Mama Solves A Murder

Mama Detective #1

by Nora DeLoach

Book by DeLoach, Nora

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, African American, Mystery Thriller

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 1994

About the author

Nora Deloach was a mystery writer. Spent much of her career as social worker; worked professionally in Hampton, SC; moved back to Orlando and then to Atlanta, GA; wrote first novel, Silas, 1991 (published 1993); wrote Mama Solves a Murder, first book in Mama series, 1994; four books in series published by Holloway House, 1994-97; signed to Bantam Books, 1997; first Bantam Mama mystery, Mama Stalks the Past, published 1998; four Mama books published by Bantam, 1998-2001.

Awards: Gold Pen Award nominee, Black Writers Alliance, 2001; twice nominated as Georgia Author of the Year.

Reviews

[Carolyn Mayfield]

VERY GOOD BOOK. CHARACTERS, MOTHER AND DAUGHTER PRIVATE EYES - BLACK. SEVERAL BOOKS IN SERIES AND READ ALL. THEY WERE VERY GOOD. LOVED AND RECOMMEND TO ALL.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROTAGONISTS: Paralegal Simone Covington and her mother, Mama or Candi
SETTING: Atlanta and South Carolina
SERIES: #1
RATING: 2.75
WHY: Simone Covington is a paralegal in Atlanta, Georgia, who her boss, defense attorney, assigns her to investigate the case. As it runs out, her former college roommate is the suspect, and Simone can’t help but to become emotionally involved, even though 5 witnesses heard her shoot the victim. When things are going nowhere, she turns to her mother, “Mama” or “Candi” who has a natural intuition for figuring out puzzling situations. Mama finds new avenues to explore, and things work out better than expected. I won’t be continuing to read this series because I didn’t care for the pivotal character of Mama. Over and over again, it is stated that she is extremely sweet and people just fall at her feet to help her. I didn’t see her as sweet at all but very manipulative. We never really see into the Mama character; she never explains what she’s thinking or how she got things done. And the revelation at the conclusion was ridiculous! I only finished the book because the writing was smooth and easy to keep reading.

[P. B. Yeary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a while for me to into. It has a slow some what choppy build up to the plot, so I was tempted to put it down at first. But once they started really detecting I was into it. And the stakes elevated nicely as the clues were collected and put together.

To see my fully fleshed out, detailed review of this book, please see my blog: https://pbjellybell.blogspot.com/

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply written mystery with likeable characters. Enough mystery to keep me guessing and wanting to read but not so complicated that it was difficult to keep things straight. I will be reading more in this series.

[CKE387 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting build-up; liked the mama character. Seems like a chapter or two are missing or edited out. The ending seems to tie-up things quickly. Needs more motive or background for the suspects to make their crimes more credible.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator is a paralegal in Atlanta. I used to work as a paralegal in Atlanta. Her momma is from South Carolina and cooks just like my momma. With so much in common with the narrator, I'm starting to feel smart just because I read the book! LOL!

This is a good book. It was so fun to start and finish a book all in the same day. Yeah to cozy mysteries!

I wish I had known though that this author does not view autopsy reports as sactosanct. I might have been able to solve the murder myself had I realized that I didn't have to put my full faith and confidence into the autopsy report. [Big sigh.)

This book had a HAPPY ENDING. Not the happiest ending it could have had, but a happy one.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow missed this Nora DeLoach mystery along the way, having read all the others. Nice loving family and friend relationships, a little gory - pushing the book beyond the typical cozy. Avoids some of the racial overtones that would have been more painful just a decade ago. Wish there were more...

[Nhor Halil · Rating 5 out of 5]

nmmnn