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Dani O'Rourke #3
Mixed Up With Murder
The third book in the thrilling Danielle O’Rourke mystery series brings fans once again into the elegant and exciting world of Devor Museum’s chief fundraiser.
Dani is flying east for what should be an easy and interesting diversion, a short consulting assignment to help a small New England college with a plentiful gift of money and art from an alum. But the donation comes with some strange terms, and she soon learns the donor is a powerful man hiding some alarming secrets. When the college’s vice president drowns on a golf course, Dani finds herself in the center of a dangerous plot and, is once again, mixed up with murder.
Dani is flying east for what should be an easy and interesting diversion, a short consulting assignment to help a small New England college with a plentiful gift of money and art from an alum. But the donation comes with some strange terms, and she soon learns the donor is a powerful man hiding some alarming secrets. When the college’s vice president drowns on a golf course, Dani finds herself in the center of a dangerous plot and, is once again, mixed up with murder.
- GenresMystery
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2016
1 person is currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Susan C. Shea
13 books48 followersBorn in NYC, raised on as diet of reading and art, transplant to Northern CA, satisfying career in journalism, higher ed exec, and then leapt off the diving board to become crime author.
I have an author page on Facebook. blog on 7CriminalMinds with 9 other crime authors, have an active web site with lots about France and, yes, I'm a Francophile!
NEW BOOK coming March 2023 - more Burgundy, but with a new theme...
I have an author page on Facebook. blog on 7CriminalMinds with 9 other crime authors, have an active web site with lots about France and, yes, I'm a Francophile!
NEW BOOK coming March 2023 - more Burgundy, but with a new theme...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 15, 2019
While I seek out books about art thefts, forgeries, and anything to do with the world of galleries, auction houses, art collectors, and museums, and always love a good mystery a la P.D. James, I found this book to be quite flat. In fact, it mystified me that despite its subject, the story seemed to be without atmosphere, visual descriptions were thin, and characters were cliché. The writing was to my mind rather expository. It did not sing or produce that tingle that I love with prose that surprises or begs me to linger and re-read. Its rhythm was a hum rather than a symphony. At about page 80 I asked myself why I kept reading it and put it down. Perhaps if I had continued reading I would have found some flavor. I wanted to like this book as I had read some good reviews about her status as a "cozy mystery" writer and I like the soft edges of sentiment of this genre as a nice break between more complex stories.
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars. I like this series much more than Shea's Burgundy books, the characters are more pleasant and the plots are entertaining. I hope she may return to this one.
March 1, 2016
“I’d love to. It’ll be a nice break from the routine.” — Dani O’Rourke
On one hand, Dani O’Rourke, chief fundraiser for the Devor Museum in San Francisco, can be forgiven for thinking a trip back East to serve as a consultant at a quaint New England college sounds like a pleasant distraction. On the other hand, Dani has an unfortunate history of finding herself caught up in highly irregular situations… ones that usually involve dead bodies. (Murder in the Abstract | The King’s Jar).
Not one to turn down an interesting professional endeavor—the consulting job involves overseeing the donation of a large art collection, as well as a twenty million dollar endowment—Dani heads to Lynthorpe College in Bridgetown, Massachusetts for what is billed as a straightforward one-week review. She’s there less than a day, however, when it becomes clear there is some dissension amongst the bigwigs at the school about the terms of the donation.
It seems the donor, school alumnus Vincent Margoletti, while never outright accused or indicted, has been involved in some business deals during his climb to wealth that some have found shady at best. And for some strange reason he’s pushing the college to accept the donation immediately, before Dani’s vetting process is completed, with a not so implied threat of its withdrawal otherwise.
Before Dani can have a sit-down with the college’s vice president most concerned about the donation, the man turns up dead on the local golf course, apparently drowned in one of the water hazards. When a second death occurs barely a day later—also someone working on the donation project—Dani has no choice but to accept the fact she finds herself, once again, mixed up with murder.
Perhaps the highest compliment I can give to author Susan Shea is that even though I’m someone who doesn’t normally read so-called cozy mysteries, I absolutely adore the Dani O’Rourke series. Then, for my money, Shea’s writing wonderfully skirts the line between traditional cozy and straight-up crime fiction. Though the violence is not gratuitous and there is no profanity to speak of, neither does the action all conveniently take place off-stage, either. Dani, much to her chagrin, finds herself up close and personal with both bodies and suspects. And just as the O’Rourke mystery plots manage to keep one foot on either side of the cozy/traditional crime line, so does Dani herself.
While not a police officer, bounty hunter or private investigator, neither is Dani some eccentric homebody with a wacky quirk who sets out to poke her nose into amateur sleuthing. She’s an intelligent professional who works in the extremely high-stakes world of contemporary art. She doesn’t seek out the situations she gets mixed up with, but neither does she turn into a shrinking violet either.
Shea, herself active as a non-profit executive for over two decades, brings first-hand knowledge of how things work in that world to her writing, which, when combined with a smooth infusion of information about how a multi-million dollar art collection and endowment donation process unfolds, makes for reading that is both exciting and educational, a rare and welcome combination. And though I highly recommend all the Dani O’Rourke books, you can jump right in with this one if you’re new to series, so go ahead… get Mixed Up With Murder.
On one hand, Dani O’Rourke, chief fundraiser for the Devor Museum in San Francisco, can be forgiven for thinking a trip back East to serve as a consultant at a quaint New England college sounds like a pleasant distraction. On the other hand, Dani has an unfortunate history of finding herself caught up in highly irregular situations… ones that usually involve dead bodies. (Murder in the Abstract | The King’s Jar).
Not one to turn down an interesting professional endeavor—the consulting job involves overseeing the donation of a large art collection, as well as a twenty million dollar endowment—Dani heads to Lynthorpe College in Bridgetown, Massachusetts for what is billed as a straightforward one-week review. She’s there less than a day, however, when it becomes clear there is some dissension amongst the bigwigs at the school about the terms of the donation.
It seems the donor, school alumnus Vincent Margoletti, while never outright accused or indicted, has been involved in some business deals during his climb to wealth that some have found shady at best. And for some strange reason he’s pushing the college to accept the donation immediately, before Dani’s vetting process is completed, with a not so implied threat of its withdrawal otherwise.
Before Dani can have a sit-down with the college’s vice president most concerned about the donation, the man turns up dead on the local golf course, apparently drowned in one of the water hazards. When a second death occurs barely a day later—also someone working on the donation project—Dani has no choice but to accept the fact she finds herself, once again, mixed up with murder.
Perhaps the highest compliment I can give to author Susan Shea is that even though I’m someone who doesn’t normally read so-called cozy mysteries, I absolutely adore the Dani O’Rourke series. Then, for my money, Shea’s writing wonderfully skirts the line between traditional cozy and straight-up crime fiction. Though the violence is not gratuitous and there is no profanity to speak of, neither does the action all conveniently take place off-stage, either. Dani, much to her chagrin, finds herself up close and personal with both bodies and suspects. And just as the O’Rourke mystery plots manage to keep one foot on either side of the cozy/traditional crime line, so does Dani herself.
While not a police officer, bounty hunter or private investigator, neither is Dani some eccentric homebody with a wacky quirk who sets out to poke her nose into amateur sleuthing. She’s an intelligent professional who works in the extremely high-stakes world of contemporary art. She doesn’t seek out the situations she gets mixed up with, but neither does she turn into a shrinking violet either.
Shea, herself active as a non-profit executive for over two decades, brings first-hand knowledge of how things work in that world to her writing, which, when combined with a smooth infusion of information about how a multi-million dollar art collection and endowment donation process unfolds, makes for reading that is both exciting and educational, a rare and welcome combination. And though I highly recommend all the Dani O’Rourke books, you can jump right in with this one if you’re new to series, so go ahead… get Mixed Up With Murder.
February 2, 2016
It isn’t surprising so many stories emanate from the art world. Art can mask a multitude of secrets and make a person rich and dangerously powerful, something Dani O’Rourke, chief fundraiser for San Francisco’s Devor Museum of Art and Antiquities, is reminded the hard way in Mixed Up with Murder.
On the recommendation of the Devor’s board chairman and board member of Lynthorpe College in Bridgetown, Massachusetts, Dani is hired to facilitate the acceptance of a valuable art collection and the twenty million dollar endowment to support it from wealthy class of 1970 alumnus, Vincent Margoletti. It’s an important gift that will enhance the college’s reputation and everyone wants a speedy and legal settlement of terms. That’s the problem—Margoletti made his billions brokering Silicon Valley tech deals and is known to play an angle if it will get him ahead. Dani is pressured to sign off on the gift, as the college atmosphere turns dark, and when a terrible event strikes too close for comfort Dani makes finding answers personal.
Written with depth and humor, Mixed Up with Murder is an engaging, smart read in part because author Susan C. Shea gives readers an insider’s look at the business of fine art. The other part of the equation is Dani O’Rourke, complex, polished, witty, and sharply intelligent. As well crafted as the protagonist, the plot moves in surprising ways. It never lags and I couldn’t predict the turns. Shea’s writing style is smooth, clear, informative and never redundant. The story flows through concepts, images and dialog in a natural and logical progression that made it impossible for me to put down. I’m grateful to the author for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review—reading Mixed Up with Murder has been a pleasurable experience on every level.
Mixed Up with Murder is the third in the Danielle O’Rourke series. I don’t know how I missed the first two books, but I’ll be going back to catch up with this strong, smart character and her compelling world of art, money and murder.
On the recommendation of the Devor’s board chairman and board member of Lynthorpe College in Bridgetown, Massachusetts, Dani is hired to facilitate the acceptance of a valuable art collection and the twenty million dollar endowment to support it from wealthy class of 1970 alumnus, Vincent Margoletti. It’s an important gift that will enhance the college’s reputation and everyone wants a speedy and legal settlement of terms. That’s the problem—Margoletti made his billions brokering Silicon Valley tech deals and is known to play an angle if it will get him ahead. Dani is pressured to sign off on the gift, as the college atmosphere turns dark, and when a terrible event strikes too close for comfort Dani makes finding answers personal.
Written with depth and humor, Mixed Up with Murder is an engaging, smart read in part because author Susan C. Shea gives readers an insider’s look at the business of fine art. The other part of the equation is Dani O’Rourke, complex, polished, witty, and sharply intelligent. As well crafted as the protagonist, the plot moves in surprising ways. It never lags and I couldn’t predict the turns. Shea’s writing style is smooth, clear, informative and never redundant. The story flows through concepts, images and dialog in a natural and logical progression that made it impossible for me to put down. I’m grateful to the author for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review—reading Mixed Up with Murder has been a pleasurable experience on every level.
Mixed Up with Murder is the third in the Danielle O’Rourke series. I don’t know how I missed the first two books, but I’ll be going back to catch up with this strong, smart character and her compelling world of art, money and murder.
January 8, 2016
Fun and witty mystery. Third in the Dani O'Rourke mystery series. Now, I will go back and read books one & two!
The third book in the thrilling Danielle O'Rourke mystery series brings fans once again into the elegant and exciting world of Devor Museum's chief fundraiser.
Dani is flying east for what should be an easy and interesting diversion, a short consulting assignment to help a small New England college with a plentiful gift of money and art from an alum. Unfortunately the donation comes with some strange terms, and she soon learns the donor is a powerful man hiding some alarming secrets. When the college's vice president drowns on a golf course, Dani finds herself in the center of a dangerous plot, and is once again mixed up with murder.
Praise for the Dani O'Rourke Series:
"Wickedly Funny."—Kirkus
"Smart, surprising plot.—Booklist
"Fresh, fast-paced and great fun."—Library Journal
The third book in the thrilling Danielle O'Rourke mystery series brings fans once again into the elegant and exciting world of Devor Museum's chief fundraiser.
Dani is flying east for what should be an easy and interesting diversion, a short consulting assignment to help a small New England college with a plentiful gift of money and art from an alum. Unfortunately the donation comes with some strange terms, and she soon learns the donor is a powerful man hiding some alarming secrets. When the college's vice president drowns on a golf course, Dani finds herself in the center of a dangerous plot, and is once again mixed up with murder.
Praise for the Dani O'Rourke Series:
"Wickedly Funny."—Kirkus
"Smart, surprising plot.—Booklist
"Fresh, fast-paced and great fun."—Library Journal
February 6, 2016
This series has become a favorite of mine. Once again Susan has provided an interesting original plot that I entertains from start to finish. As a resident of Northern California I particularly appreciate how Susan uses an accurate depiction of the geography, art scene, privileged class of San Francisco and Silicon Valley as keystones of her story. I hope that Susan brings Dani back for my enjoyment very soon.
September 10, 2016
4.5/5.0
This is a smart mystery with a lot of twists and turns.
Read full review in the 2016 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This is a smart mystery with a lot of twists and turns.
Read full review in the 2016 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews