Miss Aggie's Gone Missing

Misadventure of Miss Aggie #1

by Frances Devine

At 10:29 a.m., on a cold day in January, the Cedar Chapel Bank was robbed.

At 5:41 that same afternoon, Aggie Pennington-Brown was declared missing. Victoria Storm, new owner of Cedar Lodge Boardinghouse, and her elderly boarders reluctantly agree with Sheriff Turner’s conclusion—Miss Aggie’s been kidnapped by the robbers. But when secrets and long-lost loves begin to surface from their missing friend’s past, a horrible possibility arises. Could someone they know and love have harmed Miss Aggie? Could it be one of them?

As Victoria and her elderly friends attempt to solve the mystery and locate Miss Aggie, more secrets are revealed until Victoria begins to wonder if there is anyone she can trust—including, or perhaps especially, the dashing local reporter, Ben Grant.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

FRANCES DEVINE is first a Christian, second a Mom, grandmother and great grandmother. After that, the most important thing in her life is books. Like most authors, she can’t remember a time when she didn’t love to read. And right from the beginning, she was crazy about mysteries. When she was in her sixties, she decided it would be fun to write them and the Miss Aggie series was born. She has also written two historical romance series and several novellas. Frances grew up in Texas and still loves her home state, but when she moved to Missouri in 1984, she fell in love with the changing seasons, the trees and hills. The Misadventures of Miss Aggie series is set in the Missouri Ozarks. Frances loves to hear from her readers at fdevine1(at)gmail.com. She also welcomes comments on her blog .

http://www.thesuspensezone.com/france...

Reviews

[Deb Brammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book which was my first by this author. It was a fun read, a Christian cozy mystery in which the plot is built more around character development than chase scenes and violence. Sometimes Christian mystery writers pile on the danger and drama to raise the stakes until their novel becomes depressing. This is a happy read with a touch of romance. I was a bit disappointed in a couple of places where I thought the protagonist knowingly cut corners on ethical behavior and didn't suffer for it, seeming to imply that the end justified the means. But all in all, this is an enjoyable book. I'd like to read more from Frances Devine.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little G rated Christian cozy mystery. The main character is 30 and acts like one of the older ladies.

[RØCKET · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun cozy mystery

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find.
October 2025.
A good clean read.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little modern cozy. The writing style flows very well. I always enjoy elderly characters in mysteries, the more eccentric the better. This cozy had its share and it kept it interesting. The main character is a young woman who has inherited an old folks retirement home and one of her residents turns up missing after a bank robbery. Nice blend of twists to the story, a dash of romance, and quite a few laughs. Looking forward to trying the next installment in this series.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Devine – Miss Aggie’s Gone Missing – Book One

Miss Aggie Pennington vanishes at the same time that bank robbers strike a small southern Missouri community. The senior citizen’s history as the spoiled daughter of a once mighty local family is revealed bit by bit as her friends search for her.

The amateur sleuth telling the Miss Aggie stories is Victoria, young and as yet unmarried, although I suspect this will change before the end of the series. Victoria inherited Cedar Lodge, her grandmother’s boardinghouse, along with the resident senior citizens. She struggles with living out her faith, and has enough flaws to keep her interesting. The author Frances Devine does a good job of telling the stories of the seniors without reducing them to stereotypes.

I have read two Miss Aggie mysteries, and enjoyed them both. If you are looking for a fun read that will not embarrass you with foul language or steamy bedroom scenes, you have found the right author. The Miss Aggie series is Christian fiction that is not preachy. The prayers and Scripture quotes are a natural part of the characters’ lives.

[Chazzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria Storm is the new owner of Cedar Lodge Boardinghouse, which she inherited from her grandmother. She also inherited the boarders who are a group of senior citizens. Being a small town everyone knows everyone...and also many secrets from the past.

When lodger Aggie Pennington-Brown goes missing the same day the bank is robbed the seniors concerned. Concerned to the point that they have no faith in the Sheriff Turner's ability to find Miss Aggie so they start their own investigation. Being pretty much lifetime residents, they also have knowledge of the other citizens in town and their secrets. Is the kidnapper one of them?

Corky, the young man Victoria hired to handle the cooking for the residents, is a mystery in himself. His excellence in the kitchen is Cordon Bleu yet he chooses to work for her. Why?

Add a dash of romance in Ben Grant, the newspaper guy. He and Victoria grew up together but didn't have the best of relationships. What secrets could be found there?

This is a Christian cozy so there are comments and scenes about faith, but it isn't hammered in. It is just part of the characters' personalities.

A fun, cozy read that is entertaining and fairly quick.

[Deby Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the Miss Aggie mystery series. It is an easy fun read. Victoria has inherited the boarding house after her grandmothers death. The residents are all Seniors who grew up together and have spent their lifetimes in the small community. They decide the sherriff is not investigating Miss Aggie's disappearance as he should so they all get involved with their own investigation. If you like mysteries and want a change from intensive reading this is the series for you.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Aggie's Gone Missing...

I REALLY liked this book, as it was my first one I had read by Frances Devine. The story started out good and it peaked my interest throughout the whole book. I sure didn't know who dunnit till the very end, which is just the way I like it!! Thanks Frances and God bless you for writing a wholesome story that shows Christianity is still alive! God is still on the throne...YAY! PTL!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good Christian novel with no sex, no swearing, and faithful people who believe in God. One of the residents of a boarding house, Miss Aggie, disappears, and her five friends who also live in the house, plus the owner of the house, decide they need to find Miss Aggie. I enjoyed the book and plan to read others in the series.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery story indeed. Playing detective with the boarding house inmates n involving law enforcement. The process of elimination from the disappearance and the history the inmates had. Finding out titbits that just built up and then searching out clues. A dog is found shot apparently but he becomes a member of the household. A delightful story.

[Georgia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this cozy mystery because I needed a change from all the really deep mysteries I've been reading. What a mistake. It really stunk. I have two others from this series on my kindle, and I got rid of them. Do not plan on reading anymore or this series.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick, fluffy read, a little condescending toward old people and a little formulaic about childhood romance. The "Christian" element mostly shows up in the lack of swearing or sexy scenes and in a few moments of prayer: it's just part of who the characters are.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gentle read for me. I was very interested in the characters and found them likable and well-formed. It was a true mystery and a recommended one for Christian literature.

[Anam Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read - cute story - looking forward to second one.

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable little Christian cozy mystery without being preachy. Likeable characters, although the mystery itself was rather thin.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author for me and I have to say I really enjoyed reading it. Also it was set in Missouri which is where I live. Hope to read more of her books!!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good...I enjoyed all of the characters and will enjoy reading the others in the series, although it will be awhiloe until I get around to the "M's" again!

[Carolynn Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't the most gripping mystery I've ever read, but it was well-written and enjoyable.

[ChrisGA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable collection of characters in fun cozy with Christian touches

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this Christian cozy mystery. It kept me guessing to the end. Lots of interesting characters and an interesting story.

[R.J. Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book. I wish more mysteries would have older people as sleuths. I can't wait to read the next ones.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-thought-out Christian mystery. Well-developed characters, although it felt like there should be another book before this one. Will read the author's next book.

[Kelly ALVAREZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for a wintry day.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read. The characters were interesting, however, the main character was a little predictable.