What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Club Mystery #1
Nightmares Can Be Murder
Dream Team
Business consultant Taylor Blake has returned to Savannah, Georgia, to help her sister Allison turn her dream of running an old-fashioned candy store into a reality. Allison is also interested in dream interpretation and invites Taylor to her Friday night Dream Club, where members meet once a week to share and analyze their dreams.
When a local dance instructor, Chico Hernandez, is found dead in his studio, and the murder scene has an eerie resemblance to one of the dreams shared at their meeting, Taylor can’t help but be intrigued. And when her sister, who was briefly involved with the dance teacher, becomes the prime suspect, Taylor and their fellow club members can’t be caught napping. It’s up to them to dream up a solution to the murder before Allison faces a real-life nightmare.
Business consultant Taylor Blake has returned to Savannah, Georgia, to help her sister Allison turn her dream of running an old-fashioned candy store into a reality. Allison is also interested in dream interpretation and invites Taylor to her Friday night Dream Club, where members meet once a week to share and analyze their dreams.
When a local dance instructor, Chico Hernandez, is found dead in his studio, and the murder scene has an eerie resemblance to one of the dreams shared at their meeting, Taylor can’t help but be intrigued. And when her sister, who was briefly involved with the dance teacher, becomes the prime suspect, Taylor and their fellow club members can’t be caught napping. It’s up to them to dream up a solution to the murder before Allison faces a real-life nightmare.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
61 people are currently reading
929 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kennedy
139 books331 followersMary Kennedy is a national best-selling novelist and a licensed psychologist on the east coast. She has written 37 young adult novels and has a new adult mystery series with Penguin, The Talk Radio Mysteries.The first title, DEATH IS BAD KARMA was released in January 2010, and the second release, REEL MURDER, is available now. She has spoken at over 100 schools, libraries and writers' conferences all over the country. She received a grant and award for "artistic excellence in fiction" from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Please visit her online at http://www.marykennedy.net. And be sure to visit Killer Characters--it's a fun site where cozy mystery writers blog as their characters! www.killercharacters.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
August 10, 2016
This was a pretty good start to a new series. The premise sounded interesting. At least its something different what with most cozy mystery club series go. As the story went along, the characters and mystery was interesting. Looking forward to reading more from this cozy mystery series.
December 2, 2015
Nightmares Can Be Murder by Mary Kennedy.
This was the first in the Dream club Mysteries.
Taylor Blake is in Savannah, Georgia, visiting her sister Allison. Taylor is strictly all business and has been a business consultant in Chicago. Allison has a candy emporium that has been doing so-so with no ideas on how to deal with a business that's going no where. That's where Taylor's ideas on creating a successful old fashioned candy store come into play.
Allison has a knack for baking. As a matter of fact She excels in her baking creations bite sized cakes and truffles for the Dream Club meetings. Their dream interpretations bring a group of women together for a night of interesting discussions. That is until a dance teacher from across the street, Chico, is found murdered.
I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting this story was. Evenly written with just the right number of characters with evolving relationships. The Dream Club made it all the more interesting. A true cozy.
This was the first in the Dream club Mysteries.
Taylor Blake is in Savannah, Georgia, visiting her sister Allison. Taylor is strictly all business and has been a business consultant in Chicago. Allison has a candy emporium that has been doing so-so with no ideas on how to deal with a business that's going no where. That's where Taylor's ideas on creating a successful old fashioned candy store come into play.
Allison has a knack for baking. As a matter of fact She excels in her baking creations bite sized cakes and truffles for the Dream Club meetings. Their dream interpretations bring a group of women together for a night of interesting discussions. That is until a dance teacher from across the street, Chico, is found murdered.
I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting this story was. Evenly written with just the right number of characters with evolving relationships. The Dream Club made it all the more interesting. A true cozy.
August 31, 2014
As soon as I read the back cover blurb for this book, I was hooked. I didn’t even have to open it up and start reading. I was fascinated that a cozy mystery would revolve around a dream club. That’s such an original idea. Then, to set it in an old-fashioned candy shop? What could be better?
The cast of characters ranged from sweet to quirky to tough to downright evil. Each one is developed to perfection. Our main character and amateur sleuth is Taylor Blake. She is taking a break from her life in Chicago to help her sister, Ali, run her candy store. During her visit, she sits in on Ali’s dream club where members meet to analyze their dreams. Of course Taylor doesn’t believe in dreams, but she goes along for the ride and meets Ali’s friends.
When the local dance instructor, who happens to be friends with Ali and most women in the small town, is found dead – the murder scene is very similar to one of the dream club member’s dream. The group is riveted by this, but it's not long before Ali finds herself as a prime suspect. Taylor knows her sister is innocent. Regardless of the danger to herself, Taylor intends to investigate and find the real killer before her sister finds herself behind bars. Taylor calls for help from a private investigator, Noah Chandler, who happens to be an old boyfriend. Together, they try to get to the bottom of this.
I love the touch of romance that runs through this book, plus the relationship between Taylor and her sister is sweet. In addition, the members of the dream club welcomed Taylor into their little family even though her intention is to move back to Chicago. It gave the story a very warm feeling.
As for the mystery, I didn’t see the end coming at all. There were several possibilities who the killer was and the story took several twists and turns. I didn’t figure it out and was just as surprised as Taylor.
This is a well written mystery with a lively cast of characters. Not to mention that it gives cozy mystery readers a little bit of a different angle in the genre. I can’t wait for the second book to be released.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The cast of characters ranged from sweet to quirky to tough to downright evil. Each one is developed to perfection. Our main character and amateur sleuth is Taylor Blake. She is taking a break from her life in Chicago to help her sister, Ali, run her candy store. During her visit, she sits in on Ali’s dream club where members meet to analyze their dreams. Of course Taylor doesn’t believe in dreams, but she goes along for the ride and meets Ali’s friends.
When the local dance instructor, who happens to be friends with Ali and most women in the small town, is found dead – the murder scene is very similar to one of the dream club member’s dream. The group is riveted by this, but it's not long before Ali finds herself as a prime suspect. Taylor knows her sister is innocent. Regardless of the danger to herself, Taylor intends to investigate and find the real killer before her sister finds herself behind bars. Taylor calls for help from a private investigator, Noah Chandler, who happens to be an old boyfriend. Together, they try to get to the bottom of this.
I love the touch of romance that runs through this book, plus the relationship between Taylor and her sister is sweet. In addition, the members of the dream club welcomed Taylor into their little family even though her intention is to move back to Chicago. It gave the story a very warm feeling.
As for the mystery, I didn’t see the end coming at all. There were several possibilities who the killer was and the story took several twists and turns. I didn’t figure it out and was just as surprised as Taylor.
This is a well written mystery with a lively cast of characters. Not to mention that it gives cozy mystery readers a little bit of a different angle in the genre. I can’t wait for the second book to be released.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 17, 2017
This took me forever and a day to get through, I think because I just wasn't focused on the plot or the characters. Chico's death wasn't a point of interest to me, and I never felt like I was invested enough in his character to concentrate on the mystery. It happens sometimes in cozies -shrug- I also didn't really like this theme? Like the club meets every other day to talk about dreams and it all just seemed odd to me. I dream a lot but I suppose I'm not that interested in interpreting it (last night I dreamed I was at an airport while my BF fought in the war, and I was collecting stray puppies and putting them in a cart. Oh and one small tabby kitten. Interpretation?)
So yeah, maybe not the series for me. Still, there's plenty of other cozies to pick, and maybe I'll like the next one better. Two stars.
So yeah, maybe not the series for me. Still, there's plenty of other cozies to pick, and maybe I'll like the next one better. Two stars.
January 21, 2015
First in a new series, this tightly woven story taking place in steamy Savannah has two sisters, Taylor Blake, a business consultant and Ali, owner of an old time candy store as its main characters. Ali is also the host of a Dream Club where members meet weekly to discuss and interpret their dreams. When one member has a dream that eerily comes true we find that some of the dream club members find themselves. "persons of interest". It also has two cats, Scout and Barney who play a subtle but important part in the story. Potential love interest for Taylor is former FBI flame, Noah. Full of colorful characters this mystery is fun to read. A great start for a very promising series.
February 22, 2021
This was odd, but good! I liked the characters and the setting, just odd.
August 11, 2014
Nightmares Can Be Murder is the first book in the A Dream Club Mystery series.
I love this new series by Mary Kennedy. For me it was a wonderful trip down memory lane for this reader.
Tracy Blake puts her career as a business consultant on hold and heads to Savannah to help her younger sister, Ali, get her new business up and running successfully. Ali's business, Oldies But Goodies, is a vintage candy store that is gaining some popularity. Ali also hosts a Dream Club, after hours. They meet once a week and interpret the dreams they have had the previous week. There are about nine members and their demeanor and personalities are quite diverse. The characters go from the, somewhat quiet, Harper sisters, the friendly Gina, the mousy ex-head mistress at a private school, Persia and the often outspoken Dorien and Sybil and to round out the club, Samantha(Sam) A Savannah police detective.
Then one evening Gina comes over to borrow the key to the dance studio where she works. She doesn't understand why the owner, Chico, isn't there as the students will be arriving soon. When she returns to the studio she finds Chico laying on the floor, dead. An autopsy show that Chico had been poisoned.
With the murder happening so close to their business, Taylor and Dream Club start to do a little investigation of their own. It's soon learned that Chico has had some business dealing with some shady characters and was known to be a bit of a playboy. As members of Dream Club begin to share their dreams after Chico's death, it begins to look as if his death might be related to a business deal gone bad or an irate husband or a scorned girlfriend.
In addition to Dream Club, Taylor has help from her former boyfriend, Noah, who is a PI and Sara, an investigative reporter, that she knew when she was in Atlanta. Just maybe, Taylor and Noah can put their past differences behind them and rekindle romance.
Kennedy tells a great story and intersperses a lot of the candies from the 50's and 60's to create a mouth watering tale.
Definitely will be watching for the next book in this flavorful series.
I love this new series by Mary Kennedy. For me it was a wonderful trip down memory lane for this reader.
Tracy Blake puts her career as a business consultant on hold and heads to Savannah to help her younger sister, Ali, get her new business up and running successfully. Ali's business, Oldies But Goodies, is a vintage candy store that is gaining some popularity. Ali also hosts a Dream Club, after hours. They meet once a week and interpret the dreams they have had the previous week. There are about nine members and their demeanor and personalities are quite diverse. The characters go from the, somewhat quiet, Harper sisters, the friendly Gina, the mousy ex-head mistress at a private school, Persia and the often outspoken Dorien and Sybil and to round out the club, Samantha(Sam) A Savannah police detective.
Then one evening Gina comes over to borrow the key to the dance studio where she works. She doesn't understand why the owner, Chico, isn't there as the students will be arriving soon. When she returns to the studio she finds Chico laying on the floor, dead. An autopsy show that Chico had been poisoned.
With the murder happening so close to their business, Taylor and Dream Club start to do a little investigation of their own. It's soon learned that Chico has had some business dealing with some shady characters and was known to be a bit of a playboy. As members of Dream Club begin to share their dreams after Chico's death, it begins to look as if his death might be related to a business deal gone bad or an irate husband or a scorned girlfriend.
In addition to Dream Club, Taylor has help from her former boyfriend, Noah, who is a PI and Sara, an investigative reporter, that she knew when she was in Atlanta. Just maybe, Taylor and Noah can put their past differences behind them and rekindle romance.
Kennedy tells a great story and intersperses a lot of the candies from the 50's and 60's to create a mouth watering tale.
Definitely will be watching for the next book in this flavorful series.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am a vivid dreamer so the premise of this series is very exciting to me. I had never heard of a Dream Club. This one has some very interesting members and it their meeting place is an old fashion candy store owned by Allison Blake. Her sister, Taylor has taken some time away from her life in Chicago and has come to Savannah to help her sister make a real success of Oldies but Goodies, a candy shop that features all the candy we loved as kids.
We meet Lucinda Macavy as she enters Dream Club and announces “I dreamt I was walking stark naked down the produce aisle in Publix.” Sybil self proclaimed dream expert wants more details. The Harper Sisters, Minerva and Rose, who are in their 80’s, relate to how cold that aisle of the grocery store can be. Dorien, self proclaimed psychic and tarot card reader, tries to deflect the entire conversation and turn it to something about her dreams. Samantha Stiles, a police detective and Taylor both just want the meeting to end. Neither of them wanted to be there but it is her sister’s club so Taylor is trying to pay attention. That becomes much easier when Persia starts to share her dream that included a murder!
Mary Kennedy has given us a wonderful group of core characters. She has also given us pretty shady victim opening the door to quite a variety of suspects. The plot continue to twist and turn throughout the story and I sure didn’t figure out this whodunit until the characters did.
I am also thrilled with the candy store setting. These shops are popping up all over and I love being able to find all the candies from my childhood. The story made me remember even more that I had long forgotten.
The was a bit of humor and a hint of romance too that always makes a cozy mystery everything we dream about. The Dream Symbol Guide at the end of the story was enlightening too. Maybe someday I will figure out what my crazy dreams mean :)
This story is a wonderful debut for this series. I am already dreaming about the next installment.
August 12, 2020
Really didn't care for this one. Had a hard time getting into the storyline, and didn't care for the characters of the Dream Club nor finding out how things would play out. I agree with several of the other low stars. Slow plot and I was ready to move on to an interesting book. Will not continue with the series.
June 19, 2016
Started out slow, but once the story started to unfold it was pretty. It was interesting that the story revolved around dreams. It's a first I've read something with that as the basis on solving a crime.
November 4, 2017
This is a new to me author and series. I loved everything about it. I've now downloaded the second book of the series to start next. I love the setting and the characters. Fun read!
September 11, 2019
The only reason I finished this book is because it was the only one taken to the beach with me, and if I'd had anything better to read, this would have gone back in the suitcase to be traded when I got back home. I'm giving it 2 stars, but it is BARELY two stars. Mary Kennedy, I am really sorry for the things I'm going to run down here, but your editor should have caught them, and I cannot in good conscience not tell people these things in case they want to pick up this book. Let me count the ways this book was insufferable.
1. Taylor and Ali are sisters, and Taylor has moved from "cold and windy" Chicago (mentioned more than one time), but Taylor "fell in love" with Ali when they shared a smile over a Bon Jovi poster and yet Taylor mothers Ali because their parents died (mentioned multiple times).....Okay....the "fell in love" over the poster thing....was this a misedit....Were they supposed to be friends first and in later edits became sisters, because the description is just weird.
2. About halfway through the book, Taylor asks Ali how bad something was, and her answer is a two. Taylor then goes on to explain they have this system where they rank things from jeans to boys to food on a scale of one to ten.....but there have been about twenty times this could have been used in the book previously and were not....so....another misedit?
3. Ali believes in the power of dreams, but Taylor does not. She had night terrors when she was a kid.....you would think by the end of the book she'd have a dream and come to terms with some of that, right? Nope. Never wrapped up.
4. Ali's business is "barely in the black," yet she and Taylor eat out in Savannah a lot.
5. And when they're eating in, Ali is pulling casseroles and desserts out of her freezer like it's a magic freezer (think Hermione's magic bottomless bag). I want to see the size of this girl's freezer in this rundown apartment because it must be amazing.
6. The cats that Ali owns give "slow, long blinks" to Taylor and Ali, which Taylor explains more than twice means the cats really like you. Okay.......You're their owner....I'd hope they like you.
7. There are so many red herrings in this book, I could have made fish stew. At one point, there is so much going on, I was like: there are seriously like 15 viable suspects right now. How is the author keeping this straight....oh, wait, she's not because things like people's professions, their looks, and a few other details get mentioned over and over and over. Boring and trite. And too much. Pick a few and roll with them.
8. When the actual murderer shows up, the murderer has broken in to Ali's apartment and is smoking a cigarette like some cliche from a bad noir film. Never mentioned that person smoking throughout the entire book so why at the reveal? Felt weird.
9. The people in the south in this book do not really act like people from the south, and Taylor keeps talking about southern hospitality......I don't think it flies as true.
10. The grown women in the dream club act like spiteful teenage/tween girls trying to one-up each other while telling dreams. It got old.
11. The end of chapter cliffhangers were abrupt sometimes, and then they'd skip hours or even a day ahead in time instead of wrapping things up in the next chapter.
12. Also, there were so many cliches at end of chapter "cliffhangers" that I kept wondering what the author was going to throw in there next. My two favorite: a: If I was holding a Magic 8 Ball, it would read all signs point to yes. And b: If we were in an episode of Law and Order, you'd hear that Duh-DUHN sound right about now (not direct quotes, but you get my drift).
13. So what if a lady was trying online dating? Everyone in the world has tried online dating--it's not as big of a deal as it was made out to be.
14. There was quite a bit of description of people's clothes that I thought unnecessary.
15. If that bistro had let the dog in and the health inspector came by, it would have been a very big deal.
16. No one was really likable except for the two antique dealers, and we saw them so little it was hard to tell if they were genuine or if it was a put on for customers.
I'm going to stop, but lord have mercy, you have been forewarned about this book.
1. Taylor and Ali are sisters, and Taylor has moved from "cold and windy" Chicago (mentioned more than one time), but Taylor "fell in love" with Ali when they shared a smile over a Bon Jovi poster and yet Taylor mothers Ali because their parents died (mentioned multiple times).....Okay....the "fell in love" over the poster thing....was this a misedit....Were they supposed to be friends first and in later edits became sisters, because the description is just weird.
2. About halfway through the book, Taylor asks Ali how bad something was, and her answer is a two. Taylor then goes on to explain they have this system where they rank things from jeans to boys to food on a scale of one to ten.....but there have been about twenty times this could have been used in the book previously and were not....so....another misedit?
3. Ali believes in the power of dreams, but Taylor does not. She had night terrors when she was a kid.....you would think by the end of the book she'd have a dream and come to terms with some of that, right? Nope. Never wrapped up.
4. Ali's business is "barely in the black," yet she and Taylor eat out in Savannah a lot.
5. And when they're eating in, Ali is pulling casseroles and desserts out of her freezer like it's a magic freezer (think Hermione's magic bottomless bag). I want to see the size of this girl's freezer in this rundown apartment because it must be amazing.
6. The cats that Ali owns give "slow, long blinks" to Taylor and Ali, which Taylor explains more than twice means the cats really like you. Okay.......You're their owner....I'd hope they like you.
7. There are so many red herrings in this book, I could have made fish stew. At one point, there is so much going on, I was like: there are seriously like 15 viable suspects right now. How is the author keeping this straight....oh, wait, she's not because things like people's professions, their looks, and a few other details get mentioned over and over and over. Boring and trite. And too much. Pick a few and roll with them.
8. When the actual murderer shows up, the murderer has broken in to Ali's apartment and is smoking a cigarette like some cliche from a bad noir film. Never mentioned that person smoking throughout the entire book so why at the reveal? Felt weird.
9. The people in the south in this book do not really act like people from the south, and Taylor keeps talking about southern hospitality......I don't think it flies as true.
10. The grown women in the dream club act like spiteful teenage/tween girls trying to one-up each other while telling dreams. It got old.
11. The end of chapter cliffhangers were abrupt sometimes, and then they'd skip hours or even a day ahead in time instead of wrapping things up in the next chapter.
12. Also, there were so many cliches at end of chapter "cliffhangers" that I kept wondering what the author was going to throw in there next. My two favorite: a: If I was holding a Magic 8 Ball, it would read all signs point to yes. And b: If we were in an episode of Law and Order, you'd hear that Duh-DUHN sound right about now (not direct quotes, but you get my drift).
13. So what if a lady was trying online dating? Everyone in the world has tried online dating--it's not as big of a deal as it was made out to be.
14. There was quite a bit of description of people's clothes that I thought unnecessary.
15. If that bistro had let the dog in and the health inspector came by, it would have been a very big deal.
16. No one was really likable except for the two antique dealers, and we saw them so little it was hard to tell if they were genuine or if it was a put on for customers.
I'm going to stop, but lord have mercy, you have been forewarned about this book.
September 11, 2014
Mary Kennedy's new book, Nightmares Can Be Murder is the first book in her Dream Club mystery series. An old fashioned candy store, a dream interpretation club and a dance instructor come together to give readers a great mystery experience that is unique to the genre. Kennedy gives readers a quirky cast of characters and plenty of suspects in this whodunit! They won't know what hit'em!
What I liked:
When you read a lot of cozy mysteries you start to see a lot of trends in the genre, whether it be mysteries set in bookstores, mysteries involving cats, mysteries with the same predictable cast of characters and even mysteries that don't make a whole lot of sense. Mary Kennedy, however has provided readers with something different. The dream club team is a first for me. I haven't seen that before in the genre and I applaud the author for coming up with something new and refreshing.
Dream interpretation is an interesting idea and I think readers will really flock to it. Who doesn't wonder if their dreams actually mean something sometimes? Or you get that prickly feeling on the back of your neck when you have a dream that is somewhat prophetic in nature. Did I really know that was going to happen? I love it! I think it's a great idea for the series. Kennedy is tapping into the readers curiosity with both the mystery aspects of the book and the dream club plot line. There are so many different directions the author can take this one, I can't wait to see what happens.
The retro candy store idea was also well thought out. It gives the series another niche to work from. I often find myself looking at all those candies from days gone by when I'm at Cracker Barrel or other stores. Pop Rocks, Bottle Caps, even Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum. I loved all of the references to Allison's store and how they were interwoven into the book. Kennedy is on to something by providing two avenues for the mysteries to come from in this series. If she runs out of ideas in one area she can easily switch to the other.
Taylor is the main character and she has taken some time off from her regular job to help her sister Allison get her candy store off the ground. When Allison becomes suspect number one in the murder of a local dance instructor, Taylor is determined to find the real killer. She has quite a bit to work with and plenty of suspects since Chico had some shady business dealings and a few too many ex-girlfriends. But it's the help of the Dream club that really solidify's the case for her and the help of a possible love interest, in private detective, Noah. I thought Taylor made a good amateur sleuth and Mary Kennedy really kept me on my toes with plenty of twists and turns. I certainly didn't have this one figured out before the end.
Beyond the Book:
Go out and try some retro candy! You can buy it in a lot of different places. You could even pick up a book on dream analysis and try to interpret some of your own dreams! A dream club sounds like a very cool idea!
Bottom Line:
This is a great mystery. Kennedy comes up with a refreshing theme that has been overused. She also adds in a secondary theme with the retro candy shop and gives readers a quirky set of dream club members, a great heroine in Taylor and even a touch of romance with Noah. I think Kennedy has hit all the good qualities for a great whodunit. It was interesting and hard to figure out! This has the makings of great new series.
What I liked:
When you read a lot of cozy mysteries you start to see a lot of trends in the genre, whether it be mysteries set in bookstores, mysteries involving cats, mysteries with the same predictable cast of characters and even mysteries that don't make a whole lot of sense. Mary Kennedy, however has provided readers with something different. The dream club team is a first for me. I haven't seen that before in the genre and I applaud the author for coming up with something new and refreshing.
Dream interpretation is an interesting idea and I think readers will really flock to it. Who doesn't wonder if their dreams actually mean something sometimes? Or you get that prickly feeling on the back of your neck when you have a dream that is somewhat prophetic in nature. Did I really know that was going to happen? I love it! I think it's a great idea for the series. Kennedy is tapping into the readers curiosity with both the mystery aspects of the book and the dream club plot line. There are so many different directions the author can take this one, I can't wait to see what happens.
The retro candy store idea was also well thought out. It gives the series another niche to work from. I often find myself looking at all those candies from days gone by when I'm at Cracker Barrel or other stores. Pop Rocks, Bottle Caps, even Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum. I loved all of the references to Allison's store and how they were interwoven into the book. Kennedy is on to something by providing two avenues for the mysteries to come from in this series. If she runs out of ideas in one area she can easily switch to the other.
Taylor is the main character and she has taken some time off from her regular job to help her sister Allison get her candy store off the ground. When Allison becomes suspect number one in the murder of a local dance instructor, Taylor is determined to find the real killer. She has quite a bit to work with and plenty of suspects since Chico had some shady business dealings and a few too many ex-girlfriends. But it's the help of the Dream club that really solidify's the case for her and the help of a possible love interest, in private detective, Noah. I thought Taylor made a good amateur sleuth and Mary Kennedy really kept me on my toes with plenty of twists and turns. I certainly didn't have this one figured out before the end.
Beyond the Book:
Go out and try some retro candy! You can buy it in a lot of different places. You could even pick up a book on dream analysis and try to interpret some of your own dreams! A dream club sounds like a very cool idea!
Bottom Line:
This is a great mystery. Kennedy comes up with a refreshing theme that has been overused. She also adds in a secondary theme with the retro candy shop and gives readers a quirky set of dream club members, a great heroine in Taylor and even a touch of romance with Noah. I think Kennedy has hit all the good qualities for a great whodunit. It was interesting and hard to figure out! This has the makings of great new series.
August 23, 2014
(Pre-order now for this September 2 release!)
Nightmares Can Be Murder - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
I felt a little chill go through me, but I tried to keep my tone neutral and plastered a bland expression on my face. "Bad dreams happen for a reason, Taylor," she said carefully. Her voice was now barely a whisper, her eyes were full of shadows. "They have something to tell us, and the message becomes apparent soon enough. You know what they say, the truth always comes out in the end." She paused. "Oh, and tell Barney he can find that little catnip mouse - the blue one with the orange tail - under the refrigerator. He lost it a week ago, and I finally had a dream about it last night."
When Taylor Blake left Chicago to help her sister Ali get her candy store business in Savannah, GA up and running, she finds herself involved in more than chocolate. It doesn't take long to learn that Ali not only has a slow running vintage candy business but also a Dream Club that meets at the store. It also doesn't take her long to realize that these people are actually serious about their dreams as well as their meanings. So when one of the members tells of a dream she had where a man is murdered while Latino music is playing in the background, she suddenly becomes a bit skeptical when the dream comes true. Could the dreamer be the one who actually killed him? No matter what, Taylor will find out!
I thought I had this book pegged within the first 50 pages. Then I decided I was wrong but after about 100 pages I knew who committed the murder. Wrong again. At about 150 pages I simply couldn't be wrong and knew who it was and why. Finally I'm at page 260 and know who the killer is but not the why. That I didn't learn until the last 10 pages. This book turns with every page! I loved it!
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Nightmares Can Be Murder - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
I felt a little chill go through me, but I tried to keep my tone neutral and plastered a bland expression on my face. "Bad dreams happen for a reason, Taylor," she said carefully. Her voice was now barely a whisper, her eyes were full of shadows. "They have something to tell us, and the message becomes apparent soon enough. You know what they say, the truth always comes out in the end." She paused. "Oh, and tell Barney he can find that little catnip mouse - the blue one with the orange tail - under the refrigerator. He lost it a week ago, and I finally had a dream about it last night."
When Taylor Blake left Chicago to help her sister Ali get her candy store business in Savannah, GA up and running, she finds herself involved in more than chocolate. It doesn't take long to learn that Ali not only has a slow running vintage candy business but also a Dream Club that meets at the store. It also doesn't take her long to realize that these people are actually serious about their dreams as well as their meanings. So when one of the members tells of a dream she had where a man is murdered while Latino music is playing in the background, she suddenly becomes a bit skeptical when the dream comes true. Could the dreamer be the one who actually killed him? No matter what, Taylor will find out!
I thought I had this book pegged within the first 50 pages. Then I decided I was wrong but after about 100 pages I knew who committed the murder. Wrong again. At about 150 pages I simply couldn't be wrong and knew who it was and why. Finally I'm at page 260 and know who the killer is but not the why. That I didn't learn until the last 10 pages. This book turns with every page! I loved it!
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
March 15, 2019
A real mess of a book. If you read cozies and compare this to others in the genre, this one suffers.
Plot-wise, it’s just okay, and highly predictable. The conceit of the “Dream Club” with a wide, disparate group of eccentrics might be cute, but the obvious issue exists. The so-called information this club gives is not necessarily from real dreams (after all, even the MC concedes folks could just be ‘making it up’) and more importantly, not even relevant for the most part.
Worse, the book is not terribly well written and very poorly edited. There are problems with plot holes not plugged up, information dropped too soon, as well as typos and a lot of tense mis-matches.
The problems with the book would be forgivable if the story was more compelling, or the characters more winning. The main character is the most sympathetic, but her sister is a flaky, ridiculous vegan drip (but she and the MC eat plenty of goodies filled with butter!) and the other ladies aren’t all that much better. The only ones I liked fully were the two sisters, Rose and Minerva, who were refreshingly down to earth over-80s.
I’m sure the writer enjoyed eating her way through Savannah, as she drops gastronomic bon mots about every third page, but I don’t need to read all about it.
Plot-wise, it’s just okay, and highly predictable. The conceit of the “Dream Club” with a wide, disparate group of eccentrics might be cute, but the obvious issue exists. The so-called information this club gives is not necessarily from real dreams (after all, even the MC concedes folks could just be ‘making it up’) and more importantly, not even relevant for the most part.
Worse, the book is not terribly well written and very poorly edited. There are problems with plot holes not plugged up, information dropped too soon, as well as typos and a lot of tense mis-matches.
The problems with the book would be forgivable if the story was more compelling, or the characters more winning. The main character is the most sympathetic, but her sister is a flaky, ridiculous vegan drip (but she and the MC eat plenty of goodies filled with butter!) and the other ladies aren’t all that much better. The only ones I liked fully were the two sisters, Rose and Minerva, who were refreshingly down to earth over-80s.
I’m sure the writer enjoyed eating her way through Savannah, as she drops gastronomic bon mots about every third page, but I don’t need to read all about it.
September 15, 2014
2.5 stars for this one. I feel like this is a situation where the genre "gimmick" was more a hindrance than a help. The main characters were pretty well-drawn (although I think Taylor is too bossy and Ali is too flighty) and the who-dunnit was sufficiently complex to keep me interested. The main problem for me was that the clues that came from the "dream club" member's dreams were so ridiculous and tenuously connected that they were a distraction. I didn't find them a convincing means to moving the story forward at all. And, in a series of mysteries featuring a dream club, it seems odd that the main character "doesn't dream". However, I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters (especially Minerva and Rose with their attempts to use modern slang), and the Savannah setting worked for the story.
Honestly, I really wanted to like this one more than I did. With a first in series, though, I am always willing to try book two because I know it sometimes takes more than one book for an author to hit his/her stride with characters. But for me, the next book in this series is going to have a lot of work to do convincing me to pick up book three.
Honestly, I really wanted to like this one more than I did. With a first in series, though, I am always willing to try book two because I know it sometimes takes more than one book for an author to hit his/her stride with characters. But for me, the next book in this series is going to have a lot of work to do convincing me to pick up book three.
December 29, 2016
This is the novel that I spent Christmas Week reading and I'm really glad I did! For a cozy murder this is a great series to get into.
Sisters, Ali and Taylor have reunited in Savannah, Georgia. Taylor was asked by Ali to help her ailing Candy Store revive and prosper. Taylor is an MBA and has tons of ideas. As the girls discuss the shop at a local eatery, Chico, the Dance (Latin is his specialty,) instructor zips by and tries to chat up Taylor, having struck out with Ali...yup, not the type of guy you want your daughter to meet.
Later, the Ladies find out he has been killed and people are dreaming about him. Now, Ali is the sister that belongs to a dream interpretation group. Quite an assortment of people join together and eat desserts and interpret their dreams. These were quite entertaining at times.
First you think, he did it. Then, you think, perhaps she did it? Bodies and parties later, you get taken aback when you realize who did it, but what really got me was the Why? I finished the novel and said, "Now that was a book."
Discover this series and enjoy the stories it tells.
Sisters, Ali and Taylor have reunited in Savannah, Georgia. Taylor was asked by Ali to help her ailing Candy Store revive and prosper. Taylor is an MBA and has tons of ideas. As the girls discuss the shop at a local eatery, Chico, the Dance (Latin is his specialty,) instructor zips by and tries to chat up Taylor, having struck out with Ali...yup, not the type of guy you want your daughter to meet.
Later, the Ladies find out he has been killed and people are dreaming about him. Now, Ali is the sister that belongs to a dream interpretation group. Quite an assortment of people join together and eat desserts and interpret their dreams. These were quite entertaining at times.
First you think, he did it. Then, you think, perhaps she did it? Bodies and parties later, you get taken aback when you realize who did it, but what really got me was the Why? I finished the novel and said, "Now that was a book."
Discover this series and enjoy the stories it tells.
December 13, 2014
I wanted to like this one but it just didn't work for me. I hate being negative, but for a cozy mystery novel, this book had some serious problems. I never felt the protagonist had much reason to get involved in trying to solve the murder. Her sister was never in any real danger of being arrested for a crime she didn't commit. I didn't feel the club and their dreams contributed anything to the plot. Any gathering of the characters where they talked about the murder would have served as well to provide "clues" and, in fact, most of these weren't really clues at all. And at the end, it was a "feeling" one of the other characters had that sent in reinforcements to save the day??? I'm sorry, but I just didn't buy it. There was a perfect set up for Taylor to save herself without assistance. I'd have believed that sooner than what really happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2015
Nightmares Can Be Murder by Mary Kennedy is the first book in A Dream Club Mystery series. Taylor Blake returns to Savannah to help her sister Allison run her candy store Oldies but Goodies and joins her in her Dream Club where members interpret their dreams. A local dance instructor is murdered and the club use their dreams to try to solve the case. I enjoyed the Talk Radio mysteries by this author very much but I found the Dream Club concept a little corny and not really productive in adding to this mystery, and the story itself seemed jumbled. It sounded interesting but I was a bit disappointed with the outcome. I don't think we were given enough clues and I did not find the characters very engaging. Overall a big disappointment.
September 6, 2014
I received an ARC copy. I enjoyed this book, I found the idea of dream interpretation interesting. I loved the idea of a vintage candy store. The characters are interesting but I think need a little more developing, it seemed to me a lot of sniping of each other in the dream group, but that's just my opinion. I love The main character's friend that she rediscovers I think she adds I good friendship interaction. The rekindling of a romance? The mystery was good and kept me guessing until about the time Taylor figured it out. I will continue with this series to see how it develops, I think this will definitely take some interesting twists.
August 24, 2015
This is really between two and three stars. I just had a hard time getting into this book. I like the Savannah setting but I could do without the dream club aspect. It was just a little bit too weird and over-the-top. This would've been almost better if they just made the theme around the vintage candy shop.
I had a hard time connecting with either of the main characters. However, the mystery was well done and I did not guess the outcome. I will probably read the second one just to see if it gets any better but not anytime soon. There are so many good books that I would rather read first.
I had a hard time connecting with either of the main characters. However, the mystery was well done and I did not guess the outcome. I will probably read the second one just to see if it gets any better but not anytime soon. There are so many good books that I would rather read first.
December 19, 2014
I'm calling this one a solid 3.5 stars. There were many things I liked about, like the idea of a "Dream Club" and some really interesting characters. A few things I didn't like as much, but on the whole a promising 1st book for this new series. I liked it much better than the series this author used to write about a radio talk show host. There is some great potential here, so we'll see where it goes. If you like cozies anyway, this is one to consider. Recommend!
February 11, 2015
I thought this was surprisingly good since I didn't have an interest in dream analysis. The plot was well thought out and there was a lot of red herrings thrown in? I will read the next novel in the series.
January 1, 2018
lost interested with 70 pages to go. Meh. The main character seemed submissive with her younger sister and always tiptoeing around her so as not to irritate the younger one. Was annoying. The premise of the Dream Club just didn't hold weight either.
February 26, 2018
Unfortunately this book did not work for me. I read 54 pages and was not impress with the writing or how this was working out. Not a good plot, it moves around too much and I really did not like the main character.
December 22, 2014
This was a good book. The first in a new series. Interesting characters, lovely setting, food, and a murder. I'm looking forward to the next book. :)
June 14, 2017
This was okay. Not fantastic, not terrible, but it was a good read and I enjoyed it.
I am interested in dream interpretation, so that being a focus of this cozy drew me in. Unfortunately, there really wasn't very much about dream interpretation included. There were a few discussions among the main characters, but they felt more like those were exclusively to help move the plot forward, and less about the general and overall dream interpretation. There were mentions of what certain "typical" types of dreams tend to mean, but that was about the extent of it, so if you are looking for lots about dream interpretation, you won't get it here.
I also found Ali a bit annoying. I get that she's supposed to be the younger, more innocent and super-sweet little sister, but she really came across to me as a clueless dippy twit. I am all for looking for the best in people and situations, but Ali was pathological about it - and she flatly refused to see reality about some of the other people here even when there was absolutely no ambiguity about it! That's just dumb, and it irked me. But maybe I'm just too much of a realist to "get" what the author was going for with Ali. In any event, she got on my nerves at times.
I mostly liked Taylor as our main sleuth. She did some foolish things, but we expect that from a cozy heroine to some extent. Mostly, she was smart and determined and completely loyal to her sister, which I can totally applaud.
The supporting characters, I could take or leave. They were okay, but there was nobody I really connected with.
Overall, this was fine. I finished it, I more or less enjoyed it, but I wouldn't go out of my way hunting for others in this series.
I am interested in dream interpretation, so that being a focus of this cozy drew me in. Unfortunately, there really wasn't very much about dream interpretation included. There were a few discussions among the main characters, but they felt more like those were exclusively to help move the plot forward, and less about the general and overall dream interpretation. There were mentions of what certain "typical" types of dreams tend to mean, but that was about the extent of it, so if you are looking for lots about dream interpretation, you won't get it here.
I also found Ali a bit annoying. I get that she's supposed to be the younger, more innocent and super-sweet little sister, but she really came across to me as a clueless dippy twit. I am all for looking for the best in people and situations, but Ali was pathological about it - and she flatly refused to see reality about some of the other people here even when there was absolutely no ambiguity about it! That's just dumb, and it irked me. But maybe I'm just too much of a realist to "get" what the author was going for with Ali. In any event, she got on my nerves at times.
I mostly liked Taylor as our main sleuth. She did some foolish things, but we expect that from a cozy heroine to some extent. Mostly, she was smart and determined and completely loyal to her sister, which I can totally applaud.
The supporting characters, I could take or leave. They were okay, but there was nobody I really connected with.
Overall, this was fine. I finished it, I more or less enjoyed it, but I wouldn't go out of my way hunting for others in this series.
November 24, 2022
Nightmares Can Be Murder by Mary Kennedy is the first in her "Dream Club" mystery series. The main character is Taylor Blake, a type-A business consultant who has come to Savannah, GA to help her sister Ali with her floundering candy shop.
Ali's old-fashioned candy shop is barely afloat, but Taylor has some innovative ideas to draw in more business. Ali is also interested in dream interpretation, and she is involved in a Dream Club that meets once a week to discuss and interpret their dreams. Taylor reluctantly gets involved, although she claims to never dream. When a local dance instructor dies and the crime scene is eerily reminiscent of one of the dreams a club member had, Taylor can't help but be intrigued. Intrigue turns to worry, however, when Taylor learns that Ali was once involved with Chico and that she'd gone to see him the night he was murdered. With Ali now a suspect, the members of the Dream Club put their heads together to learn all they can about Chico and who may have really wanted him dead.
I enjoyed the unique premise of the story. There were lots of nifty twists and turns that had me suspecting several people before the final reveal. Characters were fleshed out, and the plot moved along at a fast pace. I do wish we'd seen more of Taylor living her life, but most of the narrative was consumed with her investigation.
Interesting story, with interesting characters. Four stars.
Ali's old-fashioned candy shop is barely afloat, but Taylor has some innovative ideas to draw in more business. Ali is also interested in dream interpretation, and she is involved in a Dream Club that meets once a week to discuss and interpret their dreams. Taylor reluctantly gets involved, although she claims to never dream. When a local dance instructor dies and the crime scene is eerily reminiscent of one of the dreams a club member had, Taylor can't help but be intrigued. Intrigue turns to worry, however, when Taylor learns that Ali was once involved with Chico and that she'd gone to see him the night he was murdered. With Ali now a suspect, the members of the Dream Club put their heads together to learn all they can about Chico and who may have really wanted him dead.
I enjoyed the unique premise of the story. There were lots of nifty twists and turns that had me suspecting several people before the final reveal. Characters were fleshed out, and the plot moved along at a fast pace. I do wish we'd seen more of Taylor living her life, but most of the narrative was consumed with her investigation.
Interesting story, with interesting characters. Four stars.
July 31, 2018
Around the Year in 52 Books 2018 Reading Challenge. A book featuring a murder.
Taylor Blake has come to Savannah to help her sister and her failing candy shop. She discovers thtat her sister and a group of friends meet weekly to analyze their dreams. One of the members predicts a murder, but does not know who will be murdered or when. Soon after, Chico Hernandez who owns a dance studio across the street is murdered. He was a truly loathesome man, but who would be willing to murder him and why?
This book is the first in the series and frankly, the characters in this book fell flat. More importantly, I hate inconsistencies. The AUTHOR creates the characters and plot. IF SHE can not keep them straight, why should we bother? And in a murder mystery, the details are important. Page 46, Gina says "I should have brought my own keys." Page 57, she says "I did have my own key a long time ago". Page 135 Sara and Taylor are talking about Gina - "She just happens to forget her key". IF I can spot such inconsistencies in a casual read, NOT while attempting to edit the book, I have to wonder IF ANYONE bothered to edit this book.
Taylor Blake has come to Savannah to help her sister and her failing candy shop. She discovers thtat her sister and a group of friends meet weekly to analyze their dreams. One of the members predicts a murder, but does not know who will be murdered or when. Soon after, Chico Hernandez who owns a dance studio across the street is murdered. He was a truly loathesome man, but who would be willing to murder him and why?
This book is the first in the series and frankly, the characters in this book fell flat. More importantly, I hate inconsistencies. The AUTHOR creates the characters and plot. IF SHE can not keep them straight, why should we bother? And in a murder mystery, the details are important. Page 46, Gina says "I should have brought my own keys." Page 57, she says "I did have my own key a long time ago". Page 135 Sara and Taylor are talking about Gina - "She just happens to forget her key". IF I can spot such inconsistencies in a casual read, NOT while attempting to edit the book, I have to wonder IF ANYONE bothered to edit this book.
July 11, 2017
This book was okay. I am not really a believer in how dreams can help tell us what is happening in our life. But then I hardly ever dream or remember if I had any dreams. The most I dream is when I am high on pain meds after surgery.
I find it a little hard to believe that for the first 1/3 or more of the book Taylor does not believe in dream interpretation. Then near the end of the book she is a believer. The author does not show how and what really changed Taylor's mind. Then all this change is suppose to happen within a couple of weeks. Sorry, no but not very believable to this reader. It would take more tan a couple of weeks and 3-4 club meetings to change someone's mind.
I liked the mystery and all the different suspects. But it was to easy (at least for me) to figure out whodunit.
I would have liked more southern charm. I never figured out if Taylor and Ali, her sister, were Southern born or just moved to the area because they liked the Southern charm.
Will see what the next book holds.
Purchased at Kobo.
I find it a little hard to believe that for the first 1/3 or more of the book Taylor does not believe in dream interpretation. Then near the end of the book she is a believer. The author does not show how and what really changed Taylor's mind. Then all this change is suppose to happen within a couple of weeks. Sorry, no but not very believable to this reader. It would take more tan a couple of weeks and 3-4 club meetings to change someone's mind.
I liked the mystery and all the different suspects. But it was to easy (at least for me) to figure out whodunit.
I would have liked more southern charm. I never figured out if Taylor and Ali, her sister, were Southern born or just moved to the area because they liked the Southern charm.
Will see what the next book holds.
Purchased at Kobo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews