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Bunco Biddies #1
Dumpster Dicing
As Janie and Betsy Ann go for their morning jog, the city sanitation vehicle follows its normal five-mile Tuesday morning route through their retirement community of Sunset Acres. The two Bunco-playing biddies spot a leg dangling out of the dumpster when the truck lifts the trash container high in the air. Someone diced up one of their newest residents—a grouchy loner named Edwin Newman. Did he unpack too much of his dicey past when he moved in last weekend?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2016
12 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Julie B. Cosgrove
26 books51 followersEven before Julie B Cosgrove became a multi-published, award-winning novelist, she’d developed a passion for words at a young age. She solved the word games in the daily newspapers. She and her mother shared many fun hours playing Scrabble. Then, another passion developed― whodunnits. She loved the Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes, and Hercule Perot movies that played on Saturday afternoons on TV. Nancy Drew and the romantic mystery novels of the late Mary Stewart kept her eyes dancing over the pages through her school years. Now, she has mysteries stacked up on her watchlist on Britbox and a long list of cozies on her ereader’s to-be-read list.
Later in her adult life, her passion for Christ spurred her to write faith-based fiction and devotionals for several publications, which she has been doing since 2009. Her blog, Where Did You Find God Today? now has readers in over fifty countries.
But her passion remains mystery, the cozier the better. When her sister asked her, “Why don’t you write them?”, she pondered it and decided to give it a go. Her first, Dumpster Dicing, won Best Mystery by the Texas Association of Authors in 2017. Since then, she has been contracted to write a total of 12 mysteries, nine of which have been published as of early 2021. She has three series―The Bunco Biddies Mysteries, The Relatively Seeking Mysteries, and the Wordplay Mysteries.
You can find all of her fiction and nonfiction books as well as her blog's link on her website, www.juliebcosgrove.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 24, 2017
While out for their morning stroll, Janie and Betsy Ann see a body about to be consumed by a trash truck.
After flagging the driver down, the discover that the victim is the newest resident in their retirement community, Sunset Acres.
Determined to solve the crime, Janie and Betsy Ann set off on a wild adventure that will leave you laughing.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book provided by the publisher & NetGalley.
After flagging the driver down, the discover that the victim is the newest resident in their retirement community, Sunset Acres.
Determined to solve the crime, Janie and Betsy Ann set off on a wild adventure that will leave you laughing.
I voluntarily read a copy of this book provided by the publisher & NetGalley.
April 13, 2018
I haven't read many cozy mysteries, but this was a fun read with the realistic women ("biddies") who want to help solve the gruesome murder of their new neighbor at the retirement community. There are more mysteries for these spunky women to solve, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. Recommended for readers of cozy mysteries!
July 1, 2016
This book is a change from the type of books that this author usually writes, and it is a delightful read. The combination of a murder mystery, some humor and a group of senior citizens living in a retirement center that are determined to solve the mystery results in a story that was a fun read and kept me reading from the first pages. There are surprises and twists in the story that certainly kept me guessing. This is the perfect read for a summer afternoon, and one that I definitely recommend. I am sure looking forward to the second book in the series.
December 10, 2018
A fun read.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery especially because the amateur sleuths were retired friends in a retirement community who stuck together and helped each other. This well written story kept me entertained all the way to the end.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery especially because the amateur sleuths were retired friends in a retirement community who stuck together and helped each other. This well written story kept me entertained all the way to the end.
January 3, 2021
Fun easy read
February 25, 2017
Just the title Dumpster Dicing by Julie B Cosgrove is enough to entice you to dig into this story of three widows residing in a retirement community. But really? Nothing but retirement for these gals! I felt right at home with these Bunco Biddies as Cosgrove perfectly nailed the lifestyle that they lived in the community. Gal pals always seem to find each other no matter what age.
Finding the diced up leg in the trash was only accidental, but it put these gals full speed ahead into investigation mode, as Janie was the widow of a beloved Texas police detective who always "bounced" his hard to solve murder cases off of.
Even though it was a gruesome murder, Cosgrove wove the story with such humor, I found myself laughing out loud at the antics these sleuths got themselves into as they went to great lengths to help in the investigation! Not only dishing out information with each other, but dishing up amazingly delicious comfort food...totally in character with the elderly.
I have to say this is more than just a Cozy Mystery, as it is rich in details, and branches off into a little sub-plot that adds more depth to these ladies personalities. The twists and turns were fun to read, but I'll have to say the wrap up at the end had a couple of surprises that I didn't see coming! Humor and mystery to satisfy...but wait, a great introduction at the end of the book to Cosgrove's next mystery...can't wait to see what happens next.
Finding the diced up leg in the trash was only accidental, but it put these gals full speed ahead into investigation mode, as Janie was the widow of a beloved Texas police detective who always "bounced" his hard to solve murder cases off of.
Even though it was a gruesome murder, Cosgrove wove the story with such humor, I found myself laughing out loud at the antics these sleuths got themselves into as they went to great lengths to help in the investigation! Not only dishing out information with each other, but dishing up amazingly delicious comfort food...totally in character with the elderly.
I have to say this is more than just a Cozy Mystery, as it is rich in details, and branches off into a little sub-plot that adds more depth to these ladies personalities. The twists and turns were fun to read, but I'll have to say the wrap up at the end had a couple of surprises that I didn't see coming! Humor and mystery to satisfy...but wait, a great introduction at the end of the book to Cosgrove's next mystery...can't wait to see what happens next.
January 17, 2017
One of the big things I disliked about this book were the many ways the author used stereotype beliefs about senior citizens. However, I noticed that even the seniors used many of these same stereotypes. Yes, the author did use some of them for humor, but the over-use of stereotypes made the book less interesting and enjoyable. I also am a senior, and many of these stereotypes are wrong as far as I am concerned, which may be why I got so tired of them.
During their morning jog, Janie and Betsy Ann notice parts of a human body in the city sanitation truck picking up community waste. The body is that of a new community resident, who, in his short time there, had already had some run-ins with other residents. These two bunco-playing buddies and the other members of their group become quickly enmeshed in a search for the person or persons who killed and dismembered this new resident, despite the misgivings and warnings to not interfere by the police detective in charge (who also happens to be Janie’s son-in-law). The story of how these senior, amateur sleuths bumble through clue after clue in this mystery slaying makes for an interesting read. However, there is nothing earth-shattering in this cozy. Janie and her cohorts manage to find great ways to discover what exactly happened. It is obvious from the outset, that Janie and her cohorts are definitely resourceful, searching for what may have happened-- even helping the police investigating the crime, which is good, since the police happen to be short-handed. I enjoyed following these amateur gum-shoes in this debut book in this new series. I am sure there will be much, much more to come in future books. I do wish some author would include less stereotyping in cozies and more innovation—or realistic—concepts. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
During their morning jog, Janie and Betsy Ann notice parts of a human body in the city sanitation truck picking up community waste. The body is that of a new community resident, who, in his short time there, had already had some run-ins with other residents. These two bunco-playing buddies and the other members of their group become quickly enmeshed in a search for the person or persons who killed and dismembered this new resident, despite the misgivings and warnings to not interfere by the police detective in charge (who also happens to be Janie’s son-in-law). The story of how these senior, amateur sleuths bumble through clue after clue in this mystery slaying makes for an interesting read. However, there is nothing earth-shattering in this cozy. Janie and her cohorts manage to find great ways to discover what exactly happened. It is obvious from the outset, that Janie and her cohorts are definitely resourceful, searching for what may have happened-- even helping the police investigating the crime, which is good, since the police happen to be short-handed. I enjoyed following these amateur gum-shoes in this debut book in this new series. I am sure there will be much, much more to come in future books. I do wish some author would include less stereotyping in cozies and more innovation—or realistic—concepts. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
June 23, 2016
Betsy Ann and Janie are widowed friends in their retirement community, Sunset Acres, in Alamoville, Texas. They play the dice game of Bunco with several ladies, including special friends Ethel and Mildred, whose barking puppy, Poopsy, caused the new neighbor, the despicable Mr. Newman, to complain and even hit the poor thing. While Betsy Ann accuses Janie of being a walking know-it-all encyclopedia, Betsy Ann has a walking inventory of the residents and their particular physical and mental capabilities.
Out for exercise one morning on trash day, the ladies are taking a breather when they spy a blue-jean-clad leg as the dumpster is being emptied. Janie recognizes the newly-moved-in grouch Newman, and the race to solve the murder is on between the biddies and Janie’s son-in-law, an Alamoville detective, Blake Johnson, who truly needs to spend more time with the family. They vow to help Blake whether he thinks he needs it or not.
Soon the ladies have the neighborhood divvied up and begin interrog—um, visiting with the neighbors in the search for clues. They put their wits to the test and do research in back issues of newspapers to get to the bottom of their former neighbor’s cash reserves, foul temper, and mistaken identity. When the whole Bunco group starts to help the police, Blake in particular, find the murderer so they can all feel safe again, it’s Operation Bunco Biddies to the rescue.
Told in multiple viewpoints, the ladies add their detecting skills to the adventure, all in good natured attempts to help Blake get to his daughters’ special schoolyear-end events, and learn more about themselves and their need to uplift and support each other in the process. First of a series. Lots of fun for those who enjoy chatty senior citizen-set mysteries.
Out for exercise one morning on trash day, the ladies are taking a breather when they spy a blue-jean-clad leg as the dumpster is being emptied. Janie recognizes the newly-moved-in grouch Newman, and the race to solve the murder is on between the biddies and Janie’s son-in-law, an Alamoville detective, Blake Johnson, who truly needs to spend more time with the family. They vow to help Blake whether he thinks he needs it or not.
Soon the ladies have the neighborhood divvied up and begin interrog—um, visiting with the neighbors in the search for clues. They put their wits to the test and do research in back issues of newspapers to get to the bottom of their former neighbor’s cash reserves, foul temper, and mistaken identity. When the whole Bunco group starts to help the police, Blake in particular, find the murderer so they can all feel safe again, it’s Operation Bunco Biddies to the rescue.
Told in multiple viewpoints, the ladies add their detecting skills to the adventure, all in good natured attempts to help Blake get to his daughters’ special schoolyear-end events, and learn more about themselves and their need to uplift and support each other in the process. First of a series. Lots of fun for those who enjoy chatty senior citizen-set mysteries.
July 20, 2016
Dumpster Dicing, by Julie B. Cosgrove, was the most delightful book I’ve read in some time. A well-written mystery that had me guessing, this book also offers humor, a wee bit of romance, and a beautiful message weaved into the characters’ actions.
When I read a mystery, I want two things. First, I want the mystery to keep me guessing. I don’t want to figure out who did it before the murder even happens. Dumpster Dicing had me guessing throughout. Cosgrove does an excellent job of leaving a breadcrumb trail of clues that leads you in circles right along with the characters. The second thing I look for in a mystery is characters that I care about. Again, Dumpster Dicing did not leave me wanting in this department. I laughed at and fell in love with the charming trio of women would-be-sleuths in their stubborn and relentless resolve to figure out who killed their neighbor. Cosgrove doesn’t stop there with dynamic and endearing characters. I loved Janie’s daughter and son-in-law, Detective Blake Johnson, as well many more of the secondary characters.
What I didn’t expect was such an encouraging message to come in the middle of a cozy mystery. Sometimes authors shove a Christian message in between crime scenes and car chases. However, Cosgrove seamlessly threads her message throughout the book. From the way Blake responds to his wife and his mother-in-law, to the way Janie is convicted about visiting friends in the assisted living center, the characters exemplify what it means to live a life of Christian love. Beautifully done!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait until the next installment in the Bunco Biddies series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When I read a mystery, I want two things. First, I want the mystery to keep me guessing. I don’t want to figure out who did it before the murder even happens. Dumpster Dicing had me guessing throughout. Cosgrove does an excellent job of leaving a breadcrumb trail of clues that leads you in circles right along with the characters. The second thing I look for in a mystery is characters that I care about. Again, Dumpster Dicing did not leave me wanting in this department. I laughed at and fell in love with the charming trio of women would-be-sleuths in their stubborn and relentless resolve to figure out who killed their neighbor. Cosgrove doesn’t stop there with dynamic and endearing characters. I loved Janie’s daughter and son-in-law, Detective Blake Johnson, as well many more of the secondary characters.
What I didn’t expect was such an encouraging message to come in the middle of a cozy mystery. Sometimes authors shove a Christian message in between crime scenes and car chases. However, Cosgrove seamlessly threads her message throughout the book. From the way Blake responds to his wife and his mother-in-law, to the way Janie is convicted about visiting friends in the assisted living center, the characters exemplify what it means to live a life of Christian love. Beautifully done!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait until the next installment in the Bunco Biddies series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 11, 2016
Julie Cosgrove has written some compelling romantic suspense novels about human trafficking (Hush in the Storm, Legitimate Lies, Freed to Forgive) as well as some delightful novellas (Greener Grass, Navy Blues), but she breaks new ground in her writing with a new series called Bunco Biddies Mysteries.
bunco biddies
The core of the group consists of Betsy Ann who used to be a news reporter. Janie is the widow of a police detective and her daughter is married to the current detective of their fair town. Ethyl adores cozy mysteries and catalogues all the who-dunnits she has read and how the murders were committed.
The first in this series is Dumpster Dicing and it is a delightful cozy mystery. SO much so my mom snuggled up to me while she read it.
While on their morning walk they spy a dead body parts dropping out of a dumpster being picked up by the garbage truck. Apparently it was a new grouchy neighbor to their community, Edwin Newman. Now they are determined to uncover the truth about just who murdered the poor man and why. Along the way they get into all kinds of trouble with someone trying to stop them, along with Janie’s son-in-law who, while appreciative of the help, really does care for his mother-in-law and wants her safe.
Dumpster Dicing is filled with colorful characters, sweet moments and a dash of humor as a group of older women in a retirement community seek to help out Janie’s son-in-law who is overworked and she beleives needs to spend more time with his family. HIghly recommend.
bunco biddies
The core of the group consists of Betsy Ann who used to be a news reporter. Janie is the widow of a police detective and her daughter is married to the current detective of their fair town. Ethyl adores cozy mysteries and catalogues all the who-dunnits she has read and how the murders were committed.
The first in this series is Dumpster Dicing and it is a delightful cozy mystery. SO much so my mom snuggled up to me while she read it.
While on their morning walk they spy a dead body parts dropping out of a dumpster being picked up by the garbage truck. Apparently it was a new grouchy neighbor to their community, Edwin Newman. Now they are determined to uncover the truth about just who murdered the poor man and why. Along the way they get into all kinds of trouble with someone trying to stop them, along with Janie’s son-in-law who, while appreciative of the help, really does care for his mother-in-law and wants her safe.
Dumpster Dicing is filled with colorful characters, sweet moments and a dash of humor as a group of older women in a retirement community seek to help out Janie’s son-in-law who is overworked and she beleives needs to spend more time with his family. HIghly recommend.
August 22, 2016
When I read a mystery, I want two things. First, I want the mystery to keep me guessing. I don’t want to figure out who did it before the murder even happens. Dumpster Dicing had me guessing throughout. Cosgrove does an excellent job of leaving a breadcrumb trail of clues that leads you in circles right along with the characters. The second thing I look for in a mystery is characters that I care about. Again, Dumpster Dicing did not leave me wanting in this department. I laughed at and fell in love with the charming trio of women would-be-sleuths in their stubborn and relentless resolve to figure out who killed their neighbor. Cosgrove doesn’t stop there with dynamic and endearing characters. I loved Janie’s daughter and son-in-law, Detective Blake Johnson, as well many more of the secondary characters.
What I didn’t expect was such an encouraging message to come in the middle of a cozy mystery. Sometimes authors shove a Christian message in between crime scenes and car chases. However, Cosgrove seamlessly threads her message throughout the book. From the way Blake responds to his wife and his mother-in-law, to the way Janie is convicted about visiting friends in the assisted living center, the characters exemplify what it means to live a life of Christian love. Beautifully done!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait until the next installment in the Bunco Biddies series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
What I didn’t expect was such an encouraging message to come in the middle of a cozy mystery. Sometimes authors shove a Christian message in between crime scenes and car chases. However, Cosgrove seamlessly threads her message throughout the book. From the way Blake responds to his wife and his mother-in-law, to the way Janie is convicted about visiting friends in the assisted living center, the characters exemplify what it means to live a life of Christian love. Beautifully done!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait until the next installment in the Bunco Biddies series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 18, 2017
This is a great detective book - that happens to be with a bunch of senior citizens. It is full of humor using stereo typing of senior citizens - if you don't think you would like that - you would not like to read that - but I tell you that it is so much fun - there is a murder of a senior citizen at a senior citizens home - where there are a bunch of old detectives that are retired and they try and solve the case and I tell you it is fun, and humorous, and real. You will love every single minute of it. It is serious as well and I do mean serious - you are left wondering who the heck did it all the way till the end who did it. Amazing - I didn't think I would love it so much but I did. I cannot wait to see the next ones it should be rip roarin', tail spinnin', truly amazin' mysteries. I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Dumpster Dicing
by Julie B. Cosgrove
Prism Book Group
You Are Auto-Approved
Mystery & Thrillers, Christian
Pub Date 13 May 2016
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Dumpster Dicing through the publisher and Netgalley:
We are introduced to Janie and Betsy Ann in Dumpster Dicing. They are on a Tuesday Morning Stroll when they spot a leg with an Orthopedic shoe sticking out of the sanitation truck.
Soon Betsy Ann and her Bunco Biddies are canvassing the neighborhood trying to figure out what happened.
Who is the victim? Why was he murdered?
If you are a fan of Christian Cozies you will love Dumpster Dicing.
Five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
May 28, 2016
Dumpster dicing
What a great mystery. Janie and her friend find a body in the dumpster, her and her Bunco biddies decide to help solve the mystery. This is the first book I have read by Julie B. Cosgrove but definitely plan to read more. Besides having a mystery to the book, it is funny at times. Love to read books that make me laugh. Janie son-n-law is a defective, love the way he is so patient with her. This is the first in the series, looking forward to more of the mysteries with the Bunco Biddies. I was given I copy of this book for a honest review by the Prism book group.
What a great mystery. Janie and her friend find a body in the dumpster, her and her Bunco biddies decide to help solve the mystery. This is the first book I have read by Julie B. Cosgrove but definitely plan to read more. Besides having a mystery to the book, it is funny at times. Love to read books that make me laugh. Janie son-n-law is a defective, love the way he is so patient with her. This is the first in the series, looking forward to more of the mysteries with the Bunco Biddies. I was given I copy of this book for a honest review by the Prism book group.
June 17, 2016
Senior citizens, Janie and Betsy Ann, never imagined they’d see a body tumbling out of the dumpster during their morning walk at the retirement village.
Determined to do a little sleuthing to help out Janie’s overworked son in law, Blake, chief detective of their small community, Janie and Betsy enlist the help of the Bunco Biddies.
This novel will make you smile, make you laugh, and shake your head at the antics of the senior set and their ability to solve the mystery just steps ahead of the police department.
Determined to do a little sleuthing to help out Janie’s overworked son in law, Blake, chief detective of their small community, Janie and Betsy enlist the help of the Bunco Biddies.
This novel will make you smile, make you laugh, and shake your head at the antics of the senior set and their ability to solve the mystery just steps ahead of the police department.
June 11, 2016
Living in a retirement community is supposed to be quiet and peaceful. When bunco loving friends happen upon a dead body, they decide to ensure their community is safe by solving the crime in this delightful book, full of humorous situations.
Very fun and delightful read!
I received a copy for my honest review.
Very fun and delightful read!
I received a copy for my honest review.
August 9, 2016
The characters make this story, but the mystery is delightfully twisted. As a reader, I was along for the ride, seeing and understanding everything right along with the characters. I would like to say that I saw the ending coming, but I seriously had no idea this time. Kudos to the author!
October 8, 2016
Fun read - fun characters - a little wordy
Read
April 16, 2017Thanks NetGalley and Baklit PR for the opportunity to read this delightful book in exchange of an unbiased honest review.
Janie and Betsy Ann are out for their normal morning stroll when they spot a body part about to be swallowed up by a rubbish truck.
They quickly stop the bemused driver, soon it is discovered that the victim is the newest resident in their retirement community. Now with nothing better to do Janie and Betsy Ann decide to become sleuths and solve the murder themselves, their adventures had me in hysterics.
Dumpster diving is a good mystery that will have you laughing and keep you hooked till the end and at the same time prepare you for another instalment which I for one am looking forward to reading.
Janie and Betsy Ann are out for their normal morning stroll when they spot a body part about to be swallowed up by a rubbish truck.
They quickly stop the bemused driver, soon it is discovered that the victim is the newest resident in their retirement community. Now with nothing better to do Janie and Betsy Ann decide to become sleuths and solve the murder themselves, their adventures had me in hysterics.
Dumpster diving is a good mystery that will have you laughing and keep you hooked till the end and at the same time prepare you for another instalment which I for one am looking forward to reading.
April 24, 2017
Thanks to netgalley.com for the copy of this book.
What a fun story. Can you just imagine these seniors in their matching workout sets trying to track down a murder in their retirement village. Oh it is silly and whitty and just a fun book to read.
What a fun story. Can you just imagine these seniors in their matching workout sets trying to track down a murder in their retirement village. Oh it is silly and whitty and just a fun book to read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews