Death and the Family Tree

Trudy Roundtree Mystery #5

by Linda Berry

Book by Linda Berry

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

251 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Linda Berry's Trudy Roundtree novels are set in rural south Georgia, but Linda lives in Colorado, where she's a community arts activist and an insatiable theatregoer. Other published credits include poetry, plays, preschool currriculum, and a newspaper entertainment column.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The oldest ex mayor Julian is killed the day after he is honored at the town’s bicentennial celebration on the day the whole family is fighting. Officer Trudy and chief of police start investigating and find so many family secrets, missing things and old gossip.They have to figure out if any of it has to do with Julian’s death. The romance between Trudy and Phil heats up even with someone trying to come between them. A nice mystery with several red herrings

[Anam Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on the shelves at the library and was taken by the title. I'd been doing a bit of genealogical work in my family, so it seemed fitting.

Trudy Roundtree is a police officer in her hometown. It took a bit before I was able to figure out how she was related to the Chief of Police (it was a bit obscure, no spelled out clearly).

The town is having a bicentennial and many family members are gathered because one of the patriarchs is giving a speech at the celebration. The out of town family is staying in a family homestead that is being converted into a bed and breakfast. Oh, the tensions that run through the family! The secrets they hide and the personalities! Sounds like my family.

At any rate, aforementioned patriarch dies after a fall down the steps. Was it an accident? Was he pushed? Will anyone actually answer questions for the police?

Great story. There were a lot of lines I laughed out loud reading. I really must look for more books by Linda Berry!

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for me, lots of humor even though it's a mystery. Great characters and lots of Southern charm.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family squabbles, missing valuables, mischief and mayhem abound. Every time Hen and Trudy solve one mystery, another pops up. Until, FINALLY, all the pieces fall into place.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the Stubbs family has gathered in Ogeechee for the town's bicentennial celebration. Naturally this brings out old memories — and old hostilities. When Julian Stubbs falls to his death down the stairs of the family home, he is found clutching the framed family tree that hung on the wall. Why was he holding it? Officer Trudy Roundtree can't help wondering if there is a clue hidden in the family tree somewhere as she and her boss investigate not only the murder but other events involving the Stubbs family.

[Candace Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was good, but slow at times. The character Shawna was quit annoying and no a good friend to Trudy. I didn't like how she treated her. I have 2 more books to read then I will complete this series. Some of the writing seemed awkward, it made it hard to get into the book.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trudy #4

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny, light mystery

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who don't mind a formulaic mystery between more serious reads, this one is cute and quick.