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Christy Castleman #3
When Zeffie Got a Clue
It’s an ordinary afternoon in Summer Breeze, Florida, when a young, wide-eyed girl steps into I Saw It First, the trash-to-treasure shop Christy Castleman and her Aunt Bobbie have opened. Clu
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Darty
44 books22 followersPeggy Darty is the award-winning author of 27 novels, as well as numerous novellas and articles. Her credits include Random House/Waterbrook, Zondervan, Multnomah, Guideposts, Barbour, Bantam and Sunn Classic Films. She has worked in film, researched for CBS, and taught in writing workshops around the country.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 11, 2013
Christy, a published author and unauthorized sleuth. Christy lives near her parents in Summerbreeze, Florida and becomes involved in Zeffie's life after purchasing a jewelry box given to Zeffie from her mother. Zeffie lives with her grandmother locally. The jewelry box had been stolen during a robbery and was connected to an unsolved murder. The optimism regarding planning Zeffie's future after her grandmother was taken ill was inspiring. I was disappointed that there were not any additional books in this series.
March 30, 2008
When I was younger I loved mysteries. I love to read them and watch them on various television shows or movies. My mother, my sisters, and I all watched Murder She Wrote together when I was really young and I can still remember the popcorn on the floor... Peggy Darty has made a really believable mystery stand out in this When Zeffie Got a Clue. I found out the hard way that this is the third in a series, and although I have not read the others and was able to understand the plot completely, there were some points where I was largely frustrated and a mention of a previous event that I can only assume would have been explained in a previous cozy mystery. I do fully intend to put When the Sandpiper Calls and When Bobbie Sang the Blues on my TBR pile.
Zeffie is a sweet little girl in an unfortunate point of circumstances in her young life and Christy, the local mystery writer/murder solver of the area of Summer Breeze, Florida is able to jump into detective mode and seek out answers to find for Zeffie's questions as well as others that are closer to home from her own youth.
This is the first Christian cozy mystery that I have read, and it really makes me thirst for more. The overall story is riveting and near impossible to put down once started. There are many different emotions and as a reader, one really gets pull into everything that is going on and debates all of the clues themselves.
I really recommend this book if you have a few hours to spare and jump in to see if you can help Christy and Zeffie find what they are looking for!
Zeffie is a sweet little girl in an unfortunate point of circumstances in her young life and Christy, the local mystery writer/murder solver of the area of Summer Breeze, Florida is able to jump into detective mode and seek out answers to find for Zeffie's questions as well as others that are closer to home from her own youth.
This is the first Christian cozy mystery that I have read, and it really makes me thirst for more. The overall story is riveting and near impossible to put down once started. There are many different emotions and as a reader, one really gets pull into everything that is going on and debates all of the clues themselves.
I really recommend this book if you have a few hours to spare and jump in to see if you can help Christy and Zeffie find what they are looking for!
July 9, 2015
This is my first cozy mystery to read by Peggy Darty and I’m sure it won’t be my last. The author says “The cozy mystery is, by far, my favorite, because this genre allows the reader to participate in solving the mystery.” I did like that about reading this book. I really liked the town in Florida called Summer Breeze. It’s a place you definitely want to stay for a while. Zeffie is the most adorable little girl that everyone falls in love with and wants to take home. She meets the main character Christy at her store called “I Saw It First Shop” don’t you just love that name? I also like what there store does. Christy explains to Zeffie “What we like to do here is rework something that’s lost its purpose and make it pretty again.” I think every town needs one of these shops; I think God allows us to be re-worked once we have been lost our purpose as well.
This cozy mystery reminded me of a good Nancy Drew mystery. Zeffie hands Christy a clue that reopens a case from years ago. This case was personal for Christy. The man that was murdered saved her life. With the clue she is determined to track down this killer if that is the last thing she does. You will love this town and the Characters as well. It really makes me want to read the other books in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
This cozy mystery reminded me of a good Nancy Drew mystery. Zeffie hands Christy a clue that reopens a case from years ago. This case was personal for Christy. The man that was murdered saved her life. With the clue she is determined to track down this killer if that is the last thing she does. You will love this town and the Characters as well. It really makes me want to read the other books in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
March 4, 2008
Cute cozy mystery about a jewelry box and its ties to a cold case murder. Part of a series but you don't need to read the others to enjoy this one.
April 8, 2021
Things t would be nice to have changed in future books are: not giving credence to driving too fast, talking on the telephone when driving, and judging people based on fashion sense. But it was still a nice read. Also, some variance in main characters' characteristics.
February 27, 2018
This was an entertaining cozy mystery. The characters were interesting and fairly believable. It held my interest and so was pretty quick to read.
December 19, 2014
Cozy mysteries are a comfortable fit for Christian fiction. By nature there is no gore, outright violence, or anything else too disturbing. They're light and fun, as we follow casually along until we find the murderer. When Zeffie Got a Clue fits right in with a page turning plot that won't give us nightmares.
Christy is a Christian, her father is a pastor, and her life is safe and predictable in the peaceful town of Summer Breeze, Florida. She's on her second try at romance with Dan, and things are looking up for them. Many of us already know Christy, as she's solved two other mysteries before, but this book stands alone just fine if you're new to Summer Breeze. Now she's trying to warm up a cold case she cares about very much. Kirby was her idol after he saved her from drowning. He was the all-American town hero, and his murder has remained unsolved for years.
The book's opening scene, even the first line, hooks the reader right away. A sweet little girl enters Christy's second hand shop. The girl is Zeffie, and she inadvertently opens Kirby's case wide open again with an old jewelry box she holds in her hands. Since Christy happens to be a mystery writer, she can't resist the opportunity to repay Kirby if she can only find his killer.
Our heroine is surrounded by an extended family of loving people, all who play a large part in her life, if not in solving this mystery. Perhaps an even bigger mystery here is why every character who is in the vicinity of the age of fifty refers to themselves as if they are elderly, and seem obsessed with talking about their age.
Zeffie has a sub plot all her own intertwined with the investigation, as the grandmother she loves and who has raised her is about to die. The only living relative they know of is definitely not going to give Zeffie the love and nurturing she needs, so Christy tries to find Zeffie's unknown father. We've got a budding romance for Christy's aunt and business partner, as well her own deepening relationship with Dan, which could be heading towards marriage. That is, if they can work out their uncertain future. She struggles to get closer to Dan, and she tries to be supportive as the possibility of a new job far away looms.
The number of suspects mounts, as do the coincidences, leading Christy and an officer friend closer and closer to the real truth of what happened to Kirby in his family mansion that day. We consider several scenarios, all pretty plausible, while none stands out as the obvious truth.
Thankfully, we haven't been tricked by Darty. She doesn't throw in some unrelated clue at the very end and reveal the murderer as someone we never could have guessed. That can be a frustration to the reader in this genre. It's a satisfying ending all the way around, and a fun, easy going journey that will keep you guessing to the end.
Christy is a Christian, her father is a pastor, and her life is safe and predictable in the peaceful town of Summer Breeze, Florida. She's on her second try at romance with Dan, and things are looking up for them. Many of us already know Christy, as she's solved two other mysteries before, but this book stands alone just fine if you're new to Summer Breeze. Now she's trying to warm up a cold case she cares about very much. Kirby was her idol after he saved her from drowning. He was the all-American town hero, and his murder has remained unsolved for years.
The book's opening scene, even the first line, hooks the reader right away. A sweet little girl enters Christy's second hand shop. The girl is Zeffie, and she inadvertently opens Kirby's case wide open again with an old jewelry box she holds in her hands. Since Christy happens to be a mystery writer, she can't resist the opportunity to repay Kirby if she can only find his killer.
Our heroine is surrounded by an extended family of loving people, all who play a large part in her life, if not in solving this mystery. Perhaps an even bigger mystery here is why every character who is in the vicinity of the age of fifty refers to themselves as if they are elderly, and seem obsessed with talking about their age.
Zeffie has a sub plot all her own intertwined with the investigation, as the grandmother she loves and who has raised her is about to die. The only living relative they know of is definitely not going to give Zeffie the love and nurturing she needs, so Christy tries to find Zeffie's unknown father. We've got a budding romance for Christy's aunt and business partner, as well her own deepening relationship with Dan, which could be heading towards marriage. That is, if they can work out their uncertain future. She struggles to get closer to Dan, and she tries to be supportive as the possibility of a new job far away looms.
The number of suspects mounts, as do the coincidences, leading Christy and an officer friend closer and closer to the real truth of what happened to Kirby in his family mansion that day. We consider several scenarios, all pretty plausible, while none stands out as the obvious truth.
Thankfully, we haven't been tricked by Darty. She doesn't throw in some unrelated clue at the very end and reveal the murderer as someone we never could have guessed. That can be a frustration to the reader in this genre. It's a satisfying ending all the way around, and a fun, easy going journey that will keep you guessing to the end.
June 26, 2011
This is a terrible book. There is nothing mysterious about this so-called "mystery" at all. I had never heard of "cozy mysteries" before. They should be renamed "lame mysteries". Aside from all the Christian rhetoric, it is so poorly written. Terrible use of diction throughout. Example- use of the word "dodging" twice in the same paragraph; "dodging" to avoid rain drops and then "dodging" to avoid rain puddles. And aren't most puddles made of rain? There is so much stating the obvious, that it becomes painful. AND it is so repetitious. Yes, we know you found a slip in the jewellery box. Yes, we know Kirby saved you from drowning 11 years ago. Do you have to repeat that 100 times??? I finished this just hoping that eventually Christy and Dan would give into temptation and get it on, but no. Even the romantic sub-plot is boring. There is great detail given about a cruise they are taking with the church singles to Alaska. This goes on for pages and then never comes up again! They don't even take the stupid cruise. It was just an opportunity for the author to insert some Christian propaganda about how a group of 30 years olds will have a married couple chaperone them on their cruise. And then they never even take the cruise. BORING!! As were the four pages describing her driving route. Uhhh...seriously? Spoiler alert: the most obvious suspect is the murderer. I just saved you some time. Thank me later.
June 23, 2014
When Zeffie Got a Clue is the third installment in prolific author Peggy Darty's cozy mystery series set in Summer Breeze, Florida. Christy Castleman has just started a business alongside her eclectic Aunt Bobbie, who refurbishes antiques with her special touch.
Christy works two days a week when she isn't writing mystery novels, and one quiet day a young girl comes in with a jewelry box to sell. After hearing little Zeffie's story and sending her away with far more than Christy thinks the box is worth, it doesn't take long for the writer to discover a clue linking this box back to an unsolved mystery. Unable to leave the case up to the police when she has such a strong personal connection to the reopened murder case, Christy finds herself driving around the Gulf Coast interviewing and searching for more clues. As usual, she gets just a little too close to danger.
I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold. Unlike many cozy mysteries, I wasn't confused by a plethora of characters; Darty sticks to her main suspects while allowing for new prospects to come up. Christy is extremely likable, and her interactions with Zeffie are sweet. Her personal life takes twists and turns along with the mystery, allowing the reader to dig deeper into who she really is. A light Christian theme gives the novel a pleasant overtone. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but otherwise the book was excellent. I would highly recommend it, and the rest in the series, to my reading buddies.
Christy works two days a week when she isn't writing mystery novels, and one quiet day a young girl comes in with a jewelry box to sell. After hearing little Zeffie's story and sending her away with far more than Christy thinks the box is worth, it doesn't take long for the writer to discover a clue linking this box back to an unsolved mystery. Unable to leave the case up to the police when she has such a strong personal connection to the reopened murder case, Christy finds herself driving around the Gulf Coast interviewing and searching for more clues. As usual, she gets just a little too close to danger.
I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold. Unlike many cozy mysteries, I wasn't confused by a plethora of characters; Darty sticks to her main suspects while allowing for new prospects to come up. Christy is extremely likable, and her interactions with Zeffie are sweet. Her personal life takes twists and turns along with the mystery, allowing the reader to dig deeper into who she really is. A light Christian theme gives the novel a pleasant overtone. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but otherwise the book was excellent. I would highly recommend it, and the rest in the series, to my reading buddies.
April 2, 2008
I don't normally read cozy mysteries, but this one was fun and it held my interest. The title was intriguing and once I got involved in the story and got to know the characters I wanted to finish the book. It had a nice hook and pulled me in. Nothing was edgy or compelling in a suspenseful sense. There were no graphic descriptions or things that made me cringe (not that I like that). There was nothing heart-wrenching or spiritually moving. It was just a nice read. Kind of like a Matlock murder mystery. The characters were well done, the writing was good, and it gave me the warm fuzzies - especially the subplot involving Zeffie. Maybe I would have felt even more attached to the characters if I had read the previous two books in the series. I dunno. Overall I'd say this book is a winner, because not once did I dread picking it up to finish the story. That's a great book!
November 30, 2009
Mystery set in the Florida panhandle area. Christy Castleman has helped her small town local police department solve a couple of mysteries prior to becoming involved in a cold case that happened 12 years earlier. A clue comes into Christy's hands which reopens the case and Christy feels that she needs to help solve the mystery since the victim had once saved her life.
It is a good mystery, but the main plot line has several subplots revolving around it which can be a bit distracting as they take up about half the story. I also had trouble with the Christy character which I found distracting at times.
It is a good mystery, but the main plot line has several subplots revolving around it which can be a bit distracting as they take up about half the story. I also had trouble with the Christy character which I found distracting at times.
January 30, 2015
The book was poorly written and could be aimed at a juvenile audience. The cozy mystery was a bit too 'goody-goody' with antiquated sex role portrayal, annoying repetition, and stilted, unrealistic dialogue.
I would go so far as to say the book was boring with cardboard characters and plot and a setting that played little or no part in the story's development. The best part of the book was the cover.
I definitely would NOT read another book by this author!
I would go so far as to say the book was boring with cardboard characters and plot and a setting that played little or no part in the story's development. The best part of the book was the cover.
I definitely would NOT read another book by this author!
September 1, 2016
Peggy Darty's Florida cozy mystery series
Cozy mysteries draw the reader in to the story and the characters like a "home town" and family. This series has the added bonus of spiritual truth giving the stories real strength and blessing. A wonderful read for a very troubling 2016.
Cozy mysteries draw the reader in to the story and the characters like a "home town" and family. This series has the added bonus of spiritual truth giving the stories real strength and blessing. A wonderful read for a very troubling 2016.
December 4, 2011
Nice plotted story.. Boring at first but gets interesting the more you read. I am in love with Dan and he is the only reason I kept reading the whole series, kidding. I love the book and I think you should try it too.
July 27, 2008
Light, satisfying mystery. Good read for beach.
February 20, 2016
It is nice to read a book that has no swearing and sex, which is why this book gets 4 stars. As far as content goes, it was just ok, though.
July 22, 2011
Interesting story but went on too long. However, I hadn't figured out the culprit until I was told at the end.
Want to read
December 12, 2012Quick read. Enjoyable characters that explain a little too much, obvious villan.
Read
August 4, 2012Enjoyed! Zeffie is a little girl who unwittingly provides a clue that reopens a cold case...murder!
August 20, 2008
ok little mystery. Slightly quick to end.
Read
June 15, 2009book 3 in the Christy Castleman Mysteries series
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews