"Steps up several levels into an exciting category all its own. It's thriller, cold case, mystery suspense, and police procedural, all rolled into one exciting novel. Set amidst the political drama that comes with Washington DC and the Pentagon, a current multiple murder becomes a search years in the past. With a young, hot lieutenant assigned to NCIS, and his beautiful new wife, you have all the makings of a bestseller. Nicely done, Ms. Carr!" - Review by Merry Citarella, Mystery Suspense Reviews
THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY
A Thorny Rose Mystery #4
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 30, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy: “13”
Review:
Dean Conway is not well-liked and barely tolerated at the social gathering with friends of Murphy Thornton, his wife, Jessica Farraday, Dean's wife, Amy, and long time friend, Kenneth among others. As Jessica observes Amy and her husband, she has to question why Amy stays in such a miserable relationship. He doesn't work, he doesn't respect her, and he's a bore. Nobody quite believes his story of a conspiracy surrounding an assassination attempt at the production of the Nutcracker years before. Only then his car is tampered with, he's getting threats, and he dies when a bomb is left on his front step right after texting Murphy "13" as he is now the 13th dead in the conspiracy.
With all their connections to various government agencies, Murphy keeps getting the same message. The shooter was taken down and the wife of the Vice President died as his gun fired. No conspiracy. When Amy is implicated as the person with the greatest motive and much circumstantial evidence, Jessica and Murphy try to sort out the deaths following the Nutcracker performance. There are many false starts and conflicting information, but as they become targets, it seems Dean may have been on to something.
True to form, Carr has spun quite the tale with great characters and enough action and tension to keep the reader guessing. It all makes sense in the end. This is the fourth in the Thorny Rose Mysteries and some of the characters have history in previous series. No worries. This can easily be read as a stand alone. Fans of Lauren Carr will like this book - I certainly did.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Scheduled release date is Jan 30, 2020!
Amazon.com
Add to Goodreads
MURDER BY PERFECTION
A Thorny Rose Mystery #3
"Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
Book Description:
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night. The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and
business.
When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to
discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
REVIEW
Murphy connects with an old friend from his navy academy days, Lt. Cromwell, who tells him a friend thinks there's something fishy going down somewhere. Lt. Cromwell ends up dead and Murphy wonders if it's related to the "something fishy." He and Jessica take a cooking class with a local chef, who has videos online, not just of cooking. Natalie Stepford is married and living in a beautiful home with her rich husband. She's the next victim, soon after she gives Murphy some information. He disappears, his motorcycle left on the side of the road. His father and twin, JJ, come to help find him, along with the government agencies already involved.
There are twists and turns with paths intertwining, some with historical routes, some with Kitty Kat and her playfulness, and of course there is Lt. Cromwell's family. All the dogs and Ollie add a bit of lightness as does JJ's panic and avoidance when it comes to his feelings. Another great read by Carr with inventive scenarios and a quick paced plot.
Murphy connects with an old friend from his navy academy days, Lt. Cromwell, who tells him a friend thinks there's something fishy going down somewhere. Lt. Cromwell ends up dead and Murphy wonders if it's related to the "something fishy." He and Jessica take a cooking class with a local chef, who has videos online, not just of cooking. Natalie Stepford is married and living in a beautiful home with her rich husband. She's the next victim, soon after she gives Murphy some information. He disappears, his motorcycle left on the side of the road. His father and twin, JJ, come to help find him, along with the government agencies already involved.
There are twists and turns with paths intertwining, some with historical routes, some with Kitty Kat and her playfulness, and of course there is Lt. Cromwell's family. All the dogs and Ollie add a bit of lightness as does JJ's panic and avoidance when it comes to his feelings. Another great read by Carr with inventive scenarios and a quick paced plot.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Buy the Book:
Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Check Out These Other Thorny Rose Mysteries:
"The plot was original, fresh and fast paced in spite of the "traditional elements" employed which can normally be found in any other thriller of this genre. The USP of this story would be its unpredictability. When you think you have it all guessed up, the plot would change its course keeping you hooked. There were a lot of suspense twists and turns that kept the momentum up. Needless to say, the writing was simply perfect. One thing that writer needs to be lauded for is the humor she inculcated in the book. Minus those humorous parts, the book would have been one serious read." - Reviewer: Book and Ink
Book Description:Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night
shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in
Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift
through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the
Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning
killer?
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
Add to Goodreads
Amazon ~ Audible
Add to Goodreads
"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the
answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental
Book Description:
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out
at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
Add to Goodreads
Amazon ~ Audible
Add to Goodreads
Meet the Author:
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson
Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include
mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead
Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Enter the Giveaway:
Thank you so much, christa, for 2 fun reviews for the price of 1! You've made my day! Here's wishing each of your followers luck in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I always enjoy your books - keep writing!
Delete