In the television production world, a body brace is used to shift the weight of the camera to the operator's shoulder. This allows for smoother shots than might be obtainable by handheld operation. Braces also reduce stress on the arms, which reduces tiredness and muscle cramps during filming. And, at the small-town Wyoming TV station KWMT, cameras are older and bulkier than those used in network news-gathering. Almost as old as some of the equipment used in a historical re-creation that draws Elizabeth and friends into another investigation.
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Body Brace, Book 10 of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series, is a smart, surprising, fast-paced cozy mystery with humor. If you like quirky characters, hints of romance and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s page-turner.
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
I do love a good mystery and I’ve enjoyed following this series, however this book is not as well put together as the previous ones. There are a lot more characters to keep track of. I found myself wishing for an organizational chart of family trees to keep me connected to who’s related to who. Also, this book (#10) is the first one in the series where I’ve noted poor editing in the form if missing words. I had the impression that this book was rushed into a publishing deadline.
With that said, I still recommend the series and have given the previous 9 high praise. I’m looking forward to seeing a kick start on the romance before I move on.
The plot was complex and the author's execution of that plot was excellent.
Unfortunately, the editing / proof-reading was terrible. Missing words, missing or mis-positioned punctuation, misspelled words and more made it hard to stay immersed in the story.
Not as easy a read ad previous novels. This is a more serious tale with so many tangents an twist. The last 4 chapters are fantastic. Great set up for the next story.
I have enjoyed all the books in this series and love the strong, smart female characters, but I missed the relationships between Tom and Elizabeth and Elizabeth and Mike. I also like that I didn’t figure out until the end who the murderer was and that I figured it out with Elizabeth.
Great series, very well-written. Although all the characters are present in the book, a couple of them are not physically present. Mike is only around through video conferencing. Jennifer is present mostly through video conferencing but does physically appear at the end of the story.
One thing Patricia McLinn does with her characters is to give them realistic life arcs. Mike Paycik left Wyoming in the previous book in the series as his career grew. In this book another character is set to make a move away from Wyoming. (No, it's not Elizabeth.) Although, throughout the series Elizabeth has questioned her desire to stay in Wyoming. In this book, she addresses her feelings about that and seems to have come to an answer about staying or leaving. This is what makes these books so interesting. Yes, it's hard to let go of characters you've come to enjoy. But, by writing her characters with this amount of real life choices available, they become even more believable for the reader.
As I read this book, the mystery element had a feel of deja vu for me. An aspect of the mystery has been dealt with in a prior volume in the series. But, with McLinn's skill as a writer, the familiarity did not detract from the enjoyment of reading Body Brace. The mystery was very involved. Yes, I guessed who the guilty party was. But, how all the pieces fit together was very complicated and I have to admit I got lost in putting all the pieces together but I still enjoyed this book. Caught Dead in Wyoming is one of my favorite mystery series. McLinn is an accomplished writer. I highly recommend this book as I do the entire Caught Dead in Wyoming series.
Even though some changes occur this is an excellent book. In the developing romance between Elizabeth, Tom and Mike, I did not pick the way the author did. I guess that is the way each of us look at romance. But in this book Mike has gone to a job in Chicago. Tom has backed off because he places his daughter as being more important. So the relationship of dating between the three has changed. Read and learn. Now in this book with the romance triangle we have not one murder but two. What adds to the story is the twists of who will get what or why they were killed. Many secrets will come to light and they will surprise you. So of the gang Mike might not be there physically but he contributes but Tom is not really active in the mystery solving because I believe his being around Elizabeth is too much for him based on his feelings for her. I still have hope that Elizabeth will settle. I strongly recommend this book and the entire series as you will miss if you find this book but there is so much leading up to how the characters relate to each other. But you will enjoy the book and I look forward to the next in the series!
I love this series. This book gave me a better understanding of Diana and her strengths. Penny is always fun, but I'm beginning to wonder if she uses her everyday job to keep watch over her town. I couldn't get into this story as much as previous but keeping up with my Wyoming crew is always interesting. Maybe because I see so many news celebrities making themselves the story and asking really stupid questions, EM Danniher is not my favorite person in the series. She keeps herself apart and appears cold but she does let her warm side out at home with Shadow. I missed Tom and didn't get enough of Tamantha. The whole group of friends hold my interest, plus Sheriff Conrad and Officer Shelton became a little more approachable. I knew early who the killer was but couldn't really work up any feelings for the victim or his ex. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Wow! Another intriguing Caught Dead In Wyoming Series mystery!
While covering the every-two years semi-annual Cottonwood County Miner's Camp Fight Camp and Re-Enactment Event with Diana, boss camera-person, for KWMT-TV because going outside to report on "children playing cowboys and Indians" was beneath Thurston Fine's "dignity", E. M. is first to find a dead body while being on the scene of yet another dead bodies' discovery! With not just one but two murders to solve, two members of her crime fighting crew in Chicago, Mrs. P's sudden reticence, and Tom's near complete abandonment, our favorite reporter has her work cut out for her! A most satisfying read and happily recommended!!!
I love all the books in the “Caught Dead in Wyoming” series. I really enjoy reading the books and getting to know the other people she puts in the stories. They are funny, they just make me feel good after reading one of her books. Cross Talk was great, some of the regular people were gone and she had to recruit more help. Elizabeth makes the sheriff mad by trying to get information from the police or however she is getting to the truth. I can’t put it down because I want to know what happens next. If you like women who investigate deaths this is the book. I love it, hope you get it and read it and like it as much as I do.
I'm a big fan of Patricia McLinn and of this series, in particular. The characters are engaging, so that you care about them, their relationships, their goals, and her stories are well plotted, with enough twists to be keep you reading as you try to figure out the identity of the killer. The writing is fast-paced, especially in the way core characters interact - and this book seemed faster than ever. It helps to have read at least a few of the previous books to catch on to their conversational shortcuts, as people who work closely together all the time and know how each one thinks, reacts, and even to know some of the secondary but impactful characters who play their own roles as the story unfolds. Plus, it's fun to read the whole series, to get to know the history of the town and county, and just to spend time with these characters who soon came to feel like friends. I highly recommend the whole series and always, eagerly, await the next installment.
I love it when I get more than I paid for! That is always the case with Patricia McLinn's Caught Dead in Wyoming series. These books are so much better than a typical cozy mystery. The mystery is well plotted, the characters are well developed and the dialogue is intelligent with an amble helping of McClinn's signature wit. I order these books as soon as I'm able - they really are that good.
Outstanding story as expected. Ms McLinn's Caught Dead in Wyoming books keep me from putting the book down until it's finished. As I read this one I was thinking it might be the last of the series, Mike's in Chicago and Jennifer soon leaving for Northwestern, until I read the last sentence in the book. Wow! Gotta be another one in the works. Cannot wait to read it.
I have read everything Patricia McMinn has written and again she hasn't disappointed. I loved Body Brace,a great plot with alL the twists and turns. The usual superb caste of amateur sleuths and great supporting players. I love Penny in the local shop. Missed Tom Burrell who only appeared sporadically. Can't wait for The next book. I have already pre ordered it. Try Ms Mclinn 's books you won't be disappointed.
This book #10 in the Caught Dead in Wyoming series is another great mystery! I love book series where you get to follow the same characters thru ups and downs, and this series does Not disapoint. Her books are murder mysteries with plenty of twists and turns to keeo you guessing! There is also a hint of romance, which I enjoy. I highly recommend these books!
You can't go wrong if you spend your time reading this series. McLinn does a masterful job of weaving all the various aspects of a murder mystery along with descriptions of life in small town Wyoming, the impact that both older and younger residents have on each other and some romance (not enough IMHO).
I like how Patricia McLinn gently teaches me about the workings of a small town newsroom, while creating a gripping mystery. Her characters have become friends each bringing their unique talents to her stories. Even as I finish one book, I'm already eagerly looking forward to the next.
I have only given this 3 stars, because I found the beginning of the book a little hard going. The normal dynamic I have come to expect from this series was initially missing as there was some physical distance between them. Once the gang began to connect again, I felt the story flowed better, and my enjoyment level rose once again.
BODY BRACE is another wonderful addition to Patricia McLinn’s “Caught Dead in Wyoming” series. The characters are completely and beautifully developed, the dialogue is natural, and the murder mystery (or mysteries!) is impossible to solve until the very end.
I enjoy murder mysteries with a bit of romance. You get to know the characters and enjoy the humor as well. Can't go wrong with this series. Eagerly awaiting the next book. Can't be soon enough!
I found myself constantly changing my mind about who did it, after I'd figured it out. This is the best one yet. Read it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. I'm look forward to the next one already.
With each book in this series, McLinn gets more complicated. This has a good plot and good characters. Along with her mysteries, McLinn gives history lessons and insights to the culture of Wyoming.