Foul Play on Words

Mystery Writer's Mystery #2

by Becky Clark

Between a kidnapping, a double booking, and a crew of hapless volunteers, Charlee worries the writing conference will go to the dogs.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2019

About the author

Becky Clark is the seventh of eight kids, which explains both her insatiable need for attention and her atrocious table manners. She likes to read funny books so it felt natural to write them too. She surrounds herself with quirky people and pets who end up as characters in her books. Her stout-hearted dog keeps her safe from menacing squirrels, leaves, and deer, but not plastic bags. Those things are terrifying.

Readers say her books are “fast and thoroughly entertaining” with “witty humor and tight writing” and “humor laced with engaging characters” so you should “grab a cocktail and enjoy the ride.” They also say “Warning: You will laugh out loud. I’m not kidding,” and “If you like Janet Evanovich, you will like Becky Clark.”

She writes the Dunne Diehl novels (with Ted Hardwick), the Mystery Writer's Mysteries, and the upcoming Crossword Puzzle Mysteries, as well as some low-calorie cookbooks, and a how-to book about writing a novel, "Eight Weeks to a Complete Novel: Write Faster, Write Better, Be More Organized."

Visit https://beckyclarkbooks.com/ for all kinds of fun. While you're there, be sure to subscribe to her "So Seldom It's Shameful" newsletter. http://beckyclarkbooks.com/subscribe

You'll hear about new releases, maybe win some prizes, find out about book promotions from her and others, read interviews from new-to-you authors, and more. (As you might have gleaned from the title, she won't inundate your inbox, either.)

Join Becky's private group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Becky... for even more shenanigans and at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/author/beckyclark).

If you enjoy her books, she’d swoon if you left a review. Yes, swoon.

Here's a 2014 Q&A interview of her from Pikes Peak Writers in case you haven't overdosed on All Things Becky ... http://pikespeakwriters.blogspot.com/...

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery that provided enough humor to make me laugh at Charlee's inept investigative skills. The book started out with Charlee waiting at the airport for her friend Viv to pick her up. Viv was rather late when she finally arrived and burst out that her daughter, Hanna, had been kidnapped. Charlee takes over preparation for a writer's conference she's attending to allow Viv to search for Hanna.

It seems like everything than could go wrong with preparing for the conference did go wrong. The chef quit, the hotel double-booked the conference with a dog show, the conference volunteers got food poisoning and could not help out. What a mess!

A light, fun mystery. Thanks to Beck Clark and Midnight Ink through Netgalley for an advance a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlee Russo heads to a writer's conference to be a speaker. When she arrives, she finds out her friend Viv's daughter has been kidnapped. Since Viv is organizing the conference, Charlee steps in to help so Viv can search for her daughter. It ends up being more than Charlee bargained for, including a double booked hotel and food poisoned volunteers.

The second book in the Mystery Writer's mystery series by Becky Clark. I recommend picking up the first book, Fiction Can Be Murder, before reading this one. Personally, I enjoyed the first one more, but the second book is a good addition to the series.

In this book, Charlee is dealing with the chaos around the writer's conference. Of course, Charlee also wants to investigate the mystery of her friend's missing daughter. There is a lot going on in this book. Too much.

Charlee is a quirky character with a nice combination of paranoia and humor. An entertaining read. Good for fans of humorous cozy mysteries.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth A.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in Becky Clark's Mystery Writer's Mystery series which follows once again lead character, Charlemagne Russo (Charlee), mystery writer, literary workshop teacher, and accidental amateur sleuth, who once again finds herself in the middle of a real life mystery and danger. The 25-year-old daughter of Charlee's friend, Viv, has disappeared in a kidnapping that could have or not have actually happened and Charlee becomes entangled in discovering the truth while also trying to coordinate a week-end writers' conference that Viv asked her to manage because of her missing daughter. Charlee encounters several quirky and suspicious characters she suspects are involved, but then doubts plague her mind. Author Clark lets the reader into Charlee's thought processes and humorous side remarks (which are reminiscent of the comic asides in a play) about the various characters and Charlee's preposterous predicaments. The author has Charlee reference her past history in this story and unless the reader has read the previous book, Fiction Can Be Murder, the references may be puzzling. The book is a quick, humorous read that elicited smiles and chuckles but also feelings of suspense, but it wasn't difficult to pinpoint the culprit of the crime. Author Becky Clark, through Charlee's speech at the writers' conference, also provides encouragement and inspiration to aspiring authors not only in this fiction but also in real life. The book has the essence and feeling of a cozy, the chaos of a mystery, the suspense of a thriller, but most of all the humor of a comedy. There is one more in this series up to this date - Metaphor for Murder which I also plan to read.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read in this series. It was a fun romp through a weekend book conference. Charlee agrees to help out Viv with the conference, only to discover that Viv's daughter has been kidnapped. After much ado and many suspects, Charlee finally figures it all out! Lots of balls in the air in this story but it all comes together well.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark started with some funny one-liners, but then it began to try too hard to continue to be funny, and it came off as a bit juvenile. The dialogue lacked believability and depth. Charlee, the main character, comes across as brash in her dealings with people she encounters at the hotel and writer’s conference.

Unfortunately, most of the characters were one dimensional, the plot and mystery outcome rather comical (and not in a good way). The only redeeming qualities were the dogs and the dog show in the storyline.

[3 no 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Foul Play on Words” is book two in Becky Clark’s “Mystery Writer's Mystery” series. The main character Charlemagne “Charlie” Russo continues from the first book, “Fiction Can Be Murder,” but new readers can jump right in without any problem. Characters are briefly introduced, and previous relationships fold easily into current scenario. It begins just three short weeks after the events in book one, and readers find Charlie Russo waiting at the airport.

This is Charlie’s story; it is her narrative, filled with insecurities, fears, coping strategies, triumphs, and tragedies. In the continuing first person narrative, she talks directly to readers and shares her apprehensive about the upcoming writing event.

“I love Portland. But I’m here to speak at a writers’ conference, and I’m nervous. I’ve been on panels before, and taught workshops, but my friend Viv, who’s the organizer, wants me to give the keynote speech at the banquet on Saturday.”

She also gives readers an immediate feel for what is to come.

“What kind of people know people who get kidnapped? I guess I would have said the same thing about murders three weeks ago.”

Colorful and dramatic characters make their presence known, and as a mystery writer, Russo sees drama and mystery everywhere including drugs, kidnapping, and assorted potential crimes, not to mention the dogs. She shares her coping strategies.

“I took a deep, cleansing breath like my yoga instructor taught. I held it for the count of five, then released for the count of five.”

At any big conference, there is bound to be some sort of a problem, but unfortunately, Russo finds that at this conference one unfortunate thing leads to another and trauma piles on top of trauma.

Readers listen in as she argues with herself and rationalizes her decisions.

“It has been well-documented that my sleuthing skills only worked in fiction, not real life.”

She analyses the people she meets.

“Clearly, this boy knew who had money and who didn’t, but I was grateful for his help and chose to ignore his, I’m sure, unintended insult.”

She solicits advice from friends and relatives.

“All you can do is get some evidence of foul play.”

This is an entertaining book to read, and I loved it. There is plenty of trauma and drama for the characters, but none for readers. After all, where else but a writers' conference would someone write a haiku about a kidnaping?I received a review copy of “Foul Play on Words” from Becky Clark, Midnight Ink, and NetGalley.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mystery writer Charlee is the keynote speaker at a writer's conference, helping her friend Viv, who is running the conference. When Viv picks Charlee up at the airport, she tells Charlee that her daughter has been kidnapped. Charlee first agrees to help organize the conference but later decided to help find Viv's daughter.

The one word I can think of to describe this book is Chaos. There is just too much going on, and it feels like the author is forcing the humor. The mystery itself is okay and it is solved satisfactorily, but I felt smothered by all the things happening.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlee Russo, arrives in Portland Oregon, as a guest speaker at Portland’s Writers Conference, requested by her good friend Viv. When Viv picks her up at the airport, Charlee, realized this was not the conference she signed up for. As Charlee takes over the preparations for the conference, she finds herself thrown in, head-first, into chaos. Upon arrival, Charlee finds the hotel overbooked between the writer’s conference and a dog club. Things were bad enough with all the challenges, and Charlee thought they couldn’t get worse! Then, Viv adds finding Hanna, her daughter, to Charlee’s list. Trying to figure out if Hanna has taken off on her own, or if she was truly kidnapped, Charlee is in a race against time in order to save the conference, and possibly Hanna too!

This is the second book in the series, sadly I missed the first. I had no trouble following along as Ms. Clark added enough information to the background story. I found Charlee to be humorous as well as resourceful. Her people skills were quite helpful in dealing with those involved with the conference, as well as the catering staff, and dog club participants. The plot interesting, the characters engaging. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series. I received this complimentary copy from @NetGalley, and @Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOUL PLAY ON WORDS by Becky Clark is the second in her ‘Mystery Writer’s Mystery’ series, the first book being ‘Fiction Can Be Murder.’ Any avid cozy reader would be attracted by the premise of a mystery where the setting is a writer’s conference.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at the Portland writers' conference that has been organised by her friend, Viv. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter, Hanna, has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Will she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to an awful ending?

For me, this exciting and thoroughly entertaining mystery has a solid plot, supported by some charming and engaging characters. There was plenty of humour in FOUL PLAY ON WORDS and the mystery was packed with some fantastic one-liners.

If you are grabbed by a winsome mystery then this may well be a perfect novel to try.

[Thanks to #NetGalley and Midnight Ink Publishing for my ARC of #FoulPlayOnWords in exchange for an honest review]

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely awesome and so funny in places! I just love the author's sense of humor which transfers easily to her characters. I don't think Viv, Charlee's good friend, was mentioned in the first book, at least I don't remember her, but she and the conference were the center of this book. The first one took place in Charlee's home state of Colorado, and we met her writers' group. The writers' conference was being held in Portland, Oregon, and suddenly Charlee found herself in charge, turning more than the kidnapping into a mystery, suspecting everyone of different things. It was pretty comical when she was following different people around and calling the police to report a kidnapping that she had no evidence of ever happening, since Viv swore her to secrecy.

When the perp was caught it was a great showdown. Charlee used her instincts and wits from being a mystery writer to trap that person. After having used the iron to attach conference patches to countless t-shirts, Charlee also found out that the iron came in handy for other things too. I loved that all the little ends were neatly wrapped up at the final banquet, a good happy ending for all. Even though there was no murder, I was so interested in finding out more about the case, that I didn't really think about it or attempt to anticipate a murder. It was different in a really good way--I already know from reading the first book that the author is also great at a murder mystery, and now I can't wait for the third book! I may give the first book a reread in the meantime...and maybe this one too. ;)

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foul Play on Words is a cozy mystery set at a writer’s conference with dogs and a possible kidnapping on the side.

Charlee, a mystery writer, is forced to run a writer’s conference when her best friend, Liv, tells her she has to look for her daughter Hanna, who has been kidnapped. The conference is rather a mess what with double booking the conference rooms with a dog agility show and the recent firing of the chef that was providing the food. In addition, all the experienced volunteers are home sick with food poisoning from tasting the chef’s food. Maybe it is a good thing he was fired!

As Charlee begins to whip the conference into shape, she gets pulled into Hanna’s disappearance. Charlee increasingly believes that Hanna has run off—rather than being kidnapped. At 21 years old, Hanna can basically do as she likes.

I’m not sure why but Foul Play on Words didn’t enchant me the way I expected. It had a writer’s conference, a dog show, funny lines and a cozy mystery plot. However, it never seemed to come together into a coherent plot. But just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean that you will not so I’ll give it 3 stars.

Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.

Charlee Russo is a mystery author who has once again found herself at the center of a real-life mystery, helping her friend find her missing daughter while also taking on her friend's responsibilities at the writing conference Charlee's been invited to speak at. Charlee is an entertaining, irreverent protagonist- she's trying to be helpful though often finds herself annoyed with the disorganization of the conference, and she suspects that not everything is on the up and up with her friend, but she seems to generally let everything roll off her. If you're sensitive to violence and death in mysteries, this one might be a good bet as there is very little on page action in regards to the actual crimes. While this is the second book in the series, it could definitely be read as a standalone. Charlee travels to a different state, so the entire cast of characters is different in this one than in the first. Events from the first book are vaguely referenced, but it's not necessary to have read the first to read and enjoy this one.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When mystery author Charlee goes to Portland for a writer's conference, she gets involved in a whole lot more than she signed up for: a kidnapping, a dog agility competition, an admirer with a very famous name, and she gets roped into running the conference that seems cursed. This is a well-paced story with no shortage of suspects and suspicious events. I missed a couple of the characters from the first book, but this one has a nice variety of interesting characters to meet. I was pretty shocked by the reveal of the culprit(s), and you may be, too. Though it took me a couple chapters to really get drawn into the story, the second Mystery Writer's Mystery didn't disappoint! This can easily be read as a standalone, but if you read this book first and enjoy it, you'll want to read Fiction Can Be Murder.

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't bonded with Charlee yet but she has potential.

Charlee's BFF Viv always gets Charlee to help at her annual writers' conference - this year as the keynote speaker. When Viv's daughter is kidnapped, Charlee finds herself in charge of setting up and running the conference in a hotel that has double booked themselves.
Sharing a hotel and conference center with an agility dog contest provides some much needed distractions and interesting exploits.

I am looking forward to book 3.

[Becky Muth · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the punny title to the gotcha whodunit, I can always count on this author's cozy mysteries to provide a fun escape from real life. Although I somehow missed the first book in the series, this provided enough details that I did not feel lost or confused. And being a dog lover, well, how could I not love that the writers were double-booked with a dog show? If you're looking for a fun read that will help you forget the stress of daily life, this series is just what you need!

[Patricia Stoltey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through a disaster-prone writers' conference when the conference organizer's daughter is kidnapped and the keynote speaker is drafted to save the conference and solve the kidnapping as well. The writing is topnotch, the characters are entertaining, and there's a nice twist at the end.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?
--

Series: A Mystery Writer's Mystery - Book 2
Author: Becky Clark
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Writer-Author
Publisher: Midnight Ink

From Midnight Ink comes Becky Clark's second book in the “A Mystery Writer’s Mystery” series, Foul Play on Words. This is a fun, humorous story detailing the adventures of a mystery writer who keeps getting involved in criminal investigations.

Charlee isn’t the average mystery writer, she has a wacky sense of humor, is a bit paranoid and quite often her imagination gets carried away. She is likable yet comes off as slightly dim and not overly creative. Charlee doesn’t trust easily; past experiences have made her somewhat suspicious of everyone’s motives. There are times when she should be cautious but isn’t.

Other characters in this story do not play a big enough role to know what they are like. There is little to no description of who they are or what their past relationship with Charlee entails. Other than Viv, who doesn’t appear to be a very good friend or a trustful one. Although there is mention of Charlee’s BF he only makes an appearance during telephone calls, and the reader learns nothing about who he is or his and Charlee’s story.

The villain was immediately recognizable. Although the motive is made plain it comes off as petty and childish. Many readers will enjoy the subtle clues and the final unveiling, with a happy ending. The dog show that is going on at the same time as the writer’s conference adds humor to an otherwise normal setting. Happily, no dogs were injured in this story and one special pup helps save the day.

I would like to have more depth to the characters and a lot more information on Charlee’s background. As this is only the second book in a series, characters are still being developed. It is hoped that in the next book, Charlee becomes more substantial with her BF and other characters playing bigger roles. The setting could have been great but was not an intricate part of the plot.

Overall Foul Play on Words is a fast read that has moments of humor and can leave readers scratching their heads. If readers want a book they can read quickly with little brain strain, this is a book worth the time.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the 2nd book in a Mystery Writer's Mystery series, and it was a fun . Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, who has agree to speak at a Portland writers' conference to help her friend Viv. When Viv is late picking her up at the airport, that should have been her first clue of things to come. Viv says her daughter has been kidnapped, and she wants Charlee to take over for her at the conference. Not only is this book laugh out loud funny, it has a great mystery also. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love funny cozy mysteries, I recommend this book. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

I reviewed an arc from Netgalley and Midnight Ink Publishing. Thank you.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, even though the MC did some stupid stuff, there were a lot of fun parts to it. Interesting story, kind of complicated and hard to understand why people were acting like they were, but enjoyed the ending immensely.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasant and entertaining read even if it's a bit slow at times.
I liked the humour, the characters and the plot.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlee Russo agrees to present at a writers conference her friend Viv is hosting. But when she arrives to find that Viv’s daughter has been kidnapped, Charlee agrees to help run the conference before finally agreeing to help Viv figure out who has her daughter and why.

With the hotel conference space double booked with a dog agility show, the firing of the chef who was supposed to cater the event, and zero instructions, the whole even seems to be going to the dogs. Charlee has to wonder if she might not have been wise to just have turned around and hopped back on the plane home. But friends help friends and she wants to help Viv and her daughter.

While Charlee keeps trying to get Viv to call the police, she cannot get her to move on this as the kidnappers clearly said not to call the police. When the kidnapers ask for ransom, they threaten to kill one conference attendee every hour that passes beyond the deadline. Charlee eventually calls the police herself and is threatened with a visit from the police when they tell her she has no evidence or proof of a kidnapping. But eventually Charlee has it figured out and she sets the trap for the kidnapper and finds the tables turned on her. Will the conference attendees notice she is missing and send help before it’s too late? This is one mystery that you’ll see you had all of the clues laid out, but just hadn’t made the connection earlier.

I read the first book and wavered on the series, but wanted to see how the second book panned out and I am glad I idd. The writing is humorous and Charlee is just as hapless as the rest of us, making her relatable and the writing enjoyable. Looking forward to the next entry in the series.

[Aymee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlee Russo, a mystery writer accused of murder herself not too long ago, is excited to join her long-time friend, Viv, at a writer's convention in Portland.  Minutes after landing, all her plans are trashed when Viv blurts out that her daughter, Hanna, is missing.  While Charlee agrees to take over the prep for the conference, she also decides to do a little investigating of her own.  Although a bit snappish and irritated at times, Charlee is a likeable character.  Her investigative skills aren't always the best, but she's a writer, not a detective, so I can let that slide.  She does have quite the imagination and her sense of humor often saves her from screaming.  

The addition of the double booking with a dog show added a lot of fun and colorful moments to the story.  It was a great way to break up Charlee's worrying - about both the conference and the kidnapping - as well as lightening the mood with some humor.  My one complaint is that the supporting characters weren't fully fleshed out so you're not sure of their true motives or possible involvement.  Charlee, however, is well rounded and interesting and I'd happily read more in this series.  

Foul Play on Words is a fun and lighthearted cozy mystery.  It makes for a quick read that left me smiling.  There is one character, however, that I'm wondering about.  I'm hoping that maybe he'll make an appearance in the next novel.  Two chance encounters with him make me hopeful.  Guess I'll have to pick up the next one and see.  

*Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just received my second overdue notice from my library telling me to return Foul play on Words. I don't want to give it back. The book is that good.

This is Charlee Russo's second adventure in Clark's Mystery Writer's Mystery series. Charlee aka Charlemagne Russo is a mid list mystery author, who is also a whiz at producing writer's workshops.
Charlee has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the Stumptown Writers Conference. When she agreed, she did not realize that Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) is taking effect. She is met by the conference organizer, her friend Viv, who blurts "Charlee, my daughter's been kidnapped."

Clark's choice of a kidnapping,rather than the conventional use of a murder, is refreshing. The author clearly has done her research into the setting. Her description of the rain as "soft Oregon rain" indicates she has experienced a least one wet day in Portland. Her descriptions of the fictitious Portland Pacific Hotel, could be applied to some of the classic old hotels in Portland. One might long to visit, or return to Oregon after reading this.

Foul Play on Words has elements of a farce. The situations while plausible --double booking a writer's conference with an Agility Dog Training Competition -- sets the stage for visible comedy. The characters might at first appear to be stereotypes. It is Clark's skill, that turns tropes into believable people. The main fight scene, while violent also contains slices of slap-stick humor.
This book would make a great movie.

This charming novel can be read as a stand alone. I however hope it is the forerunner of great things to come.

Highly recommended.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Becky Clark's Foul Play on Words, the second installment in the Mystery Writer's Mystery cozy series, this mystery will strike a chord to all writers who want to get published. It would resonate with each and every one of us. It all started when Charlemagne "Charlee" Russo is asked to speak at a local writer's conference in Portland for her friend Viv and to help her out. Besides that, she requests Charlee's assistance in locating her daughter Hanna who went missing and agreed to look for her. AS a mystery writer herself, Charlee notices a lot of strange happenings at this writers conference while she went to look for help for Hanna: a sick food staff, computerization registration issues, a double booking with a dog agility show, and a whole lot more. Things couldn't go from bad to worse when agents and editors were stuck by the storm as Charlee had to do double duty to give feedback to first pages and sound advice to all types of writers. She also met some nefarious people at the conference that she became puzzled with including Viv's ex-husband Garth and Hanna's friends. Was she really missing or left on her accord? Charlee didn't get any resounding answers from Viv on her financial issues either. Before this conference can fall apart, it would be up to her to find Hanna and get down to the bottom of it before its too late for everyone conference attendee there to solve the puzzle.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

3.5 stars. I love the main character, Charlee, in this series. She's got a great voice and gumption as she takes on the challenges in this book. But I'm not sure I believed that her "friend" would bail on her own conference when she knew that she had no reliable, experienced volunteers to help. Show up, but be distracted, yes. Dump stuff on Charlee and disappear? I don't know. While the circumstances were supposed to be stressful, I didn't get a good sense of these two characters as "friends" either. The number of fiascoes with this conference was almost unbelievable as well. The mystery in this is unusual, too, as Charlee wonders for a good portion of the story if a crime has even occurred. All of these factors made it difficult for me to just enjoy the story and get lost in it. It took some effort to push through.

If you are a fan of the series already, check this one out and see what you think. I loved the parts where Charlee gets to be a writer and mentor at the conference. I wished there were more of those sorts of scenes in the book. The dog agility pieces in the story were also enjoyable.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Becky Clark, but I found the second book in the Mystery Writer’s Mystery Series, Foul Play on Words, missed the mark for me.

The plot involves the kidnapping of her friend’s daughter. All of this is taking place while Charlie agrees to help out at the Writer’s conference that Viv is always in charge of. Anything and everything that could go wrong does.

Ms. Clark’s book are usually full of witty and sarcastic humor, and I found this book to be lacking in the majority of this. Her books are so great, because of her sense of humor in telling the story. There were a couple of moments that had me grinning, such as the Dog Agility Competition being held the same time as the Writer’s Conference. And tongue in check naming of characters via celebrity names. But I missed the laugh out loud moments Ms. Clark’s books normally deliver.

I did find the ending to be quite good. There were several options for the guilty party and the author kept you guessing until the end. You don’t need to read the first book to follow along with the series, but I would recommend you start with the first one, Fiction Can Be Murder, as it’s loaded with laugh out loud moments.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Karen Stallman]

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the 2nd book in the "Mystery Writers Mystery series",

Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, who has agreed to speak at a Portland writers' conference to help her friend Viv. When Viv is late picking her up at the airport, that should have been her first clue something wasn't right. Despite it all, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending? Not only is this book funny, it has a great mystery too!

I found this book to be a fun, quick read, with a well developed plot and characters.. I recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends. I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased the first book right away.

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me via NetGalley and Midnight Ink Publishing. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy read ! Foul Play on Words has a different setting for a cozy as it begins at a writer’s conference.

Charlee who is a mystery writer is in charge of a writer's conference with her friend. Liv helping her set up and arrange the event. The conference is off to a rough start with problems with a chef and a dog agility contest that has put dog owners at odds. When Liv's daughter is kidnapped Charlee begins to investigate on her own even though the girl is 21, willful and Charlee does not believe she was kidnapped. As she investigates she soon finds reasons to believe that the girl was kidnapped and soon clues abound and suspects.

I am not a fan of kidnapping stories but this had a good sleuth and likable supporting characters . I like this unique cozy and look forward to the next in series. It was fun to learn about a writer's conference and all that goes into such a event.
Thanks to Midnight Ink and Net Galley for a copy in exchange for my personal review

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I apparently read the first book in the series, Fiction Can be Murder, but honestly don't remember anything about it. So, this was like meeting the characters for the first time.

It starts with our MC, Charlee Russo, a mystery writer, arriving in Portland to attend a writers conference. Her friend, Val, who is supposed to be picking her up, is late, and when she arrives she's in a state of agitation about her daughter Hanna, who has apparently been kidnapped. From here, the story just heads all over the place, with the hotel chef having been fired, the hotel double-booking a dog agility show beside the writing conference, most of the volunteers for the conference coming down with food poisoning, and Charlee left holding the goody bag of getting it ready for the attendees! She's completely unprepared for this, as she is supposed to be a speaker not a volunteer, but gamely sets about doing what she can to get things organised.

Charlee gets pulled into the kidnapping mystery mostly because she keeps hearing Hanna's name around the hotel and wonders what's going on. Nothing is quite what it seems, and Val is absent for a good portion of it, before finally showing up to help out with the conference set up. Charlee spends her time thinking about her speech, wondering what's really going on and trying to help with the event.

There was a lot of stuff over what was essentially two days - secret doors to the hotel basement, mysterious meetings between people in the hotel garden, dog agility trials, 'Brad Pitt', a high-strung event volunteer and some new dishes by a very young, very keen, but not particularly good, stand in chef.

A light, fun, easy read and I can forward to the next one in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to be the keynote speaker at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. But things go wrong from the start when Viv picks her up at the airport. Viv's daughter Hanna has been kidnapped and she is frantic. Charlee agrees to take over the conference preparation so Viv can search for Hanna. Of course, all kinds of things go wrong at the hotel which has double-booked the writers' convention with a dog show, and Charlee is saddled with a group of hapless volunteers. Charlee also begins to doubt whether Hanna has really been kidnapped and wonders why Viv is reluctant to get the police involved.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Midnight Ink with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.