Member Reviews
This is not new material, but rather a repackaging of Meier's two past Lucy Stone novels with a Thanksgiving theme. Fun and recommended reading for those who have not already read these novels.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gobble, Gobble Murder is actually 2 separate stories by Leslie Meier. It includes: Turkey Day Murder (published in 2002) and Turkey Trot Murder (published in 2017). I have recently started reading and enjoying the cozy mystery books that are food related, so I had high hopes for this book. However, I ended up being a bit disappointed.
The Turkey Day Murder follows Lucy, a reporter for the local paper. The local Indian Tribe is petitioning for federal recognition, so they can build a casino. However, the local tribe leader, who is rather outspoken and passionate about the tribes history, is vehemently against the casino and wants to build a museum instead to honor his heritage. That is, until he is found murdered. It's up to Lucy to sift though Curt's many enemies to find out who killed him and why.
I felt like it was very slow at the beginning, and didn't pick up until a little over half way through. The first half of the book was a lot of Lucy worrying about what she is going to do about Thanksgiving dinner with so many extra guests, stressing over being an empty-nester, and complaining about her son and his friends being inconsiderate. I was about to give up on the book, but I pushed through, and finally over halfway though, the murder and action happens. If I was reviewing this book alone, I would have given it 3 stars.
The Turkey Trot Murder starts with Lucy going for a run to train for the annual Turkey Trot marathon. While on her run, she finds the body of a girl, who appeared to have fallen through the ice and froze to death. Then the girls father, blaming the opiate problem for his daughters death, went on a anti-immigration and anti- Mexican tirade. That is until he is shot to death in his car. Lucy brings it upon herself to figure out what happened to both Allison and her father.
I liked that this book had part of the mystery right up front and kind of built to the second one. It made the story a bit more intriguing in my opinion than the Turkey Day Murder. However, I found that I still didn't care for Lucy. She was still irritating and whiny to me. I think I would have enjoyed this more if the protagonist was more likable. I also gave this book 3 stars.
Leslie Meier is one of my favorite cozy authors and I enjoyed re-visiting these 2 Thanksgiving themed books. I loved seeing the differences in her kids to realize how long this series has been going. Both books are well-written and were enjoyable to read for a second time.
I love this series. Buf this one isn't a new release. Its a release. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Leslie Meier is a wonderful writer
This is a combination of two previously published Thanksgiving books with Lucy Stone as the main character. Turkey Day Murder - Lucy is excited to have her boy, Toby, home for the first time since going to college. Things are not turning out as Lucy had planned. On top of that, there is a Native American tribe wanting to build a HUGE casino in Tinkers Cove. Turkey Trot Murder - Lucy prepares for the Turkey Trot and discovers a body in the pond. The police suspect drugs are involved. It is Lucy’s job to discover the truth. Could drugs be a problem in Tinker’s Cove?
The Lucy Stone mysteries are long time favorites. Gobble, Gobble Murder is not a new installment but is two books previously published in the series, both having a Thanksgiving theme. Combining books like this has pros and cons - the reader can read books of the same theme together, however they take place many years apart which can be confusing to the reader. Nonetheless, they are great reads and I highly recommend the entire series.
The Lucy Stone series tells the story of Lucy Stone, part-time reporter for the local newspaper, her husband who has his own construction business, and her 4 children (the fourth being born after the series begins). The characters are wonderful and relatable - the reader quickly becomes involved in their lives. Lucy is a character that you could easily call a friend and experiences the trials and tribulations of life like all of us!
Turkey Day Murder finds Lucy in the midst of Thanksgiving festivities, her son's return home from college, and solving the murder of a local Native American activist.
In Turkey Trot Murder, Lucy is planning to run in the local 5K on Thanksgiving, and on her morning run finds a dead body frozen in Blueberry Pond. The death is attributed to drug overdose, but Lucy doesn't quite believe this explanation and does some investigating on her own.
With the knowledge that the stories in this book are part of a series and are set several years apart, the book is a great Thanksgiving read that draws you into the life of Lucy Stone and makes you want to read more of Lucy's adventures.
This book is really two previous books from the Lucy Stone series combined into one. Both books have a Thanksgiving theme, but they are set many years apart, so we get two see how Lucy's life has changed from the first book, Turkey Day murder, which is number seven in the series, to the second, Turkey trot murder, number 24 in the series.
I am not a big fan of previously released series books being combined into one book that is then marketed as a new installment in the series. If I had paid more attention, I would have realized that that was being done here, and would not have requested this book to read and review.
Although I am a big fan of this series, I do not generally re-read books, and was disappointed when I realized that I had already read both of these stories. Even more disappointing was realizing that I actually remembered the identity of the killers in both stories.
I was disappointed in this book, but only because I had already read both books, separately, previously. I look forward to the next *new book in this series.
I am becoming a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery.
This is two cozy mystery book in one book. I normally really love cozy mystery book, but I could not get into this book. I had to push myself to just finish this book. I do not think it is a badly written book, but it was just a book that was not for me. I hope that the right person finds this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Leslie Meier) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Both cute short stories, but they are not new Leslie Meier stories- just put into a holiday special. The jump in age with her children was a bit confusing.
Still adore her cute involvement with the quirky town of Tinkers Cove and the murders that happen. The town always seems genuinely horrified.
This title includes two Thanksgiving themed mysteries, both featuring Lucy Stone, a part-time reporter in a small town in Maine. The first is set when her youngest child is four years old and the second when the same child is eighteen.
Both novels include Thanksgiving feasts, small-town holiday traditions, and important social issues, but it's interesting to see how Lucy's attitudes and relationships change over time. I've been a fan of the series from the beginning, but I hadn't really noticed how much more independent and bold she has become through the years.
In Turkey Day Murder, a local Native American tribe is trying for federal recognition, and Lucy is on hand to report on the historical issues, the controversy over casinos, and the problems of poverty that she hadn't really been aware of before. At the same time, she has a tough time dealing with her oldest son's first visit home since he started college. And then one of the central figures in the controversies turns up dead.
In Turkey Trot Murder, Lucy finds a body and is thrust into local news about the opioid crisis and white supremacist violence. Again, Lucy has been busy enough with her own friends, family, and community that she hasn't realized how much these issues are affecting the region. But the deaths in a privileged family bring the facts to her attention. She can't keep from learning more -- and investigating the murders at the same time.
Lucy Stone is a likable, down-to-earth woman, and the stories are well written and neatly plotted. The characters are fully developed and their relationships are complex but believable.
Gobble, Gobble Murder by Leslie Meier
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: September 29, 2020
Gobble, Gobble Murder contains two Thanksgiving themed stories, "Turkey Day Murder" and Turkey Trot Murder" featuring Lucy Stone in Tinker's Cove, Maine.
I felt that the tone of these stories were a lot more serious than the cozy mysteries I usually read. I found it a little stressful to read because of the tension described by the main character, especially in the first story.
I received a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.
‘Tis The Season.....
An entry in the Lucy Stone series of mysteries comprising of Turkey Day Murder and Turkey Trot Murder - fun, themed mysteries. Thanksgiving in Tinker’s Cove, Maine is always a season of joy and gathering for the residents, friends and families. It wouldn’t be the same, however, without a killer or two. A relaxing, enjoyable and entertaining sojourn to Maine.
I was hoping that there would be a collection of the Lucy Stone Thanksgiving themed books. I love holiday themed cozy mysteries. And poor Thanksgiving always gets overlooked. I do think that she could've focused more on the holiday than "real world" talk, like race and such. I'll keep reading her books, but I think she's running out of good storylines.
There are a lot of deadly serious books that have been published this year, and our real life during the pandemic doesn't offer much solace. Reading "Gobble, Gobble Murder" was the palate cleanser that I needed to escape from the "seriousity" hangovers I had after reading so many sad books and seeing so many sad news reports! Do yourself a favor and pick this book up for a feel-good read about a small-town reporters and the mysteries she solves. There are two Thanksgiving murders in this book, with a few years separating them. Our heroine prepares for Thanksgiving with her children at home, and in the second book, prepares for a Thanksgiving with no kids coming home since they are now all out on their own. The threads between both stories are her husband, who seems nice but is also a bit of a pain, her boss and editor of the town newspaper, and her friends. A very pleasant read.
Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Kensington Books.
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
It is Thanksgiving season which means there are a lot of side dishes. In this book you do not get one but two cozies in the mix.
You get to read Turkey Day Murder where an Indian activist is found deadlier than the turkey at a feast. Lucy will try not to become part of the deadly menu.
In Turkey Trot Murder who knew a 5K run could be deadly. A socialite is found frozen to death in a pond. Who wanted her dead as Lucy tries to figure out the case.
More Lucy Stone goodies for the holiday.
As someone who lives in Maine, I love that this series is set there. It just makes me feel that much closer to Lucy & her family because I can identify with the places, seasons & circumstances that arise in these stories. I enjoy that many of the stories are holidays themed as the ones in this book are. I have enjoyed reading this series from the beginning to when the kids of the family were little throughout the series and watching the changes that the family & all the characters experience through the books. I love cozy mysteries and these are some of the BEST!
Turkey Day Murder
Lucy Stone is holding down her reporting job and cooking Thanksgiving for a large group. when an Indian artifact is stolen and the suspect found dead, she starts her own investigation.
Ms. Meier's use of colorful characters and interesting scenarios always makes her books a great way to spend some time. Realistic family interaction, parents of teenagers know there is a lot of humor when you're on the outside looking in, not so funny living it, and a close group of friends who aid her in her investigation. Her snooping becomes dangerous and she's rescued just in time.
Turkey Trot Murder
An older Lucy Stone prepares for Thanksgiving, but none of her brood comes home for it. when she discovers the body of young, beautiful Alison Franklin, she's determined to solve it, but not having much luck, until after he father is shot during a melee in front of the restaurant he was trying to prevent opening. A bunch of motives, but who killed them, she investigates until she accidentally happens across the answer.
I recommend this book as break times when getting ready for the holiday rush. It's a picker upper, sure to relieve the stress.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion freely.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this combined book.
The first book in this selection was Turkey Day Murder, written in 2008. Lucy is working as a part-time reporter for the local paper. The local Indian band wants to build a casino on some land being used as a turkey farm, and many locals are opposed, as is Curt Nolan, a member of the tribe. When Curt is found dead at the Thanksgiving Day football game, Lucy is upset as she had met him at the local town council meeting. She agrees to take his dog, renamed Kudo. Lucy nearly comes to harm at the turkey farm when cornered by the killer, but Kudo interrupts (along with the local policeman) and she is saved. Months later, at the ground breaking for the casino, Indian remains are unearthed by the excavator, and construction is stopped due to their historical importance. Another fast and fun read.
The second book was Turkey Trot Murder, written in 2017, and it's a very good read. Lucy is training for the Thanksgiving Day run, the Turkey Trot. Her two girls still living at home have other plans, so it will be just her and Bill. While running along Blueberry Lake, Lucy see pink on the lake, and finds the body of Alison Franklin, 20 year old daughter of very wealthy Ed Robertson. What had made her venture onto the thin ice of the lake? Then Bill gets a job restoring the old pub on the harbour into a upscale eatery "The Cali Cafe" in fusion style, owned by celebrity chef Ric Rodriguez and his son Matt. Meanwhile, the town is angry about the drug dealers who are killing the kids in the town, and a group called America for Americans, led by Ed Franklin, is demanding that the Rodriguez family leave town, even though their family has been living in the USA before the American revolution. When Lucy sees Hank DeVries buying drugs at the lake parking lot, she approaches him and suggests he go into rehab. Then there's an explosion at the Cali Cafe and Bill is injured. Lucy is determined to find out who's behind both murders.
I found this book very topical because of the drug abuse and the outpouring of hate for "non-Americans". It's not just a cozy, but a commentary of today's world.
Gobble, Gobble Murder is a two story volume featuring Lucy Stone and family at Thanksgiving.
The first story Turkey Day Murder goes back in time to book 7 and Lucy is working and preparing for her son's first visit from college. She expected one roommate but got three extra guests for the holiday. During the annual Thanksgiving football game, and member of the Metinnicut Indian tribe is murdered. Keeping a promise to old friend Miss Tilley Lucy begins to investigate on her own against everyone else's advice.
In The Turkey Trot Murder, Lucy discovers a dead young woman and deals with the opioid crisis that is running rampant in our country. Even though I had read both books before, a visit with Lucy and her friends and family is just like a nice visit home. If you haven't read Leslie Meier's series featuring Lucy Stone, you need to start it. Now. And be ready to grab this edition when it arrives!
Thank you NetGalley for and advanced copy in exchange for a fair review.