Theme Park Mysteries: The Beginning: A Theme Park Mysteries Book #1

Theme Park Mysteries #1

by Tina Anne

Theme parks are supposed to be fun. They are not supposed to be a site for murder. Newly single Misty Summer has spent most of her adult life caring for her husband Frank and their two children Frank, Jr. and Angela. Now, however the kids are gone and Frank is busy with his job as the small town’s Chief of Police. Misty, however, has no goals no career. With her genius son in tow as self appointed protector and truck driver she decides she is going to do what she has always wanted to do. Move somewhere warm with no particular goal but Orlando, Florida. When they arrive in Florida they come across a theme park named Adventure Planet. The park is in such desperate need of repair that it’s falling apart. It’s in a town in northern Florida they had never heard of and neither had many other people. Fate has dictated that Misty and Frankie become the new owners of the park. They shut it down for a time so they can renovate it and return it to its former glory. The renovation and revamping of the park brings ex-husband Frank down to assist. Misty has no hard feelings toward him, but is not happy to have his help. In addition, he brought with him his new girlfriend. She and Misty were friends, but could they still be now? In the process of renovating the park, Misty finds the body of the estranged wife of the former owner of the park buried on the grounds. That’s when Misty meets police Chief Marlowe Campion. The man is rude and arrogant. Misty can’t stand him. In addition, one of the first things he does is arrest the man Misty and Frankie want to make the chief engineer for Adventure Planet. Misty is certain that he is innocent and that Marlowe has no clue what he is doing. Mother and son decide to investigate the murder on their own. They immerse themselves with the locals to learn all they can about the victim and solve her murder before it ruins their park and makes them bankrupt. Misty must deal with Frank and the adjustment to their new relationship, renovating Adventure Planet, and a police chief who doesn’t seem to like her. All while trying to solve a murder and save the reputation of her park. Something her son Frankie has complete faith in her to do. Does she have enough faith in herself? How will she bring the killer to justice and ensure her park opens on time? Or will the killer get her first?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2015

Reviews

[Jenene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the characters and story line. Surprised at the confession. Could have used more editing.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little mystery story.

On the plus side, the characters were likable. I really like the setting of the theme park. There is lots of room for good stories there.

On the negative, things fell into place way to easily, from the purchase of the park to the confession of the murderer. I couldn't believe it would really happen that way.

This seems to be one of the first books by a new author. It feels a little unseasoned. I think with a little more experience this can turn into a really good series.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as light entertainment after having read a book about the survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I was looking for something entirely different. This book is different but different is not always a good thing. Many misspelled words. I doubt the manuscript was ever proofread. The plot was weak and implausible. On the plus side the characters were interesting as was the setting. This was a first effort and I hope the author learned from the mistakes she made in this book. Do I recommend it? Only with the warning that there are a lot of problems that some people would not be willing to overlook. Will I read another book in the series? Yes. The book was not a total waste. If the author proofreads her manuscripts and if she begins to write out of her own originality as opposed to copying other authors, then I feel the characters and the settings will carry future efforts.

[bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 star

A) it needs a good editor and proofreader.

B) It starts too slowly and is all about everything but the mystery for too much of the book. If I didn't dislike giving low reviews without giving a book a chance to recover, I'd have given up early on.

C) The killer confesses too easily and the mystery was too simplistic. Of course the pacing was so off it needed to be able to be wrapped up in no time, since the book was really about everything else.

[JERI · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

Misty was a force to be reckoned with full of independence. Great twists on who the murder was an his she an son worked on solving the crime

[Mary Whitehurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for a good read.

Plus side - I liked the characters and the story. I would definitely read more by this author

Minus side - Please, please get a proofreader - preferably one who knows grammar. The typos really detract from the story.
Good luck, Tina Anne, hope to read more from you.
MW

[MA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to rate -- the story was definitely 4 stars but the editing was extremely poor. Multiple spellings of chef as chief is the offense that comes to mind first. I'd really like to continue on with the series but if it has as many typos, misspellings and grammatical errors I might not be able to make it through.

[Lillian Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome suspense

Brilliant writing, I enjoyed the suspense and the build up to the murder...the personal family struggle mixed in with funny scenes as well, will recommend this book for sure...and can not wait to read the next....

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

This book was fast paced and full of good characters. Misty and her son are not your typical sleuths and very smart.