Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder

A Mom Zone Mystery #5

by Sara Rosett

While dealing with her professional organizing business, the Mom Stroller Brigade, and her husband Mitch's family reunion, Ellie Avery must stop a killer that is targeting members of Mitch's squadron before her husband is permanently grounded.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Southern

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunits.

She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery.

Publishers Weekly called Sara's books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.

Reviews

[Bernie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my first, but probably the last I'll read by this author. Ellie, the main character, has a part-time business as a professional organizer. At the end of every chapter the author has a bunch or organizing tips. I found that to be pretty lame. Ellie is also a busybody who doesn't seem to think that entering others houses is terribly wrong. She has two young children who need to know that wrong is wrong, even is their mother is a self-styled sleuth.

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giving up on this after 7 chapters. Really wanted to like it! It's just too silly. Too many cliches about the quirks and charms of the South. Plus in the first chapter the author talks about it being deer hunting season in Georgia in the summer. I don't think so. Moving on... the summer is short and I have a long reading list.

[Tig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult foe me to relate to the main character, the plot was far too easy to figure out. I saw "who done it" before the book was halfway over. The title was misleading, I did not read about any mayhem at all.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy this series. Ellie is so interesting & her tips are great.
This story will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying the series, though I have to admit, book five required a higher suspension of disbelief than any of the others in the series thus far. The author had a tendency to focus less on plot and character and more on using random "convenient" situations to get her heroine out of various scrapes. The lack of background on the newly introduced characters that were pivotal to the thinly written plot of the story further compounded the issue. If there's no information on the characters, why on earth should the audience care about them, or what happens to them? That said, I'm hoping this was a fluke and that this isn't the point where the series starts to go downhill. Fingers crossed.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie and Mitch Avery are hosting his family reunion when they receive word that his Commander (Air Force) has been strangled. Ellie's good friend Denise, the Commander's wife is a prime suspect. She asks Ellie to help find the real killer since Ellie has done some prior amateur investigating. When Mitch seems to be another target of the killer, Ellie has little choice but to be involved. Interesting setting, being on a military base and working within the framework of military politics. However, Ellie is constantly dropping her kids off somewhere and getting into dangerous situations. Not a series I plan to pursue.

[Debi Luker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read some of the reviews on this and they are digging into some pretty specific details and slamming the book for this and that. Look, if you're reading this series it's because the characters are quirky, it's a light-hearted, fun read. With so many details to tend to in my own life, I just want to relax and read a story when I sit down with a book. I happen to like Ellie and reading about the situations she gets wrapped up in. If you want to read something meaty and intense, skip this series. Otherwise, give it a go. I enjoy it!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

But the strangest things happen to this perfectly normal woman: People keep getting murdered around her. Once? I could understand once. But at least once in every book, someone keels over from some strange, rare, or just extremely hateful experience, and Ellie, with wicked powers of observation and insatiable curiosity, manages to get to the bottom of the mystery just about the time you get to the end of the book. Works out quite nicely that way. There were good things about this book and I enjoyed it mostly

[ReadaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series more than I anticipated, now that my son is nearing the end of AF basic training. I doubt his wife will be nearly as self-sufficient and kind as Ellie! The fact that Ms. Rosett is the spouse of an AF pilot adds an extra, and perhaps realistic, dimension to the life of an Air Force spouse.
The tips at the end of each chapter regarding organization are helpful too. A good series!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery to read. Military wife Ellie is raising 2 kids with her husband Mitch. When Mitch's squadron commander is murdered, his wife is the main suspect. Ellie knows that his wife didn't do it and sets out to find out who did. All clues lead her to one person but it's the wrong person and Ellie almost gets her face shot off!!! Thankfully, her perfect neighborhood is full of drugs and the GBI and DEA are on the scene and help save her.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livvie is just so adorable that she wants to go to school, and is so excited to be in school. Nathan sounds cute too, and he wants to be where his older sister is.

Of course, Ellie, is so intent on putting everything in order, that she is figuring out the mystery behind the murders as she goes about her life.

I hope my library has an endless supply of this series, so I will continue to enjoy Livvie, Nathan, Ellie, and Mitch's adventures.

[Ta'Neisha Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Rosett did another fine job of creating a relatable mystery story. Military families will understand and connect with the mentions of promotions and programs throughout the book. The book read well and kept me fully engaged, until the end, as the last part turned into a soap opera dialogue. This isn't my favorite book from this series but it is still pretty good.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live the story and Sara had a few red herrings that made it interesting. The relationship with Ellie & Mitch was a sweet.treat. But her stubborn and faithfulness with friends was something that I will remember long after finishing it. Great job Sara Rosett.

[Nadine Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and half

There were good things about this book and I enjoyed it mostly and the determination portrayed in the main character. It is just that the actual conclusion was less attentively pursued than other aspects of the book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving this series.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good mystery

[Fairlee Corkran]

I loved the Air Force and family aspects of this book

[NANCY HENDLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read !

I love a good mystery story and this one caught my attention. It's a quick read but keeps you guessing with lots of twists and turns.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Ellie mystery. I did not guess who the culprit was at sll; didn't even come close.

[Linda Svoboda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

You never know what can trigger a person to violence. This time it wasn’t meant for Ellie. It’s fun to read about the kids growing up and the family dynamics now.

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy listening for this book I dislike having to write review

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in this series. This one had lots of suspects and paths to follow before the guilty person slipped up. Looking forward to the next one.

[Alaina Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Albert Belcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

So maybe I am in the minority I really liked this book. So okay she isn't even aware that when an air bag deploys a car is totaled, it is still a fun read.

[Linda Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but not great.
The only thing I can said about this book was I could not guess who was the murderer and why they were doing this.

[Carmen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. Very good cozy mystery. A likeable main character. And since she's married, none of those awful triangles or chemistry free romances, some cozy authors insist on. Will read more by this author.

[Sierra Dummitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so fun and easy to read!

For sure reading the entire series.

[Tomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twisted plot, hard to follow. And our heroine does something stupid. Follows the formula.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the characters in this series, they are fast reads with no gore and no bad language. This one had a few twists that I didn't pick up on to make it interesting.