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Plain Jane Mystery #3

Bright New Murder

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Homeless preschoolers, angry protesters, frozen yogurt, and murder.

Jane Adler is keen to try on her detective hat, and the dead lady at the Christmas fundraiser is her perfect shot.

Timing is everything and this murder was timed perfectly to destroy her best friend Jake's growing Fro-Yo business. He's a great friend--just a friend, honest-- and she owes him a favor or two.

But discovering who would want to kill the town’s favorite preschool teacher is messy business, and Jane doesn't have a moment to waste!

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2013

76 people are currently reading
155 people want to read

About the author

Traci Tyne Hilton

33 books137 followers
Traci Tyne Hilton is the author of The Plain Jane Mysteries, The Mitzy Neuhaus Mysteries and the Tillgiven Romantic Mysteries. When not writing she has been known to knit socks, play the spoons, and teach Sunday School, though these days she is most often seen in her role as taxi-driver to busy children.

She has been indie publishing since 2010, and though she's had offers from small and large presses, she hasn't gone hybrid yet. She was the Mystery/Suspense Category winner for the 2012 Christian Writers of the West Phoenix Rattler Contest, a finalist for Speculative Fiction in the same contest, and has a Drammy from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild. She blogs at TheWriteConversation.blogspot.com.

Traci is an active member of the ACFW, who was lucky enough to teach a continuing ed class on indie publishing at the 2015 conference in Dallas. She also serves on the board of her local chapter.

Traci attended Fackelbararnas Bibelskola in Holsby Brunn, Sweden, and earned a degree in History from Portland State University. She lives in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with her husband the mandolin playing funeral director, two busy teens, and their dogs, Dr. Watson and Archie Goodwin. (Her family just admonished her not to forget the cat!)

You can join the Good Clean Book club at http://www.tracihilton.com and be the first to find out when her next book releases.

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5 stars
113 (40%)
4 stars
88 (31%)
3 stars
56 (20%)
2 stars
16 (5%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Darinda.
9,179 reviews157 followers
February 24, 2018
Jane is working at a fundraiser event to help her friends Gemma and Jake. During the event, a woman is killed. Jane has recently decided she wants to be a private detective, so she inserts herself in the case and starts asking questions of those who knew the victim.

The third book in the Plain Jane Mystery series. I didn't enjoy the mystery in this one as much as the others I have read. Jane relied almost entirely on her feelings, and had no real evidence to back anything up. I enjoyed that she was interested in pursuing a new career path, but she seemed way too naive.

Jane's romantic life changed in this one too. In the previous book, we learned her boyfriend Isaac wasn't exactly considering her dreams in planning their future, so it was no surprise that Jane decided to end things with him at the beginning of this one. As she dealt with her breakup and solving a murder mystery, Jake was there to support and console her... and ready to be her next beau.
514 reviews3 followers
November 12, 2017
This series has been going down since the first book.

Jane has a tough time with lying. She tries, for the investigation's sake, but she can't do it, because lying is wrong. However, Jane is able to hug, kiss and "wrap her legs around the waist" of a man who may or may not become her husband, even though she considers it improper behavior. In book one, I was led to believe that Jake was a rich brat, trying to get women into his bed. Jane fell for Isaac, and planned to marry him. Now, when he did not support her missionary or detective dreams, she dumped him, and jumped right over to Jake. It was too fast, making Jane seem like a loose woman, and very self-centered.

Perhaps her flaws make her seem more human, but I don't relate well to Jane. I feel disappointed in her. I don't want to read any more books in this series.
Profile Image for Megan.
485 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2016
I was Team Jake before I even knew there would be Teams in this series. Loved him from the beginning. However, I'm not super thrilled about how everything went down with Isaac. It just seemed kind of lame to me. And I wanted a little more between Jane and Jake. I just feel like there was something missing. I also feel like there was something missing from the murder mystery part of the book Still pumped about where this is going though. Like I said: I love Jake. {Gemma...not so much yet.}
305 reviews
December 10, 2017
Another fun one...

I've read this series before and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has a new book out so I thought I'd read through the series again and it is well worth the effort. This book marks a pivotal point in Jane's relationships and is probably my favorite. Well worth the second read.
157 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2023
I liked this mystery a lot. I did not like that detective on the police force.
What a jerk not giving Jane the credit for solving the case.I did like the way Jake and Jane making a great team solving the case as they did. This mystery had a lot of twists and turns,which made all the more intriguing to read. Hope to see more of Jake and Jane in the next mystery book #4.
Debra H.
Profile Image for Carol Brannon.
176 reviews12 followers
February 20, 2024
Cute

I love Jane! She strives to do the best at her cleaning job and it keep God first!
What started as an event to raise money for children turns into a murder mystery. Jane's best friend Jake convinces her this is the case she needs to help her with her criminal justice degree as practice makes perfect!
106 reviews
January 15, 2018
Okay, but not special.

A fairly good book with interesting characters. But it definitely lacks that extra something that turns a story from interesting to compelling. It was too easy to set aside.
716 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2020
This is a sweet and cleverly written story.

Poor Jane has her problems, among them, a murder to solve and a jealous roommate. She always has more questions than answers. Well done, enjoyable story.
113 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2020
This is a great book and I love the way the characters are developing and finding what they want and need. They are all very believable and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them and trying to spot the clues to whodunnit!
Profile Image for Christie Miller.
32 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2015
I really loved this book. This is by far the best of the books so far (I've read the four that are currently out). The character development was excellent. The characters are so well written I felt the same amount of chemistry among them as I do with a good film. I was happy with the mystery. Jane was able to stretch her investigative skills beyond the cleaning/spying thing. I didn't figure out whodunnit, but it wasn't out of left field either. The real star in this one is Jane's personal life though. I really didn't know which way things were going to go, but it was very satisfying. Definitely a fun read.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,559 reviews4 followers
May 19, 2014
"Bright New Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton is another five star novel, the third book in the (plain Jane Mysteries Series).

In "Bright New Murder" Jane has broken up with her boyfriend and is helping her longtime friend Jake (whose parents were the ones that was killed in book one,) host a fundraiser to raise funds for homeless kids and a lady is killed!

So once again Jane is on the hunt to find the murder.
35 reviews
August 5, 2015
Great read

Sometimes things are too neatly done, too predictable, that is not the case here. Everything got turned around then flowed into a different direction. One can't help but like Jane and Jake, and not root for them.
I look forward to more stories and how they put God into their lives and the mysteries they solve.
Profile Image for Sierra.
42 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2014
Another great hit!

I loved this book just as I did the ones previous. highly recommend this book! I love seeing the characters develop and the relationships bloom..can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,238 reviews78 followers
November 8, 2014
This series just gets better and better! Jane is much more level headed and really solving cases now. Jake has redeemed himself much and Isaac is buh-bye! Yay! Loved this book and read it in one day! Couldn't put it down.
120 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2015
Good story, okay read.

The story was developed enough to keep the reader turning the page. Not sure how to feel about losing a previous main character. I will now make my move to the next book, in the Plain Jane Mystery Series.
Profile Image for Kristin.
1 review
January 16, 2014
Loved it

I really enjoyed the book. I didn't want it to end. Will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
18 reviews
April 25, 2016
Enjoyed, surprised a little but on to book #4

I guess I will have to continue to see if she will be a missionary or detective. Also if love life will change again.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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