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The Serenity Stone Murder
After a long winter in their small town of Jackpine, best friends Margaret and Louise are looking forward to enjoying some R&R in Thunder Bay. Louise has insisted that their stay include taking part in a women’s “discover your inner goddess” retreat. Margaret plans to track down a famously reclusive wildlife artist to persuade him to do a workshop for her art club in Jackpine. Things get off to a rocky start when their hotel refuses to accommodate Louise’s canine companion Vince, and they are forced to stay at a dodgy establishment over a strip bar. Then Margaret clashes with the retreat leader. To complicate matters further, a dead body turns up next door to their retreat. The deceased turns out to be a local casino manager with a lot of enemies. When Margaret spots the dead man’s widow being squired around town by a male companion, her curiosity is piqued. The ever-intrepid friends, against all advice and their better judgment, become embroiled in looking for clues to the murder. It’s a search that takes them all over the city and surrounding countryside, where they encounter a whole cast of possible suspects, including a dangerously lovelorn church organist, a stripper-turned barmaid, a fiery septuagenarian, and a widow with very expensive tastes. But are they getting too close to the truth for their own good?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2014
171 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Jones
7 books31 followersI am a retired teacher and writer from beautiful northwestern Ontario. My books and poetry have won awards, but my greatest joy is my familyt. My husband Reg and I have been married for over 50 years. We have two daughters and three granddaughters.
You can find me at https://www.facebook.com/MarianneJone...
You can find me at https://www.facebook.com/MarianneJone...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 1, 2021
When Margaret and Louise set off to visit Thunder Bay, Ontario, for a church retreat they get a lot more than they bargained for. Instead of a nice relaxing holiday, they experience a series of unfortunate events that end up in a murder investigation. Will they solve the mystery of the Serenity Stone murder or will they become the killer’s next victims?
This was a really fun short read. Louise and Margaret are lovely characters. They’re two women in their 50s and Jones did a brilliant job of developing their bantering style of relationship. Louise and her cheeky dog brought a lot of smiles and lightness to the overall feel of the story and were a perfect foil for Margaret and her slightly grumpy ways.
Originally posted at: https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
This was a really fun short read. Louise and Margaret are lovely characters. They’re two women in their 50s and Jones did a brilliant job of developing their bantering style of relationship. Louise and her cheeky dog brought a lot of smiles and lightness to the overall feel of the story and were a perfect foil for Margaret and her slightly grumpy ways.
Originally posted at: https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
May 30, 2016
When Margaret reluctantly accompanies her friend Louise to a spiritually questionable retreat for artists, she’s hoping for a bit of a break from small-town boredom. The friends get more than they’d bargained for just finding accommodations... and then there’s the murder.
This cozy mystery takes place in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and the author does an excellent job of bringing the setting to life. It feels natural and real, not like the tourist brochures that some novels resemble when real-life settings are involved.
It’s essentially a mainstream novel, complete with a few minor cuss words, but I appreciated the gentle spiritual thread too. When Margaret and Louise are at odds, Margaret recognizes (and resists) two or three instances of God nudging her to make peace. That’s true to life and a good reminder to Christian readers to pay attention when He does it.
Something that didn’t work for me was the way the omniscient point of view occasionally explained other characters’ motivations. This kept me from fully engaging with Margaret as the protagonist, and it made it harder to orient myself in the early pages. Also, there was a significant threat where the source was never resolved. Was it from the killer, or not?
Despite those negatives, The Serenity Stone Murder is an enjoyable read. It leaves openings for future books with Margaret, Louise, and their friends.
Canadian author Marianne Jones’ most recent book is The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die (memoir). She has also written poetry and children’s books. For more about the author and her work, visit mariannejones.ca.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
This cozy mystery takes place in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and the author does an excellent job of bringing the setting to life. It feels natural and real, not like the tourist brochures that some novels resemble when real-life settings are involved.
It’s essentially a mainstream novel, complete with a few minor cuss words, but I appreciated the gentle spiritual thread too. When Margaret and Louise are at odds, Margaret recognizes (and resists) two or three instances of God nudging her to make peace. That’s true to life and a good reminder to Christian readers to pay attention when He does it.
Something that didn’t work for me was the way the omniscient point of view occasionally explained other characters’ motivations. This kept me from fully engaging with Margaret as the protagonist, and it made it harder to orient myself in the early pages. Also, there was a significant threat where the source was never resolved. Was it from the killer, or not?
Despite those negatives, The Serenity Stone Murder is an enjoyable read. It leaves openings for future books with Margaret, Louise, and their friends.
Canadian author Marianne Jones’ most recent book is The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die (memoir). She has also written poetry and children’s books. For more about the author and her work, visit mariannejones.ca.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
November 14, 2015
The Serenity Stone Murder is the story of Margaret and Louise, two women of a certain age who are taking a break from their small town of Jackpine, Ontario, to head to the big city of Thunder Bay. The scenery of the book involves breathtaking views of the north shore of Lake Superior, descriptions which I appreciated. The book has a bit of a hokey feel to it, the same feel I associate with much of Canadian art and music, but it's a feel that I very much enjoy. The murder takes place in a church garden, the same church where Margaret and Louise are attending a women's creativity retreat. If that sounds too hokey, no problem, it was for Margaret and she spends most of the book in more universally appealing pursuits like eating out, walking around the area, and shopping in many great boutiques.
I liked the Serenity Stone Murder a lot. The pace is quick but not overwhelming and the writing is smooth and flowing, with just the right amount of description and character development. All of the main characters were idiosyncratic enough without being untrue to life. I laughed at Louise having to stay at Bubbles, a run-down hotel with a strip club, and especially at the fact Louise turned it into a decent vacation and made a friend. Louise's dog was also a character in the book, a nice one for some comic relief at times, and seriousness at others. The final solution came about relatively quickly (I would have liked more build up), but in general this was a seamless read and a couple afternoons worth of good, wholesome entertainment. Great job.
I liked the Serenity Stone Murder a lot. The pace is quick but not overwhelming and the writing is smooth and flowing, with just the right amount of description and character development. All of the main characters were idiosyncratic enough without being untrue to life. I laughed at Louise having to stay at Bubbles, a run-down hotel with a strip club, and especially at the fact Louise turned it into a decent vacation and made a friend. Louise's dog was also a character in the book, a nice one for some comic relief at times, and seriousness at others. The final solution came about relatively quickly (I would have liked more build up), but in general this was a seamless read and a couple afternoons worth of good, wholesome entertainment. Great job.
May 3, 2019
Vacation mystery
Just imagine two mature women with time on their hands and not stressed for money, this is how I saw Margaret and Louise. The book includes colorful characters and scenic settings. This book was fun to read.
Just imagine two mature women with time on their hands and not stressed for money, this is how I saw Margaret and Louise. The book includes colorful characters and scenic settings. This book was fun to read.
April 23, 2019
A Peaceful End?
This has a great storyline and interesting characters. Some of the dialogue was a little much, but all in all, a good story.
This has a great storyline and interesting characters. Some of the dialogue was a little much, but all in all, a good story.
January 4, 2023
Louise & Margaret stumble through another mystery and I couldn't put the book down.
June 6, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Serenity Stone Murder by Marianne Jones is a cozy mystery.
Artists and friends, Margaret and Louise travel to a touchy-feely retreat to open up their creativity. If that isn't enough, Louise insists on bringing her dog, Vince, along on the trip. From the car ride to Thunder Bay and on, the banter between the friends is hilarious. They don't seem to be much alike, however, their friendship is solid.
Serenity Stone Murder is told like your chatty neighbor would tell it. The story is filled with every detail about every person, place and thing remotely involved in the mystery. The leisurely plot pace allows for every character who Margaret and Louse meet to be fully developed.
While the friends seem to luck into finding clues and information much more than they deduce anything, they are instrumental in solving the mystery of who killed casino owner, Doug Whalen.
Ms. Jones' writing is technically good and her characters are interesting. I found the pace of the plot to be too slow for my liking and bogged down by detailed descriptions. I would have loved for Margaret and Louise to have been a bit more like Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. Overall, the book is a nice cozy mystery that is appropriate for readers of all ages.
*Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng *
The Serenity Stone Murder by Marianne Jones is a cozy mystery.
Artists and friends, Margaret and Louise travel to a touchy-feely retreat to open up their creativity. If that isn't enough, Louise insists on bringing her dog, Vince, along on the trip. From the car ride to Thunder Bay and on, the banter between the friends is hilarious. They don't seem to be much alike, however, their friendship is solid.
Serenity Stone Murder is told like your chatty neighbor would tell it. The story is filled with every detail about every person, place and thing remotely involved in the mystery. The leisurely plot pace allows for every character who Margaret and Louse meet to be fully developed.
While the friends seem to luck into finding clues and information much more than they deduce anything, they are instrumental in solving the mystery of who killed casino owner, Doug Whalen.
Ms. Jones' writing is technically good and her characters are interesting. I found the pace of the plot to be too slow for my liking and bogged down by detailed descriptions. I would have loved for Margaret and Louise to have been a bit more like Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. Overall, the book is a nice cozy mystery that is appropriate for readers of all ages.
*Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng *
May 25, 2016
Like a softened version of Thelma & Louise: The Canadian Version, "The Serenity Stone Murder" fits like a favorite sweater on a cold winter afternoon. Sure, there's murder in the plot (hence the title), but the book acts as a read with comfortable, non-pretentious prose, and a clever representation of an old friendship that is instantly relatable
The story is set in the seemingly picturesque city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The author, Marianne Jones' talent at depicting nature and environment as both representative of character psyches and foreshadowing tools are top notch. Impressive.
It's a funny book, but it's also a very telling one. The dynamics of an aged friendship is on fully display, replete with mini-arguments and nuances galore. When a murder is thrown into the plot, friends Margaret and Louise find themselves immersed in the resolution of the abhorrent crime. They bust out their sleuthing skills in hope of making their vacation one to remember.
It's a charming book, no doubt. Author Marianne Jones clearly spent much time and effort to depict a beautiful city and a unique friendship, and when married with a crime, her storytelling skills are on full display. Bravo.
Like this review? Read more like it at www.readingotherpeople.com
The story is set in the seemingly picturesque city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The author, Marianne Jones' talent at depicting nature and environment as both representative of character psyches and foreshadowing tools are top notch. Impressive.
It's a funny book, but it's also a very telling one. The dynamics of an aged friendship is on fully display, replete with mini-arguments and nuances galore. When a murder is thrown into the plot, friends Margaret and Louise find themselves immersed in the resolution of the abhorrent crime. They bust out their sleuthing skills in hope of making their vacation one to remember.
It's a charming book, no doubt. Author Marianne Jones clearly spent much time and effort to depict a beautiful city and a unique friendship, and when married with a crime, her storytelling skills are on full display. Bravo.
Like this review? Read more like it at www.readingotherpeople.com
July 21, 2020
Louise and Margaret are ladies of a certain age. Margaret is a widow. Louise had a dog Vince that she dotes on. She feeds him Cracker Jacks to get him to settle down. The ladies are taking a road trip to a neighboring town in Canada. Margaret is looking forward to it because an artist she admires has a summer camp there and she hopes to meet him and invite him to a winter symposium in her town. The ladies have made reservations at the swanky hotel in town, but things start to go wrong almost immediately. Louise naturally assumes that her beloved dog is welcome everywhere and is shocked when she finds out he is not. The two get back on the road looking for accommodations that will accept Vince. The spot they find is a motel called Bubbles. The ladies are not getting along very well at this point, and an uncomfortable night adds to their tension. They decided to split up and the story follows Margaret for a few days. I found this story very low-keyed with some humorous scenes. The author has done a great research job on the local. I thought the ending was rather anticlimatic.
January 24, 2015
The Serenity Stone Murder is a cosy murder mystery set in Thunder Bay, Canada. Louise Gagnon, a retired teacher and her friend Margaret Brodie are travelling to Thunder Bay to attend a women's retreat.
The retreat workshop takes place in the local church rooms, but Margaret finds it's not really her thing. There is a shocking murder of a local casino manager, a man with few friends and plenty of enemies. He'd offered to buy the church gardens to help the churches finances and build a car park for the casino.
Margaret and Louise start some amateur super-sleuthing when they hear more about the people who were linked to the casino and the anger the proposed new car park caused amongst local members of the church. Their nosey investigations don't go unnoticed and more than once they put themselves at risk.
A good quick easy read and I enjoyed all the Canadian food and scenery.
The retreat workshop takes place in the local church rooms, but Margaret finds it's not really her thing. There is a shocking murder of a local casino manager, a man with few friends and plenty of enemies. He'd offered to buy the church gardens to help the churches finances and build a car park for the casino.
Margaret and Louise start some amateur super-sleuthing when they hear more about the people who were linked to the casino and the anger the proposed new car park caused amongst local members of the church. Their nosey investigations don't go unnoticed and more than once they put themselves at risk.
A good quick easy read and I enjoyed all the Canadian food and scenery.
February 28, 2015
The Serenity Stone Murder was written precisely for February in Canada; wrap yourself in a warm blanket, pour something hot and enjoy a well-told story. When friends Margaret and Louise use a women's retreat as an excuse to escape their tiny northern Ontario town, their plans go quickly astray! Not only can they not stay in the luxurious hotel (whose amenities they day-dreamed about for weeks) but a murder of a businessman shatters their rejuvenating retreat.
Jones knows what she writes; (not the murder part, of course) she explores the relationship between friends when circumstances test the bond that ties them together. When things go smoothly, friendship is easy, but when circumstances cause deep stress those bonds are stretched--perhaps to the point of breaking.
The Serenity Stone Murder is sometimes funny, often insightful, frequently poignant, occasionally suspenseful, but always enjoyable.
Jones knows what she writes; (not the murder part, of course) she explores the relationship between friends when circumstances test the bond that ties them together. When things go smoothly, friendship is easy, but when circumstances cause deep stress those bonds are stretched--perhaps to the point of breaking.
The Serenity Stone Murder is sometimes funny, often insightful, frequently poignant, occasionally suspenseful, but always enjoyable.
July 12, 2015
It is not often that I give a book five stars, but with “The Serenity Stone Murders” how could I not. I recommend that you buy this book. You will not be disappointed.
When Margaret and her friend Louise travel to Thunder Bar to attend a new-age workshop, they stumble into the homicide investigation of a prominent businessmen, murdered with the “serenity” stone stolen from a nearby church garden.
This is a charming and wonderful story covering everything from kooky new-age retreats, murder, and covering all the parochial joys of small town life. It is a combination of all of the best bits of Mapp & Lucia, Father Brown, Murder She Wrote and The Golden Girls. A great read for the holidays or anytime. I hope that the author is writing more about the adventures of these ladies
When Margaret and her friend Louise travel to Thunder Bar to attend a new-age workshop, they stumble into the homicide investigation of a prominent businessmen, murdered with the “serenity” stone stolen from a nearby church garden.
This is a charming and wonderful story covering everything from kooky new-age retreats, murder, and covering all the parochial joys of small town life. It is a combination of all of the best bits of Mapp & Lucia, Father Brown, Murder She Wrote and The Golden Girls. A great read for the holidays or anytime. I hope that the author is writing more about the adventures of these ladies
May 8, 2015
I liked the book. I received this book as a first reads giveaway. It was a nice mystery with an interesting plot. It could've used a bit more detail in areas, and a more developed ending would have been preferable. Two friends go to a retreat for the spiritual path to creativity, and find themselves mixed up in a murder investigation. They end up helping to solve the mystery, and making some new friends along the way. It was an enjoyable read.
June 22, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A charming mystery set in a beautiful and tranquil environment. I loved the contrast, as well as the main character. This is a very well written mystery with smooth dialogue and well developed characters. While I loved the plot, I felt that the finale was a little anti climactic, but that's just a personal opinion. Overall a great book!
A charming mystery set in a beautiful and tranquil environment. I loved the contrast, as well as the main character. This is a very well written mystery with smooth dialogue and well developed characters. While I loved the plot, I felt that the finale was a little anti climactic, but that's just a personal opinion. Overall a great book!
October 8, 2019
Not usually my genre, but this book kept me reading through to the end.
Characters were well- defined and the pace was not slow. I enjoyed the stoty and though I figured it out early on, that did not keep me from enjoying the ride.
Got this book in a giveaway. No connection to author or publisher. Thanks for a goodread...
Characters were well- defined and the pace was not slow. I enjoyed the stoty and though I figured it out early on, that did not keep me from enjoying the ride.
Got this book in a giveaway. No connection to author or publisher. Thanks for a goodread...
February 17, 2015
This book is a good murder mystery for anyone. I liked to read it right before I go to bed. It loved trying to figure out the ending before the author told us. It was a good book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
November 11, 2017
Comical cozy mystery, not LOL comical, more like a quiet but out loud laugh that has you looking around to see if anyone has noticed. Really enjoyed the totally opposite friends and their pouting sessions. Surprise ending too, what more could you ask for? You've just got to read this one!
March 13, 2019
I thought this was a good mystery fiction book. The two good friends are mixed up in an murder investigation. They try to solve the mysterious murder before returning to their normal lives.
Overall, I thought this was a good book and would like to read this again someday.
Overall, I thought this was a good book and would like to read this again someday.
July 16, 2017
Entertaining
Entertaining reading. Enjoyed the story. But was really nice because did not have vulgar language and \or a lot sexual details.
Entertaining reading. Enjoyed the story. But was really nice because did not have vulgar language and \or a lot sexual details.
August 9, 2017
Interesting story
First time reader for this author and I enjoyed reading the book and was sorry for it to end. Will be looking for more books by this author!
First time reader for this author and I enjoyed reading the book and was sorry for it to end. Will be looking for more books by this author!
December 30, 2017
Absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend it for a nice winter evening. Well written.
February 2, 2018
The End
There were a lot of characters to contend with which makes you wonder who really commited the crime. It compelled you to read to the end.
There were a lot of characters to contend with which makes you wonder who really commited the crime. It compelled you to read to the end.
March 25, 2018
Nice cozy reading
Interesting book, old fashion murder mystery. Very good reading! Kept me guessing until the end. I would read more from this author
Interesting book, old fashion murder mystery. Very good reading! Kept me guessing until the end. I would read more from this author
March 14, 2019
Pleasant
I did enjoy this cozy mystery. Enjoyed the characters in the book. Would like to read more in this series.
I did enjoy this cozy mystery. Enjoyed the characters in the book. Would like to read more in this series.
September 1, 2019
Delightful
Characters were interesting, but not too intense. Nice cozy read for a rainy afternoon. Hoping there are more to come.
Characters were interesting, but not too intense. Nice cozy read for a rainy afternoon. Hoping there are more to come.
September 4, 2019
A great read.
Loved the story line, the locations and people. Would love to have seen more of a love interest for Margaret. Maybe the next book.
Loved the story line, the locations and people. Would love to have seen more of a love interest for Margaret. Maybe the next book.
January 18, 2020
Weekend Fun?
Great characters, they are interesting and funny. I enjoyed the plot and it’s twists and turns. Very readable and a happy page turner
Great characters, they are interesting and funny. I enjoyed the plot and it’s twists and turns. Very readable and a happy page turner
August 27, 2017
Cute cozy mystery with a nice setting in Ontario. Sometimes the plot moved along nicely with clues and characters developing along the way. Other times it seemed as if the story jumped ahead a bit, making the story feel contrived. I would have preferred to see the story of Margaret and Tom and Billy separate from this murder mystery. And Louise's dog was a bit of a distraction: first she won't stay in a hotel that won't accept her dog (she didn't check on this prior to booking?), then she stays in a dive, then the dog is at the vet and Louise seems to be okay with that. The dog was only used when his presence served as a catalyst to shift the story. STILL, I would recommend this for the fun read it is.
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May 7, 2017Margaret and Louise are friends on a road trip...with a dog. Said dog is not part of their hotel reservation and quite against hotel policy, and that sets them apart. Pile on top of that a parting of the ways over their conference, and they appear set to spend their week's vacation bickering. They soon make up, and take a stab at being sleuths, trying to solve a murder in the church garden. Very amateur...but they know it. Jones writes them well, not making them out to be instant-sleuths. Being tourists, they lean on their new-to-town status a bit. Several lucky breaks later, they've solved it and are on the road home. Nice, quick read.
August 10, 2017
The Prying Pair
I liked the characters in this book. Margaret and Louise decide to have a few days away at a Find Your Inner Goddess event. A murder occurs and they decide to try solving it. Naturally this leads them into some trouble and they leave loads of clues for us to help us solve the case. There are excellent characters in this book and it is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours reading it.
I liked the characters in this book. Margaret and Louise decide to have a few days away at a Find Your Inner Goddess event. A murder occurs and they decide to try solving it. Naturally this leads them into some trouble and they leave loads of clues for us to help us solve the case. There are excellent characters in this book and it is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews