Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The Case of the Clobbered Cad : a Nosy Parker Mystery

GIVEAWAY

THE CASE OF THE CLOBBERED CAD : A NOSY PARKER MYSTERY

Inspired by the Girl Detective, the members of the Olentangy Heights Girls' Detective Society, affectionately known as the Nosy Parkers, spent their formative years studying criminology, codes, and capers. Unfortunately, opportunities to put their unique skills to work were thin on the ground in the post-war boom of their little corner of suburbia and they eventually grew up to pursue more sensible careers. Until...

Heather Munro's youthful devotion to The Girl Detective led to a passion for digging around in history. Now pursuing her Master's Degree in Celtic Studies, Heather must balance exploring Edinburgh with her determination to excel in her all-male classes at the University. Unfortunately on her first night working in the Archives room, she discovers the dead body of a visiting professor, the same would-be lothario she'd hoped never to see again.

As clues come to light, it's clear someone hopes to frame Heather for the murder. Besides her quirky landlady, whom can she trust? How can she clear her name? The police and the American Consul have plenty of suspects, but only two seem to have both motive and opportunity: Heather and the quiet Scottish historian she longs to trust.

My Review:

I'm gobsmacked over how utterly delicious this book is. (And also that the author used gobsmacked in a sentence in the story!) My inner girl sleuth is doing tailspins and loop-de-loos and I'm still grinning like a Cheshire Cat over how much of a campy fun read this was.

If you are looking for something Nancy Drewish for grown-ups look no further. The Nosy Parker Mystery series is definitely going to satisfy. And seriously, can you get any more retro than this title? Clobbered Cad -- snicker.

It's 1956 and Miss Heather Munro is in for the adventure of her life. After spending her youth enamored with The Girl Detective, she's put away her childish dreams of sleuthing in favour of pursuing her Masters Degree...in EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND!!!! If that doesn't set you squealing, I don't know what will. (Anyone remember The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes aka Nancy Drew?!) That's totally irrelevant but this book has me in such a giddy literary tizzy I can barely get my words out. Taking a deep breath and trying to gather my thoughts.

So we have a young ingenue foreign student in Scotland, her crackerjack landlady, Mrs. K, two potential Scottish suitors (be still my heart -- the brogue!) and the cad, of course (who gets clobbered.) And since the police seem to be getting everything wrong, Heather and friends decide to work at getting it right.

Truly superb mystery writing -- Marvin leaves a trail of clues tossed liberally with red herrings and a bevy of interesting characters, some of whom make excellent suspects. Or do they? Clever plotting, an excellent cast and the hint of romance make this a real delight of a read. I can't wait until the next book comes out...oh, wait, I don't have to. The Counterfeit Clue by Lisa Karon Richardson is out now too!

And this is where I need to explain how this series works. It's based around the girls in the Olentangy Heights Girl Detective Society (or Nosy Parkers). Each girl -- now a young woman -- will get her own book(s) and her own author. So this is a multi-authored series but each author sticks with one heroine all the way through. Am I making any sense? In other words Debra E. Marvin will always write about Heather and Lisa Karon Richardson will always write about Gemma...and I'm guessing there will be other authors and heroines in this series as well. I think it's a clever way to approach a multi-authored series and I'm really looking forward to more mysteries...especially involving Heather and her Scottish 'friend'. Sigh.

My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to The Case of the Clobbered Cad, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 3 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

43 comments:

  1. How did I know you'd be gobsmacked over this one Kav? ;-) My husband and son may even enjoy something like this!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Oooh -- you could have family reading time! Good luck, Trixi.

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  2. I would love to win this book. You have made it sound so deliciously exciting that I'm gobsmacked. Thank you for the chance to win Kav! :)

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Bwahahahaha! Isn't gobsmacked a wonderful word???????? It tickles the palate. Good luck, Cindy.

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  3. I have an arc ebook copy of this to read. I would love to win a print copy. 😁
    Thanks
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com 💖👍💖

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    1. Yes -- it's definitely one for the keeper shelf. Good luck, Linda.

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  4. Never heard of this author! Now I will have to check her out. :) LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. Definitely do. This is her first full-length novel, I believe, though she has written some novellas. She's awesomesauce! Good luck, Susan.

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    2. Awesome sauce makes me think of pork chops. Hello Susan P! I have not yet settled into a niche but this mystery was truly the closest I've been to finding it

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  5. That sounds thoroughly entertaining! I'd never heard of this author either. Thanks for letting us know about her!

    rachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Glad to spread the good word about Debra E. Marvin! Good luck, Rachael.

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    2. Hi Rachael! My author page or website ...well it's all Debra e marvin do I can keep it straight. I have a promotion for new newsletter subscribers going on at my website. Ends Friday. I'm very happy to meet new faces here as well!!

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  6. Kav, when I was a kid, I loved Nancy Drew so I've got to try for this one :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes, you must definitely do! Good luck, Cheryl.

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  7. Nothing makes an author's heart race like a good SQUEEE! I'm so thrilled you liked it. I had a blast working on this (oh, and some of you know I actually was in Edinburgh, so that helped!). I'm working on a deadline for a romance right now but I've talked to my publisher and I'm trying NOT to think about the next Heather and Mrs. K mystery. I was smart enough to give them a future of 'travel' so I'm afraid someone else must die mysteriously! WHAT A SHAME! Seriously, thank you. I owe the ability to go on with this difficult but rewarding job of 'author' to the encouragement I've had from my reader friends! Thank you all!

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    1. So glad to hear murder and mayhem is in your future, Debra. :-)

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  8. KAV, I love both mysteries and Debra's books! Thank you for the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  9. Oh my this series sounds like so much fun! I am definitely adding this to my TBR list. I love mysteries that keep you guessing. :) Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It's really well done, Loraine -- you'll definitely be guessing all the way through. Good luck!

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  10. This sounds like fun! My sister read it and enjoyed it, so I would love to read it as well. Thanks for the giveaway.
    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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  11. Okay, so I just recommended my library purchase the ebook through Overdrive. Seriously, they are probably getting tired of all my requests but it's partly due to you Kav :-) My partner in crime....er, new book releases that is!

    Crossing fingers they do indeed purchase it!

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    1. Oh, I can't imagine them not. What kind of librarians would they be????? Not worth their weight in date stamps, that's for sure! And I like being your partner in crime -- especially when it comes to mysteries!

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  12. Nothing like being gobsmacked. Thank you for the chance to win a new author to me.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. I know, right? Gotta love when a book does that to you. Good luck, Lucy.

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  13. HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS SERIES!? It sounds SO GOOD! :D

    Many Blessings, Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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  14. I received a copy from the author and boy did I relish it! She is a sweet and fun person, too! By all means everybody needs to read this one and the others in the series. I want more! Thanks for a really wonderful review!

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    1. Thanks for adding your rave review, Paula. We'll have to start a Nosy Parker fan club.

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  15. oh I know my daughter would surely enjoy this
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  16. I hadn't heard of this series but your delightful review has my book nerd heart pounding in expectation. I love a good cozy mystery. Thanks for the chance to win.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. This is the bestest of best cozy mystery so you'll love it. Good luck, Pam.

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  17. Love your review on this one. Sounds like a good one. becci43atgmaildotcom

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  18. I love the titles of these books and they are so much fun to read and try to figure out the outcome!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Guaranteed reading enjoyment right here. Still smiling. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  19. Sounds thrilling! And set in Scotland.
    Never heard of multi-author series before!
    Great review, Kav

    My email is littlemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom


    -Lydia

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    1. It's an interesting concept, isn't it? Good luck, Lydia.

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