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Emma Cassidy Mystery #1
Throw a Monkey Wrench
Event planner Emma Cassidy has returned to her hometown to rebuild her life. She’s hired to throw a housewarming party for the brash and arrogant Tony Barnet, who’s eager to impress the big end of town. But when the party ends in disaster, Tony is quick to blame Emma, and the subsequent rumors spell doom for Emma’s business.
Thank goodness she still has the job of planning Sean and Madison’s wedding. Sean, one of the notorious McCluskey clan, is about to marry Madison, the beautiful daughter of the rich and powerful Whites. But when Tony Barnet is killed, the police swiftly arrest Sean McCluskey. Though the evidence is damning, Emma is convinced her friend is innocent. With Sean facing prison, the wedding in jeopardy, and her fledgling business in danger of tanking, Emma must unravel the mystery and expose the real killer before it’s too late.
The Emma Cassidy Mystery series:
Book 1: Throw a Monkey Wrench
Book 2: Pushed to the Limit
Book 3: Murder Most Likely (coming in 2016)
Thank goodness she still has the job of planning Sean and Madison’s wedding. Sean, one of the notorious McCluskey clan, is about to marry Madison, the beautiful daughter of the rich and powerful Whites. But when Tony Barnet is killed, the police swiftly arrest Sean McCluskey. Though the evidence is damning, Emma is convinced her friend is innocent. With Sean facing prison, the wedding in jeopardy, and her fledgling business in danger of tanking, Emma must unravel the mystery and expose the real killer before it’s too late.
The Emma Cassidy Mystery series:
Book 1: Throw a Monkey Wrench
Book 2: Pushed to the Limit
Book 3: Murder Most Likely (coming in 2016)
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2016
250 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 22, 2017
Great first in a series
This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was well thought out and the characters are quite believable.
This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was well thought out and the characters are quite believable.
March 11, 2016
Good book
This book was a little different than other cozy mysteries. Emma was not only struggling to rebuild her business but also personally. It was a good beginning for a first book in a series.
This book was a little different than other cozy mysteries. Emma was not only struggling to rebuild her business but also personally. It was a good beginning for a first book in a series.
March 14, 2016
3.5 stars - I liked it. This was a fun cozy mystery. The idea of the MC being a party planner is a good one, and it was a fun read!
March 21, 2020
Emma Cassidy was a party planner. At an elegant party for one of her toughest clients, people were collapsing at the dessert table. What was going on? This surely wouldn’t be good for business. Naturally, Emma wasn’t surprised when her client was screaming at her, threatening to sue. In the end, she might’ve gotten some cancellations, but, at least, she had that big wedding to plan (not her own, of course.) This was a wedding of star-crossed lovers from opposites side of the track (she’s rich and he’s an outlaw,) so, of course, the bride’s parents were less than thrilled.
Suddenly, the client from the poisoning disaster ends up murdered and the groom was a suspect. The bride’s parents hated the boy and would do anything to throw a wrench in the mix. Meanwhile, the wedding was off and so was Emma’s commission along with any possible job prospects. Can she solve this mystery and prove a good man’s innocence?
This was a good mystery. There were lots of suspects and several mysteries in one—the poisoning, the hit-and-run, and the murder. There were so many angles and so many possibilities that made this an interesting and compelling read.
I don’t know how I feel about the cover. The 3D imagery looks very stiff and robotic. Absolutely no life to it. Not like Pixar at all.
Still, this was a good mystery!
Suddenly, the client from the poisoning disaster ends up murdered and the groom was a suspect. The bride’s parents hated the boy and would do anything to throw a wrench in the mix. Meanwhile, the wedding was off and so was Emma’s commission along with any possible job prospects. Can she solve this mystery and prove a good man’s innocence?
This was a good mystery. There were lots of suspects and several mysteries in one—the poisoning, the hit-and-run, and the murder. There were so many angles and so many possibilities that made this an interesting and compelling read.
I don’t know how I feel about the cover. The 3D imagery looks very stiff and robotic. Absolutely no life to it. Not like Pixar at all.
Still, this was a good mystery!
April 3, 2018
Cover/Title: The title is interesting and certainly fits. The cover is ok but doesn't really give much insight into the story.
Characters: I like Emma and how she stands by her friends. She seems to constantly be in a love/hate relationship with Owen. One minute she is thinking about their past relationship and the next he says something to piss her off. He certainly doesn't support her very well but, then again, he is as clueless as most of the guys I know so it fits.
Plot: Emma is an event planner whose life has turned upside down by outside forces. After a disastrous party she is already losing clientele, but then that client turns up dead and another accused of the crime. She is racing against time to find the real killer and save her business.
Overall: A nice little mystery with no lack of suspects. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
Characters: I like Emma and how she stands by her friends. She seems to constantly be in a love/hate relationship with Owen. One minute she is thinking about their past relationship and the next he says something to piss her off. He certainly doesn't support her very well but, then again, he is as clueless as most of the guys I know so it fits.
Plot: Emma is an event planner whose life has turned upside down by outside forces. After a disastrous party she is already losing clientele, but then that client turns up dead and another accused of the crime. She is racing against time to find the real killer and save her business.
Overall: A nice little mystery with no lack of suspects. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
July 12, 2017
Fantastic Story
Emma is a determined woman and intends making a success of her new business, as a party planner. Guests becoming sick at a big party she was responsible for, didn't help her at all.
A nasty murder resulting in an old friend being arrested for it, means that Emma tries to find the killer. Throw in an old boyfriend who is a lawman, and this makes for an exciting tale.
There are car chases, murder attempts and possible suspects a plenty. A good, entertaining book that is well written, with carefully crafted characters.
Emma is a determined woman and intends making a success of her new business, as a party planner. Guests becoming sick at a big party she was responsible for, didn't help her at all.
A nasty murder resulting in an old friend being arrested for it, means that Emma tries to find the killer. Throw in an old boyfriend who is a lawman, and this makes for an exciting tale.
There are car chases, murder attempts and possible suspects a plenty. A good, entertaining book that is well written, with carefully crafted characters.
February 11, 2018
Emma is trying to establish her event planning business in her home town but when people become ill from tainted food at her first big event, then her second perspective client is arrested on suspicion or murdering the first, things aren't looking promising. When Emma decides the local police chief is biased and starts looking at suspects herself it seems nearly everyone involved has means and motive for the murder. Soon Emma finds herself in unexpected danger in this amusing non-stop action adventure! It will keep you guessing up to the end.
December 2, 2018
Oh my goodness, what an introduction to Emma. She is an event planner back in her small hometown to hopefully rebuild her life. Unfortunately things seem to keep going wrong for her.
Food poisoning at an important housewarming hosted by big shot Tony Barnet, then Tony is killed and Emma's friend, whose wedding she should be planning, is arrested. Can anything else happen?
We go on a crazy ride with Emma as she tries to solve all the mysteries to get her business back on track.
Entertaing read and a good start to a new series.
Food poisoning at an important housewarming hosted by big shot Tony Barnet, then Tony is killed and Emma's friend, whose wedding she should be planning, is arrested. Can anything else happen?
We go on a crazy ride with Emma as she tries to solve all the mysteries to get her business back on track.
Entertaing read and a good start to a new series.
January 18, 2017
Just when I thought I knew "whodunit", I didn't.
I found this a surprisingly good cozy. I usually read cozies for quick, light reads but this one was different in that it kept me guessing. I would think I knew only to have to rethink. I liked that. And, I found the characters realistic. I look forward to reading more of this series!
I found this a surprisingly good cozy. I usually read cozies for quick, light reads but this one was different in that it kept me guessing. I would think I knew only to have to rethink. I liked that. And, I found the characters realistic. I look forward to reading more of this series!
June 5, 2017
Party planning a murder?
We have one party planner who is trying to start her life over in her home town, then her first really big party has half the guests down with food poisoning. Before she knows it an old boy friend shows up and another friend is accused of murder. Who Done it? Read to see. You'll really enjoy it.
We have one party planner who is trying to start her life over in her home town, then her first really big party has half the guests down with food poisoning. Before she knows it an old boy friend shows up and another friend is accused of murder. Who Done it? Read to see. You'll really enjoy it.
March 25, 2018
An Event Planner Solves the Murder Case
An event planner solves the murder of a man responsible for ruining her business.
She becomes the victim of the man who poisoned her guests. A young groom is unfairly accused of murder. Blundering through, she eliminates one possible person after another until she is cornered by the real murderer. An entertaining story.
An event planner solves the murder of a man responsible for ruining her business.
She becomes the victim of the man who poisoned her guests. A young groom is unfairly accused of murder. Blundering through, she eliminates one possible person after another until she is cornered by the real murderer. An entertaining story.
June 21, 2018
This story is witty and delightful. The author kept it fast paced and the mystery is kept to the end with just one or two small hints that are only noticeable to the mystery reader. Emma is lovable and I hope Deputy Sheriff Owen will soon see that fact also. This is a series I would love to continue reading.
July 31, 2017
Took me a while to read. Sort of a simple plot, although I had the wrong person picked as the murderer at first. Starting a company, having failure, life threatening incidents, defending a friend while doubting events, all in a day of this feisty character. Enjoyed as a bedtime read.
March 23, 2018
Good mystery. Did not figure out who the killer was until the end. Likeable characters.
The story kept my attention throughout. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the town made the story come alive in my mind. I would like to read more stories by this author.
The story kept my attention throughout. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the town made the story come alive in my mind. I would like to read more stories by this author.
April 17, 2018
Good distraction
This cozy was a really good distraction on an really bad day. My brain wasn't dully functional but no flaws jumped out and annoyed me. Rating may have been different if I were having a half decent day.
This cozy was a really good distraction on an really bad day. My brain wasn't dully functional but no flaws jumped out and annoyed me. Rating may have been different if I were having a half decent day.
September 15, 2019
2.5 star. It was ok but nothing special. The mystery was obvious, as was the killer. None of the characters came alive and i just wasn't sold on Emma's reasons for getting involved and working so hard to solve the crime.
November 6, 2019
Great
I couldn't put this book down! It's very well written with interesting characters and fun twists to the plot. Could have done away with some of the language, but fortunately, there wasn't a lot of that. Some better editing would have helped, but the story itself was good enough to overlook some 0f that. I would love to read the rest of the series.
I couldn't put this book down! It's very well written with interesting characters and fun twists to the plot. Could have done away with some of the language, but fortunately, there wasn't a lot of that. Some better editing would have helped, but the story itself was good enough to overlook some 0f that. I would love to read the rest of the series.
February 1, 2017
Mystery within a mystery
I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. I did have some issues with the typos. For me that is distracting. That being said the author told a good story and kept the mystery until the end.
I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. I did have some issues with the typos. For me that is distracting. That being said the author told a good story and kept the mystery until the end.
May 10, 2018
Fun cozy mystery
This had surprises in the story until the end. Enjoyed reading it. Good light adventure to pass long summer hours.
This had surprises in the story until the end. Enjoyed reading it. Good light adventure to pass long summer hours.
June 4, 2018
Great story!
Interesting story with an unexpected ending. Well worth reading. This book will keep your interest from beginning to end, and have you wanting more.
Interesting story with an unexpected ending. Well worth reading. This book will keep your interest from beginning to end, and have you wanting more.
July 26, 2018
I enjoyed all the twists and turns before you find out the culprit. It is a good read, clean.
September 14, 2018
An entertaining and interesting story. I enjoyed it.
May 9, 2019
Interesting
It was an ok read. Not enough development in character relationships. I'm not sure sure what type of person Emma is.
It was an ok read. Not enough development in character relationships. I'm not sure sure what type of person Emma is.
August 30, 2020
Enjoyable story.
December 11, 2023
Good fast read
Emma is just starting her new business Of catering when she's in the middle of a murder follow her as she tries to solve it.
Emma is just starting her new business Of catering when she's in the middle of a murder follow her as she tries to solve it.
February 8, 2016
Sean McCluskey (Auto Repair) & Madison Maddie White (wealthy) are getting married. Emma is in charge of their wedding party/reception.
Emma Cassidy (29, owner A Perfect Party, event planner) is to design/implement a housewarming party for the wealthy Tony Barnet who lives in Greenville, CA on a mansion that sets on Shamrock Lake (Wineglass Bay).
Suddenly those in attendance were starting to keel over & fall on the floor.
Tony Barnet had been murdered.
An auto mechanic wrench (blood/hair) was the only piece of evidence found.
Larry Durant (McCluskey garage, mechanic) was questioned.
Chief Bob Putnam (Greenville P/D) informed Sean (Emma’s cousin) he was taking him to the station for questioning.
Officer Sherilee Ackerman (Greenville P/D, former school classmate) was doing follow-ups.
On the side Emma is doing her own investigating.
What about Cynthia White (Madison’s mother)?
Or even Jordan Kozlowski (Tony’s widowed G/F)?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery (novella) book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who-dun-it murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. 1 book you have to read to the end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Emma Cassidy (29, owner A Perfect Party, event planner) is to design/implement a housewarming party for the wealthy Tony Barnet who lives in Greenville, CA on a mansion that sets on Shamrock Lake (Wineglass Bay).
Suddenly those in attendance were starting to keel over & fall on the floor.
Tony Barnet had been murdered.
An auto mechanic wrench (blood/hair) was the only piece of evidence found.
Larry Durant (McCluskey garage, mechanic) was questioned.
Chief Bob Putnam (Greenville P/D) informed Sean (Emma’s cousin) he was taking him to the station for questioning.
Officer Sherilee Ackerman (Greenville P/D, former school classmate) was doing follow-ups.
On the side Emma is doing her own investigating.
What about Cynthia White (Madison’s mother)?
Or even Jordan Kozlowski (Tony’s widowed G/F)?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery (novella) book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who-dun-it murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. 1 book you have to read to the end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
April 12, 2016
In Throw a Monkey Wrench Emma Cassidy is a party planner. Her last company she had didn’t go very well when her partner cleaned her out and left her with unhappy customers. Her boyfriend ended up being a total jerk. So she has came back home to try and start over and has started a new party planner service.
Her first real big gig goes all wrong when someone poisons some of the food making several sick. Then one of the host of the party Tony Barnett ends up dead the next day. So not only are people associating her with the food poisoning but with a murder. It’s not good for business.
Then a guy she went to school with whom had hired her to plan out his wedding ends up the prime suspect in the murder. His fiance is distraught and ask her for help and they seem to be the only two who thinks he didn’t do it. So in order to save her company from a great big downfall she must figure out what happened. It’s not like there isn’t a list of suspects a mile long as the man was not at all nice, but the police are not looking anywhere else as they believe they got the right man.
I enjoyed this first in the Emma Cassidy mystery series. It had a good mystery and some fun characters.
Emma is sort of down on her luck, had to move back in with her father and is really in need of some good luck but she isn’t finding much. She keeps clashing with her ex-boyfriend Owen from high school who is now a deputy sheriff and I can see a love interest blooming in among all the fighting. :) I really liked Emma.
I only had one problem with this book and that is a grammar mistake, not that my grammar is great but it was the guys name so you really need to get that right. Either call him Barnett or Burnett but you can’t keep changing it around, kind of confusing. Other than that I liked it.
If you like cozy mysteries then I think you will like this series.
Her first real big gig goes all wrong when someone poisons some of the food making several sick. Then one of the host of the party Tony Barnett ends up dead the next day. So not only are people associating her with the food poisoning but with a murder. It’s not good for business.
Then a guy she went to school with whom had hired her to plan out his wedding ends up the prime suspect in the murder. His fiance is distraught and ask her for help and they seem to be the only two who thinks he didn’t do it. So in order to save her company from a great big downfall she must figure out what happened. It’s not like there isn’t a list of suspects a mile long as the man was not at all nice, but the police are not looking anywhere else as they believe they got the right man.
I enjoyed this first in the Emma Cassidy mystery series. It had a good mystery and some fun characters.
Emma is sort of down on her luck, had to move back in with her father and is really in need of some good luck but she isn’t finding much. She keeps clashing with her ex-boyfriend Owen from high school who is now a deputy sheriff and I can see a love interest blooming in among all the fighting. :) I really liked Emma.
I only had one problem with this book and that is a grammar mistake, not that my grammar is great but it was the guys name so you really need to get that right. Either call him Barnett or Burnett but you can’t keep changing it around, kind of confusing. Other than that I liked it.
If you like cozy mysteries then I think you will like this series.
August 23, 2016
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about the title but then again, one should not really judge a book by its cover or the title. Sometimes, you have to read the story to understand them.
This is an Amateur Sleuth Murder Mystery.
Emma Cassidy is a determined young woman who returned to her small town to pick up the pieces of her life. Putting the past behind her, she opened a event planning business. Then calamity happened, a former client dies. She is encouraged by a current one to discover the truth. She was also warned to stay out of police business. Because of her past experiences, Emma felt the law wasn’t taking the investigation seriously and side-stepped their warning. Will she regret her decision?
I really enjoyed how Ms. Chester shared Emma’s thought process – right, wrong, or totally out there – with the reader. I believe an individual’s personal journey through life does influence how they think and react to things. Thus it made Emma more human and believable.
Warning: This is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Situations.
This is an Amateur Sleuth Murder Mystery.
Emma Cassidy is a determined young woman who returned to her small town to pick up the pieces of her life. Putting the past behind her, she opened a event planning business. Then calamity happened, a former client dies. She is encouraged by a current one to discover the truth. She was also warned to stay out of police business. Because of her past experiences, Emma felt the law wasn’t taking the investigation seriously and side-stepped their warning. Will she regret her decision?
I really enjoyed how Ms. Chester shared Emma’s thought process – right, wrong, or totally out there – with the reader. I believe an individual’s personal journey through life does influence how they think and react to things. Thus it made Emma more human and believable.
Warning: This is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Situations.
August 21, 2016
Murder throws a monkey wrench
Emma is trying to take control of her life, and clean up her own failures. She has her own business "A Perfect Party" and is a party planner. It was an enjoyable story with a great twist, as this party planner, turns investigator to find out the truth behind a murder. An intriguing whodunnit, and the search for justice. It's just a new form of story. Not many party planners investigate murder, so there is more to Emma that meets the eyes. Great story.
Emma is trying to take control of her life, and clean up her own failures. She has her own business "A Perfect Party" and is a party planner. It was an enjoyable story with a great twist, as this party planner, turns investigator to find out the truth behind a murder. An intriguing whodunnit, and the search for justice. It's just a new form of story. Not many party planners investigate murder, so there is more to Emma that meets the eyes. Great story.
March 19, 2016
E-book good read - Thriller / Mystery
Emma Cassidy is an Event Planner, and it is a new business. Major things happen including a murder. Emma doesn't feel the person arrested is the killer & starts her own investigation. There's lots of action. You won't want to put this book down.
Emma Cassidy is an Event Planner, and it is a new business. Major things happen including a murder. Emma doesn't feel the person arrested is the killer & starts her own investigation. There's lots of action. You won't want to put this book down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews