Death at a Drop-In

Myrtle Clover Mysteries #5

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Cosette Whitlow is a society matron…if tiny Bradley, North Carolina, has one. She kindly volunteers for all the town's charities, but isn’t nearly as kind to her own family, neighbors, and friends. In fact, Cosette is emphatically disliked by much of the town—including octogenarian Myrtle Clover. And Myrtle knows that dislike in Bradley can quickly turn deadly. No one seems surprised when Cosette’s body is discovered during a party she’s hosting—she was struck on the head with a croquet mallet. Wanting to restore order to the small town, Myrtle resolves to track down the killer—before the killer strikes again.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Detective, Contemporary

Audiobook

First published July 27, 2013

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myrtle Clover excels in solving crime in classic cozy fashion. Although she no longer drives, she gets all around tiny Bradley, North Carolina, either by walking or by convincing friends to give her a lift to where the action and the clues are. Likewise, Myrtle overcomes limitations that others, especially her son Red, want to place upon her due to her advanced age. Myrtle does not give up until justice is served.

My thanks to the author for the complimentary download of this audiobook – it was fun to listen to the well-constructed story and I will be checking out other books in the series. I recommend this title to fans of classic cozies.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent instalment to the Myrtle Clover series. This is such a fun series that I have recommended it to my mum as we like very similar books and I just know she will get a kick out of this series. Like the picture shows it is a light hearted series with plenty of humour to keep you laughing. The mystery is good byt it is the characters that really make it for me. I love the way with each book Elaine takes up a new hobby that either helps Myrtle or drives her mad and as for the long running gnome fight, I start chuckling just at the thought of it. This is definitely a series that will brighten your day.
Miles talks Myrtle into dropping by at a party that neither of them want to go to but can't think of a way of getting out of, Miles because she shameless flirts with him and Myrtle just doesn't like her. Nobody likes Cosette but even they are surprised when she is killed in the backyard while hosting one of her famous parties. With plenty of suspects including her own daughter and husband to question Myrtle and Miles are soon on the case but this time Myrtle has been up staged by a new keen reporter and won't be writing the story for the Bradley Bulge. With Red, her son convinced she is better off moving to Green pastures (a retirement home) and the boss at the paper giving her job to someone a lot younger Myrtle sets out to prove them all wrong. There is still life in this octogenarian yet, unless a killer gets to her first.
I really like this narrator and think she does a wonder job of bringing Myrtle and her friends to life.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosette Whitlow is a society matron…if tiny Bradley, North Carolina, has one. She kindly volunteers for all the town's charities, but isn’t nearly as kind to her own family, neighbors, and friends. In fact, Cosette is emphatically disliked by much of the town—including octogenarian Myrtle Clover. And Myrtle knows that dislike in Bradley can quickly turn deadly.No one seems surprised when Cosette’s body is discovered during a party she’s hosting—she was struck on the head with a croquet mallet. Wanting to restore order to the small town, Myrtle resolves to track down the killer—before the killer strikes again. [Amazon synopsis]

Easy to read. Myrtle is annoying/nosy, I don't like cats, and each book is the same formula.

[Shelley]

Formulaic, but Entertaining

Like other cosy mysteries this follows a distinct "formula," but Myrtle Clover is feisty, funny, and isn't going to a retirement home without a fight. The supporting characters are great as well. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

My only beef with these books is the abrupt scene changes. I know it is nitpicky, but the chapters often shift from one scene to the next without a break when I think there needs to be one. An extra line after a paragraph would be nice when going to a different location and characters in town.

[Annina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished on audible: a great read and the narrator did a great job. I did not like the narrator of volume 4. I was pleased with this one.

I love books with octogenarian-Protagonists. They are always funny and are allowed to behave 'out of the ordinary'. Myrtle is a strongheaded elderly women who does not like to be titled eldery. And certanly not old. So it's no surprise she sometimes just overestimates her doings.

You just have to love her. And her son 'Red' who only want's best for his Mama. She thanks him, in putting out Gnomes in her garden each time Red gets protective over her. No doubt Red hates those Gnomes.

Thank goodness I still have 4 more audio-kindle books to go.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, full of humor with good narration, sets the plot in a small town with a retired English teacher. She loves gardening and decorating with the gnomes. When a body is found murdered. She knows there is a killer in the town, maybe in her own family, she was disliked by most people. she is more than ready to solve. . The narration was good, clear voice and added to this story. Good series. Given audio for my voluntary review

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another funny book in a series that just keeps getting better. Hilarity ensues as our elderly protagonist sleuths her way to the truth. Not even her police officer son can stand in her way of finding out who is at fault.

[Kathy Oyer-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently been reading Myrtle Clover books right after each other in order. I enjoy the simple who dunnit with a touch of Miss Marple. Will co tiniest on with the series but would like to see these made into a series

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5***

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodies are piling up in this small town in North Carolina. Myrtle is competing with a young thing fresh out of college.

Change of narrator was FABULOUS! This narrator is enthusiastic!

[Michelle Fidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. Looking forward to reading and listening to more of these.

[Laura Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Myrtle is a fun read.

[Faith Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigued and eventful.

Loved the characters and the twist and turns. Often made me laugh unexpectedly which made me like the story even more.😊

[Jami Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun smalltown mystery for Myrtle to solve with the typical wide selection of plausible suspects and minor twists.

[Squirrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, with just a couple of annoying tropes continuing through from earlier books. Police CHIEF and Mama competing to solve crimes, like they are both in primary school. The Chief won't believe his own mother? He thinks his own mother is lying about an assault, DURING a murder investigation? Isn't it gross incompetence not to write up a police report? The dynamic is unpleasant, rather than amusing. There's parody and then there's just insultingly stupid, and this book puts that right in the reader's face. For example, Pasha, the cat - WHO doesn't know SOMEONE that has an animal that person loves and everyone else disdains? It's almost the nature of pet owners. Why would her son keep harping on it? That's the height of rudeness. Further, seriously, how incompetent is Red? He's not smart enough to simply ask his mother for information or compliment her genuinely on her insights, and she can manipulate him into sharing information ... just by being silent? He's a POLICE CHIEF, and can't sweet talk his own mother, doesn't listen to her, talks down to her ... why does she even interact with him? The writer is skilled at portraying personalities, but the dynamics just don't ring true. "I really don't know how you keep ending up in the middle of these cases, mama." Um, because you ignore and belittle her? Demean and disrespect her? What a mystery!

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myrtle Clover is back, and this time she’s investigating the murder of one of the social matrons of Bradley. In this lovely addition to the Myrtle Clover cozy mystery series, there are more suspects and more secrets to uncover in this small southern town. And this time she has to dig up the secrets of Cosette Whitlow, who wasn’t the most popular person in town.

Myrtle has limited time to find out who murdered Cosette. And with Miles at her side, she begins to unearth secrets. There are suspects galore, from a soft spoken husband who might have been pushed too far by her sharp tongue. Then there’s Joan, the daughter that was never good enough for Cosette. There’s Tobin, a neighbor with complaints about his neighbor’s inconsiderate nature. But that’s not all. Cosette really wasn’t popular, with her hands in every activity possible. Can Myrtle discover the killer before more bodies pile up? Or will she be the next one dropping dead.

This story is a good addition to the series, even though it isn’t my favorite. The story was solid and the characters, as always, are entertaining and diverse. I love Craig’s world of Bradley, North Carolina. It’s so interesting, and there are so many secrets buried in the small town, and I look forward to hearing more about it in the rest of the series.

If you enjoy Myrtle’s adventures, then dive on in to Bradley once again. There’s more murder and mayhem to be had with Myrtle, who won’t be so easy to take down. Give the octogenarian some props and follow along as she figures out the mystery.

[Squirrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, with just a couple of annoying tropes continuing through from earlier books. Police CHIEF and Mama competing to solve crimes, like they are both in primary school. The Chief won't believe his own mother? He thinks his own mother is lying about an assault, DURING a murder investigation? Isn't it gross incompetence not to write up a police report? The dynamic is unpleasant, rather than amusing. There's parody and then there's just insultingly stupid, and this book puts that right in the reader's face. For example, Pasha, the cat - WHO doesn't know SOMEONE that has an animal that person loves and everyone else disdains? It's almost the nature of pet owners. Why would her son keep harping on it? That's the height of rudeness. Further, seriously, how incompetent is Red? He's not smart enough to simply ask his mother for information or compliment her genuinely on her insights, and she can manipulate him into sharing information ... just by being silent? He's a POLICE CHIEF, and can't sweet talk his own mother, doesn't listen to her, talks down to her ... why does she even interact with him? The writer is skilled at portraying personalities, but the dynamics just don't ring true. "I really don't know how you keep ending up in the middle of these cases, mama." Um, because you ignore and belittle her? Demean and disrespect her? That's a mystery?

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fictional town of Bradley, North Carolina, Myrtle Clover isn’t looking forward to attending Cosette Whitlow’s drop-in. Miles has asked her to come and deter the widows from descending upon him. As a lady in her 80s, Myrtle might not look threatening, but she can intimidate when she wants. Miles and Myrtle are soon ready to make their exit. When the two can’t find Cosette to thank her, Myrtle discovers Cosette in the yard; she’s been hit over the head with a croquet mallet. When a second murder occurs, it looks like Myrtle will either end up with the scoop or in a grave of her own.

Death at a Drop-In is the fifth book in the Myrtle Clover Mystery series. Myrtle Clover is a sprightly elderly woman and is written proof that the young aren’t the only ones who can be the center of an exciting story. Along with not being a fan of the cover, I am not one to read books where the main character is over fifty. This novel was a nice surprise. If you enjoy murder mysteries and/or female detectives then you should give this series a try. This book was well-written and fast-paced. Once you get into the series, it may become easier to guess who the murderer is but the rest of the story still holds readers and there will be curve-balls that the reader won't be expecting.

[Adam Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun volume in this light series. Things are busy in life and it's nice to take a break down South with Myrtle and Myles for this great and funny cozy mystery series.

[Trudy L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Myrtle Clover is at it again! When her sidekick, Miles, invites her to attend a drop-in, Myrtle insists on bringing a dish of her own. Known for her lack of kitchen prowess as much as her interest in the local crime scene, Myrtle arrives at the party armed with her trusty cane and the results of a new "dip" recipe which the other attendees wisely avoid. Before long, she stumbles upon a body and everyone at the party is suspect. Her long-suffering son, Red, serves as chief of police and he and his elderly mother search for clues in this latest case.

[Laura Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful cozy mystery staring octogenrian Myrtle Clover, and her best friend Miles. I enjoyed this one as an audiobook, so I had the added bonus of an excellent reader who did all the voices pretty much just as I had imagined them when reading previous installments of this series - what a treat.

I am looking forward to reading more of these, and hope the author continues writing them for many volumes to come.

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly sure how much I like these. I enjoyed this one and Myrtle is certainly a tough and canny old lady. She usually gets her way by ignoring others. She certainly detests Cossette Whitlow, who is always rambling on to Myrtle's son about how wonderful the local nursing home is and the activities for the "old dears". Not many people cared for Cosette who wanted to run everything and have a finger in every pie in town and flirted outrageously with all the men.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love 💘 Myrtle and I hope I grow up to be just like her😊. When poor Miles asks Myrtle to be his NOT date to a neighborhood drop-in party he has no idea what is in store for them. The hostess is found dead in the backyard and Myrtle sets out to "investigate for the newspaper" 😉. (Eye roll inserted here.) Unfortunately for her, she becomes the front page story 📰 when she gets to close to the killer. The gnomes come out to play with Red and the laughs are never ending. 😂

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myrtle is again her quirky, massing, interfering self in this book. Miles,goes,her to a drop in party. The hostess is not like by it the townsfolk. They find her body in the yard. Myrtle decides to beat Red, her son in finding the solution to the murder. Mytrle gets annoyed with Red. The gnomes come out. The ending might surprise you. For some reason this story didn't hold my interest.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice easy read with Myrtle Clover and the gang in Bradley, NC. This one was better than the last one I read by this author. The characters are fun & it is a light read when you need a change of pace.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all the previous books in the Myrtle Clover series but I wasn't as thrilled with this book. I will continue to read the series because I enjoy the characters and this book was ok it just wasn't as exciting as the others. Just my opinion.

[LLona Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially good as a 'Cozy' mystery with a murder to solve, a senior citizen sleuth who must battle her good-intentioned relatives attempting to relegate her to the pasture, and still avoid most of the silliness that creeps into so many cozy novels these days for the sake of humor.

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun addition to the series. Myrtle and her friends are at their hilarious best. A drop-in lunch turns into a murder mystery and Myrtle is determined to solve the case before the new intern at the paper can write the story.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Being in my twenties I probably shouldn't enjoy these books so much but this is the fifth I've read and I've enjoyed them all from start to finish. They may not be taxing to the little grey cells but they are funny,