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The Butterfly Farm
Newly widowed Harriet MacIver has her first travel writing assignment -- rating an adventure cruise in the Caribbean. Add a group of college students on a semester-at-sea voyage, a ship that misses more ports than it makes, a death by poisonous butterfly, and two missing coeds, and Harriet is off on a hair-raising adventure.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2006
4 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Diane Noble
40 books98 followersDiane Noble is the award-winning novelist of more published books than she can count: historical fiction, contemporary mysteries and suspense, and romance (written under the pen name Amanda MacLean).
Diane writes from a heart of deep faith that's woven into her stories and nonfiction writings. She often posts on Facebook and Twitter about her journey with Parkinson's Disease and the unexpected gift of learning to live moment by moment with humor, grace, and optimism.
With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane continues to spin tales that touch readers' hearts. Book one of her new three-book mystery series, The Professor and Mrs. Littlefield, will be in bookstores September 1, 2014. It's title? THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING FIGUREHEAD.
Diane is a professed Third Order Franciscan in the Anglican (Episcopal) Church, following the footsteps of Jesus with simpicity, love, and joy as lived out by St. Francis of Assisi. Mother to two beautiful daughters and Gramsy to two cutest-ever granddaughters, Diane lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. Oh yes, and Diane loves
Diane writes from a heart of deep faith that's woven into her stories and nonfiction writings. She often posts on Facebook and Twitter about her journey with Parkinson's Disease and the unexpected gift of learning to live moment by moment with humor, grace, and optimism.
With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane continues to spin tales that touch readers' hearts. Book one of her new three-book mystery series, The Professor and Mrs. Littlefield, will be in bookstores September 1, 2014. It's title? THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING FIGUREHEAD.
Diane is a professed Third Order Franciscan in the Anglican (Episcopal) Church, following the footsteps of Jesus with simpicity, love, and joy as lived out by St. Francis of Assisi. Mother to two beautiful daughters and Gramsy to two cutest-ever granddaughters, Diane lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. Oh yes, and Diane loves
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 29, 2009
"The Butterfly Farm" is a Christian mystery novel about discovering the whereabouts of several kidnapped girls. For the reader, it's not so much figuring out who did it or how but in seeing how Harriet MacIver will figure it out. The clues were very obvious, and (this was a group read) all three of us readers had the "who done it" and why figured out long before Harriet did.
I found Harriet's personality and lack of cleverness rather frustrating, but this wasn't due to lack of good writing. The novel was well-written, with excellent world-building, interesting and complex characters, and very good pacing and suspense. We eagerly kept reading because we wanted to know how Harriet solved the mystery.
The "problem" was that Harriet was naive and very trusting of even those she suspected might be bad guys. I wanted to shake some sense into her (though I'm not sure how shaking helps) every time she told important, life-or-death secrets to people she suspected might be bad guys just because she saw some good in them and they offered to help. If she was a young woman, I'd be more willing to accept and even enjoy this character trait, but she's old enough to have adult kids and so I expected her to have a bit more discernment.
My other disappointment was the Christian content. It annoyed me that every time Harriet was about to do something illegal and/or very foolish (due to not thinking out the consequences), she'd pray to God to help her get away with it. This wasn't being presented as something one ought to do or even that it helped her, but I was frustrated that she never realized what she was doing. She also seemed to think she wasn't breaking the law simply because she did it to help other people.
Though the novel was not preachy, there were enough prayers and Christian talk that non-Christians probably wouldn't enjoy it.
There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. This mystery novel would probably appeal most to those who don't mind somewhat-bumbling amateur detectives and don't primarily read mysteries for the challenge of figuring out who-done-it. Overall, the novel was well-written, clean reading.
I found Harriet's personality and lack of cleverness rather frustrating, but this wasn't due to lack of good writing. The novel was well-written, with excellent world-building, interesting and complex characters, and very good pacing and suspense. We eagerly kept reading because we wanted to know how Harriet solved the mystery.
The "problem" was that Harriet was naive and very trusting of even those she suspected might be bad guys. I wanted to shake some sense into her (though I'm not sure how shaking helps) every time she told important, life-or-death secrets to people she suspected might be bad guys just because she saw some good in them and they offered to help. If she was a young woman, I'd be more willing to accept and even enjoy this character trait, but she's old enough to have adult kids and so I expected her to have a bit more discernment.
My other disappointment was the Christian content. It annoyed me that every time Harriet was about to do something illegal and/or very foolish (due to not thinking out the consequences), she'd pray to God to help her get away with it. This wasn't being presented as something one ought to do or even that it helped her, but I was frustrated that she never realized what she was doing. She also seemed to think she wasn't breaking the law simply because she did it to help other people.
Though the novel was not preachy, there were enough prayers and Christian talk that non-Christians probably wouldn't enjoy it.
There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. This mystery novel would probably appeal most to those who don't mind somewhat-bumbling amateur detectives and don't primarily read mysteries for the challenge of figuring out who-done-it. Overall, the novel was well-written, clean reading.
November 28, 2014
Harriet MacIver goes on a low-budget cruise through Costa Rica because she's trying to start a travel writing career and this is her first assignment. The editor is her best friend and asks her to keep an eye on her daughter who is also on the cruise. The cruise itself is in partnership with a Florida college and provides college credits upon completion of the lectures. Almost immediately the daughter goes missing and someone else winds up dead. Harriet feels guilty for not keeping a watch on Carly and investigates getting herself (and others) into deadly danger.
A really really slow start but the pace eventually picks up. Lots of red herrings and false trails but a surprisingly interesting mystery. I picked it up because I love the cover.
A really really slow start but the pace eventually picks up. Lots of red herrings and false trails but a surprisingly interesting mystery. I picked it up because I love the cover.
January 22, 2022
I am woman....hear me roar.....
Newly widowed, mother of three adults, travel writer, impulsive Harriet MacIver is set about on a cruise.
The plot begins with abduction of Carly, her friend's daughter, death of a private investigator. Harriet is given choices, who to trust and befriend in this odyssey
Later the story unveils this happenings to an unethical research study embarked by a renowned doctor.
A mini thriller book, how the protagonist manages to rescue the girl (s), outlive her fears and saving the day
Newly widowed, mother of three adults, travel writer, impulsive Harriet MacIver is set about on a cruise.
The plot begins with abduction of Carly, her friend's daughter, death of a private investigator. Harriet is given choices, who to trust and befriend in this odyssey
Later the story unveils this happenings to an unethical research study embarked by a renowned doctor.
A mini thriller book, how the protagonist manages to rescue the girl (s), outlive her fears and saving the day
April 16, 2018
Another book club book which I actually picked because a set was donated to my Friends of the library. Sort if a cute mystery with the main character an older woman, which was fun. Also, the book took place in Costa Rica in a place I had visited, and that was also fun. Not great writing, but a fast read.
November 25, 2024
Very good book but the ending didn't do it for me. Some humor. Characters were fun and interesting. However, there was too much left unresolved. Too many questions that the reader had a right to know. I like it when a reader is left to create mystery, but there was too much left unsaid. This didn't set well for me. Recommend.
May 16, 2017
B-. fiction, mystery, Caribbean, cruise, widow, college students, series, (Harriet MacIver #1)
July 11, 2019
A fluff mystery novel.
November 11, 2022
JZA Nov ‘22
November 29, 2007
started out a bit odd for me, and wasn't holding my interest. i have this rule, tho, that once i start a book i HAVE to finish it, no matter what. i've followed that rule my whole life except for 1 book, which i keep picking up once about every 5 years to try again. anyway ...
about halfway thru this book, it started to pick up, and i got really interested. ended up glad that i'd read it. MIGHT even now go after the sequel!
about halfway thru this book, it started to pick up, and i got really interested. ended up glad that i'd read it. MIGHT even now go after the sequel!
March 10, 2008
ok finally got through this one and i am ashamed to say i should've finished it a LONG time ago. it was a quick easy read, and for some dang reason i just never made time to get into it. ah well. what i'd call a soft murder/mystery. i did solve it except for the " SURPRISE " ending part. wouldn't mind reading her other book's, but now it's time to move on and try to finish ALL of the other half read's in my house.
May 15, 2012
Newly widowed travel writer Harriet McIver sets sail on a cruise to Costa Rica on a ship that isn't exactly up to shape. As an aside, her boss asks her to keep an eye on his niece who is also traveling as part of a student contingency. One of the stops has a spa famous for it's beautiful butterfly farm. It is here that her bosses niece disappears and it is up to Harriet to find her.
I would consider this to be a cozy mystery. Although it starts out rather slow, it does get better.
I would consider this to be a cozy mystery. Although it starts out rather slow, it does get better.
April 13, 2016
A first mystery by Diane Noble, The Butterfly Farm twists and turns after a slow start. Harriet MacIver is on her first travel writing assignment on-board ship in the Caribbean when her friend's daughter disappears and she goes in search.
November 9, 2009
I couldnt put this down! I love her books...just the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue...would love to read one of hers that has romance in it!
May 16, 2014
new widow finds herself useful finding missing daughter of a friend.
took a while to get interesting
took a while to get interesting
September 12, 2014
Fascinating mystery about missing girls from a Costa Rican cruise. Spiritually light, but good mystery.
Want to read
April 1, 200803/31/08 rec via bookmooch
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews