Here Comes the Bribe

Bed-and-Breakfast Mysteries #30

by Mary Daheim

Judith McMonigle Flynn has her hands full with unexpected family ties and a dead body in the backyard in this delightfully zany mystery in Mary Daheim’s popular Bed-and-Breakfast series.

Rodney Schmuck and his wife, Millie, Hillside Manor’s latest guests, seem normal, well, except for that last name. Innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn is touched to hear that the fortysomething couple is in town to visit family. Rodney is especially eager to see his long-lost mother—who he insists is Judith. Shocked to meet an alleged son she’s sure she never had, she can’t believe Rodney when he swears he has proof from a Norway General Hospital birth certificate listing Judith Anne Grover as his mother.

The father’s name is Unknown.

Judith has never heard of Rodney, let alone given him life. But she’s got a bigger problem when one of the B&B guests turns up dead in the backyard. To Judith’s surprise, Joe is willing to help investigate. He can’t ignore a potential homicide that hits so close to home.

But Rodney is seeking compensation for Judith’s so-called abandonment of him. Perhaps she’ll sign over Hillside Manor? Fat chance of that, Judith declares, and wonders what kind of scheme Rodney has on his devious mind. For that matter, she also wonders why the rest of the guests in his party are acting so strangely. With Joe hot on the killer’s trail, Cousin Renie is persuaded to help Judith discover the truth about the Schmucks and their mysterious hangers-on. If they don’t act fast, Hillside Manor could end up as Schmucks’ Gold Mine.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Mary Rene Richardson Daheim was an American writer of romance and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a bad story, but I trudged through it...it is number 30 in the series, maybe I need to find a new cozy mystery writer.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series with two middle aged cousins who run into crime and murder on a regular basis. Judith and her husband Joe run a bed and breakfast with her mother living in the tool shed out back. Renie, Judith's cousin is her sidekick investigator. This book (#30) has a wedding party staying at the B&B with some strange family members. When one is dead in the back yard the girls need to find the murderer and who is trying to scam the neighbors into selling their properties. Always a good mystery and always a few giggles and laughs. Don't need to read previous book to love this series but they are fun and worth the effort. Mary Daheim also write the Emma Lord mysteries and they are also a good read.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this as a possible 3.5 as this story was too convoluted. I have read the entire series, but I couldn't make tails or heads on this one. There was too much going on, and not enough detail. Maybe it is time to finish this series off, and start another.

[Susan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judith and Renie are hilarious together. More like sisters than cousins and Judith cant help but get involved in trying to find out 'who done it' and Renie, albeit reluctantly, agrees to help.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Momma dearest is getting boring.

I know it must be hard to come up with different ideas. This book was just ok. Only read to see if she finally bumped off the old lady.

[Mysteryfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a generally enjoyable series. The bickering was cut way back in this volume. The plot was a bit scrambled but i enjoyed it. A good quick read.

[Maryann Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Mary Daheim, and it will certainly be my last. The characters are unbelievable and strange. The story line drags along and becomes just plain boring. This is a murder mystery, but the real mystery is "why did I keep reading it for 143 pages?" Yes, I didn't finish it--there are too many good books waiting to be read. The most annoying aspect of this book is that the main character, her husband, mother, and cousin cannot have a conversation without sniping at each other. It appears that these are all permanent characters in a series, and I can't imagine why anyone would want to read books where the characters consistently insult one another. Daheim has written a ton of books, though, so she must have fans who enjoy her writing. I am not one of them.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judith Flynn is glad to have her bed and breakfast occupied, until the wedding party from Los Angeles arrives. First, the father of the bride, Rodney Schmuck, greets her as his long-lost mother. Then the mother of the bride is found dead in the garden. Here, again, the police seem desultory, wanting to wait until the death is declared a homicide before a full-scale investigation. But Judith and her cousin Renie do their own snooping, even after the suspects have decamped to the house that the Schmucks have bought in a nearby gated community. The plot doesn't hold together too well, but we have the pleasure of Judith's company, which may be enough to pass some enjoyable reading time.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trudged through the book. Takes me 3-7 days to read a book im particularly interested in. As a mystery novel I expected it to be riveting, especially with the plot being revealed early into the book, but I never found myself enjoying it.

[Stephen Brayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot

Judith McMonigle Flynn has her hands full with unexpected family ties and a dead body in the backyard in this delightfully zany mystery in Mary Daheim’s popular Bed-and-Breakfast series.

Rodney Schmuck and his wife, Millie, Hillside Manor’s latest guests, seem normal, well, except for that last name. Innkeeper Judith McMonigle Flynn is touched to hear that the fortysomething couple is in town to visit family. Rodney is especially eager to see his long-lost mother—who he insists is Judith. Shocked to meet an alleged son she’s sure she never had, she can’t believe Rodney when he swears he has proof from a Norway General Hospital birth certificate listing Judith Anne Grover as his mother.

The father’s name is Unknown.

Judith has never heard of Rodney, let alone given him life. But she’s got a bigger problem when one of the B&B guests turns up dead in the backyard. To Judith’s surprise, Joe is willing to help investigate. He can’t ignore a potential homicide that hits so close to home.

But Rodney is seeking compensation for Judith’s so-called abandonment of him. Perhaps she’ll sign over Hillside Manor? Fat chance of that, Judith declares, and wonders what kind of scheme Rodney has on his devious mind. For that matter, she also wonders why the rest of the guests in his party are acting so strangely. With Joe hot on the killer’s trail, Cousin Renie is persuaded to help Judith discover the truth about the Schmucks and their mysterious hangers-on. If they don’t act fast, Hillside Manor could end up as Schmucks’ Gold Mine.

My Analysis

The content of the above blurb is only part of this long, intricate, and drawn-out story. Another wacky group shows up at the B&B. There are a LOT of characters, but it’s not too bad getting to know them and remembering them. They’re never seen in dialogue together. Only one or two at a time in scenes.

There’s more intrigue in the actions of the guests. Judith gets herself involved to figure out what happened and if the guest’s death was murder.

I do like Renie, Judith’s cousin, because she adds some zing to the story. So does Gertrude, Judith’s mother. Joe sort of hangs about telling Judith not to get in trouble, but otherwise plays a blah character.

This story had a lot of characters, and some weren’t needed. For instance, the young neighbor Judith recruits as a sneak-about was a throwaway. Judith and Renie went out to a house in a gated community one too many times. It started to feel like filler since nothing happened. Not even at the end.

The author did a lot of telling instead of showing. he told what emotions characters had in expressions and in dialogue.

This book was drawn out and took a long time to get anywhere. The story lasted a week. While there were clues and all of them were explained, they were just “there.” What I mean is, they didn’t give any huge revelations.

There was no climax, and the whole thing ended with the last plot point filled. It felt like the author filled in a lot of story to make a story and finally just ended it.

My rank:

Green Belt

[Nese · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the book and the story line appear to be promising and the last hundred pages of the book have some action, but there is almost nothing happening in between, other than some of the main characters having lunch, preparing dinner, getting ready for the cocktail hour, and having discussions with neighbors, friends and relatives about the B&B guest, and unfortunately the story fizzles down at the end. There isn’t much of a murder mystery, character development, or action. However, I liked the author’s writing style and her command of the English language and I plan on checking out another book by this author.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and cozy mystery in Daheim’s long running series. Rodney Schmuck and his wife Millie book rooms for a wedding at Judith Flynn’s bed and breakfast. When they arrive at the inn, Rodney surprises Judith by announcing she is his long lost mother. Judith is sure she would remember if she had given birth, but can’t dissuade Rodney he’s mistaken. When Millie drops dead in Judith’s back yard, it’s almost too bizarre to believe. Judith, her husband the retired cop, and her cousin investigate.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 2006, the 30th installment of the Bed & Breakfast series is like catching up with old friends.

Judith's latest B&B guests are so strange that they make cousin Renie look normal.

Claiming to be Judith's long lost son, Rodney Schmuck arrives with an entourage. None of their identities can be verified when Judith sets out ot figure out how Rodney's wife, Camilla aka Millie, ended up in her garden - dead.

[Lonni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some guest or renter left this this on my shelf. So...I read and enjoyed it enough to finish it. The basis of the plot is investigating a murder...if I go any further I ruin it for any other reader. Some crazy characters to keep you scratching your heads and two female characters/sleuths/cousins who are quite a pair! I took awhile to read b/c I used it as my "real" book to read before bed to get me off screens. Straight I probably would have finished it in two days.

[Pamela Maring · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read others in this series several years ago and enjoyed them, but this time, I guess my tastes have matured. I thought this plot was unrealistic and childish. It was suposed to be funny. It was supposed to be a mystery. Neither was fullfilled sufficiently to make me want to recommend it to others.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t normally review books but I feel compelled to rate this one. Characters unlikeable,, lots of calling on the phone and going to lunch with no real purpose. Barbs being slung in an almost disrespectful manner. Book over 300 pages too long! Plot very thin and ridiculous. Worst thing I’ve read in years!

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow go

I think I have read everyone. Easy, no heavy lifting here. You don't have to read in order. These would be G rated in there was a rating for books. Friendly, loveable characters. A Summer's day read...and no blood or violence.

[Elisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this. Maybe I started too far into the series so I have no connection to the characters but as much as I have enjoyed other cozies, this was simply so poor relative to the dialogue, characters, and plot that I decided not to finish it.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's almost like she is copying and pasting conversations from her previous books to add to this book. The cousins are always sniping at each other and the words are the same. It's the same with her mother and Joe as well. The plot was not really thought out. I was disappointed.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a sort of tangential plot point in this book that is so absurd it really drove me to distraction. Its not even that it matters very much to the over-all story, but the response is just very unrealistic.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky guests wreak havoc

Another very funny story of life in a B & B. This time one of the guests is convinced Judith is his mother, and another is a very odd clergyman.
Our usual friends are prominent in the story, including the Dooley boys and the Rankers.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 30th book in the "Bed and Breakfast Mysteries" series and perhaps that's why I couldn't get invested in any of the characters.

The plot was strange and I'm not sure I know even now all the twists and turns the mystery presented.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Judith's strange guests keeps calling her Mama and driving Judith nuts. When his wife is found dead in the backyard of the Bed and Breakfast Judith tries to untangle the behavior of her odd guests and their connections to each other.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It can be hard to jump into the middle of a series, but once I got all the recurring characters sorted out it was a pleasant enough story that wrapped up satisfactorily. I wouldn’t mind reading some of the earlier books in this series.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This isn't a book I'd recommend. It's one of Mary Daheim's last books I think and I was sad that it just dragged. It wasn't funny as usual. I feel bad about this review because I loved most of her previous books.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waited for this book for a long time! It was worth the wait. I'm a huge fan of this series and this book was no let down!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite light mystery series. This particular entry was engaging & probably rates something closer to 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the audio book version & would recommend it.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept my attention trying to find out who the murder was.

[Mary Walterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I had a good time reading this book. I love the interaction between Judith and Renie. And Judith's mom is a hoot! This was a nice escape read..

[Susan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly fond of the book but it did have some funny parts. Judith and her cousin Renie have knack for solving murders around them. Judith's latest one happened in Judith's B&B.