Killer View

Cindy York Mysteries #4

by Catherine Bruns

It’s been four years since sometime sleuth Cindy York left the real estate world behind in favor of a more fulfilling career as a stay-at-home mom. Now that her little one is starting school, Cindy fears her life is about to become dull.

She shouldn’t have worried.

An old college chum soon surfaces and begs Cindy to sell her home, making it impossible for the former agent to say no. Pamela Hilton is going through a messy divorce and any profit will need to be split equally between the woman and her louse of a spouse. But when Cindy shows the home to prospective buyers and Kevin Hilton is found doing a dead man’s float in their pool, things quickly become more complicated.

Convinced of her friend’s innocence, Cindy sets out to find a ruthless killer. But will her return to the workforce and her life both be short term?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2022

About the author

Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.

Reviews

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

KILLER VIEW, the fourth book in the Cindy York Mysteries by Catherine Bruns, is a much-anticipated addition to this entertaining series! The author's writing style flows and brings the reader right into the story. I appreciated the realistic scenes featuring the protagonist, Cindy York, trying to juggle family life (four kids and a husband) while trying to re-enter the workforce and solve a murder. With a strong descriptive voice and compelling characters, in addition to a tightly plotted murder mystery, you can’t help but want to turn pages. There were twists I didn’t see coming and a suspenseful reveal that had me on the edge of my seat. I’m delighted to see that this series has relaunched and I look forward to reading more of Cindy’s adventures!

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer View is the fourth book in the Cindy York Mystery series by Catherine Bruns and it should come with a warning. Readers will get to a part in the story, and I can't tell you where, that will ruin it for you, that you will start to have a panic attack. Well, if I am being honest with you, there are actually two times in the story that will have your heart racing and you might hold your breath !!

In Killer View main character Cindy York is asked to get back into real estate after leaving it to focus on her family. But now that her youngest is going to preschool for part of the day, she is left with a big void. When her best friend and boss, Jacques Forte owner of Forte Realty, calls her about a house listing, she is dragged back into real estate. Pamela Hilton is looking to put her big house on the market and is looking for Cindy to be her agent. Cindy and Pam were college roommates and Cindy was in Pam's wedding to Kevin and can't believe that they are divorcing and Pam is being forced to sell her home.

Things take a turn when Cindy is there to do the first showing and finds Kevin dead in the pool .... and it gets worse when it is discovered that Pam was upstairs the whole time passed out from drinking too much. Pam asks Cindy to look into Kevin's murder when the police arrest her. Cindy knows that the old Pam would never kill anyone, especially her husband but it's been a long time since they shared a dorm room and Pam has changed a lot. Pam, like Cindy, has a family to think about. Pam and Kevin have two sons so Pam has to protect them.

Cindy wants to help her old friend out but has to make sure that she takes care of her own family first and when her oldest, Darcy, comes home from college and doesn't want to go back, Cindy is torn with what to do first. Luckily she can multi-task and she has an awesome and understanding husband to help. Cindy also has Jacques who will do anything for her, her family and friends.

Bruns will pull the reader into the story immediately and you will be unable to stop reading until you get to the end of the story and make sure everyone is okay and the killer is behind bars.....or close to it. Readers will love the relationships within the story ... even the one between Cindy and her mother-in-law. And the trouble that follows Cindy will have you on the edge of your seat and like I said you will come close to a panic a ttack a few times.....but thats the price we pay for reading a great book, right ?? And Bruns does that exceptionally !!!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though in real time it's only been a year since the last Cindy York was published and she had her baby girl, in book time it's been four years and started with little Gracie going to preschool which nearly killed Cindy's heart until her good buddy Jacques called her about a listing. Not only did our buddies who Jacques used to call Sherlock and Watson have a new house to show, they had a new murder to sleuth. They'd pretty much not missed a beat though. The team of two was back together and maybe better than before.

Cindy's side story had to do with Darcy wanting to quit college, but as always that got a good ending. The showdown was as exciting as always with both Cindy and her bestie fighting off a baddie. I was totally surprised with that killer having made my mind up about someone else already. The ending was family and friends together with a fun announcement that made Cindy's decision whether or not to work at real estate again an easy one to make! I'll be borrowing the next in KU whenever it's out. It should be a really interesting book as a new chapter starts for Cindy and her family.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!
So happy that the author decided to write more books in this series.
Hope there will be more!
Also - love, love, love the narrator who is perfect.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Killer View is the fourth book in the Cindy York Mysteries by Catherine Bruns, it’s the first that I’ve read in the series, and I will be reading more!
It had a bit of the same vibe going that Leslie Meier does in her Lucy Stone Mysteries, which made me love this one even more because the Lucy Stone Mysteries were the first cozy mysteries that I read… what a wonderful feeling of nostalgia, but with a much more modern twist.

If you’ve never read the Lucy Stone mysteries you may have no idea what similarities that I am referring to. They are the ones that make both series so good, which is the strong sense of family and having such a supporting husband, even if the main character does keep finding dead bodies or helping others who have. Bruns shines in her diversity of characters and how well she has developed them. It makes my heart happy that more authors are including GLBTQA characters in their stories, and Jacques is definitely a boss and friend I would love to have.

Besides the fantastic characters, Bruns really knows how to write a well rounded mystery. She gives the reader lots of suspects, a few red herrings, and while I thought for sure I knew who the killer was, I did not… which makes me enjoy a cozy even more.

Looking forward to book five in the Cindy York Mysteries, and have already added the first three in the series to my TBR pile.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer View earns 5/5 Million-Dollar Listings…Exciting & Entertaining!

For the past four years, Cindy York has been a stay-at-home mom, but now that her four-year-old daughter is going to pre-school, she’s afraid the “me time” will drive her crazy…saved by the phone call! Jacques Forte, her former boss, has a idea for her to return to work. A client, Cindy’s former college roommate and BFF, needs to put her multi-million dollar home on the market and called to engage Cindy. Cindy isn’t eager to pop back into the game, but she learns Pam is being forced to sell her home by her soon-to-be ex-husband Kevin and has a change of heart. Taking the meeting, she finds her friend dependent on alcohol, an arrogant, cheat of a husband spewing vile complaints, and later, revelations of Pam’s violent threats toward her husband. Is it any surprise that Cindy discovers Kevin’s body floating in the pool?

Catherine Bruns reissued her Cindy York Mystery series last year, but in real time, it’s been four years since Cindy York graced the bookshelves. The passage of time is realistic, and juggling a surprise arrival of her eldest, two pre-teens, and a pre-schooler, and confronting an antagonistic mother-in-law adds to the realism I crave. The murder mystery is pure Catherine Bruns…karmic justice, The investigation opened up several engaging avenues beyond the spouse’s own motive, opportunity, and means with the victim’s sons, girlfriend, clients, and partners topping the list, but the final reveal was a compelling twist. Catherine’s writing style is always very entertaining filled with vivid language to describe the setting, character appearance, and interactions among characters along with engaging banter, and varied personalities. Always a favorite series…Welcome back, Cindy York!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book covers for this cozy mystery series! They fit the books so well! In the fourth book--Killer View, Cindy is offered the opportunity to get back in the real estate game after being a stay at home mom for four years. But when her old college roommate needs to sell her house due to her upcoming divorce, she can't say no. Unfortunately when it's time to show the house, Cindy finds the body of her friend's husband unresponsive in their pool. Her efforts at CPR are too late and once again she has a mystery to solve. The thing I like best about this series is the characters. I can really relate to Cindy's family especially her mother-in-law! I also like the friendship between Jacques and Cindy. They take turns saving each other! I look forward to reading book 5!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is book four in the series and makes for a very good standalone book, it you haven't read the rest of the series but as the others are just as good as this, I would recommend that you do. The author is a master of her craft and balances out the book nicely with home life humour and a good mystery. I had guessed who the killer was, so no surprise but to be honest that didn't matter because it was a lot of fun discovering I was right . That's not to say there isn't plenty of suspects because there is, which is why it was good. I love the characters in this series and am hard pressed to choose a favourite because all are likeable and some are even sweet. I am normally all about the the mystery and the investigation process but I think With this book I actually wanted more of her home life drama. A nice cozy mystery that you can listen to again.
With the birth of her youngest daughter Cindy gave up work to be a stay at home mum. Now four years later and with daughter just starting day care its the perfect time to work for her best friend selling houses. Especially as an old college roommate wants Cindy to sell her house. Just a little bit paranoid she wonders it she can she break the bad habit of finding dead bodies at every house she lists? She doesn't find a dead body but instead an old friend going through a messy divorce and one who likes her drink a little to much, a sleazy husband and angry teenagers. Should she walk away? Then the unthinkable happens and she discovers the husband floating in the pool and walking away isn't an option anymore, especially with the Police focusing on on her friend. They might not have seen each other much since college but there is no way her friend is a killer and the only way to prove that is to find the killer herself. Can Cindy and her sidekick once again find a killer, just like old times? Or will A killer find her?
I would have got this book anyway because I enjoyed the rest In the series but once I saw one of my favourite narrator's was reading it then it was a done deal. Two very talented ladies working together to make a very enjoyable listen and a book that should be on everybody's to be read/listened list.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Killer View
Cindy York Mysteries, Book #4
Catherine Bruns
5 Stars

Synopsis:

It’s been four years since sometime sleuth Cindy York left the real estate world behind in favor of a more fulfilling career as a stay-at-home mom. Now that her little one is starting school, Cindy fears her life is about to become dull.

She shouldn’t have worried.

An old college chum soon surfaces and begs Cindy to sell her home, making it impossible for the former agent to say no. Pamela Hilton is going through a messy divorce and any profit will need to be split equally between the woman and her louse of a spouse. But when Cindy shows the home to prospective buyers and Kevin Hilton is found doing a dead man’s float in their pool, things quickly become more complicated.

Convinced of her friend’s innocence, Cindy sets out to find a ruthless killer. But will her return to the workforce and her life both be short term? (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Cindy has been a stay-at-home mom for four years. But her daughter is starting school and she is not sure what she is going to do. But then she finds out that her old college roommate, Pamela, wants Cindy to sell her home and she feels like she cannot refuse. She is excited to see her old friend but is sorry when she hears that her friend is getting a divorce. When Cindy has an open house she finds Pamela’s husband dead. Pamela asks Cindy to find out who killed her husband and she agrees. With the help of her boss and friend, Jacques, she is going to figure it out.

The writing style flows smoothly and it finds the character very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive and these descriptions pulled me into the story and took me for a fantastic ride. The mystery was well plotted and it took all of my detective skills to try and figure it out.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. It was really great to catch up with Cindy and her family and friends. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page to the last, you just can't put this one down. Once again, the author gives us great characters from our protagonist, Cindy, her wonderful husband, Greg and Cindy's kids from her college age daughter, Darcy, to the young twin boys, Seth and Stevie and little Grace and of course her former boss when she was in real estate and one of her best friends, Jacques. We find in this book Cindy has taken a four year hiatus from selling real estate to be with her family, when Jacques gets a lead on a multi-million dollar house sale from her once best friend, who wants Cindy to take it. But does Cindy really want to leave her family to go back to work or does she still want to be a stay at home mom? How can she refuse Jacques and her once best friend? She can't and so with Jacques, Cindy goes to the house, sees her best friend Pam. Cindy, Pam and Pam's husband, Kevin were all friends from school and when Pam told Cindy she was getting a divorce and the horrible things her husband has done to her and their kids, she felt sorry she hadn't kept in touch. When Cindy returned to the house because Cindy's real estate nasty nemesis, Tricia, called and told her she had a couple that wanted to see the house in an hour and Cindy had to show it because she couldn't. When the couple arrived, they loved the house until they got to the pool in back and saw Kevin, Pam's husband dead in the pool. And now the craziness begins, with Pam being the prime suspect for his murder. Cindy is sure Pam didn't do it and vowed to get to the bottom of the murder with Jacques by her side. But does Cindy get too close? Will this put the end to her returning to selling real estate? With so much excitement, I had to read the book in one sitting because once you turn a page, you have to keep turning! I love this series and can definitely empathize with Cindy as I once also sold real estate! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer View is the fourth book in Catherine Bruns’ delightful Cindy York Mysteries series. The storyline is well plotted, the mystery intriguing, and the well-developed characters are relatable. This book is well thought out and written with just the right combination of mystery and family life. There are lots of red herrings and twists to keep readers engaged and guessing.

Cindy York is married to Greg and has four children, twenty-year-old Darcy, who’s attending college in Florida, thirteen-year-old twins Stevie and Seth, and their youngest daughter, Grace. The family has one cat, Sweetie, and two dogs, Rusty and Dobby. Until four years ago, Cindy, who has a penchant for finding dead bodies, worked as a real estate agent for her best friend, Jacques Forte. Jacques and his partner, Ed Kapinski, are the adoptive parents of a thirteen-year-old boy from China, Bolin.

When Cindy’s college roommate, Pamela Hilton, contacts Jacques and requests that Cindy handle the sale of her home, Cindy agrees to come out of retirement since Grace was enrolled in preschool. While showing the house to potential buyers, Cindy spots blood drops leading to the pool and discovers Pamela’s husband, Kevin Hilton, floating face down in the pool. The investigating authorities focus their attention on Pamela since she and her husband are involved in a messy divorce. Once again, Cindy puts her amateur detective hat on and sets out to prove that her friend is innocent.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this series,
and Mrs. Bruns does a great job in
drawing you into the story and
keeping it interesting throughout.

Cindy York is going back into the real estate business after a four year hiatus to raise her surprise daughter and to just get away from the trend of murders that seemed to follow her at several locations. The trend continues when she finds her best friend's husband dead in the swimming pool. 
In other news, the battle of wills between Cindy and her mother-in-law continues. And her daughter comes home unexpectedly for an unscheduled break during the middle of the schools semester saying she doesn't want to go back.
Another fun story with developed characters and a solid storyline.

This review is based on an ARC copy of this story,
and I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity
to read it.

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
Catherine Bruns is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her series, but the Cindy York series is my favorite. I was so glad that it has been revived. It picks up nicely from where it had left off. Cindy is asked to sell real estate again. She reluctantly says yes when it's to sell a friend's mansion. When she goes to show the house, there's a dead body in the pool. Cindy has a knack for finding bodies. Naturally she just has to find the killer. The mystery and characters are all great and relatable and it was hard to put this book down. Love this series!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the feisty real estate agent turned sleuth so I was delighted to read Killer View. These well written books always have a lot of details about Cindy, her family and Jacques, her boss and sleuthing partner. It is refreshing to have a more mature heroine. The plots are so convoluted and with so many suspects and motives, that I never figure out who did it. As always, Ms. Bruns wraps everything up in a neat package.

[Taylor Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Bruns writes a great series. Killer View is the 4th in the Cindy York series, and it's a hard book to put down. The people are fun and realistic, the plots are intriguing and will keep you guessing. The only bad part is having to wait for the next book in the series to come out. Read this series - you will be glad you did.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version.

What an excellent story!

I really enjoyed it. As always, I have to get used to any narrator, but she did a good job. She made the story come alive. The story itself was really well done, and I think the strongest point were the characters. I really took to them! The twists and turns provided some gasp-moments! Very entertaining. Highly recommend!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy York is back! An old friend selling her house brings her back into the real estate game and she also ends up with another murder to solve. Another well written great story. I hope there will be many more.

[Linda Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Wish the author would continue with this series. Love the characters and the mystery as well as the suspects are a puzzle to put together. Stories keeps the reader interested.

[Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story, the characters were great! I love how it all turn out, the setting is brilliant! I loved the mystery in it. I highly recommend reading this.

[Anna DeHaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. The storylines are fresh and enjoyable, the main characters are likable and real, and the plot is engaging. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!

[Luecinda Chenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love your books

I love all the books Catherine Bruns writes great stories I always look forward to her books .I would like to thank her for her creative writing.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this series. It’s a fun series and I like the characters although I would like to see a certain MIL get put in her place.

[Suzette Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer View

Great book. I think this was one of the authors better stories. It was a nice mystery with a little laugh.