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Nina Bannister Mysteries #2
Set Change
The residents of sleepy little Bay St. Lucy are thrilled to learn that a world class production of Shakespeare's Hamlet is to be done in their town. They are shocked, on the other hand, to experience the leading actor's vicious personality.
Murder will out--and it takes all of Nina Bannister's sleuthing ability to put it back in again.
Murder will out--and it takes all of Nina Bannister's sleuthing ability to put it back in again.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 21, 2019
At first look, this seems to be a cozy mystery — a genre I'm not all that fond of. My reading tastes in fiction are pretty simplistic. I mean, I read Jack Reacher books for cryin' out loud. I'm not firing off too many brain cells while diving in.
However, Set Change is not a cozy. It's far more. It's an intelligent mystery with a lot of other things tossed in — humor, a sense of town, brilliant observations on things, well-paced writing, fun characters and a good story.
The book does start off a tad slowly in plot. However, after reading further, I understood why. It sets up the town for readers and there are some really fun observations - church seating, luncheons, sleepy tourist towns and a description of God that's worth the time of reading alone. Then, the plot picks up and moves well.
The downside, and this is just me, there are some references to Shakespeare that went over my head. I am ignorant of ol' Willie's work and some of the veiled quotes made by Nina et al, I just didn't get. Had I been an astute scholar of Shakespeare's stuff, I'm sure I'd even enjoy the book more. That said, the fact that an intelligent mystery with bonuses I didn't pick up held my interest entirely earns it the five-star.
I struggled with the rating, too. I was given the book by the authors (I know them from years ago) for a review. If I gave it a lower rating would I offend them? If I gave it a five-star, would it be patronizing? But I read on and gave it a true rating. Like I said, the book, which tends to be out of my genre of reading, held my interest entirely and I enjoyed reading it a lot. The 5-star is a true rating.
There are more in this series and I look forward to reading more. Fans of "cozies" and mysteries alike will love Nina and the quirky folks of the Mississippi Gulf coast town of Bay St. Lucy.
However, Set Change is not a cozy. It's far more. It's an intelligent mystery with a lot of other things tossed in — humor, a sense of town, brilliant observations on things, well-paced writing, fun characters and a good story.
The book does start off a tad slowly in plot. However, after reading further, I understood why. It sets up the town for readers and there are some really fun observations - church seating, luncheons, sleepy tourist towns and a description of God that's worth the time of reading alone. Then, the plot picks up and moves well.
The downside, and this is just me, there are some references to Shakespeare that went over my head. I am ignorant of ol' Willie's work and some of the veiled quotes made by Nina et al, I just didn't get. Had I been an astute scholar of Shakespeare's stuff, I'm sure I'd even enjoy the book more. That said, the fact that an intelligent mystery with bonuses I didn't pick up held my interest entirely earns it the five-star.
I struggled with the rating, too. I was given the book by the authors (I know them from years ago) for a review. If I gave it a lower rating would I offend them? If I gave it a five-star, would it be patronizing? But I read on and gave it a true rating. Like I said, the book, which tends to be out of my genre of reading, held my interest entirely and I enjoyed reading it a lot. The 5-star is a true rating.
There are more in this series and I look forward to reading more. Fans of "cozies" and mysteries alike will love Nina and the quirky folks of the Mississippi Gulf coast town of Bay St. Lucy.
November 13, 2014
Hey there Guys and Dolls,
Recently I made another visit to the fictional town of Bay St Lucy and found that one of my favorite amateur sleuths has another troubling case on her hands. Alas, poor Nina Bannister is not doing so well when she is witness to a deed most foul.
The unfolding of this tragedy begins with news that a much loved former resident and student of Nina’s is arriving in Bay St Lucy with her husband who is a famous actor to stage and film a production of Hamlet at the community’s new arts center. The morning after the triumphant performance the leading man(famous actor and husband)is found dead!
Who brought him to his death? Will Nina be able to solve this murder before there are too many twists of the plot? Will the wrong person go to prison? Will true love prevail? Bravo,bravo to the authors for the second act in their Nina Bannister mystery series. Yours truly can’t wait to read more!
Recently I made another visit to the fictional town of Bay St Lucy and found that one of my favorite amateur sleuths has another troubling case on her hands. Alas, poor Nina Bannister is not doing so well when she is witness to a deed most foul.
The unfolding of this tragedy begins with news that a much loved former resident and student of Nina’s is arriving in Bay St Lucy with her husband who is a famous actor to stage and film a production of Hamlet at the community’s new arts center. The morning after the triumphant performance the leading man(famous actor and husband)is found dead!
Who brought him to his death? Will Nina be able to solve this murder before there are too many twists of the plot? Will the wrong person go to prison? Will true love prevail? Bravo,bravo to the authors for the second act in their Nina Bannister mystery series. Yours truly can’t wait to read more!
September 22, 2020
T'Gracie and Joe Reese have Created a Great "Hamlet" Mystery!
I liked the Faulkner quotes. I liked Nina's inner musings, and how she feels about her surroundings and the people in Bay Saint Lucy, on Mississippi's Gulf Coast.
You get: Helen, a returning, young Stage Actress, who the Community loves; a production of "Hamlet", being put on by professional Actors, and recorded for PBS in Bay Saint Lucy; a severe Rain Storm from a Hurricane that hits Florida; and the Murder of Helen's Husband!
I Highly Recommend You Read this Great Mystery, "Set Change"! T'Gracie and Joe Reese will keep you guessing until the end! ♥️📖
I liked the Faulkner quotes. I liked Nina's inner musings, and how she feels about her surroundings and the people in Bay Saint Lucy, on Mississippi's Gulf Coast.
You get: Helen, a returning, young Stage Actress, who the Community loves; a production of "Hamlet", being put on by professional Actors, and recorded for PBS in Bay Saint Lucy; a severe Rain Storm from a Hurricane that hits Florida; and the Murder of Helen's Husband!
I Highly Recommend You Read this Great Mystery, "Set Change"! T'Gracie and Joe Reese will keep you guessing until the end! ♥️📖
June 12, 2017
Wonderful
I absolutely love the writing in this series, humorous, tender, reminiscent, exciting, and visual. All the characters draw you in as does the mystery. Do yourself a favor and visit Bay St. Lucy, Mississippi.
I absolutely love the writing in this series, humorous, tender, reminiscent, exciting, and visual. All the characters draw you in as does the mystery. Do yourself a favor and visit Bay St. Lucy, Mississippi.
January 17, 2018
Another great story!
Nina has many people who admire her. An English teacher who taught the whole town High School English has endeared her to them all! Her mind works differently, but she figures out the mystery!
Nina has many people who admire her. An English teacher who taught the whole town High School English has endeared her to them all! Her mind works differently, but she figures out the mystery!
September 12, 2018
If I could give this book half star, I would. I found the book, from the get-go to be silly and wishy-washy! Wayyyyyy to dramatic, and pathetic characters.
March 5, 2017
What an adorable murdered v cf grudgereturn to the cozy little town of Saint Lucy. An , mystery abounds and of course there are several suspects to choose from. It's is just seeing how the story plot unfolded and how the honey touch learned of her deception at the End of This Book going in the third book. Also sit back and see someone good either hurt, or incarcerated.
October 12, 2016
Better than a cozy!!!!
I recommend this book (and the series) to those who like cozy mysteries with a bit more meat. Nina Barrister is perfect in her role of retired English teacher and mastermind behind solving her small community's murders. The author's style is witty and charming.
I recommend this book (and the series) to those who like cozy mysteries with a bit more meat. Nina Barrister is perfect in her role of retired English teacher and mastermind behind solving her small community's murders. The author's style is witty and charming.
November 13, 2016
Kind of a slow start but an awesome finish! Did not see the ending coming at all.
I won this book for free on the Good reads giveaways.
I won this book for free on the Good reads giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews