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Abby McCree Mystery #4
Death by Intermission
Abby McCree spends a summer showing family films under the stars—only to end the season with an unexpected slasher flick . . .
Ushered once again onto another committee by the mayor of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Abby is tasked with keeping the box office receipts of the town’s Movies in the Park nights. Cut to the director’s chair from where she’s suddenly organizing the summer’s last feature. From the opening scene through the final credits, Abby feels she’s earned nominations for best volunteer, best movie date with her tenant Tripp Blackston—and best daughter for ignoring her mother Phoebe’s own movie date with Owen Quinn.
Unfortunately, Abby and the others are treated to a post-credits scene: the body of local insurance agent Mitchell Anders. This discovery is followed by a plot twist revealing that the murder weapon comes from Owen’s food truck. With her mother’s boyfriend suspected of murder, Abby starts her own investigation determined to shine a spotlight on the real killer . . .
Ushered once again onto another committee by the mayor of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Abby is tasked with keeping the box office receipts of the town’s Movies in the Park nights. Cut to the director’s chair from where she’s suddenly organizing the summer’s last feature. From the opening scene through the final credits, Abby feels she’s earned nominations for best volunteer, best movie date with her tenant Tripp Blackston—and best daughter for ignoring her mother Phoebe’s own movie date with Owen Quinn.
Unfortunately, Abby and the others are treated to a post-credits scene: the body of local insurance agent Mitchell Anders. This discovery is followed by a plot twist revealing that the murder weapon comes from Owen’s food truck. With her mother’s boyfriend suspected of murder, Abby starts her own investigation determined to shine a spotlight on the real killer . . .
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2021
26 people are currently reading
942 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Morgan
97 books999 followersAlexis Morgan grew up near St. Louis and received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have made the Pacific Northwest their home for more than thirty years, where she launched her career as a writer. She is published in paranormal romance, fantasy romance, American West historicals, and most recently, contemporary romances with her new Snowberry Creek series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 31, 2024
Death by Intermission by Alexis Morgan is the fourth book in the cozy Abby McCree Mystery series. As with most cozy series each book in the Abby McCree Mystery series has it’s own mystery that is solved within the book so each can be read in any order or as a standalone if choosing to do so. However, those that follow along from the beginning of the series will have some character development that carries over from book to book.
This series introduces readers to Abby McCree who had just gotten divorced and had to sell her half of the business she shared with her husband over to him when she found out what her Aunt Sybil left her in her will. Needing a fresh start Abby decided to move into her Aunts former home and make it her own in small town Snowberry Creek, Washington. After arriving in the small town Abby found herself surrounded by her aunt’s old friends who are turning to her to fill the hole that her aunt had also left in their lives and trying to get Abby to volunteer for project after project.
Now Abby has yet again been asked to join yet another committee with this time being asked by the mayor. Abby’s task has been to keep up with the box office receipts at the town’s movies in the park event but now she finds herself organizing the last movie but just as Abby thinks the night is a total success she ends up with yet another dead body on her hands. This time Abby really can’t sit back and wait for the murderer to be caught with the suspect being none other than her own mother’s date for the evening.
I have been following the Abby McCree Mystery series from the very beginning and I think Death by Intermission has been my favorite so far of the series. This is a series that has all of the elements of cozy mysteries that I enjoy with the small town setting, wonderful side characters, a bit of romance and an engaging mystery to be solved with each new book. Definitely a series I will continue to return to in the future!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
This series introduces readers to Abby McCree who had just gotten divorced and had to sell her half of the business she shared with her husband over to him when she found out what her Aunt Sybil left her in her will. Needing a fresh start Abby decided to move into her Aunts former home and make it her own in small town Snowberry Creek, Washington. After arriving in the small town Abby found herself surrounded by her aunt’s old friends who are turning to her to fill the hole that her aunt had also left in their lives and trying to get Abby to volunteer for project after project.
Now Abby has yet again been asked to join yet another committee with this time being asked by the mayor. Abby’s task has been to keep up with the box office receipts at the town’s movies in the park event but now she finds herself organizing the last movie but just as Abby thinks the night is a total success she ends up with yet another dead body on her hands. This time Abby really can’t sit back and wait for the murderer to be caught with the suspect being none other than her own mother’s date for the evening.
I have been following the Abby McCree Mystery series from the very beginning and I think Death by Intermission has been my favorite so far of the series. This is a series that has all of the elements of cozy mysteries that I enjoy with the small town setting, wonderful side characters, a bit of romance and an engaging mystery to be solved with each new book. Definitely a series I will continue to return to in the future!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 9, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Press for a free advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Alexis Morgan returns to Snowberry Creek for her 4th installment of the Abby McCree mysteries, and she once again proves that she is not your average run-of-the-mill cozy mystery writer.
As with all her cozies, there is a good and believable plot involving the murder of a spectator at the final movies in the park night in Snowberry Creek. We also have the introduction of a few new characters who provide additional drama, in support of the books plot.
For this book, Abby now has her mother. Phoebe, visiting her from Seattle, and in the brief time Phoebe was there she was able to find a boyfriend. Both Abby and her mother are divorcees, and for some reason Abby takes an immediate dislike of her mother’s friend, Owen. We even are treated to Phoebe’s “canoodling” during the movie, which brings the first hint of Abby’s dislike for Owen, and it all goes downhill from there.
Abby and her mother go to finish the cleanup of the park area and discover the dead body, sitting in a chair away from where the crowds sat during the movie. The police are called in and, before you know it, Owen is the main suspect in the murder.
Phoebe takes an immediate dislike to the local police chief and is harshly outspoken as to her feelings and, to be honest, for most of the book Phoebe acts like a petulant love-sick teenager. But this mother-daughter tension helps move the plot along, and also explains some of the issues between the two ladies.
While the police go about solving the crime, Abby and her mother continue sparring almost every time they are together and because of this Abby never really gets into solving the crime. This is one of the authors strong suits since, unlike so many cozies, her main character is not smarter nor more intuitive than the police, nor does she actively go about trying to insert herself into the investigation. And thus things happen off the page that move this story along.
Owen sits in jail and it is obvious to all that he is withholding certain facts about the night of the murder, and despite Phoebe being allowed to visit him and try to talk some sense into him he still refuses to assist the police. What confuses everyone is that the decedent was new in town since taking over an insurance business, and Owen is also new in town and owns a restaurant and food truck. Did these two know each other from the past, and what secrets are held in a photo that used to hang in the insurance office and has now been stolen.
There is a lot here too keep Morgan’s dedicated fans clamoring for more books in this series, as well as hoping that Abby, Phoebe and the men in their lives will eventually enter into long term relationships. This review was previously posted on mysteryandsuspense.com
Alexis Morgan returns to Snowberry Creek for her 4th installment of the Abby McCree mysteries, and she once again proves that she is not your average run-of-the-mill cozy mystery writer.
As with all her cozies, there is a good and believable plot involving the murder of a spectator at the final movies in the park night in Snowberry Creek. We also have the introduction of a few new characters who provide additional drama, in support of the books plot.
For this book, Abby now has her mother. Phoebe, visiting her from Seattle, and in the brief time Phoebe was there she was able to find a boyfriend. Both Abby and her mother are divorcees, and for some reason Abby takes an immediate dislike of her mother’s friend, Owen. We even are treated to Phoebe’s “canoodling” during the movie, which brings the first hint of Abby’s dislike for Owen, and it all goes downhill from there.
Abby and her mother go to finish the cleanup of the park area and discover the dead body, sitting in a chair away from where the crowds sat during the movie. The police are called in and, before you know it, Owen is the main suspect in the murder.
Phoebe takes an immediate dislike to the local police chief and is harshly outspoken as to her feelings and, to be honest, for most of the book Phoebe acts like a petulant love-sick teenager. But this mother-daughter tension helps move the plot along, and also explains some of the issues between the two ladies.
While the police go about solving the crime, Abby and her mother continue sparring almost every time they are together and because of this Abby never really gets into solving the crime. This is one of the authors strong suits since, unlike so many cozies, her main character is not smarter nor more intuitive than the police, nor does she actively go about trying to insert herself into the investigation. And thus things happen off the page that move this story along.
Owen sits in jail and it is obvious to all that he is withholding certain facts about the night of the murder, and despite Phoebe being allowed to visit him and try to talk some sense into him he still refuses to assist the police. What confuses everyone is that the decedent was new in town since taking over an insurance business, and Owen is also new in town and owns a restaurant and food truck. Did these two know each other from the past, and what secrets are held in a photo that used to hang in the insurance office and has now been stolen.
There is a lot here too keep Morgan’s dedicated fans clamoring for more books in this series, as well as hoping that Abby, Phoebe and the men in their lives will eventually enter into long term relationships. This review was previously posted on mysteryandsuspense.com
March 4, 2022
This is a cozy mystery, and this book is the 4th book in An Abby McCree Mystery series. I really loved the characters in this book. The characters where so much fun to follow, and they each had their own personality. The mystery in this book was so much fun, and there was some good twist and turn in this book. Some of the twists I guess before they where reveal. I won a kindle edition of this book from a goodreads giveaway, and this is my own opinion about this book.
February 13, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Abby McCree finds herself in charge of another Snowberry Creek event. This time it’s a family film in the park. Everyone seems to have enjoyed the movie, especially Abby who took in the movie with Tripp Blackston, and Abby’s mother, Phoebe who attended the show with her new boyfriend, restauranteur, and food truck owner, Owen Quinn but they didn’t watch most of the movie because they were making out like teenagers and making Abby cringe.
When the movie was over and the park cleared out Abby, Phoebe, Tripp, and Owen took on the tasks of putting equipment and tables away and picking up any litter left behind. They also found a man who appears to have had too many adult beverages and is sleeping it off. But as Abby gets closer she realizes the man isn’t sleeping, he’s dead. He is identified as Mitchell Anders, the new insurance agent in town, and we quickly learn that he has been stabbed. Stabbed with a chef knife belonging to Owen. Abby doesn’t know much about Owen but when her mother asks her to help clear his name she can’t say no. She also sees the tension between Phoebe and police chief Gage Logan so to keep the peace she needs to get involved. Hopefully, she isn’t making a huge mistake.
The characters I have come to love return, and they are joined by Abby’s mother Phoebe visiting from Seattle, Owen Quinn, who has come to town to open a restaurant and food truck, and his employee, Jada. Abby and Tripp’s relationship is moving along nicely. I love the two of them together but her mother doesn’t. In fact, her mother found issue with almost everything Abby did and all of her friends. She was a cantankerous woman throughout most of the story and Abby really did try to keep her cool but finally blew. I found Abby’s reactions to be very realistic. Her mother’s attitude and actions were a little over the top but the relationship challenges did add a unique slant to the book. Again the lovable mastiff Zeke stole my heart.
The mystery was very well constructed. Owen is holding something back and there are a wide variety of clues that open up the suspect pool. One glaring clue was found in an intriguing place and when discovered broke the case wide open. I really enjoyed this twist and the manner in which it was handled. The way all the subplots entwined with the main plot really kept those pages turning.
Death by Intermission is a superb addition to this series. Ms. Morgan knows how to give her readers a stellar mystery to solve laced with a nice amount of humor and the perfect amount of romance. She has placed her characters in an interesting small town that always has an event or two for them to get believably involved in.
I was smiling as the book drew to a close. I can’t wait to see what these characters are up to next.
Abby McCree finds herself in charge of another Snowberry Creek event. This time it’s a family film in the park. Everyone seems to have enjoyed the movie, especially Abby who took in the movie with Tripp Blackston, and Abby’s mother, Phoebe who attended the show with her new boyfriend, restauranteur, and food truck owner, Owen Quinn but they didn’t watch most of the movie because they were making out like teenagers and making Abby cringe.
When the movie was over and the park cleared out Abby, Phoebe, Tripp, and Owen took on the tasks of putting equipment and tables away and picking up any litter left behind. They also found a man who appears to have had too many adult beverages and is sleeping it off. But as Abby gets closer she realizes the man isn’t sleeping, he’s dead. He is identified as Mitchell Anders, the new insurance agent in town, and we quickly learn that he has been stabbed. Stabbed with a chef knife belonging to Owen. Abby doesn’t know much about Owen but when her mother asks her to help clear his name she can’t say no. She also sees the tension between Phoebe and police chief Gage Logan so to keep the peace she needs to get involved. Hopefully, she isn’t making a huge mistake.
The characters I have come to love return, and they are joined by Abby’s mother Phoebe visiting from Seattle, Owen Quinn, who has come to town to open a restaurant and food truck, and his employee, Jada. Abby and Tripp’s relationship is moving along nicely. I love the two of them together but her mother doesn’t. In fact, her mother found issue with almost everything Abby did and all of her friends. She was a cantankerous woman throughout most of the story and Abby really did try to keep her cool but finally blew. I found Abby’s reactions to be very realistic. Her mother’s attitude and actions were a little over the top but the relationship challenges did add a unique slant to the book. Again the lovable mastiff Zeke stole my heart.
The mystery was very well constructed. Owen is holding something back and there are a wide variety of clues that open up the suspect pool. One glaring clue was found in an intriguing place and when discovered broke the case wide open. I really enjoyed this twist and the manner in which it was handled. The way all the subplots entwined with the main plot really kept those pages turning.
Death by Intermission is a superb addition to this series. Ms. Morgan knows how to give her readers a stellar mystery to solve laced with a nice amount of humor and the perfect amount of romance. She has placed her characters in an interesting small town that always has an event or two for them to get believably involved in.
I was smiling as the book drew to a close. I can’t wait to see what these characters are up to next.
February 5, 2021
This is the fourth book in the Abby McCree Mystery series by Alexis Morgan, set in Snowberry Creek, Washington featuring Abby McCree and Tripp Blackstone.
Divorcée Abby McCree helps organisations to raise money, as well as making quilts and generally keeping herself busy. She is in a good place, her tenant, Tripp Blackston is a great friend, and she is currently lending a hand with the town's movie nights. She has spent the summer as a volunteer on the committee organising open-air film viewings and tonight's will be the last one of the season. Abby is in charge of the box-office receipts but is taking the time to enjoy the film in spite of having to endure her mother, Phoebe, canoodling nearby with her new man, BBQ restaurant owner Owen Quinn. As Phoebe and Abby finish collecting the rubbish at the end of the viewing, they stumble upon the dead body of Mitchell Anders, the local insurance agent who, it transpires, has been stabbed by someone using a chef's knife taken from Owen's food delivery van. Owen becomes the prime suspect and Phoebe, determined to prove Owen's innocence, implores Abby to investigate.
With her resourcefulness and sassy attitude, I was pleased to be back in Abby's company though she's a bit of a soft touch when it comes to her fundraising. Alexis Morgan has surrounded Abby with a great supporting cast and Tripp Blackston especially is easy to warm to. The connection and chemistry between him and Abby are evident. Abby also has a true friendship and understanding with Police Chief Gage Logan and of course, Zeke, Abby's lovable Mastiff mix, deserves a mention.
The author has written a very strong mystery here too. With its great plot, the pacing is comfortable and even though I was able to figure out the identity of the killer, there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing awhile. Alexis Morgan's abundant humorous touches had me giggling and helped to make Death by Intermission a really compelling, fun read. A marvellous addition to this series, I was totally entertained from beginning to end. Bring on book #5!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Divorcée Abby McCree helps organisations to raise money, as well as making quilts and generally keeping herself busy. She is in a good place, her tenant, Tripp Blackston is a great friend, and she is currently lending a hand with the town's movie nights. She has spent the summer as a volunteer on the committee organising open-air film viewings and tonight's will be the last one of the season. Abby is in charge of the box-office receipts but is taking the time to enjoy the film in spite of having to endure her mother, Phoebe, canoodling nearby with her new man, BBQ restaurant owner Owen Quinn. As Phoebe and Abby finish collecting the rubbish at the end of the viewing, they stumble upon the dead body of Mitchell Anders, the local insurance agent who, it transpires, has been stabbed by someone using a chef's knife taken from Owen's food delivery van. Owen becomes the prime suspect and Phoebe, determined to prove Owen's innocence, implores Abby to investigate.
With her resourcefulness and sassy attitude, I was pleased to be back in Abby's company though she's a bit of a soft touch when it comes to her fundraising. Alexis Morgan has surrounded Abby with a great supporting cast and Tripp Blackston especially is easy to warm to. The connection and chemistry between him and Abby are evident. Abby also has a true friendship and understanding with Police Chief Gage Logan and of course, Zeke, Abby's lovable Mastiff mix, deserves a mention.
The author has written a very strong mystery here too. With its great plot, the pacing is comfortable and even though I was able to figure out the identity of the killer, there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing awhile. Alexis Morgan's abundant humorous touches had me giggling and helped to make Death by Intermission a really compelling, fun read. A marvellous addition to this series, I was totally entertained from beginning to end. Bring on book #5!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
November 9, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Press for a free advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Alexis Morgan returns to Snowberry Creek for her 4th installment of the Abby McCree mysteries, and she once again proves that she is not your average run-of-the-mill cozy mystery writer.
As with all her cozies, there is a good and believable plot involving the murder of a spectator at the final movies in the park night in Snowberry Creek. We also have the introduction of a few new characters who provide additional drama, in support of the books plot.
For this book, Abby now has her mother. Phoebe, visiting her from Seattle, and in the brief time Phoebe was there she was able to find a boyfriend. Both Abby and her mother are divorcees, and for some reason Abby takes an immediate dislike of her mother’s friend, Owen. We even are treated to Phoebe’s “canoodling” during the movie, which brings the first hint of Abby’s dislike for Owen, and it all goes downhill from there.
Abby and her mother go to finish the cleanup of the park area and discover the dead body, sitting in a chair away from where the crowds sat during the movie. The police are called in and, before you know it, Owen is the main suspect in the murder.
Phoebe takes an immediate dislike to the local police chief and is harshly outspoken as to her feelings and, to be honest, for most of the book Phoebe acts like a petulant love-sick teenager. But this mother-daughter tension helps move the plot along, and also explains some of the issues between the two ladies.
While the police go about solving the crime, Abby and her mother continue sparring almost every time they are together and because of this Abby never really gets into solving the crime. This is one of the authors strong suits since, unlike so many cozies, her main character is not smarter nor more intuitive than the police, nor does she actively go about trying to insert herself into the investigation. And thus things happen off the page that move this story along.
Owen sits in jail and it is obvious to all that he is withholding certain facts about the night of the murder, and despite Phoebe being allowed to visit him and try to talk some sense into him he still refuses to assist the police. What confuses everyone is that the decedent was new in town since taking over an insurance business, and Owen is also new in town and owns a restaurant and food truck. Did these two know each other from the past, and what secrets are held in a photo that used to hang in the insurance office and has now been stolen.
There is a lot here too keep Morgan’s dedicated fans clamoring for more books in this series, as well as hoping that Abby, Phoebe and the men in their lives will eventually enter into long term relationships. This review was previously posted on mysteryandsuspense.com
Alexis Morgan returns to Snowberry Creek for her 4th installment of the Abby McCree mysteries, and she once again proves that she is not your average run-of-the-mill cozy mystery writer.
As with all her cozies, there is a good and believable plot involving the murder of a spectator at the final movies in the park night in Snowberry Creek. We also have the introduction of a few new characters who provide additional drama, in support of the books plot.
For this book, Abby now has her mother. Phoebe, visiting her from Seattle, and in the brief time Phoebe was there she was able to find a boyfriend. Both Abby and her mother are divorcees, and for some reason Abby takes an immediate dislike of her mother’s friend, Owen. We even are treated to Phoebe’s “canoodling” during the movie, which brings the first hint of Abby’s dislike for Owen, and it all goes downhill from there.
Abby and her mother go to finish the cleanup of the park area and discover the dead body, sitting in a chair away from where the crowds sat during the movie. The police are called in and, before you know it, Owen is the main suspect in the murder.
Phoebe takes an immediate dislike to the local police chief and is harshly outspoken as to her feelings and, to be honest, for most of the book Phoebe acts like a petulant love-sick teenager. But this mother-daughter tension helps move the plot along, and also explains some of the issues between the two ladies.
While the police go about solving the crime, Abby and her mother continue sparring almost every time they are together and because of this Abby never really gets into solving the crime. This is one of the authors strong suits since, unlike so many cozies, her main character is not smarter nor more intuitive than the police, nor does she actively go about trying to insert herself into the investigation. And thus things happen off the page that move this story along.
Owen sits in jail and it is obvious to all that he is withholding certain facts about the night of the murder, and despite Phoebe being allowed to visit him and try to talk some sense into him he still refuses to assist the police. What confuses everyone is that the decedent was new in town since taking over an insurance business, and Owen is also new in town and owns a restaurant and food truck. Did these two know each other from the past, and what secrets are held in a photo that used to hang in the insurance office and has now been stolen.
There is a lot here too keep Morgan’s dedicated fans clamoring for more books in this series, as well as hoping that Abby, Phoebe and the men in their lives will eventually enter into long term relationships. This review was previously posted on mysteryandsuspense.com
October 22, 2020
I enjoyed this latest book in the series. I look forward to seeing what Abby and Tripp get up to. This latest outing includes Abby's mother and it definitely keeps things interesting. I look forward to the next one. #DeathbyIntermission #NetGalley
August 13, 2023
A metà libro pensavo di aver capito chi fosse il colpevole e il suo movente, ma in realtà la soluzione era più complessa e in parte inattesa. Per gran parte del libro la madre della protagonista non risulta esattamente molto simpatica, ma si fa perdonare alla fine. Mi piace come Tripp e Gage cercano di "frenare" la protagonista o almeno tentano di tenerla fuori dei guai, senza molto successo devo dire, ma non è colpa di nessuno: oltre ad avere una sfortuna sfacciata (tutte le volte è lei a trovare il morto), i guai le arrivano addosso anche quando miracolosamente non se li cerca da sola.
November 23, 2020
Death by Intermission is the fourth installment in the An Abby McCree Mystery series set in Snowberry Creek, Washington and featuring Abby McCree and her pet mastiff, Zeke. Abby has once again found herself forced on to another local committee by the town mayor, this time overseeing the last "Movies in the Park" of the season. Abby is anxious that the movie night goes without a hitch but, she's really looking forward to spending the night under the stars with her tenant, Tripp Blackston, whom she seems to be growing closer to each day.
Abby's enjoying the movie despite the fact that her mother, Phoebe is in town for a visit and within days of arrival has started up a relationship with Owen Quinn and is now busy canoodling with him on a nearby blanket. Abby knows nothing about Owen other than he owns a BBQ restaurant and operates a food truck but something about the man is rubbing her the wrong way. Conducting a final "trash sweep" after the movie, Abby and her mother stumble upon the dead body of Mitchell Anders, the local insurance agent, who it appears has been stabbed by a chef knife taken from Owen's food truck.
Phoebe begs Abby to help clear Owen's name. Abby really doesn't want to get involved because she feels that Owen's hiding something from his past, but Phoebe is so obnoxious to local police chief, Gage Logan and the rest of the town officers, Abby steps in just to try and save her friendships with the local law enforcement before Phoebe alienates everyone from Abby's life.
The mystery is good however, the plot is overshadowed by the constant snipping and arguing between Abby and her mother. Phoebe is a new character to the series so we really don't know much about the mother/daughter relationship but the contentious dialogue between the two (especially in front of other people) is cringe worthy. At times, I just wanted to close the book and walk away - feeling little connection to either of the women.
I'll continue to read the series because I do enjoy the relationship between Abby, Tripp and Zeke. I do hope that future installments will introduce Abby to a few friends, as she seems to have nobody in her life to spend time with other than Tripp and Gage.
I received an advanced copy of Death by Intermission from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
Abby's enjoying the movie despite the fact that her mother, Phoebe is in town for a visit and within days of arrival has started up a relationship with Owen Quinn and is now busy canoodling with him on a nearby blanket. Abby knows nothing about Owen other than he owns a BBQ restaurant and operates a food truck but something about the man is rubbing her the wrong way. Conducting a final "trash sweep" after the movie, Abby and her mother stumble upon the dead body of Mitchell Anders, the local insurance agent, who it appears has been stabbed by a chef knife taken from Owen's food truck.
Phoebe begs Abby to help clear Owen's name. Abby really doesn't want to get involved because she feels that Owen's hiding something from his past, but Phoebe is so obnoxious to local police chief, Gage Logan and the rest of the town officers, Abby steps in just to try and save her friendships with the local law enforcement before Phoebe alienates everyone from Abby's life.
The mystery is good however, the plot is overshadowed by the constant snipping and arguing between Abby and her mother. Phoebe is a new character to the series so we really don't know much about the mother/daughter relationship but the contentious dialogue between the two (especially in front of other people) is cringe worthy. At times, I just wanted to close the book and walk away - feeling little connection to either of the women.
I'll continue to read the series because I do enjoy the relationship between Abby, Tripp and Zeke. I do hope that future installments will introduce Abby to a few friends, as she seems to have nobody in her life to spend time with other than Tripp and Gage.
I received an advanced copy of Death by Intermission from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
February 16, 2021
This is the first cozy I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last! I really enjoyed Abby and Tripp and their friends in Snowberry Creek. We get to know the characters well through actions and realistic conversations. That includes the conversations between Abby and her visiting mother, Phoebe. The complex mystery kept me guessing.
Abby’s mother is visiting from Seattle. Ever since she met Owen, owner of a new BBQ restaurant, she has much more of an interest in visiting her daughter. They are at the last movie in the park event for the summer, and the closest thing Abby and the former Special Forces soldier who rents her guesthouse, Tripp, will have to a date. Their friendship has progressed slowly; he is attending college and doesn’t have much free time. Mostly he has helped get her out of trouble when looking into a few little murders. Phoebe and Owen’s “canoodling” puts a damper on Abby’s enjoyment of one of her favorite movies.
Abby is volunteered for many things by the mayor’s assistant. Tonight, she must help clean up the park before they leave. Phoebe helps Abby pick up trash while Owen and Tripp help in other areas. As she picks up trash near the woods, she sees a lounge chair a few feet into the woods with empty beer cans around it. Phoebe shook the shoulder of the man on the chair to send him on his way, but he won’t wake up. She can feel that his shirt is wet, and assumes it is from the beer. Then they realize there is blood on her hands and the man is dead.
Owen recognizes the dead man as Mitch, the new insurance rep who took over for Don Davidson after his recent death. Gage, the chief of police, sees that Mitch was stabbed and the murder weapon that everyone else has missed. A chef’s knife is identified as one of Owen’s, and Phoebe is furious that he is held for questioning, convinced he will be railroaded. Abby doesn’t want to get involved in another murder investigation, but to have peace from her mother, she manages to ask questions here and there, especially of her close friends, the ladies in the quilt guild, also friends of her late Aunt Sybil, from whom she inherited the home she lives in.
I love this group of friends! Some people think it is odd that her closest friends are much older than she is. I don’t. She is very content with her new life, even if Phoebe isn’t. There are funny, laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with sweetness of her and Tripp growing closer, tension with Phoebe, and times of fear when Abby herself becomes a target. Tripp and her 95-pound Mastiff, Zeke, are charged with keeping her and Phoebe safe. The mother-daughter aspect brought insights that I had not considered before, one of the things our moms fear most.
This enjoyable mystery is fast paced with plot twists that offer various suspects. It took a community effort to find the clue that narrows down the suspect pool and reveals quite a long-term scheme. There are still surprises; even Phoebe gets in the act of stopping whodunit in their tracks! I highly recommend this mystery and series to fans of well-written cozy mysteries, novels that include an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds, a complex mystery, and a setting that I will be back to visit!
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from Amazon through a Goodreads First Read contest, and this is my honest review.
Abby’s mother is visiting from Seattle. Ever since she met Owen, owner of a new BBQ restaurant, she has much more of an interest in visiting her daughter. They are at the last movie in the park event for the summer, and the closest thing Abby and the former Special Forces soldier who rents her guesthouse, Tripp, will have to a date. Their friendship has progressed slowly; he is attending college and doesn’t have much free time. Mostly he has helped get her out of trouble when looking into a few little murders. Phoebe and Owen’s “canoodling” puts a damper on Abby’s enjoyment of one of her favorite movies.
Abby is volunteered for many things by the mayor’s assistant. Tonight, she must help clean up the park before they leave. Phoebe helps Abby pick up trash while Owen and Tripp help in other areas. As she picks up trash near the woods, she sees a lounge chair a few feet into the woods with empty beer cans around it. Phoebe shook the shoulder of the man on the chair to send him on his way, but he won’t wake up. She can feel that his shirt is wet, and assumes it is from the beer. Then they realize there is blood on her hands and the man is dead.
Owen recognizes the dead man as Mitch, the new insurance rep who took over for Don Davidson after his recent death. Gage, the chief of police, sees that Mitch was stabbed and the murder weapon that everyone else has missed. A chef’s knife is identified as one of Owen’s, and Phoebe is furious that he is held for questioning, convinced he will be railroaded. Abby doesn’t want to get involved in another murder investigation, but to have peace from her mother, she manages to ask questions here and there, especially of her close friends, the ladies in the quilt guild, also friends of her late Aunt Sybil, from whom she inherited the home she lives in.
I love this group of friends! Some people think it is odd that her closest friends are much older than she is. I don’t. She is very content with her new life, even if Phoebe isn’t. There are funny, laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with sweetness of her and Tripp growing closer, tension with Phoebe, and times of fear when Abby herself becomes a target. Tripp and her 95-pound Mastiff, Zeke, are charged with keeping her and Phoebe safe. The mother-daughter aspect brought insights that I had not considered before, one of the things our moms fear most.
This enjoyable mystery is fast paced with plot twists that offer various suspects. It took a community effort to find the clue that narrows down the suspect pool and reveals quite a long-term scheme. There are still surprises; even Phoebe gets in the act of stopping whodunit in their tracks! I highly recommend this mystery and series to fans of well-written cozy mysteries, novels that include an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds, a complex mystery, and a setting that I will be back to visit!
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from Amazon through a Goodreads First Read contest, and this is my honest review.
February 18, 2021
This is a fun series. I like Abby and her progress in finding a new home, settling in, making friends, being involved in a small town. Unfortunately while volunteering, or being volunteered, again she and her visiting Mom find a dead body while cleaning up after an evening movie in the park event. When her Mom's new friend is considered a person of interest you know Abby won't be sitting on the sidelines. Enjoyed joining them for the ride!!!
January 10, 2021
That Mother!
Great story but the Mother I wanted to kill myself. Recommended anyway. Why are more words needed for a review?? I said my piece!
Great story but the Mother I wanted to kill myself. Recommended anyway. Why are more words needed for a review?? I said my piece!
October 6, 2020
Abby's mother has come to visit. Unfortunately, she and her mother find a body and her mother's new boyfriend may be involved. Answers are buried in the past and time is runn ing out to find the killer. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 28, 2021
Death by Intermission is an average story with a few issues. But none of the problems compare to the dynamics achieved in mother/daughter relationships. Or the damage the main character and her mother do to what equates to complex relationships, to begin with. As an amateur sleuth, Abby always finds herself in a murder investigation. She gets stuck in the middle of them and feels that she doesn’t have a choice but try to figure it out on her own.
This time we find that Abby’s mom has come for a visit; she managed to find a boyfriend and a dead body. She isn’t a suspect, but her new beau is, and Abby isn’t sure that he isn’t guilty. The amateur sleuth in her comes to the foreground. One way or another, she has to find out who killed a local insurance agent before her mother does something stupid. Other suspects are present but aren’t as easy to connect to the dead man until some secrets come to light.
The killer’s identity is revealed and doesn’t really come as a surprise. I thought it was evident from the beginning. Some of the secrets that seem so important turn out to be easy to figure out. The constant bickering between Abby and her mother gets old quickly, and it doesn’t help that they are acting like teenagers and have the attitude to go with it. This makes it difficult to get to know Abby’s mom, which would have made the story more interesting if the reader could know what type of person she is instead of who she is presented to be by her biased daughter. Kids have an odd idea of who their parents are to begin with, adding murder and a boyfriend into the mix makes it even more skewed. Abby isn’t a very good sleuth as she doesn’t figure out who the killer is; she sort of falls into the killer’s line of sight and almost becomes a victim.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Even though I found Death by Intermission to have some issues and a few unanswered questions, it hasn’t changed my opinion or enjoyment of the series or the author. This is still one of the better amateur sleuth series on the market and one of the best writers. However, isn’t it time Abby gets some life goals, maybe a job, or starts a business, and she and Tripp need to stop pretending to be landlord and renter?
This time we find that Abby’s mom has come for a visit; she managed to find a boyfriend and a dead body. She isn’t a suspect, but her new beau is, and Abby isn’t sure that he isn’t guilty. The amateur sleuth in her comes to the foreground. One way or another, she has to find out who killed a local insurance agent before her mother does something stupid. Other suspects are present but aren’t as easy to connect to the dead man until some secrets come to light.
The killer’s identity is revealed and doesn’t really come as a surprise. I thought it was evident from the beginning. Some of the secrets that seem so important turn out to be easy to figure out. The constant bickering between Abby and her mother gets old quickly, and it doesn’t help that they are acting like teenagers and have the attitude to go with it. This makes it difficult to get to know Abby’s mom, which would have made the story more interesting if the reader could know what type of person she is instead of who she is presented to be by her biased daughter. Kids have an odd idea of who their parents are to begin with, adding murder and a boyfriend into the mix makes it even more skewed. Abby isn’t a very good sleuth as she doesn’t figure out who the killer is; she sort of falls into the killer’s line of sight and almost becomes a victim.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Even though I found Death by Intermission to have some issues and a few unanswered questions, it hasn’t changed my opinion or enjoyment of the series or the author. This is still one of the better amateur sleuth series on the market and one of the best writers. However, isn’t it time Abby gets some life goals, maybe a job, or starts a business, and she and Tripp need to stop pretending to be landlord and renter?
February 5, 2021
DEATH BY INTERMISSION by Alexis Morgan
The Fourth Abby McCree Mystery
It's bad enough that Abby McCree is once again in charge of a committee, but she's also dealing with a visit from her mother. Abby's relationship with her mother is strained as Phoebe carries on with a relative stranger, but treats Abby as if she were a teenager. Things get more complicated when Abby and Phoebe find a dead body while cleaning up after the town's movie night. With her romantic interest a person of interest Phoebe goes on the warpath. Will Abby be able to rein her mom in, or will she be the one to blow her own top? With a young woman in the crosshairs of a killer, the two had better find a way to catch the murderer before they kill each other!
I really love this series and this book is a great example of just why. The mother/daughter dynamic in DEATH BY INTERMISSION is brilliantly written. Abby may be an adult, but living with her mom brings her right back to her teen-aged self. At times I wanted to throttle Phoebe and I was so proud when Abby stood up to her and fought back. I also feel the hurt that Abby felt when her mom said some of the things she did. But the two do love each other and I was cheering Phoebe on during the ultimate confrontation. I appreciate how Abby stands up for her friends and enjoy seeing the relationship between her and Tripp grow.
Intelligent, well developed characters, a smart well plotted mystery, a spark of romance, a sweet big dog, and laugh out loud moments make DEATH BY INTERMISSION a fantastic book that shouldn't be missed.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Fourth Abby McCree Mystery
It's bad enough that Abby McCree is once again in charge of a committee, but she's also dealing with a visit from her mother. Abby's relationship with her mother is strained as Phoebe carries on with a relative stranger, but treats Abby as if she were a teenager. Things get more complicated when Abby and Phoebe find a dead body while cleaning up after the town's movie night. With her romantic interest a person of interest Phoebe goes on the warpath. Will Abby be able to rein her mom in, or will she be the one to blow her own top? With a young woman in the crosshairs of a killer, the two had better find a way to catch the murderer before they kill each other!
I really love this series and this book is a great example of just why. The mother/daughter dynamic in DEATH BY INTERMISSION is brilliantly written. Abby may be an adult, but living with her mom brings her right back to her teen-aged self. At times I wanted to throttle Phoebe and I was so proud when Abby stood up to her and fought back. I also feel the hurt that Abby felt when her mom said some of the things she did. But the two do love each other and I was cheering Phoebe on during the ultimate confrontation. I appreciate how Abby stands up for her friends and enjoy seeing the relationship between her and Tripp grow.
Intelligent, well developed characters, a smart well plotted mystery, a spark of romance, a sweet big dog, and laugh out loud moments make DEATH BY INTERMISSION a fantastic book that shouldn't be missed.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
December 6, 2020
Abby McCree's Movie Night in the park for Snowcreek, Washington turned out pretty well except for her visiting mother's interest in a local barbecue food truck's owner. Oh, and that dead body she and her mother discovered when cleaning after the event was over put a serious crimp in the evening. When her mother's friend becomes a suspect in the murder, a rift between Abby and her mother begins escalating. The only way to cope is for Abby to run inference with the law and investigate herself. You will totally enjoy your visit to Snowcreek. Abby is inquisitive and resourceful without putting herself in too many dangerous situations. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2021
This series has become one of my most favorite cozy series! I love Abby, Tripp, Gage and the rest of their gang. This installment was a fun one with Abby’s mom visiting and her “friend” in the hot seat when the murder victim is discovered by Abby and her mom. The mystery was fantastic and I love the humor sprinkled throughout. Abby and her mom were a hoot with their bickering, although I have to say Abby’s mom and I would have had major words if I were in Abby’s shoes!! This was a prefect cozy for me and I loved reading it. Book #5 can’t come soon enough for me!
June 7, 2022
I really enjoy this series. The story was a good one. However, at times the situation between Abby and her visiting mother got a bit contentious and I personally think Abby should really have had a sit-down conversation with her Mom and explained the boundaries. But ... other than that, I enjoyed the story. I'd like some of the recipes for all the yummy sounding baked goods mentioned in all these books - even the dog treats sound like something I'd like to eat. Keep these enjoyable books coming, please.
April 15, 2023
So this one had a plot twist that somewhat complicated my solving of the murder. However, my big complaint is that two men in the books keep harping on our heroine about putting herself in danger all the time even when it’s not her fault really! They’ve done it in the other books, and I get that they want to protect her, but it was to the point that one dude threw a hissy and basically sad he didn’t like her anymore. I mean, seriously?! I don’t want to see that kind of behavior continuing in the next books.
September 5, 2023
Abby's visiting mother has started dating new-man-in-town restaurant owner Owen Quinn. But Owen is hiding something when the replacement insurance agent (his predecessor recently died) is killed. The police chief doesn't think Owen is guilty--he used to know him when they were both in the Service--but he needs answers. The former insurance agent's daughter is now working as a waitress for Owen, and strange events seem to be circling around her, so both Abby and her strong-willed mother get protective. It does seem that every man who moves into Snowberry Creek is a former Special Forces veteran who is a man of mystery.
February 22, 2021
4.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Abby McCree mystery series by Alexis Morgan.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Abby McCree mysteries. I thought Owen was quite a wild card. At first you think he is only her mother’s boyfriend, but there is so much more backstory there. I wish they had focused a bit more on that part since it wasn’t completely clear to me. But indeed good stuff.
The plot was nicely crafted and it makes you continually question your own list of suspects and who is currently at the top. Of course, for me, it can change from chapter to chapter. I like the whole community in this series and look forward to visiting whenever a new book pops up. Definitely a series I want to continue to follow.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the fourth book in the Abby McCree mystery series by Alexis Morgan.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Abby McCree mysteries. I thought Owen was quite a wild card. At first you think he is only her mother’s boyfriend, but there is so much more backstory there. I wish they had focused a bit more on that part since it wasn’t completely clear to me. But indeed good stuff.
The plot was nicely crafted and it makes you continually question your own list of suspects and who is currently at the top. Of course, for me, it can change from chapter to chapter. I like the whole community in this series and look forward to visiting whenever a new book pops up. Definitely a series I want to continue to follow.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
March 2, 2021
Abby is helping with the movie in the park put on by the town and worrying about her mother’s new boyfriend when she finds a dead body. The knife that did is happens to be her mother’s boyfriend’s knife. Abby feels she has to be involved even though she is warned not to.
October 14, 2021
I love this book. I absolutely love a good mystery and this fit the bill. I highly recommend it!
December 9, 2020
What a fun book! Abby has her hands full with her lovestruck mother, deciding what her future will be and being involved in another murder investigation when a man is killed during an outside movie festival she coordinated.
This was the first book I've read on this series and I wasn't lost in the story. The author does a great job of "catching" the reader and it made me want to read the previous books. Abby is independent, loyal and making a new life for herself. The mystery kept me reading and I enjoyed the relationship between Tripp (her boyfriend) and Abby. Her mother Phoebe was annoying at first but later wasn't so bad. The "red herrings" kept me guessing and I didn't figure out "whodunit".
I'm looking forward to the next book ! I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
This was the first book I've read on this series and I wasn't lost in the story. The author does a great job of "catching" the reader and it made me want to read the previous books. Abby is independent, loyal and making a new life for herself. The mystery kept me reading and I enjoyed the relationship between Tripp (her boyfriend) and Abby. Her mother Phoebe was annoying at first but later wasn't so bad. The "red herrings" kept me guessing and I didn't figure out "whodunit".
I'm looking forward to the next book ! I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 19, 2023
Abby has been volunteered to set up another event in town.
She is cleaning up after a movie in the park show and stumbles across another dead body.
It is the town insurance agent who just moved there and seems to have a bit a a past that no one knew about.
Meanwhile, Abby's mother has come to town and is staying with her but dating another local who has just moved to town, Owen Quinn.
A little too much togetherness and criticism from her mother is starting to wear very thin.
And now her mother's new boyfriend and a girl that works for him have been implicated in the murder of the insurance agent.
Abby gets sucked into another murder case and is putting herself in danger.
Uh oh! A nice light cozy murder mystery.
She is cleaning up after a movie in the park show and stumbles across another dead body.
It is the town insurance agent who just moved there and seems to have a bit a a past that no one knew about.
Meanwhile, Abby's mother has come to town and is staying with her but dating another local who has just moved to town, Owen Quinn.
A little too much togetherness and criticism from her mother is starting to wear very thin.
And now her mother's new boyfriend and a girl that works for him have been implicated in the murder of the insurance agent.
Abby gets sucked into another murder case and is putting herself in danger.
Uh oh! A nice light cozy murder mystery.
April 7, 2021
This is a new to me series and I really enjoyed it. I didn't have any trouble jumping into the series on book 4. I'm going to go back and read the previous books in the series. The book is well written and the characters and their relationships realistic. I will be going back to read the first 3 books in the series.
December 18, 2020
Abby McCree is on a real date - such as it is, outdoors surrounded by other people watching a movie in the park - with her tenant Tripp Blackston, whom she's getting closer to each day. Unfortunately, her mother is also there with her boyfriend, Owen Quinn, whom Abby isn't too sure about since no one seems to know anything about him except he has a part-time barbeque restaurant and fishes the rest of the time. But she can't worry about it, because it's her job to clean up after the movie and make sure the park is pristine.
Helped by her mother, they sweep the area with flashlights until her mom comes across a grisly discovery: a dead body. Now, with Owen suspected of the murder, her mother angry at Gage for not finding a killer and declaring him incompetent, Abby is stuck in the middle of an investigation Tripp doesn't want her anywhere near. But if Abby doesn't find the real killer, Owen - or someone else who's innocent - could be stuck behind bars for a long time...
This is the fourth book in the series and each time I read one of them I find them getting more and more delightful. No, this is no earth-shattering series; it's not deeply mysterious nor terribly suspenseful. But what it is, is fun. And quite a lot of it.
We watch Abby as she's dealing with her mother temporarily staying with her - and that's no picnic for Abby at all - as the two women are going head to head quite a bit, with Tripp stuck in the middle trying to protect Abby for all it's worth. Not that Phoebe is mean; she's just worried about Owen. But Owen is keeping secrets, and he's not telling.
Then when his employee has a problem that scares her, Abby is once again called in the middle of the investigation she's supposed to be staying out of. Now she's dealing with more than just her mom, her budding relationship with Tripp, and trying to keep her temper. But things soon heat up and somehow she discovers that there's just no way to stay out of the fire...
When the murderer is discovered, it is somewhat of a surprise, not fully getting what seems easy to detect. It makes for an entertaining ride that keeps going up and down, the mystery intertwined with Abby's relationship issues with the people around her, and the climax of discovering a killer.
It's great enjoyment to read a book that sticks to its subject matter and takes us out of life's daily problems and into the life of Abby McCree, which is always worth reading, pulling us into a neat murder mystery that always has us wondering what will come next. I can't wait for the next in the series and wish I could read it immediately. I dare you to end this book without a smile on your face. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but it in no way influenced my review.
Helped by her mother, they sweep the area with flashlights until her mom comes across a grisly discovery: a dead body. Now, with Owen suspected of the murder, her mother angry at Gage for not finding a killer and declaring him incompetent, Abby is stuck in the middle of an investigation Tripp doesn't want her anywhere near. But if Abby doesn't find the real killer, Owen - or someone else who's innocent - could be stuck behind bars for a long time...
This is the fourth book in the series and each time I read one of them I find them getting more and more delightful. No, this is no earth-shattering series; it's not deeply mysterious nor terribly suspenseful. But what it is, is fun. And quite a lot of it.
We watch Abby as she's dealing with her mother temporarily staying with her - and that's no picnic for Abby at all - as the two women are going head to head quite a bit, with Tripp stuck in the middle trying to protect Abby for all it's worth. Not that Phoebe is mean; she's just worried about Owen. But Owen is keeping secrets, and he's not telling.
Then when his employee has a problem that scares her, Abby is once again called in the middle of the investigation she's supposed to be staying out of. Now she's dealing with more than just her mom, her budding relationship with Tripp, and trying to keep her temper. But things soon heat up and somehow she discovers that there's just no way to stay out of the fire...
When the murderer is discovered, it is somewhat of a surprise, not fully getting what seems easy to detect. It makes for an entertaining ride that keeps going up and down, the mystery intertwined with Abby's relationship issues with the people around her, and the climax of discovering a killer.
It's great enjoyment to read a book that sticks to its subject matter and takes us out of life's daily problems and into the life of Abby McCree, which is always worth reading, pulling us into a neat murder mystery that always has us wondering what will come next. I can't wait for the next in the series and wish I could read it immediately. I dare you to end this book without a smile on your face. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but it in no way influenced my review.
October 11, 2020
My reviews for this series in the past have averaged an OK rating. I found the mysteries relatively weak and I didn't find the characters very appealing.
Well, this was a DNF for me. I gave up at 27%. I believe Abby's mother may have been mentioned merely in passing in one of the other books so we don't have much knowledge to work with and are thrust immediately in the middle of mother/daughter issues since Mom is visiting. Both are guilty to me as written and I didn't feel like reading more of their struggles to deal with each other. Of the two, I thought Abby was acting the worst.
I was seriously thinking of not reading any more of the series after #3 (so many cozy series out there to keep going with one I don't consistently like), this one seals the deal for me.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Well, this was a DNF for me. I gave up at 27%. I believe Abby's mother may have been mentioned merely in passing in one of the other books so we don't have much knowledge to work with and are thrust immediately in the middle of mother/daughter issues since Mom is visiting. Both are guilty to me as written and I didn't feel like reading more of their struggles to deal with each other. Of the two, I thought Abby was acting the worst.
I was seriously thinking of not reading any more of the series after #3 (so many cozy series out there to keep going with one I don't consistently like), this one seals the deal for me.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/d...
Death by Intermission
Abby McCree Mystery, Book #4
By Alexis Morgan
ISBN#9781496731258
Author Website: alexismorgan(.)com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Ushered once again onto another committee by the mayor of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Abby is tasked with keeping the box office receipts of the town’s Movies in the Park nights. Cut to the director’s chair from where she’s suddenly organizing the summer’s last feature. From the opening scene through the final credits, Abby feels she’s earned nominations for best volunteer, best movie date with her tenant Tripp Blackston–and best daughter for ignoring her mother Phoebe’s own movie date with Owen Quinn.
Unfortunately, Abby and the others are treated to a post-credits scene: the body of local insurance agent Mitchell Anders. This discovery is followed by a plot twist revealing that the murder weapon comes from Owen’s food truck. With her mother’s boyfriend suspected of murder, Abby starts her own investigation determined to shine a spotlight on the real killer. (Goodreads)
Review:
Death by Intermission by Alexis Morgan is the solid fourth installment in the Abby McCree mystery series with well rounded characters and a complexing murder to solve.
Once again, Abby finds herself on a committee, this time assisting with the town’s Movies in the Park nights. When a newcomer is found murdered in the park after the film ends, police eyes turn to Abby’s mother Phoebe’s new beau Owen since the murder weapon belongs to him. Owen is also relatively new to town and is obviously holding something back, and Abby reluctantly agrees to investigate at her mother’s insistence.
I really like this series and the people of Snowberry Creek, Washington. Abby is unique in the cozy world in that she does not have a profession that is the hook of the series. Instead, she finds herself part of one committee after another. This actually works to her advantage – her investigating feels organic and not like it is taking away from her job and other responsibilities. She is smart but never smarter than the police and has a good, friendly relationship with local police Chief Logan Gage. I like that she does not make reckless decisions nor does she fall in the “too stupid to live” category of amateur sleuth.
Abby’s closest friends since she moved to Snowberry Creek are members of her deceased aunt’s elderly quilting group. I love this group of women. Her slow burning relationship with her tenant Tripp is finally moving along nicely. He and Abby’s mastiff Zeke are my favorite characters in the series. We get to know Abby’s mother Phoebe in this installment, and, to be honest, she annoys me throughout most of the book. She acts like an uncooperative, contrary love-sick teenager during her disagreements with Gage and is constantly critical of Abby. Even though we eventually learn part of what motivates Phoebe, this unpleasant back and forth wore me out.
The murder mystery is well crafted and executed. There are enough red herrings to keep readers guessing, and the plot quickly moves along. Author Morgan does a good job of balancing the murder mystery with romance and family life. There are bits of humor to counter all of the sniping between Abby and Phoebe.
I enjoyed my time spent with Abby, and Death by Intermission is well worth reading. I look forward to many more adventures featuring Abby and crew. Recommended to any cozy mystery reader.
Death by Intermission
Abby McCree Mystery, Book #4
By Alexis Morgan
ISBN#9781496731258
Author Website: alexismorgan(.)com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Ushered once again onto another committee by the mayor of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Abby is tasked with keeping the box office receipts of the town’s Movies in the Park nights. Cut to the director’s chair from where she’s suddenly organizing the summer’s last feature. From the opening scene through the final credits, Abby feels she’s earned nominations for best volunteer, best movie date with her tenant Tripp Blackston–and best daughter for ignoring her mother Phoebe’s own movie date with Owen Quinn.
Unfortunately, Abby and the others are treated to a post-credits scene: the body of local insurance agent Mitchell Anders. This discovery is followed by a plot twist revealing that the murder weapon comes from Owen’s food truck. With her mother’s boyfriend suspected of murder, Abby starts her own investigation determined to shine a spotlight on the real killer. (Goodreads)
Review:
Death by Intermission by Alexis Morgan is the solid fourth installment in the Abby McCree mystery series with well rounded characters and a complexing murder to solve.
Once again, Abby finds herself on a committee, this time assisting with the town’s Movies in the Park nights. When a newcomer is found murdered in the park after the film ends, police eyes turn to Abby’s mother Phoebe’s new beau Owen since the murder weapon belongs to him. Owen is also relatively new to town and is obviously holding something back, and Abby reluctantly agrees to investigate at her mother’s insistence.
I really like this series and the people of Snowberry Creek, Washington. Abby is unique in the cozy world in that she does not have a profession that is the hook of the series. Instead, she finds herself part of one committee after another. This actually works to her advantage – her investigating feels organic and not like it is taking away from her job and other responsibilities. She is smart but never smarter than the police and has a good, friendly relationship with local police Chief Logan Gage. I like that she does not make reckless decisions nor does she fall in the “too stupid to live” category of amateur sleuth.
Abby’s closest friends since she moved to Snowberry Creek are members of her deceased aunt’s elderly quilting group. I love this group of women. Her slow burning relationship with her tenant Tripp is finally moving along nicely. He and Abby’s mastiff Zeke are my favorite characters in the series. We get to know Abby’s mother Phoebe in this installment, and, to be honest, she annoys me throughout most of the book. She acts like an uncooperative, contrary love-sick teenager during her disagreements with Gage and is constantly critical of Abby. Even though we eventually learn part of what motivates Phoebe, this unpleasant back and forth wore me out.
The murder mystery is well crafted and executed. There are enough red herrings to keep readers guessing, and the plot quickly moves along. Author Morgan does a good job of balancing the murder mystery with romance and family life. There are bits of humor to counter all of the sniping between Abby and Phoebe.
I enjoyed my time spent with Abby, and Death by Intermission is well worth reading. I look forward to many more adventures featuring Abby and crew. Recommended to any cozy mystery reader.
January 10, 2022
I had been looking forward to reading another book in the Abby McCree Mystery Series and was not disappointed in Alexis Morgan’s Death by Intermission. Abby, a relative newcomer to Snowberry Creek, already has a reputation as a “murder magnet.” She doesn’t go looking for trouble when she and her tenant/boyfriend Tripp attend the local movie-in-the-park event, but she discovers more than trash during the clean up session after the movie.
There are new interesting characters involved in the excitement in this plot. Abby’s mother, Phoebe, is staying with her for an extended visit, and the two clash in ways they never had before as they find a need to establish boundaries with each other. After all, when is flashing the porch light on a couple saying goodnight appropriate when everyone involved is an adult over age thirty?
Owen is another newcomer to town. He has opened a barbecue restaurant. Owen is dating Phoebe, and she explodes in his defense when Gage, the local police chief, holds him for suspicion of murder. A knife from his restaurant was the murder weapon.
We are also introduced to Jada, a college student working for Owen. Jada finds herself in the middle of the murder investigation. Has she lied to the police? Why is her godfather taking a sudden interest in her? Why was she fired from her former job at the insurance agency that had been managed by her father, and why did the new agent refuse to give her father’s personal possessions to her?
I must mention Abby’s mastiff mix Zeke. Weighing in at almost one hundred pounds, he is her companion and protector, and he is a good judge of character. He adds much fun and interest to the book.
There are so many tangled threads in this plot. Abby, Phoebe, and Jada find themselves in physical danger, and Tripp, Owen, and Gage, who share a common military background, are called upon to defend them. The complications don’t unravel themselves; it takes action from the group to discover and overwhelm the criminal.
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
There are new interesting characters involved in the excitement in this plot. Abby’s mother, Phoebe, is staying with her for an extended visit, and the two clash in ways they never had before as they find a need to establish boundaries with each other. After all, when is flashing the porch light on a couple saying goodnight appropriate when everyone involved is an adult over age thirty?
Owen is another newcomer to town. He has opened a barbecue restaurant. Owen is dating Phoebe, and she explodes in his defense when Gage, the local police chief, holds him for suspicion of murder. A knife from his restaurant was the murder weapon.
We are also introduced to Jada, a college student working for Owen. Jada finds herself in the middle of the murder investigation. Has she lied to the police? Why is her godfather taking a sudden interest in her? Why was she fired from her former job at the insurance agency that had been managed by her father, and why did the new agent refuse to give her father’s personal possessions to her?
I must mention Abby’s mastiff mix Zeke. Weighing in at almost one hundred pounds, he is her companion and protector, and he is a good judge of character. He adds much fun and interest to the book.
There are so many tangled threads in this plot. Abby, Phoebe, and Jada find themselves in physical danger, and Tripp, Owen, and Gage, who share a common military background, are called upon to defend them. The complications don’t unravel themselves; it takes action from the group to discover and overwhelm the criminal.
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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