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Susan Henshaw #6
A Star-Spangled Murder
The death of the summer…
Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summer house in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan’s relaxing holiday goes out with the tide.
Somebody in the small town committed murder—and in between making potato salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers, Susan means to find out who…
Praise for Valerie Wolzien:
'A nice writing style and considerable wit' - Chicago Tribune
'Engaging' - People Magazine
Valerie Wolzien is the author of the Susan Henshaw suburban mysteries and the Josie Pigeon seashore mysteries. Valerie lives in an old house overlooking the Hudson River.
Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summer house in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan’s relaxing holiday goes out with the tide.
Somebody in the small town committed murder—and in between making potato salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers, Susan means to find out who…
Praise for Valerie Wolzien:
'A nice writing style and considerable wit' - Chicago Tribune
'Engaging' - People Magazine
Valerie Wolzien is the author of the Susan Henshaw suburban mysteries and the Josie Pigeon seashore mysteries. Valerie lives in an old house overlooking the Hudson River.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
22 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Wolzien
30 books68 followersValerie Wolzien is the author of the Susan Henshaw suburban mysteries and the Josie Pigeon seashore mysteries. Ms. Wolzien lives in an old house overlooking the Hudson River. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached online at valerie@wolzien.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 12, 2012
OMG..this book was brain numbing! It gave cozy a whole new meaning. I have read some cozies that weren't as light and fluffy as this book. In my humble opinion, the only thing that was missing were the recipes! Just nothing to this book..can't say anymore!
April 30, 2022
There were many things I liked about this book; the setting, the plot, and the ending. The one thing I had issue with were the new characters who lived in Maine. Everyone in the Taylor household was unlikeable, including the children. I also did not like how Titania, a 13 year old girl, had all the adults running around and doing her bidding. There has to be a point where one of the adults stands up and takes charge of the situation and makes Titania explain what she is up to and what is going on. When everything was finally explained, I definitely found the ending surprising. I have read many books in this series and I plan to continue with this series.
September 22, 2024
I really enjoy this series. I feel like I know the characters, they are fun to read about.
July 25, 2022
Susan and Kathleen head up to the summer house in Maine for the 4th of July happenings. They arrive to find the house not ready. So… mysteries greet them and keep them on their toes all weekend. Enjoyed the storyline. Did not care for the main character.
June 12, 2012
***EDIT***
After thinking about this book all day I have decided to change my review to 1 star. I have been angry all day that I even wasted time reading it and there really isn't any redeeming qualities in the book. I was much too generous earlier giving it a 2 star review and I won't hurt anyone's feelings by saying DON'T READ THIS BOOK!!! IT STINKS! 1 STAR.
Bookflap Description- Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summerhouse in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan's relaxing holiday goes out with the tide...
Somebody in the small town committed murder-and in between making potatoe salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers, Susan means to find out who.
Susan and her friend, Kathleen, arrive at her summer home in Maine before the rest of the family comes up. Upon reaching her house, she finds some odd things. The gate at her driveway is locked, the shutters are only half taken down, the house isn't prepared, and the boathouse is still completely shut even though she hired a new caretaker who was to be sure that the house was ready for Susan. Since they arrived late Susan and Kathleen decide to just go to bed, but morning will begin their July 4th troubles.
They wake up to find a dead body in one of the living room chairs that is still covered. The victim is Humphrey Taylor, the new husband of Susan's neighbor Tricia Taylor. From then on Susan is on the case trying to figure out who the murderer is who left a body in her home.
I found the whole plot from there very odd. Kathleen and Susan are helping the police chief solve the mystery and do most of the work while Janet, the chief, does little to nothing. Susan and Kathleen tell Tricia that her husband is dead. Shouldn't the police do that? Then Tricia's 3 daughters are sent to Susan's house to be taken care of when Susan is a complete stranger to the Taylors. The oldest of the 3 daughters, Titania, then leaves a not saying she is hiding and for Susan to watch her dog. The police start a search party but her parents aren't even mentioned in this part of the plot. Wouldn't parents want to be involved if their child had gone missing?? The plot is absurd and it was hard to maintain my suspension of disbelief for long. As I read, I just kept asking myself WTH is going on? Where are the parents and police? Why is no one but Susan and Kathleen doing anything? It was all very frustrating! I will admit that I have never read this author before and maybe the plot would make more sense if I had read books earlier in the series but going on just what I read, this was not such a good plot.
The writing syle itself was very confusing. It seemed to jump around a bit and there were a lot of non-sequitors. I found myself having to re-read several paragraphs because I didn't understand what was going on or what was said. This is never a problem for me when I am reading a cozy mystery. I am surprised that the style was so sloppy when the series seems to be so popular. However, I have never read the series and maybe I would feel differently if I read it from the beginning of the series.
The characters themselves were good. The main character was developed well enough for a first time reader to understand what kind of person Susan is and the rest of the characters were new and nicely developed. A few of the side characters added some humor and a little bit of depth to the story but most of them were really not needed.
The conclusion was completely confusing. How Susan came to all of her conclusions was absolutely unknown to me. There were very few clues left for the reader to figure it out. The solution to the crime was very complex. I read the ending twice to make sure that I understood. Basically, for a cozy mystery, this took way to much work for me to read. When I read a cozy, I think of a nice, quick, easy, funny read. This just had too much. It seemed that the author tried too hard or didn't really have her story straight in her head and just wrote randomly. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone really and I only read it because it matched a challenge for a book club. I don't think I will continue with this series. 2 stars.
After thinking about this book all day I have decided to change my review to 1 star. I have been angry all day that I even wasted time reading it and there really isn't any redeeming qualities in the book. I was much too generous earlier giving it a 2 star review and I won't hurt anyone's feelings by saying DON'T READ THIS BOOK!!! IT STINKS! 1 STAR.
Bookflap Description- Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summerhouse in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan's relaxing holiday goes out with the tide...
Somebody in the small town committed murder-and in between making potatoe salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers, Susan means to find out who.
Susan and her friend, Kathleen, arrive at her summer home in Maine before the rest of the family comes up. Upon reaching her house, she finds some odd things. The gate at her driveway is locked, the shutters are only half taken down, the house isn't prepared, and the boathouse is still completely shut even though she hired a new caretaker who was to be sure that the house was ready for Susan. Since they arrived late Susan and Kathleen decide to just go to bed, but morning will begin their July 4th troubles.
They wake up to find a dead body in one of the living room chairs that is still covered. The victim is Humphrey Taylor, the new husband of Susan's neighbor Tricia Taylor. From then on Susan is on the case trying to figure out who the murderer is who left a body in her home.
I found the whole plot from there very odd. Kathleen and Susan are helping the police chief solve the mystery and do most of the work while Janet, the chief, does little to nothing. Susan and Kathleen tell Tricia that her husband is dead. Shouldn't the police do that? Then Tricia's 3 daughters are sent to Susan's house to be taken care of when Susan is a complete stranger to the Taylors. The oldest of the 3 daughters, Titania, then leaves a not saying she is hiding and for Susan to watch her dog. The police start a search party but her parents aren't even mentioned in this part of the plot. Wouldn't parents want to be involved if their child had gone missing?? The plot is absurd and it was hard to maintain my suspension of disbelief for long. As I read, I just kept asking myself WTH is going on? Where are the parents and police? Why is no one but Susan and Kathleen doing anything? It was all very frustrating! I will admit that I have never read this author before and maybe the plot would make more sense if I had read books earlier in the series but going on just what I read, this was not such a good plot.
The writing syle itself was very confusing. It seemed to jump around a bit and there were a lot of non-sequitors. I found myself having to re-read several paragraphs because I didn't understand what was going on or what was said. This is never a problem for me when I am reading a cozy mystery. I am surprised that the style was so sloppy when the series seems to be so popular. However, I have never read the series and maybe I would feel differently if I read it from the beginning of the series.
The characters themselves were good. The main character was developed well enough for a first time reader to understand what kind of person Susan is and the rest of the characters were new and nicely developed. A few of the side characters added some humor and a little bit of depth to the story but most of them were really not needed.
The conclusion was completely confusing. How Susan came to all of her conclusions was absolutely unknown to me. There were very few clues left for the reader to figure it out. The solution to the crime was very complex. I read the ending twice to make sure that I understood. Basically, for a cozy mystery, this took way to much work for me to read. When I read a cozy, I think of a nice, quick, easy, funny read. This just had too much. It seemed that the author tried too hard or didn't really have her story straight in her head and just wrote randomly. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone really and I only read it because it matched a challenge for a book club. I don't think I will continue with this series. 2 stars.
March 11, 2017
A bit disjointed for me. The premise was good, but I felt the book jumped around a bit.
January 13, 2017
I've read a few of these mysteries, and I always enjoy them. She keeps me wondering and interested to the end.
August 21, 2008
A STAR-SPANGLED MURDER - NR
Wolzien, Valerie - 6th in Susan Henshaw series
Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summer house in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan's relaxing holiday goes out with the tide.
Somebody in the small town committed murder—and in between making potato salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers Susan means to find out who.
Way too light for me, not my cup of tea.
Wolzien, Valerie - 6th in Susan Henshaw series
Susan Henshaw and her family have been coming to their summer house in Maine for years, but when neighbor Humphrey Taylor is found bludgeoned to death in her living room, Susan's relaxing holiday goes out with the tide.
Somebody in the small town committed murder—and in between making potato salad, watching the July 4th parade, and dodging firecrackers Susan means to find out who.
Way too light for me, not my cup of tea.
September 17, 2012
I had trouble with this book. The setting was interesting--an island in Maine near Arcadia National Park--and I enjoyed the accounts of Maine's 4th of July celebratrations, but I didn't like any of the characters and couldn't keep them straight. I know that part of the story hinged on the fact that no one was terribly upset when the neighbor's husband winds up murdered, but would the houseguests really all go to the fireworks the next night--especailly when half the island is out looking for one of the missing young daughters? It just didn't keep my interest.
July 16, 2013
I found this mystery at the Friends of the Juneau Library bookstore. It was a huge space in a small shopping center.
Susan and her friend Kathleen traveled to Maine to Susan's family summer house on a small island, which is busy preparing for the island's Fourth of July celebrations. Susan has new neighbors, a family with 3 little girls, who have a big secret.
Susan and her friend Kathleen traveled to Maine to Susan's family summer house on a small island, which is busy preparing for the island's Fourth of July celebrations. Susan has new neighbors, a family with 3 little girls, who have a big secret.
February 3, 2020
Susan and Katherine go up vacation in house on Maine island and find another dead body. Complicating the situation are three children and one big, stupid dog. Enjoyed this one and meeting Titiana. Very engaging storyline.
July 4, 2014
Good little mystery set at the Fourth of July in Maine.
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July 4, 2015Loved the setting. Captured 4th of July at Arcadia National Park.
September 28, 2016
Not one of my favorites of Wolzein. Still pretty good, but I didn't like some parts.
June 11, 2012
A super quick, fun, summer read. It was kind of cheesy, but I was ok with that.
July 6, 2012
I've read other books by the author. I enjoy the characters. A quick summer read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews