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Ghostwriter Mystery #6
A Note Before Dying
When uber rock legend Jed Moody is electrocuted while strutting his stuff on stage, he’s lucky he’s got one true fan in the audience—ghostwriter Roxy Parker. She may be there to write his life story but now she wants to know who snuffed it out so violently, and why. Could it be a string of lovers or his long-suffering wife? An embittered band member or the money hungry publicist? And what about all those local villagers who resent the upstart rock star, including sexy ‘sparkie’ Sam? He’s got the electrical expertise and the perfect reason to want Jed Moody dead. Sam’s also got his sights set on Roxy Parker and she’s falling for him fast.
In the sixth Ghostwriter Mystery, Roxy enlists her best friend Detective Gilda Maltin to help her investigate. What they uncover will shock Roxy to the core and make her question her own insight into the human heart.
Has Roxy’s fetish for crime finally clouded her judgment? Is she now incapable of recognizing evil, even when it’s staring her in the face?
In this fast-paced, sexy adventure, C.A. Larmer shows us, yet again, why she’s one of the world's top-selling ebook cozy crime writers.
NOTE FROM THE This book is set in Australia so it contains some adult language and Australian slang.
In the sixth Ghostwriter Mystery, Roxy enlists her best friend Detective Gilda Maltin to help her investigate. What they uncover will shock Roxy to the core and make her question her own insight into the human heart.
Has Roxy’s fetish for crime finally clouded her judgment? Is she now incapable of recognizing evil, even when it’s staring her in the face?
In this fast-paced, sexy adventure, C.A. Larmer shows us, yet again, why she’s one of the world's top-selling ebook cozy crime writers.
NOTE FROM THE This book is set in Australia so it contains some adult language and Australian slang.
- GenresCozy MysteryFiction
323 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2015
13 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Larmer
25 books244 followersAuthor Christina (C.A.) Larmer was born in remote Papua New Guinea where close encounters with witchdoctors and cannibal progeny (no, really), gave her a morbid taste for mystery that has culminated in more than a dozen crime novels, including four in the Amazon-bestselling Agatha Christie Book Club series, two Posthumous Mysteries, seven Ghostwriter Mysteries, a thriller/suspense, and a stand-alone novel called An Island Lost, which is set in deepest Papua—where else?
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
When she's not politely bumping people off (they are mostly 'cozies', folks), Christina can be found in the hinterland behind Byron Bay (Aus) where she runs an indie publishing biz, teaches, freelances, and hangs out with her muso hubby, two sons and one very cheeky Blue heeler. For news, views, calarmer.com // https://calarmer.com/blog/
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2024
Book six in the Ghostwriter Mystery series and Roxy has been assigned to write a book about a famous rock band, featuring in particular the lead singer and rock legend, Jed Moody. She is staying at his home in order to interview him, his wife and the rest of the band, but she soon discovers all is not sunshine and happiness in their world.
A member of the band is electrocuted by a guitar on stage, Roxy's new love interest is accused of murder, and things are not going well when her best friend, Detective Gilda Martin, decides she had better lend a hand. I liked the way they worked together and it was a clever way for the author to let Roxy be aware of police activities. This made the whole investigation even more interesting.
Like Roxy I did not guess the culprit until right at the end, partly because there were so many possibilities. A clever mystery, well written and with a good ending. Four stars.
A member of the band is electrocuted by a guitar on stage, Roxy's new love interest is accused of murder, and things are not going well when her best friend, Detective Gilda Martin, decides she had better lend a hand. I liked the way they worked together and it was a clever way for the author to let Roxy be aware of police activities. This made the whole investigation even more interesting.
Like Roxy I did not guess the culprit until right at the end, partly because there were so many possibilities. A clever mystery, well written and with a good ending. Four stars.
May 15, 2018
4.5★s
Though Roxy Parker had only been back in Sydney for a week, she was off to Byron Bay on the NSW coast to interview rock legend Jed Moody for an upcoming story on his life. But Roxy was a little bemused by the people she met – the publicist, the wife, the other band members – all were a little strange. Then there was Jed. Rude, arrogant and full of himself, Roxy wondered what she’d let herself in for…
Roxy hadn’t had a chance to interview Jed when he was electrocuted on stage in front of some of his fans. There were plenty who didn’t like the aging rocker – so was it an accident, or was it murder? The finger was pointing toward a man with a grudge; a man who had hated Jed. When Roxy called her detective friend, Gilda Maltin of Sydney, she headed for Byron to help. But was Roxy in danger? It seemed murder followed her around…
A Note Before Dying is the 6th in the Ghostwriter Mystery series and another fun, entertaining cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. A few laugh out loud moments, plenty of twists and a MC with lots of pizazz, A Note Before Dying is another one I recommend highly.
Though Roxy Parker had only been back in Sydney for a week, she was off to Byron Bay on the NSW coast to interview rock legend Jed Moody for an upcoming story on his life. But Roxy was a little bemused by the people she met – the publicist, the wife, the other band members – all were a little strange. Then there was Jed. Rude, arrogant and full of himself, Roxy wondered what she’d let herself in for…
Roxy hadn’t had a chance to interview Jed when he was electrocuted on stage in front of some of his fans. There were plenty who didn’t like the aging rocker – so was it an accident, or was it murder? The finger was pointing toward a man with a grudge; a man who had hated Jed. When Roxy called her detective friend, Gilda Maltin of Sydney, she headed for Byron to help. But was Roxy in danger? It seemed murder followed her around…
A Note Before Dying is the 6th in the Ghostwriter Mystery series and another fun, entertaining cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. A few laugh out loud moments, plenty of twists and a MC with lots of pizazz, A Note Before Dying is another one I recommend highly.
September 12, 2015
This is (I think) the final book in the Ghostwriter series. Roxy is asked to do an autobiographical book about a big name rock star and his band, and never gets to even interview the rock star before he is killed during a jam session on his property. She meets and has a serious connection to a guy whose sister was found dead on the property 18 months earlier, and who suspects the rock star of having killed her as he was having an affair with her. As the case(s) unwind, there is no evidence that the dead rock star killed anyone, and although Roxy believes her guy is innocent, she can't seem to convince anyone else of that, including her old chum, Gilda, the cop from Sydney. It's pretty nail-biting in a couple of places, and kept me riveted for the whole thing. I'll be sorry if there are no more ghostwriting adventures for Roxy, but maybe she'll have some new adventures to share with her new beau?
March 16, 2016
This was the first book in the Ghostwriter Series that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author’s descriptive style takes you right into the Australian setting with all its quirks and charm. The main character, Roxy, is smart yet vulnerable, and I found myself rooting for her from the start.
The mystery revolves around an aging pop star and the trouble he leaves in his wake. Roxy pushes authorities to seek justice. The pieces of the puzzle are well mixed, and I was carried through the story trying to put them in place along with the characters. Can't wait to see what happens to Roxy next!
The mystery revolves around an aging pop star and the trouble he leaves in his wake. Roxy pushes authorities to seek justice. The pieces of the puzzle are well mixed, and I was carried through the story trying to put them in place along with the characters. Can't wait to see what happens to Roxy next!
February 5, 2016
A Winner from Beginning to End!
This is a well-written, perfectly-paced murder mystery with realistic characters. Even though it's number six in the ghostwriter series, I had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone. As a Midwesterner, I loved the Aussie setting and some of the language differences. Ms. Larmer brought Roxy and the whole cast of characters to life for me. If you are looking for a story that will keep you engaged from start to satisfying end, look no further! Five stars all the way!
This is a well-written, perfectly-paced murder mystery with realistic characters. Even though it's number six in the ghostwriter series, I had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone. As a Midwesterner, I loved the Aussie setting and some of the language differences. Ms. Larmer brought Roxy and the whole cast of characters to life for me. If you are looking for a story that will keep you engaged from start to satisfying end, look no further! Five stars all the way!
February 9, 2016
This book had me hooked right from the beginning. Roxy is great and I like her friend Gilda too. The setting was interesting and the characters were colorful and well developed. Lots of suspense, mystery and a nice bit of romance to boot. The Aussie idioms were fun and a really nice touch for those of us who live elsewhere. This is the first book I've read by C.A. Larmer, but you can be sure it won't be the last.
March 4, 2017
I received this book from "Good Reads".
Excellent, page turner. A typical Agatha Christie style, whereby you suspect everyone. I was engrossed from the beginning to the end.
Three murders to solve
1. Sunny Forrest - suspected drowning.
2. Jed Moody - rock legend suspected elecrocutio.
3. Macker Maroney - photographer.
All intertwined with a romance with Roxy Parker - a ghost writer for Jed Moody.
Excellent, page turner. A typical Agatha Christie style, whereby you suspect everyone. I was engrossed from the beginning to the end.
Three murders to solve
1. Sunny Forrest - suspected drowning.
2. Jed Moody - rock legend suspected elecrocutio.
3. Macker Maroney - photographer.
All intertwined with a romance with Roxy Parker - a ghost writer for Jed Moody.
March 9, 2019
A GoodReads GiveAway ... from way back.
Australian crime. Ghostwriter Roxy Parker sees dead bodies but no ghosts.
Australian crime. Ghostwriter Roxy Parker sees dead bodies but no ghosts.
June 9, 2016
I needed something a little lighter after reading my last book ("The Natural Way of Things" by Charlotte Wood) and having enjoyed thoroughly C.A. Larmer's book "The Agatha Christie Book Club" thought "A Note Before Dying" would be the perfect light cosy read. Plus the plot is set in my local area and so I was very keen to see if I could pinpoint any of the locations.
C.A Larmer writes place very well. She had the North Coast of NSW to a T. as well as some of the characters (as clichéd as they sound) down pat. Yes, there are little cafés just like the "Goddess Café" in the hinterland here, where the jangle-bangle earthmothers with their little Moon's, Sky's and Shadee's congregate and there's always an impromptu jam springing up somewhere bringing together the hinterland-hiding rockers, free spirits and tree-huggers, so C.A.Larmer sets the scene very well for this cosy-crime whodunit.
The author also writes characters well - the muso's and the earth mums were spot on especially Govinda, Unfortunately however the main characters - Roxy and Gilda - just didn't come across as 'real' to me. I know they are the main characters in all the Ghostwriters Mystery's and I must say, this is the only book of this series I've read, so I don't know how they are portrayed in the others, but to me, Roxy as the amateur sleuth who solves murders just didn't come across as clever or intuitive or to have any problem-solving skills, she seemed a bit flaky and a little flat, almost one dimensional. Gilda on the other hand was too over the top as a friend and came across as being dominating, controlling and too possessive. I couldn't fathom their friendship or even understand why Roxy liked Gilda and was friends with her as the relationship seemed almost toxic to me. I suppose I need to read the other books from the start to understand these two characters. I also had problems with the references throughout the book regarding Roxy's mother. It obvious as you read the book, that Roxy's mother must have played a major part in the other books, but I couldn't work out why she had to be brought into this storyline and the references made about her left me with a 'bad-taste' they felt a little 'mean'.
The overall plot was strong, good and believable. And it wasn't until about 2/3rds into the book that an inkling of who the perpetrator was could be picked. That was a positive in wanting to keep turning the page, however I didn't enjoy the last couple of pages of the book and feel they could have been completely left out - the neat little 'bow' on top of the tie-up weaken the ending for me. I didn't need to know who fell into who's arms. The last line on pg 311 "Oh yeah, it's time, baby, it's time." would have been the perfect strong ending.
Despite the low star rating, I'm still looking forward to reading more of C.A. Larmer, especially Agatha Christie BookClub series and her stand-alone books. I think C.A. Larmer is a clever storyteller.
C.A Larmer writes place very well. She had the North Coast of NSW to a T. as well as some of the characters (as clichéd as they sound) down pat. Yes, there are little cafés just like the "Goddess Café" in the hinterland here, where the jangle-bangle earthmothers with their little Moon's, Sky's and Shadee's congregate and there's always an impromptu jam springing up somewhere bringing together the hinterland-hiding rockers, free spirits and tree-huggers, so C.A.Larmer sets the scene very well for this cosy-crime whodunit.
The author also writes characters well - the muso's and the earth mums were spot on especially Govinda, Unfortunately however the main characters - Roxy and Gilda - just didn't come across as 'real' to me. I know they are the main characters in all the Ghostwriters Mystery's and I must say, this is the only book of this series I've read, so I don't know how they are portrayed in the others, but to me, Roxy as the amateur sleuth who solves murders just didn't come across as clever or intuitive or to have any problem-solving skills, she seemed a bit flaky and a little flat, almost one dimensional. Gilda on the other hand was too over the top as a friend and came across as being dominating, controlling and too possessive. I couldn't fathom their friendship or even understand why Roxy liked Gilda and was friends with her as the relationship seemed almost toxic to me. I suppose I need to read the other books from the start to understand these two characters. I also had problems with the references throughout the book regarding Roxy's mother. It obvious as you read the book, that Roxy's mother must have played a major part in the other books, but I couldn't work out why she had to be brought into this storyline and the references made about her left me with a 'bad-taste' they felt a little 'mean'.
The overall plot was strong, good and believable. And it wasn't until about 2/3rds into the book that an inkling of who the perpetrator was could be picked. That was a positive in wanting to keep turning the page, however I didn't enjoy the last couple of pages of the book and feel they could have been completely left out - the neat little 'bow' on top of the tie-up weaken the ending for me. I didn't need to know who fell into who's arms. The last line on pg 311 "Oh yeah, it's time, baby, it's time." would have been the perfect strong ending.
Despite the low star rating, I'm still looking forward to reading more of C.A. Larmer, especially Agatha Christie BookClub series and her stand-alone books. I think C.A. Larmer is a clever storyteller.
December 31, 2015
Honestly, I only picked up this book because a fellow friend recommended it and he wanted to read it for our book club meeting so I agreed. While I typically do like mysteries and whatnot, I did not find this book to be incredibly interesting nor did it really draw me in. This is the sixth book of the series but my friend swore that each book could be a standalone and while this was true, I think there were still a lot of references that were made that belonged in the previous novels. So at the end of the day, it would’ve been better if I had read the series from the beginning.
Anyways, moving on. The writing style of the book somehow seemed a little dumbed down for the readers. I’m not really sure how to describe this but the books I typically read usually flows very well and are very eloquent. This book, in comparison, seemed a little more choppy and it didn’t seem to flow particularly well. I found that the character’s thoughts were all over the place and I found myself a little confused at times. Honestly, I did not particularly like the writing style.
Roxy, the main character, was not a character I connected with. I’m sure she had her own charm which might have developed more in the first book and for those who have followed her adventures might find her more enjoyable to read but for someone who just started this book and read about her for the first time, she was mediocre to be honest. Her attempts to be funny were more like “meh” in my mind rather than actually funny. Her line of thought was also “meh”. I also didn’t really understand what she did for a living other than “ghostwriting” other people’s lives – and once Jed died, what was she supposed to do? It seemed like what she usually did was write about living people’s biography rather than a biography for someone who was dead. This book just did not hit it home for me.
Sam and her best friend (I already forgot her name) just were not particularly interesting to say the least. I found her best friend to be a little off-putting and a little snobbish for my taste even when I’m sure she wasn’t trying to be at all. That was what was saddest – that she didn’t even know. Sam just seemed too innocent but creepy at the same time. I’m sure everyone knows someone who is like that. I never found him attractive even though Roxy clearly did.
Overall, very bland book. I will most likely not be reading the rest of the series.
Anyways, moving on. The writing style of the book somehow seemed a little dumbed down for the readers. I’m not really sure how to describe this but the books I typically read usually flows very well and are very eloquent. This book, in comparison, seemed a little more choppy and it didn’t seem to flow particularly well. I found that the character’s thoughts were all over the place and I found myself a little confused at times. Honestly, I did not particularly like the writing style.
Roxy, the main character, was not a character I connected with. I’m sure she had her own charm which might have developed more in the first book and for those who have followed her adventures might find her more enjoyable to read but for someone who just started this book and read about her for the first time, she was mediocre to be honest. Her attempts to be funny were more like “meh” in my mind rather than actually funny. Her line of thought was also “meh”. I also didn’t really understand what she did for a living other than “ghostwriting” other people’s lives – and once Jed died, what was she supposed to do? It seemed like what she usually did was write about living people’s biography rather than a biography for someone who was dead. This book just did not hit it home for me.
Sam and her best friend (I already forgot her name) just were not particularly interesting to say the least. I found her best friend to be a little off-putting and a little snobbish for my taste even when I’m sure she wasn’t trying to be at all. That was what was saddest – that she didn’t even know. Sam just seemed too innocent but creepy at the same time. I’m sure everyone knows someone who is like that. I never found him attractive even though Roxy clearly did.
Overall, very bland book. I will most likely not be reading the rest of the series.
September 8, 2015
I have always really enjoyed this series. It has a strong female protagonist, it is written very tight; the ensemble supporting characters are well written; the stories are short enough to read in one sitting, but deep enough to be satisfying.
Until now. This story is a little longer and the protagonist is just starting to overcome a difficult period in her life. And then a new relationship enters her life, and everything falls apart. I didn't like the new relationship at all. It felt too soon, and too forced. In other series, there is a buildup to relationships, in this one it was instant and it didn't feel realistic; it felt slimy and while all other other characters were warning Roxy away, she kept going back to it. It makes me feel like the vested interest I had in all her other relationships were moot because Roxy's libdo. And that was very disappointing. The charcters are not fleshed put very well either, and I felt like Roxy was not in the game of this story at all...she didn't listen to her friend, and the author made the whole story about Roxy's love-fest with a could-be criminal. (And I say this after reading the last book, which was by far the best book in the series....) It felt like a totally different character than was in all the other stories up to this one. I honestly skipped ahead in places. At the beginning, Roxy was still thinking about her ex and he is stopping being mentioned. Completely.
I didn't feel like the plot was really fleshed out either. It wasn't the author's best story.
This series use to be my go-to cozy mystery b/c the protagonist wasn't tied down, but this story's ending feels a lot more tied down. Yuck! (Again, why do authors feel that all strong female protagonists need to get hooked up...eventually...and this one was such a out-of-left field hook up?) I've always been able to wrap my arms around the characters written in this series. I just. Couldn't. Get into these characters at all.
Honestly, I don't know if I am willing to continue this series because of the ending. I really wish I would have stopped reading this series at the last book. The story was strong, but the ending, sadly, forced me to knock down the rating quite a bit.
Until now. This story is a little longer and the protagonist is just starting to overcome a difficult period in her life. And then a new relationship enters her life, and everything falls apart. I didn't like the new relationship at all. It felt too soon, and too forced. In other series, there is a buildup to relationships, in this one it was instant and it didn't feel realistic; it felt slimy and while all other other characters were warning Roxy away, she kept going back to it. It makes me feel like the vested interest I had in all her other relationships were moot because Roxy's libdo. And that was very disappointing. The charcters are not fleshed put very well either, and I felt like Roxy was not in the game of this story at all...she didn't listen to her friend, and the author made the whole story about Roxy's love-fest with a could-be criminal. (And I say this after reading the last book, which was by far the best book in the series....) It felt like a totally different character than was in all the other stories up to this one. I honestly skipped ahead in places. At the beginning, Roxy was still thinking about her ex and he is stopping being mentioned. Completely.
I didn't feel like the plot was really fleshed out either. It wasn't the author's best story.
This series use to be my go-to cozy mystery b/c the protagonist wasn't tied down, but this story's ending feels a lot more tied down. Yuck! (Again, why do authors feel that all strong female protagonists need to get hooked up...eventually...and this one was such a out-of-left field hook up?) I've always been able to wrap my arms around the characters written in this series. I just. Couldn't. Get into these characters at all.
Honestly, I don't know if I am willing to continue this series because of the ending. I really wish I would have stopped reading this series at the last book. The story was strong, but the ending, sadly, forced me to knock down the rating quite a bit.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews