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The Dunbarton Mysteries #3
Frog Legs
CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2017 MYSTERY AND MAYHEM FINALIST!
The body was found in the early morning, face down in the murky waters of the marsh. There was no question that he had drowned. The question was did he have help? And if he did, who, among the many, irate people upon whose toes he had trod, had helped to send him on his way? The only witnesses have frog legs and they have nothing to say on the matter.
It is summer and the weather is hot but politics in Dunbarton are even hotter. At the centre of the debate is the future of a few acres of wetland, home to mosquitoes, cat-tails and frogs. Life hasn't been the same in the normally peaceful lakeside town following a proposal to sell the local inn to a developer who plans to turn it into a world-class golf resort. The news is greeted with enthusiasm by local residents until it is learned that part of the plan involves the filling in of a large, environmentally sensitive marsh. Battle lines are drawn and, as the heat rises, so do tempers in the small town.
Chris and Alicia Mallory find themselves on opposing sides of the controversy but put aside their differences when one of the protestors is found floating in the marsh. Before long, they are on the trail of a killer and the water hazard has never been deadlier. .
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2016
122 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tate
9 books28 followers Valerie Tate lives in a nineteenth century, heritage cottage in Ontario, Canada. She has a degree in English Literature and a teaching degree from the University of Toronto.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 24, 2016
See this and all my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
Alicia (Ali to her friends) is a newlywed settling down at her horse farm in rural Ontario, CA when a proposal is submitted to build a new golf course and resort that includes the destruction of an existing marsh. After a protest group demands an ecological study, the fate of the marsh rests with a noted ecologist, who announces she did not find any endangered species and the project could proceed. The head of the conservation group, Ali's old friend Ted, believes he has found something that reverses Rowena's findings, but he is murdered before he can share what he has found. Ali and Chris set out to investigate, navigating small town politics to uncover the truth.
I really enjoyed this. I've not read any of the previous books in this series, so I can safely say this can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series. Set in a small town in Ontario, Canada, Dunbarton is a idyllic location and gave the book a strong sense of place. The writing is engaging, you can't help but like Ali and her husband Chris, who managed not to let the marsh issue come between them, despite working on opposing sides. And what a great plot! I wavered between which suspect was the killer over and over and in the end I was kinda right but mostly wrong and very satisfied.
I enjoyed the ecological aspect of the story, that marshes are increasingly under threat from development, and the importance of preserving them. I could also see the viewpoint of the townspeople who were in favor of the golf course. In a small town, there are so few places of income and revenue that a big development can be a huge boon for a town. It also highlighted how easy it is to let greed compromise good judgement.
Overall, a very enjoyable book, and I'll be sure to check out the other books in the series. I definitely recommend this to cozy mystery fans as a quick, light read.
Thank you to the author, Valerie Tate, for providing a free copy of the book in return for my honest review.
Alicia (Ali to her friends) is a newlywed settling down at her horse farm in rural Ontario, CA when a proposal is submitted to build a new golf course and resort that includes the destruction of an existing marsh. After a protest group demands an ecological study, the fate of the marsh rests with a noted ecologist, who announces she did not find any endangered species and the project could proceed. The head of the conservation group, Ali's old friend Ted, believes he has found something that reverses Rowena's findings, but he is murdered before he can share what he has found. Ali and Chris set out to investigate, navigating small town politics to uncover the truth.
I really enjoyed this. I've not read any of the previous books in this series, so I can safely say this can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series. Set in a small town in Ontario, Canada, Dunbarton is a idyllic location and gave the book a strong sense of place. The writing is engaging, you can't help but like Ali and her husband Chris, who managed not to let the marsh issue come between them, despite working on opposing sides. And what a great plot! I wavered between which suspect was the killer over and over and in the end I was kinda right but mostly wrong and very satisfied.
I enjoyed the ecological aspect of the story, that marshes are increasingly under threat from development, and the importance of preserving them. I could also see the viewpoint of the townspeople who were in favor of the golf course. In a small town, there are so few places of income and revenue that a big development can be a huge boon for a town. It also highlighted how easy it is to let greed compromise good judgement.
Overall, a very enjoyable book, and I'll be sure to check out the other books in the series. I definitely recommend this to cozy mystery fans as a quick, light read.
Thank you to the author, Valerie Tate, for providing a free copy of the book in return for my honest review.
March 14, 2018
Murder, mystery and the environment!
The issue of environmental protection produces protests amongst the people. Then comes murder and suspicion. The conservationists want to save marsh. The others want the prosperity of a new golf course that will bring fame to the area. Will the environmentalists find something that will save the marsh? A murder, a lot of suspects and clues. The twists keep coming. A must read!
The issue of environmental protection produces protests amongst the people. Then comes murder and suspicion. The conservationists want to save marsh. The others want the prosperity of a new golf course that will bring fame to the area. Will the environmentalists find something that will save the marsh? A murder, a lot of suspects and clues. The twists keep coming. A must read!
January 1, 2019
When a company decides to invest in a hotel and golf course in Dunbarton and drain the marshland, a conservation group organizes against the company's plans. Then one of the conservation group members is killed and Alicia Dunbar Mallory and her husband and friends try to find the killer of their friend. A very good mystery with good editing and good character development. Highly recommend this book, the series and this author.
May 25, 2019
Alicia is protesting along with others, against the sell of the marshland. A study is done and found no endangered species, though a friend of Alicia said he found something that could change the ruling. What was it that led to him being murdered, and in the marsh. You love the characters, as they continue in each book, and they add new ones, full of laughs, intrigue and figuring out what he found that could be so deadly. Someone wanted a golf course.
September 9, 2020
I liked this book. Environmental protection leads to a protest that is going on over the sale of the marshlands. That leads to murder.
The Conservatives want the marshland to stay untouched while everyone else wants a golf course.
The characters in this book their intriguing and funny.
I wasn't sure while reading who was the murderer but you won't know until the end.
Great writing and I realized this is the 3rd book in a series. Now I have to read 1 and 2.
The Conservatives want the marshland to stay untouched while everyone else wants a golf course.
The characters in this book their intriguing and funny.
I wasn't sure while reading who was the murderer but you won't know until the end.
Great writing and I realized this is the 3rd book in a series. Now I have to read 1 and 2.
January 11, 2018
Preservationists vs golf club development.
Good, quick read, armature delights, Alicia and Keith may be on opposite sides about expansion of the local golf club into the marsh, until the bodies start stacking up. Can a little frog thought to be extinct be the cause of all the murder and mayhem. Just have to read the book and find out.
Good, quick read, armature delights, Alicia and Keith may be on opposite sides about expansion of the local golf club into the marsh, until the bodies start stacking up. Can a little frog thought to be extinct be the cause of all the murder and mayhem. Just have to read the book and find out.
July 7, 2017
Frog Legs..
First book by this Author. This was a wonderful story, so many twists and turns. She had you guessing who was the murderer, and just when you thought you knew, another twist.
First book by this Author. This was a wonderful story, so many twists and turns. She had you guessing who was the murderer, and just when you thought you knew, another twist.
December 31, 2017
FROG LEGS
Another interesting story.....really keeps you guessing.....I was wrong but I was also right.... just had the wrong people teamed together...it made for a real page turner....once again
THANK YOU for another thrilling read 🐼
Another interesting story.....really keeps you guessing.....I was wrong but I was also right.... just had the wrong people teamed together...it made for a real page turner....once again
THANK YOU for another thrilling read 🐼
April 9, 2018
Need to find more
Enjoyed this book. Hard to put down. Kept me up late several nights. Finished it in 3 nights. Anxious to find the other books in this series.
Enjoyed this book. Hard to put down. Kept me up late several nights. Finished it in 3 nights. Anxious to find the other books in this series.
October 8, 2018
An ENVIRONMENTAL mystery that is well written with an excellent story line
March 2, 2018
Enjoyed reading this one, irony in some parts, banter between characters good, strong women, environmental challenge, what we would call in the old days a good yarn !! well done
January 11, 2017
Frog Legs by Valerie Tate
My rating 3 of 5 stars
Alicia(Ali) and Chris are newlyweds. A proposal has been submitted to build a new golf course and resort in Dunbarton. These newlyweds are working on opposing sides of the build, but they do not let the issues come between them. The only problem with building the golf course and resort is that it would destroy an existing marsh that is believed to have an endangered species of frog on it. The town sends an ecologist in that deems there are not any endangered species living there. Ali’s friend Ted, believes the initial review is wrong. He believes that he can find evidence that there is an endangered species there. However, he is murdered before he has the chance to share his findings. Ali and Chris set out to discover the truth. Wil they be able to do so before it is to late?
This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. The characters and plot are well developed. It is a story about compromise, mystery, and greed. I recommend it if you are looking for a quick, light read.
My rating 3 of 5 stars
Alicia(Ali) and Chris are newlyweds. A proposal has been submitted to build a new golf course and resort in Dunbarton. These newlyweds are working on opposing sides of the build, but they do not let the issues come between them. The only problem with building the golf course and resort is that it would destroy an existing marsh that is believed to have an endangered species of frog on it. The town sends an ecologist in that deems there are not any endangered species living there. Ali’s friend Ted, believes the initial review is wrong. He believes that he can find evidence that there is an endangered species there. However, he is murdered before he has the chance to share his findings. Ali and Chris set out to discover the truth. Wil they be able to do so before it is to late?
This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. The characters and plot are well developed. It is a story about compromise, mystery, and greed. I recommend it if you are looking for a quick, light read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews