Memories Can Be Murder

Charlie Parker #5

by Connie Shelton

Upon returning to her New Mexico home after visiting her fiance in Hawaii, private investigator Charlie Parker discovers that her mother and father, a scientist at Sandia Labs, were killed in a suspicious small plane crash. When Charlie starts asking questions, a series of theft ensues, and the body count begins climbing. The trail takes her down twisting avenues and around unexpected corners as Charlie follows her instincts and the evidence. She ultimately realizes that she must unravel the past to save her future.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Ebooks, Crime

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

My love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.

I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.

In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.

Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery

Reviews

[Connie Whitcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite so far of the Charlie Parke Series.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

S--L--O--W. Should have been a short story

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

=====blurb=======
""Upon returning to her New Mexico home after visiting her fiancé in Hawaii, private investigator Charlie Parker discovers that her mother and father, a scientist at Sandia Labs, were killed in a suspicious small plane crash. When Charlie starts asking questions, a series of theft ensues, and the body count begins climbing. The trail takes her down twisting avenues and around unexpected corners as Charlie follows her instincts and the evidence. She ultimately realizes that she must unravel the past to save her future.""

The blurb gives you enough, without giving anything away. This is the most exciting book in the series thus far. I loved the twists and turns, the emotion, and the continuing romance between Charli and Drake. I will definitely read more in this series.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting series, and book #5 is no exception! This series is intriguing because it doesn't follow the typical cozy mystery expectations (at least not for me). Charlie (short for Charlotte) Parker is going through stuff to make room for Drake's arrival and his stuff. She lives in the house she grew up in. Her parents died in a plane crash 15 years ago when she was a teenager. She finds some things her father stored in the attic right before he died. So she begins asking questions and someone is not happy with her curiosity. There are some big challenges for Charlie and Drake, which are pretty realistic and we'll written. It was hard to put this book down!

[Mary Ladd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charlie Parker mysteries are not my favorite series, but I do like Charlie and enjoyed the previous books. As for 'Memories can be Murder', interesting premise, painfully dull execution.

The author spends far too much time on mundane details. Listing every step in making a basic sandwich, not to mention breakfast, lunch and late-night snacks, doesn't add atmosphere and certainly doesn't move along the story. Nor do we need to know she washed the dust off her hands before rereading a file or Charlie's step-by-step of changing her clothes. This book feels like the author was padding the story to reach the publisher's required minimum number of words.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

a story on her parents and that her father is a scientist in Sandia Labs is just amazing. My bf's uncle used to work there too. I don't know anything really, I only know that to even visit them one have to pass the background check!

So, how did that congressman work there? can't imaging him to be that smart. And of course Kathleen, the perfect candidate to put the bomb in the suitcase, after all the pilot was her husband. I was thinking she forgot about her husband when Charlie asked about him was a bit weird..

love this one...

[Diana K Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books!!

This rating is because I can't put these books down. They are so good that I'm not getting anything done. I spend a lot of time telling Charlie not to do what she's going to do, and the rest of the time breathing a sigh of relief that she made it through another crisis! Very good books. Don't miss out.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying getting to know these characters and discovering Alburquerque through the Charlie Parker series

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful read. Thoroughly enjoying Charlie and company.

[Nancy]

Another great read by Connie Shelton. I’m binge listening to this fun, entertaining series. Ready for number 6. Hurrah

[Susan Spraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series.

I love these characters and she gets herself into such troubles to solve a mystery. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Andrea Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Parker returns to New Mexico after visiting her fiance in Hawaii and discovers her father's notebook that might have answers to her parents death 15 years ago in a plane crash that looks like Sandia Labs where her father worked as a scientist was involved in a suspicious small plane crash. Charlie doesn't stop looking for answers and this becomes very dangerous for her and everyone around her.

Hoopla Published Date: 2011

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one is starting off really good. the girls parents were killed in a airplane 'accident' that turned out to be a bomb when she was about 11 yrs old. its 20 years later and shes just now trying to find out what happened. i think she is a dective with her brother, i just started it this morning and like it alot. i may get more books by her..

it was good, it ended in a house fire. i hope there is another one when they rebuild the house. there is the girl dective and her now husband (they got married in this book) and her dog rust. her brother runs the dective agency, so far i dont see her doing anything for money

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Parker unexpectedly learns her parents' death was under suspicious circumstances, and ferrets out the truth, while at the same time merging households with her significant other.

A delightful quick read. As an Albuquerque resident, I enjoy the references to familiar city locations. Charlie Parker is an engaging protagonist with believable emotions and relationships, who gets into dangerous situations due to her tenacity, and has the spunk to fight her way out. I like the layout of the story in short, concise chapters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Katherine P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book in the Charlie Parker series and I really enjoyed it. While Charlie does have some moments that border on To Stupid To Live it didn't feel to contrived and it did seem somewhat natural since she's in the investigative business. I really liked how healthy her relationship seemed with Drake and her brother. It was a fast read that kept me interested even if the ending was a little predictable. Will definitely look for others in this series.l

[F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This cozy mystery is just a little past believable. In Chapter 24, a house of an elderly acquaintance is ramshackled and Charlie Parker, Ms. Amateur Sleuth, elects not to let the police know? In Chapter 35, it is Ms. Parker versus three grown males, and she gets away? My first Charlie Parker mystery. It just might be my last.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the main character, Charlie Parker, because she always gets her man. And this time she even gets a husband too. She does act a little too recklessly but then it's a book!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. This is a solid series, each of the entries likeable (though never for me rising to higher than that). Well, so far.

[Debbie]

Charlie Parker finds out her parents were killed on a plane crash 15 years ago-and it was murder

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, fast read. The characters were fun, love how she goes off and gets herself into so much trouble –her boyfriend helps her a lot ---entertaining read! And, will read more!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just mother GREAT Connie Shelton story !!

[David Butts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie Shelton is always a great read. Her characters are believable and her setting in New Mexico is authentic and enjoyable. I like Charlie Parker.

[Jo Notary]

281pgs, Mystery Series by author from Albuquerque

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

And again, another great, easy read

[Kathie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoopla