Category: Fiction

• Title: While She Slumbered
• Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
• Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #5
• Genre: Mystery
• Takes Place: 
• Main Character: Katy
• Other Characters: Nina, Donna, Michelle,
• Stars: 4

This is the fifth book in the series, and I have to admit that I didn’t like it as much as I enjoyed the first four. I didn’t dislike it: it just didn’t hold my interest as well as the previous books.

In this story, Katy worries about Nina, her elderly neighbor. Donna, Nina’s niece, visited to take care of her and Katy hasn’t seen or heard from Nina since Donna arrived. When Katy would go over there, Donna would always claim Nina was sleeping. In an effort to figure out what was going on, Katy began spying on Nina’s home because she was growing increasingly suspicious. She believed Donna had wronged Nina in some way. Since there was no proof of a crime, she was unable to receive much assistance from the authorities, so Katy used all of her sleuthing abilities to solve the case.

Donna is a mystery author as well, so Katy starts reading her works. It appears that what Donna is describing in her books and what is taking place at Nina’s house are related.

The amount of time it took to learn Donna and Nina’s situation took way too long. Like in the previous books, there were some humorous moments, but it felt like it went on forever. The ending wa a surprise. I enjoy a good mystery and attempt to solve it every time. This author does have a way of twisting a story so it is a bit more difficult to figure the ending.

If you decide to read this book, I would love to know your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

• Title: Was It Murder
• Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
• Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #4
• Genre: Mystery
• Main Character: Katy
• Other Characters: Grandma Ruby, Bill, Diane
• Stars: 5

This is another great book in the Murder Blog Mystery series. I love the way that author can weave some humor in the otherwise dramatic story.

This book takes Grandma Ruby and Katy to England where Ruby’s sister, Edith, passed away suddenly. While taking her dog for a walk. Edith evidently slipped on some ice on her steps and died. Ruby is beside herself with grief and needs to go to England immediately to take care of Edith’s home and finances. Katy wasn’t about to let Ruby go by herself so she goes to help.

It took them a little longer to travel to England than they had anticipated because their flight kept getting delayed. The author nevertheless managed to inject humor into the plot despite all the stress brought on by the delays.

Even from across the ocean, Katy often finds herself in life-threatening situations. It is almost immediately apparent that someone in the community does not want them there. Ruby and Katy begin to suspect there is a problem in the small English community as a result of the deaths of several citizens and the vandalism of Edith’s cottage. Some of the citizens of this community are not as they seem.

Who doesn’t want them there and is trying to scare them into leaving? Who could be vandalizing their property? Why did several people die? Was Edith’s accident really an accident? These are questions that will be answered when you read this book.

I genuinely believed I had the mystery figured out. I did manage to figure out a portion of it, but it was much more complex. This author has a way of weaving a story with a lot of twists and turns so the ending is always a surprise. I just love all the characters in this series. There are so many facets to Katy and Ruby, and just when you think you understand them, something unexpected happens.

If you love a good mystery with lots of twists & turns, and surprises and don’t mind a few curse words scattered about, you are going to love this mystery series.

Happy Reading!

• Title:  Better Dead than Wed
• Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
• Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #2
• Genre: Mystery
• Main: Character: Katy
• Other: Characters:  Grandma Ruby, Samantha, Heather, Chad, Lisa, Josh, Emily
• Pets:  Labrador Retriever  named Daisy & a Tabby cat named Tabitha
• Stars:  5

This book was equally as fantastic as the first. The characters have a lot of depth. The way this author describes everything makes you feel as though you know the characters.

Once again Katy finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery.  As Katy is working on her graphic design business and trying to make enough money to p ay her bills, her estranged half-sister shows up,  and she has a secret. What secret could Katy’s mom be keeping? Katy’s best friend Samantha talks Katie into joining a book club with her and there is a quirky cast of characters who also have their share of secrets.  Of course, Katy has to blog about all of it.

This book has lots of twists and turns &  a lot of secrets with a surprise ending.

Katy has a stalker who just happens to be her ex-husband Chad who she likes to call Chad the Cad. He is really a deadbeat with a pregnant wife and a girlfriend. There are lots of drama, secrets and surprises and somebody gets shot.

I could not put this book down. I was engrossed with it from the very first word till the last. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. I love all the characters, especially Katy and Grandma Ruby. Some of the lines they say are priceless.

Happy Reading!

• Title:  Coins & Cadavers
• Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
• Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #3
• Genre: Mystery
• Main: Character: Katy
• Other: Characters:  Grandma Ruby, Samantha, Heather, Josh,
• Pets:  Labrador Retriever  named Daisy & a Tabby cat named Tabitha
• Stars:  5

As we follow Katy and her blog through another adventure, this author provides yet another excellent read. Katy has a habit of getting herself into situations from which it seems hard to escape, and they always seem to involve murder.

This book follows Katy as she attempts to get rid of pests in her attic and, in the process, discovers a wooden chest concealed behind the attic wall. She is adamant locating the actual owner of the chest, but because it appears to have been in her home for decades, the owner is probably no longer alive. The chest is hers, everyone reassures her. Katy always tries to do the right thing, so she makes the decision to look into who owns this chest and the circumstances behind its concealment in her attic.

In the meantime, The ‘Viking’, Katy’s hot PI neighbor, is on a stakeout to nab a cheating husband. Grandma Ruby arranges for Katy to tag along. Could things get hot and steamy?

Grandma Ruby, one of my favorite characters, is not without her own secrets. She wants Katy to help her by trying to find out what happened to her bigamist, great-great-grandfather. In the course of her investigation, Katy discovers a long-lost relative she didn’t know existed. Could Katy end up in an unsafe scenario as a result of her discovery?

Another item buried in Katy’s attic is discovered by Katy and her dad. Could it be another treasure? Or something else? You will have to read to find out.

As with all the books in this series, there Is a lot going on and katy Is sure to blog about it. I am addicted to this series and can’t wait to read the next installment.  Even though there is always a murder in these books, the author has a way of adding humor to the situation. Katy always has the best intentions but she always finds herself in sticky situations. She is funny and has the biggest heart. I could see her as my best friend and everyone should have a grandma like Ruby.

If you love a good mystery, with lots of twists and turns, surprises, quirky characters, a hot PI neighbor and a dose of humor thrown in you, will love this series.

I love to learn new words and I learned a new one in this book:
Numismatics – The study or collection of coins, paper currency and medals.

Happy Reading!

• Title: Dead Girls Don’t Blog
• Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
• Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #1
• Genre: Mystery, Suspense
• Main Character: Katy McKenna
• Other Characters: Phillip Hobart, Granma Ruby, Samantha, Marybeth
• Pets: a dog named Daisy and a cat named Tabitha
• Stars: 5

I must start out by saying I loved this book. This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. It is suspenseful, funny, dramatic and everything in between.

A young girl, Lindsay, was gang raped, kidnapped and killed 15 years ago and now the killer is eligible for parole. Because Katy is so outraged that they could release a murderer from prison after only 15 years, she starts a petition asking the parole board to reject his release.

I really enjoy how the story brings us back to the crime’s scene in 1996 so we can see exactly what happened before returning to the present. That aids in the reader’s comprehension of both what transpired and Katy’s current state of mind. Could her interference get her killed?

Katy is a fantastic protagonist. She is a three-dimensional character who is humorous, ambitious, and often gets herself into trouble. She gives off a genuine impression of being a great friend. Then there is the guy next door who always seems to show up when she needs him.

Grandma Ruby may be my favorite character. Everyone wishes they had a grandmother like her. She is eccentric, humorous, and adores her granddaughter. In addition, she is always trying to play matchmaker which frustrates Katy. Of course, there are pets. Daisy, Katy’s labrador, captured my heart immediately and then there is the cat she adopted.

Compared to other books I’ve read, this one is a little more graphic, but it wasn’t horrible at all. You better believe I wouldn’t have finished it if it were horrible. It also has a few swear words, but nothing offensive. It seems to make the situation seem more realistic by fitting the facts. None of this changed the plot in the slightest. I simply bring it up so you won’t be shocked when you read it.

If you love a good suspense novel with lots of twists and turns, a protagonist you adore, along with additional quirky characters & pets, you are going to love this book. I highly recommend it!

Quote for the day: s

“A foolish man tells a woman to stop talking, but a wise man tells her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed.”