Deserving of Murder

by Mary Ann Noe

“A delight for mystery lovers and celebrity fans alike. Skillfully intertwining elegance and corpses, humor and pathos, Deserving of Murder earns a well-deserved standing ovation from even the most discriminating of audiences.” –Michael Giorgio, author of A Week of Criminal Happiness

It’s January 1947, and Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, well-known acting couple, invite six theater people–writers, actors, spouses–to Ten Chimneys, their rural Wisconsin estate, to work on a play. But once there, a blizzard strands them far from town without telephone service, though heat and electricity are still working.

All goes well until the second night when one of their guests is shockingly murdered. As more and more secrets emerge, Lynn and Alfred realize one of their company must be the murderer. Everyone has means. Everyone has opportunity. And everyone seems to have motive. Before the storm lessens enough for the snowplow and the authorities to arrive, Lynn and Alfred must keep everyone calm, even as they work to ferret out the killer.

Deserving of Murder delivers mistaken identity, multiple motives by a cast of unique characters, darkness and weather, to say nothing of numerous twists and turns. All which serve to lead characters, and readers, on a wild romp through a house containing plenty of places for a murderer to play hide-and-seek. Will time run out and the killer escape or, worse, kill again?

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

Reviews

[Ben Genner · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting Mary Ann at the Mukwonago Public Library and learning of her books and her newest book, Deserving of Murder, I had to get it from Audible ( I like audiobooks). I was told that the book was based on Ten Chimneys in Genesse Depot, and I have never visited so I made that my first priority. That visit was very fun and informative. My wife and I enjoyed the tour. I then was ready to listen to the book. I really liked the book, the characters, and the setting (Ten Chimneys). I think visiting Ten Chimneys before reading really made the book enjoyable because I could put myself right in the story. I will not put any spoilers in here, I just want to say I liked the book and would read more like this!!!

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

This book had me interested from start to finish. It was very well written. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
The characters were relatable and had interesting back stories. I enjoyed getting to know each one of them.
I highly recommend reading this book

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty predictable mystery as the author telegraphs clues throughout. Also, they aren't very aware of what workshopping a new play is like, which bothered me because I do know. I must say, it's grammatically correct (nothing to sneeze at). If you like snowstorms, this book is for you.

[Sue :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery if ever I saw one.

A good clean whodunit with lots of suspects. I pretty much had it figured out almost from the start except for the why. Still made for an interesting read.

[Samuel White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Good book. I'd prefer less opening and for the solving of the murder to have taken longer. Still a good read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully, detailed story. Fun, little murder mystery.

[Alice Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The storm keeping everyone inside adds to a sense of tension and claustrophobia. Great history with Lunt and Fontaine leading a cast of interesting characters.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

1947 Ten Chinneys Estate, Wisconsin. There is an actors retreat to run through a newly written play unfortunately during a strong winter storm. Then one of them is found dead
an enjoyable cozy historical mystery though there did not seem to be vast amount of detecting.

[Melanie Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up in a bookshop in Wisconsin because she’s from Wisconsin. I’m looking forward to touring the estate from this book.

This is a story from the 40’s about a couple who are broadway actors. They are going to their place in Wisconsin due to a strike in New York. They invite a few other actresses and playwrights to spend some time at their estate. There’s a blizzard and someone ends up dead. Was it an accident because of the blizzard or was it murder?

I would recommend