What do you think?
Rate this book
Jane Darrowfield #1
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody
Jane Darrowfield is a year into her retirement, and she’s already traveled and planted a garden. She’s organized her photos, her recipes, and her spices. The statistics suggest she has at least a few more decades ahead of her, so she better find something to do . . .
After Jane helps a friend with a sticky personal problem, word starts to spread around her bridge club—and then around all of West Cambridge, Massachusetts—that she’s the go-to person for situations that need discreet fixing. Soon she has her first paid assignment—the director of a 55-and-over condo community needs her to de-escalate hostilities among the residents. As Jane discovers after moving in for her undercover assignment, the mature set can be as immature as any high schoolers, and war is breaking out between cliques.
It seems she might make some progress—until one of the aging “popular kids” is bludgeoned to death with a golf club. And though the automatic sprinklers have washed away much of the evidence, Jane’s on course to find out whodunit . . .
Listening Length: 6 hours and 29 minutes
After Jane helps a friend with a sticky personal problem, word starts to spread around her bridge club—and then around all of West Cambridge, Massachusetts—that she’s the go-to person for situations that need discreet fixing. Soon she has her first paid assignment—the director of a 55-and-over condo community needs her to de-escalate hostilities among the residents. As Jane discovers after moving in for her undercover assignment, the mature set can be as immature as any high schoolers, and war is breaking out between cliques.
It seems she might make some progress—until one of the aging “popular kids” is bludgeoned to death with a golf club. And though the automatic sprinklers have washed away much of the evidence, Jane’s on course to find out whodunit . . .
Listening Length: 6 hours and 29 minutes
266 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
218 people are currently reading
3187 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ross
39 books1,140 followersBarbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novellas and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at Maine Clambake Mysteries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
June 20, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 30 June 2020
This was a fun fast cozy mystery read. I absolutely loved the main character Jane Darrowfield. She’s a plucky character that is full of sass. The story follows your textbook formula for cozy mysteries, but there are a few twist and turns in it that make the story extremely enjoyable. This is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait to read more. Barbara Ross is a gem of a writer.
This was a fun fast cozy mystery read. I absolutely loved the main character Jane Darrowfield. She’s a plucky character that is full of sass. The story follows your textbook formula for cozy mysteries, but there are a few twist and turns in it that make the story extremely enjoyable. This is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait to read more. Barbara Ross is a gem of a writer.
August 20, 2021
I picked this up on a whim from Barnes and Noble today since I've been craving a cozy mystery. Then I promptly borrowed the audiobook from the library. 😂😂😂 A light, breezy, quick mystery. Looking forward to following Jane's next case.
April 2, 2022
Beginning a new mystery series is always a joy. I've read all the books in Barbara Ross's Maine Clambake series, and while I'm waiting for the next release in 2022, I started her Jane Darrowfield series. Professional Busybody is the debut, and it focuses on a woman who's nearly two years into retirement and finding herself utterly bored. Too young to move into a seniors home, too old to start a new career (in her opinion). Her husband was a louse and left her penniless and a single mother. She'd successfully turned her life around in the last two decades, earned a lot of money, and now, she's helping friends get their own lives in order.
Two events kick off the story. One of Jane's friends asks Jane to interview potential online dates. Jane agrees and spends a few hours getting to know different men, hoping to choose which one her friend should go on a date with. By the end, there's only 1 option and he's smitten with Jane. Another friend suggests Jane's name to a local 55+ community, and when the director contacts Jane -- not to move in but to help solve a problem among residents -- Jane finds a way to keep herself busy again. Unfortunately, the cast of characters she must deal with are like a bunch of rowdy high schoolers. When one of them dies, Jane turns to sleuthing as a way to solve the original problem and the murder.
I really enjoyed this book. Jane is a wonderful character, and I like the addition of the potential boyfriend as well as all of her girlfriends who play cards (a fave hobby of mine). The setting (Massachusetts) is lovely, and the plot for this mystery was fairly unique. As a debut, it needs time to settle in, but I see good things for the series. I was a bit disappointed with parts of the mystery's ending, but it did come together and offered a strong conclusion. I felt the culprit's reasoning was a bit off, tho, to be honest. That said, I've already downloaded the 2nd book (bought the first one and got the second thru NetGalley), so it's in my queue for next week. I want to be fully current for the future releases as I work my way thru my TBR pile.
Two events kick off the story. One of Jane's friends asks Jane to interview potential online dates. Jane agrees and spends a few hours getting to know different men, hoping to choose which one her friend should go on a date with. By the end, there's only 1 option and he's smitten with Jane. Another friend suggests Jane's name to a local 55+ community, and when the director contacts Jane -- not to move in but to help solve a problem among residents -- Jane finds a way to keep herself busy again. Unfortunately, the cast of characters she must deal with are like a bunch of rowdy high schoolers. When one of them dies, Jane turns to sleuthing as a way to solve the original problem and the murder.
I really enjoyed this book. Jane is a wonderful character, and I like the addition of the potential boyfriend as well as all of her girlfriends who play cards (a fave hobby of mine). The setting (Massachusetts) is lovely, and the plot for this mystery was fairly unique. As a debut, it needs time to settle in, but I see good things for the series. I was a bit disappointed with parts of the mystery's ending, but it did come together and offered a strong conclusion. I felt the culprit's reasoning was a bit off, tho, to be honest. That said, I've already downloaded the 2nd book (bought the first one and got the second thru NetGalley), so it's in my queue for next week. I want to be fully current for the future releases as I work my way thru my TBR pile.
August 7, 2023
Four things I really liked about this cozy mystery:
🌟 Jane Darrowfield is busy AND truly helpful
🌟 The humorous high school high jinks at Walden Spring
🌟 The good guys in law enforcement
🌟 A promising relationship to grow and nurture in future installments
So, ✔ this one out. There were enough red herrings to feed a famished family. Thank you to my buddy Angela for bringing this series to my attention.
🌟 Jane Darrowfield is busy AND truly helpful
🌟 The humorous high school high jinks at Walden Spring
🌟 The good guys in law enforcement
🌟 A promising relationship to grow and nurture in future installments
So, ✔ this one out. There were enough red herrings to feed a famished family. Thank you to my buddy Angela for bringing this series to my attention.
June 14, 2023
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross
Synopsis /
Jane Darrowfield is a year into her retirement, and she’s already travelled and planted a garden. She’s organized her photos, her recipes, and her spices. The statistics suggest she has at least a few more decades ahead of her, so she better find something to do.
After Jane helps a friend with a sticky personal problem, word starts to spread around her bridge club—and then around all of West Cambridge, Massachusetts—that she’s the go-to girl for situations that need discreet fixing. Soon she has her first paid assignment—the director of a 55-and-over condo community needs her to de-escalate hostilities among the residents. As Jane discovers after moving in for her undercover assignment, the mature set can be as immature as any high schoolers, and war is breaking out between cliques.
It seems she might make some progress—until one of the aging “popular kids” is bludgeoned to death with a golf club. And though the automatic sprinklers have washed away much of the evidence, Jane’s on course to find out whodunit.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
For the month of June, read a book that begins with 'J'.
After just finishing a particularly heavy read, what an absolute pleasure it was to pick this book up and start reading. Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody delivered just what I was looking for: a quick, light, and thoroughly engrossing cosy murder mystery; it delivered smiles and entertainment.
The book opens with a (recently) retired Jane Darrowfield sitting in an office, looking over at the young man seated on the opposite side of the desk.
He had short brown hair and wore tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses. He was conservatively dressed in a light-blue seersucker suit, something one hardly saw these days. Conservative, except for his socks, which were yellow with bright blue fish cavorting across them. The socks, Jane thought, made the man.
The 'man' in question is Paul Peavey. Paul was the Director of Walden Spring, a lifecare community for active adults aged fifty-five and plus. He had been given Jane's number by Irma Brittleson. Irma was a very good friend of Janes (although maybe not now, thinks Jane). Peavey explained that Irma had described Jane as being someone who is very good at fixing what might be considered a potentially awkward social situation, and that that is what they were experiencing currently at Walden Springs. He went on to say that there were some 'issues' with social dynamics between residents in the Walden Springs community. Peavey was disinclined to involve the Police as he didn't want the already escalating tensions to upset the present status quo at Walden Springs any further and given her reputation for being a bit of a fixer, he was offering her paid employment to come in and 'fix' the problems at the Centre.
In Jane’s opinion, many people sadly lacked the skill to have difficult conversations with acquaintances and neighbours. Given a noisy house party or a car parked blocking a driveway, people stewed in silence—or worse, called the police—when a simple knock on the door and a polite request would have done the job. It was into this breach that Jane had leapt again and again. Now she was being offered the chance to be paid for her efforts. Why wouldn’t she take it?
Under the guise of someone looking to move into Walden Spring, Jane moves in (temporarily) and begins to sort out who's who. Reminding her of her time in high school, Jane worked out fairly quickly the cliques included, the 'artists and dancers', the 'golf jocks', the 'popular girls', the 'bad boys' - who were all dressed in leather jackets and greased-back hair; the 'couples' and, the 'loners' - who were easily spotted sitting by themselves with only their thoughts for company.
But out of all the residents, two candidates seemed to stand out as ringleaders of their motley crews. Bill Finnerty and Mike Witkowski.
Bill hates Mike. And vice versa. So Bill rules the golf course and Mike runs the game room. Nobody can use either area unless they're in the right crowd. That's why I took up dancercise, one of the men at the table said. I haven't been able to get a tee time all summer.
So when Bill Finnerty is found dead on the golf course one morning, bludgeoned to death in a rather nasty attack, Jane finds herself involved in solving a deadlier problem than just a silly high school dynamic.
As the main character, Jane has been written well. You get to know her now and, you are introduced to portions of her backstory of her life as a wife and mother. The plot is neat and easily followed with humour sprinkled throughout. I would have liked the secondary cast to have been filled out more. We are introduced to Jane's circle of friends who all seem to be quite the characters on the face of it, but that was as far as it went. I think a lot more could have been done here to develop them further - although, that may happen in later stories (I hope).
If you enjoy Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, you might like to give this a go. It's certainly not as well refined but has the potential to be a really good series. I'll definitely continue.
Synopsis /
Jane Darrowfield is a year into her retirement, and she’s already travelled and planted a garden. She’s organized her photos, her recipes, and her spices. The statistics suggest she has at least a few more decades ahead of her, so she better find something to do.
After Jane helps a friend with a sticky personal problem, word starts to spread around her bridge club—and then around all of West Cambridge, Massachusetts—that she’s the go-to girl for situations that need discreet fixing. Soon she has her first paid assignment—the director of a 55-and-over condo community needs her to de-escalate hostilities among the residents. As Jane discovers after moving in for her undercover assignment, the mature set can be as immature as any high schoolers, and war is breaking out between cliques.
It seems she might make some progress—until one of the aging “popular kids” is bludgeoned to death with a golf club. And though the automatic sprinklers have washed away much of the evidence, Jane’s on course to find out whodunit.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
For the month of June, read a book that begins with 'J'.
After just finishing a particularly heavy read, what an absolute pleasure it was to pick this book up and start reading. Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody delivered just what I was looking for: a quick, light, and thoroughly engrossing cosy murder mystery; it delivered smiles and entertainment.
The book opens with a (recently) retired Jane Darrowfield sitting in an office, looking over at the young man seated on the opposite side of the desk.
He had short brown hair and wore tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses. He was conservatively dressed in a light-blue seersucker suit, something one hardly saw these days. Conservative, except for his socks, which were yellow with bright blue fish cavorting across them. The socks, Jane thought, made the man.
The 'man' in question is Paul Peavey. Paul was the Director of Walden Spring, a lifecare community for active adults aged fifty-five and plus. He had been given Jane's number by Irma Brittleson. Irma was a very good friend of Janes (although maybe not now, thinks Jane). Peavey explained that Irma had described Jane as being someone who is very good at fixing what might be considered a potentially awkward social situation, and that that is what they were experiencing currently at Walden Springs. He went on to say that there were some 'issues' with social dynamics between residents in the Walden Springs community. Peavey was disinclined to involve the Police as he didn't want the already escalating tensions to upset the present status quo at Walden Springs any further and given her reputation for being a bit of a fixer, he was offering her paid employment to come in and 'fix' the problems at the Centre.
In Jane’s opinion, many people sadly lacked the skill to have difficult conversations with acquaintances and neighbours. Given a noisy house party or a car parked blocking a driveway, people stewed in silence—or worse, called the police—when a simple knock on the door and a polite request would have done the job. It was into this breach that Jane had leapt again and again. Now she was being offered the chance to be paid for her efforts. Why wouldn’t she take it?
Under the guise of someone looking to move into Walden Spring, Jane moves in (temporarily) and begins to sort out who's who. Reminding her of her time in high school, Jane worked out fairly quickly the cliques included, the 'artists and dancers', the 'golf jocks', the 'popular girls', the 'bad boys' - who were all dressed in leather jackets and greased-back hair; the 'couples' and, the 'loners' - who were easily spotted sitting by themselves with only their thoughts for company.
But out of all the residents, two candidates seemed to stand out as ringleaders of their motley crews. Bill Finnerty and Mike Witkowski.
Bill hates Mike. And vice versa. So Bill rules the golf course and Mike runs the game room. Nobody can use either area unless they're in the right crowd. That's why I took up dancercise, one of the men at the table said. I haven't been able to get a tee time all summer.
So when Bill Finnerty is found dead on the golf course one morning, bludgeoned to death in a rather nasty attack, Jane finds herself involved in solving a deadlier problem than just a silly high school dynamic.
As the main character, Jane has been written well. You get to know her now and, you are introduced to portions of her backstory of her life as a wife and mother. The plot is neat and easily followed with humour sprinkled throughout. I would have liked the secondary cast to have been filled out more. We are introduced to Jane's circle of friends who all seem to be quite the characters on the face of it, but that was as far as it went. I think a lot more could have been done here to develop them further - although, that may happen in later stories (I hope).
If you enjoy Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, you might like to give this a go. It's certainly not as well refined but has the potential to be a really good series. I'll definitely continue.
January 10, 2022
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody and Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door by Barbara Ross are the first and second books in the cozy Jane Darrowfield mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in the Jane Darrowfield series will contain it’s own mystery to be solved within the book so they can all be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There will be of course character development that carries over from book to book for those who follow the series from the beginning.
Like most Jane Darrowfield had been looking forward to her retirement and those golden years after working. However, in her first year after retirement Jane has already traveled, organized and planted a garden so now she wonders what next. After helping a friend with a personal problem Jane comes up with the idea to become a personal busybody, someone to go to when you need a hand with things that police or lawyers and such can’t help you out.
Word gets around about Jane’s new busybody persona and she is asked to come to a retirement community and help with some hostilities among the residents. However soon after arriving one of the residents is bludgeoned to death with a golf club and Jane finds herself looking for a murderer. After things are wrapped up at the golf club Jane takes on a new case with her neighbor, a young lawyer who feels as if she might be going crazy. As Jane is looking into all the events in the young woman’s life things take a drastic turn when she goes missing.
The Jane Darrowfield mystery series gained my interest by having an older protagonist in this one and I was happy to find I actually enjoyed getting to know Jane and her new “profession”. This series is another that I’d classify as quirky just due to the whole idea of a professional busybody and it definitely came with some laughs along the way so I really enjoyed the first two books of this series and will look forward to coming back to it in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Like most Jane Darrowfield had been looking forward to her retirement and those golden years after working. However, in her first year after retirement Jane has already traveled, organized and planted a garden so now she wonders what next. After helping a friend with a personal problem Jane comes up with the idea to become a personal busybody, someone to go to when you need a hand with things that police or lawyers and such can’t help you out.
Word gets around about Jane’s new busybody persona and she is asked to come to a retirement community and help with some hostilities among the residents. However soon after arriving one of the residents is bludgeoned to death with a golf club and Jane finds herself looking for a murderer. After things are wrapped up at the golf club Jane takes on a new case with her neighbor, a young lawyer who feels as if she might be going crazy. As Jane is looking into all the events in the young woman’s life things take a drastic turn when she goes missing.
The Jane Darrowfield mystery series gained my interest by having an older protagonist in this one and I was happy to find I actually enjoyed getting to know Jane and her new “profession”. This series is another that I’d classify as quirky just due to the whole idea of a professional busybody and it definitely came with some laughs along the way so I really enjoyed the first two books of this series and will look forward to coming back to it in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 11, 2022
I started this series by reading book two as an ARC from Netgalley. I liked it so much I bought book 1!
Jane Darrowfield is retired and a little bored. She really needs an occupation and accidentally finds one when she becomes known as someone who can help people fix their problems. Soon she acquires a fee paying job trying to sort out social warfare at a retirement home. This is going well until a murder occurs and Jane is involved in the investigation and events become really serious.
I enjoy the character of Jane. She is calm and sensible and interested in people, all characteristics which make her perfect for her job. Her new friend, Harry, who she meets from a dating agency, is a very useful sidekick in this story and holds lots of promise for future books.
This is a great opening book for a new series and I look forward to many more.
Jane Darrowfield is retired and a little bored. She really needs an occupation and accidentally finds one when she becomes known as someone who can help people fix their problems. Soon she acquires a fee paying job trying to sort out social warfare at a retirement home. This is going well until a murder occurs and Jane is involved in the investigation and events become really serious.
I enjoy the character of Jane. She is calm and sensible and interested in people, all characteristics which make her perfect for her job. Her new friend, Harry, who she meets from a dating agency, is a very useful sidekick in this story and holds lots of promise for future books.
This is a great opening book for a new series and I look forward to many more.
December 3, 2025
Three and a half stars.
After Jane helps a friend with a personal problem, several other people come to her with problems that need to be discreetly fixed. And then she revived the most surprising situation when she is offered a paid position at a 55s and over living community. The director of the facility is having problems with some of the residents living there. He wants Jane to pretend to be interested in buying a place there. So, she comes to reside for a time at Walden Spring. Jane is quick to recognise the issue and offer a suggestion how to rectify the matter. But then one of the main troublemakers is found on the golf green, bludgeoned to death with a golf club. The automatic sprinklers have washed away a lot of evidence but that won’t stop Jane. She is determined to find the murderer. uncovers lies, secrets in several relationships and even ends up with a huge surprise in own life. But could her own life be endangered before she can follow through on her own romance relationship?
It took me a little while to warm to this book. Once the murder occurred, it became far more interesting. I liked the way different sorts of relationships were revealed throughout the book and developed.
Jane was an interesting character. Some other interesting characters as well with Detective Alvarez, and Harry, who is not quite what she expected. And of course, the residents of Walden Spring. Not all are quite as initially thought.
This is book 1. I am interested now to read more in this series as it looks like it will be entertaining series.
After Jane helps a friend with a personal problem, several other people come to her with problems that need to be discreetly fixed. And then she revived the most surprising situation when she is offered a paid position at a 55s and over living community. The director of the facility is having problems with some of the residents living there. He wants Jane to pretend to be interested in buying a place there. So, she comes to reside for a time at Walden Spring. Jane is quick to recognise the issue and offer a suggestion how to rectify the matter. But then one of the main troublemakers is found on the golf green, bludgeoned to death with a golf club. The automatic sprinklers have washed away a lot of evidence but that won’t stop Jane. She is determined to find the murderer. uncovers lies, secrets in several relationships and even ends up with a huge surprise in own life. But could her own life be endangered before she can follow through on her own romance relationship?
It took me a little while to warm to this book. Once the murder occurred, it became far more interesting. I liked the way different sorts of relationships were revealed throughout the book and developed.
Jane was an interesting character. Some other interesting characters as well with Detective Alvarez, and Harry, who is not quite what she expected. And of course, the residents of Walden Spring. Not all are quite as initially thought.
This is book 1. I am interested now to read more in this series as it looks like it will be entertaining series.
May 31, 2020
Jane Darrowfield has recently retired. She is at a loss as to what to do with her time after seeming to do everything else in her life that needed doing. We all have those plans for "someday" but that list dwindles quickly. When a friend tells her of a job with "perks" that will allow her to get out of the house and a change of scenery she goes for it. This job is at the local retirement community. Unfortunately, it is also the scene of a murder her first night. With lots of possible suspects she has her hands full trying to figure everything out without being a victim herself.
I won an ecopy of this book through GoodReads First Reads program.
I won an ecopy of this book through GoodReads First Reads program.
June 20, 2020
This was a fun fast cozy mystery read. I absolutely loved the main character Jane Darrowfield. She’s a plucky character that is full of sass. The story follows your textbook formula for cozy mysteries, but there are a few twist and turns in it that make the story extremely enjoyable. This is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait to read more. Barbara Ross is a gem of a writer.
January 28, 2025
The titular Jane, an only slightly bitter divorcée of a certain age in Cambridge, has had luck solving problems for members of her bridge group — small potatoes. So she’s as surprised as anyone when the manager of a senior center seeks her help with feuding at Walden Spring, the condo retirement community — with the promise of payment! Eight hundred dollars a day!
Jane moves into Walden Spring undercover and almost immediately a resident is clubbed to death. Jane’s like a terrier with this murder, and I loved it. And I loved the prickly Jane Darrowfield, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I was lucky enough to listen to it on Audible, read perfectly by Traci Odom.
Jane moves into Walden Spring undercover and almost immediately a resident is clubbed to death. Jane’s like a terrier with this murder, and I loved it. And I loved the prickly Jane Darrowfield, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I was lucky enough to listen to it on Audible, read perfectly by Traci Odom.
January 31, 2025
Jane Darrowfield is enjoying retirement… but perhaps a little bored and looking for something to do. After helping a friend sort out a sticky situation, she earns a reputation for being able to solve problems. She’s excited when she gets hired to do some “investigating” at a retirement community. She moves into a temporary unit, with the story that she is thinking of buying - she’s working undercover!
She discovers these seniors are up to all sorts of shenanigans. There’s cliques, affairs, food fights, and other things that make her question who and what is behind things. Then, a body is found on the golf course, killed with his own golf club.
Jane is on the hunt for the murderer. Can she figure out? Are others in danger? Is she herself in danger?
This was really a cute and fun story. The characters ranged from cringy to charming. And Jane continues with a second book, which I look forward to. The audiobook was narrated well and fun to listen to. 3-1/2 stars rounded to 4.
She discovers these seniors are up to all sorts of shenanigans. There’s cliques, affairs, food fights, and other things that make her question who and what is behind things. Then, a body is found on the golf course, killed with his own golf club.
Jane is on the hunt for the murderer. Can she figure out? Are others in danger? Is she herself in danger?
This was really a cute and fun story. The characters ranged from cringy to charming. And Jane continues with a second book, which I look forward to. The audiobook was narrated well and fun to listen to. 3-1/2 stars rounded to 4.
June 8, 2019
As a fan of the Maine Clambake Mysteries, I was beyond excited to hear author Barbara Ross had a new series in the works, and I couldn’t wait to read it. I’m happy to say, this first in the Jane Darrowfield Mysteries was well worth the wait!
In JANE DARROWFIELD PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY the murder didn’t take place until well into the story, which was a brilliant move by author Ross. I loved having the time to get to know Jane and see her for the strong, intelligent, tenacious character she is.
This was an entertaining, well written, clever mystery. Barbara Ross couldn’t have had better timing. It was on point throughout the entire book. Just when I would get comfortable with thinking I had everything figured out, she would throw in a curveball that had me scrambling for a new theory. Needless to say, the reveal totally surprised me. Well done, Ms. Ross.
If you’re a fan of senior sleuths (heck, even if you’re not), you’re going to love JANE DARROWFIELD PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY.
In JANE DARROWFIELD PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY the murder didn’t take place until well into the story, which was a brilliant move by author Ross. I loved having the time to get to know Jane and see her for the strong, intelligent, tenacious character she is.
This was an entertaining, well written, clever mystery. Barbara Ross couldn’t have had better timing. It was on point throughout the entire book. Just when I would get comfortable with thinking I had everything figured out, she would throw in a curveball that had me scrambling for a new theory. Needless to say, the reveal totally surprised me. Well done, Ms. Ross.
If you’re a fan of senior sleuths (heck, even if you’re not), you’re going to love JANE DARROWFIELD PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY.
November 29, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
They say retirement is wonderful, but Jane Darrowfield has traveled, gardened, and organized everything she can. Now she needs something other than bridge club to fill her time, especially if she has decades or more of a life she wants to enjoy. She has helped a few friends make their way through tough situations; in fact, she just agreed to help her friend Phyllis reenter the dating scene.
Now Jane has been approached by the executive director of Walden Spring, a community for 55-and-over active adults. He wants her help handling some issues and insight into the social dynamics within the community. It would be her first paid assignment, but she is unsure if she wants to get involved, so she came up with an exorbitant fee, but the man didn’t bat an eye and quickly accepted. Her undercover assignment begins, and she soon moves in and immediately feels like she is back in high school, dealing with the popular people, the outcasts, and the nerds.
Just when Jane thinks she is getting to the bottom of some of the issues, one of the residents is found murdered on the golf course, and the automatic sprinklers sure didn’t preserve the crime scene. Now Jane has a new issue to solve at Walden Spring; hopefully, she can catch the killer before the killer catches her.
As a fan of Barbara Ross’s Maine Clambake Series, I knew the characters in this series would be great, and I wasn’t disappointed. Jane Darrowfield is a fun protagonist, and her friends Helen, Phyllis, and Irma are a hoot! I appreciated that the author took the time to introduce them enough so that I could get attached, while leaving room for them to grow. I don’t know how to play bridge, but I would learn if I could be a member of their club.
Now, the characters living at Walden Spring are an eclectic group; the bad boys in their leather jackets, black jeans, and slicked back hair, the golfers in their plaid pants, the Lily Pulitzer group in their signature bright pinks and greens, the dancers in their spandex, the artists wearing the smocks, and more, all converge in the cafeteria for their meals. The cliques gather at their separate tables as Jane tries to figure out where to start her assignment. When one of their own ends up dead, they all make worthy suspects because everyone has secrets, including some of the staff.
With a plethora of suspects, the new Professional Busybody has her work cut out for her. Detective Fitz was very gruff and by-the-book, but Detective Alvarez was more friendly and open to listening to Jane’s ideas and sharing what he could. Jane was a capable amateur sleuth, making keen observations, treading lightly, but asking intelligent questions, and diligently following the clues where they led. She is very friendly, and most people willingly opened up to her about a variety of things. Some of the secrets revealed were very surprising, as was a character who got very involved in helping Jane. There were twists, turns, and many red herrings as Jane and her helper tried to eliminate people to home in on the killer, all leading up to a scary reveal.
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody, is a well-plotted, well-written cozy mystery with a delightful senior sleuth, a refreshing theme, plenty of humor, a bit of romance, all set in an interesting community. I solved this one right along with Jane. I love stories that keep me guessing. Book 2, Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door, is waiting impatiently on my Kindle Paperwhite. I hope to read it soon.
*This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
They say retirement is wonderful, but Jane Darrowfield has traveled, gardened, and organized everything she can. Now she needs something other than bridge club to fill her time, especially if she has decades or more of a life she wants to enjoy. She has helped a few friends make their way through tough situations; in fact, she just agreed to help her friend Phyllis reenter the dating scene.
Now Jane has been approached by the executive director of Walden Spring, a community for 55-and-over active adults. He wants her help handling some issues and insight into the social dynamics within the community. It would be her first paid assignment, but she is unsure if she wants to get involved, so she came up with an exorbitant fee, but the man didn’t bat an eye and quickly accepted. Her undercover assignment begins, and she soon moves in and immediately feels like she is back in high school, dealing with the popular people, the outcasts, and the nerds.
Just when Jane thinks she is getting to the bottom of some of the issues, one of the residents is found murdered on the golf course, and the automatic sprinklers sure didn’t preserve the crime scene. Now Jane has a new issue to solve at Walden Spring; hopefully, she can catch the killer before the killer catches her.
As a fan of Barbara Ross’s Maine Clambake Series, I knew the characters in this series would be great, and I wasn’t disappointed. Jane Darrowfield is a fun protagonist, and her friends Helen, Phyllis, and Irma are a hoot! I appreciated that the author took the time to introduce them enough so that I could get attached, while leaving room for them to grow. I don’t know how to play bridge, but I would learn if I could be a member of their club.
Now, the characters living at Walden Spring are an eclectic group; the bad boys in their leather jackets, black jeans, and slicked back hair, the golfers in their plaid pants, the Lily Pulitzer group in their signature bright pinks and greens, the dancers in their spandex, the artists wearing the smocks, and more, all converge in the cafeteria for their meals. The cliques gather at their separate tables as Jane tries to figure out where to start her assignment. When one of their own ends up dead, they all make worthy suspects because everyone has secrets, including some of the staff.
With a plethora of suspects, the new Professional Busybody has her work cut out for her. Detective Fitz was very gruff and by-the-book, but Detective Alvarez was more friendly and open to listening to Jane’s ideas and sharing what he could. Jane was a capable amateur sleuth, making keen observations, treading lightly, but asking intelligent questions, and diligently following the clues where they led. She is very friendly, and most people willingly opened up to her about a variety of things. Some of the secrets revealed were very surprising, as was a character who got very involved in helping Jane. There were twists, turns, and many red herrings as Jane and her helper tried to eliminate people to home in on the killer, all leading up to a scary reveal.
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody, is a well-plotted, well-written cozy mystery with a delightful senior sleuth, a refreshing theme, plenty of humor, a bit of romance, all set in an interesting community. I solved this one right along with Jane. I love stories that keep me guessing. Book 2, Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door, is waiting impatiently on my Kindle Paperwhite. I hope to read it soon.
*This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
June 26, 2019
A year ago, Jane Darrowfield took an early retirement, and she’s already beginning to look for things to do. She’s started helping her friends with problems, but she is surprised when she is approached by Paul Peavy, and manager of Walden Spring, a nearby 55-and-over community. It seems their community has devolved into high school, and the popular clique and the biker clique are at open war with each other through a series of nasty, escalating pranks. But before Jane’s suggestions can be put into practice, a dead body is found out on the community’s golf course. Have the pranks escalated to murder? Can Jane figure out what happened, or is she in over her head?
I love Barbara Ross’s books, so I was looking forward to starting this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. While the book does need a little time to set up these new characters, it does so without slowing down the mystery. Things only pick up when the murder takes place, and we follow Jane on some twists and turns that lead to the climax. We get glimpses of Jane’s past, but there is plenty more to explore in future installments; likewise, I suspect we’ll get to know the supporting players better as the series progresses. The suspects are a diverse and complex group, growing deeper as the book progresses. There are some funny scenes, especially at the beginning of the book. It does grow more serious as the book progresses, but we do still get some great moments that lighten the story. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know Jane better as the series progresses.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I love Barbara Ross’s books, so I was looking forward to starting this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. While the book does need a little time to set up these new characters, it does so without slowing down the mystery. Things only pick up when the murder takes place, and we follow Jane on some twists and turns that lead to the climax. We get glimpses of Jane’s past, but there is plenty more to explore in future installments; likewise, I suspect we’ll get to know the supporting players better as the series progresses. The suspects are a diverse and complex group, growing deeper as the book progresses. There are some funny scenes, especially at the beginning of the book. It does grow more serious as the book progresses, but we do still get some great moments that lighten the story. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know Jane better as the series progresses.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 20, 2020
This popped up in my feed, and I decided a cozy mystery was just the thing I need to distract myself from the current American hellscape. It worked perfectly--so glad to discover this new series and I will definitely be reading the next one!
Jane Darrowfield is in her 60s and a year into retirement from life as a corporate executive. Finding herself at loose ends, she's started solving problems for people she knows, most of which stem from their fear of conflict. Jane is practical and direct, which as a conflict-fearer myself, I greatly admire. In temperament, she reminded me a lot of another fictional and sleuthy Jane--Jane Lawless from author Ellen Hart. Jane finds herself in a position to actually get paid for sticking her nose in other people's business, by masquerading as a prospective resident at a senior living community which has been experiencing some conflict among rival factions of residents. Of course, before she can resolve anything, someone is murdered and Jane sets out to discover who the culprit was.
I found this light mystery funny and enjoyable, and Jane a compelling character. The next book is out in October, but since I am still feeling the need to wallow in some cozies, I'm going to check out the author's other series in the meantime.
Jane Darrowfield is in her 60s and a year into retirement from life as a corporate executive. Finding herself at loose ends, she's started solving problems for people she knows, most of which stem from their fear of conflict. Jane is practical and direct, which as a conflict-fearer myself, I greatly admire. In temperament, she reminded me a lot of another fictional and sleuthy Jane--Jane Lawless from author Ellen Hart. Jane finds herself in a position to actually get paid for sticking her nose in other people's business, by masquerading as a prospective resident at a senior living community which has been experiencing some conflict among rival factions of residents. Of course, before she can resolve anything, someone is murdered and Jane sets out to discover who the culprit was.
I found this light mystery funny and enjoyable, and Jane a compelling character. The next book is out in October, but since I am still feeling the need to wallow in some cozies, I'm going to check out the author's other series in the meantime.
January 8, 2022
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody, is the first in a new series by Barbara Ross. I have read part of her Main Clambake series, and thoroughly enjoy them. Although it seemed to start slow for me, it quickly picked up and I was immensely pleased with the way it all played out. I absolutely liked the main character, Jane. She is an older, retired sleuth, and it’s a refreshing change from the younger sleuths in so many cozy mysteries. Jane has no qualms about being a busybody, in fact, her friends encourage her. She has helped several of them out of situations they didn’t feel they could handle, in her no-nonsense way. When Jane takes a job as a “consultant,” at a retirement community, she is quickly immersed in the lives of the residents. When one resident is murdered, she begins looking at the community in a completely different light.
I liked the way Ms. Ross introduced the characters, their backgrounds, and the small town they live in. She touched on retirement, making the Jane’s friends a little on the quirky side, in addition, we are introduced to a crazy bunch of characters at the retirement community, which soon become suspects in Jane’s investigation. I appreciate that Jane, is not one to let the grass grow under feet, and doesn’t mind getting involved with the community around her. Yes, she may be a busybody, but she will get the job done.
This is a great start to a new series, and I have added book two, to my TBR list. I’m looking forward to reading more about Jane and what situations she may need to become involved with next. I received this book as a gift and it was great way to begin the new year.
I liked the way Ms. Ross introduced the characters, their backgrounds, and the small town they live in. She touched on retirement, making the Jane’s friends a little on the quirky side, in addition, we are introduced to a crazy bunch of characters at the retirement community, which soon become suspects in Jane’s investigation. I appreciate that Jane, is not one to let the grass grow under feet, and doesn’t mind getting involved with the community around her. Yes, she may be a busybody, but she will get the job done.
This is a great start to a new series, and I have added book two, to my TBR list. I’m looking forward to reading more about Jane and what situations she may need to become involved with next. I received this book as a gift and it was great way to begin the new year.
June 10, 2019
Jane is a new 55+ age sleuth and I really like her! She's a widow, misses her husband a lot but is strong and independent and doesn't feel like she absolutely needs a guy in her life--although it would be nice. Jane was known as a fixer of lives, or as a new gentleman friend (yes she actually helped her friend with online dating and ended up taking the man for herself lol) called her, a professional busybody. Her reputation was locally known, so it came as no surprise to her when a man named Paul who was in charge of a retirement community called on her to hire her for her services (hence, the professional in professional busybody). The residents acted like they were in high school with their lunch room cliques and gangs. Paul hoped that she could fix that by talking to people which was pretty much her superpower.
Jane didn't expect to have a murder occur during her stay at the retirement village, but she was determined to figure that one out, which wasn't easy in a place where nearly every person had secrets, including the employees. There was a good twist in the mystery and eventually when the killer clues started coming, I realized who it was. There were so many different characters that really the only ones I feel like we got to know were Jane, her new friend Harry and Jane's friend Det. Alavarez. I liked them all and hope that the guys will follow her into another book.
This book releases later in June. I received an advance reader paperback copy from the publisher, but my opinions are my own and have no bearing on receiving the free book.
Jane didn't expect to have a murder occur during her stay at the retirement village, but she was determined to figure that one out, which wasn't easy in a place where nearly every person had secrets, including the employees. There was a good twist in the mystery and eventually when the killer clues started coming, I realized who it was. There were so many different characters that really the only ones I feel like we got to know were Jane, her new friend Harry and Jane's friend Det. Alavarez. I liked them all and hope that the guys will follow her into another book.
This book releases later in June. I received an advance reader paperback copy from the publisher, but my opinions are my own and have no bearing on receiving the free book.
August 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this cute cozy mystery! The protagonist, Mrs. Jane Darrowfield, solves problems for her friends and acquaintances. She’s so good at it that the manager of a senior living community reaches out for her help. Jane moves in temporarily to try to calm the situation, which has the residents divided into cliques, However, when a resident is found murdered on the golf course, Jane realizes that she is in a unique position to help the police. The characters in this one are fun and quirky, and I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end. This was a quick and enjoyable read, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 30, 2020
"Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody" follows the story of a women a year into retirement. She finds herself fixing problems/conflicts between others and people soon hear about it. This causes her to land an "assignment" at a senior home that needs to have conflicts solved. Jane analyzes the situation and realizes that everyone there acts like they're in high school-set up in cliques. While trying to understand the situation, a murder takes place, a golf club was all the evidence. Jane soon finds herself trying to figure out this mystery, even though her "assignment" did not include this in the guidelines.
I couldn't put this little mystery down. This was a one day read for me. This was very entertaining and funny. Jane's journey of discovering how the senior community works and really understanding the lives of these people was so interesting. You can tell Jane is very smart, observing everything and understanding problems. I enjoyed all the characters, each one had an importance. All the fake things that the author throws in for every character makes you suspect a person every time a detail is added. In the end, the answer to the mystery was clearly explained and made perfect sense down to every detail (super important for mystery books). What I mostly liked how Jane was able to pinpoint the conflict-the high school cliques. She related the seniors to different high school groups, such as jocks, artists, popular kids, the loners, the couples, etc.
Overall, this book was funny, light, enjoyable, and makes you think. It was a super quick read and I loved this. This is perfect for anyone into short, funny, easy to read mysteries. Nothing gory, so it's also good for a number of younger readers as well.
I couldn't put this little mystery down. This was a one day read for me. This was very entertaining and funny. Jane's journey of discovering how the senior community works and really understanding the lives of these people was so interesting. You can tell Jane is very smart, observing everything and understanding problems. I enjoyed all the characters, each one had an importance. All the fake things that the author throws in for every character makes you suspect a person every time a detail is added. In the end, the answer to the mystery was clearly explained and made perfect sense down to every detail (super important for mystery books). What I mostly liked how Jane was able to pinpoint the conflict-the high school cliques. She related the seniors to different high school groups, such as jocks, artists, popular kids, the loners, the couples, etc.
Overall, this book was funny, light, enjoyable, and makes you think. It was a super quick read and I loved this. This is perfect for anyone into short, funny, easy to read mysteries. Nothing gory, so it's also good for a number of younger readers as well.
July 12, 2020
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross is the debut of A Jane Darrowfield Mystery series. Jane Darrowfield is retired from the telephone company and her only son lives on the west coast. After organizing her house and traveling, Jane is at loose ends. Playing bridge with her three friends does not take up all her time. Jane has discovered that she is good at solving problems and word has spread within the town. Now Jane has a paid assignment. She needs to uncover why the various cliques at an over 55 community are at odds with one another. Things go well until one of the ring leaders turns up dead. Jane Darrowfield is a spirited main character. She is smart, notices details, and likes to be active. I like that she is an older protagonist. Jane has her three friends (Helen, Phyllis, and Irma) with whom she plays bridge regularly. Phyllis enlists Jane’s help in weeding through the men interested in dating her since her own judgement is not to be trusted. Phyllis has created profiles for the two of them on a dating site and arranged coffee dates for Jane with the top matches. I found the dates to be entertaining. I just loved the baristas reactions. I thought Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody contained good writing, it was just the right length, and it had a steady pace. The mystery was interesting with a variety of suspects. Jane questioned people, followed leads, and searched for clues. It was fun solving this clever whodunit. I look forward to the next A Jane Darrowfield Mystery. Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody is charming cozy mystery with a gone golfer, suspicious suspects, surprising secrets, a crafty killer, and a smart senior sleuth.
June 29, 2020
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody is the first book in the Jane Darrowfield Mysteries series.
Jane Darrowfield is recently retired and has earned a reputation for being the go-to person for solving sticky situations. One of her bridge club members has given her name to Paul Peavey, director 55-and-over condo community. He says they are having some issues, social dynamics, he calls them, but it’s more like two factions that are acting like high school boys, rather than adults. Paul suggests that the best way for her to learn what is going on is to move in a unit, saying she is considering becoming a resident. After having a few days observing the interaction of the two cliques Jane has a couple of suggestions that she thinks might alleviate the problem. The next morning one of the clique leaders is found dead on the community’s golf course. He had been beaten with a golf club. Jane would like to just go home, but she has formed a friendship with several residents and would like to find the killer to put all her friend's minds to rest about a killer is among them.
I really enjoyed this new series by Barbara Ross. As with her other books, the story is well-written and very interesting. The cast of characters is interesting and well-developed. One can’t help but chuckle at some of the residents. The book kept me guessing until the end.
Jane Darrowfield is recently retired and has earned a reputation for being the go-to person for solving sticky situations. One of her bridge club members has given her name to Paul Peavey, director 55-and-over condo community. He says they are having some issues, social dynamics, he calls them, but it’s more like two factions that are acting like high school boys, rather than adults. Paul suggests that the best way for her to learn what is going on is to move in a unit, saying she is considering becoming a resident. After having a few days observing the interaction of the two cliques Jane has a couple of suggestions that she thinks might alleviate the problem. The next morning one of the clique leaders is found dead on the community’s golf course. He had been beaten with a golf club. Jane would like to just go home, but she has formed a friendship with several residents and would like to find the killer to put all her friend's minds to rest about a killer is among them.
I really enjoyed this new series by Barbara Ross. As with her other books, the story is well-written and very interesting. The cast of characters is interesting and well-developed. One can’t help but chuckle at some of the residents. The book kept me guessing until the end.
May 12, 2020
I knew I was going to love this from the very first chapter! I enjoyed the characters, the humor and the unique mystery at a 55 and over community that made this book stand out among other cozies. This is the first in the Jane Darrowfield cozy mystery series. I’m looking forward to the books to come!
January 6, 2020
Fun first in series!
August 7, 2020
I love Barbara Ross's books and this is a great start to a new series. Jane Darrowfield is my kind of sleuth. A retired woman, who has great observational skills, trying to keep busy. I love the title of "Professional Busybody". After helping a friend take care of a problem, Jane gets a reputation as a person to call when you need help with a sticky situation. Jane gets a call from the manager of the nearby senior residence to help him deal with a problem. There are a lot of hostilities between residents and he wants Jane to snoop and let him know what is wrong and how to fix it. When one of the agitators ends up dead, she is also involved in the investigation into his death.
I really like Jane and identify with her. She is recently retired, recently widowed and is trying to keep busy. She was not planning to make her busybody status a business, but isn't about to turn down the amount of money offered for the job. She easily integrates into the community and her observation skills are amazing. There were a lot different secondary characters that added to this story, but Detective Alvarez and Harry, Jane's friend are ones that were more developed and I hope will appear in future books. The mystery was interesting and well-developed. There were a few suspects and some red herrings that kept me guessing. I really enjoyed this fun fast cozy mystery and look forward to seeing what is next for Jane Darrowfield. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
I really like Jane and identify with her. She is recently retired, recently widowed and is trying to keep busy. She was not planning to make her busybody status a business, but isn't about to turn down the amount of money offered for the job. She easily integrates into the community and her observation skills are amazing. There were a lot different secondary characters that added to this story, but Detective Alvarez and Harry, Jane's friend are ones that were more developed and I hope will appear in future books. The mystery was interesting and well-developed. There were a few suspects and some red herrings that kept me guessing. I really enjoyed this fun fast cozy mystery and look forward to seeing what is next for Jane Darrowfield. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
July 12, 2020
JANE DARROWFIELD, PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY by Barbara Ross
The First Jane Darrowfield Mystery
After taking early retirement Jane Darrowfield traveled, worked on her garden, and organized her photos; enjoying all the things she didn't have time for previously. Then she started helping friends with little problems. Working in the corporate word prepared her dealing with life's little conflicts and annoyances and Jane discovered she was good at it. Yet she hesitated when asked to solve a problem at a 55 plus community, especially when the director was so vague about what the actual problem was. But when he didn't balk at the fee she requested, Jane decided to look into the matter. What she found was not so much an active community for older residents, but high school revisited, with its cliques and mean-spiritedness in residents closer to 70 than 17! Will Jane be able to sort out the root cause of the problem before things at Walden Spring get even more out of hand?
As a woman of mature years myself (although I couldn't live in Walden Spring just yet) I enjoy seeing seniors treated as real people. There are rivalries, jealousy, insecurities, and romance whether one is 20 or 60. While the majority of the seniors here live in a 55 plus community, they are not exiled or put out to pasture. Rather they're living intense, active lives. The fact that several of these people are acting more like juvenile delinquents in just icing on the cake. I especially like Jane and find her an immensely likeable protagonist. She's smart, capable, and knows when to ask for help.
JANE DARROWFIELD, PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY reminds us that life doesn't end after 50...unless there's murder! The first book in this new series has an ingenious plot, interesting characters, and equal parts fun and danger!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Jane Darrowfield Mystery
After taking early retirement Jane Darrowfield traveled, worked on her garden, and organized her photos; enjoying all the things she didn't have time for previously. Then she started helping friends with little problems. Working in the corporate word prepared her dealing with life's little conflicts and annoyances and Jane discovered she was good at it. Yet she hesitated when asked to solve a problem at a 55 plus community, especially when the director was so vague about what the actual problem was. But when he didn't balk at the fee she requested, Jane decided to look into the matter. What she found was not so much an active community for older residents, but high school revisited, with its cliques and mean-spiritedness in residents closer to 70 than 17! Will Jane be able to sort out the root cause of the problem before things at Walden Spring get even more out of hand?
As a woman of mature years myself (although I couldn't live in Walden Spring just yet) I enjoy seeing seniors treated as real people. There are rivalries, jealousy, insecurities, and romance whether one is 20 or 60. While the majority of the seniors here live in a 55 plus community, they are not exiled or put out to pasture. Rather they're living intense, active lives. The fact that several of these people are acting more like juvenile delinquents in just icing on the cake. I especially like Jane and find her an immensely likeable protagonist. She's smart, capable, and knows when to ask for help.
JANE DARROWFIELD, PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY reminds us that life doesn't end after 50...unless there's murder! The first book in this new series has an ingenious plot, interesting characters, and equal parts fun and danger!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
September 8, 2019
2019 bk 285. What a delight, a new mystery series by author Barbara Ross. Set in the area of Cambridge, Massachusetts, retired Mrs. Darrowfield likes to help people solve their problems. She has been so helpful that a friend recommends her to the manager of a local senior assisstive living to full care community. For Jane, it is like a trip back to high school with the different factions at play. When she tells the manager what he should do and which residents should be removed from power, the problem is solved...until one is murdered in the night. This was a well-crafted mystery. The writing is homey and cozy, perfect for a rainy day. There are enough twists that provide "surprise, now you have to think of another possibility" to keep the reader engaged in thinking more seriously about possible clues.
June 20, 2020
I absolutely loved this exciting first in Barbara Ross’s new series! Jane Darrowfield embodies some of the traits I envy and some that I appreciate in a protagonist. I enjoyed seeing Massachusetts in the summer, delighting in the descriptions of the architecture and the landscapes. Well, except for the bamboo maze. I particularly enjoyed the characters, mostly retirees who are young at heart. The mystery kept me guessing throughout.
Jane is tired of being retired. Perhaps that is why she took the short-term job that a friend referred her for. Walden Spring is an active adult living community with a few little problems between the residents that is slowing down sales on the vacant units. Paul is the executive director, willing to pay whatever it takes to get things accomplished. Jane’s years in management prove her skills at confronting effectively and kindly, as evidenced by help she has given her friends.
Before accepting the position, she has one little thing to do for her friend Phyllis. Maybe not so little, considering Phyllis signed Jane up for an online dating service with some of the things each lady likes. Jane will meet four of them for coffee, then introduce one or more she thinks is best for Phyllis. Three men were quickly eliminated, but oh, my, that fourth one! It is the first time Jane has felt an attraction to a man since her divorce, more than 30 years ago. Maybe Harry can be her little secret for a while…
Jane had to move into one of the guest condos at Walden Spring to see where the problems were and make recommendations. She met some interesting people, including Evangeline, a gifted artist, her close friend Maurice, Bill, the man who sees himself as in charge of who golfs and who doesn’t, and Mike, who, with his biker friends, do the same with the game room. She watches one group of men annoy another group and the resulting fights, and how others respond. Just when she thought she made recommendations that would end problems quickly, Bill was found dead on the golf course, very obviously murdered.
This novel was very well plotted and executed, and much to my delight, I couldn’t figure out any faster than Jane whodunit. There were twists that kept me on my toes, especially at what seemed to be the end of it. I really enjoyed the characters – can’t say it enough! As someone in that decade of life, I am happy to have a new, mature sleuth to follow. Nothing against young or middle-aged sleuths; I will still enjoy them but will also enjoy some contemporaries. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries with older characters, humor, and great descriptions.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
Jane is tired of being retired. Perhaps that is why she took the short-term job that a friend referred her for. Walden Spring is an active adult living community with a few little problems between the residents that is slowing down sales on the vacant units. Paul is the executive director, willing to pay whatever it takes to get things accomplished. Jane’s years in management prove her skills at confronting effectively and kindly, as evidenced by help she has given her friends.
Before accepting the position, she has one little thing to do for her friend Phyllis. Maybe not so little, considering Phyllis signed Jane up for an online dating service with some of the things each lady likes. Jane will meet four of them for coffee, then introduce one or more she thinks is best for Phyllis. Three men were quickly eliminated, but oh, my, that fourth one! It is the first time Jane has felt an attraction to a man since her divorce, more than 30 years ago. Maybe Harry can be her little secret for a while…
Jane had to move into one of the guest condos at Walden Spring to see where the problems were and make recommendations. She met some interesting people, including Evangeline, a gifted artist, her close friend Maurice, Bill, the man who sees himself as in charge of who golfs and who doesn’t, and Mike, who, with his biker friends, do the same with the game room. She watches one group of men annoy another group and the resulting fights, and how others respond. Just when she thought she made recommendations that would end problems quickly, Bill was found dead on the golf course, very obviously murdered.
This novel was very well plotted and executed, and much to my delight, I couldn’t figure out any faster than Jane whodunit. There were twists that kept me on my toes, especially at what seemed to be the end of it. I really enjoyed the characters – can’t say it enough! As someone in that decade of life, I am happy to have a new, mature sleuth to follow. Nothing against young or middle-aged sleuths; I will still enjoy them but will also enjoy some contemporaries. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries with older characters, humor, and great descriptions.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
June 26, 2020
Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody was charming, kept me reading and grinning! I love cozy mysteries with mature sleuths and Jane was one of the best sleuths I've read about in a long time! While assisting her friends with "difficulties" in their personal lives, Jane develops a reputation as a "fixer" of problems. Her latest problem to solve started with a senior-living village that was too "cliquish" and she wound up investigating a murder!
Jane is relatable, kind, funny and curious - great qualities for a sleuth. The supporting characters are very well-written and enhance the story. Their backstory's added to my enjoyment of the book. The mystery was fast-paced and I loved the " red herrings"! Set aside several hours because you won't be able to put the book down!
I can't wait for Jane's next assignment!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.
Jane is relatable, kind, funny and curious - great qualities for a sleuth. The supporting characters are very well-written and enhance the story. Their backstory's added to my enjoyment of the book. The mystery was fast-paced and I loved the " red herrings"! Set aside several hours because you won't be able to put the book down!
I can't wait for Jane's next assignment!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 14, 2022
Jane is a professional busybody and I love that 😝😂😂 I actually enjoyed the book more than I though I would. Jane is hired to investigate the shenanigans at a retirement community. While there a murder occurs, but not before Jane realizes, living in a senior citizen community is sort of like being back in high school (the absolute horror). Now Jane is investigating the murder and providing information to Det. Alvarez who has a connection to the victim. The victim has a mysterious past, in fact, to many people in that community have secrets they want remain hidden. Now Jane has to bring a killer to the light before another body hits the golf course or worse, it’s lights out, permanently for her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews