Mixed Signals

Grace Street Mystery #2

by Jane Tesh

It's Christmas in Parkland, North Carolina, and PI David Randall is looking forward to his mother's visit to 302 Grace Street, even though he knows she'll want to talk about his daughter, Lindsey, who died in a car accident. Then he and his friend Camden find Camden's friend Jared Hunter brutally stabbed. Cam has violent flashbacks to the crime, making him fear he's linked with the killer. The suspects include Boyd Taylor, who hires Randall. Randall's investigations reveal Jared served time for breaking into the Parkland Museum of History, and Bert Galvin, son of Ralph Galvin, editor of the Parkland Herald, was also involved. Randall believes inept superhero, the Parkland Avenger, is a set up by award-hungry Herald reporter, Brooke Verner. The Super Hero Society of Parkland insists the Avenger isn't one of them. To his dismay, Kary, wanting a more active role in his cases, joins the SHS. Brooke tells Randall she saw a letter from Bert promising not to tell about the museum funds. By comparing museum records and newsletters, Randall discovers a collector of valuable letters was never paid the full amount and died in a car crash suspiciously soon after the sale. He realizes Galvin used the museum break in to cover up this embezzlement scheme. A map found in Jared's comic collection leads Randall and Cam to a series of tunnels underneath several stores that have been recently robbed. Kary, in her guise as Wonder Star,

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Jane is a 2022 Book Excellence Award Finalist for her fantasy novel, Butterfly Waltz and a 2023 Book Excellence Finalist for her mystery novel, Ghost Light.

Jane lives and writes in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, the real Mayberry. She is the author of the Grace Street Mystery Series, the Madeline Maclin Mysteries, four fantasy novels, and over thirty plays for children.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas at Grace House

As Christmas nears the Grace House residents are getting celebrate. Each in there on way. Randall's Mother is visiting and is meddling in his life and the rest of the group. Camden has Randam drive him to see a friend. They find him dead in a pool of blood. Camden is affected greatly and has repeated visions of the scenes. Randall and Kary investigates to help Camden. A lot of weird characters appear and add much to the story. The book will keep your attention as you read it. I like this series so much I am reading rest of the series.

[The Book Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

The residents of 302 Grace Street are about to celebrate Christmas in the second edition of Jane Tesh’s mystery series. But amidst the holiday cheer a garland of pain entwines their hearts.

Private detective David Randall, while looking forward to seeing his mother again, is dreading the fact her visit will tear open the wound left by his daughter’s death. Kary, his girlfriend, is researching adoption, her way of moving forward after the loss of her own child; something David is less than thrilled about. But when David and his psychic friend, Camden, discover Camden’s friend, Jared Hunter, murdered, the three turn their focus to finding the killer.

Spurred on by the violent images impaling themselves into Camden’s thoughts, their quest takes them through the tunnels and history of Parkland, North Carolina. Complicating the matter is a story-hungry reporter, an inept superhero known as the Parkland Avenger and the burglaries of several downtown businesses.

The strength of the book is in the diverse characters. Vividly told, with tight, witty dialogue, the story’s pace keep the pages turning as each discovery only creates another question. The ending satisfies and warms the heart, but what stayed with me as I turned the last page was the grace with which the residents offered each other as they navigated life’s obstacles. I recommend spending a little time this holiday season at 302 Grace Street.

[Rianna Rowsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure how I'd go with the psychic element, but it didn't bother me. The crimes were prominent in the story but it was more about the people, and since I liked most of the people, this is what I enjoyed most.

[Tasula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little mystery, and reluctant psychic Camden is a sweet character. But it was a little too cozy for me (shopping, cooking, mommies, yearning for baby), so I probably will quit the series. I am trying the author's other series which started with A Case of Imagination, which I enjoyed.

[Kristine Tymusz]

one of the better jane tesh books.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quickly becoming a favorite cozy mystery series.

[Deb W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocrity at its finest.

[Walter Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright book. Wasn’t expecting much honestly, just an easy read, but was surprised with an enticing enough story to carry me through even though there were a few flaws.

[Cindy B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting plot, unChristian (talking to the dead), no sex, gore, or profanity. Well narrated.

[Mary Flinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmastime for the small town residents of 302 Grace Street is anything but calm and bright! With good-looking and dry-witted detective David Randall's mother about to visit for the holidays with the intent of opening up his wounds over losing his eight-year-old daughter, and his friend Camden's psychic nightmares involving a friend's murder, poor David is up to his eyeballs in super-heroes straight from the comic books, secret tunnels and jewelry store robberies, not to mention a meddling newspaper reporter with her eye on him, and the love of his life to protect during the investigation of all the crimes involved. As in the first of Jane Tesh's Grace Street series, these characters in the second book are as odd as two dollar bills but just as endearing. The story is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the last page-- just the way I like a good mystery! Mixed Signals is a great read at any time, but a must for Christmas, curled up in a cozy chair with a cup of tea or a hot toddy! I want to live at 302 Grace Street! Keep them coming Jane! I can't wait to read more!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is coming to 302 Grace Street, and David's mother comes for an extended visit. Along with her, there are mysteries for David (Randall) to solve as well as the Messiah for Camden to sing. Rufus has fallen in love with Angie, Kary is getting to know Randall better, and one of Cam's friends gets murdered. Unfortunately Cam and Randall find the body, and the traumatic experience wrecks havoc on Cam's physic abilities. It is not a smooth and pleasant Christmas season. However, somehow Randall solves a confusing murder mystery with the help (?) of some local superheroes. Underground secret tunnels, bumbling superhero The Avenger, and a mom who has updated her look and now can compete with Sophie Lorene all contribute to another satisfying Grace Street book.
Read the series in order and read them all! They are wonderful books. The mysteries are well developed and keep you guessing. The characters are like family and it is fun to see how relationships change. The psychic element is a fun plus. I want to move to Grace Street too!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this series (Grace Street Mystery) will not replace the Madeline Maclin books in my affection, this--the second--is enjoyable, suspenseful and interesting. However, the back stories of the characters, especially David Randall, an unhappy investigator, and his landlord Camden, a psychic with an unhappy past, is confusing enough to require reading book one first. Fortunately, that's a pleasure, too. Someone disguised as a superhero is plaguing downtown Parkland; several mysterious burglaries have merchants reeling; but even worse, a friend of Camden's has been murdered and Cam is having flashbacks, probably inducted by the murderer's thoughts. Too bad that his psychic abilities don't let him identify the murder, not that the police could use his insights as evidence. David's mother arrives for Christmas and complicates David's life further.

[Bonnie White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to begin by saying I actually downloaded the unabridged audio version of this book for my commute to work and did not read the print version myself. I love cozy mystery series and like popcorn or chips I can never stop at one, I look forward to the back stories and following the characters from book to book. I was hoping that Grace Street would be my new go to escape series. This book was a real disappointment. I found the development of main character, David Randall, inconsistent and distracting. It was a struggle to finish the book. I am not sure how much of this disappointment can be attributed to the audio portrayal of the characters versus the writing so I plan to give the series another chance, but this time I will read a printed version.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the very logical part of my brain that really couldn't get into the psychic and superhero part of this story, I just couldn't help but get caught up in this rather basic story. It featured a very colorful cast of characters (really loved the main character's mother). Set at Christmas time, David Randall is looking forward to his mother's visit, trying to push away any feelings he has regarding the death of his daughter, and in general get on with life. When he and his friend Camden discover the dead body of one of Camden's friends they start investigating. Camden is psychic and keep channeling the murder. In addition, there is a masked Avenger running through town trying to help stop crime and in fact interrupts several robberies. Quirky is the best word for this mystery.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Years ago, Randall and his psychic friend, Camden, found Jared Hunter stabbed to death. Now Camden is being haunted by flashbacks. Do the flashbacks suggest that Camden is linked with his friend’s killer? Among the suspects is Boyd Taylor, Randall’s client. Investigation reveals that Jared had served time for breaking into the Parkland Museum of History. Bert Galvin, son of Ralph Galvin, the editor of the Parkland Herald, was also involved. And what of the superhero, the Parkland Avenger? Could the Avenger be a set up by award-hungry Herald reporter, Brooke Verner? An interesting book that can be sophomoric, but keeps your attention.

[PopcornReads - MkNoah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review & Giveaway: We’re participating in the Christmas Books Giveaway Hop and it’s the perfect time to launch our holiday reads for 2012 with Mixed Signals by NC author Jane Tesh. Do you like cozy holiday mysteries with a small-town cast of characters who feel like your neighbors come to life? Then Book #2 in the Grace Street mystery series is probably going to be just your cup of tea, so pull up a comfy chair, read the rest of my review and enter to win a copy at http://popcornreads.com/?p=5028.

[Reading Fool · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.

This was an enjoyable, easy read. A good book to read on a rainy weekend. PI David Randall and his psychic friend Camden investigate the murder of Camden's friend Jared Hunter. Jared was stabbed and Camden keeps having terrible flashbacks about the murder, though he cannot identify the murderer. Meanwhile, there's a series of store robberies in town, and someone's playing superhero, dubbed the Parkland Avenger. Randall takes on all these cases with the help of his friends.

[Carole Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in a series and the 3rd book (which I'm starting now) was a Goodreads win for me. I'm really enjoying these books with a little bit of mystery and a little bit of paranormal and a little bit of a love story all thrown in. The characters are fun and in this book David Randall's (the detective who's daughter died tragically in a car accident) mother comes for a Christmas visit. There was another murder, but also a superhero on the prowl. Brought smiles many times. Nicely done and I'm looking forward to #3.

[Lhenry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice sequel to Stolen Hearts. There's a lot going in here - a murder mystery, more on David coping with his past tragedy, Camden's psychic ability and his own background, plus some screwball comedy elements. This odd mixture shouldn't come together and yet it sure did for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the cast of characters including Sophia, David's mother, and the teens who work in the jewelry store, to name just a few. Hope Tesh keeps up this series

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery has twists and turns that all lead to the killer if you pay attention. When the clues were revealed, each little event becomes clear to the reader. I really enjoyed spending the holidays with Randall and Camden in Parkland.

See my full review at: lauramhartman.wordpress.com

[Nancy]

read

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters and too many irrelevant twists and turns. Very disappointed as I enjoyed the first book in the series.

[Carol Heiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

number 2 in a new mystery series. Entertaining plots and characters. I'll keep reading these books.