Running out of Time

A Dodie O'Dell Mystery #3

by Suzanne M. Trauth

Restaurant manager Dodie O'Dell's themed food ideas have been called cute, clever, and delicious, but never revolutionary—until now. Dodie's Windjammer Restaurant is stocking the Etonville Little Theatre's concession stand with colonial-era desserts and drinks: Swamp Yankee applesauce cake, pumpkin bread, hot cider punch, and mulled wine to complement the latest production. A local playwright has adapted Thornton Wilder's Our Town into Eton Town, shifting the story to colonial America and the founding of Etonville, New Jersey, shortly after the Revolutionary War.

On opening night, hours before the curtain rises, Dodie runs into an agitated actress backstage with blood on her hands. Then a stranger is found among the chairs set for a graveyard scene with a knife in his chest. The show will not go on—the theatre is now a crime scene. Hoping to clear the red-handed suspect, Dodie returns to the role of amateur sleuth to mull over the clues and beat the backstage stabber to the punch—before someone else becomes history . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2017

About the author

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, and nonfiction writer. Her novels include The First to Die, What Remains of Love (a first place winner in Women's Fiction, Firebird Book Awards; a finalist in General Fiction, American Book Festival; and a finalist for the Hemingway Prize) and the Dodie O'Dell mystery series--Show Time, Time Out, Running out of Time, Just in Time, No More Time, and Killing Time.

Her plays include Françoise, Midwives, Rehearsing Desire, La Fonda, Three Sisters Under the Hood, Laws of the Universe, iDream, supported by the National Science Foundation’s STEM initiative on science and technology, and Katrina: the K Word, based on interviews with New Orleans’ survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and produced in over a dozen venues throughout the United States.

Her screenplays have won awards in competition and she has co-authored Sonia Moore and American Acting Training and co-edited Katrina on Stage: Five Plays. Suzanne is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, and the League of Professional Theatre Women.

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running out of Time was the first book in the series for me and I enjoyed it so much that I added the first two books to my to-read list. Even though I am normally not a big fan of a theater setting, the combination of theater and restaurant worked very good.

A variety of interesting characters and suspects was provided including some odd ones - some that made me chuckle and some that made me shake my head in disbelief. I especially liked Dodie O'Dell, the main character. A young down to earth young woman with both feet on the ground. The relationship between her and Bill, chief of police, give her access to some insider information but also causes a few problems.

A well-paced and very good written cozy mystery that kept me interested from the start to the end.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with a copy.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author for me and I have marked the first two stories in the series to my TBR shelf. I found the main characters well developed. The theater setting did not do much for me. The scenes at the Windjammer restaurant was much better. Until I got the characters straightened out it was slow going but I am glad I did as I feel it was unusual in a cozy. The main character and the Police working more less together.
In this book, Dottie O'Dell is supplying great the intermission of the Eaton Little Theatre. It is dress rehearsal when a bloody body is found in one the setting of the play. Dottie sees Sally, an actress fleeing the area with bloody. Against the Police advice, Dottie decided to help Sally. Dottie going against her boy friend's, the Police Chief, is trying to help Sally. Dottie takes several turns before she manages to touch base with Sally again.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Lyrical Underground for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avevo adocchiato questa serie fin dal suo debutto: le trame mi ispiravano, ma ero titubante a causa del suo legame col mondo del teatro, che non è proprio nelle mie corde. La trama di questo libro, però, con il teatro impegnato in un'opera legata alla Rivoluzione Americana, che è uno dei miei periodi storici preferiti, mi ha convinto e l'ho provato. Mi è piaciuto tantissimo, tanto che l'ho letto quasi tutto in un pomeriggio! Bella protagonista, ben scritto (anche se ho capito quasi subito colpevole e motivazione), buon cast di comprimari, bella ambientazione in una tipica piccola cittadina dove il gossip la fa da padrone e tende all'iperbole; c'è pure l'accenno di una storia d'amore per la protagonista che mi piace molto (la trovo dolce). Morale della favola: mi tocca recuperare i due libri precedenti...

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running out of Time is a crisp, cohesive and polished cozy mystery. Having just read a slew of sub-par cozies (is that a word?), I was more than ready for a breath of fresh air, and Running out of Time delivered. The book contains all the hallmarks of most cozy mysteries, including a small town settting, amateur female sleuth, a romantic interest and a cast of quirky, supporting characters. But it avoids the common misstep of becoming a caricature of what a cozy should be. The plot and ultimate motive are relatively straightforward and yet not easy to figure out, there is a suitably drawn red herring storyline, and as a bonus, Trauth has an aptitute for writing humor as well. This is the third in a series, and I look forward to catching up on the earlier installments.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was fun. I feel like it's better balanced than the first, which I vaguely remember. But it's also not a set-up book, which helps. I like Dodie and Bill together, the quirky town is more fun now that Dodie's more established in it, the shenanigans around the rotating stage in the theatre were entertaining. I mean, sure, Dodie manages to get people to tell her a ridiculous amount of information, but it's a cozy, so pretty much par for the course.

An entertaining distraction.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running out of Time by Suzanne Trauth is a wonderful addition to the cozy mystery genre.
Dodie O'Dell is a fun character and her ability to get mixed up in an investigation is always good for a chuckle.
It's winter in this quirky little town of New Jersey and Dodie is working hard as manager for local restaurant, The Windjammer and she is also working hard at heating up her relationship with the police chief.

The Etonville little theatre is putting on their own version of Our Town, unfortunately, Dodie discovers another body and soon she is trying to save the theater, her relationship with Bill and herself.
Did Dodie ask one to many questions?
Find out when you read Running Out of Time.

This story was well written and was interesting from the first page. Dodie is a strong character and I love all the other colorful characters in this series. The Banger sisters are still as wild as ever and they kept me laughing with their spin on gossip.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a some what refreshing cozy with a different twist. The author actually has some well developed characters in this series with great mystery

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Running Out of Time - Dodie O'Dell Mystery Book 3
Author: Suzanne Trauth
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 10-10-2017
Pages: 220
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Sub-Genre: Suspense, Women's Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Women's Fiction, Amateur Sleuths, Culinary Mystery
ISBN: 9781601737233
ASIN: B01NBUM1LD
Reviewed For NetGalley and Kensington Books
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4 Stars


Dodie O'Dell and her Windjammer are serving out of the concession stand at the theater where an adaption of the Our Town is playing. Sally, a new addition to Etonville, New Jersey responds strangely to the sighting of a man following a baking class at the Windjammer. Then later, on opening night, Dodie stumbles upon the same man that frightened Sally so much, dead just after seeing Sally with her hands covered in blood.


Dodie believes in Sally's innocence and sets out to find out the connection between Sally and the dead man. Why did Sally came to town? Where did she run to and why? The more she looks for answers the questions Dodie has.


With the theater closed as a crime scene Dodie list her suspects and looks for motive, but can she catch the killer before something else happens. Return of great characters and an interesting plot. I did find it a bit slow at the beginning, but it managed to run fairly quickly as the story moved on.


My rating of "Running Out of Time - Dodie O'Dell Mystery Book 3" is 4 out of 5 stars.


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[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Suzanne Trauth
The Third Dodie O'Dell Mystery

Dodie O'Dell is back, this time supplying Revolutionary war fare for the Etonville Little Theatre's production of Eton Town, Walter's version of Our Town. As usual, the ELT is having its share of problems, from the 3 hour long run time to the turntable on stage that doesn't always want to turn. No one expects a smooth opening night-but no one expected a murdered body found on stage cancelling the performance. Now a timid young member of the troupe has disappeared, fleeing the scene of the crime with bloodied hands. Dodie believes she must be innocent, but all signs, and her behavior, point to guilt. Will Dodie go against the chief of police, who she is dating, and his new PI right hand man? Things get ever more dangerous for Dodie as she tries to find Sally and the truth.
I always enjoy visiting the Windjammer and seeing what trouble the Etonville Little Theatre is cooking up. The antics of the actors and stage manager brings me back to the days when I was involved in theatre. The people involved in the ELT are over the top, but it's completely believable because, as over the top as they are, that's exactly what it's really like in the world of theatre.

As enjoyable as it was reading this third outing, I had issues with Dodie's behavior. I consider Dodie an intelligent woman, but her actions were downright stupid through most of this book. True, those actions kept the story going, and some things could be overlooked, but when a truly serious thing happened to her she didn't even tell the police...when she's dating the Chief! I hope that future books will have Dodie revert to her intelligent self.

Despite my disbelief at what Dodie did...and didn't do, I still enjoyed the book as a whole. It was well paced with action buffered by daily life in the restaurant and responsibilities of the theatre.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC in the hopes I would review it.

[Leith Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running out of Time was a readable cozy mystery that I enjoyed getting into. I hadn't read the other books int he series but I never felt at a disadvantage in the story.

Dodie O'Dell runs the Windjammer restaurant in the small New Jersey town of Etonville. The local theater is putting on their version of Our Town, re-imagined as a Revolutionary era founding of Etonville and called Eton Town. Complete with a revolving stage and authentic costumes, the cast and crew are busy getting ready for opening night. Dodie is providing some colonial era treats when she finds the newest cast member, Sally, backstage over a dead body with her hands covered in blood.

Dodie is shocked. She likes Sally, but she thinks she saw her on the street near the dead man. And how will the murder affect her growing relationship with Bill Thompson, the local police chief? The play is shut down and her closest friend involved with the production begs her to investigate. Dodie firmly believes Sally didn't murder anyone, so she reluctantly agrees.

I really liked the small town setting, which was so well described. The characters were interesting and fun to read about, and the writing was effective and well done.

I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley and was intrigued by the cover and the fact that it was set during Winter time. I enjoy reading cozies set in the Northeast during winter time. I gave this book two stars only because the murderer was not easily predictable. However the lead Dodie by the end was in too stupid to live territory for me. She was constantly going behind Bill's back and keeping him uninformed even after she was being threatened and kidnapped. She seemed to think she was so much smarter than the police. I'm surprised so many reviews call this fast-paced as this was such a slow read to me. I was not captivated until the last few chapters. Maybe I had to read the previous book but I cared nothing about the little random patrols Ralph was on. I don't live in a small town but do the police really go out every time a child skips school or makes a disturbance like throwing snowballs? I also didn't like the details of every action Dodie did. The cell phone binged. I opened the door, closed, it then latched it shut. This is not one I would enjoy reading again

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun production! This has been my favorite of the series so far. Fast paced and keeping me wanting to say I have to read one more chapter!

If you like small towns and the gossipy characters that live in them, you will enjoy this series. There is some flirtatious romance happening but it takes a back seat to the mystery.
As Dodie's romance seems to take a step forward with Chief Bill, disaster strikes and he has to call for back-up. There is something not quite right about the suave and mysterious too handsome coyboy P.I. who says he is here to help solve a murder.
The theatre next door to Dodie's diner is again trying to put on a production perhaps a bit above their caliber and the trials and tribulations dribble over into the Windjammer. Add in some weather, roof and car problems for never a dull moment.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun production! If you like small towns and the gossipy characters that live in them, you will enjoy this series. There is some flirtatious romance happening but it takes a back seat to the mystery.
As Dodie's romance seems to take a step forward with Chief Bill, disaster strikes and he has to call for back-up. There is something not quite right about the suave and mysterious too handsome coyboy P.I. who says he is here to help solve a murder.
The theatre next door to Dodie's diner is again trying to put on a production perhaps a bit above their caliber and the trials and tribulations dribble over into the Windjammer. Add in some weather, roof and car problems for never a dull moment.
This has been my favorite of the series so far. Fast paced and keeping me wanting to say I have to read one more chapter!

[Jharper2 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this, the third of the series. The first was good enough that I bought and read the second, which was good.
But this is a let down and a total failure. Our detectived, Dodie O'Dell does not co-operate with the police chief/her boyfriend, because he cannot involve her in secret investigation. She conceals evidence, takes risks due to pique that endanger her friends, the police, and herself because her nose is out of joint.
This one feels written by rote, without too much care, against a deadline.
The disappointment is greater because the series started pretty well, the quirky small town New Jersey setting was well established, and I liked the amateur theatre setting.
But with this as a third act, it is time to bring down the curtain, sweep up the stage, and turn off the lights.

[Becky Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running Out of Time, by Suzanne Trauth, was a new cozy series for me. Dodie O'Dell, the manager of the Windjammer Café, promises to provide intermission treats for the town play. Before it finally opens, a stranger is found dead on the troublesome set.

Dodie's policeman boyfriend, Bill, breaks his ankle and calls in the dubious reinforcements of his suspicious friend, Archibald, from academy days.

Dodie spends a great deal of time trying to prove the innocence of a town newcomer while keeping secrets from Bill and hoping their relationship deepens despite her deceit. 

We get good looks at both the restaurant and police office, which satisfies my need to see the main characters actually on the job. I enjoyed the tension of figuring out who Archibald really is.

One thing I didn't care for was the overuse of "my cell phone "binged.'" It became quite tedious to read that phrase over and over. The only other option seemed to be "my cell phone 'pinged.'"

While I usually want to see the relationship in a book progress, I was sorry to see the focus was only on the physical part of the relationship.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all opinions are solely my responsibility.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of theater themed cozys (too much drama usually) but Trauth has avoided many of the pitfalls of that subgenre with this crossover with Dodie from Dodie's Windjammer Restaurant. It's got all the pleasures of the restaurant part (and Dodie) . Dodie turns investigator to clear Sally, who is suspected of murder. The plot isn't too twisty, the characters are well done, and it's a quick, entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Debbie Proud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this third Dodie O’Dell mystery, and loved everything about it. Suzanne Trauth has created a delightful heroine in Dodie O’Dell. Dodie ‘s hometown of Etonville is equally delightful... filled with quirky people, inviting places, and of course with mysteries to solve. What sets this “cosy” mystery apart from others is Ms Trauth’s gentle use of humor to describe her characters, the town, and the happenings. It is just fun to be a part of Etonville. Can’t wait til the next visit!

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great stand alone cozy mystery but it is the third book in the series if you want to check the others out. It was a fun read and flowed well. There were a few things you had to figure out- some was easy and some took more clues. There is also a little bit of romance in all this drama. Great way to spend a few hours reading.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining although I did figure out The Who and the why sooner than usual. Nice quirky little town with a cast of colorful characters. Dodie is a great character who was highly relatable. The story flowed nicely, just as well as the crazy gossip in the small town. I look forward to reading the next installment and seeing Dodie and Bill’s relationship develope.

[Thomas Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dodie and crew and more theater intrigues.

Suzanne has really come into her own with Dodie and the ELT group. If you like live theater, even of the community theater variety mixed with a good old murder mystery then the Dodie O'Dell series is for you. Fun, gripping and clever. I can't wait to start the next volume.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and entertaining theater/restaurant based cozy mystery. The relationship between the amateur sleuth and the chief of police is typical, but fun. A pleasant series. The publisher provided a copy via NetGalley for my voluntary review.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a few times that I wasn't in love 😐 with this book but I pushed through and quickly found myself enjoying 😊 it again. I am really starting to think 😕 that the theater and not Dodie is the cause of all these murders.

[Melinda Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good cozy mystery to read while it rains. It takes place in a small town where everyone knows your business. Dodie is looking to solve another mystery.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery with fun characters. I would read the others in this series.

I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery with a G-rated romance. The drinking and driving was a jarring note. With all the food talk, recipes would be a nice addition!

[Priscilla Shorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Combines two of my favourite things, food and theatre. This is an entertaining domestic dectective story

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[RO G'ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running Out of Time is the third book in Suzanne Trauth’s Dodie O’Dell Mystery series. The mystery is well plotted, steadily paced with lots of twists and turns, and the characters are well developed. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick, easy read. This is a clean cozy mystery featuring no gratuitous sex, violence, or foul language. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery.

Dodie O’Dell lives in the quaint community of Etonville and is the manager of Windjammer, a local restaurant, and helps her friends at the Etonville Little Theater. The theater group is preparing for the opening of Eton Town, which is their version of Our Town that tells the story of the first settlers in Etonville. A young woman named Sally has recently relocated to Etonville from Boston and is performing in the production, and everyone seems to like her, but no one knows much about her. Dodie finds her in the theater one afternoon with blood on her hands near a dead body on the stage. Sally becomes the primary suspect, but Dodie believes she’s innocent. She knows the victim, Gordon Weeks, frightened Sally when she saw him one evening, but Sally denies knowing him and Dottie is convinced Sally isn’t telling her everything. Despite Police Chief Bill Thompson, who is also her boyfriend, asking her to not get involved in the investigation, she soon sets out to find out the truth about Sally and clear her name.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running out of Time is set in an eccentric New Jersey town during a winter cold snap. Dodie runs the local restaurant and is involved with the local theater group. The theater group is doing a twist on Our Town by building it around the first settlers in their own town. Most of the people in town have deep roots in the town, so "new" people stand out. Sally has just moved to Elton from Boston and no one knows much about her. She is in the play, and everyone likes her. Unfortunately, Dodie finds her fleeing the theater one afternoon with blood on her hands and there is a dead body on the stage! Dodie believes Sally is innocent and despite her boyfriend's disapproval (and he is the chief of police), she soon sets out to fine the real murderer. This is the first of the Dodie O'Dell Mysteries that I have read, and I am looking forward to reading more!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a solid whodunit. I really enjoy this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.