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The Country Club Murders #13
Lyin' Eyes
Get me to the church on time!
Not so much the church, as the patio. And not if Ellison can’t stop finding bodies.
She’s finding corpses in pairs now, and planning a wedding, and trying (truly, she is) to steer clear of the murder investigation. But when she finds a third body, Ellison becomes a suspect.
Will Ellison get her happily ever after or will a devious killer turn her wedding into a funeral?
Not so much the church, as the patio. And not if Ellison can’t stop finding bodies.
She’s finding corpses in pairs now, and planning a wedding, and trying (truly, she is) to steer clear of the murder investigation. But when she finds a third body, Ellison becomes a suspect.
Will Ellison get her happily ever after or will a devious killer turn her wedding into a funeral?
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2021
68 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mulhern
41 books1,661 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 154 reviews
November 4, 2022
It's wedding week and with just three days to go until she says "I do," she has discovered three bodies. Anarchy is unfazed. This happens all the time. He was even with her when Max, her Weimaraner discovered one. The two crime scenes can't possibly be related and Detective Peters will run point. Still, obstacles keep appearing as the days march on. What will be the last straw? A drunk mother at rehearsal? The groom's parents skipping the rehearsal? Sister River's inappropriate behavior? Dot Thompson seems to be determined to interrupt the wedding shower, rehearsal dinner, and reception with her concerns about the investigation. I was transfixed, wondering if Ellison and Anarchy make it to the alter on her patio. And, on the edge of my seat hoping they would get on that plane for their Venice honeymoon What could go wrong? I have a feeling we will find out in Evil Woman.
October 6, 2021
This is my favorite series and with good reason: the stories are well written, the characters are witty, and the mysteries are constructed in a way to give you just enough clues to follow along with Ellison and discover the answers with her. Bonus points for Frances getting falling down drunk. I did have a little bit of a hard time with the timeline for everything only being a year but I got past that - life does move pretty quickly. Oh, and sweet Max. If only they had a doggie day care to take him to…. A satisfying conclusion with the wedding. Can’t wait for the next!
September 29, 2021
Outstanding!
Ellison and Anarchy are just getting started! I’m so excited every time there’s a new release that I break my “one book at a time rule.” I put aside whatever I’m reading and pick up Mulhern’s latest. This one didn’t disappoint, even with a LOT of moving pieces to keep track of. Definitely better than the last one!
Ellison and Anarchy are just getting started! I’m so excited every time there’s a new release that I break my “one book at a time rule.” I put aside whatever I’m reading and pick up Mulhern’s latest. This one didn’t disappoint, even with a LOT of moving pieces to keep track of. Definitely better than the last one!
March 26, 2024
THEY GOT MARRIED!!!!
I'm happy the book was fairly focused on the wedding! I love that we got to see the bridal shower and wedding prep chaos. And the ceremony?? It made my heart melt!
I'm happy the book was fairly focused on the wedding! I love that we got to see the bridal shower and wedding prep chaos. And the ceremony?? It made my heart melt!
April 18, 2022
It gives me no pleasure to mention "series fatigue", because I loved the first few books of the Country Club Murders. The setting was fresh, the bitchiness well-judged and the sheer number of corpses suitably absurd. After book 5 or 6, I read new entrants out of habit, in the same way that I reach for a plain digestive now and again.
But, sadly, with the last few books, the pattern's become a faint caricature of the zingy original. I do get that part of the charm of a series is that one knows what to expect: Ellison discovers bodies (two by the end of the second page, to be precise), her mother is bitchy, her teenage daughter perfect, her housekeeper colourful, her emotional-support coffee machine reliable etc etc. All the ingredients are here—apart from energy.
Part of that is down to Mulhern's habit of littering the plot with new identikit secondary characters, scattering motives & evidence left, right & centre. The whys and wherefores of the murders are really not the point of the book, even if they clutter page space.
Much more wearing is the reliance on pedestrian one-clause sentences. True, short sentences can create a feeling of tension, but too many (& too much irrelevant detail) and the writing starts to feel more like a young child's first essay. Here's a typical example. Ellison, her daughter Grace & partner Anarchy (yes, Anarchy) are talking the morning after Ellison has discovered another body. I think the scene is meant to show the characters being all cool & wise-cracking. I think it fails.
Simple arithmetic—
Just 4 complex sentences out of this sample of 44 sentences/ sentence fragments (and I'm using "complex" in its most generous sense)
+
Average word length of 5 characters (rounded up)
+
Lack of plot / character / atmospheric development
=
2 stars
Ellison & Anarchy get married at the end of the book, so this is an appropriate time for me to be grateful for the first few books, but to bow out of reading any more.
But, sadly, with the last few books, the pattern's become a faint caricature of the zingy original. I do get that part of the charm of a series is that one knows what to expect: Ellison discovers bodies (two by the end of the second page, to be precise), her mother is bitchy, her teenage daughter perfect, her housekeeper colourful, her emotional-support coffee machine reliable etc etc. All the ingredients are here—apart from energy.
Part of that is down to Mulhern's habit of littering the plot with new identikit secondary characters, scattering motives & evidence left, right & centre. The whys and wherefores of the murders are really not the point of the book, even if they clutter page space.
Much more wearing is the reliance on pedestrian one-clause sentences. True, short sentences can create a feeling of tension, but too many (& too much irrelevant detail) and the writing starts to feel more like a young child's first essay. Here's a typical example. Ellison, her daughter Grace & partner Anarchy (yes, Anarchy) are talking the morning after Ellison has discovered another body. I think the scene is meant to show the characters being all cool & wise-cracking. I think it fails.
[Grace] opened the door and stared at the contents. “It’s all party food. I don’t want stuffed mushroom caps for breakfast.”
“I can make eggs.”
“Very funny.” She took out a milk carton. “I’ll have cereal.”
She shook Super Sugar Crisp into a bowl. “The plan for tonight?”
“Hasn’t changed. Family dinner at the club.”
She shook her head as if, like me, she anticipated disaster.
Max [the dog] yawned.
I scowled at him. If he hadn’t run off, someone else would have discovered Lilly Frasier’s corpse. “You’re on my bad side, mister.”
“What did he do?”
“He found a body.”
“He did not.”
“He did.”
Max yawned.
“Who? Where?”
“Lilly Frasier.”
She tilted her head. “Who?”
“I knew her. Not well. Her kids are older than you.” What was wrong with me? Why wasn’t grief or horror twisting my stomach into sick knots? Maybe the emotional capacity required to handle more death was too high; I’d reached my limit.
“Was it murder?” Grace asked.
“I don’t know.”
Anarchy stepped into the kitchen, and I poured coffee and gave him the mug.
Grace frowned at him. “Was it murder?”
Anarchy sipped his coffee. “Lilly Frasier? It looks like an accident.”
“What happened?”
I was well past sugarcoating death for Grace. “She drowned in her pool.”
Simple arithmetic—
Just 4 complex sentences out of this sample of 44 sentences/ sentence fragments (and I'm using "complex" in its most generous sense)
+
Average word length of 5 characters (rounded up)
+
Lack of plot / character / atmospheric development
=
2 stars
Ellison & Anarchy get married at the end of the book, so this is an appropriate time for me to be grateful for the first few books, but to bow out of reading any more.
September 30, 2021
Polaroid Fault
Another 5 star to Mulhern. I very much enjoy the 70's era this series is written in, although that was still the period in which women were expected to be house wives and depend on their husbands for support. Things have changed... mostly, although it is still known that men earn more than women for doing the same job. But I digress.
This is the first series in which the scene is set in this time period that I have read and I read A LOT of books. I grew up in the 70's and 80's myself. Mulhern creates very real characters that I wouldn't mind getting to know - minus the murders, of course.
Ellis is not the first character I've read about that is obsessed with coffee; however, she is the first who speaks to her coffee with love and adoration and, get this, the coffee "talks" back and sometimes Grace catches her mom giving Mr. Coffee a saucy wink. Should Anarchy be jealous? Ha-ha.
Another mystery was solved with the help of several people and I honestly wished this book hadn't ended so soon. I'd love to read another hundred pages. I suppose there will be a Book 14 one day that will have Ellis and Anarchy finding an Italian murdered and that will need solving before the newlyweds return home. Maybe they will enlist the help of Grace, because she will be bored at home with things being so quiet without her mom finding a body to solve a crime over. 2 weeks of quiet time is quite a bit to a teen itching to ponder over another whodunnit.
My next review will be The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown. Reading that will begin shortly.
Another 5 star to Mulhern. I very much enjoy the 70's era this series is written in, although that was still the period in which women were expected to be house wives and depend on their husbands for support. Things have changed... mostly, although it is still known that men earn more than women for doing the same job. But I digress.
This is the first series in which the scene is set in this time period that I have read and I read A LOT of books. I grew up in the 70's and 80's myself. Mulhern creates very real characters that I wouldn't mind getting to know - minus the murders, of course.
Ellis is not the first character I've read about that is obsessed with coffee; however, she is the first who speaks to her coffee with love and adoration and, get this, the coffee "talks" back and sometimes Grace catches her mom giving Mr. Coffee a saucy wink. Should Anarchy be jealous? Ha-ha.
Another mystery was solved with the help of several people and I honestly wished this book hadn't ended so soon. I'd love to read another hundred pages. I suppose there will be a Book 14 one day that will have Ellis and Anarchy finding an Italian murdered and that will need solving before the newlyweds return home. Maybe they will enlist the help of Grace, because she will be bored at home with things being so quiet without her mom finding a body to solve a crime over. 2 weeks of quiet time is quite a bit to a teen itching to ponder over another whodunnit.
My next review will be The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown. Reading that will begin shortly.
September 28, 2021
Lyin' Eyes, the 13th book in Julie Mulhern's delightful 1970's mystery series Coukntry Club Murders is as excellent as every other book in the series which are all pretty much 10 stars out of 5. As always, Ms. Mulhern manages to make a social statement without detracting from the fun of the book. You will be cheering one scene where she is able to take a stand and make a difference.
It's the wedding! Can you believe we are here!?! The perfect dress, the perfect groom, the perfect decorations and then there are the not so perfect families! Thank goodness for her the supportive people in her life!
Naturally, Ellison stumbles over bodies just when Anarchy is planning to stay on sick leave from his recent gunshot until the wedding. She know when she calls him that he will have to get involved in the investigations but what choice does she have?
I hope you have read the other books in the series but I believe that even if you haven't, you can thoroughly enjoy Lyin' Eyes!
It's the wedding! Can you believe we are here!?! The perfect dress, the perfect groom, the perfect decorations and then there are the not so perfect families! Thank goodness for her the supportive people in her life!
Naturally, Ellison stumbles over bodies just when Anarchy is planning to stay on sick leave from his recent gunshot until the wedding. She know when she calls him that he will have to get involved in the investigations but what choice does she have?
I hope you have read the other books in the series but I believe that even if you haven't, you can thoroughly enjoy Lyin' Eyes!
September 29, 2021
I absolutely LOVE this series and this was the best book so far! Ellison and Anarchy are finally getting married but, of course, there has to be some bodies found and a few murders! I love Julie Mulhern's books because they flow so effortlessly and have mystery, fun, and craziness all rolled into one story. Once again, Ellison is dealing with family interference and murder. Anarchy's family comes for the wedding but not without reservations about the marriage. Frances (Ellison's Mother) is still trying to thwart the marriage but Ellison takes a stand. I love all of the characters and their different personalities. I highly recommend this book and this series to everyone!
October 4, 2021
Another great instalment in the Country Club Murders series, and this one has a real sense of jeopardy and suspense: no, not whether Ellison will find a corpse (because she always does), neither whether the crime will be solved (because it is always – eventually), but whether Ellison and Anarchy will actually manage to get married. The odds are not in their favour.
First there is the (perpetual) problem of Ellison discovering a pair of dead women at the local thrift shop. Will Anarchy have to postpone the wedding (tomorrow!!!) while he works on the case?
Thankfully. Detective Peters takes over (a sigh of relief)
- BUT Peter’s new partner intimates that Ellison might be a prime suspect (relief shut down).
And then there are the bride’s and groom’s mothers, who are trying their best to have the wedding called off – forever. There is a scene early on where Aunt Sis lets slip an historical indiscretion of Frances, that makes her seem quite human and vulnerable. Momentarily, your sympathy is with Frances. BUT, her appalling behaviour at the wedding rehearsal consigns all sympathy to the dustbin.
The mothers do attempt apologies – but their sincerity is highly dubious. AND we finally meet Anarchy’s father and his siblings. How Anarchy turned out to be such an amazing human being with family like that, is beyond my comprehension.
As if that were not enough, Prudence asks Ellison for a job at the bank, as she has heard that Ellison is insisting on equal pay for women there (Go Ellison!!!), conveniently forgetting how horrible she has been towards Ellison in the past:
So, with family tensions at an all time high, a multiple murderer on the loose with no decent leads, a suspicious policeman and Prudence – it does not look good for a wedding, and the planned honeymoon in Italy looks even more unlikely to come off. Surely, the author cannot make us wait for the next book to find out if our heroine will finally become Mrs Ellison Jones.?
No spoilers here – you will just have to read the book to find out.
As always, I highly recommend this book – indeed the whole series. Excellent, witty writing and characterisation, with a tricky murder (or three) thrown in for good measure.
First there is the (perpetual) problem of Ellison discovering a pair of dead women at the local thrift shop. Will Anarchy have to postpone the wedding (tomorrow!!!) while he works on the case?
Thankfully. Detective Peters takes over (a sigh of relief)
“Detective Peters made Peter Falk’s Columbo look like a neat freak. He was gruff, irascible, slept in his raincoat, and only tolerated me to keep peace with Anarchy. … He grunted. “What we got?” Reluctantly, I separated from Anarchy’s chest. “Two dead women.” “You’re finding them in multiples now?””
- BUT Peter’s new partner intimates that Ellison might be a prime suspect (relief shut down).
And then there are the bride’s and groom’s mothers, who are trying their best to have the wedding called off – forever. There is a scene early on where Aunt Sis lets slip an historical indiscretion of Frances, that makes her seem quite human and vulnerable. Momentarily, your sympathy is with Frances. BUT, her appalling behaviour at the wedding rehearsal consigns all sympathy to the dustbin.
The mothers do attempt apologies – but their sincerity is highly dubious. AND we finally meet Anarchy’s father and his siblings. How Anarchy turned out to be such an amazing human being with family like that, is beyond my comprehension.
As if that were not enough, Prudence asks Ellison for a job at the bank, as she has heard that Ellison is insisting on equal pay for women there (Go Ellison!!!), conveniently forgetting how horrible she has been towards Ellison in the past:
“Prudence regarded other women’s claims on men as a personal challenge. How she attracted men was a mystery. Sugar and spice and everything nice had aged into vinegar and acid and everything evil.”
So, with family tensions at an all time high, a multiple murderer on the loose with no decent leads, a suspicious policeman and Prudence – it does not look good for a wedding, and the planned honeymoon in Italy looks even more unlikely to come off. Surely, the author cannot make us wait for the next book to find out if our heroine will finally become Mrs Ellison Jones.?
No spoilers here – you will just have to read the book to find out.
As always, I highly recommend this book – indeed the whole series. Excellent, witty writing and characterisation, with a tricky murder (or three) thrown in for good measure.
July 2, 2022
Artist and socialite Ellison Russell and homicide detective Anarchy Jones are finally, finally, FINALLY getting married. But knowing Ellison’s domineering mother and Anarchy’s judgmental family, readers know sparks will fly. But an additional obstacle comes when Ellison finds two murdered women at the Junior League’s thrift shop.
Author Julie Mulhern has packed this 13th novel in this fabulous series with lots of fun and twists. Can’t wait for the next novel when the happy couple returns from Italy!
Author Julie Mulhern has packed this 13th novel in this fabulous series with lots of fun and twists. Can’t wait for the next novel when the happy couple returns from Italy!
September 28, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ellison Russell loves Anarchy Jones and can't wait to be his wife. She just needs to stop finding dead bodies! But when she goes to the thrift store to drop off more of her former husband's stuff she finds two! Then her Weimaraner Max finds a third! And now she is a suspect!
While all this is going on her home and yard is being turned into a beautiful place for their ceremony and reception. But will the wedding take place? or will the killer strike again?
_____
You can't hide your lyin' eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you'd realize
There ain't no way to hide your lying eyes
I hate that I have gotten behind on this series. I know every time I start reading one I will not be able to put it down and will be laughing out loud more times than I can count.
Ms. Mulhern's characters are so well crafted. Ellison and Anarchy really are perfect together no matter what her mother thinks. In Lyin' Eyes, Anarchy's family comes to Kansas City for the wedding and they are not happy about the upcoming nuptials either. His father is terse and snubs Ellison when they meet, his sister makes a scene at the rehearsal dinner, and his mother is clearly unhappy to be there and hopes the wedding will be called off. At least his brother appears to be on board for the wedding and getting to know Ellison and her daughter Grace.
Among all the murders and family drama Ellison's friends get together to give her a bridal shower and it is hilarious. Ellison's Aunt Sis had a blast but Frances, her prim and proper mother was mortified. The rehearsal also didn't go as planned and was so darn funny. Also, laugh-out-loud funny was Max's terror while the decorators and florists were making the house perfect for the wedding day. There were many more moments that made me giggle too.
Ms. Mulhern plotted out a great mystery. The murder investigation was complicated. Were all 3 deaths connected? Who would profit from the deaths? Who had the opportunity? Suspects were lying, changing their stories, and being evasive. While Anarchy and Ellison were involved in the case, their wedding was their priority so Anachy's partner took the lead. But everyone was there for the takedown. Of course, Frances was right there with her disapproval but she got a little too close to the action. :lol:
Julie Mulhern doesn't disappoint. Lyin' Eyes is a fantastic addition to this series. I am always delighted to travel back to the 70s to catch up with Ellison but this time was extra special.
This series has become a go-to when I need a pick-me-up. I had been in a bit of a reading slump and this book was just what I needed. I devoured it in one sitting and I smiled, giggled, and laughed. It was a Perfect Escape that relieved some tension and stress. It was a book I wasn't sent to review but a personal purchase. I could have skipped this review but I had to share the joy it gave me. If this series is new to you, please give it a try. If you are a fan, you already know how entertaining they are.
*This book was purchased by me and is part of my private collection.
Ellison Russell loves Anarchy Jones and can't wait to be his wife. She just needs to stop finding dead bodies! But when she goes to the thrift store to drop off more of her former husband's stuff she finds two! Then her Weimaraner Max finds a third! And now she is a suspect!
While all this is going on her home and yard is being turned into a beautiful place for their ceremony and reception. But will the wedding take place? or will the killer strike again?
_____
You can't hide your lyin' eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you'd realize
There ain't no way to hide your lying eyes
I hate that I have gotten behind on this series. I know every time I start reading one I will not be able to put it down and will be laughing out loud more times than I can count.
Ms. Mulhern's characters are so well crafted. Ellison and Anarchy really are perfect together no matter what her mother thinks. In Lyin' Eyes, Anarchy's family comes to Kansas City for the wedding and they are not happy about the upcoming nuptials either. His father is terse and snubs Ellison when they meet, his sister makes a scene at the rehearsal dinner, and his mother is clearly unhappy to be there and hopes the wedding will be called off. At least his brother appears to be on board for the wedding and getting to know Ellison and her daughter Grace.
Among all the murders and family drama Ellison's friends get together to give her a bridal shower and it is hilarious. Ellison's Aunt Sis had a blast but Frances, her prim and proper mother was mortified. The rehearsal also didn't go as planned and was so darn funny. Also, laugh-out-loud funny was Max's terror while the decorators and florists were making the house perfect for the wedding day. There were many more moments that made me giggle too.
Ms. Mulhern plotted out a great mystery. The murder investigation was complicated. Were all 3 deaths connected? Who would profit from the deaths? Who had the opportunity? Suspects were lying, changing their stories, and being evasive. While Anarchy and Ellison were involved in the case, their wedding was their priority so Anachy's partner took the lead. But everyone was there for the takedown. Of course, Frances was right there with her disapproval but she got a little too close to the action. :lol:
Julie Mulhern doesn't disappoint. Lyin' Eyes is a fantastic addition to this series. I am always delighted to travel back to the 70s to catch up with Ellison but this time was extra special.
This series has become a go-to when I need a pick-me-up. I had been in a bit of a reading slump and this book was just what I needed. I devoured it in one sitting and I smiled, giggled, and laughed. It was a Perfect Escape that relieved some tension and stress. It was a book I wasn't sent to review but a personal purchase. I could have skipped this review but I had to share the joy it gave me. If this series is new to you, please give it a try. If you are a fan, you already know how entertaining they are.
*This book was purchased by me and is part of my private collection.
November 1, 2021
When Ellison finds two bodies at the Junior League thrift store and a third body in a swimming pool, she becomes a suspect hours before her wedding to Anarchy. With crazy family members in town for the wedding and fears of a last minute cancellation, the wedding seems doomed. But Ellison figures it out the morning after the wedding and is finally off on her honeymoon to Italy. Fun read and I love the whole idea of the idea of equal pay for equal work as a piece of the story. It is very true to the setting in the mid 70's.
June 15, 2024
Awww, they're married!
October 29, 2021
Julie Mulhern is amazing
I have loved the Ellison series from the beginning This adventure kept me glued to my kindle I loved every page I highly recommend this book. Thank you for the best entertainment money can buy.
I have loved the Ellison series from the beginning This adventure kept me glued to my kindle I loved every page I highly recommend this book. Thank you for the best entertainment money can buy.
November 20, 2021
I love, love, love this series! The narrator for the audio book absolutely brings this series to life by making the characters seem all that much more real! I can not wait to see what happens next! I mean, how do you top the events in this book with a wedding to top it all off....if Ellison lives to say "I do!" You'll have to read or listen to find out! The only negative is that now I have to wait for the author to write and release the next book then wait for the narrator to complete the narration so I can listen to the next book! Ugh, the pain of waiting.......
July 22, 2023
MARRIED!!!!
I absolutely enjoyed the role reversal of Anarchy in peril but also the going from being in the hospital to married (and then in the next one on the honeymoon) was ridiculous but whatever, I don't care. I am delighted for my new favorite fictional couple.
I absolutely enjoyed the role reversal of Anarchy in peril but also the going from being in the hospital to married (and then in the next one on the honeymoon) was ridiculous but whatever, I don't care. I am delighted for my new favorite fictional couple.
March 29, 2023
This series has solidified itself as easily one of the best cozy series out there. Quick, easy reads that always put me back on track when I'm in a reading rut.
February 2, 2023
Even approaching her wedding day, Ellison can’t help stumbling over dead bodies. While donating clothes from her deceased husband’s closet to the Junior League thrift shop, Ellison comes across the body of the shop manager and a customer. The customer is widely hated among their social circle, especially for being the “second wife”. With numerous suspects ranging from the step children, the husband, club members, Ellison tries to figure out who killed these two women and who in fact was the primary target. Of course then she (well Max) finds a third body. Are they related?
The usual social commentary is found in the book, this time it centers on women being paid lower wages than men for doing the same job. The underlying attitude from bygone era, that unfortunately still exists in some form today, that women should be paid less because they are going to get married and leave; or “men have families to support” so they should get a higher wage for doing the same job; or women could just find a husband and then wouldn’t need equal pay, is peppered throughout in the attitudes of employers, managers, etc. and Ellison realizes that she herself has been inadvertently guilty of it by being an owner but not involved in employee affairs. Throughout many of these books, Ms Mulhurn has deftly demonstrated the prevailing thought most had towards women many business decisions; that women were to emotional to make hard or smart decisions. Women shouldn’t be in the boardroom, women should focus on family and groceries and their clubs and not “worry their pretty little heads” it’s nice to see Ellison breaking out of that mold and teaching Grace to not even fit into it.
Anarchy’s family gives Ellison’s mom a run for her mother in the mean and condescending route!! However, all it does is strengthen Grace, Ellison and Anarchy as a family and gives Ellison more courage to stand up not only to them but to her mom.
4.5 stars.
The usual social commentary is found in the book, this time it centers on women being paid lower wages than men for doing the same job. The underlying attitude from bygone era, that unfortunately still exists in some form today, that women should be paid less because they are going to get married and leave; or “men have families to support” so they should get a higher wage for doing the same job; or women could just find a husband and then wouldn’t need equal pay, is peppered throughout in the attitudes of employers, managers, etc. and Ellison realizes that she herself has been inadvertently guilty of it by being an owner but not involved in employee affairs. Throughout many of these books, Ms Mulhurn has deftly demonstrated the prevailing thought most had towards women many business decisions; that women were to emotional to make hard or smart decisions. Women shouldn’t be in the boardroom, women should focus on family and groceries and their clubs and not “worry their pretty little heads” it’s nice to see Ellison breaking out of that mold and teaching Grace to not even fit into it.
Anarchy’s family gives Ellison’s mom a run for her mother in the mean and condescending route!! However, all it does is strengthen Grace, Ellison and Anarchy as a family and gives Ellison more courage to stand up not only to them but to her mom.
4.5 stars.
September 29, 2021
Thoroughly fun.
The Country Club murders have definitely occupied a spot near the top of my list of favorite pleasure reads, and Lyin' Eyes is no exception. I particularly enjoyed the family interactions. They are always highly enjoyable, and they absolutely shone here. The mystery itself was enjoyable as well, though definitely too second seat. I can't wait for the next one!
The Country Club murders have definitely occupied a spot near the top of my list of favorite pleasure reads, and Lyin' Eyes is no exception. I particularly enjoyed the family interactions. They are always highly enjoyable, and they absolutely shone here. The mystery itself was enjoyable as well, though definitely too second seat. I can't wait for the next one!
November 2, 2021
Lucky 13 begins with arrangements unfolding as Ellison's house is transformed into a wedding venue.
Cleaning out the last of Henry's things leads to finding 2 bodies at the thrift store. Max the dog adds to the chaos and Anarchy's family bump heads with Frances over their displeasure with Ellison. Can this couple make it down the aisle and off to Italy for a honeymoon or will solving murders continue to side track them?
I had a great time with the entire cast of this fun filled series set in 1975 Kansas City. Missouri.
I now own it in e format, print and audio. I love Ellison!
Cleaning out the last of Henry's things leads to finding 2 bodies at the thrift store. Max the dog adds to the chaos and Anarchy's family bump heads with Frances over their displeasure with Ellison. Can this couple make it down the aisle and off to Italy for a honeymoon or will solving murders continue to side track them?
I had a great time with the entire cast of this fun filled series set in 1975 Kansas City. Missouri.
I now own it in e format, print and audio. I love Ellison!
October 27, 2021
Fun series!
September 4, 2023
they're marrieddddddd
December 31, 2022
What a great story, I enjoy the way it builds with each book. Love the women’s rights theme woven in. The setting is so well styled for the period. Looking forward to the next one. This is my go to series for a cozy entertaining read.
April 30, 2023
Wow! Another wonderful story from Julie Mulhern! I love these characters so much, and the glimpses of Kansas City are icing on the cake. The humor, the romance, the mystery are all there. I finished this book in 1 day! I’ll be rereading it soon. I’ve already preordered the next one. Hurry up and get here, April!
September 29, 2021
“Lyin’ Eyes” aren’t the eyes of love
Love, Love, Love Julie Mulhern and her “Country Club Murders” series books !!! “Lyin’ Eyes” is easily one of my top three books of the series, maybe top two. This one had me laughing out loud at the wonderful characters who now reside in my head and the situations our beloved Ellison finds herself in.
Of course Ellison manages to find more bodies. (How can one woman stumble into so many corpses?). No matter how committed her resolve to stop doing just that. And even though her swoony Detective Anarchy Jones believes in her innocence, the body count is just too high for Grumpy Detective Peters and the newly introduced Detective Dan Rogan to explain or ignore.
If you are looking for a great cozy mystery read, “Lyin’ Eyes” is it … but if you really want the full experience, go back to book #1, “The Deep End” first. Julie’s characters are so wonderfully vivid that you really must experience how they grow and weave themselves through these books. That’s half the fun !!!
Love, Love, Love Julie Mulhern and her “Country Club Murders” series books !!! “Lyin’ Eyes” is easily one of my top three books of the series, maybe top two. This one had me laughing out loud at the wonderful characters who now reside in my head and the situations our beloved Ellison finds herself in.
Of course Ellison manages to find more bodies. (How can one woman stumble into so many corpses?). No matter how committed her resolve to stop doing just that. And even though her swoony Detective Anarchy Jones believes in her innocence, the body count is just too high for Grumpy Detective Peters and the newly introduced Detective Dan Rogan to explain or ignore.
If you are looking for a great cozy mystery read, “Lyin’ Eyes” is it … but if you really want the full experience, go back to book #1, “The Deep End” first. Julie’s characters are so wonderfully vivid that you really must experience how they grow and weave themselves through these books. That’s half the fun !!!
May 13, 2022
It's about time!!
I mean the book with the wedding was always going to be great, but I really enjoyed that it was really at the forefront here. Yes, Ellison and Anarchy were both invested in finding out who committed the murders, but we got to see so many scenes that inform them as a couple. Even things like Ellison going to pick up her dress - it could feel unnecessary, but because we've been with these characters for so long it came across as fun instead.
The reveal of the murderer was a little too quick, but with everything else happening I can easily let that slide. Looking forward to the next!
I mean the book with the wedding was always going to be great, but I really enjoyed that it was really at the forefront here. Yes, Ellison and Anarchy were both invested in finding out who committed the murders, but we got to see so many scenes that inform them as a couple. Even things like Ellison going to pick up her dress - it could feel unnecessary, but because we've been with these characters for so long it came across as fun instead.
The reveal of the murderer was a little too quick, but with everything else happening I can easily let that slide. Looking forward to the next!
October 10, 2021
4.5 Stars. It was very humorous and spot on about Kansas City. My only complaint was that the novel was too short. To be successfully short, the book cannot waste a scene or focus on past stories. This book achieved that goal. Until you read the book you won’t know if Ellison’s penchant for finding dead bodies will get in the way of the wedding or will the mothers get in the way and convince the two to not marry? You will have to read to find out!
October 5, 2021
INSTALLMENT #13!!!
It was great to visit with the gang again. Ellison, Anarchy, Grace, Max, and of course, Frances. I think what struck me the most was the social constraints of the seventies, especially equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. Making a living wage...hmmm, that sounds familiar. History recycling itself? The other thing that struck me was Ellison finding her voice. I grew up in the seventies (Grace and I have a lot in common) and all the while I was reading I was thinking about my mother. How did the seventies affect her? Did she gain a voice?
So much to think about….looking forward to the next installment!!
It was great to visit with the gang again. Ellison, Anarchy, Grace, Max, and of course, Frances. I think what struck me the most was the social constraints of the seventies, especially equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. Making a living wage...hmmm, that sounds familiar. History recycling itself? The other thing that struck me was Ellison finding her voice. I grew up in the seventies (Grace and I have a lot in common) and all the while I was reading I was thinking about my mother. How did the seventies affect her? Did she gain a voice?
So much to think about….looking forward to the next installment!!
October 14, 2021
Love
This series! I already pre-ordered the next book. I really can't wait!! I'm as happy for Ellison and Anarchy as if they were my own family! Read this series you will not be disappointed. Great mysteries and even greater characters!
This series! I already pre-ordered the next book. I really can't wait!! I'm as happy for Ellison and Anarchy as if they were my own family! Read this series you will not be disappointed. Great mysteries and even greater characters!
April 23, 2023
I find this series the perfect midnight read--amusing, kind of predictable but generally just intriguing enough to keep going, well-written, and you know the murder(s) will be solved and all will end (temporarily) well. I also enjoy the (to me) exotic details of Kansas City country club life. The plot of this one was pretty silly, but by now (12 books on, and much midnight reading) the characters are like old friends.
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