The perfect first date. Good food, romantic setting, good vibes. Until a woman screams and a shot is fired.
As a trauma counselor, Stacie Maroni, doesn’t hesitate to barge through the fray. Nor does her date, Detective O'Hare. With the case falling outside his jurisdiction, O’Hare and Stacie should simply be witnesses. Emphasis on should. As contradictory information emerges, things get complicated and Stacie’s involved whether she likes it or not. Good thing O’Hare has her back. Mystery with a side of romance.
From childhood, as a fan of Nancy Drew, Dana Girls, Perry Mason, and the Hardy Boys, it was inevitable that Christa Nardi would continue her love of books and particularly mysteries. With a career in technical/nonfiction writing (under real name), it is not surprising that her love of mystery transformed into not only reading but writing mysteries. Christa combines her love for reading and writing on her blog.
Keepsakes, Karma & Murder is book #7 in the Stacie Maroni Mystery series by Christa Nardi.
Stacie and O’Hare are on their first date and all is going well until a women screams and is killed. Even though it is in a different jurisdiction, Stacie keeps getting pulled in.
This is a new series to me and I loved it!
I like Stacie, O’Hare, and Stacie’s friends. The budding romance between Stacie and O’Hare is sweet. The mystery was interesting with several viable suspects. Just when someone seemed guilty, there was a twist taking the story in another direction.
I’ll definitely be reading the earlier books to catch up on the series.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really do love listening to a Stacie Maroni story, both the story and narration work. Although it can be read/listened to as a standalone I think you get more benefit from following the story and the characters backstory from the beginning. When I get a new one it is a nice way to wind down in the evening.
I enjoyed this book. This is the seventh book in the series and I think I liked this one the most because Stacie got more involved in the wrapping up of the case, unlike some of the previous books were she was just told what happened. The series does work as standalone books but as the characters develop and relationships change I think it is best read or listened to as part of a series. Stacie and all her friends are present and either help with solving the mystery or planning a wedding. I loved the wedding plans and has a few chuckles while imagining the brides dream wedding. The mystery was unusual and it kept you guessing over who was responsible and how. Looking forward to the next instalment. Stacie has finale decided it has been long enough and she and Detective Michael O’Hare should take there friendship to the next level by going on a date. When the night is interrupted by a scream O'Hare rushes off to lend a hand and Stacie soon follows to find Michael crouched over a dead woman and a man pointing a gun at him. Unable to stay on the side lines Stacie steps in and becomes a target of a killer. The dead woman was part of the country club world, a world Stacie use to be apart of because of her Ex husband. When the police look at the husband as the killer a former acquaintance of that world asks Stacie to help him. Can Stacie stay alive long enough to help the police catch a killer? I liked the narrator. She has a pleasant voice to listen too. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Fist pumping perfection! I loved everything about this story!
By Christa Nardi Narrated by: Naomi Rose-Mock
Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars Reviewed: 11-12-22
A first date should involve a nice dinner, soft music and good conversation, unless you’re Staci Maroni! When she and Detective O’Hare go on their first date, it’s a woman screaming and shots fired! “Keepsakes, Karma & Murder” is an everything you could wish for and more mystery with a delightful slice of romance! This writing is fantastic! The characters, all fabulously human, all beautifully defined and developed! As much as I love the characters, and I do LOVE them, the shining star is the dialogue and the way the characters interact with each other! It is so realistically written that I feel like I am hiding in the bushes, behind menus, and in closets eavesdropping! And the plot, WOW! This clearly explained smooth flowing plot (no spoilers) is phenomenal! I love how it artfully builds, keeping me on the edge of my wits, right up to the heart stopping reveal! Everything about this story was so well done, so delightfully fist pumping perfect! I loved it! Adding to the perfection was the fabulous narration that brought both the amazing dialogue and the fantastic scene setting to life, beautifully enhancing the enjoyment and making Keepsakes, Karma & Murder a five star experience all around!
This is book 7 in the exciting Stacie Maroni mysteries series, and each book gets better and better. Stacie and O’Hare go on a first date to a fancy restaurant when they hear a scream and the detective rushes toward the sound. Then there’s a gunshot from the same direction, and Stacie rushes after Michael. Even though she is only a bystander and didn’t witness the actual murder, Stacie becomes a target. Watching the story unwind and discovering why someone is after Stacie brings suspense and intensity to my leisure time.
Having a capable, intelligent main character in a cozy mystery is refreshing, and Stacie does not disappoint in this 7th tale. She and her friends are a great support system for one another, and each brings a different level to the story. Starting the series from the beginning isn’t necessary, but you miss out on a lot of back story and growth of all the characters.
The supporting police officers from two jurisdictions are also competent, and Stacie and her friends have no doubt that they will provide protection and solve the crime, even if it means taking seriously any of Stacie’s and her friends’ ideas, suppositions, and clues.
The narrator, Naomi Rose-Mock, does an excellent job, and her voice is pleasant to hear. I’m looking forward to book 8 in this series.
I received this book as a giveaway from the author in exchange for my honest review.
A romantic dinner turns into a crime scene in Keepsakes, Karma & Murder, where mystery meets heart. Stacie Maroni, a smart and compassionate trauma counselor, jumps into action when a gunshot shatters the calm of her first date with Detective O’Hare. Though the case isn’t his, the couple finds themselves pulled deeper into the investigation. Clues don’t match, stories clash, and soon, Stacie is tangled in more than just a witness report. With sharp instincts and O’Hare’s steady support, she’s determined to get to the truth. Christa Nardi crafts a cozy mystery full of twists, emotional insight, and just the right dose of budding romance. Perfect for readers who enjoy strong female leads, light suspense, and a mystery that keeps you guessing—this book proves that karma, like love, always comes back around.
This is the 7th book in the Stacie Maroni Mystery Series. I have not read any of the prior books of this series. I usually try to read series in the order they were published as I enjoy seeing the character development along the way. I was a little worried that I'd be a little lost in catching on with the flow of the 'community' in the writing. But, I was pleasantly happy to find that this book can easily stand alone. Having said that, I fully intend to go back to the beginning of the series and follow along for the full experience. Great writing and quite entertaining.
Audiobook: I enjoyed book 7 of the "Stacie Maroni Mystery" series a lot. This book moved from one exciting scene to the next as Stacie became part of the murder investigation. I was very entertained by the character of Stacie as she was intelligent, brave, and vocal. Once the audiobook had started, I listened to the end as I had to know what would happen next. I'm looking forward to more Stacie Maroni mysteries. Naomi Rose-Mock's narration was good as her performance gave a voice to the characters. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
Talk about a first date that I for one would like a redo of--without the shooting but with the same guy! Stacie Maroni, never trying to, always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. All she really wanted was to get on with her life. Her husband had been murdered, her ex father in law never failed to try to tell her what to do or not to do--And she really liked the new "friend" in her life O'Hare. Of course she has a little dog who is much better at knowing the good guys from the bad guys!
Keepsakes, Karma & Murder is another exciting book in the Stacie Maroni Mystery series. I love these characters and their adventures so much. Stacie, a trauma counselor, always seems to run across dead bodies. This well written mystery has a great cast of characters. There are several suspects and more than one possible motive. I enjoyed "being there" while they solved the case.
I love these books. a shooting at a restaurant involves Stacy in another case. lots of good charactersand strong suspects in the well told story, although I did think the culprit was a little obvious but still the best of the series so far. a little grittiervthan some. I look forward to hearing the next one.narration is excellent.
Perfect narrator voice for character Staci, as our heroine becomes involved in a murder investigation when someone is killed while she was on a first date. This is the first mystery series I have ever loved.
Each book has a mystery and a conclusion. But, each book also expands on the characters and their relationships. I highly recommend starting at the beginning to get the full enjoyment and picture.