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Locust Point Mystery #2
Junkyard Man
Kay Carrera sees ghosts. And when the dead turn to her for help, she just can't say no.
Mr. Peter has lived across the street long before Kay moved into her house, and over the decades the collection of old washing machines, lawn mowers, and refrigerators in his front and back yard has reached the point where it’s nearly impossible to find the front door. The man is an eccentric recluse, but how can anyone dislike a kindly person who loves old pottery and dinnerware, and slips Taco, the cat, chicken sandwiches every chance he gets?
Evidently someone disliked him—disliked him enough to kill him.
Was the killer one of the frustrated neighbors? Mr. Peter’s nephew? The delivery man? Or someone else? Mr. Peter’s ghost won’t rest until his murderer is brought to justice, and neither will Kay.
Mr. Peter has lived across the street long before Kay moved into her house, and over the decades the collection of old washing machines, lawn mowers, and refrigerators in his front and back yard has reached the point where it’s nearly impossible to find the front door. The man is an eccentric recluse, but how can anyone dislike a kindly person who loves old pottery and dinnerware, and slips Taco, the cat, chicken sandwiches every chance he gets?
Evidently someone disliked him—disliked him enough to kill him.
Was the killer one of the frustrated neighbors? Mr. Peter’s nephew? The delivery man? Or someone else? Mr. Peter’s ghost won’t rest until his murderer is brought to justice, and neither will Kay.
162 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2017
476 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 10, 2019
Dang. I’ve now read four books in this Debra Dunbar writing as Libby Howard series, and I’ve only written a review for the first book read. Mmphs.
This book here involves: As in all of the books I’ve read, though time does move slowly along so by the time of the fourth book it’s more like months instead of weeks, but still: as in all of the books so far in the series, the main character, Kay Carrera, is a 60 year old widow whose husband has just recently died. Though he hasn’t left her side yet – and Kay knows, because, for reasons never explained (though the ability started after eye-surgery), she sees dead people. Specifically shadows at the edge of her eye (I mean within the view from the side of her eye, not literally inches from the side of her eye; I’d end up in a mental institution if I saw shadowy ghosts always within inches of my eyeball) which correspond, she’s certain, to ghosts – one of whom is her dead husband.
This specific book here involves the death of a neighbor. An old one. With a junk filled yard. He was killed. Kay helps find the killer. Her cat, named Taco if I recall correctly, lead her to Mr. Peters before his death, and to his dead body after his murder (she chasing her cat, that is, wandered into Mr. Peters, then, later, his dead body).
Her borders continue renting rooms in her house and living there (as in, the Judge and, on alternate weeks, his and his estranged wife’s kids).
Good enough book. Been too long to be more explicit in my review. Again just putting something down to later remember what the heck I read.
Rating: 4.25
October 9 2019
This book here involves: As in all of the books I’ve read, though time does move slowly along so by the time of the fourth book it’s more like months instead of weeks, but still: as in all of the books so far in the series, the main character, Kay Carrera, is a 60 year old widow whose husband has just recently died. Though he hasn’t left her side yet – and Kay knows, because, for reasons never explained (though the ability started after eye-surgery), she sees dead people. Specifically shadows at the edge of her eye (I mean within the view from the side of her eye, not literally inches from the side of her eye; I’d end up in a mental institution if I saw shadowy ghosts always within inches of my eyeball) which correspond, she’s certain, to ghosts – one of whom is her dead husband.
This specific book here involves the death of a neighbor. An old one. With a junk filled yard. He was killed. Kay helps find the killer. Her cat, named Taco if I recall correctly, lead her to Mr. Peters before his death, and to his dead body after his murder (she chasing her cat, that is, wandered into Mr. Peters, then, later, his dead body).
Her borders continue renting rooms in her house and living there (as in, the Judge and, on alternate weeks, his and his estranged wife’s kids).
Good enough book. Been too long to be more explicit in my review. Again just putting something down to later remember what the heck I read.
Rating: 4.25
October 9 2019
October 7, 2017
Nice follow up.
So this is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I really enjoyed it. It was a great follow up to the original book, however, I choose three stars because it’s still somewhat predictable. But it’s a great cozy mystery. I like the idea of ghosts, and will have love to see more of it. So I’m hoping that the Follet books will have a little bit more supernatural ghost activity.
So this is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I really enjoyed it. It was a great follow up to the original book, however, I choose three stars because it’s still somewhat predictable. But it’s a great cozy mystery. I like the idea of ghosts, and will have love to see more of it. So I’m hoping that the Follet books will have a little bit more supernatural ghost activity.
December 2, 2023
Another disappointing book. I’m done with this series. Too many other books to read.
September 2, 2023
Not bad
Older woman, a cute cat named taco, ghosts, and a murder across the street. What could be more exciting? This was Not too bad.
Older woman, a cute cat named taco, ghosts, and a murder across the street. What could be more exciting? This was Not too bad.
November 5, 2018
The main character is both intelligent and likeable. I enjoyed getting to know more about Kay, her friends and her lodgers. The mystery was easily solved, which is why it got three stars, rather than four stars, but I still liked it.
February 14, 2022
Junkyard Man: A Locust Point Mystery (Book 2) — Libby Howard/Narrator: Margaret Strom (20 chapters) Feb. 10, 2022
This was the second book in the series I read, but I honestly could not remember the first book. Which ended up being a good thing.
I love this series. The characters and the plot is easy, breezy and fast to read, and a joy to listen to as well.
Kay is a recently widow who rented rooms out to a judge going through divorce and his two kids. This is a unique “family” that Judge Beck and the kids get along with Kay and include her in many activities of theirs and same of her.
In this story, a recluse neighbor winds up dead and Kay, who had just started to enjoy his presence decides to look in and try and figure out what happens.
Oh, and did I mention she sees ghosts of the dead? (Which may include her deceased husband.) And it so happens these ghosts are the ones that Kay discovers. Her friend Daisy, who has been with her through all her ups and downs, is a perfect wing-woman.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I read this as a part of a three books set.
The narrator, Margaret Strom, is absolutely a perfect voice for this series.
Four stars.
This was the second book in the series I read, but I honestly could not remember the first book. Which ended up being a good thing.
I love this series. The characters and the plot is easy, breezy and fast to read, and a joy to listen to as well.
Kay is a recently widow who rented rooms out to a judge going through divorce and his two kids. This is a unique “family” that Judge Beck and the kids get along with Kay and include her in many activities of theirs and same of her.
In this story, a recluse neighbor winds up dead and Kay, who had just started to enjoy his presence decides to look in and try and figure out what happens.
Oh, and did I mention she sees ghosts of the dead? (Which may include her deceased husband.) And it so happens these ghosts are the ones that Kay discovers. Her friend Daisy, who has been with her through all her ups and downs, is a perfect wing-woman.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I read this as a part of a three books set.
The narrator, Margaret Strom, is absolutely a perfect voice for this series.
Four stars.
December 24, 2017
I am truly liking this new series, probably because Kay and I are almost the same age; I have the same concerns as she, and see myself in her. This time Taco has been getting extra rations, namely chicken sandwiches, from local hoarder, Mr. Peter across the street. He is a nice old man, but lonely, and Judge Beck's son becomes like a grandson to the old man.
Suddenly Kay finds Mr. Peter dead in his kitchen, and besides seeing Eli's ghost, she is now seeing the old man's ghost. There are nasty neighbors, and thieves very much interested in the antiques hoarded inside the home. But can Kay find out who the murderer is and nab him/her, or end up becoming the next victim?
By the way, book #3, Antique Secrets, is now available on Kindle Unlimited to read for free...and that's where I'm off to now, another good read!
Suddenly Kay finds Mr. Peter dead in his kitchen, and besides seeing Eli's ghost, she is now seeing the old man's ghost. There are nasty neighbors, and thieves very much interested in the antiques hoarded inside the home. But can Kay find out who the murderer is and nab him/her, or end up becoming the next victim?
By the way, book #3, Antique Secrets, is now available on Kindle Unlimited to read for free...and that's where I'm off to now, another good read!
December 11, 2020
I'd been wanting to get back to the Locust Point series ever since I read and liked the first one. Kay was investigating the murder of a longtime neighbor but only recently a friend. In the meantime, her boss J.T. provided a little comic action as he continued making a video series based on his private investigation life.
Kay was seeing her resident ghost a little more often and had come to think of him as Eli, her deceased husband. The ghost was more of a shadow, but it gave her comfort. The two murders she'd come across also had ghost shadows that tended to want her help catching their killers. The whodunit made total sense, but I'm not sure I would have guessed it. Kay was drawing a lot of comfort from her roomer family, Judge Beck, a dad with two kids that he shared custody of with his ex. The ending was very sweet with Kay finally feeling like she had a family.
Kay was seeing her resident ghost a little more often and had come to think of him as Eli, her deceased husband. The ghost was more of a shadow, but it gave her comfort. The two murders she'd come across also had ghost shadows that tended to want her help catching their killers. The whodunit made total sense, but I'm not sure I would have guessed it. Kay was drawing a lot of comfort from her roomer family, Judge Beck, a dad with two kids that he shared custody of with his ex. The ending was very sweet with Kay finally feeling like she had a family.
July 10, 2022
Nice cozy quick entertaining read.
Female, widow, early-senior citizen protagonist. She has lost her parents. In-laws, husband & never had children.
when she's in danger of loosing her home, she decides to take in tenants. Enter a man, 20 years her junior, in the middle of a divorce with two children. His rent covers the mortgage, so her job covers utilities, groceries. Incidentals.
His family envelopes her & they all become emotionally entangled. This fills a void in her life. She helps the family providing support as needed, but more as an aunt or grandmother. She takes up knitting, & her best friend lives next door. They do early morning yoga together & occasionally have wine on the porch in the evening.
It's a nice story & nothing too shocking or grizzly. Just an enjoyable, entertaining read. 😄
Female, widow, early-senior citizen protagonist. She has lost her parents. In-laws, husband & never had children.
when she's in danger of loosing her home, she decides to take in tenants. Enter a man, 20 years her junior, in the middle of a divorce with two children. His rent covers the mortgage, so her job covers utilities, groceries. Incidentals.
His family envelopes her & they all become emotionally entangled. This fills a void in her life. She helps the family providing support as needed, but more as an aunt or grandmother. She takes up knitting, & her best friend lives next door. They do early morning yoga together & occasionally have wine on the porch in the evening.
It's a nice story & nothing too shocking or grizzly. Just an enjoyable, entertaining read. 😄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
Welcome to Locust Point!
This is book 2 in the series and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first book. I totally identify with the lead character, same age, same curiosity, same sense of loss over a loved one, though I didn’t lose my husband. She mirrors so many of my own feelings of loss and needing the company of all her friends and neighbors. In this story, it focuses on the 80 year old man across the street who has all the hallmarks of a hoarder. Getting to know him and his great interest in all things old. I had a next door neighbor who was much the same! I am enjoying the development of the continuing characters, and the growth of the relationships between them. On to book 3!
This is book 2 in the series and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first book. I totally identify with the lead character, same age, same curiosity, same sense of loss over a loved one, though I didn’t lose my husband. She mirrors so many of my own feelings of loss and needing the company of all her friends and neighbors. In this story, it focuses on the 80 year old man across the street who has all the hallmarks of a hoarder. Getting to know him and his great interest in all things old. I had a next door neighbor who was much the same! I am enjoying the development of the continuing characters, and the growth of the relationships between them. On to book 3!
April 15, 2022
It took me two tries to get into Junkyard Man but I was able to finish it. It got slightly more interesting as I got into it. I think cozy mysteries are not my genre but occasionally I do read them. This one peaked my interest because of the title. There are certain keywords sure to get my attention junkyard happens to be one of them, along with abandoned, kidnapping, and Wisconsin, so it provides some variety in reading.
Not having read the first installment, (thankfully, I think) I missed out on learning of Kay's loss of her husband and her stumbling upon her first murder victim. I didn't really feel a connection to her but liked the antique aspect of her neighbor who was saddled with the most outrageous name. The mystery was solved rather quickly. Time to move on.
Not having read the first installment, (thankfully, I think) I missed out on learning of Kay's loss of her husband and her stumbling upon her first murder victim. I didn't really feel a connection to her but liked the antique aspect of her neighbor who was saddled with the most outrageous name. The mystery was solved rather quickly. Time to move on.
February 18, 2025
Side characters are fleshed out in this second installment and the protagonist is more realistic. However, cozy mysteries in small towns are all about people not noticing what is right in front of you, and I can't imagine that even a busy father wouldn't know his son is periodically gone for hours at someone else's house. And then once the murder investigation starts, no one seems to be asking the kids who spent so much time with the victim whether they talked to anyone else about what he had in his house. At least the protagonist finally talks to her best friend who has alternate spiritual beliefs about her 'vision issues', instead of the investigator or doctor who are predictably going to tell her it's all in her head - my only question is why wouldn't she talk to her friend first?
July 5, 2022
Another Great Plotline That Kept Me Listening.
This is only the second audiobook I've listened to written by Libby Howard (Margaret Strom continues to be the series' narrator).
I really enjoy the way Libby crafts her tale, she allows her characters to grow organically and further showcases their personalities in this second instalment.
I love the fact that our protagonist for this cosy mystery series is in her 60s. Margaret's narration really captures Kay's personality - her intelligence, wit, insecurities, and gumption.
I have added the next audiobook to my wish list.
This is only the second audiobook I've listened to written by Libby Howard (Margaret Strom continues to be the series' narrator).
I really enjoy the way Libby crafts her tale, she allows her characters to grow organically and further showcases their personalities in this second instalment.
I love the fact that our protagonist for this cosy mystery series is in her 60s. Margaret's narration really captures Kay's personality - her intelligence, wit, insecurities, and gumption.
I have added the next audiobook to my wish list.
July 23, 2025
Another wonderful story in this series starts with Kay noticing Taco, the cat has been going across the street visiting Mr. Peter who gives Taco chicken sandwiches. Kay goes over to visit Mr. Peter and ask him if Taco is bothering him but Mr. Peter says he doesn't mind. Mr. Peter is a collector of a lot of things to old washing machines, lawn mowers to kitchen refrigerators and various dishes and a lot of boxed items in the basement. Mr. Peter is very kind and Kay is surprised when he is murdered and his ghost shows up but doesn't tell Kay much of anything but this does not stop her.
May 13, 2022
This is the second in the series, a delightful cozy mystery series with the protagonist being a female “senior.” Being lonely and strapped for funds to keep her home she takes a roommate and gets a cat. The roommate is a young Judge who is in the process of getting a divorce with partial custody of his two teenage children. Once again, her house is actually a home filled with children, friends, her cat, and her husband’s ghost.
The stories are interesting and fun to read.
The stories are interesting and fun to read.
January 13, 2018
Second book of the series and Kay already feels like an old friend to me. I like her very much, would love to live in her neighbourhood (horrific murders aside) and my heart breaks for her loss. But I adore how she copes! And once again the suspense story is woven into the story of her life beautifully. It's so very cozy I have to read the next one too!
November 12, 2018
I am enjoying this series. I have to admit the series isn't what I thought it was going to be, when I first started reading the books. Still wishing the ghosts had a bigger part in the stories. And the plots are pretty predictable. But the characters are all likable. And this book was a quick, enjoyable read.
September 24, 2020
This book was just as good as the first one maybe even better, because I already knew the characters.
The ghost(s) were back, so was taco (the cat). I really like all of the characters, even the judge's wife!; but I hope they don't get back together. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
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The ghost(s) were back, so was taco (the cat). I really like all of the characters, even the judge's wife!; but I hope they don't get back together. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
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September 30, 2017
This is a great series, the first book started a little slow, building the background for the main character, but quickly started this the second and am now on the third. I also like that the main character is a 60 year old smart and capable woman.
February 13, 2018
Another delightful book by this author. I really like her style of writing. The characters feel like old friends. I will definitely be reading all of the books in this series. In fact, I have trouble putting the one I'm currently reading away for the night.
March 1, 2018
Fun read
Well crafted characters and interesting plot made this a quick, fun read. It's nice to read about a woman of a certain age surfing the challenges of life and finding a reasonable level of happiness.
Well crafted characters and interesting plot made this a quick, fun read. It's nice to read about a woman of a certain age surfing the challenges of life and finding a reasonable level of happiness.
March 18, 2018
New for me!
This is a new series for me and I am enjoying them very much! I like it when there are lots of details, multiple plot threads, and it still takes almost all of the story before I know "who done it!" Really great, you will love them too!
This is a new series for me and I am enjoying them very much! I like it when there are lots of details, multiple plot threads, and it still takes almost all of the story before I know "who done it!" Really great, you will love them too!
March 21, 2018
Heartwarming
I love the heroine in this series. She's a 60 year old widow who can see ghosts after her cataract surgery. She has rented rooms in her home to a judge and his two children. She's finally got the family she's wanted, including her deceased husband's ghost
I love the heroine in this series. She's a 60 year old widow who can see ghosts after her cataract surgery. She has rented rooms in her home to a judge and his two children. She's finally got the family she's wanted, including her deceased husband's ghost
April 14, 2018
Heartwarming series
As Judge Beck said, Kay Carrera is an action hero with knitting needles, a cat, and silver in her hair.
Kay finally accepted that the blob she have been seeing is infact are ghosts.
As Judge Beck said, Kay Carrera is an action hero with knitting needles, a cat, and silver in her hair.
Kay finally accepted that the blob she have been seeing is infact are ghosts.
June 3, 2018
This is the second book in the Locust Point Mystery series and I really enjoyed it. I have purchased the rest of the series. I don't do that unless I feel the series is worth it, and this one certainly is.
August 6, 2018
An easy poolside read. A continuing story of murderers taking a place in a small town. A widow who takes in a judge and his two children often finds herself in solving the crime that took place across the street.
April 25, 2019
I was hooked with the first title in the Locust Point Mystery series and was as enchanted with this second title. Kay is a 50 something widow who sees ghosts and finds herself somehow involved with a murder happens in her small town. Looking forward to book 3.
August 17, 2019
Just plain readable!
These books are so fun to read! I love how the author didn't spend endless amount of pages on the "poor widow" spiel, but, allowed her moments of grief to be a part of her overall life! I can't wait to read more!
These books are so fun to read! I love how the author didn't spend endless amount of pages on the "poor widow" spiel, but, allowed her moments of grief to be a part of her overall life! I can't wait to read more!
November 5, 2019
Sometimes all you need is a friend
Very well written. I like how the author is including all characters in the plot and story line. Figured out who did it unlike the first book which took me almost to the end to figure it out.
Very well written. I like how the author is including all characters in the plot and story line. Figured out who did it unlike the first book which took me almost to the end to figure it out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews