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Southern Sisters #4
Murder Makes Waves
Those hilarious southern sisters, who prove that sibling rivalry never ends, are heading for a vacation at the beach. Mary Alice’s flamboyant behavior aside, serious, sensible Patricia Anne looks forward to relaxing at her sister’s beachfront condo in Destin, Florida, so she kisses her ever-loving spouse Fred good-bye, reminds him to water the plants and feed the dog, and the girls head south for some fun in the sun.
Mary Alice loses no time in making the acquaintance of just about everyone in sight, so watching the sun go down on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico is a welcome respite as far as Patricia Anne is concerned… until a dead body washes up in the waves and the victim turns out to be one of Mary Alice’s newfound friends. With no witnesses to the crime except a few great blue herons, the sisters have no choice but to bypass the clueless police and follow their own instincts to find the killer. Before long they’re on a murky trail of dirty real-estate deals, giant turtle habitats, and a sea of evidence pointing to a mammoth motive for murder.
Mary Alice loses no time in making the acquaintance of just about everyone in sight, so watching the sun go down on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico is a welcome respite as far as Patricia Anne is concerned… until a dead body washes up in the waves and the victim turns out to be one of Mary Alice’s newfound friends. With no witnesses to the crime except a few great blue herons, the sisters have no choice but to bypass the clueless police and follow their own instincts to find the killer. Before long they’re on a murky trail of dirty real-estate deals, giant turtle habitats, and a sea of evidence pointing to a mammoth motive for murder.
252 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
127 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
About the author
Anne George
59 books277 followersAnne Carroll George was an American author and poet. She was Alabama's 1994 state poet. George died in 2001 of heart surgery complications.
Anne George was an Agatha Award-winner and a former Alabama State Poet. She was a cofounder of the Druid Press, and a regular contributor to literary and poetry publications. She was nominated for several awards, including the Pulitzer for a book of verse entitled Some of It Is True.
Series:
* Southern Sisters Mystery
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anne George was an Agatha Award-winner and a former Alabama State Poet. She was a cofounder of the Druid Press, and a regular contributor to literary and poetry publications. She was nominated for several awards, including the Pulitzer for a book of verse entitled Some of It Is True.
Series:
* Southern Sisters Mystery
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
September 1, 2018
This is so funny! Love the two bickering sisters. Mary Alice and Patricia Anne are not your typical amateur sleuths. They are in their 60's and are looking for a little adventure. Finding a dead body was not on their agenda. Give this series a whirl if you're needing a laugh along with your mystery.
June 29, 2024
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This was my first time reading a Cozy Mystery by Anne so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say this one had me laughing most of the time 😆 cause it was a hilarious feel good Cozy about two sisters who go on vacation in Florida but end up solving a murder in the process.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Patricia Anne was definately my favorite because of her comical responses and murder solving skills.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Destin Florida while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 4 in this Cozy Mystery Series. Can't wait to read Books 1-3 very soon!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Cozy Mystery by Anne so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say this one had me laughing most of the time 😆 cause it was a hilarious feel good Cozy about two sisters who go on vacation in Florida but end up solving a murder in the process.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. Patricia Anne was definately my favorite because of her comical responses and murder solving skills.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in Destin Florida while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 4 in this Cozy Mystery Series. Can't wait to read Books 1-3 very soon!!
July 3, 2024
These ladies have all the luck don't they. I so adore reading this series and seeing what these sisters will be into next. Loved seeing them head to Destin which is a family favorite also. The characters are just spot on and super fun to read and see what they will be up to next. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in this series. If you want a cozy mystery that remind you of your grandmoms then this is the book for you.
January 9, 2020
Murder and hilarity ensue on a relaxation vacation with Patricia Ann and Mary Alice in Destin, Florida.
December 18, 2023
#4 in the Southern Sisters cozy mystery series
These two sisters continue to amuse me. They are physical opposites, but they are very close in many ways. "Sister" Mary Alice is 6 ft., 250 pounds and very imposing. She's been married multiple times and is consequently very well off. "Mouse" Patricia Anne is tiny, is a retired schoolteacher (who often is frustrated by the same grammatical errors that bother me), happily married, and is often the voice of reason. But they click well together, even when they tend to find dead bodies. This time, when they go on vacation to Mary Alice's condo in Florida (along with friend Frances and Patricia's daughter Haley), they find a friend's dead body and must report it to the cops. Being the sisters they are, they get involved in the investigation on their own, especially when another dead body crops up. They are some funny moments involving Sister's creative writing workshop and her story reading. And Haley has some dates with locals when she and her boyfriend Philip are off-again. Although the setting is different, the sisters' relationship is full of bickering and love and working together. Fred (Patricia Anne's husband) ends up coming along for the ride as well, adding more of a personal touch. We also learned a bit about the environmental issues faced by sea turtle nests and birthing. Fun, with a logical solution and an action-packed ending.
These two sisters continue to amuse me. They are physical opposites, but they are very close in many ways. "Sister" Mary Alice is 6 ft., 250 pounds and very imposing. She's been married multiple times and is consequently very well off. "Mouse" Patricia Anne is tiny, is a retired schoolteacher (who often is frustrated by the same grammatical errors that bother me), happily married, and is often the voice of reason. But they click well together, even when they tend to find dead bodies. This time, when they go on vacation to Mary Alice's condo in Florida (along with friend Frances and Patricia's daughter Haley), they find a friend's dead body and must report it to the cops. Being the sisters they are, they get involved in the investigation on their own, especially when another dead body crops up. They are some funny moments involving Sister's creative writing workshop and her story reading. And Haley has some dates with locals when she and her boyfriend Philip are off-again. Although the setting is different, the sisters' relationship is full of bickering and love and working together. Fred (Patricia Anne's husband) ends up coming along for the ride as well, adding more of a personal touch. We also learned a bit about the environmental issues faced by sea turtle nests and birthing. Fun, with a logical solution and an action-packed ending.
June 16, 2019
Another fun adventure with Patricia Anne and Mary Alice. The relationship between all the characters is so true to life. I love the banter between the sisters. I also thought the way Patricia Anne and Frances, good friends at home, seemed to get on each others' nerves a bit during the vacation was a nice touch. Hanging out at home is certainly different than spending nearly 24 hours every day for a week together.
I did have the killer pegged correctly initially, although Anne George sure had me changing my mind throughout.
SPOILER AHEAD:
The one disappointment for me came near the end when Haley took Philip Nachtman back. I wish she'd stay true to her heart. If not, she'll always regret giving up a chance at motherhood. I said he was too old for her in my last review and I guess I'm sticking by that after this newest development.
Oh, and some interesting facts about sea turtles added into the mix.
I did have the killer pegged correctly initially, although Anne George sure had me changing my mind throughout.
SPOILER AHEAD:
The one disappointment for me came near the end when Haley took Philip Nachtman back. I wish she'd stay true to her heart. If not, she'll always regret giving up a chance at motherhood. I said he was too old for her in my last review and I guess I'm sticking by that after this newest development.
Oh, and some interesting facts about sea turtles added into the mix.
March 28, 2020
Mary Alice and her sister Patricia Ann, Patricia Ann’s daughter Haley, and a friend, Francis, went down to Sister’s condo in Destin, Florida for a week of relaxation. Sister had been married and widowed three times. She had gained enough money to not worry about her future. She was a dominant force and was now considering marrying a younger man. Patricia Ann had been married to her husband Fred for 40 wonderful years, and hoped to enjoy many more. The evening of their arrival at Destin they went for a walk on the beach to watch the sunset. Their vacation took a turn when they discovered a friend’s body floating in the bay. It became much more complicated when the next day they went to inform a friend of the death, and found another body. Both women had been involved with a real estate development and also were active in the “save the sea turtle” group. The sisters take action and become involved in solving the crimes.
This was a funny cozy mystery. I loved the humor.
This was a funny cozy mystery. I loved the humor.
September 4, 2022
I give this book four stars for the humor alone. The murder mystery itself was not compelling, but I could not help but laugh from time to time as I have done in all the previous books in this series. Personally, the highlight of the book was when Mary Alice read her short story to the writing group she was attending. It showed a whole new side of her, one that I found intriguing.
November 17, 2021
A very funny twist to the Agatha Christie genre. Loved the overflowing humour combined with the murder mystery. Floodlight on saving the environment and the turtle 🐢 habitat is an added plus.
November 14, 2018
Patricia Ann and Mary Alice are sisters. Patricia Ann is small, quiet and contemplative. Mary Alice is 6 feet tall, verbalizes every thought that comes into her head and has a flamboyant personality.
They love one another.
Patricia Ann has a long term marriage with Fred. Mary Alice is working on the possibility of her fourth husband.
The two sisters, Patricia Ann's daughter, Haley, and good friend, Frances, all go to the Florida coast for an adventure.
The adventure becomes much more than expected.
The ladies find dead people. Not only are these people dead, but they have been murdered. Both victims were well liked by everyone. Well, maybe not everyone.
There is a great deal of humor in this story. And there is mystery.
I liked the character development. The reader gets to know the characters well.
The plot is well done. The mystery was not difficult to follow and I figured out the villains pretty easily. But, that certainly did not interfere with my complete enjoyment of this story.
Ms George was a very talented author, which makes her loss very great to readers of cozy mysteries.
I will look for more of her books.
They love one another.
Patricia Ann has a long term marriage with Fred. Mary Alice is working on the possibility of her fourth husband.
The two sisters, Patricia Ann's daughter, Haley, and good friend, Frances, all go to the Florida coast for an adventure.
The adventure becomes much more than expected.
The ladies find dead people. Not only are these people dead, but they have been murdered. Both victims were well liked by everyone. Well, maybe not everyone.
There is a great deal of humor in this story. And there is mystery.
I liked the character development. The reader gets to know the characters well.
The plot is well done. The mystery was not difficult to follow and I figured out the villains pretty easily. But, that certainly did not interfere with my complete enjoyment of this story.
Ms George was a very talented author, which makes her loss very great to readers of cozy mysteries.
I will look for more of her books.
October 12, 2014
The Southern Sisters decide a vacation is in order and visit the Redneck Riviera but, as usual, manage to come across various dead bodies. The sisters are very likable and this is one of my favorite series on audio since the narration by Ruth Ann Phimister is so good.
June 8, 2015
More like 2.5 stars. This one dragged for me a bit.
September 11, 2015
Another excellent entry in the Southern sisters series!
June 6, 2018
I have tried to pitch this book to a friend of mine who enjoys reading crime/mysteries too, however, the fact that the characters are in their sixties and on a vacations seemed too obscure. The plot attracted me, and I was in the mood for a crime novel but without the dark and heavy atmosphere. I wanted something light and mysterious at the same time.
This book is basically that. 'Murder Makes Waves' is about two sisters who go on vacation and then a friend of theirs gets killed. I enjoyed the many aspects the author involves in her story, and it makes the book more enjoyable.
I enjoyed the mystery, but after 200 pages I was done with it. I just wanted to know who the criminal is. The book felt a bit slow for my preference, but everything that happens in the book is there to move the plot forward and build the characters up, so I am not very bothered by it.
The characters are great. They are fun to read about and they have very distinct personalities, I could clearly picture them. I didn't have any difficulties sympathising with them, and I enjoyed the sarcasm thrown around constantly. The relationship between the sisters is accurately depicted, and I can see myself and my sisters in their shoes.
The writing style is not special. It is simple and straight to the point. The conversations are well written, and I enjoyed them the most.
The ending is explosive -wink- it is great for a cozy mystery. Not too over the top, and not a let down.
I am giving this book three stars, because it is great but that is it.
This book is basically that. 'Murder Makes Waves' is about two sisters who go on vacation and then a friend of theirs gets killed. I enjoyed the many aspects the author involves in her story, and it makes the book more enjoyable.
I enjoyed the mystery, but after 200 pages I was done with it. I just wanted to know who the criminal is. The book felt a bit slow for my preference, but everything that happens in the book is there to move the plot forward and build the characters up, so I am not very bothered by it.
The characters are great. They are fun to read about and they have very distinct personalities, I could clearly picture them. I didn't have any difficulties sympathising with them, and I enjoyed the sarcasm thrown around constantly. The relationship between the sisters is accurately depicted, and I can see myself and my sisters in their shoes.
The writing style is not special. It is simple and straight to the point. The conversations are well written, and I enjoyed them the most.
The ending is explosive -wink- it is great for a cozy mystery. Not too over the top, and not a let down.
I am giving this book three stars, because it is great but that is it.
June 1, 2023
Anne George’s Murder Makes Waves is the fourth in her Southern Sisters Mysteries, and, in my opinion, it is the most enjoyable so far. I have read the previous three, and I did indeed like them. This one, however, seems to be more humorous, and the change of scenery—set in Destin, Florida—gives it a breath of fresh air. The sisters plus Patricia Anne’s best friend and her daughter, all of whom we’ve met before, head out to Destin for a relaxing week’s vacation. Of course, nothing is relaxing when murder is discovered. And Patricia Anne and Mary Alice always find murder. But this time, the cast of characters—while mostly their longtime friends—are new to us, and that brings variety to it all. The plot keeps you guessing if you don’t try too hard to figure things out (I did figure out who the murderer was but only when we were almost to the big reveal.) George was a skilled writer who wrote two wonderful characters and fun, light murder mysteries. I recommend this one, if not all of them.
June 24, 2025
Mary Alice and Patricia Ann are sisters of a certain age (60's) who have decided to spend the summer in Mary Alice's condo in Destin, Florida. Mary Alice is the woman who knows everybody, is friends with everybody and makes it her business to know everybody's business. As the sisters head across the white sands to the soothing waters of the Gulf, they stumble across a woman's body, the body belonging to the wife of a condo neighbor. No one can understand why this woman was killed as she seemed to have no enemies. Soon after the police begin their investigation another body is found, again by the sisters, and it is most certainly tied into the first murder. The sisters begin their own inquiries and learn that the women were involved in what just might be an illegal real estate scheme.
The sisters are fun and the book has quite a lot of humor. I particularly enjoyed the chapters dealing with sea turtles.
The sisters are fun and the book has quite a lot of humor. I particularly enjoyed the chapters dealing with sea turtles.
September 20, 2019
Murder Makes Waves
The Southern Sisters - Mary Alice and Patricia Anne decide to go away for a girls week to Mary Alice's condo in Destin, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. Patricia Anne's daughter and one of her friends also are on this trip. It starts out great, but on the way to dinner one night, they stop along the beach and walk over a dune, and find the dead body of a friend and neighbor. This is the start of a crazy mystery, and finding more bodies. This book had a great pace, and I loved the characters. Mary Alice is a little over the top, but Patricia Anne balances her. I enjoyed this book and want to read more of the sister's exciting adventures.
The Southern Sisters - Mary Alice and Patricia Anne decide to go away for a girls week to Mary Alice's condo in Destin, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. Patricia Anne's daughter and one of her friends also are on this trip. It starts out great, but on the way to dinner one night, they stop along the beach and walk over a dune, and find the dead body of a friend and neighbor. This is the start of a crazy mystery, and finding more bodies. This book had a great pace, and I loved the characters. Mary Alice is a little over the top, but Patricia Anne balances her. I enjoyed this book and want to read more of the sister's exciting adventures.
November 8, 2021
This is #4 in the Anne George "Southern Sisters Mystery" series and the best so far. It has the usual sister bantering but this time Mary Alice goes with her daughter on an little beach trip along with her sister, and neighbor. The books are witty, funny and the murders in these books are not graphic at all. She sets up all her characters to be the murder suspects so it's fun trying to figure out who the murderer really is. There is a little cussing and some sexual inuendo in it but it was a very fun read. I almost gave it a 5 star but I give few of those. I save those for the really epic stories that I just can't get out of my mind. It did get 4 1/2 and 5 stars from many others. It was a good read and I will read the next one because the writing is very good.
November 5, 2018
I've always enjoyed this series but this one was exceptionally fun for me as I read it while in Destin, the location in the book. I've been coming here for over 10 years and it was interesting to read about what was here in the mid 1990's - some of which is still here, and some of which I looked up on the Internet. Anne George was spot on. One of the condos mentioned is just 2 buildings down from ours. The other fun coincidence was waking up this morning to thick fog and beginning a chapter where the characters woke up to thick fog on the beach. All in all, a great beach read!
May 26, 2019
This is the 4th book in the series. Patricia Anne and her sister head to Destin, FL to stay in Mary Alice’s condo and enjoy the beach. Mary Alice is the life of the party and makes friends with many of their neighbors. But when one turns up dead on the beach, the sisters become entangled in the mystery behind her death. It seems that a real estate development may be at the center of the case, and the two sisters begin to dig into the case, finding possible suspects at every turn, while they also try enjoy what remains of their vacation.
May 23, 2020
What a Hoot!
I have never read a series like these Southern Sister Mysteries that make me belly laugh out loud! The sisters are just so funny. Maybe it’s because I just turned 65. The aches and pains, groans and moans, the bickering! It is real life. And these are the first novels that I have ever read where people actually do housework, and hate it, and pick up quick meals of chicken and salad at the grocery. The characters are like real people. I have read so many novels where I think to myself, “don’t these people ever have to clean the house? “. Must read series.
I have never read a series like these Southern Sister Mysteries that make me belly laugh out loud! The sisters are just so funny. Maybe it’s because I just turned 65. The aches and pains, groans and moans, the bickering! It is real life. And these are the first novels that I have ever read where people actually do housework, and hate it, and pick up quick meals of chicken and salad at the grocery. The characters are like real people. I have read so many novels where I think to myself, “don’t these people ever have to clean the house? “. Must read series.
April 5, 2024
The librarian at Winona found an armload of Southern Sisters series mysteries by Anne Carroll George for me when I returned my copy of George's literary novel recently. I am having so much fun! This Alabama writer/teacher died March 14, 2001. Yesterday, I read "Murder Makes Waves". The first one I read was "Murder on a Bad Hair Day" and next, "Murder Gets a Life". Finished it just before I came to town to get pet food and visit the Carrollton, Miss., library. Y'all try and find these gems. Good writing and good "hoots".
July 14, 2018
Recommended to me by a friend. I was hesitant to read it because I did not have good experiences with my husband using it to fall asleep. But I decided to read it, and it was much better than listening to it and getting woken up in the night.
I didn't figure out who the murderer was. One thing that bothered me was that they didn't tie up all the loose ends very well. They made little hints at things, but never confirmed how it was related to the killings.
I didn't figure out who the murderer was. One thing that bothered me was that they didn't tie up all the loose ends very well. They made little hints at things, but never confirmed how it was related to the killings.
May 30, 2021
Another great Southern Sisters book by Anne George! These sisters are too much and keep me laughing as they do what any active, fun loving senior who just happens to be around whenever someone is murdered would do. They get right into the mess of it all and risk their own lives to get to the bottom of these crimes, without even realizing they're right in the middle of it all! A must read for any cozy mystery fan!
September 17, 2017
Southern sisters, Mary Alice and Patricia Ann are comical but caring ladies whose friendship I would enjoy immensely. I've read Anne George's other books in this series and found them all to be very funny and intriguing. I especially enjoyed the setting in Murder Makes Waves - Mary Alice's condo in Destin, FL. It made for a great late summer read.
January 6, 2018
I read this a bit of a time over the holidays so didn't have much continuity. I am reading another one now. These books were chosen because they are thin (and I was traveling for Christmas) and I chose them off the LARGE print shelf! I am tired of having everything be "ablur" because of my catacract so large print helps. Maybe I'll find some good books I've missed there.
March 24, 2018
Anne George writes with humor, compassion & family love with an interesting mystery to solve. I love Sister’s outrageousness, Fred’s calm & faithful love & Mouse inspires me as an older, retired woman. Life is fun! I read all her books out of the library years ago & was excited to see one offered on Kindle!
March 26, 2018
Interesting but a little hurried at the end.
Too much guessing, "suddenly clicking everything together" too much "many women keeping a man in his condo" and the relationship between the sisters too patronizing. Sort of "trying to get everyone in a separate personal event" that is just too much.
Too much guessing, "suddenly clicking everything together" too much "many women keeping a man in his condo" and the relationship between the sisters too patronizing. Sort of "trying to get everyone in a separate personal event" that is just too much.
June 15, 2019
4th book in this series and Mary Alice and Patricia Anne look for a getaway week and take Haley Patricia Anne's daughter with them to Destin Florida as Mary Alice has a writers conference to attend.
As always a quiet time is not in the offering and a they find a body washed up onshore. The two sisters start to investigate only to find another woman murdered.
As always a quiet time is not in the offering and a they find a body washed up onshore. The two sisters start to investigate only to find another woman murdered.
July 1, 2020
Everyone needs to get away sometimes, unless you happened on a body during a walk on the beach. When you find out you knew the victim and the police are not helpful you try to find the killer yourself. Well, that is what Mary Alice (sister) and Patricia Anne (mouse) do. Their bickering as sisters do leads to all kinds of odd things going on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews