Monday, March 10, 2014

Death in the Family: A Book Review

I really do love all types of books and it has been a while since I have read a good murder mystery; so when Marlene Bateman asked if I would review her newest book A Death in the Family, I said I would love to review it.
From her website:
  "Erica and her family happily anticipate Grandma Blanche's eighty-first birthday celebration in the picturesque town of Florence, Oregon. But when the feisty matriarch, a savvy businesswoman, enlists Erica's help in an investigation of her company, things quickly get sticky. Before the investigation can begin, Blanche's unexpected death leaves Erica with more questions than answers-and it is soon clear that Grandma's passing was anything but natural: she was murdered. When another relative becomes the next victim of someone with a taste for homicide, Erica uses her flair for cooking to butter up local law enforcement and gather clues. As she narrowly escapes becoming the third victim, Erica is more determined than ever to solve the case-before she bites off more than she can chew."

Let me just say so far I am loving the book!  Due to some miscommunication, I finally just received my review copy this weekend but I have been reading it every chance I get and am loving it. I am about halfway through the book and while I have ideas who might be guilty I still have no clue and can't wait to find out.

I love when a book is actually able to stump me and makes it hard to put down as I want to know who did it!  Erica is a little OCD and I will admit at times her little quirks almost become annoying yet kind of endearing at the same time.

Something unique about this book is the collection of recipes at the end.  Erica loves cooking and when a dish she had just made is mentioned, there is an asterisk by it letting you know that the recipe is included at the end of the book.  A murder mystery with a bonus mini cookbook at the end!

This is a LDS fiction, but the the cultural aspects that are brought in are not too much or too strong that those unfamiliar with LDS culture would be confused or lost.   It is a clean book free of language or graphic imagery, which I definitely appreciate.

If you are looking for a good murder mystery I definitely recommend A Death in the Family and am now off to hurry and finish it as I have to know who the guilty party is!

You can find Marlene's website here

You can purchase A Death in the Family at the following on-line locations:
You can also pick up the book in the Desert Book, Seagull Book and other bookstores that sell LDS Books.

Disclaimer:  I was given a copy of the book to review, all feeling and opinions are my own and truthful
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Now to announce the winner of last week's book giveaway 

Congrats Mary!!


Do you have an author who writes mystery books that you love? 

3 comments:

  1. I'm not a big fan of LDS fiction, but this book review has intrigued me! I am going to have to look into it. One of my all time favorite authors is Agatha Christy, so I guess I am a sucker for mysteries. :)

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  2. Replies
    1. I really did enjoy it, and the author seems really nice and was even asking for some advice for future books based on my review, so she really cares too

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