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Folly Beach Mystery #2
The Pier: A Folly Beach Mystery
Bill Noel's debut novel, Folly, introduced Chris Landrum and his adventures on the small, quirky island of Folly Beach, South Carolina, where he spent an extended vacation, purchased a retirement home, and solved a murder. In this second installment of A Folly Beach Mystery series, murder and mayhem continue to interfere with Chris's laid-back retirement plans. Praise for The Pier "Louisville author Bill Noel, himself a seasoned photographer, has followed his debut offering, Folly, with another engaging Folly Beach Mystery. Armed with a gift for creating ultra-quirky yet believable characters, Noel shows how a healthy dose of cynicism-even among untrained, nonprofessional types-can lead to solving a murder mystery that the police had initially decided wasn't even a homicide." -Kentucky Monthly "Spend a little time at the Lost Dog Caf� ("Coffee and a bite") with Landrum and his troupe of amateur sleuths, and I bet you'll be glad you made the trip." -The Voice-Tribune
236 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2008
58 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 6, 2012
Bill Noel describes Folly Beach to perfection. He obviously spends a significant amount of time here. I keep reading the bottom of his bio hoping that he gets the hint and actually moves to the island and away from the cold Kentucky north. I am a transport from the north and Bill Noel, it is totally worth the relocation. Now as a Charleston resident I frequent the Lost Dog at least once or twice a month and every time I walk into the place I picture all of the characters sitting at the tables. Which waitress is Amber, I think. This book was not quite as good as his first. The lack of new scenery led the story to a sitcom type storyline. I also think he has very distinguishing characters, but does not spend enough time getting to know them. Some of the characters are forgetful or somewhat lost in the story and I found myself backtracking to remember who he was talking about. I do enjoy any books that describe the lowcountry and I am looking forward to Chris' next adventure hopefully he will get me to turn the pages faster in "The Washout."
October 31, 2017
Chris Landrum is quickly becoming a new favorite. I only wish the books were printed in a larger font!!
October 14, 2021
This is a cozy mystery set close to where I live in Charleston. It was reasonably well done, although I detected a formula for each of the 49 chapters, which averaged about 4 pages. (Mention the weather, describe a restaurant or other location on or near Folly Beach, tell an anecdote about one of the fictional quirky citizens in the book, and have a conversation that recaps the information to date about the mysterious death.) My biggest complaint is that it didn't have much Southern or coastal flavor and the characters, while inoffensive, were just generically American.
March 23, 2020
An enjoyable read
I like Bill Noel's style of writing and his characters. The Pier takes amateur sleuths Chris and Charles on a journey to discover whether an antique dealer's death was suicide or murder. Not until the end are you sure of the killer's identity. This was a book that I couldn't put down until I knew the answer.
I like Bill Noel's style of writing and his characters. The Pier takes amateur sleuths Chris and Charles on a journey to discover whether an antique dealer's death was suicide or murder. Not until the end are you sure of the killer's identity. This was a book that I couldn't put down until I knew the answer.
April 3, 2020
This read was as good as the first in the series and I'm so happy there are many more to go!! They characters continue to evolve into people you see in your mind and want to know what they are up to in the next book. As always the setting of Folly Beach is near and dear to so many that love the LowCountry of SC.
October 20, 2020
I found this series prior to a vacation to Folly Beach. While there, I felt familiar with the island from the descriptions of places and the layout of the town in the books. With the second novel on my "read" list, I am even more into this charming beach spot. Just the will they/won't they question between Chris and Tammy have me looking to the next book. Good times...
May 15, 2020
Another good story! I have come to really like these eccentric characters. I haven't been to Folly Beach in years. It was after Hugo and there were a lot of new mc-mansions newly built. That's about all I remember. We always went to other SC beaches.
May 21, 2020
Wow!
5 Stars from me for this book. Bill Noel is a fantastic writer and adds so many details about Folly Beach it makes me think I'm walking around with him, plus it's a great mystery.
5 Stars from me for this book. Bill Noel is a fantastic writer and adds so many details about Folly Beach it makes me think I'm walking around with him, plus it's a great mystery.
January 19, 2021
I love the way Bill Noel writes. He gets you involved with his characters and makes you want to keep reading. His main characters become like friends that you look forward to seeing again. This second book in the mystery series was delightful.
May 24, 2021
Chris, Charles and Larry Have it Goin’ On
Quirky friends Chris, Charles and Larry solve a murder nobody but them thought was a murder - crazy antics and the BEST friendship saves the day
Quirky friends Chris, Charles and Larry solve a murder nobody but them thought was a murder - crazy antics and the BEST friendship saves the day
July 15, 2021
I had the privilege of living by Folly Beach for 6 years. My favorite thing about this book is the setting. Folly Beach will always be the home of my heart and I truly enjoyed the description of the island.
The story itself was OK.
The story itself was OK.
July 13, 2017
Very cute book. Makes me want to see the actual town.
July 21, 2017
I'm liking this series. It's quick and easy and also quirky. The characters are memorable. Best of all, I have been to Folly Beach and recognize landmarks mentioned in the stories.
September 1, 2018
Just as good as the first one.
Enjoying the development of the personality of Chris's Folly family. Having been to Folly it is a pleasant walk down memory lane.
Enjoying the development of the personality of Chris's Folly family. Having been to Folly it is a pleasant walk down memory lane.
July 7, 2019
really enjoyed this second book in the series, quirky characters and all...
October 29, 2019
I just love these books! I love the writing style, the quirky characters, and the setting. Will definitely be reading many more.
March 29, 2021
Great story line
Love the Mystery in an area of Charleston where I grew up., Folly was the go to beach in the 70’s.
Love the Mystery in an area of Charleston where I grew up., Folly was the go to beach in the 70’s.
June 30, 2022
Another good mystery. Had me fooled again.
Read
July 21, 2022One of my favorite authors!
March 7, 2023
Great book!
November 18, 2024
I enjoy these books,living in Charleston,I like that I know the places he mentions.Easy read and interesting
characters.
characters.
October 31, 2017
Review of The Pier
This is the second in Bill Noel's Folly Beach series and I was completely hooked from the beginning. Perhaps it's the small town feel or the big mystery bursting within it, but whatever the reason, I absolutely loved it. The characters are coming alive in the quirky way of Folly island and it just leads me in deeper. Oh and by the way, I absolutely love Bob. He cracks me up every time. Kudos to Bill.! I can't wait to read the next book.
This is the second in Bill Noel's Folly Beach series and I was completely hooked from the beginning. Perhaps it's the small town feel or the big mystery bursting within it, but whatever the reason, I absolutely loved it. The characters are coming alive in the quirky way of Folly island and it just leads me in deeper. Oh and by the way, I absolutely love Bob. He cracks me up every time. Kudos to Bill.! I can't wait to read the next book.
July 20, 2017
Better than his first book.
The storyline is here. The deliverance needs work. Much of his writings are super causal and conversational. There are times when that casual style stretches out and drags simple plot lines too far. Noel has great plots. I look forward to reading his developing style.
The storyline is here. The deliverance needs work. Much of his writings are super causal and conversational. There are times when that casual style stretches out and drags simple plot lines too far. Noel has great plots. I look forward to reading his developing style.
August 20, 2016
Chris Landrum, photographer and retired HR manager, wants a laid back, relaxed life on Folly Beach, but dead bodies keep interfering with his enjoyment of retirement. A cast of quirky characters, a sensible and shrewd police chief, the delights of nearby Charlestown all make this a fun read.
June 30, 2017
An amusing mystery
Enjoyed every bit-- main characters are well defined, erasible & likeable each in their own way. And it is easy to foresee the long friendships developing. Never boring. Mystery, intrigue & a little romance thrown in for color. Something for everyone.
Enjoyed every bit-- main characters are well defined, erasible & likeable each in their own way. And it is easy to foresee the long friendships developing. Never boring. Mystery, intrigue & a little romance thrown in for color. Something for everyone.
February 14, 2011
Easy read murder mystery. Fun characters.
July 2, 2017
Sequel Enjoyable
Almost as good as the first book, Folly. The same characters are still around. The murder mystery is ok. I would recommend this as a follow-up to the first book.
Almost as good as the first book, Folly. The same characters are still around. The murder mystery is ok. I would recommend this as a follow-up to the first book.
August 22, 2017
Suspense until the end
Nice twists on the familiar island. I love how the books are so familiar but offer suspense and interesting characters.
Nice twists on the familiar island. I love how the books are so familiar but offer suspense and interesting characters.
June 16, 2019
Very good book. I'm enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews