Viola Avenue

Rose Hill Mystery #9

by Pamela Grandstaff

When Claire Fitzpatrick discovers the lifeless body of a new friend, she suspects murder rather than the accident it appears to be. When a new job takes her to the campus of Eldridge College, the college administration seems more concerned with covering up scandalous events than revealing the truth. With the help of Police Chief Scott Gordon, and her cousins, Hannah and Maggie, Claire is determined to find out who killed her friend and why. What she discovers, however, is that he was not the person she thought he was, and there are multiple suspects with motives for murder. It’s September, and Hannah Campbell has her hands full wrangling her four-year-old son, Sammy, a wild thing that does not want to be tamed. Now that he’s starting preschool, he’s expected to follow the rules and stay in school. Meanwhile, Hannah is tangling with dangerous beasts, one of whom is her husband’s ex-fiancée.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2016

About the author

Pamela Grandstaff lives in West Virginia. She writes the Rose Hill Mystery Series and books for children. All books are available in paperback and as E-books.

Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining.

Interesting characters, they all have problems and trying to live with or find a solution for it. Shouldn't have started to read this series with book 9, not knowing the back stories made it harder to follow. Care givers emotional story was very touching.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preschool angst, dealing with dementia, and murder

The Rose Hill mysteries has had a thread concerning a family member dealing with small strokes that result in dementia. In Viola Avenue, the Fitzpatrick family must deal its the need to place one member of the family in a care setting for his safety as well as the safety of others. There is also angst because of issues of one of the youngest characters running away from caregivers and preschool and a new teacher who should not be teaching this age group. And, of course, the younger Fitzpatrick women are also trying to solve a murder. This book also deals with many issues society presents for our teens and young adults.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

She didn’t get the job, he said she would. He took pictures and now lying about giving them back to her.
A new teacher for Sammy, age 4 and she doesn’t believe in having an aide help in the classroom, So if Sammy sneaks out he would be expelled from pre school, which has Hannah upset. Claire has a new friend that has been murdered. Then with the new job at the school campus, they seem more concerned with covering it up. So goes the drama in this small town, with murder and once again the women get busy to find out what happened.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 9 in the Rose Hill series. Once again the cousins are trying to solve a murder while also carrying on their daily lives. Most of the characters in this series are quite likable, with a few notable exceptions. I think most people can relate to their issues: precocious children, a father with dementia, career changes, etc. I would suggest starting with the beginning of the series since there are a lot of backstories at this point.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's scrabble night at Alan Richmond's place but his three friends are unable to get him to answer the door. It's up to Claire Fitzpatrick to get a key from his landlady and discover his body. But why would anyone want him dead. With the help of her two cousins and the Sheriff they investigate.
Another enjoyable cozy mystery in this series

[Deb crisanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very satisfying series!

Really, really enjoyed these books. Interesting characters and Exceptional character development. Lots of witty dialogue and good stories. Diane Harmon should take lessons from this author. I'm sorry to see the series end.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little confused

Perhaps it was a matter of the number of interrelated characters, or the number of dead end alleys, but I don't understand the fakery or why the toxicology report would take so long to generate. Perhaps the Rose Hill book 10 will answer some questions.

[Marie Shirley Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting

I have read all the series and am absolutely wrapped up in characters! It's a continuous stream of their lives.

The mysteries are all good, but these are not "cozy" books.

[dianne clewien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better

Didn't care for the way this one was written. Not nearly as good as the other 8.
Will read more of her books.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the woman in this series is one who is adjusting to being back home in a small town and having a father with dementia

[Helen Y. Pekovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read in the Rose Hill series. Looking forward to reading book 10!

[Kitten Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Claire and her mother have to deal with her father. Claire gets a new job, and a friend gets murdered.

[Sharon K Hynds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series

Easy reading love following the families in Rose Hill. Characters are interesting and full of themselves. I have read 10.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful series. Not terribly believable but fun to consume. Nearly caught up.

[Ellen Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent series of related novellas

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Rose Hill series #1-8 a year ago, loved it and grieved when it ended. I was thrilled to find another one had been published and was so happy to catch up with the wonderful characters in Rose Hill, West Virginia, especially the 3 cousins Claire, Maggie and Hannah. This book centered on Claire, still trying to help her mother deal with her father's rapidly worsening dementia. She is still in a relationship with Ed, a local reporter, and gets a part-time position as adjunct professor at Eldredge College teaching makeup techniques in the drama department. Another professor is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and Claire believes he was murdered. I hope this series continues and long before another year has passed!

[Nancy Gockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Rose Hill Books

I have read them all and really enjoyed them. Keep them coming am ready for next one. Thank you Pamela

[Kim Peabody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books.