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A Murder in Milburn #3.5
Death Under the Fireworks
Nora Newberry could use a weekend getaway. She feels trapped & alone in her small town of Milburn, Wyoming, and she just wants a break for a little while. So when she receives an invitation to visit an old friend for the 4th of July weekend, she jumps at the opportunity!
Nora met Katya when she worked as a chef in New York City. It's been years since they've seen each other and it would be wonderful to catch up. And to do so on a private island in Portland, Oregon (who knew they had private islands in Portland, Oregon?!) seems like a dream come true! Especially considering that Katya's in-laws-to-be, the owners of the island estate, have offered to pay Nora to cook a few meals while she's there!
It can't get better than a paid vacation with an old friend! So, without much need for consideration, Nora packs her things and heads off for a weekend in paradise!
Unfortunately, her dream weekend turns into a nightmare when her host dies at the dinner table. And, as if that's not bad enough, it appears as if it was something in a dish Nora prepared that did him in...
Nora met Katya when she worked as a chef in New York City. It's been years since they've seen each other and it would be wonderful to catch up. And to do so on a private island in Portland, Oregon (who knew they had private islands in Portland, Oregon?!) seems like a dream come true! Especially considering that Katya's in-laws-to-be, the owners of the island estate, have offered to pay Nora to cook a few meals while she's there!
It can't get better than a paid vacation with an old friend! So, without much need for consideration, Nora packs her things and heads off for a weekend in paradise!
Unfortunately, her dream weekend turns into a nightmare when her host dies at the dinner table. And, as if that's not bad enough, it appears as if it was something in a dish Nora prepared that did him in...
73 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2016
About the author
Nancy McGovern
73 books175 followersI'm a mother, wife, homemaker, pet lover, teacher, student, reader, writer, drinker of tea & wine (depending on the time of day) and sleep-deprived dreamer. I live in Syracuse, NY, with my husband, Doug (also a writer with books available on Amazon), our three children and too many furred & feathered friends to list!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 2, 2020
4.5 stars
This is the first novella (3.5) in the Murder in Milburn series by Nancy McGovern.
Nora is asked to cook for an old friend who is getting married and she jumps at the chance from some time away from Milburn. When their host is killed, anyone in the family is fair game considering how controlling the man was. Everyone has a motive in this one… even Nora! Looks like her food caused the man to croak.
It was nice to see Nora in a different environment with a new set of friends. The story is too short to dig into anything with much depth but this book seems to have more meat in it than her normal length books. Could have probably been a full sized story if she had wanted to take advantage of all the storyline material.
If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
This is the first novella (3.5) in the Murder in Milburn series by Nancy McGovern.
Nora is asked to cook for an old friend who is getting married and she jumps at the chance from some time away from Milburn. When their host is killed, anyone in the family is fair game considering how controlling the man was. Everyone has a motive in this one… even Nora! Looks like her food caused the man to croak.
It was nice to see Nora in a different environment with a new set of friends. The story is too short to dig into anything with much depth but this book seems to have more meat in it than her normal length books. Could have probably been a full sized story if she had wanted to take advantage of all the storyline material.
If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
July 13, 2019
Again, another great little mystery. But a shocked of an ending.
March 13, 2017
Families are complicated and even more so when outsiders try to enter the “click”.
The author’s storyline and characters are clear and concise and yet not too complicated. Except for the incorrect usage of some words, this was an enjoyable read!
The author’s storyline and characters are clear and concise and yet not too complicated. Except for the incorrect usage of some words, this was an enjoyable read!
March 24, 2026
Fireworks
In this story Nora travels to Glass Lion Island to meet her friend Katya who is there to meet her fiancee Petyr Von Kyburg's family and tell them they plan to marry. The family consists of Reynold his wife Maria, their oldest son Johann and his wife Lila. Nora preps lunch for the family with Katya's help. When a disagreement breaks out between Reynold and Johann over something overheard. While eating lunch Reynold after eating a mushroom collapses and dies. Now it's up to Nora and Katya to try and figure out who murdered Reynold. Can they figure out the clues and solve the case? Grab a copy of this short story and see if you can solve it first.
In this story Nora travels to Glass Lion Island to meet her friend Katya who is there to meet her fiancee Petyr Von Kyburg's family and tell them they plan to marry. The family consists of Reynold his wife Maria, their oldest son Johann and his wife Lila. Nora preps lunch for the family with Katya's help. When a disagreement breaks out between Reynold and Johann over something overheard. While eating lunch Reynold after eating a mushroom collapses and dies. Now it's up to Nora and Katya to try and figure out who murdered Reynold. Can they figure out the clues and solve the case? Grab a copy of this short story and see if you can solve it first.
August 19, 2018
Great start to a new cozy mystery series!
Katya invites Nora to come join her as she meets her future in-laws on their private island for the fourth of July. But there is a lot of tension and emotional drama as Petyr gets ready to announce their engagement. When Petyr's father dies at the table after the announcement, it looks like murder! But who did it? The answer will surprise you.
Katya invites Nora to come join her as she meets her future in-laws on their private island for the fourth of July. But there is a lot of tension and emotional drama as Petyr gets ready to announce their engagement. When Petyr's father dies at the table after the announcement, it looks like murder! But who did it? The answer will surprise you.
November 7, 2020
A weekend getaway for the 4th of July and a chance to earn
some extra money. Plus, Nora would get to spend some time with her old friend as she meets her future in-laws. Too bad the in-laws made everything so much more difficult. A father too cruel to his family ends up dead at the dinner table. Poison? But who did it?
This had a good setting to kick off the mystery, but, in the end, it felt too rushed and convenient. Still a good read though.
some extra money. Plus, Nora would get to spend some time with her old friend as she meets her future in-laws. Too bad the in-laws made everything so much more difficult. A father too cruel to his family ends up dead at the dinner table. Poison? But who did it?
This had a good setting to kick off the mystery, but, in the end, it felt too rushed and convenient. Still a good read though.
October 14, 2022
Death under fireworks
This was a very short but good cozy mystery read. Nora once again doing her thing with solving murders , but this time in Italy. In this book #4 they start off real quick with a murder which I wasn't to happy about , yet still it was a good read.
Thanks again Nancy McGovern
This was a very short but good cozy mystery read. Nora once again doing her thing with solving murders , but this time in Italy. In this book #4 they start off real quick with a murder which I wasn't to happy about , yet still it was a good read.
Thanks again Nancy McGovern
January 29, 2026
tThe Big Boom
Cute little cozy mystery. Colorful characters I love anything to do with cooking. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and it’s number four so I will go back and read the other ones. Cooking for a family turns into murder. What is Nora to do? How will she figure this one out.
Cute little cozy mystery. Colorful characters I love anything to do with cooking. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and it’s number four so I will go back and read the other ones. Cooking for a family turns into murder. What is Nora to do? How will she figure this one out.
March 2, 2026
Ridiculously short story that was unbelievable. Nora's friend from NY asks her to go with her to meet her future in-laws and cook for the weekend. The family is a bunch of horrible snobs but then after the murder, all decide to bare their soul to "the help" as they called Nora. It was too outlandish and short to really enjoy.
June 15, 2018
Hardly worth reading—I know it was only a novella, but there was no character development, no real mystery to solve. There was only a crime and then a rapid solution to the crime. I knew who the murderer was from the get-go!
September 11, 2018
Another good read.
Another good mystery by author Nancy McGovern. This story has some very strong characters in it. Love, hatred, greed and mystery all combined in this short story.
Another good mystery by author Nancy McGovern. This story has some very strong characters in it. Love, hatred, greed and mystery all combined in this short story.
September 19, 2018
A mystery with a twist
This is an interesting family and when that most people wouldn’t want for their own. The family dynamics leads to mysteries on their own. Who done it? Enjoy reading
This is an interesting family and when that most people wouldn’t want for their own. The family dynamics leads to mysteries on their own. Who done it? Enjoy reading
February 17, 2018
4.0⭐️ — Great — Enjoy it!
Short, smart, well written and a real deduction results.
Short, smart, well written and a real deduction results.
June 22, 2018
Fireworks and mayhem
Again,Nancy McGovern has done a superb job of introducing characters and slowly involving the reader in another great story. Don't miss any of her books!
Again,Nancy McGovern has done a superb job of introducing characters and slowly involving the reader in another great story. Don't miss any of her books!
August 25, 2018
good read.
September 26, 2018
What a fun novella. I like these short stories once in a while and this one takes place on the 4th of July. I really like this fun cozy mystery.
April 3, 2019
A short cozy mystery that covered a family 4th of July gathering, a murder, a murder solved and a wedding.
January 2, 2020
Great cozy mystery
Lots of family dynamics play into the plotline of this short cozy mystery. Multiple theories make the ending a surprise and keep you on the edge of your seat!
Lots of family dynamics play into the plotline of this short cozy mystery. Multiple theories make the ending a surprise and keep you on the edge of your seat!
February 5, 2020
A nice fast easy read, after reading a very emotional book. Plus, I never suspected the outcome. Great read.
February 12, 2020
Good quick read. Nice cozy mystery.
October 26, 2020
Love the series. The years are weird....not really in line with the story..imo but a great series.
May 25, 2021
Fun little cozy mystery.
August 19, 2021
Truly a short story. Cute and quick. So much so, you don't really have but the lightest of impressions of the cast of characters. Not bad, just fast.
July 4, 2025
Good story. Great characters.
This was a good mystery and I liked the characters. I was a bit shocked by who the murderer was, but in hindsight it was all there.
This was a good mystery and I liked the characters. I was a bit shocked by who the murderer was, but in hindsight it was all there.
July 10, 2016
What a fun, quick and easy summertime mystery! I love reading the novellas and the full-length books about Nora and her friends.
This time around, Nora has left Milburn to spend the 4th of July weekend with a friend from New York City, on a private island off Portland, Oregon. Even better, it will be a PAID vacation, as she has been offered a chance to cook a few meals for everyone while she is there. But when her friend's future father-in-law drops dead during the very first meal, things don't look good for Nora at all.
With a new location and new cast of supporting characters, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this story. But never fear, it is just as captivating as all of the others. The only reason I didn't finish it all in one sitting is that real life interfered. I kept thinking that I knew who the killer was, but each time it turned out that I was wrong....the actual identity of the killer was a huge surprise.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
This time around, Nora has left Milburn to spend the 4th of July weekend with a friend from New York City, on a private island off Portland, Oregon. Even better, it will be a PAID vacation, as she has been offered a chance to cook a few meals for everyone while she is there. But when her friend's future father-in-law drops dead during the very first meal, things don't look good for Nora at all.
With a new location and new cast of supporting characters, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this story. But never fear, it is just as captivating as all of the others. The only reason I didn't finish it all in one sitting is that real life interfered. I kept thinking that I knew who the killer was, but each time it turned out that I was wrong....the actual identity of the killer was a huge surprise.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
July 5, 2016
This is a great book; this is the second book in the A Murder In Milburn series by Nancy McGovern. Nora Newberry could use a weekend getaway. She feels trapped & alone in her small town of Milburn, Wyoming, and she just wants a break for a little while. So when she receives an invitation to visit an old friend for the 4th of July weekend, she jumps at the opportunity! Her dream weekend turns into a nightmare when her host dies at the dinner table. And, as if that's not bad enough, it appears as if it was something in a dish Nora prepared that did him in. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
July 26, 2016
Alex Troutt is trying to have a nice, leisurely vacation with her kids. She takes them to her hometown of Padre Island, TX to visit her father, his latest love interest & her best friend from High School. Alex has a tumultuous relationship with her father & it only goes downhill when she meets his latest love interest. Even though Alex is on vacation, her FBI senses go off the chain when she meets the woman & her intuition continues to go crazy with every ensuing encounter! She runs across an ex-coworker Archie who is now working as a PI & that encounter proves to be very helpful in the long run. From Alex's first meal with her father & "the woman" things start going CRAZY! Bullets flying, drugs, old friends with BIG SECRETS, new acquaintances with BIGGER SECRETS & nonstop ACTION, ACTION, ACTION! You will join Alex in needing a vacation after reading this Wild Ride! I received an ARC for a fair & honest review.
July 7, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nora Newberry's friend Katya has invited her to go to Glass Lion Island in Georgian Bay, Oregon for the July 4th weekend. She would be joining Katya as well as her fiancé, Petyr, and his family. Of course, Nora will be cooking, which will allow her to reconnect with Katya whom she hasn’t seen in a couple years.
Upon Nora's arrival on the island, the family greeted her with a bucket of wild mushrooms and asked her to include them in the lunch she is preparing.
Lunch had barely started when Johann Von Kyburg, the family patriarch falls over dead. It might have passed for a natural death had it not been for the foaming at the mouth and his obvious display of pain.
Since the island is privately owned by the Von Kyburg family, there should not be anybody there. Who would want to kill Johann and why?
Nora Newberry's friend Katya has invited her to go to Glass Lion Island in Georgian Bay, Oregon for the July 4th weekend. She would be joining Katya as well as her fiancé, Petyr, and his family. Of course, Nora will be cooking, which will allow her to reconnect with Katya whom she hasn’t seen in a couple years.
Upon Nora's arrival on the island, the family greeted her with a bucket of wild mushrooms and asked her to include them in the lunch she is preparing.
Lunch had barely started when Johann Von Kyburg, the family patriarch falls over dead. It might have passed for a natural death had it not been for the foaming at the mouth and his obvious display of pain.
Since the island is privately owned by the Von Kyburg family, there should not be anybody there. Who would want to kill Johann and why?
July 10, 2016
Never disappointing
Nancy McGovern has given us another Nora Newberry book that is a great read, one that can't be put down, and keeps you guessing til the end.
Nora's desire for a quick get away and a break from Milburn, Wyoming goes sideways with the death of the host at the dinner table and Nora begins her investigation. A great quick read. I was given this book for a honest review and read while going to my grandson's golf match. The perfect length for short car trip, about 66 pages.
Nancy McGovern has given us another Nora Newberry book that is a great read, one that can't be put down, and keeps you guessing til the end.
Nora's desire for a quick get away and a break from Milburn, Wyoming goes sideways with the death of the host at the dinner table and Nora begins her investigation. A great quick read. I was given this book for a honest review and read while going to my grandson's golf match. The perfect length for short car trip, about 66 pages.
February 8, 2019
Enjoyable read. Short but to the point. The characters were great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews