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The Violet Carlyle Mysteries #44

Murder Overdue: A Violet Carlyle Cozy Historical Mystery

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Vi feels like she’s been pregnant for about 1,000 years. She’s decided it’s time to make a major change in her life. No more murders. No more mayhem. No more madness.

Except, then she meets a man and a woman, and if there was ever a pair of people who needed to be murdered it was them. Vi says so. Maybe more than once. Maybe to those who took note. Maybe, even, to a suspicious degree. So when one of them is killed, all eyes turn to the heavily pregnant Vi.

This time, Vi isn’t just investigating to right a wrong. She’s not fighting for justice. She’s saving her baby from being born in a jail cell and herself from being hanged before her child is walking. She takes up her swollen ankles, gathers round her wild friends, and the whole gang is going to find the killer, trap the killer, and then welcome a baby who really should have come already.

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2024

181 people are currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

Beth Byers

123 books277 followers

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5 stars
392 (57%)
4 stars
179 (26%)
3 stars
78 (11%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
108 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2024
Vi solved a murder while in labor

Must read if you are a fan of the Violet Carlyle Mystery Books. I can’t say more and spoil things so trust me and just read it.
52 reviews
February 18, 2024
not my favorite of this series.

First of all, the summary at the beginning was very misleading. To be fair, she was accused of the murder, but only at the very end and only for about 2 minutes!

The actual “mystery” was a bit weird. It only took up a small part of the book. The rest was about how miserable and mean Vi was and how she was making everyone else miserable.

The other characters didn’t seem a true representation of who they have been throughout the series…. sort of caricatures or shadows of how they have appeared previously.

Sorry, but this was not one of the best in this series. Hopefully, the next one will be.

I gave this a 3 instead of a 2 only because of how much I enjoy this series. But based on this book alone, it was a 2.
Profile Image for Candy Berg.
272 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2024
Everyone needs a group of friends like this group

I’ve read each of these books as they’ve been written. I’ve absolutely loved them. Although I wouldn’t want to live during those times, I’ve loved reading about the characters and how they live. The personality of each developing into deeper relationships is fun and so meaningful. The fun party’s they have, skating in ballrooms etc. all seem so innocent and yet a lot of fun. The stories all have a touch of humor as well as mystery and solving murders with the group as a whole. I look forward to more books. In this book I was happy that Vi and Jackson babies were born at long last. The family is exploding. There is plenty of room for expansion in this series.
Profile Image for Dallass.
2,246 reviews
February 18, 2024
Not a Violet Carlyle story!

I picked this up on KU eagerly wanting to find out how poor Violet is handling the late stages of her pregnancy while dealing with everything life throws her way. Instead I ended up with a Josephine West mystery! So while I did like Josephine’s story, I am very disappointed it was masquerading behind the cover of Violet’s book.

I’d give Josephine’s murder mystery 4 🌟, but because I assumed I would be continuing on with Violet’s tale, more like 1.5 🌟 . Hopefully this is rectified soon and I can edit this review 🤷🏻‍♀️

17 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2024
All of Violet Carlyle

I have read all of the Violet Carlyle mysteries ( so far). I couldn't put them down. I loved all the characters except LADY ELEANOR. Violet would frustrate me with her many anxieties but they were necessary for the character development. It felt like they all became good friends and I couldn't wait for the. Next adventure. Thank you Beth Byers for many hours enjoyment.

809 reviews
February 19, 2024
Only Vi

I adore this series. They are quick but the sense of family Vi and Victor have with their friends is fabulous, and the mysteries just click. Especially when the twins get involved. This particular novella is a culmination of Jack and Vi's relationship, and since they started with a murder is only appropriate Vi solves one while in labor.
Profile Image for Larry.
3,047 reviews17 followers
February 20, 2024
Excellent!

This was as good a story as any of the other 44 books, and all through a longer than normal pregnancy. For me the characters, both main and supporting are beloved. The plot is straight forward, and the premise is finding out who killed the brother in law of the two people, Violet met only the day before. I definitely recommend this book.
1 review
February 25, 2024
Vi Carlysle is my fav

If anyone can read this or any of these books, but not get caught up in it all, craving more, there is a medical exam needed! Addictive, intriguing, mysterious, cautious, ridiculous, over the top reading enjoyment! Not to be missed, but horribly missed if no further episodes!
141 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2024
Murder and Maternity

Violet Carlyle feels like she has been pregnant forever and her family and friends have gathered in support. But a chance meeting with two strangers leads to Vi being charged with murder. Can Violet and the group solve the crime while she is in labor? As Holmes would say, "Elementary my dear Watson."




26 reviews
April 4, 2024
I raced through this book

I enjoyed this one more than some because of Vi being pregnant and I could relate regarding the curious cravings and the general chaos back and forth 🙃
I didn't like how much more pushy Denny seemed in this one but he is the character he was meant to be.
Profile Image for tracia nelson.
11 reviews
March 2, 2024
Vi and babies

I have been reading these books since the first one . I love them. This one was great because Jack and Vi had their twins. I can't wait to see how it is going to be with their new twins .Can't wait till the next book



9 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2024
Thinker

Beth Byers never fails to provide wonderful stories. This one was no different. My friends and I call good mysteries "thinkers", Murder Overdue definitely qualifies. I heartily recommend brewing a cup of tea and curling up for a fun read.
59 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2025
Love this series

It's been a fun, wild ride with Violet and friends. This would make a nice TV series too. Very enjoyable. I'm off to read the series with John Smith and then with Denny. So many adventures
84 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2024
Babies arrive!

So glad the babies arrived with a side order of murder. As always loved the zany interaction of the family. Waiting for what comes next.
896 reviews7 followers
February 22, 2024
okay

Finally Violet is not pregnant. Very minor mystery, really did not have a big part of the story. Lots of pacing and complaining about pregnancy. Not my favorite
Profile Image for Beryl J Loomis.
25 reviews
February 28, 2024
Baby is coming

I love every Violet Carlyle mystery. I know her whole family. What a great mystery in the middle of Vi being tired of being pregnant!
6 reviews
February 29, 2024
Perfect

This was a perfect read. I laughed out loud. It was wonderful and I just had to finish in one sitting.
15 reviews
February 29, 2024
Another fabulous mystery

Another storyline to get into and cannot believe I'm on book 44. Have loved this series from the beginning and Beth does not disappoint.
Profile Image for Jill.
380 reviews1 follower
February 29, 2024
Short But Sweet

I don't care if this book was written to move things along. I like it. It is just the right story at the right time.
40 reviews
March 17, 2024
Delightful

A slow beginning for Vi, but as her mind raced so did the contractures. A fun and quick read. Welcome Rue & John.
Profile Image for Emily Gawlak.
121 reviews7 followers
April 15, 2025
I absolutely adore the Violet Carlyle series, along with the Smith Investigates and Denny Struggles Through. I highly recommend all of them, but I also suggest reading them in the order of their release, alternating between series. I chose to read one series at a time, but the stories would’ve flowed better if I had read them in chronological order. I devoured all the series within a few weeks of each other, and they are all equally captivating. It’s extraordinary how Beth Byers seamlessly connects the storylines between the series while maintaining original characters and introducing new ones.

The Violet Carlyle series and its spinoffs are absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys historical, cozy, and intriguing mysteries!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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