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Hemlock Falls Mysteries #17
Dread on Arrival: A Hemlock Falls Mystery, Book 17
The gentrification of Hemlock Falls, home to innkeeper, artist, and amateur sleuth Sara "Quill" Quilliam, has drawn the attention of Edmund Tree. The host of Your Ancestor’s Attic has decided to film an episode in town and everyone is searching attics for hidden treasures - including a burglar. Quill, for one, is not impressed with the obnoxious Tree, nor with his television rival, Belter Barcini, who blows into town for what looks like a ratings-booster a "friendly" cook-off between two sparring personalities.
It's a good thing Quill and her sister, Meg, are experts at appraising motives for murder when one of the cooks keels over on camera - because the suspects are piling up, and Quill is chosen to play detective.
It's a good thing Quill and her sister, Meg, are experts at appraising motives for murder when one of the cooks keels over on camera - because the suspects are piling up, and Quill is chosen to play detective.
Audible Audio
First published April 3, 2012
3 people are currently reading
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About the author
Claudia Bishop
50 books117 followersClaudia Bishop is the nom de plume of mystery & fantasy author Mary Stanton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 4, 2024
3.5 stars. It was good to be in Hemlock Falls again. This mystery was interesting and of course there was the usual craziness going on with locals.
February 16, 2022
Cozy, but jeez, kinda dragged for me. Finally a murder on page 175. The wrap up was too far-fetched for my brain to believe. Next book…..moving on.
March 11, 2018
This was a nice cozy mystery, a little different in that the murder doesn't occur until about 3/4 of the way through the book. Made for a good audiobook, because there is lots and lots of dialog. I did wish that our heroine, Quill, were not quite such a sticky sweet doormat, but cozies are often like that.
The best of it though was the audio book narrator, Justine Eyre. She did over a dozen voices, and each one was different and distinctive. Accents too -- Swedish, New Jersey, etc. -- no problem. I wish there were a way to separately rate the narrators of audiobooks, because this one deserved five stars.
The best of it though was the audio book narrator, Justine Eyre. She did over a dozen voices, and each one was different and distinctive. Accents too -- Swedish, New Jersey, etc. -- no problem. I wish there were a way to separately rate the narrators of audiobooks, because this one deserved five stars.
July 27, 2015
This is the first book of the Hemlock Falls series I have read. I had a hard time identifying the key characters. May be to read others in this series first would have been helpful. You read 2/3rds of the book before the victim is murdered and the solution is wrapped up in a few pages right at the end. I just wasn't impressed with this book. The plot involves two bitter rivals who have TV shows similar to Antiques Road Show. They decide to have a cooking contest and one of the contestants falls over dead after drinking wine which has been poisoned.
February 21, 2022
I was initially drawn to this book because it takes place in the Finger Lakes of New York where I happen to live, albeit at the opposite end of the lakes.
I am sorry to say that it dragged a bit through the first, well, two thirds of the book and I almost packed it in. It picked up speed, though, and had quite an unexpected ending.
I am sorry to say that it dragged a bit through the first, well, two thirds of the book and I almost packed it in. It picked up speed, though, and had quite an unexpected ending.
December 3, 2022
1.5 stars rounded down. What is a murder mystery without a murder? Yet, one didn't happen until almost 70% into this boring book. The characters are all super annoying. I am so glad to be done with this. The denouement was unexpected but still totally not worth the price of admission.
November 6, 2018
2.8 rating. Just too cute for me. Cozy mysteries are fun but this one drug out too long with too much cuteness.
March 2, 2019
Great plot,fun to read. Did not guess the ending
August 31, 2019
Pretty good typical cozy mystery with decent recipe additions. Good for a light hearted read at the end of the day.
January 27, 2020
Cool and scary
April 3, 2023
This was the first in this series that I have read. I did enjoy it. It was an easy read
January 16, 2016
Hemlock Falls, New York, is perfect for tourists with its quaint shops and world famous cooking school and the wonderful Inn at Hemlock Falls. Run by sisters, Meg Quilliam and Sarah Quilliam-McHale. Meg is a master chef with a bit of a temper, watch out for flying saute pans. Sarah (Quill) is the manager with an adorable son Jackson. Her husband Myles, the former sheriff, now works for the federal government and is gone a lot.
In this latest installment a episode of the hit television show Your Ancestor’s Attic is being taped in Hemlock Falls. The host of a competing show Pawn-O-Rama arrives on the scene just in time to cause a little trouble. The hosts of the shows have quite a rivalry going and they decide to settle things between them with a cooking contest that will be taped for both programs.
Things get a little heated as the competition begins, then one of the men keels over dead. Suspicions are that he was poisoned and his rival is the obvious culprit. But he is not the only suspect, even some of the residents of Hemlock Falls are being questioned.
Thankfully the Quilliam sisters are masters at sizing up the suspects and with a little help they will catch the killer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is one of my favorite series. The entire set in on my keeper shelf. The quirky characters are delightful. They continue to grow and evolve through each story. Their antics always bring a smile to my face.
With that being said the plot of this one threw me a bit. I love the idea of an Antiques Roadshow type series coming to the town. The characters this theme brought were amazing. I got lost wondering why would these hosts engage in a cooking contest? This idea did bring the story back to the inn and cooking school, but it just felt off. The were appraisers of antiques, not from a cooking show. If rival cooking show hosts came to town this contest was perfect but it didn’t work for me in this circumstance. There was a wedding supposed to be held at the inn with the reception at the cooking school and a murder there may have made more sense. I know after 17 stories it is hard to be new, fresh, current and unique, and please all the fans, this one just missed the mark with me.
The story as it plays out is entertaining and I still enjoyed it. It just left me scratching my head a bit.
In this latest installment a episode of the hit television show Your Ancestor’s Attic is being taped in Hemlock Falls. The host of a competing show Pawn-O-Rama arrives on the scene just in time to cause a little trouble. The hosts of the shows have quite a rivalry going and they decide to settle things between them with a cooking contest that will be taped for both programs.
Things get a little heated as the competition begins, then one of the men keels over dead. Suspicions are that he was poisoned and his rival is the obvious culprit. But he is not the only suspect, even some of the residents of Hemlock Falls are being questioned.
Thankfully the Quilliam sisters are masters at sizing up the suspects and with a little help they will catch the killer.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is one of my favorite series. The entire set in on my keeper shelf. The quirky characters are delightful. They continue to grow and evolve through each story. Their antics always bring a smile to my face.
With that being said the plot of this one threw me a bit. I love the idea of an Antiques Roadshow type series coming to the town. The characters this theme brought were amazing. I got lost wondering why would these hosts engage in a cooking contest? This idea did bring the story back to the inn and cooking school, but it just felt off. The were appraisers of antiques, not from a cooking show. If rival cooking show hosts came to town this contest was perfect but it didn’t work for me in this circumstance. There was a wedding supposed to be held at the inn with the reception at the cooking school and a murder there may have made more sense. I know after 17 stories it is hard to be new, fresh, current and unique, and please all the fans, this one just missed the mark with me.
The story as it plays out is entertaining and I still enjoyed it. It just left me scratching my head a bit.
June 22, 2012
There are some really colorful characters in this one; one of the television shows, Pawn-O-Rama, is hosted is a cliched characterization of a redneck complete with RV and overbearing Mama. The other show is hosted by by a snobby pompous twit of a Brit. Right away you know there are bound to be problems when one of them suggests a cook-off.
With the advent of the TV show coming to town, tempers are on edge in the Chamber of Commerce introducing quite a few suspects and motives. The Chamber is comprised of some downright quirky personalities. They each have their own agenda and you know they're going to clash someone else's goals. Add in the TV show hosts' huge egos and the fur is bound to fly!
Sounds like a fun premise, doesn't it? Well, for me the beginning was a little slow. It took to almost page 200 before the "main event". The preceding pages were a slow build up to the murder and explanations of the characters' relationships in the little town of Hemlock Falls, NY. When the murder does occur, the local inn owner, Sarah Quilliam is put on the spot to sleuth out the real killer. Sarah thinks she knows who the culprit is but proof is needed. Therefore a trap must be set . . . . .
Even though it took a while to get to the action, the ending was well worth the wait. I didn't see that one coming at all! Good job, Ms. Bishop!! Even though this is #18 in the series, it's a total stand alone. I haven't read any of this series and don't feel as if I were missing anything.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 23, 2012
I'm a longtime fan of this series, but I had thought that I wouldn't see another book after the last one. So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this one was coming out, but also a little hesitant. I got the feeling reading the last book that the author was worn out over this series.
I really liked Dread on Arrival. It was set up differently from your standard cozy fare, which oftentimes, no matter how much you enjoy reading it, is very formulaic. The first almost 2/3 of this book is setup for the murder - so if you're looking to jump right into the crime, this book isn't for you. And much more time passes in the course of solving this mystery; nothing neat and tidy about summing up the mystery before all the suspects leave. The murder itself isn't obvious at all, and the one plot device I felt for certain would end up being significant, wasn't. These are small differences, but they're enough to make the book feel a bit fresher to me.
I've always loved the characters and Hemlock Falls, and Dread on Arrival is like a visit with old friends. I still wish Quill would stop being a pushover and I'd love to see more of Myles. Meg was slightly more of a background character this time, but still her same old feisty self. I found the sub-plot with Marge and the election hilarious, and as much as I like Marge, I loved seeing the tables turned on her.
If Ms. Bishop keeps writing about the Inn and Hemlock Falls and the Quilliam sisters, I'll continue to look forward to reading about them.
I really liked Dread on Arrival. It was set up differently from your standard cozy fare, which oftentimes, no matter how much you enjoy reading it, is very formulaic. The first almost 2/3 of this book is setup for the murder - so if you're looking to jump right into the crime, this book isn't for you. And much more time passes in the course of solving this mystery; nothing neat and tidy about summing up the mystery before all the suspects leave. The murder itself isn't obvious at all, and the one plot device I felt for certain would end up being significant, wasn't. These are small differences, but they're enough to make the book feel a bit fresher to me.
I've always loved the characters and Hemlock Falls, and Dread on Arrival is like a visit with old friends. I still wish Quill would stop being a pushover and I'd love to see more of Myles. Meg was slightly more of a background character this time, but still her same old feisty self. I found the sub-plot with Marge and the election hilarious, and as much as I like Marge, I loved seeing the tables turned on her.
If Ms. Bishop keeps writing about the Inn and Hemlock Falls and the Quilliam sisters, I'll continue to look forward to reading about them.
July 10, 2012
I did enjoy Dread on Arrival, the latest Hemlock Falls Mystery.
What drives me nuts about Claudia Bishop is that she forgets the details of her character's lives! She will then mention something in a later book that isn't 100% true because in a previous book, she had said something different!
Take for instance Miles' age. Miles by this book, is suddenly in his 50s! When did that happen and Quill stayed about 36 throughout most of the series?
Miles and Quill were together in book 1 but in a later book, it references the 1st murder and that they weren't together yet.
I might have only noticed these small inaccuracies because I read the series in its entirety, one book right after the other.
Authors should have cheat sheets with these types of facts on them so that they can reference them as they write future novels.
I do like that Bishop puts a cast of characters at the beginning of each book. I know that some reviewers don't like that because it means there are too many characters in the actual story but it is helpful because a lot of these cozy mysteries are quick reads and you can easily forget who a character is, especially if you only see their name mentioned quickly in the beginning of the book.
I wish some of the other cozy authors would add a cast of characters to their books too!
What drives me nuts about Claudia Bishop is that she forgets the details of her character's lives! She will then mention something in a later book that isn't 100% true because in a previous book, she had said something different!
Take for instance Miles' age. Miles by this book, is suddenly in his 50s! When did that happen and Quill stayed about 36 throughout most of the series?
Miles and Quill were together in book 1 but in a later book, it references the 1st murder and that they weren't together yet.
I might have only noticed these small inaccuracies because I read the series in its entirety, one book right after the other.
Authors should have cheat sheets with these types of facts on them so that they can reference them as they write future novels.
I do like that Bishop puts a cast of characters at the beginning of each book. I know that some reviewers don't like that because it means there are too many characters in the actual story but it is helpful because a lot of these cozy mysteries are quick reads and you can easily forget who a character is, especially if you only see their name mentioned quickly in the beginning of the book.
I wish some of the other cozy authors would add a cast of characters to their books too!
November 3, 2014
I don't usually give a three rating to a cozy! I struggled to get into the story this time. Maybe if I had read all the books in the series before this, I would have enjoyed it more.
Usually a cozy has the murder fairly early in the book but this one did not appear until page 174. Also, it the guilty suspect was obvious to me.
There was some wit and humor in the book but I think that the book could have been enriched with more. Some of the recipes were dreadful but was that on purpose? The one for squirrels had me perplexed.
Now the good points of the book. I loved the setting in a small town, Hemlock Falls. Also, the idea of mimicking Antique Roadside and some TV shows that look for treasure in junk really sounded like a wonderful book idea. But I got bored by the spats by the three female main characters, Meg Quillen, Sarah Quillen and Clarissa Sparrow. I felt relief when Jack, Meg's son had short parts in the story.
Sorry, but in my opinion, this one cozy that I am not too crazy about.
Usually a cozy has the murder fairly early in the book but this one did not appear until page 174. Also, it the guilty suspect was obvious to me.
There was some wit and humor in the book but I think that the book could have been enriched with more. Some of the recipes were dreadful but was that on purpose? The one for squirrels had me perplexed.
Now the good points of the book. I loved the setting in a small town, Hemlock Falls. Also, the idea of mimicking Antique Roadside and some TV shows that look for treasure in junk really sounded like a wonderful book idea. But I got bored by the spats by the three female main characters, Meg Quillen, Sarah Quillen and Clarissa Sparrow. I felt relief when Jack, Meg's son had short parts in the story.
Sorry, but in my opinion, this one cozy that I am not too crazy about.
July 21, 2025
Easy read - Sarah "Quill" Quilliam-McHale and her sister, Meg Quilliam, own The Inn at Hemlock Falls. The host of a tv show, Your Ancestor's Attic, comes to Hemlock Falls to film an episode of his show which involves locals bringing in antiques, etc. to be appraised. His arch rival shows up in town and they decide to have a cooking contest. There is a lot going on in this book, the host of Your Ancestor's Attic is also in town for his wedding, there are burglaries happening, there is bickering over the mayor's race, etc. However, it all flows and it is a good read. The murder doesn't happen until about two-thirds into the book and there is a little twist as to who the murderer is. Oh, an added bonus: recipes!
August 6, 2012
A knock-off show of antiques roadshow comes to Hemlock Falls, and with it - trouble. Some B&Es in town, obnoxious visitors, and a show-down cook-off.
I really enjoy this series and it is like joining old (if tempermental) friends. And I thought it was interesting that the murder was very late in the book. So much character and scene building - it was a nice change. I am not one that holds to the axiom that the murder must happen within the first few chapters. Done well is done well and THIS was done well. I did NOT see the killer's identity and motive coming...
I really enjoy this series and it is like joining old (if tempermental) friends. And I thought it was interesting that the murder was very late in the book. So much character and scene building - it was a nice change. I am not one that holds to the axiom that the murder must happen within the first few chapters. Done well is done well and THIS was done well. I did NOT see the killer's identity and motive coming...
September 11, 2013
S - l - o - o - o - o - o - o - w might be the kindest word to describe this book. The first 100 pages could be cut out without missing anything. This is the 17th book in a series, so perhaps the author was running out of steam and ideas by this point.
There are some redeeming qualities. I didn't find the main character very interesting, but some of the peripheral characters were well-developed characters, in every sense of the word.
Also, I really hope the mystery novel/cookbook trend will be ending soon. Diversionary tactics do not divert me, but they do annoy me.
There are some redeeming qualities. I didn't find the main character very interesting, but some of the peripheral characters were well-developed characters, in every sense of the word.
Also, I really hope the mystery novel/cookbook trend will be ending soon. Diversionary tactics do not divert me, but they do annoy me.
Read
July 19, 2014Listened to this while traveling locally and across the state. The character descriptions were lengthy, my reading companion was especially amused by the phrase, "exuberant breasts" used as a partial description of someone's personal assistant. We were 3/4 through this murder mystery before the murder occurred. The narrator's voice was also distracting. I do enjoy this series, the "reality TV" characters in this tale were amusing. However, I think I will not listen to anymore stories set in Hemlock Falls, Actual books are now my preferred platform for future stories in this series.
May 4, 2012
I've enjoyed this series for a number of years... but it took me forever to get into this one. I should have read this book in one evening... Either my likes are changing or my mind was on a trip.
In the end I found out who did what, and why, and what for. That is all that mattered. I hope the next book in the series will reawaken my love for a Hemlock Falls Mystery.
I got this book from my local library system.
In the end I found out who did what, and why, and what for. That is all that mattered. I hope the next book in the series will reawaken my love for a Hemlock Falls Mystery.
I got this book from my local library system.
October 30, 2014
This was the first in this series of stories I've read but wasn't really impressed. The crime didnt happen until about 3/4 of the way through the book. I was beginning to wonder if anything was ever going to happen?
Maybe others in this series weren't like this one, but if they are, I don't need to read anymore
Also, I guess to prove she is a writer, she'd out in really big words every now and then that she could've used the much simpler meaning if the word's equivalency
Maybe others in this series weren't like this one, but if they are, I don't need to read anymore
Also, I guess to prove she is a writer, she'd out in really big words every now and then that she could've used the much simpler meaning if the word's equivalency
January 19, 2014
This was pretty good actually. I haven't read any of the others in the series, but it was easy enough to get a handle on who was who from the beginning. I didn't want to shake the MC for getting herself into situtations where she just shouldn't have been and the story flowed along nicely. More of a review to come later.
June 25, 2012
This mystery is on the same, consistent level as the previous books in the series. It's a fun, light read (good for vacations and airplanes), and it held my interest. I enjoy keeping up with all the characters in Hemlock Falls.
June 8, 2013
It feels good to be back in Hemlock Falls once again! The town is the location of a cook-off between two Antique Show 'celebrities' who are feeding off each other. Quill does her detecting with her part-time employee Dina and there is never a dull moment...
April 21, 2012
I enjoyed the usual drama of life in Hemlock Falls. I am so waiting for Carol Ann to get her own back!
July 29, 2012
Enjoyed the mystery and the fact it wasn't immediately solved. A little too much about the child for me though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2012
I've read a couple of others in this series and liked them much better. Just couldn't get into this one.
October 16, 2012
I love finding a good mystery. This was delightful
February 9, 2013
Fun characters. Good mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews