A Murder Turned "Real" . . .

Claudia Madison and Aunt Daisy Mae are invited to an Italian-style villa for a murder mystery party hosted a world-renowned author Claudia admires, Arden Billings. In fact, Claudia can hardly contain her excitement as Aunt Daisy Mae chuckles at her obvious hero-worship. Arden greeted them as they arrived, then took them to the terrace to meet the others, “the suspects you’ll have to investigate all weekend”. What did that mean?

They were introduced to Eris, a haughty beauty guru and wellness wizard with 4 million ; Logan was named then glossed over as if he were not even there; and Arden’s sister, Grace, their shy wallflower who didn’t seem to that comment. There was a great deal of underlying tension brewing at the table. It surprised everyone when Arden announced the weekend party plan where “one of you is going to be a murderer who will try to kill everyone else before they catch you”. A sudden yell from inside the house amid breaking glass had everyone startled until Arden’s mother Melanie approached, apologizing for dropping the tray of tea. Aside from the unusual dynamic among the guests, something just doesn’t feel right about this. The game would start that evening. But Grace already looked she was ill and may have a fever.

While the party guests waited to see who would die for their game, Grace collapsed, white as a sheet. They quickly called an ambulance. Things turn even more serious when Detective Roman Sterling shows up and takes Claudia and Aunt Daisy Mae aside to tell them Grace did not survive and had been murdered for real. Extreme amounts of beta-blockers were in her system and the overdose killed her. Arden told the Detective her half-sister took beta-blockers for her anxiety and must have taken an accidental overdose. What will the investigation uncover? Did Arden have something to do with the real murder? Would Claudia try to steer them away from accusing her idol? Will they uncover the truth?
reviewed Debbie Orazi1,743 24

This was an amateur sleuth cozy mystery.

This story is a must read! Contains incredible plot twists. Highly recommend!

After being featured in a national paper for her amateur sleuth exploits, Claudia Madison is invited to a murder mystery dinner hosted by her favorite author Arden Billings. At the dinner are Aunt Daisy Mae, Grace Arden's half sister who has social anxiety,Eris a beauty guru and wellness wizard, Logan a tour guide/mercenary and Melanie Arden's mother. Grace falls ill and is rushed to the hospital. The guests follow only to find out Grace has passed away. Detective Sterling walks into the waiting room behind the doctor and says Grace was murdered and makes it clear Arden is the prime suspect. Back at the villa Arden asks Claudia to investigate so her name can be cleared. During her investigation Claudia finds what looks possibly stolen international artifacts and finds out a secret about Arden that will ruin her career.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Kathy294 28

Claudia is thrilled when her favorite author invites her to a mystery party weekend. Aunt Daisy Mae is along for the ride but less than enthused with the author. Tensions are high between the hostess and the other guests adding an uncomfortable element to the proceedings. Soon the pretend mystery turns into a real investigation when the author’s sister collapses during dinner. Can Claudia dig through the competing agendas and the secrets and lies to get to the truth?

Another solid mystery from Penny Brooke. Claudia & Daisy Mae are always fun to visit with. Fast paced and tightly plotted, with plenty of viable suspects and clues. Can’t wait to see where the mobile bookshop goes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Nikki1,291 11

The latest book about Claudia, her Aunt Daisy May, and Jasper the Cat, as they travel in their book van, running a literacy program around schools in Greenwood. They also attend fairs and festivals selling books and solve mysteries when they have time!

This book is centred around one of Claudia's heroes, Arden, who lives nearby. She receives an invite for a murder mystery weekend, but, as usual, things don't go to plan, and she has a real murder to solve.

She teams up with Detective Sterling again to bring the murderer to justice.

I really enjoy reading these books, which are easy to read in a few hours with no cliff hangers. The books are all standalone stories, but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and bigger storyline.cozy-mysteries Tari2,804 84

Wow what a mixed up mess this family was! Claudia was so excited to be asked to a murder mystery dinner at her favorite author’s place, but what was she gonna discover about her idol after a real murder took place at the dinner? Claudia and her aunt worked on the case along with their pal Det. Sterling and even Noah came in for a little while. It was really hard to know who at the dinner to trust!

I hadn’t quite guessed whodunit but I wasn’t super shocked at it either since it did make way more sense than anyone I’d have thought of. Now that Claudia’s bestie was back in town, who knows what adventures were ahead and that she’d now get Ellie involved in? Can’t wait to find out!
2023-ku Joyce559 4

When Claudia and her Aunt Daisy May are invited to a murder mystery dinner at a villa, it seemed a dream come true.

However, that dream turns into a nightmare when someone really does turn up dead. No longer just a continuation of the game, Claudia must use those sleuthing skills to find out who is the killer, even if it ends up being her idol.

For a mystery buff that loves whodunits, you will almost wish it didn't have to end so fast.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. NurseyByNature113 2

Brooke is kind of a must read author for me and this one didn't disappoint. Claudia, Aunt Daisy Mae and adorable cat Jasper are at it again in a twisty mystery with complex family dynamics that was a little dark at times.

Brooke's books are well written and to the point, with just enough details, clues and suspects to keep even ardent armchair sleuths guessing. It works as a standalone and fans of the series won't be disappointed either. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.mystery-animal mystery-cozy mystery-female-sleuth ...more Shelly Joyce 480 4

Murder at the Villa is the sixth installment of the Word Travels Mobile Bookshop cozy mystery series written by Penny Brooke. This was another fantastic solid mystery from Penny Brooke. Claudia & Daisy Mae are always fun to visit with and read about their adventures. Fast paced and tightly plotted, with plenty of viable suspects and clues. Can’t wait to see where the mobile bookshop goes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Kristi3,319 16

Mystery, check. Suspense, check. Intrigue, check. Fun characters, check. A well written plot, check.

It seems to be checking all the boxes of a good cozy mystery so it must be a good read and it is. The characters are enjoyable and work well together to solve the mystery of who the real killer is.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Debbie Benson5,499 23

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. An invite to her favorite author's place leads to a surprising investigation that ends up solving two crimes. The suspect for the main crime was not who was suspected. I really enjoyed this book.2023-reading-challenge Molly5,144 33

being an author can be deadly when some folks will go to extreme lengths to protect perceptions and the image of the author connected to the books

complex interplay of sense, nonsense, fame and family

Jennifer Laird-Lord357 4

Claudia meets her hero and quickly learns that isn't hero material.She ends up solving a couple mysteries. Quick read with fun characters. I would recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Juanita E. Arp4,038 20

I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was well written as were the characters. What I really want to say is a spoiler so ill just leave it this. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review. Rhonda2,505 41

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