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A Ginger Barnes Mystery #1
The Main Line Is Murder
When her husband becomes head of strugglingBryn Derwyn Academy, Ginger Barnes learns that murder on the campus can kill aschool's reputation in a heartbeat. To save her husband's job and the family'snew home, Gin uses her Mop Squad job to investigate without telling anyone. Whatcould possibly go wrong?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 15, 1995
29 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Donna Huston Murray
17 books110 followersDonna Huston Murray’s cozy mystery series features an amateur sleuth much like herself, a DIY headmaster's wife with a troubling interest in crime. The eighth Gin Barnes, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, was awarded Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Award for mysteries, and the first two novels in the Lauren Beck mystery/crime series won Honorable Mention in genre fiction from Writer’s Digest. The series third, STRANGER DANGER, also achieved Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards.
Donna recently became the tenth inductee into her high school’s Lifetime Achievement Award Hall of Fame. To hint that she’s still writing, the plaque reads, “…and more,” below her listed books.
When she isn’t plotting mayhem, Donna assumes she can fix anything until proven wrong, calls trash-picking recycling, and, although she should know better by now, got a new puppy. Check her socials and you’ll understand.
Donna and husband, Hench, live in Gwynedd, PA, USA.
Donna recently became the tenth inductee into her high school’s Lifetime Achievement Award Hall of Fame. To hint that she’s still writing, the plaque reads, “…and more,” below her listed books.
When she isn’t plotting mayhem, Donna assumes she can fix anything until proven wrong, calls trash-picking recycling, and, although she should know better by now, got a new puppy. Check her socials and you’ll understand.
Donna and husband, Hench, live in Gwynedd, PA, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 9, 2020
I received a free ARC of this book in return for an honest review. Thanks to the author and the publisher for this.
This book is a re-release of an earlier title by the same name which was released in 1995, although I had not heard of it before reading this version. The story is the first of the ‘Ginger Barnes Cozy Mysteries’ series, and introduces Ginger (the terrible housewife cum head-of-school’s wife) as the amateur, wannabe crime sleuth. The violent murder of the school’s resident lawyer triggers Ginger into doing some investigating work when her husband’s school is at risk of being closed down.
I’ll be honest here and say this wasn’t my favorite mystery novel read. The book is pitched as a ‘cozy mystery’ and perhaps it does fulfill that brief. For me however, who became obsessed with mystery whodunnits after reading plenty of Agatha Christie, It was too delicate and pleasant to really get me hooked in. I struggled with the writing style throughout, everything felt over descriptive - people were described in very overly descriptive but strangely odd terms , and every action was overly described with similes to the point I found it difficult to read certain parts and found myself re reading a page over and over again. For example a lady’s perm was described as a ‘permanent wave’ once and even just a ‘permanent ‘ twice. Her face was described:
“Her head was swathed in a white towel with pungent fumes escaping around the edges. Between the drape and the towel her face seemed to float in midair like a Disney World hologram.“
I just struggled a bit with this constant forced comparisons and imagery. I also struggled with some of the jumping around in time without making obvious that had happened in some chapters. The plot was ok and I did have a genuine desire to find out who ‘did it’ although it was a little shallow for me and all a bit nicey nicey around coffee dates and glasses of wine, and the detectives all just clap her on the back for good work well done. There wasn’t a lot of backstory or character development on Ginger, her husband Rip, or their kids - it would have been nice to have learnt a bit more about them as a family and how they came to be at the school.
Having said all that, I have deliberately bumped up this star rating from a 2 star to a 3 star review due to the ending.. I won’t spoil it here, but the ending surprised me, and that was well welcomed. I read both endings - the original one and the alternate ending, and I have to say that although I liked the rewritten lead up to the event better in the ‘alternate’ ending...I preferred the dramatics and surprise of the original ending much better. It was a nice touch being able to choose though.
All in all, it does what it says on the tin - a cozy mystery - not one to puzzle your brain for hours with internal debating over who done it and complex plot lines - but a good and simple cozy mystery to wash over you for a few hours.
This book is a re-release of an earlier title by the same name which was released in 1995, although I had not heard of it before reading this version. The story is the first of the ‘Ginger Barnes Cozy Mysteries’ series, and introduces Ginger (the terrible housewife cum head-of-school’s wife) as the amateur, wannabe crime sleuth. The violent murder of the school’s resident lawyer triggers Ginger into doing some investigating work when her husband’s school is at risk of being closed down.
I’ll be honest here and say this wasn’t my favorite mystery novel read. The book is pitched as a ‘cozy mystery’ and perhaps it does fulfill that brief. For me however, who became obsessed with mystery whodunnits after reading plenty of Agatha Christie, It was too delicate and pleasant to really get me hooked in. I struggled with the writing style throughout, everything felt over descriptive - people were described in very overly descriptive but strangely odd terms , and every action was overly described with similes to the point I found it difficult to read certain parts and found myself re reading a page over and over again. For example a lady’s perm was described as a ‘permanent wave’ once and even just a ‘permanent ‘ twice. Her face was described:
“Her head was swathed in a white towel with pungent fumes escaping around the edges. Between the drape and the towel her face seemed to float in midair like a Disney World hologram.“
I just struggled a bit with this constant forced comparisons and imagery. I also struggled with some of the jumping around in time without making obvious that had happened in some chapters. The plot was ok and I did have a genuine desire to find out who ‘did it’ although it was a little shallow for me and all a bit nicey nicey around coffee dates and glasses of wine, and the detectives all just clap her on the back for good work well done. There wasn’t a lot of backstory or character development on Ginger, her husband Rip, or their kids - it would have been nice to have learnt a bit more about them as a family and how they came to be at the school.
Having said all that, I have deliberately bumped up this star rating from a 2 star to a 3 star review due to the ending.. I won’t spoil it here, but the ending surprised me, and that was well welcomed. I read both endings - the original one and the alternate ending, and I have to say that although I liked the rewritten lead up to the event better in the ‘alternate’ ending...I preferred the dramatics and surprise of the original ending much better. It was a nice touch being able to choose though.
All in all, it does what it says on the tin - a cozy mystery - not one to puzzle your brain for hours with internal debating over who done it and complex plot lines - but a good and simple cozy mystery to wash over you for a few hours.
April 19, 2020
The Main Line is Murder is the first entry in a cozy mystery series featuring Ginger (Gin) Barnes, whose husband has just. become the new head of Bryn Derwyn Academy, a private school in Philadephia. (The title seems pretty random, as the location seems to have no relation to the mystery and while the term "Main Line," at least to me, conjures up images of affluence, only one character in the book seems to be truly wealthy.)
When a lawyer who represents the school and is on its board (and is a pretty loathsome character to boot), is murdered in the building's Community Room, Gin determines in standard cozy mystery fashion to solve the case and help keep the struggling school afloat. She immediately starts tracking down leads and interviewing suspects, and of course, cracks the case.
While I'm not a cozy mystery fan in general so maybe that should be taken into account, (I thought I'd try this one as a bit of a change in pace), I'm not particularly impressed by The Main Line is Murder. While I can't find much fault with the portrayal of the characters (apart from the fact that Gin's son Garry seemed to be more of a "sullen resentful teenager" type until I saw that he was only 9), I never really warmed up to any of them. The solution also seemed to come out of the blue to me and left me with some questions, such as how the killer was able to get into the school and out without (evidently) anyone noticing.
For what it's worth, I preferred the alternate ending.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When a lawyer who represents the school and is on its board (and is a pretty loathsome character to boot), is murdered in the building's Community Room, Gin determines in standard cozy mystery fashion to solve the case and help keep the struggling school afloat. She immediately starts tracking down leads and interviewing suspects, and of course, cracks the case.
While I'm not a cozy mystery fan in general so maybe that should be taken into account, (I thought I'd try this one as a bit of a change in pace), I'm not particularly impressed by The Main Line is Murder. While I can't find much fault with the portrayal of the characters (apart from the fact that Gin's son Garry seemed to be more of a "sullen resentful teenager" type until I saw that he was only 9), I never really warmed up to any of them. The solution also seemed to come out of the blue to me and left me with some questions, such as how the killer was able to get into the school and out without (evidently) anyone noticing.
For what it's worth, I preferred the alternate ending.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2024
I wanted to really like this one bc where it takes place (I’m also in a suburb of Philly!). But there was something that didn’t quite keep my attention throughout. I liked the main character and her family and the setting, I’ll try more of the series, but won’t be rushing to it.
June 9, 2020
When I picked up The Main Line Is Murder, I (wrongfully) assumed this cozy mystery meant I would curl up and finish this novel quickly...It was very much a snoozer. I found myself putting the book down much more frequently than I picked it up. Main character Ginger Barnes is likable enough, but it takes nearly half the novel for this amateur sleuth to begin her investigation in earnest. I did not find myself drawn to any character or cheering for Gin to find out whodunnit. In fact, the book should've wrapped up quite a few chapters sooner. I do not think I will be revisiting Gin Barnes or the cozy mystery genre for quite some time.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
April 25, 2020
There's a lot to like about Ginger Barnes, her husband Rip, kids Chelsea and Garry, and best friend Didi. She has a lot to )do between helping out at Bryn Derwyn Academy, where her husband is Head of School (I guess "Headmaster" isn't politically correct anymore), and finding reasons to not cook for her family (hey, I like takeout as much as the next guy; any meal I don't have to cook is automatically a good meal -- even if it's not! Lol).
Still, there is something that doesn't set right with me about this book. Maybe it's the way that Police Lt. Newkirk actually allowed Ginger to help with the investigation, though maybe "allowed" is too strong of a word. He did, however, keep coming to her and asking for information she's gathered or things she's remembered. Maybe it's the choir director who quit over refusing to choose "non-sectarian" songs for the winter concert (schools are allowed to sing Christmas carols and other religious songs as part of their concerts) and then having one of the students lead in "Let There Be Peace on Earth," which has the line "With God as our Father . . .."Or maybe it's the ending that could possibly land Ginger her next case, if she chooses to pursue it. But it's the first book in a series, and I'm sure these are just minor quibbles as the author finds her footing with the characters.
I'm choosing to give THE MAIN LINE IS MURDER 3 stars, because I did like it overall and will certainly consider reading more books in the series.
I received a copy from the author free of charge. All opinions are my own.
Still, there is something that doesn't set right with me about this book. Maybe it's the way that Police Lt. Newkirk actually allowed Ginger to help with the investigation, though maybe "allowed" is too strong of a word. He did, however, keep coming to her and asking for information she's gathered or things she's remembered. Maybe it's the choir director who quit over refusing to choose "non-sectarian" songs for the winter concert (schools are allowed to sing Christmas carols and other religious songs as part of their concerts) and then having one of the students lead in "Let There Be Peace on Earth," which has the line "With God as our Father . . .."Or maybe it's the ending that could possibly land Ginger her next case, if she chooses to pursue it. But it's the first book in a series, and I'm sure these are just minor quibbles as the author finds her footing with the characters.
I'm choosing to give THE MAIN LINE IS MURDER 3 stars, because I did like it overall and will certainly consider reading more books in the series.
I received a copy from the author free of charge. All opinions are my own.
May 9, 2020
The first book in a new Donna Murray series is a fast fun read! The Barnes family, Rip, Gin (Ginger) and their two children, Garry and Chelsea moved to Main Line in Philadelpia because Rip is the new headmaster of a small private school, Bryn Derwyn. They are living in the Headmaster's house next to the school. Gin, devoted to making it all a success for her husband takes on the job of mop squad and any other job around the school that needs to be done. When she stumbles upon the body of the school's attorney and chief donation expert dead in the room she was about to clean, things begin to sprial out of control. We find the dead lawyer not only is he crooked, but there is no love lost among so may people that we are given suspects galore including a mob family. With lots of twists and turns and red-herrings we are taken on a roller coaster ride. After all, this could be the downfall of the school. Parents won't want to send their kids there with a murderer loose and donors won't want to donate to keep the school afloat. This spurs Gin on to investigate and ask questions on her own. Without thinking of the consequences, Gin rattles cages that could endanger not only her but her entire family and the school. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more in this series. I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
May 10, 2020
The Main Line is Murder follows main character Ginger, whose husband Rip has just become the new head of Bryn Derwyn Academy, a private school right outside of Philadelphia. While at the school one day, Ginger discovers the body of the school’s sleazy lawyer. She begins working to track down clues and joins the investigation to find the murderer.
I was really excited to read The Main is Murder. Being from the main line area myself and going to school on the main line, I was really interested in how the author would portray the main line. The characters, and especially locations, while fictional, truly felt like they would fit right in on the main line. I found myself wondering what places were the inspiration for these fictional locations.
While I typically really enjoy cozy mysteries, this one just missed the mark for me. I found it difficult to relate to, or really care about any of the characters. In addition, the ending just didn’t make sense to me. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and didn’t wrap up the story in a way that worked for me. There was an alternate ending provided, and I can honestly say I liked that one better for this story.
I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read The Main is Murder. Being from the main line area myself and going to school on the main line, I was really interested in how the author would portray the main line. The characters, and especially locations, while fictional, truly felt like they would fit right in on the main line. I found myself wondering what places were the inspiration for these fictional locations.
While I typically really enjoy cozy mysteries, this one just missed the mark for me. I found it difficult to relate to, or really care about any of the characters. In addition, the ending just didn’t make sense to me. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and didn’t wrap up the story in a way that worked for me. There was an alternate ending provided, and I can honestly say I liked that one better for this story.
I received a copy of this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2020
I remembered reading this book back in paperback book days, and remembered it fondly, but without many details. So, I was happy to receive an ARC of the new e-book edition from the publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
As I started (re-)reading the book, I remembered why I had enjoyed it the last time – the main character, Ginger (Gin) Barnes, gets stuck with a lot of odd jane-of-all-trade jobs that she hates as much as I do, but still manages to keep a sense of humor throughout. And all while figuring out who the murderer was! I enjoyed the plot, and I liked the characters, so all-in-all, I was happy to have a chance to read this again.
And, this is the first in the series, so if you like reading in order, you’re in luck!
Please keep in mind that for me, 4 stars out of 5 is a really good ranking. I reserve 5 stars for a very few absolute favorite books, ones I am going to read and reread time-and-again, probably no more than one in twenty or thirty books. So 4 stars is my normal top limit, and means I very much do recommend the book.
As I started (re-)reading the book, I remembered why I had enjoyed it the last time – the main character, Ginger (Gin) Barnes, gets stuck with a lot of odd jane-of-all-trade jobs that she hates as much as I do, but still manages to keep a sense of humor throughout. And all while figuring out who the murderer was! I enjoyed the plot, and I liked the characters, so all-in-all, I was happy to have a chance to read this again.
And, this is the first in the series, so if you like reading in order, you’re in luck!
Please keep in mind that for me, 4 stars out of 5 is a really good ranking. I reserve 5 stars for a very few absolute favorite books, ones I am going to read and reread time-and-again, probably no more than one in twenty or thirty books. So 4 stars is my normal top limit, and means I very much do recommend the book.
June 26, 2020
received an ARC copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
a light and fun read.
Gin is a mother and wife. Her husband has taken up the position of Principle at a small private school and is learning there is much to untangle and clean up to get the school in good working order. Gin has found much the same with the house they have been given to live in as part of the deal.
We meet them about six months into this new adventure and Gin is again helping prep for an event and help with physical clean up at the school when she discovers a body!
The story is cozy with relatable characters and Gin has many qualities to like. I enjoyed going along on her investigation and was pleased to see this was number 1 in a series. Would happily go on more adventures with Gin.
I haven't read the alternative ending so couldn't say which is better/or that i liked better, but I will say the ending in the book fit well and felt quite inevitable.
a light and fun read.
Gin is a mother and wife. Her husband has taken up the position of Principle at a small private school and is learning there is much to untangle and clean up to get the school in good working order. Gin has found much the same with the house they have been given to live in as part of the deal.
We meet them about six months into this new adventure and Gin is again helping prep for an event and help with physical clean up at the school when she discovers a body!
The story is cozy with relatable characters and Gin has many qualities to like. I enjoyed going along on her investigation and was pleased to see this was number 1 in a series. Would happily go on more adventures with Gin.
I haven't read the alternative ending so couldn't say which is better/or that i liked better, but I will say the ending in the book fit well and felt quite inevitable.
June 1, 2022
#1 in the Ginger Barnes mystery series set in Main Line area of Philadelphia.
Ginger is a do yourself wiz when it comes to repair and maintenance of homes. These skills come in handy when her husband becomes head of struggling Bryn Derwyn Academy which is struggling to stay afloat and poor shape facilities wise. Thus Ginger does a lot of the cleaning and fixing up of both the school building and the poor maintained on campus home.
However, things start going south when the school's sleazy womanizing lawyer is found murdered on campus. The result is parents start pulling their children out threatening the school's ability to stay open. Ginger starts secretly investigating to help her husband and the school. While she solves the murder without anyone knowing, the method she uses has significance negative consequences for her and family.
Ginger is a do yourself wiz when it comes to repair and maintenance of homes. These skills come in handy when her husband becomes head of struggling Bryn Derwyn Academy which is struggling to stay afloat and poor shape facilities wise. Thus Ginger does a lot of the cleaning and fixing up of both the school building and the poor maintained on campus home.
However, things start going south when the school's sleazy womanizing lawyer is found murdered on campus. The result is parents start pulling their children out threatening the school's ability to stay open. Ginger starts secretly investigating to help her husband and the school. While she solves the murder without anyone knowing, the method she uses has significance negative consequences for her and family.
April 6, 2020
I received a copy of this book from a first book giveaway. The title is a little misleading, but the story is very interesting. Rip and Ginger take over a private school with quite a few eccentric employees and a mixed bag of students. When a sleazy lawyer is murdered in the school's conference room, the fun begins. Ginger decides to conduct her own investigation when a student fingers one of the staff, and the police are quick to jump on him. A number of side plots provide suspense and interest. Even after the murderer has been revealed, the story continues to an ending that is both heart-warming and appalling. The author thoughtfully offers an alternative ending that preserves the heart-warming. I preferred the original ending which was more exciting and set the stage for another story.
May 23, 2020
First in the Ginger Barnes Cozy Mystery Series, MAIN LINE IS MURDER is a Philadelphia-setting edgy Cozy. As you read you will discover why I use the term "edgy." Gin Barnes' husband is the newly appointed Head of School at a nearly-failing Main Line private academy, determined to make the school a success. Gin does her part by organizing rummage sales (which in this case requires creative thinking) but then discovers a much-disliked staff member, deceased--in the School. Before parents withdraw their children en masse, Gin determines to investigate without letting husband Rip or the police detective realize.
I found this Cozy quite enjoyable [and at times heartwrenching] and anticipate the Series.
I found this Cozy quite enjoyable [and at times heartwrenching] and anticipate the Series.
February 24, 2018
This was a shockingly bad book. Probably the second worst mystery I've ever read.
The college is a thinly veiled replica of Bryn Mawr. The mystery is agonizingly, glacially slow to even start, to catch the protagonist's interest, and somehow even slower to end. Yes, I'm aware it's a cozy mystery and not supposed to be a thriller, but that doesn't mean it gets a pass to be completely devoid of any excitement at all.
The ending is completely ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense, not to mention doesn't really resolve anything at all. The criminal is completely unestablished and barely ever set up at all. The main character is annoying.
Highly recommend you avoid this author.
The college is a thinly veiled replica of Bryn Mawr. The mystery is agonizingly, glacially slow to even start, to catch the protagonist's interest, and somehow even slower to end. Yes, I'm aware it's a cozy mystery and not supposed to be a thriller, but that doesn't mean it gets a pass to be completely devoid of any excitement at all.
The ending is completely ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense, not to mention doesn't really resolve anything at all. The criminal is completely unestablished and barely ever set up at all. The main character is annoying.
Highly recommend you avoid this author.
April 6, 2020
THE MAIN LINE IS MURDER for Ginger Barnes as she deals with the murder of someone she labels, “educated scum.”
So begins another Donna Huston Murray mystery that will have you certain you know “who done it” just to be moved on to another suspect. In the meantime, you’ll enjoy getting to know the cast of characters. And what a motley crew they are, including the mobster. Now there’s someone you might actually come to “love.” Did I really say that?
If you dislike housework, accidentally get into a jam occasionally, and want a fun read, get this book. Donna Huston Murray has done it again.
So begins another Donna Huston Murray mystery that will have you certain you know “who done it” just to be moved on to another suspect. In the meantime, you’ll enjoy getting to know the cast of characters. And what a motley crew they are, including the mobster. Now there’s someone you might actually come to “love.” Did I really say that?
If you dislike housework, accidentally get into a jam occasionally, and want a fun read, get this book. Donna Huston Murray has done it again.
April 12, 2020
A private school's lecherous lawyer has been bashed over the head, and the headmaster's impulsive wife, Ginger, meddles in the murder investigation. Ginger is concerned that unless the murder is quickly solved, the struggling school will have to close its doors.
I enjoyed the description of the characters, the backstory of how Ginger's father encouraged and shaped her predilection for action, and the twist of being provided an alternative ending, which the author apparently reimagined as she readied the book for reissuance. I had some impatience with Ginger, as she sometimes acts without thought of consequences, including for herself and her family.
I enjoyed the description of the characters, the backstory of how Ginger's father encouraged and shaped her predilection for action, and the twist of being provided an alternative ending, which the author apparently reimagined as she readied the book for reissuance. I had some impatience with Ginger, as she sometimes acts without thought of consequences, including for herself and her family.
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May 11, 2020The Main Line is Murder is the epitome of a cozy mystery - taking place in the small affluent suburbs of Philadelphia, the fictional Bryn Derwyn, Gin Barnes, wife of a head of a private school, sets out to solve the murder of a prominent board member. Gin is a delightful character who grows naturally into her amateur detective role. There are plenty of prime suspects, light suspense, and an alternative ending!
As a native to Philadelphia, I appreciated reading about local stomping grounds.
I received a free copy of the ebook from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
As a native to Philadelphia, I appreciated reading about local stomping grounds.
I received a free copy of the ebook from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2020
I enjoyed reading "The Main Line is Murder." While I was first attracted by the title and cover art, the Main Line doesn't actually play much of a part. It is a whodunnit with lots of fun characters. The story is told in the first person by the curious and easy going wife of the head of a private school, and most of the action occurs in and around the school. The story unfolds at a good pace, and it is a rather quick read.
I did feel that the writing style at the beginning was kind of wordy or rambling. The story soon picked up into a breezy comfortable read.
Original.
I did feel that the writing style at the beginning was kind of wordy or rambling. The story soon picked up into a breezy comfortable read.
Original.
December 19, 2020
A murder has occurred at a local private school, and Ginger Barnes is on the case! As she sleuths around, trying to uncover the mystery of what has occurred, she realizes even people you think you know are hiding secrets.
This book was a cute, cozy, easy read. The ending was not incredibly obvious, which I really liked, but it did make sense when Ginger finally put two and two together!
I really enjoyed this book and will look forward to reading more in this series. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was a cute, cozy, easy read. The ending was not incredibly obvious, which I really liked, but it did make sense when Ginger finally put two and two together!
I really enjoyed this book and will look forward to reading more in this series. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2020
The characters are very well done, the relationships to the environs and each other are clear, but I simply couldn't relate to anything but the sleuthing about the murder. I felt as if it is my fault because the author did such good work on the mystery/sleuthing. No attempt to recap the plot or indulge in spoilers here, it just wasn't my cuppa.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) via NetGalley.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) via NetGalley.
May 3, 2020
An enjoyable cozy mystery, fun to read and engrossing.
I liked the fleshed out characters, the plot that flows, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the fleshed out characters, the plot that flows, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
November 21, 2018
This was a great mystery. It has likeable characters and a great plot. I was unable to figure out who the killer was until it was disclosed. It was a fantastic read. I am going to be following this author. I love mysteries!
August 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this mystery. Gin and Rip and their kids feel very much a family and I so wanted everything to turn out well for them. The finale was really scary and totally unexpected. Look forward to the next in the series.
August 5, 2018
Growing up in Philadelphia, I appreciate the references to the Main Line and Lancaster Avenue. Far as the story is concerned, only so so. Not so much a mystery. Just a story.
October 27, 2018
I rate it 3.5 stars
Rip's wife Gin shouldnt had to play the cops slacky by solving the murder mystery. But the book held some nice twists to it.
Rip's wife Gin shouldnt had to play the cops slacky by solving the murder mystery. But the book held some nice twists to it.
April 12, 2020
Very well written "amateur sleuth procedural" with great characters and a good plot. It's very easy and entertaining to read, even though I find the disposition at the beginning a little messy.
October 13, 2021
Who killed Richard Wharton and why??? Gin does a good job – sometimes too good!!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
October 31, 2021
New author and series for me. I enjoyed this first book very much. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 14, 2023
One of the first books I got for my Kindle in 2012 - took me over 10 years to read it and I actually quite enjoyed it. Sorry for the delay, Ms Murray.
January 20, 2019
Ginger Barnes's husband takes the headmaster position at Bryn Derwyn Academy. While at the school, Ginger stumbles across a dead body. It's not exactly great news for the school, and Ginger sleuths to discover who is behind the murder.
The first book in the Ginger Barnes mystery series by Donna Huston Murray. A light and entertaining mystery.
The first book in the Ginger Barnes mystery series by Donna Huston Murray. A light and entertaining mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews