Charlee Russo is a mystery author who has once again found herself at the center of a real-life mystery, helping her friend find her missing daughter while also taking on her friend's responsibilities at the writing conference Charlee's been invited to speak at. Charlee is an entertaining, irreverent protagonist- she's trying to be helpful though often finds herself annoyed with the disorganization of the conference, and she suspects that not everything is on the up and up with her friend, but she seems to generally let everything roll off her. If you're sensitive to violence and death in mysteries, this one might be a good bet as there is very little on page action in regards to the actual crimes. While this is the second book in the series, it could definitely be read as a standalone. Charlee travels to a different state, so the entire cast of characters is different in this one than in the first. Events from the first book are vaguely referenced, but it's not necessary to have read the first to read and enjoy this one.

There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed and parts that I didn't enjoy at all. I don't like when characters do stupid things, and while she wasn't stupid, she had a few of those moments. There were parts of the book that made me laugh and parts where I couldn't follow her stream of thought at all. Overall, I thought the book was good, and I enjoyed the funny bits about the conference and the people who pretended to be something they weren't.

This is the 2nd book in the Mystery Writer series. In this installment Charlee Russo arrives in Portland as a keynote speaker at a writer’s conference. Her friend Viv is in charge of the conference and is late in picking her up at the airport. Once Viv arrives she is frantic as she tells Charlee her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped. Viv wants Charlee to investigate but Charlee is not willing as she is afraid she would mess things up and get Hanna hurt. Charlee agrees to help with the conference while Viv tries to find her daughter. The hotel has double booked the conference with a dog show and Charlee finds somethings out about Viv and Hanna that has her investigating. Comedy of errors is more like it. This was entertaining and enjoyable read.

On a side note the format of this advanced read was horrible. The version I was sent had some many words that were missing letters that part of the mystery was figuring out the right words. I get this is an ARC but I have never seen a copy this bad.

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the second book in Mystery Writer's Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.

Having read the first book I am already familiar with the main character Charlee Russo, although this being only the second installment I had expected to get to know the character a bit more but that didn't happen. The rest of the characters are one dimensional and not well developed.
I also found that mistery of Hanna's disappearance and Viv's behavior too exaggerated and unnatural.
I very much enjoyed sense of humor and vivid portray of certain situations and people.

When Charlee Russo, mystery writer accepts an invitation from her friend Viv to be a guest speaker at the writer's confrence, the last things she expects is another mystery but that is what she gets. As soon as her friend picks her up at the airport she tells her that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped and leaves without any further information. Charlee agrees to help out with the conference organization.
She realizes that she has bitten off more than she can chew when she has to deal with double booked conference, hearing rumors about Viv and Hanna and meets some unsavory characters.

Easy and entertaining read with a good dose of humor.

Charlee Russo heads to a writer's conference to be a speaker. When she arrives, she finds out her friend Viv's daughter has been kidnapped. Since Viv is organizing the conference, Charlee steps in to help so Viv can search for her daughter. It ends up being more than Charlee bargained for, including a double booked hotel and food poisoned volunteers.

The second book in the Mystery Writer's mystery series by Becky Clark. I recommend picking up the first book, <i>Fiction Can Be Murder</i>, before reading this one. Personally, I enjoyed the first one more, but the second book is a good addition to the series.

In this book, Charlee is dealing with the chaos around the writer's conference. Of course, Charlee also wants to investigate the mystery of her friend's missing daughter. There is a lot going on in this book. Too much.

Charlee is a quirky character with a nice combination of paranoia and humor. An entertaining read. Good for fans of humorous cozy mysteries.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the 2nd book in the "Mystery Writers Mystery series",

Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, who has agreed to speak at a Portland writers' conference to help her friend Viv. When Viv is late picking her up at the airport, that should have been her first clue something wasn't right. Despite it all, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending? Not only is this book funny, it has a great mystery too!

I found this book to be a fun, quick read, with a well developed plot and characters.. I recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends. I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased the first book right away.

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me via NetGalley and Midnight Ink Publishing. All of the above opinions are my own.

Charlie really gets the short end of the leash when Viv, who is supposed to run the writer conference she's attending, proclaims that her daughter has been kidnapped and dumps everything on her. The event has been double booked with a dog agility contest, which adds some unusual angles to this second installment in a series. My quibble with this- and it's a big one- is that Charlee goes off and investigates the alleged kidnapping. Admittedly, and oddly, the police don't think anything's happened but...There are red herrings and some twists. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Charlee Russo, a mystery writer accused of murder herself not too long ago, is excited to join her long-time friend, Viv, at a writer's convention in Portland.  Minutes after landing, all her plans are trashed when Viv blurts out that her daughter, Hanna, is missing.  While Charlee agrees to take over the prep for the conference, she also decides to do a little investigating of her own.  Although a bit snappish and irritated at times, Charlee is a likeable character.  Her investigative skills aren't always the best, but she's a writer, not a detective, so I can let that slide.  She does have quite the imagination and her sense of humor often saves her from screaming.  

The addition of the double booking with a dog show added a lot of fun and colorful moments to the story.  It was a great way to break up Charlee's worrying - about both the conference and the kidnapping - as well as lightening the mood with some humor.  My one complaint is that the supporting characters weren't fully fleshed out so you're not sure of their true motives or possible involvement.  Charlee, however, is well rounded and interesting and I'd happily read more in this series.  

Foul Play on Words is a fun and lighthearted cozy mystery.  It makes for a quick read that left me smiling.  There is one character, however, that I'm wondering about.  I'm hoping that maybe he'll make an appearance in the next novel.  Two chance encounters with him make me hopeful.  Guess I'll have to pick up the next one and see.

FOUL PLAY ON WORDS by Becky Clark is the second in her ‘Mystery Writer’s Mystery’ series, the first book being ‘Fiction Can Be Murder.’ Any avid cozy reader would be attracted by the premise of a mystery where the setting is a writer’s conference.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at the Portland writers' conference that has been organised by her friend, Viv. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter, Hanna, has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Will she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to an awful ending?

For me, this exciting and thoroughly entertaining mystery has a solid plot, supported by some charming and engaging characters. There was plenty of humour in FOUL PLAY ON WORDS and the mystery was packed with some fantastic one-liners.

If you are grabbed by a winsome mystery then this may well be a perfect novel to try.

[Thanks to #NetGalley and Midnight Ink Publishing for my ARC of #FoulPlayOnWords in exchange for an honest review]

Foul Play on Words by Becky Clark is the 2nd book in a Mystery Writer's Mystery series, and it was a fun . Charlee Russo is a mystery writer, who has agree to speak at a Portland writers' conference to help her friend Viv. When Viv is late picking her up at the airport, that should have been her first clue of things to come. Viv says her daughter has been kidnapped, and she wants Charlee to take over for her at the conference. Not only is this book laugh out loud funny, it has a great mystery also. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love funny cozy mysteries, I recommend this book. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

I reviewed an arc from Netgalley and Midnight Ink Publishing. Thank you.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to be the keynote speaker at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. But things go wrong from the start when Viv picks her up at the airport. Viv's daughter Hanna has been kidnapped and she is frantic. Charlee agrees to take over the conference preparation so Viv can search for Hanna. Of course, all kinds of things go wrong at the hotel which has double-booked the writers' convention with a dog show, and Charlee is saddled with a group of hapless volunteers. Charlee also begins to doubt whether Hanna has really been kidnapped and wonders why Viv is reluctant to get the police involved.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Midnight Ink with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers' conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically tells Charlee that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite this, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?
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From Midnight Ink comes Becky Clark's second book in the “A Mystery Writer’s Mystery” series, Foul Play on Words. This is a fun, humorous story detailing the adventures of a mystery writer who keeps getting involved in criminal investigations.

Charlee isn’t the average mystery writer, she has a wacky sense of humor, is a bit paranoid and quite often her imagination gets carried away. She is likable yet comes off as slightly dim and not overly creative. Charlee doesn’t trust easily; past experiences have made her somewhat suspicious of everyone’s motives. There are times when she should be cautious but isn’t.

Other characters in this story do not play a big enough roll to know what they are like. There is little to no description of who they are or what their past relationship with Charlee entails. Other than Viv, who doesn’t appear to be a very good friend or a trustful one. Although there is mention of Charlee’s BF he only makes an appearance during telephone calls, and the reader learns nothing about who he is, or his and Charlee’s story.

The villain was immediately recognizable. Although the motive is made plain it comes off as petty and childish. Many readers will enjoy the subtle clues and the final unveiling, with a happy ending. The dog show that is going on at the same time as the writer’s conference adds humor to an otherwise normal setting. Happily, no dogs were injured in this story and one special pup helps save the day.

I would like to have more depth to the characters and a lot more information on Charlee’s background. As this is only the second book in a series, characters are still being developed. It is hoped that in the next book, Charlee becomes more substantial with her BF and other characters playing bigger roles. The setting could have been great but was not an intricate part of the plot.

Over all Foul Play on Words is a fast read that has moments of humor and can leave readers scratching their heads. If readers want a book they can read quickly with little brain strain, this is a book worth the time.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

It was a pleasant and entertaining read even if it's a bit slow at times.
I liked the humour, the characters and the plot.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.

A cozy mystery that provided enough humor to make me laugh at Charlee's inept investigative skills. The book started out with Charlee waiting at the airport for her friend Viv to pick her up. Viv was rather late when she finally arrived and burst out that her daughter, Hanna, had been kidnapped. Charlee takes over preparation for a writer's conference she's attending to allow Viv to search for Hanna.

It seems like everything than could go wrong with preparing for the conference did go wrong. The chef quit, the hotel double-booked the conference with a dog show, the conference volunteers got food poisoning and could not help out. What a mess!

A light, fun mystery. Thanks to Beck Clark and Midnight Ink through Netgalley for an advance a copy in exchange for an honest review.

FOUL PLAY ON WORDS by Becky Clark is the second in the “Mystery Writer’s Mystery Book” series and is a completely contained mystery of it’s own. There are some references to the first book in the series, but they are not crucial to solving the mystery of this book.
The book opens with mystery writer Charlemagne Russo (Charlee), the central character in this series, arriving for a writer’s conference. From the opening pages, everything that can go wrong does. The woman who is supposed to pick Charlee up at the airport is late, then when she arrives she advises Charlee her daughter has been kidnapped and guilts Charlee into coordinating the conference while she searches for her daughter.
Once at the hotel, the chaos increases. Charlee’s room is somewhat run down, all but two of the volunteers for the conference contracted food poisoning, the chef has quit, leaving a breakfast prep cook in charge of the kitchen, and on it goes. Charlee runs around frantically, trying to determine what to do first, while the two available volunteers sit in a room waiting for direction.
Throughout the book Charlee expresses concern that this is all a scam her friend, the actual conference coordinator, has devised because she needs money. She vacillates between doubts and the desire to involve the police, which her friend is adamant she mustn’t do.
The chaos and confusion surrounding the conference, the investigation of the kidnapping and a variety of other things fill almost every page with little resolution. There is so much going on it becomes overwhelming to the reader who is trying to sort through all the chaos to find the threads of the current mystery. The secondary storylines and issues were overwhelming and made it difficult to maintain interest in the book. It also made me question the premise so much it negatively affected my interest in the book.

This was a decent read. I wasn't overly wowed by the plot or any of the characters. Some of the chapters were a little slow. One distraction was the missing letters from words in the text. It was probably a software issue because the cover picture was in four parts and very distorted. It will satisfy the mystery yearnings for most readers.

Foul Play on Words picks up the story of Charlee Russo, mystery author, as she helps keep her friend Viv's writing convention running while Viv looks for her kidnapped daughter. Charlee's paranoia, vivid imagination, and propensity for jumping to conclusions makes this book a wonderful read! The story is funny, characters are authentic and the book draws you in from the beginning. Having read the first book in the series, Fiction Can Be Murder, and now this one, I can't wait for the third! I would recommend this book highly to anyone who enjoys a funny cozy mystery with a great plot.

Even though the version of the book received from NetGalley had many issues, the difficulty in reading did not distract from the story.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline.
I was engaged from the beginning and was kept guessing until the end.

When mystery author Charlee goes to Portland for a writer's conference, she gets involved in a whole lot more than she signed up for: a kidnapping, a dog agility competition, an admirer with a very famous name, and she gets roped into running the conference that seems cursed. This is a well-paced story with no shortage of suspects and suspicious events. I missed a couple of the characters from the first book, but this one has a nice variety of interesting characters to meet. I was pretty shocked by the reveal of the culprit(s), and you may be, too. Though it took me a couple chapters to really get drawn into the story, the second Mystery Writer's Mystery didn't disappoint! The only real problem I had with this book is that all words with "ff", "fi", "fl" were missing those letters, making it a little difficult for me to figure out some of the words. Like "coee" was coffee, "dicult" was difficult, etc.

This can easily be read as a standalone, but if you read this book first and enjoy it, you'll want to read Fiction Can Be Murder.

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.