Stranded

Ivy Malone Mysteries #4

by Lorena McCourtney

Super sleuth Ivy Malone's inquisitiveness has gotten her into plenty of trouble, including murder, mayhem, and a place on a mini-Mafia hit list. Still on the run from the mob, Ivy ends up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with a broken-down motor home, a young traveling companion running from a violent husband, and a stray cat. With no way to fix their vehicle, Ivy and her companion are invited to stay in an old Victorian house by a compassionate young woman attorney. But when Ivy discovers that the former resident was murdered and that the prime suspect happens to be Ivy's kind benefactor, she's on the case-digging up clues and getting into plenty of trouble along the way.

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Christian, Cozy, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Pamela Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I read the first Ivy book thanks to a free download at Kindle. I promptly purchased the next three and was not disappointed. Wait, I was disappointed. There should be more.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Lorena McCourtney has introduced us to fun-loving, mystery solving "little old lady" sleuth, Ivy Malone. As she travels the US to escape the Braxton brothers who are still chasing her from a previous book, her RV breaks down in Hello, Colorado. A murder has taken place a month earlier of the town's wealthy supporter Hiram Kiefer. Ivy has to find a job and a place to live since she doesn't have the money to buy a new engine for her RV. This leads her to become involved with the citizens of the small mining town of Hello and once again find herself in the midst of a mystery. I love Ivy's strong personality, charming wit, and her quiet but always there faith. Similar to Murder She Wrote, the Ivy Malone series is very good.

[Heidi R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope there will be another book in this series. It's not a "real" cliffhanger at the end, but there could be MORE to come... I recommended this series to my mom, because she will truly enjoy it (as in...it's a very nicey nice series ;o) )

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of laughs with Ivy

Just couldn't wait for the next book in the series. Just a light hearted make you laugh mystery. Keep them coming!!!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranded is Book 4 of the Ivy Malone Mysteries, but you could enjoy it without reading the others. I especially like this book as it is a bit different than some of the others. Most of the story takes place in a small town, which was a nice change and Ivy integrates into the new mix of people and small town activities. So that is fun. Although the story started out a bit harrowing, it was overall pretty low key despite the ups and downs. But there was always that underlying “what if…?” Good mystery. Great characters. Engaging story.

[Kendall L. Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, arson, two-timers and some romance.

Entertaining tale of a philandering codger, abusive husband, and murder and intrigue. I just can't see anyone with half a brain waiting to go to the police when they have proof of a murder suspect. Endangering lives to keep from ruining a small town production is just too irresponsible.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this Series! Ivy is a character you'd want to know. (I'm rooting for her and Mac) She's kind, considerate, and she reminds us not to be judgemental. The characters get a little preachy at times, but these also can serve as a good reminder. The author keeps us guessing up to nearly the end, so you're not bored knowing "whodunit" half way through.

[stephanie k mcmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened on this series when trying to find an easy read for an upcoming trip. Although I found the narrative a little repetitive, the humor made the difference. No grand denouncement but you wanted to see how it all came about. I've gone from one to the next but now on #5 and I hope Mac and Ivy hit the road together!

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment of the Ivy Malone mysteries! Steady pacing, good character development, and an intriguing mystery all paired together for a fun read (that at times kept me up at night - not just to find out what happened next, but because it gave me the shivers!). A sure success!

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Malone the original LOL!

Love this series! Great writing, storyline and finish! Keep them coming! This one took me several days to get through, only because of my work schedule, but I wanted it to last longed. Such an enjoyable read!

[Wanda J Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Lorena’s writing!

The Ivy Malone mysteries are funny and intriguing! Hard to put down... they make me want to know “who done it”! I have found that they are a good clean read!

[Rose Marie Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as good as the other ones in the series. It held your attention and was hard to put down. You wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. There's humor, intrigue, mystery and a little sadness sometimes. It's a great series.

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun journey with Ivy Malone, whose moter home died and stranded her and passenger Abeline in Hello, CO. They end up staying in the home of a recently murdered man and, of course, Ivy quickly finds herself embroiled in another who-dun-it.

[Mistie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always lovely, clean and such fun.

Love these books and the LOL escapades of murder solving and running from bad guys. Such a unique take on mysteries that are well written and have a Christian message.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

A little old lady turned crime investigator extraordinaire closes the case on yet another murder mystery while trying to keep a mini mafia off her tail. A fun and engaging whodunit full of surprises, suspense, and great friendships.

[Carol Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this mystery all figured out. Then I read the ending and realized I had the motive right but the killer was not who I thought it was. I have really enjoyed this series of mysteries by this author.

[Nancyinbelize · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun! Typically it was a slow wade into the first half of the book but at the 50% mark it got interesting.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light mystery.

[Joy Danbom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome books. Funny with suspense

I would recommend this book for any age. It has it funny moments and at the edge of your seat moments. I am on to the next, book 5. Thanks Lorena.

[David C Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age means you are smarter 🎂

I really like the whole series. Ivy is an unlikely heroine. There is humor, mystery and faith in this book.

[Debbie Hovis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Really good. Clean and Ivy—the main character— keeps to her belief in God. You will mot be disappointed in this book . Romance, mystery, and fun!!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun series, and this was book 4 of 5.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a couple of editting issues in this one but otherwise a fabulous mystery. Just the right mix of mystery, romance and religion. Loved it!!

[Lavender Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best series I've read in a long time! I love Ivy and her adventures and fun sense of humor.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Ivy, the LOL. The books are clean and fun. Always an adventure to be had.

[Shelby Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun ride! I like that each book builds on the previous, so there's a larger character arc going on. One more to go!

[Joy Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author!!!

I really love all the Ivy Malone mysteries! This heroine is at the same life stage as me, And I am able to identify with her quite a lot. I also love the idea of being able to solve mysteries!

[Judith DeStefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book four does a better job at pointing toward the murderer than book three did. Some readers may appreciate that the murder is already past when Ivy arrives, and she does not even encounter a body in this fourth instalment.

[Doranne Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Ivy has landed in Hello, Colorado, and is dealing with a murder in a mansion. I was intrigued through the entire book; Lorena McCourtney has left me "thinking," and wanting more.

[Rachel Lubow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This final Ivy Malone mystery continues the series' trademark humor and suspense. The ending--pleasantly--was not too tidy. I also appreciated that Ivy strongly commends churches that focus on Christ.

This book's plot resembled On the Run's plot, making it a bit predictable. The plot also seemed too dramatic, and more cliches--both Christian and general--were present in this book than in the first three of the series.

Regrettably, three brief comments about beauty were inappropriate for a Christian novel. (First was a statement that a character's lack of beauty is quickly overlooked because of her personality [page 73]. We must emphasize that God has made us each beautiful. Fallenness may have marred that beauty, and we may not fit the world's definition of beauty, but He has made us beautifully [Psalm 139:14]. Second was a description of an actress as a "blond goddess" [page 113]. Third was a joking comment Ivy thought to herself after being flirted with: "Ivy Malone, the senior sexpot" [page 141].)

Finally, the issue of being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14) suddenly became unimportant. Ivy now considers dating Mac without mention or concern that he is not yet a Christian, and Abilene (although she does not yet profess Christianity) begins dating a Christian. I wish Ivy would have maintained the stance she earlier expressed on this issue.