Book Review: A CHRISTMAS QUICK SKETCH: A Cherry Tucker Holiday Prequel Caper (A Cherry Tucker Mystery Book) by Larissa Reinhart

Synopsis

Sassy Southern artist Cherry Tucker and her poker-loving boyfriend, Todd, pop into Memphis to help Todd’s cousin who’s been hustled out of his savings, right before Christmas. Staying at the shady Heartache Motel, Cherry can’t tell a shill from a mark and fears everyone is playing them for chumps. Cherry and Todd quickly find themselves in a dangerous sting that could send them to the slammer or mark them as pigeons from cons looking for an even bigger score.

For a fun-filled romp through a gritty gambler's view of Memphis, grab Cherry's Christmas caper today!

Review

Cherry and Todd are on their way to a VIP Poker match in Vegas, but stop off in Memphis to help out Todd's cousin, Barry. He managed to lose everything in a poker game and now his kids and wife won't have a merry Christmas. Todd decides it's time for a sting operation and connects with some shady characters, flashing a lot of money around and losing. Add in an Elvis or two, and a few other 'unusual' characters, and this is a fun, quick read. The bigger question: Is Cherry able to let go of her lifetime love and make things work with Todd? 

If you're looking for a quick, light read, with a few surprises along the way, you will enjoy this one. 

AMAZON

A Cherry Tucker Mystery Series

A CHRISTMAS QUICK SKETCH (prequel)
PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY
STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW
HIJACK IN ABSTRACT
THE VIGILANTE VIGNETTE
DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE
THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE
A VIEW TO A CHILL
A COMPOSITION IN MURDER

Book Review: A VIEW TO A CHILL - A Cherry Tucker Mystery and Maizie Albright Star Detective novella by Larissa Reinhart

Synopsis

In this Rashomon-style Christmas mystery, while Cherry Tucker suffers from flu-induced visions of murder, Maizie Albright's on the hunt for a missing granddaughter whose criminal stockings have long been filled with coal.

When Halo's most notorious artist, Cherry Tucker, thinks she sees a crime through her bedroom window, her feverish claims are ignored by her family. Trapped in bed, influenza is the least of her problems. Deputy Luke Harper can't be found. She can't tell fevered dream from reality. And a very bad Santa knows Cherry's spotted his Christmas killing. It's going to take a Christmas miracle for Cherry to recover.

Meanwhile, ex-celebrity and #WannabeDetective Maizie Albright's determined to help an elderly woman find her missing granddaughter despite her private investigator boss (and not-so-secret crush) Wyatt Nash's claims that the grandmother's annual plea is nothing but a dangerously wild goose chase. This holiday, Maizie's search takes her away from her family and Nash to Halo, Georgia, where a storm threatens her nerves and her quest. When a deviant Santa learns Maizie's looking for the granddaughter, he put Maizie on his naughty list. This Santa may get his holly jollies from murder.

Review

I'm finally catching up on the rest of the holiday mysteries and romances I purchased, and glad I didn't miss this one. Cherry Tucker is an artist and not always taken seriously anyway. When in the middle of a blizzard, feverish and delirious, it is no surprise that the locals don't take her report of a murder seriously. Her sister decides to stay with her and tries to keep her from getting any more upset. In the meantime, the ex-actress who played a detective is training to be the real thing and ends up involved as well.  

A quick read, but it has laughs and reflections on life and the holidays. Cherry hates the holidays and her sister tries to decorate with not much help or enthusiasm. Well-written.  Although pulling the main characters from two series, this is easily read as a stand alone mystery.  Enjoyed it.


Books in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series:
QUICK SKETCH (novella in HEARTACHE MOTEL)
PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1)
STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2)
HIJACK IN ABSTRACT (#3)
DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE (#4)
THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE (#5)
THE VIGILANTE VIGNETTE (novella)
A COMPOSITION IN MURDER (#6)
A VIEW TO A CHILL (novella)

Books in the Maizie Albright Star Detective series:
15 MINUTES
16 MILLIMETERS
A VIEW TO A CHILL (novella)    

Great news! A View to Chill is on sale for $0.99 through the end of February!  Some other cozy mysteries are on sale this week, so happy reading:

  
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Blog Tour: 15 MINUTES : A Maizie Albright Star Detective Humous Mystery by Larissa Reinhart

15 Minutes: A Maizie Albright Star Detective Humorous Mystery

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Publisher: Past Perfect Press (January 24, 2017)

Paperback: 341 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0997885323

E-Book ASIN: B01N77ZK94

SYNOPSIS:

#10days #findthewoman #getthejob #doNOTfallinlove

When ex-teen star Maizie Albright returns to her Southern hometown of Black Pine, Georgia, she hoped to rid herself of Hollywood tabloid and reality show hell for a new career as a private investigator. Instead, Hollyweird follows her home. Maizie’s costar crushing, but now for her gumshoe boss. Her stage-monster mother still demands screen time. Her latest rival wants her kicked off the set, preferably back to a California prison.

By entangling herself in a missing person’s case, she must reprise her most famous role. The job will demand a performance of a lifetime. But this time, the stakes are real and may prove deadly.

“I was already a huge fan of Larissa Reinhart’s “Cherry Tucker” series, but in her new mystery series, FIFTEEN MINUTES, she had me at the end of the first line: “Donuts.” Maizie Albright is the kind of fresh, fun, and feisty “star detective” I love spending time with, a kind of Nancy Drew meets Lucy Ricardo. Move over, Janet Evanovich. Reinhart is my new “star mystery writer!” — Penny Warner, Author of DEATH OF A CHOCOLATE CHEATER and THE CODE BUSTERS CLUB

“Hollywood glitz meets backwoods grit in this fast-paced ride on D-list
celeb Maizie Albright’s waning star—even as it’s reborn in a spectacular
collision with her nightmarish stage mother, her
deer-pee-scented-apparel-inventing daddy…and a murderer. Sassy, sexy, and
fun, 15 Minutes is hours of enjoyment—and a wonderful start to a fun new
series from the charmingly Southern-fried Reinhart.”
— Phoebe Fox, author of THE BREAKUP DOCTOR series

“Larissa Reinhart’s newest heroine, Maizie Albright, is at once naïve and worldly. As a former child star, she craves life in the real world by becoming a PI, just like the TV character that made her famous. Armed with humor, charm, and stubborn determination, Maizie is a breath of fresh air. I adored every second of 15 Minutes. Viva la Maizie!” — Terri L. Austin, bestselling author of the ROSE STRICKLAND MYSTERIES and the NULL FOR HIRE series.

REVIEW:

A new series, 15 MINUTES features a Hollywood Starlit who tries to escape her agent/mother who knows no boundaries by returning home to her all-natural home grown conservative father. Maizie is there by court order and has a limited number of days to become employed.  She played the role of a teen detective in Hollywood, got a degree in criminology, so the obvious job is working for the local PI.  

Needless to say, Maizie isn't ready for prime time PI work and the PI she wants to work for isn't exactly thrilled. Things get dicey with many twists and turns and embarrassing (for Maizie) situations.  This was a fun read - Maizie is definitely unique. I've enjoyed the "Cherry Tucker" series, and look forward to watching Maizie's growth and future exploits. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mystery and Maizie Albright Star Detective series. The first in the Cherry Tucker series, Portrait of a Dead Guy, is a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, 2012 The Emily finalist, and 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. She loves books, food, and travel in any and all combinations.

Her family and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit, live in Nagoya, Japan, but they still call Georgia home. You can see them on HGTV’s House Hunters International “Living for the Weekend in Nagoya” episode. Visit her website, find her chatting on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads, and sign up for her newsletter at http://smarturl.it/larissanewsletter.

If you enjoy her books, please leave a review. She sends you virtual hugs and undying gratitude for your support!

Social Media Links:

Webpage – http://larissareinhart.com/

Newsletter signup: http://smarturl.it/larissanewsletter

Official: http://www.facebook.com/RisWrites

Friend me: https://www.facebook.com/larissareinhartwriter

Watch me: http://instagram.com/larissareinhart

Follow me: https://twitter.com/LarissaReinhart

Pin me: http://pinterest.com/LarissaReinhart/

Read with me: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5806614.Larissa_Reinhart

Chat with me: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysteryminions/

Link to our House Hunters International episode: http://www.hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters-international/episodes/living-for-the-weekend-in-nagoya-japan#episode-tunein

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Blog Tour: THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE by Larissa Reinhart

Synopsis:
“Anyone who likes humorous mysteries will also enjoy local author Larissa Reinhart, who captures small town Georgia in the laugh-out-loud escapades of struggling artist Cherry Tucker.” –Fayette Woman Magazine

“Cherry is a quirky spitfire who lights the match that sets her little town on fire.” – Dru’s Book Musings

When Cherry Tucker’s invited to paint the “kill portrait” for the winner of Big Rack Lodge’s Hogzilla hunt, it seems like a paid vacation. Back home in Halo, a Hatfield-McCoy-style standoff builds between Luke and Cherry’s families. She’s ready for a weekend away, hobnobbing with rich and famous hunters, where she can forget her troubles and nobody knows her name.

As Georgia sunshine turns to bleak December rain, Cherry’s R&R goes MIA when she finds a body in the woods. While the police believe the local drunk took an accidental spill, Cherry has her doubts, particularly when a series of malicious pranks are targeted at the rifle toting contestants. With loyal companions at her side—sort-of-ex-husband Todd and a championship bayer named Buckshot—Cherry tracks suspects through a forest full of pitfalls and perils. And all the while, a killer’s stalking the hunt party with a bead on Cherry.

Review:

Cherry Tucker's life is anything but boring. The family feud continues to thwart the rocky relationship between Cherry and Luke, but at least she has a painting ordered. What sounds like a dream job - hang out while the hunters do their thing and then paint the winner - turns sour when Cherry finds a dead body. Her interactions with the man are at odds with what townsfolk and police say about him. They are all willing to accept an accident, but not Cherry. And the hunt goes on, despite pranks and near misses. 

As with the other books in this series, Cherry's personality shines and her antics bring a smile.  The characters are well-developed, especially Todd. The story progresses at a good pace with twists, turns, and quirky personalities. All in all, Reinhart has once again managed to spin a humorous who-dun-it sure to please. Although this is the fifth in the series (and I've read them all), this can be read as a stand-alone. I hope the sixth is not far behind.

Books in the Cherry Tucker Humorous Mystery Series:

• QUICK SKETCH (Novella prequel to PORTRAIT in HEARTACHE MOTEL)
• PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1)
• STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2)
• HIJACK IN ABSTRACT (#3)
• DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE (#4)
• THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE (#5)

About The Author:

After teaching in the US and Japan, Larissa enjoys writing, particularly sassy female characters with a penchant for trouble. She lives near Atlanta with her family and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit. Visit her website or find her chatting on Facebook. THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE is the fifth book in the bestselling Cherry Tucker Mystery series. The first, PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY, is a Daphne du Maurier finalist, Emily finalist, and Dixie Kane Memorial winner.

Author Links:

Website: http://larissareinhart.com/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1qMwr29

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RisWrites

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RisWrites

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5806614.Larissa_Reinhart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/LarissaReinhart/

Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N iTunes KOBO

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Book Review: DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE (A Cherry Tucker Mystery) by Larissa Reinhart

Synopsis:

The curtain rises on Cherry Tucker’s debut as a high school set designer at the posh Peerless Day Academy. Cherry’s been hired for an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, but the drama director is hoping Cherry can also turn the spotlight on a malicious social media bully who’s sending poisonous texts to the faculty. The director’s got his own drama to hide, and the phantom texter seems eager to spill school secrets. When the principal’s secretary commits suicide, Cherry suspects foul play.

Deputy Luke Harper is ready to return as Cherry’s leading man. He’s eager to assist in finding the phantom culprit, but Cherry fears family secrets offstage may doom them to the role as star-crossed lovers. With the bully waiting for a murderous encore and her own family skeletons to hide, Cherry scrambles to find her brother and the mysterious texter before the phantom decides it’s curtains for Cherry and forces her to take a final bow.

Review:

This is the fourth in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series (released in June) and is every bit as enjoyable as the others (yes, I have read them all).  The "characters" at the private school for the arts are unique but appear to be dealing with the latest problem of cyberbullying through texts and the school's own social media.  A student suicided the previous year and now the principal's secretary?  Not likely. But Cherry is determined to find the texter or murderer.

Then there's the rivalry between the music program whose leader (Tinsley) hires Cherry to produce his set and the art teacher.  In the meantime, on the home front, the family feud continues to create drama and dismay between Luke and Cherry - their very own version of the Hatfields and McCoys or Romeo and Juliet.  A fun read and a bit of stretch to imagine Tinsley's version of Romeo and Juliet underwater with bubbles.  

AMAZON

The previous books in the series:

Portrait of a Dead Guy (#1)

Still Life in Brunswick Stew (#2)

Hijack in Abstract (#3)