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Joshua Thornton Mystery #2
A Reunion to Die For
Five Star Mystery
391 pages, Hardcover
First published June 20, 2007
104 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Carr
53 books402 followersLauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 21, 2012
I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't for a few reasons. One, there were way too many characters. It was confusing and difficult to keep everyone straight. Two, it just never really picked up for me...there wasn't a peak to the story, no excitement, no danger...it was just kind of boring.
September 19, 2012
This is another book that I just gave up on. I was so excited to start it as it's set in my hometown, features my high school, etc. And I'd read Carr's first book featuring the same protagonist and liked it. But this one just fell short. I could not get interested. The characters seemed wooden to me and I had trouble keeping up with who was who. Too many other good books out there.
December 15, 2011
I had a hard time keeping track of what was really happening and who was who. I don't know my brain was set on shuffle or what.
September 10, 2023
This is the second book from the Joshua Thornton series. I have now read all four.
Lots of killings and lots of characters. It is tough to keep everyone straight. Carr always has a complex plot and this one is even more so with two separate stories that you keep thinking will be connected but you find out they really aren't.
The ending is a bit far-fetched too. Attorney malpractice raises its ugly head. It is difficult to believe that would happen to someone who has consistently practiced criminal law but it saves Joshua.
I do enjoy the character of Joshua Thornton. Recently widowed he moves back to his hometown in West Virginia with his five kids. He then becomes the county prosecutor. Add to the story the fact that he is a ladies' man with most women fighting for a chance to hook up with Joshua.
The story revolves around the death of a high school girl who was killed in her cheerleading uniform. This exact same fact situation happened when Joshua and crew were Seniors in high school and Tricia died in what was ruled as a suicide. Joshua has his doubts and opens up this case. He thinks it might even be connected with the most recent killing.
Read this book in big chunks and you will be entertained as always by Ms. Carr. She tells a good story.
Lots of killings and lots of characters. It is tough to keep everyone straight. Carr always has a complex plot and this one is even more so with two separate stories that you keep thinking will be connected but you find out they really aren't.
The ending is a bit far-fetched too. Attorney malpractice raises its ugly head. It is difficult to believe that would happen to someone who has consistently practiced criminal law but it saves Joshua.
I do enjoy the character of Joshua Thornton. Recently widowed he moves back to his hometown in West Virginia with his five kids. He then becomes the county prosecutor. Add to the story the fact that he is a ladies' man with most women fighting for a chance to hook up with Joshua.
The story revolves around the death of a high school girl who was killed in her cheerleading uniform. This exact same fact situation happened when Joshua and crew were Seniors in high school and Tricia died in what was ruled as a suicide. Joshua has his doubts and opens up this case. He thinks it might even be connected with the most recent killing.
Read this book in big chunks and you will be entertained as always by Ms. Carr. She tells a good story.
February 23, 2022
To sum up the story: every one kills everyone or at least wants to. I didn't enjoy it. The blurb on the book sounded so great but it was way too convoluted for me to enjoy.
December 27, 2012
A Reunion to Die For: A Joshua Thornton Mystery by Lauren Carr
4 STARS
I admit I have enjoyed lauren's murder mysteries. They are complicated,lots of murder suspects that keep you guessing on who did what murders and why. I usually am able to figure out part but not all the answers. The characters are a mixed bag. Some you love,some you love to hate and hope they are the guilty party.
This is the second Joshua Thornton mystery book. I do like the newer one better but this one kept me reading to find out all the answers.
Joshua is the new proscuter for the county. He is a widower with 5 kids and one dog. He has moved his family back to his hometown. His cousin Tad is a dr. and medical examiner. They are good friends and work close together on some cases.
Joshua has a lot of ladies chasing him some from high school, some are even lawyers.
He does not understand it.
A cheerleader is shot to death after practice. His son chases down the killer but he doesn't catch him.
A new detective is hired and put in charge of the other detectives. Joshua is not impressed with him at all. He even checks him out. Sean jumps to conclusions without asking all the questions than trys to make his case fit.
He tries to arrest Joshua for murder of an old friend who he slept with once back in high school. Gail has been stocking him and he did not even know it.
Joshua opens a old case that had another high school cheerleader he was friends back in the day with. It was ruled a sucide even when the evidence proves it was not. Beside the fact thier was no gun left at the scene.
The story takes twists and turns all over the place till everything is revealed. I like Joshua and hope to read more books with him as the main character in the future.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review by Lauren.
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 26, 2011) 334 pages
ISBN-10: 146106242X
4 STARS
I admit I have enjoyed lauren's murder mysteries. They are complicated,lots of murder suspects that keep you guessing on who did what murders and why. I usually am able to figure out part but not all the answers. The characters are a mixed bag. Some you love,some you love to hate and hope they are the guilty party.
This is the second Joshua Thornton mystery book. I do like the newer one better but this one kept me reading to find out all the answers.
Joshua is the new proscuter for the county. He is a widower with 5 kids and one dog. He has moved his family back to his hometown. His cousin Tad is a dr. and medical examiner. They are good friends and work close together on some cases.
Joshua has a lot of ladies chasing him some from high school, some are even lawyers.
He does not understand it.
A cheerleader is shot to death after practice. His son chases down the killer but he doesn't catch him.
A new detective is hired and put in charge of the other detectives. Joshua is not impressed with him at all. He even checks him out. Sean jumps to conclusions without asking all the questions than trys to make his case fit.
He tries to arrest Joshua for murder of an old friend who he slept with once back in high school. Gail has been stocking him and he did not even know it.
Joshua opens a old case that had another high school cheerleader he was friends back in the day with. It was ruled a sucide even when the evidence proves it was not. Beside the fact thier was no gun left at the scene.
The story takes twists and turns all over the place till everything is revealed. I like Joshua and hope to read more books with him as the main character in the future.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review by Lauren.
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 26, 2011) 334 pages
ISBN-10: 146106242X
July 22, 2014
Full of misogyny I had a hard time believing this book was written by a woman. A female character dresses plainly and is focused on her career.. our hero wonders if she is a lesbian. A girl from his past who admits to liking sex is described as promiscuous .. our hero merely raises an eyebrow when he sees his male cousin's latest in a long, long string of women.
There are many references to women characters being fat, with breasts like overfilled bags of water (not a completely accurate quote but trust me it's in there) having fat midriffs, fat backs, or wearing too much make-up. Generally all of the above. Golly gosh and they like to drink and smoke as well. Still they all seem to be either divorced, mentally unstable, or murderers.
Our widower, a clean-cut hero who led his school football team to victory following his instituting team prayers, enjoys a home cooked family meal with his 5 kids once a week.. made by his teenage daughter.
Still, she writes a sympathetic character or two in the book. The dogs..
There are many references to women characters being fat, with breasts like overfilled bags of water (not a completely accurate quote but trust me it's in there) having fat midriffs, fat backs, or wearing too much make-up. Generally all of the above. Golly gosh and they like to drink and smoke as well. Still they all seem to be either divorced, mentally unstable, or murderers.
Our widower, a clean-cut hero who led his school football team to victory following his instituting team prayers, enjoys a home cooked family meal with his 5 kids once a week.. made by his teenage daughter.
Still, she writes a sympathetic character or two in the book. The dogs..
August 28, 2016
High school cheerleader Tricia Wheeler didn’t make it to her graduation because a bullet went through her heart and killed her.
Twenty years later, a journalist is investigating Tricia’s supposed suicide for a book. Suddenly, a second cheerleader is dead and the body count in the small West Virginia town continues to rise.
For Joshua Thornton, the case is personal. The reopening of the Wheeler case stirs up memories and feelings for a girl who died without knowing his true feelings for her. Now, the newly-elected prosecutor is challenged to use everything he’s got to find out what had really happened to Tricia and stop the killing.
This was such a great book. First time i have read this author, but it won't be the last. The characters (although there are many) are each individualized so that they are memorable. The plot(s) are great, and just when you think you have the story figured out, it changes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great who done it. 5 stars.
Twenty years later, a journalist is investigating Tricia’s supposed suicide for a book. Suddenly, a second cheerleader is dead and the body count in the small West Virginia town continues to rise.
For Joshua Thornton, the case is personal. The reopening of the Wheeler case stirs up memories and feelings for a girl who died without knowing his true feelings for her. Now, the newly-elected prosecutor is challenged to use everything he’s got to find out what had really happened to Tricia and stop the killing.
This was such a great book. First time i have read this author, but it won't be the last. The characters (although there are many) are each individualized so that they are memorable. The plot(s) are great, and just when you think you have the story figured out, it changes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great who done it. 5 stars.
July 25, 2014
READING MS. CARR'S BOOKS IS LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE, EVERY WORD JUSY FLOWS INTO VISUAL PICTURES. I LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS HUMAN AND ANIMALS IN HER BOOKS. OLD MURDERS AND NEW MURDERS, ARE THEY ALL CONNECTED? THIS IS JOSUHA THORNTON'S QUESTIONS AS THE PLOT CONTINUES TO THICKEN. AS I READ THIS EVERY TIME I THOUGTH I HAD IT FIQURED OUT, ANOTHER DEAD BODY TURNED UP, ALL MY THEORIES BLOWN-TA-HELL. I LOVE JOSUHA HE IS A REAL CHICK MAGNET, EVEN THOUGH HE IS A WIDOWER WITH FIVE KIDS TO RAISE. HE HAS WOMEN DYING TO BE WITH HIM AND POOR JOSUHA IS CLUELESS MOST OF THE TIME, TO BUSY TRYING TO SOLVE ALL THESE MURDERS. I LOVE READING ABOUT LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN BUT I WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE IN CHESTER WEST VIRGINIA, NO-SIREE. THAT LITTLE TOWN IS LIKE MURDER CAPITAL USA, I'LL STICK TO READING 'BOUT IT. ;D
August 17, 2009
I didn't like this book as much as Carr's other novels. There were so many murders you couldn't even keep track of them all: two cheerleaders, a gang guy, a boyfriend, a drunk, the landlady, an author, a brother, an attorney, two suspects, and I am sure I have forgotten someone. The other part I didn't like was the fact that Joshua Thorton was interviewing all of these old classmates, who graduated 20 years ago, to get information about all the victims. I have only been out of high school for 9 years and I couldn't recall any of the kinds of details they recalled in this book. It was a little outlandish I thought.
July 12, 2014
Joshua Thornton has not a clue about woman, the golden boy of high school and now the prosecuting attorney he still doesn't get it.Cheerleader Tricia Wheeler died twenty one years ago, listed as a suicide no one thought to question it. Until Cheerleader Grace Henderson is killed twenty one years later with the same gun. This small sleepy town in West Virginia has hired killers, secrets, blackmail, lies, murders and suicide. Joshua Thornton is the best at bringing justice but clueless when it comes to woman. It's an old fashioned mystery, a who dun it that makes you laugh at times, shake your head at times and cheer when Joshua Thornton gets the killers and expose the truth.
October 19, 2014
Josh Thornton Book 2
High school cheerleader Tricia Wheeler didn’t make it to her graduation because a bullet went through her heart and killed her.
Twenty years later, a journalist is investigating Tricia’s supposed suicide for a book. Suddenly, a second cheerleader is dead and the body count in the small West Virginia town continues to rise.
For Joshua Thornton, the case is personal. The reopening of the Wheeler case stirs up memories and feelings for a girl who died without knowing his true feelings for her. Now, the newly-elected prosecutor is challenged to use everything he’s got to find out what had really happened to Tricia and stop the killing.
High school cheerleader Tricia Wheeler didn’t make it to her graduation because a bullet went through her heart and killed her.
Twenty years later, a journalist is investigating Tricia’s supposed suicide for a book. Suddenly, a second cheerleader is dead and the body count in the small West Virginia town continues to rise.
For Joshua Thornton, the case is personal. The reopening of the Wheeler case stirs up memories and feelings for a girl who died without knowing his true feelings for her. Now, the newly-elected prosecutor is challenged to use everything he’s got to find out what had really happened to Tricia and stop the killing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2015
A very well done police procedural with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot. Carr has set these novels where three States are closely cojoined, and uses that fact effectively in her narrative. In this story, the principal villain is identified almost at the beginning, but the suspense was when, indeed if, justice would be served. Thornton has to investigate several crimes, some of which seem superficially related. His efforts to pull the threads into a pattern are not assisted by the detective assigned to the cases. The resolution is quite satisfying.
September 23, 2015
A Reunion to Die For
Joshua Thornton finds himself looking into how a friend from the pass really die after a student from his children's school is murdered who also was a cheerleader. Along the way he becomes a murder suspect when another person from his pass is murdered.
Joshua Thornton finds himself looking into how a friend from the pass really die after a student from his children's school is murdered who also was a cheerleader. Along the way he becomes a murder suspect when another person from his pass is murdered.
December 31, 2024
One of Carr’s early novels and her trademark humor is not as prevalent but the trademark twists and turns in the mystery are spot on. Red herrings, multiple murders and dealing with life are tumbled together for a great read.
January 3, 2014
love Joshua Thornton better than Mac farraday. eagerly awaiting me. Carr's next book.
April 14, 2015
Page turner.
Again, a great book. Filled with suspense,mystery and a hint of romance. A definite page turner. On to the next one.
Again, a great book. Filled with suspense,mystery and a hint of romance. A definite page turner. On to the next one.
July 19, 2015
A Reunion to Die For
There were so many twists and turns to negotiate that I had to keep reading to get what was going on.
There were so many twists and turns to negotiate that I had to keep reading to get what was going on.
February 8, 2016
Great story
Years ago, a cheerleader was declared a suicide. Now Joshua has more deaths. Are they related? Was the suicide connected?
Years ago, a cheerleader was declared a suicide. Now Joshua has more deaths. Are they related? Was the suicide connected?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews