A KILLER PLOT: Books by the Bay Mystery - Ellery Adams

From the back of the book:
In the small coastal town of Oyster Bay, North Carolina, you'll find plenty of characters, ne'er-do-wells, and even a few celebs trying to duck the paparazzi. But when murder joins this curious community, the Bayside Book Writers are there to get the story...
Olivia Limoges is the subject of constant gossip. Ever since she came back to town-a return as mysterious as her departure-Olivia has kept to herself, her dog, and her unfinished novel. With a little cajoling from the eminently charming writer Camden Ford, she agrees to join the Bayside Book Writers, break her writer's block, and even make a few friends...
But when townspeople start turning up dead with haiku poems left by the bodies, anyone with a flair for language is suddenly suspect. And it's up to Olivia to catch the killer before she meets her own surprise ending.

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I read A DEADLY CLICHE, second in the series, in March (http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/deadly-cliche-books-by-bay-mystery.html) and highly enjoyed it (five sparkly diamonds).

A KILLER PLOT is first in the series and it's only the eensiest bit less polished than the follow up and I know the third, THE LAST WORD, out 6 Dec 2011 (and already on the WWBL), will be even better. That's what I like about a good writer with a good mystery series, each book gets niftier and more unputdownable (it's a word, dagnabbit)

Ellery Adams makes me want to move to Oyster Bay, North Carolina and have a standard poodle like Captain Haviland as my trusty sidekick as I walk along the beach with my metal detector looking for treasure.

I liked watching how Olivia Limoges, the main character, grow from cautious and rather reclusive wealthy woman to coming out of her shell to become a member of a writers group and making more friends. Except that the one joyously flamboyantly charming man who helped bring her out is killed and she is both saddened and angry enough to want to find the killer herself.

The mystery and clues move the story along and I really enjoyed my quiet shift that allowed me to read and finish the book in one sitting.

Four sparkly treasure huntin' diamonds.....

A DEADLY CLICHE: A Books by the Bay Mystery - Ellery Adams

From the back of the book: While walking her poodle, Olivia Limoges discovers a dead body buried in the sand. Could it be connected to the bizarre burglaries plaguing Oyster Bay, North Carolina? The Bayside Book Writers prick up ther ears and pick up their pens to get the story...

The thieves have a distinct MO. At every crime scene, they set up odd tabeleaus: a stick of butter with a knife through it, dolls with silver spoons in their mouths, a deck of cards with a missing queen. Olivia realizes each setup represents a cliche.

Who better to decode the cliche clues than the Bayside Book Writers group, especially since their newest memer is Police Chief Rawlings? As the investigation proceeds, Olivia is surprised to find herself falling for the widowed policeman. But an even greater surprise is in store. Her father ---lost at sea thirty years ago---may still be alive....

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Nothing against any of the other cozy/amateur sleuth mysteries I've read this year (or even last year), but this is the best one I've read in a really long while. I have my favorites, yes, but I was completely taken by surprise at how much I enjoyed reading this second in the Books by the Bay series. I started reading it when I saw a post on Cozy Chicks blog on 3 Mar by Ellery Adams about rewarding readers/reviewers of cozies, especially the Cozy Chick author cozies. The first ten would win some DEADLY CLICHE schtuff and I immediately set KING OF PLAGUES: Joe Ledger #3 - Jonathan Maberry aside as my bedside book (I know, not typical bedtime reading, but that's me) and picked up DEADLY CLICHE from the stack on the nightstand.

I knew I didn't stand a chance to get in on the prezzies, but once I got into the story of Olivia Limoges, both her present and past stories, I didn't care about missing out on the treat bag....I just cared about this tight, well written mystery.

Two main stories going on: the mystery of the break-ins and murders and the mystery of Olivia's father, along with how Olivia handled both mysteries.

Olivia has been used to being removed from people, handling things from behind the scenes and now she finds herself cautiously making friends as well as helping bring Oyster Bay new life with renovations and jobs.

Nothing seemed forced or made to happen. The mystery was well done, the scenes and dialogue not even relating to the two mysteries were smooth and a nice interlude. I cried at times towards the end of the book, sad and happy. I love when I care about the characters.

And I want a dog like Captain Haviland. He and Olivia are a good team and good for each other.

I can't wait to read the third in the series, THE LAST WORD, whenever it comes out. Thankfully, I have the first in the series, A KILLER PLOT, on the nightstand to keep me until then.

Five I want to live in Oyster Bay sparkling diamonds....

Books in the House Monday - 20 Sep 2010

From Seester:

THE PASSAGE - Justin Cronin, horror, BOCD, abridged but a really good abridgement



High Crimes Mystery Bookshop

THE HUNT FOR ATLANTIS - Andy McDermott, archeological thriller, MPB

A NIGHT AT THE OPERATION: Double Feature Mystery #3 - Jeffrey Cohen, cozy mystery, MPB

BUZZ OFF: A Queen Bee Mystery #1 - Hannah Reed, cozy mystery, MPB

MURDER PAST DUE: A Cat in the Stacks Mystery #1 - Miranda James, cozy mystery, MPB

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS - R J Ellory, suspense, TPB



Barnes & Noble (using my e-giftcard from Cozy Chicks)

SKETCH ME IF YOU CAN: Portrait of Crime Mystery #1 - Sharon Pape, cozy mystery, MPB
A KILLER PLOT: Books in the Bay Mystery #1 - Ellery Adams, cozy mystery, MPB
DEATH MOST DEFINITE: Death Works - Trent Jamieson, UF, MPB

Ann, my cozy trading buddy at work:
THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING - Elizabeth J Duncan, cozy mystery, MPB