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Sparks & Joy #2
Alibis & Arranging
When Aurora & Joy are invited to attend a dinner party at the estate of Bent River’s richest and oldest widow, Hilda Braithwhite, they aren’t sure what to expect. Aurora assumes the old woman simply wants to gossip about the recent murder that occurred in town, in which the two young ladies played a major role in solving. Joy, on the other hand, has spent years offering to ghostwrite Hilda’s memoir, and is hoping to schmooze enough during their time together to finally get the answer she desires.
But the night goes in a very different direction and, just days later, Aurora finds that she’s the one who's been offered a new job: to clean out Hilda Braithwhite’s estate after her death.
But death isn’t exactly the right word. Aurora thinks murder is more appropriate, and she intends to prove it. But, first, she has to figure out how that little statue of a puppy ties into it all…
Alibis & Arranging is the 2nd book in Nancy McGovern's exciting new series, Sparks & Joy!
But the night goes in a very different direction and, just days later, Aurora finds that she’s the one who's been offered a new job: to clean out Hilda Braithwhite’s estate after her death.
But death isn’t exactly the right word. Aurora thinks murder is more appropriate, and she intends to prove it. But, first, she has to figure out how that little statue of a puppy ties into it all…
Alibis & Arranging is the 2nd book in Nancy McGovern's exciting new series, Sparks & Joy!
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2020
173 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Nancy McGovern
83 books173 followersI'm a mother, wife, homemaker, pet lover, teacher, student, reader, writer, drinker of tea & wine (depending on the time of day) and sleep-deprived dreamer. I live in Syracuse, NY, with my husband, Doug (also a writer with books available on Amazon), our three children and too many furred & feathered friends to list!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 11, 2021
Alibis & Arranging is the second book in Nancy McGovern’s Sparks & Joy series, and it’s an enjoyable addition to the series. Alibis & Arranging is a quick read, one that can easily be read in a single sitting, and it is sure to have you curious about the way everything will come together.
I’ll be honest and say I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as I enjoyed the first book. There was a bit more to the first, and I wanted to see more of the town and the characters I enjoyed so much in the first book. Although I wanted more from the town, I did enjoy the mystery in this one. There were more pieces to it than I’d anticipated, going in a direction I did not see. I was hooked on the mystery, desperate to see how the pieces came together, and adored the way things played out.
Without a doubt, this is worth the read for those who enjoyed the first book.
I’ll be honest and say I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as I enjoyed the first book. There was a bit more to the first, and I wanted to see more of the town and the characters I enjoyed so much in the first book. Although I wanted more from the town, I did enjoy the mystery in this one. There were more pieces to it than I’d anticipated, going in a direction I did not see. I was hooked on the mystery, desperate to see how the pieces came together, and adored the way things played out.
Without a doubt, this is worth the read for those who enjoyed the first book.
September 14, 2020
Aurora Sparks and Joy Russo have been sharing their house for about 6 months and have become good friends. In fact when Aurora received an invitation to dinner at the home of Hilda Braithwhite, Aurora took Joy as her “plus 1”.
Hilda Braithwhite is famous in Bent River. She is 93 and has been married 4 times. She has traveled extensively, owns a big beautiful mansion (although it is in need of repair), is very spontaneous, and has a reputation for giving lavish parties. During the latest dinner party, Hilda hires Aurora to help organize all the paperwork she has accumulated over the years. There are notes and journals about her travels, people she has met, and many of her adventures.
Aurora and Joy arrive the next morning at the agreed upon time. They became concerned when there was no response to their knocks, since Hilda lived alone. Fortunately, Rosa, Hilda’s granddaughter showed up with a key and together they went to find Hilda. They found Hilda in her bedroom, but she was dead. Aurora and Joy decided to honor their contract with Hilda and started to organize her paperwork. As often happens with a large estate, there were contentions when the will was read. The will had been filed with Max Goggins two years earlier. There were small bequests made to different family members, friends, and long time employees, but the bulk of the estate was left to Rosa Dane, Hilda’s Granddaughter.
As Hilda was so full of life and energy, what caused her sudden death? Did Hilda die of natural causes or did she murdered? Is there another will more recent than the one filed with Max Goggins? Can Aurora and Joy discover what really happened?
A story with fascinating characters, situations, and locations…much like real life! Nancy McGovern has created an old dingy house that has stacks of paperwork over every level surface and makes it sound interesting! Aurora and Joy and are becoming more like sisters who like each rather than just good friends. The guys in their lives are strong, but sensitive to the ladies’ feelings, sometimes more than the ladies are themselves. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderful series!!
Hilda Braithwhite is famous in Bent River. She is 93 and has been married 4 times. She has traveled extensively, owns a big beautiful mansion (although it is in need of repair), is very spontaneous, and has a reputation for giving lavish parties. During the latest dinner party, Hilda hires Aurora to help organize all the paperwork she has accumulated over the years. There are notes and journals about her travels, people she has met, and many of her adventures.
Aurora and Joy arrive the next morning at the agreed upon time. They became concerned when there was no response to their knocks, since Hilda lived alone. Fortunately, Rosa, Hilda’s granddaughter showed up with a key and together they went to find Hilda. They found Hilda in her bedroom, but she was dead. Aurora and Joy decided to honor their contract with Hilda and started to organize her paperwork. As often happens with a large estate, there were contentions when the will was read. The will had been filed with Max Goggins two years earlier. There were small bequests made to different family members, friends, and long time employees, but the bulk of the estate was left to Rosa Dane, Hilda’s Granddaughter.
As Hilda was so full of life and energy, what caused her sudden death? Did Hilda die of natural causes or did she murdered? Is there another will more recent than the one filed with Max Goggins? Can Aurora and Joy discover what really happened?
A story with fascinating characters, situations, and locations…much like real life! Nancy McGovern has created an old dingy house that has stacks of paperwork over every level surface and makes it sound interesting! Aurora and Joy and are becoming more like sisters who like each rather than just good friends. The guys in their lives are strong, but sensitive to the ladies’ feelings, sometimes more than the ladies are themselves. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderful series!!
March 21, 2021
A clean sweep
Another great story with the two women, Joy and Aurora, who is also known as Sparks, her surname. I liked that they have different characters, one rash and quick to become angry, that's Joy. Aurora is more calm and thoughtful, and calm under pressure. A good read.
Another great story with the two women, Joy and Aurora, who is also known as Sparks, her surname. I liked that they have different characters, one rash and quick to become angry, that's Joy. Aurora is more calm and thoughtful, and calm under pressure. A good read.
January 14, 2021
When best friends Joy and Aurora find themselves helping out after an untimely death things begin to go wrong. Starting with a contested will and escalating with murder, the girls are soon trying to figure out the many clues that make little sense. With a wonderful group of friends, family and foes, they try to put the pieces together to find the killer. I loved that history played a role in the clues and look forward to reading the next book in this series. Highly recommend.
ugh
November 12, 2023DNF - PG 26
Why?
Mostly because I'm just not feeling it and I don't want to read any more. I don't like the random POV changes between Joy and Aurora with no indication that the POV has changed. I also ... This is a nitpick and just a preference, but I do not like going from dinner with the victim to their funeral. There is no discovering the dead body or any of the stuff that I am so used to happening to drag the sleuth/s into the case. This is just dinner one page, funeral the next and...meh.
Why?
Mostly because I'm just not feeling it and I don't want to read any more. I don't like the random POV changes between Joy and Aurora with no indication that the POV has changed. I also ... This is a nitpick and just a preference, but I do not like going from dinner with the victim to their funeral. There is no discovering the dead body or any of the stuff that I am so used to happening to drag the sleuth/s into the case. This is just dinner one page, funeral the next and...meh.
May 14, 2022
An excellent cozy mystery!
The first book in the series was as so good that, despite Joy's obnoxious character, I grabbed Book Two. This story is composed thoughtfully, with several intersecting mysteries within mysteries, multiple degrees of guilt, and an unbelievable twist! Joy is much more likable and adds necessary spice; Aurora makes a nice, but rather bland, counterpoint. I look forward to the author's next offering!
The first book in the series was as so good that, despite Joy's obnoxious character, I grabbed Book Two. This story is composed thoughtfully, with several intersecting mysteries within mysteries, multiple degrees of guilt, and an unbelievable twist! Joy is much more likable and adds necessary spice; Aurora makes a nice, but rather bland, counterpoint. I look forward to the author's next offering!
August 13, 2020
Alibi & Arranging
Oh wow! This one is even better than the first one. So many twists and turns. Had me guessing the whole time. Can't wait for the next one. Hope things start happening for the girls
Oh wow! This one is even better than the first one. So many twists and turns. Had me guessing the whole time. Can't wait for the next one. Hope things start happening for the girls
November 10, 2020
Very good
Kept me guessing until the end. A good clean cozy mystery. So nice because it's hard to find them. I have read other book's by N. McGovern and will continue to happily read more. I hope you read this book and others by N. McGovern. Enjoy!
Kept me guessing until the end. A good clean cozy mystery. So nice because it's hard to find them. I have read other book's by N. McGovern and will continue to happily read more. I hope you read this book and others by N. McGovern. Enjoy!
December 9, 2020
Great twists and turns!
Enjoyable read with interesting characters and lots of things happening. I did not guess the culprit before the reveal, so that's a winner in my book! I like how all the little side mysteries were answered in the reveal. Nicely done.
Enjoyable read with interesting characters and lots of things happening. I did not guess the culprit before the reveal, so that's a winner in my book! I like how all the little side mysteries were answered in the reveal. Nicely done.
May 4, 2021
Pretty good book. The author kept me guessing who the real killer was, and the “guilty party” wound up being “guilty parties.” I like reading a book that keeps you guessing, and this one did.
On to the next one in the series.
On to the next one in the series.
June 26, 2021
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The characters were so believable they almost felt like family. I love he way the characters interacted with each other. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
August 10, 2020
A Good whodunit!
The second book in this series was as good, if not better than the first. Kept me guessing til the very end! I can hardly wait for the next installment
The second book in this series was as good, if not better than the first. Kept me guessing til the very end! I can hardly wait for the next installment
August 11, 2020
Love it
Aroura and Joy are a great pair of investigators. I really hope the girls find love with max and leo. Can't wait for the next book.
Aroura and Joy are a great pair of investigators. I really hope the girls find love with max and leo. Can't wait for the next book.
August 12, 2020
Fun and light
This is a fun clean read. I enjoyed the plot twists and the characters. It is a perfect summer or beach read.
This is a fun clean read. I enjoyed the plot twists and the characters. It is a perfect summer or beach read.
August 14, 2020
A second hit!
This story, as the first, has many unexpected twists. Nancy does a great job keeping the reader guessing. Looking forward to the next.
This story, as the first, has many unexpected twists. Nancy does a great job keeping the reader guessing. Looking forward to the next.
August 15, 2020
Awesome. Couldn’t read these books fast enough. Thoroughly enjoyed them...
August 27, 2020
Good characters
I liked this series very much. It's a feel good, cozy mystery. I certainly hope there's a third book out soon.
I liked this series very much. It's a feel good, cozy mystery. I certainly hope there's a third book out soon.
September 25, 2020
Sneaky ending
Enjoyed the story and am starting the next one asap characters were fun to follow and the story moved quickly
Enjoyed the story and am starting the next one asap characters were fun to follow and the story moved quickly
September 30, 2020
Good mystery.
A book filled with many interesting characters, close family and friends. There are also several not-so-good people who have lots of excuses for their evil acts.
A book filled with many interesting characters, close family and friends. There are also several not-so-good people who have lots of excuses for their evil acts.
October 10, 2020
Cute, enjoyed it
October 30, 2020
With so many things happening who is to blame!
Aurora and Joy sure do get into a mess when trying to befriend an elderly lady. But the elderly lady has more enemies than friends!
Aurora and Joy sure do get into a mess when trying to befriend an elderly lady. But the elderly lady has more enemies than friends!
November 1, 2020
A good read
There are enough suspects to keep you guessing until the end. Anyone that you think it is, is guilty of something. A fun, clean, and enjoyable novel.
There are enough suspects to keep you guessing until the end. Anyone that you think it is, is guilty of something. A fun, clean, and enjoyable novel.
December 6, 2020
Murder
It was a great mystery with lots of people involved in the story. I love the families and friends that searched for the truth.
It was a great mystery with lots of people involved in the story. I love the families and friends that searched for the truth.
January 25, 2021
This book is very engaging. The characters are relatable. I am really enjoying the developing friendship between Aurora and Joy 🤩
September 6, 2021
Good,clean book!
Hard to find books that keep your attention all the way to the end but this one does! It was even better that there was no cussing throughout the whole book.
Hard to find books that keep your attention all the way to the end but this one does! It was even better that there was no cussing throughout the whole book.
October 23, 2025
Alibis & Arranging
Mysterious and entertaining, declutering, murders, lovers protecting each other. An easy and fast read for a clean cozy mystery. Enjoy!
Mysterious and entertaining, declutering, murders, lovers protecting each other. An easy and fast read for a clean cozy mystery. Enjoy!
August 15, 2020
This is a great new series by Nancy McGoven, but then I would expect nothing else from her. I can't wait until the next book.
March 29, 2023
I found this series most delightful. The characters are warm and funny and are so clever in their approach to solving mysteries. Can't put down series
March 14, 2025
Absolutely delightful.
Just read this again, still good.
Just read this again, still good.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews