Fortune Funhouse

Miss Fortune Mystery #19

by Jana Deleon

Death is a roller coaster. The traveling carnival has made its stop in Sinful and everyone is ready for thrilling rides, challenging games, and most importantly, funnel cake. But when a man is murdered in the funhouse and Emmaline LeBlanc is knocked unconscious so the killer can escape, the good times are over. Carter is beside himself wanting to hunt down the man responsible for putting his mother in the hospital, but he can’t investigate when he’s related to one of the victims. Palmer Reed was well known as a boy by most everyone in Sinful for being a sneak, a liar, and sometimes a thief. As an adult, he continued his reign of underachieving and mostly making people angry wherever he went. Now he’s a state police detective and is assigned to the case, but Fortune knows that to get Carter the answers he needs, Swamp Team 3 has to take on the investigation. As they dig deep into the confusion and lies that surround the murder, they uncover a secret that could devastate Carter and Emmaline, but Fortune is determined to discover the truth…whatever that may be.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Audiobook, Fiction, Cozy, Crime

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2021

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only the Youtube videos of Gertie were real! Then we could entertain ourselves between book releases. I tend to grow bored with lengthy series because they start to feel cookie cutter, but this series still delights me with every book and this one was no exception. It has the right amount of humor, suspense, and I take on solving the mystery before Fortune does seriously. I ALMOST had it this time! I adore the characters in these books and wish I could meet them in real life. Can't wait for the next book.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Absolutely, fabulously AWESOME!! Swamp Team 3 is in rare form, the zingers are amazing. They don't hold back because it's not Carter doing the investigation. I love each and every book in this series, but this one is a standout and that is hard to do when every book in the series is great.

When the traveling carnival comes to Sinful, LA it is a big deal. This year in addition to the rides, games and funnel cake, you get murder in the funhouse. And Carter's mom, Emmaline, is left unconscious at the scene. Carter is sidelined from the investigation so he calls on Swamp Team 3 to find the baddie.

"Great" I said (Fortune). "An obnoxious Realtor, a naked person, an idiot lecherous cop, an unconscious person, and Celia. This investigation is getting off to an awesome start."

The state cop in charge, Palmer Reed, is better suited to work in an Amazon distribution center. He spent time is Sinful as a boy and everyone remembers him and not in a good way. The dead guy wasn't well liked either, but finding who hurt Emmaline is the Team's first priority. When the Herbert's find out that Emmaline was injured and Carter is banned from the investigation, they offer any help the team may need. I'm afraid that Fortune is getting into some serious quid pro quo territory with the Herbert's and payback may not be pretty. Secrets are uncovered and the line between truth and lie can be blurred, somewhere in all that is the truth that the Team needs to find.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I really want now is the story of the poor, traumatized DA who keeps having to let criminals go because this crack investigative team thinks that breaking and entering, threats of violence, and mob activity counts as evidence.

To say nothing of the number of times they let the alligator chomp down on a suspect.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will definitely keep you guessing.

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune is an ex-CIA agent who can't talk about his past.
Her boyfriend, Cater, is a law enforcement officer for Sinful, LA.
His mother is attacked in the funhouse at a traveling carnival. She is hit in the head with a blunt object and almost dies. She has had a long recovery and has lost most of her memory. At the same time, an old resident is killed in the Funhouse right behind her.
Enter a young boy who claims he is the illegitimate son of Carter's father.
Fortune believes something criminal is afoot and sets out to find out.
She has two friends who "work" for her at her PI business. They are a crazy pair and stir up trouble along the way.
It is a mystery with some humor thrown in to break the tension.
Another fun read from Ms. DeLeon.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is action-packed, exciting and has a solid mystery. The fair has come to town. When a murder and an assault happen in the funhouse, Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle are there only to discover that Carter's mom is the one assaulted. Unconscious, she is rushed to the hospital. Because Carter cannot investigate his own mother's assault, Carter is forced to stay on the sidelines while a past nemesis of his, Palmer Reed is assigned to the case. Palmer has a reputation of being incompetent and a bully so the girls decide to investigate. This book has everything I have come to expect of this series, laughing out loud, danger, delightful if quirky characters and clues that don't come together until the end. I enjoyed this book very much. I highly recommend this series and this book.

[JoAn]

Ms. DeLeon hit it out of the park in this one. I hated putting the book down when I had to attend to "real life" events. Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie have their hands full with this one as Carter is sidelined because of his mother being injured by the bad guy. The state police detective was awful and I loved the jabs that Fortune got in while talking to him. Gertie being Gertie and the conversations between Swamp Team 3 kept me laughing throughout the book while swiftly turning the pages to find out who was behind the murder and mayhem.

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reached the point that I only read these books for the banter and the fun. I can never pay enough attention to the plot and accompany all that happens.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 bk 40 When I need something with loads of funny scenes - I turn to Jana DeLeon! This, the newest of her Miss Fortune books is a winner. When a carnival comes to town, Fortune gives in to her love of funnel cakes - of course when her Carter's mother is attacked in the Funhouse and found laying near a murdered man, funnel cakes have to take a back seat. Carter is off the case and an obnoxious State Police Officer with a personal vendetta against Carter sees to it he stays off the case. Fortune, Gertie, and Ida Belle are on it - using all of their contacts to identify the murder victim, protect Emmeline in the hospital and generally get into lots of trouble in time to solve the crime. A little bit more involved of a crime than some of the past books - but very well done, kept me awake and laughing until 2 am. this morning - which is why my eyes are blurry and itching.

[Aditi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series I mean I am still here and this is the 19th book. However last few books the whiteness of it is becoming very apparent. They are all white even when set in Louisiana. The beginning of this book had a joke about "Made in China" and I thought it was crass considering the year that has been.

This series usually relies on a somewhat stretching it plot anyway but I enjoy them. This one was really out there though, I mean. A literal "Lost in the Mela" trope from far too many indian movies of my childhood.

Between the really stretched out plot and the bad joke I had to knock down a few stars. Lets hope the next book is better.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I always enjoy Jana DeLeon's books and this one had me laughing and smiling throughout. The antics of Gertie and dynamics between Fortune, Ida Bell, Carter and others was like sitting with old friends and enjoying a visit. I don't know how she does it, but even after 19 books in this series, I still can't wait for the next book to come out. Great job! And I would go on to 20 if it were published. But alas, I will have to wait.

[Ruth Hartzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Fortune Funhouse! It's one of my all-time favorite series, and I'm so excited when a new book in the series comes out. My cat didn't get fed on demand, as I couldn't put it down and stayed up reading it all night.
It was wonderful to catch up with Ida-Belle and Gertie again. I hope this is made into a TV series soon.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery had so many twists and turns I got dizzy reading! Fortune and her friends certainly had their hands full finding out who hurt Carter’s mother and why. All our favorite Sinful characters make an appearance, making this a welcome reunion.

[Tammy Kenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so much fun to read. I look forward to the next one!

[Harmony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get so excited whenever I see that there is another book in this series. Revisiting Sinful is like going to a beloved relatives house. I adore all the characters in this book. I find myself laughing often, mostly at things that Gertie does.

I want Fortune and Carter to get married already! Come on, now. Stop teasing us. I do wish there was more romance between them in this book. I love it whenever Carter gets all he-man on her and reminds Fortune who exactly is the alpha in their relationship. However, he also stands aside and lets her take the lead when needed. He reminds me of a younger Walter, another character that I love.

I have to admit that this book made me nervous. I wasn't sure where the author was going with it but I had to keep telling myself to trust her. She wouldn't let me down with this series and she didn't.

Since I'm an avid mystery reader (cozies, I don't do dark and gory), I figured out pretty quickly who the bad guy was. I just couldn't figure out his angle for a little bit, I did know it had to do with money. It's always about money or love in this type of book.

The ending was perfect (except I wanted a proposal!! LOL) and it was great seeing all my favorites making appearances throughout this book.

Side note: I'm so grateful that this author truly knows how to write about Southerners and in particular those from Louisiana. Being a native Louisianan, I hate the stereotypes. I especially hate reading books from authors who have never been there and clearly are only writing based off what they've read on Google. This author isn't like that. I compare other books set in Louisiana to this one.

Eagerly awaiting book 20!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The carnival is in town and there's been a murder in the funhouse. Miss Fortune and the Sinful ladies society is back in Fortune Funhouse by Jana DeLeon. A couple of years ago I tried book one in the series for free and since then I have read every single book about the adventures of Miss Fortune ex CIA assassin and her Swamp Team 3. It's alway fun reading and as someone else pointed out in the reviews. I would love to see the youtube videos of Gerties antics. This book reveals a lot of deputy Carters background and I always find it interesting when you get piece by piece of the characters history.

[Dallass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did it have to end?

I’ve become addicted to the adventures of Fortune and her geriatric cohorts as they inevitably end up eyeballs deep in trouble, and after this investigation Sinful may never be the same. This case was a lot darker than previous stories as Emmaline and Carter’s family is seemingly under attack, and secrets from the past come to light. And to add insult to injury, an incompetent douche of a State police detective, who has a rather nefarious past - and reputation- in Sinful, comes back to ‘solve’ the murder, but seems more interested in one-upping Carter. Facing this level of incompetence you just know that Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie won’t let a case this personal this go unsolved.

All your favourites are back, and we get more of Walter which is always a good thing. Mannie and the Heberts also pop up on the regular, and I have to admit that I find them a delight. Love the characters, loved the plot, love the world, and I loved the overall vibe I got. Can’t wait to listen to the audiobook.

4.5 stars ⭐️

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority here but this has been my least favorite of all of the Fortune books. The story was fun as usual, but during the wrap-up it kept getting less and less believable. They guessed at so many off-the-wall things, which led them to the right answers? It all seemed kind of sloppy. I prefer books that let me solve the mystery too, so when the main characters reveal a bunch of stuff at the end that they guessed or happened to learn by chance, I feel cheated. This felt rushed and not well planned out. It’s ok though. I’ll keep reading them because of Gertie and Ida Belle. :)

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sinful, LA

I want to be Ida Bell. I’ve never read a Jana DeLeon book I didn’t love and still haven’t. This is another fun and entertaining read. I also want a Godzilla.

[Gwen Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Jana hit it out of the park! Just wow! Page turner and tons of laughs from page one! Love the fortune series.

[Gail Koger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced ride with lots of twists and turns. I love this book. It's funny with a great mystery Fortune has to solve to save the day.

[Karina Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully done

Another fun mystery, with great twists and fantastic humor. I love these characters and their hijinks.. Can't wait for the next one.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune Funhouse by Jana Deleon is the 19th book in the Miss Fortune Mystery series. Emmeline Le Blanc, Carter's mother is knocked unconscious in the funhouse of a travelling carnival and a dead body is found nearby. Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie are once again thrown into the middle of the investigation, especially as Carter is sidelined and an incompetent state detective is assigned to the case. These books are always a lot of fun with plenty of laughs. It is nice to catch up with all the other whacky residents of Sinful as well as meet a few new ones. Highly entertaining and a great mystery.

[Elaine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another "I couldn't put it down" book!!!! So good!! This one had so many twists and turns that everyone in the community had to come together to solve it!!! But, that's exactly how Louisiana residents are - always ready to lend a helping hand for those in need!! Sadly, though, I'm at the end of the series until Ms. DeLeon publishes her next one. I'm thinking of re-reading the 1st one again just to remind me of the journey!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I need a light and fun read, this is the series I go to. Always ready for a new episode with Fortune and Ida Belle and Gertie.

[Kris Bock]

Goofy fun

Suspend your disbelief big-time and go along for a ride full of shenanigans and colorful Louisiana characters wreaking havoc wherever they go.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I can’t get enough of Fortune and her “associates”.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wild ride with Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 19 in the Miss Fortune cozy mystery series.

These books are so enjoyable. I love seeing Fortune and the gang solve mysteries. I can't wait to see what they are up to next.