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A Bree MacGowan Mystery #3
Crazy Little Thing Called Dead: The Bree MacGowan Series, Book 3
Bree MacGowan is back...and in just as much trouble as ever!
It takes a lot to shock Bella Bree MacGowan these days, but that's what happens when she goes to Planet Hair and discovers a dead guy with diapers covering the bullet wound that killed him, and not a drop of blood anywhere. She'd be happy to let the cops handle this one - after all, finding three dead bodies in the space of a year is enough for any girl - but when the South Royalton Weekly starts to topple, Bree knows how to save it (and her job): Get the scoop on the investigation. But there's no scoop if you wait around for the police to drop stale information, so Bree takes matters into her own hands - while bumping heads with sexy, stubborn federal agent Richard Hambecker.
Can she get the goods and get out without getting in over her head? Well, crazier things have happened...and they usually happen to Bree.
It takes a lot to shock Bella Bree MacGowan these days, but that's what happens when she goes to Planet Hair and discovers a dead guy with diapers covering the bullet wound that killed him, and not a drop of blood anywhere. She'd be happy to let the cops handle this one - after all, finding three dead bodies in the space of a year is enough for any girl - but when the South Royalton Weekly starts to topple, Bree knows how to save it (and her job): Get the scoop on the investigation. But there's no scoop if you wait around for the police to drop stale information, so Bree takes matters into her own hands - while bumping heads with sexy, stubborn federal agent Richard Hambecker.
Can she get the goods and get out without getting in over her head? Well, crazier things have happened...and they usually happen to Bree.
Audible Audio
First published September 19, 2012
9 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Kate George
25 books47 followersHaving worked at a number of jobs ranging from Senior Assistant to the Dean of a Medical School to Actor/Booking Agent in outdoor theatre troop, Ms George has had plenty of experiences to bring authenticity to her characters. In fact, the idea for Moonlighting began formulating while she was working as a evening turndown maid at an exclusive resort for people with more money than sense. The layout was perfect for a murder, but, as she was not willing to risk a life in prison, she decided writing it would be a wiser choice than doing it.
Ms. George began writing at an early age by making up poems of praise for the ponies she rode. That turned to angst during her teen years and spurned lover poetry in her twenties. During her spurned lover period she also wrote a novella about a marine biologist (her college major at the time) that will never see the light of day. Ms. George eventually earned her Bachelors degree in Anthropology from the University of California at Davis. In case you haven't noticed there aren't a lot of jobs for a budding anthropologist. That's her explanation for the 75 different careers in her resume. Think police dog trainer and answering service operator and then let your imagination go wild. You couldn't possibly be far from the truth.
Although born in California and raised in British Columbia, Ms. George is currently living in Central Vermont with her husband, four children, three dogs, and two cats. She once had 28 chickens, all named, none of them seem especially keen to lay eggs. I'm sorry to tell you that Hermione and Speckles were eaten by coyotes. The rest were given to good homes to avoid any further emotional distress.
Ms. George began writing at an early age by making up poems of praise for the ponies she rode. That turned to angst during her teen years and spurned lover poetry in her twenties. During her spurned lover period she also wrote a novella about a marine biologist (her college major at the time) that will never see the light of day. Ms. George eventually earned her Bachelors degree in Anthropology from the University of California at Davis. In case you haven't noticed there aren't a lot of jobs for a budding anthropologist. That's her explanation for the 75 different careers in her resume. Think police dog trainer and answering service operator and then let your imagination go wild. You couldn't possibly be far from the truth.
Although born in California and raised in British Columbia, Ms. George is currently living in Central Vermont with her husband, four children, three dogs, and two cats. She once had 28 chickens, all named, none of them seem especially keen to lay eggs. I'm sorry to tell you that Hermione and Speckles were eaten by coyotes. The rest were given to good homes to avoid any further emotional distress.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 3, 2014
NO, No, NO!!!!!! I refuse to finish this book. Here is a nasty spoiler kids, the animals die in a house fire. Almost all the menagerie we have come to love over the course of three books is sadistically whipped out. This is what makes me wish I never started the series. I am not ok with this turn of events as all. It was a needless event that rips your heart out.
The book is a bit all over the place like the second book in the series, but it stayed with the plot better. I just can not write a proper review because I am so distraught about the pets. It is such a breach of trust for the author to make you love animals through a series and then kill almost all of them and make you grieve with the main character. I was unprepared for this in a book that had been a cozy mystery. I am far from cozy now.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sara Mackie, who is excellent. She has just the right touch of snark in her read to really sell the character. Great pace throughout the book and terrific energy. I tried to continue because i like her read, but it just became to difficult with the subject matter.
This is pretty much the end of this series and possibly this author for me. I have a hard and fast rule about animals and kids, never ever do I want to read about them being hurt or killed. It is sad because I enjoyed the first book and had hope the series would improve.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
The book is a bit all over the place like the second book in the series, but it stayed with the plot better. I just can not write a proper review because I am so distraught about the pets. It is such a breach of trust for the author to make you love animals through a series and then kill almost all of them and make you grieve with the main character. I was unprepared for this in a book that had been a cozy mystery. I am far from cozy now.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sara Mackie, who is excellent. She has just the right touch of snark in her read to really sell the character. Great pace throughout the book and terrific energy. I tried to continue because i like her read, but it just became to difficult with the subject matter.
This is pretty much the end of this series and possibly this author for me. I have a hard and fast rule about animals and kids, never ever do I want to read about them being hurt or killed. It is sad because I enjoyed the first book and had hope the series would improve.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
October 8, 2012
The Bree that narrates this book is far more mature than the one we met in the earlier two. She maintains her fierce loyalty to her friends and small town. She’s decided to become a true investigative reporter. While she still has work to do on that front, she doesn’t fall into clues like she used to. She is a feisty heroine who begins to take charge of her own life.
As with all growth, there are consequences. Bree’s investigating brings her to the attention of some very unsavory individuals. These individuals go after Bree and her family. For those that are unfamiliar with the series, the majority of Bree’s on-page family is furry. Kate takes a big risk here that is not going to sit well with all her readers. However, I think her motivation was sound. She needed to make Bree really mad and that was one way to do it. Did I like it: not really. Do I understand it: yes. Is it going to make me quit reading: no.
Bree and Kate both have some growing to do. However, as she continues the series, I’m looking forward to watching them both continue to grow and be people I really enjoy hanging out with.
As with all growth, there are consequences. Bree’s investigating brings her to the attention of some very unsavory individuals. These individuals go after Bree and her family. For those that are unfamiliar with the series, the majority of Bree’s on-page family is furry. Kate takes a big risk here that is not going to sit well with all her readers. However, I think her motivation was sound. She needed to make Bree really mad and that was one way to do it. Did I like it: not really. Do I understand it: yes. Is it going to make me quit reading: no.
Bree and Kate both have some growing to do. However, as she continues the series, I’m looking forward to watching them both continue to grow and be people I really enjoy hanging out with.
February 6, 2013
This was the first of Kate George's books I've read, but I found that it worked fine as a stand alone book. In fact, it piqued my interest in the others. The version of this book that is for sale on Amazon must have been recently proofread, because I did not see any of the mistakes other reviewers talked about.
I thought this was a fun mystery, a pretty quick read. I found the characters to be likable, and the story would be perfect to read while traveling. There were several instances where I laughed out loud at some of Bree's antics, especially her encounters with the love interest. There was one particular point where something gruesome happened, but honestly, I thought it was handled well, that it was necessary for the character arc development and also for there to be the right amount of emotional investment on Bree's part in the case. Bree grew as a person because of it, and I as a reader really felt her grief. It wasn't something that felt gratuitous to me.
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who likes their mysteries with a dash of humor and romance. Can't wait to read more of Bree!
I thought this was a fun mystery, a pretty quick read. I found the characters to be likable, and the story would be perfect to read while traveling. There were several instances where I laughed out loud at some of Bree's antics, especially her encounters with the love interest. There was one particular point where something gruesome happened, but honestly, I thought it was handled well, that it was necessary for the character arc development and also for there to be the right amount of emotional investment on Bree's part in the case. Bree grew as a person because of it, and I as a reader really felt her grief. It wasn't something that felt gratuitous to me.
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who likes their mysteries with a dash of humor and romance. Can't wait to read more of Bree!
January 8, 2013
Yipes. I really loved the other two books in this series, but I had to force myself to finish this one. Not that the writing is poor, not that the characters aren't just as interesting as in the past 2 books, but because of a choice the author made. I am hiding this review because of spoilers, but JUST IN CASE -- turn back NOW if you don't want to know!
WHY did Ms. George feel it was necessary to kill all of Bree's beloved animals? We already knew that the bad guy was bad, did that honestly need to happen? I avoid books and movies where an animal is harmed or God-forbid killed like the plague, and I wish that I had been given some advance notice on this one.
WHY did Ms. George feel it was necessary to kill all of Bree's beloved animals? We already knew that the bad guy was bad, did that honestly need to happen? I avoid books and movies where an animal is harmed or God-forbid killed like the plague, and I wish that I had been given some advance notice on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2012
The things bree gets herself into. how awful all the stuff that happened this was the best book yet.
February 27, 2013
I do not like books where animals are harmed. I was very surprised and upset given the lighthearted nature of these books that that would be the case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2013
Oh Hammie, Hammer, Hammer time lol
June 24, 2024
Exilerating
Fast moving and detailed as well . characters well drawn . plot thinned out just a bit but recovered nicely. I would recommend to all my friends who appreciate this style of story.
Fast moving and detailed as well . characters well drawn . plot thinned out just a bit but recovered nicely. I would recommend to all my friends who appreciate this style of story.
November 7, 2012
George’s Crazy Little Thing Called Dead is the third installment in the Bree MacGowan Mystery series and, in Kate George fashion, is packed with lots of mayhem and suspense! George’s usual brand of humor is less apparent in this installment than it was in the first two books; however it is still just as entertaining, as Bree is again placed smack dab in the middle of trouble at every given opportunity. Let’s face it, these days, not tripping over a dead body would be out of the ordinary for Bree, since this makes dead body number three.
Bree MacGowen, newly appointed investigative report for the Royalton Star Weekly, has just stumbled upon a dead man, this time, while on her way into Planet Hair for an early morning hair appointment. Oddly, the victim, who is lying in the middle of the salon, has disposable diapers duct taped to his chest and back and is wearing a mismatched suit. Believe it or not, Bree is thrilled to be the first one on the scene in hopes of breaking the story. However, while trying to catch the killer, she manages to upset a dangerous mob boss. To make matters worse, an FBI agent from the last murder investigation she was involved in has suddenly materialized. With obvious palpable tension between the two, and too many suspects to discount, can the two find the killer before Bree becomes the next victim?
Bree MacGowen, newly appointed investigative report for the Royalton Star Weekly, has just stumbled upon a dead man, this time, while on her way into Planet Hair for an early morning hair appointment. Oddly, the victim, who is lying in the middle of the salon, has disposable diapers duct taped to his chest and back and is wearing a mismatched suit. Believe it or not, Bree is thrilled to be the first one on the scene in hopes of breaking the story. However, while trying to catch the killer, she manages to upset a dangerous mob boss. To make matters worse, an FBI agent from the last murder investigation she was involved in has suddenly materialized. With obvious palpable tension between the two, and too many suspects to discount, can the two find the killer before Bree becomes the next victim?
June 3, 2013
There is just so much wrong with this book. Cell phones have a habit of getting lost and then reappearing just when they are needed. During one chapter, a character is being held captive in a locked room. He is not restrained and he knows his location. Why then does he not use the cell phone that suddenly appears in his pocket until after he manages to escape the room? During another incident, a character is described as having a shaved head and further on, someone is "anchoring her fingers in his hair". Some events and characters appear in the story for no logical reason as to why they would be included or for what purpose. In my opinion, the author wrote her characters into situations and then came up with solutions without thinking it through.
This book ranks two stars only for likeable characters.
This book ranks two stars only for likeable characters.
November 10, 2012
One suggestion. . . read the Bree MacGowan series in order because they do fit together. Crazy may be the way you come to see Bree as you follow her following her instincts into big trouble time after time. Like many of us, she's impulsive and stubborn, and wants to find truth and protect the innocent. She's also a little man crazy, but that's ok. I've noticed that I've become more and more interested in reading books that have dogs as characters since reading the George series since dogs are treated as important in her books. So now I am looking for more books with dogs. (See my other reviews for more on that.) This drama of everyday life moves fast and is plot driven. Recommended for those who like their women bold and their reading light and fast.
December 8, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I love the character Bree. Now I read to read the second book in this series.
March 19, 2013
I enjoyed this book. It is probably my favorite of the three even though it was a bit sad. Kate did a very good job portraying the range of emotions that Bree went through. Keep up the good work.
March 26, 2013
Closer to 2 1/2 stars, but not enough to bump this up to 3 stars. I didn't love the start of the book or the characters. But things really picked up at the end and it turned out to be not so bad.
October 2, 2013
Loved this series! Can't wait for the next installment :)
June 5, 2015
My favorite in the series so far!
December 11, 2013
Predictable, but fun.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews