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Haggerty Mystery #8

by Betsy Brannon Green

Book by Green, Betsy Brannon

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Lds, Romance, Mystery Thriller, Adult

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

"WELCOME!!!!!

If you're not familiar with my books, I write mystery-suspense novels. I am LDS (Mormon) and so are some of my characters, but I have loyal readers from many different faiths. My goal is to engage the reader in my books. I want to make them laugh and cry and worry and dread the end.

Most of my books are set in the fictional town of Haggerty, Georgia - which is loosely based on my grandparents' hometown of Headland, Alabama (the most wonderful place on earth). Each book has an ample supply of romance, suspense, Southern hospitality and even recipies!"

by Betsy Brannon Green on http://www.betsybrannongreen.net/

Reviews

[Linda Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, easy read with well drawn lively & affectionate Southern characters, intriguing mystery plot with a "Miss Marple" flare and equally engaging subplot. There is also a tastefully handled romance. I listened to the audio version which is exceptionally well done. I've added an extra star for no vulgar language, and no gratuitous sex.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all of the series I liked well enough to finish, I think this series was my least favorite. This book was a little different because Mark and Kate were only in it for the last two or three pages, and the FBI was only mentioned on the periphery. The book flashed between mostly 2 (although at the beginning 3) story lines, and I didn't really fully engage in either one. The Miss Eugenia story line felt almost Golden-Girls-ish (without the gratuitous sex), and in the other story line, I sometimes liked Lettie and sometimes I didn't. The situation with Alexa and the prescription drugs seemed to resolve itself way to easily at the end of the book. I would also have liked a much more complete resolution for the Charlotte situation.

Overall, the series wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. As I said, I liked it well enough to finish the series (although there is a Christmas one I still need to read in December), but I am not regretful that it is over.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good mystery and I love that I feel I know these characters from her other books. This one really had two different stories going on at once during the same weekend. so it was good to jump back and forth. She did a great job cutting the one story off and going to the next one seamlessly.
I felt that the one story was predictable what would happen...almost. There was a twist but I had it figured out. That could be bc I know her stories and look for what she could do to add a twist too. I think thats why I like her boks so much.

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it another star if this book had more of the fiery and funny Miss Eugenia. I became increasingly irritated by Letty's whiny self and was relieved whenever the story line centered on other characters!

[Angelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like her writing. She's not the best but she definitely keeps the interest going. Clean LDS author. Sometimes you just want some nice, clean and easy to read and she delivers. It seems like a cozy mystery to me except that I haven't read any.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unique people in Haggerty have become my friends.
I have been transported to Georgia.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

She writes much better local stories than international. I liked the intrigue on this one. It was good.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like the narrator

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is a favorite. I love the ladies from Haggerty.

[Annie Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the people of Haggerty! I'll be sad when this series is over.

[Angieluila Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting... not my favorite.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The narrator was annoying.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my second favorite book in the series. It is well written, interesting, and continually moves forward and pulls you in.
And did I mention funny and cute? (As evidenced below)

"Now that's what I call a truce."

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a simple read that worked since I was on vacation at the time and didn't want anything too heavy. However the characters in my opinion didn't have much depth. The story was somewhat predictable as well. Not my favorite mystery. Good recipes at the back though!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for our book group this month, and it was fun to read suspenseful adult fiction for a change. I don't know if I would have ever picked it up if it hadn't been recommended to me. This book is #8 of the Haggerty Mystery series. It wasn't crucial to have read the previous installments to appreciate this book, I was told. However, I went back and read the first book of the series, and now I understand the characters better.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely the worst of the Haggerty series, which has been a disappointment after the great potential of Hearts in Hiding. This book deals with everything from a woman jilted almost at the altar to hostage-taking, murders, and other deaths with a lightness of tone that just doesn't work or seem appropriate to the subjects. A murderer is presented as a sympathetic character (and his pathology explained away as the result of an abusive childhood, as though that were an excuse for premeditated murders, other murders, kidnapping, attempted murder, and felony escape). Most puzzling is a plot hole where a couple has hiked two miles in the snow and are in a tearing hurry to follow other members of their party who are possibly lost in a wintry national forest. They don't have time to go into a lodge where there's firewood already collected and perhaps some food supplies in order to get warm before they continue their search--so instead they use their limited supplies to build a fire and eat emergency rations in a clearing in front of the lodge, which would take at least as much time as going into the lodge and using the resources there! Huh? And people in this book are disabled by hypothermia one moment and inexplicably able to function (when they should be hospitalized, or at least thoroughly checked out) the next. I almost quit this one about half way through; I wish I had.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book in which the lives of a few ladies from the same town encounter dangerous circumstances about the same time but separate of each other. I found it different from most books in that the lives of the two groups of women did not connect, but for a common character who was not the main character. Basically, it's two stories in one. However, they were both intriguing stories.

Lettie is a bride to be when her wedding is unexpectedly called off. She must face her former fiancé five years later, unbeknownst to her.

Eugenia is an elderly lady suspicious of the new, younger, hipper looking Events Planner for the Senior Center. Her friend, Whit, may be in some serious trouble if he gets wrapped up with Miss Charlotte.

Both stories end up with happy endings. A little too easily, I felt. The characters are likable and the events they find themselves in are probable. I enjoyed the book but probably won't ever read it again.

[Shawngela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is enjoyable, not as captivating as some I have recently read, but it is still a good book. I do like how the author put the recipes that the characters make in the back of the book. That brings the story to life. I might try to make one of her recipes sometime. I also enjoy the fact that the characters in the book are LDS. That always hits home to me because I can relate more to them. Overall, a fun read with a cute Southern charm.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was originally excited to read this book, but it was kind of disappointing. There were two totally separate plot lines that didn't seem to have much to do with each other. In a couple places I felt like she was trying to "trick" the reader, and I really don't like that. It won't stop me from reading other books, as I love most of the characters she's created. But this isn't really one I can recommend.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been nearly a week since I finished this and I can't remember what goodreads rating I'd decided on but I do remember thinking that this was the best book of the series and I think I rated book 7 as a 4 because it was better than book 6, etc. I hope there is a book 9. This is the quick, diversionary reading that I like to take along when I'm sitting through swimming meets, waiting at doctor's appointments, etc.

[Anna Lisby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. I always tease Ryan when he says movies aren't realistic because they are movies - not meant to be like real-life in many instances. I had to keep reminding myself the same thing with this book. It is fiction and therefore I shouldn't be so skeptical when things seem unrealistic. Fun characters though and entertaining reading.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fluff book of young love with a couple of twists of mystery. It was a nice book to listen to back and forth to work - not much to think about just enjoy the ins and outs of people in varying stages of their relationships. I have read some of the other books by this author and I enjoyed hearing about some of the characters that were in her other books.

[Breeana Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I read it fairly quickly (which I only ever do if I'm into the book) and often laughed throughout the whole thing.

I gave it 3 stars only because I felt like there was a lot of repetition with characters explaining the situation to other characters so you'd read the same thing sometimes several times.

However, I still found it entertaining, and a good read!

[Rheanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes LDS authors can get a little cheesy, which when I'm in the mood for is definitely okay with me! I really enjoyed the suspense of what was going to happen next. The only other Betsy Brannon Green I've read is the 1st Haggerty book, "Hearts in Hiding". I enjoyed getting lost in the story.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mystery about 4 former high school friends vacationing in a mountain lodge 5 years after graduation. Each had different life experiences in those 5 years.
What happened with their friendship and what happened up at the lodge is the mystery.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters' perceptions is what makes up this story. Miss Eugenia's good intentions are hilarious as always. Lettie, Mary Margaret, Beth, and Alexa's reunion resolves issues and makes them stronger in the end.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Betsy Brannon Green's books. They are a fun retreat from real life and aren't your standard overbearing, LDS novel. I love the mystery factor in then and I especially love those cute little Haggerty ladies who often make appearances in the books. :)

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Betsy Brannon Green is a terrific suspense novelist. This is my second book by her and I was a bit disappointed. It was a quick read but not nearly as believable and gripping as the first book I read.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Betsy Brannon Green whipped out another fast paced, fantastic read! I love the introduction of new characters, this time with Gray and Lettie. Their background was really interesting, and, as usual, this book kept me awake well past bed time. Loved it!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

was a fun read. I loved the small town feel and all the seniors. It was pretty predicatable though.