What do you think?
Rate this book
A Kay Driscoll Mystery #1
The Ginseng Conspiracy
On her way to attend a Halloween Ball, Kay Driscoll, a newcomer to town, witnesses the murder of a local professor. When the official coroner's report rules the cause of death to be accidental and the community accepts the judgement, Kay decides to uncover the truth for herself. Through her personal investigations, Kay exposes a complex conspiracy, woven deep within the thriving local ginseng industry, that involves some of the more prominent figures and families of Sudbury Falls.
With her new friends, the free-spirited herbalist Deirdre and the untamed modern woman Elizabeth, Kay discusses new clues over tea and pastries at Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, their crime-fighting headquarters. As Kay gets closer to the heart of the conspiracy, additional murders happen in quick succession. Before long, Kay learns that the villains are gunning for her, too. Phil, her musically talented but preoccupied husband, determined to keep her safe, withholds from her the one thing she needs the truth.
With her new friends, the free-spirited herbalist Deirdre and the untamed modern woman Elizabeth, Kay discusses new clues over tea and pastries at Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, their crime-fighting headquarters. As Kay gets closer to the heart of the conspiracy, additional murders happen in quick succession. Before long, Kay learns that the villains are gunning for her, too. Phil, her musically talented but preoccupied husband, determined to keep her safe, withholds from her the one thing she needs the truth.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
7 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Susan Bernhardt
9 books87 followersAuthor of The Ginseng Conspiracy
I'm an author living in northern Wisconsin. Like Kay Driscoll, in my cozy mystery series, I'm a retired public health nurse who volunteers at her local free clinic. An avid reader of mysteries, I'm a member of Sisters in Crime, Inc. and the Wisconsin Writers Association.
My published works include: The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 1), Murder Under the Tree (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 2), Murder by Fireworks (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 3), Paradise Can Be Murder (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 4), Murder Misunderstood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 5), The Neighborhood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 6), Repercussions (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 7), A Manhattan Murder Mystery (An Irina Curtius Mystery), Dress to Kill (An Irina Curtius Mystery Book 2) "October 31st", "Midsummer", and "John and Madeline."
My town in northern Wisconsin was an inspiration for the quaint setting of my novels. Ninety-five percent of American ginseng is grown in Wisconsin. I live with my husband, William, and have two sons who are both married and also live in Wisconsin.
When not writing, I love to travel, bicycle, kayak, and create culinary magic in my kitchen. I work in stained glass, daydream in my organic garden, stay up late reading mysteries, and eat lots of chocolate.
I'm an author living in northern Wisconsin. Like Kay Driscoll, in my cozy mystery series, I'm a retired public health nurse who volunteers at her local free clinic. An avid reader of mysteries, I'm a member of Sisters in Crime, Inc. and the Wisconsin Writers Association.
My published works include: The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 1), Murder Under the Tree (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 2), Murder by Fireworks (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 3), Paradise Can Be Murder (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 4), Murder Misunderstood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 5), The Neighborhood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 6), Repercussions (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 7), A Manhattan Murder Mystery (An Irina Curtius Mystery), Dress to Kill (An Irina Curtius Mystery Book 2) "October 31st", "Midsummer", and "John and Madeline."
My town in northern Wisconsin was an inspiration for the quaint setting of my novels. Ninety-five percent of American ginseng is grown in Wisconsin. I live with my husband, William, and have two sons who are both married and also live in Wisconsin.
When not writing, I love to travel, bicycle, kayak, and create culinary magic in my kitchen. I work in stained glass, daydream in my organic garden, stay up late reading mysteries, and eat lots of chocolate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 11, 2017
This was a re-read for me, as one of my favorites I have a tendency to do this and since I figured out that I can link Amazon to goodreads I am in Heaven. Susan Bernhardt has brought all here characters to life in a story that has not only mystery but humor to it. I know cozies are noted for that, except in this case you have Kay, Deidre and Elizabeth who taken separately are very different yet put together they completely work. Kay being nosy veers off her walking course to the Halloween Ball and witnesses a murder. Not accepting the ruling of the small towns coroner Kay decides to investigate and this is where the title come in. For me I love the setting of Sudbury Falls and as I read and re read the book I am, like a lot of avid readers finding little things that I missed about the the characters personality the first time around. I know if I were to meet Susan Bernhardt I would see not only Kay, but a little bit of Deidre and Elizabeth. I encourage anyone who loves a good mystery to get this book and read it. You won't be disapointed.
September 1, 2016
Meet Kay and Phil Driscoll. They have both taken early retirements and moved to the small college town of Sudbury Falls, Wisconsin. On her way to annual Halloween Ball, Kay witnesses what she thinks is the murder of a local college professor. The next day while Kay and her friends Deirdre and Elizabeth are on their daily exercise walk they discover the professor's body. The official police and medical report make it out to be an accidental drowning but Kay doesn't believe that to be the real truth. The three friends soon uncover a plot that involves more than one murder and a conspiracy involving several prominent residents and the local ginseng industry. I liked that the characters are in their 40's and 50's with different backgrounds and personalities. The small town college setting added depth to both the characters and plot. The conspiracy and murder was very well done with many red herrings that all turned out to be important. This was an entertaining armchair adventure that left me ready to read the next book in this series.
January 22, 2015
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY is my first book by author Susan Bernhardt, but won't be my last.
I instantly liked lead character, Kay Driscoll. I found her very likable. Her friends Elizabeth and Deidre are great opposites that were perfect companions for Kay. As was Marissa who is owner of Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, where the women can often be found.
The mystery starts soon into the story and just continued to grow and build until at last all was made known.
Ms. Bernhardt has a fluid way with descriptions. I felt very much a part of the story as I read. I found myself wanting to spend a lot of time in Sweet Marrisa's Patisserie. I totally need a place like that where I live!
This story is set is fall around the Halloween season, However, be assured, you can read and enjoy this book anytime of the year.
If you want a good, fast, entertaining read, pick up a copy of THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY.
I instantly liked lead character, Kay Driscoll. I found her very likable. Her friends Elizabeth and Deidre are great opposites that were perfect companions for Kay. As was Marissa who is owner of Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, where the women can often be found.
The mystery starts soon into the story and just continued to grow and build until at last all was made known.
Ms. Bernhardt has a fluid way with descriptions. I felt very much a part of the story as I read. I found myself wanting to spend a lot of time in Sweet Marrisa's Patisserie. I totally need a place like that where I live!
This story is set is fall around the Halloween season, However, be assured, you can read and enjoy this book anytime of the year.
If you want a good, fast, entertaining read, pick up a copy of THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY.
September 16, 2015
Synopsis:
On her way to attend a Halloween Ball, Kay Driscoll, a newcomer to town, witnesses the murder of a local professor. When the official coroner's report rules the cause of death to be accidental and the community accepts the judgement, Kay decides to uncover the truth for herself. Through her personal investigations, Kay exposes a complex conspiracy, woven deep within the thriving local ginseng industry, that involves some of the more prominent figures and families of Sudbury Falls.
With her new friends, the free-spirited herbalist Deirdre and the untamed modern woman Elizabeth, Kay discusses new clues over tea and pastries at Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, their crime-fighting headquarters. As Kay gets closer to the heart of the conspiracy, additional murders happen in quick succession. Before long, Kay learns that the villains are gunning for her, too. Phil, her musically talented but preoccupied husband, determined to keep her safe, withholds from her the one thing she needs most: the truth. (Goodreads)
Review:
When Kay Driscoll is heading to The Halloween Ball, she notices some people wearing hooded robes and wonders why they are wearing them. She decides to follow them into an abandoned building, wondering if they are having a pre-Ball party. What she sees makes her realize that the only type of party this may be is a “killer” party. When she is almost discovered, she runs away and narrowly escapes getting caught. She does not know what to make of what she witnessed, and after she finds a dead body with her two best friends, she knows there is a murder to be solved. The death is ruled an accidental drowning, but Kay knows better. Kay and her two friends, Deirdre and Elizabeth, begin their own investigation into the murder. When more dead bodies turn up, they know that they must be very careful before they end up deceased as well.
There is so much that I like about this book. I think that the characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I really enjoy the fact that Kay is an older woman with a family. So many of the cozies I read have younger main characters and many do not have families. Although the characters in these books are still relatable to me, Kay and her friends seem even more realistic and very engaging. Her friends have quirky personalities and the three of them together meshed perfectly. Kay’s husband seemed a little clueless most of the time but you could tell that he loves Kay. I feel like they are friends I have known for a long time and I was catching up on their lives. I think the author did a great job with these characters, especially since this is the first book in the series and I just met them.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I felt like I was right there watching all the action, instead of just reading about it. The descriptions of the food, the Masquerade Ball and the setting in general are well done and never became repetitive or boring.
The mystery is carried on well throughout the book. There are enough twists and turns to keep Kay and the reader guessing the whole time. There is plenty of suspense and tension and I could not turn the pages fast enough. There are a few times where my jaw dropped open while reading and I did not want to turn the page because I was worried about what was about to happen. I think the ending is much more realistic than many other cozies I have read. A lot of the times, the protagonist puts herself in grave danger at the end and someone else needs to rescue her. That was not necessarily the case with this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. The second book, Murder Under The Tree, has already been released. Do yourself a favor and grab both of these books and enjoy. You will be happy that you did.
On her way to attend a Halloween Ball, Kay Driscoll, a newcomer to town, witnesses the murder of a local professor. When the official coroner's report rules the cause of death to be accidental and the community accepts the judgement, Kay decides to uncover the truth for herself. Through her personal investigations, Kay exposes a complex conspiracy, woven deep within the thriving local ginseng industry, that involves some of the more prominent figures and families of Sudbury Falls.
With her new friends, the free-spirited herbalist Deirdre and the untamed modern woman Elizabeth, Kay discusses new clues over tea and pastries at Sweet Marissa's Patisserie, their crime-fighting headquarters. As Kay gets closer to the heart of the conspiracy, additional murders happen in quick succession. Before long, Kay learns that the villains are gunning for her, too. Phil, her musically talented but preoccupied husband, determined to keep her safe, withholds from her the one thing she needs most: the truth. (Goodreads)
Review:
When Kay Driscoll is heading to The Halloween Ball, she notices some people wearing hooded robes and wonders why they are wearing them. She decides to follow them into an abandoned building, wondering if they are having a pre-Ball party. What she sees makes her realize that the only type of party this may be is a “killer” party. When she is almost discovered, she runs away and narrowly escapes getting caught. She does not know what to make of what she witnessed, and after she finds a dead body with her two best friends, she knows there is a murder to be solved. The death is ruled an accidental drowning, but Kay knows better. Kay and her two friends, Deirdre and Elizabeth, begin their own investigation into the murder. When more dead bodies turn up, they know that they must be very careful before they end up deceased as well.
There is so much that I like about this book. I think that the characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I really enjoy the fact that Kay is an older woman with a family. So many of the cozies I read have younger main characters and many do not have families. Although the characters in these books are still relatable to me, Kay and her friends seem even more realistic and very engaging. Her friends have quirky personalities and the three of them together meshed perfectly. Kay’s husband seemed a little clueless most of the time but you could tell that he loves Kay. I feel like they are friends I have known for a long time and I was catching up on their lives. I think the author did a great job with these characters, especially since this is the first book in the series and I just met them.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I felt like I was right there watching all the action, instead of just reading about it. The descriptions of the food, the Masquerade Ball and the setting in general are well done and never became repetitive or boring.
The mystery is carried on well throughout the book. There are enough twists and turns to keep Kay and the reader guessing the whole time. There is plenty of suspense and tension and I could not turn the pages fast enough. There are a few times where my jaw dropped open while reading and I did not want to turn the page because I was worried about what was about to happen. I think the ending is much more realistic than many other cozies I have read. A lot of the times, the protagonist puts herself in grave danger at the end and someone else needs to rescue her. That was not necessarily the case with this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. The second book, Murder Under The Tree, has already been released. Do yourself a favor and grab both of these books and enjoy. You will be happy that you did.
July 7, 2014
If you like cozy mysteries, you’ll love The Ginseng Conspiracy by Susan Bernhardt.
Set in fictional Sudbury Falls, Wisconsin, the book starts off with the murder of a professor, and an increasingly large number of possible suspects. Kay Driscoll, the protagonist, along with her two best friends, Deirdre and Elizabeth, attempt to solve the murder without becoming the next victims.
As Kay Driscoll observes, at an exhibit of Impressionist art, “Like in a painting, the clues had come together in different shapes and hues to present a whole. A pointillistic answer to a murder!” Indeed, the plot is nothing less than a piece of art. Layers of complexity are slowly added to the upbeat tempo as clues mount, suspects increase, and bodies pile up.
In addition to well-drawn characters, immediately likable in their realness, the story captivates the reader in the manner in which it is told. Bernhardt’s style is fresh and crystal clear in its conveyance of the people, events, and places that make up her story world. At times the strong writing achieves lyrical heights, and the reader is never wanting for description of the environs and the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
An expertly told, well-crafted cozy, this debut by Susan Bernhardt leaves one begging for more murder and mayhem so Kay Driscoll can move on to the next case, of which I hope there are many more to come.
--Matthew Peters, author of The Brothers’ Keepers (MuseItUp Publishing) and Conversations Among Ruins (forthcoming through All Things That Matter Press).
Set in fictional Sudbury Falls, Wisconsin, the book starts off with the murder of a professor, and an increasingly large number of possible suspects. Kay Driscoll, the protagonist, along with her two best friends, Deirdre and Elizabeth, attempt to solve the murder without becoming the next victims.
As Kay Driscoll observes, at an exhibit of Impressionist art, “Like in a painting, the clues had come together in different shapes and hues to present a whole. A pointillistic answer to a murder!” Indeed, the plot is nothing less than a piece of art. Layers of complexity are slowly added to the upbeat tempo as clues mount, suspects increase, and bodies pile up.
In addition to well-drawn characters, immediately likable in their realness, the story captivates the reader in the manner in which it is told. Bernhardt’s style is fresh and crystal clear in its conveyance of the people, events, and places that make up her story world. At times the strong writing achieves lyrical heights, and the reader is never wanting for description of the environs and the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
An expertly told, well-crafted cozy, this debut by Susan Bernhardt leaves one begging for more murder and mayhem so Kay Driscoll can move on to the next case, of which I hope there are many more to come.
--Matthew Peters, author of The Brothers’ Keepers (MuseItUp Publishing) and Conversations Among Ruins (forthcoming through All Things That Matter Press).
October 3, 2015
Exciting, will get your heart racing!
This is the first in a new series by Susan Bernhardt.
I was captivated from the beginning and as the story unfolded, I found myself in shock at the turn of events.
If you enjoy a cozy mystery that is full of suspects, secrets and murder, then this is the book for you.
When Kay Driscoll sees something out of the ordinary on her way to a Halloween party, she has no idea what she is in for.
Kay isn't sure who is involved or what it's really about, but she refuses to stand by and let a murder go unsolved. With the help of her friends Deidre and Elizabeth, Kay stirs up trouble and puts her own life in danger.
This is a story that will have your heart racing!
Fantastic book, I look forward to reading more.
This is the first in a new series by Susan Bernhardt.
I was captivated from the beginning and as the story unfolded, I found myself in shock at the turn of events.
If you enjoy a cozy mystery that is full of suspects, secrets and murder, then this is the book for you.
When Kay Driscoll sees something out of the ordinary on her way to a Halloween party, she has no idea what she is in for.
Kay isn't sure who is involved or what it's really about, but she refuses to stand by and let a murder go unsolved. With the help of her friends Deidre and Elizabeth, Kay stirs up trouble and puts her own life in danger.
This is a story that will have your heart racing!
Fantastic book, I look forward to reading more.
September 21, 2017
This book was recommended to me by two friends and I'm glad I listened to them.
This was a really enjoyable first in a series. I will certainly read the next ones.
The characters were interesting and engaging. The patisserie is a place I wish I could visit.
The whodunit was well paced and kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book!
This was a really enjoyable first in a series. I will certainly read the next ones.
The characters were interesting and engaging. The patisserie is a place I wish I could visit.
The whodunit was well paced and kept me guessing.
I highly recommend this book!
March 1, 2017
It’s the Halloween Ball, and Kay Driscoll lets curiosity get the best of her when she hears a noise in a vacant shop. Seeing something sinister which she can’t ignore, Kay gets dragged into a secret conspiracy involving multiple murders. Will she be able to figure out who is involved, or will she be silenced like the others?
When a book promises a conspiracy, I want to be shocked and left doubting everything I thought I knew. Unfortunately, Bernhardt fails to give me that paranoid feeling I craved, and instead waits until the end to throw all of the information at me. The rest of the novel meanders through painful dialogue and some slow, fluffy moments that get old fast.
I started out this book very hopeful. The conspiracy seemed intriguing and Kay seemed like she was going to get into all sorts of trouble while she was investigating. The relationship between her and her husband was cute and fluffy, which would have been a good compliment to the dark mood of Halloween in the background. The hope quickly dwindled as I realized that I was never going to really know much about the conspiracy itself, and Kay began to turn into a selfish, impatient woman.
What irked me most about her was that she seemed to not support her husband when it came to his passion of playing in a jazz band and building guitars. Any time he talked to her about the craft, she basically gave him the cold shoulder and acted like he was rude for even thinking she would be interested in the discussion. When he has to go to school to do anything, she acts like he is ignoring her and complains. Yet she gets upset whenever he mentions that he doesn’t like her being involved in an investigation that has resulted in several deaths. I’m wondering if this is a setup for them to divorce further along in the series, but it gets tiresome to read about a one-sided relationship issue after a while.
While the mystery was interesting and the stakes seemed high, it got overdone fast.
The murderers and the motive never really made sense to me. As we learn the motive, it just falls flat to me, and I don’t see why it was worth killing over in the beginning. Sure, after the first death you might as well eliminate witnesses, but I don’t see why the first few deaths were even necessary. If something had changed in the ginseng, I don’t know how anyone would ever know who did it or why.
It was a relatively boring novel, with dialogue-driven action and flat characters. I wouldn’t read anymore in this series, unless I wanted another holiday-centric book and had no other choices.
FictionForesight
When a book promises a conspiracy, I want to be shocked and left doubting everything I thought I knew. Unfortunately, Bernhardt fails to give me that paranoid feeling I craved, and instead waits until the end to throw all of the information at me. The rest of the novel meanders through painful dialogue and some slow, fluffy moments that get old fast.
I started out this book very hopeful. The conspiracy seemed intriguing and Kay seemed like she was going to get into all sorts of trouble while she was investigating. The relationship between her and her husband was cute and fluffy, which would have been a good compliment to the dark mood of Halloween in the background. The hope quickly dwindled as I realized that I was never going to really know much about the conspiracy itself, and Kay began to turn into a selfish, impatient woman.
What irked me most about her was that she seemed to not support her husband when it came to his passion of playing in a jazz band and building guitars. Any time he talked to her about the craft, she basically gave him the cold shoulder and acted like he was rude for even thinking she would be interested in the discussion. When he has to go to school to do anything, she acts like he is ignoring her and complains. Yet she gets upset whenever he mentions that he doesn’t like her being involved in an investigation that has resulted in several deaths. I’m wondering if this is a setup for them to divorce further along in the series, but it gets tiresome to read about a one-sided relationship issue after a while.
While the mystery was interesting and the stakes seemed high, it got overdone fast.
The murderers and the motive never really made sense to me. As we learn the motive, it just falls flat to me, and I don’t see why it was worth killing over in the beginning. Sure, after the first death you might as well eliminate witnesses, but I don’t see why the first few deaths were even necessary. If something had changed in the ginseng, I don’t know how anyone would ever know who did it or why.
It was a relatively boring novel, with dialogue-driven action and flat characters. I wouldn’t read anymore in this series, unless I wanted another holiday-centric book and had no other choices.
FictionForesight
January 22, 2014
I love books...all my life I've had an ongoing love affair with books. My love affair is eclectic. Give me a good autobiography about...oh, Catherine the Great, or a spine-tingling thriller about Goddess manipulated vampires and I morph into contented Ladybug Lin mode. (I LOVE my job...getting to read the best of the newest talents and then in my reviews sharing my reactions with the rest of you.)
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY came to me before it actually released...can't get much better than that can it? AND it turned out to be another bowl of yummy milk for the Ladybug to back-float in while my antennae were happily absorbing the electric charges from a story well written/told.
Multiple murder is afoot in the seemingly genteel world of the upper middle class community of Sudbury Falls. Kay Driscoll and her somewhat unusual friends and inattentive hubby, paint the quest for truth with lots of interesting moments.(How DOES poor Kay manage to not have her eyes go blank, when he begins regaling her with the wonders of...making guitars after they retire to this idyllic town?)
Okay...idyllic may be a bit of a stretch, especially when murder becomes the topic and deed of the day and night.
THE GINSENG MURDER is a cozy mystery, written by Muse It Up Publishing's Susan Bernhardt. I'm an avid cozy fan, but I've often wondered why they're called "cozy". Rarely are things "quiet" enough for my blood pressure, as I read on, to remain low enough to engender something as tame as the word "cozy" might suggest.
Ms. Bernhardt has fashioned a well crafted, fast paced journey into murder at it most wicked.
Murder...you do figure out who some of the players in this game of "Murder-Most-Rampant", but not all. Some will surprise you to your very roots.
A delightful romp...that happily is the beginning of the KAY DRISCOLL MYSTERY SERIES.
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY released from Muse It Up Publishing, Inc. just this past Friday, January 2, 2014...and what a delightful way to celebrate the New Year, because, if this is representative of the reading pleasures Ms. Bernhardt and her publisher have in store for us this year, where can I go to get season tickets?
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY grabs you from the moment you look at the magnificent cover I am honoring with a Great Cover Award, done by Suzannah Safi, and won't let you go.
FIVE STARS for Ms. Bernhardt... and her tenacious sleuth Kay Driscoll.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to find my meerschaum pipe and Deerstalker hat so I'm ready when the next Kay Driscoll arrives on the horizon.
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY came to me before it actually released...can't get much better than that can it? AND it turned out to be another bowl of yummy milk for the Ladybug to back-float in while my antennae were happily absorbing the electric charges from a story well written/told.
Multiple murder is afoot in the seemingly genteel world of the upper middle class community of Sudbury Falls. Kay Driscoll and her somewhat unusual friends and inattentive hubby, paint the quest for truth with lots of interesting moments.(How DOES poor Kay manage to not have her eyes go blank, when he begins regaling her with the wonders of...making guitars after they retire to this idyllic town?)
Okay...idyllic may be a bit of a stretch, especially when murder becomes the topic and deed of the day and night.
THE GINSENG MURDER is a cozy mystery, written by Muse It Up Publishing's Susan Bernhardt. I'm an avid cozy fan, but I've often wondered why they're called "cozy". Rarely are things "quiet" enough for my blood pressure, as I read on, to remain low enough to engender something as tame as the word "cozy" might suggest.
Ms. Bernhardt has fashioned a well crafted, fast paced journey into murder at it most wicked.
Murder...you do figure out who some of the players in this game of "Murder-Most-Rampant", but not all. Some will surprise you to your very roots.
A delightful romp...that happily is the beginning of the KAY DRISCOLL MYSTERY SERIES.
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY released from Muse It Up Publishing, Inc. just this past Friday, January 2, 2014...and what a delightful way to celebrate the New Year, because, if this is representative of the reading pleasures Ms. Bernhardt and her publisher have in store for us this year, where can I go to get season tickets?
THE GINSENG CONSPIRACY grabs you from the moment you look at the magnificent cover I am honoring with a Great Cover Award, done by Suzannah Safi, and won't let you go.
FIVE STARS for Ms. Bernhardt... and her tenacious sleuth Kay Driscoll.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to find my meerschaum pipe and Deerstalker hat so I'm ready when the next Kay Driscoll arrives on the horizon.
April 6, 2014
I was eager to read and review Bernhardt’s new cozy from my publisher, MuseItUp. The Ginseng Conspiracy is set in the fictional town in Wisconsin near where I set my own—I think I recognized a couple of characters, too. Big Smile.
Unlike the typical cozy, Bernhardt’s story unravels much like Columbo. The crime of murder appears after the stage was set, readers know who dun it, and we follow the amateur sleuth as she and her sidekicks dig up clues. We want to scream “duck” or “don’t go there!” as conspirators lurk around every corner. The bad guys have a few scenes of their own, and there’s something else going on with our sleuth’s marriage that is part sideline and part red herring. The author did leave a surprise suspect which kept me turning pages in a hurry.
Ginseng Conspiracy is a longer mystery, filled with yummy food and lots of descriptions. Mostly told in first person from Kay, the sleuth’s, point of view, the reader will occasionally wander into other character’s perspectives. Kay’s friends are a blast, and the mythical town of Sudbury Falls is a great place to visit. Fun for those who like meatier cozies. Looking forward to more of Kay and her buddies to come! Recipes? Please!
Unlike the typical cozy, Bernhardt’s story unravels much like Columbo. The crime of murder appears after the stage was set, readers know who dun it, and we follow the amateur sleuth as she and her sidekicks dig up clues. We want to scream “duck” or “don’t go there!” as conspirators lurk around every corner. The bad guys have a few scenes of their own, and there’s something else going on with our sleuth’s marriage that is part sideline and part red herring. The author did leave a surprise suspect which kept me turning pages in a hurry.
Ginseng Conspiracy is a longer mystery, filled with yummy food and lots of descriptions. Mostly told in first person from Kay, the sleuth’s, point of view, the reader will occasionally wander into other character’s perspectives. Kay’s friends are a blast, and the mythical town of Sudbury Falls is a great place to visit. Fun for those who like meatier cozies. Looking forward to more of Kay and her buddies to come! Recipes? Please!
July 21, 2016
The peaceful town of Sudbury Falls seems idyllic to retired nurse Kay Driscoll. At least, until she witnesses something sinister on her way to the annual Halloween Ball. Kay would normally report what she saw to the authorities, but (for spoiler-related reasons I won’t go into) knows that this would be a very bad idea. She can’t just let it go; that could lead to even worse things happening. So, with the help of her close friends, she starts her own investigation.
Kay is a great character, brave and empathetic. Sometimes her courage borders a bit on recklessness, but this made her even more real to me. We all have our flaws, after all. I like that the author gave us glimpses into Kay’s personal life, rather than focusing solely on the investigation. The supporting characters were entertaining and well rounded, too. I particularly liked Deirdre and Elizabeth, Kay’s friends.
I come from a small town, where people help each other out and small businesses still thrive. The town of Sudbury Falls felt very authentic to me. However, if our local farmers ever start growing ginseng, I might get a little concerned. ☺
Kay is a great character, brave and empathetic. Sometimes her courage borders a bit on recklessness, but this made her even more real to me. We all have our flaws, after all. I like that the author gave us glimpses into Kay’s personal life, rather than focusing solely on the investigation. The supporting characters were entertaining and well rounded, too. I particularly liked Deirdre and Elizabeth, Kay’s friends.
I come from a small town, where people help each other out and small businesses still thrive. The town of Sudbury Falls felt very authentic to me. However, if our local farmers ever start growing ginseng, I might get a little concerned. ☺
February 4, 2014
I'm not someone who reads cozies. I like the mysteries by James Patterson, Jonathan Kellerman, and the like. I started out reading this book as a favor to the author, a friend of mine. By the end of the first chapter, I realized I was not reading "as a favor" but because I was caught up in the story.
Kay Driscoll, the main character, is a smart, down-to-earth woman, the kind you would like to meet in person, the kind you would refer to as "what you see is what you get." I think I would like her in real life. She and her two cronies, beautiful, smart, and just a little whacky, are also...well, maybe not so "down to earth," but still the kind you'd want as friends.
The story is fast moving, the plot is intriguing, and the ending a surprise. Murders abound, conflict is both apparent and under the surface, and the intrigue involving all the different characters certainly holds your interest.
If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this one, and if you are new to them, try it, you'll like it!
Kay Driscoll, the main character, is a smart, down-to-earth woman, the kind you would like to meet in person, the kind you would refer to as "what you see is what you get." I think I would like her in real life. She and her two cronies, beautiful, smart, and just a little whacky, are also...well, maybe not so "down to earth," but still the kind you'd want as friends.
The story is fast moving, the plot is intriguing, and the ending a surprise. Murders abound, conflict is both apparent and under the surface, and the intrigue involving all the different characters certainly holds your interest.
If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this one, and if you are new to them, try it, you'll like it!
August 23, 2015
A fabulous first novel and beginning to a mystery series. Kay and her friends Deirdre and Elizabeth are fascinating characters. The three of them have very different personalities, and they balance each other out well. All of the other characters in the story were also well-written and fleshed out, so that all of their actions seemed to make sense and fit their personalities.
The mystery starts almost immediately, and it twists and turns all the way through the book. There is constant action, and suspects abound. When the identity of the murderer is revealed, it is a complete surprise.
The story is set in the fall, around Halloween, so now would be a good time to pick it up and give it a try. However, it is certainly worth reading at any time of year.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
The mystery starts almost immediately, and it twists and turns all the way through the book. There is constant action, and suspects abound. When the identity of the murderer is revealed, it is a complete surprise.
The story is set in the fall, around Halloween, so now would be a good time to pick it up and give it a try. However, it is certainly worth reading at any time of year.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
August 23, 2016
What did I think of this book? SUPERB!! A wonderful cozy author, Susan Bernhardt, will be added to my "must read" list. This book is wonderfully written! I love the main character, Kay Driscoll. The storyline begins with the celebrations of Halloween. Kay witnesses what she feels is the murder of a local professor. The next morning on her daily walk with friends, they stumble upon the professor's body. She does not agree with the local coroner that the professor's death was accidental and decides to prove it. What seemed to be a quaint little college town for Kay and Phil, becomes quite the opposite. Picturesque, but riddled with murder and mayhem.
February 18, 2014
This is a delightful cozy mystery, with the requisite quirky characters. The way Ms. Bernhardt describes the town, I’d love to visit. The story of how the various characters became involved made lots of sense as did Kay Driscoll’s amateur sleuthing. Frankly, one of the parts I loved best was the mystery surrounding the her husband. I won’t say anything else about that. You’ll have to read for yourself to find what the mystery is and how it’s resolved. I look forward to Ms. Bernhardt’s next foray into mystery at Sudbury Falls, Wisconsin.
August 20, 2015
Wrong Doing
A new author for me and the first in series. I had trouble getting into the series but by the end I couldn't put it. Kay and Phil Driscoll have moved Suldbury Falls. She has made new friends and her favorite place is Marissa's Patisserie. The town is known for ginseng farms. Halloween time and a masked ball Kay arrives at the ball just after has seen 6 men in hooded gowns with an man on the ground. Kay recognizes 4 of the town officials in the group. Kay and friends investigate as the closer they get to answer more deaths occur including her own.
A new author for me and the first in series. I had trouble getting into the series but by the end I couldn't put it. Kay and Phil Driscoll have moved Suldbury Falls. She has made new friends and her favorite place is Marissa's Patisserie. The town is known for ginseng farms. Halloween time and a masked ball Kay arrives at the ball just after has seen 6 men in hooded gowns with an man on the ground. Kay recognizes 4 of the town officials in the group. Kay and friends investigate as the closer they get to answer more deaths occur including her own.
July 14, 2014
This is a solid beginning to a cozy mystery series in the current,
popular marketplace for this genre.
The author writes about an idyllic small town in Wisconsin that has
a dangerous secret. The main character, Kay Driscoll, stumbles upon it
quite by chance.
If you enjoy Joanna Fluke, this is an author you will want to sample - and I use that word deliberately. This touristy little haven has some wonderful eateries and cooks.
popular marketplace for this genre.
The author writes about an idyllic small town in Wisconsin that has
a dangerous secret. The main character, Kay Driscoll, stumbles upon it
quite by chance.
If you enjoy Joanna Fluke, this is an author you will want to sample - and I use that word deliberately. This touristy little haven has some wonderful eateries and cooks.
March 8, 2014
I loved the setting for this cozy mystery and wish I could step into Marissa's Patisserie! I thought the mystery was intriguing. Sometimes the relationships between Kay and Phil, and Kay and Elizabeth were a bit awkward, as in I couldn't figure out the trueness of the bonds. But, could be I just don't know the characters yet. I certainly read the next book when it comes out!
April 7, 2014
Perfect Formula - Murder + Humor
The Ginseng Conspiracy kept my interest from start to finish. Take a suspenseful mystery, add plenty of red herrings, season with plot twists and you get Susan Bernhardt's debut novel.
I couldn't put this book down. And you won't be able to either, if you like murder mysteries laced with quirky characters and witty humor.
The Ginseng Conspiracy kept my interest from start to finish. Take a suspenseful mystery, add plenty of red herrings, season with plot twists and you get Susan Bernhardt's debut novel.
I couldn't put this book down. And you won't be able to either, if you like murder mysteries laced with quirky characters and witty humor.
August 30, 2016
Kay Driscoll seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. With everyone dressed up for the Halloween Ball, how will she find the murderers?
Ginseng is a thriving industry in Sudbury Falls, Wil. Will Kay and her two female detectives be able to find out how the tea fits into the murders?
Who can you trust? A Great Read!
Ginseng is a thriving industry in Sudbury Falls, Wil. Will Kay and her two female detectives be able to find out how the tea fits into the murders?
Who can you trust? A Great Read!
March 15, 2014
Great read
June 30, 2017
Could barely put it down!
When the action started there was no stopping it! I had to keep reading. It was edge of your seat at times. A little different since readers know from the beginning who was involved but there were still suspicions cast on others and one that I didn't guess. Very exciting!
When the action started there was no stopping it! I had to keep reading. It was edge of your seat at times. A little different since readers know from the beginning who was involved but there were still suspicions cast on others and one that I didn't guess. Very exciting!
July 14, 2016
The other day me and my best friends, Kay, Elizabeth, and Deirdre were on our way to Marissa’s Patisserie to partake in some of her delicious baked goods. Who’s afraid of calories? Not us. We walk everyday but go to Marissa’s only two or three times a week. Hey, a girl’s gotta eat. As we were walking Kay was telling us about what happened to her just before the big Halloween party in our town, Sudbury Falls. Her adventure had Elizabeth, Deirdre, and I speechless which is saying a lot.
Here’s what happened - Kay was on her way to the Halloween party that night when she happened to see someone dressed in a costume but not going in the direction of the party. So naturally Kay was wondering if there was a pre-party festivity going on so she followed that person to find out. Then she saw another person dressed in the same costume going in the same direction, away from the party location and sneaking into the back of an abandoned store.
Kay tiptoed in and saw six people, all in the same costume, standing in a circle around a man lying on the floor. Was that college professor Sherman Walters the group was surrounding? Was he sick? And did Kay recognize some of the voices of the people in the costumes? Al Stewart who worked at the post office? And was that Bill Murphy, Deputy Chief of Police of Sudbury Falls standing there looking at Sherman and not trying to help?
Well, our Kay is no dummy and thought she walked into some kind of strange movie starring Tom Cruise so she ran out of the store post haste. But the group heard her leave and gave chase after her. Good thing it was dark and she was faster than she thought she was and weaved in and out like a football player until she got back home hoping no one saw her. Now what was she going to do? She had to meet her husband, Phil, at the party and Elizabeth, Deirdre, and I would be wondering where she was. Plus it would look strange to the rest of Sudbury Falls if she didn’t show up especially if one of the people who hurt Sherman ended up at the party.
Kay knew she had to go if for anything else to see if she could figure out why Al and the Deputy Chief of Police were in the back of that store with the professor on the floor. Maybe she’d be able to figure out who the other costumed people were.
Well, Elizabeth, Deirdre, and I were fascinated by what Kay was telling us. We were also very afraid because the day after the Halloween party, as the three of us were taking out daily walk, we found the body of Sherman Walters, last seen by Kay lying on the floor surrounded by some suspicious people, lying by the edge of the river. He was dead and Dr. Anders, the county coroner, determined that Sherman died from accidental drowning. Drowning! Accidental! No way! He might have been drowned but the four of us were sure that it was not an accident. The professor was unconscious but alive when Kay saw him with the group the previous night. Something strange was going on in Sudbury Falls. We were all positive that the professor was murdered and no one was getting away with murder in our town. With Kay at the helm of the investigation, we were going to figure it all out even if it killed us. Which just might happen.
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it. I wasn’t really there, I was reading the book, "The Ginseng Conspiracy" by Susan Bernhardt but I kind of wished I was with Kay, Elizabeth, and Deirdre which means that Susan Bernhardt is one good writer. Talk about drawing the readers into a story. The mystery is solid and even though Ms. Bernhardt intentionally lets the readers know who some of the bad guys are we don’t know who all of them are and that’s where the surprise factor comes in.
The storyline is nicely woven with nary a stitch out of place and there are quite a few tense moments where you can’t read fast enough to see what’s going to happen next.
There are some wonderful characters in the book which you easily become attached to. You know their strong points and their quirks which makes you almost want to scream at them for telling the wrong person some information. Elizabeth has such a big mouth sometimes but we all love her nonetheless.
Sudbury Falls is one of the main characters too. Did you know that it’s the ginseng capital of the world? I bet you didn’t but author Susan Bernhardt says it is so I believe it. It’s also a nice small town to live in. The people are friendly if you don’t count the Deputy Chief of Police, or the postal worker, and maybe a few others but most of the inhabitants are nice people. They’re all willing to help a friend out even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way.
There are lots of bad guys in “The Ginseng Conspiracy” and thankfully for Kay and her friends there are lots of good guys too. Take a trip to Sudbury Falls, hang out with the group, eat at Marissa’s Patisserie and save me some of her cranberry streusel tarts. They go so well with a good murder mystery.
Here’s what happened - Kay was on her way to the Halloween party that night when she happened to see someone dressed in a costume but not going in the direction of the party. So naturally Kay was wondering if there was a pre-party festivity going on so she followed that person to find out. Then she saw another person dressed in the same costume going in the same direction, away from the party location and sneaking into the back of an abandoned store.
Kay tiptoed in and saw six people, all in the same costume, standing in a circle around a man lying on the floor. Was that college professor Sherman Walters the group was surrounding? Was he sick? And did Kay recognize some of the voices of the people in the costumes? Al Stewart who worked at the post office? And was that Bill Murphy, Deputy Chief of Police of Sudbury Falls standing there looking at Sherman and not trying to help?
Well, our Kay is no dummy and thought she walked into some kind of strange movie starring Tom Cruise so she ran out of the store post haste. But the group heard her leave and gave chase after her. Good thing it was dark and she was faster than she thought she was and weaved in and out like a football player until she got back home hoping no one saw her. Now what was she going to do? She had to meet her husband, Phil, at the party and Elizabeth, Deirdre, and I would be wondering where she was. Plus it would look strange to the rest of Sudbury Falls if she didn’t show up especially if one of the people who hurt Sherman ended up at the party.
Kay knew she had to go if for anything else to see if she could figure out why Al and the Deputy Chief of Police were in the back of that store with the professor on the floor. Maybe she’d be able to figure out who the other costumed people were.
Well, Elizabeth, Deirdre, and I were fascinated by what Kay was telling us. We were also very afraid because the day after the Halloween party, as the three of us were taking out daily walk, we found the body of Sherman Walters, last seen by Kay lying on the floor surrounded by some suspicious people, lying by the edge of the river. He was dead and Dr. Anders, the county coroner, determined that Sherman died from accidental drowning. Drowning! Accidental! No way! He might have been drowned but the four of us were sure that it was not an accident. The professor was unconscious but alive when Kay saw him with the group the previous night. Something strange was going on in Sudbury Falls. We were all positive that the professor was murdered and no one was getting away with murder in our town. With Kay at the helm of the investigation, we were going to figure it all out even if it killed us. Which just might happen.
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it. I wasn’t really there, I was reading the book, "The Ginseng Conspiracy" by Susan Bernhardt but I kind of wished I was with Kay, Elizabeth, and Deirdre which means that Susan Bernhardt is one good writer. Talk about drawing the readers into a story. The mystery is solid and even though Ms. Bernhardt intentionally lets the readers know who some of the bad guys are we don’t know who all of them are and that’s where the surprise factor comes in.
The storyline is nicely woven with nary a stitch out of place and there are quite a few tense moments where you can’t read fast enough to see what’s going to happen next.
There are some wonderful characters in the book which you easily become attached to. You know their strong points and their quirks which makes you almost want to scream at them for telling the wrong person some information. Elizabeth has such a big mouth sometimes but we all love her nonetheless.
Sudbury Falls is one of the main characters too. Did you know that it’s the ginseng capital of the world? I bet you didn’t but author Susan Bernhardt says it is so I believe it. It’s also a nice small town to live in. The people are friendly if you don’t count the Deputy Chief of Police, or the postal worker, and maybe a few others but most of the inhabitants are nice people. They’re all willing to help a friend out even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way.
There are lots of bad guys in “The Ginseng Conspiracy” and thankfully for Kay and her friends there are lots of good guys too. Take a trip to Sudbury Falls, hang out with the group, eat at Marissa’s Patisserie and save me some of her cranberry streusel tarts. They go so well with a good murder mystery.
October 20, 2015
This is the first book in a new series by Susan Bernhardt. It is a good start to a new series. It starts out giving you a lot of background information on each character and their lives in Sudbury Falls, Wisconsin. I loved the little town of Sudbury Falls with all the quaint little shops. I fell in love with Sweet Marissa's Patisserie and all of the yummy treats.
The main character Kay Driscoll is near and dear to my heart because she is a retired nurse same as myself. She and her husband Phil have recently moved to Sudbury Falls from Colorado after both retired. Although both are retired Kay still volunteers at the free clinic every week with Dr Anders and Phil is fulfilling a dream of Jazz music and guitars. Kay has some great quirky friends that she walks with everyday. Elizabeth who is very bubbly, divorced, and loves men and Deirdre who always is in deep though. She is a spiritualist like her husband Mike.
Everyone in town is excited for Halloween and the yearly Halloween Ball. A friend of Kay's, Margaret let's her go through some costumes for her and Phil to wear to the Ball and ends up stumbling onto a trunk with a strange white robe. She doesn't really give it too much thought until on the way to the Ball she sees the same robes and curiosity gets the better of her and she follows them to a vacant store. She is terrified when she enters the back of the building to find six people in these robes standing over the body of Professor Walters. She is in shock!! She runs out and goes to the Ball with so many questions and fears but tries to act normal.
The next day she and her buddies go on their daily walk only to find the Professor laying face down in the river dead!
Who can she trust? Will she and her friends be able to find his killer before someone else dies? Why the Professor? Everyone loved him. The small town of Sudbury Falls may not be the quiet little town she thought after all???
This book has adventure, intrigue, lies, betrayal, mystery and tons of twists and turns from beginning to the end. I will say that it is a bit slow at the beginning but keep reading and you won't be disappointed.
The main character Kay Driscoll is near and dear to my heart because she is a retired nurse same as myself. She and her husband Phil have recently moved to Sudbury Falls from Colorado after both retired. Although both are retired Kay still volunteers at the free clinic every week with Dr Anders and Phil is fulfilling a dream of Jazz music and guitars. Kay has some great quirky friends that she walks with everyday. Elizabeth who is very bubbly, divorced, and loves men and Deirdre who always is in deep though. She is a spiritualist like her husband Mike.
Everyone in town is excited for Halloween and the yearly Halloween Ball. A friend of Kay's, Margaret let's her go through some costumes for her and Phil to wear to the Ball and ends up stumbling onto a trunk with a strange white robe. She doesn't really give it too much thought until on the way to the Ball she sees the same robes and curiosity gets the better of her and she follows them to a vacant store. She is terrified when she enters the back of the building to find six people in these robes standing over the body of Professor Walters. She is in shock!! She runs out and goes to the Ball with so many questions and fears but tries to act normal.
The next day she and her buddies go on their daily walk only to find the Professor laying face down in the river dead!
Who can she trust? Will she and her friends be able to find his killer before someone else dies? Why the Professor? Everyone loved him. The small town of Sudbury Falls may not be the quiet little town she thought after all???
This book has adventure, intrigue, lies, betrayal, mystery and tons of twists and turns from beginning to the end. I will say that it is a bit slow at the beginning but keep reading and you won't be disappointed.
February 12, 2015
In this cozy mystery, Kay Driscoll is an ordinary wife and mother who lives in a fairly ordinary college town. She has two not-so-ordinary friends who share her love of delicious pastries of all kinds and descriptions. Kay’s husband is a jazz musician and a teacher and she (a retired nurse) spends part of her time volunteering in the town’s free clinic. Then, one day, because her curiosity gets the better of her, she stumbles upon a bit of wrongdoing by her fellow citizens, some of whom she recognizes, some of whom she does not because they are in costume for a Halloween party that very evening. At the moment she realizes that she is witnessing a crime, she also realizes that the perpetrators know they are being watched, but not the spy’s identity. A chase scene ensues as Kay tries to lose her pursuers in suburban backyards and make it back to the safe haven of her own home. Your heart will be thumping. The rest of the book follows Kay as she and her two pastry-loving friends try to gather enough facts to prove what happened. The bickering of the two friends is an amusing undercurrent to the proceedings as murders accumulate and Kay digs deeper and deeper into what was done and why, trying not to get killed in the process. We are looking forward to the next in the series.
November 6, 2015
When Kay and Phil Driscoll move from Colorado to picturesque Sudberry Falls, Wisconsin, they expect to enjoy the quaint town and spend their retirement enjoying their hobbies and each other - solving a murder was never in the plan!
Kay is a wonderful cozy character - smart, witty, romantic, volunteers at a clinic and loves to cook and eat and is not going to accept answers about a murder in town if they don't make sense to her- she's got "moxie"! Being a retired nurse, who consulted with the police department in their previous town, gives Kay an advantage in solving the crime, but also increases the odds of being the next victim.
The supporting characters are "women of a certain age" (like Kay) who are vital, sexy and full of life. And please, let's not forget about the delicious pastries and treats from Sweet Marissa' s Patessirie! You can gain weight just reading about the food!
Cozy up with a comfy blanket, The Ginseng Conspiracy, a hot drink, your favorite snack and get ready for the start of many adventures with a good friend!
Kay is a wonderful cozy character - smart, witty, romantic, volunteers at a clinic and loves to cook and eat and is not going to accept answers about a murder in town if they don't make sense to her- she's got "moxie"! Being a retired nurse, who consulted with the police department in their previous town, gives Kay an advantage in solving the crime, but also increases the odds of being the next victim.
The supporting characters are "women of a certain age" (like Kay) who are vital, sexy and full of life. And please, let's not forget about the delicious pastries and treats from Sweet Marissa' s Patessirie! You can gain weight just reading about the food!
Cozy up with a comfy blanket, The Ginseng Conspiracy, a hot drink, your favorite snack and get ready for the start of many adventures with a good friend!
May 29, 2015
Susan Bernhardt's cozy mystery is an excellent story presentation that provides an entertaining read for evenings when you want to curl up with a good mystery and a cup of tea without facing pages of grisly or gory details. The cast of characters in Kay's story will put the reader in mind of the personalities of women of a certain age popularized by "The Golden Girls" and "Murder She Wrote." The small town setting is excellent. the main character, Kay Driscoll, one any woman of a certain age can identify with especially when her husband, Phil, pats her on the head, admonishes her to stay out of things that aren't her business, and then goes off to do his own thing. I wanted to strangle him so I image others will feel the same. If you're interested in escaping into an entertaining read, pick up a copy of Bernhardt's book. You won't be disappointed.
September 2, 2015
Wonderful mystery.
The Ginseng Conspiracy is an amazing book, mostly due to the craftsmanship of the author. One might think at first that this book is chick lit, but hold on as the mystery builds and builds until this reader just has to know why all these murders are happening in this small town and who is responsible. Character development is amazing--I now know the three main characters personally. The setting descriptions are so good, it makes you feel as if you are actually there. If you want to escape into a cozy mystery, I can think of no better recommendation than The Ginseng Conspiracy. For me, on to
the next Kay Driscoll Mystery!
The Ginseng Conspiracy is an amazing book, mostly due to the craftsmanship of the author. One might think at first that this book is chick lit, but hold on as the mystery builds and builds until this reader just has to know why all these murders are happening in this small town and who is responsible. Character development is amazing--I now know the three main characters personally. The setting descriptions are so good, it makes you feel as if you are actually there. If you want to escape into a cozy mystery, I can think of no better recommendation than The Ginseng Conspiracy. For me, on to
the next Kay Driscoll Mystery!
January 9, 2016
A must read!!
Susan Bernhardt is a new author to me. I read this book from a recommendation from a Facebook reviewer. I'm glad I did. Unlike most Cozy Mysteries, this book has several murders and several murderers. I don't quite know why, but I had a little trouble with getting into the first bit of the book. I kept reading and am glad I did!! It had six murderers to uncover so it was a real mystery as to who would be next to be uncovered. I really like how the guilty parties captured at the end. A very good book!!!
Susan Bernhardt is a new author to me. I read this book from a recommendation from a Facebook reviewer. I'm glad I did. Unlike most Cozy Mysteries, this book has several murders and several murderers. I don't quite know why, but I had a little trouble with getting into the first bit of the book. I kept reading and am glad I did!! It had six murderers to uncover so it was a real mystery as to who would be next to be uncovered. I really like how the guilty parties captured at the end. A very good book!!!
November 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! Can't wait to read more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews