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Misty Sales #1
A Motive for Murder
Out of print
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2014
50 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Morgana Best
205 books430 followersUSA Today best-selling author Morgana Best survived a childhood of deadly spiders and venomous snakes in the Australian outback. Morgana Best writes cozy mysteries and enjoys thinking of delightful new ways to murder her victims.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 10, 2024
Worked totally fine as airplane reading - bit naive and simplistic, but competent writing and an ok mystery.
May 12, 2015
I didn't enjoy this book at all. The further I read into the book the more irritated I became. About halfway through I figured out why. The author drops dozens of clues/mysteries/things to notice on the heroine, Misty, and most of them are completely ignored. In fact Misty takes very little action throughout the entire story despite all the signs and warnings thrown at her. At the end she's proud of herself for solving a murder but it didn't look to me like she did. She certainly didn't do anything with the information she learned.
The central mystery made no sense and didn't go anywhere. So much was left unexplained at the end. There was no sense of resolution at the end of the book. Maybe there's more explained in the following books though I didn't get any sense that that would be true. And it's not worth my time to find out.
The central mystery made no sense and didn't go anywhere. So much was left unexplained at the end. There was no sense of resolution at the end of the book. Maybe there's more explained in the following books though I didn't get any sense that that would be true. And it's not worth my time to find out.
March 16, 2015
Oh, this book has so much potential. It needs:
* an editor - funny for how much time is spent on how "Skinny" hates editing errors, the number of spelling errors is hysterical. Not in a good way.
* a GOOD editor - the segue on the Boston Tea Party? Pointless. We get it; she's a researcher researching. But the rest had a point.
* a better ending - too rushed, all wrapped up in a bow. We're at the climax and poof, we're out the door. Could use part of that segue time here instead.
But the basics are good (love the bit on books vs Internet research). Lots of potential here in the author.
* an editor - funny for how much time is spent on how "Skinny" hates editing errors, the number of spelling errors is hysterical. Not in a good way.
* a GOOD editor - the segue on the Boston Tea Party? Pointless. We get it; she's a researcher researching. But the rest had a point.
* a better ending - too rushed, all wrapped up in a bow. We're at the climax and poof, we're out the door. Could use part of that segue time here instead.
But the basics are good (love the bit on books vs Internet research). Lots of potential here in the author.
May 16, 2019
A Motive for Murder (A Misty Sales Paranormal Cozy Mystery, book 1)by Morgana Best
Just coming out of the epic Baskerville Affair Series by Emma Jane Holloway and Heading into the Steerswoman series by Rosemary Kirstein I was looking for something a bit lighter to help keep my head from exploding with an overload of epic fantasy. This Cozy Mystery turned out to be just what the doctor ordered.
Misty Sales is a writer for a paranormal magazine based in Australia. It's not her first choice in jobs in that profession, but her private life intersected too closely with her professional and left her momentarily adrift from her dream job. When her Aunt Beth in England, who is growing old and frail, sends her a somewhat strange letter asking her to come to England to see her and collect some keepsakes, her initial reaction is to set it aside. But curiously such a trip coincides with a piece she is currently working on and she would just have to convince her boss to make this a business trip so she might be able to afford it.
Misty arrives too late and finds her Aunt has passed away; possibly the day before she arrived and Misty is just in time to be knocked down by a gentleman who seems to be fleeing from her Aunt’s house. As things unfold Misty begins to have suspicions about her Aunt’s death; but that suspicion comes after her initial reaction to call for help leads to a doctor who comes to quickly sign this off as natural causes and who promptly sends the funeral directors out to whisk the corpse away and leave Misty with an empty house with two rooms that might be ransacked, an elderly neighbor claiming to be a good friend of her aunt, a cat that likes to claw at her and the mysterious lingering smell of garlic that was hanging in the air around her deceased aunt.
A prior experience of my own clued me to a possible cause of death and I'll leave that for the next reader to figure out.
As it is: it seems that Misty's aunt had intentions of passing her more than just keepsakes and memorabilia; but before that comes to light Misty has to solve a number of mysteries. And as with many mysteries the reader meets all the suspects, with various clues, yet not quite enough information to fill in most of the blanks. And much the same as my old favorite Alfred Hitchcock-Cary Grant movie 'North by Northwest'; by the time the reader reaches the more dramatic parts Misty doesn't know who to trust anymore.
Excellently written cozy mystery; but don't take my word for it, because I'm new to this genre and had to look it up. There were a few sentences that might have drifted into colloquialisms that had me stopping to read them several times over to makes sure I had a grasp of what they might be trying to tell me; but otherwise it's a well written story and was the right diversion I needed to clear my mind. There were a number of jarring current pop references; but that might be something I'm over sensitive about.
J.L. Dobias
Just coming out of the epic Baskerville Affair Series by Emma Jane Holloway and Heading into the Steerswoman series by Rosemary Kirstein I was looking for something a bit lighter to help keep my head from exploding with an overload of epic fantasy. This Cozy Mystery turned out to be just what the doctor ordered.
Misty Sales is a writer for a paranormal magazine based in Australia. It's not her first choice in jobs in that profession, but her private life intersected too closely with her professional and left her momentarily adrift from her dream job. When her Aunt Beth in England, who is growing old and frail, sends her a somewhat strange letter asking her to come to England to see her and collect some keepsakes, her initial reaction is to set it aside. But curiously such a trip coincides with a piece she is currently working on and she would just have to convince her boss to make this a business trip so she might be able to afford it.
Misty arrives too late and finds her Aunt has passed away; possibly the day before she arrived and Misty is just in time to be knocked down by a gentleman who seems to be fleeing from her Aunt’s house. As things unfold Misty begins to have suspicions about her Aunt’s death; but that suspicion comes after her initial reaction to call for help leads to a doctor who comes to quickly sign this off as natural causes and who promptly sends the funeral directors out to whisk the corpse away and leave Misty with an empty house with two rooms that might be ransacked, an elderly neighbor claiming to be a good friend of her aunt, a cat that likes to claw at her and the mysterious lingering smell of garlic that was hanging in the air around her deceased aunt.
A prior experience of my own clued me to a possible cause of death and I'll leave that for the next reader to figure out.
As it is: it seems that Misty's aunt had intentions of passing her more than just keepsakes and memorabilia; but before that comes to light Misty has to solve a number of mysteries. And as with many mysteries the reader meets all the suspects, with various clues, yet not quite enough information to fill in most of the blanks. And much the same as my old favorite Alfred Hitchcock-Cary Grant movie 'North by Northwest'; by the time the reader reaches the more dramatic parts Misty doesn't know who to trust anymore.
Excellently written cozy mystery; but don't take my word for it, because I'm new to this genre and had to look it up. There were a few sentences that might have drifted into colloquialisms that had me stopping to read them several times over to makes sure I had a grasp of what they might be trying to tell me; but otherwise it's a well written story and was the right diversion I needed to clear my mind. There were a number of jarring current pop references; but that might be something I'm over sensitive about.
J.L. Dobias
December 22, 2019
A Motive for Murder (A Misty Sales Cozy Mystery, Book 1) by Morgana Best I received a complimentary Kindle copy of A Motive for Murder (A Misty Sales Cozy Mystery, Book 1) by Morgana Best, published by Cozy Mysteries in an Amazon promotion in exchange for a fair review. That did not change my opinion for this review.
I gave it four stars.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Murder-...
I gave it four stars.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Murder-...
January 18, 2018
I was hoping for an in depth paranormal book but this was a cute, quick read.
May 24, 2018
Short, a little clumsy (would someone really react like Misty? I’m not sure), but entertaining nonetheless.
June 26, 2018
That was a fun cozy-murder mystery.
November 10, 2021
Book #1 of paranormal cozy mystery series.
January 7, 2015
Murder is easy if no one knows it was murder.
A Motive for Murder follow Misty, a paranormal journalist, as she travels to England to do some research as well as visit her aunt to pick up some family items. When Misty arrives, she finds her Aunt Beth dead and everything about it is very suspicious from the mysterious man running out from her aunt's house, the strong garlic smell and the man named Dr. Spence. As Misty starts on with her research, she gets tangled in a web of secret societies that are willing to kill Misty to find the page that Aunt Beth kept hidden. It's a roller coaster ride for Misty to find out who she can trust. Oh, and just where is that missing page after all?
This was a quick cozy mystery and I liked it! I loved the historical and paranormal aspects of the story and I think that's what hooked me to begin with. The story is well-written for the most part, but it definitely needs to be edited because there were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors. Also, the name Douglas is spelled back and forth between Douglas and Douglass which was a little frustrating to see it spelled differently in different chapters. Besides that, I think the story was told at a nice pace and the characters were well developed for the most part. I really liked Misty and I loved her job! I think I will eventually check out more in the series!
A Motive for Murder follow Misty, a paranormal journalist, as she travels to England to do some research as well as visit her aunt to pick up some family items. When Misty arrives, she finds her Aunt Beth dead and everything about it is very suspicious from the mysterious man running out from her aunt's house, the strong garlic smell and the man named Dr. Spence. As Misty starts on with her research, she gets tangled in a web of secret societies that are willing to kill Misty to find the page that Aunt Beth kept hidden. It's a roller coaster ride for Misty to find out who she can trust. Oh, and just where is that missing page after all?
This was a quick cozy mystery and I liked it! I loved the historical and paranormal aspects of the story and I think that's what hooked me to begin with. The story is well-written for the most part, but it definitely needs to be edited because there were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors. Also, the name Douglas is spelled back and forth between Douglas and Douglass which was a little frustrating to see it spelled differently in different chapters. Besides that, I think the story was told at a nice pace and the characters were well developed for the most part. I really liked Misty and I loved her job! I think I will eventually check out more in the series!
February 18, 2015
This was an odd book. Odd that I read it - I'm kinda whimpy about scary things & was nervous that things were gonna take a dark turn. Odd characters - and not the just the dicey ones. The heroine seemed a mix of savvy & trusting, clever & dense. The book felt a bit incomplete - like I'm not sure exactly what happened even after the book was finished. Oddly, that was ok. I suspect the next book will tell more but even as a stand alone that remaining question mark seemed ok somehow.
One bit that was a little disorienting but that I decided I liked? The author didn't over explain everything. There was a lot of exposition - about the countryside and the history and whatnot. But the little things as the story flowed - they author just let them unfold and didn't smack us over the head. It was a nice change. I'm often annoyed when a story explains, for example, that the heroine ran from an embrace because she had been hurt so badly. Yeah. We got that the first 27 times she said, thought, or reacted that way. But this book didn't do that.
And the cat was just a cat. Sorta. But it didn't tell the future or spell out the killer's name in kibble. I liked that bit too.
A long review for a nice little cozy, but I'm hoping that the rest of the series maintains the quirky, almost scary, pleasant feel of this first one.
One bit that was a little disorienting but that I decided I liked? The author didn't over explain everything. There was a lot of exposition - about the countryside and the history and whatnot. But the little things as the story flowed - they author just let them unfold and didn't smack us over the head. It was a nice change. I'm often annoyed when a story explains, for example, that the heroine ran from an embrace because she had been hurt so badly. Yeah. We got that the first 27 times she said, thought, or reacted that way. But this book didn't do that.
And the cat was just a cat. Sorta. But it didn't tell the future or spell out the killer's name in kibble. I liked that bit too.
A long review for a nice little cozy, but I'm hoping that the rest of the series maintains the quirky, almost scary, pleasant feel of this first one.
December 9, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 17, 2016
I do love the books from this author,altho I will admit that this had me skipping pages... in this series I know that the main character Misty Sales was a research hound,lol and wanted to know all the whos,whats,hows, whys of everything but in theory,it isnt good for me in a book.maybe others who like details down to a tee might enjoy it,but I found them boring. I do however like to ask questions about everything,but this was too graphic on subjects that I as a reader didnt care for. the story was a fun read inspite of that,I just skipped those sections that were like that. I still would recommend this series for those who love Morgana Best books,if you have the same issues as I do and to do the same as I did by skipping if you want. not sorry I read it.
January 19, 2015
I bought this one because I love the cover -- not my usual method of selecting a book to read. The main character is a paranormal journalist in Australia. She journeys to England to do a story, planning to stay with her aunt she hasn't seen in years, and arrives to discover the aunt dead in her home. Figuring out the 'who, why and how' for that murder provided an enjoyable and mostly believable mystery. I did skip over pages devoted to research and analysis of the paranormal characters she came to write about, and given the cover design, I would have loved to see her gain more attachment with her aunt's cat, Diva, sooner in the book.
January 10, 2015
Misty Sales Cozy Mystery Book 1
I love cozy mysteries. A Motive for Murder is a fun read. The heroine, Misty Sales, is a paranormal research journalists. She has traveled from her home in Australia to London to visit her elderly aunt. She finds her aunt has died under mysterious circumstances. Like many cozy mysteries, the story was predictable but it was well written and entertaining. It was a good hello to Misty and Diva her cat. I will read the next two books in the series.
I love cozy mysteries. A Motive for Murder is a fun read. The heroine, Misty Sales, is a paranormal research journalists. She has traveled from her home in Australia to London to visit her elderly aunt. She finds her aunt has died under mysterious circumstances. Like many cozy mysteries, the story was predictable but it was well written and entertaining. It was a good hello to Misty and Diva her cat. I will read the next two books in the series.
March 19, 2015
Hmmm...I've been in the grip of a bad muscle spasm in my back for the last week and a half, so I'm not sure if it's the combination of the painkillers and muscle relaxants that made this a bit of a confusing read for me, or if it was really as helterskelter as it seemed. It seemed to really jump around...one minute I'd think it was a typical cozy mystery, and the next it was like a Gothic meets Sci-fi horror, then back again.
I will go on to the next book in this series and see if it's me or the book...
I will go on to the next book in this series and see if it's me or the book...
September 25, 2015
The author goes on in About This Book that it has been "thoroughly and professionally edited by an independent, well known Editor" and that she is a former professor of grammar. Well, apparently something changed between editing and delivery. For example, in one place the "Black Lodge" is called the "Back Lodge" and in another, assumedly an editors note "CHANGE" has been left in. Yes, in all caps.
Beyond that, the unfamiliar dialect was difficult to get through, and frankly the book was not that much fun to read.
Beyond that, the unfamiliar dialect was difficult to get through, and frankly the book was not that much fun to read.
February 15, 2016
Good read for a winter's night
This was quite different from a different book I read by the same author. I felt sorry for the protagonist as she was faced with deciding friend or foe for everyone she met in a country she had not visited. She quickly realized her aunt was murdered, but she had no proof. The reader must decide along with Misty whom she can trust. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I hope to learn more about Misty in future stories.
This was quite different from a different book I read by the same author. I felt sorry for the protagonist as she was faced with deciding friend or foe for everyone she met in a country she had not visited. She quickly realized her aunt was murdered, but she had no proof. The reader must decide along with Misty whom she can trust. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I hope to learn more about Misty in future stories.
November 19, 2017
If you like cozies
I am neither a fan of copies nor do I abhor them. This one does not introduce the genre well. The reader feels as though they have entered a play after the second act and vital information was contained in the first. Misty is rather scattered and does not endear herself to the reader.
I am neither a fan of copies nor do I abhor them. This one does not introduce the genre well. The reader feels as though they have entered a play after the second act and vital information was contained in the first. Misty is rather scattered and does not endear herself to the reader.
June 15, 2015
Started well then fizzled out.
I started this really liking it but then it became just to much useless information. And her giggling I just didn't get kept wondering if she had a neurological condition. And so fickle oh He is good looking no I don't like him now this one is good looking no I don't like him. Had the basis of a good story but made it not good.
I started this really liking it but then it became just to much useless information. And her giggling I just didn't get kept wondering if she had a neurological condition. And so fickle oh He is good looking no I don't like him now this one is good looking no I don't like him. Had the basis of a good story but made it not good.
December 23, 2014
Good for bedtime reading
The plot is interesting and it keeps you wondering. I enjoyed this cast of characters but had trouble keeping all the facts straight. All in all a fun read. You won't have bad dreams.
The plot is interesting and it keeps you wondering. I enjoyed this cast of characters but had trouble keeping all the facts straight. All in all a fun read. You won't have bad dreams.
February 12, 2015
I bought it for the cover! However, I enjoyed the characters, the cat and the writing. The editing could stand some improvement. I am not generally a fan of paranormal stories and found the explanations a tad boring, not because of the writing, but because of my general disinterest in the subject.
March 27, 2015
A Motive for Murder by Morgana Best is an enjoyable, well-written quick read and a good introduction to The Misty Sales Cozy Mystery series. I am looking forward to learning what the future has in store for main character, Misty Sales, in Book #2, A Reason for Murder.
March 18, 2015
Great Book
5 Stars! Interesting, good read. I hope they keep coming. It's nice to read a good, clean mystery that isn't saccharine sweet. I love the paranormal aspect and look forward to Misty's further adventures.
5 Stars! Interesting, good read. I hope they keep coming. It's nice to read a good, clean mystery that isn't saccharine sweet. I love the paranormal aspect and look forward to Misty's further adventures.
May 19, 2015
Well written, full of interesting facts!
I am reading cozy mysteries and this one sounded good. There were a lot of facts about
paranormal history and some about architecture in England.Plus,the cat is hysterical!
I am reading cozy mysteries and this one sounded good. There were a lot of facts about
paranormal history and some about architecture in England.Plus,the cat is hysterical!
May 25, 2015
This isn't the kind of mystery I normally read
Even though this isn't the kind of book I Normally would choose I must really say this is a great one and will more than likely read some more of this series.
Even though this isn't the kind of book I Normally would choose I must really say this is a great one and will more than likely read some more of this series.
October 6, 2015
Cute
It was cute but there were a lot of errors. Not sure who edited it but it made reading a few small parts challenging.
I will read the next part.
I wish it came in audiobook form.
It was cute but there were a lot of errors. Not sure who edited it but it made reading a few small parts challenging.
I will read the next part.
I wish it came in audiobook form.
March 13, 2016
Nice little English cozy with supernatural additions. I read a few reviews that indicated all kinds of typos in the edition they read, but mine was fine. Misty is an interesting character and I look forward to more books in the series.
December 11, 2014
What a fun read.
I was looking forward to a quiet evening and found myself snuggly laughing in sheer delight. I love the Diva kitty. An easy read.
I was looking forward to a quiet evening and found myself snuggly laughing in sheer delight. I love the Diva kitty. An easy read.
December 28, 2014
A good cozy all the way
What a fun read! If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this one. Misty is a likable character and the mystery will keep you guessing to the last page.
What a fun read! If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this one. Misty is a likable character and the mystery will keep you guessing to the last page.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews