Dragonfly

Kitty James Mystery #1

by Kitty James

Kitty James is a modern day recluse and mystery author with a knack for spotting the potential to kill someone in everyday situations. Ruth Winter is a young woman living on her parent’s tobacco farm during the 1930’s with her daughter Evie. One night Ruth’s life changes forever, and she disappears without a trace. When Kitty renovates the old tobacco barn on her new property, two dead bodies are unearthed, and the lives of both women collide!

The news rockets through the town at light-speed, and results in her introduction to Ian Matthews, a handsome neighbor, who’s family once owned the old farmstead. The bodies, combined with Ian’s romantic advances, and mysterious time-travel dreams, push the limits of her sanity.
As Kitty gets closer to discovering the identities of her backyard corpses, she will fall victim to a modern day murderer who wants to keep old family secrets quiet. She must push herself beyond her comfort level to solve this mystery, and she risks her life and Ian’s love to discover the truth, even as someone tries to silence her—permanently.

INCLUDES a sneak preview of the 2nd book Everybody Talks!

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2014

About the author

Kitty James is a pseudonym for a murder mystery addict and Alabama native currently living in the Triangle Region of North Carolina. She graduated from UAB with a degree in Mass Communications where she wrote everything from film scripts, radio commercials, speeches, term papers, etc but never went into broadcasting because she was already working in technology. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor and works as a full-time technology consultant. Two cats, husband, gardening, reading, volunteering, and making soap are among her many interest. She is a big fan of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Rex Stout (huge crush on Archie Goodwin), and P.G. Wodehouse (comical genius), but reads lots of modern authors too.

Reviews

[Donna Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book and l really liked the whole mystery of the story and l highly recommended this book and it was really hard to stop reading cause I really got in to it cause it was really easy to get in to and l read 2 pages and was hooked on this book and l'm excited to read more of the series

[Bambi Unbridled · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book is a little outside of what I normally read, but it was a good palette cleanser. Sometimes you need that when you read a lot of the same genre so I have been trying to step outside of my box at least once a month. When Kitty requested that I read and review this book, I think she classified it as a cozy mystery so I wasn't really sure it would be something I would like. The cozy mysteries I have read in the past have been kind of, well, simple? I don't know how to classify them... but not something I would take seriously. However I would not classify Dragonfly as cozy because I didn't find the mystery or the writing to be simple. Maybe I am unfairly characterizing cozy mysteries... it's a high possibility since I have not read many. So I guess this is me taking the long way to say that I liked the book and I liked Kitty's writing style. Can you tell I have brain block tonight? I'm rambling. Let's get down to the nitty gritty.

So our heroine/sleuth/author of mystery books in Dragonfly is Kitty James! Yes, same name as our author. I wonder what other characteristics our Heroine Kitty has in common with Author Kitty? Heroine Kitty has Social Anxiety Disorder, so she is somewhat reclusive and suffers from panic attacks. She also has a morbid curiosity with murder... and I can relate! I have a morbid curiosity myself - please don't ever look at my google search history. Seriously. So I identified a little bit with Heroine Kitty. I also tend to like these quirky type of heroines because they are unique when compared the the majority of romance heroines I am reading this year. So Kitty and I got off to good start.

Because this was described as a cozy mystery, I really wasn't expecting a love interest. But we got one! And a good one at that. Ian with the ruby red hair and piercing eyes. I just loved him. I think he was understanding about Kitty's shyness but also pushed her boundaries when they needed it. He was a family man without being a mama's boy. And he seemed to be just a good ol' southern boy - my southern sisters will know what I'm talking about. So I can't say there was anything I disliked about him... he was flirty and fun and assertive when needed.

Kitty was super awkward in her early interactions with Ian, and I lost a little bit of a connection with her there. But things smoothed out over the course of the book and she stopped spazzing so much. This allowed their relationship to develop a little steam without overpowering the mystery, or turning this into a romantic suspense. So it was a nice supplement to the main plot conflict.

The most enthralling aspect of this story for me was the mystery! Early on, there are some old human remains that found in Kitty's barn. Her inquisitive mind gets excited about identifying the bones in her barn, possibly for use in her next book. The plot line was well developed and the mystery was drawn out at the perfect speed to keep me turning the pages all day long. I really like these kind of cold case mysteries where we have a story from the past unfolding along with the present-day story. The epilogue was a bit confusing for me, so I can only assume that it was included to set up the next book, Everybody Talks. I look forward to reading that one.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars / 2 flames.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crestwood, North Carolina is a small town where everybody knows everyone and most of the residents were born and raised there. Kitty James, a successful murder mystery writer, decides to make Crestwood her new home when she purchases a 1900’s home located on an old tobacco farm. The home is a good enough distance away from neighbors to allow Kitty seclusion, which is perfect for her social anxiety issues. Everything is off to a wonderful start, as she feels she has found a nice and quiet community to live and write in. Until one day, her contractors are renovating the old barn into her new greenhouse, and find dead bodies buried under the barn.

The police cannot identify the bodies, but they did determine the age of the corpses and the cause of their deaths. This becomes the perfect plot for the next murder mystery by Kitty James. During her investigation, she meets her neighbor, Ian, and many other unique characters that call Crestwood home. She experiences southern hospitality at its best, as several residents are eager to share what they know. Kitty also learns of the southern manners instilled in the resident centuries ago, never to speak ill of anyone, even the dead. Will this create a bump in her investigating? If not, the men setting out to court her will.

I found Dragonfly to be very well written, making it a very easy read. I was instantly brought into the story and became as involved in finding the answers as Kitty. Dragonfly was hard to put down and I often found myself analyzing information in between readings. Kitty James is now one of my favorite authors and I will definitely look for more of her mysteries.

I give this book 5 stars for “I absolutely loved it!”...Beth

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[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling read. The story shifts intermittently from Kitty's perspective in the modern day to the 1930's where Ruth's tragic story unfolds. However things are not as simple as they seem and just when you think you have it all figured out the author throws another twist at you.

I love a good mystery and history so this book ticked all the boxes for me. What I loved most about it though was the depth to the characters in the story, especially Kitty. Her insecurities, fears and moods made her a real person to me. I thought Ian was a bit too pushy at the beginning but he grew on me as the story progressed.

The back story of the victims who lay buried in the barn since the 1930s added another layer to the book. I couldn't help but feel sadness every time the story shifted to Ruth as I knew that storyline was going to end up with two dead bodies.

For anyone who likes small town murder mysteries I would recommend 'Dragonfly.'

[Allison Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, well conceived mystery

This was an interesting mystery. The emotional condition of Kitty made me laugh and want to cry both. She reminded me of my sister and that made me want to cry, but it was so exaggerated I laughed a lot too. The mystery itself was told in such an interesting way.

[Beth]

I received this book for an honest review. The review is posted on Boundless Book Review.

Please see full review at:
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com/#...

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Kitty James (narrator, SAD/O, mystery writer) was having the barn renovated (greenhouse) by Amos (55+, contractor) & Willie (helper) on her place which used to be a funeral home.
Willie found something & the police were called to investigate.
Officer Hargrove (Crestwood P/D) showed up.
The coroner later confirmed both sets of remains are human.

Ian Matthews (consulting geologist, musician) was having a neighborhood get together & was inviting everyone close by.
Kitty (mystery writer/author), Mrs. McAnders (95, aka Gran), Larry (Dr.), Tim (fire fighter), Liddy (retired schoolteacher), Mary Beth (accountant), & Sam (f, real estate franchise) came.
Ian shared his old treasured family journal with Kitty.

Will Kitty uncover the mystery?
What Happened to Doris (home-health aide)?
Immigrated not emigrated.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it crime mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of very unique/colorful characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who-dun-it crime mystery movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Smashwords; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the way that the mysteries all revole around people who were killed many years ago and buried in the walls of an old barn.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. A little of a slow start but it kept my interest the whole book. I liked the pace of the book.

[Kitty James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I think it's awesome.