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Christine Bennett #13
The April Fools' Day Murder
A SECOND CHANCE TO DIE
For his favorite charity, the high school drama club, Willard Platt fakes his own murder as an April Fool stunt. But the repeat performance later that day is the real thing. And some, including the next-door neighbor, say he deserved it.
Investigator (and ex-nun) Christine Bennett is haunted by the sad state of Willard's survivors. His widow roams the road at night. His son has a troubled marriage and bizarre secret life. Behind this suburban family's respectable facade, violent passions are seething. For this is not the first tragedy to strike them. Nor will it be the last. . .
For his favorite charity, the high school drama club, Willard Platt fakes his own murder as an April Fool stunt. But the repeat performance later that day is the real thing. And some, including the next-door neighbor, say he deserved it.
Investigator (and ex-nun) Christine Bennett is haunted by the sad state of Willard's survivors. His widow roams the road at night. His son has a troubled marriage and bizarre secret life. Behind this suburban family's respectable facade, violent passions are seething. For this is not the first tragedy to strike them. Nor will it be the last. . .
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 27, 2001
7 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Lee Harris
103 books77 followersA pseudonym used by Syrell Leahy.
Lee Harris is the author of the mystery novels featuring ex-nun Christine Bennett, who first appeared in The Good Friday Murder, an Edgar Award nominee. She also writes the New York Mysteries, which debuted with Murder in Hell's Kitchen. In 2001, Lee Harris received the Romantic Times magazine Career Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to crime writing.
Lee Harris is the author of the mystery novels featuring ex-nun Christine Bennett, who first appeared in The Good Friday Murder, an Edgar Award nominee. She also writes the New York Mysteries, which debuted with Murder in Hell's Kitchen. In 2001, Lee Harris received the Romantic Times magazine Career Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to crime writing.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 30, 2020
Willard Platt isn't known as the jolliest, kindest man in Oakwood. He's started lawsuits and played hardball with neighbors and the city over land rights, for instance. And he is very nasty to Christine Bennett and her small son when Eddie accidentally runs into him at the local supermarket. But he does have at least one redeeming quality--his love of the theater and his support for the local school's drama program. His sense of the theatrical leads him to stage his own "murder" as an elaborate part of the drama club's April Fool's Day scavenger hunt. But someone else decides to have the last laugh and repeats the performance later that afternoon...only this time it really is murder.
Chris finds herself involved in another recent murder (as in my previous read) when she is the one who notices the "dead body" the first time. She's gone to the garden supply shop across the road from the Platt home and sees what she believes to be a corpse. She doesn't touch him, but when Willard doesn't respond, she rushes home and calls the police. And then is thoroughly embarrassed when told it was all part of the elaborate April Fool's shenanigans on the part of the drama club. Later that afternoon, her friend Melanie calls to tell her that Willard Platt is dead. But Chris isn't having any--she doesn't like April Fool's jokes in general and is really tired of them this year. Mel is so insistent that it's really true that Chris calls her policeman husband. Yes, Willard Platt really is dead this time.
At first, Chris doesn't want to get involved. The joke in the morning really shook her up, but the more she hears about the situation and the more she thinks about it the more interested she gets. This is especially true after she spies an older woman walking along the road at night and offers her ride--only to discover that she is Willard's widow and she's determined to go see her son even though she no longer drives. She hasn't been able to reach him and he hasn't been to see her since receiving the news of his father's death. Chris is appalled that the son hasn't rallied round his mother and even the fact that he was estranged from his father doesn't convince her that he would abandon his mother in such difficult circumstances. She soon learns that there's more troubles in this family than the current death--including the accidental death of the Platts' grandson when his grandmother lost control of the car (this explains why she no longer drives). Chris keeps coming back to that previous death. But why would someone kill Willard if his wife was the one responsible?
But, of course, there's also the father and son relationship to consider. Roger has never gotten along with his demanding father and he finally decided to break with him completely when he realized he would never meet Willard's unreasonable standards. Did something recent happen to make killing his overbearing father seem necessary? And then there's the owner of the garden shop and nursery. Mr. Vitale had what he thought was a deal to get more land and expand his nursery, but Willard Platt put a stop to that. Was the land worth killing over? Chris will need to sift through these possible motives and more details from the past before coming up with the solution.
I remembered this one a little better than the others I've reread recently. I was quite sure I knew the motive and knowing the motive had two suspects in mind. Even with a pretty good idea of who did it and why, I still enjoyed this one very much. I particularly like the twist on the April Fool's joke. I know that I've read other books that feature a joke or plan that goes wrong (or gets used to do wrong), but it's an interesting plot device nonetheless.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
Chris finds herself involved in another recent murder (as in my previous read) when she is the one who notices the "dead body" the first time. She's gone to the garden supply shop across the road from the Platt home and sees what she believes to be a corpse. She doesn't touch him, but when Willard doesn't respond, she rushes home and calls the police. And then is thoroughly embarrassed when told it was all part of the elaborate April Fool's shenanigans on the part of the drama club. Later that afternoon, her friend Melanie calls to tell her that Willard Platt is dead. But Chris isn't having any--she doesn't like April Fool's jokes in general and is really tired of them this year. Mel is so insistent that it's really true that Chris calls her policeman husband. Yes, Willard Platt really is dead this time.
At first, Chris doesn't want to get involved. The joke in the morning really shook her up, but the more she hears about the situation and the more she thinks about it the more interested she gets. This is especially true after she spies an older woman walking along the road at night and offers her ride--only to discover that she is Willard's widow and she's determined to go see her son even though she no longer drives. She hasn't been able to reach him and he hasn't been to see her since receiving the news of his father's death. Chris is appalled that the son hasn't rallied round his mother and even the fact that he was estranged from his father doesn't convince her that he would abandon his mother in such difficult circumstances. She soon learns that there's more troubles in this family than the current death--including the accidental death of the Platts' grandson when his grandmother lost control of the car (this explains why she no longer drives). Chris keeps coming back to that previous death. But why would someone kill Willard if his wife was the one responsible?
But, of course, there's also the father and son relationship to consider. Roger has never gotten along with his demanding father and he finally decided to break with him completely when he realized he would never meet Willard's unreasonable standards. Did something recent happen to make killing his overbearing father seem necessary? And then there's the owner of the garden shop and nursery. Mr. Vitale had what he thought was a deal to get more land and expand his nursery, but Willard Platt put a stop to that. Was the land worth killing over? Chris will need to sift through these possible motives and more details from the past before coming up with the solution.
I remembered this one a little better than the others I've reread recently. I was quite sure I knew the motive and knowing the motive had two suspects in mind. Even with a pretty good idea of who did it and why, I still enjoyed this one very much. I particularly like the twist on the April Fool's joke. I know that I've read other books that feature a joke or plan that goes wrong (or gets used to do wrong), but it's an interesting plot device nonetheless.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
March 27, 2023
April Fools Day Theme Cozy
"The April Fools' Day Murder" by Lee Harris was at least well themed. It tied April Fools Day in a few different ways and didn't just drop it after the initial day passed.
However, I may need to read the previous books in the series to understand why Christine is allowed to just wander around town like she's a cop and doing the entire investigation solo. There are several instances that she interacts with her cop/lawyer husband and all he does is encourage her. Even when she goes to confront the killer all she does is let the detective know she might have a confession for him so. He just shows up at her house and is cool with knowing someone will turn themselves in. It's as if all the killers in this town are trustworthy and the cops are cool with whatever.
"The April Fools' Day Murder" by Lee Harris was at least well themed. It tied April Fools Day in a few different ways and didn't just drop it after the initial day passed.
However, I may need to read the previous books in the series to understand why Christine is allowed to just wander around town like she's a cop and doing the entire investigation solo. There are several instances that she interacts with her cop/lawyer husband and all he does is encourage her. Even when she goes to confront the killer all she does is let the detective know she might have a confession for him so. He just shows up at her house and is cool with knowing someone will turn themselves in. It's as if all the killers in this town are trustworthy and the cops are cool with whatever.
August 12, 2024
The series no longer has the flavor of someone who is not law enforcement, but it is an automatic that law enforcement helps her solve the crime. It still has the flavor of the wonderful cast of characters we love. It amazes me how someone, uninvited with intrusive, nosy questions is able to get so many people just nicely volunteer the info. I like it, and gives us good info, but it still amazes me. I especially like how little by little we gain clues of how this all revolves around this holiday. Pure fun.
April 2, 2023
Holiday Read April 2023
Writing's good for the most part though the people come across as exceedingly polite, to the point where one wonders how anyone could be killed, or even glanced at crossly, in this town.
Some of the actions of Kix seem to be taken for granted and not having read any previous stories in the series I felt left out-of-the-loop.
Overall a pretty good story and since she's written more with holiday themes I'll probably read a couple more.
Writing's good for the most part though the people come across as exceedingly polite, to the point where one wonders how anyone could be killed, or even glanced at crossly, in this town.
Some of the actions of Kix seem to be taken for granted and not having read any previous stories in the series I felt left out-of-the-loop.
Overall a pretty good story and since she's written more with holiday themes I'll probably read a couple more.
May 15, 2022
Lee Harris has a fluid and evocative style that makes reading her books a special pleasure. The Christine Bennett character is certainly original and well drawn and the plots are always intricate but realistic. There’s a bit of a Cabot Cove problem with the scenario though and I think the earlier books in the settlers are strongest.
March 22, 2022
I like a quick read now and again. I enjoy the characters in these stories, the storied themselves are really not very good. They are quite unbelievable and juvenile. But the premise has potential
December 11, 2016
Like others in this series---not exactly a cozy, but sort of. The "detective" is an ex-nun and is sometimes too good and patient to be true. But a quick read that will help your challenge total.
April 5, 2019
This was a really good book.
April 6, 2019
a little far fetched but fun
November 19, 2019
This was another good mystery from Lee Harris.
February 9, 2020
Another well written and plotted Christine Bennett cozy.
March 25, 2020
Here's another good book by Lee Harris. I am enjoying this series!
July 29, 2025
4.5/5
June 10, 2015
One of the things I like about the Chris Bennett Brooks series is that people she questions in her role of amateur detective frequently ask her, "What business is it of yours? Why are you asking?" It's a little element of realism that you don't often see in cozies.
On the other hand, one of the things I don't like is that as Chris' life advances it has little or no bearing on her ability to investigate murders. She's gotten a job, married, gotten pregnant, and had a child yet she's still free to gallivant around with few tethers. Harris has arranged the facts of how Chris manages very well--late working husband, childcare, and best-behaved child ever--but it simply doesn't ring true.
Still this is yet another series that's a comfort read for me: good for what it's intended.
On the other hand, one of the things I don't like is that as Chris' life advances it has little or no bearing on her ability to investigate murders. She's gotten a job, married, gotten pregnant, and had a child yet she's still free to gallivant around with few tethers. Harris has arranged the facts of how Chris manages very well--late working husband, childcare, and best-behaved child ever--but it simply doesn't ring true.
Still this is yet another series that's a comfort read for me: good for what it's intended.
December 26, 2014
#13 in the Christine Bennett series. I was torn between a 3 and a 4 star rating for this series entry. I did enjoy it and the story and ending were up to the series standard but the execution fell short. Perhaps because the murder occurred right around the corner, Christine seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time re-interviewing neighbors, including members of the victim's family. I got the feeling that there just wasn't quite enough plot to fill out the required number of pages.
Christine Bennett series - Ex-nun Christine Bennett decides to investigate when Willard Platt, having faked his own murder as an April fool stunt for the high school drama club, turns up dead later that same day, leaving his family in turmoil.
Christine Bennett series - Ex-nun Christine Bennett decides to investigate when Willard Platt, having faked his own murder as an April fool stunt for the high school drama club, turns up dead later that same day, leaving his family in turmoil.
October 7, 2011
I got this as a free Kindle book. I did enjoy it, but I don't think I'd have been as happy with it had I paid the 5.99 it is currently selling for (at Amazon), though. I wish I had started with the first book in the series rather than the thirteenth. I guess it was an unlucky number for me this time.
I like the idea of the book, a former nun now married and raising a son, and did get into it at the beginning. As I went along there just became too many times I had to suspend disbelief for me to enjoy it much anymore.
I like the idea of the book, a former nun now married and raising a son, and did get into it at the beginning. As I went along there just became too many times I had to suspend disbelief for me to enjoy it much anymore.
January 15, 2009
Decent little mystery. Just the right book for the right moment. Plot is not too obvious or convoluted and it moves quickly. Ex-nun, married with small child solves local murder mystery in her spare time.
July 5, 2012
This was my first Harris read, and I stumbled upon it quite by accident, but it will by far NOT be the last! I enjoyed it from the start, and saw a lot of myself in the main character, despite not being married.
March 31, 2009
A very nice, light read. I liked Chris Bennett. I didn't figure out the killer until close to the end - I liked that. I'll pick up more of this series in the future.
July 2, 2009
Fun quick read.
April 4, 2011
This was a good story. I liked it, and would happily read another in the series.
August 19, 2014
I have never liked April Fool's day - how rude to fake a murder and then turn around and do it
December 20, 2013
didn't know who did it till the end
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews