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Moonshine Mystery #3
An Old Fashioned Murder
Secrets, lies, and a splash of moonshine: a classic country house whodunit with a modern twist.
After losing her husband and her home, small-town girl Daisy McGovern moves in with her invalid mother at an old inn in sleepy southwestern Virginia. When the inn's eccentric proprietor, Aunt Emily, decides to throw a weekend party for a small group of friends and neighbors, everybody is excited--until a winter storm approaches and one of the guests is crushed by an antique bookcase during the night.
At first, the death appears to be an accident. But as the storm worsens and the sheriff is unable to reach them, suspicion slowly grows. Was it murder? After the inn loses power and a second death occurs, it's clear to Daisy that one among them is a killer. But who? The young, new, secretive maid? The antique-peddling pair of spinster sisters? Her not-so-welcome in-laws? The peculiar house-hunting couple? The supposedly stranded motorist?
With no way to leave and no way to get help, Daisy's only contacts to the outside world are her best friend Beulah and the always charming (and equally troublesome) moonshiner, Rick Balsam. Trapped with a clever and seemingly undetectable murderer, she must unravel the truth before the party ends with her funeral.
After losing her husband and her home, small-town girl Daisy McGovern moves in with her invalid mother at an old inn in sleepy southwestern Virginia. When the inn's eccentric proprietor, Aunt Emily, decides to throw a weekend party for a small group of friends and neighbors, everybody is excited--until a winter storm approaches and one of the guests is crushed by an antique bookcase during the night.
At first, the death appears to be an accident. But as the storm worsens and the sheriff is unable to reach them, suspicion slowly grows. Was it murder? After the inn loses power and a second death occurs, it's clear to Daisy that one among them is a killer. But who? The young, new, secretive maid? The antique-peddling pair of spinster sisters? Her not-so-welcome in-laws? The peculiar house-hunting couple? The supposedly stranded motorist?
With no way to leave and no way to get help, Daisy's only contacts to the outside world are her best friend Beulah and the always charming (and equally troublesome) moonshiner, Rick Balsam. Trapped with a clever and seemingly undetectable murderer, she must unravel the truth before the party ends with her funeral.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
6 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Carol Miller
7 books25 followersCarol Miller is the author of the forthcoming Fortune Telling Mysteries and the Moonshine Mysteries. MURDER AND MOONSHINE was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month and a Library Journal Starred Debut of the Month. Carol is an attorney and lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 19, 2015
Eccentric characters in a back-woods Virginia setting. Fun.
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April 1, 2017Secrets, lies, and a splash of moonshine: a classic country house whodunit with a modern twist.
After losing her husband and her home, small-town girl Daisy McGovern moves in with her invalid mother at an old inn in sleepy southwestern Virginia. When the inn's eccentric proprietor, Aunt Emily, decides to throw a weekend party for a small group of friends and neighbors, everybody is excited--until a winter storm approaches and one of the guests is crushed by an antique bookcase during the night.
At first, the death appears to be an accident. But as the storm worsens and the sheriff is unable to reach them, suspicion slowly grows. Was it murder? After the inn loses power and a second death occurs, it's clear to Daisy that one among them is a killer. But who? The young, new, secretive maid? The antique-peddling pair of spinster sisters? Her not-so-welcome in-laws? The peculiar house-hunting couple? The supposedly stranded motorist?
With no way to leave and no way to get help, Daisy's only contacts to the outside world are her best friend Beulah and the always charming (and equally troublesome) moonshiner, Rick Balsam. Trapped with a clever and seemingly undetectable murderer, she must unravel the truth before the party ends with her funeral.
Didn't finish.
After losing her husband and her home, small-town girl Daisy McGovern moves in with her invalid mother at an old inn in sleepy southwestern Virginia. When the inn's eccentric proprietor, Aunt Emily, decides to throw a weekend party for a small group of friends and neighbors, everybody is excited--until a winter storm approaches and one of the guests is crushed by an antique bookcase during the night.
At first, the death appears to be an accident. But as the storm worsens and the sheriff is unable to reach them, suspicion slowly grows. Was it murder? After the inn loses power and a second death occurs, it's clear to Daisy that one among them is a killer. But who? The young, new, secretive maid? The antique-peddling pair of spinster sisters? Her not-so-welcome in-laws? The peculiar house-hunting couple? The supposedly stranded motorist?
With no way to leave and no way to get help, Daisy's only contacts to the outside world are her best friend Beulah and the always charming (and equally troublesome) moonshiner, Rick Balsam. Trapped with a clever and seemingly undetectable murderer, she must unravel the truth before the party ends with her funeral.
Didn't finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2019
Perhaps 3.5 stars. A new take on a classic plot — a group of people gathered together become stranded, then one of them is murdered, but outside help is unavailable. In this case the location is an isolated hotel in rural Virginia, in a freak snow storm. Daisy and her mother live there, along with the owner, Daisy's honorary Aunt Emily. After repairs to the inn, Emily is holding a grand reopening, but surprises abound from the beginning, what with uninvited guests, a scared servant, and an unexpected gift. But Daisy is determined to do everything she can to get to the bottom of the mystery, and keep her family safe. Recommended.
January 24, 2025
Oh, please write a 4th book to this series!
I need to know how the will-they-or-won't-they works out between Daisy & Rick. I have to know what happens with the cliffhanger dropped at the end of this book too.
All the continual characters in this series were so likable & quirky, all while still being realistic. I laughed multiple times reading their interactions with each other and the plots are not the same old tired cozy mystery tropes.
I would just love a #4 in the Moonshine Mysteries to tie up the loose ends!
I need to know how the will-they-or-won't-they works out between Daisy & Rick. I have to know what happens with the cliffhanger dropped at the end of this book too.
All the continual characters in this series were so likable & quirky, all while still being realistic. I laughed multiple times reading their interactions with each other and the plots are not the same old tired cozy mystery tropes.
I would just love a #4 in the Moonshine Mysteries to tie up the loose ends!
June 18, 2017
I do not know if there will be any additional books in this series. This book was a whole lot better than the first books in the series. I would like to see more about Rick if there are any future series. I do wonder why the author gave Daisy a character she could love .
Readers can tell the author has grown and evolved in her writing if they have read the first or second book.
Readers can tell the author has grown and evolved in her writing if they have read the first or second book.
March 12, 2019
Everyone is trapped by a blizzard, when a secretary falls on one of the guests. They were at the house was celebrating the bead and breakfast being reopened. With all the creaks and groans of the old house mixed with the sounds of the blizzard Daisy is not sure of what she really heard. With a maid who seems to skulk around and bickering and nervous guests, Daisy tries to find out how the secretary was able to topple over.
February 16, 2022
I was interested in following the series. I got the book on interlibrary loan. The usual group is involved, and I enjoyed it. I have been wondering about Daisy's husband, Matt, who left home and never came back some years ago. The very end of the book showed that he may show up in the next book. So far, a new book hasn't been written in the series. The author, Carol Miller, has started a new series. I hope she continues this one. There are relationships that I want to see move forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2019
A mystery that will have you guessing untill the end
I chose this book by accident just like I was supposed to. The characters were quirky and coniving. I read it until the end. I'm glad to say that it was a very good book.
I chose this book by accident just like I was supposed to. The characters were quirky and coniving. I read it until the end. I'm glad to say that it was a very good book.
May 15, 2017
Love all her books!
November 6, 2017
best book in the series so far. The storyline and plot are an improvement from the previous books in the series.
August 4, 2019
Cute read. Definitely need to read the others from miller
February 10, 2020
Moved too slow. I had a hard time liking any of the characters.
May 23, 2021
Decent cozy mystery. Liked the characters which is a big part of appreciating cozy murders.
May 5, 2023
This one was an ok read, not as good as the earlier ones in the series I didn't think, but good beach/trip reading.
June 9, 2023
I sooo wish there were more books in this series!!
May 9, 2016
4.5 stars.
An Old-Fashioned Murder is the third outing in Carol Miller's Moonshine Mystery series starring baker turned amateur sleuth Daisy McGovern. In this latest release, a surprise blizzard strands Daisy and a motley assortment of guests at the Tosh Inn where tensions mount as she and bat conservationist/love interest Drew Alcott investigate the death of one of the visitors.
Daisy is happy to assist her honorary Aunt Emily host the grand reopening of the Tosh Inn following repairs on the beautiful Victorian mansion. The guest list is small but includes Edna and May Fowler, owners of the antique store that Emily frequents, close friend Henry Brent (an entertaining 94 year old), inn guests Sarah and Kenneth Lunt, Daisy's beau Drew and two unwelcome party crashers, Parker and Lillian Barker. Also present is the inn's newly hired employee Georgia Ross, a newcomer to town with a bit of a mysterious past. The party is off to a bit of tense beginning since Lillian is Daisy's aunt by marriage and despite the fact that Daisy has not seen nor heard from her husband Matt since he vanished five years earlier, Lillian is not at all happy that her niece-in-law is dating Drew. Equally troubling is Kenneth's unexpected offer to purchase the inn even though it is not currently for sale. In the early morning hours, the shocking discovery of a dead body casts a pall over the celebration and leaves everyone looking at one another with suspicion since a second death soon makes it apparent there is a killer in their midst.
Daisy, Drew and Emily are eager to uncover the killer's identity but with few clues to go on, they find it impossible to narrow down their suspect list. With most of the guests behaving a little suspiciously, they try to focus on possible reasons for the murder, and while they come up with several plausible theories, they cannot find proof to back up their suppositions. Snippets of overheard conversations seem to offer a valid motive for the first death, but Daisy's investigation quickly hits a dead end. Furtive behavior by one the residents rouses Daisy's suspicions but new information soon ends that line of inquiry. A second death puts pressure on Daisy to solve the crimes but will she unmask the killer before another person is murdered?
With plenty of red herrings and a vast pool of credible suspects, An Old-Fashioned Murder is a brilliantly written whodunit that is virtually impossible to solve. Carol Miller keeps the Moonshine Mystery series fresh by the introduction of new characters and the clever use of a party, a blizzard and the Tosh Inn as a backdrop for the murders. Although Daisy's nemesis Rick Balsam remains on the periphery for much of the story, he is once again an invaluable source of information for Daisy during the investigation. An absolutely stunning plot twist will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of the next book in the series.
An Old-Fashioned Murder is the third outing in Carol Miller's Moonshine Mystery series starring baker turned amateur sleuth Daisy McGovern. In this latest release, a surprise blizzard strands Daisy and a motley assortment of guests at the Tosh Inn where tensions mount as she and bat conservationist/love interest Drew Alcott investigate the death of one of the visitors.
Daisy is happy to assist her honorary Aunt Emily host the grand reopening of the Tosh Inn following repairs on the beautiful Victorian mansion. The guest list is small but includes Edna and May Fowler, owners of the antique store that Emily frequents, close friend Henry Brent (an entertaining 94 year old), inn guests Sarah and Kenneth Lunt, Daisy's beau Drew and two unwelcome party crashers, Parker and Lillian Barker. Also present is the inn's newly hired employee Georgia Ross, a newcomer to town with a bit of a mysterious past. The party is off to a bit of tense beginning since Lillian is Daisy's aunt by marriage and despite the fact that Daisy has not seen nor heard from her husband Matt since he vanished five years earlier, Lillian is not at all happy that her niece-in-law is dating Drew. Equally troubling is Kenneth's unexpected offer to purchase the inn even though it is not currently for sale. In the early morning hours, the shocking discovery of a dead body casts a pall over the celebration and leaves everyone looking at one another with suspicion since a second death soon makes it apparent there is a killer in their midst.
Daisy, Drew and Emily are eager to uncover the killer's identity but with few clues to go on, they find it impossible to narrow down their suspect list. With most of the guests behaving a little suspiciously, they try to focus on possible reasons for the murder, and while they come up with several plausible theories, they cannot find proof to back up their suppositions. Snippets of overheard conversations seem to offer a valid motive for the first death, but Daisy's investigation quickly hits a dead end. Furtive behavior by one the residents rouses Daisy's suspicions but new information soon ends that line of inquiry. A second death puts pressure on Daisy to solve the crimes but will she unmask the killer before another person is murdered?
With plenty of red herrings and a vast pool of credible suspects, An Old-Fashioned Murder is a brilliantly written whodunit that is virtually impossible to solve. Carol Miller keeps the Moonshine Mystery series fresh by the introduction of new characters and the clever use of a party, a blizzard and the Tosh Inn as a backdrop for the murders. Although Daisy's nemesis Rick Balsam remains on the periphery for much of the story, he is once again an invaluable source of information for Daisy during the investigation. An absolutely stunning plot twist will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of the next book in the series.
January 14, 2016
[ I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]
“I told you not to do anything,” he rebuked her gruffly. “I told you to wait.”“Well, you should know by now that I rarely do what anyone tells me, and it annoys everybody.”
Daisy McGovern lived at the Tosh Inn with her ailing mother and other people that the owner "Aunt Emily" had "collected" over the years. Daisy knew without Emily's kindness she and her mother would be without a home, and Daisy worked hard to help Emily keep the antebellum Inn running smoothly as well as her own bakery,Sweetie Pies. After her husband Matt took off for parts unknown, Daisy has kept to herself, although recently she had begun to see Drew Alcott knowing that until Matt surfaced, she was still technically married.
The story opens with the reopening party for the Tosh after a flood that almost closed the place for good. All the people involved, all friends of Emily and her inn, have gathered for a weekend celebration along with a few paying guests. The usual group, the usual "dicussions". However, one murder with no obvious perpetrator in the middle of a freak snowstorm during a power outage leads to questions that develop another murder and Daisy's grasping at straws searching for suspects.
Carol Miller's characters are disarmingly southern in style, attitude and history....and secrets. This story is littered with them, almost too much. You can get lost in the clues in this roundabout story, it's cluttered with them. They can be distracting unless you pay attention in the snowstorm that hides the real perps.
“I told you not to do anything,” he rebuked her gruffly. “I told you to wait.”“Well, you should know by now that I rarely do what anyone tells me, and it annoys everybody.”
Daisy McGovern lived at the Tosh Inn with her ailing mother and other people that the owner "Aunt Emily" had "collected" over the years. Daisy knew without Emily's kindness she and her mother would be without a home, and Daisy worked hard to help Emily keep the antebellum Inn running smoothly as well as her own bakery,Sweetie Pies. After her husband Matt took off for parts unknown, Daisy has kept to herself, although recently she had begun to see Drew Alcott knowing that until Matt surfaced, she was still technically married.
The story opens with the reopening party for the Tosh after a flood that almost closed the place for good. All the people involved, all friends of Emily and her inn, have gathered for a weekend celebration along with a few paying guests. The usual group, the usual "dicussions". However, one murder with no obvious perpetrator in the middle of a freak snowstorm during a power outage leads to questions that develop another murder and Daisy's grasping at straws searching for suspects.
Carol Miller's characters are disarmingly southern in style, attitude and history....and secrets. This story is littered with them, almost too much. You can get lost in the clues in this roundabout story, it's cluttered with them. They can be distracting unless you pay attention in the snowstorm that hides the real perps.
September 8, 2016
AN OLD-FASHIONED MURDER
---------------------------------
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that you have a grandmother who is obsessed with Victorian houses and antique furniture. Now, you love your imaginary grandma--you really do. But, you can only take so much talk of settees and old houses before you are ready to kiss her on the cheek and call it a day.
That is how I would describe my experience with this book. I love these characters, but the story waxed slow and tedious at times.
For example, this is a murder mystery, but no one dies until roughly page 90 of the edition I read. That makes the first 90 pages or so purely exposition. While some characterization is necessary, unless you are a grand lover of all things antique, 90 pages is a long way to venture to arrive at the hook.
As in the two previous books (#1 and #2), the language is mixed, meaning it skews toward a general reading audience but then contains random and obscure adjectives and adverbs. And while I am on the topic of things that most people could care less about, the book contains commas before the word "because," which drives me nuts. Really "Lillian" of me to complain about, but it's my review, and I can whine if I want to. :-P
As mentioned in other reviews, to which I would link given the time, this appears in the style of Agatha Christie, whom I do not read.
In short, this is not my style of mystery novel, but I will read the next installment because I am hooked on the characters.
May 9, 2016
Aunt Emily's inn is about to host a weekend house party for a few friends and neighbors to celebrate remodeled rooms and new furniture. Tipsy antique furniture, unwanted guests, a raging blizzard, and a body turn the pleasant weekend into a locked room mystery with moonshine and southern hospitality to lighten the tragedy. Daisy McGovern, one of the inn's longtime residents, has too many suspects, too many questions, and very few allies in the search for a possible killer. Rick and Beulah are stranded at a local bar. The recently hired maid is in hiding. The obnoxious husband and wife that are paying guests would love to buy the inn. In the midst of the blizzard, a stranger shows up. Both Daisy and Aunt Emily classify the new man as a fake. Unfortunately, they can't classify him as a murderer as he found the body seconds after he arrived. As the storm rages and the lights go out, another body presents itself. Join familiar characters as this traditional, stranded with no help mystery plays out. The tension ratchets up along with the stakes. No one will see the end coming. This delightful book staggered and leaped in directions I never expected. And I desperately want the next installment has last page left me stunned.
May 23, 2016
I've been enjoying this series, and Miller's come through again. Bakery owner and deserted wife Daisy McGovern and her ailing mother live in Aunt Emily's inn, with friend Beulah and whatever tourists are in the area. A winter party, which includes Daisy's new beau and her missing husband's cousins, is stranded by a blizzard, and one of the party is dead in what everyone is sure isn't an accident. No-one, law or otherwise, can reach them, and many of their number are behaving oddly. After the power goes out, there's another, equally shocking, death, and Daisy is concerned with her mother and Aunt Emily's safety.
June 8, 2016
Well this book is my favorite of the three. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I love the whole whodunit scenario and it was well played in this book.....I guessed wrong! Shew! That was hard to admit, lol. I really want Daisy and Rick to get together, they're killing me slowly, haha! In all honesty, I think i have a crush on Rick! *gasps loudly* I can't believe I said that, lol.
I got the first book in this series at my local library. It's kinda based around Appalachia and that's close to home. Although, Roanoke isn't far either. I love mystery/suspense/thriller nooks, I love supporting 'local' authors. I definitely recommend this book!!
I got the first book in this series at my local library. It's kinda based around Appalachia and that's close to home. Although, Roanoke isn't far either. I love mystery/suspense/thriller nooks, I love supporting 'local' authors. I definitely recommend this book!!
July 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this one. Characters were good, pace was good, the mystery was tight. I like the local place names popping up (I'm in the county over from where it was "set"). The only thing that was a little weird was some British phrases popping up here and there (like a redneck fellow calling someone "chap", the use of "Ducky" and "Luv" as terms of endearment, and this constant thing with tea). Despite the oddness of it, or maybe I liked that too, I really enjoyed this one and will actively seek out her other books.
November 30, 2016
This must be the dullest whodunit or closed circle mystery I've read. The book is mostly about creaky Victorian house, and about 60 pages on the actual mystery. If you have trouble finishing it but must know the who did it, just read the last 50 pages and be done with it.
January 15, 2016
Entertaining, fun "who done it". Read my review at http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogsp...
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May 10, 2016This series is full of surprises. This entry is much like a familiar cozy and then, zing, a very clever twist.
June 21, 2016
Think Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" set in the American South with Southern secrets, prejudices, pride, eccentricities, and moonshine during a freak blizzard!
October 12, 2016
Love this author.
August 2, 2016
Bobby doesn't get wounded this time
wonderful ending -- hook for next book.
wonderful ending -- hook for next book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews