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Claire Rollins #1
Good Fortunes
This is book one in the Claire Rollins Cozy Mystery series.
After the death of her husband, Claire Rollins moves to Boston, Massachusetts to start a new life. After living in the city for a year and working in a chocolate shop, she begins to develop some "special" skills and when she and a friend just miss getting shot while walking along a city street at night, she taps her new abilities to try to solve the mystery that is swirling around her.
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
After the death of her husband, Claire Rollins moves to Boston, Massachusetts to start a new life. After living in the city for a year and working in a chocolate shop, she begins to develop some "special" skills and when she and a friend just miss getting shot while walking along a city street at night, she taps her new abilities to try to solve the mystery that is swirling around her.
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2016
971 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
168 books319 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
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Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 25, 2017
A new to me series and author that I am so glad I gave try after seeing the recommendations of my goodreads friend Kathy!!!
It was such an engrossing read that I had a hard time putting down. Very fast paced and lots going on, red herrings all over the place and a great cast of suspects. There might be a little romance showing up on the horizon...
One of my favourite reads for 2017 for sure! Can't wait for the next one in the series.
It was such an engrossing read that I had a hard time putting down. Very fast paced and lots going on, red herrings all over the place and a great cast of suspects. There might be a little romance showing up on the horizon...
One of my favourite reads for 2017 for sure! Can't wait for the next one in the series.
February 9, 2023
This was not bad at all. It was a little bit paranormal, a mystery, a lawyer quits practicing and moves to Boston after the death of her much older husband. She’s working in a coffee shop and hiding her wealth. There’s a case involving the murder of her hairdresser and a lawyer, plus the disappearance of a woman who has been severely sexually harassed at work. There’s a bit of social commentary in addition to the mystery and overall not a bad read.
January 17, 2024
This was a bit of a mess for me. For at least the first half of the book I repeatedly considered turning this into a DNF, I disliked the author’s writing stye and the numerous grammatical errors so much. So why did I finish? Almost despite myself, I was interested in the plot and wanted to see where it ended.
Claire’s husband, an extremely wealthy man, has recently died. He married Claire when he was 73, for a whopping age gap, and apparently Claire had to hire a whole barrage of lawyers as people accused her of fortune hunting and being a gold digger. Claire left the town they lived in after his death and moved to Boston. She’s now working at a chocolate shop while she tries to decide what she wants to do next (and is keeping her vast wealth secret from everyone)
Suddenly, while out with her friend and Boss Nicole, Claire starts getting feelings something horrible is going to happen, shoves her friend to the ground, and shots ring out from a passing car. What’s going on? Nicole encourages Claire to learn more about her seemingly psychic intuition, and the two decide to investigate this, and subsequent shootings.
Parts of the writing were clunky to me. The author repeatedly refers to Claire and her boss as “the young women” when they’re doing something, or at times, “the girls.” Early on we know Claire lived in Cambridge over a decade ago when she was in law school, which puts her at least 35, hardly a girl. There were also some descriptions of areas of Boston Claire was walking through that served no purpose and seemed thrown in either to meet word count requirements, or to show that yes, this is really Boston. What isn’t described is why Claire isn’t a lawyer.
Claire also seems to go from just having “psychic intuition” to being able to clearly see events that happened in the past. I like mysteries with paranormal elements, but it’s hard to imagine where Claire’s paranormal skills might end (oh, and her two adorable dogs also seem psychic).
I may pick up the second in this series at some point, to see if the author’s writing improves, but also to see what happens with the characters. But for now, no more Claire Rollins mysteries.
Claire’s husband, an extremely wealthy man, has recently died. He married Claire when he was 73, for a whopping age gap, and apparently Claire had to hire a whole barrage of lawyers as people accused her of fortune hunting and being a gold digger. Claire left the town they lived in after his death and moved to Boston. She’s now working at a chocolate shop while she tries to decide what she wants to do next (and is keeping her vast wealth secret from everyone)
Suddenly, while out with her friend and Boss Nicole, Claire starts getting feelings something horrible is going to happen, shoves her friend to the ground, and shots ring out from a passing car. What’s going on? Nicole encourages Claire to learn more about her seemingly psychic intuition, and the two decide to investigate this, and subsequent shootings.
Parts of the writing were clunky to me. The author repeatedly refers to Claire and her boss as “the young women” when they’re doing something, or at times, “the girls.” Early on we know Claire lived in Cambridge over a decade ago when she was in law school, which puts her at least 35, hardly a girl. There were also some descriptions of areas of Boston Claire was walking through that served no purpose and seemed thrown in either to meet word count requirements, or to show that yes, this is really Boston. What isn’t described is why Claire isn’t a lawyer.
Claire also seems to go from just having “psychic intuition” to being able to clearly see events that happened in the past. I like mysteries with paranormal elements, but it’s hard to imagine where Claire’s paranormal skills might end (oh, and her two adorable dogs also seem psychic).
I may pick up the second in this series at some point, to see if the author’s writing improves, but also to see what happens with the characters. But for now, no more Claire Rollins mysteries.
January 25, 2017
An amazing debut to the series!!
I've never read this author's books....but that is changing. I enjoy Good Fortunes so much! I was hoping to have 10 more in the series so I could binge-read. Unfortunately, I have to wait for book 2.
A really good mystery with plenty of suspects and really great characters. I couldn't put it down. I even shed a tear toward the end. I highly recommend you read it!!
I've never read this author's books....but that is changing. I enjoy Good Fortunes so much! I was hoping to have 10 more in the series so I could binge-read. Unfortunately, I have to wait for book 2.
A really good mystery with plenty of suspects and really great characters. I couldn't put it down. I even shed a tear toward the end. I highly recommend you read it!!
March 2, 2018
Good Fortunes: A Claire Rollins Mystery 1
🌟 🌟
In A Nutshell:Claire Rollins is a widow who has moved to Boston to create a new life. She has developed a form of ESP and works in a chocolate confectionery. Claire is out with a friend when they both narrowly miss being shot. Claire investigates. An uninspiring but perhaps likeable book requiring minor copy editing.
It makes a change that Claire was not deserted by her husband for a younger woman or any woman for that matter. And I do want to know who the benefactor is (no spoilers here) so I might be reading book two. But when I put the book down without a bookmark I could not remember at which point I left it. That is because it was Bland. There is nothing outstanding in the story.
The characters are vanilla, the lead detective was not sufficiently involved and the plot did not add up. Or I may missed a chapter because I have no idea how she developed ESP. Was it the chocolate?
It's a new series with a different take for a cosy mystery. So, lovers of cosy may find this a good read. I was looking for something more robust on the paranormal and humour. A light easy throwaway mystery.
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Check out my blog on imjussayin
Book Rating
Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next oneor reread ?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
🌟 🌟
In A Nutshell:Claire Rollins is a widow who has moved to Boston to create a new life. She has developed a form of ESP and works in a chocolate confectionery. Claire is out with a friend when they both narrowly miss being shot. Claire investigates. An uninspiring but perhaps likeable book requiring minor copy editing.
It makes a change that Claire was not deserted by her husband for a younger woman or any woman for that matter. And I do want to know who the benefactor is (no spoilers here) so I might be reading book two. But when I put the book down without a bookmark I could not remember at which point I left it. That is because it was Bland. There is nothing outstanding in the story.
The characters are vanilla, the lead detective was not sufficiently involved and the plot did not add up. Or I may missed a chapter because I have no idea how she developed ESP. Was it the chocolate?
It's a new series with a different take for a cosy mystery. So, lovers of cosy may find this a good read. I was looking for something more robust on the paranormal and humour. A light easy throwaway mystery.
Connect with me on Twitter and FB
See all my reviews
Check out my blog on imjussayin
Book Rating
Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
July 10, 2023
This was a well written light mystery. I liked that there were two corgi’s that belong to the protagonist.
January 23, 2019
I avoided this audio book for a bit,eventually scribd forced my hand by limiting my options. This book turned out to be pretty good! I was a little disappointed that no recipes had been included but that's not a deal breaker. I look forward to listening to more Audio books by this author.
November 20, 2016
Claire Rollins first mystery was just brilliant, set in Boston the author described the setting well and I just love the chocolate shop.
I enjoyed the mystery there was a great set of twists within the story and solid characters I also loved Claire's intuition coming out and how it helped her solve the mystery. I'm looking forward to more in this great new series.
I enjoyed the mystery there was a great set of twists within the story and solid characters I also loved Claire's intuition coming out and how it helped her solve the mystery. I'm looking forward to more in this great new series.
November 17, 2016
a little ESP helps solve several murders...and corruption.
January 20, 2017
I liked this book and am looking forward to the next one.
April 7, 2020
Intuitions
Clair is an interesting character with a gift she never knew s h e had. That gift is a part of the mystery.
Clair is an interesting character with a gift she never knew s h e had. That gift is a part of the mystery.
February 26, 2017
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 8, 2020
Claire Rollins is intuitive
Claire was born into poverty and worked her way up. She went to college, then to law school and became an attorney. She met Teddy, fell in love with and married him. He was much older and died when she was 33. She sold their houses in New York and Nantucket and moved to Boston to start a new life. No longer wanting to be an attorney, she answered a help wanted ad at a and bakery shop and became good friends with the owner. One evening they were to meet friends for drinks and a car drives by with shots fired. Claire had a premonition and tugged Nicole to the sidewalk. This was the beginning of the investigation of several murders. Great book, very well done.
Claire was born into poverty and worked her way up. She went to college, then to law school and became an attorney. She met Teddy, fell in love with and married him. He was much older and died when she was 33. She sold their houses in New York and Nantucket and moved to Boston to start a new life. No longer wanting to be an attorney, she answered a help wanted ad at a and bakery shop and became good friends with the owner. One evening they were to meet friends for drinks and a car drives by with shots fired. Claire had a premonition and tugged Nicole to the sidewalk. This was the beginning of the investigation of several murders. Great book, very well done.
March 13, 2021
Claire Rollins works at a chocolate shop. An unexpected tarot reading at the shop reveals things about her, and the mysterious woman advises not to ignore her instincts. All of a sudden, she receives jolts and flashed images of her boss and best friend bloody and still. Oh dear! The next instant, she saves her from a drive-by shooting. How did she know something would happen?
It was a strike of good fortune that another pedestrian happened to be saved at that time. Could someone want the girls dead? If Claire gets these feelings, how can she use them to help?
I thought this had an interesting concept, but it was too slow and dragged on with over embellishments. It mostly consisted of Claire understanding and honing her “skill.” The mystery was okay.
It was a strike of good fortune that another pedestrian happened to be saved at that time. Could someone want the girls dead? If Claire gets these feelings, how can she use them to help?
I thought this had an interesting concept, but it was too slow and dragged on with over embellishments. It mostly consisted of Claire understanding and honing her “skill.” The mystery was okay.
May 17, 2022
I really wanted to enjoy this book: a mystery series with a character that shares my surname? I was ready to be all in. But I found it… an awkward read. I enjoyed the mystery and I liked Claire Rollins as a character, but the writing felt off. One of the most repeated one was when characters would refer to a lawyer as Attorney [surname]. That didn't fit with anything else I've read involving the legal profession. Perhaps it's a regionalism, but it's not one I'm aware of. I also… don't really know what I feel about Claire's touch-based impressions. Maybe they'll make more sense further on in the series, but… to me in this first book, it felt like a "cheat" to get the information she needed without writing a plausible way of her learning it.
November 28, 2017
A Very Good Read
Books in a new series always give readers the opportunity to watch the birth of someone's hopes and dreams while we enjoy making new imaginary friends and deciding whether or not the characters are worth the investment of our time and money. Good news fellow readers! J. A. Whiting has a new offering for us in " Good Fortunes, A Claire Rollins Mystery Book." This is a sophisticated, complex story that has lots of categories of characters and they all get a chance to be considered as a murderer. This is not an overabundance of nameless, one-dimensional extras. This is an example of well- written fiction begging for sequels!
Books in a new series always give readers the opportunity to watch the birth of someone's hopes and dreams while we enjoy making new imaginary friends and deciding whether or not the characters are worth the investment of our time and money. Good news fellow readers! J. A. Whiting has a new offering for us in " Good Fortunes, A Claire Rollins Mystery Book." This is a sophisticated, complex story that has lots of categories of characters and they all get a chance to be considered as a murderer. This is not an overabundance of nameless, one-dimensional extras. This is an example of well- written fiction begging for sequels!
April 7, 2018
An easy, breezy cozy. The first installment in a series featuring Claire Rollins, recent widow, chocolate shop employee, and budding clairvoyant. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing (at least most of the way) and it moves very quickly. You should be able to finish this one off in a couple of hours. The Boston setting will provide numerous opportunities, and the cast of characters is solid with plenty of room for development in future installments. And the "woo woo" esp angle is (surprisingly) not annoying in this book - kudos to the author for that. In short, not life changing literature, but a pleasant little read for a "cozy" afternoon.
June 9, 2022
Corgis
Claire moves back to Cambridge after her husband dies and goes to work in a chocolate shoppe. A woman comes in and does a reading with tarot cards for Claire. Tells her she is very intuitive and should listen to it. Claire and Nicole are leaving a restaurant when Claire gets a bad feeling, she grabs Nicole and pulls them both to the ground saving them from bullets being fired from a speeding car. A woman comes to her the next day she was there when she pulled Nicole to ground, she also dropped to the ground which saved her also saves Merrit. They get involved in a criminal conspiracy. Love this new series.
Claire moves back to Cambridge after her husband dies and goes to work in a chocolate shoppe. A woman comes in and does a reading with tarot cards for Claire. Tells her she is very intuitive and should listen to it. Claire and Nicole are leaving a restaurant when Claire gets a bad feeling, she grabs Nicole and pulls them both to the ground saving them from bullets being fired from a speeding car. A woman comes to her the next day she was there when she pulled Nicole to ground, she also dropped to the ground which saved her also saves Merrit. They get involved in a criminal conspiracy. Love this new series.
November 23, 2023
J.A. Whiting has done it again! She has created a complex main character in Claire Rollins, a newly discovered (sensitive? empath?). In spite of a background that could easily come across as distasteful under a less adept author's pen, Claire is engaging and caring. Her friends, Nicole. Tony, and Augustus, are more than just minor background characters; each one is capable of an intriguing backstory, and Ian Fuller definitely holds my interest! This is a true murder mystery, with several incidences of violence, and very well-written. I look forward to the next installment.
I gratefully received this ARC and voluntarily give this honest review.
I gratefully received this ARC and voluntarily give this honest review.
July 19, 2017
2.75 stars.
I'm in the minority but I really struggled to get through this. It's only been two days since I finished it and I don't even really remember what happened, whodunit or why! Premise was good, but felt it lacked character development (perhaps that's addressed in the additional books?), and could have used a bit of copyediting to remove the phrase 'the man' from numerous places and just give it a bit of polishing. Not sure what's going on with the potential paranormal aspect of it, around Claire's 'feelings'. Again, this might be something that's addressed and resolved a bit more fully in further books.
Light and entertaining, but unsure if I'll continue.
I'm in the minority but I really struggled to get through this. It's only been two days since I finished it and I don't even really remember what happened, whodunit or why! Premise was good, but felt it lacked character development (perhaps that's addressed in the additional books?), and could have used a bit of copyediting to remove the phrase 'the man' from numerous places and just give it a bit of polishing. Not sure what's going on with the potential paranormal aspect of it, around Claire's 'feelings'. Again, this might be something that's addressed and resolved a bit more fully in further books.
Light and entertaining, but unsure if I'll continue.
November 4, 2020
Wow! Just Wow!
I love all of J A Whiting’s books that I have read. While this one has more murder and mayhem than the other 2 series I have been reading of hers, it is really good. A few editorial errors, but not enough to be distracting. Likable characters (except the evil doers doing evil deeds of course), 2 adorable and very smart Corgis, great descriptions of Boston, witty dialogue, and exciting plot line. And while there is murder and mayhem,there is no graphic violence. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Highly recommend.
I love all of J A Whiting’s books that I have read. While this one has more murder and mayhem than the other 2 series I have been reading of hers, it is really good. A few editorial errors, but not enough to be distracting. Likable characters (except the evil doers doing evil deeds of course), 2 adorable and very smart Corgis, great descriptions of Boston, witty dialogue, and exciting plot line. And while there is murder and mayhem,there is no graphic violence. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2023
This is a very cozy mystery, with some touches of paranormal added.
I loved the corgis Lucy and Bear - and was interested in the tarot card scene.
Claire is not naive, having lost a husband and relocating to restart her life, but there were times in the story that the plot seemed naive and predictable.
Having survived working in a law firm, I was not surprised at the characters found there.
I purchased a copy to give to my friend who has lived with corgis for as long as I have known her.
I hope she enjoys the story too.
I loved the corgis Lucy and Bear - and was interested in the tarot card scene.
Claire is not naive, having lost a husband and relocating to restart her life, but there were times in the story that the plot seemed naive and predictable.
Having survived working in a law firm, I was not surprised at the characters found there.
I purchased a copy to give to my friend who has lived with corgis for as long as I have known her.
I hope she enjoys the story too.
August 14, 2017
Good read
I've read the author's Sweet Cove series and am happy to find this Clair Rollins series. A cozy with above average characterization, mystery and suspense, with a touch of paranormal clairvoyance to boot. Not sure I bought Claire's backstory and definitely did not like the villain suddenly spilling the beans at the end (so hackneyed!), but overall very good- enough for me to head into book #2.
I've read the author's Sweet Cove series and am happy to find this Clair Rollins series. A cozy with above average characterization, mystery and suspense, with a touch of paranormal clairvoyance to boot. Not sure I bought Claire's backstory and definitely did not like the villain suddenly spilling the beans at the end (so hackneyed!), but overall very good- enough for me to head into book #2.
August 29, 2019
I listened to this on audiotape to and from work. It was ok - I liked the background of the story. Parts were good and there were some laugh out loud moments. But needs a lot of polishing on scene a nd character development - lot of chills running down the spine and hair raising on hairs. Lots of dumb decisions which got too many people killed. So potential, but..... I wasn’t thrilled with the audio actor and the dramatic voice. Just not my thing.
December 25, 2020
Intuition and Murdurs.
Clare and her friend narrowly miss being shot at. Clare intuition te.ls her something is a out to happen. She grabs her friend and they fall to the ground as a bullet from a passing car misses them.
So begins a web of murders and illegal happenings. A great story proving Clare has a gift of feeling when things are going to be bad or sometimes things fall good.
An excellent story I recommend you to read.
Clare and her friend narrowly miss being shot at. Clare intuition te.ls her something is a out to happen. She grabs her friend and they fall to the ground as a bullet from a passing car misses them.
So begins a web of murders and illegal happenings. A great story proving Clare has a gift of feeling when things are going to be bad or sometimes things fall good.
An excellent story I recommend you to read.
June 26, 2021
I struggled with this. I found the leap from no psychic skill to being able to see the past and the future, extremely unbelievable. The number of jumps in assumptions her characters made was incredulous and I'm not sure what the point of a chocolate shop is as a plot line. And how many times do we need to describe the women as young women? The story didn't line up. Won't be going back for the rest of the stories.
July 17, 2022
Interesting from start to finish.
A woman with strong intuition who just does not give up until the truth and justice wins. A ruthless rich man who will do anything for money including killing innocent people. His downfall is hiring incompetent people and his own compulsion to keep records on what he thought was a secret laptop hidden in his safe. The money was all he cared about.
A woman with strong intuition who just does not give up until the truth and justice wins. A ruthless rich man who will do anything for money including killing innocent people. His downfall is hiring incompetent people and his own compulsion to keep records on what he thought was a secret laptop hidden in his safe. The money was all he cared about.
July 13, 2017
Hi! I'm hooked on this series. The stories ring true and are filled with kindness that is so often missing in my world. Thanks to the author for reminding me of its existence. me of its existence.
I'm hooked on this series. The stories ring true and are filled with kindness that is so oftenthis missing in my world. Thanks to the author for reminding me of its existence.
I'm hooked on this series. The stories ring true and are filled with kindness that is so oftenthis missing in my world. Thanks to the author for reminding me of its existence.
August 26, 2017
Good Fortunes
I got this book because of the 2 Corgis on the cover. And because I like cozy mysteries.
Fantastic story. Many twists and turns kept me turning pages. So much so that I read this in one sitting. If you like cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this to you. Now, I am going to buy book 2 in this series!
I got this book because of the 2 Corgis on the cover. And because I like cozy mysteries.
Fantastic story. Many twists and turns kept me turning pages. So much so that I read this in one sitting. If you like cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this to you. Now, I am going to buy book 2 in this series!
August 28, 2017
Good book
Although I knew who the bad guys were from the beginning, it was still a good read. The corgis were adorable and the development of Claire's "powers" wasn't too fast that it was just too convenient. I'm pretty sure I know who bought Tom's shop for him, but conformation would have been nice.
Although I knew who the bad guys were from the beginning, it was still a good read. The corgis were adorable and the development of Claire's "powers" wasn't too fast that it was just too convenient. I'm pretty sure I know who bought Tom's shop for him, but conformation would have been nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews