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The Country Club Murders #12
Night Moves
Spring is in the air, and Ellison Russell has places to go, people to see, bodies to find. Strike that. For once, Ellison doesn’t discover the body.
When Detective Anarchy Jones investigates a friend’s husband’s murder, Ellison can’t help but get involved.
Now she’s waist-deep in toxic gossip, struggling with the soaring heights and nocuous lows of her teenager’s mood swings, fending off the advances of her first love, planning a wedding, and (of course) tripping over fresh corpses.
With her life a whirlwind of conflict, can Ellison unmask a devious killer, or will death poison her future?
When Detective Anarchy Jones investigates a friend’s husband’s murder, Ellison can’t help but get involved.
Now she’s waist-deep in toxic gossip, struggling with the soaring heights and nocuous lows of her teenager’s mood swings, fending off the advances of her first love, planning a wedding, and (of course) tripping over fresh corpses.
With her life a whirlwind of conflict, can Ellison unmask a devious killer, or will death poison her future?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
265 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mulhern
41 books1,655 followersJulie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders and the Poppy Fields Adventures.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean--and she's got an active imagination. Truth is--she's an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
November 2, 2022
Who knew that fruit and veg could create such a commotion? The Patriot Company is the scene of one murder and Ellison gets caught up in the case despite not being the one to find the body -- for once. What is causing the unrest at the warehouse and who was that guy on the forklift? Meanwhile the house next door is purchased by Ellison's high school sweetheart, Charlie. Will he be competition for our heroine's heart? Or just for Pansy? Will Anarchy and Ellison set a wedding date? This one is full of heartstopping and heartwarming moments. I just wish Mr. Coffee wasn't talking back to Ellison now. 1/2 a point off for those cringeworthy conversations.
February 26, 2021
This series just keeps getting better and better. I love the characters, the setting, the humor, the snark. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 1, 2021
Artist and socialite Ellison Russell is grateful that, for once, it wasn’t she that found a corpse from her circle of wealthy acquaintances. But who would want to kill bean counter Clayton Morris? Sure, he was overly cheap and controlling, but those are grounds for avoiding him, not murder. Ellison doesn’t even mean to look into the matter, but somehow….
Meanwhile, Ellison’s domineering mother just won’t give up. The fact that Ellison is engaged doesn’t keep her mother, Frances Walford, from trying to play matchmaker someone she thinks better fits into Kansas City’s WASP elite.
As happens with this series, I devoured the 12th Country Club Murders novel in mere hours. Julie Mulhern has produced another fun romp with picture-perfect details, like Beard on Bread, Bundt cakes, Mr. Coffee, flowerpot bread, the embroidered peasant blouses, and the casual sexism that marked the era. Can’t wait for September and No. 13, Lyin' Eyes.
Meanwhile, Ellison’s domineering mother just won’t give up. The fact that Ellison is engaged doesn’t keep her mother, Frances Walford, from trying to play matchmaker someone she thinks better fits into Kansas City’s WASP elite.
As happens with this series, I devoured the 12th Country Club Murders novel in mere hours. Julie Mulhern has produced another fun romp with picture-perfect details, like Beard on Bread, Bundt cakes, Mr. Coffee, flowerpot bread, the embroidered peasant blouses, and the casual sexism that marked the era. Can’t wait for September and No. 13, Lyin' Eyes.
May 16, 2021
This book, really the entire series, but this book in particular needs to come with a warning label!! Will make you laugh out loud at inappropriate moments causing a disturbance leading to snorts and possibly tears from laughter! Not only is it hilariously entertaining, it is a well plotted and wonderfully woven story to bring you loads of entertainment! A great murder mystery set in the 1970's KC country club and plaza area. This series is definitely on my must listen to audiobook series list as the narrator does an outstanding job of helping bring the characters and story to life. If you haven't started this series, you are completely missing out!!!
July 10, 2022
This series is one of the most consistently good series I’ve ever read. I’m on book 12 and the story is still solid, scary, swoony, funny and heart racy in more ways then one. This series is like a rare chocolate. I try not to read all the books at once so I can savor them and always have a few left in case. So it’s 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for enjoyment and each book being so well written! Thank you Julie for a wonderful week of reading your book. What a pleasure!
February 28, 2021
Ellison is back again, and the residents of Kansas City continue to drop dead in dubious circumstances. But, this time, it is not Ellison who trips over the first corpse. Grace comments:
On the personal front, Ellison and Anarchy have yet to set a firm date for their wedding. When Charlie Ardmore was identified as Ellison’s high school ex-sweetheart, I immediately sided with Anarchy, got jealous on his behalf and hated Charlie. He was obviously guilty of the murder of Clayton Morris – even though there was no discernible motive, nor opportunity … Just, he was interfering, and I didn’t want him around.
I also found it creepy that Charlie moved in next door to Ellison, and was making no secret of trying to get back together with her – completely ignoring her (genuine) protestations that she was in love with Anarchy and was going to marry him.
Frances Walford (who “blew into my house with the force of a March gale. Her hair was a perfect silver helmet. The pearls at her neck were the size of marbles. The handbag hooked over her elbow was crocodile.”) also will not accept that Ellison is determined to marry Anarchy, and sees Charlie as the perfect alternative – a good-looking, recently divorced (did I say creepy?) cardiologist – who is not a cop.
It turns out that Charlie does have his uses – the main (and only important) one being, that he takes a shine to Pansy, the disruptive dog that Ellison rescued from Prudence, and offers the dog a new home:
Even Max is getting a bit tired of her:
Back to the murder(s), Ellison’s life is in danger – someone is shooting at her. And then the worst thing happens!!! All intentions of getting any work done flew out the window. I could not put the book down until I had made absolutely sure that everyone was OK.
Another episode in the Country Club murders put successfully to bed. I cannot recommend this series highly enough, and I am impatiently waiting until the next one appears. (Sept 28th 2021– in my diary!).
““Does this mean your streak is over?” I held up my crossed fingers. “We can hope.” I had a terrible feeling about Clayton’s death. “This could be the start of a whole new body-free chapter in my life.” No one said a word. We all knew I wasn’t that lucky.”
On the personal front, Ellison and Anarchy have yet to set a firm date for their wedding. When Charlie Ardmore was identified as Ellison’s high school ex-sweetheart, I immediately sided with Anarchy, got jealous on his behalf and hated Charlie. He was obviously guilty of the murder of Clayton Morris – even though there was no discernible motive, nor opportunity … Just, he was interfering, and I didn’t want him around.
I also found it creepy that Charlie moved in next door to Ellison, and was making no secret of trying to get back together with her – completely ignoring her (genuine) protestations that she was in love with Anarchy and was going to marry him.
Frances Walford (who “blew into my house with the force of a March gale. Her hair was a perfect silver helmet. The pearls at her neck were the size of marbles. The handbag hooked over her elbow was crocodile.”) also will not accept that Ellison is determined to marry Anarchy, and sees Charlie as the perfect alternative – a good-looking, recently divorced (did I say creepy?) cardiologist – who is not a cop.
It turns out that Charlie does have his uses – the main (and only important) one being, that he takes a shine to Pansy, the disruptive dog that Ellison rescued from Prudence, and offers the dog a new home:
“Without regular, exhaustive exercise, Pansy dug. Her goal was China. Her preferred digging sites were the neighbors’ flower beds.” …
“She’s destructive.” A tornado was destructive. Pansy was something else—something worse.”
Even Max is getting a bit tired of her:
“When it came to squirrels, Max fancied himself an apex predator. Pansy wasn’t so picky. She was willing to chase squirrels, rabbits, kids on skateboards, or little old ladies.”
Back to the murder(s), Ellison’s life is in danger – someone is shooting at her. And then the worst thing happens!!! All intentions of getting any work done flew out the window. I could not put the book down until I had made absolutely sure that everyone was OK.
Another episode in the Country Club murders put successfully to bed. I cannot recommend this series highly enough, and I am impatiently waiting until the next one appears. (Sept 28th 2021– in my diary!).
September 2, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Workin’ on our night moves
Tryin’ to make some front page drive-in news
Workin’ on our night moves
In the summertime
In the sweet summertime
~Bob Seger
Ellison’s mind should be on her wedding and not on murder especially when this time she is not the one to find the body, well at least the first body. Her fiance, Detective Anarchy Jones does have a case involving a body. The husband of one of Ellison’s friends has been murdered so she just has to help.
So now in addition to the wedding, arguing with her mother about the wedding, her high school boyfriend moving in next door and it making her mother downright giddy, and her teenager Grace being a teenager, Ellison finds herself right in the middle of another murder investigation where she and her beloved Anarchy and others are put in danger. Can Ellison survive another killer?? Will she catch them? Or will they catch her?
Ellison Russell continues to grow with each new story. Her relationship with Anarchy has made her stronger. Her mother, Frances is always on her case about the clothes she wears and the way she keeps house, but mostly about how Anarchy is not the right man for her. She even invites Ellison’s old high school boyfriend to dinner and excludes Anarchy from the invite. But Ellison handles everything her mother throws at her with aplomb. I loved it!
Ms. Mulhern has given Ellison some wonderful and unique friends and when they get together you never know what is going to happen. There is a scene in Chapter 3 that first had some soda coming out my nose. (I should know better especially when reading books by this author.) Then had me laughing out loud and my husband asking “What’s so funny?” I had to read him the scene and he agreed it was pretty darn funny.
Ellison fully admits she can’t cook so she has Aggie who is a wonderful friend, cook, and confidant. I would love to have an Aggie in my life.
While all the humor is great, Ms. Mulhern has plotted out an excellent mystery. I also unable to put this book down. Who killed Clayton Morris? Ellison doesn’t mean to get involved. Heck, just trying to do an everyday thing puts her on the scene of another murder. I really enjoyed all the twists, red herrings, and mayhem contained within these pages. There were several scary moments, one almost deadly moment, and then an even more frightening deadly showdown. Each time I was on the edge of my seat. Things calmed down in the following chapter. Then, I turned the final page with a smile on my face and realized I read the entire book in one evening.
Sadly, I have gotten behind on this series. I was on the way to my grandson’s football game last Friday night and Night Moves by Bob Segar came on the radio. It made me remember this book was waiting for me on my Kindle. I had to read it the next day. I didn’t know how much I needed a trip back to the 70s. No cell phones, ladies who lunch and play bridge, the music, the clothes, the casseroles and bundt cakes, and the perfect man Mr. Coffee always there (“he would never, ever cancel lunch plans”).
Julie Mulhern is a fantastic author who can write a suspenseful mystery laced with a lot of humor in ways I love. Night Moves is the 12th book in the series and they have all been must-reads. I am looking forward to reading Lyin’ Eyes soon.
Workin’ on our night moves
Tryin’ to make some front page drive-in news
Workin’ on our night moves
In the summertime
In the sweet summertime
~Bob Seger
Ellison’s mind should be on her wedding and not on murder especially when this time she is not the one to find the body, well at least the first body. Her fiance, Detective Anarchy Jones does have a case involving a body. The husband of one of Ellison’s friends has been murdered so she just has to help.
So now in addition to the wedding, arguing with her mother about the wedding, her high school boyfriend moving in next door and it making her mother downright giddy, and her teenager Grace being a teenager, Ellison finds herself right in the middle of another murder investigation where she and her beloved Anarchy and others are put in danger. Can Ellison survive another killer?? Will she catch them? Or will they catch her?
Ellison Russell continues to grow with each new story. Her relationship with Anarchy has made her stronger. Her mother, Frances is always on her case about the clothes she wears and the way she keeps house, but mostly about how Anarchy is not the right man for her. She even invites Ellison’s old high school boyfriend to dinner and excludes Anarchy from the invite. But Ellison handles everything her mother throws at her with aplomb. I loved it!
Ms. Mulhern has given Ellison some wonderful and unique friends and when they get together you never know what is going to happen. There is a scene in Chapter 3 that first had some soda coming out my nose. (I should know better especially when reading books by this author.) Then had me laughing out loud and my husband asking “What’s so funny?” I had to read him the scene and he agreed it was pretty darn funny.
Ellison fully admits she can’t cook so she has Aggie who is a wonderful friend, cook, and confidant. I would love to have an Aggie in my life.
While all the humor is great, Ms. Mulhern has plotted out an excellent mystery. I also unable to put this book down. Who killed Clayton Morris? Ellison doesn’t mean to get involved. Heck, just trying to do an everyday thing puts her on the scene of another murder. I really enjoyed all the twists, red herrings, and mayhem contained within these pages. There were several scary moments, one almost deadly moment, and then an even more frightening deadly showdown. Each time I was on the edge of my seat. Things calmed down in the following chapter. Then, I turned the final page with a smile on my face and realized I read the entire book in one evening.
Sadly, I have gotten behind on this series. I was on the way to my grandson’s football game last Friday night and Night Moves by Bob Segar came on the radio. It made me remember this book was waiting for me on my Kindle. I had to read it the next day. I didn’t know how much I needed a trip back to the 70s. No cell phones, ladies who lunch and play bridge, the music, the clothes, the casseroles and bundt cakes, and the perfect man Mr. Coffee always there (“he would never, ever cancel lunch plans”).
Julie Mulhern is a fantastic author who can write a suspenseful mystery laced with a lot of humor in ways I love. Night Moves is the 12th book in the series and they have all been must-reads. I am looking forward to reading Lyin’ Eyes soon.
June 2, 2021
I can't believe that The Country Club Murder series is up to book #12. This is one of my favourite series, especially because it is set in the seventies. It is full of fun references and reminders of those days. In the previous books in this series, Ellison Russell has found or stumbled upon bodies. She doesn't find a body in this one, well at least not at the beginning, but she gets involved in an attempted murder of a friend's husband. While trying to set a wedding date, deal with her mother still trying to set her up with different men, and her daughter having issues and taking them out on Ellison she still does some amateur sleuthing and tries to figure out what is going on.
This story has a very interesting and well-written plot. I followed the investigation and thought I had it figured out, but was not on the right track at all. There were some twists and some danger for Ellison along the way, but Julie Mulhern led us through the maze of clues and red herrings, until the final reveal in a wonderful trip back in time. I love the humour in this story and series. The references to things like Mr. Coffee, Country Clubs and their cliques as well as the music and clothes bring back some fun memories. I definitely recommend this book and series. Narrator Callie Beaulieu is one I am very familiar with. She does not do voices as she reads these stories, but her voice is great to listen to, her inflection and expression is right on and I can’t imagine anyone else being the voice of Ellison. She brings these stories to life for me and I will continue to listen to other books in this series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
This story has a very interesting and well-written plot. I followed the investigation and thought I had it figured out, but was not on the right track at all. There were some twists and some danger for Ellison along the way, but Julie Mulhern led us through the maze of clues and red herrings, until the final reveal in a wonderful trip back in time. I love the humour in this story and series. The references to things like Mr. Coffee, Country Clubs and their cliques as well as the music and clothes bring back some fun memories. I definitely recommend this book and series. Narrator Callie Beaulieu is one I am very familiar with. She does not do voices as she reads these stories, but her voice is great to listen to, her inflection and expression is right on and I can’t imagine anyone else being the voice of Ellison. She brings these stories to life for me and I will continue to listen to other books in this series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
June 15, 2024
Okay so my one nitpick with this one was I really didn't love how the Charlie storyline was handled.
Anyway, other than that I am having a lot of fun in this world!
Anyway, other than that I am having a lot of fun in this world!
October 30, 2022
I love these books so much! Let’s see….this time Ellison isn’t the first person to discover the body. A friend’s family owns a produce supply company and the men who work there are turning up poisoned. Can it be the wife whose Daddy ran the company and put her husband in charge? And said husband is ruining Daddy’s work? Maybe the fellow who shows up at lunch time and loads a truck with produce? In other news Ellison and Anarchy have set the date and they have two weeks to prepare for the wedding. Don’t let a little thing like a shooting slow things down.
October 7, 2021
Loved it! Bring on the audiobook for the next book in the series: Lyin’ Eyes (The Country Club Murders #13.)
May 29, 2021
A Home Run
Another hit in the Country Club series. Ellison and Anarchy get better with each installment. A 5 star must read.
Another hit in the Country Club series. Ellison and Anarchy get better with each installment. A 5 star must read.
March 22, 2021
I still enjoy this series: Mulhern has an acute ear for the little details of the 1970s that conjure up that taste-free era - peasant blouses and bell-bottoms, anyone? The rhythms of the country club set are slyly mocked (bridge, misogyny, the rituals of mourning), and Ellison remains a sympathetic MC.
The series has though, twelve books in, become a parody of itself. The elements that made the first few books feel so fresh (Mr Coffee, Ellison's mother, her own passion for art and her unfortunate habit of falling over dead bodies) have morphed into tired clichés. I'm particularly sorry that Ellison's mother, whose bitchy love was a real delight, has been reduced here to a one-note role. The cast list is dizzying, and the police procedural elements frankly farcical.
I will be reading on because when Mulhern is on form she's entertaining.
The series has though, twelve books in, become a parody of itself. The elements that made the first few books feel so fresh (Mr Coffee, Ellison's mother, her own passion for art and her unfortunate habit of falling over dead bodies) have morphed into tired clichés. I'm particularly sorry that Ellison's mother, whose bitchy love was a real delight, has been reduced here to a one-note role. The cast list is dizzying, and the police procedural elements frankly farcical.
I will be reading on because when Mulhern is on form she's entertaining.
February 24, 2021
May 1975 and the world loves avocado.
While Max & Pansy keep the neighborhood yards refreshed, Ellison's social circle are catching up with each other at wedding showers. Ellison and Anarchy are engaged but a date hasn't been set yet = its not been a year since Henry died. This time Anarchy finds the body - okay he's a homicide cop but the deceased is from the Country Club set that Ellison is a part of and he could use her help with gossip overheard while she's at social events. Who done it and why brings Ellison into some interesting situations that aren't all safe ones.
It was nice to catch up with the great group of characters. A cozy with lots of laughs.
Looking forward to their upcoming wedding!
Next episode release Sep28/21 "Lyin' Eyes"
While Max & Pansy keep the neighborhood yards refreshed, Ellison's social circle are catching up with each other at wedding showers. Ellison and Anarchy are engaged but a date hasn't been set yet = its not been a year since Henry died. This time Anarchy finds the body - okay he's a homicide cop but the deceased is from the Country Club set that Ellison is a part of and he could use her help with gossip overheard while she's at social events. Who done it and why brings Ellison into some interesting situations that aren't all safe ones.
It was nice to catch up with the great group of characters. A cozy with lots of laughs.
Looking forward to their upcoming wedding!
Next episode release Sep28/21 "Lyin' Eyes"
February 26, 2021
Wow, Just Wow
Julie Mulhern has done it again! Kept me up all hours and made me read every word of the lasers episode of Ellison Russell’s life. I can’t , just can’t give a synopsis without spoilers, but you have to know she just keeps getting better and better!
Is it September yet?
Julie Mulhern has done it again! Kept me up all hours and made me read every word of the lasers episode of Ellison Russell’s life. I can’t , just can’t give a synopsis without spoilers, but you have to know she just keeps getting better and better!
Is it September yet?
July 21, 2023
Love the role reversal in this one and how close we are to wedding bells!
March 4, 2021
I love this series
I grew up with the quirky parents like Ellisons my parents were more concerned with
What the neighbors would say I can hardly wait for the next adventure. Lying Eyes
I grew up with the quirky parents like Ellisons my parents were more concerned with
What the neighbors would say I can hardly wait for the next adventure. Lying Eyes
September 3, 2023
I just love spending time in this world.
May 13, 2021
Could Ellison not find a body this time?
I love the complex dynamics between the characters as always. Ellison has a new neighbor, and this may or may not be a good thing.😉 Love this so much, I can hardly wait to read it again!
I love the complex dynamics between the characters as always. Ellison has a new neighbor, and this may or may not be a good thing.😉 Love this so much, I can hardly wait to read it again!
May 12, 2024
Another funny cozy mystery set in the country club environment of 1970s Kansas City.
Read
July 26, 2021Love her - Kansas City is one of my favorite cities and the 70's were my years.
February 26, 2021
Fashion, intrigue, and murder...with a side of aspic
I adore this series. Ellison is a breath of fresh air. I love that this is set in the mid-70s. It’s interesting to read about these issues (women unable to own businesses, societal pressures to be a “proper and obedient” woman), the fashion, the food...all with a side of murder and a truly charming romance. All of the main characters are very well rounded. I despise Frances, but I also strangely understand her motivations. Grace could be a teenager or any era. We all need an Aggie in our life. And I want to be Libba when I grow up. Anxiously awaiting the next release in the series.
I adore this series. Ellison is a breath of fresh air. I love that this is set in the mid-70s. It’s interesting to read about these issues (women unable to own businesses, societal pressures to be a “proper and obedient” woman), the fashion, the food...all with a side of murder and a truly charming romance. All of the main characters are very well rounded. I despise Frances, but I also strangely understand her motivations. Grace could be a teenager or any era. We all need an Aggie in our life. And I want to be Libba when I grow up. Anxiously awaiting the next release in the series.
March 25, 2022
The Country Club Murders books are one of my favorite mystery series. That said, Night Moves is one of the best of the best. Why? For a few reasons.
First, these books are so readable. I can be exhausted and ready to sleep for a week, but I'll always make time for a chapter (or six). I love how easily I can sink into the narrative and become a fly on the wall of each scene. Time slips away as I read, and suddenly it's the wee small hours of the morning and I have a meeting at 8 am and, oh, well, maybe just one more chapter.
Second, the characters are quirky, yet fun and relatable. I aspire to be the cook Aggie is, I cringe whenever Frances enters a scene, and I groan at the mere mention of Celeste.
Third, the relationship between Anarchy and Ellison has come so far and evolved so much! They are a favorite fictional couple of mine for sure.
Fourth, you might think those plot ideas may be running thin for a series set around a Kansas City socialite who has a habit of finding dead bodies. After all, this is book 12. Well, you'd be wrong. Each mystery is unique and has fresh characteristics that always keep me guessing who the killer could be.
If you haven't dipped into this wonderful mystery series yet, now is definitely the time!
First, these books are so readable. I can be exhausted and ready to sleep for a week, but I'll always make time for a chapter (or six). I love how easily I can sink into the narrative and become a fly on the wall of each scene. Time slips away as I read, and suddenly it's the wee small hours of the morning and I have a meeting at 8 am and, oh, well, maybe just one more chapter.
Second, the characters are quirky, yet fun and relatable. I aspire to be the cook Aggie is, I cringe whenever Frances enters a scene, and I groan at the mere mention of Celeste.
Third, the relationship between Anarchy and Ellison has come so far and evolved so much! They are a favorite fictional couple of mine for sure.
Fourth, you might think those plot ideas may be running thin for a series set around a Kansas City socialite who has a habit of finding dead bodies. After all, this is book 12. Well, you'd be wrong. Each mystery is unique and has fresh characteristics that always keep me guessing who the killer could be.
If you haven't dipped into this wonderful mystery series yet, now is definitely the time!
May 4, 2021
If I could rate this series 10 stars, I would. The best.
March 7, 2021
Country Club Murder series is a gem of the cozy mystery genre and the latest book called Night Moves does not disappoint. The writing, especially the snappy dialogue, is particularly strong in Night Moves and Julie Mulhern’s wonderfully drawn characters are so much fun. Who knew that setting a series among the 1970’s Kansas City country club set could be so entertaining while also revealing the shifting gender roles and the influence of feminism of the era?
My favorite aspect of the series is Ellison’s progress as a character. Over time, she moves from a woman whose identity is tied up in being a good daughter and wife into an independent artist and a single mom. She is very much a woman of her era, leaning into, with occasional hesitation and despite criticism, gender equality and women’s liberation. Not a capital P political manner but in the way she moves through the world.Part of the cleverness of the series is that finding dead bodies and solving mysteries allows Ellison to assert herself and to develop a sense of agency.
There is also a long simmering romance that is wonderfully grown-up. Ellison is not waiting for someone to save her although her beau Anarchy Jones occasionally does. She is looking for a partner, someone who sees her as she actually is, not a projection of who she is supposed to be. And in Night Moves he very much reveals that himself to be worthy of her.
Night Moves devotes much time to the ongoing romance of Ellison and Anarchy, but it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. Again, love and romance are part of Ellison’s journey as she becomes into a more well-founded fully articulated woman.
I highly recommend the series for fans of romance and cozies.
My favorite aspect of the series is Ellison’s progress as a character. Over time, she moves from a woman whose identity is tied up in being a good daughter and wife into an independent artist and a single mom. She is very much a woman of her era, leaning into, with occasional hesitation and despite criticism, gender equality and women’s liberation. Not a capital P political manner but in the way she moves through the world.Part of the cleverness of the series is that finding dead bodies and solving mysteries allows Ellison to assert herself and to develop a sense of agency.
There is also a long simmering romance that is wonderfully grown-up. Ellison is not waiting for someone to save her although her beau Anarchy Jones occasionally does. She is looking for a partner, someone who sees her as she actually is, not a projection of who she is supposed to be. And in Night Moves he very much reveals that himself to be worthy of her.
Night Moves devotes much time to the ongoing romance of Ellison and Anarchy, but it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. Again, love and romance are part of Ellison’s journey as she becomes into a more well-founded fully articulated woman.
I highly recommend the series for fans of romance and cozies.
February 24, 2021
My Favorite So Far
No, really, this time I mean it! I think I’ve figured out what I love so much about Ellison. I’m nothing like her, and my Mom was nothing like her Mom; the only country club we’d have ever belonged to would’ve been the Travis Tritt variety (Well,I did join our local country club, but the women were snooty and I didn’t much like it!). However, there’s something about their relationship that is SO MUCH like my relationship I had with my Mom that it makes me laugh! I never dressed appropriately according to Mom (“Would it kill you to wear a little bit of makeup?”). She didn’t approve of my major in college (“Get a degree in art and you’ll end up flipping burgers for the rest of your life!”). Nor did she approve of the man I married (“He’s too old for you... and he’s CATHOLIC!” We still laugh about that one almost 30 years later, by the way!). Yet... my Mom loved me. She could pick on me as only a mother could, and I knew she’d always have my back. Are all mother-daughter relationships like this? I kind of don’t think so, because I’m completely different with my two daughters!
Spoiler alert... at one point in the book, I did think my heart was going to stop because I honestly thought Ellison was going to lose Anarchy. But, all’s well that ends well, and wedding bells are still going to ring for our heroine! I really love this series!
No, really, this time I mean it! I think I’ve figured out what I love so much about Ellison. I’m nothing like her, and my Mom was nothing like her Mom; the only country club we’d have ever belonged to would’ve been the Travis Tritt variety (Well,I did join our local country club, but the women were snooty and I didn’t much like it!). However, there’s something about their relationship that is SO MUCH like my relationship I had with my Mom that it makes me laugh! I never dressed appropriately according to Mom (“Would it kill you to wear a little bit of makeup?”). She didn’t approve of my major in college (“Get a degree in art and you’ll end up flipping burgers for the rest of your life!”). Nor did she approve of the man I married (“He’s too old for you... and he’s CATHOLIC!” We still laugh about that one almost 30 years later, by the way!). Yet... my Mom loved me. She could pick on me as only a mother could, and I knew she’d always have my back. Are all mother-daughter relationships like this? I kind of don’t think so, because I’m completely different with my two daughters!
Spoiler alert... at one point in the book, I did think my heart was going to stop because I honestly thought Ellison was going to lose Anarchy. But, all’s well that ends well, and wedding bells are still going to ring for our heroine! I really love this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
Mulhern really seems to have hit her stride with the last few of these. The late 60s/early 70s setting has always been done well, but the details just keep getting better.
As frustrated as I was at Mother's meddling again, I like that Ellison just has no time for it anymore. It's been really nice to to watch her become more sure of herself, more willing to work around conventions she never liked to begin with.
Enjoyed Libba's side plot with the new neighbor and I loved the revelation that Anarchy & Grace had already had a conversation about what kind of parent he'll be.
Really looking forward to the next one!
As frustrated as I was at Mother's meddling again, I like that Ellison just has no time for it anymore. It's been really nice to to watch her become more sure of herself, more willing to work around conventions she never liked to begin with.
Enjoyed Libba's side plot with the new neighbor and I loved the revelation that Anarchy & Grace had already had a conversation about what kind of parent he'll be.
Really looking forward to the next one!
February 23, 2021
Ellison and Anarchy are in love and talking weddings while Ellison’s mother is up to her old tricks of derailing the two, one of Ellison’s old flames is out to make a play and danger makes a visit. Beware, there are dead bodies and almost dead bodies and I found myself laughing and reaching for the Kleenex before I reached the end. A very satisfying read with wonderful characters and a mystery that won’t be solved halfway into the book.
February 23, 2021
Another Winner
Julie Mulhern has come through again with another gripping “Country Club Mystery” winner. This one is life changing for Ellison.
First there is a body that Ellison didn’t find, an old flame moves in next door and Max and Pansy aren’t in doggie love any more. Could this be a signal that things might change for Ellison and Anarchy also. Mother certainly hopes so !!!
So many of Julie’s vivid characters run through this story, including some new ones for us. I love, love, love these books! (A word to any new reader, these books are really best read in order because of all the wonderful back stories on the characters that make these stories so compelling.). Thanks, Julie! 📚❤️
Julie Mulhern has come through again with another gripping “Country Club Mystery” winner. This one is life changing for Ellison.
First there is a body that Ellison didn’t find, an old flame moves in next door and Max and Pansy aren’t in doggie love any more. Could this be a signal that things might change for Ellison and Anarchy also. Mother certainly hopes so !!!
So many of Julie’s vivid characters run through this story, including some new ones for us. I love, love, love these books! (A word to any new reader, these books are really best read in order because of all the wonderful back stories on the characters that make these stories so compelling.). Thanks, Julie! 📚❤️
March 1, 2021
Another winner!
Another great Ellison murder mystery.
Who is poisoning people and why did someone shoot at Ellison? With her ex-high school boyfriend moved in next door, Ellison and Anarchy set a date but it’s never easy for them.
I love reading these books but I’m so sad that I finished it and have to wait for September to come to read the next installment. Love this series!
Another great Ellison murder mystery.
Who is poisoning people and why did someone shoot at Ellison? With her ex-high school boyfriend moved in next door, Ellison and Anarchy set a date but it’s never easy for them.
I love reading these books but I’m so sad that I finished it and have to wait for September to come to read the next installment. Love this series!
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