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Cozy Mysteries on the Open Road #1
The Route 66 Misfits: A Small Town Mystery Series
The famed Clara Fitzwater, best friend with Janice Thornberry from the Secret Library Cozy Mysteries, is trading in her stage lights for detective work. Late one night, she gets an urgent call from her niece, Jane, who's not just been mugged but is also upstaging the local drama scene with her unexpected starring role as the prime suspect.
With Jane's future hanging by a thread thinner than the script she's writing in jail, Clara and her actor friend, Archie, dive into the investigation. Archie, sit-com extraordinaire, is more used to delivering punchlines than solving crimes. But he brings his comedic timing to the case, much to Clara's chagrin. Together, they navigate through the mystery to find who framed Jane.
Will Clara's theatrical flair and Archie's knack for improvisation be enough to unravel this mystery? Or will their curtain call come too soon, leaving Jane to face the final act alone?
Sequel series to the six book series Secret Book Club Mysteries starting with Tall Tails
Other series by author-
Flamingo Realty Cozy Mysteries
Angel Lake Walking Calamity Cozy Mysteries
Emily Lickenson mysteries
Oceanside Mysteries
Ghost No More series
Chelsea Lawson Cozy mysteries
Circus Cozy mysteries
Choosing Love- Home is where the Heart series
Baker Street Cozy mysteries
With Jane's future hanging by a thread thinner than the script she's writing in jail, Clara and her actor friend, Archie, dive into the investigation. Archie, sit-com extraordinaire, is more used to delivering punchlines than solving crimes. But he brings his comedic timing to the case, much to Clara's chagrin. Together, they navigate through the mystery to find who framed Jane.
Will Clara's theatrical flair and Archie's knack for improvisation be enough to unravel this mystery? Or will their curtain call come too soon, leaving Jane to face the final act alone?
Sequel series to the six book series Secret Book Club Mysteries starting with Tall Tails
Other series by author-
Flamingo Realty Cozy Mysteries
Angel Lake Walking Calamity Cozy Mysteries
Emily Lickenson mysteries
Oceanside Mysteries
Ghost No More series
Chelsea Lawson Cozy mysteries
Circus Cozy mysteries
Choosing Love- Home is where the Heart series
Baker Street Cozy mysteries
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2025
147 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2025
Excellent mystery
Not only is this a great mystery with all the twists and turns, but there is a great cast of characters. Hope we will see these characters again.
Not only is this a great mystery with all the twists and turns, but there is a great cast of characters. Hope we will see these characters again.
March 16, 2025
A fun romp with great, interesting characters that kept me interested and curious about what happens next from the very first.
March 29, 2025
like the idea
I really want to like this book and to continue reading the series. If Clara was a film star in the 1950s she would be in her nineties and yet her niece is only 22. It’s mentioned that the van is older than Jane’s father yet Clara reminisces about riding big wheels with her brother. Let’s get timelines correct maybe make her a film star of the 1960s instead.
I really want to like this book and to continue reading the series. If Clara was a film star in the 1950s she would be in her nineties and yet her niece is only 22. It’s mentioned that the van is older than Jane’s father yet Clara reminisces about riding big wheels with her brother. Let’s get timelines correct maybe make her a film star of the 1960s instead.
March 16, 2025
Former actress, Clara Fitzwater gets an unexpected call from her niece, Jane Oldcastle. Jane says she has just been robbed and her purse was stolen. When Jane's purse is found, it is with a dead man. And for some reason, the police think Jane was involved in his death. The dead man is Jack McAleander, but that was not the name he used with Jane. He called himself Adam. In an effort to help Jane, Clara contacts her old actor friend, Archie Fontaine, who in turn calls his son, Collin. Collin is an attorney that has many helpful sources, but will he be able to help clear Jane?
Who stole Jane's purse? How did Jack McAlexander end up with it? Who killed Jack? Who is trying to frame Jane for his death? Can Clara and Archie unravel the mystery and determine who is actually guilty?
CeeCee James has a great start to a new series with wonderful characters and realistic situations. She shows some of the best features of Route 66, a.k.a. The Mother Road. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to keep the reader engaged clear to the end.
Who stole Jane's purse? How did Jack McAlexander end up with it? Who killed Jack? Who is trying to frame Jane for his death? Can Clara and Archie unravel the mystery and determine who is actually guilty?
CeeCee James has a great start to a new series with wonderful characters and realistic situations. She shows some of the best features of Route 66, a.k.a. The Mother Road. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to keep the reader engaged clear to the end.
November 5, 2025
This is a fun 3-book series although this book was just a bit more than 100 pages. Shucks! But I like the story line so far. You’ve got a retired actress that has/has a flair for the drama, a good friend of hers that is an actor that is so much fun and loud! His son is also loud and a happy guy!
The son is a lawyer which came in handy for the main character’s niece that was possibly involved in a murder. I see there is a possible love connection between the lawyer and the niece.
I wish this book had been a bit longer, but the story was told and everything was wrapped up.
Note: I didn’t mention names because I don’t remember! I do remember Archie’s name (he’s the retired actor). Oh ya, Jane is the niece’s name.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store for these 4 in book 2.
The son is a lawyer which came in handy for the main character’s niece that was possibly involved in a murder. I see there is a possible love connection between the lawyer and the niece.
I wish this book had been a bit longer, but the story was told and everything was wrapped up.
Note: I didn’t mention names because I don’t remember! I do remember Archie’s name (he’s the retired actor). Oh ya, Jane is the niece’s name.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store for these 4 in book 2.
April 2, 2025
This was an interesting book with engaging characters and a puzzling mystery. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Amazon synopsis:
The famed Clara Fitzwater, best friend with Janice Thornberry from the Secret Library Cozy Mysteries, is trading in her stage lights for detective work. Late one night, she gets an urgent call from her niece, Jane, who's not just been mugged but is also upstaging the local drama scene with her unexpected starring role as the prime suspect.
With Jane's future hanging by a thread thinner than the script she's writing in jail, Clara and her actor friend, Archie, dive into the investigation. Archie, sit-com extraordinaire, is more used to delivering punchlines than solving crimes. But he brings his comedic timing to the case, much to Clara's chagrin. Together, they navigate through the mystery to find who framed Jane.
Amazon synopsis:
The famed Clara Fitzwater, best friend with Janice Thornberry from the Secret Library Cozy Mysteries, is trading in her stage lights for detective work. Late one night, she gets an urgent call from her niece, Jane, who's not just been mugged but is also upstaging the local drama scene with her unexpected starring role as the prime suspect.
With Jane's future hanging by a thread thinner than the script she's writing in jail, Clara and her actor friend, Archie, dive into the investigation. Archie, sit-com extraordinaire, is more used to delivering punchlines than solving crimes. But he brings his comedic timing to the case, much to Clara's chagrin. Together, they navigate through the mystery to find who framed Jane.
June 11, 2025
Fact Checking is Key
Story could have moved along.. Not a bad plot, but characters could have been fleshed out more.
One thing that didn't gel....the thought by the retired 1950's actress that she remembered riding their Big Wheels all over...not possible...Big Wheels came out in the late 60s, and they were most popular in the 1970s. Might not have bothered others, but it definitely left me wondering what else was wrong...
Story could have moved along.. Not a bad plot, but characters could have been fleshed out more.
One thing that didn't gel....the thought by the retired 1950's actress that she remembered riding their Big Wheels all over...not possible...Big Wheels came out in the late 60s, and they were most popular in the 1970s. Might not have bothered others, but it definitely left me wondering what else was wrong...
March 28, 2025
Memories of fun
This book was so neat as it had things from a couple different eras in it. You had the VW, actors from movies and TV, famous Route 66 and even the new era of live off the grid. The combination of all of this plus a good plot makes for a mystery that’s hard to put down. Definitely a five star book. I can’t wait for the next book.
This book was so neat as it had things from a couple different eras in it. You had the VW, actors from movies and TV, famous Route 66 and even the new era of live off the grid. The combination of all of this plus a good plot makes for a mystery that’s hard to put down. Definitely a five star book. I can’t wait for the next book.
May 13, 2025
Slow start but a good new series
I absolutely love CeeCee's books and once this book picked up, I enjoyed the mystery. The characters took a bit to get to know, however, they are a fun group.
The murder happens quickly and the murderer was a surprise so I think as I get to know the characters, this series will become just as much of a favorite as all her other books.
I absolutely love CeeCee's books and once this book picked up, I enjoyed the mystery. The characters took a bit to get to know, however, they are a fun group.
The murder happens quickly and the murderer was a surprise so I think as I get to know the characters, this series will become just as much of a favorite as all her other books.
March 20, 2025
Short and fun read.
Have read a lot of CeCee James books. His one doesnt disappoint. Its a short quick read that keeps your interest. It sticks to the story without fillers that drags the story on unnecessarily. Got to love an old Lady and a rich one at that.
Have read a lot of CeCee James books. His one doesnt disappoint. Its a short quick read that keeps your interest. It sticks to the story without fillers that drags the story on unnecessarily. Got to love an old Lady and a rich one at that.
May 20, 2025
Fun mystery and characters
Loved the book. The charm of the lead character, Clara, and her "side kicks", niece and long time friend kept things interesting. Loved how she referred to her old van as bread loaf 😂. Looking forward to reading the next story.
Loved the book. The charm of the lead character, Clara, and her "side kicks", niece and long time friend kept things interesting. Loved how she referred to her old van as bread loaf 😂. Looking forward to reading the next story.
June 10, 2025
Good!
This is a new series and I enjoyed getting to know Clara and the other great characters. Good twisty mystery that kept Mr guessing to the end. I'm looking forward to reading the next adventure with Clara.
This is a new series and I enjoyed getting to know Clara and the other great characters. Good twisty mystery that kept Mr guessing to the end. I'm looking forward to reading the next adventure with Clara.
May 2, 2025
What fun! I was looking for a light book but with a good mystery and interesting characters. This was it.
June 1, 2025
What a delightful little mystery with the sweetest characters. There can be a happy ending in a Murder mystery. A mystery can be read by any age.
June 6, 2025
Easy read
Wacky weird book with interesting charachhters. A bit predictable but not a bad read. A a a a a a
Wacky weird book with interesting charachhters. A bit predictable but not a bad read. A a a a a a
June 13, 2025
Route 66 Misfits
Loved this book with its murder mystery, a little humor, and a who woulda guessed it. The aging actors are a delight.
Loved this book with its murder mystery, a little humor, and a who woulda guessed it. The aging actors are a delight.
June 24, 2025
Slow start, average middle & end
Took me a bit to get a grip on the different characters, their relationship and plot. Not my favorite soft mystery. Could be just me.
Took me a bit to get a grip on the different characters, their relationship and plot. Not my favorite soft mystery. Could be just me.
October 16, 2025
Great light read
I enjoyed this book. It was a light read.
Thank you for the great book. Would definitely recommend.
Brenda J
I enjoyed this book. It was a light read.
Thank you for the great book. Would definitely recommend.
Brenda J
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews