Mystery at the Inn

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #19

by Carolyne Aarsen

With their first-ever murder mystery weekend at the Grace Chapel Inn, the Howard sisters get the whole town involved but who will solve the case? The month of October brings thrills, chills, and excitement to the good people of Acorn Hill. The Howard sisters are holding their first ever murder mystery weekend at the inn to benefit a wonderful charity. With Aunt Ethel hamming up her role as the victim and various townspeople as suspects, the mystery promises to be hilarious as well as exciting. Who will solve the case? And why is Reverend Thompson spending so much time with the charity's coordinator? Come along on a weekend mystery adventure you will not soon forget!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Christian, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Halloween

303 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Even with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good book about three middle aged sisters running an inn they inherited from their preacher father after his death. This is one of many books in the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series. All books do not need to be read and they don't need to be read in order to enjoy them. This story takes place close to Halloween. It involves the sisters having a dinner and murder mystery event at their inn without the real murder. I never knew how the murder mystery events took place and it sounds like it would be fun to attend one. I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun feel good contemporary read that is a comforting as a warm cup of tea. Maybe you'll even drink some while you read it.
I know I did!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fall and Jane is trying to figure out what to do with all the pumpkins that her garden grew, the sisters are also trying to run the inn with guests that are planning a wedding. A woman wants to try having a mystery weekend to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. The sisters agree to do that even with all the extra work it will cause. Clara is afraid someone is trying to kidnape her pig. Louise is trying to write a newspaper column from a friends overseas trip with some surprising details. These books can be read in any order with just small things that show time has passed.Since I read a later book that talked about Jane not growing so many pumpkins which seemed an odd addition until I read this book where she had to many.0

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just could not get into this book at all.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of my favorite series. I loved this one. A mystery dinner at the inn, a mystery in town with one of it's residents, helping a charity, and a possible romance for the pastor of Grace Chapel. A great read, lots of fun. Light Christian fiction, for fun, great Christian characters set in a lovely little town.

When I read these books I get so involved. If I need to get a book or 2 read in a week.. sometimes more.. these are the books I go for. Once I start reading I can't stop til I am done. I read this book in just a little over a week which is pretty good for me.

I love this series and again thank the Holman family for introducing me to them. This book I actually own, thanks to the Holman's they gave it to me for Christmas and it was the next one on my list to read from this series. It's a God thing! Perfect timing. I actually had the book checked out of the library already but hadn't started it because of the hecticness of Christmas. Thanks Holmans!!! Sorry I could only tag one person as recommending it to me... but count it as recommended by all of you. :-)

[Tess Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was part of my library project. (Reading all books in library!) I'm sure this book has people it would appeal too but I'm not one of them. I didn't finish this book because I lost interest and it was due back. The problem for me was flat characters, slow pacing, and lack of believability. For example, I'm a registered nurse in real life, and one of the characters was supposed to be also, but when a coworker calls in sick, she takes over her one patient and gives her a bed bath. In real life, when someone calls in sick, they're replaced, because nobody has only one patient except maybe ICU, and once again, they would be replaced because of acuity. Second, nurses don't routinely give bed baths. We do a lot of other stuff, like pass meds or do paperwork, which leaves the bedside care to the CNA's (certified nursing assistants). One positive is that there is no explicit material, which is hard to find nowadays.

[ANNETTE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at a library sale and thought it sounded interesting.I thought it was a nice read but, a little slow and needed some action.
A lot of hype about the " Mystery Weekend" .Just slow at getting to that point.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another real murder at a murder mystery dinner. I'm surprised these things aren't illegal yet.

[Barbara Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet cozy mystery, easy read.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went ahead and gave this a four star although it was teetering toward the three. This is one of many in the series of books. Acorn Hill is a community that is filled with just neat people. The main characters are the Howard sisters whom have all come together and run an inn out of the house they were all raised in. So the inn is usually the main center of each story; however the townspeople come into play as well. You don't have to read these books in any type of order and actually if you googled this series you'd see a different order on different lists. EXCEPT if you are serious about wanting to read them or just want to really get to know the Howard sisters and how they came to be at the inn read the first two first...then after that this series is written so you aren't lost. AND something I don't particularly like is several writers write the books. I've read many of these thus far and only came across one or two authors that I didn't particularly like. Usually you open these books and it's just like the Howard sisters are welcoming you physically into their inn.

This story is a Halloween themed one. The sisters help out a friend trying to raise money for the Doctors Without Boarders association. They have a 'murder mystery weekend' and get the whole town involved. Also the Reverend and the coordinator of the weekend deal with emotions of possibly falling in love with one another but yet knowing what God wants for each of them. Then, and this was why I almost gave it three stars instead of four, another storyline was going on about a town member and he was going abroad and he writes letters back to one of the Howard sisters for her to write up to submit to the local newspaper. To me that part of the story had nothing to do with the other two story lines going on and every time I got to those parts I wanted to fall asleep (and did a few times) and it just simply took away from the excitement going on at the inn.

A fun "Fall" or "Halloween" book to read to get you into the Fall spirit. These books does refer to having Faith and relying upon God but in our daily lives. One character will be dealing with something in their daily lives and another characters will 'visit' with them and encourage them with words from the Bible or a reference to what HE would like for their lives. Usually the references aren't 'overwhelming' but just enough that if you are Christian you can relate to the message being send. But if you don't believe in God (or any God for that matter) you may possibly get offended by the references but then again I, personally, don't think you wouldn't mind this book because the references aren't flooded throughout. I will read this book again and possibly make it an annual book to read in October.

[Bonnie McHenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved #19 in the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series! Mystery at the Inn had everything I enjoy about a story, 2 mysteries, interesting guests staying at the inn, loving neighbors, a "maybe" blossoming romance, sisterhood, and scripture quotes relating to everyday life situations. I also loved how the author incorporated fundraising for a charity and having that be part of our mission as Christians. Even though the end of the book ends nicely wrapped with a pretty bow, the in between delivers true to life hardships and dilemmas that need to be pondered, questioned and acted upon without knowing exactly what the outcome will be!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 19 of another series (Tales from Grace Chapel Inn) published by Guidepost. I picked up some of these at the discount store because I enjoy the Patchwork Mystery series. This series is not a mystery series (don't be fooled by the name of this one) and this book is more overtly Christian literature than the Patchwork Mystery series. If you are looking for a good, clean enjoyable novel, then give this a try. I gave it 4 stars.

[Kathi Ramsdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Grace Chapel Inn series from Guideposts. Full disclosure: I do freelance work with this company, however I honestly feel this series is a delightful, refreshing read. If you feel the world gets crazier each day, then retreat into the pages of this series and spend some time in Acorn Hill with the Howard sisters. It renews my faith in humankind and does my soul good to read these books.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a goal of attempting to read (almost) all the books at my local library. I am starting at A's. I never would have picked this book but this was book number 1! I thought it was really cute. Not groundbreaking but a fun little book about three sisters who run an inn and the fun things they get into.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. The stories are always uplifting, but realistic. The christianity I expected from the publisher isn't heavy-handed or overdone, but just a part of everyday life in this series.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little mystery.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the Grace Chapel Inn series. I just love the light reading and the fun to include myself in the mystery of this book.
The Howard sisters are holding their first-ever mystery weekend at the Inn to benefit a worthwhile charity, and the whole town is getting into the act. With Aunt Ethel volunteering to play the victim and familiar faces in the roles of suspects, the sisters and the other towns people put on their sleuthing skills to track down the "culprit". Who will solve the case first, and will they raise enough money for its worthy cause.
Also, will Grace Chapel Church lose their beloved Pastor cuz he seems to be really interested in the charity's fund-raiser coordinator. What will the little church do if he leaves town?

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little read to start the year off. The three sisters of Acorn Hill who run the Inn are approached to host a "murder mystery" as a dry run for future shows to make money for Doctors without Borders, which is a real organization. Check them out on Youtube or Google. I liked the continued references to that charity in the book, that may end up raising real life funds for the organization. Back to the book. Much of the story revolves around trying to find characters for the mystery, while romances come and go, and we learn more about the townsfolk. There are a variety of things happening that hold your interest. A very enjoyable read.

[Annie O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because of all the interesting characters and how the advise and help each other and solve disputes in a diplomatic and gentle way. That's what I like most about this series, is how the sisters have conflicts but resolve them and put up with each other's faults. The plot is fun and funny too when Barbara is trying to decipher Wilhelm's letters. I like seasonal books because I live in Florida where there are only 2 seasons. A nice autumn read.

[Mary Nethers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really pleasantly surprised by this book! Now initially I thought I was going to be a true murder cozy mystery, and kept wondering who would be the victim 😂. It wasn’t until halfway through I read the synopsis and realized it was just a regular fiction story. Never the less I was very entertained! It was a story that felt like going home.

[Ryan P · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find it particularly interesting. I find that the book repeats itself, as if it actually was published in installments and has to repeatedly remind the audience and recap what has occured in previous installments.

[Harvey DeFries · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting for this mystery in interesting. The characters are good.

[Jessica Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light reading...looking forward to the other books in the Grace Chapel Inn series

[Kathie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel so good series

[E L L I E Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I need a break from the craziness of the current times we're living in, I seem to find myself turning to a title in the multi author Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series. While I've enjoyed each of the stories I've picked up so far, Mystery at the Inn is definitely my new favorite.

The writing is cozy and atmospheric, the residents of Acorn Hill are a hoot as always, and the inn being the setting for a murder mystery themed dinner party added an interesting element that set it apart from the many titles before it.

It was a sweet read that touches on the importance of grace, friendship and family. I love how these titles are always predictable in the sense that I know that everything will work out in the end, and sometimes those are the type of stories we all find ourselves needing every now and then.

Wonderful as always to visit with the Howard sisters at their beautiful bed and breakfast, and the fall setting was the perfect accompaniment. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a clean and cozy read, and I love that you can read this series out of order and still easily follow along.

Final Rating: 5/5.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a nice, cozy, predictable read. I really enjoy the Grace Chapel Inn series of books. The sisters never age, things never change, but that doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, I rather enjoy it, LOL! They're always quick, happy reads for me! This one was no different, but it had the added bonus of a bit of a mystery throw in, via the mystery dinner that they hosted at the Inn in October. :)

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another book of Tales from Grace Chapel Inn. I love that these books are such quick reads. Unfortunately, this book wasn't one of my favorites of the series. I found the writing repetitive and slow. There seemed to be much hype for the mystery weekend and Wilhelm's writing of his trip, but the ending to me didn't match all the hype so I came away feeling disappointed.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of Grace Hope Inn series and it was a treat to read. A good old fashion mystery is about to happen at the Inn as part of a dinner theater which used to be a big deal for entertainment. Just enough suspense and humor with a little romance thrown in. Enjoy, relax, and read a wonderful book!

[Keila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was gifted to me by an aunt, which I really loved---probably the only reason why I'm giving this book 3 stars. It was a slice-of-life read with the usual troubles that plague a quiet lil town, including but not limited to gossips about a potential romance between two peeps and a murder mystery weekend fundraiser. Nice read for a nice day.

[Diane Zielinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical book in this series about three sisters who turn their family homestead into a bed and breakfast. Comfortable story with characters you love because of their predictability. The story is rather dull, but it's enjoyable.