds, and was surprised by the ending. Enjoy!
July 12, 2018
not for me
Got this book off Instafreebie and am glad that I didn't pay for it. A satire from start to finish and not funny in the slightest. Not even 1 loveable/likeable character. Not for me. Perfect for anyone who likes the worst in people.
Got this book off Instafreebie and am glad that I didn't pay for it. A satire from start to finish and not funny in the slightest. Not even 1 loveable/likeable character. Not for me. Perfect for anyone who likes the worst in people.
November 24, 2013
strange cozy mystery. Did I enjoy it? Not sure. Not a very flattering view of the academic world.
January 8, 2014
This was a good book however I do wish the author would have done more to make it more interesting. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
July 20, 2016
The portrayal of an academic department is spot-on and was an interesting backdrop to the murder mystery.
February 9, 2014
Fun read
this was a Fun, quick read with a good twist at the end. I'd read more from this author. not heavy or dark
this was a Fun, quick read with a good twist at the end. I'd read more from this author. not heavy or dark
May 10, 2016
Lemons and murder.
Who would have thought? Interesting and amusing book. I enjoyed reading it all the way through. Thank you for the laughs.
Who would have thought? Interesting and amusing book. I enjoyed reading it all the way through. Thank you for the laughs.
May 21, 2016
I have to admit this was good. Funny also!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews