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Charlie Kingsley Mysteries #4
Murder Among Friends
Five college friends went into the woods. Only four came back.
If something ails you, Charlie Kingsley likely has a tea to fix it.
So, when Charlie witnessed a young woman faint on the side of the road, she had no choice but to offer her services. (Along with a cup of her famous tea, of course.)
In no time at all, the young woman was back to normal, which was good news as she was about to go camping with her friends.
Charlie thought that would be the last of it … so imagine her surprise when she got a phone call that one of the friends were missing.
Was the friend simply lost? Or did something more disturbing happen?
Luckily, Charlie is not only on the case but fueled with tea, as this will prove to be one of her most puzzling crimes to date.
Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.
If something ails you, Charlie Kingsley likely has a tea to fix it.
So, when Charlie witnessed a young woman faint on the side of the road, she had no choice but to offer her services. (Along with a cup of her famous tea, of course.)
In no time at all, the young woman was back to normal, which was good news as she was about to go camping with her friends.
Charlie thought that would be the last of it … so imagine her surprise when she got a phone call that one of the friends were missing.
Was the friend simply lost? Or did something more disturbing happen?
Luckily, Charlie is not only on the case but fueled with tea, as this will prove to be one of her most puzzling crimes to date.
Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.
Paperback
First published August 18, 2022
319 people are currently reading
2945 people want to read
About the author
Michele Pariza Wacek
63 books1,435 followersA USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.
Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and currently lives there after spending nearly 30 years living in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.
When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and currently lives there after spending nearly 30 years living in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.
When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 21, 2025
I believe this was my least favourite in this series. And I knew from the start who dunnit.
February 20, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 4 of 7
Charlie becomes involved with five friends who have come in search of answers. One of the girls 👧 goes missing and is found dead. Charlie befriends the remaining friends and uncovers the truth leading to the arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author of readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 4 of 7
Charlie becomes involved with five friends who have come in search of answers. One of the girls 👧 goes missing and is found dead. Charlie befriends the remaining friends and uncovers the truth leading to the arrest of the killer.
I would recommend this series and author of readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
August 15, 2022
Charlie Kingsley is back again in an all-new story from the haunted town of Redemption. As usual her amateur sleuthing skills are put to the test when a group of college kids come to town in search of the Fire Cottage, a local legend.
Charlie stops to help a woman who has fainted on the street and has no idea that she is about to fall into another mystery. Naomi and her friends, Lynette, Raymond, Mace and Sloan are in Redemption to go camping with the hopes of finding the Fire Cottage. The Fire Cottage is local lore and is said to be a source of many of the disappearances in the area. Raymonds uncle went missing ten years before when he also went looking for the Fire Cottage. Mace is an aspiring film student focusing on documentaries and is excited to tag along and maybe use the local legend as a topic for a documentary. Everything starts out well until Lynette goes missing. Charlie immediately senses that the kids are not telling the whole truth as to what happened to Lynette. Can Charlie use her amateur sleuthing skills and her charm to solve this case?
Michele Pariza Wacek never disappoints. The world she has created in Redemption is incredible. I love the characters, the lore, the location and the mysteries that occur there. The author has weaved such a wonderful story with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. I look forward to more stories from this author and from Redemption. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Charlie stops to help a woman who has fainted on the street and has no idea that she is about to fall into another mystery. Naomi and her friends, Lynette, Raymond, Mace and Sloan are in Redemption to go camping with the hopes of finding the Fire Cottage. The Fire Cottage is local lore and is said to be a source of many of the disappearances in the area. Raymonds uncle went missing ten years before when he also went looking for the Fire Cottage. Mace is an aspiring film student focusing on documentaries and is excited to tag along and maybe use the local legend as a topic for a documentary. Everything starts out well until Lynette goes missing. Charlie immediately senses that the kids are not telling the whole truth as to what happened to Lynette. Can Charlie use her amateur sleuthing skills and her charm to solve this case?
Michele Pariza Wacek never disappoints. The world she has created in Redemption is incredible. I love the characters, the lore, the location and the mysteries that occur there. The author has weaved such a wonderful story with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. I look forward to more stories from this author and from Redemption. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
November 6, 2024
Listened on audiobook and figured out a few chapters in that this is the fourth in the series. Kept listening anyway and glad I did.
First up: I don't think it's a spoiler (it's mentioned in book 2 also) but the town folklore of all the adults in the town of Redemption going missing in the winter in the 1880s... love it. That just sets up so many ideas. The idea of "Fire Cottage..." Wow. Yeah. Whoa.
I actually had two people I flip-flopped back and forth with for most of the book, and then near the end, I was SURE it was someone else and I'd been wrong. I wasn't. My first thought had been correct--well, one of my first thoughts. But that twist near the end really shook me. I assumed the story was nearer concluded than it was and conceded defeat.
I still consider myself beaten, however, because I 100% gave up my original ideas for the new one. Excellent. And I LOVED how the author showed the victim for the horrible person she really was WHILE still valuing a human life. While someone lives, that person can repent of the horrible things they've done and make a change. There is no change after death. So well done, Wacek (which I need to go figure out how to pronounce).
First up: I don't think it's a spoiler (it's mentioned in book 2 also) but the town folklore of all the adults in the town of Redemption going missing in the winter in the 1880s... love it. That just sets up so many ideas. The idea of "Fire Cottage..." Wow. Yeah. Whoa.
I actually had two people I flip-flopped back and forth with for most of the book, and then near the end, I was SURE it was someone else and I'd been wrong. I wasn't. My first thought had been correct--well, one of my first thoughts. But that twist near the end really shook me. I assumed the story was nearer concluded than it was and conceded defeat.
I still consider myself beaten, however, because I 100% gave up my original ideas for the new one. Excellent. And I LOVED how the author showed the victim for the horrible person she really was WHILE still valuing a human life. While someone lives, that person can repent of the horrible things they've done and make a change. There is no change after death. So well done, Wacek (which I need to go figure out how to pronounce).
April 1, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Charlie met five friends when one fainted and she helped her. Then those five friends went into the woods. Only four came back. Much to the regret of the local law Charlie inserts herself right into the middle of these people’s lives and their investigation.
Redemption Wisconsin is a unique town with an eerie history that draws people into its web usually with negative results. An old legend has brought Naomi, Lynette, Raymond, Mace, and Sloan to Redemption and their lives will never be the same.
The residents of Redemption are used to tourists exploring their community which is why Charlie Kingsley is so at ease helping a young woman who has fainted practically right in front of her. Some of her special tea is just the thing the woman needs. The author has set up the perfect situation to get her protagonist into the lives of these new characters. Charlie is independent and stubborn and no matter how many times Officer Brandon Wyle advises her that she could be putting herself in unnecessary danger she still forges ahead. The relationship between Charlie and Wyle is complicated. You can cut the romantic tension with a knife.
The young adults we meet in this story are an interesting group. They are out on their last adventure before they enter the adult portions of their lives. Finding work and doing humanitarian efforts but their relationships are not normal. Lynette is the ring leader and she has a peculiar involvement with each member of the group. With secrets abound these characters evolve over the course of the entire story.
The mystery this time revolves around the lore of Fire Cottage which seems to be cursed. Those that find it are never seen again. What a fantastic hook! I would expect no less from the town of Redemption and Ms. Wacek. But there is so much more to this story. It is like a great onion, with so many layers to be peeled away.
One of the best things about this series of books is that the author has written them in a way that each one can truly be read all on their own. Yes, the core character’s lives move forward but she doesn’t spoil any of the previous mysteries. They may be mentioned but nothing is given away. So you can pick up this one and go back and read any of the others anytime you wish. They all deserve your time and I recommend them all but you can jump into this series anywhere to give them a try, and then you will want to read the rest and probably the Secrets of Redemption series where Charlie was introduced although those stories are edgier and not cozy mysteries.
Murder Among Friends is a fantastic story full of twists and turns. It was a book that was very hard to put down. I don’t know how I got behind on this series but I hope to rectify that soon. Red Hot Murder, the sixth book in the series will be released on April 25, 2023.
Charlie met five friends when one fainted and she helped her. Then those five friends went into the woods. Only four came back. Much to the regret of the local law Charlie inserts herself right into the middle of these people’s lives and their investigation.
Redemption Wisconsin is a unique town with an eerie history that draws people into its web usually with negative results. An old legend has brought Naomi, Lynette, Raymond, Mace, and Sloan to Redemption and their lives will never be the same.
The residents of Redemption are used to tourists exploring their community which is why Charlie Kingsley is so at ease helping a young woman who has fainted practically right in front of her. Some of her special tea is just the thing the woman needs. The author has set up the perfect situation to get her protagonist into the lives of these new characters. Charlie is independent and stubborn and no matter how many times Officer Brandon Wyle advises her that she could be putting herself in unnecessary danger she still forges ahead. The relationship between Charlie and Wyle is complicated. You can cut the romantic tension with a knife.
The young adults we meet in this story are an interesting group. They are out on their last adventure before they enter the adult portions of their lives. Finding work and doing humanitarian efforts but their relationships are not normal. Lynette is the ring leader and she has a peculiar involvement with each member of the group. With secrets abound these characters evolve over the course of the entire story.
The mystery this time revolves around the lore of Fire Cottage which seems to be cursed. Those that find it are never seen again. What a fantastic hook! I would expect no less from the town of Redemption and Ms. Wacek. But there is so much more to this story. It is like a great onion, with so many layers to be peeled away.
One of the best things about this series of books is that the author has written them in a way that each one can truly be read all on their own. Yes, the core character’s lives move forward but she doesn’t spoil any of the previous mysteries. They may be mentioned but nothing is given away. So you can pick up this one and go back and read any of the others anytime you wish. They all deserve your time and I recommend them all but you can jump into this series anywhere to give them a try, and then you will want to read the rest and probably the Secrets of Redemption series where Charlie was introduced although those stories are edgier and not cozy mysteries.
Murder Among Friends is a fantastic story full of twists and turns. It was a book that was very hard to put down. I don’t know how I got behind on this series but I hope to rectify that soon. Red Hot Murder, the sixth book in the series will be released on April 25, 2023.
August 13, 2022
This is the fourth book in the Charlie Kingsley series and a great read. Charlie notices this girl faint on the street and she rushes to help her. Little did she know this leads Charlie to her next case of sleuthing. Which the police warn her to stay away. Charlie specialties is making teas not in police work. She runs into this girl and 4 of her friends later on and they tell her they are going out into the woods to look for Fire Cottage. People come up missing when looking for Fire Cottage but this is these friends one last hurrah before they all head in different directions. Unfortunately one of them becomes missing. So the search is all to find the girl, but it is strange because she left her toy poodle Tiki behind. The friends are definitely keeping secrets from the cops and Charlie. But knowing Charlie and her sit and have some tea she will get them spilling their guts before long.
I received this ARC from Booksirens and the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received this ARC from Booksirens and the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2022
I rarely start a series with anything but the first book, but this was the exception. I received an opportunity to review this as an ARC, and although I got the ebook for free, this review is voluntary and any opinions stated are my own.
As a big fan of cozy mysteries, I was decidedly pleased with this one. The amateur sleuth was likeable, the police officer she deals with was not as intrusive as some in other series, and the victim certainty had teed off all of the suspects. One aspect I liked, btw, was that the officer treated the suspects with respect, and not as if they were all beneath his contempt. Nor did he treat them as if he thought any of them was the actual guilty party, which I found very refreshing.
I'm pretty sure I will be adding the books prior to this one to my TBR list, as well as whatever future books are planned for this series.
As a big fan of cozy mysteries, I was decidedly pleased with this one. The amateur sleuth was likeable, the police officer she deals with was not as intrusive as some in other series, and the victim certainty had teed off all of the suspects. One aspect I liked, btw, was that the officer treated the suspects with respect, and not as if they were all beneath his contempt. Nor did he treat them as if he thought any of them was the actual guilty party, which I found very refreshing.
I'm pretty sure I will be adding the books prior to this one to my TBR list, as well as whatever future books are planned for this series.
August 9, 2022
Synopsis
The strangest things happen in Redemption. Who would have thought that when Charlie stopped to assist a young woman, she'd eventually be drawn into a snare binding her to a group of four campers and their missing friend?
Characters
Unfailingly, Charlie Kingsley is the calm in the storm of irrationality surrounding the town of Redemption. In this instance, her demeanour helps to soften the sheer madness that surrounds the college kids she encounters. Madness, indeed, as their privileged lives have taught them that it is acceptable to flout laws and rules. Despite the cockiness exhibited by the college students, we see them through Charlie's eyes and realize that they are all redeemable.
Plot
Whenever I read a book by this author, I'm always amazed by the skill she displays in weaving a story possessing many twists and turns. Yet I never get lost or wonder who a particular character is. And, of course, the same is true for Murder Among Friends. The number of possible outcomes waxes and wanes and wanes and waxes leaving the reader with an elaborate puzzle on their hands.
Final Thoughts
I love the otherworldliness of this series. Redemption is a place unto itself.
Thank you to BookSirens and Michele Pariza Wacek for the opportunity to review this eARC. My opinions are left freely and are, as always, honest and true.
The strangest things happen in Redemption. Who would have thought that when Charlie stopped to assist a young woman, she'd eventually be drawn into a snare binding her to a group of four campers and their missing friend?
Characters
Unfailingly, Charlie Kingsley is the calm in the storm of irrationality surrounding the town of Redemption. In this instance, her demeanour helps to soften the sheer madness that surrounds the college kids she encounters. Madness, indeed, as their privileged lives have taught them that it is acceptable to flout laws and rules. Despite the cockiness exhibited by the college students, we see them through Charlie's eyes and realize that they are all redeemable.
Plot
Whenever I read a book by this author, I'm always amazed by the skill she displays in weaving a story possessing many twists and turns. Yet I never get lost or wonder who a particular character is. And, of course, the same is true for Murder Among Friends. The number of possible outcomes waxes and wanes and wanes and waxes leaving the reader with an elaborate puzzle on their hands.
Final Thoughts
I love the otherworldliness of this series. Redemption is a place unto itself.
Thank you to BookSirens and Michele Pariza Wacek for the opportunity to review this eARC. My opinions are left freely and are, as always, honest and true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2022
I enjoy a cozey mystery with murder and good characters WELL this cozey mystery blew me away the writing is fantastic the array of characters are so vibrant with those I have come to know and enjoy to those new and complex, secretive drawing you in wanting to get to know them better the mystery enticing you in further with its compelling and bit by bit reveal and the plot keeps you riveted turning page after page until you reach its unexpected and climatic conclusion.I couldn't put this mystery down until I had read it from start to finish. Acquire " Murder Among Friends " for hours of intriguing entertainment. Kat
August 12, 2022
Charlie happens to see a girl faint and goes to help her. She winds up meeting this group of five friends; Naomi, Lynette, Sloan, Mace and Raymond. They’re from Riverview and are going on a camping trip before they all head off in different directions - sort of a last hurrah! But the reason they are heading into the woods near Redemption, Wisconsin, is that they are going to try and do a documentary on a persistent rumor dating back to 1888 concerning Fire Cottage. The rumor says that if you find it, then it you’ll get your greatest desire fulfilled or you’ll be cursed! Charlie winds up helping to investigate the disappearance of one of the five before their camping trip is done. I always enjoy Wacek’s books, and this was no different! Nobody seemed to be telling the truth, or all of it anyway, and that makes it difficult yo investigate. I received an ARC of this book from the author and write this review voluntarily.
Read
March 30, 2023Five friends went into the woods. Only four return. Can Charlie get to the bottom of what happened and why?
Book 4 in the award-winning Charlie Kingsley Mystery series!
Amazon/Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3A9NCop
Audio: https://mpwnovels.com/charlie-kingsle...
Book 4 in the award-winning Charlie Kingsley Mystery series!
Amazon/Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3A9NCop
Audio: https://mpwnovels.com/charlie-kingsle...
July 7, 2025
I continue to love this series. I enjoy the regular characters so much. I do wish we could move the relationship between Charlie and Wyle forward a bit, haha... Give me more love! :) I really liked the story in this one though, even better than the last. Looking forward to the next! :)
July 16, 2025
good mystery but i NEED charlie and wyle to get it together and makeout already jesus christ
August 10, 2022
Murder Among Friends is Book 4 in Charlie Kingsley Mystery by Michele Pariza Wacek. I always enjoy the stories in this series. Charlie is a wonderful character and I find that Michele Pariza Wacek makes each of Charlie Kingsley's books different and fresh. I thought that Lynette's death was different. Her "friends" were unique. But, I think Charlie is up to solving this murder. I can't wait to rwad Book 5, The Murder of Sleepy Hollow. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 12, 2022
A thriller of a read, that’s for sure.
This book had great strong young characters and a great plot.
The twists and turns kept me reading until the very last page and I loved the ease with which Charlie and her houseguests initially bonded.
No spoilers here I’m afraid but certainly a book I would recommend.
This book had great strong young characters and a great plot.
The twists and turns kept me reading until the very last page and I loved the ease with which Charlie and her houseguests initially bonded.
No spoilers here I’m afraid but certainly a book I would recommend.
August 11, 2022
Even though this one was sad, and it didn’t have as much paranormal activity in it, I couldn’t put it down. Obviously, a page turner but I would have liked some more romance, humor, and paranormal throughout the book. It was a bit too serious. Nevertheless, I will read her next cozy, for sure!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2022
I have enjoyed Charlie Kingsley mysteries. This is #4 in the series, the 2nd one I've read. Fortunately these can all be read as stand-alone mysteries. They are all set in the town of Redemption, Minnesota, "a town that will not let you go." Having not read any of the Redemption series, I have only a slight idea what that means. Charlie's house is supposedly haunted as well as the town.
Five college friends decided to camp in the woods around Redemption to help Raymond learn what happened to a cousin who went missing ten years before in the same woods. The superstition is that there is a "Fire Cottage" in the woods that can change people's destiny. So the five friends think finding it will tell them what happened to Raymond's cousin as well as Naomi's stepfather who died in a car wreck not long after he and Naomi had been camping in the same woods.
The actual story is more about the relationships among the five friends four of whom seem to be under the spell of Lynette, a girl from a very wealthy family who feels entitled to get her own way no matter how much she manipulates those around her. She finds secrets about others then uses her knowledge to control them.
Charlie got involved with this group when she saw Naomi faint on the sidewalk. She provides her with one of her famous teas quickly reviving her. When four of the friends return after a week of camping, the fifth friend Lynette is missing. Naomi calls Charlie for help. Charlie convinces them to tell the police so a search party can be organized. In the meantime since there are no hotel rooms available, Charlie offers the four a place to stay during the hunt.
I am actually amazed at how caught up in the story I became...couldn't put it down till I finished it...in spite of the weirdness of the whole premise. I liked Charlie and found the other characters, other than Lynette, quite sympathetic and the mystery of what happened to Lynette riveting.
I plan to read the prior books in the series now that I've become intrigued by Redemption!
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Review Copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Five college friends decided to camp in the woods around Redemption to help Raymond learn what happened to a cousin who went missing ten years before in the same woods. The superstition is that there is a "Fire Cottage" in the woods that can change people's destiny. So the five friends think finding it will tell them what happened to Raymond's cousin as well as Naomi's stepfather who died in a car wreck not long after he and Naomi had been camping in the same woods.
The actual story is more about the relationships among the five friends four of whom seem to be under the spell of Lynette, a girl from a very wealthy family who feels entitled to get her own way no matter how much she manipulates those around her. She finds secrets about others then uses her knowledge to control them.
Charlie got involved with this group when she saw Naomi faint on the sidewalk. She provides her with one of her famous teas quickly reviving her. When four of the friends return after a week of camping, the fifth friend Lynette is missing. Naomi calls Charlie for help. Charlie convinces them to tell the police so a search party can be organized. In the meantime since there are no hotel rooms available, Charlie offers the four a place to stay during the hunt.
I am actually amazed at how caught up in the story I became...couldn't put it down till I finished it...in spite of the weirdness of the whole premise. I liked Charlie and found the other characters, other than Lynette, quite sympathetic and the mystery of what happened to Lynette riveting.
I plan to read the prior books in the series now that I've become intrigued by Redemption!
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Review Copy from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2022
It would not be a new thing, this wanting to find something or someone to lay blame upon when tragedy and misfortune strikes. And it isn’t strange really to look back at what we will do to survive said misfortune. Misfortune is often to blame for the creation of strange bedfellows, and the five friends gathered together in Redemption, Wisconsin would certainly fit that description.
I won’t be telling you what the story is about, as other reviewers have already saved me the trouble of typing all of that up. Which is good I suppose, but does it really answer what you really want to know about “Murder Among Friends”?
I always want to know just how much a reader/reviewer liked a story, and for myself I must say I enjoyed it very much. This is the first book I’ve read by Michele PW, but she has definitely moved onto my TBR list, starting with the FIRST book of this series! It took me a couple of chapters to realize “Murder Among Friends” is part of a series, it being the fourth book of the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries. While I agree it can be read as a stand-alone volume, there is some obvious back story between some of the main characters that I didn’t totally follow in the first few chapters. Blank spots eventually get filled in, so it’s all good.
The characters she has created are rich with detail without going overboard. You’re given enough about a character to let him/her become real in your mind, and that’s when you really start getting into the story. You know that point when you can’t put the book down except to refill the popcorn bowl, maybe grab a sandwich and refill your beverage? This book fits that gotta keep turning the pages to find out what happens next scenario.
It’s a cozy mystery, it’s clean with no cussing, no excessive descriptive violence. It does touch on the trauma that young children experience when a parent or guardian suddenly dies. And while parts of it are quite sad, it will have you believing in the characters and their motivations. And that’s what we really want from an author... to become part of their world… if only for a few hours.
I was given an advance reader’s copy and am voluntarily submitting this review.
I won’t be telling you what the story is about, as other reviewers have already saved me the trouble of typing all of that up. Which is good I suppose, but does it really answer what you really want to know about “Murder Among Friends”?
I always want to know just how much a reader/reviewer liked a story, and for myself I must say I enjoyed it very much. This is the first book I’ve read by Michele PW, but she has definitely moved onto my TBR list, starting with the FIRST book of this series! It took me a couple of chapters to realize “Murder Among Friends” is part of a series, it being the fourth book of the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries. While I agree it can be read as a stand-alone volume, there is some obvious back story between some of the main characters that I didn’t totally follow in the first few chapters. Blank spots eventually get filled in, so it’s all good.
The characters she has created are rich with detail without going overboard. You’re given enough about a character to let him/her become real in your mind, and that’s when you really start getting into the story. You know that point when you can’t put the book down except to refill the popcorn bowl, maybe grab a sandwich and refill your beverage? This book fits that gotta keep turning the pages to find out what happens next scenario.
It’s a cozy mystery, it’s clean with no cussing, no excessive descriptive violence. It does touch on the trauma that young children experience when a parent or guardian suddenly dies. And while parts of it are quite sad, it will have you believing in the characters and their motivations. And that’s what we really want from an author... to become part of their world… if only for a few hours.
I was given an advance reader’s copy and am voluntarily submitting this review.
August 22, 2022
The Charlie Kingsley Mystery series has become one of my favorite cozy series'. I just love the relationship between Charlie, the tea connoisseur, seller and amateur sleuth and the police investigator and maybe, maybe not love interest Wyle. Although I really must contact the author and find out how to pronounce that man's name! HaHa In "Murder Among Friends" Charlie once again finds herself innocently helping out visitors to Redemption, a town with a storied reputation, to say the least.
When Charlie sees a young woman faint on the side of the street, she stops to offer aid and of course her healing tea! There she meets the 5 friends visiting Redemption to hunt down a ghost story of sorts and the disappearance of one of the friend's family members. During their conversation at the local coffee shop Charlie realizes things are not what they seem but says goodbye as the group heads off to camp in the woods and begin their search.
Charlie soon gets a frantic phone call that one of the girls is missing and the others need her help. Of course, she'll help, that's what she does! To a fault, usually! Her curiosity and caring heart are hard to get around sometimes! When the story sounds suspicious, she calls Wyle, her go to guy at the police department for assistance. Between the two of them they always get their perp!
This is such a fun series; I just love it! Not only is the story entertaining and the back and forth between Charlie and Wyle priceless dialogue, but the mystery is very good and the twists and turns before the author gets to the whodunnit will keep you guessing. Love the characters, the setting of Redemption and then there's Charlie, who by the way lives in a proclaimed haunted house. What could possibly go wrong? High recommendation from me! Happy Reading!
When Charlie sees a young woman faint on the side of the street, she stops to offer aid and of course her healing tea! There she meets the 5 friends visiting Redemption to hunt down a ghost story of sorts and the disappearance of one of the friend's family members. During their conversation at the local coffee shop Charlie realizes things are not what they seem but says goodbye as the group heads off to camp in the woods and begin their search.
Charlie soon gets a frantic phone call that one of the girls is missing and the others need her help. Of course, she'll help, that's what she does! To a fault, usually! Her curiosity and caring heart are hard to get around sometimes! When the story sounds suspicious, she calls Wyle, her go to guy at the police department for assistance. Between the two of them they always get their perp!
This is such a fun series; I just love it! Not only is the story entertaining and the back and forth between Charlie and Wyle priceless dialogue, but the mystery is very good and the twists and turns before the author gets to the whodunnit will keep you guessing. Love the characters, the setting of Redemption and then there's Charlie, who by the way lives in a proclaimed haunted house. What could possibly go wrong? High recommendation from me! Happy Reading!
September 5, 2022
Murder Among Friends is the fourth book in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery Series. It can be read as a stand alone but as with most series you miss out on backstory and character development.
Strange things happen in Redemption Wisconsin. In this book there is a legend about a Fire Cottage. It is said to be a ghost house located in the woods that only appears to a few. If you see it you will either gain your heart's desire or be cursed. It is a gamble because no one can know what will be their fate.
Charlie Kingsley is the owner/operator of Charlie's Concoctions. She is known for her special blended teas. One day she was heading down Main Street to drop off a tea order when she witnessed a young woman collapse on the side of the road. She stopped to render aid. When it seemed the woman was only faint from motion sickness and not having eaten, Charlie offered to prepare her a blend of teas that she found to be helpful for that condition. She escorted the girl and her friends to Aunt May's, the local cafe, where she was determined to also get her to eat something. While waiting with them for their food to arrive, she chatted with them and discovered they were in Redemption to try to locate the Fire Cottage.
The next day the group of five friends enter the woods for a 6 day exploration. 5 days later they come out looking for help for a missing friend. The story continues on from there.
In my opinion this is the best of the Charlie Kingsley mysteries so far. It caught my interest from the start and kept it until the end. The plot line was good. The pace was excellent.
I received an ARC of Murder Among Friends. I am giving my opinion voluntarily.
Strange things happen in Redemption Wisconsin. In this book there is a legend about a Fire Cottage. It is said to be a ghost house located in the woods that only appears to a few. If you see it you will either gain your heart's desire or be cursed. It is a gamble because no one can know what will be their fate.
Charlie Kingsley is the owner/operator of Charlie's Concoctions. She is known for her special blended teas. One day she was heading down Main Street to drop off a tea order when she witnessed a young woman collapse on the side of the road. She stopped to render aid. When it seemed the woman was only faint from motion sickness and not having eaten, Charlie offered to prepare her a blend of teas that she found to be helpful for that condition. She escorted the girl and her friends to Aunt May's, the local cafe, where she was determined to also get her to eat something. While waiting with them for their food to arrive, she chatted with them and discovered they were in Redemption to try to locate the Fire Cottage.
The next day the group of five friends enter the woods for a 6 day exploration. 5 days later they come out looking for help for a missing friend. The story continues on from there.
In my opinion this is the best of the Charlie Kingsley mysteries so far. It caught my interest from the start and kept it until the end. The plot line was good. The pace was excellent.
I received an ARC of Murder Among Friends. I am giving my opinion voluntarily.
September 14, 2022
I would like to thank BookSirens and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Charlie Kingsley witnesses a young woman faint on the side of the road. She runs over to help her. The woman is dazed but claims to be unhurt. Charlie is well known for her restorative teas and offers to go home and bring back a cup of tea for the young woman. Naomi thanks her and tells her that she is nauseous and that she has not eaten today. Naomi’s friends come running out of the house to attend to their friend, They introduce themselves and Charlie suggests that they take Naomi to a nearby diner to eat. Charlie goes about her business later in the day and all is well. She’s happy that she was able to help Naomi. Apparently, the group of five friends were getting ready to go camping. Soon afterwards, Charlie receives a call and is told that five young ladies went into the woods but only four returned. In addition to her specialty teas, Charlie is an amateur sleuth. She is determined to investigate and find out exactly what happened to the missing young woman. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was very well written and the character descriptions brought them to life. I will be reading more books by this author. I highly recommend this book.
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December 15, 2022I have to say I love the town of Redemption. The name, Aunt May’s 50’s diner, it just sounds like a place I’d like to visit. And Charlie Kingsley doesn’t just visit, but is a local who makes teas and tinctures that can fix anything and everything.
In this story, she meets a group of teens, Naomi, Lynette, Sloan, Mace and Raymond when Naomi passes out nearby, and Charlie just has to offer a tea to help.
Naomi’s group is searching for the Fire Cottage, a ghost cottage if you will, which supposedly has made people famous but has also ruined people’s lives, with rumors of some never being seen again. Spooky, right? They go off on their camping excursion, but Charlie hears from them again when Lynette disappears. Charlie can tell they are all hiding something, but what?
They lead searchers to their camp, where burnt wood is strewn about and there’s a crudely drawn picture of the fire cottage in the fire pit, which is the second they’ve seen so far. Things can’t get any weirder from here, or can they? I didn’t expect the twist at the end, and am looking forward to more in this series. I was given an arc copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
In this story, she meets a group of teens, Naomi, Lynette, Sloan, Mace and Raymond when Naomi passes out nearby, and Charlie just has to offer a tea to help.
Naomi’s group is searching for the Fire Cottage, a ghost cottage if you will, which supposedly has made people famous but has also ruined people’s lives, with rumors of some never being seen again. Spooky, right? They go off on their camping excursion, but Charlie hears from them again when Lynette disappears. Charlie can tell they are all hiding something, but what?
They lead searchers to their camp, where burnt wood is strewn about and there’s a crudely drawn picture of the fire cottage in the fire pit, which is the second they’ve seen so far. Things can’t get any weirder from here, or can they? I didn’t expect the twist at the end, and am looking forward to more in this series. I was given an arc copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
September 6, 2022
Aunt Charley's back at it again! I really enjoyed this foray into the intrepid tea-making sleuth. Not only does Charley have to solve the mystery and cook all the meals, but she also takes care of the young adults, who are carrying around serious baggage of their own.
On the surface, this story of Charley finding a group of friends heading off into the woods--Blair Witch Style--with relatively similar results, was interesting. However, this story also veers into the territory of Ms. PW's psychological thrillers, which was fascinating! And where the two worlds collide is where I really enjoyed the tale.
Did they find Fire Cabin? Or is there a more mundane solution? And, what happened to Lynette and why didn't she take her poodle?
I really enjoyed the story and it will stay with me as my mind tries to fit its pieces into both the light side that is Redemption (where the story is told) and the dark side that is Riverview (where the "friends" are from).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
On the surface, this story of Charley finding a group of friends heading off into the woods--Blair Witch Style--with relatively similar results, was interesting. However, this story also veers into the territory of Ms. PW's psychological thrillers, which was fascinating! And where the two worlds collide is where I really enjoyed the tale.
Did they find Fire Cabin? Or is there a more mundane solution? And, what happened to Lynette and why didn't she take her poodle?
I really enjoyed the story and it will stay with me as my mind tries to fit its pieces into both the light side that is Redemption (where the story is told) and the dark side that is Riverview (where the "friends" are from).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 6, 2023
Murder Among Friends is the third book in Michele Pariza Wacek's Charlie Kingsley series. In this installment, five friends go into the woods seeking a legendary cabin and only four come back out.
This series takes characters that were created in the author's Redemption series and moves them into a cozy series. By utilizing these crossover characters, the author has developed a set of unique situations that grab the reader's attention from the beginning and leave them waiting for more at the end. The character interactions within this story lead to many twists and red herrings that make for an extremely surprising revelation of the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim. The author also lets the reader see behind the scenes to the individual actions that led up to the mysteries involved within this book. There is, however, a mystery that remains unsolved at the end that will perhaps lead to another book down the road.
I received an advance copy of this book from Booksirens and the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This series takes characters that were created in the author's Redemption series and moves them into a cozy series. By utilizing these crossover characters, the author has developed a set of unique situations that grab the reader's attention from the beginning and leave them waiting for more at the end. The character interactions within this story lead to many twists and red herrings that make for an extremely surprising revelation of the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim. The author also lets the reader see behind the scenes to the individual actions that led up to the mysteries involved within this book. There is, however, a mystery that remains unsolved at the end that will perhaps lead to another book down the road.
I received an advance copy of this book from Booksirens and the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2022
Charlie is back! This is another great read in a great series. This time, Charlie gets involved when a young woman faints on the side of the road. From there, she meets a group of friends who are set to camp out in search of the local legend of Fire Cottage. After 1 of the group goes missing and then is subsequently found murdered, Charlie finds herself in the middle of things and despite Wyle's cautions, ends up with the group staying at her house.
As usual, I was gripped from the start. I love the setting of Redemption and the local characters. The plot had me hooked and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way. It is clear that each of the group have some secrets and I found it fun watching these gradually being revealed.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As usual, I was gripped from the start. I love the setting of Redemption and the local characters. The plot had me hooked and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way. It is clear that each of the group have some secrets and I found it fun watching these gradually being revealed.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2022
I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens. I have read a Charlie Kingsley before and liked it enough to follow the author. Charlie makes teas and tinctures. She lives in a “haunted house” and is an amateur sleuth. Five friends go on a camping trip to find the legendary Fire Cottage, only four friends come out of the forest. Did she fake her disappearance? Is it a publicity stunt? Was she a victim of foul play? Why isn’t her boyfriend more concerned? Will Charlie solve the case? If you like mysteries with a bit of magic, you will enjoy this series.
September 5, 2022
Murder Among Friends is book #4 in the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries series by Michele PW.
Five friends come to Redemption to camp in the woods. Charlie gets a call to pick them up and there are only four.
Wow! I couldn’t put this down. This was intense and a bit creepy. Have to say that I agree with Wyle’s concerns in this one. Everyone had secrets so figuring out the killer was not easy. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Five friends come to Redemption to camp in the woods. Charlie gets a call to pick them up and there are only four.
Wow! I couldn’t put this down. This was intense and a bit creepy. Have to say that I agree with Wyle’s concerns in this one. Everyone had secrets so figuring out the killer was not easy. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 24, 2022
I absolutely LOVE this character Charlie! She's a no nonsense type of woman who can read people and the situation like nobody's business! The storylines are always keeping me on my toes due to being extremely well thought out and written. I definitely recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I've enjoyed these books enough to buy copies for my sister-in-law!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I've enjoyed these books enough to buy copies for my sister-in-law!
May 8, 2024
I listened to this book. It is the fourth in the Charlie Kingsly Mystery series which is set in Redemption Wisconsin. This can be read as a standalone story.
The friends all have reason to kill the victim. She manipulates and blackmails each of them. It is truly troubling there are people in society that prey on others.
The story was good and was full of many twists. The lore of Fire cottage is the hook in this story.
The friends all have reason to kill the victim. She manipulates and blackmails each of them. It is truly troubling there are people in society that prey on others.
The story was good and was full of many twists. The lore of Fire cottage is the hook in this story.
August 19, 2022
Charlie meets five youngsters who are planning to camp out in the woods in the quest for the legendary Fire Cottage. When one of the women is missing, they call Charlie for help and she discovers some dark secrets. The book had me glued. The author has aptly portrayed the psyche of the victim and her friends.
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