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Mortician Murder Mysteries #1
Return to Death
Desperate to escape the shadow of her family’s mortuary business , Kay Lamberton runs off to serve as a nurse in Vietnam. Fifteen years later, her father’s death draws her back to her Florida hometown in an attempt to pick up the pieces and convince her brother, Lee, to sell the funeral home before they both wind up on the streets.
The last thing Kay expects to find upon her return is her high school sweetheart, laid out on a slab in the embalming room. While all signs point toward a simple drowning, it soon becomes clear to Kay and Lee that the funeral home’s newest client is the victim of murder.
Faced with an incompetent local sheriff and a case of insatiable curiosity, Kay is consumed with the need to find out what happened to her old flame. Kay and Lee join forces with a reluctant deputy, a bumbling assistant and a dotty housekeeper to track down the murderer and uncover a decade’s worth of secrets.
The last thing Kay expects to find upon her return is her high school sweetheart, laid out on a slab in the embalming room. While all signs point toward a simple drowning, it soon becomes clear to Kay and Lee that the funeral home’s newest client is the victim of murder.
Faced with an incompetent local sheriff and a case of insatiable curiosity, Kay is consumed with the need to find out what happened to her old flame. Kay and Lee join forces with a reluctant deputy, a bumbling assistant and a dotty housekeeper to track down the murderer and uncover a decade’s worth of secrets.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2022
554 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Howe
40 books160 followersA. E. Howe lives and writes on a farm in the wilds of north Florida with his wife, horses and more cats than he can count. He received a degree in English Education from the University of Georgia and is a produced screenwriter and playwright. His first published book was Broken State; the Larry Macklin Mysteries is his first series and he has plans for more. Howe is also the co-host of the "Guns of Hollywood" podcast, part of the Firearms Radio Network. When not writing or podcasting, Howe enjoys riding, competitive shooting and working on the farm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 12, 2024
Interesting cozy mystery set in a small northern Florida town in the 1980s. Kay, a former Army nurse who served in the Vietnam War, comes home after her father’s death to claim and sell her inheritance: half of a mortuary business situated in her childhood home. Her brother, Lee, wants to continue to run the business and not sell his half. Meanwhile, a body ends up in their funeral home as a declared drowning suicide. But both siblings are convinced there was foul play and set out to find the truth. Interesting side characters help with solving the mystery. Clean read. Kept my interest. First in a series.
February 5, 2022
(4.5) "I'm not worried, how often is there a murder in Melton, Florida?"
I am on board and looking forward to seeing more in this series! If you want a cozy mystery that has intrigue, murder and smiles, yes smiles this is the book for you. And the backdrop - Mortician! After the death of her father Kay, a Vietnam Vet, heads home. Her dad leaves his mortuary business to her and Lee, her brother. It's not doing well , time to sell while they can. Soon after her arrival Lee is called to pick up a dead body. A dead body that turns out to be an old boyfriend from high school. You meet Lester, her brothers friend who helps out and Ruby the housekeeper who talks to and about her cats, Ying and Yang. Who will have you raising an eyebrow and laughing. I loved following along with Kay and Lee as they try and sort out was Rick really murdered? If so by who and the mystery within a mystery! Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.
I am on board and looking forward to seeing more in this series! If you want a cozy mystery that has intrigue, murder and smiles, yes smiles this is the book for you. And the backdrop - Mortician! After the death of her father Kay, a Vietnam Vet, heads home. Her dad leaves his mortuary business to her and Lee, her brother. It's not doing well , time to sell while they can. Soon after her arrival Lee is called to pick up a dead body. A dead body that turns out to be an old boyfriend from high school. You meet Lester, her brothers friend who helps out and Ruby the housekeeper who talks to and about her cats, Ying and Yang. Who will have you raising an eyebrow and laughing. I loved following along with Kay and Lee as they try and sort out was Rick really murdered? If so by who and the mystery within a mystery! Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.
June 6, 2022
I was not familiar with this author. I now need to check other their other books/series.
I didn't think I'd like a Mortician Murder Mystery. I was surprised when I started reading this book and couldn't put it down! I loved it! The storyline was great and the mystery was well done. The characters are quite well done. I really enjoyed this book and have put the next one in my reading queue!
Amazon synopsis:
Desperate to escape the shadow of her family’s mortuary business, Kay Lamberton runs off to serve as a nurse in Vietnam. Fifteen years later, her father’s death draws her back to her Florida hometown in an attempt to pick up the pieces and convince her brother, Lee, to sell the funeral home before they both wind up on the streets.
The last thing Kay expects to find upon her return is her high school sweetheart, laid out on a slab in the embalming room. While all signs point toward a simple drowning, it soon becomes clear to Kay and Lee that the funeral home’s newest client is the victim of murder.
Faced with an incompetent local sheriff and a case of insatiable curiosity, Kay is consumed with the need to find out what happened to her old flame. Kay and Lee join forces with a reluctant deputy, a bumbling assistant and a dotty housekeeper to track down the murderer and uncover a decade’s worth of secrets.
I didn't think I'd like a Mortician Murder Mystery. I was surprised when I started reading this book and couldn't put it down! I loved it! The storyline was great and the mystery was well done. The characters are quite well done. I really enjoyed this book and have put the next one in my reading queue!
Amazon synopsis:
Desperate to escape the shadow of her family’s mortuary business, Kay Lamberton runs off to serve as a nurse in Vietnam. Fifteen years later, her father’s death draws her back to her Florida hometown in an attempt to pick up the pieces and convince her brother, Lee, to sell the funeral home before they both wind up on the streets.
The last thing Kay expects to find upon her return is her high school sweetheart, laid out on a slab in the embalming room. While all signs point toward a simple drowning, it soon becomes clear to Kay and Lee that the funeral home’s newest client is the victim of murder.
Faced with an incompetent local sheriff and a case of insatiable curiosity, Kay is consumed with the need to find out what happened to her old flame. Kay and Lee join forces with a reluctant deputy, a bumbling assistant and a dotty housekeeper to track down the murderer and uncover a decade’s worth of secrets.
February 18, 2022
Great, quick and delightful read! Kay and Lee are co-owners in their family’s mortuary after their father’s passing. She wants to sell, he doesn’t. That discussion gets pushed to the side, when a former high school sweetheart of Kay’s, arrives at the mortuary - in a body bag; supposedly a suicide or accidental drowning, but is it? Along with Deputy Jerome, Kay
does some snooping - revisiting a clique of her former high school “friends,” each with their own “unusual issues.” Add in Lester, the young, eager mortuary assistant and Ruby, the housekeeper with her “premonitions,” and Kay finds herself searching for a murderer. It felt like going back and reading a Nancy Drew book for adults! Really enjoyed this book!
Thanks so much to, Author, A.E. Howe, who sent me a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!
does some snooping - revisiting a clique of her former high school “friends,” each with their own “unusual issues.” Add in Lester, the young, eager mortuary assistant and Ruby, the housekeeper with her “premonitions,” and Kay finds herself searching for a murderer. It felt like going back and reading a Nancy Drew book for adults! Really enjoyed this book!
Thanks so much to, Author, A.E. Howe, who sent me a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!
May 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book! Kay Lamberton was a nurse in the army and has returned home after her father's death to work in her father's mortuary business. Her younger Lee has been carrying on the business in her absence but it is failing and is in debt. She's come home to tell her brother she wants to sell the failing business. Kay has never wanted to work as a mortician, she's seen enough death in the army. However on the slab is the body of her ex-boyfriend Rick Bruhn, and Lee thinks his death is due to foul play. Kay takes it upon herself to try and solve his murder, along with a fair few people along the way.
There are a lot of likeable characters in the book and it does move along at a pace, and I quite liked the gentle humour which went with it. I note that this is the first of two in this series so will be looking out for the second!
There are a lot of likeable characters in the book and it does move along at a pace, and I quite liked the gentle humour which went with it. I note that this is the first of two in this series so will be looking out for the second!
July 4, 2023
A new series for me by a favorite author.
Set in Florida as well as back in the 1980's, with plenty of good music references, this is a cosy mystery with some good characters. Howe has a good understanding of the funeral business, relying it seems on his wife's memories of her own childhood. That creates lots of good story lines, including the struggles to keep the business afloat.
Howe is really good at develpiing charaacters and as one reads the next books, those individuals become even better known.
The plot takes its time, but that allows the characters to become more well known. In addition, as with the Macklin series, we have animals. Here it is two unique cats who help solve, or provide clues, to the mystery.
Enjoyable.
Set in Florida as well as back in the 1980's, with plenty of good music references, this is a cosy mystery with some good characters. Howe has a good understanding of the funeral business, relying it seems on his wife's memories of her own childhood. That creates lots of good story lines, including the struggles to keep the business afloat.
Howe is really good at develpiing charaacters and as one reads the next books, those individuals become even better known.
The plot takes its time, but that allows the characters to become more well known. In addition, as with the Macklin series, we have animals. Here it is two unique cats who help solve, or provide clues, to the mystery.
Enjoyable.
March 18, 2022
KAY A FORMER ARMY NURSE DURING THE VIETAM WAR, RETURNS TO HER HOMETOWN. SHE AND HER BROTHER GREW UP HAVING TO DEAL WITH DEATH BECAUSE HER FATHER WAS THE TOWNS MORTICIAN AND THEIR HOME IS ATTACHED TO THE FUNERAL HOME. SHE WANTS TO SELL THE FUNERAL HOME AND HER BROTHER DOESN'T. THIS WAS A CROSS BETWEEN "THE BIG CHILL" AND "THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW MYSTERIES". I THOUGHT I WOULD FIGURE THIS OUT PRETTY EASILY BUT WITH A FEW TWISTS I MISSED SOME OF THE CLUES. IT WAS VERY ENJOYABLE SO I PRE-ORDERED THE NEXT BOOK. YEAH, FOR RUBY AND CHEERS TO YIN & YANG, THE FAT CATS. ;D
February 9, 2024
4.5 stars for a good mystery!
I like the whole book. The plot and characters were interesting and the flow of detective clues was great. I was a bit put off by Kate's reactionary responses. There were no brakes or contemplation on how to proceed with any new clues to follow. She just acted or ordered people around so she could "do her thing." Hopefully, someone who served as a nurse will get her wits about her before reacting so impulsively. Other than that I can recommend this book for teens and adults.
I like the whole book. The plot and characters were interesting and the flow of detective clues was great. I was a bit put off by Kate's reactionary responses. There were no brakes or contemplation on how to proceed with any new clues to follow. She just acted or ordered people around so she could "do her thing." Hopefully, someone who served as a nurse will get her wits about her before reacting so impulsively. Other than that I can recommend this book for teens and adults.
February 19, 2024
Cosy Mystery
This book was based on an interesting arrangement for a mortuary business. The nice part is that there was nothing morbid about or in the story. The introduction of the basic characters leads us to hope for a great group to be involved with.
The author opens an interesting concept for an adventurous mystery reading series. This was an entertaining story with good character relationships.
This book was based on an interesting arrangement for a mortuary business. The nice part is that there was nothing morbid about or in the story. The introduction of the basic characters leads us to hope for a great group to be involved with.
The author opens an interesting concept for an adventurous mystery reading series. This was an entertaining story with good character relationships.
March 26, 2022
Another awesome and fun new mystery series from one of my favorite authors. A very different twist on murder mysteries when a mortician gets involved. Although to be honest, it's his sister that drags him into the investigation they have been told to stay out of by the inept local sheriff.
Another fun cast of characters, together making a really fun read.
Another fun cast of characters, together making a really fun read.
April 14, 2022
A. E. Howe delivers again
Step by step who-done-it, why-done-it served up in a cozy, close-knit community as a world-traveling Vietnam veteran Army nurse returns to her hometown to wrap up the ownership of the family business after her father’s untimely (but in this case unsuspicious) death.
Step by step who-done-it, why-done-it served up in a cozy, close-knit community as a world-traveling Vietnam veteran Army nurse returns to her hometown to wrap up the ownership of the family business after her father’s untimely (but in this case unsuspicious) death.
April 22, 2022
Great book!
I loved the characters especially Kay. She is a RN and served 2 tours in Vietnam. All of the characters are relatable. They all have strengths and quirks that make them interesting and realistic.
I also like the book is not smutty.
I have already downloaded the second book.
I loved the characters especially Kay. She is a RN and served 2 tours in Vietnam. All of the characters are relatable. They all have strengths and quirks that make them interesting and realistic.
I also like the book is not smutty.
I have already downloaded the second book.
August 8, 2022
Dead Men Do Tell Tales
The only reason I started to read this book was because I had liked another series by this author. Didn't want to like it but the farther I got into the story the better it became. The characters got better and more involved. The story went from bland to "on no". I was surprised with the ending. Really cool set up for the series.
The only reason I started to read this book was because I had liked another series by this author. Didn't want to like it but the farther I got into the story the better it became. The characters got better and more involved. The story went from bland to "on no". I was surprised with the ending. Really cool set up for the series.
January 27, 2024
mortuaries and mystery
No one associates a mortician with murder.
No one associates an author with murder
No one expects a grip of high school students to follow a pretty girl and become cheaters.
Sex, love and money are all involved and it makes a real page turner.
As I love mystery books I can usually fugue the end,but this book ending???
No one associates a mortician with murder.
No one associates an author with murder
No one expects a grip of high school students to follow a pretty girl and become cheaters.
Sex, love and money are all involved and it makes a real page turner.
As I love mystery books I can usually fugue the end,but this book ending???
January 30, 2024
Great mystery
Very good mystery story with interesting characters and setting. Kay returns to the family home and funeral business to sell it. Her brother wasn't making much progress at building it up after their fathers death. The day she returns her high school boyfriend is found dead at his families home. It's ruled a suicide. Then questions arise, and the mystery begins. The plot kept me intrigued and guessing what and who is guilty of what.
Very good mystery story with interesting characters and setting. Kay returns to the family home and funeral business to sell it. Her brother wasn't making much progress at building it up after their fathers death. The day she returns her high school boyfriend is found dead at his families home. It's ruled a suicide. Then questions arise, and the mystery begins. The plot kept me intrigued and guessing what and who is guilty of what.
February 19, 2024
This was a great cozy. I liked the characters and the story. But what I liked best was what it didn't have. No hunky police detective who won't let our heroine help with the investigation. No recipes, no bakery, restaurant, florist and no coffee shop.
It is set in a funeral home. I will definitely be reading the rest of the (Mortician Murder Series).
It is set in a funeral home. I will definitely be reading the rest of the (Mortician Murder Series).
May 4, 2024
Started slow, finished with flare!
Editing could use some work and characters could have been fleshed out more. Liked the quirky maid and her cats ---- not enough about her or Jerome for that matter, or even Kay and Lee. A little too easy to figure out who the killer was.
This was an enjoyable read non the less and I certainly reccomend this series!
Editing could use some work and characters could have been fleshed out more. Liked the quirky maid and her cats ---- not enough about her or Jerome for that matter, or even Kay and Lee. A little too easy to figure out who the killer was.
This was an enjoyable read non the less and I certainly reccomend this series!
August 5, 2025
Smoke, but no fire
Excellent story and outstanding development of the characters. I love this type of suspense and usually can figure out the ending three quarters of the way through the story. But not this time! Now I'm looking forward to reading the next three books in this series.
Excellent story and outstanding development of the characters. I love this type of suspense and usually can figure out the ending three quarters of the way through the story. But not this time! Now I'm looking forward to reading the next three books in this series.
February 20, 2022
great story
I have always enjoyed this authors work and this mystery is no exception. I quickly forgot that it was set in the past and just enjoyed the progression of the characters working their way to solve the murder. I look forward to the next story in the series.
I have always enjoyed this authors work and this mystery is no exception. I quickly forgot that it was set in the past and just enjoyed the progression of the characters working their way to solve the murder. I look forward to the next story in the series.
February 21, 2022
Good New Series!!!
Good first book in new series. Well developed story and characters! Likeable characters and loved Ruby with Yin & Yang!!! Looking forward to more adventures with these characters!!! Please keep them coming!
Good first book in new series. Well developed story and characters! Likeable characters and loved Ruby with Yin & Yang!!! Looking forward to more adventures with these characters!!! Please keep them coming!
March 2, 2022
A Real Page Turner
I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book. I didn't think I'd like a Mortician Murder Mystery. I loved it! The characters are wonderful. The storyline was very good too.
Thanks for an enjoyable read.
I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book. I didn't think I'd like a Mortician Murder Mystery. I loved it! The characters are wonderful. The storyline was very good too.
Thanks for an enjoyable read.
March 8, 2022
A new series by a fabulous author!
A family owned funeral home, secrets going all the way back to high school years, three deaths, and huge insurance policies. Add in some interesting characters and a fast believable plot and you have the recipe for a wonderful read!
A family owned funeral home, secrets going all the way back to high school years, three deaths, and huge insurance policies. Add in some interesting characters and a fast believable plot and you have the recipe for a wonderful read!
April 2, 2022
Return to Death is an excellent start to a new series. 4.7 stars
I was so surprised by how well written this story was. Great story line and well developed characters. I really enjoyed this and really hope you give it a chance!
I was so surprised by how well written this story was. Great story line and well developed characters. I really enjoyed this and really hope you give it a chance!
December 29, 2023
Nice change of pace! action!
A bit slow at first but once the character s has been developed and the scene set….bam! Off the story went! The villain was a bit predictable but the reason for the action wasn’t. A nice read for a slow day!!!
A bit slow at first but once the character s has been developed and the scene set….bam! Off the story went! The villain was a bit predictable but the reason for the action wasn’t. A nice read for a slow day!!!
February 18, 2024
Great read
The story started out slow, but soon enough things started to get into. The characters and places are well described. The plot moved along well with enough twists to keep you interested. Great ending.
The story started out slow, but soon enough things started to get into. The characters and places are well described. The plot moved along well with enough twists to keep you interested. Great ending.
March 30, 2024
good
Although a bit slow and no touch of romance till near the end I really enjoyed the sleuthing. It was messy, went sideways and often yielded no results, but it was still fun. Completely clean is a bonus!
Although a bit slow and no touch of romance till near the end I really enjoyed the sleuthing. It was messy, went sideways and often yielded no results, but it was still fun. Completely clean is a bonus!
April 2, 2024
Much more than I expected
Well crafted mystery with great foreshadowing clues. Took a few chapters to set up the characters and background (first in series are like that), but was worth continuing to the end. Looking forward to book two.
Well crafted mystery with great foreshadowing clues. Took a few chapters to set up the characters and background (first in series are like that), but was worth continuing to the end. Looking forward to book two.
June 15, 2024
Surprisingly good.
I really didn’t expect much even with good reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. The story started a bit slowly with character introductions. Once the plot began in earnest, I couldn’t put it down. I will look for more in this series.
I really didn’t expect much even with good reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. The story started a bit slowly with character introductions. Once the plot began in earnest, I couldn’t put it down. I will look for more in this series.
May 8, 2025
More than I hoped for!
Normally I give a book chapter or so to see if I will enjoy it. This book had me hooked right away. The twist on the murder was excellent. Looking forward to the next book.
Normally I give a book chapter or so to see if I will enjoy it. This book had me hooked right away. The twist on the murder was excellent. Looking forward to the next book.
February 21, 2022
Great first.
Not a surprise, since it's up there with A. E.'s previous works. Looking forward to the next books on the series. Great job!
Not a surprise, since it's up there with A. E.'s previous works. Looking forward to the next books on the series. Great job!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews