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The Twain Does Meet: A Jolie and Scoobie Novella
"The Twain Does Meet" is a between-the-numbers book in the Jolie Gentil series, and while there are joys and problems to discover it's not a traditional cozy mystery. In book 10 (The Unexpected Resolution) Jolie solves a murder, she and Scoobie get married, and they gain a new family member--Scoobie's much-younger half-brother. Book 11 (Underground in Ocean Alley) takes place a few years later, and mystery solving is accompanied by their three-year old twins.
I promised readers they would have the story of the twins' birth an anything-but-calm event -- but it didn't seem right to mix it with a murder. So, we have a nearly 33,000 word novella that features laughs and angst with the Ocean Alley crew and more than a few surprises. A fun read with familiar characters.
Jolie and Scoobie have added 11-year-old Terry to the family mix. A pregnant Jolie is appraising houses preceded by what she calls her beach ball, and Scoobie's learned the hospital where he works may be cutting staff. Just as they are about to buy a bigger house.
But something's off at Ocean Alley Middle School. Terry's classmate, Eddie, accuses him of taking some cash from their shared locker, and Jolie tries to heed Scoobie's advice that Terry be allowed to handle some things himself. For Ms. "I need to solve that," it's a challenge. Plus, she's picking up signals that there might be problems in Eddie's home. Can she wak the difficult path between helping and meddling?
Jolie tries to balance running the Harvest for All Food Pantry, her work, helping Terry feel at home in Ocean Alley, worrying about Scoobie losing his job, and planning to be a mom. That's supposed to be a fun time, right? And lots of people have advice. Oh, joy.
Join Jolie, Scoobie, and their extended family and friends for a heartwarming time.
I promised readers they would have the story of the twins' birth an anything-but-calm event -- but it didn't seem right to mix it with a murder. So, we have a nearly 33,000 word novella that features laughs and angst with the Ocean Alley crew and more than a few surprises. A fun read with familiar characters.
Jolie and Scoobie have added 11-year-old Terry to the family mix. A pregnant Jolie is appraising houses preceded by what she calls her beach ball, and Scoobie's learned the hospital where he works may be cutting staff. Just as they are about to buy a bigger house.
But something's off at Ocean Alley Middle School. Terry's classmate, Eddie, accuses him of taking some cash from their shared locker, and Jolie tries to heed Scoobie's advice that Terry be allowed to handle some things himself. For Ms. "I need to solve that," it's a challenge. Plus, she's picking up signals that there might be problems in Eddie's home. Can she wak the difficult path between helping and meddling?
Jolie tries to balance running the Harvest for All Food Pantry, her work, helping Terry feel at home in Ocean Alley, worrying about Scoobie losing his job, and planning to be a mom. That's supposed to be a fun time, right? And lots of people have advice. Oh, joy.
Join Jolie, Scoobie, and their extended family and friends for a heartwarming time.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2019
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Orr
41 books263 followersAlso published as Elaine L. Orr
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including four mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including four mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 24, 2020
A sweet story filling in the gaps between Scoobie and Jolie's other adventures. A good example of "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." Great characters as usual and the story gives a warm, fuzzy feeling with the importance of family and friends.
December 26, 2019
Elaine Orr has done it again with this novella. I have loved this couple since long before they accepted that they were a couple. I love that in spite of the murder angle the characters are realistic. Real life has ups and downs. Some people mature and make better choices as they grow up. Some people never make that transition. Jolie and Scoobie may not always feel like they have made it, especially Jolie, but she gets a lot reminder her that she can do anything with the support that surrounds her. They have reached a major milestone and just like always, life doesn't go quite as expected, but even the unexpected turns can be great.The Twain Does Meet is a perfect example of the characters making the tale; there is no mystery and it is a wonderful book! It is a great read for old fans and new readers!
The book is not related to Christmas, but it was released on the December 20th and reading it felt like opening an especially lovely gift from Jolie, Scoobie and Elaine Orr!
I love the mysteries, too.
The book is not related to Christmas, but it was released on the December 20th and reading it felt like opening an especially lovely gift from Jolie, Scoobie and Elaine Orr!
I love the mysteries, too.
December 27, 2019
What a delightful gift from Elaine Orr
I've long thought that the Ocean Alley series feels like a visit catching up with old friends. And this little between the numbers catches us up beautifully. Thank you!
I've long thought that the Ocean Alley series feels like a visit catching up with old friends. And this little between the numbers catches us up beautifully. Thank you!
December 28, 2019
Great prequel to the final books
This book gives a great inside view on how Scooby and Julie became a family with Terry joining them. Love this series. DNt wait form the next edition.
This book gives a great inside view on how Scooby and Julie became a family with Terry joining them. Love this series. DNt wait form the next edition.
June 15, 2020
Oh my such a good series
This is a unique series and you definitely have to read all of them. I have only one complaint and that is that I only have one more book to read and then I will have to wait for her next book
This is a unique series and you definitely have to read all of them. I have only one complaint and that is that I only have one more book to read and then I will have to wait for her next book
January 4, 2021
You cannot help but laugh during this book! There is always a laugh with this crew but this time it is even funnier.
Definitely try this one
Definitely try this one
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews