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D.B. Burns Mysteries #1
The Courtship of Harry's Wife
I shouldn't have made the promise when Harry was dying but . . .
You know how it is. You want to please when the person you’ve always loved is hooked up to plastic tubing looking peaky.
Delilah Morgan, a woman of honor, is unable to ignore her promise to her husband, Harry, which leads to trouble, with a capital T. The beautiful, unassuming Delilah plans to mourn in private after Harry passed, but he had other ideas—specifically, leaving his wife in good hands and protected from the elite of their small Kentucky town. However, he neglects to include his wife in his plans.
Harry has selected local judge, Lyle Henderson, the heart-throb of most of the women in town, to court his widow. The judge acquiesces to Harry’s wishes until Henderson’s life spins into a maelstrom after the discovery of bodies in his long absent wife’s car. The police and FBI begin to suspect him of murdering his wife and her apparent lover.
Determined to clear the judge of murder, Delilah resolves to hunt down the true story. Their adventure nearly costs them their lives and leads them on what Delilah suspects is a wild-goose chase toward love. In reality, their wanderings reveal what sacrificial love can encompass.
You know how it is. You want to please when the person you’ve always loved is hooked up to plastic tubing looking peaky.
Delilah Morgan, a woman of honor, is unable to ignore her promise to her husband, Harry, which leads to trouble, with a capital T. The beautiful, unassuming Delilah plans to mourn in private after Harry passed, but he had other ideas—specifically, leaving his wife in good hands and protected from the elite of their small Kentucky town. However, he neglects to include his wife in his plans.
Harry has selected local judge, Lyle Henderson, the heart-throb of most of the women in town, to court his widow. The judge acquiesces to Harry’s wishes until Henderson’s life spins into a maelstrom after the discovery of bodies in his long absent wife’s car. The police and FBI begin to suspect him of murdering his wife and her apparent lover.
Determined to clear the judge of murder, Delilah resolves to hunt down the true story. Their adventure nearly costs them their lives and leads them on what Delilah suspects is a wild-goose chase toward love. In reality, their wanderings reveal what sacrificial love can encompass.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2019
104 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette-Marie Mirich
7 books26 followersJeanette-Marie desires to share her love for writing with her readers. Within the pages of her books, you will find mystery, romance, and adventure perfectly blended for a wonderful read that will leave you with a hunger for another round – all while honoring the One for whom she serves.
She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Oregon Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Jeanette received her B.S. in Education from Portland State University and taught in the Milwaukie, Oregon public schools as well as in Pattaya Beach, Thailand. A background in theater led to her writing two-act plays and performing in the Muskegon Civic Theater.
Mirich was a member of The Christian Medical and Dental Association’s Marriage Commission. Together with her physician husband, she taught Physicians, Dentists, and their spouses at weekend Marriage Enrichment conferences for 25 years. She also taught at conferences for Missionary Doctors. Additionally, she mentors young women with one-on-one discipleship.
With her husband and family, she has served in short-term mission trips to Kenya at Kijabe Mission Station, the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a Women and Children’s hospital in Mali, and was a part of a team that served former prostitutes and street women in Managua, Nicaragua.
Jeanette-Marie has a passion for marriage and equipping couples to grow together with respect and love. She enjoys quilting and is passing on the joy of it to her granddaughters. She uses her hands to knit, embroider, and make Hollandaise sauce. Her delight is creating memories with her grandchildren.
Mirich has lived in Thailand during the Vietnam War, Kenya, and several states in the U.S. while also taking time to research in England, Ethiopia, Kentucky, Malta and Greece.
For several years her poems and short stories were published in Groundwaters, a quarterly magazine based in Loraine, Oregon and in their poetry anthology, Ripples On The Water. Groundwaters is now producing an anthology each year. She is a contributor in poetry as well as short story.
Shadow Games, her first suspense, romance novel is no longer available with her first publisher is no longer in business. The first book in the D.B. Burns mystery series, The Courtship of Harry’s Wife, was published by Mountain Brook Ink in September of 2019 and is now available on Audible. The second novel in the series, The Last Roses, was published in May of 2020. The third novel in the series, You Promised Me Paris, will be available in June of 2021.
Also, she is working on revising her novella, Happy Christmas Miss Lawrence, and will be available in novel form in the Fall of 2021.
Thank you for reading. May you be richly blessed!
Jeanette-Marie
She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Oregon Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Jeanette received her B.S. in Education from Portland State University and taught in the Milwaukie, Oregon public schools as well as in Pattaya Beach, Thailand. A background in theater led to her writing two-act plays and performing in the Muskegon Civic Theater.
Mirich was a member of The Christian Medical and Dental Association’s Marriage Commission. Together with her physician husband, she taught Physicians, Dentists, and their spouses at weekend Marriage Enrichment conferences for 25 years. She also taught at conferences for Missionary Doctors. Additionally, she mentors young women with one-on-one discipleship.
With her husband and family, she has served in short-term mission trips to Kenya at Kijabe Mission Station, the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a Women and Children’s hospital in Mali, and was a part of a team that served former prostitutes and street women in Managua, Nicaragua.
Jeanette-Marie has a passion for marriage and equipping couples to grow together with respect and love. She enjoys quilting and is passing on the joy of it to her granddaughters. She uses her hands to knit, embroider, and make Hollandaise sauce. Her delight is creating memories with her grandchildren.
Mirich has lived in Thailand during the Vietnam War, Kenya, and several states in the U.S. while also taking time to research in England, Ethiopia, Kentucky, Malta and Greece.
For several years her poems and short stories were published in Groundwaters, a quarterly magazine based in Loraine, Oregon and in their poetry anthology, Ripples On The Water. Groundwaters is now producing an anthology each year. She is a contributor in poetry as well as short story.
Shadow Games, her first suspense, romance novel is no longer available with her first publisher is no longer in business. The first book in the D.B. Burns mystery series, The Courtship of Harry’s Wife, was published by Mountain Brook Ink in September of 2019 and is now available on Audible. The second novel in the series, The Last Roses, was published in May of 2020. The third novel in the series, You Promised Me Paris, will be available in June of 2021.
Also, she is working on revising her novella, Happy Christmas Miss Lawrence, and will be available in novel form in the Fall of 2021.
Thank you for reading. May you be richly blessed!
Jeanette-Marie
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 5, 2019
I don't usually read cozy mysteries, but if others are nearly as good as The Courtship of Harry's Wife, I may start! Ms. Mirich's beautiful writing transported me to a small town in Kentucky, full of quirky and interesting characters. Delilah's witty humor mixed with the deep love of her recently deceased husband made her a heroine I admired. I also loved the chicken references throughout the book. This is a story that is fun and gives the reader a great escape, but also has many different levels of deeper meaning. I'm happy to know there is a second book on it's way!
August 30, 2019
The Courtship of Harry’s Wife by Jeanette-Marie Mirich is a true delight! Who can resist a love story on multiple levels mixed with a missing-person mystery, attempted murder, and large doses of humor as the “mean girls” get their just desserts. Ms. Mirich develops realistic characters with “character” as they face the same challenges of life we all face—betrayal, greed, grief, prejudice—but face those challenges with grace and hope. The tender, loving moments brought tears to my eyes and the many clever quips left me laughing. I appreciated musing on the Discussion Questions at the end of the book. In the midst of the mystery, romance and humor, there is much profundity to ponder! I am looking forward to the next book in the series--will Delilah move on with a new relationship or keep her identity as Harry's wife/widow?
June 7, 2024
I love this book.
I don't often say that, but here, I'll make an exception. So, like a good lover does, let me count the ways I love this book:
1. Characterization. Right away, I wanted to be Delilah. And then as her character unfolded, I wanted to be her even more.
2. Plot. Each movement, chapter, scene, etc., drew me forward. The more pages I turned, the more satisfied I was. There is no manipulation here, either in the plot or subplot lines, or in the revelations along the way. (I would tell you what some of them are, but it would ruin it for you. Hint: Check the bookshelf. When you read it, you'll know.)
3. Realism. The action is believable. The dialogue is spot on. There is just enough mystery to keep me guessing. The Christianity is theologically sound but so far from preachy that this book works for all audiences.
I could go on, but then you would be reading my review instead of just reading the book. So, so worth the time. Bring on book two!
K
I don't often say that, but here, I'll make an exception. So, like a good lover does, let me count the ways I love this book:
1. Characterization. Right away, I wanted to be Delilah. And then as her character unfolded, I wanted to be her even more.
2. Plot. Each movement, chapter, scene, etc., drew me forward. The more pages I turned, the more satisfied I was. There is no manipulation here, either in the plot or subplot lines, or in the revelations along the way. (I would tell you what some of them are, but it would ruin it for you. Hint: Check the bookshelf. When you read it, you'll know.)
3. Realism. The action is believable. The dialogue is spot on. There is just enough mystery to keep me guessing. The Christianity is theologically sound but so far from preachy that this book works for all audiences.
I could go on, but then you would be reading my review instead of just reading the book. So, so worth the time. Bring on book two!
K
May 6, 2020
I didn't know what to expect from this book with the quirky title since I hadn't read other books by this author. Delilah Morgan is a recent widow with four grown children. Her husband Harry left letters with his friend Judge Lyle Henderson to be given to her on specified times. Harry had the notion Lyle, being single since his wife abandoned him and their two boys eighteen years before, would be the perfect man to look after Delilah. Harry had pancreatic cancer so he had time to plan before his death. There is a mystery to solve, the wedding of Molly Morgan and Cam Henderson to plan, problems with some of the townspeople, and grieving to do. I describe this book as a mystery with a bit of faith, humor, and southern sass. I enjoyed it.
May 4, 2020
Loved it!
I would recommend this book to all of my friends and anyone else who would enjoy a good, clean, funny and tender story. It is a story of love and loss, mostly real love between men and women, friends and neighbors. The setting is in the south with characters as rich as cream. I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it to the very end. The author has a gift for inviting the reader into the lives of endearing characters and then forget that these people are fictional. I can't wait for the her next book!
I would recommend this book to all of my friends and anyone else who would enjoy a good, clean, funny and tender story. It is a story of love and loss, mostly real love between men and women, friends and neighbors. The setting is in the south with characters as rich as cream. I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it to the very end. The author has a gift for inviting the reader into the lives of endearing characters and then forget that these people are fictional. I can't wait for the her next book!
May 3, 2020
Lovely page turning love story with a twist. I fell in love with the judge, you’ll know why when you read it, won’t give anything away. I’m a hopeless romantic with a penchant for a bit of a mystery. Sad and laugh out loud funny. Tapping into delicate issues with honesty and tenderness. A must read.
June 30, 2020
Great romance story with twists & mystery!
Who would have ever thought that your recently deceased husband would plan in great detail what man he wanted to court you & ultimately marry you!! If you are looking for a great story, read this book. I'm going to find her other books n keep reading.
Who would have ever thought that your recently deceased husband would plan in great detail what man he wanted to court you & ultimately marry you!! If you are looking for a great story, read this book. I'm going to find her other books n keep reading.
October 5, 2020
Wonderful way to examine everyday life v
What a fun book to read. I loved Delilah. Set in the south it exp!ores so many aspects of daily life. It examines love, laughter, grieving and death. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the way it was told. Most of all I enjoyed the book because it was clean and God was woven throughout.
What a fun book to read. I loved Delilah. Set in the south it exp!ores so many aspects of daily life. It examines love, laughter, grieving and death. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the way it was told. Most of all I enjoyed the book because it was clean and God was woven throughout.
June 17, 2021
The Widow and the Judge
A who-done-it with Southern charm. Though her husband had left her alone, his mysterious letters reached beyond the grave and were left to nudge her to love again.
A who-done-it with Southern charm. Though her husband had left her alone, his mysterious letters reached beyond the grave and were left to nudge her to love again.
May 17, 2020
A tender story with perfect romance and mystery in the background. The characters are lovely and the chemistry between them is beautiful. Enjoyed reading it.
May 18, 2020
Wonderful, captivating, humorous and mysterious.
June 16, 2021
Permission from the grave
Being in love with her newly deceased husband is one thing, but it complicates matters when he knows how she should spend the rest of her life.
Being in love with her newly deceased husband is one thing, but it complicates matters when he knows how she should spend the rest of her life.
September 6, 2019
A delightful start to the series
Often, reading the introduction to a book can be enlightening. So I've made a habit to at least give the intro a fair chance. I also like to skim through the Acknowledgements as well.
As I read first the Dedication and then started into the Acknowledgements (which came at the beginning of this book), I knew I was in for a treat. The style of writing grabbed my attention and the words grabbed my heart. Once the story began, I was completely hooked. Only my commitment to my job kept me from reading all day until I was finished, and that only just barely!
Delilah's deep love for Harry and her grief were poignant and yet the story does not have a somber tone. It is snarky and clever and transported me to a small college town in Kentucky.
The characters were quirky and lovable, except those who were appropriately odious. While the townsfolk were those typically found in any small town, they were no less interesting and enjoyable. Harry had alienated many of the women in town through his depictions of them in his poetry and Delilah was a pariah to them due to a jealous ex-girlfriend of Harry's.
I was perfectly content reading of the judge's (attempted) wooing of Delilah and his gallantry. Then, the author tossed in a fascinating mystery when the car of Judge's long-missing ex-wife was found with two bodies in it from over a decade earlier. With evidence they had been shot before the car ended up in the lake. With the Judge a prime suspect!
Here are some favorite things about the story:
The judge's penchant for carrying handkerchiefs so Delilah could use them to dry her tears
The sweet way Delilah was constantly remembering the feel of Harry's hand in hers or the way he would do things
Harry's letters to Delilah and his friends
The chicken references
The secret room
The scavenger hunt
Molly and Cam
How Delilah always referred to Lyle as "judge" and not by his name
Though almost every vice known to man appears in some form in this story, and bullets fly, the level of violence is minimal and the suspense is not overly heavy or alarming.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Often, reading the introduction to a book can be enlightening. So I've made a habit to at least give the intro a fair chance. I also like to skim through the Acknowledgements as well.
As I read first the Dedication and then started into the Acknowledgements (which came at the beginning of this book), I knew I was in for a treat. The style of writing grabbed my attention and the words grabbed my heart. Once the story began, I was completely hooked. Only my commitment to my job kept me from reading all day until I was finished, and that only just barely!
Delilah's deep love for Harry and her grief were poignant and yet the story does not have a somber tone. It is snarky and clever and transported me to a small college town in Kentucky.
The characters were quirky and lovable, except those who were appropriately odious. While the townsfolk were those typically found in any small town, they were no less interesting and enjoyable. Harry had alienated many of the women in town through his depictions of them in his poetry and Delilah was a pariah to them due to a jealous ex-girlfriend of Harry's.
I was perfectly content reading of the judge's (attempted) wooing of Delilah and his gallantry. Then, the author tossed in a fascinating mystery when the car of Judge's long-missing ex-wife was found with two bodies in it from over a decade earlier. With evidence they had been shot before the car ended up in the lake. With the Judge a prime suspect!
Here are some favorite things about the story:
The judge's penchant for carrying handkerchiefs so Delilah could use them to dry her tears
The sweet way Delilah was constantly remembering the feel of Harry's hand in hers or the way he would do things
Harry's letters to Delilah and his friends
The chicken references
The secret room
The scavenger hunt
Molly and Cam
How Delilah always referred to Lyle as "judge" and not by his name
Though almost every vice known to man appears in some form in this story, and bullets fly, the level of violence is minimal and the suspense is not overly heavy or alarming.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
August 23, 2019
This cozy mystery was a delight to read. Delilah Morgan was a fun main character, and she often had me laughing out loud. As I was reading, I kept thinking about how similar the writing style was to Jan Karon's Mitford series, which I always enjoyed reading. The book is just good, clean fun, and was a pleasure to read for free in exchange for an honest review. I was not ready to let these characters go, and was relieved to know that there would be another one in the works.
August 2, 2021
This book had such a creative theme and was so enjoyable to read. Because she is dealing with the death of her husband, there are definitely some grief filled moments. But there are so many moments of laughter as D.B. goes through the adjustment period. Before he died, Harry picked out a new husband for her. This suspense book had an interesting premise. I definitely recommend this book and this series.
November 20, 2020
What a delightful, quirky story. And so original. It begins with Delilah Morgan carrying out an outlandish promise to her recently deceased husband, and the ride goes from there. An unpredictable parade of characters keeps the humor flowing as Delilah and the handsome Lyle Henderson move toward love. Oh, and there's a murder. Did Lyle murder his wife? Have fun with this great story.
September 19, 2019
This was a fun read. Lighthearted mystery with wonderful characters.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews