Helpful Score: 12
one word: WOW
If ever you wanted to read a true to life cozy mystery, you will find it with in the pages of this fast paced engaging little gem of a book. I was hooked after the first page, and could not put it down. This was a well plotted mystery, with no sex or curse words, surrounded by a beautiful setting within the walls of an old mansion. It kept my attention, and had me guessing up to the final reveal. This is my first book by Julie Hyzy, and she is now at the top of my favorite authors list. Im definitely hoping for a sequel.
The book opens with an action scene from the "bird room" at the Marshfield Manson, where our lead character, Grace is on staff as assistant curator. During the distraction, her boss is found murdered in an upstairs room. Now as acting-curator, Grace has agreed to help sort out this mess to prove herself to the mansion owner, Bennett Marshfield.
Within the walls are antique artifacts, beautiful grounds, and a busy-body groutchy assistant, Grace ends up uncovering family secrets, hidden rooms, and a scam artist fast at work, all while trying to figure out who the killer is really after.....
This was an exciting, fun little book, and I cant seem to give it enough praise. There were plenty of plot twists and the setups were done flawlessly. Definitely worth a book credit.
If ever you wanted to read a true to life cozy mystery, you will find it with in the pages of this fast paced engaging little gem of a book. I was hooked after the first page, and could not put it down. This was a well plotted mystery, with no sex or curse words, surrounded by a beautiful setting within the walls of an old mansion. It kept my attention, and had me guessing up to the final reveal. This is my first book by Julie Hyzy, and she is now at the top of my favorite authors list. Im definitely hoping for a sequel.
The book opens with an action scene from the "bird room" at the Marshfield Manson, where our lead character, Grace is on staff as assistant curator. During the distraction, her boss is found murdered in an upstairs room. Now as acting-curator, Grace has agreed to help sort out this mess to prove herself to the mansion owner, Bennett Marshfield.
Within the walls are antique artifacts, beautiful grounds, and a busy-body groutchy assistant, Grace ends up uncovering family secrets, hidden rooms, and a scam artist fast at work, all while trying to figure out who the killer is really after.....
This was an exciting, fun little book, and I cant seem to give it enough praise. There were plenty of plot twists and the setups were done flawlessly. Definitely worth a book credit.
Debbie B. (orchid7) -
Helpful Score: 5
I started reading this book with some very high expectations, based on the reviews from other PBS members. I have to say, I was NOT hooked from page 1, nor did I find it very easy to get through about the first 2/3 of the book. I began to wonder if everyone else had read a different book than me... There seemed to be an awful LOT of story building, but because of the reviews, I kept slogging through.
That said, I'm glad I did! The last 100 pages of the book is where I found myself really gripped by the action. I didn't think that I was going to continue on with this series when I first started the book. I can't say why without a spoiler, but the ending left me a touch frustrated and now I'm anxiously awaiting the second book to see how things continue. I do hope that the second book has more actual character development and a little less manor history, which might help to move the story along.
That said, I'm glad I did! The last 100 pages of the book is where I found myself really gripped by the action. I didn't think that I was going to continue on with this series when I first started the book. I can't say why without a spoiler, but the ending left me a touch frustrated and now I'm anxiously awaiting the second book to see how things continue. I do hope that the second book has more actual character development and a little less manor history, which might help to move the story along.
Nancy C. (circakona) reviewed Grace Under Pressure (Manor of Murder, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is my first novel by Julie Hyzy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so, that I've just used 2 credits to order the first 2 in her Chef series. All those waiting for this, you've got a good read coming.
A MANOR HOUSE MYSTERY
Paperback Release June 1, 2010
This is the first book in a brand new series by July Hyzy who is also the author of the White House Chef Mysteries.
Grace Wheaton moves back home to nurse her mother in her last days and inherits the family home, which is a Victorian Painted Lady that needs a lot of work. She ends up living there and finds two roommates, Bruce and Scott, who own a little wine shoppe in downtown Emberstowne. She also lands her dream job as Assistant Curator at the famous Marshfield Manor. Her family was always drawn to the manor and she had visited many times as a child.
Her mettle as Assistant Curator is tested as an intruder causes a disturbance at a very important tea being held in the Birdcage Room of the manor. Security arrives and after a mad chase through the tables, chairs and attendees, the man is apprehended, the staff puts the room back in order and the tea continues. Grace feels the situation was handled as well as could be expected, but within minutes she learns that the man in the tea room was just a diversion for the real crime that took place elsewhere in the manor. Her boss, the Head Curator, Abe, a lifelong friend of the manor's owner, Bennett Marshfield, is found dead in the private residence, and the killer as disappeared into thin air.
Grace then finds out Bennett has been receiving threatening letters, and he is the primary witness against one of his former friends who was running a complicated Ponzi scheme that was responsible for many people to loose their family fortunes. Grace starts to think that the real target was Bennett and Abe was killed by mistake. Grace steps into Abe's shoes to run the manor and begins to investigate the murder as she has no real confidence in the overworked Emberstowne police force. She also has to deal with a very unreasonable customer and the roof of her "Painted Lady" is leaking.
I absolutely loved this book! The story has more twists and turns than any ride in a amusement park! The story was told so well I felt like I was a bird on Grace's shoulder taking the entire trip right along with her. The character descriptions were ideal, they came to life right off the page. The hint of romance, a secondary plot that will continue as the series develops, and a mystery that kept you guessing until almost the final page all make this book a definite MUST READ! I usually don't like to give my highest praise to the first book in a series, as it sets the bar pretty high for subsequent editions, but this book was excellent!! I can't wait to see what comes next!!
I always say it takes a very special person to be an author, someone who can tell a story so well that you can forget the world around you and escape into the pages of their book. Since starting this blog I have cyber-met some wonderful authors, that have the true gift of being great storytellers. Today I am adding one more author to that list and I hope I am lucky enough to cyber-meet Julie Hyzy soon. She definitely has the gift.
To find out more about Julie Hyxy and her books be sure to check out her web site http://www.juliehyzy.com/
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Paperback Release June 1, 2010
This is the first book in a brand new series by July Hyzy who is also the author of the White House Chef Mysteries.
Grace Wheaton moves back home to nurse her mother in her last days and inherits the family home, which is a Victorian Painted Lady that needs a lot of work. She ends up living there and finds two roommates, Bruce and Scott, who own a little wine shoppe in downtown Emberstowne. She also lands her dream job as Assistant Curator at the famous Marshfield Manor. Her family was always drawn to the manor and she had visited many times as a child.
Her mettle as Assistant Curator is tested as an intruder causes a disturbance at a very important tea being held in the Birdcage Room of the manor. Security arrives and after a mad chase through the tables, chairs and attendees, the man is apprehended, the staff puts the room back in order and the tea continues. Grace feels the situation was handled as well as could be expected, but within minutes she learns that the man in the tea room was just a diversion for the real crime that took place elsewhere in the manor. Her boss, the Head Curator, Abe, a lifelong friend of the manor's owner, Bennett Marshfield, is found dead in the private residence, and the killer as disappeared into thin air.
Grace then finds out Bennett has been receiving threatening letters, and he is the primary witness against one of his former friends who was running a complicated Ponzi scheme that was responsible for many people to loose their family fortunes. Grace starts to think that the real target was Bennett and Abe was killed by mistake. Grace steps into Abe's shoes to run the manor and begins to investigate the murder as she has no real confidence in the overworked Emberstowne police force. She also has to deal with a very unreasonable customer and the roof of her "Painted Lady" is leaking.
I absolutely loved this book! The story has more twists and turns than any ride in a amusement park! The story was told so well I felt like I was a bird on Grace's shoulder taking the entire trip right along with her. The character descriptions were ideal, they came to life right off the page. The hint of romance, a secondary plot that will continue as the series develops, and a mystery that kept you guessing until almost the final page all make this book a definite MUST READ! I usually don't like to give my highest praise to the first book in a series, as it sets the bar pretty high for subsequent editions, but this book was excellent!! I can't wait to see what comes next!!
I always say it takes a very special person to be an author, someone who can tell a story so well that you can forget the world around you and escape into the pages of their book. Since starting this blog I have cyber-met some wonderful authors, that have the true gift of being great storytellers. Today I am adding one more author to that list and I hope I am lucky enough to cyber-meet Julie Hyzy soon. She definitely has the gift.
To find out more about Julie Hyxy and her books be sure to check out her web site http://www.juliehyzy.com/
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Sandra C. (shinypenny) -
I liked the way she did the story. Very well balanced through the book. Everything comes out believable at the end.
QUITE ENJOYABLE COZY.CHARACTERS YOU CAN'T WAIT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT.INTERESTING TO FIND OUT HOW TOURIST ESTATES ARE RUN.MURDER MYSTERY WITH A TWIST. LOOKING FORWARD TO READING 2ND IN THE SERIES.
