Heinous Habits

Corsario Cove #3

by Anna Celeste Burke

An intriguing package arrives with a mysterious message from a monk at the Benedictine Monastery perched high above Corsario Cove. That package and an all-expense paid second honeymoon lure newlyweds Kim & Brien back to the luxurious Sanctuary Resort & Spa. Troubled monks seem to be everywhere--at the resort, the surfer village near the beach, and in the nearby town of San Albinus. “God is not pleased,” cries a hooded figure from a “cavern of forgotten dreams.” Arson, kidnapping, and murder soon shove Kim and Brien in over their heads. What’s going on? Are the mad monks in Corsario Cove crazy or crazy like a fox? Come, join Kim and Brien, Detective Mitchum, and the enigmatic new resident of Sanctuary Grove, Bede Greco, as they try to make sense of it all. Recipes Included!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2017

About the author

Anna Celeste Burke is an awarding-winning, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author!
Welcome! Join me, snooping into life's mysteries with fun, fiction, and food--California style!

Life is an extravaganza and so unpredictable! Figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge.

On my way to Oahu to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I married in Tijuana, I was nabbed by the police as a runaway. When the police let me go and the rock band broke up, my husband and I had to find another way to survive. Our next stop: Disney World where we trained to be chefs, courtesy of the Walt Disney World University.

A GED for my husband, and many more years of education eventually landed us in academia—with Ph.D.s from the University of Michigan we took professor jobs with U of M’s longstanding football rival, The Ohio State University.

Retired now from my role as a professor in social work and behavioral science, I have picked up a long-time interest in writing fiction. In my professional career I wrote and published widely as a scholar, with more than forty manuscripts of varying lengths on my vita. I also carried out hundreds of training, consulting and speaking engagements on a number of gloriously nerdy topics.

So what on earth does a research scientist have in common with a mystery writer? As avid fans of the mystery genre will tell you at the core of any good mystery is a passionate search for the truth. Discovering the truth involves finding and assembling pieces of complex puzzles in order to solve seemingly intractable problems—scientist and sleuth are cut from the same cloth!

Still married to the same sweet guy, I live with my husband in one of the seven desert resort cities in the Palm Springs area. In addition to reading and writing mysteries I enjoy painting, hiking, hanging out with my handsome husband and tending to my Siamese cats.

The Sonoran Desert is a beautiful setting to ponder life’s mysteries, by the surrounding mountains and the bountiful delights of the desert resort communities. I hope you enjoy reading the books in my three cozy mystery series: The Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series, The Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series, and the Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series. Cheers! Anna

Reviews

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heinous Habits! by Anna Celeste Burke brings us back to Corsario Cove with Kim and Brien. The plot flowed quickly and there were lots of twists and turns in this one to keep me guessing. I enjoy Kim and Brien's banter and love for 1960's beach movies. Brien often amazes me with the way his mind works. They are truly a perfect match as they work together to help their friends while making a life changing decision.

[Roslyn Donohoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy these stories.

A great writer who writes such interesting stories. I'll certainly keep reading them. I find them very well worth the read.

[Mickey Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun story from Anna Celeste Burke!

Clever, hilarious and totally entertaining! The characters of Corsario Cove keep getting into mischief and finding the bad guys. Of course the historical trivia adds to the fun. Well done!

[Tara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

How exciting! Heinous Habits is Book #3 in the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series by Anna Celeste Burke. It is available in paperback right now, which is still my favorite and preferred way to read a book (I know...I'm old school), but in case you are an ebook fan, I'm going to let you in on a little secret...shhhh!!! You will not be able to purchase the Kindle copy of this book until October 2017, but there is a way you can get yours MUCH sooner than that! Here's how you can get your copy early: Set for release on June 27, 2017, I pre-ordered the Summer Whodunnits Kindle Box Set, which will only be available to readers for 3 months from its release date, then it will be gone forever! It features Heinous Habits, along with 5 other ebooks from all your favorite cozy mystery authors. Ummm....hello?! Yes, please! The price for all 6 Kindle books is cheaper than that of most of them purchased individually. What an awesome deal, and what a perfect way to get your hands on this awesome read by Anna Celeste Burke BEFORE it's released as a standalone in October!! Woohooo! I love when I find ways to beat the system! Hehee! ;-)

Heinous Habits returns with your favorite characters, Kim and Brien, as they show off their sleuthing skills on another exciting adventure! After receiving a package from Brother Thaddeus, the two of them head back to where it all began: The Sanctuary Resort and Spa, but this time it's for their all-expense paid 2nd honeymoon, and, of course, some unexpected surprises along the way! Ahhh...the exciting lives these people live ! I was up reading until 3am last night because if I don't find out what happens before going to bed, I'm one of those people who will have weird dreams about Detective Mitchum or Bede Greco, the newbie of Sanctuary Grove...yikes!! Needless to say, just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I realized I was wrong...again...this one is sure to keep you guessing. I'm glad I stayed awake to finish it!

Anna Celeste Burke's writing is fantastic! I think I stay smiling the entire time I am reading. She cleverly mixes in the right amount of humor and keeps me engaged from start to finish. Her words flow together perfectly, and the descriptive details always paint a vivid picture in my mind of the setting and characters. I wish I could go to these places and meet these people after reading, just so I can see how close my own visuals are to the real thing. Then, I remember that this is fiction, and as much as I feel like they are my friends or "Partners in Crime," I'll instead have to wait until the next book for my great escape. :-)

You do not want to miss your chance to get your hands on this book! In fact, I think Heinous Habits is my new #1 favorite! I know that I have probably said the same thing about Anna Celeste Burke's other books, but I can't help it!! I love them all! I'm sure you can relate, right? You move a book to the #1 spot on your list, and then out of nowhere, she comes out with another book...they just seem to get better and better!! I am confident you are going to LOVE Heinous Habits: Book #3 in the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery Series. I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us in the future!

Thank you for reading my review. I hope you found it helpful. Until next time...toot-a-loo! :-)

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so in all fairness I’m not all that into mystery novels but I’ve read book 1 & 2 so I had to read the third one! I enjoyed the previous books in this series and couldn’t wait to find out what trouble the main characters were about to get into in this one. I’m a hardcore thriller reader so I’m not exactly certain I’d call it a thriller but it’s definitely a great, fun, mystery book. This book delivered exactly what it said it would an more!

The characters in the book are fun, and complicated, though the surfer language gets to be a bit tiresome. I’m glad that the author redeems the characters somewhat imbuing them with some intelligence and problem solving skills. It also helped that I remember Gidget so that makes it a bit more appealing to me. I can see where it might detract from the book for others that aren’t that familiar with the lingo.

As with the other books the two main characters seem to find themselves in the midst of a mystery that needs solving. There are the usual pitfalls, kidnapping, murder, arson, mystery monks and various other treacheries. Luckily things are figured out and all is solved by the end of the book. That’s another thing I appreciate, that each book has a conclusion, and the reader isn’t left hanging until the next book in the series comes out.

I received a copy of Heinous Habits! Corsario Cove Mystery #3 through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to BooksGoSocial and Anna Celeste Burke for the opportunity.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another rollicking good time in Corsario Cove with Gidget and Moondoggie...er...Kim and Brien. Mick, Willow, Twitchin' Mitchum, Big Al, and Brother Thaddeus are all back as well. There are strange events occurring all over San Albinus and Corsario Cove. For a small town, it draws lots of quirky people who do unusual things. I expect no less from Anna Celeste Burke and she always delivers with an entertaining story.

I love how Brien never ceases to amaze me. He seems like such a knucklehead and then he says something profound. He notices everything, even when he doesn't appear to be paying attention. I'm so glad to see Mitchum loosening up a little. He is way too uptight. I mean, why would Kim and Brien make him twitchy? LOL!

I can't imagine what will happen next in Corsario Cove but I know it will be fun to read. Like I said, Anna Celeste Burke never disappoints. You can read each story in the Corsario Cove series as a stand-alone but they will be much more enjoyable if you read them in order. I urge you to read the series if you like lighthearted mysteries with a delightful cast of characters that hold your attention from beginning to end. You will love these books.

[Anna Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim & Brien are back! Their second honeymoon in Corsario Cove is filled with as much murder, mayhem, and mystery as their first! What's going on in Corsario Cove and whodunit? I hope you have a good time trying to figure it out. I had plenty of fun getting these two surf-loving sleuths into deep water. What's waiting for them they plunge back in over their heads? A cavern of forgotten dreams, mad monks, more bats, and...? "Truth is a treasure not easily won," according to Bede Greco, an enigmatic new character who pops up in Heinous Habits, Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #3. Enjoy!

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Package comes to lure Kim and Brien back to Corario Cove, with their investigation skills. GPS device and message “of enemies in the kingdom”
all it took to be back at beach and friends. How much did the Father know of the cave of forgotten dreams and antiquities, who of the monks are involved. A delightful plot of mayhem, and wisdom. Awaiting another by Anna. Given ARC by Net Galley and BooksGoSocial.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heinous Habits is book three in the series by Anna Celeste Burke. Bones and bodies popping up here and there. What is going on with the "mad" monk anyways? Is there more treasure? A lot is going on in this book. We get to revisit some places and characters from the two prior books. All kinds of mysteries. 4 stars

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of their help with the last two deaths in Book #1 & 2 Kim & Brien are back in Corsario Cove for a complimentary 2nd honeymoon and the offer of a job for both of them. They are back in the middle of trouble upsetting Det. Mitchum again who seems to have as big a sweet tooth as Brien. All three are shocked to learn who the big Kahuna really is. Can't wait for Book #4 in this series.

[Peggy Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an author who is another queen of mysteries and they are so good. The flow of the story is so good plus her characters you can easily identify with. I enjoy reading her books as they also include recipes in the back of the book as a bonus. Anna hits the ball out of the park with this book!

[Kandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept my interest. I think I should have read the book previous to this one though since it referenced things that happened in it throughout this one. Great characters and a good summer story.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim and Brien are on the case again in this fun, fast-paced mystery. I love going to Corsario Cove to visit and never want to leave the locale or the characters. The story had plenty of turns to keep my guessing.

[Andra Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review outstanding

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heinous Habits is the third book in Anna Celeste Burke’s Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery series. This is a well thought out and interesting mystery, with a good story line and affable characters and just the right mix of mystery, humor, and sweet romance. Ms. Burke’s writing style flows smoothly, at a steady pace and she has provided lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. This is a clean cozy mystery with humor and no gratuitous sex, violence, or adult language. The main characters, Kim and Brien Williams, a seemingly mismatched couple, are newlyweds, and the way Ms. Burke describes the love and devotion they have for each other is truly heartwarming. Some awesome sounding cookie recipes are included in the book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery.

Kim and Brien are trying to pick a date to go to the Sanctuary Resort and Spa in Corsario Cove in Southern California for their all-expense paid second honeymoon. They also have a big decision to make because they’ve both been offered jobs at the resort because of their help in capturing a murderer on their first honeymoon. They hate the thought of moving and leaving their friends, but the surf is calling to both of them even though Kim is a beginner. If they accept the jobs, Kim would be working in Records Management and Brien would join the resort’s security team. They receive a package from Brother Thaddeus (a monk at the Monastery of St. Albinus), which includes the GPS device from their last Corsario Cove adventure along with a note saying there are other things he wants to show to show them and thinks more investigation is warranted. When they arrive at the resort, they are surprised to discover their friends, Willow and Mick, are working at the resort and are engaged. Shortly after their arrival, a second from note Brother Thaddeus is delivered to their suite telling them that he needs to meet with them as soon as possible. Kim and Brien quickly find themselves trying to understand a land dispute and dealing with troubled monks, arson, kidnapping, and murder. Detective Mitchum isn’t thrilled to have Kim and Brien back in town and involved with his investigations, but they provide valuable information to him.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an all-expense paid second honeymoon in hand, Kim and Brien head back to the luxurious Sanctuary Resort & Spa. But no sooner do they arrive trouble is brewing. Kim and Brien find themselves way over their heads with troubled monks, arson, kidnapping, and a murder.

This is the third book in the Corsario Cove mystery series. Having not read the first two, I did not find it difficult to get to know the characters, their backgrounds, and previous adventures. Both Kim and Brien are very likable characters. Kim is a throwback to the 60’s beach blanket bingo era and even likes to call her sweetie Moondoggie and he calls her Gidget. Brien is a surfer dude who is head over heels for Kim. While some of Brien’s actions make him appear a bit dense, he seems to always come up with something profound. The two make a great couple and sleuthing team.

This is a fun fast-paced cozy mystery filled with quirky characters, a thought out plot, and enough mystery, action, and misadventure to keep the reader’s attention.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not showing the usual kindle unlimited but all of her books so far have been, might be soonish, some are starting to wait for ku so they can make sure some fans can get it other than ebook through amazon I think. Originally read this {because didn't want to wait} in Summer Whodunnits: Six Midsummer Cozy Mysteries Kindle Edition, that book got a 3 and only because this book and maybe one other made the other 1 and 2's higher. Wanted to make sure reviewed this one separately though. And I bought it, just because have all the other ones, separately, and wanted this one that way.


An intriguing package arrives with a mysterious message from a monk at the Benedictine Monastery perched high above Corsario Cove. That package and an all-expense paid second honeymoon lure newlyweds Kim & Brien back to the luxurious Sanctuary Resort & Spa. Troubled monks seem to be everywhere--at the resort, the surfer village near the beach, and in the nearby town of San Albinus. “God is not pleased,” cries a hooded figure from a “cavern of forgotten dreams.” Arson, kidnapping, and murder soon shove Kim and Brien in over their heads. What’s going on? Are the mad monks in Corsario Cove crazy or crazy like a fox? Come, join Kim and Brien, Detective Mitchum, and the enigmatic new resident of Sanctuary Grove, Bede Greco, as they try to make sense of it all. Recipes Included!


Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery
.5 Love a Foot Above the Ground A Dead Husband 1 A Dead Sister 2 A Dead Daughter 3 A Dead Mother 4 A Dead Cousin 5
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series (Books 1-5)
A Dead Nephew 6 {2019}*

Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery
Cowabunga Christmas #1 Gnarly New Year #2
Heinous Habits (Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, #3) {in summer collection only first}
Radical Regatta Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #4 {2019}*

Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at Catmmando Mountain #1 Love Notes in the Key of Sea #2 All Hallows' Eve Heist #3 A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series: Novellas 1-3
#4 Murder at Sea of Passenger X #5 Murder of the Maestro #6 A Tango Before Dying #7 A Canary in the Canal #8 {2019}*

Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery
A Body at Fitzgerald’s Bluff 1 {was in Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer which between typos and WTH stuff actually cancelled, just waited for this separately}
The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost 2 {out March 2019}*
Grave Expectations on Dickens' #3 {2019}*

The CALLA LILY MYSTERY Series
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire #1
{was only in collection Love Under Fire collection, now standalone}
Tangled Vines, Buried Secrets #2 {2019}*

see goodreads/amazon for full listing of books, in various collections

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

kindle unlimited, There are blurbs at the start of every book if you want to know about characters, plots and all that. My rating is 5 and 5, everthing else is rather up to the personal tastes of each reader. Below is a list of her series, with titles, in order. Try them on ku or buy them in sets or individually as I did; actually own ever book and every one but one of the collections. Dates may be bit off, been reading thru the sets for couple of days just now getting to reviews.

An intriguing package from a monk at the Benedictine Monastery perched above Corsario Cove, an all-expense paid second honeymoon to help lure newlyweds Kim & Brien back to the luxurious Sanctuary Resort & Spa, monks and troubled monks everywhere, arson, kidnapping, murder, supposed sunken treasure. Staying hidden, not due to spoilers because write spoiler free, but because may be changed in paperback vs kindle.


Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery
.5 Love a Foot Above the Ground A Dead Husband 1 A Dead Sister 2 A Dead Daughter 3 A Dead Mother 4 A Dead Cousin 5
Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery Series (Books 1-5)
A Dead Nephew 6 {2019}*

Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery
Cowabunga Christmas #1 Gnarly New Year #2
Heinous Habits (Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, #3) {in summer collection only first}
Radical Regatta Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery #4 {2019}*

Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series
Murder at Catmmando Mountain #1 Love Notes in the Key of Sea #2 All Hallows' Eve Heist #3 A Merry Christmas Wedding Mystery
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series: Novellas 1-3
#4 Murder at Sea of Passenger X #5 Murder of the Maestro #6 A Tango Before Dying #7 A Canary in the Canal #8 {2019}*

Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery
A Body at Fitzgerald’s Bluff 1 {was in Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: 12 Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer which between typos and WTH stuff actually cancelled, just waited for this separately}
The Murder of Shakespeare's Ghost 2 {out March 2019}*
Grave Expectations on Dickens' #3 {2019}*

The CALLA LILY MYSTERY Series
Lily's Homecoming Under Fire #1
{was only in collection Love Under Fire collection, now standalone}
Tangled Vines, Buried Secrets #2 {2019}*

see goodreads/amazon for full listing of books, in various collections

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Heinous Habits" earns 5/5 Mad Monk Mysteries!

After receiving a curious package and message from Brother Thaddeus, Kim and Brien head off for an all-expense paid second honeymoon at the resort and spa they spent the first one in the delightful "Cowabunga Christmas." And as 'cozy life' would have it, the romantic adventure turns upside down with an ominous pronouncement from a hooded figure, more mad monks, arson, kidnapping, and yes, murder. This sleuthing duo brings a youthful exuberance and humor that kept me turning the pages through their tender moments and nail biting intrigue. Anna has delivered another great time for fans and newbies alike. Along with her signature well-written mystery Anna sprinkles in a delightful sense of humor and characters that quickly become favorites. Although I read the first book, I feel newbies need not shy away from this most recent release. Enough background in included to keep everyone very engaged and entertained!

"Disclosure: I won this book from an author giveaway. The thoughts are all my honest opinions."

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this us just to see what the writing style was, and ending up reading it to the end.

It is a very quick read, and very cozy. The characters are genuinely very nice people, if a bit naive.

The mystery was nicely plotted, but it would be better to have read the prior books in the series because it appears that this one spoils the mystery in the earlier books.

I won a copy of this from the author and I appreciated the opportunity to read it.

I will pass it on to my mystery reading group and perhaps Anna will have found some new readers.

[Essie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, especially the interaction between Kim and Brien. And of course, I like the surfer content; not because I ever surfed, but because I watched all the old surfer movies and even the Gidget TV series. Yes, I am that old. lol This book has it all. Mystery, murder, greed, treasure, mad monks, fire, and of course surfers. And the love between Kim and Brien. I highly recommend this book to any who enjoy cozy mysteries and also a few history lessons popped into the plot lines.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

March, spring break, March Madness, March Monk Madness, or Mad Monk March Madness or… Whatever you want to call it, I want to know how Brian can fit through tight places with all he eats. Good thing he has Gidget because she weighs less. What a treasure!!! Also, what a history lesson, especially the last chapter. I enjoyed this story and recommend it – even if it is a wild ride and I recommend the book.

[Karen]

HEINOUS HABITS BOOK 3 CORSARIO COVE COZY MYSTERIES ANNA CELESTE BURKE
Like the other books in this series, HEINOUS HABITS grabs you from the get-go. It’s because Kim and Brien are lovable characters and when you read the story you want to root for them. The plot even though murder is involved has a good shot of humor. Heinous Habits deserves 5 golden surfboards. I guarantee Heinous Habits will have you hangin’ 10 from start to finish!

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about halfway through & gave up. It's the third book in a series, & I appreciated the lead character's explanations, although they weren't really neccessary. I think it's better to give out the information a little at a time, kind of a need-to-know basis. As I said, I was halfway through the book when I gave up. By that point, I was all caught up, but the mystery was just barely beginning. It was just moving too slow for me. I also tired of the repitition. Every time a particular character from a previous book was mentioned, the mode of their untimely death would also promptly follow, as if it was assumed the reader had lost their short-term memory. I couldn't get passed the main characters' pet names for each other: Gidgit & Moondoggie. I get that they're surfers, but, really? I've never read Anna Celeste Burke before, but I've read good reviews, so maybe this series just isn't for me, or maybe I need to start from the beginning. The book is part of the Summer Whodunnits ebook boxed set.

[Michele Bernstein-goldsmith]

I am unable to give this even a 1/4 of a star! I’m on page 68 and if I read one more “dude” “brewski” “kawabunga” big kahuna or Gidget reference I’ll I’ll hurl. It is incomprehensible to me that someone published this drivel or that it actually receives stars likes etc from anyone who has not been lobotomized by a surfboard. The Hero is portrayed as an idiot with the IQ of a snail, dude talk about stereotypes. Gidget has to explain absolutely everything to her “Moondoggie” barf. Page 68 and I can’t unsee this absolute garbage

[Polina Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful surfing cozy

Kim and Brien are back for their complimentary second honeymoon. Once they arrive at the resort, many surprises await them. There is a new Big Kahuna at the surfers village. Is he who he says he is? Brother Thaddeus has his hands full with mysterious occurrences and he needs our duos help in sorting everything out. A mad monk or two, divine anger, buried treasure, King Solomons ring. A delight to read, this wonderful cozy is as refreshing as early morning surf

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care much for the surfers talk at all. The story was so so but I could have not read it and not have missed anything. Lots of surfer people in this little town. Monks also involved in the story and diving and surfer dudes helping to solve the town mystery. Diving and searching out under water caves.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murderous monks

Corsair Cove is again making waves in the mystery and intrigue department as yet more death surrounds the cove and the monestary. This series is very well thought out, great scenes, dialogue and characters that leap off the pages. Definitely worth starting at book one.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing by Anna Celeste Burke: This series just keeps getting better and better. I love seeing the world through Kim's young-and-in-love eyes. But don't let that fool you. She's wise beyond her years, and together with her surfer dude husband manages to find solutions to some of the most bizarre and convoluted mysterious events at the seaside resort and local monastery.