Death of a Turkey

Cobb's Landing #3

by Kate Borden

It's Thanksgiving--and it's not just the turkey who's in danger.

As tourists arrive at Cobb's Landing to enjoy an authentic Colonial-style Thanksgiving, mayor Peggy Turner would be thankful for nothing more than a clue as to who killed her neighbor--a clue that didn't point to her.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Thanksgiving, Cozy, Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 2, 2005

About the author

Also writes as Kate Grilley.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the three books in this series. I wish that there were more! They are a quick and easy read, likable characters, and well thought out mystery plots. The story line woven within the books concerning Max, a character who seemingly "saved the town" and yet is not all that he appears to be is a fun addition. However, since the series seems to end with the third book, you never find out what really is Max's story-a disappointment for the readers. However, you are left with the impression that everyone else in this cozy little town finds success and happiness as you leave them, and perhaps a few more dead bodies...just so no one gets bored!

[Gloria Mccracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I like this series. The writing is so-so; the plots rather disorganized; motivations are sometimes a little (or a lot) unconvincing. But... I guess these people are just so darn much to be with, even maddening Max who might be a devil or an angel, or just a very ingenious rich man. Too bad there aren't very many books in the series and they're hard to find.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I got the series order mixed up, but I still read this because seasonal reading is the best and I didn't want to wait a year. The murderer is obvious, but that does nothing to hamper my enjoyment!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was simply ok... there really isn't anything to set it apart from other cozy mysteries. The solution to the crime was pretty outrageous and the turkey skewer seemed like a rushed addition to add a little uncertainty and conflict for the main character that ended up not making much sense. It was pretty much an unnecessary detail, in my opinion. On the other hand, the setting was quite charming and the characters were fairly interesting and, for the most part, likable.

[Vicki Chicago-Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly interesting book I didn’t expect to enjoy. I purchased it some time ago & never got around to reading it. I LOVE books with holiday themes, especially Thanksgiving, but they are nearly impossible to find. This book definitely gives the fall/turkey day/picturesque town in New England/snowy day/Over the river & thru the woods feels, with a murder mystery theme.

[GreenBayTina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Mystery Book Club was looking for a Thanksgiving themed read for November, and Death of a Turkey filled the bill. It was an easy, wholesome read for a mystery. Not a lot of heavy intrigue and suspense, which probably makes it a "cozy mystery". It is book #3 in the series and I liked it well enough that I will add books is 1 and 2 to my list of books to read sometime.

[Anne Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

simple

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read but not much of a mystery about it.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was my most favorite of the two by Kate Borden that I've read. A great mystery, good humor, quick pace, and no sex or foul language. I'm sad to learn that this is the last book in a trilogy; I was just getting to know and love all the characters in the town!

[Sarah "Kat" · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad there are no more books by this author

[Karen Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute read for Thanksgiving time. The creative characters, East coast setting, and a crafty ending will have readers gobbling up tales by this author. copy right 2005 213 pages

[Drebbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peggy Jean Turner, mayor of Cobb's Landing, a small New England town, is happy that mysterious banker, Max, has turned their once poor town into a colonial-themed tourist attraction, but is less than thrilled that he wants the town to reenact the first Thanksgiving for the tourists. Although she knows the town needs the money, PJ believes that Thanksgiving should be spent with friends and family. However, PJ is in the minority and she reluctantly agrees to take part in the reenactment. As she is preparing for the reenactment, she also has to deal with the obnoxious Prunella Post who is renting a neighbor's house for the winter. With crime on the rise, including someone breaking her shop window, Peggy is happy to welcome former police chief Stu McIntyre back to town and his old job. But when Prunella is found murdered and Stu's fiancee, Emily, is the chief suspect, Emily finds herself investigating the murder.

I'm hooked on this charming cozy mystery series. What I like most about the series is the depiction of the friendship between PJ and her best friend and next door neighbor, Lavinia. Readers will enjoy their close and easy relationship and the friendship between their sons. PJ is a strong heroine, at times a bit headstrong, but very realistic as she struggles with running a town and business and life as a single parent. Her relationship with Ian is sweet, but feels a bit rushed. I wish Kate Borden had let the relationship build through a few more books before escalating the way it did in this book. The mystery was well plotted and I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until right before PJ did.

The only problem I have with this series is that Borden's description of life in New England seems a bit off at times. I found it hard to believe not only that a town would not plow after receiving eight inches of snow but that the kids would still have school (nor would they have school when there's a foot of snow). Towns always go over budget on snow removal; it's a part of living in New England.

Those issues aside, I've devoured the first three books in the series and look forward to reading the next one.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death of a Turkey by Kate Borden is the third (apparently last) book of the Peggy Jean Turner cozy mystery series set in contemporary New England. Peggy is the mayor of Cobb's Landing, owner of her late husband Tom's hardware store. She lives with her 11-year-old son Nicky in the house she grew up in, next door to her lifelong best friend Lavinia ("Lovey"). Their friendship forms a bond stronger than sisterhood. All the familiar characters from the previous books are back. It's November, close to Thanksgiving, just 9 months since Max arrived in town and rejuvenated it economically. Peggy resists Max's plans for a commercial Thanksgiving event to attract tourists. Once again newcomers to their small town stir up trouble, and Peggy has to solve the crime.
Gotta laugh at this line: "He's a legend in his own mind".

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayor Peggy Jean Turner wants to have her traditional Thanksgiving with her son, Nicky, and her best friend Lavinia”s family, but things conspire to make that impossible. Local inn owner, Max, who's idea of turning the town of Cobb's Landing into a Colonial Village complete with costumes for tourist season, has the brilliant idea of putting on a Colonial Thanksgiving. Despite PJ's objections, Max, gets her son and the local kids involved in a pageant, her friend's husband building sets, and her boyfriend off on business for Max. When an obnoxious renter gets murdered on the town green with a skewer gone missing from her store, Peggy, knows this will be no traditional Thanksgiving and sets about trying to save herself and solve the mystery. Good story for the season.

[Ricci Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the 3 books in this series and read them every year around the holidays. I want to live in Cobb’s Landing. I want to be friends with PJ and Lavinia. I hate that there were never more written. I haven’t had any success trying to contact the author which is so frustrating. I’d love to read anything else she’s written.

[Melanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable third entry. This is a town I would love to visit-- especially at Thanksgiving. These books have the tiniest suggestion of something supernatural afoot but are lovely-- if short-- cozies.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cobb's Landing #3

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Most residents slumbered peacefully; but in more than one bedroom that night, dark deeds were being plotted."
Good mystery - although, for once, I figured out who did it.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, easy read. Predictable, but still a fun mystery.

[Loni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and easy read

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was by far the best of the 3 books, I wish the author would have continued this series.