Murder Packs a Suitcase

Murder Packs a Suitcase #1

by Cynthia Baxter

Mallory Marlowe is ready to turn a corner—one lined with palm trees, plastic pink flamingo lawn ornaments, and snack bars shaped like giant ice cream cones. Thanks to her new job as travel writer for the New York magazine The Good Life, recently widowed Mallory is zipping around Orlando, assigned to rediscover the glory days of “old Florida.” It’s the first of what she hopes will be many exciting adventures . . . but she’s about to discover that the Sunshine State has a dark side.

Settled in among the faux volcanoes and tiki torches of the Polynesian Princess Hotel, Mallory is on the lookout for quirky attractions like alligator farms and pirate-themed diners hidden amid the glitzy theme parks. But she’s not prepared to find a cranky journalist speared to death in the Bali Ballroom—or to find herself a suspect in his murder. With her trip coming to a close, Mallory has no choice but to figure out if one of her fellow travel writers is a killer. Because if she doesn’t get out of Florida soon, her career—and her life—are about to come to a dead end.

Includes Mallory’s article for The Good Life, with tips and reviews of real Florida attractions!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Travel, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

(from author's website)

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my web site! I love the fact that the Internet makes it so easy to "talk" to readers (and to hear from them, too - my email address is below).

My favorite thing to do is read - and my second favorite is to write. Since 2003, I've been writing The Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series, which features veterinarian Jessica Popper. The books also include the antics of Jessie's menagerie: her rambunctious Westie, Max; his shy sidekick, Lou the Dalmatian; aging pussycat Catherine the Great; newcomer Tinkerbell, a tiger kitten with the personality of a diva; mouthy Prometheus, a Blue and Gold Macaw with attitude; and last but not least, the silent yet seemingly wise chameleon Leilani. The newest book in the series is CROSSING THE LION.

I also launched a second mystery series, The Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery Series, which will run concurrently with Reigning Cats & Dogs. The first book, also titled MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE, introduces Mallory Marlowe. Recently widowed at the age of 45, Mallory is still struggling to find her old self when she falls into a new job as a travel writer. In addition to researching exciting destinations, she happens upon the occasional murder - and she can't help getting involved in finding out whodunnit. The first book is set in Orlando, where she goes to discover whether or not the "old Florida," with alligator farms and pink plastic flamingoes and seashell jewelry, still exists despite the proliferation of glitzy theme parks. The second book in the series, TOO RICH AND TOO DEAD, is set in glamorous Aspen, where Mallory is trying to find out if even a non-skier can have a fun vacation.

Working on two different mystery series has been an interesting challenge. I've tried to make the two series different - but at the same time to include the same elements in the new series that readers of the original series seemed to enjoy. That means a likeable heroine, a compelling mystery with some quirky suspects and a few surprises, a touch of romance, and lots of humor. I'm really looking forward to seeing how readers respond to my new character and her adventures!

I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to write and say hello. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books!

Best wishes, Cynthia Baxter

Contact Cynthia: Cynthiab1@optonline.net

Reviews

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Warning rant may include spoilers, read at your own risk***


I just couldn't get into this book, the author's introduction of the main character just doesn't match the way she's portrayed.

The main character is supposed to be a recently widowed mother, who's been working as a freelance writer for the local paper for 12 year, tackling every subject under the sun. Because of her husband's death she's suffering some kind of identity crisis and ends up applying for a job with a magazine (with a recommendation from a friend). But instead of the work at home, events scheduling job Mallory is expecting to apply for, she is offered a position as travel writer.

Sounds like an interesting premise, except that this supposedly veteran reporter/writer acts and thinks more like a stay at home house wife who's venturing into the working world for the first time, rather than an experienced reporter.

At least 40% of the book is a travelogue of the Florida attractions she visits. Her sleuthing consists mostly of grilling the hotel manager and the other 3 writers on the trip. She makes 1 visit to the local library where her only research is to read 3 articles, 2 by the victim and the third by his replacement regarding a haunted house that closed down 20 years earlier. And she manages an interview with the victim's ex-wife, that she really just lucks into because she was to lazy to investigate and try to contact the woman until a fellow tourist trap owner tells Mallory that the ex is still living in town and gives her maiden name.

When her boss calls she lets him go to voice mail, and when she listens to his voicemail saying he's seen the news, Mallory's response is to turn off her phone and avoid him for the next two days... Wow great way to make a first impression on your new boss. Apparently being a suspect in a murder investigation makes you revert to behaving like a child.

Her hotel room gets entered and a photo of her family vandalized and her reaction is to freak out and ignore it, rather than contact the detective in the investigation, who could have at least checked for prints or found out if anyone had been given unauthorized access to her room.

And when she finally she stumbles onto information which leads her to identify the killer, she goes off to meet them at a secluded location (where an alleged party for the writers will be held) and even though she now knows who the killer is, and that the killer is the organizer of this "party", Mallory doesn't bother to even try to contact the other writers and make sure it's legit and that they will be there, or leave the detective the information as to where she'll be and that the killer will also be there.

And then when the inevitable ending comes about, the cops show up within 5 or 10 minutes of shots being fired at the closed down secluded tourist location... Talk about fast response time. And how did someone happen to be close enough to even here shots fired inside a tourist attraction? I'd think it would have better sound proofing and/or no close neighbors to disturb. Not at all believable. If the cops had showed up because she had left him a voicemail with her location, at least that would have made sense.



Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Nancy H]

The first of its series, this book takes newly widowed Mallory Marlowe on her first writing trip for her new job as a travel writer. What she doesn't expect is that there will be a murder on her first night at the Florida resort, nor does she expect to be accused of the murder. When she decides to investigate and clear her name, Mallory finds a plethora of suspects, each of whom had a very valid reason to want to murder the dead man. In a great ending, one of the people that Mallory did not seriously suspect turns out to be the murderer.

[Mattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Murder Packs a Suitcase
Genre/POV: 6/10
PLOT: 5/10 (fun, not too predictable, but a little cliché)
Character: 6/10

first off, i want to say, one thought that stuck with me throughout my entire read was THIS WOULD BE A GREAT MOVIE. Because although it wasn't the best book in my opinion, i would EAT UPPPPP this movie omg. The florida vibes...Wade the dreamboat...FRIEDA!! I'd love to see Frieda... SOMEONE GET TO THE WRITERS ROOM BECAUSE I NEED THE FILM.

Every character in this book was interesting to say the least. The emotion in each character was over the top in some way and I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing. In this summer/florida-themed murder mystery novel that gave me the vibes of the Scooby Doo Spooky Island movie, I personally appreciated the over-the-top emotion. That being said, I don’t think it would work for just any other book and genre, but it worked for me here.
On the topic of characters. One ick that I had with one of the characters was Desmond. In the scene in chapter three when he is speaking with the writers and Courtney about the hotel, he is professional, stately, very stoic-ish. Yet, when the body is found (and honestly for the rest of the book) he seems very frantic and explosive with worry. He doesn’t want to call the cops. He becomes very erratic and thinks this will look bad on him. IDK. The Desmond from chapter three is different than the Desmond in chapter four/five and I almost felt like they were different people. I can see the argument that his erratic behavior could have something to do with the fact that a murder just happened in his hotel, but chapter three gave me the impression that he seems like the kind of person that would be calmer in a situation like that and he certainly wouldn't tell someone to NOT CALL THE COPS.
Next thing regarding characters, I want to talk about Detective Martinez and literally all I want to say is that the entire time I could only see Sergeant Bosco from Bob’s Burgers. I kind of loved him haha.

*How grief was handled*
-Though I can’t speak from personal experience of losing a spouse, I do know what it is like to lose a close relative/friend and the way Mallory’s grief is handled, I think, was very accurate. It’s been six months, and she misses her husband deeply, but she’s finally starting to learn how to live in a world where he no longer exists. She had happy moments, like getting her job and traveling to Florida for the first time in a long time, but then you get these moments where David (the husband) is brought up and you can just see the love that they shared by reading her memories. Like when she brought the picture of them and their kids to the hotel with her, when she put on a dress that she remembered he loved, when she mentions that he would be proud to see her. Every time she reaches a new high of happiness, she thinks of David and what he would say or do if he were there, and I believe that really encapsulates what it’s like to grieve and heal at the same time. One of my favorite quotes was “She understood that she’d needed time to mourn. That in fact she was still mourning. Yet, she was dealing with even more than grief. She also had to cope with the feeling that everyone she loved was deserting her. It was something that dated back to before David’s death. She’d spent so many years catering to the needs of her family that once they vanished, one by one, she had found herself floundering for a new way to define herself.” Page 65. I am so happy that I got to experience her finding herself again.

*My not-so-positive thoughts*
-Her children were incredibly immature and kind of annoying for two people who are twenty and eighteen. I mean, her daughter is TWO YEARS younger than me, and I was so, so annoyed with how rude she was about her mother getting a job. And i understand that Amanda (the daughter) was likely acting that way because they had just lost their father and they didn't want to lose their mother too. However, the way she reacted to the news of her mother getting a new job reminded me of my eight-year-old nephew when he can't have candy before bed. It was whiny. I will say, at the end of the book, I started liking them a little bit.
-The dialogue was not great and I believe it impacted the book quite a bit. The way it is rendered in some places can feel natural, like when Courtney gives them their assignments and gives details of the trip during lunch on their first day. When Mallory and Wade go on their dates. However, there are areas where it is really lacking. Like how Amanda only calls her mother and not mom. Maybe that's a New York thing. (where they are said to be from.) I'm not entirely sure, but it was like every time she spoke she would call her mother and it felt snarky and rude even when the daughter wasn't being snarky or rude. It just didn't quite land for me. And also in the end when the murderer confronts Mallory. That entire conversation is clunky and rushed and I really wanted more emotion and confusion and just … more.

All in all, I’m so happy I read this. I don’t think it is some phenomenal piece of literature, it definitely could have been better written, but the characters are deep, the story line is interesting, there is humor and love and suspense. I would definitely recommend this book to people, but I can also understand why someone wouldn’t like it. Right now, it’s 3 stars for me. If I had to judge it solely based on the elements of the book I’d give it two stars, but there is just something about this story that I know will stick with me for a while. I definitely will read this author again. Heck, I'd love to read books about the other characters within this book. They were so interesting...especially my girl Frieda!!!!

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 1 out of 5]

My goodness, when a well intentioned novel is being put together, this is excellent proof that all can go wrong. I can read the effort to prepare and research and plan quirks in the plot to give the book a strong foundation. But poor writing and a sloppy understanding of travel writing digs a grave for 'Murder Packs a Suitcase'.

Since I was married to a travel writer, hung out with travel writers, went to many travel writer gatherings and do some travel writing of my own, I know a bit about the subject. Obviously the writer does not. That would be OK, but she should have talked to a travel writer for some idea what happens. Travel writers rarely move in packs to write a story for the very reason of competition. A series of competing magazines knows better than to send their writers all at the same time to Florida or all of their magazines would have similar stories coming out all at the same time. Travel writers gathering as colleagues is something else. We went to travel writer gatherings with the side intent of getting a story, but didn't tell the others about it to get that certain angle.

Adding to the above is the writer poor writing of the book. All of the characters questioned freely give any information asked. Despite the person asking is a just a writer. She is no part of law enforcement, has no idea where in the world she is and has no motivation involving her job to have experience questioning people. How the writer jumps to the conclusion the reader will buy all of this is preposterous.

The writers inability to write has the characters with similar dialogue making them all similar, with only physical descriptions to set them apart. Then there is the nasty habit of each knowing all sorts of trivia as if reading from an encyclopedia...or copied from one. There are lots of inconsistencies throughout. At one point the main character's editor claims to stumbled over the story of a murder. Within a page the main character learns the story is splashed all over the news all over the country. How did the magazine editor miss that?

Also, the quotes opening each chapter are trite and irritating.

About Florida: Making all this worse is her lack of understanding Orlando, Orange County, etc.
There are all kinds of names of places that are wrong. Seems most are to simplify to include the Orlando name, though all are actually not in Orlando. Most these days don't know most all of the Central Florida tourism areas are not in Orlando, which is a small city in a huge county.

There are lots of details that drove me crazy. Like the main character walking by herself in Cypress Gardens. That was beyond impossible. It was a small place with eyes watching everywhere at all times, besides all of the employees about. Something about two haunted houses nearly side by side. A difficulty in zoning, parking, stormwater issues and just trying to make a buck. No investor would've let it happen either.

The worse part was the main character looking for "Old Florida" with ZERO understanding what that term means. To us natives, it means a lot. Just about anybody at Gatorland could've told her. Did she never speak to Tim Williams there? How on earth could that not have happened?

Dinosaur World is NOT "Old Florida". It's in the old Florida area of Thonotosassa, but otherwise barely 20 years old. Old Florida would have sent her to any of our state parks in Central Florida, Beefy King, Lake Eola, etc. of course, that is old Orlando, not old Florida. She was told to write of Old Florida and went after Anything Orlando in a Tourist Area.

I noticed the author claimed to speak to Liz Langley at the Orlando Weekly. i would think Liz could've straightened her out. Unless the communication was done through e-mail which would explain the problem of communication.

Did the writer know a character she has in her book, Phil Diamond, was also the name, at the time, of a City of Orlando City Commissioner?

Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 3 out of ten points.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this one from Mystery Guild’s buy one get one free. Free was too much to pay for this stinker. I got it because I’ve read some of Baxter’s other books which weren’t bad and because it was set back where I used to live in Florida. The idea of seeing Old Florida tourist traps in fiction sounded like fun and Publisher Weekly praised it (wonder what the pay off was).

Mallory Marlowe is a 40 something recent widow with two college aged kids who’s looking for a second start on life and she takes a friend’s advice and goes for a job interview and ends up a traveler writer (which was a shock to her and here’s where I start to go off the rails with this one, who interviews for a job that they don’t even know what it is?). Her kids are a real pain too and frankly that’s one of my biggest issues, Mallory and her kids are whiney and unlikeable.

Mallory heads to FL and gets into a fight with an obnoxious man over a seat on the plane and later he turns out to be one of the other travel writers that make up her press team at the Polynesian Princess hotel. The other members include Annabelle who writes for a travel for cheap mag, Phil Diamond, the obnoxious guy, Frieda, a senior who writes for adventuresome seniors, Wade who owns a Canadian travel mag and Courtney their FL liaison. Doesn’t take Phil long to turn up dead and Mallory becomes the main suspect.

And this is big issue number two and often is with cozys. The usual cozy formula is the amateur detective is friends/related to/married to the cop (ala Jessica Fletcher) or has a cop who is always threatening to lock them up if they don’t stop. Detective Martinez is neither. He shows up at the crime scene, once later with a connection to Phil even Mallory didn’t know she had making her an even better suspect and finally at the end in a manner so contrived the book nearly learned how to fly across a room.

Big issue number three, there is no real detecting here. Mallory just goes to various tourist destinations with her fellow writers, each in turn, and every one of them is so chatty that she gets all the info she needs without trying, leaving us wondering how dumb is Martinez. The final Big Issue, the ending, which was so stupid, I cannot believe anyone wrote it and got it past an editor. Not only has Mallory figured out who the killer is she goes somewhere alone with her even after she knows (well the others were supposed to be there but if you were going to a party in a shut down haunted attraction and you didn’t see the others’ cars would you have continued on in? I know I wouldn’t) and gets rescued by Martinez who responded to a shots fired call. Um detectives don’t do that. Uniformed police do. Awful. The write-ups and urls for the Florida attractions were fun. Go to the store/library and just copy those out and toss the book back on the shelf. I only finished it because I paid money (well for the other book but you know what I mean).

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent start to a series! Middle aged and newly widowed, Mallory embarks on a new career as a travel writer for a lifestyle magazine. She's nervous and excited all at once, but she undertakes her 1st assignment searching for the old Florida. This press trip turns out to be much more than she bargained for and she's implicated in a murder. Very strange and twisty -- I challenge anyone to figure out who really dunnit before the last few pages. Can't wait to read more of this series!

[DJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars but Goodreads doesn't have the ability to rate that way.

As a lover of Murder She Wrote, much to my mother's amusement since I watched it a lot as a young adult, I found this book to be a delight. It felt VERY Murder She Wrote-esque but in its own original way. Mallory, the main character, is widowed with two adultish children who is presented with the opportunity to become a travel writer. What she doesn't expect is to find herself in Florida amongst all the oddities trying to solve a murder that she's somehow become the main suspect of. I enjoyed the exploration of the weird little places Mallory visited and how she interpreted them. I also really liked the other characters because they were just so unique, especially Frieda, the senior citizen who writes for a travel magazine for other senior citizens. I just really had a good time reading this and found it to be incredibly funny. I wrote down so many notes about things that Mallory said or thought that were just hysterical. The only thing I can really complain about is that I did figure out the main twist fairly early on but I think it made a lot of sense over all. If you love a silly little mystery with all the sunny Florida fun, give this a go!

[Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seemingly a pleasure to start reading Cynthia Baxter's book, some descriptions of Orlando, FL (where I've been living since '2010,) this murder mystery featuring a travel author on a new assignment to write about travel in & around Orlando. My expectations too high perhaps, I know there is boat full of things to write about FL, especially "Old Florida" as towns have preserved their history. But, -

I don't understand the main character, I couldn't get into what she was doing as described by the author. Our public libraries, even before the internet, are vast treasury of info, past newspaper articles, magazine articles, news reports on video, photos of events, etc., - All there if the person wants to do the work of searches, researching what may be relevant to a murder mystery. Yes, I know researches in a library could be boring for readers in a mystery book. Think of the researching in news archives by the girl in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo." Revalations from searches could be made into interesting reading.

Just not a satisfying mystery reading when the main character isn't believeable, she should be developed with changes made.

[Marjorie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book with interesting descriptions of the "old" Florida older readers may remember. Great until the last 10 pages. Ending was terribly predictable and could be seen coming 100 miles off. Why did you take a great character and turn her into an idiot in the last few pages? And the "rescue" by the police? I really wanted to rate this book a lot higher but the ending just was soooo disappointing! All this great writing and to end like you had to wrap it all up before hitting 300 pages or some other imaginary deadline. It was like you gave no thought to the ending at all, that you had to put a bow on it and get it to the editor. And shame on your editor for letting this fly by without making you put more effort into it!!!!
After 278 pages I was still engrossed, then you totally blew it!!!!

[Libtechgurugoddess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mallory Marlowe has been recently widowed, and suddenly. She finds herself all alone in her mid-40s and an empty nest with both her kids flown off to college. (Though not for long...) She lands a dream job as a travel column writer for a New York magazine, The Good Life. She's immediately sent on assignment to the Orlando, Florida, area to discover if the "Old Florida" is still alive ("Old Florida" means before Disneyfication and with lots of kitsch; odd-shaped buildings, over-the-top décor, somewhat smaltzy or old-fashioned attractions). Mallory ends up being a suspect in a murder and sets out to "catch the killer" in a wide-eyed, naive manner.

[Ewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was nice to read about a different main character (not young sexy girl from small city), maybe there were too many details about Florida, but plot was interesting, fun at some moments.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a fun book. I especially enjoyed reading about the various touristy activities mostly popular in the 50's and 60's as I remember some of them, or at least some like them. Good writing, good mystery.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good cozy. It borders on a thriller with a few great twists. I had the book for several years and just wasn't getting to it. Now I'm sorry I didn't pick it up sooner. I've ordered book 2 and am kinda bummed the series was only 2 books because I really like Mallory.

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in Murder Packs a Suitcase Mysteries. OK, would read more.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Local Florida old time attractions populate this tale of murder in Orlando!! Only thing missing was the Weki Waki Springs mermaids!!
Kept me interested!!

[Lisa Stanulonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read while in Orlando. Your usual murder mystery giving you tourist insight to Florida.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like her books but this one was very drawn out and at times boring. The ending was good. However it could have been shorter.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 Murder Packs A Suitcase series - Cozy Mystery

An entertaining cozy featuring Mallory Malloy. Her new job as a travel writer sends her to Orlando, Florida with a small group of travel writers. A very bizarre murder occurs at their hotel, and Mallory investigates.

I enjoyed the murder mystery and armchair trip to Florida. The mega-corporation theme park destinations were not on the agenda at all, but trips to "old Florida" of the 60's and '70's were featured (yay!). Mallory and her group of writers take the reader to Gatorland, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Shell World, and many other fun and varied spots. I loved the little details about Florida and quick trivia notes about other "off the map" landmarks of interest in other states (such as The Agricultural Drainage Hall of Fame, or Smoky the Bear's burial site in New Mexico).

Cynthia Baxter is also the author of the long running mystery series "Reigning Cats and Dogs", featuring a vet with a mobile clinic (Dr. Jessica Popper). This is one of my very favorite series.

Murder Packs A Suitcase Series

#1 Murder Packs A Suitcase
#2 Too Rich And Too Dead

[Lori Whitwam · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the author of the "Reigning Cats & Dogs" series. First in the travel-writer series. Mallory Marlowe lost her husband in a freak accident six months ago, her grown children don't really need her, and her job as a part-time writer for a local newspaper isn't challenging her. She takes a job as travel writer for a well-respected magazine and heads to Florida to see if "Old Florida" has survived Disneyfication.

Here, it becomes a bit formulaic. Meet group of fellow travel-writers, various personalities, and the obnoxious one is murdered. Be considered a suspect. Discover many secrets tying everybody to the dead guy. Try to figure out whether it's a new feud or an old one that lead to his death. See the sights for the travel article. Stumble on the key information, then almost be killed by the murderer.

Not bad, and the reason for the murder isn't as predictable as the rest of the plot. I'll be in Orlando in a few weeks, so some of the information about the tourist sites was of interest. Maybe I'll go to the Titanic museum.

[☯Emily Ginder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a delightful, quick read that is really 3 1/2 stars. I especially enjoyed the beginning of the book as Mallory Marlowe is going on an interview for the first time in many years. Her husband has recently died and she is still mourning. Her children seem to be at loose ends. Mallory gets the job as a travel writer and her first trip is to Florida. On the airplane trip there, she gets into an argument with a man who took her seat. This unpleasant man is a fellow travel journalist who soon gets murdered. Mallory is under suspicion for the crime. She decides to clear herself and ends up in a precarious situation. I think that Mallory made a couple of stupid decisions that could have gotten herself killed. Since I thought these were rather far-fetched decisions, I didn't rate the book higher.

However, if you are under stress and need something fun to read, this book would hit the spot. I plan on reading more books by this author.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory Marlowe is attempting to get her life back together after her husband's accidental death. Her new job is as a travel writer, and her first stop is Orlando, where she is part of a press tour. Their first night there, the obnoxious member of the group is found floating in a fountain. Even though she just met him, Mallory is the prime suspect. Can she figure out who really did it? I found Mallory a charming travel companion. Occasionally the bits about the tour were a little long, but the mystery moved along as a consistently fast pace even if it did rely on coincidence a little more then I would have liked. This was my first book by Cynthia Baxter, but I will be reading more.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Sfdreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new series from the author of another series I enjoy: The Reigning Cats and Dogs series about a veterinarian in upstate New York.

The protaganist of this series, Mallory Marlowe, a recent widow and mother of two older children who have "left the nest" finds herself at loose ends and applies for a job at a travel magazine, The Good Life. Much to her surprise, she is hired as a travel writer, not as the monthly calendar editor that she expected. Within days, she is winging off to Florida, to write an article on the Old Florida, and soon finds herself in hot water.

I enjoyed this book, which includes Mallory's article at the end of the book. It made me want to visit some of the tourist attractions off the Disney path.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this little paperback which is the start of a series. The main character is a forty-ish widow putting her life back together when she's offered a job as a travel writer for an upscale magazine. She's whisked off to Florida with a group of other travel writers to begin her new career but quickly things go awry why one of the group is murdered and plenty of people have motives. Our heroine works to clear her name and visit the kitchy "old Florida" attractions on list---giving us a review of actual attractions. This is a sort of travel book and mystery approach I haven't seen before. I'm perturbed that the next one isn't owned in the library system and I'm intrigued enought that I'm going to buy it! A promising new series!

[Mendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good 1st book. I particularly enjoyed the Orlando tips that were about attractions other than Disney. We are planning a trip there in April and I've been stumped on what to do besides Disney. :O)

Mallory is a recent widow that has decided to re-enter the workforce. She somewhat falls into a dream job as a travel writer just in time to write an article about Florida off the beaten path. Unfortunately, her trip is soured by the murder of another travel writer. Mallory is a prime suspect in the eyes of the local law and must find a way to clear herself before her trip ends.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy about a newly widowed woman who starts a job as a travel writer. In this book, she travels to Orlando, FL. I think part of the reason I enjoyed it is that she wrote about real places, several of which I've visited. She does find a potential love interest, and it's left open to explore more fully in future books. The dynamics between the various travel writers were fun, and I hope we run into them again in future books. I already have the second book in the series and will start it soon!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallory Marlowe recently lost her husband to an accident, her son and daughter are in college, and she decides that it's time to go back to work. She gets a job writing for a magazine, a travel column, which requires that she travel to various places and pass on to their readers what to expect. On her first assignment she goes to Orlando, Florida, and promptly becomes involved in a murder. Because she is considered the number one suspect by the police, she sets out to solve the murder to clear her name.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

If a genre blend of murder mystery and travel guide is your liking, then this is your book. Actually, I somewhat enjoyed the guide aspects of old Florida (Orlando area) that were presented in the story, as I have visited some of them in my childhood, yet the general story gets lost in the travel guide. If someone was visiting Florida for the first time, this might be a book that they would enjoy (maybe) but ... I would like to see if Cynthia Baxter's writing style is always as slow.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I had not read any of the Reigning Cats and Dogs mysteries by this author, this title intrigued me, so I started reading it. I absolutely couldn't put it down! The characters were so authentic and the places described so realistically, I felt as if I was right there with Mallory trying to solve the murder. Kudos to Ms. Baxter on a well-written, tightly-plotted first in this series. I look forward to many more!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It just hit me where I was at the moment I opened it. I have been on press trips with obnoxious journalists and every bit of what Baxter writes rings true, except for solving a murder. On my press trips, we wouldn't have had a spare second to do that. The book is a fun read and I love that the article she'd written as a travel writer appears at the end of the book.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I just spent a week in old Florida. Which was OK because my parents lived in Florida for many years and I visited many of these places. But I can see where if you don't have a Florida past, all of the descriptions of the old Florida attractions might get boring. The story itself was entertaining and the murderer a surprise.