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Murder on the Rocks #3
Straight Up
Jude Dillane, owner of The Corner Lounge in Manhattan’s East Village, knows she will never be safe until The New Year’s Eve Serial Killer, Art Bevins, is behind bars. Still on the loose, he continues to taunt her. Blaming Jude for all his troubles, Bevins is determined to make her pay. With the FBI investigation at a stand-still Jude knows it’s up to her to bring him to justice. With all this swirling around her, Thomas “Sully” Sullivan, her friend and landlord, becomes enamored of his new tenant, Dolores Castel. Jude instantly distrusts Sully’s new love and believes Dolores is weaving a dangerous web. As she continues her pursuit of Bevins, Jude looks into Dolores’s past, uncovering a series of deadly coincidences. Can Jude stop Bevins from his deadly pursuit and protect her friend from ruin?
- GenresMystery
278 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2021
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Cathi Stoler
18 books119 followersCathi Stoler's publishing credentials include her new mystery/suspense series, NICK OF TIME, and OUT OF TIME, in The Nick Donahue Adventures as well as BAR NONE, LAST CALL, STRAIGHT UP, and WITH A TWIST, in the Murder On The Rocks Mystery Series featuring The Corner Lounge Owner, Jude Dillane. She has also written the three-part mystery series TELLING LIES, KEEPING SECRETS, and THE HARD WAY, which features P.I. Helen McCorkendale and magazine editor, Laurel Imperiole,
Awards include the 2015 Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award for Best Short Story for the “Kaluki Kings of Queens”. Her Murder On The Rocks novels have earned Finalist spots in The Silver Falchion Awards and the Chanticleer Clue Book Awards. As an active member of the mystery community, she’s a board member of the New York/Tri-State chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.
Cathi lives in New York City with her husband Paul. You can visit her at www.cathistoler.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Awards include the 2015 Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award for Best Short Story for the “Kaluki Kings of Queens”. Her Murder On The Rocks novels have earned Finalist spots in The Silver Falchion Awards and the Chanticleer Clue Book Awards. As an active member of the mystery community, she’s a board member of the New York/Tri-State chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.
Cathi lives in New York City with her husband Paul. You can visit her at www.cathistoler.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 23, 2022
Stoler’s well-defined prose helps keep Straight Up moving at a quick, even, pace. well-rounded characters with human quirks and failings as well as likeable qualities populate this novel. Dillane and Sully, Peter and Dean, Ari Maguire and Elaine Garlinger, even Dolores Castel and Art Bevins, are people you’d love or love to hate.
This is the first work by Cathi Stoler that I’ve read. Straight Up can be read as a stand-alone work but does make references to plot points from the previous two works in this series. Those references did not hinder my enjoyment of the book or understanding the plot. My enjoyment of this work will lead me to read other books by Stoler. I'll especially read the first two installments in the On the Rocks series, Bar None and Last Call.
This is the first work by Cathi Stoler that I’ve read. Straight Up can be read as a stand-alone work but does make references to plot points from the previous two works in this series. Those references did not hinder my enjoyment of the book or understanding the plot. My enjoyment of this work will lead me to read other books by Stoler. I'll especially read the first two installments in the On the Rocks series, Bar None and Last Call.
April 9, 2022
You’ll need a stiff drink to calm your nerves as a vortex of danger swirls around bar owner Jude Dillane, growing stronger with each page, in STRAIGHT UP, book three of Cathi Stoler’s Murder of the Rocks series. Well-developed, intriguing characters and pulse-pounding suspense make this New York City mystery a must-read! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
January 26, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2022
Straight Up is a cozy mystery starring Jude Dillane, the part owner of a bar and restaurant called The Corner Lounge. Last year, she, along with her landlord, Sully, had discovered a dead body in the dumpster behind the Lounge. Now she is receiving letters from the serial killer, Art Bevins. She feels she’s smarter than the FBI and Special Agent Elaine Garlinger, and decides to find and capture the serial killer herself.
If this sounds like an unlikely scenario, I agree. Jude seems a little overly dramatic and quasi-hysterical most of the time. She seems to be somewhat dense when it comes to her business. Her head SPINS when the lawyer tells her to do an inventory and, more or less, the normal business financial documents, even when the lawyer tells her that she knows of an independent broker who can help Jude.
I have a hard time imagining that the FBI would allow civilians in the crime lab. Contamination of the DNA is too risky. “When it comes time to test the sample, the presence of additional human DNA can severely affect the lab's ability to clearly determine results.” Arcpointlabs.com
And why is the FBI sharing information with a civilian about an ongoing investigation?
Some of Jude’s actions are just plain stupid. (Ex: instead of doing what Agent Garlinger tells her, like picking up the margarite glass and the cutlery that might have Bevins’s fingerprints on them, she goes for a walk outside. Then she walks up and down the street looking for him. She’s says she’s going to get him. Of course, the glass and cutlery are gone when she comes back. And then she finds a package that Bevins had dropped in a trash bin containing a bloody knife and a cap that Bevins was wearing, and picks it up and takes it with her.) She also seems to think that she’s smarter than the FBI, that they’re just a bunch of country bumpkins, and that she has the ability to capture a dangerous serial killer single handed.
I was led astray by the great reviews listed at the front of the book and was categorically disappointed. The writing, itself, is good, but the premise is ridiculous.
I give this book 3 stars.
I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Virginia Welker (author of "Lethal Relations," writing as Lo Monaco).
Straight Up is a cozy mystery starring Jude Dillane, the part owner of a bar and restaurant called The Corner Lounge. Last year, she, along with her landlord, Sully, had discovered a dead body in the dumpster behind the Lounge. Now she is receiving letters from the serial killer, Art Bevins. She feels she’s smarter than the FBI and Special Agent Elaine Garlinger, and decides to find and capture the serial killer herself.
If this sounds like an unlikely scenario, I agree. Jude seems a little overly dramatic and quasi-hysterical most of the time. She seems to be somewhat dense when it comes to her business. Her head SPINS when the lawyer tells her to do an inventory and, more or less, the normal business financial documents, even when the lawyer tells her that she knows of an independent broker who can help Jude.
I have a hard time imagining that the FBI would allow civilians in the crime lab. Contamination of the DNA is too risky. “When it comes time to test the sample, the presence of additional human DNA can severely affect the lab's ability to clearly determine results.” Arcpointlabs.com
And why is the FBI sharing information with a civilian about an ongoing investigation?
Some of Jude’s actions are just plain stupid. (Ex: instead of doing what Agent Garlinger tells her, like picking up the margarite glass and the cutlery that might have Bevins’s fingerprints on them, she goes for a walk outside. Then she walks up and down the street looking for him. She’s says she’s going to get him. Of course, the glass and cutlery are gone when she comes back. And then she finds a package that Bevins had dropped in a trash bin containing a bloody knife and a cap that Bevins was wearing, and picks it up and takes it with her.) She also seems to think that she’s smarter than the FBI, that they’re just a bunch of country bumpkins, and that she has the ability to capture a dangerous serial killer single handed.
I was led astray by the great reviews listed at the front of the book and was categorically disappointed. The writing, itself, is good, but the premise is ridiculous.
I give this book 3 stars.
I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Virginia Welker (author of "Lethal Relations," writing as Lo Monaco).
November 11, 2021
Cathi Stoler’s Straight Up, third book in the Murder on the Rocks series from Level Best Books is a thriller-cozy - or is it a cozy-thriller?
Whichever way you cut it, Straight Up, featuring feisty Jude Dillane, is a plot-driven story with strong aspects of community. Hooked from the first page by a delphic scene on an airplane, the reader soon lands in the Corner Lounge, a thriving bar-restaurant on the Lower East Side of New York City.
The Lounge comprises a “village” of motley characters, each with a personal story playing out in the background while they all share in the common purpose of keeping Jude, co-owner of the Lounge, safe from the New Year’s Eve serial killer.
Besides the impetuous, stubborn, and sometimes strangely heedless Jude, the community of the Corner Lounge includes Jude’s boyfriend, Eric, who has left her, but may come back; Thomas “Sully” Sullivan, middle-aged ex-marine and owner of the building, who threatens the cohesion of the bar community and safety of Jude when he falls blindly in love with the dauntingly beautiful new tenant, Delores. Well-heeled Delores keeps Sully on a leash, all while living in an enigmatic relationship with her young “assistant”, Diego. Meanwhile, Jude’s gifted co-owner and cook, Pete, has become gun-shy and wants out: too many bodies have piled up in the neighborhood. (Readers will want to check out the first two books in the series.). And there’s FBI agent Elaine and her team of minders - all assigned to protect Jude and all happy for the perk of winding up in such a fine eatery. Then there’s Tony, a seemingly regular guy and the devastatingly gorgeous Shivani – but are they really what they seem to be?
This community of people meet and part in the Lounge. Like all of us in a community, they worry and care about each other and work together in a place they love. They create new drinks, plan menus, struggle with love, keep secrets. The difference is the motley crew of the Corner Lounge live their everyday lives taunted and threatened by the New Year’s Eve killer who slips from one disguise to another at the edge of their lives and --- well, buy the book, plunge in, and see what happens.
Whichever way you cut it, Straight Up, featuring feisty Jude Dillane, is a plot-driven story with strong aspects of community. Hooked from the first page by a delphic scene on an airplane, the reader soon lands in the Corner Lounge, a thriving bar-restaurant on the Lower East Side of New York City.
The Lounge comprises a “village” of motley characters, each with a personal story playing out in the background while they all share in the common purpose of keeping Jude, co-owner of the Lounge, safe from the New Year’s Eve serial killer.
Besides the impetuous, stubborn, and sometimes strangely heedless Jude, the community of the Corner Lounge includes Jude’s boyfriend, Eric, who has left her, but may come back; Thomas “Sully” Sullivan, middle-aged ex-marine and owner of the building, who threatens the cohesion of the bar community and safety of Jude when he falls blindly in love with the dauntingly beautiful new tenant, Delores. Well-heeled Delores keeps Sully on a leash, all while living in an enigmatic relationship with her young “assistant”, Diego. Meanwhile, Jude’s gifted co-owner and cook, Pete, has become gun-shy and wants out: too many bodies have piled up in the neighborhood. (Readers will want to check out the first two books in the series.). And there’s FBI agent Elaine and her team of minders - all assigned to protect Jude and all happy for the perk of winding up in such a fine eatery. Then there’s Tony, a seemingly regular guy and the devastatingly gorgeous Shivani – but are they really what they seem to be?
This community of people meet and part in the Lounge. Like all of us in a community, they worry and care about each other and work together in a place they love. They create new drinks, plan menus, struggle with love, keep secrets. The difference is the motley crew of the Corner Lounge live their everyday lives taunted and threatened by the New Year’s Eve killer who slips from one disguise to another at the edge of their lives and --- well, buy the book, plunge in, and see what happens.
October 12, 2021
Straight Up, the latest installment in Cathi Stoler’s Murder on the Rocks series, is a tightly plotted mystery. But this is no ordinary thriller. The characters are fully realized, complex individuals, and they propel the narrative in unexpected ways. Set in New York City, the landscape is as finely drawn as the plot and the characters.
The story opens with an intriguing prologue that sets the stage for all that will follow. The beautiful, mysterious Delores Castel, and Diego Lowell, her young companion, are on a first-class flight from LA to NYC. In just a few pages, Stoler creates an atmosphere heavy with suspense.
The tension continues as protagonist Jude Dillane, owner of the Corner Lounge, tries to get back to some semblance of normal, in the aftermath of a near-fatal encounter with Art Bevins, the man the newspapers dubbed The New Year’s Eve Killer. Despite her best intentions, though, she is stymied at every turn. Her love life is a mess. Her business partner wants out. And her landlord and best friend Thomas “Sully” Sullivan is bewitched by the scheming, enigmatic, Delores.
Worst of all, Jude receives a threatening letter from Bevins, who is still on the loose. Special Agent Elaine Garlinger, who is in charge of the New York F.B.I.’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, is back on the case, but Jude fears Bevins may once again elude capture. She senses he is close, and in a desperate bid to rid herself of him, she embarks upon her own investigation.
With grit and courage, Jude battles the demons that plague her, including those she’s created for herself.
Once again, Stoler delivers a well-written, fast-paced novel with an appealing cast of characters and a high-energy conclusion.
The story opens with an intriguing prologue that sets the stage for all that will follow. The beautiful, mysterious Delores Castel, and Diego Lowell, her young companion, are on a first-class flight from LA to NYC. In just a few pages, Stoler creates an atmosphere heavy with suspense.
The tension continues as protagonist Jude Dillane, owner of the Corner Lounge, tries to get back to some semblance of normal, in the aftermath of a near-fatal encounter with Art Bevins, the man the newspapers dubbed The New Year’s Eve Killer. Despite her best intentions, though, she is stymied at every turn. Her love life is a mess. Her business partner wants out. And her landlord and best friend Thomas “Sully” Sullivan is bewitched by the scheming, enigmatic, Delores.
Worst of all, Jude receives a threatening letter from Bevins, who is still on the loose. Special Agent Elaine Garlinger, who is in charge of the New York F.B.I.’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, is back on the case, but Jude fears Bevins may once again elude capture. She senses he is close, and in a desperate bid to rid herself of him, she embarks upon her own investigation.
With grit and courage, Jude battles the demons that plague her, including those she’s created for herself.
Once again, Stoler delivers a well-written, fast-paced novel with an appealing cast of characters and a high-energy conclusion.
February 27, 2022
I grabbed this book because I had read the two previous books in the series and really enjoyed them.
I was disappointed that this third installment was really slow to go anywhere. It was about halfway through the book when I almost decided to give up and then a few pages later, I was interested enough to finish. Generally, I can read a suspense novel in a matter of hours, but this one took me two months to get through, I was that disinterested.
The book starts out fine, with a serial killer on the loose, leaving clues that he’s after Jude to settle the score. But then, even with 24 hour FBI protection, Jude doesn’t seem to be too afraid of the guy and he becomes a tertiary storyline to the strange woman who just moved into the building and the potential drug ring being run through a friend’s company. Of all the times she went rogue (to her handler’s dismay) there was nothing exciting about it like the other books. The killer is mentioned a lot but otherwise, you’d completely forget that this is the main storyline and the others are ancillary to it.
Maybe I forgot the back story, but the author also references something likely tragic that happened to Jude’s family, which the killer is apparently knowledgeable about. But we as the reader are given nothing.
Generally, even with a series, you don’t have to have read the previous books to be drawn into the story, but this one, I felt like there was so much reference to what happened in the second book that I feel like I would have been lost had I not known what happened there.
Even the climax was a letdown because there was no real buildup. The entire book was a slow burn, then a small bang and then it was over.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was disappointed that this third installment was really slow to go anywhere. It was about halfway through the book when I almost decided to give up and then a few pages later, I was interested enough to finish. Generally, I can read a suspense novel in a matter of hours, but this one took me two months to get through, I was that disinterested.
The book starts out fine, with a serial killer on the loose, leaving clues that he’s after Jude to settle the score. But then, even with 24 hour FBI protection, Jude doesn’t seem to be too afraid of the guy and he becomes a tertiary storyline to the strange woman who just moved into the building and the potential drug ring being run through a friend’s company. Of all the times she went rogue (to her handler’s dismay) there was nothing exciting about it like the other books. The killer is mentioned a lot but otherwise, you’d completely forget that this is the main storyline and the others are ancillary to it.
Maybe I forgot the back story, but the author also references something likely tragic that happened to Jude’s family, which the killer is apparently knowledgeable about. But we as the reader are given nothing.
Generally, even with a series, you don’t have to have read the previous books to be drawn into the story, but this one, I felt like there was so much reference to what happened in the second book that I feel like I would have been lost had I not known what happened there.
Even the climax was a letdown because there was no real buildup. The entire book was a slow burn, then a small bang and then it was over.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2021
1.5 - 2 stars
Okay first off there were major formatting issues that had nothing to do with the actual text itself. At first I thought it was an odd stylistic choice the author did, but upon further inspection I realized that wasn’t the case. The one of the issues I ran into was the messed up structure of the chapters I had two chapter twos and one of them was placed after chapter three, as well as two chapter threes. But even without these confusing issues I did not enjoy my time reading this story. The tone and writing felt off, it had almost portrayed itself as a somewhat cozy mystery and then the more you read the more you saw it trying to take itself so seriously. Also, it felt as if you were just dropped off in this world with no real idea of what is going on or what happened in the previous book(s).
The characters were another problem for me; they all read very superficial and surface level, and there were many times where I forgot who was who because all the male characters were basically the same except for some gruff sneering added in for the more “macho” characters. With the writing style that wasn’t for me and the bland characters I really couldn’t get into the whole mystery plot itself. Overall this was kind of a struggle to get through, but I'm sure for those who are fans of this series they won't have any trouble settling in for more mystery and intrigue with characters that they like.
ARC given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Okay first off there were major formatting issues that had nothing to do with the actual text itself. At first I thought it was an odd stylistic choice the author did, but upon further inspection I realized that wasn’t the case. The one of the issues I ran into was the messed up structure of the chapters I had two chapter twos and one of them was placed after chapter three, as well as two chapter threes. But even without these confusing issues I did not enjoy my time reading this story. The tone and writing felt off, it had almost portrayed itself as a somewhat cozy mystery and then the more you read the more you saw it trying to take itself so seriously. Also, it felt as if you were just dropped off in this world with no real idea of what is going on or what happened in the previous book(s).
The characters were another problem for me; they all read very superficial and surface level, and there were many times where I forgot who was who because all the male characters were basically the same except for some gruff sneering added in for the more “macho” characters. With the writing style that wasn’t for me and the bland characters I really couldn’t get into the whole mystery plot itself. Overall this was kind of a struggle to get through, but I'm sure for those who are fans of this series they won't have any trouble settling in for more mystery and intrigue with characters that they like.
ARC given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
November 9, 2021
The Corner Lounge and its part owner, Jude Dullane, are what we all need in our lives. A great, atmospheric bar and a caring and feisty front of house. This book deals with the fall out from the last, where serial killer Art Bevins had managed to get away, despite everyone’s best efforts. This is still impacting on Judes life, in ways she doesn’t really want to face.
This is a stand alone book but I’m glad I’ve read the previous in the series. There are lots of familiar characters, along with a few new ones, who also make a big impact. This is a well written, well plotted and tense murder/thriller. The pace is fast and engaging, it has a strong female lead character, but then all the characters are well rounded and plausible, which is slightly chilling when Bevins is in the scene. The writing comes over as so realistic, you can feel the New York vibe. My only quibble was that I read through it so quickly. I look forward to reading this authors next offering.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is a stand alone book but I’m glad I’ve read the previous in the series. There are lots of familiar characters, along with a few new ones, who also make a big impact. This is a well written, well plotted and tense murder/thriller. The pace is fast and engaging, it has a strong female lead character, but then all the characters are well rounded and plausible, which is slightly chilling when Bevins is in the scene. The writing comes over as so realistic, you can feel the New York vibe. My only quibble was that I read through it so quickly. I look forward to reading this authors next offering.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
December 3, 2021
~2.5 stars~
This book was okay, but not quite the suspenseful story I anticipated. There was a decent climax, but the majority of the book just had sprinkles of excitement and danger, rather than it being the major focus of the novel. The beginning also had a lot of repetitious sentences, and there were parts of the book that were quite slow.
I thought part of the issue was that there were too many relationship subplots, between Jude’s romance with Eric, friendship with Sully, partnership with Pete, and other side stories that took away from the main plot. I was particularly confused with her relationship with Eric, since it seemed like he changed his mind for no reason. I did enjoy the mystery surrounding Dolores though. The twists and turns were quite unexpected, and I liked the element of surprise.
Overall, this was an okay story of suspense. It didn’t have me on the edge of my seat, but it’s a fine book to pass an afternoon with.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
This book was okay, but not quite the suspenseful story I anticipated. There was a decent climax, but the majority of the book just had sprinkles of excitement and danger, rather than it being the major focus of the novel. The beginning also had a lot of repetitious sentences, and there were parts of the book that were quite slow.
I thought part of the issue was that there were too many relationship subplots, between Jude’s romance with Eric, friendship with Sully, partnership with Pete, and other side stories that took away from the main plot. I was particularly confused with her relationship with Eric, since it seemed like he changed his mind for no reason. I did enjoy the mystery surrounding Dolores though. The twists and turns were quite unexpected, and I liked the element of surprise.
Overall, this was an okay story of suspense. It didn’t have me on the edge of my seat, but it’s a fine book to pass an afternoon with.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
February 15, 2022
It has taken a lot longer than normal to write a review for this book, and I think it's because I wanted to like it more than I did. I'm certain it has more to do with what I prefer as opposed to the author's style of writing.
I greatly enjoyed the story line and subplots.
But by book #3 of this series, I can predict the main character's antics, and I find it a bit annoying. For some reason, I don't find the climax of the story as suspenseful as I like. Also, if I recall correctly, all three books follow a similar structure of reaching the climax and ending like five pages later. Maybe I'm just too stuck on the middle school plot diagram I learned, but there's very little falling action and, I feel, no resolution. Although, in a series, if you're setting up for the next book, I can understand that tactic.
With all that said, if there are more books in this series, I like it enough to continue reading them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I greatly enjoyed the story line and subplots.
But by book #3 of this series, I can predict the main character's antics, and I find it a bit annoying. For some reason, I don't find the climax of the story as suspenseful as I like. Also, if I recall correctly, all three books follow a similar structure of reaching the climax and ending like five pages later. Maybe I'm just too stuck on the middle school plot diagram I learned, but there's very little falling action and, I feel, no resolution. Although, in a series, if you're setting up for the next book, I can understand that tactic.
With all that said, if there are more books in this series, I like it enough to continue reading them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2021
Tasty Bite of the Big Apple
STRAIGHT UP, author Cathi Stoler’s third Murder on the Rocks Mystery, has two main characters—heroine Jude Dillane, bartender and co-owner of The Corner Lounge, and Manhattan’s East Village, where she lives, works and doggedly pursues a serial killer that bears a personal grudge. If you’d love to pay a visit to NYC with its distinctive energetic buzz, nightlife, and trendy fashions, this murder mystery punches your travel ticket. Plus, you’ll want to root for the strong independent heroine as she takes high-stakes risks to capture a serial killer who enjoys taunting her while eluding the FBI. The serial killer isn’t Jude’s only problem. Her landlord and good friend is falling hook-line-and-sinker for a woman Jude’s convinced isn’t afraid to kill older gentlemen in order to steal their fortunes. Plenty of plot twists and romantic and business relationship turmoil to keep the reader turning pages.
STRAIGHT UP, author Cathi Stoler’s third Murder on the Rocks Mystery, has two main characters—heroine Jude Dillane, bartender and co-owner of The Corner Lounge, and Manhattan’s East Village, where she lives, works and doggedly pursues a serial killer that bears a personal grudge. If you’d love to pay a visit to NYC with its distinctive energetic buzz, nightlife, and trendy fashions, this murder mystery punches your travel ticket. Plus, you’ll want to root for the strong independent heroine as she takes high-stakes risks to capture a serial killer who enjoys taunting her while eluding the FBI. The serial killer isn’t Jude’s only problem. Her landlord and good friend is falling hook-line-and-sinker for a woman Jude’s convinced isn’t afraid to kill older gentlemen in order to steal their fortunes. Plenty of plot twists and romantic and business relationship turmoil to keep the reader turning pages.
November 17, 2021
Straight Up is the third book in the Murder on the Rocks series. This can be a stand alone, but it so entertaining you really should start at the beginning. These are thoroughly entertaining as we get to know the characters that enter The Corner Lounge.
Jude Dillane is part owner with Pete and are dealing with the fallout from the last book. Serial killer Art Bevins had managed to get away, despite everyone’s best efforts. After a customer gives a message to the wait staff to Jude, She realizes that Bevins is back and is coming for her. She reaches out to her support group and the hunt is on to track him down.
This story is so well told that you are immediately in the bar as an observer. I love that the characters are so believable and truly likeable. I hope that there will be several more books in this series, since I am not ready to say goodbye to the characters. I'll have another, please.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for an unbiased review.
Jude Dillane is part owner with Pete and are dealing with the fallout from the last book. Serial killer Art Bevins had managed to get away, despite everyone’s best efforts. After a customer gives a message to the wait staff to Jude, She realizes that Bevins is back and is coming for her. She reaches out to her support group and the hunt is on to track him down.
This story is so well told that you are immediately in the bar as an observer. I love that the characters are so believable and truly likeable. I hope that there will be several more books in this series, since I am not ready to say goodbye to the characters. I'll have another, please.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for an unbiased review.
December 22, 2021
This is the 3rd book of the series but it can be read as a stand alone. Jude is like people who pick at scabs….Once she sniffs that something doesn't seem right, she cannot leave it alone ! In addition to trying to find where the serial killer from the previous book is hiding, there are another couple of mysteries cropping up. This book also plays with your heart strings with some "end of an era" moments that readers might not feel to a full extent if they haven't been following Jude since the start of the series. I found it a bit slow going at the beginning but it is definitely worth reading on. If you read the previous books then you have to read this one to know how it all ends! You get closure on what had been happening but there are also plenty of openings for the author to carry on the series. Can't really say more to avoid any spoilers 😉
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 19, 2021
Straight Up is book 3 in A Murder on the Rocks Mystery by Cathi Stoler. Book 3 is fantastic! It is a little bit different from books 1 and 2. The serial killer from book 2 is still not captured by the police or FBI. An interesting lady, Dolores, and her assistant, Diego, have moved into Art Begins apartment. Doloris sets her eyes on Sully and Jude does not like it trust her. I don't want to spoil the book by giving anything away. So I will only say that I couldn't put the book down. Straight Up us hands down my favorite book by Cathi Stoler. The writing is great and the characters are believable. This story is intense from the first page to the last. I really did not want the book to end. But, I was very happy with the ending. I am not sure if there is a book 4 in the wings, but I sure hope there is! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 26, 2021
Straight Up takes place in a cozy little bar in Manhattan with residential apartments above it. This is the third book in the series, and the bar owner, Jude, is in recovery mode after being a target of the New Yea's Eve Serial Killer. Having a killer on the loose has affected both her business and personal relationships, and with the killer uncaught, Jude is being watched over by the FBI. Her landlord and good friend, Sully, is there for her until he meets the beautiful Delores and her weird little assistant Diego. Delores is scheming with a whole pack full of secrets from her last home in California, but Sully is smitten. When Art Bevins, the serial killer that got away, shows back up, Jude is hard-pressed to find someone to help her through it. Straight Up was an enjoyable read with great pacing. I want to go back and read the other books in this series.
December 2, 2022
STRAIGHT UP is the third installment in “Murder on the Rocks” mystery series written by Cathi Stoler, following BAR NONE and LAST CALL. Once again, Jude Dillane, owner of a bar/restaurant called The Corner Lounge, located in New York City’s East Village, is faced with a dangerous and potentially deadly problem. This time around, Jude is dealing with some unfinished business, as at-large serial killer Art Bevins is once again on the prowl, having eluded capture in the previous installment. With the help of her boyfriend, Eric, plus a host of other interesting characters, including her friend, customer and landlord “Sully” Sullivan and FBI agent Elaine Garlinger, Jude brings the case to an exciting and logical conclusion. This is a very good read, and I recommend it unreservedly.
Gregory Stout, author of Lost Little Girl and The Gone Man
Gregory Stout, author of Lost Little Girl and The Gone Man
November 19, 2021
Jude Dillane is tending bar at her place, The Corner Lounge, and her life is in a bit of a mess.
And if matters couldn’t get any worse, she’s receiving letters from the New Year’s Eve Serial Killer. The twist from the onset is not the identity of the sociopath because Jude knows the killer’s name, as do the FBI agents assigned to protect her. The author, Cathi Stoler, ratchets up the suspense with a sense of pervasive foreboding of How and When he will strike. Layered into the plot is the sudden appearance of one Dolores Castel, who rents the killer’s vacated apartment.
Be prepared to enjoy a cocktail that is two-thirds suspicion, with some strong, compelling characters stirred in, and garnished with several twists of the unexpected.
And if matters couldn’t get any worse, she’s receiving letters from the New Year’s Eve Serial Killer. The twist from the onset is not the identity of the sociopath because Jude knows the killer’s name, as do the FBI agents assigned to protect her. The author, Cathi Stoler, ratchets up the suspense with a sense of pervasive foreboding of How and When he will strike. Layered into the plot is the sudden appearance of one Dolores Castel, who rents the killer’s vacated apartment.
Be prepared to enjoy a cocktail that is two-thirds suspicion, with some strong, compelling characters stirred in, and garnished with several twists of the unexpected.
October 31, 2021
Cathi Stoler adds another thrilling chapter to her Murder on the Rocks series. In Straight Up, we reconnect with Jude Dillane as she deals with the daily struggles of running a successful NYC bar, a set of mysterious new neighbors, oh, and the serial killer that’s obsessed with making her his latest victim. More than a mere thriller, though there are plenty of page turning scenes, this novel shows us a new side of Jude as she struggles with the lingering effects of past trauma and attempts to hold the Corner Lounge crew together. A surprising mix of thrills and heart, Straight Up goes down as smooth as a fine whiskey.
February 17, 2022
2.5 stars/5
First off, I’d say read from the 1st book cause this didn’t come out strongly as a stand-alone. They were holes and I felt out of place cause I didn’t know past stories and whatnots.
I’d say this is an okay thriller, the thrills were not complete. You’d be all excited about a part and then it’s being delivered poorly.
Dolores story was my fave in this, it turned out okay although poor delivery for the climaxes created.
Jude had complex relationships and the stories were almost in the same part it made it hard to know who/what the main character/ story was.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First off, I’d say read from the 1st book cause this didn’t come out strongly as a stand-alone. They were holes and I felt out of place cause I didn’t know past stories and whatnots.
I’d say this is an okay thriller, the thrills were not complete. You’d be all excited about a part and then it’s being delivered poorly.
Dolores story was my fave in this, it turned out okay although poor delivery for the climaxes created.
Jude had complex relationships and the stories were almost in the same part it made it hard to know who/what the main character/ story was.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 28, 2023
Straight Up is the 3rd book in the series, Murder on the Rocks. This series has everything you want in a cozy – food and/or alcohol in every chapter, excellent characters that treat each other like family, an intriguing plot with lots of twist, and of course, our main character, Jude, who can’t stay away from a mystery. This installment centers around a woman and young assistant who take up residence in the building that Sully owns, which is also where Jude lives and owns The Corner Lounge. Jude’s spidey senses are set off by this woman so, of course, she needs to know why. A fun and fast moving story that was fun to read. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
October 30, 2021
Don't we all want to befriend Jude Dillane, co-owner of the Corner Lounge in NYC's East Village? While she and her staff serve up phenomenal drinks and dinners, she solves crimes. In this third volume in the Murder on the Rocks series, Jude senses that serial killer Art Bevins, who escaped capture in volume 2, is following her. Alongside this drama, Stoler introduces us to a gold digging widow and a fashionable publicist, both up to no good. Straight Up has it all--roller-coaster plot, intriguing characters, compelling settings, and drinks and clothes to die for.
May 30, 2023
This is the third book in a series. I have read the first book but somehow missed the second.
Nevertheless the story in this book can be read as a standalone, even though the tale follows the second book dealing with a serial murderer(s) in New York.
The action is fast paced and the many characters involved in Jude's bar/restaurant also have interesting side stories.
A very pleasant read despite the gruesome murders
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Nevertheless the story in this book can be read as a standalone, even though the tale follows the second book dealing with a serial murderer(s) in New York.
The action is fast paced and the many characters involved in Jude's bar/restaurant also have interesting side stories.
A very pleasant read despite the gruesome murders
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
November 1, 2021
Cathi Stoler's On the Rocks series just keeps getting better. In Straight Up, the latest installment, bar owner Jude Dillane is still being threatened by elusive serial killer Art Bevans, but now she also has to deal with a new adversary, a woman who is as dangerous as she is beautiful. Fortunately, Jude is strong and resourceful enough to keep the bad guys at bay while she keeps readers turning the pages.
November 4, 2021
I enjoyed Cathi Stoler's third mystery in the Murder on the Rocks series. Love the corner bar setting in New York City. The hustle and bustle of city life mixes well with the quiet, familiar respite of the neighborhood hangout. In this one, serial killer Art Bevins is back, and he's just as deadly. And if that's not enough for Jude to worry about, she could lose the bar, her best friend, and her boyfriend if she doesn't act quickly.
November 6, 2021
Jude Dillane is back behind the bar in STRAIGHT-UP, where she tries to keep the restaurant afloat after last year's attack by a notorious killer. Faced with an opportunistic new acquaintance who carries an unexpected link to the past, Jude has much more to lose than her bar. Fast-paced with a spine-tingling plot, Cathi Stoler keeps this entertaining series fresh and exciting with her crackling dialogue and a well-spun cast of characters. You'll be cheering for this kick-ass heroine!
November 7, 2021
I got a digital ARC of this for free.
I already really liked the first two books, so when I saw this was coming out, I jumped on it!
It draws you in immediately, and it can be read as a casual cozy mystery, but it's also thrilling enough to be read quickly, thanks to the short chapters. I don't remember if the other two books had chapters this short, but I would have preferred if they were a little longer.
I already really liked the first two books, so when I saw this was coming out, I jumped on it!
It draws you in immediately, and it can be read as a casual cozy mystery, but it's also thrilling enough to be read quickly, thanks to the short chapters. I don't remember if the other two books had chapters this short, but I would have preferred if they were a little longer.
November 23, 2021
Well written glimpse into the New York bar/restaurant scene. This is the second book in this series that I hope will continue. The characters are multidimensional and have distinct characteristics of individuality. The mystery was complex enough to be interesting but not so intense that it is difficult to follow. A very satisfying read.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
November 28, 2021
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest.
A well written, well crafted, entertaining, tense, high energy, twisty page turner.
The characters were strong, believable, compelling, likeable, complex, gritty, and courageous. Wow!
The spine tingling plot, the suspensful atmosphere, and the intriguing dialogue produced a page turner. A satisfying attention grabber that draws you in.
Wow! Such a satisfying, twisty ending!
Read today! Enjoy!
A well written, well crafted, entertaining, tense, high energy, twisty page turner.
The characters were strong, believable, compelling, likeable, complex, gritty, and courageous. Wow!
The spine tingling plot, the suspensful atmosphere, and the intriguing dialogue produced a page turner. A satisfying attention grabber that draws you in.
Wow! Such a satisfying, twisty ending!
Read today! Enjoy!
December 7, 2021
This story of the evasive serial killer, Art Bevins, continues. This time he is taunting Jude just when her plate is already full of personal things. Then there is the mysterious Delores Castel and her 'personal assistant' Diego Lowell. Jude has a non-warm and fuzzy feeling about her and how is Sully involved? There are many things going on in this story which can be somewhat confusing at times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 18, 2021
Straight Up is the third in this series about bar/restaurant owner, Jude, and her landlord and friend, Sully. This book could stand alone, but would be better if you have read the first two books. There is a continuing story from book two, but also a new mystery to figure out. The further I got into the book, the harder it was to put it down. I am enjoying this series, and hope it continues. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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