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The Cinderella Murders
When Kelly Madison returns home from an extensive European business trip and discovers that her sister Meg has been missing for three weeks, she immediately rushes to the seaside resort town of Belvista, where Meg was last seen. The police, finding no evidence of foul play, have closed the case, but Kelly is adamant that something terrible has happened. As Kelly searches frantically for her sister, she hears disturbing rumors about several missing women, a serial killer, and a cover-up perpetrated by local business leaders. At Kelly's urging, brash Detective Luke Campbell, a specialist in crime-solving techniques, re-opens Meg's case. When Kelly helps him run down clues, the crazed killer proclaims Kelly his next victim. Without revealing his identity, he attacks anyone who defends her. As the violence escalates, town secrets emerge. While trying to save her sister, Kelly places herself squarely in harm's way. It's up to Luke and his trained officers to save Kelly while she endeavors t
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
9 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2019
Oh no, I fell into a cozy mystery by mistake, not great
April 18, 2016
I love mystery books, but there was no mystery here. I finished it just because I wanted to see if my assumptions were correct - not really a spoiler but...
Ok, sure you want to know the details, but OMG is it a chore getting to it. I think I almost fell asleep. Luckily for me I got this free as part of Kindle Unlimited or I'd be a bit upset at wasting money on this.
The main character is SUCH a pain, I just... I feel nothing for her. The characters are so flat (let's look at the owner of the B&B shall we? She's written as this horrible b*tchy, evil jerkoff... then suddenly she likes the MC? What the balls??), it's just... there was NO redeeming qualities of this book - even the language, has the author ever spoken to another human being? Half the lines in this are just so terrible and you'd never hear anyone say half of them in real life. I think that's what killed this the most. I can deal with terrible characters, but terrible dialogue?
If I could rate negative, I would. This was just... no.
Ok, sure you want to know the details, but OMG is it a chore getting to it. I think I almost fell asleep. Luckily for me I got this free as part of Kindle Unlimited or I'd be a bit upset at wasting money on this.
The main character is SUCH a pain, I just... I feel nothing for her. The characters are so flat (let's look at the owner of the B&B shall we? She's written as this horrible b*tchy, evil jerkoff... then suddenly she likes the MC? What the balls??), it's just... there was NO redeeming qualities of this book - even the language, has the author ever spoken to another human being? Half the lines in this are just so terrible and you'd never hear anyone say half of them in real life. I think that's what killed this the most. I can deal with terrible characters, but terrible dialogue?
If I could rate negative, I would. This was just... no.
March 5, 2014
This book felt so trite from the very first chapter. Will not read this author again.
June 26, 2025
So. This book started off great. I was loving the twists and turns it was taking me on. Then. You get a glimpse of who the bad guy is. And you know who it is. I wished there was a new twist or turn at the end. if they could have somehow made Luke the detective the killer. That would have been a twist! I was almost convinced he was! Little details and hints. But then it just got boring when you start to find out that doesn’t happen and it’s just Alex. Idk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2017
Hard to finish.
August 13, 2022
This feels like a first draft that was never re-read. The grammar/spelling is all there, but there is no details. There were times I didn't really know what was going on. For example, Hal Dunbar comes up to Luke and Kelly while they are biking. When I'm reading it I'm thinking "Are they having a conversation about Hal while he's right there? Are they whispering? Is he still walking to them?" To be honest, Hal and the whole "business group" / Cattail Marshes didn't fit into the storyline at all. It came off as a pointless side story.
That being said. I didn't hate the characters. I didn't hate the story; but there was no surprises in this entire book!! It lead you the whole way. The main character, Kelly, managed to be the all-star detective of the story. It was like "For some reason, I really think I need to go this way. OMG I found something!"
Luke also bothered me. Again, I didn't hate him; but it was like he was meant to be the "bad boy" that goes out with a different girl every night. I can't remember if it was the inn keeper or someone else in the beginning that eluded to that; however, there was no indication of this in the character development.
Overall.. it was ok, I guess. I won't be reading it a second time and I definitely will not be recommending.
That being said. I didn't hate the characters. I didn't hate the story; but there was no surprises in this entire book!! It lead you the whole way. The main character, Kelly, managed to be the all-star detective of the story. It was like "For some reason, I really think I need to go this way. OMG I found something!"
Luke also bothered me. Again, I didn't hate him; but it was like he was meant to be the "bad boy" that goes out with a different girl every night. I can't remember if it was the inn keeper or someone else in the beginning that eluded to that; however, there was no indication of this in the character development.
Overall.. it was ok, I guess. I won't be reading it a second time and I definitely will not be recommending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2014
I have been craving a good mystery for awhile and The Cinderella Murders did not disappoint.
Kelly is one heck of a character, upon her return from a work related trip to Europe she learns her younger sister never came back from her vacation. Determined to find out why Kelly goes looking for Meg and ends up playing part of a deadly game. The police want nothing to do with Kelly and insist that Meg ran off with a prince charming thus keeping the reputation of their small tourist town pristine. Kelly knows better and starts investigating Meg's disappearance on her own.
Luke was an intense character and at times I could not figure out his angle but it worked to his advantage. Well written Luke never struck me as the unbelievable type of guy. He is an officer of the law and wanted to keep everyone safe while catching a kidnapper and possible murder.
The writing flowed smoothly and the plot had no huge holes that I could see. I only found one part a bit unbelievable but I don't want to post any spoilers.
Kelly is one heck of a character, upon her return from a work related trip to Europe she learns her younger sister never came back from her vacation. Determined to find out why Kelly goes looking for Meg and ends up playing part of a deadly game. The police want nothing to do with Kelly and insist that Meg ran off with a prince charming thus keeping the reputation of their small tourist town pristine. Kelly knows better and starts investigating Meg's disappearance on her own.
Luke was an intense character and at times I could not figure out his angle but it worked to his advantage. Well written Luke never struck me as the unbelievable type of guy. He is an officer of the law and wanted to keep everyone safe while catching a kidnapper and possible murder.
The writing flowed smoothly and the plot had no huge holes that I could see. I only found one part a bit unbelievable but I don't want to post any spoilers.
July 7, 2015
From the cover; When Kelly Madison returns home from an European business trip she discovers that her sister Meg has been missing for three weeks. She immediately goes to the seaside resort town of Belvista, where Meg was last seen. The police, finding no evidence of foul play, have closed the case. Kelly searches frantically for her sister, she hears rumors about several missing women, a serial killer, and a cover-up perpetrated by local business leaders. At Kelly's urging, Detective Luke Campbell re-opens Meg's case. When Kelly helps him run down clues, the crazed killer proclaims Kelly his next victim. Without revealing his identity, he attacks anyone who defends her. The violence escalates.
Well what else can a write about this story other then the two stars I gave it. Ok-here I go: the story drags in the middle. I thought I was reading a book from a junior high library. The females had too much fainting and seemed weak. Predictable and boring.
Well what else can a write about this story other then the two stars I gave it. Ok-here I go: the story drags in the middle. I thought I was reading a book from a junior high library. The females had too much fainting and seemed weak. Predictable and boring.
August 22, 2011
I went to my shelves looking for a mystery to read and I came up with this one. I have to say I really enjoyed it. The suspense pulled me through it at a fast pace. (I read it in about five hours.) My only complaint - that I was really easy to figure out who was the kidnapper.
December 28, 2014
Great book-New author for me
I enjoyed this book and it's storyline but found it to be very predictable. I had the "mystery" solved less than halfway through the book. Could have used some twists and turns.
I enjoyed this book and it's storyline but found it to be very predictable. I had the "mystery" solved less than halfway through the book. Could have used some twists and turns.
August 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and would read others by same author. Compared to some mystery novels it wasn't as intriguing or mysterious . But I didn't want to put it down, so it did capture me with the characters.
June 24, 2012
it was a good story but sorta slow
July 22, 2012
A little predictable but a quick read.
July 24, 2013
a good mystery,had me guessing on who did it, I'll read more books by this author.
January 12, 2014
Bit slow and predictable...
February 2, 2014
This book grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I started it Thursday and finished this morning. The pace of the book was amazing. A lot of twists and turns which I like.
January 16, 2016
Lots of florid language..."She felt herself falling as if she'd never stop. Falling like a leaf towards a soft, grassy bed." Yuck! This was more of a cheesey romance than a mystery.
October 10, 2008
If you like a good mystery, this is a pick for you. It's an easy read & suspensful. Entertaining.
March 15, 2010
I discovered that I really don't like mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews