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Hallow: A Fractured Family Tale
What you don't know can kill you.
As the holiday season rolls in—fall holidays, that is, from High Holy Days to Thanksgiving—young attorney JD Thompson basks in his life in a small Texas town where he and his ABBA tribute band roommates live with the seventy black cats that his veterinarian partner rescued. Probate cases with inheritance squabbles leave him time to help out family members, like when his grandfather receives a surprising present from the past. But the squabbles turn deadly, the present isn't a gift, and the lovely woman who captures his heart isn't what she seems. Knee-deep in ashes with murder on the doorstep, JD races to defend his client and family. Can he untangle the dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything he holds dear? The walls are already splattered with blood.
Join JD on his fifth adventure in the Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series today.
As the holiday season rolls in—fall holidays, that is, from High Holy Days to Thanksgiving—young attorney JD Thompson basks in his life in a small Texas town where he and his ABBA tribute band roommates live with the seventy black cats that his veterinarian partner rescued. Probate cases with inheritance squabbles leave him time to help out family members, like when his grandfather receives a surprising present from the past. But the squabbles turn deadly, the present isn't a gift, and the lovely woman who captures his heart isn't what she seems. Knee-deep in ashes with murder on the doorstep, JD races to defend his client and family. Can he untangle the dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything he holds dear? The walls are already splattered with blood.
Join JD on his fifth adventure in the Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series today.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 31, 2024
An absolutely wonderful book! I liked the delightful characters and the captivating story, but most of all I liked the subtle humour throughout the story.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 21, 2024
Hallow includes a family of characters—not related by blood—that will endear it to even the snobbiest of cozy mystery readers. Author M.R. Dimond went above and beyond in creating characters that I may not necessarily want to live next door to, but would definitely like to get to know better.
Hallow is the fifth installment of the A Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series. This is the only book of the series that I’ve read (thus far, anyway), so my observations may be limited by that caveat. However, I quickly came to the conclusion that the main group of characters have been together for some time and know each other quite well.
I could start a synopsis by saying a lawyer, an accountant and a veterinarian walk into a house, but you’d likely think I was starting a joke. However, that is the actual setting of the story: the three professionals live and work together in Gregg House, a Victorian mansion located in Beauchamp, Texas, about 20 miles from Austin.
The entire story is told in the first person POV by JD Thompson, the attorney. JD has been in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with Diane, the accountant, on and off, but during this story they’re strictly platonic. Johnny, the vet, is JD’s college friend. They all perform in an ABBA cover band: JD does keys and vocals, Johnny plays bass, and Diane is the front person. To enhance all this weirdness, the story begins just before Halloween, and Johnny (the vet) always collects all local black cats at that time of year to avoid unthinkable things happening to them during the holiday.
That may seem like a lengthy description of the story setting, but I think it’s necessary to understand the ambiance/backdrop of this mystery. If the setting was any different, I don’t think the storyline would work nearly as well.
There are two different, yet significant, plots to the story. The first is JD’s grandfather hires him to find a woman he knew many years ago, but returns to focus because he recently received something in the mail that he had given her before shipping out to Vietnam.
The second storyline involves JD representing a local man with a family probate problem. This is not boring legal stuff. There is no legalese that must be endured. Actually, this plot produces most of the calamities in the story.
Many times multiple plots in a story can lead to literary disaster, but this author did a wonderful job of keeping the plots moving forward and keeping the reader focused and informed.
There is a perfect amount of lighthearted comedy throughout the story, and I loved it! For example, the author used the words “catitat” and “catio” to describe the building where most of the cats live and the modifications made to the house patio for the cats (respectively). Those hilarious tidbits of humor add the levity that is so indicative of cozy mysteries. Not only does it work, but it works quite well in my opinion.
I wouldn’t say the author goes overboard with description, but I think that is partly due to the story being told from JD’s perspective. Let’s face it, some attorneys just aren’t into visual details.
Of the three main characters, JD’s character arc is the absolute best. Not everything turned out the way he wanted, but isn’t that what best friends are for?
Something else I really enjoyed was the “This and That” section the author included after the story ended. In this section, the author discusses how some of the events in the story are loosely based on actual events. Also, the author included a Playlist of songs that would likely enhance the reading experience.
I think it would have helped—or at least satisfied my curiosity—if the author could have included a little more back story on how all the characters came together. This is my only actual criticism of the story.
By the time I finished the story, I was quite endeared to the main characters. In fact, there’s a very good chance that I’ll go back to the beginning of this series to see how it all came to be.
Happy reading!
Hallow is the fifth installment of the A Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series. This is the only book of the series that I’ve read (thus far, anyway), so my observations may be limited by that caveat. However, I quickly came to the conclusion that the main group of characters have been together for some time and know each other quite well.
I could start a synopsis by saying a lawyer, an accountant and a veterinarian walk into a house, but you’d likely think I was starting a joke. However, that is the actual setting of the story: the three professionals live and work together in Gregg House, a Victorian mansion located in Beauchamp, Texas, about 20 miles from Austin.
The entire story is told in the first person POV by JD Thompson, the attorney. JD has been in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with Diane, the accountant, on and off, but during this story they’re strictly platonic. Johnny, the vet, is JD’s college friend. They all perform in an ABBA cover band: JD does keys and vocals, Johnny plays bass, and Diane is the front person. To enhance all this weirdness, the story begins just before Halloween, and Johnny (the vet) always collects all local black cats at that time of year to avoid unthinkable things happening to them during the holiday.
That may seem like a lengthy description of the story setting, but I think it’s necessary to understand the ambiance/backdrop of this mystery. If the setting was any different, I don’t think the storyline would work nearly as well.
There are two different, yet significant, plots to the story. The first is JD’s grandfather hires him to find a woman he knew many years ago, but returns to focus because he recently received something in the mail that he had given her before shipping out to Vietnam.
The second storyline involves JD representing a local man with a family probate problem. This is not boring legal stuff. There is no legalese that must be endured. Actually, this plot produces most of the calamities in the story.
Many times multiple plots in a story can lead to literary disaster, but this author did a wonderful job of keeping the plots moving forward and keeping the reader focused and informed.
There is a perfect amount of lighthearted comedy throughout the story, and I loved it! For example, the author used the words “catitat” and “catio” to describe the building where most of the cats live and the modifications made to the house patio for the cats (respectively). Those hilarious tidbits of humor add the levity that is so indicative of cozy mysteries. Not only does it work, but it works quite well in my opinion.
I wouldn’t say the author goes overboard with description, but I think that is partly due to the story being told from JD’s perspective. Let’s face it, some attorneys just aren’t into visual details.
Of the three main characters, JD’s character arc is the absolute best. Not everything turned out the way he wanted, but isn’t that what best friends are for?
Something else I really enjoyed was the “This and That” section the author included after the story ended. In this section, the author discusses how some of the events in the story are loosely based on actual events. Also, the author included a Playlist of songs that would likely enhance the reading experience.
I think it would have helped—or at least satisfied my curiosity—if the author could have included a little more back story on how all the characters came together. This is my only actual criticism of the story.
By the time I finished the story, I was quite endeared to the main characters. In fact, there’s a very good chance that I’ll go back to the beginning of this series to see how it all came to be.
Happy reading!
August 24, 2024
Black Orchid Enterprises is comprised of JD Thompson, Attorney; Dianne Cortez, CPA; and Johnny Ly, DVM, who are housemates and office mates in a very large mansion in a small town near Austin, Texas. Dianne is also the former romantic partner of JD, but they are just friends now. How the two of them react to new romantic interests in their lives is just one of the many charming, and often humorous, moments in this story.
But don’t expect anything like a straight-up rom-com. This is anything but.
The relationship between all the characters, these main players and the supporting cast, is the best part of this story for me. Being a cat-lover, and mom to two black cats at one time, I could relate to Johnny and his efforts to keep all the black cats safe in October. It was also great fun to learn about all the different holidays that touch each other in some way. This is truly an all-inclusive story, and I applaud the author for bringing it all together without making any one holiday, or person, feel slighted. Not an easy feat in fiction or real life.
And while a bit wacky – okay, a lot wacky – the characters are endearing, and not just because of the cats. There’s a deep friendship among the members of Black Orchid Enterprises, and that comes across so well in how they interact with, and support, each other. Something nice in a world that is sorely lacking in some of that niceness.
Also, don’t expect a straight-up murder mystery. Again, not what you’ll find here in Hallow.
There are a lot of storylines going that all intertwine, sort of. There’s JD’s grandfather and his, perhaps, daughter he’s never seen. While knee-deep in the hunt to locate the potential surprise aunt, JD is hired by Vidal and Mira, to find out why a DNA test has indicated that he is not his daughter’s biological father. There’s a will waiting for probate that has serious complications, based on the outcome of testing of other family members, not all of whom are willing to take the test. Then Vidal is accused of murdering a man he has never seen before, and JD has to hustle to help Vidal out of that jam.
For me, a less complicated tapestry of mysteries and sub-plots would’ve made for a more enjoyable read. There was simply so much going on with the various investigations, and the preparations for special events, it was a bit daunting to keep all the threads straight in my mind as I read.
Still, despite that quibble, I did read the book to it’s surprising and delightful conclusion to all those threads.
If you like a cozy mystery that includes all the cats, a good deal of humor, and those afore-mentioned wacky characters, this is a good book to settle down with for a weekend read.
But don’t expect anything like a straight-up rom-com. This is anything but.
The relationship between all the characters, these main players and the supporting cast, is the best part of this story for me. Being a cat-lover, and mom to two black cats at one time, I could relate to Johnny and his efforts to keep all the black cats safe in October. It was also great fun to learn about all the different holidays that touch each other in some way. This is truly an all-inclusive story, and I applaud the author for bringing it all together without making any one holiday, or person, feel slighted. Not an easy feat in fiction or real life.
And while a bit wacky – okay, a lot wacky – the characters are endearing, and not just because of the cats. There’s a deep friendship among the members of Black Orchid Enterprises, and that comes across so well in how they interact with, and support, each other. Something nice in a world that is sorely lacking in some of that niceness.
Also, don’t expect a straight-up murder mystery. Again, not what you’ll find here in Hallow.
There are a lot of storylines going that all intertwine, sort of. There’s JD’s grandfather and his, perhaps, daughter he’s never seen. While knee-deep in the hunt to locate the potential surprise aunt, JD is hired by Vidal and Mira, to find out why a DNA test has indicated that he is not his daughter’s biological father. There’s a will waiting for probate that has serious complications, based on the outcome of testing of other family members, not all of whom are willing to take the test. Then Vidal is accused of murdering a man he has never seen before, and JD has to hustle to help Vidal out of that jam.
For me, a less complicated tapestry of mysteries and sub-plots would’ve made for a more enjoyable read. There was simply so much going on with the various investigations, and the preparations for special events, it was a bit daunting to keep all the threads straight in my mind as I read.
Still, despite that quibble, I did read the book to it’s surprising and delightful conclusion to all those threads.
If you like a cozy mystery that includes all the cats, a good deal of humor, and those afore-mentioned wacky characters, this is a good book to settle down with for a weekend read.
August 13, 2024
A lot happens in this book, so stay on your toes!
This is the first book I have read by this author, and it is also the fifth in the series. While the author does a great job of introducing the characters in Gregg House and their roles, I think starting with the first book would give the reader a better insight.
This book has several different storylines and a murder that doesn't occur until near the end. Even though the book takes place over a couple of weeks, the pace is fast and furious as they navigate the various situations that arise. It all boils down to family issues. There is a potential child for JD's grandfather, a family squabble over an estate for another family, and those that you make your family.
I really like JD, Dianne, and Johnny. These are core characters since they all live and work in Gregg House. I can only imagine how large this house is (I read 4000 SF somewhere), considering they live and work here and hold celebrations for every holiday that rolls around. I love how passionate they are about their chosen careers and the charitable organizations that they assist. They stay very busy, that is for sure. I could relate to Dianne and her mad dash to finish tax returns by the October 15th deadline. I used to work for a CPA, so that is very familiar to me. I loved Johnny's dedication to animals, especially cats, even though I am a dog person. And especially black cats in October when they may not be looked upon as favorably.
I had to chuckle at their band. Think of it as a cover band for ABBA, costumes and all. They sang other songs, but I chuckled at how they burst into song at random times. But it seemed to be a way for them to decompress and entertain those around them.
I enjoyed following along in JD's research into one Peggy Porter and what might have happened to her. She dated his grandfather but disappeared once she discovered she was pregnant, and he was not around to assist. It was the war (Vietnam), and this threw roadblocks up for what might have been a happy life together. Or maybe it was not meant to be. I had to admire JD's determination to solve this mystery, and the answers might surprise you.
Then, there is the man who ends up dead. Who killed him and why? And will an innocent man end up taking the blame? This opens another storyline that has an ending I didn't expect. Or maybe I should have based on some information earlier in the book.
Pick up this series and discover a misfit cast of characters will will surprise and delight you. And you can help solve a few mysteries along the way.
We give this book 4 paws up.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and it is also the fifth in the series. While the author does a great job of introducing the characters in Gregg House and their roles, I think starting with the first book would give the reader a better insight.
This book has several different storylines and a murder that doesn't occur until near the end. Even though the book takes place over a couple of weeks, the pace is fast and furious as they navigate the various situations that arise. It all boils down to family issues. There is a potential child for JD's grandfather, a family squabble over an estate for another family, and those that you make your family.
I really like JD, Dianne, and Johnny. These are core characters since they all live and work in Gregg House. I can only imagine how large this house is (I read 4000 SF somewhere), considering they live and work here and hold celebrations for every holiday that rolls around. I love how passionate they are about their chosen careers and the charitable organizations that they assist. They stay very busy, that is for sure. I could relate to Dianne and her mad dash to finish tax returns by the October 15th deadline. I used to work for a CPA, so that is very familiar to me. I loved Johnny's dedication to animals, especially cats, even though I am a dog person. And especially black cats in October when they may not be looked upon as favorably.
I had to chuckle at their band. Think of it as a cover band for ABBA, costumes and all. They sang other songs, but I chuckled at how they burst into song at random times. But it seemed to be a way for them to decompress and entertain those around them.
I enjoyed following along in JD's research into one Peggy Porter and what might have happened to her. She dated his grandfather but disappeared once she discovered she was pregnant, and he was not around to assist. It was the war (Vietnam), and this threw roadblocks up for what might have been a happy life together. Or maybe it was not meant to be. I had to admire JD's determination to solve this mystery, and the answers might surprise you.
Then, there is the man who ends up dead. Who killed him and why? And will an innocent man end up taking the blame? This opens another storyline that has an ending I didn't expect. Or maybe I should have based on some information earlier in the book.
Pick up this series and discover a misfit cast of characters will will surprise and delight you. And you can help solve a few mysteries along the way.
We give this book 4 paws up.
August 23, 2024
Hallow is the fifth book in M. R. Dimond’s Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series, and the first I’ve read. I was able to follow along pretty well, but this book was so enchanting, I’ve got to go read the first four and get to know the characters from the start!
Black Orchid Enterprises is the business endeavor of J.D., Dianne, and Johnny. (And suddenly I find myself thinking of “Jack and Diane” by John Cougar Mellencamp, even though J.D.’s name is not Jack.) They work and live in Gregg House. They’re friends – more like an unconventional family, really – and their professional lives often intersect and overlap in surprising ways. Gregg House is a community fixture, known for their celebrations of just about every event and season. Here we see them hosting events for the Jewish holiday of Sukkoth and the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. I would imagine these parties would be some big to-dos even without the events of the mysteries that are unfolding.
Yes, mysteries. This story is chock full of them! You’ve got the murder mystery, of course, with a murder that comes surprisingly late in the book. But J.D. also learns that his grandfather may have had a child with Peggy Porter, the girlfriend he was never able to locate after he returned from the war. Armed with a puzzle box and a name and little else, J. D. tries to pin down the fate of the elusive Peggy. Then there’s Vidal Abreu, looking to protect his inheritance from his unruly mess of half-siblings and the curious DNA test his daughter took. Who’s part of whose family here?
Now, at first I was not enthralled. It took me a little bit to really get into the book. There were multiple story threads to follow, I wasn’t sure how they all connected, and it felt like a bit much to follow. But if you’re reading and feeling this same way, I encourage you to persevere!
Dimond gives us a host of well-written characters, some appealing, some not so much. Johnny may have been my favorite, with his love for animals and investment in their rescue. I share his fondness for cats, and I loved that he tried so hard to protect all the black cats around Halloween!
The more I read, the more I loved this book. The stories unfolded and intertwined, family was lost, family was found, longstanding mysteries were resolved, and I was a little sad to turn the last page. I hope there’s more to come in this series, because I think I’ve fallen in love a little with the residents of Gregg House and all the shenanigans they get up to!
Black Orchid Enterprises is the business endeavor of J.D., Dianne, and Johnny. (And suddenly I find myself thinking of “Jack and Diane” by John Cougar Mellencamp, even though J.D.’s name is not Jack.) They work and live in Gregg House. They’re friends – more like an unconventional family, really – and their professional lives often intersect and overlap in surprising ways. Gregg House is a community fixture, known for their celebrations of just about every event and season. Here we see them hosting events for the Jewish holiday of Sukkoth and the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. I would imagine these parties would be some big to-dos even without the events of the mysteries that are unfolding.
Yes, mysteries. This story is chock full of them! You’ve got the murder mystery, of course, with a murder that comes surprisingly late in the book. But J.D. also learns that his grandfather may have had a child with Peggy Porter, the girlfriend he was never able to locate after he returned from the war. Armed with a puzzle box and a name and little else, J. D. tries to pin down the fate of the elusive Peggy. Then there’s Vidal Abreu, looking to protect his inheritance from his unruly mess of half-siblings and the curious DNA test his daughter took. Who’s part of whose family here?
Now, at first I was not enthralled. It took me a little bit to really get into the book. There were multiple story threads to follow, I wasn’t sure how they all connected, and it felt like a bit much to follow. But if you’re reading and feeling this same way, I encourage you to persevere!
Dimond gives us a host of well-written characters, some appealing, some not so much. Johnny may have been my favorite, with his love for animals and investment in their rescue. I share his fondness for cats, and I loved that he tried so hard to protect all the black cats around Halloween!
The more I read, the more I loved this book. The stories unfolded and intertwined, family was lost, family was found, longstanding mysteries were resolved, and I was a little sad to turn the last page. I hope there’s more to come in this series, because I think I’ve fallen in love a little with the residents of Gregg House and all the shenanigans they get up to!
August 14, 2024
I am a sucker for cute, cozy mystery books with a cute animal on the front (especially since it reminded me of my own black cat). When the opportunity came to read this book, I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring. Here are my thoughts on Hallow: A Fracture Family Tale by M.R. Dimond.
Now, I'm not going to lie, this book took a couple of chapters for me to get fully into. After some of the establishing pieces were put together and we started to get into the meat of the story, it became too good not to gobble up. From the storyline about J.D.'s grandfather's past to the mystery surrounding the burning building, I felt immersed in the lives of this small Texas town.
Speaking of getting ourselves immersed, I need to find this place in real life. Throughout the story, the readers are invited to learn about various traditions, holidays, history lessons, and so much more. I found myself looking up these different things as I was reading, which I love to do, to understand and better educate myself. So besides a good story, there are great facts and tidbits that you can learn along the way.
The only thing with this story is that it's the fifth one in the series and, at least for me, I didn't feel like I could pick up on the characters and settings right away. I felt like I was missing connections and little details that would make the character dynamics make more sense. After a few chapters, I understood everyone's relationship and where they fell into this world, but it took a minute. Therefore, I recommend probably reading this in chronological order rather than out of order.
Overall, I enjoyed my time getting to know everyone in this small town and all their traditions and habits. It's a story that has made me want to pick up and read the previous books in this series, which you should look into doing too. I give Hallow: a Fractured Family Tale a 4 out of 5 stars. Until next time, Happy reading!
Now, I'm not going to lie, this book took a couple of chapters for me to get fully into. After some of the establishing pieces were put together and we started to get into the meat of the story, it became too good not to gobble up. From the storyline about J.D.'s grandfather's past to the mystery surrounding the burning building, I felt immersed in the lives of this small Texas town.
Speaking of getting ourselves immersed, I need to find this place in real life. Throughout the story, the readers are invited to learn about various traditions, holidays, history lessons, and so much more. I found myself looking up these different things as I was reading, which I love to do, to understand and better educate myself. So besides a good story, there are great facts and tidbits that you can learn along the way.
The only thing with this story is that it's the fifth one in the series and, at least for me, I didn't feel like I could pick up on the characters and settings right away. I felt like I was missing connections and little details that would make the character dynamics make more sense. After a few chapters, I understood everyone's relationship and where they fell into this world, but it took a minute. Therefore, I recommend probably reading this in chronological order rather than out of order.
Overall, I enjoyed my time getting to know everyone in this small town and all their traditions and habits. It's a story that has made me want to pick up and read the previous books in this series, which you should look into doing too. I give Hallow: a Fractured Family Tale a 4 out of 5 stars. Until next time, Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
There’s nothing I like more than a story with rich cultural insights in a vivid setting. Combine suspense with humor—not an easy task—and you have a winning combination with “Hallow: A Fractured Family Tale.”
A sample of tasty quips: “If I was on a wild goose chase, I wanted to actively chase.”
“The same generation that complains about AI and Photoshop thought their professional portraits needed to be manually enhanced.”
Finally: “The orchestra was the reason we’d planted an eighth of an acre of squash…I was especially pleased with my trombetta squash, a long-necked lime green specimen that played in the trombone or low French horn range.”
One of my favorite characters is Darryl. “The sukkah was, of course, our intern’s idea and execution, not that he’s Jewish. Darryl Swann assists Johnny (whose grandmother is Jewish) in the cat hospital, Dianne with never-ending tax returns, and me with my legal grind. Decorating for the holidays, all the holidays, brings Darryl enough joy to keep him doing these other jobs.”
As a veterinarian, I never tire of the endless animals. “Everyone in town showed up after church so their cat, dog, hamster, bird, snake, tarantula, horse, llama, goat, and others could be blessed. In rural Texas, anything that doesn’t bite too hard can be a pet, if it consents to hang around.”
The diverse, multicultural characters navigate surprising crimes and misdemeanors. They are considerably entertaining. Drop into Gregg House for a heck of a ride.
A sample of tasty quips: “If I was on a wild goose chase, I wanted to actively chase.”
“The same generation that complains about AI and Photoshop thought their professional portraits needed to be manually enhanced.”
Finally: “The orchestra was the reason we’d planted an eighth of an acre of squash…I was especially pleased with my trombetta squash, a long-necked lime green specimen that played in the trombone or low French horn range.”
One of my favorite characters is Darryl. “The sukkah was, of course, our intern’s idea and execution, not that he’s Jewish. Darryl Swann assists Johnny (whose grandmother is Jewish) in the cat hospital, Dianne with never-ending tax returns, and me with my legal grind. Decorating for the holidays, all the holidays, brings Darryl enough joy to keep him doing these other jobs.”
As a veterinarian, I never tire of the endless animals. “Everyone in town showed up after church so their cat, dog, hamster, bird, snake, tarantula, horse, llama, goat, and others could be blessed. In rural Texas, anything that doesn’t bite too hard can be a pet, if it consents to hang around.”
The diverse, multicultural characters navigate surprising crimes and misdemeanors. They are considerably entertaining. Drop into Gregg House for a heck of a ride.
August 18, 2024
Hallow by M.R. Dimond is the first book I have read from this author, and it is also the fifth in the Black Orchid Enterprises mystery series. I was able to enjoy the story even coming in later in the series. Dimond does a wonderful job of introducing the characters to the reader, regardless of where you are in the series. HOWEVER, I do recommend that readers go back and start from the beginning to really enjoy the full effect of this story!
Family dynamics is at the center of this story - though there are different storylines throughout the tale. Dimond is able to manuever between the storylines with ease in a fast paced way. What's even more fun is the humor that Dimond is able to intertwine with the happenings of the tale. There truly is a lot that happens throughout the story that will keep you turning the page.
Hallow is a tale for readers who love cute and cozy mysteries. Through detailed and enjoyable characters and humor, the author is able to create a world where we get to know everyone in a small town - and everything that comes along with small towns.
Family dynamics is at the center of this story - though there are different storylines throughout the tale. Dimond is able to manuever between the storylines with ease in a fast paced way. What's even more fun is the humor that Dimond is able to intertwine with the happenings of the tale. There truly is a lot that happens throughout the story that will keep you turning the page.
Hallow is a tale for readers who love cute and cozy mysteries. Through detailed and enjoyable characters and humor, the author is able to create a world where we get to know everyone in a small town - and everything that comes along with small towns.
May 29, 2025
Another Excellent Read!!
I am totally in love with this series. The characters who seem more like old friends you want to.hang out with, the celebrations, all of the different personalities that come together and not only provide support but understanding and comfort. There were multiple storylines in this book but they all converged to create a wild ride of a story. A search for lost relatives, identity and the truth of one's birthright. All wrapped up in glittery paper and marigolds as the housemates celebrate one holiday after another, all with their usual over the top way of doing things. All in all another very satisfying addition to this wonderful series. Entertaining and very enjoyable! 🎉🎉👏👏🌟🌟💞
I am totally in love with this series. The characters who seem more like old friends you want to.hang out with, the celebrations, all of the different personalities that come together and not only provide support but understanding and comfort. There were multiple storylines in this book but they all converged to create a wild ride of a story. A search for lost relatives, identity and the truth of one's birthright. All wrapped up in glittery paper and marigolds as the housemates celebrate one holiday after another, all with their usual over the top way of doing things. All in all another very satisfying addition to this wonderful series. Entertaining and very enjoyable! 🎉🎉👏👏🌟🌟💞
November 11, 2025
Enjoyable read. This is the fifth book in the series, but I was able to follow the story with no issues. I did feel like I was missing some back story, however.. If anything, I'm more interested in reading the beginning of the series to find out the details. I really enjoyed the trio of main characters, JD, Dianne, and Johnny. Their combination\partnership works well and drives the story forward. Each partner contributes to the investigations and crime solving. Well-written story. The mysteries were plotted and revealed effectively. I did not guess the end of the two different investigations. (I am kind of glad I don't live in their house, though, with all those cats. I wouldn't be able to breathe!)
February 16, 2025
Hallow: A Fractured Family Tale is book #5 in the Black Orchid Enterprises Mystery series by M. R. Dimond.
This was another entertaining addition to the series. I really enjoy seeing what the characters are up to. This book has several storylines that intertwine. Plus there is humor and cats. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was another entertaining addition to the series. I really enjoy seeing what the characters are up to. This book has several storylines that intertwine. Plus there is humor and cats. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2024
Loved it!
I loved this book. It was such a fun read. The characters are loveable and relatable. I can't wait for the next book.
I loved this book. It was such a fun read. The characters are loveable and relatable. I can't wait for the next book.
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