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Old School Diner #1
Murder at Stake
A Stake Through the Heart
When a tornado hits the town of Paint Creek, more than rubble is discovered. One of the regulars at the Old School Diner is found with a stake to the heart. Is the stake from his collapsed barn, or as a couple of conspiracy theorists from the diner speculate...that the dear departed was indeed a vampire and there is a vampire hunter among them. Find out what happens in this new hilarious mystery series where the owner, Mercy, has her hands full with a colorful cast of characters.
When a tornado hits the town of Paint Creek, more than rubble is discovered. One of the regulars at the Old School Diner is found with a stake to the heart. Is the stake from his collapsed barn, or as a couple of conspiracy theorists from the diner speculate...that the dear departed was indeed a vampire and there is a vampire hunter among them. Find out what happens in this new hilarious mystery series where the owner, Mercy, has her hands full with a colorful cast of characters.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2017
596 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Constance Barker
461 books205 followersConstance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 16, 2017
After leaving a very stressful life and career as an emergency room nurse in Louisville, Mercy Howard heads back to her hometown of Paint Creek, Kentucky. She buys the Old School Diner, which had originally been founded by her grandfather. Now she owns it and plans to make a life for herself.
Paint Creek may be a small town, but there’s quite a bit of craziness going on there. A tornado strikes the small town leaving one of their own dead. It’s not long before it’s discovered that the tornado didn’t kill the man. Everyone is thinking murder, while some wacky townspeople think it could be vampires.
Mercy assists the handsome new Sheriff Brody Hayes in the investigation. It’s difficult for Mercy when the investigation leads her in the direction of people she has known most of her life. At the same time, the sparks fly between Mercy and Brody.
The cast of characters is a wide variety of personalities. Crazy, sweet, funny, romantic and even a couple of bad guys thrown in to add to the excitement. Mercy is a wonderful character who would make a wonderful friend. She's strong, likeable and very smart. She doesn't back down.
For a few hours, I was transported to Kentucky and trying to figure out who killed the poor guy. The book had an old fashioned, quaint feel to it. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. I want to give her other series a try too. I enjoyed her writing style. She keeps you guessing. This cozy mystery is fun and left me smiling after I swiped the last page. I can't say enough good things about it.
Paint Creek may be a small town, but there’s quite a bit of craziness going on there. A tornado strikes the small town leaving one of their own dead. It’s not long before it’s discovered that the tornado didn’t kill the man. Everyone is thinking murder, while some wacky townspeople think it could be vampires.
Mercy assists the handsome new Sheriff Brody Hayes in the investigation. It’s difficult for Mercy when the investigation leads her in the direction of people she has known most of her life. At the same time, the sparks fly between Mercy and Brody.
The cast of characters is a wide variety of personalities. Crazy, sweet, funny, romantic and even a couple of bad guys thrown in to add to the excitement. Mercy is a wonderful character who would make a wonderful friend. She's strong, likeable and very smart. She doesn't back down.
For a few hours, I was transported to Kentucky and trying to figure out who killed the poor guy. The book had an old fashioned, quaint feel to it. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. I want to give her other series a try too. I enjoyed her writing style. She keeps you guessing. This cozy mystery is fun and left me smiling after I swiped the last page. I can't say enough good things about it.
August 12, 2020
Vampires or Government plot
A fast moving mystery with a good plot and subplots. Quirky characters make the small town interesting and gives several interesting suspects.
A fast moving mystery with a good plot and subplots. Quirky characters make the small town interesting and gives several interesting suspects.
March 20, 2018
Just Ok
Not good but not bad. Portrays a small Kentucky town as people still living in the 50's. Maybe the next one will be better. Bought before I read first one.
Not good but not bad. Portrays a small Kentucky town as people still living in the 50's. Maybe the next one will be better. Bought before I read first one.
August 29, 2017
I have never lived in a small town like Paint Creek, Kentucky where the population is around 750. However I think this book probably is a pretty genuine representation of the people who live in such a place. It seems like everybody has a nickname and everybody pretty much knows everyone's business. Word sure gets around fast for sure. It stands to reason that the Sheriff in this town is much more relaxed than in many of the cozy mystery towns I read about. When the sheriff is usually telling everyone to stay away and telling the main character not to sleuth, it is quite refreshing to have a sheriff who accepts help and suggestions from the townsfolk. It certainly makes him a more likeable character! Tall, dark, and handsome with an attitude isn't nearly as appealing as Sheriff Brody of Paint Creek. When he gets to know Mercy, the owner of the Old School Diner, he listens to her ideas and thoughts without censure.
The other characters are folksy and for the most part portrayed as friendly and somewhat as bumbling hicks. I did like however that the group of men included "Red" who was obviously older and not in perfect health, who proved to be eloquent and compelling when speaking out for saving the library. Some of the other men didn't come off quite as intelligently.
There was also a group of ladies who were lead by Hattie, a nasty woman who thought she owned the town and the ladies who lived in it. I liked it when her "friend" Sandy stood up to Hattie and showed her true intelligence and loyalty to the town instead of Hattie.
I also liked the mention of Mercy's ex as for once there was no need to speak ill of him or cast him as a fool. I would say that the characters were treated fairly and with dignity. Even those I mention that were not necessarily presented as brain trusts were never looked down on or belittled in any way. I thought that was especially nice to feel a undercurrent of comradery.
The mystery was good and a surprise twist at the end kept it interesting to the very end. A fun first book in a new series that was given a little extra by including some recipes that could have been served at the diner. You won't want to miss this book.
The other characters are folksy and for the most part portrayed as friendly and somewhat as bumbling hicks. I did like however that the group of men included "Red" who was obviously older and not in perfect health, who proved to be eloquent and compelling when speaking out for saving the library. Some of the other men didn't come off quite as intelligently.
There was also a group of ladies who were lead by Hattie, a nasty woman who thought she owned the town and the ladies who lived in it. I liked it when her "friend" Sandy stood up to Hattie and showed her true intelligence and loyalty to the town instead of Hattie.
I also liked the mention of Mercy's ex as for once there was no need to speak ill of him or cast him as a fool. I would say that the characters were treated fairly and with dignity. Even those I mention that were not necessarily presented as brain trusts were never looked down on or belittled in any way. I thought that was especially nice to feel a undercurrent of comradery.
The mystery was good and a surprise twist at the end kept it interesting to the very end. A fun first book in a new series that was given a little extra by including some recipes that could have been served at the diner. You won't want to miss this book.
February 7, 2021
Funny quick read
January 22, 2020
Another poorly edited, flimsy Kindle Unlimited cozy mystery. I really wanted to like this one... A few of the characters seemed interesting, but then I started rolling my eyes and muttering "oh please" to myself. The attempts at humor were a bit forced, and the romance... eh. Lines like, "His eyes were feasting on my body from head to toe, and it felt good." Ugh. Needs work. Also I fully embrace the suspension of disbelief required for cozy mysteries, but , I just couldn't. Finally, there were some moments that really started to work, and the author then jumped ship with a hasty "sum up" paragraph. For example, at the council chamber meeting, . This sort of Spark Notes summary happened several times in the book, making it seem like the author is afraid to write the hard stuff.
November 13, 2017
Poorly written and edited
There were so many mistakes and inconsistencies in this. The book was written very amateurish and it flip flopped between romance and mystery. There were typos, grammatical errors and plot inconsistencies. I believe it was a $.99 book so at least I don’t feel as cheated
There were so many mistakes and inconsistencies in this. The book was written very amateurish and it flip flopped between romance and mystery. There were typos, grammatical errors and plot inconsistencies. I believe it was a $.99 book so at least I don’t feel as cheated
November 26, 2020
Mercy is a down home gal in a small town in Kentucky. She owns and runs a diner in that town. When a fellow town member ends up dead after his barn is destroyed in a tornado, everyone assumes it was the tornado that killed him. Could a tornado really drive a stake through the heart of a man? Or was he really a vampire?
I thought the writing was good enough to really get the character of the home town that Mercy lived in. There is a lot of potential with the people living in the town and I will be looking forward to more knowledge of her fellow town members.
I thought the writing was good enough to really get the character of the home town that Mercy lived in. There is a lot of potential with the people living in the town and I will be looking forward to more knowledge of her fellow town members.
November 22, 2018
Not sure what to do with this book. There were parts I liked and parts I didn't. So, I'm going to give it a ho hum rating for now and possibly see where the series is going to go. I liked the main character for the most part and could go along with the idea of chucking the stress of big-city life for a cutsie job/business in a small town that seems to be the premise of most every cozy mystery lately. But I wasn't impressed with her "old school" diner. Our main character never cooks, just seems to manage the place (half-heartedly) and her cooks seem to have a habit of setting off the smoke alarm so the food is suspect. The two waitresses are caricatures--one even has a big beehive hairdo! Please... The Sheriff is hunky and of course the main character falls into his arms at the first opportunity. Still, despite all the sour notes I think there might be a nice song/story here somewhere. We'll see.
September 7, 2017
A small town, a tornado, quirky characters, a gossip grapevine with a life of its own and on an old time diner set the stage for a gruesome murder in Murder at Stake.
When a local man dies during a tornado, the gossip mill goes into overdrive - probably because he was found with a wooden stake in his chest and it appears he died before the tornado hit. It's up to Mercy Howard, owner of The Old School Diner, to solve the case. Mercy may live in a small town but she has big city experience, having worked as an ER nurse. She's also handy with a gun.
I loved the book! The characters were hilarious, quirky and relatable. Mercy is a strong person and keeps the sheriff guessing. But turns out he also has a few secrets.
Mercy and the Old School Diner is on my list of favorite cozies and I can't wait to see what happens next!
When a local man dies during a tornado, the gossip mill goes into overdrive - probably because he was found with a wooden stake in his chest and it appears he died before the tornado hit. It's up to Mercy Howard, owner of The Old School Diner, to solve the case. Mercy may live in a small town but she has big city experience, having worked as an ER nurse. She's also handy with a gun.
I loved the book! The characters were hilarious, quirky and relatable. Mercy is a strong person and keeps the sheriff guessing. But turns out he also has a few secrets.
Mercy and the Old School Diner is on my list of favorite cozies and I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 23, 2018
Liked the story very much. So much, in fact, that I did not put the book down from the time I started reading it until I finished it. The characters were particularly likeable, comedic and interesting. I would have considered it one of the better books I have read, but, again, as it would seem with all these newer writers. PROOF READ. At one point when the book referred to Delois, I had to stop and think - who is that, I don't remember anyone by that name. Then it dawned on me that they meant Deloris. How do you miss an error like that. You don't if you are truly reading the book. There were others and I did not write them down so I could enumerate them in my review. That was not my purpose in reading the book. But, it did take my rating down from a five to a four. Without the errors it was an Excellent book and would have rated a five.
May 8, 2024
I know that authors put their heart and soul into a book and that it's their baby, so unless a book is horrible, I try not to cut it down too much. This book was NOT horrible. It also wasn't one of the best. Maybe chintzy is the word for it?
First of all, there were too many characters introduced at once so that the reader has trouble keeping them all straight. And the plot was a little odd; the reason for murder a bit thin.
Small town in the midwest. There's a tornado so everyone scampers for shelter. When it's over Jonesy, the local butcher, is found lying outside his demolished barn with a large stake through his heart. Mercy, the local owner of the Old School Diner (also an RN) is the protagonist of the story. At the end we learn that she solved the murder mystery but there were very few clues to tell us how she did it. The love interest moved in way to fast too.
First of all, there were too many characters introduced at once so that the reader has trouble keeping them all straight. And the plot was a little odd; the reason for murder a bit thin.
Small town in the midwest. There's a tornado so everyone scampers for shelter. When it's over Jonesy, the local butcher, is found lying outside his demolished barn with a large stake through his heart. Mercy, the local owner of the Old School Diner (also an RN) is the protagonist of the story. At the end we learn that she solved the murder mystery but there were very few clues to tell us how she did it. The love interest moved in way to fast too.
September 13, 2017
There are some great lines in this book. I particularly enjoyed that the male protagonist was not an alpha male. I just don't connect to those type of guys. This guy was flawed and is carrying some baggage, but is still a likeable character. The female lead is a nice blend of kick butt and oh shoot, although was sometimes uneven in her arc.
Since I am not a Southerner, I can't speak to whether it's stereotypic of small town people, but I loved the sense of place and people I know I've watched in small diners in New York State. I love diners.
It would have been five stars but for the few uses of technique that are my pet peeves.
I will definitely check out the next book in the series.
Since I am not a Southerner, I can't speak to whether it's stereotypic of small town people, but I loved the sense of place and people I know I've watched in small diners in New York State. I love diners.
It would have been five stars but for the few uses of technique that are my pet peeves.
I will definitely check out the next book in the series.
January 21, 2018
Mercy and her regulars first experience a destructive tornado in Paint Creek and then find a beloved member of the community dead - is his death caused by the natural disaster or by a sinister murderer? Jake and Junior have their own explanations, including government conspiracy and vampire killers. Mercy made an observation at the scene of the crime that leads her to believe the killer is a member of their own community, and the showdown occurs appropriately in the shooting gallery's version of an old west ghost town. The murderer seems the least likely person in town, but her mental instability is revealed in the showdown.
October 11, 2020
Promising
I have immensely enjoyed this author in the past, and this story is the premier of another potentially favored series. Mercy Howard makes an awesome lead character; she's confident, competent, intelligent...and packing! Her diner has a small-town aspect that provides a charming retro vibe. The mystery offers a few plausible suspects but is a bit banal; while I figured out the perpetrator, the psychotic motive is a well-contrived surprise. The characters can stand further development, and a couple seem developmentally delayed (unless they're meant to seem TSTL). All in all, this series seems promising.
I have immensely enjoyed this author in the past, and this story is the premier of another potentially favored series. Mercy Howard makes an awesome lead character; she's confident, competent, intelligent...and packing! Her diner has a small-town aspect that provides a charming retro vibe. The mystery offers a few plausible suspects but is a bit banal; while I figured out the perpetrator, the psychotic motive is a well-contrived surprise. The characters can stand further development, and a couple seem developmentally delayed (unless they're meant to seem TSTL). All in all, this series seems promising.
July 7, 2018
Vampires or monsters
A good solid read. A tornado leaves not only damage in the little community but also a body staked through the heart. Can the diner owner use her skills of observation to help the local Sheriff nail the killer. Great little read with a nice twist at the end when the killer is revealed. The life described is a good representation of the types of characters you would expect to find.
A good solid read. A tornado leaves not only damage in the little community but also a body staked through the heart. Can the diner owner use her skills of observation to help the local Sheriff nail the killer. Great little read with a nice twist at the end when the killer is revealed. The life described is a good representation of the types of characters you would expect to find.
October 19, 2018
Mercy makes a fine cup of coffee and a murder mystery at the same time.
I really enjoyed this book immensely. Although I don't normally read a book twice, I did this one. When I read the first few lines I remember reading it before a few months ago, and I just decided to read it again anyway. I know this not a review that highlights the best parts of the book,but this is the best I've got right now.
I really enjoyed this book immensely. Although I don't normally read a book twice, I did this one. When I read the first few lines I remember reading it before a few months ago, and I just decided to read it again anyway. I know this not a review that highlights the best parts of the book,but this is the best I've got right now.
May 12, 2019
Mercy is the new owner of the small town Old School Diner when a tornado hits the town of Paint Creek and a body is discovered. One of the regulars at the diner is found with a stake to the heart. Conspiracy theories abound among the diner’s colorful characters including that the dead man was a vampire and there is a vampire hunter among them. Mercy and new romantic interest the chief of police work to solve the mystery in this humorist story.
June 3, 2024
Mercy, a 33 year old former ER nurse, moves back to her small hometown in Kentucky. After a failed three year relationship, she buys back her family's old school dinner and sets out for a fresh start. What I really enjoyed about this cozy is that the Mercy didn't have the usual cat or dog, but two hamsters. Also, the love interest, the sheriff, actually encourages and asks for her help. A refreshing cozy mystery and am looking forward to the next in the series.
September 8, 2017
Enjoyable story
Interesting characters and a good story line . A small town in Kentucky with the usual line of characters . The heroine owns the diner in town which is the gossip hub. She and the sheriff make a good team solving the murder of the local butcher .
Looking forward to the next story .
Interesting characters and a good story line . A small town in Kentucky with the usual line of characters . The heroine owns the diner in town which is the gossip hub. She and the sheriff make a good team solving the murder of the local butcher .
Looking forward to the next story .
October 7, 2017
Enjoyed this first mystery in a series
I enjoyed this cozy mystery taking place in a small town in Kentucky. Mercy comes home to run a family diner and gets involved with a possible murder. Lots of interesting characters including a good looking Sheriff. Looking forward to the next installment.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery taking place in a small town in Kentucky. Mercy comes home to run a family diner and gets involved with a possible murder. Lots of interesting characters including a good looking Sheriff. Looking forward to the next installment.
August 24, 2019
Good book needs editing
I really liked this mystery. There are plenty of suspects and strange circumstances to keep it interesting. It also had some funny parts and a budding romance. It was a relatively quick read, just under two hours. I did give it 5 stars, but it needs some serious editing. The author needs to go back over it.
I really liked this mystery. There are plenty of suspects and strange circumstances to keep it interesting. It also had some funny parts and a budding romance. It was a relatively quick read, just under two hours. I did give it 5 stars, but it needs some serious editing. The author needs to go back over it.
September 26, 2017
Good one
I was born and raised in Kentucky, so I was excited that this book took place there. I enjoyed the characters and appreciated that there was no foul language. Going to start the next book right now.....
I was born and raised in Kentucky, so I was excited that this book took place there. I enjoyed the characters and appreciated that there was no foul language. Going to start the next book right now.....
November 16, 2017
Very good read
This is a well written story that has a murder, in a very small town, and an extraordinary cast of crazy characters. It is full of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. Very enjoyable read.
This is a well written story that has a murder, in a very small town, and an extraordinary cast of crazy characters. It is full of twists and turns with an unexpected ending. Very enjoyable read.
March 7, 2018
High,y recommend this book
This book is so good I laughed I tried to figure out mystery& I got steamed at one if the people. It's a great group of townspeople. I know you will love the book as I did. I can't wait to read more in the series.
This book is so good I laughed I tried to figure out mystery& I got steamed at one if the people. It's a great group of townspeople. I know you will love the book as I did. I can't wait to read more in the series.
June 22, 2018
Kept me guessing until the end
There was an interesting mix of characters. While she was independent, Mercy was not too stubborn. the romantic angle was not overplayed. I had my suspicions early on, but the author kept me hanging on until the end. Good stuff, well done!
There was an interesting mix of characters. While she was independent, Mercy was not too stubborn. the romantic angle was not overplayed. I had my suspicions early on, but the author kept me hanging on until the end. Good stuff, well done!
August 23, 2018
Tornado Murder
A cozy, quaint !little mystery in a town called Paint Creek. Everybody knows everybody. And what everybody knows is that a neighbor, a man they all like, is murdered during a tornado. A group of likeable, friendly little eccentric characters make for an easy read.
A cozy, quaint !little mystery in a town called Paint Creek. Everybody knows everybody. And what everybody knows is that a neighbor, a man they all like, is murdered during a tornado. A group of likeable, friendly little eccentric characters make for an easy read.
June 21, 2019
Loved the book
An enjoyable warm hearted story with a lot of twists and turns with romance along the way, if you're looking for a perfect book for a relaxing day then this is the perfect book for you .
An enjoyable warm hearted story with a lot of twists and turns with romance along the way, if you're looking for a perfect book for a relaxing day then this is the perfect book for you .
June 21, 2020
Small town characters, big ❤️ and fun
A fun small town cozy with a great cast of characters that you would love to sit at the diner and listen to. Great storyline with a bit of a twist at the end.
A fun small town cozy with a great cast of characters that you would love to sit at the diner and listen to. Great storyline with a bit of a twist at the end.
June 25, 2020
Short, but entertaining.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, but I was pleasantly surprised with the plot and the characters. Paint Creek is a small, close knit community and when a local is murdered, it’s all hands on deck to weed out the culprit.
4 stars ⭐️
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, but I was pleasantly surprised with the plot and the characters. Paint Creek is a small, close knit community and when a local is murdered, it’s all hands on deck to weed out the culprit.
4 stars ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews