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Miss Prentice Mystery #2

Death Dangles a Participle

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Winter can be harsh in the North Country.

When the reckless teenaged Rousseau brothers, J.T. and Dustin, attempt to cross a frozen Lake Champlain in their ancient VW, what they find plunges them into hot water, not cold. Their guilt in a brutal murder is obvious to everyone except English teacher Amelia Prentice Dickensen, freshly returned from her honeymoon with new husband Gil, who is determined to find the clue that will prove them innocent: a single bullet.

Despite a falling out with best friend Lily, parents irate over a low grade, a missing cat, and a strange illness that strikes when least expected, Amelia is determined to find the truth. Unless she is frozen out by an equally determined murderer . . .

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2013

8 people are currently reading
41 people want to read

About the author

E.E. Kennedy

9 books14 followers
As a teen, E.E. nursed the dream of being a Broadway star, but since she couldn't stand rejection, she chose being a writer instead. (Who knew?) Life has been kind to E.E. She's married to an inventor who understands the creative process. She's the grandmother of 5 children whose cuteness really cuts into her writing time!
She decided to start writing when she ran out of Agatha Christies and couldn't find anything else she wanted to read. "Okay," she said, "I'll write something I'd want to read." And she did. On alternate days, she thinks her work is brilliant and miserable, but she keeps at it and is grateful for her gracious publisher, Sheaf House, who seems happy to publish her mysteries. Her mission statement is a hokey one: "wholesome entertainment."

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5 stars
26 (41%)
4 stars
19 (30%)
3 stars
12 (19%)
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4 (6%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Kathleen Wright.
Author 5 books10 followers
July 22, 2013
If you like cozy mysteries, I do suggest this series. I met Ellen Edwards Kennedy here on Facebook when I asked her if she lived near Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Her brand includes an Adirondack chair. The 79 cent on cbd.com is a great price for the ebook and a great way to get this book. Since I'm the person who likes to read the first book in the series, get Irregardless (and yes, she knows she's doing that) of Murder which is $2.39 (ebook) over at cbd.com. Ellen has a couple of lines about teachers and their appearance that made me spit out my latte and laugh because it was ME.
Profile Image for Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton.
763 reviews28 followers
February 28, 2016
This was really quite amazing! Amelia is quite the grammarian and quite a lady. How she manages to get caught up in all of these mysteries is the real mystery! If you are fond of correct spelling and punctuation, and might have at least once been referred to as a Grammar Nazi, this book will tickle your fancy.
Profile Image for Victor Gentile.
2,035 reviews64 followers
October 12, 2014
E. E. Kennedy in her new book, “Death Dangles A Participle” Book Two in the Miss Prentice Cozy Mystery series published by Sheaf House Publishers gives us another adventure with Amelia Prentice.

From the back cover: Winter can be harsh in the North Country.

When the reckless teenaged Rousseau brothers, J.T. and Dustin, attempt to cross a frozen Lake Champlain in their ancient VW, what they find plunges them into hot water, not cold. Their guilt in a brutal murder is obvious to everyone except English teacher Amelia Prentice Dickensen, freshly returned from her honeymoon with new husband Gil, who is determined to find the clue that will prove them innocent: a single bullet.

Despite a falling out with best friend Lily, parents irate over a low grade, a missing cat, and a strange illness that strikes when least expected, Amelia is determined to find the truth. Unless she is frozen out by an equally determined murderer . . .

Amelia Prentice is back with another classic mystery. It all begins with a let’s blow off steam drive across frozen Lake Champlain. Someone is shooting at the brothers and then that person winds up shot and the brothers are blamed. Now we know who didn’t do it but who did? At the same time we have to deal with a problem with Lily, conflict with nephew Vern and all kinds of goings on over at the Chez Prentice. This is what makes Ms. Kennedy’s stories so much fun. There is so much more going on that just the investigation of the murder and finding out the identity of the killer. We get involved in the lives of the people of the town and we just enjoy ourselves while we are there.

Ms. Kennedy has crafted a page turner worthy of the old masters, an exciting event, some story, another exciting event, more story. And the mystery is terrific. You want to figure out who us behind everything but you just can’t seem to and so you flip another page hoping for an answer which doesn’t come until the satisfactory end. E. E. Kennedy is a fun author that makes reading enjoyable even if you are sitting on the edge of your chair. Don’t bother bringing a beverage to drink while you read because you will forget it is there the story is that intense. Ms. Kennedy batted a thousand on this one. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Profile Image for ☺Trish.
1,384 reviews
August 7, 2013
Another excellent story from E. E. Kennedy! I really enjoyed reading about the further adventures of Amelia, Gil, and their family & friends, but Vern is beginning to worry me (he was my favorite character in the first book and I still have high hopes for him)! Lily Burns, on the other hand, is a lost cause as far as I'm concerned! Why would anyone continue to be her friend, let alone want to "court" her? A few personality flaws are one thing - heck, everyone has 'em, but Lily's a pretty awful human being (while being a truly poor excuse as a friend, too)! It would seem that Alec is either a masochist or simply an old, foolish crackpot if he continues being romantically interested in Lily Burns after she's abused, mislead, and mistreated him. I don't hold out much hope, but maybe Lily will change her tune in the next installment of the series.
Profile Image for Antoinette.
561 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2014
This is the second in E. E. Kennedy's Miss Prentice Cozy Mystery series set in far northern New York state. Miss Prentice, now Mrs. Dickensen, an English teacher, is plunged into a mystery involving a frozen body discovered on ice-covered Lake Champlain. Two teen-aged Rousseau brothers become suspects but Miss Prentice doubts that they are murderers. Amelia sets out to prove they are innocent, at the same dealing with a missing cat, estranged friends and harsh weather. The characters are likable and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for J.M. Hochstetler.
Author 11 books88 followers
July 29, 2013
Heartwarming sequel to Irregardless of Murder, book 2 will also keep you turning pages late into the night. I love this author's voice and can't wait for book 3!
8 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2017
DEATH DANGLES A PARTICIPLE is the second cozy mystery by E.E. Kennedy centered around Lake Champlain. The cover depicts a lunch box and purple VW on the frozen lake. As in book one, Irr-i-gard-less of Murder the author reels you in with the prologue and keeps you guessing all 346 pages. We are reintroduced to Gil and Amelia and scenes at lovely Chez Prentice are woven thought the story. We find Amelia, an English teacher, still trying to find tactful ways to correct the misuse of a word. It’s difficult to predict the villain but Kennedy leaves a clever trail of clues to follow. You will laugh and cry with the characters in this inspiring story. Don’t miss this fun-filled mystery that has unlimited excitement and intrigue. E.E.Kennedy is a master of her craft.
395 reviews9 followers
May 16, 2018
This is another fun cozy mystery. I would definitely recommend this series to fellow cozy mystery readers and even if you don't usually lean toward this genre I believe you will enjoy it.
Profile Image for D.W. Earnhardt.
Author 2 books28 followers
November 17, 2021
As always, Ellen E. Kennedy has outdone herself! This has intrigue, friendship, and out-of-the-box characters. So do yourself a favor and go buy all the books in the series!
Profile Image for Amy Shannon.
Author 127 books135 followers
September 18, 2016
It's an all new mystery in Lake Champlain!

“Dangling participle: A participle with no clear grammatical relationship to the subject of the sentence.” Dancing participle. I like that. It's an all new mystery for Amelia, the English teacher slash sleuth. I really have gotten to love this character since I've read the first book. It's an amazing mystery for Amelia who recently married Gil. I love that the characters are in their 40s and act like they are. They aren't a bunch of twenty-somethings that think they are invincible. I really love Amelia and Gil's relationship, but that's not all to this wonderful quaint mystery story. The characters are believable, and Kennedy has gained a fan in me and her work. I love the English teacher, and it sounds more intriguing and interesting than solving dangling participle or sentence diagrams. Loved it.
Profile Image for Deborah.
274 reviews
September 4, 2013
Dustin and J.T. Rousseau are as dumb and reckless as any boys their age can be. Wanting to impress their schoolmates and friends, their shenanigans are constantly getting them attention of the wrong kind - teachers, parents, and even the law on occasion. But their latest escapade promises to be the worst idea they've ever had in their short lives. A man is dead, and the evidence is pointing straight at the Rousseau brothers. While the story is being sorted out by the police department the boys are placed under house arrest while the murder is investigated.

Naturally, Amelia Prentice has to figure out what is going on. In her mind, there is no way her students are murderers. But the evidence is mounting, and her very own nephew, Vern, is starting to look guilty. As if all that wasn't enough, her best friend, Lily, isn't speaking to her. Amelia herself isn't feeling all that great, and has neither the time or energy to figure out what's wrong with her friend. Will she be able to solve the murder in time? Or is her "happily ever after" with her new husband Gil just an unreachable dream after all?

Kennedy takes us back to Adirondack, New York, back into the life of Amelia Prentice (now Dickenson) and takes us on another cozy mystery. As I've said before, this genre is not my thing. But Kennedy has won me over for keeps, and her writing is the only reason why. Even though I know Amelia is a fictitious character, I found myself wishing she was real because she would be such an amazing friend! She's got her quirks, to be sure, but that's what makes her so realistic and down to earth. I loved everything about this mystery, and I was pleasantly surprised with the ending. Even if you already like cozy mysteries, you will fall in love with this one.

This book was provided by Sheaf House for free in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amy Shannon.
Author 127 books135 followers
September 18, 2016
It's an all new mystery in Lake Champlain

“Dangling participle: A participle with no clear grammatical relationship to the subject of the sentence.” Dancing participle. I like that. It's an all new mystery for Amelia, the English teacher slash sleuth. I really have gotten to love this character since I've read the first book. It's an amazing mystery for Amelia who recently married Gil. I love that the characters are in their 40s and act like they are. They aren't a bunch of twenty-somethings that think they are invincible. I really love Amelia and Gil's relationship, but that's not all to this wonderful quaint mystery story. The characters are believable, and Kennedy has gained a fan in me and her work. I love the English teacher, and it sounds more intriguing and interesting than solving dancing participle or sentence diagrams. Loved it.
Profile Image for Rosalee.
Author 7 books17 followers
July 24, 2014
This is the second in the Miss Prentiss (now Mrs. Dickensen) cozy mystery series. Amelia is an English teacher at the highschool and co-owner of a bed and breakfast in North Country. She has just returned from her honeymoon and life should be wonderful. Unfortunately, she and her best friend Lily have a disagreement, her cat Sam is among the missing, Serendipidity and her parents are causing havoc at school, and then there's the murder. The Rousseau brothers are out to make a name for themselves and stumble on a hornet's nest that ends with them the prime suspect in the murder. Amelia is determined to try to prove they're innocence with an unlikely accomplice in Alec. This was an enjoyable, light read with some twists and turns that are unexpected.
5,938 reviews67 followers
December 4, 2013
Newly married English teacher Amelia is shocked to learn that two of her students, the Rousseau brothers, have been arrested for committing a murder. True, the motherless boys are pranksters but she's sure they wouldn't do anything purposefully bad. If only Amelia didn't feel nauseated and tired all the time! She's also worried about her missing cat and the hostile behavior of her lifetime best friend Lily. There are some things that I didn't care for in this book, but in general it's such a classic cozy--complete with winter festival--that it's irresistible.
Profile Image for Charleen.
928 reviews20 followers
December 29, 2018
Cozy mysteries have never really appealed to me, but I saw the title of this one and couldn't pass it up. Unfortunately, it just served as further proof that this isn't my type of book. There was nothing about it that put me off, exactly, but nothing that pulled me in either. If it weren't such a quick read I wouldn't have bothered finishing it.
Profile Image for Kay.
447 reviews9 followers
August 3, 2013
English teacher Amelia helps prove the innocence of two high school brothers accused of murder. I really liked the Rousseau brothers; what characters!
Profile Image for Hope.
1,493 reviews154 followers
October 4, 2016
This was more chick lit than mystery. Instead of intriguing clues to the crime the reader is faced with the heart palpitations of the newlywed crime solver.
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,518 reviews137 followers
April 10, 2017
Great second cozy by EE Kennedy! One clue left for the very last page! Very engaging. She has a way with making the characters quirky but real! On to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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