What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery #3
Murder At The Baby Shower
Victoria Mason has the perfect life - a successful career, a doting husband and now a baby on the way. She'd spent the better part of a decade fixing what had nearly destroyed her and she can now inspire others.
But someone is keeping a dreadful secret that threatens to ruin everything she holds dear.
Will such a secret result in murder? And if so, will it be her own?
He has a heart of gold, but he's no pushover. Very little passes his ears or his eyes and he can smell a "rat" from a mile away.
The community of Old Providence is held by higher standards by the beloved priest, yet "skeletons" still manage to creep out of the closets of his faithful parishioners every now and then, and oftentimes are not headed anywhere in the direction of the confessional.
Join Father Joe McCullen on the most extraordinary, eyebrow-raising adventures of mystery, suspense, a bit of humor - and surprise after surprise!
But someone is keeping a dreadful secret that threatens to ruin everything she holds dear.
Will such a secret result in murder? And if so, will it be her own?
He has a heart of gold, but he's no pushover. Very little passes his ears or his eyes and he can smell a "rat" from a mile away.
The community of Old Providence is held by higher standards by the beloved priest, yet "skeletons" still manage to creep out of the closets of his faithful parishioners every now and then, and oftentimes are not headed anywhere in the direction of the confessional.
Join Father Joe McCullen on the most extraordinary, eyebrow-raising adventures of mystery, suspense, a bit of humor - and surprise after surprise!
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2023
64 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Tanya R. Taylor
87 books368 followersTanya R. Taylor is the author of both fiction and non-fiction literature, including two #1 bestsellers on Amazon - 'Cornelius' and the 'INFESTATION: A Small Town Nightmare' series. She writes in various genres including: Paranormal romance, science fiction, mystery and suspense.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 13, 2025
“Everyone was inside having a good time at my wife's baby shower until we heard this ear-piercing scream. And when we ran outside to see what happened, we found this man's sister kneeling next to his body…The sister did start hurling accusations against one of our guests…he and her brother were acquainted…He proceeded to call Albert every name in the book, except a child of God…I don't usually give a rat's behind what people think or say about me, Father, but when it comes to accusing me of murder-that's an entirely different story.”
“Accusing a person without solid proof of their culpability is a dangerous road to tread…We all do things we’re not proud of sometimes, but it doesn’t mean we ought to judge ourselves harshly…I didn't mean to hurt anyone, and now I have to live with the fact that my actions had a domino effect which caused my brother to lose his life...And my husband to go to jail...There wouldn't have been any domino effect if I'd done the right thing right then and there…I'm hoping that if I do the right thing now, the dominos would stop falling, and no one else down the line would be hurt…the way I handled my problems dealing with what I didn't have was just being grateful for what I do have.”
My favorite character was Rita Dowey. “Rita came from old money and it showed even in her wrinkly, pale-white skin. Sitting around the house in silk pajamas seemed to some like another high-class event for the woman who hadn't worked a day in her life. Light face powder, mascara and deep red lipstick were her trademark, not to mention the silver hair of which not even a single strand was found out of place…Rita had never married and at the ripe old age of seventy-five it was highly doubtful that she ever would. Everyone who knew her intimately swore it's because she never wanted to share her ridiculous wealth with a man who should be so lucky.”
“Accusing a person without solid proof of their culpability is a dangerous road to tread…We all do things we’re not proud of sometimes, but it doesn’t mean we ought to judge ourselves harshly…I didn't mean to hurt anyone, and now I have to live with the fact that my actions had a domino effect which caused my brother to lose his life...And my husband to go to jail...There wouldn't have been any domino effect if I'd done the right thing right then and there…I'm hoping that if I do the right thing now, the dominos would stop falling, and no one else down the line would be hurt…the way I handled my problems dealing with what I didn't have was just being grateful for what I do have.”
My favorite character was Rita Dowey. “Rita came from old money and it showed even in her wrinkly, pale-white skin. Sitting around the house in silk pajamas seemed to some like another high-class event for the woman who hadn't worked a day in her life. Light face powder, mascara and deep red lipstick were her trademark, not to mention the silver hair of which not even a single strand was found out of place…Rita had never married and at the ripe old age of seventy-five it was highly doubtful that she ever would. Everyone who knew her intimately swore it's because she never wanted to share her ridiculous wealth with a man who should be so lucky.”
May 8, 2023
“To think I had a saint all that time right here on this earth and didn’t know it...” she said."
That's quite a teaser, but I rarely post spoilers. Victoria Harvard, successful author, and her husband Mark are expecting their first child. As a well to do family they've worked hard to get where they are and the baby is an added bonus.
When Britannia, Victoria's assistant decided to throw a surprise baby shower, she hires Petra, the janitorial worker at the rectory to help out and her brother John will also. John, down on his luck has moved in to his sister's place while he hopefully restarts his life. However, the shower literally ends that idea, and Petra is left wondering just who killed her brother.
As usual, Tanya R Taylor, has penned a taught, well written mystery that both new and old fans will love. This Father Joe series has been quite entertaining and I highly recommend it to you. Highly Recommended 5/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
That's quite a teaser, but I rarely post spoilers. Victoria Harvard, successful author, and her husband Mark are expecting their first child. As a well to do family they've worked hard to get where they are and the baby is an added bonus.
When Britannia, Victoria's assistant decided to throw a surprise baby shower, she hires Petra, the janitorial worker at the rectory to help out and her brother John will also. John, down on his luck has moved in to his sister's place while he hopefully restarts his life. However, the shower literally ends that idea, and Petra is left wondering just who killed her brother.
As usual, Tanya R Taylor, has penned a taught, well written mystery that both new and old fans will love. This Father Joe series has been quite entertaining and I highly recommend it to you. Highly Recommended 5/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
May 11, 2023
MURDER AT THE BABY SHOWER by Tanya Taylor is the third installment in the Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery series. This is a quick read with a lot happening -- secrets, lies, blackmail, guilt and murder.
We learn how one person's actions can trigger a Domino Effect that can impact so many others, all from one mistake.
Friends and family are giving Victoria Harvard a surprise baby shower. Father Joe has been invited to give a blessing and of course there will be lots of good pasteries to eat. As everyone is having a good time, a blood-curdling scream rings out and someone is dead body.
The many twists and turns in the plot kept me hopping from one person to the next trying to figure out the guilty party, right to the end
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and the above is my freely given and honest review
We learn how one person's actions can trigger a Domino Effect that can impact so many others, all from one mistake.
Friends and family are giving Victoria Harvard a surprise baby shower. Father Joe has been invited to give a blessing and of course there will be lots of good pasteries to eat. As everyone is having a good time, a blood-curdling scream rings out and someone is dead body.
The many twists and turns in the plot kept me hopping from one person to the next trying to figure out the guilty party, right to the end
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and the above is my freely given and honest review
May 3, 2023
Murder At The Baby Shower - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Tanya R. Taylor's new arrival,#3 in her fabulous Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery series, is Murder At The Baby Shower.
Father Joe attends a baby shower that ends abruptly when a blood-curdling scream splits the conviviality asunder.
Secrets and lies, blackmail, guilt are all revealed but it's up to Father Joe to uncover the truth and bring peace and restitution where possible.
Get Tanya R Taylor's whodunit today to find all the answers and see if your conclusions were right, before the verdict and denouement!
Tanya R. Taylor's new arrival,#3 in her fabulous Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery series, is Murder At The Baby Shower.
Father Joe attends a baby shower that ends abruptly when a blood-curdling scream splits the conviviality asunder.
Secrets and lies, blackmail, guilt are all revealed but it's up to Father Joe to uncover the truth and bring peace and restitution where possible.
Get Tanya R Taylor's whodunit today to find all the answers and see if your conclusions were right, before the verdict and denouement!
May 16, 2023
Murder at the Baby Shower by Tanya R. Taylor is a story that will keep you guessing "whodunit" until the end. There are a lot of twists and turns and characters that will have you suspecting them. I received an advance reader copy of this book and I always review every book that I read. I must confess, there were parts of the book that I did not care for, but I could see where it fit into the mystery. Overall the book held my interest and kept me reading. I enjoy reading books by this author and I recommend it if you are looking for a good story and a mystery to try to solve.
May 4, 2023
A fun cozyseries!
Father Joe accepted an invitation to attend a baby shower and give a blessing. He had no idea a murder would occur or what a convoluted chain of events and secrets would precede it.
This is an interesting cozy. The plot kept me guessing until the very end. It felt a little choppy at the start as the scenario was established but then settled into a solid mystery. I enjoyed it. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Father Joe accepted an invitation to attend a baby shower and give a blessing. He had no idea a murder would occur or what a convoluted chain of events and secrets would precede it.
This is an interesting cozy. The plot kept me guessing until the very end. It felt a little choppy at the start as the scenario was established but then settled into a solid mystery. I enjoyed it. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
May 8, 2023
Mysterious Murder
Victoria Harvard has a doting husband and a baby on the way. Her happiness is marred by someone trying to blackmail her about her past. Her friends are planning a baby shower and Victoria is stunned to recognise her blackmailer at the baby shower and confides in her friend. Shortly thereafter his corpse is found. Fr Joe McCullen is one of the invitees and an expert sleuth. Will he solve the crime? An intriguing mystery which had me guessing.
Victoria Harvard has a doting husband and a baby on the way. Her happiness is marred by someone trying to blackmail her about her past. Her friends are planning a baby shower and Victoria is stunned to recognise her blackmailer at the baby shower and confides in her friend. Shortly thereafter his corpse is found. Fr Joe McCullen is one of the invitees and an expert sleuth. Will he solve the crime? An intriguing mystery which had me guessing.
May 9, 2023
Victoria Harvard’s friends and family are giving her a surprise baby shower, not knowing that a horrified bombshell has tagged along!
Everyone is dumbfounded when a dead body turns up at the baby shower!
The no ordinary, kind-hearted Father Joe McCullen will take readers to Victoria’s haunting past when solving the MURDER AT THE BABY SHOWER, Book #3 of the amazing Tanya Taylor’s Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery series!
Everyone is dumbfounded when a dead body turns up at the baby shower!
The no ordinary, kind-hearted Father Joe McCullen will take readers to Victoria’s haunting past when solving the MURDER AT THE BABY SHOWER, Book #3 of the amazing Tanya Taylor’s Joe McCullen Cozy Mystery series!
May 10, 2023
Father Joe steps in again and helps the police solve the mystery, except this time there is lying, blackmail, and unfortunate mistakes made. When Father Joe is invited to a baby shower, he doesn't realize that there is murder afoot. As he looks into things, secrets are revealed and innocent people are not as innocent as they first appear. I liked the unexpected twists and the satisfactory ending. I would recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
May 8, 2023
I love Joe! If he was local - we would make a point of visiting with him.
This mystery was not really a mystery in a sense as you knew what was happening. The “players” told each other so much — but I still enjoyed spending my afternoon in their company.
I do enjoy Tanya’s style and look forward to more in this series.
This mystery was not really a mystery in a sense as you knew what was happening. The “players” told each other so much — but I still enjoyed spending my afternoon in their company.
I do enjoy Tanya’s style and look forward to more in this series.
June 4, 2023
This book moves right along. It is a mystery but not in the typical sense. There aren't any twists and turns that you would normally see in a murder mystery but I really enjoyed the style the author wrote this book. There was still the who-dun-it aspect. I was very surprised by who the murderer was. Didn't see that one coming.
June 6, 2023
Murder At The Baby Shower
This is the third book in this series and Father Joe investigates and finds the killer of the man who is innocent but accused of blackmail Valerie reconciled with her past and confesses to the young man and adopts him A wonderful story This author writes well This is a good read
This is the third book in this series and Father Joe investigates and finds the killer of the man who is innocent but accused of blackmail Valerie reconciled with her past and confesses to the young man and adopts him A wonderful story This author writes well This is a good read
June 1, 2023
satisfying quick read
An unimaginable turn of events changes everyone’s lives. The twists and turns in this book kept me guessing and shocked with the ending. I couldn’t put it down.
An unimaginable turn of events changes everyone’s lives. The twists and turns in this book kept me guessing and shocked with the ending. I couldn’t put it down.
May 9, 2023
What happens in the past doesn't always stay there, does it??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
April 7, 2024
Who killed Albert Fox and why??? The wrong person??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
May 15, 2023
The mystery in this story starts right from page one. There are so many suspects and surprises. I admit, I had happy tears at the end of the story. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews