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The Mystery Sisters #1
Reunion and Revenge
Maxine Berra and Lillian Garrett, sisters in their 70s, travel together to visit friends and relatives in Max's 1950 red Studebaker with her Irish Setter, Rosie. Does that mean they are amicable companions? Not at all. But when, during a family reunion, the murder of a family friend throws suspicion on their shiftless younger brother, they put their heads together to try to save him.
©2018 Karen Musser Nortman (P)2019 Karen Musser Nortman
©2018 Karen Musser Nortman (P)2019 Karen Musser Nortman
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First published August 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 7, 2024
Sisters Maxine Berra and Lillian Garrett, both in their seventies, were heading to their old home town in Max's 1950 red Studebaker for a family reunion. Reluctant as they were, the thought of seeing other family members they hadn't seen in awhile, cheered them. But it didn't take long for the jealousies of some townsfolk to come to the fore - even after all the years - and when a person was killed, with Max's brother being arrested for that murder, Max and her family decided enough was enough. They would investigate and prove their brother innocent...
Reunion and Revenge is the 1st in The Mystery Sisters series by Karen Musser Nortman and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've read the whole Frannie Shoemaker Campground series by Ms Nortman, and loved it, so reading this one was a given! The characters in Reunion and Revenge are special - aged, with dodgy knees and creaky bones, they also had plenty of grit and determination. An excellent start to the new (to me) series which I recommend.
Reunion and Revenge is the 1st in The Mystery Sisters series by Karen Musser Nortman and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've read the whole Frannie Shoemaker Campground series by Ms Nortman, and loved it, so reading this one was a given! The characters in Reunion and Revenge are special - aged, with dodgy knees and creaky bones, they also had plenty of grit and determination. An excellent start to the new (to me) series which I recommend.
December 9, 2020
Amazing
I thoroughly enjoyed it. A fun filled family thriller is definitely refreshing. I loved the concept of a family reunion and especially Max's daredevilry. What a fabulous character! Her bonding with her siblings is so unique. Brilliant.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. A fun filled family thriller is definitely refreshing. I loved the concept of a family reunion and especially Max's daredevilry. What a fabulous character! Her bonding with her siblings is so unique. Brilliant.
August 7, 2018
This was a delightful book. Well written, as always.
Max and Lil, 2 adventurous traveling sisters in their 70's go back to Minnesota for a weekend family reunion. We meet their family, old friends and acquaintances- so many different characters! I loved the laugh out loud funny escapade Max, Lil and Tess had in the middle of the night!
Old wounds some of the townspeople attribute to the Jacobsen family are revisited; family ties and relationships are explored; a troubled teen and an alcoholic middle-aged man; small town intrigue (how did that mayor get elected? whose cheating on who?); a dead man and an accused man; friendships- A man's decision many years ago has long-lasting effects on his family.
Characters were introduced in a nice, orderly but natural way. The plot is well organized and tight; characters feel real; the town of Castleroll could be my hometown. This is a fast read- perfect for a trip, evening in, vacation.
Very much looking forward to reading more about Lil and Max's adventures!
Max and Lil, 2 adventurous traveling sisters in their 70's go back to Minnesota for a weekend family reunion. We meet their family, old friends and acquaintances- so many different characters! I loved the laugh out loud funny escapade Max, Lil and Tess had in the middle of the night!
Old wounds some of the townspeople attribute to the Jacobsen family are revisited; family ties and relationships are explored; a troubled teen and an alcoholic middle-aged man; small town intrigue (how did that mayor get elected? whose cheating on who?); a dead man and an accused man; friendships- A man's decision many years ago has long-lasting effects on his family.
Characters were introduced in a nice, orderly but natural way. The plot is well organized and tight; characters feel real; the town of Castleroll could be my hometown. This is a fast read- perfect for a trip, evening in, vacation.
Very much looking forward to reading more about Lil and Max's adventures!
August 6, 2018
Max and Lil are sisters but very opposite! Both in their 70s, Max is a very independent and bossy oldest sister; Lil is the sweet, practical and stylish one. They return to their hometown where, many years before, their father had been the biggest employer for the town until he sold his company and it was shut down, causing a lot of unemployed townspeople and a few bad feelings. When something happens to put a family member as the number one suspect in a murder, Max, Lil and several of their relatives turn detective to try and help solve the crime. In the process, old grudges are rehashed and family bonds are strengthened.
I enjoyed the story and the characters very much. I found myself wishing it hadn't ended so I could find out more about them. It makes me look forward to the next in the series to see more character development and more fun and mystery!
I enjoyed the story and the characters very much. I found myself wishing it hadn't ended so I could find out more about them. It makes me look forward to the next in the series to see more character development and more fun and mystery!
August 5, 2018
This is the first in this series. The main characters are Max and Lil. Sisters in their 70's who go back to their home town for a family reunion. They have to decide what to do with a plant their dad sold years ago. There are still hard feeling because the plant close after it was sold putting a lot of people out of work. Shortly after getting there a man is murdered and it is suppose look like their brother Donnie did it. While trying to prove Donnie didn't do anything and trying to decide what to do with the old plant they finally figure out what really happened all those years ago.
I look forward to reading more about these 2 feisty sisters.
I look forward to reading more about these 2 feisty sisters.
December 10, 2018
Stop the presses, look at that cover!! score! love it! i love a good mystery. i would love to take my thunderbird and travel the USA. now wouldn't that be awesome!! what family reunion is not at least a bit of drama? is there one ever that is not??! i think all families have some kind??! i think??!! Love these characters and i will be checking out more from Karen soon enough. so fun!! what's your fave Karen book? let me know please. <3
thx. ( ;
thx. ( ;
November 30, 2020
Good book
Don't really have to worry about concentration or following a weird story line.. Left you wondering until almost the end of the book to solve the mystery and it was hard to guess! My kind of book!
Don't really have to worry about concentration or following a weird story line.. Left you wondering until almost the end of the book to solve the mystery and it was hard to guess! My kind of book!
August 14, 2018
Old grudges come out to play
Sorry but although the plot was a good one. It felt a bit of a slog to get through. The characters could have been livelier and some one liners would have stopped it being hard to get through. When a family reunion is organised, most of the family agree to attend. Even though the town had been resentful when their father had sold his business. A murder, a missing manuscript and threats are all experienced by the family. However when the youngest is accused of murder they act together to bring the real killer to justice.
Sorry but although the plot was a good one. It felt a bit of a slog to get through. The characters could have been livelier and some one liners would have stopped it being hard to get through. When a family reunion is organised, most of the family agree to attend. Even though the town had been resentful when their father had sold his business. A murder, a missing manuscript and threats are all experienced by the family. However when the youngest is accused of murder they act together to bring the real killer to justice.
March 9, 2020
Reunion & revenge
This was some real good reading . I enjoyed how the sisters got along no matter how much they argued
I would recommend to anyone
Thanks Karen Nortman
This was some real good reading . I enjoyed how the sisters got along no matter how much they argued
I would recommend to anyone
Thanks Karen Nortman
April 4, 2022
For a self-published book with beta readers instead of an editor, this was actually very good. Yes, it showed, but it wasn’t as glaring as usual and was mostly apparent in some awkward phrasing and the inability to pick a perspective and stick with it. Worst example was a few paragraphs that switched from Lil’s perspective to Max’ and back again for no apparent reason. The sentences were written in such a way that you could figure it out, but it pulls you right out of the otherwise good story. The dialogue felt real, the plotting was on point, the characters were a bit obnoxious, but no worse than some of my real-life family members. She left a couple of minor plot points unresolved, but all the major stuff was thoroughly done. In the end, leaving us to assume a few things is not a bad thing.
Max and Lil really should have learned to be more gracious to each other by their 70s, but I’ve had family members on one side that were as bad or worse, so I can hardly claim that’s unrealistic. The author apparently based that part on two of her own family members.
I have to admit there were a couple of places where I wasn’t sure what the point was (touring the old factory, for example), but they actually made perfect sense if you knew what the characters knew. I would suggest a small change making it clearer what the point of that was while Lil and Max discuss the invitation and schedule of events. I also thought it a little unrealistic for even a small-town police officer to let the truck incident vanish without ever getting their IDs and addressing the obscured license plate. Yes, it was necessary to maintain the mystery, but they could have run off before the officer reached them and it would have made more sense than, “Oops, I forgot to find out who they were when I ordered them to leave.”
Max and Lil really should have learned to be more gracious to each other by their 70s, but I’ve had family members on one side that were as bad or worse, so I can hardly claim that’s unrealistic. The author apparently based that part on two of her own family members.
I have to admit there were a couple of places where I wasn’t sure what the point was (touring the old factory, for example), but they actually made perfect sense if you knew what the characters knew. I would suggest a small change making it clearer what the point of that was while Lil and Max discuss the invitation and schedule of events. I also thought it a little unrealistic for even a small-town police officer to let the truck incident vanish without ever getting their IDs and addressing the obscured license plate. Yes, it was necessary to maintain the mystery, but they could have run off before the officer reached them and it would have made more sense than, “Oops, I forgot to find out who they were when I ordered them to leave.”
February 20, 2025
Well, I read 3 of the books in this series, and I didn't do it in order, so this was the 3rd one.
One thing I like about all of this authors' series is that you don't HAVE to read them in order; they are pretty much stand-alone stories.
And although I was not fond of the first 2 that I read in this series, I did like this one a lot more. I have to wonder if it's because of the length--one was under 100 pages and the other under 200. I'm not sure if the length of this one added to the enjoyment because there was room to add more info or what, but I really did like this one (even though I figured out the whodunit).
I was not sold on this series after the first one I read (Bells & Blazes), but after Reunion & Revenge, I think I'll be giving Double Dutch Death a shot. It's over 200 pages, and I really do like this author, so I have a good feeling about it! If that goes over well, I will definitely check out the newest one, Siblings and Sneakiness (even though it's only 131 pages...lol)
One thing I like about all of this authors' series is that you don't HAVE to read them in order; they are pretty much stand-alone stories.
And although I was not fond of the first 2 that I read in this series, I did like this one a lot more. I have to wonder if it's because of the length--one was under 100 pages and the other under 200. I'm not sure if the length of this one added to the enjoyment because there was room to add more info or what, but I really did like this one (even though I figured out the whodunit).
I was not sold on this series after the first one I read (Bells & Blazes), but after Reunion & Revenge, I think I'll be giving Double Dutch Death a shot. It's over 200 pages, and I really do like this author, so I have a good feeling about it! If that goes over well, I will definitely check out the newest one, Siblings and Sneakiness (even though it's only 131 pages...lol)
July 15, 2021
This is the first book in a fun, cozy mystery series! Nice clean murder surrounded by an interesting group of characters. Sisters Max and Lil are the main players. They can still get things done even as they are older, but they do get themselves in a little trouble along the way. Their family is getting together for a reunion. But they don’t expect a murder to happen and one of their own to be suspected. Lots of fun!
I have to say that I enjoyed this author's time travel trailer stories a little better than this beginning of the series. I am still going to keep reading because I do so like the author's writing style and the adventures she creates.
I have to say that I enjoyed this author's time travel trailer stories a little better than this beginning of the series. I am still going to keep reading because I do so like the author's writing style and the adventures she creates.
November 30, 2018
An invite to a family reunion in Castleroll, Lil and Maxine haven’t been back in a number of years. Deciding to drive, with Max, headstrong and bossy, and Lil tried to ignore her, but they still fought most of the time. When murder happens and the suspect is a family member, they join with others to solve. This brings old grudges, resentment when families were laid off. Through it all, readers will laugh, at the family drama, and these two feisty sisters.
December 3, 2018
Fun read. This book sounds like it was written by one of those elderly women who must tell you every, single thing about a visit or trip. I know people like that. LOL I had to laugh at the 2 sisters who argue and fight then are best friends again. Could've been my sister and me. Loved the interaction with the big, extended family. My fav character was brother-in-law Bob, who had good common sense and understood family relationships.
August 3, 2020
This is the first book in a great, cozy mystery series! Nice clean murder surrounded by a great group of characters. Sisters Max and Lil are the main characters. They can still get things done even as they are older, but they do get themselves in a little trouble along the way. Their family is getting together for a reunion. But they don’t expect a murder to happen and one of their own to be suspected. Lots of fun!
November 23, 2021
A well crafted cozy mystery with an excellent mix of characters. The two lead characters sisters in their seventies who meet up with their family for a reunion, drive a classic car and find themselves investigating a murder with one of their family is arrested. The family relationship is realistic with its niggles and tensions. I enjoyed the relationship between the sisters who are feisty and have attitude. Great start to a series.
December 22, 2021
Living in small towns isn't for everyone. This story has a family splitting up and going their own ways. Their father has a prominent place in the town with his business and he hired many town people. Times change and he sold the company but it never reopened. Even after many years people still hold anger and grudges and act of them inappropriately. Good story of what happens when a family reunion is held in town. Interesting and highly likely. Recommend. Good reading.
May 6, 2024
First in the series. Max and Lol are retired sisters who travel together. They are invited back to their hometown for a family reunion. Trouble starts when some people from town make it known that they are still mad about the antenna shop their father owned closing over 40 years ago. Things get worse when their brother, Dinnie, us accused of murder. What is going on here? Max, Lol and their sist error s Carol and Sharon all try to figure out who is framing Donnie. An entertaining read.
September 19, 2018
More please!
I so enjoyed this new story by Karen Musser Norman! All Families have their own issues, not one family is perfect. Argue like they will, they will always come together to protect their own. This story had Adventure, humor and great supporting characters. I'm hoping this is not the last we will see of our mystery sisters! I like this book very much.
I so enjoyed this new story by Karen Musser Norman! All Families have their own issues, not one family is perfect. Argue like they will, they will always come together to protect their own. This story had Adventure, humor and great supporting characters. I'm hoping this is not the last we will see of our mystery sisters! I like this book very much.
March 26, 2019
Liked he Characters
I liked this first book of the series, and especially the characters. Lol and Max area hoot, and especially Max. Set mainly in Minnesota, the sisters set out in an old Studebaker to a family reunion. Then the murder mystery begins.
Characters are believable, there is plenty of action, and the plot of the story is solid. A good read.
I liked this first book of the series, and especially the characters. Lol and Max area hoot, and especially Max. Set mainly in Minnesota, the sisters set out in an old Studebaker to a family reunion. Then the murder mystery begins.
Characters are believable, there is plenty of action, and the plot of the story is solid. A good read.
June 30, 2021
Some of the family moved from town where some people still held a grudge from long ago. Their father owed a business but it had to close down and it put lots of people in financial debt. Most of the family decided to have a family reunion in town. Bad or good idea? Well someone showed up dead and they charged the youngest son in the family for the murder.
October 15, 2021
More realistic than most...
I appreciated the fact that this book's elder characters had some of the ailments of aging. Bad knees, hips etc. Gave it only three stars because it took me a long time to get into it. Wasn't sure I wanted to finish it until I was 3/4 through it. I will probably read the next in the series but I am not in a hurry to start it.
I appreciated the fact that this book's elder characters had some of the ailments of aging. Bad knees, hips etc. Gave it only three stars because it took me a long time to get into it. Wasn't sure I wanted to finish it until I was 3/4 through it. I will probably read the next in the series but I am not in a hurry to start it.
November 12, 2024
Reunion and revenge had twists, and turns until the very end
I really liked reading this book. It was well laid out. The characters were fun. The mystery was intriguing. The efforts to solve the murder were also very interesting. There were great twist and turns until the very end.
I really liked reading this book. It was well laid out. The characters were fun. The mystery was intriguing. The efforts to solve the murder were also very interesting. There were great twist and turns until the very end.
November 8, 2025
Easy Read
I was looking for an easy and fun read and this was it! No convoluted twists and turns, no gore and dismembered parts. Two older ladies who go to a family reunion and one of them takes charge when their younger brother is suspected of a crime. Just the fun mystery escape I needed right now!
I was looking for an easy and fun read and this was it! No convoluted twists and turns, no gore and dismembered parts. Two older ladies who go to a family reunion and one of them takes charge when their younger brother is suspected of a crime. Just the fun mystery escape I needed right now!
August 17, 2018
Another great book
As expected this is another great book from Karen Musser Nortman! Love the fact that the older generation are the main characters, hoping to see a lot more books in this series!
As expected this is another great book from Karen Musser Nortman! Love the fact that the older generation are the main characters, hoping to see a lot more books in this series!
September 21, 2018
The Best!
Didn't want the story to end! The warmth of family never gets old! Ms Nortman doesn't disappoint in this murder mystery. Keeps you guessing til the very end! Loved the story!
Didn't want the story to end! The warmth of family never gets old! Ms Nortman doesn't disappoint in this murder mystery. Keeps you guessing til the very end! Loved the story!
December 2, 2018
Refreshingly fun
Ok, I admit I'm a "certain age" but it is refreshing to read a book about people I might even know doing rational things in a mystery where I can follow the plot without an f-bomb exploding every other page. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
Ok, I admit I'm a "certain age" but it is refreshing to read a book about people I might even know doing rational things in a mystery where I can follow the plot without an f-bomb exploding every other page. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
July 27, 2019
Fun and interesting
A fun and interesting mystery set around a small town and a family reunion. It was hard to believe the sisters were in their 70s, until I remembered just how close I am to their age!
A fun and interesting mystery set around a small town and a family reunion. It was hard to believe the sisters were in their 70s, until I remembered just how close I am to their age!
August 17, 2019
We are proud to announce that REUNION AND REVENGE (The Mystery
Sisters Book 1) by Karen Musser Nortman is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
Sisters Book 1) by Karen Musser Nortman is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
October 14, 2019
A quick to read cozy mystery with quirky characters and a storyline which keeps you reading. The main characters are extremely well developed and I really liked them. I will be reading more by this author and in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews