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Locust Point Mystery #5
A Literary Scandal
When the red on the page isn’t spilled ink… Bestselling author Luanne Trainor has come to Locust Point to speak. The writer’s arrival has the small town a-buzz with excitement but Ms. Trainor isn’t what the bio on her book’s dust jacket proclaims.What should have been an elegant affair turns ugly with accusations and threats and there is no lack of suspects when the author is found dead following the meet-and-greet, Could the murderer be another author? Her agent? A disgruntled fan? Or was Luanne Trainor hiding a secret that shadowed her success? Kay is on the case!
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2018
412 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 3, 2019
I really like the characters in the Locust Point Mystery series and was glad to read about them again. Kay Carrera and her friends are back again for another adventure. A famous author, Louanne Trainor, is visiting Locust Point to speak. Kay picks her up at the airport and delivers her to town, and is appalled by how rude and nasty the author is to her. Kay is worried about how the author will interact with her fans.
Kay's fears are not groundless, as the author is found dead during one of the book events. Soon, the death is ruled a homicide, and Kay is trying to figure out who hated the author enough to kill her.
This one had lots of good interactions between the recurring characters, and it had some interesting new characters. The paranormal twist to the series gave another layer of interest to this installment, and the storyline about the author was intriguing and kept me interested.
The only thing missing in this one was the children of Kay's lodger, Judge Beck. I hope to see them in the next book! I always enjoy the antics of Kay's cat, Taco, and was glad to see him!
Kay's fears are not groundless, as the author is found dead during one of the book events. Soon, the death is ruled a homicide, and Kay is trying to figure out who hated the author enough to kill her.
This one had lots of good interactions between the recurring characters, and it had some interesting new characters. The paranormal twist to the series gave another layer of interest to this installment, and the storyline about the author was intriguing and kept me interested.
The only thing missing in this one was the children of Kay's lodger, Judge Beck. I hope to see them in the next book! I always enjoy the antics of Kay's cat, Taco, and was glad to see him!
October 10, 2019
Quick notes: The 60 year old widow continues seeing dead people, and falling over (sometimes almost literally) dead bodies in a tiny town where everyone knows everyone else’s name and business. This time one of the ghosts from prior books tags along (well, the husband is always there, and some of the others, like Mr. Peters, are occasionally glimpsed). Knocking over things and being a nuisance. He’s bored, feels cheated, etc. etc. Kay and Hugh-the-ghost come to an arrangement. Hugh will follow Kay, but only while she’s working.
The main thrust of this book, though, is the visit to the small town of a hugely popular paranormal romance novelist. And Kay is her driver. Kay’s been tasked basically because she’s the only person, female, who hasn’t read this authors books. So, naturally, Kay starts to read the first book in the most popular series and can’t stop reading. This being before she picked the author up at the airport.
Kay arrives at airport. Waits. Waits more. Feeling vaguely stupid standing there with a sign. Then Peggy Bundy stumbles toward her, all too high highs, skin tight tiger stripped pants (I forget what those pants are called now, cat pants), and too . . . exposing top. Peggy Bundy turns out to be this famous author Kay is supposed to be helping. And, as is seen immediately, Peggy, or whatever her actual name might be, is super super bitchy. And full of herself, and demanding, and expecting everyone to bow towards her. And when they do, like the location she is lodging for the weekend, where the bnb owner spends weeks making special cookies – the author spits them out and berates the woman. Right, I get through the idea she super bitchy evil person yet? Well, good. Somewhere along the way some obvious things are revealed (less in terms of who murdered her, oops I let that out, but um . . . writing . . . stuff).
Interesting enough book. Reminds reader, though, to do in-depth review of everyone who will be spending time near you because they might currently be having a massive number of people ‘mysterious’ die next to her. Like with Kay.
Rating: 3.8
October 10 2019
The main thrust of this book, though, is the visit to the small town of a hugely popular paranormal romance novelist. And Kay is her driver. Kay’s been tasked basically because she’s the only person, female, who hasn’t read this authors books. So, naturally, Kay starts to read the first book in the most popular series and can’t stop reading. This being before she picked the author up at the airport.
Kay arrives at airport. Waits. Waits more. Feeling vaguely stupid standing there with a sign. Then Peggy Bundy stumbles toward her, all too high highs, skin tight tiger stripped pants (I forget what those pants are called now, cat pants), and too . . . exposing top. Peggy Bundy turns out to be this famous author Kay is supposed to be helping. And, as is seen immediately, Peggy, or whatever her actual name might be, is super super bitchy. And full of herself, and demanding, and expecting everyone to bow towards her. And when they do, like the location she is lodging for the weekend, where the bnb owner spends weeks making special cookies – the author spits them out and berates the woman. Right, I get through the idea she super bitchy evil person yet? Well, good. Somewhere along the way some obvious things are revealed (less in terms of who murdered her, oops I let that out, but um . . . writing . . . stuff).
Interesting enough book. Reminds reader, though, to do in-depth review of everyone who will be spending time near you because they might currently be having a massive number of people ‘mysterious’ die next to her. Like with Kay.
Rating: 3.8
October 10 2019
August 10, 2018
"SERIES"ously addictive!!!
If you are suffering from insomnia, DO NOT read any book in this series or worse start with book one because you will not fall asleep reading this author's books. Oh no, you will fall in love with these small town people and the main character turn investigative reporter/wife/caregiver/freelancer/widower/skip tracer/cat owner/landlord/P.I. and neighborhood society queen, Kay Carrerra is a sixty something woman who does it all with a side of seeing dead people. At first, Kay just believes she is seeing smudges out of the corner of her eye after glaucoma surgery. Then while she wrestles with finding out what is going on with her vision, she finds her first dead body. From there it is page turning nirvana. Along the way her boss tries to find his reality TV niche, or Utube vlog, Taco, the cat, finds a forever home and Judge Beck and his teen age children, Madison and Henry, rent rooms in her Victorian house a month after her husband, Eli, dies after ten years of being bed ridden. So much happens and Kay evolves into a woman I hope to one day become. Neighbors turn to her, the family suffering through divorce embraces her, and she likes to watch Will & Grace reruns and bakes amazing desserts...plus solves crimes with "hauntings" to help. Each book in the series, puts another puzzle piece in the story of Kay and Eli, adds another set of people to the primary cast and another layer to character development. I can relate to these characters and find myself more mired in their lives as I turn the page. I salivate over the recipes, can find Kay's enjoyment as her sense of community awakens after ten years of care giving ends, her joy in the every day things such as coming home to hot tea and the antics of her furry friend, Taco, although the dead body thing was a bit hard to accept for me, and her, too, in the beginning. I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy a good book about good people just trying to survive and even thrive in today's world. People not from the social media generation who thrive on that type of communication but those of us who would rather talk with a person in a social setting or even one on one, play a board game or even read a book with pages and would not text to someone standing next to us rather than actually talk without a device of any type...you know...the old people. Or this could be like a ....you know... ummm...reverse history book for the tween movement. Seriously, it's a well written, insightful book with characters that seem like friends. I hope Ms. Howard continues this series because I would love to continue to enjoy Kay & company's antics.
If you are suffering from insomnia, DO NOT read any book in this series or worse start with book one because you will not fall asleep reading this author's books. Oh no, you will fall in love with these small town people and the main character turn investigative reporter/wife/caregiver/freelancer/widower/skip tracer/cat owner/landlord/P.I. and neighborhood society queen, Kay Carrerra is a sixty something woman who does it all with a side of seeing dead people. At first, Kay just believes she is seeing smudges out of the corner of her eye after glaucoma surgery. Then while she wrestles with finding out what is going on with her vision, she finds her first dead body. From there it is page turning nirvana. Along the way her boss tries to find his reality TV niche, or Utube vlog, Taco, the cat, finds a forever home and Judge Beck and his teen age children, Madison and Henry, rent rooms in her Victorian house a month after her husband, Eli, dies after ten years of being bed ridden. So much happens and Kay evolves into a woman I hope to one day become. Neighbors turn to her, the family suffering through divorce embraces her, and she likes to watch Will & Grace reruns and bakes amazing desserts...plus solves crimes with "hauntings" to help. Each book in the series, puts another puzzle piece in the story of Kay and Eli, adds another set of people to the primary cast and another layer to character development. I can relate to these characters and find myself more mired in their lives as I turn the page. I salivate over the recipes, can find Kay's enjoyment as her sense of community awakens after ten years of care giving ends, her joy in the every day things such as coming home to hot tea and the antics of her furry friend, Taco, although the dead body thing was a bit hard to accept for me, and her, too, in the beginning. I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy a good book about good people just trying to survive and even thrive in today's world. People not from the social media generation who thrive on that type of communication but those of us who would rather talk with a person in a social setting or even one on one, play a board game or even read a book with pages and would not text to someone standing next to us rather than actually talk without a device of any type...you know...the old people. Or this could be like a ....you know... ummm...reverse history book for the tween movement. Seriously, it's a well written, insightful book with characters that seem like friends. I hope Ms. Howard continues this series because I would love to continue to enjoy Kay & company's antics.
May 14, 2018
I love this series and A Literary Scandal just made me wish the next one was already out! It's refreshing to find a 60 year old woman with some life experience as the lead character . Kay is trying to learn how to cope with being on her own after being widowed. She's gathered a circle of close friends and rented out rooms to a judge and his two children to help out financially. However, they have quickly become a very important part of her life. She has developed a talent for seeing shadowy ghosts who lead her to discover murder victims and as a former journalist with an inquisitive nature, she then can't resist trying to figure out who did it! In this book, a famous author agrees to speak in Locust Point but right from the moment that Kay meets her at the airport, things start to go wrong.
May 16, 2018
The straw that broke the camel's back
Predictable plot but all the same a great read. Well written and well thought out even if the killer was obvious. When their small community gets a chance to meet and greet a famous author, they are a all too pleased to do so. The author however is obnoxious, aggressive, demanding and rude. Is it any wonder she ends up dead? Can it have something to do with the demise of one of the characters, or is it to do with the proposed movie deal or is it something else entirely? The characters just get better and better, although I wish that she had a possible romantic / companionship interest. Must admit I did like the way Taco put the ghost in his place.
Predictable plot but all the same a great read. Well written and well thought out even if the killer was obvious. When their small community gets a chance to meet and greet a famous author, they are a all too pleased to do so. The author however is obnoxious, aggressive, demanding and rude. Is it any wonder she ends up dead? Can it have something to do with the demise of one of the characters, or is it to do with the proposed movie deal or is it something else entirely? The characters just get better and better, although I wish that she had a possible romantic / companionship interest. Must admit I did like the way Taco put the ghost in his place.
July 15, 2018
Predictable but not less enjoyable
Libby Howard touch a sensitive matter of plagiarism and ethnic lines.
Widow kay relearning to live again. She gained a new family when she rented out rooms to help her financially. She gathered a close circle of friends, volunteering at local community, even trying to get PI license. Kay is getting better at seeing and sensing ghosts, this time it even helps Kay with her investigation. As formal journalist with inquisitive nature, Kay can't resist trying to figure out the mystery and in this book, a famous author is coming to a small town and everyone is rejoiced. But as the saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. Don't judge its author by its book.
Libby Howard touch a sensitive matter of plagiarism and ethnic lines.
Widow kay relearning to live again. She gained a new family when she rented out rooms to help her financially. She gathered a close circle of friends, volunteering at local community, even trying to get PI license. Kay is getting better at seeing and sensing ghosts, this time it even helps Kay with her investigation. As formal journalist with inquisitive nature, Kay can't resist trying to figure out the mystery and in this book, a famous author is coming to a small town and everyone is rejoiced. But as the saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. Don't judge its author by its book.
March 29, 2021
Kay Carerra is a widow who works as a skip tracer for a PI, and apparently she sees and communicates with ghosts. She’s also involved with the local women’s society and their guest speaker series has arranged for best-selling author Luanne Trainor to come to town. Kay is assigned the task of carting the guest speaker from the airport to her small-town bed and breakfast, and she quickly discovers the celebrity has a nasty personality. When the author is found dead just after the main event, it appears that she fell while walking on her too-high heels, but there are too many inconsistencies, and Kay uncovers them with the help of a ghost - apparently the victim in Book 4. It’s a cute cozy mystery, and if I come across any more in the series I’d read them.
August 7, 2025
Kay Carrera notices early in this book that Holt Dupree is back haunting her and he is knocking things around in her kitchen to get her attention. Holt wants to stay with her because she is interesting in her part time job as a Skip Tracer. Kay tells Holt that he can't bother her at home but only when she is outside doing her job. Meanwhile, Luanne Trainor, a best selling author comes to speak in Locust Point and quickly Kay and a few other people find out she is not what she claims to be and another murder happens.
November 18, 2022
Author Libby Howard and narrator Margaret Strom have come through again! I really enjoy this audiobook series. I enjoy that 60 year old Kay is smart, active and engaged in life, as are so many people her age. I missed having the Judge’s kids in this one, and I hope he will be more present in the next in series as well. Thank you Hoopla and Douglas County Libraries for making such a wonderful selection of audiobooks available to library patrons.
May 23, 2018
Great read
OK read all five books in a couple of days because I fell in love with the characters that Libby Howard has written in this great series now I have to wait till August for book six it will be a long three months if you haven't read this series yet and love a great cozy then you need to
OK read all five books in a couple of days because I fell in love with the characters that Libby Howard has written in this great series now I have to wait till August for book six it will be a long three months if you haven't read this series yet and love a great cozy then you need to
September 9, 2018
Not bad
This story is really good, has an interesting ending, and I definitely enjoyed the book series, it’s cute and definitely lives up to the series. And I like the ability of talking with ghosts that are shown in this book and have a CATs can actually fight them off I think that’s pretty cool.
This story is really good, has an interesting ending, and I definitely enjoyed the book series, it’s cute and definitely lives up to the series. And I like the ability of talking with ghosts that are shown in this book and have a CATs can actually fight them off I think that’s pretty cool.
March 5, 2021
Pretty well written. The ending was very abrupt. The story was going along and wham, over. Ghost stuff a little eerie but I know some people really like that stuff. Short book so abrupt ending was the surprising part. Probably won’t be reading any more of these, but I will try all books at least once.
March 8, 2021
After the last book, Hometown Hero, I was a little worried that the storyline was leaning too far into the "stubborn old woman interferes and does what she wants/Everybody Loves Raymond mother-in-law" type trope. I'm relieved to say that it appears things have corrected course and gone back to pleasantly-nosy territory. Once again a fast, fun read.
May 29, 2018
A cozy mystery which I don’t usually read but this book has some points I really like. I like the main character Kay a senior widow who works, rent out space in her Victorian house does Yoga and solves crimes in her little town.
August 29, 2018
Well worth the read
Loved this author and another great book. She does amazing job with her characters, storylines, she didn't disappoint with this home run. This book is well worth the read.
Loved this author and another great book. She does amazing job with her characters, storylines, she didn't disappoint with this home run. This book is well worth the read.
August 22, 2019
Funny, poignant and clever
Hmm I wonder if the writer was modelled on anyone that Ms Howard knows? Once again fabulous characters, great yoga and baking, crazy ghosts and maybe a little UST. Every page a pleasure.
Hmm I wonder if the writer was modelled on anyone that Ms Howard knows? Once again fabulous characters, great yoga and baking, crazy ghosts and maybe a little UST. Every page a pleasure.
November 27, 2019
Everything is not as it seems
Another enjoyable story. The characters work well together. Love The plots and storylines of this series. Could be a stand-alone. I recommend reading the series in order.
Another enjoyable story. The characters work well together. Love The plots and storylines of this series. Could be a stand-alone. I recommend reading the series in order.
May 27, 2018
Locusts point has returned
I was so excited when this was delivered to my kindle and it didn't disappoint however I did feel the end was slightly rushed but I still loved it
I was so excited when this was delivered to my kindle and it didn't disappoint however I did feel the end was slightly rushed but I still loved it
November 25, 2018
I really am enjoying this series. The characters are enjoyable. And Libby Howard is a talented author. Looking forward to visiting another book in this series.
July 17, 2019
These are beginning to remind me a little of Stephanie Plum’s adventures! Kay gets herself into some seriously funny situations.
September 24, 2019
A Literary scandal #5
Another great read from this author. Definitely worth reading and getting to know the characters nd storylines. I am hooked so on to the next book.
Another great read from this author. Definitely worth reading and getting to know the characters nd storylines. I am hooked so on to the next book.
May 2, 2020
Entertaining
Good plot, interesting characters, like the way some people carry over from the previous book. Enjoy main character may carrera.
Good plot, interesting characters, like the way some people carry over from the previous book. Enjoy main character may carrera.
June 6, 2021
Good mystery and quite funny!
October 21, 2021
This is the las book my library has. I have really enjoyed this series.
November 20, 2021
Good cozy mystery series with some romance thrown in too.
I've read the whole series now as far as they've been published abd enjoyed each one.
Best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
I've read the whole series now as far as they've been published abd enjoyed each one.
Best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
May 17, 2022
great story, looking forward to the rest...
June 14, 2022
another good story
I’m enchanted with this series. Ghosts and murder, everything just seems to flow, plus I’m enjoying the friendships that are developing or becoming more defined.
I’m enchanted with this series. Ghosts and murder, everything just seems to flow, plus I’m enjoying the friendships that are developing or becoming more defined.
July 18, 2022
Great book
This is another great book in the Locust Point series by Libby Howard. I can't wait to read the next book.
This is another great book in the Locust Point series by Libby Howard. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 27, 2023
The author has the ability to touch them very sensitive subject, things that happen in life that affect a lot of people very deeply. I like the storyline and I like the characters.
April 27, 2022
A Literary Scandal: A Locust Point Mystery (Book 5) — Libby Howard/Narrator: Margaret Strom (22 chapters) Feb. 22-23, 2022
Fifth book in the series has Kay babysitting a rude author who’s earliest works were atrocious compared to her recent works.
Invited to a speaker’s series, Luanne Trainor is nothing what the fans of her kinky vampire thrillers expected. This leads to general grumpiness with the bunch, but when further events rattle the author and eventually lead to her death it hard to pinpoint the one frumpy fan that might have done her in.
But Kay’s up for the challenge and by the end notches another case solved.
A ghost from an earlier case makes an appearance much to Kay’s chagrin. But by the time the case is solved, it’s back down to one ghost left with Kay; the ghost kay wants to stay longer.
Four stars.
Fifth book in the series has Kay babysitting a rude author who’s earliest works were atrocious compared to her recent works.
Invited to a speaker’s series, Luanne Trainor is nothing what the fans of her kinky vampire thrillers expected. This leads to general grumpiness with the bunch, but when further events rattle the author and eventually lead to her death it hard to pinpoint the one frumpy fan that might have done her in.
But Kay’s up for the challenge and by the end notches another case solved.
A ghost from an earlier case makes an appearance much to Kay’s chagrin. But by the time the case is solved, it’s back down to one ghost left with Kay; the ghost kay wants to stay longer.
Four stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews