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Ode to Murder: A Larkin Day Mystery
Join Larkin Day on her first mystery!
Larkin Day just moved back home—at 35 years old. With no money, no job prospects, and nowhere to live except her mother's guest bedroom, Larkin is pretty sure this is the worst thing that's ever happened to her.
Then her mother signs her up for community choir.
Then the accompanist asks her out—and stands her up.
Then he turns up dead.
Larkin didn't kill him, of course—but she quickly learns that there are plenty of other women who might have wanted him gone. Although Larkin never planned on becoming an amateur detective, she finds herself getting more and more involved with the death of Harrison Tucker—while making new friends, setting her mother up with a local police officer, tackling six figures of student loan debt, discovering the benefits of protected bike lanes, and learning what ingredients are (and aren't) in a scotcheroo.
A fast-paced, cleverly-plotted mystery that includes both Beethoven and baking, Ode to Murder is for cozy fans who have been hoping to find a Millennial-aged amateur detective who practices old-fashioned sleuthing in a world of smartphones and social media.
Larkin Day just moved back home—at 35 years old. With no money, no job prospects, and nowhere to live except her mother's guest bedroom, Larkin is pretty sure this is the worst thing that's ever happened to her.
Then her mother signs her up for community choir.
Then the accompanist asks her out—and stands her up.
Then he turns up dead.
Larkin didn't kill him, of course—but she quickly learns that there are plenty of other women who might have wanted him gone. Although Larkin never planned on becoming an amateur detective, she finds herself getting more and more involved with the death of Harrison Tucker—while making new friends, setting her mother up with a local police officer, tackling six figures of student loan debt, discovering the benefits of protected bike lanes, and learning what ingredients are (and aren't) in a scotcheroo.
A fast-paced, cleverly-plotted mystery that includes both Beethoven and baking, Ode to Murder is for cozy fans who have been hoping to find a Millennial-aged amateur detective who practices old-fashioned sleuthing in a world of smartphones and social media.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2022
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Dieker
9 books50 followersNicole Dieker is a writer, teacher, and musician. She began her writing career as a full-time freelancer with a focus on personal finance and habit formation; she launched her fiction career with The Biographies of Ordinary People, a definitely-not-autobiographical novel that follows three sisters from 1989 to 2016.
Currently, Dieker writes the Larkin Day mystery series and the perzine WHAT IT IS and WHAT TO DO NEXT. She also maintains an active freelance career; her work has appeared in Vox, Morning Brew, Lifehacker, Bankrate, Haven Life, Popular Science, and more. Dieker spent five years as writer and editor for The Billfold, a personal finance blog where people had honest conversations about money.
Dieker lives in Quincy, Illinois with the great love of her life, his piano, and their garden.
Currently, Dieker writes the Larkin Day mystery series and the perzine WHAT IT IS and WHAT TO DO NEXT. She also maintains an active freelance career; her work has appeared in Vox, Morning Brew, Lifehacker, Bankrate, Haven Life, Popular Science, and more. Dieker spent five years as writer and editor for The Billfold, a personal finance blog where people had honest conversations about money.
Dieker lives in Quincy, Illinois with the great love of her life, his piano, and their garden.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 29, 2022
Ode to Murder by Nicole Dieker is the debut of A Larkin Day Mysteries. Larkin Day has moved back home to figure out her life. Larkin’s mother signs her up to participate in a local community choir. One evening the accompanist, Harrison fails to return to rehearsal after the break. At the end of the evening, Larkin finds Harrison dead. Larkin decides to investigate Harrison’s death in the hopes it might help her get her life on track (makes total sense). Larkin with help from her new friend Anni sets out to get answers. I struggled to finish Ode to Murder. It seemed to go on forever. I was not a fan of Larkin Day. She is thirty-five and has no clue what to do with her life. Larkin is supposed to be working on her dissertation, but she spends more time lounging then writing. The murder happens early in the book. The mystery progresses slowly. Larkin questions her fellow choir members on what has not been ruled a murder. She gets help from fellow choir member Anni. In the end, Larkin identifies the killer (if you make it that far). There are clues to help readers solve the crime ahead of the reveal. Larkin makes friends along the way, finds some romance, and, maybe, her purpose in life. After the crime is solved, the chapters following are lethargic (a good cure for insomnia). It would have been better with peppy pacing. I can tell the author is a musician from the many musical references. I felt that the characters lacked development. It was difficult to know the age of the secondary characters. Their clothes, though, are described in detail. I believe Ode to Murder is supposed to be amusing, but I failed to find the humor. There is a lot of repetition especially about Larkin failing to notice details. As you can tell, Ode to Murder was not for me. Ode to Murder is a midwestern cozy mystery with a community choir, a departed pianist, mounds of debt, cups of coffee, and a caught killer.
October 14, 2022
It took me a while to get into this one, mostly because I couldn't decide if I really liked Larkin or not. She won me over eventually though and I'm actually looking forward to whatever comes next.
I’ve got to admit, up until WELL over halfway through Ode to Murder, I never would have guessed that I would want to continue the Larkin Day Mysteries. Which proves that I’m not only an eclectic reader, I’m also a patient one. The problem was that I just didn’t like Larkin. She was so wrapped up in herself, her problems, her lack of pretty much everything she just wasn’t a very likable person. There were a lot of supporting characters that I did like though and because they saw something in Larkin that I obviously didn’t, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Needless to say, I’m glad that I stuck it out. 😉
Obviously Larkin grew as a character in Ode to Murder. She finally got her act together and realized that… well, I’ll let you read for yourself what her big realization was. The important part is that the Larkin we meet at the beginning of this first book isn’t the same Larkin in the final chapter. I kinda like it when that happens.
As for the mystery… it was also pretty good, especially since I didn’t quite figure it out until Larkin did – which took a while. There were a lot of pieces to put together to come to figure out both the “who” and the “why” but once it was revealed, it was kind of obvious.
I’m not sure what this new to me author has next in store for Larkin Day, but I’m happy (and somwhat surprised) to say, I’m looking forward to it. 😉
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Ode to Murder. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve got to admit, up until WELL over halfway through Ode to Murder, I never would have guessed that I would want to continue the Larkin Day Mysteries. Which proves that I’m not only an eclectic reader, I’m also a patient one. The problem was that I just didn’t like Larkin. She was so wrapped up in herself, her problems, her lack of pretty much everything she just wasn’t a very likable person. There were a lot of supporting characters that I did like though and because they saw something in Larkin that I obviously didn’t, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Needless to say, I’m glad that I stuck it out. 😉
Obviously Larkin grew as a character in Ode to Murder. She finally got her act together and realized that… well, I’ll let you read for yourself what her big realization was. The important part is that the Larkin we meet at the beginning of this first book isn’t the same Larkin in the final chapter. I kinda like it when that happens.
As for the mystery… it was also pretty good, especially since I didn’t quite figure it out until Larkin did – which took a while. There were a lot of pieces to put together to come to figure out both the “who” and the “why” but once it was revealed, it was kind of obvious.
I’m not sure what this new to me author has next in store for Larkin Day, but I’m happy (and somwhat surprised) to say, I’m looking forward to it. 😉
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Ode to Murder. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 24, 2023
Nicole Dieker’s prose is tight, sharp, witty, and enjoyable.
You can read Zachary Rosenberg's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Zachary Rosenberg's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
September 11, 2022
Oh my gosh, this book took me forever to read because it was so slow. I would read and read and feel like I got nowhere. I was 50% in and not much had happened, granted, the death happened quickly but not much regarding solving. Larkin is broke and back home trying to write a dissertation, her mother is a well regarded academic figure and Larkin constantly feels unworthy around her. She does grow in terms of friendships and self worth feeling, so maybe the future books in the series will get better. I read a NetGalley prerelease version, book is scheduled to release October 4th. This is the authors first cozy, so we there is hope as well that the author grows as well.
July 5, 2022
After having finished college and testing life in the big cities, Larkin Day still doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life. Unhappy with her chosen career path, she begrudgingly moves in with her mom in a small town in Iowa. Her mom, Josephine, signs her up for a choir group, in hopes that this will occupy Larkins time. Larkin disinterested in pretty much everything, drags herself to choir rehearsal. It is here that she witnesses Harrison, a fellow choir participants death and possible murder.
After attending Harrison’s funeral, Larkin begins her search into Harrison. Who was he and who would want him dead ? The ex wife ? She begins to question her choir mates one by one. Narrowing down her search to who might be a murderer. She ultimately solves the murder, while finding friendship, love, and purpose.
Unfortunately for me this book was so so. The main character was a complete loss for me. She never knew what she wanted in life, didn’t pay attention to details, which was mentioned multiple times, and was solving a murder that she never was sure was even a murder ? There were intriguing parts, but after the murder is solved the last 3 chapters dragged on, and this book wasn’t particularly short. I understand the author was setting up the plot for book 2, but I would preferred it have been done in a more timely manner.
After attending Harrison’s funeral, Larkin begins her search into Harrison. Who was he and who would want him dead ? The ex wife ? She begins to question her choir mates one by one. Narrowing down her search to who might be a murderer. She ultimately solves the murder, while finding friendship, love, and purpose.
Unfortunately for me this book was so so. The main character was a complete loss for me. She never knew what she wanted in life, didn’t pay attention to details, which was mentioned multiple times, and was solving a murder that she never was sure was even a murder ? There were intriguing parts, but after the murder is solved the last 3 chapters dragged on, and this book wasn’t particularly short. I understand the author was setting up the plot for book 2, but I would preferred it have been done in a more timely manner.
October 9, 2022
Larkin Day is 35 and after failed careers in theater and academia she has moved in to her mother’s guest room. While she tries to finish her dissertation (suffering from the common cause topic’s too big) and figure out what to do next with her life, her mother has ‘suggested’ that Larkin join a local choir that is set to perform “Ode to Joy”.
One evening at rehearsal she finds the dead body of the accompanist and Larkin starts to wonder who could have killed him. Anything to get away from writing the dissertation, really. She soon gets help from her choir-neighbour Anni.
The story spends more time on Larkin’s musings about her life than on the actual murder investigation, and her musings are a bit dull, but Anni’s a very likeable character. There are not many people who are both honest and nice.
I didn’t like the writing style much. It didn’t have a good flow to it. There were a few instances with a nice play of words, but I don’t read cozies for their play with words. I read for the murder mystery and there wasn’t much of that.
Anyway, there’s going to be a sequel because in the aftermath of the arrest of the murderer Larkin has finally found her purpose and wants to be come an investigator.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
One evening at rehearsal she finds the dead body of the accompanist and Larkin starts to wonder who could have killed him. Anything to get away from writing the dissertation, really. She soon gets help from her choir-neighbour Anni.
The story spends more time on Larkin’s musings about her life than on the actual murder investigation, and her musings are a bit dull, but Anni’s a very likeable character. There are not many people who are both honest and nice.
I didn’t like the writing style much. It didn’t have a good flow to it. There were a few instances with a nice play of words, but I don’t read cozies for their play with words. I read for the murder mystery and there wasn’t much of that.
Anyway, there’s going to be a sequel because in the aftermath of the arrest of the murderer Larkin has finally found her purpose and wants to be come an investigator.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
February 13, 2023
I love the characters, I love the community, and I had fun trying to solve the mystery. (Which I did, eventually -- but only the 'whodunit' part; the reveal had way more in store than just a name.) Mystery isn't a regular component of my reading, but I've read Nicole Dieker before, and I knew if she was writing a mystery, it was likely to be, as her other work is, both excellent and fun.
The story and the writing are accessible as heck, and a quick read if you are a quick reader. But don't imagine that means this is the fluffy-fun-forgettable type of story; rather, it's complex without needing to be complicated.
Which brings me to what I think I love most about Dieker's writing in general (and this book in particular): its integrity. Meaning both that all the parts hold together and depend on each other and yet the book is not its parts; and also that the book has bigger questions to consider than just whodunit, and each choice it makes emerges from those questions or speaks back to them, so that you as a reader are learning, thinking, and (potentially) growing as a human, alongside the characters.
(If you read this book and you too appreciate my favorite aspect, I recommend the quarterly zine Dieker is also writing.)
October 10, 2022
Larkin is forced by her mother to join a community choir so she will get out of the house, make new friends, and put her musical talents to use. One night during rehearsal, she walks outside to find the pianist dead on the steps. She then teams up with another Alto in the choir to help solve the mystery.
I really liked the characters in general and the storyline, but the writing was just ok. The plot moved too slow for me as there were not many clues or suspects until 70% into the book, and there were parts of the book that felt more like a women’s fiction rather than a cozy mystery novel. Larkin was great at getting people to open up and spill the beans, but was terrible at being observant (which is a must for a good sleuth). Then at the reveal I was blindsided by who did it! Where did that come from? Plus, the motive was really weak. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I really liked the characters in general and the storyline, but the writing was just ok. The plot moved too slow for me as there were not many clues or suspects until 70% into the book, and there were parts of the book that felt more like a women’s fiction rather than a cozy mystery novel. Larkin was great at getting people to open up and spill the beans, but was terrible at being observant (which is a must for a good sleuth). Then at the reveal I was blindsided by who did it! Where did that come from? Plus, the motive was really weak. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
November 14, 2022
Though I like a good murder mystery, I mainly read this because the author is an acquaintance -- from the "nerd cruise" she mentions a couple of times during the course of the story (her description of that is pretty accurate!).
However, I struggled to get through it. I couldn't really identify with the main character or sympathize with her lack of direction, as she seems to make the mistake so many people do of assuming that the job you choose is your entire life. She seems not to have realized that it's okay to work just to pay the bills, and save your passion for your non-work hours. The murder mystery was pretty secondary to Larkin's existential crisis, and I had a lot of trouble making myself care, especially as the murder victim was someone no one (except Larkin) seemed to like very much.
However, I struggled to get through it. I couldn't really identify with the main character or sympathize with her lack of direction, as she seems to make the mistake so many people do of assuming that the job you choose is your entire life. She seems not to have realized that it's okay to work just to pay the bills, and save your passion for your non-work hours. The murder mystery was pretty secondary to Larkin's existential crisis, and I had a lot of trouble making myself care, especially as the murder victim was someone no one (except Larkin) seemed to like very much.
April 23, 2023
A bildungsroman with a woman trying to figure out an awful lot in her life and as sometimes happens, finding that solving a mystery helps move her along. Thumbs up for the Iowa college town setting, the interesting musical notes throughout, and the protagonist's representing several tropes - aimless Millennium, failed grad student, spoilt but decent daughter and budding detective. Yes, Larking spends quite a bit of time thinking about herself, sometimes slowing down the drama, plot, momentum of the story but isn't life like that? This is the first in a series and it succeeds in both being funny and poignant about a woman's struggle to grow up, find herself and make a life whilst uncovering crime in an unlikely setting for this sort of thing. I'll read the second one and look forward to it.
September 3, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. I was immediately intrigued by this book, being a musician myself.
Larkin is having trouble finding a job and finds herself living with her mother in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Her mom makes her join a community choir to at least do something, where she finds a cute accompanist. He asks her out but never calls her. The next time at choir practice, Larkin finds him dead. She takes it upon herself, along with her new friend, to solve his murder.
I liked all the musical references and can tell the author is a musician. One feedback I have is the ending was too drawn out. The murder got solved but then there was more story going on.
Larkin is having trouble finding a job and finds herself living with her mother in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Her mom makes her join a community choir to at least do something, where she finds a cute accompanist. He asks her out but never calls her. The next time at choir practice, Larkin finds him dead. She takes it upon herself, along with her new friend, to solve his murder.
I liked all the musical references and can tell the author is a musician. One feedback I have is the ending was too drawn out. The murder got solved but then there was more story going on.
January 20, 2024
Ode to Murder is a unique Modern Broad cozy (Brozy) mystery which means it is NOT a stereotypical cozy mystery. One female character goes on a date with another female character. There is swearing. On top of all of that, it is a slow paced mystery. The mystery and ending are good and allow it to be classified as a cozy mystery., The book is heavy on music and theater pieces and vocabulary. Larkin Day is in a tough spot in her life with no money and she has to move in with her mom in a new small town. She isn’t happy and has a bad attitude and isn’t very likable for the first half of the book. There is growth with her character. If you are ok with a F/F relationship and swearing, it was an ok debut. #OdeToMurder #NetGalley
August 20, 2022
Not exactly a cut and dried murder investigation. Larkin is back home with her mother as her vareer path is not working out. Her mother suggests her joining a choir. After being asked for a date by the pianist, then ignored by him, she finds him dead outside the rehersal room. Based on little more than a feeling, Larkin and another choir member, Anni start looking into the death.
Fairly easy reading, the plot, which is at times a little confusing, does come together . This is the first of a series and I look forward to seeing how that works out.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Fairly easy reading, the plot, which is at times a little confusing, does come together . This is the first of a series and I look forward to seeing how that works out.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 20, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
This is a fun mystery focused on a community in small-town Iowa.
I had a hard time getting into it but I think that's more related to the pacing of a cozy mystery. It was also confusing to understand who the characters were, especially because the ages of the characters were impossible to tell.
I was surprised by the killer and retroactively put the pieces together pretty easily, I just wish the mystery had been a bigger part of the book. Definitely a cute story but I don't think I'll be buying this or the sequels.
Characters- 3 stars
Plot- 2.5 stars
Writing- 3.5 stars
Overall 3.5 stars
This is a fun mystery focused on a community in small-town Iowa.
I had a hard time getting into it but I think that's more related to the pacing of a cozy mystery. It was also confusing to understand who the characters were, especially because the ages of the characters were impossible to tell.
I was surprised by the killer and retroactively put the pieces together pretty easily, I just wish the mystery had been a bigger part of the book. Definitely a cute story but I don't think I'll be buying this or the sequels.
Characters- 3 stars
Plot- 2.5 stars
Writing- 3.5 stars
Overall 3.5 stars
July 5, 2022
I don’t normally enjoy murder mysteries but this being tagged as a comedy is what real drew me to it.
Larkin is a theater girl who has to move to Iowa and live with her mom while she gets back up on her feet. There she joins the choir and discovers a murder!
While it took me reading to nearly the 50% mark to really hit my interest, I love that the “who-dun-it” wasn’t as easy to guess as I thought it was going to be. By the end of the book, I was surprised by the murderer and overall, I really enjoyed the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Media for the ARC!
Larkin is a theater girl who has to move to Iowa and live with her mom while she gets back up on her feet. There she joins the choir and discovers a murder!
While it took me reading to nearly the 50% mark to really hit my interest, I love that the “who-dun-it” wasn’t as easy to guess as I thought it was going to be. By the end of the book, I was surprised by the murderer and overall, I really enjoyed the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Media for the ARC!
December 17, 2022
I fully enjoyed this delightful romp through the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor! As promised, this book includes both Beethoven and baking (although scotcharoos are not technically baking as you just pour the peanut butter mixture over the rice cereal - according to Larkin. I don't know, I've never made them). On her journey, Larkin made discoveries about friendship, Beethoven and what she wants (actually, truly wants) to do with her life that were humorous and deeply insightful.
June 26, 2024
"Ode to Murder" is an entertaining cozy mystery. The heroine was relatable, and her quirky best friend was funny. The love interest was okay; I hope he's more rounded out and involved in the story in the next books. The mystery could be figured out, but there were a good number of red herrings and twists. I'll be continuing this series.
May 6, 2023
I didn't get into the book until I was half way through it. I am glad I stayed for the rest. The murder mystery was a little on the light side, but the characters were interesting (and a little quirky) and I loved the chapter describing the Ninth Symphony. I'll read the next book.
November 4, 2022
Very much enjoyed and plan to read more of this author's work. The main character reminded me so much of Sam in Somebody Somewhere (an hbo show).
February 7, 2023
Ode to Murder is a funny mystery. Larkin Day has just returned back to her hometown in Iowa, and living at home at 35. She has no prospects and her mother decides to sign her up for the community choir. There's a guy in the choir Harrison Tucker that has a reputation in town. Larkin finds this out later, while being stood up for a date by Harrison. Later finding herself interrogated by the local sheriff over his death. Larkin be friends Anni and they investigate his death. It's humorous as a cozy should be. Larkin definitely grows throughout the story.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews