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Mantra for Murder Mystery #2
Dial Om for Murder
When one of A.J.'s celebrity yoga students gets permanently bent out of shape, and another is accused of the crime, A.J. has no choice but to position herself as a sleuth to find the real killer.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 23, 2009
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328 people want to read
About the author
Diana Killian
12 books199 followersAuthor of the Poetic Death series and the Mantra for Murder series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 2, 2018
Still high on the excitement for Corpse Pose, I must've started on this one almost immediately after finishing the prequel. Eager to finally get some more explicit Jake and A.J. action, I was surprised to find an... Intro to Yoga for The Returning Beginner?
It was not... bad... per se, just unexpected. And you know, the way Diana Killian writes, I can stomach a lot of things: such as shallow, whiny, annoying C-rate actresses and the associated drama.
Plus the mystery kept me guessing until the very end, which did make things largely satisfying. There were also Elysia's continued purposeful (mis)quotings of the Bard, and her amusing banter with our favorite eye-candy of a detective:
Taking all the above into consideration, it really feels wrong to say this, but: where's Jake and A.J.'s spark gone? Why did you rush through Andy and Nick's ?! I was almost ready to forgive the lack of delicious tension between the former, if the latter would've been milked to its full potential.
Score: 3/5 stars
I suppose the joke is entirely on me, this time around. I knew the books had to involve a fair amount of yoga, and yet I somehow ended up disregarding this detail... only to get smacked by a resounding 'DUH!', later on.
In other words, if you like yoga, murder mysteries and prefer your romance as a well concealed euphemism, this book is perfect.
=================================
Review of book 1: Corpse Pose
Review of book 3: Murder on the Eightfold Path
Review of book 4: Death in a Difficult Position
It was not... bad... per se, just unexpected. And you know, the way Diana Killian writes, I can stomach a lot of things: such as shallow, whiny, annoying C-rate actresses and the associated drama.
A.J. tried to imagine what this emergency service could possibly be. Donate a kidney? Carry letters of transit across enemy lines? Give Nicole three free months’ membership at [the yoga studio]?
She said cautiously, “Well, I mean, if there’s something I can do . . .”
Nicole hadn’t stopped long enough to hear that. “If you say no, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Seriously.”
A.J. could picture the text message now: Srsly?
“What is it you need?” she inquired.
“I left my cell phone at the studio.”
Plus the mystery kept me guessing until the very end, which did make things largely satisfying. There were also Elysia's continued purposeful (mis)quotings of the Bard, and her amusing banter with our favorite eye-candy of a detective:
Elysia’s expression rearranged itself into sympathetic lines. “ ‘The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.’” She sipped her tonic water and added, “Shakespeare.”
“Does Pascal know the Bard is stealing his material?” A.J. murmured
Skidding down the hall, [A.J.] found Jake on the porch steps, nodding a greeting to Elysia. “So. The mummy returns.”
Elysia sniffed. Actually, it was more of a snort.
“You’re back early, aren’t you? Was it voluntary or did they expel all the diplomats?”
“You’re so amusing, Inspector. Perhaps that’s what holds my daughter captive. I’d been thinking handcuffs.”
Taking all the above into consideration, it really feels wrong to say this, but: where's Jake and A.J.'s spark gone? Why did you rush through Andy and Nick's ?! I was almost ready to forgive the lack of delicious tension between the former, if the latter would've been milked to its full potential.
Score: 3/5 stars
I suppose the joke is entirely on me, this time around. I knew the books had to involve a fair amount of yoga, and yet I somehow ended up disregarding this detail... only to get smacked by a resounding 'DUH!', later on.
In other words, if you like yoga, murder mysteries and prefer your romance as a well concealed euphemism, this book is perfect.
=================================
Review of book 1: Corpse Pose
Review of book 3: Murder on the Eightfold Path
Review of book 4: Death in a Difficult Position
December 25, 2012
Solid four stars on its own merit. There were a couple of new words this time, and I'm continually impressed by the weaving in of colorful adjectives and phrases that are far from ordinary.
The second installment of this yoga series of cozy mysteries was an improvement over the first. In this book, the characters are more comfortable with the audience. The plethora of suspects and motives is woven into an enjoyable storyline. I rather like the fact that in these books, the crimes and detecting take a back seat to the world- and character-building that takes place.
While the arrest of the perpetrator was rather low-key, it wrapped up the story in a believable way without being contrived. AJ figures it out, of course, but it wasn't a huge stage production. I'm pretty sure this is how a lot of crimes are solved in real life...methodically and without a lot of drama.
In any case, you almost hate to see even slightly annoying characters knocked out of this idyllic setting. You want them all to be one big happy family. Except Lilly. SHE should move to NYC and take her competitiveness and stress with her!
The second installment of this yoga series of cozy mysteries was an improvement over the first. In this book, the characters are more comfortable with the audience. The plethora of suspects and motives is woven into an enjoyable storyline. I rather like the fact that in these books, the crimes and detecting take a back seat to the world- and character-building that takes place.
While the arrest of the perpetrator was rather low-key, it wrapped up the story in a believable way without being contrived. AJ figures it out, of course, but it wasn't a huge stage production. I'm pretty sure this is how a lot of crimes are solved in real life...methodically and without a lot of drama.
In any case, you almost hate to see even slightly annoying characters knocked out of this idyllic setting. You want them all to be one big happy family. Except Lilly. SHE should move to NYC and take her competitiveness and stress with her!
October 7, 2017
I'm giving this a 2/5 but in my mind it's more of a 3/7. Anyway, I wanted something light and fun after reading so many heavier reads so I picked this one up because what is more fun than a cosy mystery with a yoga theme. Well, this book was just ok. There were things that I liked about it, like the mystery and the Detective guy but a lot of the rest of it really fell flat for me. For instance, A.J. did some really dumb things in this book and it just annoyed me. I don't like Elysia or Andy and so it just made things even more annoying that they were there. There are two main conflicts in this story and they were both just breezed over at the end kind of. I feel like the way the book ended should have had more of a reaction from one of the other characters but however. I didn't guess the murderer because about two-thirds of the way through this book I kind of stopped caring. There were a bunch of red herrings that came up and then cast off at the end really quickly as if to say, oh dear we're coming to the end of the book. A lot more of this book was focused on the drama around the yoga studio and around Andy who is A.J's ex-husband and honestly I just wanted more mystery, although the way A.J and her mother went about it I wasn't overly impressed. Either way, this book was ok, but I honestly felt quite annoyed at a lot of the characters behaviours so I will be putting this series on hold for the moment, and I may give the third book a go eventually but I need to read some more fun cosy mysteries first I think.
May 15, 2012
A.J. only two A-list students in her yoga studio, but they are more than enough to handle. Leading actress Nicole Manning and reality-show star Barbie Siragusa aren't just divas, they are viscious rivals too. A.J. tries to keep the peace but when she discovers Nicole's dead body, all fingers point to Barbie. Pushed into investigating by her mother, A.J. soon learns that Nicole's life was more complicated than she ever dreamed.
This is the second book in the Mantra for Murder Mysteries (after Corpse Pose). After really enjoying the first book I was eager to get stuck into this and I must say I wasn't disappointed. As with the first installment the mystery element is tightly plotted and cleverly written with just the right amount of red herrings. There were also a few twists and turns that caught me completely by surprise.
While the yoga angle ensures that this is unique amongst other cozies, it doesn't overpower the mystery. A.J. is still running the Sacred Balance studio and her love of yoga shines through. The book even concludes with a guide to sun salutations and a recipe for salmon salad. The other unique aspect of this is the secondary mystery which is a minor plot that links in to the main case. In this installment AJ's ex-husband turns up bruised and unwell on her doorstep after leaving his partner but won't explain what's wrong.
The romance subplot between AJ and Detective Jake Oberlin. Unlike in other cozy mysteries though, Jake absolutely objects to A.J. having any part in the police investigation and her determination to investigate puts their relationship in jeopardy. Most cozies seem to have a clueless cop grateful for the amateur's assistance, but this seems far more realistic.
I found the ending was a little disappointing because it came together very quickly and without much explanation. As with the first book the ending was quite tense and action-packed but while I didn't predict the killer's identity, there wasn't much reasoning behind it. It seemed very much a case of "voila, here's your murderer".
All in all this was a great read and I'm looking forward to Murder on the Eightfold Path.
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 9/10
Overall: 46/50
This is the second book in the Mantra for Murder Mysteries (after Corpse Pose). After really enjoying the first book I was eager to get stuck into this and I must say I wasn't disappointed. As with the first installment the mystery element is tightly plotted and cleverly written with just the right amount of red herrings. There were also a few twists and turns that caught me completely by surprise.
While the yoga angle ensures that this is unique amongst other cozies, it doesn't overpower the mystery. A.J. is still running the Sacred Balance studio and her love of yoga shines through. The book even concludes with a guide to sun salutations and a recipe for salmon salad. The other unique aspect of this is the secondary mystery which is a minor plot that links in to the main case. In this installment AJ's ex-husband turns up bruised and unwell on her doorstep after leaving his partner but won't explain what's wrong.
The romance subplot between AJ and Detective Jake Oberlin. Unlike in other cozy mysteries though, Jake absolutely objects to A.J. having any part in the police investigation and her determination to investigate puts their relationship in jeopardy. Most cozies seem to have a clueless cop grateful for the amateur's assistance, but this seems far more realistic.
I found the ending was a little disappointing because it came together very quickly and without much explanation. As with the first book the ending was quite tense and action-packed but while I didn't predict the killer's identity, there wasn't much reasoning behind it. It seemed very much a case of "voila, here's your murderer".
All in all this was a great read and I'm looking forward to Murder on the Eightfold Path.
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 9/10
Overall: 46/50
August 3, 2015
This is book two in the Mantra For Murder Mystery Series with main character A.J Alexander , owner of the Sacred Balance Yoga Studio.
The yoga studio is usually a calm environment to work but when you have two Divas at each other's throats it does not make for a relaxing work day.
During one of her busy days A.J goes above and beyond for one of her A list clients only to meet a grisly discovery .
With camera crews breathing down her neck thanks to one of her clients A.J tries to stay below their radar as she investigates this curious crime much to the dismay of her boyfriend who happens to be a detective! Not being one to give up quite so easily she using her head and her mothers advice and sets of in search of a criminal!
This was great fun and it also includes a recipe and a yoga pose at the back of the book.
The yoga studio is usually a calm environment to work but when you have two Divas at each other's throats it does not make for a relaxing work day.
During one of her busy days A.J goes above and beyond for one of her A list clients only to meet a grisly discovery .
With camera crews breathing down her neck thanks to one of her clients A.J tries to stay below their radar as she investigates this curious crime much to the dismay of her boyfriend who happens to be a detective! Not being one to give up quite so easily she using her head and her mothers advice and sets of in search of a criminal!
This was great fun and it also includes a recipe and a yoga pose at the back of the book.
June 5, 2014
I didn't figure out the killer until the end. Even after A.J. pretty much spelled out for Jake who it was and how and why it happened. I still didn't believe her and thought it was someone else.
Andy and Nick were kind of annoying in that their resolution was predictable. If it didn't turn out the way it did, then it would mess up the plot line of A.J. and Jake.
Speaking of A.J. and Jake, I hate to say this, but I was a tad bit disappointed he didn't follow through with what he talked about on his midnight visit to A.J.'s house. That would have been a big shake up and not followed the norm I've been reading in other books. There might be some books out there where what I would have wanted to happen, happens, but I haven't read those yet.
Lily needs to go!
Andy and Nick were kind of annoying in that their resolution was predictable. If it didn't turn out the way it did, then it would mess up the plot line of A.J. and Jake.
Speaking of A.J. and Jake, I hate to say this, but I was a tad bit disappointed he didn't follow through with what he talked about on his midnight visit to A.J.'s house. That would have been a big shake up and not followed the norm I've been reading in other books. There might be some books out there where what I would have wanted to happen, happens, but I haven't read those yet.
Lily needs to go!
February 1, 2010
I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series, but I found the brand-consciousness of the main (yoga teacher) character annoying. At one point, she's described as wearing "a pair of Prada jeans and a D&G yellow silk crepe camisole with lace trim."
I understand that she's a recovering marketing consultant and a multi-millionaire (don't let my eye-rolling bother you) and that, perhaps, the author is leaving room for some character development further on in the series, but it reads like a lame attempt at appealing to Shopaholic readers and it feels wrong for a series about a yoga studio.
I understand that she's a recovering marketing consultant and a multi-millionaire (don't let my eye-rolling bother you) and that, perhaps, the author is leaving room for some character development further on in the series, but it reads like a lame attempt at appealing to Shopaholic readers and it feels wrong for a series about a yoga studio.
January 23, 2021
Om. My. Gawd. Lower those expectations. Lower. Lower. There.
Don't spend any more time on this review than you would zipping through this pain-in-the-asana novel.
Here's a plus about this book:
Some lovely red herrings, like a vengeful former president of the vic's fan club, and "her long-suffering personal assistant" who would have made for more dynamic murderers. The ex-president has some sort of superpower wherein she used to write reviews heaping praise on our vic's starring turns in films, and after becoming embittered by the vic's selfish nature, turns to a life of pure evil, editing her laudatory reviews to ones full of hateful updates. I'm assuming it's a superpower, given the amount of time our heroine, Detective Yogi (not a real detective), spends telling everyone about it.
Don't worry, no laudatory reviews here.
Regarding the casual beef with this novel:
1. Typos! Homophones ('here' instead of 'hear' in one painful sentence), punctuation errors, and other errata that a proofreader could (or should) have corrected. My favorite: "He could have stopped along the way or shoved them in one of the airport garage bins." Sure, Killian could've meant those bins located in an airport's 'garage,' but you read that sentence and thought 'garbage' bins, right?
2. Plot! A great thing about cozy mysteries is their, well, coziness. You usually know whodunnit within the first 20-30 pages, motive and means bringing up the rear a few pages later.
*****BIG OL SPOILER ALERT*****
It's the PBS-documentary-directing boyfriend who murders our vic in a heat-of-the-moment rage, which he never displays until the reveal. Detective Yogi posits his means and motive, and Detective Boyfriend gets the killer to confess in the interrogation. Here's where it gets all sorts of problematic!
Detective Boyfriend has some sagacious observations about the victim and her killer:
"She was the kind of person you want to strangle...Or hit over the head. And this time someone did."
And on the same page:
"He's [the murderer's] not a bad guy, really. He reacted violently, and in anger, but...people do."
Sure is great when cops condone murder. Evokes a real 'cozy' feeling.
3. Subplots!
a. Detective Yogi's ex-husband (who she casually resents for leaving her after he comes out as gay in events prior to this second book) drops in for the first half with mysterious injuries. Is it possible his partner, a gruff FBI agent, has been abusing him? Nope! Turns out he's got MS. Just drops it on us, out of nowhere. No real hints beyond his caginess about discussing injuries, but he just 'fesses up because that's what the subplot needs.
b. In the work-related subplot, Detective Yogi's co-owner of the yoga studio (a co-owner, who, it should be known, had been working there before Detective Yogi inherited her Aunt Diantha's half) is battling with her to change things.
You know change. That thing we all experience and accept to one degree or another. Or don't! Her co-owner wants to change the slogan ('It Could Happen') to something with more fire in it ('The Time is Right' or 'Now is the Hour'). Detective Yogi doesn't want that! Her Aunt Diantha (great name, right? Just say it aloud a few times. Aunt Diantha!) was a pioneer of yoga and slogans. Yoga slogan? Yo-slos? Or perhaps just a pioneer for yoga in New Jersey, it's never really specified. In the final scene, as the yoga teachers gather to vote on keeping or discarding the tried and true slogan ('It Could Happen'), a minor character gives us a monologue. 'Sure,' you're thinking. 'This will be the part where Simon (minor character who teachers yoga) tells us how Aunt Diantha's slogan changed his life for the better.' And you're right! Turns out, ol' Simon (who everybody loves) accidentally murdered a child when he was driving home from work one day. Just saw a dog, running out in front of his car, didn't see the kid, and he loses everything after committing vehicular manslaughter. Everybody lets him off the hook for it, even the kid's parents! Again: last scene, last two pages, I kid you not. When Simon wanted to push everybody away, Aunt Diantha consoled him with her slogan. It Could Happen.
Yep. Really makes you want to keep that slogan, doesn't it?
4. 2009. Apparently, in old ought-niner, nobody knew what 'the gay lifestyle' was all about. Killian clearly didn't. But that doesn't stop characters from being good old fashioned idiots! Andy (the ex-husband of Detective Yogi who is DESCRIBED AS GAY AND RESENTED BY HIS EX-WIFE FOR BEING GAY) is somehow perceived as a threat by Detective Boyfriend. And The Fading Star (Mother of Detective Yogi) totally pretends not to know! In fact, she wants Detective Yogi and Andy to reunite.
This book, as the kids would say (kids: please don't say this) is 'dunkable.' Chances are, if you've read a book before, you'll find some beef here. And this book provides a great opportunity to strengthen those comprehensive reading skills. Basics, like: "could this be perceived as insensitive to a potentially marginalized and often-persecuted group of people, like 'women' or 'gay folx'? " Or, "Will people be unable to predict (thereby denying them that sweet feeling of vindication) what will happen next?"
Okay, my venom sacs are empty. If you have a chance to read a page of this book, do it. But just one page. Or you too, may find yourself writing a spiteful review.
Don't spend any more time on this review than you would zipping through this pain-in-the-asana novel.
Here's a plus about this book:
Some lovely red herrings, like a vengeful former president of the vic's fan club, and "her long-suffering personal assistant" who would have made for more dynamic murderers. The ex-president has some sort of superpower wherein she used to write reviews heaping praise on our vic's starring turns in films, and after becoming embittered by the vic's selfish nature, turns to a life of pure evil, editing her laudatory reviews to ones full of hateful updates. I'm assuming it's a superpower, given the amount of time our heroine, Detective Yogi (not a real detective), spends telling everyone about it.
Don't worry, no laudatory reviews here.
Regarding the casual beef with this novel:
1. Typos! Homophones ('here' instead of 'hear' in one painful sentence), punctuation errors, and other errata that a proofreader could (or should) have corrected. My favorite: "He could have stopped along the way or shoved them in one of the airport garage bins." Sure, Killian could've meant those bins located in an airport's 'garage,' but you read that sentence and thought 'garbage' bins, right?
2. Plot! A great thing about cozy mysteries is their, well, coziness. You usually know whodunnit within the first 20-30 pages, motive and means bringing up the rear a few pages later.
*****BIG OL SPOILER ALERT*****
It's the PBS-documentary-directing boyfriend who murders our vic in a heat-of-the-moment rage, which he never displays until the reveal. Detective Yogi posits his means and motive, and Detective Boyfriend gets the killer to confess in the interrogation. Here's where it gets all sorts of problematic!
Detective Boyfriend has some sagacious observations about the victim and her killer:
"She was the kind of person you want to strangle...Or hit over the head. And this time someone did."
And on the same page:
"He's [the murderer's] not a bad guy, really. He reacted violently, and in anger, but...people do."
Sure is great when cops condone murder. Evokes a real 'cozy' feeling.
3. Subplots!
a. Detective Yogi's ex-husband (who she casually resents for leaving her after he comes out as gay in events prior to this second book) drops in for the first half with mysterious injuries. Is it possible his partner, a gruff FBI agent, has been abusing him? Nope! Turns out he's got MS. Just drops it on us, out of nowhere. No real hints beyond his caginess about discussing injuries, but he just 'fesses up because that's what the subplot needs.
b. In the work-related subplot, Detective Yogi's co-owner of the yoga studio (a co-owner, who, it should be known, had been working there before Detective Yogi inherited her Aunt Diantha's half) is battling with her to change things.
You know change. That thing we all experience and accept to one degree or another. Or don't! Her co-owner wants to change the slogan ('It Could Happen') to something with more fire in it ('The Time is Right' or 'Now is the Hour'). Detective Yogi doesn't want that! Her Aunt Diantha (great name, right? Just say it aloud a few times. Aunt Diantha!) was a pioneer of yoga and slogans. Yoga slogan? Yo-slos? Or perhaps just a pioneer for yoga in New Jersey, it's never really specified. In the final scene, as the yoga teachers gather to vote on keeping or discarding the tried and true slogan ('It Could Happen'), a minor character gives us a monologue. 'Sure,' you're thinking. 'This will be the part where Simon (minor character who teachers yoga) tells us how Aunt Diantha's slogan changed his life for the better.' And you're right! Turns out, ol' Simon (who everybody loves) accidentally murdered a child when he was driving home from work one day. Just saw a dog, running out in front of his car, didn't see the kid, and he loses everything after committing vehicular manslaughter. Everybody lets him off the hook for it, even the kid's parents! Again: last scene, last two pages, I kid you not. When Simon wanted to push everybody away, Aunt Diantha consoled him with her slogan. It Could Happen.
Yep. Really makes you want to keep that slogan, doesn't it?
4. 2009. Apparently, in old ought-niner, nobody knew what 'the gay lifestyle' was all about. Killian clearly didn't. But that doesn't stop characters from being good old fashioned idiots! Andy (the ex-husband of Detective Yogi who is DESCRIBED AS GAY AND RESENTED BY HIS EX-WIFE FOR BEING GAY) is somehow perceived as a threat by Detective Boyfriend. And The Fading Star (Mother of Detective Yogi) totally pretends not to know! In fact, she wants Detective Yogi and Andy to reunite.
This book, as the kids would say (kids: please don't say this) is 'dunkable.' Chances are, if you've read a book before, you'll find some beef here. And this book provides a great opportunity to strengthen those comprehensive reading skills. Basics, like: "could this be perceived as insensitive to a potentially marginalized and often-persecuted group of people, like 'women' or 'gay folx'? " Or, "Will people be unable to predict (thereby denying them that sweet feeling of vindication) what will happen next?"
Okay, my venom sacs are empty. If you have a chance to read a page of this book, do it. But just one page. Or you too, may find yourself writing a spiteful review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2010
AJ runs a yoga studio where she has a few clients that are very high maintenance. When one of those is murdered, the suspects are all around her whether she wants it or not. To top it off, her ex husband shows up needing a friend and a place to stay.
A very entertaining story with some very interesting characters. I enjoyed the ride
A very entertaining story with some very interesting characters. I enjoyed the ride
July 29, 2011
I really enjoy reading this series. The mysteries are light (but not obvious) and the plot proceeds at a good pace. The characters are quirky and interesting. This installment is another case of AJ being put in the middle of a mystery and getting drawn into solving the case...and, of course, problems ensue. I look forward to book three.
October 4, 2015
Good mystery. I love all the secondary characters, too.
June 19, 2022
DNF at 70% when I realized I didn't care what happened.
The victim is unlikable and only gets worse as the book goes on. The personal drama in the protagonist life is worse than a soap opera. Then the heroine goes along with something so blatantly illegal and morally wrong and hides it from her cop boyfriend. I just can't see any world where even a friend would be able to get over this. And that is where I was just done.
I won't waste any more of my reading time on this series.
The victim is unlikable and only gets worse as the book goes on. The personal drama in the protagonist life is worse than a soap opera. Then the heroine goes along with something so blatantly illegal and morally wrong and hides it from her cop boyfriend. I just can't see any world where even a friend would be able to get over this. And that is where I was just done.
I won't waste any more of my reading time on this series.
August 30, 2017
This little murder mystery is full of twists and turns and side plots. It did read easy but sometimes got a little winded. This book, as well as another of Killian's series, were given to me from a friend cleaning out her books. While I will read the next, I would not necessarily run out and purchase another in the series. Decent mystery.
April 21, 2019
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. I personally find her mother annoying but I like the relationship between her and Jake. I also like Andy. I like that the author is not afraid to write secondary characters with character.
February 3, 2021
The owner of a yoga studio finds one of her clients, an actress, murdered by an ice sculpture. She decides to investigate and there are lots of suspects.
I especially enjoyed this book as the author allowed me to name one of the characters.
I especially enjoyed this book as the author allowed me to name one of the characters.
April 7, 2023
This is a good mystery featuring yoga studio owner A.J. and her staff. When one of her wealthy clients is murdered with an ice sculpture, A.J. is a main suspect because she is the one who found her. There are a lot of other suspects, though, so A.J. has to find out which one is the real murderer.
May 18, 2017
Perfect summer reading.
September 6, 2019
Yoga series
May 14, 2011
I agree with another reviewer who said the label/name dropping of high priced clothing is just wrong for someone who truly appreciates yoga. I hope the author of these books develops a better understanding of yoga and incorporates that more in the the lead character's development in future books.
I still feel like it's a Harlequin romance meets a grown up Nancy Drew. Why can't a woman be happy without a relationship? If Jake was just a cop, I think it would be more interesting.
What I do like is the variety of characters who are brought in as suspects.
The supposedly English mannerisms of the mother are annoying. They were annoying in the first book, too.
I would like to see the other yoga studio characters more developed. Since this is a series set around a yoga studio owner, it would make the series far more interesting if we knew more about the other yoga teachers.
Also, what happened to the odd neighbor lady who in the first book was introduced as an enemy of the mother? She's nowhere in this book. Perhaps she'll pop up in the third.
Diana Killian, if you read any of these reviews, please learn more about yoga and have your lead character develop more yogic qualities. Perhaps she goes off to a Yoga Journal workshop or retreat and comes back a better yogi.
I still feel like it's a Harlequin romance meets a grown up Nancy Drew. Why can't a woman be happy without a relationship? If Jake was just a cop, I think it would be more interesting.
What I do like is the variety of characters who are brought in as suspects.
The supposedly English mannerisms of the mother are annoying. They were annoying in the first book, too.
I would like to see the other yoga studio characters more developed. Since this is a series set around a yoga studio owner, it would make the series far more interesting if we knew more about the other yoga teachers.
Also, what happened to the odd neighbor lady who in the first book was introduced as an enemy of the mother? She's nowhere in this book. Perhaps she'll pop up in the third.
Diana Killian, if you read any of these reviews, please learn more about yoga and have your lead character develop more yogic qualities. Perhaps she goes off to a Yoga Journal workshop or retreat and comes back a better yogi.
January 8, 2013
This is the second book in the Mantra for Murder Mystery series by Diana Killian. It's been about two years since I read the first book, but I still remembered the characters fairly well.
It was a light, quick read - what I call my brain candy - and it was perfect to read on my trip. I'm in the middle of reading another book for my book club, A Fine Balance, and I didn't want to lug that huge book along with me on my short trip. So I packed this book and a couple of other fairly short books, figuring they would be fun reads, even if I'm jet lagged or tired from the travel.
This story balances a fairly standard mystery with the teachings and philosophy of yoga. I used to attend yoga class faithfully for years, but I've gotten away from it. After I finished this book, I did a few sun salutations (although I did them slightly differently than is described in the book) and I renewed my love for the practice. I may have to find another yoga class when I get home.
Overall, it was an entertaining mystery and I like the characters. I will plan to read more of the books in this series.
It was a light, quick read - what I call my brain candy - and it was perfect to read on my trip. I'm in the middle of reading another book for my book club, A Fine Balance, and I didn't want to lug that huge book along with me on my short trip. So I packed this book and a couple of other fairly short books, figuring they would be fun reads, even if I'm jet lagged or tired from the travel.
This story balances a fairly standard mystery with the teachings and philosophy of yoga. I used to attend yoga class faithfully for years, but I've gotten away from it. After I finished this book, I did a few sun salutations (although I did them slightly differently than is described in the book) and I renewed my love for the practice. I may have to find another yoga class when I get home.
Overall, it was an entertaining mystery and I like the characters. I will plan to read more of the books in this series.
December 16, 2009
I picked this up because it looked like easy and fun. It was. Not great writing or plot, but I enjoyed the yoga references and rather like A J Alexander, divorced because her husband (a really nice guy) fell in love with another man. She has inherited her aunt's yoga studio and must share running it with Lucy, a genuinely angry unpleasant character. The victim is an actess, Nicole, foudn in the corpse pose.
Add a wacky mother and a handsome detective, Jake Oberlin for romantic interest and it is a good evening's entertainment.
Now I have to go backward and read the first one.
Add a wacky mother and a handsome detective, Jake Oberlin for romantic interest and it is a good evening's entertainment.
Now I have to go backward and read the first one.
July 17, 2013
A.J. is unlucky enough to be the one to discover the murder of a woman she knows. This isn't the only complication in her life. Her ex-husband, Andy, turns up telling her his partner and he are finished and would it be possible to stay with her and figure out what he will do next. Eight months after her aunt's death, A.J. and Lilly are still having issues with the yoga business. All the amateur investigating has caused a rift in her relationship with Detective Jake Oberlin. This is the second book in the series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, better than Book #1. The author has fleshed out the main characters a bit more, bringing together some interesting background in the character of Jake. I'm still not sure why AJ's Aunt Di insisted on AJ and Lily co-managing Sacred Balance Studio. Maybe future books will explain the reasoning behind this provision of Di's will. The ending, explaining where the slogan, "It Can Happen" actually made me tear up a little. Of course, I love that Yoga is woven in throughout the book!
June 22, 2010
Let's all laugh at the title together (which is how I accidentally found this book in the first place-searching for a history of yoga text on Amazon). BWAHAHAHA!
I didn't think this book was as good as the first-probably because the murder was so peripheral to the main character I had difficulty suspending my disbelief that she'd involve herself in another murder investigation. But it was a quick read and a bit of escape from my stress so it's not wholly unrecommended.
I didn't think this book was as good as the first-probably because the murder was so peripheral to the main character I had difficulty suspending my disbelief that she'd involve herself in another murder investigation. But it was a quick read and a bit of escape from my stress so it's not wholly unrecommended.
Read
August 18, 2010AJ, who owns a yoga studio in Warren County, NJ, finds a dead body when she's delivering the phone of a client; the client is dead. Her ex-husband, who is estranged from his partner, comes to stay with her; he has MS. AJ, her mother, a former English movie star and her ex-husband find the murderer; the boyfriend of the dead woman. They try and protect a young woman, also an actress from being accused of murder. AJ and her boyfriend Jake, get together.
March 5, 2018
Read January 31, 2010
Very good read. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of yoga information (some I am anxious to try out). And in this one, lots of self-discovery. And along with solving a murder, the discovery that doing the right thing and letting love both go AND in, are the best things ever!
LOVED this!!
January 9, 2011
Was plodding along on my second attempt to get through the book when it suddenly occurred to me that I did not care which cardboard character murdered the other cardboard character. I was also annoyed by the author's portrayal of gay men in a subplot; her ideas about "the gay lifestyle" (a weird phrase she repeats frequently in stilted dialogue) seem to come right out of the 1950s.
July 1, 2011
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. I like the yoga references, but the name dropping get's annoying. Can't she just put on her lipstick or do I really need to know it's MAC lipstick? It really doesn't serve the story; or is that the author's way of making the story current? Not sure, just know it bother's me.
October 8, 2011
i found this book charming, with an endearing heroine who faces 'ordinary struggles' (difficult family, difficult co workers) and those not so ordinary (ie" 'murder').
I loved the whole yoga studio/life growth aspect, I didn't find it corny or silly (as I thought I might, when I read the title/saw the cover). It was just a very good mystery with very good characters.
Highly reccommend.
I loved the whole yoga studio/life growth aspect, I didn't find it corny or silly (as I thought I might, when I read the title/saw the cover). It was just a very good mystery with very good characters.
Highly reccommend.
May 4, 2012
I enjoyed getting to know the various characters better. The mystery itself was okay and I was unsure of who done it until the end. I enjoy it when cozy series have characters that evolve with each book. I feel like this series is doing that and I like the characters. Looking forward to reading the next in the series as well.
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