Member Reviews
Abby McCree is dealing with more than just a murder, this time she is also having to deal with her MOM. Amazing scene writing, made me feel like I was in the room with Abby as she tried her best to maintain her cool while also trying to be a supportive sleuth. I was almost surprised that the book didn't catch on fire between the sparks of contention from the McCree women or the sparks of romance between Abby and Trip. I will also admit that at one point in the store I sucked in my breath and thought "OH NO," when Abby and Trip had a big disagreement. Gist of the story is that Abby is still relatively new to town but she has decided that Snowberry Creek is going to be her town, her home, and her future, and her Mom needs to deal with it. At the same time, Phoebe McCree has decided that she likes spending time with the new BBQ man of mystery, Owen even if it means spending time with him in jail because he is a person of interest. Abby can't let her Mom down or the a variety of other people even though she may be putting her new and fragile relationship with Trip on the line. He hates it when she is in trouble or danger. Great story, great character development that can stand on it's own without needing to have read the three books that came before. Oh, but you will want to read them just to see how it all started.
Abby's romancing with Tripp keeps getting interrupted, if not by a dead body, then by her mother flashing the outside light. That dynamic along with Abby's displeasure with her mother's boyfriend and his mysterious (aka suspicious) past, add humor to the death of the insurance agent, now dead. As Abby begins her investigation to find the killer, she discovers a lot of people, and not just Owen Quinn, are not what they seem.
The combination of the murder mystery, the family dynamics, and small town interactions keep the story moving and the reader engaged. Cozy mystery fans will not be disappointed with this one. Death by Intermission is the fourth book in the series. It was my first and not difficult to follow. It is easily read as a stand-alone mystery. Still, I'd always suggest starting a series at the begin.
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.
Death By Intermission is a cozy mystery set in Snowberry Creek, Washington. Abby McCree organizes a Movies in the Park event, but discovers a body at the end of one of the screenings. The suspect in the murder turns out to be her mother's boyfriend, so Abby sets out to solve the mystery.
I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries and was intrigued by the Movies in the Park storyline. This is my first book in the Abby McCree Mystery series. I picked up on the characters and setting right way, and it worked fine as a standalone.
This was a fun, fast paced cozy mystery. I liked the small town setting, the characters (especially Abby and her boyfriend/tenant, Tripp), and her lovable, protective Mastiff dog, Zeke. The tension between Abby and her mother was a major part of this novel, and it was well done and realistic.
The mystery aspects of the novel were well done. It kept me guessing right up to the denouement.
I recommend Death By Intermission for fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who enjoys amateur sleuths and small town settings.
DEATH BY INTERMISSION by Alexis Morgan
The Fourth Abby McCree Mystery
It's bad enough that Abby McCree is once again in charge of a committee, but she's also dealing with a visit from her mother. Abby's relationship with her mother is strained as Phoebe carries on with a relative stranger, but treats Abby as if she were a teenager. Things get more complicated when Abby and Phoebe find a dead body while cleaning up after the town's movie night. With her romantic interest a person of interest Phoebe goes on the warpath. Will Abby be able to rein her mom in, or will she be the one to blow her own top? With a young woman in the crosshairs of a killer, the two had better find a way to catch the murderer before they kill each other!
I really love this series and this book is a great example of just why. The mother/daughter dynamic in DEATH BY INTERMISSION is brilliantly written. Abby may be an adult, but living with her mom brings her right back to her teen-aged self. At times I wanted to throttle Phoebe and I was so proud when Abby stood up to her and fought back. I also feel the hurt that Abby felt when her mom said some of the things she did. But the two do love each other and I was cheering Phoebe on during the ultimate confrontation. I appreciate how Abby stands up for her friends and enjoy seeing the relationship between her and Tripp grow.
Intelligent, well developed characters, a smart well plotted mystery, a spark of romance, a sweet big dog, and laugh out loud moments make DEATH BY INTERMISSION a fantastic book that shouldn't be missed.
This is the fourth book in the Abby McCree Mystery series by Alexis Morgan, set in Snowberry Creek, Washington featuring Abby McCree and Tripp Blackstone.
Divorcée Abby McCree helps organisations to raise money, as well as making quilts and generally keeping herself busy. She is in a good place, her tenant, Tripp Blackston is a great friend, and she is currently lending a hand with the town's movie nights. She has spent the summer as a volunteer on the committee organising open-air film viewings and tonight's will be the last one of the season. Abby is in charge of the box-office receipts but is taking the time to enjoy the film in spite of having to endure her mother, Phoebe, canoodling nearby with her new man, BBQ restaurant owner Owen Quinn. As Phoebe and Abby finish collecting the rubbish at the end of the viewing, they stumble upon the dead body of Mitchell Anders, the local insurance agent who, it transpires, has been stabbed by someone using a chef's knife taken from Owen's food delivery van. Owen becomes the prime suspect and Phoebe, determined to prove Owen's innocence, implores Abby to investigate.
With her resourcefulness and sassy attitude, I was pleased to be back in Abby's company though she's a bit of a soft touch when it comes to her fundraising. Alexis Morgan has surrounded Abby with a great supporting cast and Tripp Blackston especially is easy to warm to. The connection and chemistry between him and Abby are evident. Abby also has a true friendship and understanding with Police Chief Gage Logan and of course, Zeke, Abby's lovable Mastiff mix, deserves a mention.
The author has written a very strong mystery here too. With its great plot, the pacing is comfortable and even though I was able to figure out the identity of the killer, there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing awhile. Alexis Morgan's abundant humorous touches had me giggling and helped to make Death by Intermission a really compelling, fun read. A marvellous addition to this series, I was totally entertained from beginning to end. Bring on book #5!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I also love getting the chance to read a new story! I enjoyed this one just as much as the other books, though the main characters mother was so obnoxious and that got a little old. Overall though I really enjoyed the story line and mystery. I thought the ending was clever and well thought out and I really enjoyed the relationship development between the two main characters. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series!
Death by Intermission is the 4th book in the Abby McCree Mystery series. It is the first book I’ve read in the series. I was able to follow the storyline and felt comfortable with the characters and their back story. It does make me want to read the earlier mysteries.
Abby is a curious and independent woman living in Snowberry Creek which is about two hours from Seattle, according to the book. She has a small house behind her home that is rented by Tripp. Abby and Tripp are friends with at least kissing benefits.
The town has summer movies in the park. After the last movie of the year, Abby and her mother find a dead man on the edge of the park.
There are several odd events and people not telling the police the whole story. I like that Abby respects Gage, the police chief. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t get herself into trouble but she mostly tries to let him do his job. Key clues do tend to come into her sphere so she always ends up involved.
I wasn’t expecting the ending. I definitely think I’ll be looking for more Abby McCree adventures.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.
What should have been a fun night in the park watching the last movie of the summer movie night program soon turned deadly. Abby is in charge of the after show clean up crew but her mind is elsewhere and her thoughts are conflicted, to say the least. Her divorcee mother, visiting for more than a few weeks from Seattle, has found her own boyfriend and Abby is creeped out about it. Watching her own mother canoodling (as Abby puts it) with the new guy in town, Owen...well Abby is having some big time issues about it. She is does not like Owen much, to be honest. He seems a bit off.
Soon after the movie ends, she and her mother are picking up trash and find more than they expected. Beer cans, sure but not the very dead man seated amidst them.
Finding her fourth dead body since moving to the small Washington State town of Snowberry Creek isn't something Abby is thrilled about. She has learned way too much about police procedure for one lifetime. That soon comes in handy as her mother's new boyfriend is declared the prime suspect. Both the victim and Owen were new to town and the murder weapon is a chef's knife. Open and shut case? Her mother is in high gear to clear Owen and Abby has her hands full to keep her under control and also try to figure out what got the dead guy stabbed. Dealing with her 'Mother issues' is another challenge.
This is a great series and Abby is a very realistic character. The mystery is complex enough to keep the reader guessing and the ending is satisfying. I'm holding a spot on my TBR list for the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Death by Intermission by Alexis Morgan is the 4th book in the Abby McCree Mystery series, and another great addition. I really loved this book/series and can't wait for the next book. Abby McCree moved to Snowberry Creek, after inheriting her Aunt Sybil home. Abby also inherited a tenant Tripp, who helps her around the property and they have a budding romance. The only thing I did not like about this book was Abby and her mother arguing all the time. Abby's mom was being awful in many ways. This book is very well written full of great characters, and a well thought out plot. When I started this book, it kept me reading page after page. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
“Death by Intermission” is the fourth book in the Abby McCree Mystery series by Alexis Morgan. It is a cozy mystery complete with the requisite dead body. Add in some US Special Forces veterans and a dog, who wouldn’t love a mystery with a few twists and turns. Much to the chagrin of the chief of police, Gage Logan, and Abby’s close friend, Tripp Blackston, she gets involved asking questions trying to help solve the mystery. How could she not, though? After all, she and mother, Phoebe, found the victim while cleaning up after the Movie in the Park event was over. And the prime suspect is none other than Phoebe’s boyfriend, Owen Quinn, whose chef’s knife was the murder weapon! This book can be read as a stand-alone story, but it enticed me to read the first three books, as well. I highly recommend this series for those who enjoy mysteries with enough of a twist in the plot to make the ending a surprise.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
I have the first 2 books in this series waiting on my kindle to be read- so the series had obviously previously caught my eye. This is book 4 in the series though but I think it would be fine to read it as a stand alone- I will go back and read the previous books, but I think everything still makes sense if you just want to pick this one book up.
This is a classic amateur sleuth who ends up helping/interfering with the police investigation. There’s a romance element as well as a tense relationship with the protagonist’s mother. And for those who like a canine companion in their cozy mysteries- then this has a huge Mastiff cross breed that ticks that box.
I enjoyed this mystery- it didn’t overly surprise me but it was an enjoyable way to spend a wet and cold afternoon whilst in another national lockdown. 3.5 stars
I've read most of Ms. Morgan's paranormal series and then somehow lost touch with additional books from her until this one. I did not realize that this story will plunge me into the middle of a series and while there are some nuances that from earlier books in the series this is pretty much a stand alone story that I was able to enjoy on its own.
The last thing Abby wants and needs is to find another dead body barely recovering from her previous experience but that is exactly what happens when she's helping clean up the park after a movie night that she had helped organize. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the knife found by the body belongs to her mother's new boyfriend whom Abby can barely tolerate. Added to the mystery is that while they were all seated next to each other during the movie Abby doesn't recall whether Owen left for a period of time. Her mother doesn't help in being extremely defensive and protective.
As Abby begins to investigate the truth behind the murder on her own even while the local police is on the job she needs to balance between her relationship with her mother, her renter who is also a friend and lover, Owen and the sheriff who's been a friend in the past.
This is a well paced, well written story and I will admit that I did not guess who dun it until close to the end.
This is the 4th in the Abby McCree mystery series. Abby is in charge of the last movie in the park event in Snowberry Creek and all appears to have gone without a hitch until when Abby and her visiting mother Phoebe are cleaning up and find the dead body of the new insurance agent in town. Tripp, Abby’s renter and boyfriend is not thrilled and neither is Gage the police chief that Abby is once again finding a dead body. Abby is not so thrilled herself and her Mother is equally upset especially when her new love interest Owen is taken into custody as the murder weapon is one of his knives. Owen is relatively new to town and runs a barbeque restaurant and food truck. His food truck was working the event and he did go and check on things for part of the movie. Phoebe is livid with Gage and is downright rude and Abby is caught in the middle as Gage is only doing his job. Things get tense with her Mom as she is concerned about Owen and does not believe her could have done this but Abby does not know much about him and has her doubts. Owen asks Phoebe and Abby to check on his employee Jada and to let her know she will still get paid. Then when Jada’s house is broken into and Gage calls Abby to help Jada things begin to get really complicated. Is Owen protecting Jada or vice versa. Abby is a great character and sometimes acts before she thinks but she does try to temper her actions and stay safe. The relationship with her Mom at times was tense but I think she will come around and realize Abby has found her home in Snowberry. I like that the relationship with Tripp is moving along. This is a good solid series and I look forward to the next installment. Recommend.
Alexis Morgan keeps getting better and better in her An Abby McCree Mystery series. 'Death by Intermission' advances Abby's many relationships, especially with Tripp and her mother Phoebe. There is an innocence and charm in Abby, combined with a dogged devotion to the truth and protecting those for who she cares. The entire cast is delightful and the mystery kept me guessing until the surprising end, which I love. I can't wait for more in the series and can't recommend it highly enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Poor Abby! Not only has she found herself on yet another committee in Snowberry Creek (this time it's Movies in the Park), her mother Phoebe has come to town. Phoebe is not the easiest of moms and even worse, she's found Owen, a newcomer to town who has a food truck. When Mitchell, an insurance man, is found stabbed with a knife from Owen's truck after a movie showing, Owen biomes the prime suspect. Since he won't talk to the police, he sits in jail, so Phoebe and Abby, along with Abby's tenant Tripp have to find the answers. What won't Owen say? No spoilers from me! While the mystery here is good, the real treat here is the interaction between Phoebe and Abby- it brings a new dimension to the series. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This will be fine as a standalone. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Such a fun read, even with a murder involved. Death by Intermission by Alexis Morgan is the fourth Abby McCree book. No matter how much Abby tries to get out of committees she is unable to do so. Then it always seems to lead to a murder mystery that she become involved in solving. A wonderful cozy mystery series that continues to entertain, this time with a movies in the park night murder scene. Besides finding the killer I always look forward to any and all interaction between Abby and her tenant Tripp Blackston.
I recommend this series to all cozy mystery fans who enjoy a small town favor to their stories with a reluctant heroine. Abby always comes through with a little help from her friends and community.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the 4th Abby McCree Mystery and one of my favorites of the series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is unbiased .
In this next in series we return to our protagnist Abby who is managing her last movie in the park night . Her Mother is attending with her significant other and is making Abby uncomfortable with their PDA. When a murder occurs Abby is shocked to find out her Mother's boyfriend is prime suspect number one and steps up to investigate . Her Mother and Abby have a very contentious relationship in this next in series and Abby has to work that relationship out while working to solve the crime. Her neighbor Tripp factors in more in this book and that seems like a setting for a strong relationship in the future.
The sleuth was fun and interesting to conclusion. I enjoy this series with likable charcters and a smart savvy protagnist.
This series was not on my radar but I will have to read the previous books in the series now.
This was an interesting whodunit and I enjoyed the characters.
I look forward to this series continuing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Death by Intermission is an entertaining and well written cozy mystery. Mystery fans will love this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.
This is an enchanting and entertaining mystery. Abby McCree has a penchant for finding trouble. Once again, she stumbles upon a dead body, this time while accompanied by her mother who is visiting from out of town. And once again she is right in the middle of trying to find answers and solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of both her boyfriend and the chief of police. Abby has a keen eye and a way of sniffing out trouble and answers! This mystery kept me entranced and turning pages. I loved it!