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Cue Ball Mysteries #4
Four Play
Bad news comes in . . . fours? For romance author and former pool shark Jessie Hewitt it does. She hasn’t written a decent sex scene in months, she hasn’t shot a decent game of eight ball all year, and don’t even ask about her supposed love life. And just when Jessie thinks things can’t get any worse, a body lands on her car. Uber-hunky and altogether infuriating cop Wilson Rye suggests she concentrate on solving her other problems and leave the murder investigation to the experts. But does Jessie agree? Take a guess.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
89 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 25, 2018
This was a reread in January, 2018.
This is the fourth in the Cue Ball mystery series and each seems to be more enjoyable than the previous. Jessie Hewitt is a writer of Romance Novels, something local newsman Jimmy Beaks calls pornography. This time the mystery literally falls on Jessie, when a dead body lands on the top of her car. Once again she and her police detective fiance are on the case. To find the murderer they must first figure out the why of the murder, not an easy task. And this time Jessie is having trouble writing her latest novel which adds to her frustration. Once again her friends, Karen and Candy (and Candy's dog Puddles) come to her aid. Jessie's mother and her agent, "Geeze Louis" also get involved. After all as her agent, Louise believes any publicity is good publicity so she endorses and encourages some of the protests outside Jessie's building. Is it Jessie, the murderer is trying to defame by the murder? It is really not the victim who after investigation, turns out to be nothing less than stellar. You might say the victim was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meanwhile Jessie is struggling with coming up with a wedding date for her and Wilson.
This is the fourth in the Cue Ball mystery series and each seems to be more enjoyable than the previous. Jessie Hewitt is a writer of Romance Novels, something local newsman Jimmy Beaks calls pornography. This time the mystery literally falls on Jessie, when a dead body lands on the top of her car. Once again she and her police detective fiance are on the case. To find the murderer they must first figure out the why of the murder, not an easy task. And this time Jessie is having trouble writing her latest novel which adds to her frustration. Once again her friends, Karen and Candy (and Candy's dog Puddles) come to her aid. Jessie's mother and her agent, "Geeze Louis" also get involved. After all as her agent, Louise believes any publicity is good publicity so she endorses and encourages some of the protests outside Jessie's building. Is it Jessie, the murderer is trying to defame by the murder? It is really not the victim who after investigation, turns out to be nothing less than stellar. You might say the victim was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meanwhile Jessie is struggling with coming up with a wedding date for her and Wilson.
July 7, 2020
3.5
I am really enjoying these quick reads! I love the characters (even if I can't picture them as their age)
I am really enjoying these quick reads! I love the characters (even if I can't picture them as their age)
November 15, 2017
Four Play
Cindy Blackburn
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
A murder takes place outside in a High School parking lot at night. The victim is a teacher laying in an unusual position on a car.
The car belongs to Jessie, Romance Author, pool shark, and fiancé of the police chief, albeit all funnily are on shaky ground. She is ruled out as the killer, because one, she let a young friend of hers use it to go to that night's dance at the school, and two her beau is the head cop and knows her better than anyone.
From this point, Jessie and her friends go sleuthing to the chagrin of her soon to be married lover's desires. The dialog of the characters is humorist and telling, leading to some strange confrontations.
Little by little, Jessie puts the crime line into perspective taking the center of the investigation and directing towards the right reason for the murder which is sick. But all doesn't fall into place until the exciting ending.
If you want to laugh, delve into a good mystery, and enjoy some likable characters, Ms. Blackburn has the formula you want to read. This novel is my second of hers I have read this year for the fun of it, six in total over the last four years.
Purchase: http://amzn.to/2hAYW8L
Cindy Blackburn
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
A murder takes place outside in a High School parking lot at night. The victim is a teacher laying in an unusual position on a car.
The car belongs to Jessie, Romance Author, pool shark, and fiancé of the police chief, albeit all funnily are on shaky ground. She is ruled out as the killer, because one, she let a young friend of hers use it to go to that night's dance at the school, and two her beau is the head cop and knows her better than anyone.
From this point, Jessie and her friends go sleuthing to the chagrin of her soon to be married lover's desires. The dialog of the characters is humorist and telling, leading to some strange confrontations.
Little by little, Jessie puts the crime line into perspective taking the center of the investigation and directing towards the right reason for the murder which is sick. But all doesn't fall into place until the exciting ending.
If you want to laugh, delve into a good mystery, and enjoy some likable characters, Ms. Blackburn has the formula you want to read. This novel is my second of hers I have read this year for the fun of it, six in total over the last four years.
Purchase: http://amzn.to/2hAYW8L
January 6, 2019
More great fun from Cindy Blackburn!
Romance writer and ace pool player Jessie is in a slump—she’s known for her sex scenes (she chose her pen name, Adelé Nightingale, for a reason: “add-a-lay”), but can’t figure out how to get her heroine and hero in bed with each other in her newest novel; she hasn’t won a pool game in months; she’s stalling on setting a wedding date with her fiancé—the über-hunky police detective Wilson Rye; and then a dead body appears on her Porsche!
Soon everyone seems to want Jessie to figure out whodunnit, but getting out of her condo without being assaulted by book banning nuts or the ever-annoying TV personality, Jimmy Beak, is practically impossible.
What’s a menopausal woman to do?
As always, author Cindy Blackburn takes us on an improbable romp, with over-the-top scenarios, wacky characters, and hilarious dialogue. The knot seems impossible to untie, but Jessie, Wilson, and Co. always figure it out in the end, and the roller coaster ride is an utter delight.
As long as Cindy Blackburn keeps writing these books, I’ll keep devouring them!
Romance writer and ace pool player Jessie is in a slump—she’s known for her sex scenes (she chose her pen name, Adelé Nightingale, for a reason: “add-a-lay”), but can’t figure out how to get her heroine and hero in bed with each other in her newest novel; she hasn’t won a pool game in months; she’s stalling on setting a wedding date with her fiancé—the über-hunky police detective Wilson Rye; and then a dead body appears on her Porsche!
Soon everyone seems to want Jessie to figure out whodunnit, but getting out of her condo without being assaulted by book banning nuts or the ever-annoying TV personality, Jimmy Beak, is practically impossible.
What’s a menopausal woman to do?
As always, author Cindy Blackburn takes us on an improbable romp, with over-the-top scenarios, wacky characters, and hilarious dialogue. The knot seems impossible to untie, but Jessie, Wilson, and Co. always figure it out in the end, and the roller coaster ride is an utter delight.
As long as Cindy Blackburn keeps writing these books, I’ll keep devouring them!
August 6, 2017
Romance writer Jessie Hewitt and her fiance Captain Wilson Rye are back at it again in book four of the Cue Ball Mystery series. This time, Jessie has loaned her car to young Frankie Smythe so he could take his date to Cotillion. All is well and good until one of the chaperone's ends up dead and on the roof of her car.
To make matters worse, Captain Rye is upset with Jessie for not picking out a wedding date, and Jessie is having one heck of a time trying to get just one sex scene in her latest book.
Between the local newshound, Jimmy Beak, and a new non-admirer of her work, Jessie is not getting much writing done. But still, she finds time to sleuth her way through this new murder that she has been inconvenienced by.
Eventually, the murder is solved. Jimmy Beak befriends Jessie, and she is finally able to get that book written.
Another fun read by Cindy Blackburn. If you like a good mystery with a few good laughs, you'll want to read this book.
To make matters worse, Captain Rye is upset with Jessie for not picking out a wedding date, and Jessie is having one heck of a time trying to get just one sex scene in her latest book.
Between the local newshound, Jimmy Beak, and a new non-admirer of her work, Jessie is not getting much writing done. But still, she finds time to sleuth her way through this new murder that she has been inconvenienced by.
Eventually, the murder is solved. Jimmy Beak befriends Jessie, and she is finally able to get that book written.
Another fun read by Cindy Blackburn. If you like a good mystery with a few good laughs, you'll want to read this book.
July 6, 2017
Poor Jessie is having all sorts of problems in this 4th of the Cue Ball Mysteries. She's having writer's block, and can't seem to write her usually easy flowing sex scenes, she can't seem to set a date for her wedding to her detective fiancé, and her car is the scene of a murdered body dump. On top of that, her condo building is being picketed by a group who are calling her the Queen of Smut, her least favorite reporter is back on the scene, two different determined ladies are requiring her services as an amateur detective, and it looks like the motive for the murder is embarrassing Jessie. There's lots of entertaining action before the murder is found and multiple happy endings occur.
June 12, 2017
This book is fourth in the series but the first one I've read. I didn't feel like I had to read the first three books to read this one. A few places made me laugh out loud. Nothing like humor to ease the tension. Romance and mystery make a great combo. This story has both with the right amounts. I read this story in the same day.I would like to read the other books in the series which makes this one a winner.
October 16, 2019
Solid mystery. I’ll confess that I didn’t realize this was part of a series until I was far enough in that I kept going. Overall this was a classic who done it that has you guessing in a bunch of different directions. Lots of quirky characters. I got a little tired of certain interactions in the book between the heroine and a reporter but overall I enjoyed it.
June 30, 2021
Enjoyed
I enjoyed the fourth book but not as much as the first three. I like the sub story of Jessie’s Adele Nightingale romance series but it seemed to dominate the story. While it played a part in solving the murder it wasn’t my “cup of tea.” That said, I just subscribed to KU and am looking forward to picking up number 5.
I enjoyed the fourth book but not as much as the first three. I like the sub story of Jessie’s Adele Nightingale romance series but it seemed to dominate the story. While it played a part in solving the murder it wasn’t my “cup of tea.” That said, I just subscribed to KU and am looking forward to picking up number 5.
January 19, 2018
Funny book
I loved this book because it was funny as well as dramatic. Jessie finds herself up to her neck in trouble when she lends a student her car for graduation night. The characters were interesting and varied which produced a great story.
I loved this book because it was funny as well as dramatic. Jessie finds herself up to her neck in trouble when she lends a student her car for graduation night. The characters were interesting and varied which produced a great story.
May 3, 2018
Really fun read. Agree with previous comment that you don't have to have read the previous books in the series in order to enjoy this one.
July 24, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed reading "Four Play"! I never had a clue who done it and why while I was reading the book! I highly recommend reading Cindy's books!
July 25, 2014
Another Great Read!
1st let me say, I read / listened to this story in audio format via audible.com. I grab audiobooks as much as I can as they only have a book better in tenfold. To listen to an audiobook is like listening to a movie. Audiobooks deliver proper pronunciations, accents & excitement in all the right places!
Here we are in book 4 of the Cue Ball Mysteries! So far every book in this series has been fantastic! I love, love love the witty sense of humor the author Cindy Blackburn delivers to us along with all her witty tongue twisters. The characters are great too, with names like Geez Louise & Candy Pop, even Professor Yikes!
Jessica loans her car to a young man, Frankie she has known for years for a school function. While Frankie has Jessica's Porsche, a teach at school is murdered on the hood of Jessica's car. On we go to solve another murder mystery that of course, people try to pin on Jessica as the murderer. It is up to Jessica Hewitt, her fiance Wilson Rye & all her friends in her apartment building to discover who the killer is. Never a dull moment with Jessica on the job. Her witty tongue & her clever quirky names, Jessica keeps us entertained through out the story. Toss in lots of quirky words & tongue twisters & we have another winner by Cindy Blackburn!
The Narrator Caroline Miller once again delivers to us another flawless comical adventure mystery with all the fun & excitement we know her for. Never a dull moment here. Kudos ladies for giving us yet another awesome winner!!!
1st let me say, I read / listened to this story in audio format via audible.com. I grab audiobooks as much as I can as they only have a book better in tenfold. To listen to an audiobook is like listening to a movie. Audiobooks deliver proper pronunciations, accents & excitement in all the right places!
Here we are in book 4 of the Cue Ball Mysteries! So far every book in this series has been fantastic! I love, love love the witty sense of humor the author Cindy Blackburn delivers to us along with all her witty tongue twisters. The characters are great too, with names like Geez Louise & Candy Pop, even Professor Yikes!
Jessica loans her car to a young man, Frankie she has known for years for a school function. While Frankie has Jessica's Porsche, a teach at school is murdered on the hood of Jessica's car. On we go to solve another murder mystery that of course, people try to pin on Jessica as the murderer. It is up to Jessica Hewitt, her fiance Wilson Rye & all her friends in her apartment building to discover who the killer is. Never a dull moment with Jessica on the job. Her witty tongue & her clever quirky names, Jessica keeps us entertained through out the story. Toss in lots of quirky words & tongue twisters & we have another winner by Cindy Blackburn!
The Narrator Caroline Miller once again delivers to us another flawless comical adventure mystery with all the fun & excitement we know her for. Never a dull moment here. Kudos ladies for giving us yet another awesome winner!!!
February 17, 2014
Okay, I admit it. Every now and then, I like to take a break from hardcore mysteries and pick up a cozy. When I do, one of my favorite fixes is Cindy Blackburn's Cue Ball series. First off, the heroine is my age ... or nearly my age. (Let's just say she's on the shady side of 50.) She's a former pool shark, prone to occasional fits of near-crotchetiness. She talks to her cat. I mean, come on, you have got to like a woman like that!
You ask me—and your sort of are, if you're reading this review—Blackburn's wry humor is endlessly entertaining. Her series regulars are a hoot, especially the heroine's southern mama, who's genteel and only as ditzy as she wants to be, when she wants to be. The mysteries are honest and tightly woven. No red herrings here, sister.
Four Play, (a nifty play on words, as you'll discover when you read it) is no exception. It made me laugh out loud. It kept me guessing, mainly because it has more twists than a licorice stick. As a writer, I absolutely loved the scenes where Jessie Hewitt wrestles with her muse and loses badly. Who knew writer's block could be funny?
I had a good time reading this book, and I had a good time reading the three before it. I think you would have a good time reading them, too.
December 21, 2013
When I 1st discovered this series, I almost didn't read it. Now book 4, Foul Play, a cue ball mystery, caught my interest like the first 3 did. Jessie has finally become engaged to Wilson, but will not commit to a wedding date. Jessie would much rather concentrate on the newest book she is writing, A Singular Seduction, which has hit a wall.
Jessie agrees to loan her car, her precious Porsche, to young Frankie, to take his girl friend, Lizzie, out for the evening. But how does a well liked teacher end up dead, at the school, and on top of the Porsche? Of course Jessie will not keep her nose out of this murder. At the insistence of the girl's mother and the school superintendent Jessie begins to dig where she shouldn't.
With Jessie's nemesis, reporter Jimmy Beak and local coffee shop owner Alistar Pritt, staging a demonstration in front of her home, Jessie sets out to prove the innocence of Frankie and Lizzie and to help the police, whether they want it or not, solve the case.
If you're looking for a quick read this may be the series for you to pick up. Cindy Blackburn writes with humor and compassion, and just the right touch of the local pool hall thrown in.
Jessie agrees to loan her car, her precious Porsche, to young Frankie, to take his girl friend, Lizzie, out for the evening. But how does a well liked teacher end up dead, at the school, and on top of the Porsche? Of course Jessie will not keep her nose out of this murder. At the insistence of the girl's mother and the school superintendent Jessie begins to dig where she shouldn't.
With Jessie's nemesis, reporter Jimmy Beak and local coffee shop owner Alistar Pritt, staging a demonstration in front of her home, Jessie sets out to prove the innocence of Frankie and Lizzie and to help the police, whether they want it or not, solve the case.
If you're looking for a quick read this may be the series for you to pick up. Cindy Blackburn writes with humor and compassion, and just the right touch of the local pool hall thrown in.
August 8, 2016
After an adventurous Hawaiian vacation, Jessie and Wilson are home again, when a seemingly innocent offer, loaning her Porsche to a young man for the night leaves Jessie and Wilson up to their eyes in a murder investigation.
I loved Four Play. The fourth in the Cue Ball Mystery series, is a tight, laugh out loud funny murder/whodunnit that actually kept me guessing right to the end.
This series no signs of wear and tear and each novel gets better, more engaging and funnier. Perfect read for a daily commute, or curled up in front of the fire on a cold Winter Sunday afternoon.
If you haven't started this cosy mystery series yet, I recommend you do. My only complaint is Cindy Blackburn doesn't write as fast as I read.
I loved Four Play. The fourth in the Cue Ball Mystery series, is a tight, laugh out loud funny murder/whodunnit that actually kept me guessing right to the end.
This series no signs of wear and tear and each novel gets better, more engaging and funnier. Perfect read for a daily commute, or curled up in front of the fire on a cold Winter Sunday afternoon.
If you haven't started this cosy mystery series yet, I recommend you do. My only complaint is Cindy Blackburn doesn't write as fast as I read.
September 22, 2014
I love this series and can't wait for more books! This is a fun cozy mystery with a little humor and romance mixed in. I feel like I live in the same building as these characters. The author does a wonderful job with all of these characters, they all have their own personality and quirkiness. I love the humor that is mixed in with all of these mysteries. I'm not a fan of romance novels, but the little bit of romance mixed in works perfect with the story!
Caroline brings the characters to life!! She did another awesome job with the narration!!
I'm looking forward to more books in this series and more books narrated by Caroline!
Caroline brings the characters to life!! She did another awesome job with the narration!!
I'm looking forward to more books in this series and more books narrated by Caroline!
December 26, 2013
In "Four Play" by Cindy Blackburn, the main character, Jessie Hewitt, a "steamy" romance writer and pool shark finds herself in a slump. Not only is she unable to write a decent sex scene for her Adele Nightingale romance series, but she can't seem to win a game of pool either. She's been struggling in her love life too, avoiding setting a date for her wedding to Wilson Rye. Things start to heat up when the body of a woman is found on Jessie's car, immediately involving her in the search for a killer.
July 14, 2015
This one started a bit slow, but quickly got me interested and on the read for another can't put it down experience. I really enjoy this author's lighthearted look at romance along with her cleverly devised plots that really keep you guessing until the very end. But somehow, when it's all finished, all the pieces and clues are there to see, and no wweird how di she come up with that feeling. I really enjoy these books, and will hope for more in the series... since there are way more balls in a pool game than 4... I am ever hopeful that she will write more in this series!
September 30, 2016
What's happening in "Four Play"? Poor Jessie is having some trouble in her life. She's a writer that can't write, she's an engaged woman who can't say the word "wedding" or think about picking a date for it, she's bombarded with neighborhood picketers holding signs naming her as "The Queen of Smut", and someone's been murdered and the body was left on the roof of her Porsche at the local high school's Junior Prom. Otherwise, Jessie is as cool, calm, and collected as usual - not! Join Jessie and Wilson on another crazy ride. You're going to love it!
December 2, 2015
I loved this book
This is a great series. Jessie and her friends always have a great time trying to solve the mystery and finding the murderer. This book like the others in the series was very good at keeping me guessing as to who the guilty party was. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I borrowed this one from Amazon's lending library and will be getting number five as well. Don't miss this great series.
This is a great series. Jessie and her friends always have a great time trying to solve the mystery and finding the murderer. This book like the others in the series was very good at keeping me guessing as to who the guilty party was. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I borrowed this one from Amazon's lending library and will be getting number five as well. Don't miss this great series.
June 8, 2024
It’s been long enough since I first read these books, that I have managed to completely forget most of the details, so the mystery felt brand new all over again. And that meant that this one had a solution that I didn’t see coming. I adore Jessie and Wilson and all their quirky friends and family. I desperately need more from them, and I’m already feeling a little panicky knowing how few books are left that are currently available.
July 29, 2016
Loved this book number 4 in the series, Jessie and Wilson are now engaged and everyone is pressuring Jessie for a wedding day, as a result her pool game is down the drain. I love how this story progresses and the surprise at the end is wonderful!!!
Very well written and a great story line, highly recommend this book.
Very well written and a great story line, highly recommend this book.
February 17, 2014
The,latest in the series of murderers
The,latest in the series of murderers
I loved the idea of an older women who is starting over after her divorce. she meets new friends who help her out of each new adventure as the series continues.
I recommend starting with the first cue ball mystery so you can meet each of her group.
it is well worth the reading.
The,latest in the series of murderers
I loved the idea of an older women who is starting over after her divorce. she meets new friends who help her out of each new adventure as the series continues.
I recommend starting with the first cue ball mystery so you can meet each of her group.
it is well worth the reading.
May 28, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment in the CueBall Mystery series. It's truly a cozy way to spend an afternoon- interesting plot-fully-developed characters and the "extra" plus of the main character's career as a successful romance writer. This one does" wrap up" some loose ends from previous books. I'd recommend it.
February 16, 2016
Still quite enjoyable!
Although the characters are becoming overly familiar, and rarely surprise me anymore, these books are still quite entertaining! It's so much fun to revisit these people and see what they're up to now.
Although the characters are becoming overly familiar, and rarely surprise me anymore, these books are still quite entertaining! It's so much fun to revisit these people and see what they're up to now.
January 7, 2014
Book 4 of this series did not disappoint! These characters are wacky funny and makes 50 seem not to bad! Thank you for a fun, fast read that I enjoyed all the way through!
January 21, 2014
5 STARS
February 26, 2014
Just love this series.
Want to read
June 6, 2014Read a sample..moves along well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews