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The Cycle Path Mysteries #1
Geared for the Grave
Mackinac Island is a peaceful summer resort town where everyone coasts through the streets on bicycles. But after someone sends a prominent local on her final ride, it’s up to one resourceful visitor to get things running again…
Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble…
After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…
Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble…
After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2014
192 people are currently reading
1965 people want to read
About the author
Duffy Brown
13 books729 followersDuffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, her license plate is Sherlok and she conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own for Berkley Prime Crime. Duffy’s national bestselling Consignment Shop Mystery series is set in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries are set on Mackinac Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
April 7, 2020
An interesting beginning for a debut series in a beautiful setting. I enjoyed the creativity the protagonist was using in hand painting designs on the rental bikes.
December 12, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I knew Evie was in trouble the minute she got off the ferry and requested a taxi. Seems her boss failed to tell her about all the charm of Mackinac Island, like there are no motor vehicles allowed. From there she gets into every kind of trouble possible including finding Bunny Harrington’s dead body. What looks like a freak bicycle accident is soon ruled a homicide and her boss’s father is the number one suspect.
Evie is a delightful character with her heart in the right place. Yes she came to island to garner favor from her boss in hopes of a promotion but once she meets Rudy and the other residents she is just trying to do the right thing. That isn’t easy because as a “fudgie” she seems to get blamed for everything the goes wrong. I really like the way she used her creativity to breathe new life into Rudy’s Rides all while she is doing her best to keep him out of jail and trying to nudge temporary police chief Nate Sutter in the direction of many other suspects.
Clever characters abound in the new series. In addition to Evie and Rudy we meet Evie’s mother who makes an unexpected trip to Mackinac Island and meets a handsome gentleman with a questionable background. We also meet a man the locals call Jason Bourne because he is a master of disguise and always has briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. Everyone is convinced he is a hit man but I figured out is real occupation quite quickly. You also have Speedy and Huffy, these are people, not pets. They both want Rudy to be guilty so they can add his bike business to their own. They are also high on Evie’s suspect list.
Mackinac Island is a wonderful place to set a mystery series but it is also the setting of another cozy mystery series written by Nancy Coco. Both authors draw on actual events to include in their stories and the Island is a pretty small place. I half expected the protagonist Allie from that series to run into Evie somewhere along the way.
Duffy Brown does give the reader a great mystery to follow and I was totally surprised by the way this one played out. The plot takes some wacky turns and that keeps the pages turning. There is also quite a bit of humor laced throughout the entire story. From Evie’s rash to where they keep the dead body on ice until after the tourists leave and all the little phrases the locals use to keep the “fudgies” in the dark all had me “tee heeing” from the beginning to the end.
This series is off to a wonderful start. -Braking for Bodies is coming in 2015 and -Tandem Demise will follow in 2016. I predict a lot of fun and drama for Evie ahead!
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November 5, 2014Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian and Co-Owner of The Write Companion for Suspense Magazine
The first in a new series, The Cycle Path Mysteries, this novel is one terrific read.
Mackinac Island is a small, serene land mass located in Lake Huron, off the coast of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a very peaceful summer tourist trap. No automobiles are allowed; transportation is by bicycle with the occasional horse thrown in for good measure. If one of the two can’t be rented or found, foot traffic is the only way to go. All the buildings on the island look like they were built in the 1800s. Normally, a few hundred folks inhabit the island, yet with the summer tourist season that number blows up over 10,000… It’s a wonder the island doesn’t sink.
Evie Bloomfield is on her way to the island to help her boss’s father. Rudy owns a local bike shop in town and has broken his leg. Soon after Evie’s arrival, a very wealthy senior citizen named Bunny Harrington is killed in an accident on her bike. Although originally seen as an accident, it is discovered that the brake cable was cut up at Bunny’s house; a house that sits on a very high hill. The business owners on the island are afraid that if the tourists find out there was a murder their numbers will diminish, so they immediately beg the Chief of Police to store Bunny’s corpse in the grocery’s walk-in freezer until the weekend is over. After all, no one in town liked her very much, and for a kindly gesture, they decide to refer to the weekend as the Bunny Festival.
Rudy turns out to be suspect number one, which means Evie takes on more than one job. Investigating the killing, Evie knows that if she doesn’t solve the crime she might just lose her full-time position working for Rudy’s daughter back in Chicago.
A well-written plot with great characters, readers will want to run to Mackinac Island and set up house.
The first in a new series, The Cycle Path Mysteries, this novel is one terrific read.
Mackinac Island is a small, serene land mass located in Lake Huron, off the coast of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a very peaceful summer tourist trap. No automobiles are allowed; transportation is by bicycle with the occasional horse thrown in for good measure. If one of the two can’t be rented or found, foot traffic is the only way to go. All the buildings on the island look like they were built in the 1800s. Normally, a few hundred folks inhabit the island, yet with the summer tourist season that number blows up over 10,000… It’s a wonder the island doesn’t sink.
Evie Bloomfield is on her way to the island to help her boss’s father. Rudy owns a local bike shop in town and has broken his leg. Soon after Evie’s arrival, a very wealthy senior citizen named Bunny Harrington is killed in an accident on her bike. Although originally seen as an accident, it is discovered that the brake cable was cut up at Bunny’s house; a house that sits on a very high hill. The business owners on the island are afraid that if the tourists find out there was a murder their numbers will diminish, so they immediately beg the Chief of Police to store Bunny’s corpse in the grocery’s walk-in freezer until the weekend is over. After all, no one in town liked her very much, and for a kindly gesture, they decide to refer to the weekend as the Bunny Festival.
Rudy turns out to be suspect number one, which means Evie takes on more than one job. Investigating the killing, Evie knows that if she doesn’t solve the crime she might just lose her full-time position working for Rudy’s daughter back in Chicago.
A well-written plot with great characters, readers will want to run to Mackinac Island and set up house.
February 11, 2016
Totally outstanding! I love this new series and look forward to many years of pleasure from Evie and Sutter butting heads and nailing the bad guys.
October 12, 2014
I have just had a unique experience. I read Duffy Brown’s latest book, Geared for the Grave, the first book in her new Cycle Path Mysteries series. Let me tell you a little about the story; if that doesn’t do the trick, I’ll explain why the experience was so unique.
Start with the setting. This story takes place on Mackinac Island. You may not know about this unusual place; I certainly didn’t. It’s our country’s second National Park, right after Yellowstone. It’s a tiny, 3.8 square mile island in Lake Huron, just off the coast where the main part of Michigan meets the Upper Peninsula. I’ve been over the Mackinac Bridge several times, but had no clue about this resort island that can be seen from the bridge.
They are no motorized vehicles on the island. Transportation is all by foot, bicycle, or horse. It has been that way since before there were motorized vehicles. Architecture is controlled to ensure that all buildings look like they were built in the late 1800s. Some 492 people live there year-round, but on a good summer tourist-season day, 15,000 tourists will be on the island. One of the trademarks of the tourist trade are its candy and fudge shops. Tourists, thus, are called “fudgies.” I kid you not.
I don’t think there are many places so ideal for hosting a good cozy mystery story. This is way more interesting than your normal New England bookstore or coffee shop or Southern book club or hair salon. It’s new; it’s different.
After the setting, we have the characters. You’ll never meet so many characters with so much character. Here’s a sampling (there are many more, equally interesting):
• Our ever-resilient heroine, Evie Bloomfield,
• Evie’s boss’s father Rudy, the crusty owner of a failing bike shop,
• Murder victim Bunny, a formerly rich, annoying busybody,
• Rival bike shop owners Speedy and Huffy (really!),
• Irish Donna, who plays up the “faith and begorrah” and inverted sentence structure shtick,
• The mysterious master of disguises everyone calls Jason Bourne because they are convinced he is a hit man.
They are unique. They are lovable, despicable, unpredictable, and wacky in that curious way that makes perfect sense only in this unique time and place.
When detestable senior citizen Bunny is offed by having her bike’s brake cable cut at her house at the top of a really, really high hill, the community cannot let this be known for a couple weeks until after the big Labor Day holiday. If the fudgies knew of a murder, they would stay away in droves. So the merchants prevail upon temporary replacement police chief Nate Sutter to let them keep Bunny on ice in the back of the grocery store’s walk-in freezer until after the big holiday. To keep the secret, when discussing the murder case among themselves, the residents refer to it as the Bunny Festival.
Circumstantial evidence points strongly at Rudy, so Evie has to investigate to prove his innocence—or lose her job back in Chicago, where Rudy’s daughter is Evie’s tyrannical boss.
I’m no Duffy Brown, so my feeble efforts to set the stage may not have given you the senses-reeling sensation of being with Alice down that rabbit hole, but reading the book will definitely have that effect. That brings up the only problem I had with the book. We drop into the story in with the clamor and commotion of events already moving at full tilt. I had a bit of disoriented confusion until about ten pages in, when the people and places seemed to finally snap into focus. From there on, it was nothing but pure fun.
What a talent Ms. Brown is! I’ve only mentioned the merest hint of all the wild, unexpected, and yet somehow believable wackiness that you’ll find in this funny, funny book. You have never read anything like it. How often can you say that about a cozy mystery in this day of rigidly controlled cozy mystery formula publishing? Oh, many of the formula’s elements are surely here. We have the hot bachelor cop, the moderately good-looking 30ish single female lead character with a deadbeat former significant other in the background, a small business to run, and the obligatory cats. They, however, do not define the story. They’re just there as appropriate background elements in the larger flow of unpredictable, increasingly funny events.
I don’t know if Duffy Brown qualifies as a national treasure yet, but she’s certainly on her way to becoming a beloved leading light in the mystery world. I stand in awe of her untrammeled creativity, comic sense and timing, and ability to draw us merrily into a whirlwind of delight as we read her books.
By the way, if my references to “cozy mysteries” mystify you, don’t worry about it. Those who read that genre will know about and love this book. Those who haven’t a clue and don’t really care about such a genre will also love this book. Anyone with even a rudimentary sense of humor will love this book.
NOTE: The book will be issued on December 2, 2014. This review is based on an Advanced Review Copy provided to me by the author. I genuinely loved the book; getting it free didn't affect my review at all.
Start with the setting. This story takes place on Mackinac Island. You may not know about this unusual place; I certainly didn’t. It’s our country’s second National Park, right after Yellowstone. It’s a tiny, 3.8 square mile island in Lake Huron, just off the coast where the main part of Michigan meets the Upper Peninsula. I’ve been over the Mackinac Bridge several times, but had no clue about this resort island that can be seen from the bridge.
They are no motorized vehicles on the island. Transportation is all by foot, bicycle, or horse. It has been that way since before there were motorized vehicles. Architecture is controlled to ensure that all buildings look like they were built in the late 1800s. Some 492 people live there year-round, but on a good summer tourist-season day, 15,000 tourists will be on the island. One of the trademarks of the tourist trade are its candy and fudge shops. Tourists, thus, are called “fudgies.” I kid you not.
I don’t think there are many places so ideal for hosting a good cozy mystery story. This is way more interesting than your normal New England bookstore or coffee shop or Southern book club or hair salon. It’s new; it’s different.
After the setting, we have the characters. You’ll never meet so many characters with so much character. Here’s a sampling (there are many more, equally interesting):
• Our ever-resilient heroine, Evie Bloomfield,
• Evie’s boss’s father Rudy, the crusty owner of a failing bike shop,
• Murder victim Bunny, a formerly rich, annoying busybody,
• Rival bike shop owners Speedy and Huffy (really!),
• Irish Donna, who plays up the “faith and begorrah” and inverted sentence structure shtick,
• The mysterious master of disguises everyone calls Jason Bourne because they are convinced he is a hit man.
They are unique. They are lovable, despicable, unpredictable, and wacky in that curious way that makes perfect sense only in this unique time and place.
When detestable senior citizen Bunny is offed by having her bike’s brake cable cut at her house at the top of a really, really high hill, the community cannot let this be known for a couple weeks until after the big Labor Day holiday. If the fudgies knew of a murder, they would stay away in droves. So the merchants prevail upon temporary replacement police chief Nate Sutter to let them keep Bunny on ice in the back of the grocery store’s walk-in freezer until after the big holiday. To keep the secret, when discussing the murder case among themselves, the residents refer to it as the Bunny Festival.
Circumstantial evidence points strongly at Rudy, so Evie has to investigate to prove his innocence—or lose her job back in Chicago, where Rudy’s daughter is Evie’s tyrannical boss.
I’m no Duffy Brown, so my feeble efforts to set the stage may not have given you the senses-reeling sensation of being with Alice down that rabbit hole, but reading the book will definitely have that effect. That brings up the only problem I had with the book. We drop into the story in with the clamor and commotion of events already moving at full tilt. I had a bit of disoriented confusion until about ten pages in, when the people and places seemed to finally snap into focus. From there on, it was nothing but pure fun.
What a talent Ms. Brown is! I’ve only mentioned the merest hint of all the wild, unexpected, and yet somehow believable wackiness that you’ll find in this funny, funny book. You have never read anything like it. How often can you say that about a cozy mystery in this day of rigidly controlled cozy mystery formula publishing? Oh, many of the formula’s elements are surely here. We have the hot bachelor cop, the moderately good-looking 30ish single female lead character with a deadbeat former significant other in the background, a small business to run, and the obligatory cats. They, however, do not define the story. They’re just there as appropriate background elements in the larger flow of unpredictable, increasingly funny events.
I don’t know if Duffy Brown qualifies as a national treasure yet, but she’s certainly on her way to becoming a beloved leading light in the mystery world. I stand in awe of her untrammeled creativity, comic sense and timing, and ability to draw us merrily into a whirlwind of delight as we read her books.
By the way, if my references to “cozy mysteries” mystify you, don’t worry about it. Those who read that genre will know about and love this book. Those who haven’t a clue and don’t really care about such a genre will also love this book. Anyone with even a rudimentary sense of humor will love this book.
NOTE: The book will be issued on December 2, 2014. This review is based on an Advanced Review Copy provided to me by the author. I genuinely loved the book; getting it free didn't affect my review at all.
December 25, 2014
Evie Bloomfields takes a trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan to help her boss’s father, Rudy. Rudy owns a local bike shop, but broke his leg and needs all the help he can get. If Evie does this for her boss, she figures it helps her chances for a promotion.
Evie is stunned when she finds out there are no vehicles on the island. The popular mode of transportation is the bicycle. She begins to wonder if Mackinac Island was a good choice for her. When a wealthy citizen dies in an “accident”, Rudy is arrested for the crime. Evie is sure her promotion is in jeopardy as long as Rudy is in jail. Besides, she doesn’t believe he did it. Unsure of who exactly did do the deed, Evie sets up her own investigation not only to save Rudy’s life, but to save her chances of getting a job promotion.
What a great cast of the quirkiest characters you’ll ever read about. Each one has their own story to tell with both drama and humor. There’s some romance mixed in with the mystery to give readers a fun, exciting, romantic mystery to sink their teeth into. Everyone should take advantage of an armchair visit to beautiful Mackinac Island. Great idea to set the book in a real live location. I felt as if I was right on the island with Evie searching for clues.
I adore Duffy Brown’s “Consignment Shop Mystery” series and this one is equally as wonderful. It’s off to an excellent start and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher/author 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.
Evie is stunned when she finds out there are no vehicles on the island. The popular mode of transportation is the bicycle. She begins to wonder if Mackinac Island was a good choice for her. When a wealthy citizen dies in an “accident”, Rudy is arrested for the crime. Evie is sure her promotion is in jeopardy as long as Rudy is in jail. Besides, she doesn’t believe he did it. Unsure of who exactly did do the deed, Evie sets up her own investigation not only to save Rudy’s life, but to save her chances of getting a job promotion.
What a great cast of the quirkiest characters you’ll ever read about. Each one has their own story to tell with both drama and humor. There’s some romance mixed in with the mystery to give readers a fun, exciting, romantic mystery to sink their teeth into. Everyone should take advantage of an armchair visit to beautiful Mackinac Island. Great idea to set the book in a real live location. I felt as if I was right on the island with Evie searching for clues.
I adore Duffy Brown’s “Consignment Shop Mystery” series and this one is equally as wonderful. It’s off to an excellent start and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher/author 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.
March 30, 2015
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the cast of characters for this series. Duffy Brown can write some hilarious characters. The mystery and story was interesting and kept me flipping the pages.
Its going to be interesting to see, what happens with Evie and Nate Sutter in the next book, their romance is already starting to heat up a bit. And there is still a lot to read about between, the story of Evie's mother and what will happen when Rudy's daughter shows up on Mackinac Island. Very much looking forward to reading the second book.
Its going to be interesting to see, what happens with Evie and Nate Sutter in the next book, their romance is already starting to heat up a bit. And there is still a lot to read about between, the story of Evie's mother and what will happen when Rudy's daughter shows up on Mackinac Island. Very much looking forward to reading the second book.
February 8, 2015
If you haven’t been to Mackinac Island up on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, put it on your bucket list! I married a Michigander, so we sometimes take a little daytrip up to the island while visiting his folks. Just imagine Disneyland’s Main Street on a remote island where there’s nothing but cutesy shops, restaurants and oodles of fudge! Aside from the chocolaty goodness, the best part about the island is that no cars are allowed. If you want to get around, you’ll have to hoof it, ride a bike or jump on a horse buggy. Coming from Austin—one of the worst traffic cities in the universe—that sounds like bliss!
So it’s only fitting that this mystery begins when the meanest lady in town dies in a horrific bike accident. Considering that everyone despised her, the suspect list is bigger than Lake Superior. Yet thanks to a supposed eye witness, it becomes an open-and-shut case. The temporary town Sherriff is more than happy to pin the murder on Rudy Randolph, owner of a rundown bike rental shop. This doesn’t bode well for our protagonist, Evie Bloomfield, who’s determined to fix up the bike shop to boost her chances of promotion. You see, Rudy’s daughter is Evie’s boss, and if he goes to prison, she can kiss her big-city job goodbye. The townies also have reasons to sweep the murder under the rug. Tourists (aka “fudgies”) are their bread and butter, so it’s important to not botch up the island’s idyllic Norman Rockwellesque façade. Who knew that a happy place like Mackinac Island could be a seedy hotbed of murder, blackmail and organized crime?! If you, like me, love an atmospheric whodunit filled with quirky characters and snarky dialogue, give this one a try. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Evie and her eclectic sidekicks in the next installment of this new series. Boy, I sure could go for some gooey fudge right about now!
So it’s only fitting that this mystery begins when the meanest lady in town dies in a horrific bike accident. Considering that everyone despised her, the suspect list is bigger than Lake Superior. Yet thanks to a supposed eye witness, it becomes an open-and-shut case. The temporary town Sherriff is more than happy to pin the murder on Rudy Randolph, owner of a rundown bike rental shop. This doesn’t bode well for our protagonist, Evie Bloomfield, who’s determined to fix up the bike shop to boost her chances of promotion. You see, Rudy’s daughter is Evie’s boss, and if he goes to prison, she can kiss her big-city job goodbye. The townies also have reasons to sweep the murder under the rug. Tourists (aka “fudgies”) are their bread and butter, so it’s important to not botch up the island’s idyllic Norman Rockwellesque façade. Who knew that a happy place like Mackinac Island could be a seedy hotbed of murder, blackmail and organized crime?! If you, like me, love an atmospheric whodunit filled with quirky characters and snarky dialogue, give this one a try. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Evie and her eclectic sidekicks in the next installment of this new series. Boy, I sure could go for some gooey fudge right about now!
January 2, 2015
If you like murder, believe in Murphy’s law and enjoy a fun mystery, I think this series is going to be for you, but make sure life doesn’t get in the way, you won’t be able to put it down. To me it’s a mix of Nancy Drew and I Love Lucy. I have not laughed so hard while reading a mystery as I have reading this one. Duffy Brown does a great job of hiding the clues to the killer while entertaining with the misadventures of a fudgie who transplants to Mackinac Island to help her boss’s father with his bike shop after he breaks his leg. If there was ever a place that I would wish had the characters of a book living on it, this is the place I’d wish for and I would move there as soon as I could. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Duffy Brown’s characters are quaint and fun. with a touch of clutz mixed in. There were even a couple of spots where I shed a tear. The ending got a big woo hoo out of me. Don’t get me wrong, the story line is easy to follow and if you’ve never been to Mackinac Island, like me, I’m pretty sure you’re going to want to visit. I know I do.
January 1, 2015
Wow, this book was one of the best books I've read all year, it was especially good for a first-in-a-series book.
I fell in love with all of the characters, especially Evie, Carmen, Rudy, and Irma. They were all lovable, and quirky in their own way. This town sounds like a perfect place to live, especially when the reporter only reports on good things.
I loved the setting, and the fact that the tourists really knew nothing about the real island. Rudy's Rides sounds like the type of place I'd go, especially witht he themed bikes.
The ending felt too abrupt for my tastes, however. The killer is figured out in literally the last two pages of the book then it ends.
This was a great book that I hoped would never end. It kept me glued to the pages. I hope this author has another book in store for us soon, I'll definitely be looking out for it!
I fell in love with all of the characters, especially Evie, Carmen, Rudy, and Irma. They were all lovable, and quirky in their own way. This town sounds like a perfect place to live, especially when the reporter only reports on good things.
I loved the setting, and the fact that the tourists really knew nothing about the real island. Rudy's Rides sounds like the type of place I'd go, especially witht he themed bikes.
The ending felt too abrupt for my tastes, however. The killer is figured out in literally the last two pages of the book then it ends.
This was a great book that I hoped would never end. It kept me glued to the pages. I hope this author has another book in store for us soon, I'll definitely be looking out for it!
December 2, 2014
Author Duffy Brown has once again charmed me with her distinctive writing style in this first book of a new series. Mackinac Island and the bicycle shop where Evie Bloomfield arrives to help her boss's father manage his business while recuperating with a broken leg is full of delightful, off-beat, and unforgettable characters. The island itself makes one wish that a visit was truly possible and Ms. Duffy's engaging writing style clinch the deal. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a very entertaining way to while away a few hours with a good, solid cozy. I'm already looking forward to the next installment.
March 26, 2015
Ever since I saw the hauntingly beautiful movie Somewhere in Time I have wanted to go to Mackinac Island. And in the book I got another visit there. This is the first book in what is going to be a good series. Evie, the main character has a wonderful sense of humor and will go to any lengths to be of help. She goes to the island to paint the bike shop belonging to her boss's father. But so much else happens to make it a very exciting story. Looking forward to the next one.
February 6, 2015
I liked this one! I like Ms. Brown's writing style and this book couldn't have a better setting than Mackinac Island...even if it IS in Michigan! Good characters and a good story. Looking forward to the next one! RECOMMEND!
December 22, 2014
What a great start!! Loved it
March 31, 2021
I read this book a few years ago but decided to revisit it with Audible. I enjoyed the narrator, Ceit M. Zweil. I thought she did a fabulous job! I’m looking forward to listening to her again.
I enjoy this book. There are fun characters, a lot of humor, and, of course, a mystery to be solved. This book does move from past to present throughout the story. I didn’t mind at all especially since I previously lived in the Marquette Park neighborhood. I played in the park as a child and took my kids to play in it. I have loads of memories there and it’s always fun for me when I can visit places I know, in real life, in a book. I love seeing it through a characters eyes.
I have not visited Mackinac Island in person. I love the photos I have seen of it on the internet and I hope to go there. This series is actually what made me put it on my list of places in the US I most want to visit. The author does a wonderful job bringing the charm and fun to life in her books. I adore the fact there are no cars. As for the mystery, I rarely guess who the real villain is and didn’t until the reveal in this book. I do confess that I’m reading more for entertainment than for solving the mystery.
I recommend the book/series to mystery lovers and to travel fans. One word of caution, though. I know some readers do not want any adult language used in their cozy mysteries. There was some light use of it. It did not bother me at all. I mention it so if you are one who wants their mystery completely word clean, you might not be happy with this book. I found the story charming and delightfully entertaining!
I enjoy this book. There are fun characters, a lot of humor, and, of course, a mystery to be solved. This book does move from past to present throughout the story. I didn’t mind at all especially since I previously lived in the Marquette Park neighborhood. I played in the park as a child and took my kids to play in it. I have loads of memories there and it’s always fun for me when I can visit places I know, in real life, in a book. I love seeing it through a characters eyes.
I have not visited Mackinac Island in person. I love the photos I have seen of it on the internet and I hope to go there. This series is actually what made me put it on my list of places in the US I most want to visit. The author does a wonderful job bringing the charm and fun to life in her books. I adore the fact there are no cars. As for the mystery, I rarely guess who the real villain is and didn’t until the reveal in this book. I do confess that I’m reading more for entertainment than for solving the mystery.
I recommend the book/series to mystery lovers and to travel fans. One word of caution, though. I know some readers do not want any adult language used in their cozy mysteries. There was some light use of it. It did not bother me at all. I mention it so if you are one who wants their mystery completely word clean, you might not be happy with this book. I found the story charming and delightfully entertaining!
May 5, 2022
Cute mystery and I loved the humor in this book, laughed out loud a few times.
August 4, 2019
I've really enjoyed her other Consignment Shop series, so I thought I'd give this one a try. It started out a little slow, but I ended up really enjoying it. Good mystery, varying characters, and a unique setting. I'll definitely be looking for the next one!
December 18, 2014
GEARED FOR THE GRAVE
Duffy Brown
Berkley Prime Crime
December 2014
Evie Bloomfield has arrived on Mackinac Island, Michigan with nine gallons of beach baby-blue paint to discover that there are no motorized vehicles allowed and she will have to get the paint from the ferry dock to Rudy’s Rides the best way she can. Evie works for Rudy’s daughter Abigail in Chicago; a neighbor of Rudy called Abigail to tell her that Rudy has had an accident and needs help sprucing up his bicycle shop or the business will be closed by the town council. Abigail can’t get away from her business right now, and Evie, hoping to get some brownie points, volunteered her services. Right about now Evie is regretting her impulsiveness.
Rudy doesn’t seem too concerned about much of anything except the euchre tournament at the Stang, a local bar. He leaves his shop in Evie’s care and takes off with his friend Ed. Evie answers a call to deliver two bikes, and a local character, Irish Donna helps her. The Irish woman is clicking her tongue all the way and talking about the black clouds surrounding Evie.
Sure enough, on the way back to Rudy’s Rides in Irish Donna’s horse cart, the two women discover the body of Bunny, a sixty-some trouble making biddy who thinks she owns the island. Bunny’s body has been pushed off the road into some bushes. However, her bike’s brake line must have been cut at her house, since Bunny was riding her bike when she left Rudy’s earlier. Acting police Chief Nate Sutter is called to the scene and several townspeople come with him. Labor Day draws huge crowds of “fudgies” and if a murder is reported the tourists might not show up. Nate is badgered into agreeing to put Bunny in cold storage in the grocery store’s large freezer during the holiday surge. The natives refer to tourists as “fudgies” since most come to sample that sweet at one of the umpteen shops on Mackinac.
Rudy is the prime suspect in what is referred to as “the Bunny Festival” since that woman had just promised that she would see that his business was closed soon. But, Bunny kept over half the residents irritated with her most of the time. Evie just cannot believe that Rudy, who is on crutches, could make his way up this steep slope, move the body, and hobble back down again.
GEARED FOR THE GRAVE is the whimsical and extremely clever opening story for Duffy Brown’s new series, “a cycle path mystery”. The characters are smartly defined; the dialogue is intelligent and witty; shrewd story threads weave in and out of the tale. And, Ms. Brown has found the perfect locale to set her wonderful whodunits.
Betty Cox, ReaderToReader.com
October 8, 2016
Evie agrees to go to Mackinac Island to lend a hand to her boss's father, Rudy, in hopes that it will help her land a new promotion. Rudy broke his leg and runs one of the local bicycle rental shops. Business should be booming, since no motor vehicles are allowed on the island. However, Rudy's shop is run down and the competition is eager to buy out his business. When a prominent busybody is found dead caused by her bicycle brakes being cut, Rudy quickly becomes the prime suspect. Fearing that her job is in jeopardy and not wanting to alarm the much needed tourist, Evie jumps right into repairing the shop and solving a few mysteries.
What a fun, light cozy!!!! This book had me laughing quite a few times. I really liked Evie. She klutzy, on the verge of discovering herself and just a person who doesn't hesitate to help out. She makes friends easily and is extremely artistic. I loved reading about the ideas she had for painting various themed bikes. The cast of local residents are unique, kooky, and definitely entertaining. You've got Donna, the Irish baker who dreams of being a reporter, Irma, the mother of the acting police chief who suddenly dyes her hair, wears bright lipstick and starts baking special fudge! Then there is Jason Bourne, a mysterious local who leaves the island with a brief case handcuffed to his arm. Everyone agrees he must be a hit man. If that's not enough, Angelo moves in. A man with supposed mob connections who teaches Evie how to pick a lock. Nate Sutter is the police chief and obvious love interest. The scenes between him and Evie are full of fried green beans, playful bickering and obvious chemistry! To round out the group, Evie's mother shows up in the later half of the book. She is a force to be reckoned with and has an alter ego named Carmen. I loved the fact that Evie gets to see a shockingly different side of her mother!
The mystery was done very well. The author did a brilliant job of weaving a few minor stories throughout the book that kept the reader busily working on gathering clues. I did figure out the storylines with the fudge and Jason Bourne, but was kept guessing on the final culprits. The only complaint I have is the ending. The mystery was solved very abruptly and that was the last page. Overall, this cozy was just plain fun. It was extremely light, playful and full of new, likeable characters. I loved the setting and definitely will look forward to checking out book number two, Braking for Bodies.
What a fun, light cozy!!!! This book had me laughing quite a few times. I really liked Evie. She klutzy, on the verge of discovering herself and just a person who doesn't hesitate to help out. She makes friends easily and is extremely artistic. I loved reading about the ideas she had for painting various themed bikes. The cast of local residents are unique, kooky, and definitely entertaining. You've got Donna, the Irish baker who dreams of being a reporter, Irma, the mother of the acting police chief who suddenly dyes her hair, wears bright lipstick and starts baking special fudge! Then there is Jason Bourne, a mysterious local who leaves the island with a brief case handcuffed to his arm. Everyone agrees he must be a hit man. If that's not enough, Angelo moves in. A man with supposed mob connections who teaches Evie how to pick a lock. Nate Sutter is the police chief and obvious love interest. The scenes between him and Evie are full of fried green beans, playful bickering and obvious chemistry! To round out the group, Evie's mother shows up in the later half of the book. She is a force to be reckoned with and has an alter ego named Carmen. I loved the fact that Evie gets to see a shockingly different side of her mother!
The mystery was done very well. The author did a brilliant job of weaving a few minor stories throughout the book that kept the reader busily working on gathering clues. I did figure out the storylines with the fudge and Jason Bourne, but was kept guessing on the final culprits. The only complaint I have is the ending. The mystery was solved very abruptly and that was the last page. Overall, this cozy was just plain fun. It was extremely light, playful and full of new, likeable characters. I loved the setting and definitely will look forward to checking out book number two, Braking for Bodies.
December 2, 2014
To be honest, the major reason why I wanted to read Geared for the Grave was its setting, Mackinac Island, and author Duffy Brown paints a fine picture of just how magical this place can be. She also serves up some delightful humor with the euphemisms locals use to keep tourists in the dark about what's going on.
Evie is a delight as well, with her lack of grace, her passion for painting, and her knack for finding all the poison ivy patches on the island. She was in such a rush to make Brownie points with her boss that she didn't even read up on Mackinac Island, so its steep streets and lack of motorized transportation throws her for a loop-- and that loop catches many of the locals, too, who find Evie to be a bit of a handful.
I enjoyed the entire cast of characters even though Irish Donna's "brogue" didn't sound right. (I almost wanted to ask Donna if she were in the Witness Protection Program and using an assumed identity.) And in the midst of all the humor and getting acquainted with Evie and the islanders, I found a good mystery. Towards the very end I realized that I didn't have a clue whodunnit, and I just managed to figure it all out before Evie did. It certainly was a close race.
The only problem with finishing the book is the fact that I've got to wait for the next episode. Hurry up, Duffy-- I want to go back to Mackinac Island!
Evie is a delight as well, with her lack of grace, her passion for painting, and her knack for finding all the poison ivy patches on the island. She was in such a rush to make Brownie points with her boss that she didn't even read up on Mackinac Island, so its steep streets and lack of motorized transportation throws her for a loop-- and that loop catches many of the locals, too, who find Evie to be a bit of a handful.
I enjoyed the entire cast of characters even though Irish Donna's "brogue" didn't sound right. (I almost wanted to ask Donna if she were in the Witness Protection Program and using an assumed identity.) And in the midst of all the humor and getting acquainted with Evie and the islanders, I found a good mystery. Towards the very end I realized that I didn't have a clue whodunnit, and I just managed to figure it all out before Evie did. It certainly was a close race.
The only problem with finishing the book is the fact that I've got to wait for the next episode. Hurry up, Duffy-- I want to go back to Mackinac Island!
March 31, 2016
Evie never had a chance coming to Mackinac Island…she’s a city slicker from Chicago with no clue how things really work on the island…like no cars! People walk or bike or ride horses everywhere and I’m betting they are all in good shape. The island isn’t large, maybe 8 square miles and I’m sure you get used to it living there, but I would be like Evie, huffing and puffing at least in the beginning. I also wondered if Evie was accident prone because she got into a lot of mishaps in the short time since she arrived on the island.
Another favorite character of mine is Angelo – a mobster from Detroit. He is retired but some of his antics had me in stitches especially since they also involved Evie and her “luck”.
The mystery is to figure out who killed Bunny. Now because it is tourist season they can’t announce there has been a murder on the island, so the locals are calling it the Bunny Festival which now makes the tourists think there will be some of festival with a bunny theme. It is quite humorous because I am not sure all the locals know about the secret word!
There are several possibilities for the killer and I didn't guess the killer but I did try and pin it on various townies!
Another favorite character of mine is Angelo – a mobster from Detroit. He is retired but some of his antics had me in stitches especially since they also involved Evie and her “luck”.
The mystery is to figure out who killed Bunny. Now because it is tourist season they can’t announce there has been a murder on the island, so the locals are calling it the Bunny Festival which now makes the tourists think there will be some of festival with a bunny theme. It is quite humorous because I am not sure all the locals know about the secret word!
There are several possibilities for the killer and I didn't guess the killer but I did try and pin it on various townies!
June 16, 2016
With a crazy cast of characters and a the murder of the most hated woman on the island this was a great start to a new series! When Evie' s boss sends her to Mackinac Island to help her dad Rudy after he broke his leg Evie hopes this will get her the promotion she wants! Things don't always work out like they are supposed to. When the local resident Bunny is killed all the clues point Rudy. Evie knows her boss will never forgive her if her father goes to jail and she will certainly be fired! With a gut feeling that he didn't do it she starts to dig into who is the real murder. Everyone on the island is a suspect since Bunny wasn't a well liked woman! With her life and job on the line Evie throws herself into finding out who really killed Bunny but she better find out quick because someone wants her dead and they are doing everything then can to stop her from digging up the truth! This book had me laughing and cheering throughput the book and I can't wait to read the next one! I highly recommend this book and I really want to go visit Mackinac Island!
April 7, 2015
Geared for the Grave is by Duffy Brown the author of the Consignment Shop Mystery series that I really enjoy. I will admit that I was not that interested in this series even though I like the author because bicycles aren’t really my thing. I did pick it up though but perhaps my view is biased due to the theme of the book. I couldn’t really get into this one. It felt really rushed, so much so that I didn’t really connect with the characters. On the plus side, there was a lot of humor. In fact it reads more like a comedic novel than a mystery due to the pacing. The setting is charming and there are some interesting “zany” character types. On the whole, it just wasn’t really my kind of book.
March 29, 2016
What an AWESOME book! I love Mackinac Island. No motor vehicles, so beautiful with so many amazing views. I loved reading about places I had been too. I even bought my copy of the book from the Island Bookstore. I knew Evie was in trouble when she asked for a taxi. I am guessing her boss did not tell her about the Island. A very well written story with characters that all interact so well with each other. With the Island being so peaceful I find it hard to believe that someone would commit murder. The book will keep you guessing all the way to the end of the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 14, 2015
Welcome to Mackinac Island where the scenery is beautiful. Your mode of transportation is bicycle , foot or horse and cart and fudge shops to make any tourist with a sweet tooth happy.
Evie comes to the Island to help Rudy his bosses dad with his bicycles to rent shop.
When Rudy becomes the prime suspect in a murder Evie stops at nothing to prove his innocence.
The residents are a colorful bunch and had me laughing with there antics. I totally enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next one in the series.
Evie comes to the Island to help Rudy his bosses dad with his bicycles to rent shop.
When Rudy becomes the prime suspect in a murder Evie stops at nothing to prove his innocence.
The residents are a colorful bunch and had me laughing with there antics. I totally enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next one in the series.
December 29, 2015
Duffy Brown has absolutely nailed the humorous cozy mystery in this delightful first installment of the Cycle Path mystery series. The witty protagonist, along with her quirky collection of sidekicks, charmed their way into my funny bone and left me longing for book two. A fun read all around.
January 15, 2015
Geared for the Grave is a wonderful read, just like all of Ms. Brown's
books. Looking forward to meeting Ms. Brown again at the SOKY Book
Festival in Bowling Green, KY (April 18th).
books. Looking forward to meeting Ms. Brown again at the SOKY Book
Festival in Bowling Green, KY (April 18th).
November 2, 2018
Una ragazza cresciuta a Chicago finisce in un'isola dove non esistono macchine e trova un cadavere poco dopo il suo arrivo... Devo dire che l'isola mi attira molto, ma i suoi abitanti sono uno più pazzo dell'altro! Il che fa sì che ci siano diverse scene sopra le righe ed esilaranti. Forse un po' troppe per i miei gusti, ma ho apprezzato comunque la storia e, oltretutto, non avevo capito chi fosse il colpevole. Mi intriga il capo della polizia (in realtà è l'unico poliziotto dell'Isola...), che chiaramente nasconde qualcosa ed è il meno pazzo di tutti: sono molto tentata di leggere quanto prima il terzo volume della serie, appena uscito, che è incentrato su di lui...
December 28, 2014
From one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Duffy Brown, comes another excellent cozy mystery set in my home state of Michigan. Geared for the Grave takes place on Mackinac Island (you can read all about the island here: http://www.mackinacisland.org/). You'll notice that many of the business names used in the book really do exist on the island.
Evie Bloomfield is trying to earn a promotion by coming to Mackinac Island from Chicago to help her boss's father with his bicycle rental shop. Rudy had recently broken his leg, making the day-to-day operations of Rudy's Rides difficult. Plus, the island council is threatening to close him up because of the shop's state of disrepair. Several of the other island residents have expressed interest in owning his little slice of heaven, even resorting to threats. On top of that, his number one enemy, Bunny Harrington is found dead - the victim of maliciousness.
When Rudy is accused by the hottie sheriff fill-in, Nate, Evie makes it her business to get to the bottom of things. After all, she's the only one in her family that isn't extremely successful, and she's hoping to make a valuable and lasting impression on her boss. If Rudy ends up in jail accused of murder, Evie can kiss her job goodbye.
Geared for the Grave had me engaged from the second Evie arrived at the island and requested a taxi. Mackinac Island is motor vehicle free; the only modes of travel besides walking are bicycles and horses. I knew from that point on that Evie's corporate world was about to get rocked. Another great aspect is that while Mackinac Island is a tourist destination, there are people who live there, and those people are just like everyone else, everywhere else - sneaky, underhanded, and gossips.
When Bunny is found by Evie and an islander, dead as a doornail, the true natures of all the inhabitants quickly bubble forth. It appears no one enjoyed the company of Bunny, including her own son. The list of suspects grows to a substantial number and includes not only Rudy but members of the mob, hitmen, store owners, relatives, friends, and prominent members of the community. The actual murderer will shock you, as it did me, because there are so many people that had reason to rid the historic island of one Bunny.
I instantly fell in love with all of the characters, even the suspects - they were written so well. Evie is wonderful protagonist. She puts herself in potentially dangerous situations, leading some of the townsfolk to aid and abet, others to consider her nothing but trouble, and the frustration she causes the interim-Chief-of-Police, Nate Sutter - case-wise and personally - is fantastic. Evie is a very likable character. Even though she comes from a stuffy family of lawyers, Evie is pretty down-to-earth. She's friendly, helpful (with things other than the Bunny Festival), and, even though she's there on a selfish motive for a job promotion, you can tell that she truly loves the people around her and the crazy lifestyle on the island. Her talent in painting the bicycles and the shop, both to draw in business, isn't just a selfish endeavor. She really cares about Rudy.
Rudy is a gruff but friendly gent that plays the part of Mark Twain. He doesn't want Evie's help and would just prefer her to go back to working for his daughter in Chicago. Eventually he warms up to her and begins to enjoy her company.
Nate Sutter - oh, hot cop - is a Detroit cop that has come to play Chief-of-Police while the real Chief is out on sick leave. Hoping to have a nice and relaxing few weeks, he doesn't plan on murder, mayhem, and least of all, Evie. She's a thorn in his side from day one - and there may just be romance budding between them in upcoming books.
I thoroughly enjoyed the craziness of the townies and the way the plot twists all over the place. There are so many people that are brought in, developed, suspected, and then discarded that you will have no problem staying engaged in Geared for the Grave. I couldn't put it down and the only reason it took me 2 days to read it (if you check my Goodreads review timestamp) is because I read it one evening into the following morning.
I've read all three of Duffy's released Consignment Shop Mysteries, as well. She always provides great reads!!
I received an ARC version of Geared for the Grave from the Publisher, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review.
Evie Bloomfield is trying to earn a promotion by coming to Mackinac Island from Chicago to help her boss's father with his bicycle rental shop. Rudy had recently broken his leg, making the day-to-day operations of Rudy's Rides difficult. Plus, the island council is threatening to close him up because of the shop's state of disrepair. Several of the other island residents have expressed interest in owning his little slice of heaven, even resorting to threats. On top of that, his number one enemy, Bunny Harrington is found dead - the victim of maliciousness.
When Rudy is accused by the hottie sheriff fill-in, Nate, Evie makes it her business to get to the bottom of things. After all, she's the only one in her family that isn't extremely successful, and she's hoping to make a valuable and lasting impression on her boss. If Rudy ends up in jail accused of murder, Evie can kiss her job goodbye.
Geared for the Grave had me engaged from the second Evie arrived at the island and requested a taxi. Mackinac Island is motor vehicle free; the only modes of travel besides walking are bicycles and horses. I knew from that point on that Evie's corporate world was about to get rocked. Another great aspect is that while Mackinac Island is a tourist destination, there are people who live there, and those people are just like everyone else, everywhere else - sneaky, underhanded, and gossips.
When Bunny is found by Evie and an islander, dead as a doornail, the true natures of all the inhabitants quickly bubble forth. It appears no one enjoyed the company of Bunny, including her own son. The list of suspects grows to a substantial number and includes not only Rudy but members of the mob, hitmen, store owners, relatives, friends, and prominent members of the community. The actual murderer will shock you, as it did me, because there are so many people that had reason to rid the historic island of one Bunny.
I instantly fell in love with all of the characters, even the suspects - they were written so well. Evie is wonderful protagonist. She puts herself in potentially dangerous situations, leading some of the townsfolk to aid and abet, others to consider her nothing but trouble, and the frustration she causes the interim-Chief-of-Police, Nate Sutter - case-wise and personally - is fantastic. Evie is a very likable character. Even though she comes from a stuffy family of lawyers, Evie is pretty down-to-earth. She's friendly, helpful (with things other than the Bunny Festival), and, even though she's there on a selfish motive for a job promotion, you can tell that she truly loves the people around her and the crazy lifestyle on the island. Her talent in painting the bicycles and the shop, both to draw in business, isn't just a selfish endeavor. She really cares about Rudy.
Rudy is a gruff but friendly gent that plays the part of Mark Twain. He doesn't want Evie's help and would just prefer her to go back to working for his daughter in Chicago. Eventually he warms up to her and begins to enjoy her company.
Nate Sutter - oh, hot cop - is a Detroit cop that has come to play Chief-of-Police while the real Chief is out on sick leave. Hoping to have a nice and relaxing few weeks, he doesn't plan on murder, mayhem, and least of all, Evie. She's a thorn in his side from day one - and there may just be romance budding between them in upcoming books.
I thoroughly enjoyed the craziness of the townies and the way the plot twists all over the place. There are so many people that are brought in, developed, suspected, and then discarded that you will have no problem staying engaged in Geared for the Grave. I couldn't put it down and the only reason it took me 2 days to read it (if you check my Goodreads review timestamp) is because I read it one evening into the following morning.
I've read all three of Duffy's released Consignment Shop Mysteries, as well. She always provides great reads!!
I received an ARC version of Geared for the Grave from the Publisher, at no cost, in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2015
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Duffy Brown has a new, not-to-be-missed series, beginning with Geared for the Grave! This adventurous tale in the Cycle Path Mystery series takes place on Mackinac Island, in Northern Michigan. Mackinac Island is what drew me to the mystery, as I had not the pleasure of visiting this unique place when I grew up in the Lower Peninsula.
Our heroine is Evie Bloomfield of Chicago, who leaves her disorderly world of terrible traffic and the job that she toddles along in with hopes of promotion, to help her boss Abigail with the future of her father’s bicycle shop. Up to this time, Abigail has been a distant, high-powered businesswoman, owner of a busy ad agency, who barely seemed to notice Evie’s existence – which the upcoming change may be a mixed blessing. When Abigail’s father suffers an injury, she was unable to leave her company so Evie went for her.
Mackinac Island is described as an eight-mile island. There are no cars, motorcycles, trucks, shopping malls or big box stores. Transportation is by shank’s mare or bicycle. Taxis are cycles with baskets, or horse-drawn carriages, much to Evie’s chagrin as she traveled with seasickness and nine cans of paint on the ferry from the mainland. The cans of paint are to spruce up Rudy’s Rides, the somewhat dilapidated shop of Abigail’s father that several people on the island are out to get. Literally. From the historic committee to Speed Maslow, the local bike racing hero, there is no shortage of those ready to snatch the property and put it to their use. The question is. which of them may have been desperate enough to murder one of the island’s wealthy folks, Bunny Harrington, and frame Rudy Randolf for it? In an attempt to keep her job and get a promotion, Evie is willing to go to any length to find the murderer – before the murderer reaps the rewards of Rudy’s imprisonment – or Evie’s untimely death.
Evie is a feisty young woman who seems to have been overlooked by her family, a bevy of highly-successful attorneys. She is happy out of the spotlight, but has gumption, grit, and a healthy dose of common sense that has been overlooked by family and employers alike. Rudy sees and appreciates her talents and he tries to see his shop in a new light in spite of his circumstances. In the beginning we meet an interesting fellow who has lost his energy along with his finances. A man who gives a couple kittens a home, however, isn’t all bad – especially as he protects Bambino, the kit who sleeps in the far left corner pocket of the pool table. Duffy Brown has an eclectic cast of eccentric characters – some delightful and some delinquent. Irish Donna, Nate Sutter, Ed and Helen, Irma, Dwight Harrington, Jason Bourne, and Fiona, to name a few, either delight, frighten, or irritate Evie. And when things couldn’t get more disordered, Evie’s high-class mother shows up.
The plot is very well executed, making it a challenge to understand the who and the why! Which is a must in any mystery. The Islanders are a fun bunch of people, and it sounds like a fascinating place to live. The tale is entertaining with fun scenes of Evie following through on clues. Nancy Drew never seemed to have days such as Evie does. Bunny had no shortage of people who wanted to “off” her. If only the police would see it that way! Time is running out and they are ready to slap the bracelets on Rudy, so Evie kicks into high-gear (no pun intended). And now – the mob shows up? What, or who, next? As this reader raced toward the solution, she was disappointed only in that the end was very abrupt, leaving one feeling as if falling from a cliff within seconds after the murder was solved.
Geared for the Grave is the first book I’ve read by Duffy Brown and it will not be the last! I highly recommend this novel to those fascinated by Mackinac Island, those who enjoy well-written mysteries with a bit of romance, and Duffy Brown’s earlier books. It may not be suitable for early teens only due to the frequent references to passionate interludes (or lack thereof), but adults of any age will find this to be a great read by the fireplace or on the beach.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Duffy Brown has a new, not-to-be-missed series, beginning with Geared for the Grave! This adventurous tale in the Cycle Path Mystery series takes place on Mackinac Island, in Northern Michigan. Mackinac Island is what drew me to the mystery, as I had not the pleasure of visiting this unique place when I grew up in the Lower Peninsula.
Our heroine is Evie Bloomfield of Chicago, who leaves her disorderly world of terrible traffic and the job that she toddles along in with hopes of promotion, to help her boss Abigail with the future of her father’s bicycle shop. Up to this time, Abigail has been a distant, high-powered businesswoman, owner of a busy ad agency, who barely seemed to notice Evie’s existence – which the upcoming change may be a mixed blessing. When Abigail’s father suffers an injury, she was unable to leave her company so Evie went for her.
Mackinac Island is described as an eight-mile island. There are no cars, motorcycles, trucks, shopping malls or big box stores. Transportation is by shank’s mare or bicycle. Taxis are cycles with baskets, or horse-drawn carriages, much to Evie’s chagrin as she traveled with seasickness and nine cans of paint on the ferry from the mainland. The cans of paint are to spruce up Rudy’s Rides, the somewhat dilapidated shop of Abigail’s father that several people on the island are out to get. Literally. From the historic committee to Speed Maslow, the local bike racing hero, there is no shortage of those ready to snatch the property and put it to their use. The question is. which of them may have been desperate enough to murder one of the island’s wealthy folks, Bunny Harrington, and frame Rudy Randolf for it? In an attempt to keep her job and get a promotion, Evie is willing to go to any length to find the murderer – before the murderer reaps the rewards of Rudy’s imprisonment – or Evie’s untimely death.
Evie is a feisty young woman who seems to have been overlooked by her family, a bevy of highly-successful attorneys. She is happy out of the spotlight, but has gumption, grit, and a healthy dose of common sense that has been overlooked by family and employers alike. Rudy sees and appreciates her talents and he tries to see his shop in a new light in spite of his circumstances. In the beginning we meet an interesting fellow who has lost his energy along with his finances. A man who gives a couple kittens a home, however, isn’t all bad – especially as he protects Bambino, the kit who sleeps in the far left corner pocket of the pool table. Duffy Brown has an eclectic cast of eccentric characters – some delightful and some delinquent. Irish Donna, Nate Sutter, Ed and Helen, Irma, Dwight Harrington, Jason Bourne, and Fiona, to name a few, either delight, frighten, or irritate Evie. And when things couldn’t get more disordered, Evie’s high-class mother shows up.
The plot is very well executed, making it a challenge to understand the who and the why! Which is a must in any mystery. The Islanders are a fun bunch of people, and it sounds like a fascinating place to live. The tale is entertaining with fun scenes of Evie following through on clues. Nancy Drew never seemed to have days such as Evie does. Bunny had no shortage of people who wanted to “off” her. If only the police would see it that way! Time is running out and they are ready to slap the bracelets on Rudy, so Evie kicks into high-gear (no pun intended). And now – the mob shows up? What, or who, next? As this reader raced toward the solution, she was disappointed only in that the end was very abrupt, leaving one feeling as if falling from a cliff within seconds after the murder was solved.
Geared for the Grave is the first book I’ve read by Duffy Brown and it will not be the last! I highly recommend this novel to those fascinated by Mackinac Island, those who enjoy well-written mysteries with a bit of romance, and Duffy Brown’s earlier books. It may not be suitable for early teens only due to the frequent references to passionate interludes (or lack thereof), but adults of any age will find this to be a great read by the fireplace or on the beach.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title as part of their ongoing blog tour*
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