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A Kalli Ballas Mystery #1
Mind over Murder
Kalliope Ballas and Nikos “Nik” Stevens are not a good match, despite the wishes of Kalli’s mother and the rest of her tight-knit adoptive Greek family.
Kalli’s a shy, slightly OCD fashion designer with a prissy calico cat and hand sanitizer always at the ready. Nik’s a loud and boisterous half-Greek homicide detective with a big sloppy St. Bernard and a devil-may-care attitude. And besides, ever since a freak accident gave Kalli the gift of reading minds, her long-standing low expectations for romance have dipped even further. But when Kalli’s best friend becomes the number one suspect in a murder, the mismatched pair find themselves increasingly crossing paths over the course of the subsequent investigation. Kalli knows she must use her newfound ability to clear her best friend’s name, but how can she explain how she knows what she knows without confessing her mind-reading ability to Nik?
Kalli’s a shy, slightly OCD fashion designer with a prissy calico cat and hand sanitizer always at the ready. Nik’s a loud and boisterous half-Greek homicide detective with a big sloppy St. Bernard and a devil-may-care attitude. And besides, ever since a freak accident gave Kalli the gift of reading minds, her long-standing low expectations for romance have dipped even further. But when Kalli’s best friend becomes the number one suspect in a murder, the mismatched pair find themselves increasingly crossing paths over the course of the subsequent investigation. Kalli knows she must use her newfound ability to clear her best friend’s name, but how can she explain how she knows what she knows without confessing her mind-reading ability to Nik?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2021
118 people are currently reading
1589 people want to read
About the author
Kari Lee Townsend
54 books458 followersNational Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewer's Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & Samoyeds. She's a lover of wine & travel, obsessed with reality TV, and loves a good book with mystery, romance & humor. Inspired by TV shows like SMK, Moonlighting, Bones & Castle, she writes cozy mysteries & upper Middle Grade as Kari Lee Townsend, romantic suspense, romantic comedy & women's fiction as Kari Lee Harmon.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 15, 2024
Works best if you like over-the-top characters and situations. I don’t, at least not at the moment. So I took this story probably way too seriously.
After a nasty fall where she bumped her head, Kalli can hear people’s thoughts when she touches them. This comes in handy when a man is found dead in the shop of her friend and roommate/landlord, and the friend is the main suspect. Only problem is, Kalli has severe germaphobia and doesn’t like touching people.
For whatever reason, everyone, including the detectives on the case, assume the victim was shot to hurt Jaz (Kalli’s friend). It’s not until almost 80 pages after the murder that one of cops says that is possible the killer was one of the victim’s enemies.
Shouldn’t that have been their first assumption? Rather than the assumption the killer cares so little about human life in general they would kill, in cold blood, a complete stranger?
I don’t like the case detective much. Obviously he’s going to be the love interest, because Kalli is attracted to him (and her mom would have introduced the two if they hadn’t met under different circumstances already). But he immediately starts saying she should butt out of his case. Even before she has done anything butt-in worthy.
Everything she does he finds “butting in to his case”. While his case should have been, who wanted the victim dead? His case, at first at least, should not have been who hates Jaz? Jaz did not file any complaints with the police about the acts of vandalism against her car or her home. Therefore, there is nothing there for the police to investigate.
Also, when a murder happens in a small town, neighbours are bound to talk to one another about what they have seen and heard. That’s not butting in to a police investigation. That is called gossiping.
Anyway, by the time the cops realise they’ve been looking at the wrong angle, even more stupidity by cop is disclosed: They claim they are good at their job, but none of that should have happened.
After a nasty fall where she bumped her head, Kalli can hear people’s thoughts when she touches them. This comes in handy when a man is found dead in the shop of her friend and roommate/landlord, and the friend is the main suspect. Only problem is, Kalli has severe germaphobia and doesn’t like touching people.
For whatever reason, everyone, including the detectives on the case, assume the victim was shot to hurt Jaz (Kalli’s friend). It’s not until almost 80 pages after the murder that one of cops says that is possible the killer was one of the victim’s enemies.
Shouldn’t that have been their first assumption? Rather than the assumption the killer cares so little about human life in general they would kill, in cold blood, a complete stranger?
I don’t like the case detective much. Obviously he’s going to be the love interest, because Kalli is attracted to him (and her mom would have introduced the two if they hadn’t met under different circumstances already). But he immediately starts saying she should butt out of his case. Even before she has done anything butt-in worthy.
Everything she does he finds “butting in to his case”. While his case should have been, who wanted the victim dead? His case, at first at least, should not have been who hates Jaz? Jaz did not file any complaints with the police about the acts of vandalism against her car or her home. Therefore, there is nothing there for the police to investigate.
Also, when a murder happens in a small town, neighbours are bound to talk to one another about what they have seen and heard. That’s not butting in to a police investigation. That is called gossiping.
Anyway, by the time the cops realise they’ve been looking at the wrong angle, even more stupidity by cop is disclosed: They claim they are good at their job, but none of that should have happened.
September 19, 2022
This was a good read, with a quirky character who knows she has issues. The mystery was good, the family dynamics- I would just hide all the time😁😂😂-Kallie is a great character because she acknowledges that the issues she has prevents her from having “more” in life in some ways. Her burgeoning relationship is with Nik interesting to watch especially with her new abilities. With family, murder, backstabbing, corporate espionage, competition, a giant dog stalking a cat, a mother heaping guilt daily,and so much more, how is Kallie supposed to live normally?
October 24, 2022
A perfectly acceptable mystery, with nothing to make it stand out. In fact, Kalli's rapid acceptance of her "gift" and abandonment of her "quirks" are superficial enough to make serious insult to true mental health issues.
The story is predictable, but often that's what one wants in a cozy mystery.
The story is predictable, but often that's what one wants in a cozy mystery.
July 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and the mystery! The romance was cute and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
June 28, 2022
NOTE... This book was originally published in 2013 as Peril for Your Thoughts, a "Kindle Serial" -- something I hadn't heard of at the time. It was published under the current title in 2021. As far as I can tell, there have been no changes.
ALSO... This book has two listings in GoodReads. This review is also posted on the other listing's page: Mind Over Murder
This review is based on the one I wrote for Peril for Your Thoughts...
Kalliope (Kalli) Ballas is a talented lingerie designer who lives and works with her best friend Jazlyn (Jaz) Alveraz in a small Connecticut town. Kalli's extended and intrusive Greek family also lives in town. Kalli's mother is constantly on her daughter to settle down with a nice Greek man and start producing grandbabies, but Kalli is slightly OCD about cleanliness (germs) and touching and doesn't see that happening. Enter Detective Nikos (Nik) Stevens, who is half Greek and is getting the same nagging to settle down and produce grandbabies from his mother.
After a disastrous blind date, Kalli and Nik are thrown together again when Jaz becomes a murder suspect. To Nik's annoyance, Kalli, who after an accident suddenly finds she can read the minds of people she touches (or who touch her), decides to clear her friend's name. On top of that, the mamas have gotten together -- and that can't be good. And, Nik can be a pain, but his thoughts when he touches (and kisses!) Kalli silence her OCD. Could they have a future once this murder is solved?
Rounding out the main cast is Nik's partner Boomer Matheson, an ex of Jaz's.
I loved the humor and romance as much as the whodunit. Kalli and Nik have the beginnings of a great couple. I would love to see where these and the other characters go as a series progresses. PLEASE, Ms Townsend, may we have some more?
I almost rated the book three stars because of a disjointed feeling I got now and then as I was reading. There weren't issues with continuity, but every once in a while the story would jump, or stagger, or something--I really can't explain it--taking me out of the story for a minute as my mind tried to figure out what was wrong. I don't know if it had to do with this being an episodic offering at one time; I can't even tell you that when the whatever happened it was at episode breaks. However, overall the book was really good and this issue was not enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story and the characters so there was no way I could rate it lower.
I waited 9 years for this series to get a new addition, but it was worth the wait. I look forward to many more books in this series.
This book was not complimentary. I am reviewing it of my own free will because the book, or the experience of reading it, moved me to do so. All thoughts and opinions are mine, biased only by my experience(s).
#MindOverMurder; #PerilForYourThoughts; #Kalli Ballas; #KariLeeTownsend; #CozyMystery
ALSO... This book has two listings in GoodReads. This review is also posted on the other listing's page: Mind Over Murder
This review is based on the one I wrote for Peril for Your Thoughts...
Kalliope (Kalli) Ballas is a talented lingerie designer who lives and works with her best friend Jazlyn (Jaz) Alveraz in a small Connecticut town. Kalli's extended and intrusive Greek family also lives in town. Kalli's mother is constantly on her daughter to settle down with a nice Greek man and start producing grandbabies, but Kalli is slightly OCD about cleanliness (germs) and touching and doesn't see that happening. Enter Detective Nikos (Nik) Stevens, who is half Greek and is getting the same nagging to settle down and produce grandbabies from his mother.
After a disastrous blind date, Kalli and Nik are thrown together again when Jaz becomes a murder suspect. To Nik's annoyance, Kalli, who after an accident suddenly finds she can read the minds of people she touches (or who touch her), decides to clear her friend's name. On top of that, the mamas have gotten together -- and that can't be good. And, Nik can be a pain, but his thoughts when he touches (and kisses!) Kalli silence her OCD. Could they have a future once this murder is solved?
Rounding out the main cast is Nik's partner Boomer Matheson, an ex of Jaz's.
I loved the humor and romance as much as the whodunit. Kalli and Nik have the beginnings of a great couple. I would love to see where these and the other characters go as a series progresses. PLEASE, Ms Townsend, may we have some more?
I almost rated the book three stars because of a disjointed feeling I got now and then as I was reading. There weren't issues with continuity, but every once in a while the story would jump, or stagger, or something--I really can't explain it--taking me out of the story for a minute as my mind tried to figure out what was wrong. I don't know if it had to do with this being an episodic offering at one time; I can't even tell you that when the whatever happened it was at episode breaks. However, overall the book was really good and this issue was not enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story and the characters so there was no way I could rate it lower.
I waited 9 years for this series to get a new addition, but it was worth the wait. I look forward to many more books in this series.
This book was not complimentary. I am reviewing it of my own free will because the book, or the experience of reading it, moved me to do so. All thoughts and opinions are mine, biased only by my experience(s).
#MindOverMurder; #PerilForYourThoughts; #Kalli Ballas; #KariLeeTownsend; #CozyMystery
November 11, 2023
It was like My Big Fat Greek Wedding crossed with Jennie Crusie’s Fast Women - loved it!
Mind-reading germophobe OCD lingerie-designer on a murder case while trying to avoid the detective spearheading the case. Lol.
I wish I could get mind-reading abilities from concussions - but that was about the only paranormal detail in the story, just fyi. I loved the Greek flair of the cosy mystery - when the mamas start to conspire…dang, detective Dreamy and Kalli never stood a chance of not ending up together. Greek-adopted 29yo with OCD issues designing undergarments or half-Greek being sufficiently Greek to get the mamas matchmaking. The murder mystery was very edge of the seat, kept me guessing til the end, but the breadcrumbs were all there. Not as laugh-out-loud as Evanovich, but very enjoyable and reminded me of Jenny Crusie’s Fast Women.
Recommended for lovers of mildly paranormal cosy murder mysteries.
Mind-reading germophobe OCD lingerie-designer on a murder case while trying to avoid the detective spearheading the case. Lol.
I wish I could get mind-reading abilities from concussions - but that was about the only paranormal detail in the story, just fyi. I loved the Greek flair of the cosy mystery - when the mamas start to conspire…dang, detective Dreamy and Kalli never stood a chance of not ending up together. Greek-adopted 29yo with OCD issues designing undergarments or half-Greek being sufficiently Greek to get the mamas matchmaking. The murder mystery was very edge of the seat, kept me guessing til the end, but the breadcrumbs were all there. Not as laugh-out-loud as Evanovich, but very enjoyable and reminded me of Jenny Crusie’s Fast Women.
Recommended for lovers of mildly paranormal cosy murder mysteries.
June 11, 2023
A fun cozy read! Kalli is a fun character with some quirks (OCD, but sometimes it didn't seem exactly like actual OCD and a bit like someone who read one book about a person with a mild case of it and decided to base the main character off that). Overall, she was pretty fun and I liked her thinking (and the thoughts she got from other people). Nik was interesting too, both he and Kalli come from Greek families and those mamas can get nosey and butt in to things that they probably shouldn't.
The mystery is pretty fun and well developed, plus not gory or explicit. There's a fair bit of innuendo, that I haven't found in a lot of cozies, but it's not explicit, so it shouldn't upset sensibilities.
Overall, it was a fun read and pretty quick read that I'd recommend to anyone who needs an entertaining read!
The mystery is pretty fun and well developed, plus not gory or explicit. There's a fair bit of innuendo, that I haven't found in a lot of cozies, but it's not explicit, so it shouldn't upset sensibilities.
Overall, it was a fun read and pretty quick read that I'd recommend to anyone who needs an entertaining read!
April 25, 2023
Cute and quirky but not my cup of tea like I thought it would be. It's very possible I am shallow and things got accepted rather quickly by the characters. Main character hit her head and could read thoughts. She seemed to accept rather quickly and given that she doesn't seem to like to be touched or touching others, she has to touch to read thoughts.
I felt the love interest was all over the place personality-wise.
The whole book felt jumpy. It's on my Kindle as a Goodreads win so I will try again later and maybe read it in the daytime rather than before going to sleep. That might help and I can parse out the action without worrying what it's doing to my brain when I am trying to settle for sleep but the story and characters make me restless.
I felt the love interest was all over the place personality-wise.
The whole book felt jumpy. It's on my Kindle as a Goodreads win so I will try again later and maybe read it in the daytime rather than before going to sleep. That might help and I can parse out the action without worrying what it's doing to my brain when I am trying to settle for sleep but the story and characters make me restless.
May 6, 2023
Wonderful mystery!
This story had me from the very beginning. The only problem I had with it was an content mistakes problem otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. There were spelling and switched last name errors which I don't blame the writer for ,but her editing team. The characters were real and human. I recommend this book to everyone who loves mysteries and doesn't mind a few editing mistakes.
This story had me from the very beginning. The only problem I had with it was an content mistakes problem otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. There were spelling and switched last name errors which I don't blame the writer for ,but her editing team. The characters were real and human. I recommend this book to everyone who loves mysteries and doesn't mind a few editing mistakes.
September 1, 2024
I think I'm becoming a Townsend d!e-hard fan!
Not even halfway through Sunny Meadows, I picked up this series, itching to see if it's just as good. It is!
Kalli and Nik are a pairing after my heart. The Greek matchmaking mothers and the unpredictable mystery on top make this an absolutely amazing read.
You need to dive in ASAP!
Not even halfway through Sunny Meadows, I picked up this series, itching to see if it's just as good. It is!
Kalli and Nik are a pairing after my heart. The Greek matchmaking mothers and the unpredictable mystery on top make this an absolutely amazing read.
You need to dive in ASAP!
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mind over Murder was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with compelling characters and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was immersive, and I loved the way it made me feel completely transported into its world!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mind over Murder was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with compelling characters and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was immersive, and I loved the way it made me feel completely transported into its world!
August 15, 2022
cute
This is cute. I really enjoyed Kallie and Jaz. There was so much backstabbing and judgmental people that I was annoyed that there wasn’t more loyalty in a small town. The murderer was a pleasant surprise and I’m glad I had no idea.
This is cute. I really enjoyed Kallie and Jaz. There was so much backstabbing and judgmental people that I was annoyed that there wasn’t more loyalty in a small town. The murderer was a pleasant surprise and I’m glad I had no idea.
March 16, 2023
Oooo
Romance and mystery this is so well written the characters build and grow not sure what I think of her ability I guess the futher books may help with that one. Looking forward to reading more.
Romance and mystery this is so well written the characters build and grow not sure what I think of her ability I guess the futher books may help with that one. Looking forward to reading more.
June 21, 2023
Just What I Was Looking For
Think my Greek Wedding than add a murder, a handsome Greek detective and a pseudo Greek girl with quirks. She has a secret. She can read minds. Really enjoyed the book.
Think my Greek Wedding than add a murder, a handsome Greek detective and a pseudo Greek girl with quirks. She has a secret. She can read minds. Really enjoyed the book.
October 24, 2022
Enjoyable
Pleasant reading with a fabulous mystery and plenty of romance. There is no figuring out the killer before the reveal. Couldn't put it down.
Pleasant reading with a fabulous mystery and plenty of romance. There is no figuring out the killer before the reveal. Couldn't put it down.
October 28, 2022
Women
Life gets crazy and murder can get in the way, along with family, friends, and the opposite sex.
Didn’t like the way Ballas was so self-centered.
Life gets crazy and murder can get in the way, along with family, friends, and the opposite sex.
Didn’t like the way Ballas was so self-centered.
January 27, 2023
Couldn't finish , did not like this book at all
April 24, 2023
Won on Goodreads
Definitely a cute story! Think, My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Murder She Write with a twist.
Definitely a cute story! Think, My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Murder She Write with a twist.
August 11, 2023
Quirky and cute! 3.5 stars
May 17, 2024
What fun!
What a surprise! Really enjoyed meeting a new cast of characters but have to say I did not have a clue who the murderer was, nicely done!
What a surprise! Really enjoyed meeting a new cast of characters but have to say I did not have a clue who the murderer was, nicely done!
August 10, 2024
As cozy mysteries it was okay, but I preferred the Sunny Meadows series more.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews