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Mah Jongg Mysteries #2
Bamboozled
Essential oils distributor Dorcas Wiley is the boss everyone loves to hate. So when she turns up dead, killed by her own trophy, disgruntled saleswoman Cathy Broderick is the obvious suspect in her murder. Despite opportunity, motive and incriminating evidence, Cathy declares her innocence and enlists her mah jongg pals—Sydney Bonner and her cronies Marianne, Micki and Kat—to help save her from the death penalty.
Hot off a recent and nearly deadly investigation, the women are cautious about putting themselves in peril again. Syd’s spouse isn’t thrilled about another mystery in their lives, either, but he can’t resist the plea of Cathy’s husband. Soon, Syd is leading the way as they tangle with grumpy salespeople, the victim’s estranged husband and boyfriend, a mysterious housekeeper, a litigious customer, an annoyed sheriff and Cathy’s own arrogant lawyer.
The women have their own issues to deal with in their central Florida town of Serendipity Springs. Kat faces a health challenge, Micki fields a mysterious inquiry from her ex, Marianne has a chaotic anniversary and Syd wrestles with her husband over who’s really in charge. But nothing puts everyday life into perspective like the moment when their investigation brings them face to face with danger.
This cozy mystery, the second of the Mah Jongg Mystery series, features four retired amateur sleuths who live in a small Florida town, all female and all friends who play the game of mah jongg together. Though they don't set out to investigate murder, others have started looking to them to help investigate homicides and questionable accidents. In this story, Sydney Bonner again takes the lead, although her husband, Trip, insists on coming along to protect her. They also turn to their friends for help. Though this series features four protagonists, the others will take the lead in subsequent stories. Two are married, one is divorced and the fourth, who has been single all her life while she tended to her ailing mother, now finds herself the object of the sheriff's attention in this series.
The four don't seek out murder; somehow the circumstances and those affected drag them in. Meanwhile, as they attempt to gather information, life goes on in their community in such activities as a social group for those over 50, numerous stops at the local coffeehouse, and even a shopping trip to Naples. Sydney's husband, Trip, and her friend Marianne Putnam's husband, Beau, are golf buddies who spend many a day on the course. When not there, Trip is busy seeking to build a new post retirement life, and Beau is often prevailed upon to join in Trip's latest activity, which in this book is planning a repositioning cruise. Kat Faulkner has lived a frugal life until winning big in a lottery shortly after her mother's death; suddenly, Kat has money and doesn't know how to spend it. But her divorced friend and freelance writer, Micki Demetrius, does, even if it's to guide Kat through a makeover and wardrobe change for her lounge act.
Barbara Barrett is already published in contemporary romance. She is a member of the Mystery/Romantic Suspense chapter of Romance Writers of America. Like her protagonists, she is retired and is a resident of Florida, although she spends her summers in her home state of Iowa. She spent over three decades as a human resource management analyst with Iowa state government. Her website is www.barbarabarrettbooks.com
Hot off a recent and nearly deadly investigation, the women are cautious about putting themselves in peril again. Syd’s spouse isn’t thrilled about another mystery in their lives, either, but he can’t resist the plea of Cathy’s husband. Soon, Syd is leading the way as they tangle with grumpy salespeople, the victim’s estranged husband and boyfriend, a mysterious housekeeper, a litigious customer, an annoyed sheriff and Cathy’s own arrogant lawyer.
The women have their own issues to deal with in their central Florida town of Serendipity Springs. Kat faces a health challenge, Micki fields a mysterious inquiry from her ex, Marianne has a chaotic anniversary and Syd wrestles with her husband over who’s really in charge. But nothing puts everyday life into perspective like the moment when their investigation brings them face to face with danger.
This cozy mystery, the second of the Mah Jongg Mystery series, features four retired amateur sleuths who live in a small Florida town, all female and all friends who play the game of mah jongg together. Though they don't set out to investigate murder, others have started looking to them to help investigate homicides and questionable accidents. In this story, Sydney Bonner again takes the lead, although her husband, Trip, insists on coming along to protect her. They also turn to their friends for help. Though this series features four protagonists, the others will take the lead in subsequent stories. Two are married, one is divorced and the fourth, who has been single all her life while she tended to her ailing mother, now finds herself the object of the sheriff's attention in this series.
The four don't seek out murder; somehow the circumstances and those affected drag them in. Meanwhile, as they attempt to gather information, life goes on in their community in such activities as a social group for those over 50, numerous stops at the local coffeehouse, and even a shopping trip to Naples. Sydney's husband, Trip, and her friend Marianne Putnam's husband, Beau, are golf buddies who spend many a day on the course. When not there, Trip is busy seeking to build a new post retirement life, and Beau is often prevailed upon to join in Trip's latest activity, which in this book is planning a repositioning cruise. Kat Faulkner has lived a frugal life until winning big in a lottery shortly after her mother's death; suddenly, Kat has money and doesn't know how to spend it. But her divorced friend and freelance writer, Micki Demetrius, does, even if it's to guide Kat through a makeover and wardrobe change for her lounge act.
Barbara Barrett is already published in contemporary romance. She is a member of the Mystery/Romantic Suspense chapter of Romance Writers of America. Like her protagonists, she is retired and is a resident of Florida, although she spends her summers in her home state of Iowa. She spent over three decades as a human resource management analyst with Iowa state government. Her website is www.barbarabarrettbooks.com
- GenresCozy Mystery
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2018
21 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Barrett
38 books74 followersI characterize myself as a contemporary culture junkie. Translated: I changed my undergraduate major from anthropology to American history when I learned I'd have to do field work (no air conditioning) to obtain my graduate degree, but I never lost my interest in observing current lifestyle trends. I'm a TV addict. Sitcoms are my real passion, sitcoms done well, with ensembles that click and witty writing that never fails to amuse. I love to bake chocolate chip cookies and spend my spare time playing Mah Jongg.
In my former life I was a human resources analyst, so the jobs of my heroes and heroines almost become secondary characters in my contemporary romance novels.
I was married on D-Day, June 6 (my degree's in history, remember), and have two incredible grown children and eight grandchildren who make life worth living. I spend my winters in Florida (my office allows a view of four palm trees) and my summers in my home state of Iowa. To learn more about my books, please visit my website at http://www.barbarabarrettbooks.com.
In my former life I was a human resources analyst, so the jobs of my heroes and heroines almost become secondary characters in my contemporary romance novels.
I was married on D-Day, June 6 (my degree's in history, remember), and have two incredible grown children and eight grandchildren who make life worth living. I spend my winters in Florida (my office allows a view of four palm trees) and my summers in my home state of Iowa. To learn more about my books, please visit my website at http://www.barbarabarrettbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 14, 2018
Oh My Word! After the events of Craks in a Marriage a month ago Sydney, Marianne, Micki and Kat are looking forward to just relaxing and playing Mah Jongg, however Micki is antsy about something, Kat is hiding something from Sydney and Marianne and another member of the Mah Jongg group (Cathy Broderick) is putting Micki's back up!
Cathy has been selling essential oils as a sideline to her retirement, but her husband, Art, is worried about her, so worried that he actually had a word with Trip Bonner, which leads to Trip and Sydney going to see Cathy and Art one afternoon. Whilst there Cathy breaks down and admits that it is all getting too much, the local distributor is getting them to sell more and more, and varied items not just the Essential Oils, having got that off her chest she seems to relax and is trying to decide whether to cut her losses or stick it out when the question seems to become moot, the arrival of Sheriff Rick to take Cathy in for questioning over the murder of her boss seems scary and Art wants Sydney to look into other possibilities as he (and Sydney) are positive that Cathy is innocent.
So the Mah Jongg posse reassembles - this time with the addition of Trip and Beau and from there on in we have a roller coaster of a ride to find out the truth, and at the same time find out about Micki and Kat as well. The first book I gave three stars to, this one is a four if not a four point five and I can't wait for number three in the series!
Cathy has been selling essential oils as a sideline to her retirement, but her husband, Art, is worried about her, so worried that he actually had a word with Trip Bonner, which leads to Trip and Sydney going to see Cathy and Art one afternoon. Whilst there Cathy breaks down and admits that it is all getting too much, the local distributor is getting them to sell more and more, and varied items not just the Essential Oils, having got that off her chest she seems to relax and is trying to decide whether to cut her losses or stick it out when the question seems to become moot, the arrival of Sheriff Rick to take Cathy in for questioning over the murder of her boss seems scary and Art wants Sydney to look into other possibilities as he (and Sydney) are positive that Cathy is innocent.
So the Mah Jongg posse reassembles - this time with the addition of Trip and Beau and from there on in we have a roller coaster of a ride to find out the truth, and at the same time find out about Micki and Kat as well. The first book I gave three stars to, this one is a four if not a four point five and I can't wait for number three in the series!
December 27, 2018
Fun book. I liked that it didn't really focus on any one person but on the group of friends as a whole, plus their significant others/spouses. I love the developing romance between the Sheriff and Kat.
July 9, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This is just the cutest cozy mystery. We get to follow Sydney and her husband as they get pretty much all of the members of their circle of friends to help them in a murder investigation. Of course this all starts with a round of mah jong since the women play on a regular basis. It was quite interesting to follow of group of retired folks as they attempt to figure all of this out especially once one murder becomes two. Sydney has quite the mind for solving things though so it all comes to light in the end though in a surprising manner I must say. This book is perfect for readers that enjoy cozies and are looking for an older age group for their characters. I found it highly enjoyable so I give it 4/5 stars.
This is just the cutest cozy mystery. We get to follow Sydney and her husband as they get pretty much all of the members of their circle of friends to help them in a murder investigation. Of course this all starts with a round of mah jong since the women play on a regular basis. It was quite interesting to follow of group of retired folks as they attempt to figure all of this out especially once one murder becomes two. Sydney has quite the mind for solving things though so it all comes to light in the end though in a surprising manner I must say. This book is perfect for readers that enjoy cozies and are looking for an older age group for their characters. I found it highly enjoyable so I give it 4/5 stars.
July 1, 2018
BAMBOOZLED is book two in the MAH JONGG mysteries series by Barbara Barrett. BAMBOOZLED is a great mystery to read. This is the first book that I have read by Barbara Barrett. It surely won’t be my last.
July 8, 2018
BAMBOOZLED by Barbara Barrett
The Second Mah Jongg Mystery
Memories of murder are still fresh in Sydney Bonner's mind, so when her husband asks her to investigate what's going on with a mutual friend, she's surprised. Checking in on Cathy and her new essential oil business is one thing, but when Cathy is suspected of murdering her boss, Syd is ready to step back and let the professionals handle it. Yet when Cathy's husband asks for help Trip not only agrees that Syd should investigate, but insists that he'll help her, Syd is stunned! Now Syd and her Mah Jongg friends are involved in another murder investigation, this time with husbandly help!
I was delighted to discover another Mah Jongg mystery. I appreciate having protagonists of a certain age who are living normal fulfilling lives. I like the fact that the characters here don't rush headlong into trouble. They have a set plan, realize that they're amateurs, and call on professionals when necessary. Of course, they still manage to annoy said professionals and get themselves into trouble. While I like the group, the problem with having four main characters is that there are too many subplots. These secondary stories flush out the characters, but detract from the mystery.
The murder was well plotted with a variety of red herrings and interesting suspects and I enjoyed the investigation. My favorite part of the book is the relationship between Syd and Trip. They are a happily married couple who still annoy and get angry with each other. Trying to work together, with minds that work differently, is a challenge. They see each other's faults, yet will always be there to support each other. They have a realistic relationship. Sadly, as much as I like the characters here, I didn't feel emotionally invested in BAMBOOZLED. Cathy, as a character, was a bit of a side note. While Syd and friends (and by extension, me) liked her and wanted to help, the investigation was more of an intellectual activity for the four friends, six actually when you include the husbands. True, there was some danger, but I wouldn't have felt that bad if they didn't clear Cathy's name and I don't think they would have either.
Friendship, marriage, and murder make BAMBOOZLED a mystery to enjoy.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Second Mah Jongg Mystery
Memories of murder are still fresh in Sydney Bonner's mind, so when her husband asks her to investigate what's going on with a mutual friend, she's surprised. Checking in on Cathy and her new essential oil business is one thing, but when Cathy is suspected of murdering her boss, Syd is ready to step back and let the professionals handle it. Yet when Cathy's husband asks for help Trip not only agrees that Syd should investigate, but insists that he'll help her, Syd is stunned! Now Syd and her Mah Jongg friends are involved in another murder investigation, this time with husbandly help!
I was delighted to discover another Mah Jongg mystery. I appreciate having protagonists of a certain age who are living normal fulfilling lives. I like the fact that the characters here don't rush headlong into trouble. They have a set plan, realize that they're amateurs, and call on professionals when necessary. Of course, they still manage to annoy said professionals and get themselves into trouble. While I like the group, the problem with having four main characters is that there are too many subplots. These secondary stories flush out the characters, but detract from the mystery.
The murder was well plotted with a variety of red herrings and interesting suspects and I enjoyed the investigation. My favorite part of the book is the relationship between Syd and Trip. They are a happily married couple who still annoy and get angry with each other. Trying to work together, with minds that work differently, is a challenge. They see each other's faults, yet will always be there to support each other. They have a realistic relationship. Sadly, as much as I like the characters here, I didn't feel emotionally invested in BAMBOOZLED. Cathy, as a character, was a bit of a side note. While Syd and friends (and by extension, me) liked her and wanted to help, the investigation was more of an intellectual activity for the four friends, six actually when you include the husbands. True, there was some danger, but I wouldn't have felt that bad if they didn't clear Cathy's name and I don't think they would have either.
Friendship, marriage, and murder make BAMBOOZLED a mystery to enjoy.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
July 2, 2018
I was delighted to get the opportunity to read the 2nd book in the Mah Jongg Mystery series!
Book 1 swept me into these characters. And characters they were!
Sydney and her fiesty senior friends are funny and fun. Although
they back away from mystery and murder they are kept pulled in when the other players from Mah Jongg keep getting accused of
murder.
This time it was Cathy who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Leaving her scarf behind ended up getting her into
some hot water when her boss is discovered murdered.
Since Sydney has experience in solving murders she is called in to help guide the seemingly over zealous police.
This time to keep Sydney and her friends out of trouble her husband Trip volunteers to help.
The sparks fly when the two begin to work together. Trip has his
way of wanting to do things. But Sydney with more experience and a talent for investigating has her way and she's not settling.
Honestly it took me to the end to finally really get to like Trip.
He is hard to describe. He whines alot. He's get ticked off and runs off and hits golf balls. He's just hard to live with which makes me love Sydney more for putting up with him!
Before all questions are answered and the true murderer is discovered another body shows up.
Well, the boyfriend didn't do it because he got done too!
It takes all the patience, courage and skill Sydney has to connect all the dots but not before the real bad guys try to 'off' Sydney and Trip when they get a little to close to discovering the real
motive and the real criminal(s).
All ends up being sorted out just in time for Trip to get back to planning a cruise for their friends. I can already see the setting for book 3. A murder at sea with Sydney and Trip playing sleuth.
They just keep getting better! If you enjoy a good cozy check out the series. Each book is a stand alone!
I received a complimentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
Book 1 swept me into these characters. And characters they were!
Sydney and her fiesty senior friends are funny and fun. Although
they back away from mystery and murder they are kept pulled in when the other players from Mah Jongg keep getting accused of
murder.
This time it was Cathy who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Leaving her scarf behind ended up getting her into
some hot water when her boss is discovered murdered.
Since Sydney has experience in solving murders she is called in to help guide the seemingly over zealous police.
This time to keep Sydney and her friends out of trouble her husband Trip volunteers to help.
The sparks fly when the two begin to work together. Trip has his
way of wanting to do things. But Sydney with more experience and a talent for investigating has her way and she's not settling.
Honestly it took me to the end to finally really get to like Trip.
He is hard to describe. He whines alot. He's get ticked off and runs off and hits golf balls. He's just hard to live with which makes me love Sydney more for putting up with him!
Before all questions are answered and the true murderer is discovered another body shows up.
Well, the boyfriend didn't do it because he got done too!
It takes all the patience, courage and skill Sydney has to connect all the dots but not before the real bad guys try to 'off' Sydney and Trip when they get a little to close to discovering the real
motive and the real criminal(s).
All ends up being sorted out just in time for Trip to get back to planning a cruise for their friends. I can already see the setting for book 3. A murder at sea with Sydney and Trip playing sleuth.
They just keep getting better! If you enjoy a good cozy check out the series. Each book is a stand alone!
I received a complimentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
June 24, 2018
Continuing on where Craks In A Marriage left off, (but this can be read as a stand alone,) several months have passed since the Mah Jongg playing ladies did their first investigation to clear someone of murder charges. At that time, the husbands were very much against the ladies placing themselves in danger and sticking their noses in where they should not tread.
This time, the husbands are the ones to get the investigating started! From this we learn more about relationship dynamics and different ways brains process information and make plans.
This second book in the series has several plot lines converging. One of the members is diagnosed with cancer and as she must learn to deal with her reality, her friends must figure out how to help without suffocating her or being taken aback by her mood swings and redirected anger.
Husband Tripp is also once again taking on quite a large project to fill his retirement time. The idea is to make a cruise more affordable by lining up a number of participants. He soon finds that you can't please everyone ANY of the time, and most of the people... well, it is another learning experience. And of course there is a murder or two as well as some con games going on.
I am enjoying getting to better understand the characters of this series.
This is not a simple cozy mystery set up. This is not simple anything. Well thought out and well entangled. Even if you figure out who did what, you want to understand why!
This time, the husbands are the ones to get the investigating started! From this we learn more about relationship dynamics and different ways brains process information and make plans.
This second book in the series has several plot lines converging. One of the members is diagnosed with cancer and as she must learn to deal with her reality, her friends must figure out how to help without suffocating her or being taken aback by her mood swings and redirected anger.
Husband Tripp is also once again taking on quite a large project to fill his retirement time. The idea is to make a cruise more affordable by lining up a number of participants. He soon finds that you can't please everyone ANY of the time, and most of the people... well, it is another learning experience. And of course there is a murder or two as well as some con games going on.
I am enjoying getting to better understand the characters of this series.
This is not a simple cozy mystery set up. This is not simple anything. Well thought out and well entangled. Even if you figure out who did what, you want to understand why!
October 18, 2019
I thought the idea of a cozy featuring an older generation would be a lot of fun and I was right. Definitely wasn't the first in the series. I know this because there was a lot of reference to our leading lady's near miss with death in the previous book. I got some chuckles and suspense. There was a lot of bouncing around but it was done in a way that was true to the book. I liked some characters more than others but I think (hope) that I would enjoy the entire group if I was up to speed with the series and this wasn't my first exposure. I could relate to the marital relations portrayed in the book and I think most people who have been married for some time would be. I loved the closeness of the friendships and how they used one another as their support as the characters faced life challenges while dealing with solving the murder. I definitely found myself crushing on a certain police detective. Fingers crossed for that relationship. All in all, I enjoyed this book. It didn't quite have me on the edge of my seat but I didn't guess whodunnit and why either.
Thank you to Barbara Barrett, Backlit PR, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
Thank you to Barbara Barrett, Backlit PR, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
June 28, 2018
Review: BAMBOOZLED by Barbara Barrett
(Mah Jongg Mystery #2)
This cozy mystery series finds its setting in Central Florida, among a group of friends in retirement. In the first novel, the women become amateur sleuths, dangerously but successfully. This time, emotions run high as one of the group develops a health issue, another is arrested for murder, and a third is contacted by her ex-husband after years of silence. Of course the friends leap into investigate, this time including one of the spouses. The author offers sufficient suspects to keep readers guessing, and heartwarming emotional involvement with the characters.
(Mah Jongg Mystery #2)
This cozy mystery series finds its setting in Central Florida, among a group of friends in retirement. In the first novel, the women become amateur sleuths, dangerously but successfully. This time, emotions run high as one of the group develops a health issue, another is arrested for murder, and a third is contacted by her ex-husband after years of silence. Of course the friends leap into investigate, this time including one of the spouses. The author offers sufficient suspects to keep readers guessing, and heartwarming emotional involvement with the characters.
March 27, 2019
This is the second book in the Mah Jongg Mystery series. This is the first in this series that I have read. I saw this in the read me now section of Netgalley after publication. I was intrigued by the cover, the description, and the catch of mah jongg. This can be read as a standalone book.
I liked that it did not focus on any one person but on the group of friends, plus their significant others/spouses. I love the developing romance between the Sheriff and Kat.
I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank-you Backlit PR & Netgalley. I am not required to leave a favorable review.
I liked that it did not focus on any one person but on the group of friends, plus their significant others/spouses. I love the developing romance between the Sheriff and Kat.
I am looking forward to the next book.
Thank-you Backlit PR & Netgalley. I am not required to leave a favorable review.
January 2, 2019
Enjoyable cozy, though now I really want to retire if I can live a life like these ladies. Maybe not the sleuthing so much as it's more fun to read, but the cruising, Mah Jongg, and good friends that are there no matter what are calling.
The plot is well written and you'll find trying to solve this along with the characters interesting. Enjoyed this one, as it was a quick read and captivating.
The plot is well written and you'll find trying to solve this along with the characters interesting. Enjoyed this one, as it was a quick read and captivating.
June 10, 2024
Terrific!
What a baffling murder mystery! All fingerprints point to a Maj Jongg friend being arrested. It's a solid case until the foursome of friends start to investigate! This author pulls it all together and I never saw it coming. I so enjoy a really good mystery. Highly Recommended.
What a baffling murder mystery! All fingerprints point to a Maj Jongg friend being arrested. It's a solid case until the foursome of friends start to investigate! This author pulls it all together and I never saw it coming. I so enjoy a really good mystery. Highly Recommended.
December 20, 2018
This is a fairly standard cozy mystery with an OK plot. The story and the characters are good, but the dialogue seems a bit unnatural, especially between partners. You can also get tired of the multitude of times there is a mentioning of sleuthing being bad.
April 23, 2019
A fun read! This book is one in a series of Florida friends who play Mah Jongg together. If you like 'Golden Girls', you'll like this book.
December 23, 2018
This is the second instalment I read in this series and I liked it as the first one.
The cast of characters is likeable, the plot is engaging and entertaining.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, and it's quite fast paced.
An enjoyable read, I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
The cast of characters is likeable, the plot is engaging and entertaining.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, and it's quite fast paced.
An enjoyable read, I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews