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Waiter, There's a Clue In My Soup! Five Mystery Stories
Five previously published and award nominated mystery short stories by novelist Camille LaGuire. In the title story, "Waiter, There's a Clue in My Soup!" two police detectives sort out a poisoning case over lunch at the deli, with a little help from a foodie in the corner. (This story was nominated for a Derringer award in 2003.)"The Hoosegow Strangler" was the first story featuring Mick and Casey, a pair of young gunslingers turned detective. In this locked room story, a witness they were guarding is murdered, and they have to solve the crime to preserve their reputation."Trail of the Lonesome Stickpin" finds Mick drugged by a pair of pretty femmes fatales, and he has to figure out what happened before Casey shoots him. (This story was put forward for an Edgar by its publisher.)In the fourth story, a killer believes that all he needs is a strong "Alibi" to pull off the perfect crime, but he finds that works against him.In the final story, "The Promise," a teenaged girl has to keep her brutal father from turning her brother into a killer. (This story was also nominated for a Derringer in 2007.)(This collection is 16,000 words long, or equivalent to about 60 pages of a mass market paperback.)
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 31, 2020
An Oldie…
This is a new author for me.
I think that this collection of short stories is very nice. All five of them are very interesting and I think that the writing is clever.
Reminds me of some of the Agatha Christie mysteries that I have read.
Have that “old-school” smell. 😎
This is a new author for me.
I think that this collection of short stories is very nice. All five of them are very interesting and I think that the writing is clever.
Reminds me of some of the Agatha Christie mysteries that I have read.
Have that “old-school” smell. 😎
October 10, 2010
The title story is definitely the best of the bunch in this collection of short stories and sample chapters of another book of the author's. It was cute, BUT from the title, I was envisioning a little more of the cozy mystery sleuth-type genre. Not a bad little short story collection, but not what I was expecting.
The other stories are well-done and edited. I read the sample chapters as well and I might look into the book, but it's not really my cup of usual tea, but I did add it to my list to think about! I like short stories, but sometimes I feel like I'm just getting into the author's rhythm when the story ends so I'm willing to give her work another shot for sure.
This is recommended for people that like light Westerns, I think, with a little bit of humor on top.
The other stories are well-done and edited. I read the sample chapters as well and I might look into the book, but it's not really my cup of usual tea, but I did add it to my list to think about! I like short stories, but sometimes I feel like I'm just getting into the author's rhythm when the story ends so I'm willing to give her work another shot for sure.
This is recommended for people that like light Westerns, I think, with a little bit of humor on top.
December 15, 2020
I read this book during Vaultathon.
Click to see my video discussing this title.
Click to see the wrap up video that includes this title.
Overall:
I’m not going to spend much time on this title… this was a complete mess and I didn’t really like or hated most of these,,, The first one was the only good one. Some were just ok, but there were TERRIBLE ones too. Only 1 was worth the read.
Click to see my video discussing this title.
Click to see the wrap up video that includes this title.
Overall:
I’m not going to spend much time on this title… this was a complete mess and I didn’t really like or hated most of these,,, The first one was the only good one. Some were just ok, but there were TERRIBLE ones too. Only 1 was worth the read.
December 31, 2016
Unique Stories
These stories are crime stories of various kinds and settings from one where two detectives are trying to figure out a murder during dinner to one which is an old fashioned western setting. All are unique, a bit rough, and a bit raw. A couple had a bit of adult language and other dialog. Overall, not my favorite genre but a couple were nominated for awards so these are good examples of this particular genre of mystery.
These stories are crime stories of various kinds and settings from one where two detectives are trying to figure out a murder during dinner to one which is an old fashioned western setting. All are unique, a bit rough, and a bit raw. A couple had a bit of adult language and other dialog. Overall, not my favorite genre but a couple were nominated for awards so these are good examples of this particular genre of mystery.
April 11, 2019
Who Done-It?
These were 5 Short Stories that were more Who Done-It’s than typical Mysteries except for the last one-The Promise. That was an Historical Western Adventure. Three were Westerns & two were modern and were well written.
These were 5 Short Stories that were more Who Done-It’s than typical Mysteries except for the last one-The Promise. That was an Historical Western Adventure. Three were Westerns & two were modern and were well written.
September 7, 2020
WONDERFUL STORYLINE!😍IN EACH MYSTERY STORY ❤!BUY IT NOW!😍😊😀
WHAT A WONDERFUL SET OF MYSTERY STORIES,GREAT 👍 CHARACTERS AND WELL WRITTEN TOO!😍 I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!😍I THINK YOU SHOULD HURRY AND GET THIS BOOK! 😍😊😀😀
WHAT A WONDERFUL SET OF MYSTERY STORIES,GREAT 👍 CHARACTERS AND WELL WRITTEN TOO!😍 I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!😍I THINK YOU SHOULD HURRY AND GET THIS BOOK! 😍😊😀😀
February 14, 2018
Short stories, mysteries, western sharp shooters a coworker and his gal. Thumbs up.
June 15, 2025
Sadly, this book did not live up to my expectations OR to the publisher's description. Not bad, just "meh" Thanks to Kindle for letting me read it, though.
July 4, 2011
In all fairness, I'd probably give this 3.5 stars, and within in a few minutes changed it from 3 to 4 because 3 didn't seem fair. Contrary to other reviewers, I thought the first story (about a clue in soup) was hard to follow and somewhat pointless. What followed were four Western- and frontier-themed short stories, which I liked, even if they did tend to repeat statements in the individuals stories a bit too much.
All in all, I like this author's writing style and might give her other stuff a try.
All in all, I like this author's writing style and might give her other stuff a try.
July 21, 2013
I've been spending a lot of time at the hospital with a family member who had surgery, so I've been trying to choose some short, easy reads (so much coming and going). That's what this collection of short stories delivered. A light, breezy reading. The gunslinger mysteries weren't my cup of tea, but they were entertaining enough. Nothing complicated so when doctors, nurses, and therapists came in, I could easily put the story down and pick up later.
August 1, 2011
I thought these were going to be more whodunnit type stories, like the first one, but they turned out to be more western themed. They were not badly written, but not really my cup of tea. I liked the Mick and Casey ones least, so I didn't read the teaser chapters for the novel.
June 10, 2012
Decent short stories a couple of which are "locked room" ones. Very well done. The first was the lightest, but the best. Came together well. The others are nice, competent mysteries with the last being a very dark tale. The later part of the book is the first few chapters of a book.
January 24, 2017
These are good little stories
I don't know about mysteries, but these little stories are good reading.
It only takes a few pages for the author to give you the complete story with a satisfying solution.
I don't know about mysteries, but these little stories are good reading.
It only takes a few pages for the author to give you the complete story with a satisfying solution.
July 29, 2011
Very enjoyable. Well written.
September 29, 2011
They were short stories. I like them well enough, some were not as interesting as I would have liked.
July 23, 2012
- 2.5 stars
Read
November 22, 2012Stories were not too compelling.
December 23, 2014
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.
May 2, 2015
A fun collection of short mysteries
July 31, 2015
Not bad for short stories
Two of the stories were hard to follow. They needed to be set up a little better. Letting the reader know the timeline.
Two of the stories were hard to follow. They needed to be set up a little better. Letting the reader know the timeline.
January 28, 2016
Amazing book, the way the mysteries are solved are interesting
December 8, 2010
Nice and short. She's a good author and I think I'll look for her other works.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews