Rattled

The Sierra Files #3

by Christy Barritt

“What do you mean a thirteen-foot lavender albino ball python is missing?”

Tough-as-nails Sierra Nakamura Davis isn’t one to get flustered. But trying to balance being a wife and a new mom with her crusade to help animals is proving harder than she imagined. Add a missing python, a high-maintenance intern, and a dead body to the mix, and Sierra becomes the definition of rattled.

Can she balance it all—and solve a possible murder—without losing her mind? Or will this juggling act be the death of her?

The Sierra Files:
Pounced
Hunted
Pranced
Rattled
Caged (coming soon)

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATTLED is downright creepy at times, especially for a non-reptile lover. When Sierra's intern Mandee is arrested for premeditated murder, both women are understandably shocked, horrified, and creeped out. In fact, the intern, as clueless as they come, kept talking herself deeper into trouble! But Sierra isn't convinced Mandee did it and when she went to the apartment where Mandee was staying to feed the reptiles, she decides to start investigating. How did the snake go from one apartment to another and kill someone? Where is the man who actually rents the apartment? And the murdered man seems to have friends and many enemies. But was anyone actually willing to kill him or was it a terrible accident?

Sierra has her job cut out for her, especially with the murderous snake to be euthanized, a new baby, a husband out of town, and a high-maintenance, understandably freaked out intern, and a possible murderer on the loose.

RATTLED is the third book in the series but it easily stands alone. Fans of suspense will love this animal rights activist trying to solve a murder and protect an innocent-yet-very-guilty creature. This was not my favorite book in this series (Pranced holds that honor) but it definitely is a page-turner even if you hate snakes. Don't miss RATTLED.

[Kay Defreese · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Sierra's husband and friends are solving a mystery and restoring a theme park (Thrill Squeaker) she's solving a mystery of her own involving a boa constrictor who killed someone. Sierra's intern is accused of neglect. Can Sierra solve the mystery? Unlike the Gabby adventures Sierra's life is never in danger and the mystery is solved without anyone being in danger. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series which should be released in 2019.

[vickie millspaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ingurimg

I must say I never thought about how hard it would be to have your life changed in so many ways. I thought having a child would not change your life that much. Then to try to keep an employee out of jail. TOO MUCH just too much

[Hunter Q Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book by Christy Barritt. There is never a dull moment. Sierra a becoming quite the detective.

[Kaye Sinkule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love geckos!

This mystery sure took a turn I didn't see coming! I love the antics of Gabby St Claire but Sierra has some interesting events too!

[Lydia Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I'm really enjoying this series with Sierra and Chad and Gabby too. Never a full moment in these books. Grandma just couldn't keep her mouth shut. Lol love it

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick mystery from Sierra's perspective. I love how honest Christy Barritt was on showing the struggle of a working mother. Do you spend time with your newborn child? Your husband? Or worry about your work? This is a struggle most women have to deal with, so I believe majority of women can totally relate to Sierra in Rattled. Plus, the mystery with a murder snake is pretty interesting. I loved seeing Sierra struggle and work through the mystery with a little help from Gabby and Riley. This story takes place at the same time as Thrill Squeaker, the eleventh book in the Squeaky Clean series. I enjoyed how Barritt interwove both stories into one, allowing them to take place at the same time. The plot kept moving. I didn't want to put it down. I finished it in an hour. I really love spending time with characters who I LOVE returning to.

Highly recommend Rattled to fans of Barritt's previous books or mysteries in general.

I received a complimentary copy of Rattled from Christy Barritt and my opinions stated are all my own.

[Doreen Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing some of the changes and growth in Sierra as a new mom, putting the needs and welfare of Reef ahead of her formerly all-consuming need to champion the cause of every animal. She is still an animal lover and protector, but now her husband and baby come first. In this Sierra book, she falls into helping an employee out of a very bad situation, when the employee is accused of murder. Sierra is trying to balance married life, motherhood, and her job already and now, taking after her friend Gabby, she has a murder investigation (with the "weapon" being a python) on her hands. It was fun that the roles were reversed and this time Sierra bounces ideas off Gabby instead of the other way around. I also enjoyed that this book ran alongside the latest Squeaky Clean Mystery, Thrill Squeaker. In Thrill Squeaker, we read a little about what was going on with Sierra back home and in Rattled, we heard a little about what was going on with Gabby and the gang in West Virginia. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review, and I enjoyed Rattled very much!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a working mom this book resignated with me. We try to be everything to everyone and do everything and it leaves us overwhelmed and burned out. What we thought was safe now seems risky and we wonder if we will lose ourselves in our children. Sierra desperately tries to balance everything, tries to be safe, but her passion to save the animals and the world takes over. In the end she realizes that things need to slow down a bit for the sake of her baby, her relationships, and her work which is a lesson that we often have to learn the hard way.

A great book from a great writer. I'm anxiously waiting the next one!

[Julia Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. It was fun to see a different side of Sierra. I think parenthood changes us all and it was nice to see that her priorities are changing to her son vs. animal rights. I am excited to see where Christy will take this in the future. This book had a great Gabby like vibe but fit perfectly with Sierra. I love that Christy does so well at adapting the cases to the main character of the series you are reading. Another great one! Can't wait for more!


Note: I was given a copy of this book by the Author in exchange for an honest review!

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the author does spin offs of characters who have been introduced in other books. This gives you a chance to learn more about the character and keep up with the rest of the characters as well. In Rattled, Sierra finds herself helping our an employee who has been accused of causing a murder with a snake. I liked seeing how Sierra was able to go beyond her usual self and find the truth. I also enjoyed seeing her a mother and how she was handling motherhood.
I received a copy from the author to read and review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

best Sierra book!

I will be honest, I really hate snakes. I was apprehensive about reading this because it was about a snake but I'm very glad I did. I think this is the best book of the Sierra files. I loved that Gabby was part of this book helping Sierra in this investigation. It was a fast read because it was so hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book was a gift from the author for an honest review. In my own words I highly recommend this book!

[Jasmyne Wisniewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rattled is a fast paced story with a really good mystery twist. The book is short too, which is great if you don't have a lot of time to read. The author did a great job bringing in other characters from the Squeaky Clean series into the plot. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great weekend read.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barritt's modern interpretation of a cozy

Leaves you energized to read her next Squeaky Clean Mystery as Sierra evolves through motherhood and takes down another bad guy.. ahem... girl.
Living in Florida this one totally made me want to check the vents and behind the furniture before sleeping at night!

[Katharine Showman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care for snakes, anyway. This book uses a snake to commit a murder. Ooh! Sierra loves all animals and tries to protect the snake as well as help solve the murder. You will love the twists and turns!

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy Barritt never disappoints! This short story features Sierra and her baby Reef, and a missing Python. 5 stars!

[Florence]

This was a great read. It was fun to see Gabby through Sierra's eyes. The plot is fast paced, fun and as always with a twist. Christy is one talented author!