Murder Unrenovated & Rehearsal for Murder (4th & 5th in Maggie Ryan series) by P.M. Carlson - Book Blast & Giveaway

Murder Unrenovated & Rehearsal For Murder

by P.M. Carlson

Book Blast on August 29, 2017

Murder Unrenovated

Realtor Len Trager is anxious to sell the lovely old brownstone in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, and Maggie and Nick think it looks like a dream house for a young couple expecting their first child. But problems show up. It needs renovation– okay. There's a stubborn tenant who refuses to move out– not so okay.

And then there's the nasty surprise on the top floor....

"Terrific characters, funny incidents, genuine suspense, and an absolutely right sense of period and place."–– Tom and Enid Schantz, THE PURLOINED LETTER

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery
Published by: The Mystery Company / Crum Creek Press
Publication Date: June 2013
Number of Pages: 239
ISBN: 193232528X (ISBN13: 9781932325287)
Series: Maggie Ryan and Nick O'Connor #4
Purchase Links: Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  | Smashwords  | Goodreads 

"Murder Unrenovated" by P.M. Carlson Maggie Ryan Series #4

Realtor Len Trager is anxious to sell the brownstone in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, but prospective buyers don't want to deal with Julia Northrup, who rents the basement apartment. Maggie Ryan and her husband Nick O'Connor love the property. They see though Julia's act, and they're not scared off by the corpse on the top floor.

Read an excerpt:

Brooklyn, 1972. Realtor Len Trager shows an old brownstone to actor Nick O’Connor and statistician Maggie Ryan.

Len felt a prickle of hope. He couldn’t remember anyone else being this pleased by Lund’s weary old brownstone, not after meeting the immovable basement tenant. Could there possibly be a sale here after all?

Not to an actor, he reminded himself.

The upper floors were shoddily divided into separate apartments. But the second-floor bath still held a Victorian marble sink and chipped clawfoot tub, and the room at the front overlooked the street. Maggie smiled at Nick and said, “This could be a little study.”

“One more floor,” said Len. The top floor, once servants’ quarters, had been most recently occupied–– only Lund’s disruption of the plumbing had finally forced the young tenants to accept his relocation money and leave. Nick slapped his hand against a wall. “This isn’t a supporting wall, is it?”

“No,” said Len, giving the room a professional glance. “You’re thinking of remodeling?” That was always a good sign.

“Not many gyms around here. It would be great to have space to work out.” Nick stepped to the doorway. “What do you think, Maggie?”

She was down the hall, looking into the little front room, the one that sported the oriel window. For a moment she remained there, still.

“Do you like the place?” Len prompted.

She turned back to them slowly, and Nick, suddenly concerned, took a step toward her. But it was Len she answered.

“Yes,” she said, “it’s a great place. There’s only one problem. There’s a corpse in it.”

* * *


Excerpt from Murder Unrenovated by P.M. Carlson.  Copyright © 2017 by P.M. Carlson. Reproduced with permission from P.M. Carlson. All rights reserved.

Rehearsal for Murder

As REHEARSAL FOR MURDER begins, Maggie is a partner in a statistical consulting business, and her actor husband Nick O’Connor has been cast in a wonderful new role. He’s rehearsing an off-Broadway musical, playing Gladstone to the famous Ramona Ricci’s Queen Victoria. But Nick is worried by Ramona’s diva-like behavior, which enrages the cast members. And the home front is even tougher. He and Maggie adore their five-month-old daughter Sarah, but she exhausts them and leaves them no time for each other.

Then they’re slammed with two more problems. Maggie, doing a favor for another frazzled parent, gets wind of a plot against that child. And someone guns down the bitchy Ramona.

"A tightly woven thriller, warm and beautifully paced with a bittersweet finale. This show must go on!"–– Dorothy Salisbury Davis, MWA Grand Master

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery
Published by: The Mystery Company / Crum Creek Press
Publication Date: July 2013
Number of Pages: 220
ISBN: 1932325336 (ISBN13: 9781932325331
Series: Maggie Ryan and Nick O'Connor #5
Purchase Links: Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  | Smashwords  | Goodreads 

Rehearsal for Murder by P.M. Carlson Maggie Ryan Mystery Series #5

As REHEARSAL FOR MURDER begins, Maggie is partner in a statistical consulting business, and her actor husband Nick O'Connor has been cast in a wonderful new role. He's rehearsing an off-Broadway musical, playing Gladstone to the famous Ramona Ricci's Queen Victoria. 

Read an excerpt:

A pause; a choked sob from the crumpled Ramona; and then the pounding dirge from chorus and piano.

Ramona straightened slowly, as though lifting a crushing weight, and pulled a black shawl about her. The chorus moved back with measured steps, leaving her solitary in the middle of the stage. The music modulated, and very quietly she began to sing "The Widow of Windsor." For the first time that day she did not have to worry about new dance steps or new movements, and she invested the words with a powerful emotional energy. "Alone," she sang, "in the crowds, still alone; among the princes, alone; forever alone." Nick, standing in the silent chorus, felt his throat tightening. The small isolated figure, the husky beauty of the voice that shimmered on the edge of tears, communicated a human truth that transcended history, geography, wealth, gender. She bound them all into Victoria's grief.

The last chords faded.

Then the stage manager cleared his throat and said, "Blackout," in his flat twang.

The spell was shattered. Derek exclaimed, "Super! But you know that, Ramona. On to act two?"

"Let's stop a minute early today, Derek. It's been a long afternoon." Ramona, drooping, pulled the shawl from her shoulders, then noticed the blond onlooker for the first time and stiffened. "Well! So Larry's evening revels have begun already. Though the brunette that came for him yesterday was prettier. Treat him well, sweetie." She winked at the young woman. "Your competition is formidable."

The few words reawakened the sizzle of rage in all of them.

* * *

Excerpt from Rehearsal For Murder by P.M. Carlson.  Copyright © 2017 by P.M. Carlson. Reproduced with permission from P.M. Carlson. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

P.M. Carlson taught psychology and statistics at Cornell University before deciding that mystery writing was more fun.  She has published twelve mystery novels and over a dozen short stories. Her novels have been nominated for an Edgar Award, a Macavity Award, and twice for Anthony Awards. Two short stories were finalists for Agatha Awards. She edited the Mystery Writers Annual for Mystery Writers of America for several years, and served as president of Sisters in Crime.

Catch Up With Our Author On:

Website , Goodreads , Smashwords, & Twitter !

Tour Participants:

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for P.M. Carlson. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. The giveaway begins on August 29 and runs through September 5, 2017.

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

 

TRUE LOVE AT THE LONELY HEARTS BOOKSHOP BY ANNIE DARLING - Book Tour - Review & Giveaway!

I am absolutely delighted to be today's stop on the True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop Tour!
Check out my review and a fabulous giveaway below.

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good job, four bossy sisters and a needy cat must also have want of her one true love. Or is it?

Verity Love Jane Austen fangirl and an introvert in a world of extroverts is perfectly happy on her own (thank you very much), and her fictional boyfriend Peter is very useful for getting her out of unwanted social events. But when a case of mistaken identity forces her to introduce a perfect stranger as her boyfriend, Verity’s life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

Johnny could also use a fictional girlfriend. Against Verity’s better judgement, he persuades her to partner up for a summer season of weddings, big number birthdays and garden parties, with just one promise - not to fall in love with each other.

I absolutely adored this book!  I could so easily identify with Verity (as I'm sure many bookworms could!).  She finds it hard to socialise enmasse, would rather be in the background than be centre of attention, is a good listener but not very good at hugs or giving advice....and definitely prefers to be in her office rather than chatting to customers at the bookshop where she works.

While all Verity's friends seem to be loved up, she is happy to be single and when she meets gorgeous Johnny, who, by an amazing coincidence also needs a fictional partner for personal reasons, what could be more simple and straightforward they both agree.

I hadn't read the first book in this series The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts but I didn't feel I'd missed out too much as this is a stand alone book.  

As I said, I loved this book, the storyline was funny, and sweet, and I loved Verity and her cat, and her saying 'what would Elizabeth Bennett do?' when she didn't have a clue what to do, I loved Johnny and his friends, the writing was enjoyable and at just the right pace.

Definitely one to recommend!

My thanks to Harper Collins for asking me to be involved in the blog tour and for offering such a fantastic giveaway!

UK entries only please

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Check out all the other bloggers on the tour!

Book Tour Spotlight & Giveaway: TO KILL A HUMMINGBIRD BY JR RIPLEY (Cozy Mystery)

To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover’s Mystery)
by J.R. Ripley

To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover’s Mystery)

Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Lyrical Underground (July 11, 2017)
Print Length: 247 pages
ASIN: B01MPVNVR5

For Amy Simms, owner of Birds & Bees, nothing is more important than impressing her old professor, but this odd bird is about to fall to earth . . .

When her favorite ornithology professor comes calling, Birds & Bees owner Amy Simms hangs six hummingbird feeders around the shop to welcome Professor Livingston with a flock of his favorite flying creatures. But Amy soon finds that the sugar water in the feeders brings more than a swarm of hummingbirds. It also attracts murder.

Professor Livingston is just as friendly as Amy remembers, but something seems to be troubling him. When Amy pays him a visit that night, she finds the professor slumped over a table with a pair of scissors buried in his neck. And standing over his body is Rose Smith, the local bookseller, who claims she killed him. But while the police believe they have a bird in hand, Amy thinks the real killer may still be in the bush . . .

About The Author

J.R. Ripley is the pen name of Glenn Meganck, the critically acclaimed author of the Tony Kozol mystery series. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, he has chaired the Edgar committee for Best Original Paperback novel and served on the Best Short Story Committee. As a member of the International Association of Crime Writers, he has served on the Hammett Award committee for Best Novel. When not writing books, Glenn is writing songs, often singing them to the consternation of his audience and neighbors, or involved in one of his many passions, none of which have involved any of the dead bodies that seem to keep cropping up in his mysteries. For more information about him, visit glennmeganck.com.

Author Links

• Visit the Author’s Website

Purchase Links:

Amazon B&N  kobo

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 21 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

August 21 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Carole’s Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  

August 22 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Valerie’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – A Blue Million Books – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW 

August 25 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT

Blog Tour Book Review: THE HOUSE BY SIMON LELIC

Today I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for The House by Simon Lelic and my review is below

Ebook published 17 August 2017
Paperback published 2 November 2017
by Penguin UK (Viking)


What if your perfect home turned out to be the scene of the perfect crime?

Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it.

So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake.

Because someone has just been murdered. Right outside their back door.

And now the police are watching them...


This is an unusual and gripping read, told in dual narrative by both Jack and Syd who buy a house that Jack is not in love with but Syd is.

They started writing their experiences of what had happened at the house - what they thought and what they felt ..... "for authenticity" said Jack "so people will believe us".  I thought this worked really well as we really got into their minds, about their unhappy childhoods and how they have come to be where they are now. 

They had so many secrets from one another.

This wasn't the read I was expecting but, nonetheless, I did enjoy it.  Jack and Syd are very charismatic characters, very compelling and so well developed.

The writing was compelling, with dark themes, twists, deception and lies and full of suspense.

My thanks to Penguin UK books for giving me the opportunity of reading this book and being a part of the blog tour.

Check out the other bloggers on the tour =