You can choose your friends, but you sure can’t choose your relatives.
It’s been a busy year for real estate agent Cindy York. She’s excited to be making a killing at selling houses and is in the middle of planning a surprise 50th birthday party for her husband, Greg. If this wasn’t enough to deal with, Greg’s younger sister Annette, who's been estranged from the family for 20 years, makes an unexpected visit to celebrate the event. Annette asks Cindy for help finding a house to rent. She claims to want to know her loved ones again, but Cindy suspects the woman is hiding something.
When Annette’s troubled past catches up with her in a hurry and leaves an innocent bystander dead, Cindy must step in and find a killer. But if Cindy can't close this deal quickly, someone she loves will pay the ultimate price.
Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
With Option to Kill by Catherine Bruns Cindy York mysteries series #5. Mystery. Cindy hasn’t seen her sister-in-law for years so she’s surprised when her mother-in-law wants her invited to her husbands surprise party. Sure enough, the former exotic dancer shows up expecting hand outs and more. Cindy finds Annette a small apartment but a call comes that someone shot the landlord. Was the shot meant for him or for Annette? Cindy investigates as per her habit while Annette moves into her house. Conflicts arise from within the family as Annette’s antics and problems follow her. Danger is just around the corner. Cindy needs to find out what is going on before someone else is dead.
Longer and more complicated than prior books and still includes Cindy’s family and boss. Annette has more going on than anyone knows and consequences are too close. Cindy is relentless to find out what’s going on. You can’t choose your family.
Engrossing. The most complex of the series to-date. A little sad that family caused the problems but it brings them closer together as a result.
Thank you to Catherine Bruns for the review copy of With Option to Kill by Catherine Bruns! This is the 5th mystery in the Cindy York Real Estate Mystery series. I really enjoy this series, and I love the family drama in this one!
It is Cindy's husband's 50th birthday, and with the impending celebration comes Greg's black sheep sister, Annette. Chaos ensues when Annette's new landlord is shot on her first night. Who was the intended victim? What was the motive? How can Cindy keep her family safe?
This one is filled with twists and turns. I loved every second! I highly recommend reading this series from the beginning, but this can be read alone!
With Option to Kill Earns 5/5 Open Houses … Exciting, Engaging Cozy!
Cindy York just want to surprise her husband with surprise party for his fiftieth birthday, but the unexpected appearance of his sister Annette is more than problematic … it’s murder! But, to make sure Annette doesn’t wrangle an invitation to stay with them, she’s checking out all the available apartments for her. One pops up and the owner, Mac Tremont, gives permission for a viewing, Annette, of course, turns on the charm, an immediate deal is struck, and Annette moves in right then and there. Too easy! Cindy and Greg are awaken at night by a frantic phone call from Annette. She pleading for help and saying the police were on their way. Mac is dead, and she says, “it’s all my fault!”
It’s SOLD! Catherine Bruns fifth book in her Cindy York Mystery series was an exciting, well-written journey navigating through several frustrating family dynamics, dishonest relatives, death threats, disgruntled exes, and a past that may have led to murder. The victim, unfortunately, may have been collateral damage which means lives are still in danger causing a rift between Cindy and her husband. Whew! There’s plenty for Cindy to worry about with kids to manage, a job to do, and her daughter’s wedding to plan, but it’s worse when the danger comes through the front door. Although Cindy will do anything to protect her family, it was added tension that the threat is family. Cindy and Jacques make a delightful partnership in business as well as tracking down a possible suspect at a seedy motel or a strip club, but it gets closer to home with a trashed house, surprise connections, and a shocking final showdown. What a cozy ride!
I am a big fan of audiobooks for their convenience and added entertainment. I was very eager to “listen” to the newest Cindy York Mystery, “With Option to Kill,” by Catherine Bruns and enriched by the talented voice artistry of Amy Deuchler, who is the main narrator for the entire series. There are several characters in the book, and Deuchler has a pleasant voice and did well to portray the differences in age and gender, as well as tone for personalities and language diversity and emotions for all the perilous moments. It’s not the only way to enjoy Bruns’ story, but definitely one I put at the top of my list!
SOLD! Catherine Bruns fifth book in her Cindy York Mystery series was an exciting, well written journey navigating through frustrating family dynamics, dishonest relatives, death threats, disgruntled exes, and a past that may have led to murder. Cindy York’s plans to surprise her husband on his fiftieth birthday was made complicated by the unexpected appearance of his sister, Annette, who’s been absent for twenty years. She indicates she’s here to stay, and to minimize the impact on the family, Cindy quickly finds her an apartment. The owner, Mac Tremont, agrees to an immediate viewing of the property where Annette successfully charms him, strikes a deal, and moves right in. But, that night Cindy’s “red flag” anxiety intensifies when Annette makes a frantic phone call, asking for help, and saying the police were on their way. Mac is dead, and “it’s all my fault!” Sadly, the victim appears collateral damage, and as Cindy explores the situation further, evidence points to her sister-in-law’s life choices as the root cause. Cindy’s husband is thrilled to have his sister back in his life, so he’s blind to the obvious inconsistencies in Annette’s story putting the family and Cindy’s marriage in jeopardy. It gets closer to home with a trashed house, surprise connections, and a shocking final showdown. What a cozy ride!
Catherine Bruns makes it so easy to talk about her books, whether it is the Cookies & Chance Mystery series, her Italian Chef Mystery series, one of her contributions to the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series or her Cindy York Mystery series, you are never without words !!
With Options to Kill, the fifth book in her Cindy York Mystery series, readers will again be on the edge of their seats !!
In With Options to Kill main character Cindy York is working on a surprise 50th birthday party for her husband Greg and she is enjoying the planning as her oldest daughter Darcy is helping her. Soon all the talk in the household will be about Darcy's wedding the following year so this time spent with her is a huge deal for Cindy. Unfortunately Greg's sister Annette shows up out of the blue and weasels her way into Greg's heart again. Annette left town twenty years ago with Darcy's best friend's husband never to be heard from again....until now. Cindy doesn't trust Annette or anything she says but she agrees to help her find an apartment. And she does from a nice elderly gentlemen looking to rent his downstairs apartment. Unfortunately on the first night that Annette is there, someone shoots through the window killing him. So Greg insists that Annette stay with them until she finds another place to live.
It doesn't take Cindy long to find out that everything that Annette has been telling them is a lie and with the help of her best friend and boss, Jacques, they look into Annette's past and try to find out the truth. But when someone close to Cindy is attacked and Annette does nothing to help, Cindy is determined to solve the case....and bring the truth out !!
It is no lie that I love Catherine Bruns and her Cookies & Chance series is my ultimate favorite but any book that she writes is going to be a great story !! And With Options to Kill is no different !!! And the way that Bruns spins the web of her stories will drive readers into a crazed state of mind....in a good way obviously !!! You will feel like you are a part of the story and the characters will become real to you and you will LOVE every moment that you are inside the book.
With Option To Kill Cindy York Mysteries, Book #5 Catherine Bruns 5 Stars
Synopsis:
You can choose your friends, but you sure can’t choose your relatives.
It’s been a busy year for real estate agent Cindy York. She’s excited to be making a killing at selling houses and in the middle of planning a surprise 50th birthday party for her husband, Greg. If this wasn’t enough to deal with, Greg’s younger sister Annette, who's been estranged from the family for 20 years, makes an unexpected visit to celebrate the event. Annette asks Cindy for help finding a house to rent. She claims she wants to get to know her loved ones again, but Cindy suspects the woman is hiding something.
When Annette’s troubled past catches up with her in a hurry and leaves an innocent bystander dead, Cindy must step in and find a killer. If Cindy can't close this deal quickly, someone she loves will pay the ultimate price. (Amazon)
Review:
Cindy is busy with working at her real estate job, planning a fiftieth surprise birthday party for her husband and taking care of her family. When her husband’s estranged sister comes to visit things get a little tricky. Cindy wants to find his sister a place to rent while she is visiting. Cindy finds her a place but before long his sister’s landlord is killed. Now on top of everything else, Cindy has to find the killer.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the fact that Cindy is a mom and has a great family. Most of the cozies I read do not have families and it is a nice change. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. There were a lot of suspects to consider and clues to sift through.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You should do yourself a favor and read this book, as well as all of her other series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
I enjoyed this book. This is the fifth book in the series and is so well written that it can be read as a standalone without losing any of the magic but quite frankly why would you want to miss out on such a great series? I love the characters and normally I just wish the author would get back to the investigation but the home life drama is what makes this series and without it this book wouldn't have been possible. That's because the case (and story) is all focused around Greg's estranged sister, who after one day back in there lives is causing havoc for everybody. The author really shows a good understanding of people and uses it come up with an entertaining mystery that will have you experiencing every emotion along side the characters. The mystery was good, while there wasn't a great number of suspects and it was more Cindy investigating her sister in law than the murder, I still really enjoyed it. I had guessed who was responsible just before it was revealed but it was more about the journey getting there than the ending. I can't wait to start the next book.
Cindy is busy planning a surprise 50th birthday party for husband but they are all in for a surprise when his estranged sister drops by. She has broken up with her boyfriend and is looking to move back to the area to reconnect with her family. Greg is pleased to have her back in his life but Cindy can't help but think something is wrong and she wants something. When her new landlord is shot on the day she moves in, Cindy can't help but think she is right. Just what is Annette hiding? When she moves in with Greg, Cindy and there family, Cindy sets out to find out before Annette brings trouble to there door.
This is one of my favourite narrators and I am so glad she is the voice for the series because with her voice and the author's talents you know you are in for some fun. I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Wow! Cindy sure has her plate full with Planning her husband, Greg's surprise 50th birthday party, her daughter's wedding planning, taking care of her kids and working at the same time! Now add to all that, Greg's sister, Annette, who decides after being estranged from the family, she wants to get back into the family and to add to that, she wants to rent a place in town. So Annette doesn't stay with Cindy she finds her a place to rent. Why now? And of course in Cindy's husband's eyes, Annette can do not wrong, especially when she frantically calls Greg and Cindy saying Mac, the landlord is dead and the police are on their way. Cindy has had her doubts about Annette all of a sudden showing up like she is running away from something or hiding something. But in Greg's eyes Annette can do no wrong. So with everything else going on, Cindy had to try and find the answers, it's family after all. And with her real estate partner and friend Jacques, Cindy begins her investigation. But something happens and it hits close to home when her home is broken into and trashed. What did Annette bring to their peaceful life? With all this, since Greg thinks Annette can do no wrong, it becomes a rift between he and Cindy. Wow was this 5th book in the series packed full of things! What a great ending! This is a really terrific series that you will just love. And the development of the characters throughout the series is fun to read too. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
With Option to Kill is the fifth Catherine Bruns’ Cindy York Mysteries series. The storyline is well-plotted, the mystery intriguing, and the well-developed characters are relatable. This book is well thought out and written with just the right combination of mystery and family life. There are lots of red herrings and twists to keep readers engaged and guessing. I highly recommend it to all cozy mystery lovers.
Cindy York is married to Greg and has four children: Darcy, who’s planning her wedding; teenage twins Stevie and Seth; and their youngest daughter, Grace. The family has one cat, Sweetie, and two dogs, Rusty and Dobby. Cindy, who has a penchant for finding dead bodies, is a real estate agent and works for her best friend, Jacques Forte. Jacques and his partner, Ed Kapinski, are the adoptive parents of a teenage boy from China, Bolin.
Cindy’s planning a surprise birthday for Greg, who’s turning fifty this year, and she isn’t pleased when an uninvited guest, her sister-in-law, shows up before the event. In Greg’s mind, his younger sister is misunderstood and can do no wrong even though she’s been estranged from the family for twenty years, but in Cindy’s mind, Annette is nothing but trouble. Cindy’s opinion seems to be well founded since less than twenty-four hours after Cindy helps Annette find a rental house, her landlord, Mac Tremont, is murdered by a bullet Cindy is convinced was meant for Annette.
With Option to Kill by Catherine Bruns is another fantastic book in the Cindy York Mysteries. It’s a bit darker than the previous one I’ve read, but I really enjoyed it because the drama made it hard to put down… I found myself reading way past bedtime.
Bruns shines in her diversity of characters and how well she has developed them. One of the many things I really like about this series is how much family is incorporated into it. In some cozies the main focus is on the business, but certainly not in this book where the plot focuses on family dynamics and how dysfunctional they can be. I felt Cindy’s frustration and anger coming strongly off the page and I completely felt for her. And it makes my heart happy that more authors are including GLBTQA characters in their stories, and Jacques is definitely a boss and friend I would love to have.
Besides having wonderful characters that a reader wants to come back and visit, Bruns writes a solid mystery. Even when I thought I knew who did it, there was still a twist.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the Cindy York Mysteries, and if you haven’t read her other series, she has four more and has written a book with Gemma Halliday too, I highly recommend that you do. I’ve read her Italian Chef Mysteries and Maple Syrup Mysteries and they are both excellent series.
What an awesome adventure Cindy and her bestie/boss Jacques had this time. They’ve sure gotten into some tight spots over the years, but they’ve always got each other’s backs. When Greg’s estranged sister showed up, Cindy knew there’d be trouble, she just didn’t know how much! With Annette staying with them and possibly being a target, Cindy knew she’d need to do some fast sleuthing to protect her family.
I was pretty stumped as to whodunit and maybe realized it right before Cindy did or around the same time. That showdown was a good one, and Jacques got his turn to be the cavalry that rode in. Now they could finally concentrate on Darcy’s wedding plans. Darcy’s character really changed for the better as she got older and became more of a responsible adult. Little Grace sure loves her big sis! Can’t wait to read the next one! I was so happy to see the series was back in KU since this was the one book I needed to read to be caught up again.
Another amazing book by one of my favorite authors!!! Make sure you read everything she has to offer!! This is the 5th book in the Cindy York series and it just gets better and better. So what happens when the black sheep of the family comes home? Cindy is busy trying to sell houses and plan a surprise party for her husbands 50th birthday when the estranged sister in law Annette shows back up in town claiming she wants to be part of the family again. Cindy is skeptical but agrees to help her find a place to rent in town. What is Annette up to now? It doesn’t take long for Annette’s past to catch up with her and an innocent person losses their life in the process.
This is the 5th book in the Cindy York Mysteries. There are developed characters and lots of surprises.
Cindy's sister in law is back in town after being away for twenty years. Annette can do no wrong as far as Greg is concerned, and all Cindy wants is Annette out of her home forever. Cindy, her family, and even her dreaded mother in law will never be the same as all Annette ever brings with her is destruction and turmoil.
With Option to Kill is Another exciting mystery in this excellent series. This well written book really hits close to Cindy York's home. It gives the term dysfunction family member a whole new definition. This plot has dishonest relatives, fighting exes, a trashed home and death threats. This is in addition to a job, managing kids and wedding planning. Ms. Bruns' books are always entertaining, keep me guessing, and refuse to let me put them down!
Best book in the series so far! This audiobook kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Not only is there the regular MIL from h311 but there is a sister-in-law that is 100 times worse than the MIL. Can you imagine?! Love the twists in the plots and was sorry to hear it end.
As always narrator Amy Deuchler gives an exemplary performance. I think she was at the top of her game with this one!
Well written and very entertaining. The characters are so well fleshed out, developed from book 1, they’ve really become book friends. The warmth, that’s what keeps me coming back. The mystery element was well plotted, twisty and turny. Such a feel-good book! I truly felt good when I finished reading! I highly recommend it!
Wow great book the author really outdid herself. The storyline had me hanging on to every word. I was constantly trying to guess who but never would've guessed the murderer.!! Can't wait for next!!!