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The Country Club Murders #10
Stayin' Alive
Springtime. Love is in the air. So is murder.
When Ellison Russell, reluctant finder of bodies, chairs a gala in conjunction with the museum’s Chinese funerary exhibit, she expects disaster. So, she’s not remotely surprised when a body turns up.
Ellison is willing to leave the investigation to the police till an attempt is made on her life.
Now she’s juggling evading a killer, her aunt’s overly-amorous beau, her dog’s new love interest, and Mother’s displeasure.
With bodies piling up, if Ellison’s not careful, staying alive might be impossible.
When Ellison Russell, reluctant finder of bodies, chairs a gala in conjunction with the museum’s Chinese funerary exhibit, she expects disaster. So, she’s not remotely surprised when a body turns up.
Ellison is willing to leave the investigation to the police till an attempt is made on her life.
Now she’s juggling evading a killer, her aunt’s overly-amorous beau, her dog’s new love interest, and Mother’s displeasure.
With bodies piling up, if Ellison’s not careful, staying alive might be impossible.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2020
436 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mulhern
39 books1,663 followersJulie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders and the Poppy Fields Adventures.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
October 22, 2022
Along with the murder theme, this one has some very happy occurrences. One of them is meeting a new dog named Pansy. Max is in heaven. I'll avoid spilling the beans on the rest so I don't spoil it for others. A solid and satisfying addition to the series.
February 26, 2020
Max is in love, Aunt Sis is in love, Grace is certainly fond of her new beau, even Libby might have finally found a keeper. But, though Ellison is also obviously in love, she just cannot seem to commit to Anarchy Jones – despite everyone (except Frances Walford) knowing that he is perfect for her:
“Murder shattered rose-colored glasses. The pair I’d worn most of my marriage and adult life had been ground to a pile of pink dust. “I’m not a cynic, I’m a realist.””
The book starts with the big gala for the Chinese Exhibition, that Ellison has been planning forever. Of course, with such a big important event, where everything has to go without a hitch, you just know that Ellison is going to find a dead body. It would not be a ‘Country Club Murder’ book, if a corpse did not appear at the worst possible time.
““The governor is at the party. A senator. The mayor. You can’t hold them for questioning. … Besides, this might not be a murder.” Given my track record, it was definitely murder.”
“When Mother discovered there’d been a murder at the gala, her head would leave her body and orbit the sun a few times before she settled into blaming me.”
Being Ellison, the body count does not stop at one – and at one stage she comes close to being a corpse herself.
In this book, Max and Mr Coffee get larger ‘speaking’ parts, respectively chastising and supporting Ellison:
““You talk to that dog as if he understands everything you say,” Aunt Sis observed. “He does.” Good thing she didn’t hear me talk to Mr. Coffee.”
However, again, it is the wonderful Anarchy Jones who is always there exactly when – and how – she needs him to be.
I love this series, and this book is no exception. Long may it continue – though we must soon be running out of (living) Country Club members. Highly recommended as always.
“Murder shattered rose-colored glasses. The pair I’d worn most of my marriage and adult life had been ground to a pile of pink dust. “I’m not a cynic, I’m a realist.””
The book starts with the big gala for the Chinese Exhibition, that Ellison has been planning forever. Of course, with such a big important event, where everything has to go without a hitch, you just know that Ellison is going to find a dead body. It would not be a ‘Country Club Murder’ book, if a corpse did not appear at the worst possible time.
““The governor is at the party. A senator. The mayor. You can’t hold them for questioning. … Besides, this might not be a murder.” Given my track record, it was definitely murder.”
“When Mother discovered there’d been a murder at the gala, her head would leave her body and orbit the sun a few times before she settled into blaming me.”
Being Ellison, the body count does not stop at one – and at one stage she comes close to being a corpse herself.
In this book, Max and Mr Coffee get larger ‘speaking’ parts, respectively chastising and supporting Ellison:
““You talk to that dog as if he understands everything you say,” Aunt Sis observed. “He does.” Good thing she didn’t hear me talk to Mr. Coffee.”
However, again, it is the wonderful Anarchy Jones who is always there exactly when – and how – she needs him to be.
I love this series, and this book is no exception. Long may it continue – though we must soon be running out of (living) Country Club members. Highly recommended as always.
February 29, 2020
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Tap into your inner BeeGees –
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Feel the city breaking and everybody shaking, people
Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive
and sit back and prepare to have your funny bone tickled and your mind tested by the latest Country Club mystery from Julie Mulhern.
Ellison Russell is in charge of the museum’s Chinese Exhibit Gala and she has vowed to her mother there will be no dead bodies found this time. Well, when she sneaks away for a few minutes with her boyfriend, Detective Anarchy Jones, that plan goes terribly awry. They find a body in one of the closed exhibits. No matter how much money Ellison has raised the body will be the only thing people focus on. Ellison agrees to stay out of the investigation and let Anarchy handle it. She does a great job at that until the killer comes after her. If she plans on Stayin’ Alive she needs to find out who is trying to take her down.
____
Julie Mulhern is one of my favorite authors and I wait as patiently as possible for each new book. She never disappoints. What really makes these stories sing is the genuine characters and their fantastic dialogue.
Protagonist Ellison gets stronger in each story. She still has her mother who gets upset about every body she finds (like she plans to find them), that Anarchy is not right for her, the clothes she wears, the friends she hangs out with, well you get the point, but Ellison is learning to deal with the overbearing woman and that makes me happy. Her relationship with Anarchy is progressing in an interesting way and that makes me happy too. This time her Aunt Sis played a major role and she was my favorite character.
All the other characters I love have returned too and some really bring the funny.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Daisy burst into the card room like a whirlwind. Her slip showed. She needed a comb. A lollipop and multiple tufts of hair stuck to her sweater (the candy on the sleeve, the hair everywhere). “I’ve had a morning.”
“Sit.” Libba held out her wine glass.
Daisy sat, took the glass, gulped, and handed it back. “Thank you.”
“Which kid, and what did he do?” asked Jinx.
Daisy closed her eyes. “How bad can it be?”
Libba didn’t have children. She’d never experienced bad.
“David snuck into our bathroom. He knows it’s off-limits, ever since the lipstick incident.” The lipstick incident had translated into new wallpaper for most of the house. “He stole my razor from the shower and—” She paused for a shuddering breath.
“And?” I asked. One of Daisy’s offspring running loose with a razor was a terrifying proposition.
“He shaved the cat.”
“He what?” Jinx’s brows touched her hairline.
“The cat fell asleep on his lap and he shaved off its fur.” Daisy rubbed her face. “There’s cat hair everywhere. And the poor cat, it’s hiding under the bed.”
“He shaved the whole cat?”
“The side that was exposed.”
“So the other side still has hair?” Jinx’s mouth twitched.
“Yes. The poor cat is humiliated.”
“It’ll grow back.”
That wouldn’t comfort the cat.
In addition to the humor, Ms. Mulhern writes a complex mystery filled with intrigue and mayhem. The pace is fast. Ellison is involved up to her neck. Reliant on her friend Mr. Coffee, Aggie to keep the house in order, Anarchy doing his best to keep her safe, Grace sometimes being the adult in the room, her friends being there to bounce ideas off of, and an unexpected guest to keep her on her toes, Ellison does her best to solve more than one mystery.
Mulhern is not afraid to fictionalize heavy topics to shine a light but give her readers an entertaining story as well. Fabulous twists kept me totally engrossed and guessing right up until the end.
I love stepping back to the ’70s and hanging out with the ladies who lunch and play bridge. Julie Mulhern has done her research and brings the time to life in her own unique way.
I highly recommend every book in this series and her Poppy Fields Adventures too. Stayin’ Alive was a Perfect Escape and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Tap into your inner BeeGees –
Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother
You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Feel the city breaking and everybody shaking, people
Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive
and sit back and prepare to have your funny bone tickled and your mind tested by the latest Country Club mystery from Julie Mulhern.
Ellison Russell is in charge of the museum’s Chinese Exhibit Gala and she has vowed to her mother there will be no dead bodies found this time. Well, when she sneaks away for a few minutes with her boyfriend, Detective Anarchy Jones, that plan goes terribly awry. They find a body in one of the closed exhibits. No matter how much money Ellison has raised the body will be the only thing people focus on. Ellison agrees to stay out of the investigation and let Anarchy handle it. She does a great job at that until the killer comes after her. If she plans on Stayin’ Alive she needs to find out who is trying to take her down.
____
Julie Mulhern is one of my favorite authors and I wait as patiently as possible for each new book. She never disappoints. What really makes these stories sing is the genuine characters and their fantastic dialogue.
Protagonist Ellison gets stronger in each story. She still has her mother who gets upset about every body she finds (like she plans to find them), that Anarchy is not right for her, the clothes she wears, the friends she hangs out with, well you get the point, but Ellison is learning to deal with the overbearing woman and that makes me happy. Her relationship with Anarchy is progressing in an interesting way and that makes me happy too. This time her Aunt Sis played a major role and she was my favorite character.
All the other characters I love have returned too and some really bring the funny.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Daisy burst into the card room like a whirlwind. Her slip showed. She needed a comb. A lollipop and multiple tufts of hair stuck to her sweater (the candy on the sleeve, the hair everywhere). “I’ve had a morning.”
“Sit.” Libba held out her wine glass.
Daisy sat, took the glass, gulped, and handed it back. “Thank you.”
“Which kid, and what did he do?” asked Jinx.
Daisy closed her eyes. “How bad can it be?”
Libba didn’t have children. She’d never experienced bad.
“David snuck into our bathroom. He knows it’s off-limits, ever since the lipstick incident.” The lipstick incident had translated into new wallpaper for most of the house. “He stole my razor from the shower and—” She paused for a shuddering breath.
“And?” I asked. One of Daisy’s offspring running loose with a razor was a terrifying proposition.
“He shaved the cat.”
“He what?” Jinx’s brows touched her hairline.
“The cat fell asleep on his lap and he shaved off its fur.” Daisy rubbed her face. “There’s cat hair everywhere. And the poor cat, it’s hiding under the bed.”
“He shaved the whole cat?”
“The side that was exposed.”
“So the other side still has hair?” Jinx’s mouth twitched.
“Yes. The poor cat is humiliated.”
“It’ll grow back.”
That wouldn’t comfort the cat.
In addition to the humor, Ms. Mulhern writes a complex mystery filled with intrigue and mayhem. The pace is fast. Ellison is involved up to her neck. Reliant on her friend Mr. Coffee, Aggie to keep the house in order, Anarchy doing his best to keep her safe, Grace sometimes being the adult in the room, her friends being there to bounce ideas off of, and an unexpected guest to keep her on her toes, Ellison does her best to solve more than one mystery.
Mulhern is not afraid to fictionalize heavy topics to shine a light but give her readers an entertaining story as well. Fabulous twists kept me totally engrossed and guessing right up until the end.
I love stepping back to the ’70s and hanging out with the ladies who lunch and play bridge. Julie Mulhern has done her research and brings the time to life in her own unique way.
I highly recommend every book in this series and her Poppy Fields Adventures too. Stayin’ Alive was a Perfect Escape and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
March 7, 2020
Stayin’ Alive lives up to its title: Ellison Russell — artist, socialite and an uneasy member of Kansas City’s WASP elite — becomes the target of a killer who murders several of her fellow country-club acquaintances. The first is a highly successful fabric designer on her way to making it in the big time. It’s hard to see who would want to kill Phyllis Goddard, but that doesn’t mean that Ellison won’t try to find out.
I loved this cleverly plotted 10th novel in this lighthearted but absorbing series. So many of Ellison’s family and friends make appearances: Ellison’s domineering mother, her bohemian aunt, her half-sister, her loyal housekeeper, sensible daughter, philandering best friend and — best of all — Ellison’s smoldering detective boyfriend, Anarchy Jones. It was Old Home Week 1975 for Kansas City, Mo.! It was so much fun that I devoured it in just a few hours.
I loved this cleverly plotted 10th novel in this lighthearted but absorbing series. So many of Ellison’s family and friends make appearances: Ellison’s domineering mother, her bohemian aunt, her half-sister, her loyal housekeeper, sensible daughter, philandering best friend and — best of all — Ellison’s smoldering detective boyfriend, Anarchy Jones. It was Old Home Week 1975 for Kansas City, Mo.! It was so much fun that I devoured it in just a few hours.
November 8, 2023
Always a treat, but ten books in and Mulhern still manages a perfect blend of humor and mystery while skewering the country club of Kansas City in the 1970s. Love this series!
July 21, 2023
It's a bit odd to me that the author chose to do two books with the same plot device in a row, though I do think this one did it better if only because I liked the surrounding events in Ellison's life better. Again, this series gives such good ship.
January 26, 2020
Five Huge Stars for this line: You worry too much, whispered Mr. Coffee.
February 29, 2020
I love this series. Just when you think Ellison couldn't possibly find another body and get embroiled in another murder, it happens again. This time, it is more than one body. Ellison is the chairperson for the gala to raise money for the museum’s Chinese funerary exhibit. All is going well when she and Anarchy slip away for a quick kiss. Instead of their snuggle time, they end up hiding from another couple who are interested in more than just a kiss. Ellison stumbles upon an alcove bed that should be empty, it is not.
The whole gang is back for another fun, humorous mystery. This time Aunt Sis and Karma (Ellison's half sister) are in town for the gala and get involved in solving the mystery with Ellison and her daughter Grace. I saw another side to Ellison in this story as she interacted with her family and Anarchy. She is still tough, she has to be as she is once again attacked, and smart, but I also saw a softer side to her. I love how her relationship with Anarchy is slowly developing and Grace's endorsement of it. The mystery was a doozy. With more than one victim, the key was to find out what the connection between them was. Ellison is well on her way to figuring it out when she gets attacked. There were several suspects that had to be ruled out, even though some of them had alibis. The question of the husbands hiring a killer kept coming up. There is also a lot of love flying around in this book. Throw in a rogue dog that is digging up everyone's flowers and that Max falls in love with and it seems everyone finds that special someone. I will tell you there are a couple of scenes with Pansy, Max's love, that had me laughing so hard there were tears streaming down my cheeks. I love all the references to 70s culture, and the setting where there are no cell phones and life was a lot slower. The story is well-written and plotted and it was so entertaining, I read it straight through in one sitting. Once again, Julie Mulhern has written a mystery that had me guessing right to the end, a wonderful showdown and a great ending that left me wanting more. I can't wait to see what Ellison and Anarchy are up to in the next Country Club Murder. The author generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
The whole gang is back for another fun, humorous mystery. This time Aunt Sis and Karma (Ellison's half sister) are in town for the gala and get involved in solving the mystery with Ellison and her daughter Grace. I saw another side to Ellison in this story as she interacted with her family and Anarchy. She is still tough, she has to be as she is once again attacked, and smart, but I also saw a softer side to her. I love how her relationship with Anarchy is slowly developing and Grace's endorsement of it. The mystery was a doozy. With more than one victim, the key was to find out what the connection between them was. Ellison is well on her way to figuring it out when she gets attacked. There were several suspects that had to be ruled out, even though some of them had alibis. The question of the husbands hiring a killer kept coming up. There is also a lot of love flying around in this book. Throw in a rogue dog that is digging up everyone's flowers and that Max falls in love with and it seems everyone finds that special someone. I will tell you there are a couple of scenes with Pansy, Max's love, that had me laughing so hard there were tears streaming down my cheeks. I love all the references to 70s culture, and the setting where there are no cell phones and life was a lot slower. The story is well-written and plotted and it was so entertaining, I read it straight through in one sitting. Once again, Julie Mulhern has written a mystery that had me guessing right to the end, a wonderful showdown and a great ending that left me wanting more. I can't wait to see what Ellison and Anarchy are up to in the next Country Club Murder. The author generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
March 2, 2020
6/5! Chapters 9 & 14 I laughed so hard I snorted - and read them again!
This laugh-out-loud cozy is 70's era focused down to the last detail. Sonny & Cher replaced by Tony Orlando & Dawn on TV. I had forgotten that!
Ellison almost makes it through the gala without finding a body! Society murders are Det. Anarchy Jones' specialty thanks to Ellison and two more join this latest one.
Keeping daughter Grace safe, juggling a visit from her sister, Marjorie, their Aunt Sis' arrival means Ellison has a house full of company without adding Pansy, Max the dog's new lady love into the mix.
Each episode of this series gets better and better.
I can hardly wait for the tour with Ellison in her next adventure. (Coming out in late 2020?)
This laugh-out-loud cozy is 70's era focused down to the last detail. Sonny & Cher replaced by Tony Orlando & Dawn on TV. I had forgotten that!
Ellison almost makes it through the gala without finding a body! Society murders are Det. Anarchy Jones' specialty thanks to Ellison and two more join this latest one.
Keeping daughter Grace safe, juggling a visit from her sister, Marjorie, their Aunt Sis' arrival means Ellison has a house full of company without adding Pansy, Max the dog's new lady love into the mix.
Each episode of this series gets better and better.
I can hardly wait for the tour with Ellison in her next adventure. (Coming out in late 2020?)
June 10, 2024
Mostly really liked this, as usual. I liked how the body at the gala was handled. I did think
Pansy is great, though. I'm glad she's sticking around.
Pansy is great, though. I'm glad she's sticking around.
May 10, 2022
I took a year off from cozy mysteries and there are a lot of series I decided to abandon during that time, but I couldn't let this one go! I love these characters, and even if I don't always care about the mystery, I do always love visiting with them. This one wasn't my absolute favorite of the series, but it had all the elements I expect from titles in this series, and it was a fun read.
February 25, 2020
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE?
STAYIN’ ALIVE (The Country Club Murders Book 10) is going to require super spy skills by readers. The main one being: Where can you hide in plain sight and read this from cover to cover? Trust Me. You won’t want to put it down!
Ellison is in the midst of hosting he biggest social event of the year - the China Exhibition. In spite of of Mother’s fears, Ellison has pulled off a grand event as well as raising more money than any other Host City. Now, if the evening can just end without any disasters. For Ellison, a disaster always means finding a dead body. As the evening winds down, she and Anarchy manage to stumble upon a dead body in one of the closed China exhibits. What an ending to the perfect evening.
It is from this point that author Julie Mulhern takes Ellison through her most intense challenges to date. So much chaos in such a short time! Be ready for murders, mayhem (by man, woman & beast), mystique and matrimony. What would Ellison do without Libba as her sounding board, Aggie to take care of every crisis - big & small, Anarchy to come to her rescue, Grace to support her, Jinx to inform her, Mr. Coffee to soothe her, Max to test her and her Mother to love her, even if she gets on her nerves. Will Ellison be able to Stay Alive even when surrounded by all those who love her? Overall, a book that will keep you interested, entertained and have you laughing hysterically!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
STAYIN’ ALIVE (The Country Club Murders Book 10) is going to require super spy skills by readers. The main one being: Where can you hide in plain sight and read this from cover to cover? Trust Me. You won’t want to put it down!
Ellison is in the midst of hosting he biggest social event of the year - the China Exhibition. In spite of of Mother’s fears, Ellison has pulled off a grand event as well as raising more money than any other Host City. Now, if the evening can just end without any disasters. For Ellison, a disaster always means finding a dead body. As the evening winds down, she and Anarchy manage to stumble upon a dead body in one of the closed China exhibits. What an ending to the perfect evening.
It is from this point that author Julie Mulhern takes Ellison through her most intense challenges to date. So much chaos in such a short time! Be ready for murders, mayhem (by man, woman & beast), mystique and matrimony. What would Ellison do without Libba as her sounding board, Aggie to take care of every crisis - big & small, Anarchy to come to her rescue, Grace to support her, Jinx to inform her, Mr. Coffee to soothe her, Max to test her and her Mother to love her, even if she gets on her nerves. Will Ellison be able to Stay Alive even when surrounded by all those who love her? Overall, a book that will keep you interested, entertained and have you laughing hysterically!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
February 5, 2020
This is one of my favorites series by far. Mulhern writes in such an intelligent and witty way and manages to infuse humor into serious topics that make for entertaining books. I can kiss my day goodbye when I start a book in this series because I know I will want to do nothing but read all day!
https://cozyexperience.com/stayin-ali...
https://cozyexperience.com/stayin-ali...
May 13, 2020
If you are looking for laugh out loud fun reading with an excellent plot, toss in a murder or two and this is the perfect book for you! I absolutely love this series. I always wait for it to come out on audio as I absolutely love the extra little pizzazz the narrator adds to the personalities of the characters who are already well fleshed out by the author, but get just that extra little push from the narrator. The worst part about reading this series is that every time I finish the book I am so disappointed that I have to wait for the author to hurry up and get me another one! I absolutely can't wait for the next book!
February 27, 2020
Staying Alive
Creative mystery dripping in bits of comedic moments. I loved Nick and Nora solving mysteries on black and white television as a child. They were elegant working to solve mysteries. Ellison and Anarchy are the Nick and Nora of this 70’s series. They work elegantly together solving the mystery that stumped me until the end. Great job Julie
Creative mystery dripping in bits of comedic moments. I loved Nick and Nora solving mysteries on black and white television as a child. They were elegant working to solve mysteries. Ellison and Anarchy are the Nick and Nora of this 70’s series. They work elegantly together solving the mystery that stumped me until the end. Great job Julie
February 29, 2020
Love this series! Go ahead and read them, go ahead..now would be a good time.
September 21, 2022
I know that each character should have it’s own story, and not everyone needs to be an upstanding, perfect person… the MC always comes off so judgy and prude. It astonishes me that she’s the same on this front in book 10 as she was in book 1.
That being said I’m glad that her and her beau are finally moving along in their relationship. And happy for her aunt.
That being said I’m glad that her and her beau are finally moving along in their relationship. And happy for her aunt.
February 27, 2020
Fantabulous! The best yet! I kept hearing that Stayin' Alive was the best of this awesome series and I have to agree.
February 28, 2020
Another great book with Ellison and Anarchy...cant wait for the next
June 15, 2020
Always love the 1970's setting and the characters are a lot of fun! The audiobooks are great and the narrator is one of my favorites!
August 20, 2023
looooooved this one. great one to take a bit of a pause on while I catch up with other library holds.
March 4, 2020
They just keep getting better.
October 24, 2021
This has become my comfort series. Mulhern has real talent.
February 28, 2020
A perfect 10. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
March 1, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Stayin' Alive by Julie Mulhern is a fabulous series, with colorful characters and a well-plotted mystery, all of which I enjoyed immensely.
Will Ellison and Anarchy find the killer before Ellison is the next victim?
This mystery was set in Kansas City, 1975. It was wonderful to remember some of the items that Ellison uses. Although Ellison clearly has a better fashion sense than my family as they wore mostly Beeline clothes.
Ellison Russell
Ellison is our main character and sleuth. She is such a wonderfully put together person. Ellison has to deal with being a widow whose husband was murdered and was a cheat. Yet, she seems to be moving on slowly but in the forward direction. Ellison is a dead body magnet; seriously, she admits it to herself.
Ellison also has a very proper and strict mother, who wants to control Ellison's life. Yet, Ellison is learning to deal with her mother. She also has a teenage daughter, who gets along great with everyone. Ellison doesn't have a job, but she manages to stay busy with the country club, charities, and her sleuthing. Oh, and let us not forget her dog or house guests. Aunt Sis is a kick in the pants. I am so happy for her.
I loved Ellison's down to earth attitude, even when she is trying to figure out how to get her heart and mind in the same rhythm. She is also intelligent and sees the patterns in the recent rash of murders.
Anarchy Jones
Anarchy is Ellison's boyfriend and a police detective. He is in love with Ellison, but he also has a secret that may come between him and Ellison. Anarchy is a fantastic detective and such a gentleman. I love the way that he seems to know just what Ellison needs and when.
The Mystery
We have three women strangled at different locations. They have similarities, but they don't have a solid connection. Then there is an attempt on Ellison, who doesn't have a connection to the other three victims. This is where Anarchy needs to figure it out before Ellison is the fourth victim.
Five Stars
This book is the first that I have read in the Country Club Mysteries, but I loved it and plan to add these incredible historical cozy mysteries to my TBR. In the meantime, my rating for Stayin' Alive by Julie Mulhern is five stars. Once I got into the book, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Well done, Ms. Mulhern.
If you haven't read one of the books in this series, you really should. I highly recommend them.
The Country Club Murders Mystery Series
Will Ellison and Anarchy find the killer before Ellison is the next victim?
This mystery was set in Kansas City, 1975. It was wonderful to remember some of the items that Ellison uses. Although Ellison clearly has a better fashion sense than my family as they wore mostly Beeline clothes.
Ellison Russell
Ellison is our main character and sleuth. She is such a wonderfully put together person. Ellison has to deal with being a widow whose husband was murdered and was a cheat. Yet, she seems to be moving on slowly but in the forward direction. Ellison is a dead body magnet; seriously, she admits it to herself.
Ellison also has a very proper and strict mother, who wants to control Ellison's life. Yet, Ellison is learning to deal with her mother. She also has a teenage daughter, who gets along great with everyone. Ellison doesn't have a job, but she manages to stay busy with the country club, charities, and her sleuthing. Oh, and let us not forget her dog or house guests. Aunt Sis is a kick in the pants. I am so happy for her.
I loved Ellison's down to earth attitude, even when she is trying to figure out how to get her heart and mind in the same rhythm. She is also intelligent and sees the patterns in the recent rash of murders.
Anarchy Jones
Anarchy is Ellison's boyfriend and a police detective. He is in love with Ellison, but he also has a secret that may come between him and Ellison. Anarchy is a fantastic detective and such a gentleman. I love the way that he seems to know just what Ellison needs and when.
The Mystery
We have three women strangled at different locations. They have similarities, but they don't have a solid connection. Then there is an attempt on Ellison, who doesn't have a connection to the other three victims. This is where Anarchy needs to figure it out before Ellison is the fourth victim.
Five Stars
This book is the first that I have read in the Country Club Mysteries, but I loved it and plan to add these incredible historical cozy mysteries to my TBR. In the meantime, my rating for Stayin' Alive by Julie Mulhern is five stars. Once I got into the book, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Well done, Ms. Mulhern.
If you haven't read one of the books in this series, you really should. I highly recommend them.
The Country Club Murders Mystery Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Stayin' Alive by Julie Mulhern.
Until the next time,
This Guest Review is for Baroness' Book Trove.
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
July 6, 2020
5 stars
This is the tenth book in the Country Club Murders series by Julie Mulhern.
The Gala is finally happening after being mentioned in the last few books. I felt a little let down considering how built up this gala was. Not as awesome as I expected. But I knew there had to be a dead body because… that is just what happens to Ellison. Funny that Anarchy was right by her side when she discovered it.
Book starts off with many house guests staying at Ellison’s house: Karma and Aunt Sis. Karma leaves almost immediately and I wondered why she was even written into the story. Aunt Sis finds a man, the dog Max finds a girlfriend who has a penchant for digging up the neighbor’s gardens and everyone seems to know Ellison is in love with Anarchy except her mother. Ellison is not wanting for people to talk to. Mr Coffee is more vocal than ever, and the Bridge club is always good for a few laughs to get Ellison’s mind off her troubles or picking through a few leads the ladies have thrown her way. Bridge is a great hobby to have in Kansas City, it seems. You learn all kinds of things there.
Great book. This is one of my favorite series. Always love Anarchy and Ellison together!
If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
This is the tenth book in the Country Club Murders series by Julie Mulhern.
The Gala is finally happening after being mentioned in the last few books. I felt a little let down considering how built up this gala was. Not as awesome as I expected. But I knew there had to be a dead body because… that is just what happens to Ellison. Funny that Anarchy was right by her side when she discovered it.
Book starts off with many house guests staying at Ellison’s house: Karma and Aunt Sis. Karma leaves almost immediately and I wondered why she was even written into the story. Aunt Sis finds a man, the dog Max finds a girlfriend who has a penchant for digging up the neighbor’s gardens and everyone seems to know Ellison is in love with Anarchy except her mother. Ellison is not wanting for people to talk to. Mr Coffee is more vocal than ever, and the Bridge club is always good for a few laughs to get Ellison’s mind off her troubles or picking through a few leads the ladies have thrown her way. Bridge is a great hobby to have in Kansas City, it seems. You learn all kinds of things there.
Great book. This is one of my favorite series. Always love Anarchy and Ellison together!
If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
March 13, 2020
Stayin’ Alive is the latest installment in Julie Mulhern’s Country Club Murders, set in Kansas City in the mid 1970s. The setting here is part of the fun, taking the reader back to the days when people did not carry cell phones or while away their time on computers. Ellison Russell is an artist, the mother of a teenage daughter, and a widow, and her talent for stumbling over bodies matches that of Jessica Fletcher. This horrifies her mother, who regards Ellison’s involvement in murder investigations—and her friendship with homicide detective Anarchy Jones—as a threat to her social standing.
In Stayin’ Alive, Ellison chairs a fund raising gala for a local museum’s touring display of Chinese funerary art—and finds a body during the festivities, albeit in a closed section of the museum. And that’s not the last body. Meanwhile Ellison’s relatives and friends contribute both information and aggravation, and Max, Ellison’s incorrigible dog, falls in love. It seems like nothing surprises Ellison any more—until she finds out that even Anarchy Jones has been keeping a secret from her.
This is number 10 in the series. I recommend reading the Country Club Murders from the beginning, because it’s so much fun getting to know the characters and following the threads running through Ellison’s adventures.
In Stayin’ Alive, Ellison chairs a fund raising gala for a local museum’s touring display of Chinese funerary art—and finds a body during the festivities, albeit in a closed section of the museum. And that’s not the last body. Meanwhile Ellison’s relatives and friends contribute both information and aggravation, and Max, Ellison’s incorrigible dog, falls in love. It seems like nothing surprises Ellison any more—until she finds out that even Anarchy Jones has been keeping a secret from her.
This is number 10 in the series. I recommend reading the Country Club Murders from the beginning, because it’s so much fun getting to know the characters and following the threads running through Ellison’s adventures.
March 2, 2020
What's not to love? Julie Mulhern knows how to write a book. We all know that. And Ellison is probably my favorite protagonist of them all. Everyone is in love. Even Max. So what's the problem with Ellison? She obviously loves Anarchy, everyone knows that, even though though Frances refuses to admit that he's perfect for her daughter.
Of course, this being Ellison, it just wouldn't be her without a corpse being discovered. I love how Max and mr. Coffee figure more prominently in this book. Being there for Ellison, supporting her and yet someone giving her constructive, yet not speaking, criticism.
Thank goodness for Anarchy Jones, who's always there for Ellison, just when she needs him.
I adore this book, just like the rest of this series, and can't wait for the next one! I highly recommend. The laughs are plentiful. (I wish I had a Libba best friend!!)
Of course, this being Ellison, it just wouldn't be her without a corpse being discovered. I love how Max and mr. Coffee figure more prominently in this book. Being there for Ellison, supporting her and yet someone giving her constructive, yet not speaking, criticism.
Thank goodness for Anarchy Jones, who's always there for Ellison, just when she needs him.
I adore this book, just like the rest of this series, and can't wait for the next one! I highly recommend. The laughs are plentiful. (I wish I had a Libba best friend!!)
April 10, 2022
Finally!
I knew we'd been inching towards this given the more open discussions Anarchy and Ellison had been having the past few books, but it was really nice to get a full realization of it here.
Mulhern is just completely leaning into the absurdity of Ellison stumbling onto murder victims so often, which somehow pulls it back to reality a bit; it's still absurd but we're all acknowledging it is. The reveal was really good here. A classic, but one deflected enough that I didn't see it coming until Ellison did.
Loved the addition of Pansy and the reappearance of Aunt Sis, too.
I knew we'd been inching towards this given the more open discussions Anarchy and Ellison had been having the past few books, but it was really nice to get a full realization of it here.
Mulhern is just completely leaning into the absurdity of Ellison stumbling onto murder victims so often, which somehow pulls it back to reality a bit; it's still absurd but we're all acknowledging it is. The reveal was really good here. A classic, but one deflected enough that I didn't see it coming until Ellison did.
Loved the addition of Pansy and the reappearance of Aunt Sis, too.
March 3, 2020
Every time Julie Mulhern adds to this series, I get super excited...the book comes out and I try to savor every word...but somehow, once I start reading, I must devour the story as quickly as possible. I'm always impressed when authors transport you to a space in time, in this case the 1970s. You forget what life was like... women's struggles to become independent - racing towards the glass ceiling. Mulhern drops a history lesson into each of her novels, which always seem to jolt my memory. Beyond the historical implications, Ellison is going to Italy with Anarchy!!!! Thank you Ms. Mulhern!!!
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