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Springtime Murder: A Cozy Mystery Novelette
Polly Blake never expects her annual spring barbecue to kick off with her uncle dropping dead in her backyard. When his death is ruled a homicide, Polly must turn her focus to finding a murderer. Unfortunately, her investigation soon reveals there's no shortage of suspects within her own family. Will the amateur sleuth be able to figure out "whodunit" before the killer strikes again?
This murder mystery novelette was previously published as part of the Seasons collection.
This murder mystery novelette was previously published as part of the Seasons collection.
- GenresMystery
48 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2016
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Marla Bradeen
12 books74 followersMarla Bradeen previously worked as a software consultant and analyst. In 2012, she gave up a traditional job for no other reason than to have more time to pursue personal interests, such as sleeping in late and taking naps. Although she misses seeing regular deposits into her bank account, she hasn't once regretted that decision.
These days, Marla enjoys inventing imaginary friends and killing them off. She's thrilled to have finally found a use for that bachelor's in psychology: getting into her characters' heads. When she's not plotting murder, she spends her time fighting for mattress space with her two rescue cats.
She also writes cozy mysteries under the pseudonym Paige Sleuth.
These days, Marla enjoys inventing imaginary friends and killing them off. She's thrilled to have finally found a use for that bachelor's in psychology: getting into her characters' heads. When she's not plotting murder, she spends her time fighting for mattress space with her two rescue cats.
She also writes cozy mysteries under the pseudonym Paige Sleuth.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2018
This novelette is well written, and a quick and easy read. I enjoyed Ms. Bradeen’s writing style, and will be checking out her other books.
With spring in the air, Polly Blake, is hosting the Blake family’s annual Spring Equinox barbecue at her home in Asheville, North Carolina. When Uncle Larry collapses, her Grandpa immediately says it was murder, but Polly has doubts. The next morning, she learns that the police believe Larry was poisoned. Polly decides to talk with family members and after a few odd things come to light and talking with her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Holland, Polly believes she’s identified the murderer.
With spring in the air, Polly Blake, is hosting the Blake family’s annual Spring Equinox barbecue at her home in Asheville, North Carolina. When Uncle Larry collapses, her Grandpa immediately says it was murder, but Polly has doubts. The next morning, she learns that the police believe Larry was poisoned. Polly decides to talk with family members and after a few odd things come to light and talking with her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Holland, Polly believes she’s identified the murderer.
November 15, 2024
Springtime Murder: A Cozy Mystery Novelette — Marla Bradeen (8 titled chapters) November 11, 2024
From the author of the Cozy Cat Mystery series comes this quick read. Polly Blake’s uncle dies during her annual Spring Barbeque, and Polly crazily discovers there are a lot of family members who would want him dead. She must uncover the clues and find the familiar killer because it certainly seems like another victim might be next.
It was a charming, cozy mystery in the beginning that ended only OK.
Three stars.
From the author of the Cozy Cat Mystery series comes this quick read. Polly Blake’s uncle dies during her annual Spring Barbeque, and Polly crazily discovers there are a lot of family members who would want him dead. She must uncover the clues and find the familiar killer because it certainly seems like another victim might be next.
It was a charming, cozy mystery in the beginning that ended only OK.
Three stars.
April 4, 2017
“Springtime Murder” A Cozy Mystery Novelette earns 5/5 Stages of Guilt!
Polly Blake and the rest of the Blake family are enjoying the annual Spring Equinox barbecue, well, until Uncle Larry collapses. The 911 call and the ambulance sirens both mark the emergency, but the lack of a pulse points to the futility. When the police’s preliminary determination is that Uncle Larry had been poisoned, Polly decides to visit a few relatives with the intention of inquiring how everyone is doing. Everyone had opportunity, so their answers might help to check off the motive and means categories.
This short novelette by Marla Bradeen is very clever, and despite it being short, it is not short on engaging fun. She writes each chapter using the stages of guilt to accent her inquires. After first two chapters introducing the story, it is very interesting how each chapter connects to the particular stage. Marla writes a very capable Polly Blake, a psychologist, who uses her deductive reasoning to weed through the list of suspects from the list of family. The solution did not pop up immediately, and it was fun to try to guess who might be the culprit. The ending was exciting and almost what I thought. I highly recommend this fun little mystery.
Polly Blake and the rest of the Blake family are enjoying the annual Spring Equinox barbecue, well, until Uncle Larry collapses. The 911 call and the ambulance sirens both mark the emergency, but the lack of a pulse points to the futility. When the police’s preliminary determination is that Uncle Larry had been poisoned, Polly decides to visit a few relatives with the intention of inquiring how everyone is doing. Everyone had opportunity, so their answers might help to check off the motive and means categories.
This short novelette by Marla Bradeen is very clever, and despite it being short, it is not short on engaging fun. She writes each chapter using the stages of guilt to accent her inquires. After first two chapters introducing the story, it is very interesting how each chapter connects to the particular stage. Marla writes a very capable Polly Blake, a psychologist, who uses her deductive reasoning to weed through the list of suspects from the list of family. The solution did not pop up immediately, and it was fun to try to guess who might be the culprit. The ending was exciting and almost what I thought. I highly recommend this fun little mystery.
April 15, 2017
This was an interesting novelette, about a healthy man dying and his grandfather insisting it was murder. Rather a surprising ending.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews