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High Desert #13
Murdered Mayor
The famous cowboy movie star
Had become the dearly beloved mayor of Palm Springs.
Too bad he was murdered.
But who could have done it and what was their motive?
Greed? Political rival? An environmental extremist?
Son? Stepdaughter? Ex-wives?
And what about his present trophy wife?
Then there’s that pesky proposed desert windmill turbine project.
They kill a lot of birds,
And the Desert Bird Sanctuary members were certainly
Against the proposal.
The mayor’s vote was needed to approve it.
Maybe he was going to vote against it.
Was that why Monty Madsen was murdered?
And maybe Monty wasn’t the only person in Palm Springs
Who wanted to be the mayor!
There’s a colorful cast of characters,
But only one of them is a murderer.
Join Marty, her husband, Detective Jeff Combs, and their psychic boxer dog, Patron, as they determine not only who had the motive, but also who had the means.
This is the 13th book in the High Desert Cozy Mystery Series by a USA Today Bestselling Author.
Had become the dearly beloved mayor of Palm Springs.
Too bad he was murdered.
But who could have done it and what was their motive?
Greed? Political rival? An environmental extremist?
Son? Stepdaughter? Ex-wives?
And what about his present trophy wife?
Then there’s that pesky proposed desert windmill turbine project.
They kill a lot of birds,
And the Desert Bird Sanctuary members were certainly
Against the proposal.
The mayor’s vote was needed to approve it.
Maybe he was going to vote against it.
Was that why Monty Madsen was murdered?
And maybe Monty wasn’t the only person in Palm Springs
Who wanted to be the mayor!
There’s a colorful cast of characters,
But only one of them is a murderer.
Join Marty, her husband, Detective Jeff Combs, and their psychic boxer dog, Patron, as they determine not only who had the motive, but also who had the means.
This is the 13th book in the High Desert Cozy Mystery Series by a USA Today Bestselling Author.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2020
159 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 31, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Dianne Harmon always finds new and interesting says to hook her reader's or listeners in and this time it is the use of wind turbines, politics and murder. A great little mystery that is broken up with some light hearted and charming dressing up of dogs. The mystery was interesting and I liked how it unfolded without being obvious who the killer was. The characters are still as entertaining as they were in book one, but don't worry you don't need to read the books order to enjoy because the books are written well enough that even if they are new to you they will feel like old friends taking to along for another murder investigation.
Marty is hired by the mayor to evaluate some pieces that he was left by his mother for insurance purposes but his wife wants to hire her so they can be sold. Trouble in paradise? Before Marty can get caught in the middle of the pair the famous Mayor is killed in his home. He was well liked and popular in the community so just who would want to kill him? His wife? The son he refused to bail out of trouble? The bird activists trying to block the latest wind turbine proposal that his vote could sway the whole whole project? Or even his deputy mayor who is in favour of the plans? With so many motives and suspects Marty and her husband Detective Jeff Combs will need all the help and luck they can get to solve this murder or find the smoking gun.
I liked the narrator. She has a distinctive voice that she puts to good use to bring the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Marty is hired by the mayor to evaluate some pieces that he was left by his mother for insurance purposes but his wife wants to hire her so they can be sold. Trouble in paradise? Before Marty can get caught in the middle of the pair the famous Mayor is killed in his home. He was well liked and popular in the community so just who would want to kill him? His wife? The son he refused to bail out of trouble? The bird activists trying to block the latest wind turbine proposal that his vote could sway the whole whole project? Or even his deputy mayor who is in favour of the plans? With so many motives and suspects Marty and her husband Detective Jeff Combs will need all the help and luck they can get to solve this murder or find the smoking gun.
I liked the narrator. She has a distinctive voice that she puts to good use to bring the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 14, 2022
This is #13 in the series and I have enjoyed them all thus far. The characters are interesting plus there are two dogs in the series; one being a white boxer who intuitive. Marty, the main character, evaluates jewelry and furniture for an insurance company that her sister also works. The sis, Laura has intuitive powers substantiated by a renown University in CA. Laura and the dog, Patron can sense when Marty is in danger. In previous books, Patron has actually saved Marty from danger.
In this book, the mayor of Palm Springs inherits furnishing from his late mother. His wife wants them appraised so she can sell them as she feels they don’t fit in their family home. On the day Marty goes to the home to do the appraisal, Laura senses danger and tells her sis to bring Patron. While doing the appraisal, Patron senses something and alerts Marty. Marty finds the mayor dead and appears to have been murdered. It so happens Marty’s husband is a detective for the PS police department. With Marty’s help, the murder is investigated. As in previous books, the killer is a character and so are other suspects. As the story progresses, the suspects are eliminated until the killer is revealed. The book is very easy reading and will hold one’s interest from the beginning to end: thus called a “cozy mystery” which I find enjoyable. I will definitely read #14.
In this book, the mayor of Palm Springs inherits furnishing from his late mother. His wife wants them appraised so she can sell them as she feels they don’t fit in their family home. On the day Marty goes to the home to do the appraisal, Laura senses danger and tells her sis to bring Patron. While doing the appraisal, Patron senses something and alerts Marty. Marty finds the mayor dead and appears to have been murdered. It so happens Marty’s husband is a detective for the PS police department. With Marty’s help, the murder is investigated. As in previous books, the killer is a character and so are other suspects. As the story progresses, the suspects are eliminated until the killer is revealed. The book is very easy reading and will hold one’s interest from the beginning to end: thus called a “cozy mystery” which I find enjoyable. I will definitely read #14.
February 8, 2021
Why would a Mayor who was really liked by all be found murdered in his home? Was it because he would not vote for windmill power to be installed on part of the land. There were quite a few who wanted that to go through--but who would be willing to murder him? Then there is his son who is in big trouble but his Dad (the Mayor) would not give him any more money? His trophy wife who stood to gain a lot from his estate.
Marty helps her husband figure it out while musing how all the people she knows dresses their dogs up--her dogs do not get dressed up!
It is Patton, the psychic dog who will having you laughing out loud in the last few sentences of this really good book!
Marty helps her husband figure it out while musing how all the people she knows dresses their dogs up--her dogs do not get dressed up!
It is Patton, the psychic dog who will having you laughing out loud in the last few sentences of this really good book!
April 30, 2021
While Marty is out doing an appraisal, she stumbles upon a dead body. It’s a good thing her husband Jeff is a detective. She enjoys solving mysteries so she gets herself involved in the investigation. The person who was murdered was the mayor so there’s quite a stir around town. Was the killer someone involved in the political office or someone else? There was also a big controversy about a proposal concerning a local project. Maybe the murder had something to do with that. Marty has her dog with her during her investigating. And there’s humor throughout the story along with the murder mystery.
February 4, 2021
Windmills murder?
This was a well written book. I learned many new facts about windmills and the damage to birds by them. The mayor is being pressured by several people about expanding windmill farm on both sides of the issue. With a trophy wife ,2 wasted kids in the mix who is the murderer?
This was a well written book. I learned many new facts about windmills and the damage to birds by them. The mayor is being pressured by several people about expanding windmill farm on both sides of the issue. With a trophy wife ,2 wasted kids in the mix who is the murderer?
April 26, 2021
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and the way the mystery was developed and solved. I also enjoyed the main characters as well as the secondary ones.
I listened to the audiobook and occasionally the narrator’s interpretation of a character was a bit annoying. Otherwise I would probably have given this book 5 stars.
I listened to the audiobook and occasionally the narrator’s interpretation of a character was a bit annoying. Otherwise I would probably have given this book 5 stars.
September 21, 2021
Loved this book though I wish the main character was Laura. Marty is annoying with her constant sarcasm against Laura's predictions. Especially since she is always right, and it has saved her life. It can't be easy for Laura to be different from others and to have a sister who she has helped always being sarcastic towards her is getting old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
Marty finds a body!
This series has been so entertaining! Out of all the series Dianne has done, this one is my favorite. Marty is called to do an appraisal for the Mayors wife, and of course stumbles across a body. As always, well written and entertaining storyline!
This series has been so entertaining! Out of all the series Dianne has done, this one is my favorite. Marty is called to do an appraisal for the Mayors wife, and of course stumbles across a body. As always, well written and entertaining storyline!
April 22, 2021
Keeps you guessing
Anyone that likes a good mystery will love this book. There are lots of suspects with motives and lots of interesting characters. It was well thought out and well written.
Anyone that likes a good mystery will love this book. There are lots of suspects with motives and lots of interesting characters. It was well thought out and well written.
June 2, 2021
Nice easy read good for a day at the shore. With some twists to keep you interested
Easy reading, but you maintain the interest level with several good plot twists. Also some accurate information on an environmental issue that's very real and appropriate today.
Easy reading, but you maintain the interest level with several good plot twists. Also some accurate information on an environmental issue that's very real and appropriate today.
December 27, 2020
Excellent
Another interesting adventure for Marty and Jeff, solving the mayor's murder with a little help from the psychic world and an unknowing eye witness.
Another interesting adventure for Marty and Jeff, solving the mayor's murder with a little help from the psychic world and an unknowing eye witness.
January 17, 2021
I always enjoy Dianne Harman’s books and this one did not disappoint.
January 21, 2021
Twisted intent
Dianne Harman caught me in this twisted plot. The characters came to life in my mind and the dialogue was great. This is an author I will definitely be following.
Dianne Harman caught me in this twisted plot. The characters came to life in my mind and the dialogue was great. This is an author I will definitely be following.
July 19, 2024
Another good read.
I enjoy this Cozy Mystery series. I enjoy the input Laura has along with Patron. I am a dog lover and so glad many of your books include dogs. Dogs Rock!
I enjoy this Cozy Mystery series. I enjoy the input Laura has along with Patron. I am a dog lover and so glad many of your books include dogs. Dogs Rock!
December 30, 2020
Great book
This is a great book in the High Dessert series bt Dianne Harman. I cant wait for the next book.
This is a great book in the High Dessert series bt Dianne Harman. I cant wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews