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Dear Abby Cozy Mystery #2
Be Still My Heart
Abby Maguire is lagging behind with her scoops. As a reporter for the Eden Rise Gazette, she needs to be first in with the news but Eden is a small town and, even on a bad day, nothing much happens… And even then, the local café owner has shown a talent for beating her to the latest news.After witnessing an altercation between two Eden thespian rivals, Abby hopes the annual Eden picnic fundraiser will be the perfect venue for her to witness some more fireworks. Everyone has turned up, and everyone is dressed in 1920s costumes. Everyone including the dead body she finds. The police claim it was death by natural causes. No one in Eden believes this, and everyone expects Abby Maguire to get to the bottom of the unexpected death. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make the death look like an accident. When she's staring down the barrel of a gun, Abby knows she finally has her scoop.This Cozy Mystery is a clean read, with no graphic violence, sex, or strong language but full of lots of fun, quirky dialogue and characters.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
335 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Sonia Parin
122 books198 followersI write Cozy Mysteries: humorous historical (1920s), contemporary and paranormal.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
All my books provide a 'clean' read - no swearing and no graphic violence.
These fun cozy mysteries are intended to provide lighthearted entertainment for those who enjoy quirky characters and humorous tales.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 16, 2020
This series is a treat. I’m so glad I found it.
August 23, 2019
Just as good as the first but..
... how many times are you going to spell burgers burgher?? 19 by any chance!!
A burgher... a citizen of a town or city, typically a member of the wealthy bourgeoisie.
As a pose to...
A burger.. a flat round cake of minced beef that is fried or grilled and typically served in a bread roll; a hamburger.
It's the kind of error that a proofreader or editor should have picked up especially when it is repeated 19 times.. yes I did count them because it was that annoying.
Few typos as well which is a great shame when the story is good even despite the plot hole created by the oars.. oars do not sink.. they are made and designed to float to give the rower a chance to get them back if they become dislodged from the rowlocks and out of the boat and to aid you in floating if you fall out.. kayak and canoe paddles the same. So you need to add a hefty weight to sink them or find another way to plot the point where the incident happened.. perhaps using those millions of photographs Abbey took.
Unusual plot with a few twists and turns to keep Abbey, Doyle, Joshua and Faith asking questions and digging for answers.
... how many times are you going to spell burgers burgher?? 19 by any chance!!
A burgher... a citizen of a town or city, typically a member of the wealthy bourgeoisie.
As a pose to...
A burger.. a flat round cake of minced beef that is fried or grilled and typically served in a bread roll; a hamburger.
It's the kind of error that a proofreader or editor should have picked up especially when it is repeated 19 times.. yes I did count them because it was that annoying.
Few typos as well which is a great shame when the story is good even despite the plot hole created by the oars.. oars do not sink.. they are made and designed to float to give the rower a chance to get them back if they become dislodged from the rowlocks and out of the boat and to aid you in floating if you fall out.. kayak and canoe paddles the same. So you need to add a hefty weight to sink them or find another way to plot the point where the incident happened.. perhaps using those millions of photographs Abbey took.
Unusual plot with a few twists and turns to keep Abbey, Doyle, Joshua and Faith asking questions and digging for answers.
May 23, 2018
The picnic that rocked them
Absolutely terrific. Loved the plot. Great twists and turns culminating in a terrific ending (even if you had guessed why the murder happened). A 1920's picnic is quickly shut down when a young woman's body is found. Was it a natural death or murder? With a vast cast of suspects (the dead woman did nothing to endear herself to the other members of the community), it is up to our intrepid reporter, her faithful friend and new BFF to try to unravel the mystery? Te characters just get better and better and the subtle humour is engaging. Just a couple of questions - does her dog talk (in parts it read as if he did) and what the café owners problem with the heroine?
Absolutely terrific. Loved the plot. Great twists and turns culminating in a terrific ending (even if you had guessed why the murder happened). A 1920's picnic is quickly shut down when a young woman's body is found. Was it a natural death or murder? With a vast cast of suspects (the dead woman did nothing to endear herself to the other members of the community), it is up to our intrepid reporter, her faithful friend and new BFF to try to unravel the mystery? Te characters just get better and better and the subtle humour is engaging. Just a couple of questions - does her dog talk (in parts it read as if he did) and what the café owners problem with the heroine?
February 27, 2021
Just as good as the first. Fun and hugely entertaining.
Set in small-town Australia where it's impossible to keep secrets there. Gossip is random. Very little happens except the annual picnic where everyone is required to wear clothing worn in the 1920s. Abby takes many, many pictures for the weekly paper. Then she finds a boat. With a body in it. Detective Inspector Joshua Ryan is on the case. Abby interviews many picnic goers and a few neighbours across the lake. All her pictures are posted on a whiteboard for further research. Abby's mom, who calls from Seattle every day, gets involved in the case. I have to admit I was a little bored after a while, but I would still say it was a quiet, cozy read.
Set in small-town Australia where it's impossible to keep secrets there. Gossip is random. Very little happens except the annual picnic where everyone is required to wear clothing worn in the 1920s. Abby takes many, many pictures for the weekly paper. Then she finds a boat. With a body in it. Detective Inspector Joshua Ryan is on the case. Abby interviews many picnic goers and a few neighbours across the lake. All her pictures are posted on a whiteboard for further research. Abby's mom, who calls from Seattle every day, gets involved in the case. I have to admit I was a little bored after a while, but I would still say it was a quiet, cozy read.
August 6, 2024
I am enjoying the Dear Abby cozy mystery series. This time around, Abby Maguire is looking for a scoop for the Eden Rise Gazette. It's the small town weekly newspaper that she works for. Abby and most of the population of Eden are attending a picnic fundraiser. They have revived the old tradition of auctioning off picnic baskets to raise money for the local hospital. Abby is taking photos when she discovers a dead woman in a rowboat. Once again she is caught up in solving a mystery along with her co-worker Faith O'Keefe and Detective Inspector Joshua Ryan. The characters, including Abby's dog-Doyle, and the places they hang out to eat, make this a fun to read cozy series. I look forward to reading the next book.
November 16, 2019
I am really enjoying this series! The author has obviously researched her material. The murder "weapon" in this particular story is unique, and I always enjoy a story where I learned something new.
The book is very well edited, which sometimes can be a problem with these cozy mystery Kindle reads. However there is one very glaring error on page 105: When Faith is giving her alibi " ...'collaborate this' "should read 'corroborate this'.
The characters are growing into their roles as the series progresses and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next!
The book is very well edited, which sometimes can be a problem with these cozy mystery Kindle reads. However there is one very glaring error on page 105: When Faith is giving her alibi " ...'collaborate this' "should read 'corroborate this'.
The characters are growing into their roles as the series progresses and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next!
July 15, 2019
Cute Cozy Mystery!
Abby is still in Australia and becomes involved in another mysterious death. All characters are funny and unique and entertaining. Abby and her dog Doyle wander all over town and country searching for clues and suspects--- getting into several scary situations. Video chatting with Abby's Mom, in Iowa and 8000 miles away, is funny and quirky. Excellent relaxing, entertaining read!
Abby is still in Australia and becomes involved in another mysterious death. All characters are funny and unique and entertaining. Abby and her dog Doyle wander all over town and country searching for clues and suspects--- getting into several scary situations. Video chatting with Abby's Mom, in Iowa and 8000 miles away, is funny and quirky. Excellent relaxing, entertaining read!
May 30, 2020
I love this next series of books. I have finished the Countess Evie series of eght book a set in the 1920's. Sonia has written another great series of books. Abby, Faith and the rest of the town are wonderful I love her little dog, Doyle he has a very expressive face and characteristics. Will be reading book three next, can't wait to see what Abby will be getting up to next and maybe her Mum will visit Australia? She would fit in with the quirky townspeople.
October 6, 2018
Proper 1920 apparel, no exceptions for the picnic in Eden. A small town not much happens, even a dead body, they are saying natural causes. When they want Abby the reporter to find out about it, with a gun barrel in her face, she has her scoop for the paper, does she have much choice.
Her books are always enjoyable and interesting was it murder.
Her books are always enjoyable and interesting was it murder.
July 16, 2020
I enjoyed the Deer Abby books. They are funny and lighthearted cozy mysteries. The protagonist is endearing, and the other characters are quirky and engaging.
I appreciated that the plots of the series did not follow the cozy mystery norm. There are moments in each book that I laughed out loud. I look forward to new books in this series.
I appreciated that the plots of the series did not follow the cozy mystery norm. There are moments in each book that I laughed out loud. I look forward to new books in this series.
August 10, 2020
While reporter Abby McGuire is trying to out scoop the local cafe owner.
She has to go to a 1920s themed outing at the park to get an article for the weekly paper.
Abby discovers a boat that had drifted to the shore. The only problem is there's a body in it.
With at least 3/4ths of the town there, Abby and her sidekicks have a lot of suspects to work through.
She has to go to a 1920s themed outing at the park to get an article for the weekly paper.
Abby discovers a boat that had drifted to the shore. The only problem is there's a body in it.
With at least 3/4ths of the town there, Abby and her sidekicks have a lot of suspects to work through.
October 24, 2023
Interesting second entry in the Dear Abby series of books. The newspaper is remaining open and of course, there is another suspicious murder at the local community picnic at the lake and of course, Abby is one of the people that finds the body. Once again, they follow the clues and figure out the killer. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
December 27, 2024
I had a blast reading this story. The dialogue is peppered with supreme confidence, doubt, comedy, and thoughts pulled from the ether. The characters are all a bit balmy and supremely real. The plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out who killed the overbearing actress and why. The answers were both sad and sometimes comical. I most definitely recommend this book.
January 2, 2020
Sting like a bee
Abby goes with the town to a 1920's style picnic by the lake. One of the ladies, an actress, floats up dead in a boat, with no oars. Abby, is questioned by the villagers as to who done it. Delightful. Read and enjoy!
Abby goes with the town to a 1920's style picnic by the lake. One of the ladies, an actress, floats up dead in a boat, with no oars. Abby, is questioned by the villagers as to who done it. Delightful. Read and enjoy!
December 2, 2024
I enjoyed digging into book two of this series. I had been reading multiple books at once so I didn’t read it as fast as normal but I enjoyed the mystery. I love how tha main character is snarky and fearless in her searches for answers to her story problems. Definitely loving it do far.
October 10, 2018
Good
this book is one that has a young woman reporter who has moved to a small town to find peace ands quite .
this book is one that has a young woman reporter who has moved to a small town to find peace ands quite .
October 15, 2018
A hilarious cozy!!! I love Doyle!
A small town, a reporter and a dog. Throw in murder and stir with a lot of sugar
Well written with a good story line
A small town, a reporter and a dog. Throw in murder and stir with a lot of sugar
Well written with a good story line
January 27, 2019
These just get better and better
April 13, 2019
Cute
I love the characters, Abby, Faith, Joyce, and Joshua and of course Doyle the adorable dog who has a lot more characteristics in this book. Great quick read.
I love the characters, Abby, Faith, Joyce, and Joshua and of course Doyle the adorable dog who has a lot more characteristics in this book. Great quick read.
March 25, 2021
I'm enjoying this series, and I love Doyle. I hope the relationship between Abby and her cop goes slowly.
January 20, 2022
Good cozy mystery. I will read the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews