The Extinguished Guest

Lexie Starr Mystery #2

by Jeanne Glidewell

Lexie, a financially independent widow, is likeable and quick-witted, and has all the personal challenges of the average middle-aged woman.Stone Van Patten, has moved back to the Midwest to be closer to Lexie. He has purchased a turn-of-the century historic mansion and restored it to its original grandeur, naming it the Alexandria Inn in honor of Lexie. Together the two run the new bed and breakfast establishment and expect it to be a great success.What they don't expect, however, is for the guest of honor, Horatio Prescott, the new president of the local historical society, to be murdered in his suite on the inn's opening night.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

222 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2010

About the author

Jeanne Glidewell, a 2006 pancreas and kidney transplant recipient, and her husband, Bob, reside in the quaint little coastal town of Rockport, Texas. They previously owned a large RV Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming for 12 years, which gave Jeanne the idea for the Ripple Effect series. Her main characters, Rip and Rapella Ripple, are full-time RVers, with Rapella solving murder mysteries along the way in their travels. Her other (and first) cozy mystery series, the Lexie Starr mysteries, involves a 50-year old library assistant who meets and marries an east coast jeweler named Stone Van Patten. Together they renovate a historic Victorian mansion and turn it into the Alexandria Inn in the fictional town of Rockdale, Missouri. Lexie can’t help getting involved in murder cases taking place in and around the B&B.

All of Jeanne's novels - a romance suspense novel titled Soul Survivor; 7 books and 1 holiday novella in her Lexie Starr series; and 7 books in her Ripple Effect series - are available at nearly every eRetailer site in both eBook and paperback formats. "The Spirit of the Season" is a holiday novella (short novel) she wrote to benefit her local chapter of the Toys for Tots program, with all her proceeds going to help children in her (Leavenworth) county have a merrier Christmas. Jeanne appreciates your support in this endeavor.
Jeanne’s next release, book 8 in the Ripple Effect series, titled The Grim Ripper, is expected to hit bookstores in May 2023.

Reviews

[Mint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, The Extinguished Guest suffers from having an unlikeable protagonist in Lexi.

Lexi makes several off-putting remarks that can be seen as fatphobic (comments on the weight of several characters) and homophobic (comments regarding cross-dressing). In general, she comments a lot about weight - if that's something you do not wish to read about, I would avoid this book. She's also quite judgemental of people she does not care for, but turns the other way when it comes to her and the people she likes. And, she makes many silly decisions over the course of the book.

There's also a lot going on the mystery itself. I think it would have benefitted from being tighter, removing some of the red herrings and clues instead of trying to develop all of them.

That being said, I was still interested in sleuthing out the mystery despite all these faults. It was just difficult for me to become invested in the novel given how much I disliked reading from Lexi's perspective.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was entertaining and a fun read. I enjoyed all the twists and turns in the plot, but the only thing I was not so fond of was that the actual bad guy (who was there all along) was passed over and missed by all the investigators until the very end. I had figured it out by process of elimination, but there should have been some clue to the fact that this character had a bone to pick with the deceased as well. I find this sort of plot device to be misleading and unfair to the reader who likes to try to solve the case on his or her own.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh! Not funny, not cozy, and not in the least a fun read. The plotting was full of huge holes and the characters were awful in including Lexie who was so sanctimonious and self-righteous. Stop with the comments about women’s weight and husbands being hen-pecked!

[Kristen MacGowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first 3 books of the series and am going to stop there. I cannot handle how awful Lexie is. There is nothing redeeming about her. Constant remarks about people’s weight, homophobia (being ‘repulsed’ by someone because they once tried on lingerie?!), considering ways to feed meat to a vegetarian, and thinking that drinking coffee is a personality trait. Lexie describes herself as kind but that does not come across in her actions or dialogue with the other characters (she’s often annoyed that her daughter checks in with her and asks about her well-being).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Lexie Starr series! The author has a fun sense of humor. If you like Janet Evanovich books, you will like this series!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story picks a few months after the events of book one. Stone has decided to move to the Midwest to explore the relationship with Lexie much to her delight. He has invested in an old Victorian and opened a B&B which serves as the setting for the murder mystery. A historical society from the town have come to visit to crown their new president and the night before he is murdered. This leaves Lexie and Stone with a houseful of guests/suspects and a new mystery to work on together.
It seems the distinguished gentleman was a very unlikable character and an unsavory and underhanded man to boot. The guests seem to have more secrets than the CIA. Determining who actually did the deed will not be easy. When someone starts hunting Lexie to get her to back off her investigation the situation turns especially dire. With an incredible twist you won’t see coming this is a mystery you shouldn’t miss!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery by Jeanne Glidewell. She really gets into the dark
side of people in this book. How one person can affect so many lives in such cruel and hateful ways. From just pure greed, deriving pleasure from
the power he has to inflict his cruelty on other people. Then how the victims react to it and how they let it dictates their lives. I really liked the way it also brought people together in ways that changed their lives to give them a new lease on life. Like a Caterpillar going into a cocoon, then emerges as a beautiful butterfly.the author did a superb job develing into the human emotions of each of the characters. While delivering a great twisting puzzle plot mystery, with action and danger all in one suspense full mystery. This one just makes you hunger for the next mystery book.
Debra H.

[Kerry Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set a bit after book 1 Lexie is helping Stone as he sets up a bed and breakfast. No sooner do their first set of guests arrive than one of them is found dead, and it seems everyone had a reason to kill him.
Follow the clues and see if you can solve who did it before Lexie.
This is a wonderful series full of well rounded characters.
I received a free copy of this ebook from ebook discovery. This is my honest and freely given review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Lexie Starr mysteries was very enjoyable. Lexie’s boyfriend Stone has moved to Kansas to be near to her and has opened an Inn. Unfortunately a murder is committed right after it opens. Lexie and Stone are hosting a group and the police as well as Lexie are trying to solve the murder. There are some eccentric characters and lots of suspense.

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery with excellent characters in a well written and entertaining story. The pace is very good, and there's a little humor as well.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[susan suydam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in this series. It was entertaining and I enjoy some laugh out loud moments. Following these characters and the quick reads, is making the long winter move along a bit faster, on to book 3

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good easy read!

[Chris Blackton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I read this book after reading one of Carolyn G. Hart's "Death on Demand" series and this book pales in comparison!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the opening day of her boyfriend Stone's restored historical inn, Lexie finds the distinguished guest of honor, the president of a local historical society, well, extinguished. Giving in to her natural nosiness, Lexie casually pumps each guest for information while tending to their needs. Each and every guest has a loathsome tale of their dealings with the deceased, ranging from embezzlement, blackmail, and lost love, and each person is considered a suspect. When Lexie uncovers sensitive information, her life is put in danger more than once. With the guests departure cancelled due to a horrible snow storm, nerves are on edge when they realize the murderer is living among them. Lexie unwittingly discovers the identity of the killer and narrowly escapes with her life. The forced stay marks a positive turnaround in many of the guests before their departure.

A fast-paced cozy with lots of viable suspects gathered under one roof. The story contains a variety of interesting characters and the plot was very interesting. Lexie and Stone's relationship deepens and provides just the right amount of romance.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Lexie Starr series. This is the second in series, The Extinguished Guest, has Lexi and Stone (her romance interest) owning an old inn and running it as a bed & breakfast. Unfortunately, one of the important first guests expires at the beginning of the opening. Lexie and Stone both investigate the death. Their reasons for why they'd get involved is a bit farfetched, but their antics continue to amuse the reader. The support characters are as intriguing as the mystery. Her amateur sleuthing is at times hilarious with occasional mistakes that become part of her method. Lexie gets herself into some tight fixes and getting out is often even harder. The mystery is fast-paced easy read. It has just the right balance of mystery and humor with a dash of romance. A highly recommended read for cozy lovers.

[Marla Mutch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book, and so I bought the next two. Lexie now has her man, and has become very self satisfied and judgmental. I particularly hate the fat bashing, making fun of a female character because she is fat,having her eat doughnut after cream puff and making fun of her thyroid condition is not great character development. Male characters are fat but we do not have to go over every bite they take. Oh, and the female character gets dressed down by her husband and joins Jennie Craig and is cured. Plus Lexie's beau, Stone is now bossy, over protective, a big change from the first book, and they get to be "chubby" and eat doughnuts with no judgement. Every character is so two dimensional.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery

The story opens at the newly opened Alexandria Inn in Rockdale, Missouri. The first guests are members of the local Historical Society. A ceremony is planned to install the new president. However, by morning, the new president is dead, poisoned and shot.

It soon becomes apparent that the murder was committed by someone at the Inn. There are plenty of suspects and very few clues.

All of the information is before you. Can you identify the murderer before it's revealed in the story?

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Lexie Starr Mystery series. This time Lexie is helping her boyfriend,Stone, open his bed & breakfast when a murder occurs. Of course, Lexie has questions which means she has to ask questions. She is attacked but continues to ask questions. It is one adventure after another. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I´m still trying to give this series a chance since I got a set of three for free. However, Lexie doesn´t seem to be developing. She continues to take chances while justifying it by describing herself as "impulsive". Her descriptions of the guests in the bed and breakfast she and her "boyfriend" are running are less than kind. Just not as much fun as I had hoped.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkably simple cozy mystery. Had the killer pegged from their introduction, but enough twists occurred to try to lead me off the trail to keep it interesting. The writing and dialogue are often clunky and too corny for reality, hence my middle-of-the-road rating.

[Toni Armalius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! I like this better than the 1st one. Fast paced, great characters, and always surprising ending. Can't wait for the next book.

[Ezlyamused · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing and laughing - I want to read all of these!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't put the books in this series down!

[Pat Beard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still good enough to continue the series but not as good as the first one. Characters not nearly as well done.

[Annie Niece Mike Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Lexie Starr. Easy fun read for lazy days.

[Susan Dickey]

Lexie Starr #2

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 2 in the cozy mystery series set in a B&B