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Aurora Teagarden #4
The Julius House
Since she met her fiance Martin Bartell, Roe Teagarden has never been happier. There's a difference in age and in background, but he seems to know exactly what she wants - like the Julius house. Roe is thrilled when Martin gives her the house as a wedding present. She's a keen amateur sleuth, and she has always been intrigued by its infamous six years ago, the family who lived there disappeared, never to be seen again. As Roe throws herself into renovating the Julius house, her misgivings about Martin's rather murky past recede. But when Roe is attacked by an axe-wielding maniac, she realises that the secrets inside her four walls - and her brand-new marriage - could destroy her.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1995
600 people are currently reading
7109 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
207 books37.1k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 882 reviews
January 18, 2018
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Genre: Cozy Mystery
I will keep this review short and sweet as it is an older title. Overall, I liked the book. Heck, I love the entire series. Roe is one of my favorite sleuths out there. In this one, Roe is (sort of) trying to find out what happened to the Julius family who disappeared 6 years ago. Why is she doing this? Because she and her husband just bought/moved into their house!!!
Unfortunately, nothing was unexpected in this one because I watched the Hallmark movie, but I did enjoy reading it because I like Roe so much. The only shortcoming that I have (and I really hope it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the rest of the series) is that I don't really like Martin. Sigh. I hope it get's better.
Recommended series + read
Genre: Cozy Mystery
I will keep this review short and sweet as it is an older title. Overall, I liked the book. Heck, I love the entire series. Roe is one of my favorite sleuths out there. In this one, Roe is (sort of) trying to find out what happened to the Julius family who disappeared 6 years ago. Why is she doing this? Because she and her husband just bought/moved into their house!!!
Unfortunately, nothing was unexpected in this one because I watched the Hallmark movie, but I did enjoy reading it because I like Roe so much. The only shortcoming that I have (and I really hope it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the rest of the series) is that I don't really like Martin. Sigh. I hope it get's better.
Recommended series + read
September 28, 2018
I do love Aurora. She is so inquisitive and unafraid to ask questions, but in a very likeable way. Once there is a mystery she just can't help herself but to try and solve it.
In this instalment, Aurora is drawn to "The Julius House" which is a local home for sale, but with a strange history as the Julius family who inhabited it years ago suddenly disappeared and have never been found. This story takes a bit of a side step though as Aurora is only 4 weeks married and her husband is a bit of an enigma. She is also trying to solve the mystery around him while also adjusting to her new life as a married woman.
Add in Charlaine Harris' talent for writing about small town America and you have yourself a very fun series. Now on to book 5!
In this instalment, Aurora is drawn to "The Julius House" which is a local home for sale, but with a strange history as the Julius family who inhabited it years ago suddenly disappeared and have never been found. This story takes a bit of a side step though as Aurora is only 4 weeks married and her husband is a bit of an enigma. She is also trying to solve the mystery around him while also adjusting to her new life as a married woman.
Add in Charlaine Harris' talent for writing about small town America and you have yourself a very fun series. Now on to book 5!
January 6, 2017
The Julius House by Charlaine Harris is the 4th book in the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series. The Julius House is given to Aurora as a wedding present from her husband. Six years earlier, the Julius family had mysteriously vanished overnight from their house and despite extensive investigations no explanation had ever been found. A nice addition to the series. I liked the introduction of the two bodyguards and hope they continue in the series. An interesting mystery and quick read.
February 27, 2011
This series is seriously giving me hives and an eye twitch. I hate it with a mad weasel passion!
The Julius House is slooooow. It took Charlaine until page 106 to remember she was supposed to be writing a mystery series. Until then, it's just Aurora adjusting to her married life. In fact, the first 30 - 40 pages are simply about Aurora buying a wedding gift for Martin. She buys his childhood farm under false pretenses and the only reason Martin apparently wanted the farm was to keep his step-dad from living there. And the only reason the step-dad wanted to keep living there was to keep Martin and his sister from living there. Petty. Martin now has his family farm and it is not mentioned again. What in the hell is he planning on doing with it? No one knows, nor cares.
Martin's secrets really aren't that interesting, nor was I surprised. He's already shown in the previous book that he's manipulative and kinda skeezy. But the insipid Aurora "LOVES him" as she reminds us constantly in the first 30 pages. She tells the reader on nearly every page that she misses him, and misses him, and she misses him. And she LOVES him so much. And the sex is good. And she misses him. I was nauseated for the first half of the novel. I grinded my teeth together when she searched for his ex-wife just to see what she looked like, also under false pretenses.
I truly did not care where the Julius family went. At least if they had been beamed up on a spaceship, it would have been more believable and more engaging. Also, why do the bad guys always confess when Aurora shows up? In the second novel, the bad guy is confessing while Aurora is helping deliver a baby. Lame! One clue gives this "mystery" away like a giant blinking sign. After that, there is absolutely no reason to read the rest of the book.
I was near page 200 before the ax-wielding maniac shows up. By that point, I was so bored and put out with the protagonist, I was cheering for the ax-wielding maniac. "OFF WITH HER HEAD! GET HER GET HER!" Sadly, I was disappointed.
Since I already have a good froth of indignation built up, what's up with her word choices? I can't find the page number now, and don't really desire to search for it..but she describes a truck as lurid. Lurid means shocking and gruesome. I skimmed back through the previous page or so to try to find any indication that something had happened in the truck that I missed because I tuned out...to find no other references to the truck. Did I just misread the word? Nope. There it was in black and white. Lurid truck. Charlaine, honey, did your editor just give up at that point?
My friend loaned me one more book in the series (Dead Over Heels). Although I am stubborn and usually complete a series once I start it, I think I'm going to return them now. I feel I've suffered enough.
The Julius House is slooooow. It took Charlaine until page 106 to remember she was supposed to be writing a mystery series. Until then, it's just Aurora adjusting to her married life. In fact, the first 30 - 40 pages are simply about Aurora buying a wedding gift for Martin. She buys his childhood farm under false pretenses and the only reason Martin apparently wanted the farm was to keep his step-dad from living there. And the only reason the step-dad wanted to keep living there was to keep Martin and his sister from living there. Petty. Martin now has his family farm and it is not mentioned again. What in the hell is he planning on doing with it? No one knows, nor cares.
Martin's secrets really aren't that interesting, nor was I surprised. He's already shown in the previous book that he's manipulative and kinda skeezy. But the insipid Aurora "LOVES him" as she reminds us constantly in the first 30 pages. She tells the reader on nearly every page that she misses him, and misses him, and she misses him. And she LOVES him so much. And the sex is good. And she misses him. I was nauseated for the first half of the novel. I grinded my teeth together when she searched for his ex-wife just to see what she looked like, also under false pretenses.
I truly did not care where the Julius family went. At least if they had been beamed up on a spaceship, it would have been more believable and more engaging. Also, why do the bad guys always confess when Aurora shows up? In the second novel, the bad guy is confessing while Aurora is helping deliver a baby. Lame! One clue gives this "mystery" away like a giant blinking sign. After that, there is absolutely no reason to read the rest of the book.
I was near page 200 before the ax-wielding maniac shows up. By that point, I was so bored and put out with the protagonist, I was cheering for the ax-wielding maniac. "OFF WITH HER HEAD! GET HER GET HER!" Sadly, I was disappointed.
Since I already have a good froth of indignation built up, what's up with her word choices? I can't find the page number now, and don't really desire to search for it..but she describes a truck as lurid. Lurid means shocking and gruesome. I skimmed back through the previous page or so to try to find any indication that something had happened in the truck that I missed because I tuned out...to find no other references to the truck. Did I just misread the word? Nope. There it was in black and white. Lurid truck. Charlaine, honey, did your editor just give up at that point?
My friend loaned me one more book in the series (Dead Over Heels). Although I am stubborn and usually complete a series once I start it, I think I'm going to return them now. I feel I've suffered enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2017
When your hobby is studying True Crime stories, what do you want as a wedding present? Well, a mysterious house where the whole family has vanished without a trace, that’s what. And that’s exactly what Aurora Teagarden gets from her new husband, Martin. She gets a few other secrets rolled into the bargain without her knowledge, however, that lead her to wonder whether she’s made the correct choices for her life.
The amount that I enjoy Charlaine Harris’ mysteries seems to depend more on my frame of mind than anything else. When I’m in a receptive mood, I’m willing to just go with whatever scenario she dishes up. When I’m perhaps a bit cranky, I start questioning those plot choices and I don’t enjoy the story quite so much.
This time out, I feel a bit cranky about things. Although I thought that the reveal of what actually happened to the Julius family was very well done, I found the relationship developments between Roe and Martin to be questionable. Who in their right mind goes into a marriage with unanswered questions of that magnitude? When you have an opportunity to question the ex-wife, why would you shut her down? And why would you ever go to your former date for marriage counselling?
Yeah, yeah, small town, limited number of people, blah, blah, blah. I’ve lived in a small town and I don’t find it realistic. But I’ve never lived in the Southern States, so what do I know?
I actually own a copy of the next book in the series, which I picked up in a second-hand bookstore. So I guess I will be continuing on at some point, when I have the crankies under control.
The amount that I enjoy Charlaine Harris’ mysteries seems to depend more on my frame of mind than anything else. When I’m in a receptive mood, I’m willing to just go with whatever scenario she dishes up. When I’m perhaps a bit cranky, I start questioning those plot choices and I don’t enjoy the story quite so much.
This time out, I feel a bit cranky about things. Although I thought that the reveal of what actually happened to the Julius family was very well done, I found the relationship developments between Roe and Martin to be questionable. Who in their right mind goes into a marriage with unanswered questions of that magnitude? When you have an opportunity to question the ex-wife, why would you shut her down? And why would you ever go to your former date for marriage counselling?
Yeah, yeah, small town, limited number of people, blah, blah, blah. I’ve lived in a small town and I don’t find it realistic. But I’ve never lived in the Southern States, so what do I know?
I actually own a copy of the next book in the series, which I picked up in a second-hand bookstore. So I guess I will be continuing on at some point, when I have the crankies under control.
July 21, 2022
Family Matters
If I were to compare, I'd have to say that I like this version more than the Hallmark version. The relationship with Martin may be moving fast but they have real-world complications, even if they aren't exactly in the realm of everyday, and I like how they attack them.
As for the mystery, the disappearance of the Julius family years earlier has new life breathed into it when Roe is gifted their former home. Oh, it turns out that it's the gift that keeps on giving. 😂💀
Technology aspects aside, the story is fairly timeless. The lack of cell phones and Google are the only things that really give it away that the book is nearly 30 years old.
I borrowed a library copy of the audio book. The narrator, Therese Plummer, does a good job as Roe and most of the females but not as well with the male characters. A second narrator would've been ideal. This was recorded as a book-on-CD that was converted.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.6x
If I were to compare, I'd have to say that I like this version more than the Hallmark version. The relationship with Martin may be moving fast but they have real-world complications, even if they aren't exactly in the realm of everyday, and I like how they attack them.
As for the mystery, the disappearance of the Julius family years earlier has new life breathed into it when Roe is gifted their former home. Oh, it turns out that it's the gift that keeps on giving. 😂💀
Technology aspects aside, the story is fairly timeless. The lack of cell phones and Google are the only things that really give it away that the book is nearly 30 years old.
I borrowed a library copy of the audio book. The narrator, Therese Plummer, does a good job as Roe and most of the females but not as well with the male characters. A second narrator would've been ideal. This was recorded as a book-on-CD that was converted.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.6x
July 27, 2015
In yet another wonderful installment to Charlaine Harris's Aurora Teagarden mystery series Aurora finds herself a newlywed with a lot of time on her hands, since she quit her job at the local library. To satisfy her own curiosity about the homes previous owners, the Julius family, who disappeared without a trace 6 years before, she enlists the help of her new neighbors and Martin's friends the Youngbloods. This was a fun mystery and I can honestly say that the ending surprised me.
Two new major characters are introduced in this book, Angela dn Shelby Youngblood, a young married couple who are old friends of Martin's. I really liked this couple, they were fun and mysterious, especially Angel. I really want to know more about these two in the next books, let's hope they reappear! Martin kind of annoys me, I wish he's just tell Roe all about him, instead of continuing to hide parts of himself from her.
The mystery, however, was the real star of this story. It was hands down one of the best plotted and most surprising and twisted mysteries I have ever read. The killer took me completely by surprise, and I found that I sat there gaping after I found out who it was.
Another fast-paced book in a really enjoyable series, with some great characters, yet some annoying ones, too, a simply wonderful mystery The Julius House gets 4/5 stars! On to the next one!
Two new major characters are introduced in this book, Angela dn Shelby Youngblood, a young married couple who are old friends of Martin's. I really liked this couple, they were fun and mysterious, especially Angel. I really want to know more about these two in the next books, let's hope they reappear! Martin kind of annoys me, I wish he's just tell Roe all about him, instead of continuing to hide parts of himself from her.
The mystery, however, was the real star of this story. It was hands down one of the best plotted and most surprising and twisted mysteries I have ever read. The killer took me completely by surprise, and I found that I sat there gaping after I found out who it was.
Another fast-paced book in a really enjoyable series, with some great characters, yet some annoying ones, too, a simply wonderful mystery The Julius House gets 4/5 stars! On to the next one!
August 29, 2015
I have been sucked into this series. It really is the audio version of mediocre ear candy. Half way through I say the current one will be the last I'll read and then, like now, I get to the end and click on the sample of next in the series and BAM! Hooked again. This one really has me wondering "who done it" more than the previous one.
November 4, 2025
En la tercera entrega la novela acababa con un interés especial por la casa de los Julius por parte de Aurora, tras el cambio en su situación personal. Esperaba que la siguiente novela se centrase en esa casa, maldita en el pueblo tras la desaparición de una familia.
.
Sin embargo, al principio de la novela, Aurora tiene demasiadas cosas en las que pensar por lo que tendrá que dejar la resolución del misterio para más adelante.
.
Creo que esta es la novela en la que más se centra en la parte personal de la protagonista. Es obvio, por todo lo que ocurre, pero me ha gustado ver a una Aurora a veces vulnerable y a veces decidida a saber toda la verdad.
.
En cuanto al misterio de la casa de los Julius, por supuesto que será Aurora la que lo resuelva y es una parte de la novela que me ha encantado. Me ha parecido totalmente inesperada y la autora ha sabido despistar totalmente al lector.
.
Una serie de novelas que va de menos a mas, que se leen en un suspiro y perfectas para pasar un rato entretenido.
.
Sin embargo, al principio de la novela, Aurora tiene demasiadas cosas en las que pensar por lo que tendrá que dejar la resolución del misterio para más adelante.
.
Creo que esta es la novela en la que más se centra en la parte personal de la protagonista. Es obvio, por todo lo que ocurre, pero me ha gustado ver a una Aurora a veces vulnerable y a veces decidida a saber toda la verdad.
.
En cuanto al misterio de la casa de los Julius, por supuesto que será Aurora la que lo resuelva y es una parte de la novela que me ha encantado. Me ha parecido totalmente inesperada y la autora ha sabido despistar totalmente al lector.
.
Una serie de novelas que va de menos a mas, que se leen en un suspiro y perfectas para pasar un rato entretenido.
November 19, 2017
This story began so strong and engaging, what the hell happened with this story, Ms Harris?? You're supposedly, intended series heroine, Aurora Teagarden is suddenly so overcome by the sheer power of physical love to a complete stranger she not only marries him (which I couldn't even enveloped), having turned down perfectly good suitors, but then forgives those new husband utterly and completely for being a lying, conniving, secretive, contemplatively false man & illegal gun runner; despite her incredibly ethical, church-going, Southern Bell ways... Ingrained into her since birth from her 'Lauren Bacall' mother!? (Even after we read how she cuts her own FATHER out of her wedding ceremony ----- granted he's been insensitive, rude, inconsiderate, self absorbed, assumed thoughtless.... but he's not out HELPING WARS AND RUTHLESS, ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THRIVE SECRETLY!! Utter and sheer nonsense that this well established character would behave so irrationality! It simply does not fill our characters typical mannerisms, sensibilities and ethical standards in any way, shape, manner or form! it is also incredibly demeaning, ridiculous and overwhelmingly unempowering to our strong women everywhere that their heroine shift life principals for a great lay & finally achieved marital status!! (Yet, same heroine REFUSES to forego her own name, per marital tradition, taking her hubby 's....?!? NONSENSICAL!!! So much, Ms. Harris for your series of developing femme fatale/ sleuth extraordinaire! ...Turned suddenly: 'Weak in the knees, super horny at her oh so still fit hubby, happy to be home decorating & designing, housewife to the her prominent executive, rich man's wife with the massive diamond making you bitches jealous' southern dame. Whatever. I seriously wish I hadn't already requested more of this series from my local library and wasted there time, too. You may have turned your fan inside out on this one, Ms. Harris. Sad face...
December 6, 2018
Probably the worst written of these books.
1) There’s far too much focus on the wedding preparations with not enough detail to make it interesting.
2) Also Roe’s obsession with getting married is kinda annoying in this genre. Her regret about the library job yet doing nothing about it and still defining herself as a librarian is annoying.
3) Thankfully no one felt the need to laugh at Roes name in this book because I am tired of hearing about it and then she doesn’t even take a married name, when everything else about her is ultra conservative.
4) The random decision to play frisbee was hysterically out of character so no real surprise at the discovery of the bodies.
5) Why the heck does she cry and sob so much when Martin tells her his secrets? She’s so damn pathetic that it doesn’t work with her detective exploits.
6) The characters are still not well fleshed out and I’ve read four of these damn books now!
This series are literary donuts. Each one is rotting my brain, but too easy to consume. Now onto the next one 😂😂😂
1) There’s far too much focus on the wedding preparations with not enough detail to make it interesting.
2) Also Roe’s obsession with getting married is kinda annoying in this genre. Her regret about the library job yet doing nothing about it and still defining herself as a librarian is annoying.
3) Thankfully no one felt the need to laugh at Roes name in this book because I am tired of hearing about it and then she doesn’t even take a married name, when everything else about her is ultra conservative.
4) The random decision to play frisbee was hysterically out of character so no real surprise at the discovery of the bodies.
5) Why the heck does she cry and sob so much when Martin tells her his secrets? She’s so damn pathetic that it doesn’t work with her detective exploits.
6) The characters are still not well fleshed out and I’ve read four of these damn books now!
This series are literary donuts. Each one is rotting my brain, but too easy to consume. Now onto the next one 😂😂😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2011
Considering that the third book in the series set up two of the main plots for this book, I had hoped this book would be much better than it was. The Julius House is, I hope, the worst book Charlaine Harris has written. The characterization of Aurora is uneven: she reacts strangely to other characters, she has bizarre thoughts which could use more explanation, she's still not very likable. The first few chapters of the book don't even have anything to do with the mystery, and there are some strange things in the book, like one character claiming that Ohio is in a different timezone from Georgia. I thought the timezone thing would turn out to be a fib on the part of a character, but it wasn't.
Aurora finally begins to worry about Martin's secrets, and when she finds out what the big secret is, she's angry but doesn't leave him immediately, because at least X isn't as bad as Y (you'll have to read to find out!). Big eyeroll from me on that count, because Y is really just as bad as X, and they're often connected.
The Youngblood story is rather superfluous, but I get the feeling their story might be part of a future mystery. The partnership of Aurora and Angel in investigating the mystery of the Julius family worked for me, though, and I wouldn't mind it continuing.
Aurora finally begins to worry about Martin's secrets, and when she finds out what the big secret is, she's angry but doesn't leave him immediately, because at least X isn't as bad as Y (you'll have to read to find out!). Big eyeroll from me on that count, because Y is really just as bad as X, and they're often connected.
The Youngblood story is rather superfluous, but I get the feeling their story might be part of a future mystery. The partnership of Aurora and Angel in investigating the mystery of the Julius family worked for me, though, and I wouldn't mind it continuing.
May 22, 2012
There were some things about this book and series that have me rating it 2 stars. I don't like the main character, Aurora. She seems to have had a pretty easy life, her mother is a successful real estate agent that lets her daughter live and manage a row of townhouses. Aurora was a librarian and then up and quits. She inherits a house and some money from a coworker which makes her finacially independent. Then she meets the man of her dreams. He is a mystery. She doesn't know everything about him because he doesn't want her to. In this book, she slowly gets some backbone and asks him the hard questions but by this time, I really don't care. As usual, she gets involved in murder mysteries that have nothing to do with her. Clearly she has too much time on her hands. After reading this fourth installment of Aurora Teagarden, I am seriously wondering whether I want to continue reading the other ones.
March 17, 2009
I was temping for a company that basically only needed someone to babysit the front desk. While sitting there I saw this book at the receptionist's desk.
I like this book because it's a "pop-corn" (a quick read). I loved the writing and the quirky characters. The mystery wasn't really the main focus and normally I hate picking up a book in the middle of a series, but I found that it was enjoyable. It made me laugh and I think I'll pick up the other "Teagarden" novels to munch on for a short trip to the beach.
I like this book because it's a "pop-corn" (a quick read). I loved the writing and the quirky characters. The mystery wasn't really the main focus and normally I hate picking up a book in the middle of a series, but I found that it was enjoyable. It made me laugh and I think I'll pick up the other "Teagarden" novels to munch on for a short trip to the beach.
February 1, 2018
Hmm...still enjoy the series, but I'm not a huge fan of Martin. And I think I liked Roe better as a single, independent woman.
January 14, 2019
As usual, I enjoyed this novel by Charlaine Harris. Harris is adept at more than one genre of books. I am filling in holes in my books by her and this one did not let me down.
September 30, 2018
It is fortunate I didn’t quit this series after reading the first book. I am glad I carried on because they seem to get better. This chapter in the life of Aurora Teagarden is both fun and exciting. There is more action than I remember from past books. Some readers might be put off by the details given to how Roe dresses, but it adds to the charm for me. The audio is very good and I am enjoying that.
Read
November 4, 2025Settling in as newlyweds in a home with a dark, mysterious past is the not the only unsettling matter Aurora Teagarden faces. Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden series continues to pull me in to the drama as much as the mystery in Roe’s life.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.19.26.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.19.26.
June 5, 2017
loved this novel a great read. love the main character really enjoyed it. once again my favourite author has another fab series.
May 6, 2025
Aurora "Roe" Teagarden has developed a fondness for the Julius House and the family that lived there that went missing and was never found. Fortunately for her, it is up for sale and her husband bought it for her as a wedding gift. Then the story goes a little off track. Aurora is not only trying to solve the mystery behind the Julius House, she's also trying to adjust to married life and the mystery surrounding her new husband.
I felt that this book was a bit weird. The first few chapters revolved around Roe's love for her husband and buying him a wedding gift. Under false pretense, she buys his family's childhood farm and later discovers the petty reason's Martin wanted the farm. Nothing interesting and a big waste of time! Also under false pretense, Roe searches for Martin's ex wife--only to see what she looks like. More wasted time!
FINALLY, we get to the real mystery, which ended up not being that interesting either. This book ended up being a bit of a disappointment. About the only thing interesting were the body guards that got introduced into the story! Roe is a sappy sobbing character and Martin is an unlikable sleazy man. I was looking for a good cozy mystery and ended up with a romance with a mystery side story.
I do like Charlaine Harris but this isn't my favorite series by her. I'm debating on continuing this series. I'm more interested in the author's other series which are a lot more enjoyable with better characters and less romance. I'm rating this one 2 stars and don't recommend.
I felt that this book was a bit weird. The first few chapters revolved around Roe's love for her husband and buying him a wedding gift. Under false pretense, she buys his family's childhood farm and later discovers the petty reason's Martin wanted the farm. Nothing interesting and a big waste of time! Also under false pretense, Roe searches for Martin's ex wife--only to see what she looks like. More wasted time!
FINALLY, we get to the real mystery, which ended up not being that interesting either. This book ended up being a bit of a disappointment. About the only thing interesting were the body guards that got introduced into the story! Roe is a sappy sobbing character and Martin is an unlikable sleazy man. I was looking for a good cozy mystery and ended up with a romance with a mystery side story.
I do like Charlaine Harris but this isn't my favorite series by her. I'm debating on continuing this series. I'm more interested in the author's other series which are a lot more enjoyable with better characters and less romance. I'm rating this one 2 stars and don't recommend.
July 27, 2016
OK, a little more grousing about this series; near the beginning of the novel, the main character Roe says something like, "I wonder how the writer Robin is doing? Last I heard, he'd moved to California..." o.0
And then you find out that THREE YEARS have passed since the first novel in this series, Roe's little brother had moved across country, and there was a wedding planned!
So things have heated up between Roe and Martin so much, the wedding was planned already. The writer says a little something about the wedding itself, glosses over the honeymoon, and then they are home. in the DREAM HOUSE Roe has always wanted.
She of course becomes obsessed with the missing family that used to live there, and begins looking for them. The writer does have you guessing about it ALL over the neighborhood, all the while making Martin seem like a really "bad" guy... and they are newly married! argh
And by the end of the book, things have again fallen into place just perfectly, and everyone is fine... and Roe has decided to stay with Martin, regardless of what he did/does that makes him "bad".
why am I still reading this series? lol, oh yeah...
And then you find out that THREE YEARS have passed since the first novel in this series, Roe's little brother had moved across country, and there was a wedding planned!
So things have heated up between Roe and Martin so much, the wedding was planned already. The writer says a little something about the wedding itself, glosses over the honeymoon, and then they are home. in the DREAM HOUSE Roe has always wanted.
She of course becomes obsessed with the missing family that used to live there, and begins looking for them. The writer does have you guessing about it ALL over the neighborhood, all the while making Martin seem like a really "bad" guy... and they are newly married! argh
And by the end of the book, things have again fallen into place just perfectly, and everyone is fine... and Roe has decided to stay with Martin, regardless of what he did/does that makes him "bad".
why am I still reading this series? lol, oh yeah...
January 15, 2018
To describe this in one sentence, I would say: this does not get better in storytelling and plot line, but in some ways it does get better for Aurora.
In this one, Aurora once again ‘accidentally on purpose’ solved some mysteries, made some list(s), well more like one to distract herself but it still counts, drank some coffee, read some books (crime novels of course) , oh also got married, moved in a new house, you know some regular day to day stuff.
Yes, I’m being a bit sarcastic as per usual. But at the same time I also liked that whole list making, book reading, and coffee drinking process.
Also decaf?!?! Duh! People who love coffee certainly hate it, I loved that part:
“Can I get you a cup of coffee? I’m afraid I only have instant decaffeinated.”
Then why have coffee at all? “No, thank you.”
But seriously, my question on that matter is the same ‘Then why have coffee AT ALL?’ (Well maybe there are few exceptions that taste good, but still! Big NO for Decaf.)
Sorry, this get a bit out of hand and instead of a normal review – turned into declaration of love for coffee. Better go and make myself a cup while I’m still at it.
In this one, Aurora once again ‘accidentally on purpose’ solved some mysteries, made some list(s), well more like one to distract herself but it still counts, drank some coffee, read some books (crime novels of course) , oh also got married, moved in a new house, you know some regular day to day stuff.
Yes, I’m being a bit sarcastic as per usual. But at the same time I also liked that whole list making, book reading, and coffee drinking process.
Also decaf?!?! Duh! People who love coffee certainly hate it, I loved that part:
“Can I get you a cup of coffee? I’m afraid I only have instant decaffeinated.”
Then why have coffee at all? “No, thank you.”
But seriously, my question on that matter is the same ‘Then why have coffee AT ALL?’ (Well maybe there are few exceptions that taste good, but still! Big NO for Decaf.)
Sorry, this get a bit out of hand and instead of a normal review – turned into declaration of love for coffee. Better go and make myself a cup while I’m still at it.
November 5, 2012
This is a book about a girl who marries someone she does not know nearly well enough to marry and who moves into a house known to have a deep dark secret. She has to solve the mysteries of who her husband really is and what really happened in the house. I found it a bit basic and not terribly imaginative. However, it was perfectly readable.
I did not realise that this was number 4 in a series when I picked it up, but it is fine as a stand alone novel and I don't think it lost anything by being read on its own.
Maybe I was just biased by expecting too much. Having thoroughly enjoyed all the Sookie Stackhouse books, also by Charlaine Harris, I hoped this would be up to that same standard. I don't think it was. I will not be reading the rest of the Aurora Teagarden series.
I did not realise that this was number 4 in a series when I picked it up, but it is fine as a stand alone novel and I don't think it lost anything by being read on its own.
Maybe I was just biased by expecting too much. Having thoroughly enjoyed all the Sookie Stackhouse books, also by Charlaine Harris, I hoped this would be up to that same standard. I don't think it was. I will not be reading the rest of the Aurora Teagarden series.
July 24, 2013
This has been my favorite series from this author. I thank Sookie for getting me interested, but this series really had me hooked. I am sad there are no more, but I am also glad that Aurora did not take some of the same downward spirals that come from not really having anything else to write, but still writing. I would recommend this series, even if you don't like the others. This is a truly mystery series with no special abilities or vampires. Just real mystery and suspense.
September 16, 2009
I was a little disappointed in this book in the series. I don't like Martin. I was hoping he'd be killed off in this one
January 5, 2018
Martin Bartel has proposed to Aurora and wants to buy her a house. Aurora chooses the Julius House, which has a mystery in its history. The Julius family: Mother, Father and daughter have just up and disappeared. Aurora makes plans to fix the house according to her likes and dislikes and Martin gives her full reign for designing the interior. Martin has is "renting" the apartment over the garage to an old army buddy and his wife. They are supposed to be helping Aurora but she doesn't know at first that they have been asked to be Aurora's bodyguard. Martin has been involved in something that could put Aurora's life in jeopardy. There are murders to be solved and Aurora discovers what happened to the Julius family. Of course she puts her own life at risk in solving the mysteries.
December 11, 2017
I have come to love Aurora Teagarden, but freely admit that part of what I love about her stories are how... safe they are. In this one, she not only marries, which spoils a little of the dating fun I have also come to love, but also discovers things about her husband that I do not want in Roe's life. How can her stories continue in the comfy, cozy vein I have come to love with this?
I'm already starting the next one, so here's hoping.
I'm already starting the next one, so here's hoping.
May 25, 2022
Luźny kryminał przy którym nie trzeba się mocno skupiać
May 23, 2020
brief synopsis:
Roe is going places!
setting:
Lawrenceton, Georgia
Corinth, Ohio
Metairie, New Orleans
named personalities:
TC Julius - a retired army sergeant with graying brown hair and blue eyes
Hope Julius - TC's dark-brown-haired and blue-eyed wife
Charity Julius - TC and Hope's daughter
Martin Bartell aka Hunk of the Year - a sophisticated corporation man from rural Ohio who drove a Mercedes; white-haired, black-browed, pale brown-eyed with heavily muscled arms and chest
Eileen Norris - a realtor
Madeleine - a fat, marmalade cat
Jane Engle - a late spinster who owned Madeleine
Barbara 'Barby' Lampton - Martin's sister
Joseph Flocker - Barby's second husband
Amina - a pregnant Houstoner
Hugh - Amina's husband
Mary Anne Bishop - a brisk-voiced Ohio realtor; a tall, husky, blond woman who drives a Bronco
Aurora 'Roe' Teagarden - Martin's fiancée
Liza Cody - author of Stalker
Barrett - Martin's son from a previous marriage; trying to become a successful actor in Los Angeles
Cindy H Bartell - Martin's ex-wife and Barrett's mother, a florist
Joseph Flocken - a tall, spare, cranky man who owns the Bartell Farm; Mary Anne calls him Jacob before correcting herself
Inez - Mary Anne's acquaintance
James Lee Burke - an author
Adam Hall - ditto
Ruth - an artificial blond in her fifties with large, dark eyes and a pixie haircut
Mrs Sands - Martin's secretary
Lauren Bacall - an American actress known for her distinctive voice and sultry looks
John - Roe's stepfather
Sarah May Zinsner - a previous owner of the Julius house
Melba Totino - Hope's mother; the trustee for the Julius estate
Shelby Youngblood - Martin's Floridan friend whom he met in Vietnam
Angel Dunn Youngblood aka Super-woman - Shelby's muscular and sleek wife with pale, blond hair
Aubrey Scott - an Episcopalian priest
Emily Kaye - Aubrey's all-but-in-name fiancée; a widow who plays the organ
John Henry - Roe's plumber
Shirley Temple - an American actress
Sally Allison - an attractive woman with short, permed, bronzey hair
Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland - Roe's aristocratic and slim mother
Betty Jo - Roe's father's second wife
Phillip - Roe's nine-year-old brother
Joe Nell - Amina's mom
Susu Saxby Hunter - Roe's lifelong friend
Lizanne Buckley Sewell - Roe's beautiful and full-bodied friend
Linda Erhardt - Roe's friend
Patty Cloud - Aida's office manager
Melinda - John's son's wife
Lynn Liggett Smith - a tall and slim police officer
Arthur Smith - Lynn's husband and Roe's former flame
Eunice 'Neecy' Lyndower Dawson - the Juliuses' neighbor; a very old lady
John L Zinsner - Sarah May's husband
Bubba Sewell - Lizanne's husband and Melba and Roe's lawyer; an up-and-coming lawyer and legislator
Regina - Barby's daughter; a sophomore at Kent State; a pretty, dark, plump, young woman
Duncan - a Peachtree Leisure Apartments security guard; a very large black man with narrow mustache; he had asked Melba if he should be called LeRoy
Alicia Manigault - Melba's sister who lives in New Orleans
Essie Nyland - TC's aunt who was in poor health; Neecy's friend
Jimmy Dell Dunn - a swamp boy from Florida who grew up next to some exiled Cubans; Angel's brother
Mr Dunn - Angel and Jimmy Dell's father
Harley Dimmoch aka Dumont - a friend of Charity's from their previous hometown of Columbia, SC
Parnell Engle - Jane's cousin; the local contractor who poured the concrete for the Juliuses' patio
Jack Burns - a detective
Hoffa - Jimmy Hoffa, an American labor union leader who disappeared and was not found since
Little Jim - Susu's son who has a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do
Bethany - Susu's daughter who is heavily involved in tap dancing
Jimmy - Susu's husband
Mrs Newman - an old woman
Bill Anderson - one of Pan-Am Agra's division chiefs
Tonia Lee Greenhouse - a local realtor who was murdered in the Julius house's master bedroom
Mandy - ???
Perry - Sally's son who is undergoing therapy
Paul - Sally's husband
Lorna - Lynn and Arthur's baby daughter
Bettina Anderson - Bill's wife; a copper-haired, heavy woman in her mid-forties
Washington Prescott - a black man who worked for Parnell with the Julius contract; died of aneurysm
Roosevelt - another Peachtree Leisure Apartments security guard; also black but less formidable and less good-natured
Kevin Costner - an American actor who starred in the movie The Bodyguard
Padgett Lanier - the chief of police; sharp-nosed, tall, with thinning blond hair
Kickapoo - a Toy Manchester; a tiny black dog with brown on its muzzle
Carl - Kickapoo's master
Lanelda Coleman - Carl's wife
Betty Lynn Sistrump - a woman in her sixties
Spenser and Hawk - fictional partners
Elvis Cole and Joe Pyle* - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, fictional partners
Rene - a souvenir booth guy
Jack the Ripper - an unidentified London serial killer
titular sentence:
p13: We'd looked at the Julius house because I'd made a point of telling my friend and Realtor Eileen Norris to put it on the list.
spelling:
*p142: Spenser and Hawk we weren't; not even Elvis Cole and Joe Pyle.
I smell a pattern here: fresh, stale, fresh, stale.
Roe is going places!
setting:
Lawrenceton, Georgia
Corinth, Ohio
Metairie, New Orleans
named personalities:
TC Julius - a retired army sergeant with graying brown hair and blue eyes
Hope Julius - TC's dark-brown-haired and blue-eyed wife
Charity Julius - TC and Hope's daughter
Martin Bartell aka Hunk of the Year - a sophisticated corporation man from rural Ohio who drove a Mercedes; white-haired, black-browed, pale brown-eyed with heavily muscled arms and chest
Eileen Norris - a realtor
Madeleine - a fat, marmalade cat
Jane Engle - a late spinster who owned Madeleine
Barbara 'Barby' Lampton - Martin's sister
Joseph Flocker - Barby's second husband
Amina - a pregnant Houstoner
Hugh - Amina's husband
Mary Anne Bishop - a brisk-voiced Ohio realtor; a tall, husky, blond woman who drives a Bronco
Aurora 'Roe' Teagarden - Martin's fiancée
Liza Cody - author of Stalker
Barrett - Martin's son from a previous marriage; trying to become a successful actor in Los Angeles
Cindy H Bartell - Martin's ex-wife and Barrett's mother, a florist
Joseph Flocken - a tall, spare, cranky man who owns the Bartell Farm; Mary Anne calls him Jacob before correcting herself
Inez - Mary Anne's acquaintance
James Lee Burke - an author
Adam Hall - ditto
Ruth - an artificial blond in her fifties with large, dark eyes and a pixie haircut
Mrs Sands - Martin's secretary
Lauren Bacall - an American actress known for her distinctive voice and sultry looks
John - Roe's stepfather
Sarah May Zinsner - a previous owner of the Julius house
Melba Totino - Hope's mother; the trustee for the Julius estate
Shelby Youngblood - Martin's Floridan friend whom he met in Vietnam
Angel Dunn Youngblood aka Super-woman - Shelby's muscular and sleek wife with pale, blond hair
Aubrey Scott - an Episcopalian priest
Emily Kaye - Aubrey's all-but-in-name fiancée; a widow who plays the organ
John Henry - Roe's plumber
Shirley Temple - an American actress
Sally Allison - an attractive woman with short, permed, bronzey hair
Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland - Roe's aristocratic and slim mother
Betty Jo - Roe's father's second wife
Phillip - Roe's nine-year-old brother
Joe Nell - Amina's mom
Susu Saxby Hunter - Roe's lifelong friend
Lizanne Buckley Sewell - Roe's beautiful and full-bodied friend
Linda Erhardt - Roe's friend
Patty Cloud - Aida's office manager
Melinda - John's son's wife
Lynn Liggett Smith - a tall and slim police officer
Arthur Smith - Lynn's husband and Roe's former flame
Eunice 'Neecy' Lyndower Dawson - the Juliuses' neighbor; a very old lady
John L Zinsner - Sarah May's husband
Bubba Sewell - Lizanne's husband and Melba and Roe's lawyer; an up-and-coming lawyer and legislator
Regina - Barby's daughter; a sophomore at Kent State; a pretty, dark, plump, young woman
Duncan - a Peachtree Leisure Apartments security guard; a very large black man with narrow mustache; he had asked Melba if he should be called LeRoy
Alicia Manigault - Melba's sister who lives in New Orleans
Essie Nyland - TC's aunt who was in poor health; Neecy's friend
Jimmy Dell Dunn - a swamp boy from Florida who grew up next to some exiled Cubans; Angel's brother
Mr Dunn - Angel and Jimmy Dell's father
Harley Dimmoch aka Dumont - a friend of Charity's from their previous hometown of Columbia, SC
Parnell Engle - Jane's cousin; the local contractor who poured the concrete for the Juliuses' patio
Jack Burns - a detective
Hoffa - Jimmy Hoffa, an American labor union leader who disappeared and was not found since
Little Jim - Susu's son who has a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do
Bethany - Susu's daughter who is heavily involved in tap dancing
Jimmy - Susu's husband
Mrs Newman - an old woman
Bill Anderson - one of Pan-Am Agra's division chiefs
Tonia Lee Greenhouse - a local realtor who was murdered in the Julius house's master bedroom
Mandy - ???
Perry - Sally's son who is undergoing therapy
Paul - Sally's husband
Lorna - Lynn and Arthur's baby daughter
Bettina Anderson - Bill's wife; a copper-haired, heavy woman in her mid-forties
Washington Prescott - a black man who worked for Parnell with the Julius contract; died of aneurysm
Roosevelt - another Peachtree Leisure Apartments security guard; also black but less formidable and less good-natured
Kevin Costner - an American actor who starred in the movie The Bodyguard
Padgett Lanier - the chief of police; sharp-nosed, tall, with thinning blond hair
Kickapoo - a Toy Manchester; a tiny black dog with brown on its muzzle
Carl - Kickapoo's master
Lanelda Coleman - Carl's wife
Betty Lynn Sistrump - a woman in her sixties
Spenser and Hawk - fictional partners
Elvis Cole and Joe Pyle* - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, fictional partners
Rene - a souvenir booth guy
Jack the Ripper - an unidentified London serial killer
titular sentence:
p13: We'd looked at the Julius house because I'd made a point of telling my friend and Realtor Eileen Norris to put it on the list.
spelling:
*p142: Spenser and Hawk we weren't; not even Elvis Cole and Joe Pyle.
I smell a pattern here: fresh, stale, fresh, stale.
August 24, 2018
A nice and quick read. ♡
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