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!

Austen in Austin

GIVEAWAY

DIETZE, SUSANNE
DRAPER, ANITA MAE
MARVIN, DEBRA E.
WELBORN, GINA
AUSTEN IN AUSTIN

Discover four heroines in historical Austin, Texas, as they find love -- Jane Austen style.

If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn -- based on Emma -- A prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor.

Romantic Refinements by Anita Mae Draper -- based on Sense and Sensibility -- A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love...twice.

One Word From You by Susanne Dietze -- based on Pride and Prejudice -- A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams but her prejudice may cost her true love...and her career.

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin -- based on Northanger Abbey -- A timid gothic-dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attention.

My Review:

Jane Austen fans will delight in these Westernized versions of her classic tales. Love how the authors incorporated familiar elements into a Texas locale.

If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn -- based on Emma -- Noah is a swoonworthy, long-suffering hero. He has to be with Emmeline for a friend! I wanted to box her ears a time or two just to get her to stop talking and listen for once!!!! Pride gets in the way of her matchmaking schemes, and more importantly, nearly costs her own chance at a perfect match.

Romantic Refinements by Anita Mae Draper -- based on Sense and Sensibility -- Oh, foolish girl, Miss Marion McDermott! A story about the foibles of misguided youth though Marion is a likeable heroine who does some growing during the course of this novella. Brandon makes the perfect brooding hero, hovering in the background yet always there when Marion needs a hero. Their love story kept me riveted and I had to consume Romantic Refinements in one gulp! It's that delicious.

One Word From You by Susanne Dietze -- based on Pride and Prejudice -- A delightful nod to this timeless classic. Eliza and Will make the perfect sparring pair, their relationship (or lack thereof) a humourous mix of pride and prejudice. Leaping to wrong conclusions and impulsively judgmental, these two deserve each other. LOL. A fun, quick read for the P andP connoisseur.

Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin -- based on Northanger Abbey -- A timid, bespectacled bookworm with the heart of a lion and a gallant rancher who puts her dime-novel cowboys to shame.
Clever and witty and so much fun to read. Sweet romance, no shortage of emotional angst and a blockbuster ending. Perfection.

My thanks to the authors and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Austen in Austin please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 27 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!