Als Witwe Talitha Robinson einen alten Laden an der Strandpromenade in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, kauft, erwartet sie eine Überraschung ... oder mehrere. Sie plant, den Raum zu renovieren und Beach Bound Books and Beans zu eröffnen, aber sie rechnet nie damit, ein jahrzehntealtes Skelett zu finden, das in einer der Wände versteckt ist.
Als sich die Nachricht von der Entdeckung über die Insel verbreitet, beginnen seltsame Vorkommnisse um sie herum aufzutreten. Bald wird klar, dass jemand noch immer etwas über die tote Person weiß – etwas, das nicht entdeckt werden soll.
Zum Glück scheint der ehemalige Polizeichef und derzeitige Bürgermeister Mac MacArthur genauso begierig darauf zu sein, das Geheimnis hinter den Skelettüberresten zu lüften wie Tali. Doch als die beiden sich zusammentun, um den Fall zu lösen, wird ein verheerendes Geheimnis enthüllt.
Wird ihre neu gefundene Freundschaft auseinanderfallen, bevor sie die Antworten auf die Vergangenheit finden? Oder wird ihre aufkeimende Beziehung sterben wie der Mann in der Wand?
Bound by Murder ist Buch 1 einer vierteiligen Novellenreihe. Obwohl das Hauptgeheimnis gelöst wird, gibt es Handlungsstränge, die sich durch die gesamte Serie ziehen werden.
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
I was so excited to see this new cozy series after having loved the Crime A La Mode stories. I have liked the Lantern Beach characters from the beginning and totally enjoyed seeing them again. The mystery was great and I also enjoyed meeting the new character, Tali. You do not have to read the other Lantern Beach books to enjoy this one, but those characters have become like old friends to me and you'd think so too. I can't wait to see what else happens with Tali and her little dog .
Super cozy Christian mystery, set in a soon to be bookstore/coffee shop on the beach. It's also a novella, so a very fast read. I liked that the main characters were older and the little cliffhanger we got at the end. I'll definitely read the rest of the series!
I love that Christy Barritt has brought readers back to Lantern Beach. I especially enjoyed have former police chief now mayor, Mac, in the spotlight.
This was one of those nice laid back mysteries that was just enjoyable to read. I dearly loved Tali and her excitement at starting a new chapter in her life on Lantern Beach opening up her Books and Beans bookstore and coffee shop. In true Barritt Fashion the mystery comes early when Tali discovers a skeleton in the wall.
Tali and Mac make a good team as crime solvers and special friends. The ending had a twist I didn't see coming and I can hardly wait to see what's next for this dynamic duo!
Disclaimer: I did receive this copy from the author, but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own!
It sounds like Tali plans to have a fun type of shop but first there’s a body to deal with that makes it look likes she’s guilty of stashing it there. I liked that the former police chief now mayor took a liking to her, but it was a shame that something came to light to possibly mess that up.
I hadn’t really suspected whodunit and the showdown was pretty tense. I’m eager to read the next installment and see how Tali and Mac solve their personal issues as well as how soon she gets her shop going barring any future dead bodies, that is!
The actual mystery was kind of flimsy but this is a novella. However there is a development and twist at the end with two of the characters that made me gasp. Can’t wait to read the next one when it comes out.
Bound by Murder is book one in the new series by Christy Barritt called Beach Bound Books & Beans. After the death of her husband, Talitha Robinson decided to change her life and brought an old store on the boardwalk of Lantern Beach Mac MacArthur, North Carolina. Due to financial restraints, Talitha decided to renovate herself. However, she found more than she bargained for in a body hidden in one of the shop's walls. Strange things started to happen to Talitha, making her join forces with the Mayor of Lantern Beach to discover the truth. The readers of Bound by Murder will continue to follow Talitha Robinson and Mac MacArthur to find out what happens.
Bound by Murder is the second book I read by Christy Barritt, and it continues my love affair with her stories. I engage with this book's story and characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. Bound by Murder was well-written and researched by Christy Barritt. I like Christy Barritt's description of the settings of Bound by Murder which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Bound by Murder will learn how law enforcement uses the toxicology of bone marrow to detect chemicals that killed the victim. The readers of Bound by Murder will know about tax fraud and blackmail.
You have no idea how excited I was about this book. Mac is one of my favorite Lantern Beach residents and I've always wanted him to get his own story. And he finally got it! A series of short cozy mysteries! I couldn't be happier! It's sure to please other longtime fans of Barritt's Lantern Beach books, but it's also a great place for new readers to jump in.
I liked Tali and her adorable doggie Sugar. They're great additions to Lantern Beach and I'm sure, once the remodel is complete, her bookstore/coffee shop will be the new hotspot in town.
The mystery was a good one. It definitely kept me guessing with all the surprising turns it took. And while this mystery was solved, there was a bit of a shocker at the end, which makes me even more excited for the next book.
I was delighted to read Bound by Murder. This is book 1 in the Beach Bound Books and Coffee series, part of the Lantern Beach mysteries. It's always fun to get reacquainted with some of the characters from Lantern Beach. If you love books, dogs, and coffee, you'll enjoy this quick mystery involving Tali, a widower, and her dog Sugar and Mac, former chief police and now mayor. Let's just say, this story has a shocking ending.
Impulse pick-up because how cute is that cover?! And I love the idea of opening a bookstore-coffeeshop, so definitely intrigued by that combo + mystery. It's a quick, very fast-paced little mystery set in the town that the author has written many many books about - so obviously there are nods and winks to characters and events that readers of her would know. This being my first book by her, I missed those "Easter eggs" but in no way did that detract from the reading. I enjoyed it enough to read on through the novella series.
A fun start to a new Lantern Beach novella set! I love that Mac is taking center stage in this set and Tali with her new bookstore/coffee shop makes for a perfect female lead character. The cold case aspect of the mystery was also enjoyable as I love a good cold case mystery and the surprising tie that binds Mac and Tali is going to be interesting to watch unravel as the series continues. This is going to be a great series, I just know it!
In a nutshell: short; many references to other book authors, actors and actresses; unexpected perpetrator; good clean mystery; great prose.
Out of a nutshell: It was shorter than some other Christian Thrillers and Murder Mysteries that I have read, but good nonetheless. The two main characters are in their mid-to-late sixties, and they are creatively described and their backstories come naturally. I will say this, Barrit uses TV show and movie actors and actresses to describe her characters, and if you don't know who that actor/actress is then you are at a loss to have that mental picture in your head. I noticed that Barrit likes to use actors and actresses to describe the characters in the other book that I have read by her, and most likely has done it in her other books, too.. Now, I watch a wide variety of TV shows and movies, so I am familiar with many actors and actresses, and that is a plus for me because I will most likely know what actor or actress Barrit is talking about. But not everyone might know who these people are, and that counts against Barrit. Aside from this small issue, I do think that Barrit is a talented writer, and I will be finishing this series because of that.
Now, about the plot. I have watched and read a lot of murder mysteries (Mainly the former), and I have come to see that if suspicion is thrown onto a character early in the episode (or book) then it is most likely not that person. But if the investigating character has a suspect early in the episode (or book) and quickly finds evidence that gives said suspect an alibi or a reason to not do the crime (still early in the episode or book) then you might want to keep an eye out for and be weary of said suspect, because they would at the top of my list. I'm not saying that this is some kind of formula for every mystery book on planet Earth, but I am saying that this tends to be the case for many of them (no pun intended). In this particular book, the perpetrator is someone you wouldn't even guess unless you really knew Barrit's writing style. I haven't read a ton of stuff by her, so I wouldn't know. But every writer has their style, and if you gather information about them and/or have read enough stuff by them, then you can pretty much guess where the story is going to go. I don't usually do this with non-mystery books, but with books like Nancy Drew, or a murder mystery, I try my hand at solving the crime. In this book, however, Barrit kept me in circles. Suspicion fell on one person after another.
I would recommend this to teenagers and adults alike, but I believe that is not a good book for those under 13. Unless you like skeletons in walls and creeps staring up at your bedroom window in the middle of the night.
I would also recommend that you read the Lantern Beach series in order. This is a series inside of a series, and if you count in chronology order, the Beach Bound Books and Beans series is numbers 42-46. Here is a link to The Lantern Beach Universe Series by Christy Barrit here on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/2412...
Bound by Murder by Christy Barritt returns to Lantern Beach with a clean, quick cozy mystery. I love the cover for this novel. It is adorable. The mystery moves pretty quickly from the first chapter and keeps moving along as the story progresses. This time the story happens in town at an up and coming bookstore. Cassie, the sheriff, does make an appearance. There is a touch of romance between the heroine and another familiar face. Readers will rejoice as they see the mystery come to a fruition and can’t wait to see what else dangers befall these characters in preceding novels. A delightful edition to add to any fans of Barritt’s Lantern Beach series.
I received a complimentary copy of Bound by Murder by Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Talitha (Tali) is a widow that has recently purchased a store on the boardwalk at Lantern Beach. She plans to open a bookstore/coffee shop with her dog, Sugar. While remodeling she discovers a skeleton in one of the walls which leads her to meeting, Mac, the mayor and former deputy. Mac is concerned for Tali when some strange occurrences begin to happen after finding the skeleton. Together they begin to investigate and grow closer in the process. But as they get closer to the truth, someone wants them to stop looking. Will they solve the case before things become deadly?
This is the first book in the Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries series. It was a novella length, cozy mystery that was fun and enjoyable. I have read several of Christy's suspense books but haven't read many cozy mysteries of hers. While this wasn't a very long book, it felt like it still had a well done mystery. I had my suspicions as to who it was but it turned out differently than I thought. It was also neat to read a story with older characters (in their 60s, I believe) instead of the typical 20/30 somethings. There was a hint of romance to come in a future book in the series but this one was more friendship based. The main mystery was solved but an ongoing mystery was also presented that will continue into the rest of the series. Overall, an enjoyable mystery that you could read in one sitting that doesn't feel like it is lacking anything even with its short length.
I am always game for another visit to Lantern Beach so I was excited to learn about this new novella series starring Mac, our favorite mayor and former police chief. Throw in a heroine who is opening a bookstore and coffee shop with an adorable canine sidekick and I knew I would love it. Dogs, books, and coffee is my favorite trifecta.
While renovating her new bookstore, Tali finds a skeleton in the wall. Investigating a murder in Lantern Beach always involves a long list of suspects with lots of secrets to hide. This story kept me guessing until the end. Although the mystery in this story does end up solved, there is a continuing story that has me quite intrigued.
This was a fun, quick, cozy read complete with some visits from a few of the quirky residents of Lantern Beach. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this story. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
A body hidden in a wall for 15 years? Good mystery, quick read. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces in a new setting. I actually tried to find G.I. Joe Java online - seemed legit and like a good way to plug a brand you like. I once read where an author enjoyed Michigan cherry coffee, and I found - and ordered - some. It was delicious! This was also a perfect opportunity to plug some Christian musicians, instead of worldly groups, or the usual Hippie artists (James Taylor...). If Tali is Christian (and you mentioned that she prayed she hadn't bitten off more than she could chew, an answer to prayer and prayers before bed), then why not endorse Christianity in a much more profound way? Why not mention things that might make non-believers curious? Enjoyed the book, but wonder why Christian authors add such Worldly details, instead of being a light in the darkness and mentioning other Christian artists.
Talitha Robinson is a 62 retired librarian. After her husband's death back in Atlanta,GA she decides needs a fresh start. She buys a building on Lantern Beach NC. Her plans are to open a book store and coffee shop. But her plans are messed up when she finds a dead body in one of her walls. Soon after weird things start to happen and it looks as tho someone doesnt want her to open her shop. Lucky for Tali former police chief /current mayor Mac MacArthur steps in to help solve the murder. Who is the dead person? Why does someone want to stop her store from opening? This is book one in a new series. It is a clean cozy mystery.It is very enjoyable and a short quick read. You can read it in a couple of hrs. I enjoy reading short stories from time to time and this one didn't disapoint. I liked all the characters.I especially enjoyed the fact that the herione and hero were older instead of the typical 20 or 30 yr olds. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
I'm giving five stars to this book most especially because I love Sugar the Westie shown on the front cover. He's the cutest and bestest friend that Talitha could ask for. What a pet! Sugar always barks at the appropriate moments, cuddles when needed, and provides every ounce of being the very companion that Talitha needs. Talitha Robinson is embarking on a new adventure... opening the coffee bookstore of her dreams! Only one thing can disrupt her renovation plans... discovering a skeleton (yes, actual bones!) in her shop, right alongside dozens of questions.
A clean mystery. Could even be read by a 13-year-old if they don't mind the murder investigation. And there may just be hints at a romance brewing as this coffee shop attempts to land on its feet.
Talitha (Tali) thought Lantern Beach would be a sweet place for a bookstore and coffee shop. She bought a building and planned to do much of the renovations herself, until she found a body in one of the walls.
This was just one end of a jumble of strings leading around town, involving fraud, blackmail, and other hidden crimes. Was it a mistake to move there? She's not sure, but the mayor is helping her get some answers, and he seems to like her. This reads like an outline of a story. With a little more time, we could have learned more about Tali and her recent background.
This is a novella, so it's short, but the second installment, Bound by Disaster just came out on Amazon.
A familiar setting (see other great suspense books by this author) with an intriguing new business along with a dead body discovered onsite. Talitha Robinson, a retired librarian, came to Lantern Beach to open a bookshop—two jobs that particularly appeal to me since I love books and have been employed in both places. I’m glad Mayor Mac connects with Tali as the two widowed elders work together to help solve the old crime. This fast-paced novella can stand on its own, but it’s fun to find familiar characters making appearances as well as Elsa the quirky ice cream truck. I enjoyed the quick read and look forward to more in this series. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book by Christy Barritt I have read. I can usually tell in the first few pages if a book is going to keep me interested. I started it because we were having a power outage due to a storm and reading on my Kindle was about the only option because it was very dark and stormy out, even at 9:00 in the morning. I found it to be well written, fun, and compelling. It kept me reading straight through to the end even though power had been restored. It helped that it is a novella, but that is a rare occurrence for me to finish a book in one sitting. Thankfully, I purchased books 1, 2 & 3 at the same time because it did leave me wanting to know more. I don't think you can go wrong choosing this book.
Yay, I love returning to Lantern Beach and finally getting to see a romantic interest for Mac! This is a light, fun read about a widow, Tali, and her Westie, moving to Lantern Beach, NC to open a bookshop and start a new life. But upon arrival, she is thrown into a murder mystery, meets a handsome widower, and becomes very familiar with the police force, all in her first few days in Lantern Beach! Several well-known characters from previous Lantern Beach series make an appearance, but you do not have to read the other series first to enjoy this one. Enjoyed the first book, and look forward to the next one.
I love this book for so many reasons! First, the main characters are older than the usual suspense story main characters. Second, books, coffee and the beach are involved!! Finally, there are enough twists and turns to keep your attention up until the very surprising end!!! I always enjoy "visiting" Lantern Beach and all the wonderful/quirky people who live there. You don't want to miss this book by Christy Barritt. It is a perfect summer/beach read!! I received an advance copy but all opinions are my own.
Tali moves to Lantern Beach to open a coffee & book store, and to leave sad memories of her husband's death in prison behind her. When she starts renovations on the shop & sledges her way through a wall, a skeleton falls out. This is just the first of many odd & unwelcoming things that happen. Mayor Mac and Police Chief Cassidy help her out & solve the mystery of the skeleton but open up another can of worms. Cliffhanger warning. Hoping Christy Barritt churns out the next book soon!
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick story, Bound by Murder. This first book in the series has definitely got me hooked and I look forward to the next one. I love that the story is located in Lantern Beach. All of the books that I read that were based in Lantern Beach have been wonderful stories. I enjoyed the two main characters, Tali and Mac. The mystery behind Tali finding a body in the walls of her newly purchased store kept me wanting to keep reading to find out how it got there. I’m looking forward to the continuation of this series.
I enjoyed reading this book but after I had finished it, I realised that the main plotline was highly implausible. You can't have listening devices throughout a town without needing to change the batteries and you wouldn't be able to hear what was being said without sitting in a vehicle, set up to catch the radio waves, not far from each house. If the blackmailers were doing it to get money because they didn't have enough, they couldn't have afforded to set up a system of listening devices in the first place. So hence the 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was a interesting one, the first book in a series, this had all the makings of a series I would love! A woman moves to a small town to open a book store, finds a skeleton in the wall as she’s tearing it down! I liked Tali, our protagonist, loved her gorgeous dog and Mac, her potential love interest. When the author described him as looking like Mark Harmon as Gibbs I laughed so much, because that’s who I saw as him! There is a connection to Tali and Mac. The real problem is that it was a little too heavy to be a cozy for my liking. Not sure if I will continue with the series.
Talitha Robinson finds a decades-old skeleton in the shop walls during renovations. The mayor and former police chief, Mac MacArthur, is eager to solve the mystery. Chemistry draws them together. But somebody is desperate to prevent resolution.
This Christian Suspense is amusing. The culprit uses tricks and redirection to prolong the inevitable. Eventually, a spanner is thrown into the works of romance. While the criminal was arrested, the end was unsettling.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I had a BETA copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. A return to Lantern Beach with this book by Christy Barritt. Talitha comes to the island to open a coffee shop and bookstore, but in renovating, she discovers a skeleton in the wall. Mac Mcarthur assists police Chief Cassidy in trying to determine the identity of the bones. As other mysterious things begin to happen to Tali, Mac comes to her rescue. An interesting and engaging story.
Christy Barrier launches a fun, new Beach Bound Books and Beans series to the Lantern Beach mysteries. Newcomer, Talk the Robinson,owner of the future book and coffee store, encounters much more than planned during renovations and meets fans favorite characters while investigating. Stay tuned for the twisty, surprise ending.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.