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Accident: A Charlotte Smart Mystery
Charlotte returns to solve another case in the second installment of the Charlotte Smart Mystery Series.
Greg Smart, Charlotte's brother, has flown in from California for his big sister Charlotte’s 70th birthday. Charlotte, the previous year, solved a murder when Greg visited her at her retirement village. The police officer who took a shine to her during the prior case has just asked Charlotte to take a look at a baffling hit and run “accident” that has left one victim dead. Charlotte weeps to discover that the victim is a child, and the second victim, the child's older sister, is injured. Charlotte agrees to help immediately, and as soon as the two meet the child bonds with Charlotte who takes her under her wing. Charlotte will not let this child be hurt again. Meanwhile Greg continues to have an unexpectedly interesting love life while he and Charlotte work together to help to piece the child’s life and family back together by bringing a murderer to justice
Greg Smart, Charlotte's brother, has flown in from California for his big sister Charlotte’s 70th birthday. Charlotte, the previous year, solved a murder when Greg visited her at her retirement village. The police officer who took a shine to her during the prior case has just asked Charlotte to take a look at a baffling hit and run “accident” that has left one victim dead. Charlotte weeps to discover that the victim is a child, and the second victim, the child's older sister, is injured. Charlotte agrees to help immediately, and as soon as the two meet the child bonds with Charlotte who takes her under her wing. Charlotte will not let this child be hurt again. Meanwhile Greg continues to have an unexpectedly interesting love life while he and Charlotte work together to help to piece the child’s life and family back together by bringing a murderer to justice
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First published October 21, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 29, 2021
Accident is the second book in the Charlotte Smart Mystery series by Stan Charnofsky. It finds retiree Charlotte Smart getting involved in the investigation into a horrible accident where a young girl has been killed crossing the road near a park. Certain that her older sister is in trouble at home Charlotte pulls out the stops to find out just what happened and who else might be a danger in the child’s life.
The book is written in first person, as told by Charlotte’s brother, Greg. It has the feel of Miss Marple meets Sherlock Holmes with Greg sounding very Watsonesque in his word choices and narration style. It is obvious that he thinks highly of his sister, her intelligence, and her investigative style. The reader will easily see that she is a force to be reckoned with as she gathers allies and mows through suspects. The mystery offers the reader plenty of twists and turns and doesn’t quite end up where the original investigation might seem to be headed. It is Christie-like with Charlotte’s big reveal and explanations at the end.
This is listed as a cozy mystery on amazon but it reads more like a traditional mystery and includes some four-letter language and situations that aren’t generally seen in a cozy format.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The book is written in first person, as told by Charlotte’s brother, Greg. It has the feel of Miss Marple meets Sherlock Holmes with Greg sounding very Watsonesque in his word choices and narration style. It is obvious that he thinks highly of his sister, her intelligence, and her investigative style. The reader will easily see that she is a force to be reckoned with as she gathers allies and mows through suspects. The mystery offers the reader plenty of twists and turns and doesn’t quite end up where the original investigation might seem to be headed. It is Christie-like with Charlotte’s big reveal and explanations at the end.
This is listed as a cozy mystery on amazon but it reads more like a traditional mystery and includes some four-letter language and situations that aren’t generally seen in a cozy format.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 23, 2021
After two children are run down in the street, Charlotte Smart is asked to consult on another police case, this time involving an accident that police suspect may be more.
Overall, I didn’t care much for the book. What I did like as the clever idea with the older detectives, however, when I happened upon their ages in the book, I found myself surprised. The main character is in his 50s and his older sister is 69, though they act like they are well into their 80s or further.
What didn’t fit well for more was the writing style. It is written in first person, present-tense which I found awkward, personally. This may not bother someone else who is used to reading this type of prose. I found the text written a little dryly as well.
I grew tired of the main character’s interest in women outside his soon-to-be spouse (despite his insistence that he loved her). In particular, the discussion of other women’s curves in several instances had me rolling my eyes.
Another thing that I will mention since this is being billed as a cozy mystery is the language. Most cozies contain no (or very mild) language. This book contained a fair amount of bad language, including the f-bomb. I did want to point that out for readers who like a cozy that is truly a cozy.
Overall, I didn’t care much for the book. What I did like as the clever idea with the older detectives, however, when I happened upon their ages in the book, I found myself surprised. The main character is in his 50s and his older sister is 69, though they act like they are well into their 80s or further.
What didn’t fit well for more was the writing style. It is written in first person, present-tense which I found awkward, personally. This may not bother someone else who is used to reading this type of prose. I found the text written a little dryly as well.
I grew tired of the main character’s interest in women outside his soon-to-be spouse (despite his insistence that he loved her). In particular, the discussion of other women’s curves in several instances had me rolling my eyes.
Another thing that I will mention since this is being billed as a cozy mystery is the language. Most cozies contain no (or very mild) language. This book contained a fair amount of bad language, including the f-bomb. I did want to point that out for readers who like a cozy that is truly a cozy.
August 21, 2021
I truly enjoyed reading "Charlotte," the first book in the Charlotte Smart mystery series, and I like "Accident" even better. It has all the stuff I liked from the first one, Charlotte sleuthing, Greg goofing and romancing, plus this book has even more heart and emotion, as Charlotte tries to sort through a complicated web of parents, boyfriends, and grandparents around a little girl who just clings to Charlotte for the affection she so sorely lacks. The ending is very satisfying, and that is all I will say about that. ;)
Charnofsky taught marriage and family therapy at CSUN for 50 years, and I think that is why his books hook me emotionally. Charlotte books are light and easy bedtime reads for me, and they move at a good pace. The Kindle is available now; the print copies release in October. (August 2021 as I write this.) Also, Charnofsky has a blog, and "Charlotte" is being serialized there for anyone to read. https://stanthemanwrites.com
Charnofsky taught marriage and family therapy at CSUN for 50 years, and I think that is why his books hook me emotionally. Charlotte books are light and easy bedtime reads for me, and they move at a good pace. The Kindle is available now; the print copies release in October. (August 2021 as I write this.) Also, Charnofsky has a blog, and "Charlotte" is being serialized there for anyone to read. https://stanthemanwrites.com
November 27, 2021
This series is making me a huge fan of mysteries. Each one takes you on an adventure. I look forward to the escape, to unraveling the mysteries. I forward to reading more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews