What do you think?
Rate this book
Nina Bannister Mysteries #1
Sea Change
Bay St. Lucy is a sleepy little Gulf Coast community--and that's the way its residents like it. Most of them generally ignore the monstrous old Robinson mansion that sits in the center of town, until one day insane old man Robinson dies and leaves the house and its accompanying fortune to the town. Th residents are ecstatic and begin planning improved schools and cultural centers. Local retired school teacher and village elder Nina Bannister is sent to the man's funeral in New Orleans to represent Bay St. Lucy at the reading of his will. However, Nina returns from her trip saddened to report that a lont Robinson relative has appeared to claim the entire inheritance. Almost immediately, the ne owner--flamboyant Eve Ivory--arrives and announces her plans to turn Bay St. Lucy into an extravagant vacation resort. These are not plans that anyone in this small town likes at all, and ones that will quickly lead to murder
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2013
120 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 13, 2014
Hey there Guys and Dolls,
Recently I finished reading a wonderful book set in the fictional town of Bay St Lucy. I was introduced to a whimsical and wonderful retired English teacher named Nina Bannister.
Nina is the heroine of this enthralling and enchanting tale, who takes it upon herself to set things right when the idyllic seaside town is turned upside down and inside out by an unknown woman steps in claiming her inheritance. Eve Ivory has decided to sell the town and its residence to the highest bidder. That is until she is found murdered and a young, much loved schoolteacher is arrested for the murder.
Can Nina put all the pieces of the puzzle together before it’s too late for Macy or someone else falls victim? Be sure to read this first intelligent and witty instalment in the Nina Bannister Mystery series. Bravo to T’Gracie and Joe Reese for this charming, modern day suspense filled fairytale. Yours truly is sure that you’ll fall in love with Nina Bannister and her way of looking at the world!
Recently I finished reading a wonderful book set in the fictional town of Bay St Lucy. I was introduced to a whimsical and wonderful retired English teacher named Nina Bannister.
Nina is the heroine of this enthralling and enchanting tale, who takes it upon herself to set things right when the idyllic seaside town is turned upside down and inside out by an unknown woman steps in claiming her inheritance. Eve Ivory has decided to sell the town and its residence to the highest bidder. That is until she is found murdered and a young, much loved schoolteacher is arrested for the murder.
Can Nina put all the pieces of the puzzle together before it’s too late for Macy or someone else falls victim? Be sure to read this first intelligent and witty instalment in the Nina Bannister Mystery series. Bravo to T’Gracie and Joe Reese for this charming, modern day suspense filled fairytale. Yours truly is sure that you’ll fall in love with Nina Bannister and her way of looking at the world!
July 6, 2021
“Sea Change” was my first Nina Bannister Mystery to read. T’Gracie and Joe Reese have written a cute “cozy” little mystery. Their murder mystery is set in a small coastal town on the Gulf in Alabama. The quiet little town is full of quirky interesting characters with respected and retired Bannister as the amateur sleuth in the midst. There's no violence or sex to note and tons of humor on each page. Any literature buff will love Reese's many allusions to the classics. Reese's third person narrative borders on “telling, not showing, ” but it feels almost natural with their staccato- like syntax. There is a poetic rhythmic feeling to their diction. It flows well and seems completely symbiotic with the story's setting and characters. All in all, it is a refreshing summer read.
May 30, 2017
I really enjoyed this novel. Nina Bannister is a charming, witty character, and her friends are a hoot y'all. I read this mystery in a day, and am totally hooked. I will read the rest of the series for sure.
August 4, 2017
Can I live in Bay St Lucy?
The book is well worth reading. A retired English teacher myself, I thought the authors got Nina' s literature filled head exactly right. Good handling of quirky charming charming setting and character.
The book is well worth reading. A retired English teacher myself, I thought the authors got Nina' s literature filled head exactly right. Good handling of quirky charming charming setting and character.
September 25, 2017
Great Read!
This book is filled with wonderful characters. I adore Nina, who reminded me of my favorite teacher. The author provides such a sense of place. I love all the literary references. I can't wait for the next book. Thank you.
This book is filled with wonderful characters. I adore Nina, who reminded me of my favorite teacher. The author provides such a sense of place. I love all the literary references. I can't wait for the next book. Thank you.
January 16, 2018
An English teachers mystery!
A little slow at first, but picks up hilariously right away! The English teacher who taught the whole town, just about, is like a Jessica Fletcher in this sweet book. Many classic novel quotes and references! Enjoyable!
A little slow at first, but picks up hilariously right away! The English teacher who taught the whole town, just about, is like a Jessica Fletcher in this sweet book. Many classic novel quotes and references! Enjoyable!
April 4, 2019
Alright story
I liked the characters and the storyline was ok. The one thing that, to me, detracted from the story was the way it was written. More like an English major than an author telling a story
I liked the characters and the storyline was ok. The one thing that, to me, detracted from the story was the way it was written. More like an English major than an author telling a story
July 9, 2021
Wonderful way with words!
I really enjoyed this book and I didn't guess who done it. I had the initials but didn't connect the dots. The characters were believable and fun, the details were great and I want to live there.
I really enjoyed this book and I didn't guess who done it. I had the initials but didn't connect the dots. The characters were believable and fun, the details were great and I want to live there.
February 6, 2017
Ms Nina is at it again!
Tons of characters, good & bad but you won't know whom is whom until the very last few pages. A really good read.
Tons of characters, good & bad but you won't know whom is whom until the very last few pages. A really good read.
January 29, 2020
Great book!!
Wow! Great story about what a small community should be!! Come together during a crisis! Nina makes a great detective!
Wow! Great story about what a small community should be!! Come together during a crisis! Nina makes a great detective!
March 12, 2017
This is a pretty good cozy mystery, a Kindle freebie. I have more in the series (also Kindle freebies) which I will eventually read.
October 4, 2016
Very intriguing
Really interesting. Didn't know the ending in advance. Love suspense and surprising endings. This one has both & very well written.
Really interesting. Didn't know the ending in advance. Love suspense and surprising endings. This one has both & very well written.
February 25, 2017
Good book.
It was a very good book. I did have a hard time at times following Nina's thinking. It didn't always flow but then I may not have been smart enough to understand it.
It was a very good book. I did have a hard time at times following Nina's thinking. It didn't always flow but then I may not have been smart enough to understand it.
July 8, 2019
Exceptional!
When it was thought that the last surviving member of the wealthy mob-related Robinson family passed, Nina was asked to represent the city counsel of Bay St. Lucy at the reading of the will. But Bay St. Lucy was not to be an heir. No, but the city did received a surprise in the form of Eve Ivory, granddaughter of the elder Robinson patriarch.
And Eve blew into town like a hurricane, negatively affecting the lives of Nina, Margot, Macy, Tom Broussard, and Penelope, as well as all the other residents of the Gulf Coast town. But when Eve is found dead and Macy is the logical suspect, it’s up to Nina and her group of friends to prove her innocence.
You won’t believe who the killer turns out to be! I highly recommend Sea Change for all lovers of literature!
When it was thought that the last surviving member of the wealthy mob-related Robinson family passed, Nina was asked to represent the city counsel of Bay St. Lucy at the reading of the will. But Bay St. Lucy was not to be an heir. No, but the city did received a surprise in the form of Eve Ivory, granddaughter of the elder Robinson patriarch.
And Eve blew into town like a hurricane, negatively affecting the lives of Nina, Margot, Macy, Tom Broussard, and Penelope, as well as all the other residents of the Gulf Coast town. But when Eve is found dead and Macy is the logical suspect, it’s up to Nina and her group of friends to prove her innocence.
You won’t believe who the killer turns out to be! I highly recommend Sea Change for all lovers of literature!
March 18, 2016
I loved this book. This is the first in the Nina Bannister series. Nina reminds me of Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote; trying to lead the quiet, retired life, highly respected and well liked by the small town of Bay St. Lucy, and she gets dragged into a murder. But she has the common sense and smarts to keep her head when everyone else is loosing theirs. Her sidekicks are great: Margot and Penelope. Margot is a retired Managing Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, running a art and gift store but getting a little bored. Penelope pretty much talks in obscenities but we don't see the words just "-" in place of them. They are both unique, colorful and funny. Each chapter starts with a quote from an author about writing, which I found interesting and funny. This first book develops the characters but is really good and keeps you interested. I plan to read more in the series.
I received a free copy in exchange for a review...and I really liked it.
I received a free copy in exchange for a review...and I really liked it.
September 21, 2013
This was an odd story. A town that was owned by a wealthy family that apparently held it over all their heads. Of course, the town resented it. At last the head of the family died. It was always known that at the death of the family, all the money went to the town. That gives plenty of people cause for murder. Then a family member shows up. She is a horrible woman and wants to turn the little town into a tourist place and ruin the town. Of course, she was murdered. The story was told well and the ending was nothing that I expected. Make yourself a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy the book.
November 10, 2015
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
I give this 4 fangs, I thought it was well written, a little slow starting out, but once it started picking up it really started getting good. there was a good plot, interesting characters and a really neat plot twist. I liked that the author got the whole small town life aspect without making the townspeople seem stupid or extremely redneck which happens a lot in very small town stories, especially ones that take place in the south. it was a good read and I will likely read the next one shortly!
I give this 4 fangs, I thought it was well written, a little slow starting out, but once it started picking up it really started getting good. there was a good plot, interesting characters and a really neat plot twist. I liked that the author got the whole small town life aspect without making the townspeople seem stupid or extremely redneck which happens a lot in very small town stories, especially ones that take place in the south. it was a good read and I will likely read the next one shortly!
January 28, 2015
This is a very interesting book. The authors do an amazing job recreating dialogue, especially in how they include the internal comments a person may make while engaged in conversation. The main character, Nina Bannister, is intriguing. I look forward to reading about what she does in the next book in this series.
March 22, 2015
Loved th eye sea change in me
Couldn't put this book down. Great camp. Great mystery, twists and turns. Reading it I was swept away. But beyond that, there was innovation and language and the author's joy of creation . Literary allusions galore. Loved the quotes, Nina, Bay St. Lucy. Most of all, I want Nina's Vespa.
Couldn't put this book down. Great camp. Great mystery, twists and turns. Reading it I was swept away. But beyond that, there was innovation and language and the author's joy of creation . Literary allusions galore. Loved the quotes, Nina, Bay St. Lucy. Most of all, I want Nina's Vespa.
October 5, 2016
Good
the story of a small town or a small community by the ocean and the people who couldn't own there property and pay rent .
the story of a small town or a small community by the ocean and the people who couldn't own there property and pay rent .
October 6, 2016
Of your typical mystery
I really enjoyed this book. It was different in that the heroine wasn't typical. The characters were varied and quirky. You should read it.
I really enjoyed this book. It was different in that the heroine wasn't typical. The characters were varied and quirky. You should read it.
April 9, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the writing style, how the descriptive and lyrical use of language painted a picture of the characters, the village and told the story. This book was not just prose but also art.
April 28, 2017
I think this is a great book and I highly recommend it. I loved Nina's sense of humor and funny remarks. Good mystery too, you won't figure out whodunnit.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews