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Cas Larkin Mystery #2
The Nelson Scandal
** Newly Revised **
Sheriff Cas Larkin has his hands full running for office again when two homicides, more than 100 years apart, surface. Cas believes the two deaths are connected and his wife, Connie, an amateur local historian and ever the romantic, wants in on the action.
While Cas investigates the fresh murder, Connie digs into Maryvale's founding family's records kept in the Library's basement and encounters a classic haunting requiring more than a seance to unravel.
As the pair chase hot clues and follow cold trails, the truth behind two murders and a 100-year old love triangle hangs in the balance.
THE MARYVALE COZY MYSTERY SERIES, in order
The Devil in Maryvale
The Nelson Scandal
Recipe for Trouble
The Mardi Gras Murder
"
Sheriff Cas Larkin has his hands full running for office again when two homicides, more than 100 years apart, surface. Cas believes the two deaths are connected and his wife, Connie, an amateur local historian and ever the romantic, wants in on the action.
While Cas investigates the fresh murder, Connie digs into Maryvale's founding family's records kept in the Library's basement and encounters a classic haunting requiring more than a seance to unravel.
As the pair chase hot clues and follow cold trails, the truth behind two murders and a 100-year old love triangle hangs in the balance.
THE MARYVALE COZY MYSTERY SERIES, in order
The Devil in Maryvale
The Nelson Scandal
Recipe for Trouble
The Mardi Gras Murder
"
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2006
7 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Griffey
27 books11 followersAt the moment I have 8 BIP: TR, Hardback, e-books too. Also have signed a contract with Books in Motion for Spanish Eyes (date TBA); a new HC Romance/Suspense, STRANGER IN PARADISE, is just out in March from Five Star and another Hard Cover is scheduled to come out from Five Star in Jan. of 2010. This is a mystery, DEAD ON ARRIVAL, first of a new cozy series.
Zumaya Publications will begin publishing my Merrivale series THE DEVIL IN MERRIVALE) in November or December, 2009 - another to be published each year.
I love meeting other readers and writers so please leave a message on my blog or page when you visit :-).
I ook forward to hearing from you. "
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 18, 2014
There’s so much unsolved mystery to investigate in the little town of Maryvale. Sheriff Cas Larkin and his curious wife Connie have more enough to keep them busy in the charming mystery The Nelson Scandal: Maryvale Cozy Mystery Series Errival Jackie Griffey weaves an engrossing and intricate plotline involving two fresh homicides that don’t initially appear to be connected and one very old mystery which has inspired plenty of juicy gossip while the facts of the case remain elusive.
As Cas investigates the two new murders in which both victims happened to be drug users, Connie delves into the intriguing story of how Maryvale’s founder Edgar T. Nelson met his untimely demise a hundred years ago. Did he really commit suicide because his daughter ran off and eloped with a Frenchman against Edgar’s wishes? And how does the local election figure into things? Nothing can thicken a plotline like politics.
Connie is a likable protagonist. She is perfect for a cozy mystery as is Griffey’s colorful style and entertaining dialog. This is fun, easy and suspenseful read. I highly recommend it to cozy mystery fans.
As Cas investigates the two new murders in which both victims happened to be drug users, Connie delves into the intriguing story of how Maryvale’s founder Edgar T. Nelson met his untimely demise a hundred years ago. Did he really commit suicide because his daughter ran off and eloped with a Frenchman against Edgar’s wishes? And how does the local election figure into things? Nothing can thicken a plotline like politics.
Connie is a likable protagonist. She is perfect for a cozy mystery as is Griffey’s colorful style and entertaining dialog. This is fun, easy and suspenseful read. I highly recommend it to cozy mystery fans.
January 27, 2015
Bought this immediately after reading the first book in this series and liked this one even more than the first. Very good blending of an old small town 'mystery' which turns out to be a murder and current events, with a nice touch of paranormal thanks to a psychic librarian.
Will be starting the third soon.
Will be starting the third soon.
July 27, 2020
Better than the first one.
October 27, 2023
I truly enjoyed the story. Good characters you want to root for! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 😄✨
May 8, 2016
"I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review."
This is a smalltown, where everyone knows everyone else, and history lives among the descendants of the citizens as if it were 100 years ago today.
A library is housed in a mansion donated to the town by the rich owner before he commited suicide. Supposedly his daughter, for whom the town is named, defied her father's hatred for her French boyfriend and ran off to France with the boyfriend.
Now the library will reveal a secret it's held for many years.
It's election time and Sheriff Cas Larkin is re-elected while a widely respected lawyer is elected Judge.
The library becomes a nexus for Sheriff Larkin' wife, the two retired sisters who have opened a thriving flower shop, a secret psychic who works at the library, the librarian, and a ghost who stays in the library's freezing cold basement and cries.
Add in the brutal murder of the addicted nephew of a respected black resident whose family dates back to the foundation of the town, the bullet-between-the-eyes corpse of a white, addicted male fished out of the river, and diaries found in the library's attic written by the young woman who lived in the mansion and ran off.
Some of the residents believe in ghosts, while others believe in realistic explanations.
The end of the story is mind-blowing! I think it will make a believer out of every reader.
This is a smalltown, where everyone knows everyone else, and history lives among the descendants of the citizens as if it were 100 years ago today.
A library is housed in a mansion donated to the town by the rich owner before he commited suicide. Supposedly his daughter, for whom the town is named, defied her father's hatred for her French boyfriend and ran off to France with the boyfriend.
Now the library will reveal a secret it's held for many years.
It's election time and Sheriff Cas Larkin is re-elected while a widely respected lawyer is elected Judge.
The library becomes a nexus for Sheriff Larkin' wife, the two retired sisters who have opened a thriving flower shop, a secret psychic who works at the library, the librarian, and a ghost who stays in the library's freezing cold basement and cries.
Add in the brutal murder of the addicted nephew of a respected black resident whose family dates back to the foundation of the town, the bullet-between-the-eyes corpse of a white, addicted male fished out of the river, and diaries found in the library's attic written by the young woman who lived in the mansion and ran off.
Some of the residents believe in ghosts, while others believe in realistic explanations.
The end of the story is mind-blowing! I think it will make a believer out of every reader.
May 29, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
The holidays are here and Sheriff Cas Larkin is saddled with two murder cases that he is certain are connected, but proving it is going to be difficult. The only connection seems to be that they were both drug users. It is even harder when people are withholding information that may help to solve the crimes. Once again, proving it will be nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, his wife, Connie, is enthusiastically pursuing information about the Nelson Family. Edgar Nelson donated the land that the Courthouse sits on and the library is the former Nelson residence. Connie may find some help with the old files in the basement of the library, but when she goes there, Connie feels not only an extreme cold, but also a sense of sadness and she hears a soft crying. Is the library basement haunted?
This book seems to be more focused on the mystery surrounding the Nelson family, than solving the two murders, but are the mysteries related?
This book seemed to have a somewhat slower pace than the first, but was still a good read with well developed characters.
The holidays are here and Sheriff Cas Larkin is saddled with two murder cases that he is certain are connected, but proving it is going to be difficult. The only connection seems to be that they were both drug users. It is even harder when people are withholding information that may help to solve the crimes. Once again, proving it will be nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, his wife, Connie, is enthusiastically pursuing information about the Nelson Family. Edgar Nelson donated the land that the Courthouse sits on and the library is the former Nelson residence. Connie may find some help with the old files in the basement of the library, but when she goes there, Connie feels not only an extreme cold, but also a sense of sadness and she hears a soft crying. Is the library basement haunted?
This book seems to be more focused on the mystery surrounding the Nelson family, than solving the two murders, but are the mysteries related?
This book seemed to have a somewhat slower pace than the first, but was still a good read with well developed characters.
May 28, 2016
This is another good mystery in the town of Maryvale. While doing research about the Nelson family, Connie Larkin discovers the presence of ghost in the basement of the Library. The more she learns about the Nelson family, the more intrigued she becomes. But, forces both natural and supernatural do not want her to succeed in solving the mystery. Will she be able to put the spirit to rest or will she join it?
May 23, 2016
I really tried to like this book, but I just could not seem to get interested. I usually enjoy cozy mysteries, but this one just did nothing for me.
The writing was very hard to follow. Two characters would be talking, then one would be thinking in their head without a clear transition. All in all, I just did not care about what was happening, who died or why, or what the scandal was.
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was very hard to follow. Two characters would be talking, then one would be thinking in their head without a clear transition. All in all, I just did not care about what was happening, who died or why, or what the scandal was.
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2016
The story is set in a small village where everybody knows and tries to help.
And so the investigation of two murders is intertwined with the life of the inhabitants, a library full of surprises and the opening of a museum.
A book for everyone what love mystery, suspense and a little of paranormal tales.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
And so the investigation of two murders is intertwined with the life of the inhabitants, a library full of surprises and the opening of a museum.
A book for everyone what love mystery, suspense and a little of paranormal tales.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
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January 5, 2017A rather nice cozy mystery set in a small town in Tennessee. It's a lace where everyone knows everyone else. This time, murder and a con job are in the works.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews