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Locust Point Mystery #1
The Tell All
Life at sixty isn't quite what Kay Carrera expected. She's working as a skip-tracer for a PI who is desperate to land his own reality TV show. She has a new roommate who arrived with more than the usual amount of baggage. And her attempts at knitting are less than stellar – way less than stellar. Worse, the cataract surgery that restored her sight has also delivered an unexpected and disturbing side-effect. Kay sees ghosts. And when the dead turn to her for help, she just can't say no.
156 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
1782 people are currently reading
1400 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
July 7, 2020
The Tell- All (Locust Point Mystery Book 1) by Libby Howard is a 2017 publication
This is the first book in the Locust Point Mystery series, which features widow Kay Carrera, a skip-tracer working for a Private Investigator who is angling for his own TV show.
In her sixties, Kay realizes she can’t afford to live in the big home she and husband shared. She is sick at the thought of selling the house, so she begins to entertain the idea of taking in boarders. Meanwhile, her recent eye surgery has left her with an unusual side effect…
Not a bad start to the series. The groundwork is laid out nicely, introducing the characters and Kay’s new special abilities. It’s straightforward mystery, a little formulaic, but not predictable. There’s a wonderful cat and a paranormal element which is fun.
The story is short, and could have been a little more fleshed out, and just a bit more suspenseful, but I think this is a good foundation to build on. I’ll give the second book in the series a try and see how things go from there.
3 stars
This is the first book in the Locust Point Mystery series, which features widow Kay Carrera, a skip-tracer working for a Private Investigator who is angling for his own TV show.
In her sixties, Kay realizes she can’t afford to live in the big home she and husband shared. She is sick at the thought of selling the house, so she begins to entertain the idea of taking in boarders. Meanwhile, her recent eye surgery has left her with an unusual side effect…
Not a bad start to the series. The groundwork is laid out nicely, introducing the characters and Kay’s new special abilities. It’s straightforward mystery, a little formulaic, but not predictable. There’s a wonderful cat and a paranormal element which is fun.
The story is short, and could have been a little more fleshed out, and just a bit more suspenseful, but I think this is a good foundation to build on. I’ll give the second book in the series a try and see how things go from there.
3 stars
February 16, 2018
Good story.
Do relate to Kay character, so glad she decided to adopt Taco. There is nothing like their unconditional love. She might be sixty years old, but does her investigations better than small town police department. Short mystery.
Do relate to Kay character, so glad she decided to adopt Taco. There is nothing like their unconditional love. She might be sixty years old, but does her investigations better than small town police department. Short mystery.
September 30, 2017
An okay story
I enjoyed getting to know Kay but was indifferent to the other characters. The mystery was interesting but felt rushed and plus the ending felt anticlimatic.
Don't regret reading it but won't be continuing with the series.
I enjoyed getting to know Kay but was indifferent to the other characters. The mystery was interesting but felt rushed and plus the ending felt anticlimatic.
Don't regret reading it but won't be continuing with the series.
March 5, 2021
3.5* A good mystery, but too much repetition kind of took away from it. The murder didn't happen until midway through the book, and while I appreciated having the time to get to know the characters, it was a bit too much of a wait. Consequently, the climax seemed rushed. I do plan to try the next one, however, to see how the series develops, and if the well-publicized ghosts play bigger roles.
January 28, 2023
I just didn’t connect with this one. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with it, but there wasn’t much to grab my attention. The mystery was sort of in the background to the drama around the judge, his divorce, the MC and her recent loss. I think this book was more about introducing the characters rather than about the mystery itself. Sort of the “ghost” that floated in her side eye the story just floated along.
November 18, 2017
What a lovely little mystery book. I enjoyed being cozy and reading a cute, fun book. A interesting book I didn't expect to like as much as I did. This book had me from the first chapter until the end. It made me laugh a little too. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
February 11, 2018
Not normally the type of book I would purchase, but... Knowing that Libby Howard is actually one of my favorite UF authors I decided to give her cozy mysteries a chance.
The Tell All was an engaging mystery centering around a 60 yr old widow. It shows how she copes with her husband's death and creating a new life. Quite sweet actually... although I'd have loved to heard more about the "floater" aka ghost.
Probably more of a 3.75 than a 4, but I'm rounding up because of my favorite imp!
The Tell All was an engaging mystery centering around a 60 yr old widow. It shows how she copes with her husband's death and creating a new life. Quite sweet actually... although I'd have loved to heard more about the "floater" aka ghost.
Probably more of a 3.75 than a 4, but I'm rounding up because of my favorite imp!
March 29, 2019
Kay Carrera is in her sixty and going through a lot. She is grieving the loss of her husband Eli and recovering from cataract surgery. Kay knows she can't afford her house anymore and her only options are to either sell her home or have it repossessed. Luckily, her friend advises her to get a roommate to help pay for the costs. Judge Beck is going through a divorce and looking for a place to live for a couple of years with his children. It seems like the perfect solution for Kay's problems, but when she accidentally finds a body, she is going to need all the help in the world to elude the killer who's coming after her.
This is book one in the Locust Point Mystery Book series. At barely one hundred and sixty pages, this little story is interesting enough from a character development point of view but lacks substance for plot development.
One of the first things I noticed about the book was that the summary on Goodreads alluded to ghosts and Kay's ability to see ghosts. I believe that might be something that will get covered in other books in the series, but this first book does not mention it at all.
The Tell-All is a cute, cozy mystery that gives an introduction of the main characters in this series. Kay is a lovable widow in her sixties who is just trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She works part-time for a P.I. she finds a body and a mystery she needs to resolve. She owns a cat named Taco, and her best friend is Daisy. About half of the book is just about presenting these characters, and whatever is left of the book is rushed to explain the mystery.
I'm hopeful that the other books will have more room to develop an exciting plot and mystery.
This is book one in the Locust Point Mystery Book series. At barely one hundred and sixty pages, this little story is interesting enough from a character development point of view but lacks substance for plot development.
One of the first things I noticed about the book was that the summary on Goodreads alluded to ghosts and Kay's ability to see ghosts. I believe that might be something that will get covered in other books in the series, but this first book does not mention it at all.
The Tell-All is a cute, cozy mystery that gives an introduction of the main characters in this series. Kay is a lovable widow in her sixties who is just trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She works part-time for a P.I. she finds a body and a mystery she needs to resolve. She owns a cat named Taco, and her best friend is Daisy. About half of the book is just about presenting these characters, and whatever is left of the book is rushed to explain the mystery.
I'm hopeful that the other books will have more room to develop an exciting plot and mystery.
September 6, 2019
This is the 25th book that I've read by this author. An odd comment, eh? Libby Howard has published 9 books (ninth might not actually be out yet). So am I counting lots of re-reads? Nope. I'm counting those 24 of her books that had 'Debra Dunbar' on the cover.
I've had this book, for free, since March 2018. I do not recall how interested, or not, I was in the book when I had picked it up, but I'd completely forgot its existence until a few days ago when I'd read Dunbar's most recent release and saw the ninth book for a series I didn't recognize on Amazon. With Dunbar's name on it. Well the cover had Libby Howard, but the book page had Debra Dunbar. Weird mistake okn Amazon's part, eh? Except, I did a little looking around on the internet and saw a Dunbar blog post noting that she was about to release a book under a pen name. Oddly enough, I already owned that book, and had for more than a year.
So then ...
This book is more of a straight up cozy mystery book starring a 60 year old recent widow who has a huge house, a cat, and a job at a private investigator agency.
Said 60 year old woman: opens the book about to out her house up for sale but gets talked into renting some of her rooms to lodgers, works her job doing detective work via computer (while her boss does the physical type detecting), has a cat & starts picking up 'old woman' habits like trying to sew & the like, while also investigating crimes.
Mostly straight forward cozy mystery. Except for the fantasy part. That part is obvious when it's on page to be seen but isn't a huge part of the book or of her life. Mostly.
She had cataract surgery, after which she saw, as her eye doctor calls them'floaters'. Though they appear less like floaters and more like shadow people. Who point at things, like dead bodies.
Quite interesting story.
Rating: 4.3
I've had this book, for free, since March 2018. I do not recall how interested, or not, I was in the book when I had picked it up, but I'd completely forgot its existence until a few days ago when I'd read Dunbar's most recent release and saw the ninth book for a series I didn't recognize on Amazon. With Dunbar's name on it. Well the cover had Libby Howard, but the book page had Debra Dunbar. Weird mistake okn Amazon's part, eh? Except, I did a little looking around on the internet and saw a Dunbar blog post noting that she was about to release a book under a pen name. Oddly enough, I already owned that book, and had for more than a year.
So then ...
This book is more of a straight up cozy mystery book starring a 60 year old recent widow who has a huge house, a cat, and a job at a private investigator agency.
Said 60 year old woman: opens the book about to out her house up for sale but gets talked into renting some of her rooms to lodgers, works her job doing detective work via computer (while her boss does the physical type detecting), has a cat & starts picking up 'old woman' habits like trying to sew & the like, while also investigating crimes.
Mostly straight forward cozy mystery. Except for the fantasy part. That part is obvious when it's on page to be seen but isn't a huge part of the book or of her life. Mostly.
She had cataract surgery, after which she saw, as her eye doctor calls them'floaters'. Though they appear less like floaters and more like shadow people. Who point at things, like dead bodies.
Quite interesting story.
Rating: 4.3
September 26, 2023
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
October 15, 2017
A fun mystery full of charming characters. I loved the elusive ghosts - possibly there is another book in the works for this series. I enjoyed the comfortable old college buddy boss and skip tracer relationship. It was fun to have teens and room mates and a cat - it just all came together so well.
A great mystery and a good read.
A great mystery and a good read.
April 19, 2022
Wow, this is a winner
I wasn't sure I'd get through this book after the first chapter but I got into it fast and for good after that. The book may have a format goof or two, but I loved the characters and story. Well wriitten well paced and well worth reading! The next book is in my sights.
I wasn't sure I'd get through this book after the first chapter but I got into it fast and for good after that. The book may have a format goof or two, but I loved the characters and story. Well wriitten well paced and well worth reading! The next book is in my sights.
February 13, 2019
Kay is an armature sleuth detective in her little town of Locust point. This was a very good cozy mystery it wasn't like other cozy mysteries, it didn't give away Whodunnit too early into the book. I really enjoyed that. I think that Kay and Judge Beck are going to make a good crime solving team. This won't be my last book I read by Libby Howard
September 3, 2018
I quite enjoyed this start of a new series. IT had a quiet a relaxed pace in the beginning as the stpry was slowly being set up and it seemed to suit the tale but then started to get a little slow towards the middle. Fortunately though it got more interesting again round about the 60 % mark and I flew through the rest of the tale.
The mystery wasn't too easy ( nor was it too hard) and I really liked the characters in the story. The set up makes it sound like its going to be quite a fun series.
There were a few grammatical and typo type errors which detracted from it a little bit but over all this was an enjoyable start to the series and I will definitely be reading on.
The mystery wasn't too easy ( nor was it too hard) and I really liked the characters in the story. The set up makes it sound like its going to be quite a fun series.
There were a few grammatical and typo type errors which detracted from it a little bit but over all this was an enjoyable start to the series and I will definitely be reading on.
July 26, 2020
Cozy Infeed
This cozy mystery is just that. Being roughly the same age as our main character I can understand her mindset. A woman of character with a sense of what is right and went the extra mile to see that right comes out on top.
This cozy mystery is just that. Being roughly the same age as our main character I can understand her mindset. A woman of character with a sense of what is right and went the extra mile to see that right comes out on top.
March 28, 2023
Kay Carrera is getting life redefined at sixty, the hard way. Her husband she's spent her life with has recently passed after suffering for years after a terrible accident. She's picked up a job as a skip-tracer for a PI, one who'd rather be a star. In order to keep her house, she's had to take on boarders... ones with problems of their own. She's had cataract surgery too, which cleared things up a lot, but gave her an unexpected side-effect - she's seeing ghosts. In the small town of Locust Point, there's not a lot of excitement... but all of that is about to change too.
With the discovery of a prostitution ring in their small town, things get really dicey, especially when the Madam turns up dead. And the ghost in Kay's eye is asking for help to solve the murder.
Content:
Drug Content:
PG-13 - There's a significant amount of drinking in this, mainly social drinking, but there's also a keg party where teens are drinking. The main character chides herself over how often she's seen with alcohol by her new tenant.
Violence:
PG - This is a murder mystery, so somebody is killed. Not a lot of blood and gore though.
Language:
G - The language in this book is squeaky clean.
Adult Content:
R - Sorry to pop an R on this one, as there's no real sexual content on screen at all. This isn't erotica, which I don't review. But there's a prostitution ring that was operating in the city, and there are a ton of kinks discussed in some detail in the book, or at least defined. People can be pretty sick.
Christian content:
Nada. There's one mention of praying, but it's to a goddess, and likely that's in jest. That having been said, there's some value here in at least the desire of a dad to hold his family together, and love of family. There's an instance where someone puts themselves in harm's way for someone else. There's also an undercurrent of persistence and diligence in getting to the bottom of an injustice. As many of us have had to do, Kay deals with a recent death of a loved one with grace and a few tears. Death is something all of us have to deal with here, and this book touches on grief well.
Final analysis:
I'll drop a warning here that there's a few short passages in here that might be triggers for some. But the writing in this novel is entertaining, witty, and engrossing. It rolls across the pages as a comfortable cozy mystery with a bit of spice and sauce, and I found it hard to put down. I liked the character development and even through all the sauce and sass there were some real moments. Five Stars!
With the discovery of a prostitution ring in their small town, things get really dicey, especially when the Madam turns up dead. And the ghost in Kay's eye is asking for help to solve the murder.
Content:
Drug Content:
PG-13 - There's a significant amount of drinking in this, mainly social drinking, but there's also a keg party where teens are drinking. The main character chides herself over how often she's seen with alcohol by her new tenant.
Violence:
PG - This is a murder mystery, so somebody is killed. Not a lot of blood and gore though.
Language:
G - The language in this book is squeaky clean.
Adult Content:
R - Sorry to pop an R on this one, as there's no real sexual content on screen at all. This isn't erotica, which I don't review. But there's a prostitution ring that was operating in the city, and there are a ton of kinks discussed in some detail in the book, or at least defined. People can be pretty sick.
Christian content:
Nada. There's one mention of praying, but it's to a goddess, and likely that's in jest. That having been said, there's some value here in at least the desire of a dad to hold his family together, and love of family. There's an instance where someone puts themselves in harm's way for someone else. There's also an undercurrent of persistence and diligence in getting to the bottom of an injustice. As many of us have had to do, Kay deals with a recent death of a loved one with grace and a few tears. Death is something all of us have to deal with here, and this book touches on grief well.
Final analysis:
I'll drop a warning here that there's a few short passages in here that might be triggers for some. But the writing in this novel is entertaining, witty, and engrossing. It rolls across the pages as a comfortable cozy mystery with a bit of spice and sauce, and I found it hard to put down. I liked the character development and even through all the sauce and sass there were some real moments. Five Stars!
February 12, 2018
This was a quick and enjoyable read. I really enjoyed that the protagonist, Kay Carrera is a little older, 60 (like me!) to be exact. She's been widowed and her good friend/realtor has suggested that she take on a roommate or two to help pay for her mortgage. Kay had a great job that she loved. She was a skip-chaser for J.T. Pierson Investigating but it alone wouldn't pay her mortgage. So she agree to let her friend Carson send the man over, Judge Nathaniel Beck who had two older kids, a teen girl and a middle school boy.
Judge Beck came and okayed the house, saying yes he would be interested in three rooms but his soon to be ex-wife would need to approve or she wouldn't agree to joint custody. She came and approved as well.
In the meantime, the small town of Locust Point has a murder and a scandal both going on. The scandal was that a local woman was brought in on charges of being a madam and word was out that she may release her little black book to get lesser charges. She ended up dead so along with her job duties, Kay started investigating, as she didn't want history to repeat itself and have the wrong person charged for this crime.
I thought it was really cool how the judge and his kids quickly became fond of Kay and she was treating them like a grandma. She and her hubby never were able to have kids so it was especially sweet.
There is supposed to be a hint of paranormal in this which is in the form of the shadowy floaters Kay was experiencing since cataract surgery but the description of the book wasn't quite the same as what actually happened. Unless that part got edited out, there is nowhere that anyone dead asks for Kay's help. At first I thought maybe the floater was representing Kay's husband Eli keeping a watchful eye out for his beloved wife but again, the description was a little confusing so who knows what happens between the blurb and the edits, right?
All that matters is that I really enjoyed this and I'm anxious to see what happens next to my new friends in Locust Point. After all, the judge signed a two-year lease so I hope he and the kids will be in the next books too.
Judge Beck came and okayed the house, saying yes he would be interested in three rooms but his soon to be ex-wife would need to approve or she wouldn't agree to joint custody. She came and approved as well.
In the meantime, the small town of Locust Point has a murder and a scandal both going on. The scandal was that a local woman was brought in on charges of being a madam and word was out that she may release her little black book to get lesser charges. She ended up dead so along with her job duties, Kay started investigating, as she didn't want history to repeat itself and have the wrong person charged for this crime.
I thought it was really cool how the judge and his kids quickly became fond of Kay and she was treating them like a grandma. She and her hubby never were able to have kids so it was especially sweet.
There is supposed to be a hint of paranormal in this which is in the form of the shadowy floaters Kay was experiencing since cataract surgery but the description of the book wasn't quite the same as what actually happened. Unless that part got edited out, there is nowhere that anyone dead asks for Kay's help. At first I thought maybe the floater was representing Kay's husband Eli keeping a watchful eye out for his beloved wife but again, the description was a little confusing so who knows what happens between the blurb and the edits, right?
All that matters is that I really enjoyed this and I'm anxious to see what happens next to my new friends in Locust Point. After all, the judge signed a two-year lease so I hope he and the kids will be in the next books too.
May 8, 2025
Overview: Kay Carrera has had a horrible month so far. Her husband has died, and she needs to sell their dream home. But, her friend and realtor, has a great idea. There is a judge who needs a place to stay for the next two years. However, this doesn't help her with a potential bail jumper, and the odd little floater that has just started hanging out to the side of her vision. Is Caryn just running away from her court case? Or is she just at a beach just out of town? Let's find out.
Dislikes: It does take a while to get to the murder, and therefore into the investigation. That might be a problem for those who don't want a slow start to their stories.
Likes: J.T. is determined to find his start as a reality star.
Judge Beck, and the soon to be ex-Mrs. Beck, showed great care and love for their children. And those children do ask a lot of them both.
This is cute. There is a Dog the Bounty Hunter knock off referenced throughout the book. This one is called Snake. His skills make Dog look like a genius.
Conclusion: This was a fun story. Let's face it, Kay is over sixty years old. She isn't going to have a seriously exhaustive investigative style as a sleuth. If you like the older protagonists or simple cozy mysteries, then give this one a shot. Enjoy the read.
Dislikes: It does take a while to get to the murder, and therefore into the investigation. That might be a problem for those who don't want a slow start to their stories.
Likes: J.T. is determined to find his start as a reality star.
Judge Beck, and the soon to be ex-Mrs. Beck, showed great care and love for their children. And those children do ask a lot of them both.
This is cute. There is a Dog the Bounty Hunter knock off referenced throughout the book. This one is called Snake. His skills make Dog look like a genius.
Conclusion: This was a fun story. Let's face it, Kay is over sixty years old. She isn't going to have a seriously exhaustive investigative style as a sleuth. If you like the older protagonists or simple cozy mysteries, then give this one a shot. Enjoy the read.
February 15, 2018
I got this book on a whim, because I enjoy cozy mysteries. It turns out this one isn't quite so cozy after all. Still, I enjoyed it very much. Clues are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, so it's not too difficult to figure out who the bad guy is, but it's the characters that really make it. Kay, her boss J.T., and the judge and his family are all really enjoyable to get to know, and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the next book. My only complaint, and it's not a huge one, is that it was such a quick read. At times, it felt rushed and it was over before I realized it or wanted it to be. Recommended for those who enjoy cozy mysteries, but feel ready to tackle something a little less cozy. Reminiscent of an episode of "Murder She Wrote"
November 12, 2020
This was a fun read. I loved that Kay had some experience in sleuthing, even if she was still an amateur. The subject matter that lead up to the crime was a bit more risqué than I would have expected for a cozy mystery, however it made this more interesting and not so cliche. I was also happy to see that some things, regarding Kay, weren’t all laid out in the first book. I like that it’s set up to share more as the series continues.
Some of the sentences and transitions to different topics were a tad abrupt, as was, the ending. However, I am excited to continue the series.
Some of the sentences and transitions to different topics were a tad abrupt, as was, the ending. However, I am excited to continue the series.
November 8, 2020
2020 bk 367. I enjoyed the character and the long back story, but such a long back story deserved a longer book than the reader had in this story. Libby Howard did a good job of setting up the story, but then I felt like wham, bang, it is over and what happened and why so quickly. I have a feeling that if I ordered the next several books in the series, I would feel as if I had actually read one full length book. As it was, I felt cheated.
December 22, 2018
3 1/2 stars. A slower start by picked up half ways through. Interested to see how the next one plays out.
December 22, 2020
This was a good intro to the series! I enjoyed it and shall look forward to the next!
February 18, 2025
A cozy mystery with a mature protagonist, and a hint of paranormal. There are a lot of good elements, but also plenty of small-town mystery tropes. I had a difficult time connecting with the lead character - early internal voice comments made her sound like a Stepford Wife instead of an older intelligent person with decades of experience. The investigative details and arc of the character through the end of the story was enough to keep me going, especially since I have a kindle with the first three books in the series. The mystery was interesting, though I could see where it was going more than once.
February 14, 2022
The Tell All (Locust Point Mystery # 1) — Libby Howard (27 chapters) April 25, 2018
Update: Listened to the audiobook version on February 12-13, 2022. I updated the rating from 3 to 4 stars.
So, I can’t believe I read this in one day. But that made me really happy. I like books that read fast enough, but not so fast that I feel like I’m missing something.
The first part of the book seemed really repetitive though. Yeah, I get it: you lost your partner and you feel lost. And there was no mystery until chapter 12 (which was when the paranormal aspect really makes it’s appearance.)
The thing I like about this ghosty story: it’s not your normal, the ghost: The normal being: s/he looks identical to real life; no, this ghost looks about the way I think ghosts really are: black, blurry figments that may be of our imagination or that may not. I liked that rendering so much better.
I also liked how the female protagonist does try different things to move on. Maybe not the way I’ve seen other women her age move on (that aspect in the story is soooo cliché.)
I also liked how the family that when moved in, and especially the gentleman, (and even his wife,) gave her a sounding board that she needed. It’s like she suddenly comes to life though being able to have conversations with someone that’s not familiar. I also liked how she could see the real in this guy, even if he can’t quite yet. The presentation of the family and wife was very realistic.
I’ve been out of reading for awhile due to family issues. It was nice getting back into it again with this particular story. It was, honestly, the best story for me to read to come back to reading. Yes, the protagonist is a 60-something woman…but you know, it really didn’t read like that to me. It didn’t feel like it was squarely aimed at that target audience. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
As to the relationships with the other characters: they all were adequately fleshed out. Enough information, but not too much. The conversations were realistic. I liked how the protagonist didn’t sweep infractions under the rug, and took care of issues head on. (I honestly wish I could be more like her.) In that way, I appreciate the realistic portrayal of actions and consequences from those actions. That is a nice breath of fresh air in a sea of looking the other way books; or not addressing those infractions at all. There were no absent parents here. Even when the one goofed up, she wasn’t really absent.
I would definitely read another book in this series. I am curious as to how things will play out with these characters. The humor was on point and came at the right times. I did not notice any glaring typos. I enjoyed the story, except for the rambling for the first several chapters. That might be a turn off for some readers. Overall, I’m glad I stuck through that first part. Tightening that up would’ve gotten another star.
Three stars.
Update: Listened to the audiobook version on February 12-13, 2022. I updated the rating from 3 to 4 stars.
So, I can’t believe I read this in one day. But that made me really happy. I like books that read fast enough, but not so fast that I feel like I’m missing something.
The first part of the book seemed really repetitive though. Yeah, I get it: you lost your partner and you feel lost. And there was no mystery until chapter 12 (which was when the paranormal aspect really makes it’s appearance.)
The thing I like about this ghosty story: it’s not your normal, the ghost: The normal being: s/he looks identical to real life; no, this ghost looks about the way I think ghosts really are: black, blurry figments that may be of our imagination or that may not. I liked that rendering so much better.
I also liked how the female protagonist does try different things to move on. Maybe not the way I’ve seen other women her age move on (that aspect in the story is soooo cliché.)
I also liked how the family that when moved in, and especially the gentleman, (and even his wife,) gave her a sounding board that she needed. It’s like she suddenly comes to life though being able to have conversations with someone that’s not familiar. I also liked how she could see the real in this guy, even if he can’t quite yet. The presentation of the family and wife was very realistic.
I’ve been out of reading for awhile due to family issues. It was nice getting back into it again with this particular story. It was, honestly, the best story for me to read to come back to reading. Yes, the protagonist is a 60-something woman…but you know, it really didn’t read like that to me. It didn’t feel like it was squarely aimed at that target audience. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
As to the relationships with the other characters: they all were adequately fleshed out. Enough information, but not too much. The conversations were realistic. I liked how the protagonist didn’t sweep infractions under the rug, and took care of issues head on. (I honestly wish I could be more like her.) In that way, I appreciate the realistic portrayal of actions and consequences from those actions. That is a nice breath of fresh air in a sea of looking the other way books; or not addressing those infractions at all. There were no absent parents here. Even when the one goofed up, she wasn’t really absent.
I would definitely read another book in this series. I am curious as to how things will play out with these characters. The humor was on point and came at the right times. I did not notice any glaring typos. I enjoyed the story, except for the rambling for the first several chapters. That might be a turn off for some readers. Overall, I’m glad I stuck through that first part. Tightening that up would’ve gotten another star.
Three stars.
February 15, 2018
This is a refreshing first-in-series mystery with an over-50 sleuth. Newly widowed Kay Carrera is trying to re-define her life after the death of her husband. She's found a job as a researcher for a PI, adopted a cat, adding new roommates to her Victorian house, and trying to learn how to knit. As she steps cautiously into her new life, she finds herself researching her way through a murder case.
While some of the clues Kay finds would certainly be discovered by the police "in real life", her role in the case is believable based on who she is. I enjoyed watching her friendship with the Judge and his children develop, and think that they will be interesting characters in other books in the series. I was surprised that the "sees ghosts" angle of the story wasn't played up more than it was - especially given the play it received in the published synopsis -- and the ending of the story seemed very abrupt.
Overall, I am interested in the town of Locust Point and its citizens and definitely would consider reading the next installment.
While some of the clues Kay finds would certainly be discovered by the police "in real life", her role in the case is believable based on who she is. I enjoyed watching her friendship with the Judge and his children develop, and think that they will be interesting characters in other books in the series. I was surprised that the "sees ghosts" angle of the story wasn't played up more than it was - especially given the play it received in the published synopsis -- and the ending of the story seemed very abrupt.
Overall, I am interested in the town of Locust Point and its citizens and definitely would consider reading the next installment.
October 1, 2017
Lots of fun!!
Such a good book!! Well written. The characters were great!!
I did not want the book to end and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Such a good book!! Well written. The characters were great!!
I did not want the book to end and I look forward to reading more in this series.
February 20, 2018
The Tell-All, Locust Point Mystery, #1
by Libby Howard
This was a fun, quick read. The main character, Kay, is a new widow. Her husband suffered a debilitating stroke about a decade ago, and passed away just one month prior to the opening of the book. She's still a bit at loose ends; mourning, yet needing to make plans for her future, besides getting herself a companion in the form of a cat named Taco. She knows that she will not be able to keep her home on her income alone, but hates the thought of selling their lovely old Victorian and moving into a small apartment. Her realtor friend recommends that she look to renting out part of the house. She's not 100% sold on the idea, but is given a name and number.
Kay has recently had cataract surgery and is having an unusual side effect. She sees ghosts. Oh, she doesn't realize that, and just thinks the amorphous forms she sees in her peripheral vision are large floaters -- but does that explain how one in particular seems to be following her or the cold spots that turn up whenever she sees the form? Through the story, she seems to come to the realization that she is seeing more than a floater in her eye, although that is not stated in the text.
Her new tenant is a local judge who is going through a messy divorce, and needs somewhere larger than an apartment for himself and his two children. As Kay's house is a 6-bedroom home with bedrooms on the second and third floors, a fully remodeled basement rec room and movie theater, as well as an office, living room and library, etc. on the first level, the house fits his needs, while still allowing both he and Kay to have their own space. Kay's job as a skip-tracer for a local bail bondsman keeps her busy and engaged in life outside her home. As the Judge is moving in, her work is heating up. Her boss has bonded a local woman who was arrested for running an escort service in the small town of Locust Point. She is refusing to turn over her black book or identify any of the women who work for her. When she turns up missing, the speculation is that she has skipped out on her bond and left the area. However, Kay isn't buying it. When one of her "floaters" seems to be directing her to look in the grassy ravine next to the big box store where she has been shopping, she discovers the woman's body. From there, Kay is obsessed with discovering who killed her and why.
The author does a good job of plotting and pacing, with the story flowing along well from start to finish. Her characterizations are well-fleshed out. The editing and proofing leave a bit to be desired 4 spelling errors being easily spotted.
The first comes at 297 on my Kindle: "They were narrow, oak, with little brass nobs and old-fashioned keyholes." Unless there was a cribbage board affixed to those doors, I doubt there were nobs.
The second is found at 1251: "It was something I hoped would ever happen again." I'm pretty sure there is a missing 'n' in there.
The third is at 1336: "...the money was really good but they guys all wanted weird stuff..." They guys?
And the worst was the last -- not because it was any worse than the others, but because it occurs in the middle of the big climax scene, taking the reader instantly out of the action. Not a good place for this (at 1964): "...and before I could craw out from under the desk, ..." Sigh. Note to authors. If you are only going to proofread some of the time, make sure the action scenes get the attention.
So, good mystery, nice plotting, flow and pacing, consistent and fleshed-out characterizations, likeable characters, plenty of action, and no cliff hanger ending. I'll take it! I think there are a few more books in this series, and I will be looking them up.
by Libby Howard
This was a fun, quick read. The main character, Kay, is a new widow. Her husband suffered a debilitating stroke about a decade ago, and passed away just one month prior to the opening of the book. She's still a bit at loose ends; mourning, yet needing to make plans for her future, besides getting herself a companion in the form of a cat named Taco. She knows that she will not be able to keep her home on her income alone, but hates the thought of selling their lovely old Victorian and moving into a small apartment. Her realtor friend recommends that she look to renting out part of the house. She's not 100% sold on the idea, but is given a name and number.
Kay has recently had cataract surgery and is having an unusual side effect. She sees ghosts. Oh, she doesn't realize that, and just thinks the amorphous forms she sees in her peripheral vision are large floaters -- but does that explain how one in particular seems to be following her or the cold spots that turn up whenever she sees the form? Through the story, she seems to come to the realization that she is seeing more than a floater in her eye, although that is not stated in the text.
Her new tenant is a local judge who is going through a messy divorce, and needs somewhere larger than an apartment for himself and his two children. As Kay's house is a 6-bedroom home with bedrooms on the second and third floors, a fully remodeled basement rec room and movie theater, as well as an office, living room and library, etc. on the first level, the house fits his needs, while still allowing both he and Kay to have their own space. Kay's job as a skip-tracer for a local bail bondsman keeps her busy and engaged in life outside her home. As the Judge is moving in, her work is heating up. Her boss has bonded a local woman who was arrested for running an escort service in the small town of Locust Point. She is refusing to turn over her black book or identify any of the women who work for her. When she turns up missing, the speculation is that she has skipped out on her bond and left the area. However, Kay isn't buying it. When one of her "floaters" seems to be directing her to look in the grassy ravine next to the big box store where she has been shopping, she discovers the woman's body. From there, Kay is obsessed with discovering who killed her and why.
The author does a good job of plotting and pacing, with the story flowing along well from start to finish. Her characterizations are well-fleshed out. The editing and proofing leave a bit to be desired 4 spelling errors being easily spotted.
The first comes at 297 on my Kindle: "They were narrow, oak, with little brass nobs and old-fashioned keyholes." Unless there was a cribbage board affixed to those doors, I doubt there were nobs.
The second is found at 1251: "It was something I hoped would ever happen again." I'm pretty sure there is a missing 'n' in there.
The third is at 1336: "...the money was really good but they guys all wanted weird stuff..." They guys?
And the worst was the last -- not because it was any worse than the others, but because it occurs in the middle of the big climax scene, taking the reader instantly out of the action. Not a good place for this (at 1964): "...and before I could craw out from under the desk, ..." Sigh. Note to authors. If you are only going to proofread some of the time, make sure the action scenes get the attention.
So, good mystery, nice plotting, flow and pacing, consistent and fleshed-out characterizations, likeable characters, plenty of action, and no cliff hanger ending. I'll take it! I think there are a few more books in this series, and I will be looking them up.
May 5, 2025
Fat phobic. Misogynistic. Slut shaming.
Dude just moved in to a house he's renting for two years so he can apply for joint custody of his kids. Bad mouths the wife constantly.
The woman who owns the house tells him his 15 year old daughter was at a party. There's a picture of her with a glass of beer, and this is his reaction:
"He threw the spatula across the room, where it clattered off the end of the counter and across the floor. "What was Heather doing when my daughter was getting drunk and who knows what else at a party? Out with Tyler? Did she ditch Henry with the sitter or send him off to a friend so she could run around like an irresponsible tramp? She's probably careless about what the kids do in the evenings. She's completely unfit to have any custody at all." "
This man just threw a spatula across a room in front of a 60-year-old woman who told him something about his family. So he yelled at her and then proceeded to say some fairly vicious things about his ex-wife, which do not seem to hold up against what we've seen of the ex-wife. This level of anger and violence is not okay. (and even if his wife had done this, dropped her daughter off at a friend's house and gone out for a date with her boyfriend, that's still okay. Ex-wives are allowed to date people. Teenagers often go to parties with their friends where there is beer. This is not a moral failing on the part of his wife.)
Then we have a reference to a steak being big enough to feed a third world country. That's just so racist and wrong. There's no such thing as first world and third world; it's a colonialist structure used to maintain oppression.
I didn't search but we have the word prostitute at least 15 times I'm sure. So much slut shaming. The proper term is sex worker, and it is nothing you make jokes or assumptions about.
There was much to enjoy about this book, which is why I actually finished it despite the rampant misogyny slut shaming and complete and utter lack of people who are not cis-het white. The author's horrible take on humanity warrants a one-star review and my not getting any of the rest of the books because I'm just not going to support this kind of behavior.
Also content warning for repeated discussion of death of a spouse in some detail.
Dude just moved in to a house he's renting for two years so he can apply for joint custody of his kids. Bad mouths the wife constantly.
The woman who owns the house tells him his 15 year old daughter was at a party. There's a picture of her with a glass of beer, and this is his reaction:
"He threw the spatula across the room, where it clattered off the end of the counter and across the floor. "What was Heather doing when my daughter was getting drunk and who knows what else at a party? Out with Tyler? Did she ditch Henry with the sitter or send him off to a friend so she could run around like an irresponsible tramp? She's probably careless about what the kids do in the evenings. She's completely unfit to have any custody at all." "
This man just threw a spatula across a room in front of a 60-year-old woman who told him something about his family. So he yelled at her and then proceeded to say some fairly vicious things about his ex-wife, which do not seem to hold up against what we've seen of the ex-wife. This level of anger and violence is not okay. (and even if his wife had done this, dropped her daughter off at a friend's house and gone out for a date with her boyfriend, that's still okay. Ex-wives are allowed to date people. Teenagers often go to parties with their friends where there is beer. This is not a moral failing on the part of his wife.)
Then we have a reference to a steak being big enough to feed a third world country. That's just so racist and wrong. There's no such thing as first world and third world; it's a colonialist structure used to maintain oppression.
I didn't search but we have the word prostitute at least 15 times I'm sure. So much slut shaming. The proper term is sex worker, and it is nothing you make jokes or assumptions about.
There was much to enjoy about this book, which is why I actually finished it despite the rampant misogyny slut shaming and complete and utter lack of people who are not cis-het white. The author's horrible take on humanity warrants a one-star review and my not getting any of the rest of the books because I'm just not going to support this kind of behavior.
Also content warning for repeated discussion of death of a spouse in some detail.
October 9, 2019
This was a really quick read (less than two hours) and a relatively forgettable little mystery, which really wasn’t much of a mystery, but more a procedural on how to find out anything about a person via his/her social media accounts.
Kay is a 60-year-old recent widow. For ten years before her husband died, she’d been his caretaker after an accident which robbed him of his surgeon’s skills and much of their
Life. To pay her bills, she works as a skip-tracer for a bail bondsman. Kay had
Been a reporter before her
Husband’s accident, so enjoys her internet sleuthing. However, her job doesn’t pay enough to cover her mortgage. Does she sell or take in boarders?
She decides upon boarders. Judge Beck and his two children rent rooms from her and they all become friendly awfully fast. Anyway, more in that plot failing later. Local law enforcement is trying to find the “little black book” of a young Madam whose body Kay finds behind the local MegaMart. Having a sex scandal in town is one thing, but now the Madam was murdered?
As this is a very short book, leads arrive in rapid succession, especially after Kay finds a picture of one of the Madam’s parties w/ her teenage boarder in it. Of course, Kay has to tell the girl’s father and give him parenting advice, even though Kay has never been a parent herself. The girl forgives Kay and her father far too quickly for realism.
The bad guy is confronted by Kay and the Judge, but it turns out that he is innocent of the sex-play-turned-bad episode that resulted in the Madam’s death. So who was the guilty party? Did the “little black book” turn up? Was it helpful?
As I said, this “mystery” is a quick read, mostly b/c I never really felt like part of the story. It started hopefully for me, as the heroine is the right age, has been a caregiver, and recently lost the object of her care, all like me. But Kay’s too-quick friendship w/ the Judge and his kids; her ability to continue her job and grow in friendships even after only losing her husband a month earlier; her ability to find out EVERYTHING she needs about this case all on social media—ALL these plot points feel unrealistic to me. And what the heck is this shadow she keeps seeing out the corner of her eye? According to the blurb, it’s supposed to be a ghost, but this is never explored in the story.
I’ll give it 3.5 stars b/c it was a promising start to a series, but didn’t quite get there to me. And a 60-year-old is NOT too old to still want male attention!
Kay is a 60-year-old recent widow. For ten years before her husband died, she’d been his caretaker after an accident which robbed him of his surgeon’s skills and much of their
Life. To pay her bills, she works as a skip-tracer for a bail bondsman. Kay had
Been a reporter before her
Husband’s accident, so enjoys her internet sleuthing. However, her job doesn’t pay enough to cover her mortgage. Does she sell or take in boarders?
She decides upon boarders. Judge Beck and his two children rent rooms from her and they all become friendly awfully fast. Anyway, more in that plot failing later. Local law enforcement is trying to find the “little black book” of a young Madam whose body Kay finds behind the local MegaMart. Having a sex scandal in town is one thing, but now the Madam was murdered?
As this is a very short book, leads arrive in rapid succession, especially after Kay finds a picture of one of the Madam’s parties w/ her teenage boarder in it. Of course, Kay has to tell the girl’s father and give him parenting advice, even though Kay has never been a parent herself. The girl forgives Kay and her father far too quickly for realism.
The bad guy is confronted by Kay and the Judge, but it turns out that he is innocent of the sex-play-turned-bad episode that resulted in the Madam’s death. So who was the guilty party? Did the “little black book” turn up? Was it helpful?
As I said, this “mystery” is a quick read, mostly b/c I never really felt like part of the story. It started hopefully for me, as the heroine is the right age, has been a caregiver, and recently lost the object of her care, all like me. But Kay’s too-quick friendship w/ the Judge and his kids; her ability to continue her job and grow in friendships even after only losing her husband a month earlier; her ability to find out EVERYTHING she needs about this case all on social media—ALL these plot points feel unrealistic to me. And what the heck is this shadow she keeps seeing out the corner of her eye? According to the blurb, it’s supposed to be a ghost, but this is never explored in the story.
I’ll give it 3.5 stars b/c it was a promising start to a series, but didn’t quite get there to me. And a 60-year-old is NOT too old to still want male attention!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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