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Charlie Parker #4
Small Towns can be Murder
"Another delicious read for the beach!" -- The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC
"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review
Tucked into the mountains and valleys of northern New Mexico are the hidden towns, little enclaves of history and tradition--and secrets.
It is to one of these towns, Valle Escondido, that Charlie and her office assistant Sally Bertrand go for a July 4 weekend getaway. But almost immediately after their arrival they receive upsetting news and suddenly Charlie has a new mystery to solve.
Meanwhile, Drake Langston, the handsome helicopter pilot that Charlie met in Hawaii (Vacations Can Be Murder) is still in her life. He's coming to New Mexico for a visit, with the idea that he might convince her to move to Hawaii rather than continuing a long-distance relationship.
The plots intertwine and Charlie finds herself sifting through the clues to discover the hideous secrets harbored in Valle Escondido, while she wrestles with the decisions about her personal life as well.
"A good story and a challenging puzzle." -- Robert O. Greer for National Public Radio
. . . and for the earlier books in this series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton
"Good selection for all collections." -- Library Journal
"Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth!" -- Midwest Book Review
"Tension is fast-paced in this involving account" -- Bookwatch
* * *
Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen mysteries. Her Charlie Parker series is based in Albuquerque, and her new Samantha Sweet series is set in the northern New Mexico town of Taos. In addition to her full-time writing career, Connie has taught writing, is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend writing course, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband reside in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com and get her free mystery newsletter.
"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review
Tucked into the mountains and valleys of northern New Mexico are the hidden towns, little enclaves of history and tradition--and secrets.
It is to one of these towns, Valle Escondido, that Charlie and her office assistant Sally Bertrand go for a July 4 weekend getaway. But almost immediately after their arrival they receive upsetting news and suddenly Charlie has a new mystery to solve.
Meanwhile, Drake Langston, the handsome helicopter pilot that Charlie met in Hawaii (Vacations Can Be Murder) is still in her life. He's coming to New Mexico for a visit, with the idea that he might convince her to move to Hawaii rather than continuing a long-distance relationship.
The plots intertwine and Charlie finds herself sifting through the clues to discover the hideous secrets harbored in Valle Escondido, while she wrestles with the decisions about her personal life as well.
"A good story and a challenging puzzle." -- Robert O. Greer for National Public Radio
. . . and for the earlier books in this series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton
"Good selection for all collections." -- Library Journal
"Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth!" -- Midwest Book Review
"Tension is fast-paced in this involving account" -- Bookwatch
* * *
Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen mysteries. Her Charlie Parker series is based in Albuquerque, and her new Samantha Sweet series is set in the northern New Mexico town of Taos. In addition to her full-time writing career, Connie has taught writing, is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend writing course, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband reside in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com and get her free mystery newsletter.
252 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 1998
112 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Connie Shelton
94 books310 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 25, 2016
Thanks to my library for my copy of this romantic cozy mystery of Charlie Carpenter's adventures. Charlie and Sally drive to Valle Escondido, New Mexico to visit friends of Sally. Upon arrival, they learned of the death of a woman who has died during a miscarriage. As a death during a miscarriage is unusual and it peaked Charlie's attention. Drake and Charlie returned Escondido to spend a relaxing time together. They investigate the death and someone is worried. Charlie is looking into the situation before more women die. I will be reading more of this series.
March 11, 2010
I am the author of this book. In this outing Charlie and her friend Sally take a trip to Sally's hometown in northern New Mexico, to discover that several women have recently died in the small town. Initially, the reason seems innocuous enough but Charlie soon discovers something much darker under the surface.
February 6, 2023
On a fourth of July road trip to Charlie's office assistant Sally's home town they hear upsetting news. They are visiting Sally's friend Laura when a call comes in saying Laura's friend Cynthia Martinez has died. The doctors say Cynthia died from a miscarriage which upsets pregnant Sally and her friend Laura who also had a miscarriage before. When Charlie looks into the chances of dying from a miscarriage nowadays she finds an abnormal amount of miscarriages in the small town. Investigating has her getting into trouble and someone wants to stop her from looking for answers but she can't give up. Not even when Drake comes for a visit. They end up staying at a cute, rustic bed and breakfast making friends with the owner as Charlie works on the case. There's the added story of what it means that Charlie is to taken with Drake and everyone they meet thinks he may be "the one", everyone except Charlie....is she just scared of commitment? She has to think about that.
January 10, 2025
i like this series
she is accounting in her brothers pi firm but she solves cases too
her friends friend asks her to look into the death of a preg woman. they thought her husband had been abusing her
she isnt married in this book, her boyfriend from hawaii who flies helicopters came to visit her and her dog for the first time. they go to the town where the woman died and they got the car vandalized when they stayed the night at a B&B.
her boyfriend wants to get married, but shes not sure how that would work when they both live so far away from each other. she doesnt want to move
she goes back to the town and finds out the drs are killing the babies before they are born
she gets caught, but the cops come and finally believe her
her boyfriend tells her to eat her vegis and when she was putting her ice cream away she sees the engagement ring in the freezer, how cute!
she is accounting in her brothers pi firm but she solves cases too
her friends friend asks her to look into the death of a preg woman. they thought her husband had been abusing her
she isnt married in this book, her boyfriend from hawaii who flies helicopters came to visit her and her dog for the first time. they go to the town where the woman died and they got the car vandalized when they stayed the night at a B&B.
her boyfriend wants to get married, but shes not sure how that would work when they both live so far away from each other. she doesnt want to move
she goes back to the town and finds out the drs are killing the babies before they are born
she gets caught, but the cops come and finally believe her
her boyfriend tells her to eat her vegis and when she was putting her ice cream away she sees the engagement ring in the freezer, how cute!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2019
This is an awesome exciting series! This book is a little deeper because there is a distant character that is abused and had a miscarriage. That being said, the author does a great job not to gloss over it but not dwell too heavily on it. It's a bit unusual in the cozy mystery genre. The book is well worth reading and it helps to read them in order. Charlie and her coworker Sally visit Sally ' s, friend Laura, in a neighboring town. Laura gets a call that a friend of hers, Cynthia, died from a miscarriage. Charlie agrees to ask a few questions. Charlie gets herself into trouble which is intriguing. There are new friendships made, and the mystery is exciting.
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July 1, 2024I really enjoy Charlie Parker series. Besides being an accidental investigator, she is a CPA. She is bring the fun doing investigation while also can understand financial statements. Not your normal boring CPAs that are greedy and meets a bad end.
So, Drake came to visit with her and i really like how they are getting familiar with each other but it just seems too short. 10 days in Hawaii was enough to have Drake in love with her and propose for marriage on this first get together?
Charlie's determination to find the real culprit of who really killed those women, her ability to link together knowledge she gathered is what makes this series so good.
So, Drake came to visit with her and i really like how they are getting familiar with each other but it just seems too short. 10 days in Hawaii was enough to have Drake in love with her and propose for marriage on this first get together?
Charlie's determination to find the real culprit of who really killed those women, her ability to link together knowledge she gathered is what makes this series so good.
December 5, 2024
Charlie Parker gets asked to check out a controversial series of miscarriages in a small town in New Mexico that's heavily populated by Mexicans.
This story brought up a lot of social issues in the town that has only one medical clinic. Looking into environmental problem then medical industry and gets very political like things are today. Murder happens and things are bigger and deadlier, very scary and sad.
This story brought up a lot of social issues in the town that has only one medical clinic. Looking into environmental problem then medical industry and gets very political like things are today. Murder happens and things are bigger and deadlier, very scary and sad.
December 20, 2023
I’m binge listening to this series and each book is great. I love Charlie, Rusty, Drake, Ron, and Sally. The plots are well developed, good guys are good and bad guys are bad! The Narrator is excellent. I love a really good narrator. Too many overact but not Lynda Evan’s and my other favorite Grover Gardner!
July 18, 2021
It's been a while since I enjoyed the main character as much as I do with Charlie Parker. The supporting cast including Rusty complements her. Looking forward to the rest of the stories. I hope that Connie continues writing more Charlie Parker books beyond #19.
May 13, 2025
can’t wait to read the next one
Love these characters. This was totally different than the last one I read as she is becoming more independent in her crime sleuthing skills. I have to find 1 and 2. But I need to know what she does with her find on the vegetables.
Love these characters. This was totally different than the last one I read as she is becoming more independent in her crime sleuthing skills. I have to find 1 and 2. But I need to know what she does with her find on the vegetables.
October 6, 2018
hoopla
October 17, 2018
3.7 stars. A very enjoyable read.
February 7, 2020
I'm enjoying this series. #3 wasn't available but skipping from #2 to #4 didn't seem to be a problem
April 18, 2020
Excelleent - this series should be read in order if possible.
October 8, 2021
Kind of an unbelievable story.
February 17, 2025
Great read
It enjoyed the fast passed book. Thanks for not making my the sex explicit. The landscape v was very well depicted.
It enjoyed the fast passed book. Thanks for not making my the sex explicit. The landscape v was very well depicted.
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February 6, 2012Small Towns Can be Murder, Charlie Parker Mystery No. 4, by Connie Shelton, B. Narrated by Lynda Evans, Produced by Books in Motion, downloaded from audible.com.
Okay, I said I wouldn’t read another of these books, but I already had it downloaded so I went ahead. But I won’t be buying any more of these. In this one Charlie Parker goes with her secretary, Sally, on a day off to her secretary’s home town, a very small town. They stop to see a friend of Sally’s, and she is pregnant, as is Sally. While they are visiting, Sally’s friend, Laura, gets a call that a good friend of hers, a co-worker at the bank, had a miscarriage and bled to death. Laura indicates that she has had two miscarriages in the past and is worried she’ll miscarry again. Also there is some suspicion that the woman who died was a victim of spousal abuse, so maybe her husband had something to do with the miscarriage. Sally brags about Charlie’s prowess at investigation, and Charlie is off and running. She does her usual snooping and taking of notes that should go to the police. Almost by happenstance, she comes upon a statistic that the county in which this small town is located has the highest number of miscarriages each year of any county in new Mexico, and most of the miscarriages are from Latina women. She digs into everything she can and gets herself into a heap of trouble again, but eventually reaches a solution. To enjoy these books at all, you have to totally exclude judgment from your reasoning. We often don’t know how Charlie reaches conclusions. We don’t get enough information to come to those conclusions ourselves along with Charlie. But for people who like cozies where credibility is totally disregarded, they’re a good escape.
Okay, I said I wouldn’t read another of these books, but I already had it downloaded so I went ahead. But I won’t be buying any more of these. In this one Charlie Parker goes with her secretary, Sally, on a day off to her secretary’s home town, a very small town. They stop to see a friend of Sally’s, and she is pregnant, as is Sally. While they are visiting, Sally’s friend, Laura, gets a call that a good friend of hers, a co-worker at the bank, had a miscarriage and bled to death. Laura indicates that she has had two miscarriages in the past and is worried she’ll miscarry again. Also there is some suspicion that the woman who died was a victim of spousal abuse, so maybe her husband had something to do with the miscarriage. Sally brags about Charlie’s prowess at investigation, and Charlie is off and running. She does her usual snooping and taking of notes that should go to the police. Almost by happenstance, she comes upon a statistic that the county in which this small town is located has the highest number of miscarriages each year of any county in new Mexico, and most of the miscarriages are from Latina women. She digs into everything she can and gets herself into a heap of trouble again, but eventually reaches a solution. To enjoy these books at all, you have to totally exclude judgment from your reasoning. We often don’t know how Charlie reaches conclusions. We don’t get enough information to come to those conclusions ourselves along with Charlie. But for people who like cozies where credibility is totally disregarded, they’re a good escape.
November 26, 2012
I read the first four books in this series (bought it as a set). All four were very similar in terms of strengths and weaknesses. All are fairly well written. All are a bit slow-paced. The characters are developed progressively, but after I while, I stopped caring. These are a reasonable fast reads, the mystery develops slowly, and the characters are mildly interesting, but there is nothing special to keep me coming back for more.
December 13, 2010
This is fourth in the series and a solid, enjoyable mystery. Charlie is a likable character and I enjoyed her relationships with her brother, friends, dog, and particularly her quandary over what to do about her feelings for Drake. The conclusion is a shocker, and the book kept me guessing almost until the end.
May 18, 2016
Good story - many inaccuracies in the tale. Behavior of main character do not make sense and implausible. I keep hearing a background of chatter during the reading - as if recording done in a train station
December 22, 2011
Found this one rather disjointed.
August 25, 2012
Smooth, easy reading. Enjoyable character. Good story. Enjoy every one of her books so far.
July 19, 2016
I’m reading these way too fast
March 28, 2016
quick one day read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews