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Amanda Blakemore #1
A Bazaar Murder
Amanda Blakemore returns to Juniper Falls, Ohio after finding her husband in bed with another woman. Heartbroken and wounded by his betrayal she agrees to move in with her grandmother, Margaret. After being volunteered to help with the church bazaar Amanda and Margaret stumble over the body of Florence Hardy. Juniper Falls wealthiest woman not to mention rudest. As the list of suspects keeps growing by the minute the girls recruit neighbor and Ex-Sheriff Henry and eccentric gossip-loving Olive to help investigate. Along with a little help from a St. Bernard named Twinkie they may just catch a killer.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
55 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 22, 2020
When greed takes over
A terrific read just a shame that the wrong name was used (Molly instead of Priscilla) and that why I've given it 4*. A plot of greed that leads to murder. The characters are lively, entertaining and real. From our slightly down in the dumps heroine who caught her husband cheating on her to the faithful protector Twinkie.
She has come bakery to her Nana's after finding her husband and boss together. Her wallow of self pity is ended by her Nana with a forced trip to church. Now she has been volunteered to help set up an event to raise money for the church roof. The set up goes well until they find the body of the abrasive organiser. Take a retired sheriff, a murder result, an unruly dog, a young doctor, a flirty senior and a dysfunctional family. Can they work out who? Or will it be a case of an accidental eavesdropping that will lead to catching the killer? Can she get the word out before she's the next one on the list or will Twinkie take it from there?
A terrific read just a shame that the wrong name was used (Molly instead of Priscilla) and that why I've given it 4*. A plot of greed that leads to murder. The characters are lively, entertaining and real. From our slightly down in the dumps heroine who caught her husband cheating on her to the faithful protector Twinkie.
She has come bakery to her Nana's after finding her husband and boss together. Her wallow of self pity is ended by her Nana with a forced trip to church. Now she has been volunteered to help set up an event to raise money for the church roof. The set up goes well until they find the body of the abrasive organiser. Take a retired sheriff, a murder result, an unruly dog, a young doctor, a flirty senior and a dysfunctional family. Can they work out who? Or will it be a case of an accidental eavesdropping that will lead to catching the killer? Can she get the word out before she's the next one on the list or will Twinkie take it from there?
February 9, 2022
A Bazaar Murder by Amy Phipps is the first part of the "Amanda Blakemore" cozy mystery series. Story is in first person pov of the main character, Amanda.
After catching her husband in bed with her boss, Amanda returns to her small hometown of Juniper Falls, OH, to seek refuge with her grandmother, Margaret. Margaret allows Amanda to wallow in self-pity only so long before she rousts her and gets Amanda involved in the local church bazaar. There, the two of them stumble upon the dead body of Florence Hardy, the wealthiest, witchiest woman in town. When it's learned that Florence didn't die of natural causes and the sheriff seems keen on pinning the murder on her daughter, Cassie (who was with Amanda when Florence died), Amanda and Margaret realize they'll need to do some sleuthing of their own. To that end, they get the former sheriff, Henry, involved, along with Margaret's doddering friend, Olive. They come up with a list of suspects, and now all they need to do is narrow it down to a killer.
Okay. Well, this was novella length, so there wasn't much to sink one's teeth into. Characterizations were oka-ay, but it seemed like far too many were introduced for such a brief story. I found myself getting confused. Plot wasn't very smooth, and (Spoiler Alert!!!) the mystery was solved when Amanda overheard the killer and accomplice discussing it. No actual sleuthing led to any deductions; it was simply handed to her on a silver platter.
The story was juuuuuuuust a tad preachy. Not overly so, and not enough to turn me off, but it did cause me to raise my eyebrows. Overall, it was an okay read. It could have benefited from more fleshing out, tighter plotting, and fewer characters thrown at the reader. Giving it a score of two.
After catching her husband in bed with her boss, Amanda returns to her small hometown of Juniper Falls, OH, to seek refuge with her grandmother, Margaret. Margaret allows Amanda to wallow in self-pity only so long before she rousts her and gets Amanda involved in the local church bazaar. There, the two of them stumble upon the dead body of Florence Hardy, the wealthiest, witchiest woman in town. When it's learned that Florence didn't die of natural causes and the sheriff seems keen on pinning the murder on her daughter, Cassie (who was with Amanda when Florence died), Amanda and Margaret realize they'll need to do some sleuthing of their own. To that end, they get the former sheriff, Henry, involved, along with Margaret's doddering friend, Olive. They come up with a list of suspects, and now all they need to do is narrow it down to a killer.
Okay. Well, this was novella length, so there wasn't much to sink one's teeth into. Characterizations were oka-ay, but it seemed like far too many were introduced for such a brief story. I found myself getting confused. Plot wasn't very smooth, and (Spoiler Alert!!!) the mystery was solved when Amanda overheard the killer and accomplice discussing it. No actual sleuthing led to any deductions; it was simply handed to her on a silver platter.
The story was juuuuuuuust a tad preachy. Not overly so, and not enough to turn me off, but it did cause me to raise my eyebrows. Overall, it was an okay read. It could have benefited from more fleshing out, tighter plotting, and fewer characters thrown at the reader. Giving it a score of two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2018
Cover/Title: I chose this book because I needed a book with a house on it for a Goodreads challenge.
Characters: I enjoyed these characters. They all seem to be quirky in their own way. My favorite is the dog, Twinkie. Yep, he likes Twinkies!
Plot: Amanda moves in with her grandmother after catching her husband cheating on her. She throws herself into helping with the local bazaar to keep herself too busy to think about her problems. Unfortunately, a body is found and the sheriff is incompetent. They race to find the real murderer before they become victims themselves.
Overall: This is your average small town mystery. It is definitely worth the read. It is quick and easy for those days that you can't deal with anything more complex.
Characters: I enjoyed these characters. They all seem to be quirky in their own way. My favorite is the dog, Twinkie. Yep, he likes Twinkies!
Plot: Amanda moves in with her grandmother after catching her husband cheating on her. She throws herself into helping with the local bazaar to keep herself too busy to think about her problems. Unfortunately, a body is found and the sheriff is incompetent. They race to find the real murderer before they become victims themselves.
Overall: This is your average small town mystery. It is definitely worth the read. It is quick and easy for those days that you can't deal with anything more complex.
April 21, 2018
Loved it!!!
I read this book at one setting. I found the characters entertaining, loving, caring and funny. I could just see Twinkie dragging Amanda through the mud and slush. Add in New friends and murder and it's a must read.
I read this book at one setting. I found the characters entertaining, loving, caring and funny. I could just see Twinkie dragging Amanda through the mud and slush. Add in New friends and murder and it's a must read.
July 5, 2020
Very enjoyable.
The story flowed well and was engaging and well planned. Characters mostly likable and had good small town ethics. There are some typos but not enough to detract from the story. Satisfying conclusion.
The story flowed well and was engaging and well planned. Characters mostly likable and had good small town ethics. There are some typos but not enough to detract from the story. Satisfying conclusion.
February 17, 2021
Sure do wish she would get the next book out...book 5 .she has left us hanging
Her book are good I just wish she would finish them. I've read all her books and I enjoy them but she needs to finish this series
Her book are good I just wish she would finish them. I've read all her books and I enjoy them but she needs to finish this series
December 29, 2024
Cute quick read!
First in a series of short mysteries! It could use a little editing, but the errors don’t cause much confusion when reading. Lighthearted even though it is about a murder!
First in a series of short mysteries! It could use a little editing, but the errors don’t cause much confusion when reading. Lighthearted even though it is about a murder!
December 11, 2017
Okay...short novel.
March 3, 2018
Cute and fun book to read. Loved all the characters including the pets :)
March 6, 2018
Enjoyed this story
I love Nana, Olive and the gang, they listen to gossip, snoop, And stumble into the solution to the murder. A little romance and a good murder mystery.
I love Nana, Olive and the gang, they listen to gossip, snoop, And stumble into the solution to the murder. A little romance and a good murder mystery.
March 6, 2018
Short and easy to read. Quite fun.
May 27, 2018
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book. It is a murder mystery but yet has lots of humor. I recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a murder mystery but yet has lots of humor. I recommend this book.
February 21, 2019
I've read the first 2 books in this series. A cute and funny read. I enjoyed them, love the characters and Olive is just a pistol.
April 14, 2020
Good
This book brings this young woman back to the small town she has lived in when she was a child.
This book brings this young woman back to the small town she has lived in when she was a child.
November 1, 2021
Great book
Another great book by Amy Phipps. I can't wait to read more. I love books with animals. Keep up the great work.
Another great book by Amy Phipps. I can't wait to read more. I love books with animals. Keep up the great work.
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March 5, 2017Amazon - 12/10/2016
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews