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Merrifield Mysteries #1
Resort to Homicide
Vacations can be Murder
After the loss of her husband, ex-homicide detective turned mystery writer, Laura Merrifield turns to her family. Giving in to her brother's request, she goes to visit his new island resort during a special weekend for the investors. Spending time at Rim Runners should have been the perfect prescription to help rebuild her life, but the mood at the resort is like the weather-stormy. As hurricane Anna cuts them off from the mainland, tempers flare resulting in threats and sabotage. When the body of one of the guests is found, Laura is forced to rely on her training to find the killer before the storm lets up and they can slip away.
After the loss of her husband, ex-homicide detective turned mystery writer, Laura Merrifield turns to her family. Giving in to her brother's request, she goes to visit his new island resort during a special weekend for the investors. Spending time at Rim Runners should have been the perfect prescription to help rebuild her life, but the mood at the resort is like the weather-stormy. As hurricane Anna cuts them off from the mainland, tempers flare resulting in threats and sabotage. When the body of one of the guests is found, Laura is forced to rely on her training to find the killer before the storm lets up and they can slip away.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2016
312 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Christine Chianti
28 books9 followersChristine has been a life-long reader who loves the relationships between character and how they react to given circumstances.
After teaching high-school science for 19 years, she opted to start writing Romantic Suspense novels that are suitable for audiences of all ages.
In her spare time, Christine enjoys flying (she is a private pilot) and is currently building her own plane!
After teaching high-school science for 19 years, she opted to start writing Romantic Suspense novels that are suitable for audiences of all ages.
In her spare time, Christine enjoys flying (she is a private pilot) and is currently building her own plane!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 23, 2019
3.5 Stars. Short and sweet.
September 10, 2018
What a great mystery!
I loved everything about this mystery - the story, a main character who was very relatable, the location on an island off the coast of South Carolina was beautiful and haunting and the supporting characters kept you guessing!
Mysteries that take place in secluded locations are my very favorites! Ms. Chianti created a character, Laura Merrifield, who is complicated, smart and very human. Merrifield's husband was killed in Afghanistan and she left her job as an NYPD homicide detective to write mysteries. She's the perfect character for this book.
Try this novella, it's a short read that will acquaint you with a new friend!
I loved everything about this mystery - the story, a main character who was very relatable, the location on an island off the coast of South Carolina was beautiful and haunting and the supporting characters kept you guessing!
Mysteries that take place in secluded locations are my very favorites! Ms. Chianti created a character, Laura Merrifield, who is complicated, smart and very human. Merrifield's husband was killed in Afghanistan and she left her job as an NYPD homicide detective to write mysteries. She's the perfect character for this book.
Try this novella, it's a short read that will acquaint you with a new friend!
September 24, 2016
This short novella is a swift, interesting read. Due to it's shortness, I'm rating it 3 stars. If it were considerably longer, with a detailed plot and characterization, I feel like I would give it a higher rating. That said, I did enjoy the bones of the story, and would recommend it to those interested in a quick read.
July 14, 2022
the first book in what looks to be a great series
Laura goes to an island off the coast where her brother Luke is opening a resort on the island he bought. She is there with his investors for a dry run. The first night a hurricane closes the bridge to the island and then the power goes out. She and Luke go out to see why the generator did not start and find it sabotaged. They get back to the main house and discover one of the investors is missing. After a search he is found murdered. The intrigue deepens as Laura investigates. Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending. A well written fun read. Look forward to reading more in the series.
Laura goes to an island off the coast where her brother Luke is opening a resort on the island he bought. She is there with his investors for a dry run. The first night a hurricane closes the bridge to the island and then the power goes out. She and Luke go out to see why the generator did not start and find it sabotaged. They get back to the main house and discover one of the investors is missing. After a search he is found murdered. The intrigue deepens as Laura investigates. Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending. A well written fun read. Look forward to reading more in the series.
July 12, 2021
Notes before review: It is reasonable to expect of an author, whose title is a joke based on a pun, command of language and the accurate and sharp wit and use that are built on it. None of that can be found here (up to chapter 9, but that’s a lot of linguistic/grammatical inaccuracies, &c), except occasional wit.
The last few chapters are fun, but even more filled with errors. (That a book is free is not any excuse at all for a total absence of proofreading. If I am the only person who decides whether to buy a book based on a free or library-available book by that author I am surprised.)
The last few chapters are fun, but even more filled with errors. (That a book is free is not any excuse at all for a total absence of proofreading. If I am the only person who decides whether to buy a book based on a free or library-available book by that author I am surprised.)
July 3, 2018
Vibes of Christie in this wonderful little read.
Absolutely terrific. Having lost her husband, cop turned writer is visiting family for the presence opening of their new Inn. A hurricane, explosion, a dead body and a group of attendees that all seem to have a motive. Although this is a short read you are not short changed at all. Great vivid characters and a plot that really does remind me of Christie. A wonderful read and a great new find.
Absolutely terrific. Having lost her husband, cop turned writer is visiting family for the presence opening of their new Inn. A hurricane, explosion, a dead body and a group of attendees that all seem to have a motive. Although this is a short read you are not short changed at all. Great vivid characters and a plot that really does remind me of Christie. A wonderful read and a great new find.
October 3, 2018
Overall a good story
This was well thought out, and I enjoyed reading it. I would advise an editor, however, as simple errors detract from reading so many of these cozy mysteries. Loose means something is not tight, not to lose the island. Furthermore, one does not repel down a cliff, but rather rappel. These were the most obvious, however, an editor would/should catch all.
This was well thought out, and I enjoyed reading it. I would advise an editor, however, as simple errors detract from reading so many of these cozy mysteries. Loose means something is not tight, not to lose the island. Furthermore, one does not repel down a cliff, but rather rappel. These were the most obvious, however, an editor would/should catch all.
June 19, 2017
Murder-lite. Not a compelling read.
I found this mystery pretty cut and dry. The conversations were stilted. The characters did not feel real. It was just an "OK" read. I finished it but it was not a page Turner.
I found this mystery pretty cut and dry. The conversations were stilted. The characters did not feel real. It was just an "OK" read. I finished it but it was not a page Turner.
December 17, 2017
Great Reading
An interesting and delightful story of several people stuck on an island while a hurricane rages a few miles out to sea. The characters were interesting. I enjoyed reading the story..
An interesting and delightful story of several people stuck on an island while a hurricane rages a few miles out to sea. The characters were interesting. I enjoyed reading the story..
December 24, 2018
Resort to homicide
Resort to homicide was a good read. I enjoy murder mysteries,had s!ight difficulty keeping my characters straight. I would recommend this book to other murder mystery readers.
Resort to homicide was a good read. I enjoy murder mysteries,had s!ight difficulty keeping my characters straight. I would recommend this book to other murder mystery readers.
September 17, 2017
Keeps you guessing to the end. I really enjoyed this book.
December 16, 2017
A murder mystery that I had a difficult time solving. Difficult to put down.
December 26, 2017
Wow
I will certainly be looking forward to more books by Christine Chianti .A really good mystery,suspense.With plenty of action and thrills.
I will certainly be looking forward to more books by Christine Chianti .A really good mystery,suspense.With plenty of action and thrills.
December 29, 2017
A well-contained murder scene and an intrepid ex-detective. Very good read.
February 8, 2018
I enjoyed this book but it took a chapter or two for me to really get into it. I will be looking for more written by Christine Chianti.
January 22, 2019
My thoughts
The story line was okay. It was not good enough to keep me reading. It took me 3 months to finish. You can also do a spell check, quite a few errors
The story line was okay. It was not good enough to keep me reading. It took me 3 months to finish. You can also do a spell check, quite a few errors
December 10, 2020
Nice
Nice story. Quick read with interesting plot. Heavy on characters which made it hard to get to know the suspects well, but still well plotted.
Nice story. Quick read with interesting plot. Heavy on characters which made it hard to get to know the suspects well, but still well plotted.
December 31, 2020
A quick read and a good mystery with enough red herrings to keep you guessing.
March 10, 2017
Enjoyable
I would say it's a good read if you like mysteries as much as I do. It was not too long and drawn out, strictly about the murder and the investigation and the characters were a little interesting but also a little boring. I would recommend but warn the reader not to expect any excitement or suspense.
I would say it's a good read if you like mysteries as much as I do. It was not too long and drawn out, strictly about the murder and the investigation and the characters were a little interesting but also a little boring. I would recommend but warn the reader not to expect any excitement or suspense.
January 5, 2017
This is a quick read that is well written. When ex cop and writer Laura Merrifield heads to her brother's resort she isn't expecting to be caught up in a murder investigation. It doesn't help the place is under a hurricane warning and they are all stuck with the killer. The author did a great job with this suspense thriller.
September 4, 2016
A fun, quick read! I really liked the main character, her brother and sister in law. Great quick cozy read that has me waiting to read more of this series. I'm off to download the next book! I definitely recommend this novella.
October 4, 2016
Former detective turned mystery writer, visits her brother and sister-in-law at their new island resort for a dry run before opening. She finds herself in charge of a murder investigation in the midst of hurricane Anna.
October 10, 2016
I would not recommend the book
This was a very strange& weird book. I read it to the end only because I wanted to see the outcome of this " murder/mystery". No I definitely would not recommend this book.
This was a very strange& weird book. I read it to the end only because I wanted to see the outcome of this " murder/mystery". No I definitely would not recommend this book.
December 30, 2016
Excellent read!
This mystery was well written. The development of characters thru the eyes of a writer who happen to be a retired detective on vacation put a different twist on this story. Excellent read! Will be following this author.
This mystery was well written. The development of characters thru the eyes of a writer who happen to be a retired detective on vacation put a different twist on this story. Excellent read! Will be following this author.
December 8, 2016
Right between
The eyes. No time wasted....let the solutions settle and realize you have had the treatment, admit it you see s new you
The eyes. No time wasted....let the solutions settle and realize you have had the treatment, admit it you see s new you
December 16, 2016
Easy read
I thought it was a good story. As f o r easy to read, I usually look for some books that don't need a lot of explanation.
I thought it was a good story. As f o r easy to read, I usually look for some books that don't need a lot of explanation.
September 17, 2017
Very good
I truly enjoyed this book. Easy read, fast, easy. If you like a mystery this one is a good one.
I truly enjoyed this book. Easy read, fast, easy. If you like a mystery this one is a good one.
apuntados
March 5, 2017Amazon - 03/09/2016
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2016
more character developmenht would have made it that much more intresting to read though...
May 10, 2017
Great read
This was an interesting mystery written with a lot of thought and research which made it impossible to read a few pages at a time. It was great! I recommend it to anyone who likes a book that is so well written and researched that it doesn't need a gimmick to snare readers.
This was an interesting mystery written with a lot of thought and research which made it impossible to read a few pages at a time. It was great! I recommend it to anyone who likes a book that is so well written and researched that it doesn't need a gimmick to snare readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews