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Old School Diner #3
A Side Order of Deception
Old Bones, a Mangy Mongrel, and a Fortune Teller
What do a mangy mutt, a fortune teller/masseuse, and old bones have in common? More than you think in this next installment of the Old School Diner Series. There's odd goings on in the city of Paint Creek as a dead body is unearthed, incriminating evidence lost for over 100 years is discovered, and to top it all off, Mercy might lose her beloved diner. Find out how all the pieces fall into place.
What do a mangy mutt, a fortune teller/masseuse, and old bones have in common? More than you think in this next installment of the Old School Diner Series. There's odd goings on in the city of Paint Creek as a dead body is unearthed, incriminating evidence lost for over 100 years is discovered, and to top it all off, Mercy might lose her beloved diner. Find out how all the pieces fall into place.
- GenresCozy Mystery
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2017
168 people are currently reading
72 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 30, 2017
Things have been going along pretty well for Mercy and friends. Then all of a sudden several unrelated things happen in town (or are they unrelated?) and people are acting out of character all around. You have new romantic pairing, a love affair between Mercy and a stray dog who then double times her, a new business, an historic discovery, and a legal document that may foretell ruin for the town and all it's people. What else could you want? A rodeo? Got it. Smoke burning the food? Got it. This may be a relatively short book, but it packs quite a punch, and it seems like something is happening every second in the book.
This third book is proof that some series get better and better. I was especially happy to see some character development that proved my assumptions from the first two books were wrong. (Sorry I ever doubted you, Junior!) A fun series and a wonderful break from the twitter political news and daily chores!
This third book is proof that some series get better and better. I was especially happy to see some character development that proved my assumptions from the first two books were wrong. (Sorry I ever doubted you, Junior!) A fun series and a wonderful break from the twitter political news and daily chores!
April 14, 2019
Easy rider
A light read about a small community that is suddenly hit by some devastating news. Loved the machinations and manipulations carried out by the females to get what they want.
The rodeo is coming to town but first they want to know about the store across the road. What is it going to be. A psychic fortune teller! Okay she does seem to know facts that only people who have grown up around here know. But when she foretells that old bones would be dug up and that they would change the town it looks as if she was spot on. A new construction has indeed dug up old bones and a metal box found contains information that has a devastating effect on the town. Arson, lies and an attempt to hurt her Brody have the old timers upping their game. What happens next?
A light read about a small community that is suddenly hit by some devastating news. Loved the machinations and manipulations carried out by the females to get what they want.
The rodeo is coming to town but first they want to know about the store across the road. What is it going to be. A psychic fortune teller! Okay she does seem to know facts that only people who have grown up around here know. But when she foretells that old bones would be dug up and that they would change the town it looks as if she was spot on. A new construction has indeed dug up old bones and a metal box found contains information that has a devastating effect on the town. Arson, lies and an attempt to hurt her Brody have the old timers upping their game. What happens next?
January 21, 2018
In this installment of the Old School Diner Mysteries, we learn that both Mercy and Brody have talents they've been hiding from their friends. When the rodeo comes to town, both of them reveal their abilities with a lot of success. But there are mysteries and problems back in Paint Creek when a fortune teller comes to town and a contractor finds old human bones at his excavation sight. As usual, Mercy is able to see what others are not, and the perpetrator of arson and fraud is brought to justice before anyone gets hurt. On a positive note, Junior, Jake, and Red all find love, and Mercy adopts a dog!
October 21, 2017
A Side Order of Deception, Old School Diner series #3, has new romances and family members. Even for Mercy!!! New businesses and the rodeo have come to town. What fun, humorous and surprising adventures for main characters AND readers. With Constance Barker's entertaining, unpredictable twist and turns... Mercy and sheriff boyfriend have murder to solve, again. I received this book as an ARC. I am voluntarily posting this review. Constance Barker's books/series are on my Must Read as Soon as Possible list. Should be on Yours!!!
June 25, 2020
Good, but too short.
I’m enjoying the books in the series, but they are so short that they just gloss over the surface and there is no real depth to anything, or anyone, which is a shame because the characters are quirky and the setting of Paint Creek has a lot of potential.
3 stars ⭐️
I’m enjoying the books in the series, but they are so short that they just gloss over the surface and there is no real depth to anything, or anyone, which is a shame because the characters are quirky and the setting of Paint Creek has a lot of potential.
3 stars ⭐️
October 29, 2020
Good mystery
This mystery has a lot of moving parts, and I enjoyed the big reveal with those meddling kids/gun-toting seniors. I also appreciated that Junior is not the village idiot for a change and is in fact heroic. Mercy feels less charming, though, and Brody is just...less. The other characters stepped forward a bit and helped the story have more of an ensemble feel.
This mystery has a lot of moving parts, and I enjoyed the big reveal with those meddling kids/gun-toting seniors. I also appreciated that Junior is not the village idiot for a change and is in fact heroic. Mercy feels less charming, though, and Brody is just...less. The other characters stepped forward a bit and helped the story have more of an ensemble feel.
November 16, 2017
Very good read
This is well written and has mystery combined with humor. The characters are likeable the reader can quickly involved in the storyline and involved in the book. I really love this series and hope there will be many more to come.
This is well written and has mystery combined with humor. The characters are likeable the reader can quickly involved in the storyline and involved in the book. I really love this series and hope there will be many more to come.
June 21, 2019
Another lovely read
A new shop opend up across from the diner and the lady who opens it claims to be a fortune teller, when bones are found and so is a box with property deeds on them, could things be about to change and not for the better.
A new shop opend up across from the diner and the lady who opens it claims to be a fortune teller, when bones are found and so is a box with property deeds on them, could things be about to change and not for the better.
August 25, 2019
Quick read!
This book was great. It's a quick read, under two hours. This time there isn't a murder, which I found refreshing, but there is still a mystery! Pay attention to the clues!!
This book was great. It's a quick read, under two hours. This time there isn't a murder, which I found refreshing, but there is still a mystery! Pay attention to the clues!!
January 26, 2025
This is my favorite so far. I liked that this was more of a mystery than a murder mystery. With a lot of mystery series, it defies belief that there would be that many murders in one small town. Taking the time to have a good old fashioned mystery makes the series as a whole better.
October 26, 2017
Cute mystery with feisty characters
This is the third in this mystery series of a small town with many funny and unique characters. Looking forward to the next installment.
This is the third in this mystery series of a small town with many funny and unique characters. Looking forward to the next installment.
October 27, 2017
A great addition to this series.
Another good story in this series. In fact I have loved every story I have read from any of her series. Well worth the read.
Another good story in this series. In fact I have loved every story I have read from any of her series. Well worth the read.
April 11, 2020
Great
Really enjoy Constance Barker books. This is a fantastic series. The characters are easy to follow...their humor is very entertaining!
Really enjoy Constance Barker books. This is a fantastic series. The characters are easy to follow...their humor is very entertaining!
December 6, 2025
A cute continuation of this small town mystery.
The characters are developing more stories.
The characters are developing more stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews