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Green Dory Inn #4
Deadly Burden
Obey the police and stay safe, or follow her heart and help unmask a killer?
Landon Smith solved the last murder by accident—and nearly became the next victim. When a shocking death strikes her close-knit circle, can this amateur sleuth discover who wanted the town busybody dead?
The dead woman knew too much about too many people. Was she silenced to protect a secret? Or because of one she wouldn’t tell? And how can a dyslexic trauma survivor find clues the professionals miss?
Landon can’t afford to be sidetracked by a vindictive guest at the inn or by unexpected family drama. Or by falling for the geeky writer next door—now that he’s over her. With a storm closing in and no leads in sight, Landon’s first Christmas at the Green Dory Inn is shaping up to be anything but merry and bright.
Mystery/suspense meets Christian women’s fiction with a chance of Christmas romance in Death at Christmas, book four in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series.
Landon Smith solved the last murder by accident—and nearly became the next victim. When a shocking death strikes her close-knit circle, can this amateur sleuth discover who wanted the town busybody dead?
The dead woman knew too much about too many people. Was she silenced to protect a secret? Or because of one she wouldn’t tell? And how can a dyslexic trauma survivor find clues the professionals miss?
Landon can’t afford to be sidetracked by a vindictive guest at the inn or by unexpected family drama. Or by falling for the geeky writer next door—now that he’s over her. With a storm closing in and no leads in sight, Landon’s first Christmas at the Green Dory Inn is shaping up to be anything but merry and bright.
Mystery/suspense meets Christian women’s fiction with a chance of Christmas romance in Death at Christmas, book four in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2023
About the author
Janet Sketchley
12 books81 followersJanet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer who likes her fiction with a splash of mystery or adventure and a dash of Christianity. Why leave faith out of our stories if it’s part of our lives? You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca.
Random facts: Janet's super-power is untangling yarn and Slinkies™; there are over 50 varieties of tea in her house; she's Canadian but she worked at the busiest McDonalds in London, England; she's taken basic fencing lessons; and she once rode an elephant.
Follow Janet on BookBub for sale alerts at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyBookBub or sign up for her author newsletter at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
Random facts: Janet's super-power is untangling yarn and Slinkies™; there are over 50 varieties of tea in her house; she's Canadian but she worked at the busiest McDonalds in London, England; she's taken basic fencing lessons; and she once rode an elephant.
Follow Janet on BookBub for sale alerts at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyBookBub or sign up for her author newsletter at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 30, 2023
It’s Christmas at the Green Dory Inn, but of course that doesn’t mean that Landon or Anna or their close friends will get through the holiday without some mystery finding them. And, sure enough, the drama starts right away at the town’s Christmas dinner and doesn’t ease up until the very end. Just like the other mysteries that Landon has helped solve in this series, the murder in Deadly Burden hits close to home and the end results may be surprising. My heart ached for the person it affected most, as well as for those whose even more deeply-held secrets come to light as a result of the investigation. But through it all, the character growth that the author orchestrates makes all the pain worth it in the end. Kinda like how God doesn’t waste a single thing that we go through but uses everything to make us more like Jesus.
Speaking of… I know I’ve said it in every review so far but I love the characters who have found a makeshift family at the Green Dory Inn. Anna, Landon, Bobby, Roy, Elva, Nigel, Dylan, Timkin, and Mister all have a special place in my heart that will keep me coming back for however many books the author wants to include in this series. I love their flaws, their strengths, their personalities… and the way they each bring something to the table that nobody else can.
And … could you hear me squealing in KissingBook-fan excitement??? THERE IS ROMANCE IN THIS BOOK!! Y’all know I love mysteries and suspense and I love them even more when there’s a little kissing in the mix too. You’ll have to read this book for yourself to see if any mistletoe is put to good use, but do know that I am quite contented with how things played out – and looking forward to see where the next book takes Landon and her new feelings.
Bottom Line: Deadly Burden by Janet Sketchley decks the halls with murder, forgiveness, secrets, and even a little romance. The engaging prose and smart plotting keeps readers entertained and invested from beginning to end, whether it be just this book or the series overall. In fact, you’ll appreciate the story arc best and avoid potential spoilers when you start with Unknown Enemy and continue in order. But however you read Deadly Burden, you’ll find yourself captivated by the characters and eager for whatever adventure they find themselves in next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Speaking of… I know I’ve said it in every review so far but I love the characters who have found a makeshift family at the Green Dory Inn. Anna, Landon, Bobby, Roy, Elva, Nigel, Dylan, Timkin, and Mister all have a special place in my heart that will keep me coming back for however many books the author wants to include in this series. I love their flaws, their strengths, their personalities… and the way they each bring something to the table that nobody else can.
And … could you hear me squealing in KissingBook-fan excitement??? THERE IS ROMANCE IN THIS BOOK!! Y’all know I love mysteries and suspense and I love them even more when there’s a little kissing in the mix too. You’ll have to read this book for yourself to see if any mistletoe is put to good use, but do know that I am quite contented with how things played out – and looking forward to see where the next book takes Landon and her new feelings.
Bottom Line: Deadly Burden by Janet Sketchley decks the halls with murder, forgiveness, secrets, and even a little romance. The engaging prose and smart plotting keeps readers entertained and invested from beginning to end, whether it be just this book or the series overall. In fact, you’ll appreciate the story arc best and avoid potential spoilers when you start with Unknown Enemy and continue in order. But however you read Deadly Burden, you’ll find yourself captivated by the characters and eager for whatever adventure they find themselves in next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
December 2, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Janet Sketchley's newest Green Dory Inn novel! As with the other novels in this series, Deadly Burden contains just the right mixture of Landon overcoming her difficult past through God's help, an intriguing mystery, quirky humor, and sweet budding romance. I highly recommend this book!
December 8, 2023
This was a really good book!! Landon and Bobby are trying to move on with their lives, and now another mystery comes to town. At first, they think it won't be much, but then a member of their community is murdered. Landon doesn't want to get involved, but then she's asked by someone else to please look into things, and even Dylan asks for her help. What Dylan doesn't know is Landon's doing more than he thinks she is. When something happens, Landon realizes exactly what she really feels for Bobby, but is sure she's too late and that he's moved on. Will she find out the truth about the murder, and also reveal to Bobby how she really feels, or will her fear let him walk away??
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
November 18, 2024
This is the first book I have read of Janet Sketchley's Green Dory Inn mystery series. It had lots of twists and drama. I found it helpful that she had a list of main characters and their relationship to each other at the beginning of the book. The subplots make me want to read other books in the series. As someone who has travelled to the Maritimes and remembers Lunenburg I found the "setting" interesting. It is a beautiful part of the country with lots of folklore which should give the author lots of ideas for future mysteries.
The subplots in the earlier books I think may explain the main characters background. Being a survivor of human trafficking and being dyslexic makes for a challenging main character.
This is the first mystery book I have read that reflects a Christian bias. It is well done.
I appreciated the links to human traffic at the back of the book. The references to Landon Smith's personal journey of recovery and faith are pivotal to the back story of this series. Glad her love life works out. It is a great book with teasers about other human interactions that have consequences.
The subplots in the earlier books I think may explain the main characters background. Being a survivor of human trafficking and being dyslexic makes for a challenging main character.
This is the first mystery book I have read that reflects a Christian bias. It is well done.
I appreciated the links to human traffic at the back of the book. The references to Landon Smith's personal journey of recovery and faith are pivotal to the back story of this series. Glad her love life works out. It is a great book with teasers about other human interactions that have consequences.
December 11, 2023
Who murdered the keeper of everybody's secrets that everybody stopped and visited the day of her demise? Should amateur sleuth Landon Smith take Police Detective Dylan Tremblay's advice to leave the case to the professionals, or should she grant a friend's request to discover who killed their eccentric neighbor's mother? Let me rephrase that last sentence - can she solve the murder while dealing with story-lines involving her family, friends, and neighbors that rival a soap opera?
"Deadly Burden," the fourth installment of Janet Sketchley's Green Dory Mysteries, is a perfect read for the extended Christmas season - that is, within 6 months either direction of Christmas. The stories keep getting better and better.
Some of the storylines of this novel (and the rest of the series) deal with disturbing topics, such as human trafficking. Other than that, I would say this novel is appropriate for teens as well as adults.
Of course, since it's part of a series, the question arises: should you start the series at the beginning, or can you read this book out of order without either feeling lost or spoiling a previous mystery? In this case, I would lean to the former. The name of one of the previous villains is identified, but more so it helps to get to know the characters and part of their backstory.
I absolutely loved this book, and am looking forward to the next books. Also, I trust I'm not spoiling too much to mention that I could see a spin-off mystery series with one of the characters from this tale.
I received a copy of this book for my unbiased review.
"Deadly Burden," the fourth installment of Janet Sketchley's Green Dory Mysteries, is a perfect read for the extended Christmas season - that is, within 6 months either direction of Christmas. The stories keep getting better and better.
Some of the storylines of this novel (and the rest of the series) deal with disturbing topics, such as human trafficking. Other than that, I would say this novel is appropriate for teens as well as adults.
Of course, since it's part of a series, the question arises: should you start the series at the beginning, or can you read this book out of order without either feeling lost or spoiling a previous mystery? In this case, I would lean to the former. The name of one of the previous villains is identified, but more so it helps to get to know the characters and part of their backstory.
I absolutely loved this book, and am looking forward to the next books. Also, I trust I'm not spoiling too much to mention that I could see a spin-off mystery series with one of the characters from this tale.
I received a copy of this book for my unbiased review.
December 17, 2023
Still needing a Christmas read? Consider Deadly Burden, Janet Sketchley’s latest cozy mystery.
Again amateur sleuth Landon Smith gets lured into detective action when Vi Foley, keeper of many of the townspeople’s darkest secrets, is found dead in her remote home.
Lunenburg’s fictional Green Dory Inn, Yuletide-decorated and fragrant with muffins, gingerbread, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea is the homey setting of this mystery which consumes Landon and her friends during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Sketchley’s storytelling style is taut and efficient. Her characters are originals—layered and complex. A helpful “Meet the Key Characters” list helps us keep all the players straight. The plot’s well-crafted “whodunit” aspect kept me guessing till the end. Many themes including healing from trauma, the need for forgiveness, faith in God, family relationships, and romantic love are woven into this captivating tale. A set of discussion questions, great for book club discussions, rounds out the offering.
Altogether a great read in the Green Dory Inn Mystery Series, whether you celebrate Christmas in December or July!
Again amateur sleuth Landon Smith gets lured into detective action when Vi Foley, keeper of many of the townspeople’s darkest secrets, is found dead in her remote home.
Lunenburg’s fictional Green Dory Inn, Yuletide-decorated and fragrant with muffins, gingerbread, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea is the homey setting of this mystery which consumes Landon and her friends during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Sketchley’s storytelling style is taut and efficient. Her characters are originals—layered and complex. A helpful “Meet the Key Characters” list helps us keep all the players straight. The plot’s well-crafted “whodunit” aspect kept me guessing till the end. Many themes including healing from trauma, the need for forgiveness, faith in God, family relationships, and romantic love are woven into this captivating tale. A set of discussion questions, great for book club discussions, rounds out the offering.
Altogether a great read in the Green Dory Inn Mystery Series, whether you celebrate Christmas in December or July!
January 12, 2024
As in previous Green Dory mysteries, main character Landon Smith deals with her own personal challenges from a gut-wrenching past, while being drawn into the latest murder investigation in her small town. Even as the police insist she not become involved for the sake of her safety, Landon has no choice but to help her friends.
Besides the recent murder and her secret sleuthing, Landon's estranged family contacts her, her best friend/not boyfriend pulls at her heartstrings, and Christmas is quickly approaching.
Author Janet Sketchley again draws us into a dramatic, fast-moving story filled with intrigue and suspense, and peopled with unusual characters from all walks of life. Sketchley maintains the pace of the mystery with her signature tightly written chapters, keeping us hoping for the best all the way to the end. I highly recommend this book for those who love mystery, strengthened by faith.
Besides the recent murder and her secret sleuthing, Landon's estranged family contacts her, her best friend/not boyfriend pulls at her heartstrings, and Christmas is quickly approaching.
Author Janet Sketchley again draws us into a dramatic, fast-moving story filled with intrigue and suspense, and peopled with unusual characters from all walks of life. Sketchley maintains the pace of the mystery with her signature tightly written chapters, keeping us hoping for the best all the way to the end. I highly recommend this book for those who love mystery, strengthened by faith.
December 10, 2023
this witty story is unpredictable and filled with interesting complex characters. Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem making this a real page turner and a must read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews