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Brilliant, Minnesota Mysteries #1
The Penderghast Puzzle Protectors
Jezabelle Jingle and her neighbors in the Penderghast section of Brilliant, Minnesota, have a mystery on their hands. Someone is stealing sections of hardwood floors in their homes and the thefts may be connected to a long-hidden treasure left by the founders of Brilliant. Not only that, there's a dead body in a basement to add to the mix. Can Jezzie and her quirky friends figure out the puzzle and find the treasure before some other, unknown person--maybe the murderer--beats them to the punch? Or will the town's Chief of Police, Hank Hardy, prevent the group from their sleuthing? Anything can happen in the strange little town of Brilliant, Minnesota. After all, brilliant minds create brilliant finds!
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
270 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2016
About the author
Julie Seedorf
17 books205 followersA Bit About Me As An Impassioned Writer
As human beings, we are always a work in progress. From birth to death we live, hurt, laugh, cry, feel, and with all of those emotions we grow as people, as family members, and as friends. I am a dreamer and feel blessed to have the opportunity in my writing to pass those dreams on to others. I believe you are never too old to dream and to turn those dreams into a creative endeavor. I live in rural Minnesota and I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.
I have worn many hats throughout my life such as working as a waitress, nursing home activities person, office manager, and finally, a computer repair person eventually owning my own computer sales and repair business. I never forgot my love of writing and quit my computer business in 2012 after signing a contract with Cozy Cat Press for Granny Hooks A Crook, the first book in my Fuchsia, Minnesota Series.
I now have four series, my latest being The Whistle Stop Series with the first book being A Small Town Can BE #Murder.
I also dabble a bit in watercolor painting and hope to eventually add pictures to my children’s book series, Granny’s In Trouble.
Oh, and did I tell you I like to be a little bit silly.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 8, 2016
One of the funniest, and well done mysteries I have ever read!
It’s very clear author Julie Seedorf loves her home state of Minnesota. It also seems that Ms. Seedorf either knows a few odd characters, has an incredible imagination, or both.
Lead character Jezabelle Jingle is a hoot! I’d love to think I’ll be a lot like her at her age. LOL I have a sneaking suspicion there is a little of author Seedorf in Jezabelle as well.
THE PENDERGHAST PUZZLE PROTECTORS has an extremely original plot. Not something I’ve ever seen done in another book. Completely clever, I spent the entire story trying to figure it all out and never did until the author spelled it all out.
The Brilliant, Minnesota Mysteries is the perfect name for this series. This first book is totally brilliant…and hilarious! There are thousands of positive adjectives that can be applied to this book. I know without a doubt you will find several of your own when you read this masterful story by a first class author.
It’s very clear author Julie Seedorf loves her home state of Minnesota. It also seems that Ms. Seedorf either knows a few odd characters, has an incredible imagination, or both.
Lead character Jezabelle Jingle is a hoot! I’d love to think I’ll be a lot like her at her age. LOL I have a sneaking suspicion there is a little of author Seedorf in Jezabelle as well.
THE PENDERGHAST PUZZLE PROTECTORS has an extremely original plot. Not something I’ve ever seen done in another book. Completely clever, I spent the entire story trying to figure it all out and never did until the author spelled it all out.
The Brilliant, Minnesota Mysteries is the perfect name for this series. This first book is totally brilliant…and hilarious! There are thousands of positive adjectives that can be applied to this book. I know without a doubt you will find several of your own when you read this masterful story by a first class author.
November 11, 2024
So so bad. Inane even. I had to keep reading though just to see how would finish. Poorly designed clues, plot holes everywhere and the ridiculous names! Almost everyone had a double initial name. Jezzabell Jingle, Jiffy Jacks, Marion ( the librarian...seriously?) Murkowsky, Hank Hardy, Hanna Hardy, Snoop Steckle, George Grifter, Jeb Jardene, Stick Straight... Add in overuse of shouted and giggled and grabbing arms and half the sentences ending with an exclamation mark! I was describing this all to another reader and they asked is this a joke? A parody? Unfortunately, no, it’s for real.
So sorry. I had high hopes and loved the picture on the cover of the B and B in St. Ansgars Iowa. Been there. ( not the picture shown above. Copy of the book I read had a photo on it)
So sorry. I had high hopes and loved the picture on the cover of the B and B in St. Ansgars Iowa. Been there. ( not the picture shown above. Copy of the book I read had a photo on it)
June 6, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Can a story turn a bad day into a good day or at least let you escape the stressful times around you? This one sure can!
Welcome to Brilliant, Minnesota. Jezabelle Jingle and her friends and neighbors are victims are a very unusual theft. Sections are the floors in their homes are being stolen and it puts one neighbor in a very precarious predicament. After a dead man is found in the basement of a vacant house, solving this puzzle mystery becomes a top priority for both the police and the newly formed Penderghast Puzzle Protectors.
Jezabelle Jingle, Phoebe Harkins, Rock Stone, Miranda Covington, and Mr. Warbler all live in the Penderghast Neighborhood and along with Lizzy Langer they become the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors with a mission to find the person stealing parts of their floors, who has already killed once. They know to to this they must solve a complex puzzle with some very large pieces. Police Chief Hank Hardy is less than pleased with their endeavor but he knows when Jezzy Jingle sets her mind on something there is no stopping her. They may live in Brilliant but he believes what she and the other puzzle protectors are doing isn’t very smart. He is going to have to protect them from themselves knowing they may solve the case before he does.
Author Julie Seedorf’s sense of humor shines in this story from the character’s names to situations she puts her characters in. I found myself giggling several times. These characters are true cozy, quirky to the core.
She sets the scene very well and gives us the history of Brilliant needed to make us understand the town and its ancestors and how it all plays together in this story’s mystery. As each new clue was revealed I was more excited to solve the puzzle myself.
Starting a new series is not easy. The author needs to introduce us to interesting characters in a distinct setting while also giving us a mystery that tests us is a tall order. Julie Sedorf does an excellent job at this. She also ties it to her other series set in Fushia, Minnesota. The towns are not too far apart and the people of Brilliant have friends and relatives there. But you do not need to have read about Granny and her friends to enjoy this puzzler mystery. You may want to to start reading them though after you read this story.
Julie Seedorf writes fun/funny, entertaining mysteries sure to put a smile on your face and even make you laugh out loud. This story is truly unique and I recommend it highly if you like you like your mysteries with a large dose of humor or need a wonderful pick me up.
Can a story turn a bad day into a good day or at least let you escape the stressful times around you? This one sure can!
Welcome to Brilliant, Minnesota. Jezabelle Jingle and her friends and neighbors are victims are a very unusual theft. Sections are the floors in their homes are being stolen and it puts one neighbor in a very precarious predicament. After a dead man is found in the basement of a vacant house, solving this puzzle mystery becomes a top priority for both the police and the newly formed Penderghast Puzzle Protectors.
Jezabelle Jingle, Phoebe Harkins, Rock Stone, Miranda Covington, and Mr. Warbler all live in the Penderghast Neighborhood and along with Lizzy Langer they become the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors with a mission to find the person stealing parts of their floors, who has already killed once. They know to to this they must solve a complex puzzle with some very large pieces. Police Chief Hank Hardy is less than pleased with their endeavor but he knows when Jezzy Jingle sets her mind on something there is no stopping her. They may live in Brilliant but he believes what she and the other puzzle protectors are doing isn’t very smart. He is going to have to protect them from themselves knowing they may solve the case before he does.
Author Julie Seedorf’s sense of humor shines in this story from the character’s names to situations she puts her characters in. I found myself giggling several times. These characters are true cozy, quirky to the core.
She sets the scene very well and gives us the history of Brilliant needed to make us understand the town and its ancestors and how it all plays together in this story’s mystery. As each new clue was revealed I was more excited to solve the puzzle myself.
Starting a new series is not easy. The author needs to introduce us to interesting characters in a distinct setting while also giving us a mystery that tests us is a tall order. Julie Sedorf does an excellent job at this. She also ties it to her other series set in Fushia, Minnesota. The towns are not too far apart and the people of Brilliant have friends and relatives there. But you do not need to have read about Granny and her friends to enjoy this puzzler mystery. You may want to to start reading them though after you read this story.
Julie Seedorf writes fun/funny, entertaining mysteries sure to put a smile on your face and even make you laugh out loud. This story is truly unique and I recommend it highly if you like you like your mysteries with a large dose of humor or need a wonderful pick me up.
February 11, 2016
Hey there Guys and Dolls,
Allow me to introduce Jezabelle Jingle, who is one lady who really loves solving puzzles. It appears that there are pieces of floors going missing from people’s homes in the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant Minnesota where she lives. Jezzie and her neighbors decide that they will take it upon themselves to investigate what they say is floor-napping. Then there is another twist in the plot when a murder happens and the pieces of the puzzle get harder to find and put together.
Will the jig be up when Hank Hardy, the Chief of Police finds them meddling in the case or will Jezzie and her friends put the final piece in the puzzle before it’s too late for them all? This is a brilliant beginning of a new cozy mystery series. You will be introduced to a vibrant, quirky and fun cast of new characters that are sure to delight and surprise you. So curl up with your blanket and a cup of cocoa (maybe a drop of something a little stronger in there) and plunge right into the town of Brilliant and the puzzle solving amateur sleuths who live there in the Penderghast neighborhood. Bravo to Julie Seedorf for bringing all the pieces together!
Allow me to introduce Jezabelle Jingle, who is one lady who really loves solving puzzles. It appears that there are pieces of floors going missing from people’s homes in the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant Minnesota where she lives. Jezzie and her neighbors decide that they will take it upon themselves to investigate what they say is floor-napping. Then there is another twist in the plot when a murder happens and the pieces of the puzzle get harder to find and put together.
Will the jig be up when Hank Hardy, the Chief of Police finds them meddling in the case or will Jezzie and her friends put the final piece in the puzzle before it’s too late for them all? This is a brilliant beginning of a new cozy mystery series. You will be introduced to a vibrant, quirky and fun cast of new characters that are sure to delight and surprise you. So curl up with your blanket and a cup of cocoa (maybe a drop of something a little stronger in there) and plunge right into the town of Brilliant and the puzzle solving amateur sleuths who live there in the Penderghast neighborhood. Bravo to Julie Seedorf for bringing all the pieces together!
June 2, 2016
A great beginning to a new series! The residents of Brilliant, Minnesota are quite an interesting cast of characters, and I look forward to getting to know them better in future installments of this series.
The lead character, Jezabelle Jingle, is definitely one of my favorites. She's a hilarious woman, and has the sort of personality I hope to exhibit at her age.
The plot of this story is remarkably unique. I don't think I've seen anything like it in any cozy mystery I've read in the past. I can't say too much more about it, though, without giving it away, so you'll just have to read the book for yourself!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
The lead character, Jezabelle Jingle, is definitely one of my favorites. She's a hilarious woman, and has the sort of personality I hope to exhibit at her age.
The plot of this story is remarkably unique. I don't think I've seen anything like it in any cozy mystery I've read in the past. I can't say too much more about it, though, without giving it away, so you'll just have to read the book for yourself!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
July 16, 2022
This was a bit too silly for me. 2.5 rounded up for its uniqueness.
February 10, 2016
“Well, Lizzy, you’ll find the Penderghast neighborhood a strange neighborhood and all is not as it seems.” Phoebe frowned at Miranda. “That sounds puzzling.”“Well, that’s what we’re here for,” Miranda answered. “The pieces will come together,” she said knowingly, a glint of mischief showing in her eyes."
I just had one very pleasent experience in the town of Brilliant Minnesota, home of widow Jezabelle Jingle, and her friends in the Penderghast neighborhood. And since they all live in the former homes of the puzzling Brilliant brothers, they decided to get together and solve the mystery of the floors, or should they figure out why they all keep getting arrested? And just what is up with "Charity"?
After I spend time in Fushia with Herminony, aka Granny, of this author's other series, I'm determined to find this town of Brilliant and see if I can join this Penderghast Puzzle Protectors group. From the wonderful artwork through to the multitude of brilliant people that live in Brilliant, I may try to a job at the Bistro and stay a while.
I really enjoyed this book. Well written and fun, as are most of Seedorf's work, its a fast and fun read that I highly recommend.
I just had one very pleasent experience in the town of Brilliant Minnesota, home of widow Jezabelle Jingle, and her friends in the Penderghast neighborhood. And since they all live in the former homes of the puzzling Brilliant brothers, they decided to get together and solve the mystery of the floors, or should they figure out why they all keep getting arrested? And just what is up with "Charity"?
After I spend time in Fushia with Herminony, aka Granny, of this author's other series, I'm determined to find this town of Brilliant and see if I can join this Penderghast Puzzle Protectors group. From the wonderful artwork through to the multitude of brilliant people that live in Brilliant, I may try to a job at the Bistro and stay a while.
I really enjoyed this book. Well written and fun, as are most of Seedorf's work, its a fast and fun read that I highly recommend.
February 24, 2016
A brilliant Minnesota mystery
This is the first book,in what I hope is a new series by Julie Seedorf.
Set in Brilliant,Minnesota the book follows a group that calls themselves,the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors. They are all what one would call " characters".
The group forms when parts of their hardwood floors go missing,which turn out to have clues to a mystery in them. It seems Brilliant,Minnesota was founded by the 7 Brilliant Brothers,who not only built the houses that each live in,but also wrote puzzle books.
What I really loved about this book is that there's no dead giveaway on who floodwaters, and murders are. And who I did think it was,was totally wrong.
Fun characters,great writing and funny. Highly recommend it.
This is the first book,in what I hope is a new series by Julie Seedorf.
Set in Brilliant,Minnesota the book follows a group that calls themselves,the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors. They are all what one would call " characters".
The group forms when parts of their hardwood floors go missing,which turn out to have clues to a mystery in them. It seems Brilliant,Minnesota was founded by the 7 Brilliant Brothers,who not only built the houses that each live in,but also wrote puzzle books.
What I really loved about this book is that there's no dead giveaway on who floodwaters, and murders are. And who I did think it was,was totally wrong.
Fun characters,great writing and funny. Highly recommend it.
February 12, 2016
*See Barbara Jean Coast's brilliant review!*
August 7, 2017
The community that lives in the Victorian houses in the town of Brilliant, Minnesota has been struck by a spree of floor nappers in The Penderghast Puzzle Protectors by Julie Seedorf. Jezabelle hears screaming from Mr. Warbler, her next door neighbor, one morning. She crawls in through the doggie door to find him with his feet dangling from a hole in the ceiling, and he has to be set free by sawing a larger hole for his robust middle to fit through. Someone has stolen the unique square centerpiece of the nice wood floor in his second story. When they discover that the matching centerpiece in the recently deceased Annabelle’s house is missing, they realize that a floor napper is at work in the Penderghast! Never mind that a dead body lies in the basement beneath the hole. And then someone cuts a hole in the wall of the library that contains the only map of the original plot of the city in existence, by virtue of the founders’ by-laws. So the neighborhood forms the Penderghast Puzzle Protector Society to solve the puzzle of the thefts of the floors, which begin to add up. They do this to the consternation of Hank Hardy (HH), the police chief, who keeps taking them in to the police station “for questioning” every time the team starts to make any progress.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
June 17, 2019
THE PENDERGHAST PUZZLE PROTECTORS, Julie Seedorf, 2016
From the publisher:
"The Brilliant Brothers founded Brilliant Minnesota, and then they disappeared. The residents of Brilliant didn’t know the brothers left a puzzle needing to be solved. A chain of unexpected present-day events shakes up the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant: Mr. Warbler hanging between floors after stepping through a hole cut in his floor by a floornapper, then a dead body in Annabelle Avery’s empty house. To the dismay of Police Chief Hank Hardy, Jezabelle Jingle and her quirky neighbors form their own sleuth group under the guise of the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors to solve the puzzle before any of them end up in pieces or—worse yet—dead. Will they be able to figure out if the same person who is causing the mysterious happenings is also Jezabelle’s secret admirer, or is another mystery unfolding to complicate their investigation? Is the entire town in danger of a pernicious puzzle waiting to be solved?"
This was such a light-weight story it is a wonder it didn't just float away, taking my Kindle with it. It would be a good mystery if it were aimed at a 4th to 6th grade audience. For adults, it simply didn't cut it.
From the publisher:
"The Brilliant Brothers founded Brilliant Minnesota, and then they disappeared. The residents of Brilliant didn’t know the brothers left a puzzle needing to be solved. A chain of unexpected present-day events shakes up the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant: Mr. Warbler hanging between floors after stepping through a hole cut in his floor by a floornapper, then a dead body in Annabelle Avery’s empty house. To the dismay of Police Chief Hank Hardy, Jezabelle Jingle and her quirky neighbors form their own sleuth group under the guise of the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors to solve the puzzle before any of them end up in pieces or—worse yet—dead. Will they be able to figure out if the same person who is causing the mysterious happenings is also Jezabelle’s secret admirer, or is another mystery unfolding to complicate their investigation? Is the entire town in danger of a pernicious puzzle waiting to be solved?"
This was such a light-weight story it is a wonder it didn't just float away, taking my Kindle with it. It would be a good mystery if it were aimed at a 4th to 6th grade audience. For adults, it simply didn't cut it.
April 19, 2020
Cozy wacky read
THE wackiest set of characters you could find in a book they were all over the place in the cutest cutest way trying to solve the crime and catch the criminals before they floor napped another piece of flooring from the neighborhood .
JEZ ABELL IS THE Leader of this little group and she is hell bent on solving the mystery of why someone stole her floor and what could be easily reason for for it and did someone say puzzle solvers the Pendergast puzzle protector are on the case.
THE wackiest set of characters you could find in a book they were all over the place in the cutest cutest way trying to solve the crime and catch the criminals before they floor napped another piece of flooring from the neighborhood .
JEZ ABELL IS THE Leader of this little group and she is hell bent on solving the mystery of why someone stole her floor and what could be easily reason for for it and did someone say puzzle solvers the Pendergast puzzle protector are on the case.
July 26, 2018
Hoot and a Half!!!
What a great, funny, twisty turny, funny, nutsy, funny (did I mention funny?) Whodunnit! The ditzy characters with the quirky names and the wild situations they get themselves into! And then to read that the author, Julie Seedorf, was inspired by my own teenage Shamus, Trixie Belden! That was the icing on the cake!!
What a great, funny, twisty turny, funny, nutsy, funny (did I mention funny?) Whodunnit! The ditzy characters with the quirky names and the wild situations they get themselves into! And then to read that the author, Julie Seedorf, was inspired by my own teenage Shamus, Trixie Belden! That was the icing on the cake!!
November 20, 2019
Clever puzzle mystery
Loved the quirky characters, the quaint names and the unusual crime. Who would expect thieves stealing puzzle pieces hidden in floors? Can't say more as you really need to get the book. Highly recommended!
Loved the quirky characters, the quaint names and the unusual crime. Who would expect thieves stealing puzzle pieces hidden in floors? Can't say more as you really need to get the book. Highly recommended!
January 27, 2020
I loved this book. The author kept things moving.
December 30, 2022
Intriguing cozy
Ms. Seeders pens a funny and interesting tale. Great cast of characters and setting. It has a wonderfully engrossing premise
Ms. Seeders pens a funny and interesting tale. Great cast of characters and setting. It has a wonderfully engrossing premise
December 11, 2017
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March 12, 2017
This is a cute and fun read. I really liked all of the quirky characters. What I really found different in this book was the basis of the mystery..someone is stealing pieces of ornate floor squares from the old Victorian homes. This is a first,but that is what makes it funny
June 1, 2016
This book was witty and wacky and reminded me a little bit of the 3 Stooges...more in the antics of all the characters and how they managed to stay out of too much trouble.
I thought the story was well written and it moved at a quick pace. There are many characters to keep up with and many of them have other secrets (that are revealed at the end..no spoilers here!). I wasn't sure who to consider as a suspect and did suspect 1 person but not because anything stood out and said "Hey, X is a killer"....just some vibes while reading the book.
There are some interesting twists and turns and there is still one mystery to be solved - who is sending Jezabelle flowers?!
I thought the story was well written and it moved at a quick pace. There are many characters to keep up with and many of them have other secrets (that are revealed at the end..no spoilers here!). I wasn't sure who to consider as a suspect and did suspect 1 person but not because anything stood out and said "Hey, X is a killer"....just some vibes while reading the book.
There are some interesting twists and turns and there is still one mystery to be solved - who is sending Jezabelle flowers?!
May 20, 2016
This is the first in a new series. The characters are very colorful and the mystery itself is really imaginative and well put together. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt along with the puzzle protectors. I enjoy the ensemble cast and their interactions, which are really humorous at times! I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy lighthearted but challenging mysteries.
December 30, 2016
So much fun! I would love to be a member of the Penderghast Puzzle Protector's club, if they'd have me! That neighborhood full of zany characters provide a laugh a minute and the story moves along quickly (I couldn't wait to find out the solution to the puzzle). Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 7, 2016
This was a really cute mystery. It was a little slow in the beginning then off we went onto the hunt. The characters were perfect and so was the way they traipsed around town. Loved that there were other 4 legged friends included. This was a hit past 3rd base.
Read
June 12, 2016This first in a brand new series will keep you laughing and guessing until the very end. Fresh new cast of characters and a well developed story line you will be craving more. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more and seeing what Jezabelle will find herself into next.
April 2, 2016
A brilliant new series! I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews