Book Overview
With temperatures in the nineties, Ashley Wilkes, historic preservationist, heads for Wrightsville Beach where sister Melanie has rented an oceanfront sleeps-14 "cottage." But murder never takes a vacation and as the body count escalates, Ashley realizes there is more to beach life than sunblock and fried fish platters. With houseguests and neighbors all behaving suspiciously, Ashley's tempted to retreat back to town where she's restoring a 1920s Georgian Revival house, yet even the restoration site is fraught with danger. And nothing prepares Ashley for a moonlight stroll out on the pier with a crazed killer. "I am a big fan of murder mysteries and this was not a disappointment. Perfect for a day at the pool or the beach. I have finished the entire series I was so captured with the characters and settings in all of these fantastic books. Great for bits of southern history and charm too " Kim "I used to live in Wilmington and loved reading about areas where I have been before. The mystery was well written and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I highly recommend it as a light read that keeps the reader guessing up until the end. The characters are very well done and likeable." Mike "I have recently started reading your books on the Wilmington series and have fallen in LOVE. I cannot put them down . Needless to say not a lot is getting done at home.Thank you and GOD BLESS" Anne "Just finished the last of the nine books in your Wilmington Series via my Kindle. Greatly enjoyed all of them. Are there any more to come? Especially liked the descriptions of the various foods available in Wilmington - makes one want to run right up here. Best wishes for future literary efforts." William "I LOVE YOUR BOOKS I just finished reading your ninth book. I was thrilled to see on your web page that you are writing a tenth I've come to feel that I really "know" the characters, and enjoy reading about historic Wilmington. I've also fallen in love with the characters, and feel as if I know them as friends. I can't wait till your next in the series. Don't ever stop " Kathy "I am a huge fan of your books. I've read all of this series so far. Please don't stop writing this series. You've done such good character development that the readers want these gals to go on and have new adventurer in their married lives. I truly enjoy your stories, please keep going. Thank you," Jan "I finished Christmas Wedding yesterday evening and I really loved it. You did a great job with the characters and elements of surprise as well as keeping it believable. I enjoy the historical information you include, it makes me want to come further south the next time we come to the Outer Banks. I have started "Murder at the Bellamy Mansion" and have to really restrain myself to not let my work go and just sit and read. " Mary Ann "My mother and I are huge fans of your Magnolia Mysteries book series We live in Indiana. I have read all of the books that you have written so far, and I was wondering if there will be another book? Thank you for writing your books...they have given me a lot of good entertainment " Haley "I just finished the last of the Magnolia Mysteries, when are you going to write more? I love the characters and the settings. You can't just leave your readers guessing about what Melanie, Ashley, Scarlett and the rest will do with all the gold coins they found. Please continue the series. A true fan." Lucie
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0975540432
ISBN13:9780975540435
Release Date:September 2022
Publisher:Magnolia Mysteries
Length:196 Pages
Weight:0.76 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
The real center of this mystery is the location: Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina and the nearby
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I read this book quickly -- it was engaging and well-plotted. I like the beach so I particularly enjoyed the setting. The main character, Ashley Wilkes (it gets worse, her sister's name is Melanie), is a likeable character. She's staying at her sister's beach house, sharing space with Melanie's unlikeable bad-boy boyfriend and an old friend of the sisters (now a well-known model). Ashley is desperately trying to reach her incommunicado husband, who works for Homeland Security and who isn't answering his cell phone. The book begins with the discovery of a murder victim in an art gallery; all the paintings have been stolen. The victim apparently knew her killer, which limits the search. Ashley is not looking for the killer, as in so many of these cozy mysteries. She's simply staying on the beach and knew the victim. She also knows several people who might have done it, but is leaving the detective work to the police. She finds herself pulled into events and eventually in a climactic scene near the end of the book, discovers who the killer is. I had mixed feelings about the book. The quality of the writing was OK but lacked a certain polish -- a bit amateurish. I imagine her books will continue to improve with experience, but based on this book, this isn't an author whose books I'll run out to get. It's an enjoyable way to spend a rainy day, or better yet, read on the beach. Although I had a hunch early on who the killer was (which turned out to be correct), that hunch couldn't be blamed on the plotting but just my experience as a reader of many, many mysteries. I think most readers of the book who AREN'T readers of many, many mysteries will be surprised by the conclusion.
A Fictional Mystery that takes place in a historical town
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I live in the Wilmington, NC area and this book is filled with - knowledged and interesting facts about present day Wilmington - history of the Wilmington during WW2 - a great selection of characters - and a mysterious death with a questionable motive Ashley Wilkes world right now is upside down. Her friend Val was shot and robbed in her own art gallery, she is staying at a beach cottage with two or more questionable characters, and her husband (away on business) is not returning her phone calls. Ashley finds out in the worst way possible who the murderer is and later pieces together their motive by learning some history about the house she is restoring. What a great mystery, I could not put it down, had to finish it in one day. I can't wait to read more. I recommend it for any one who likes mysteries and learning about the southeastern coast of nc!
I Love The Beach
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This makes you seem like you are living in Wilmington. The descriptions and characters are great. You become a part of the book.
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