Poplar Falls: The Death of Charlie Baker

by Pierre C. Arseneault

The small city of Poplar Falls is abuzz with gossip after a body is found in a bachelor apartment. The body is tied to a four post bed with a pillow still on its face, an obvious victim of a bizarre murder. While Detectives Franklin Dodge and Roxanne Tilley investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the death of the promiscuous new guy in town named Charlie Baker, a client of the Magnolia Wellness and Rehabilitation Centre; new evidence also arises in an unsolved case. A case whose perpetrator the locals refer to as the Panty Bandit, the pilferer of women’s undergarments. With a long list of suspects for a murder and new developments in what they were considering a cold case, the biggest challenge they face is the race against the constant gossip being spread through town by the group who refer to themselves as the Naughty Knitters. With the help of these ladies, stories spread like wildfire as people debate which of Charlie Baker’s

212 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2019

Reviews

[C J · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF — Read until Chapter 18 and a group of older ladies knitting penis cozies at a sex rehab center spelled the end for me. Not quite what I expected. If you like murder mysteries that have a strong, at times quirky darker sexual theme, filled with equally quirky and unusual characters this might be just for you, just not for me
The ⭐️ rating only reflects a DNF ...

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poplar Falls is quite the place, and The Death of Charlie Baker is quite the introduction to it.  I'm sure there are many more stories to be located in Poplar Falls. You may even find yourself looking at your neighbours a little differently after reading this quirky, light-hearted crime fiction novel.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, kind of a light hearted murder mystery without really being a cozy, if there is such a thing. Large cast and variety of characters, quite quirky on the whole. At times the writing seemed like that of an adolescent boy trying to shock someone, but a good story overall. Thanks for LibraryThing for providing me the opportunity to read and review.

[Eden Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

POPLAR FALLS The Death of Charlie Baker by Pierre C. Arseneault is an entertaining whodunit that takes readers on a sometimes graphic, often naughty adventure featuring a wide cast of colourful characters. Full of surprises, this is a lighthearted story, well told! Eden Monroe, author of Dare To Inherit and Gold Digger Among Us.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book with some fun twists! I loved the characters a lot of them felt real. A favorite would be Emma the nosey gossip, she was a really well thought out side character and she made me laugh so hard while reading. It's exactly as it says in the dedication a book for people who don't like scary books. Definitely a worthwhile read.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful romp with seniors this adventure turned out to be. Although it is a murder mystery, it is a light hearted nonsense of human nature. The characters are brilliantly defined, with all their own individual oddities. Such a fun read from beginning to end, if a wee bit graphic. I enjoyed the whole story.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a light and easy read, but the characters, location and story line are all cleverly elaborated and well defined... and even sometimes relatable (everyone knows a Walter right?). This book was fun and engaging from beginning to end.

[Allan Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly entertaining story. Charlie Barker is a unique character, his untimely death and the shenanigans in Poplar Falls will keep you intrigued to the very end. There are some laugh-out-loud moments making the story even more enjoyable. Well done, Mr. Arseneault.

[Amari Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting.

It was interesting, and the characters were ... yeah, that's the only way I can describe them. You really have to read the book; a review doesn't do it justice. It hits everything you could want in a mystery and then some.

[david olynyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark little tale with some interesting twists. Looking forward to his next story from this messed up town.

[Judy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book !! Highly recommend !

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a murder mystery with a few interesting twists. There is a variety of characters that make the story very entertaining.

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Poplar Falls by Pierre C. Arseneault.

This is an Early Reviewers book that leads to an investigation from Detective’s Franklin Dodge and Roxanne Tilley for the uncanny murder of Charlie Baker of Poplar Falls. They also had an open case of the “Panty Bandit” which they were ready to call this one a cold case. The author also weaves into the story a group of older women called the “Naughty Knitters”, who do nothing but gossip and they will surprise the reader near the end with a naughty secret that they keep to themselves.

The story was somewhat ridiculous in areas involving Charlie Baker and the “Naughty Knitters”. He was new to the small town, a bachelor with many women visitors who were curious to the rumor that Charlie’s manhood was very large. So, why was Charlie Baker murdered? As I read about all these women I think they were there to see the size but mostly for the intimacy afterwards that they so greatly needed.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I have to say I really enjoyed Pierre C. Arsenault's voice. It's an easy read and he'll definitely keep you guessing until the very end. There were times I laughed out loud (especially if you have a dry and slightly warped sense of humour with just a touch of naughtiness). That's not to say Poplar Falls was another run-of-the-mill small town with murders on every corner. Oh no, it's about so much more than that. I don't want to say too much and give away the plot, but suffice it to say you'll soon find out what makes the individuals in Poplar Falls tick. Or at least you'll think you do. Some of the subject matter is a little on the dark side, but it'll all make sense when you get to the end. If you're looking for something fresh, with a hint of naughty, this is the book for you.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, there were quite a few typos that the publisher totally missed and messed with the story's flow. Plus, the story was overrun with way too many quirky characters. It just left me totally exhausted trying to keep up with all of them! And the ending? It was a real letdown. I was unsatisfied and disappointed with how some of the main characters ended up.