Old Loves Die Hard

In this sequel to It's Murder, My Son (A Mac Faraday Mystery), we meet ex-homicide detective Mac Faraday again as he is settling into his new life, after inheriting millions from his birth mother, Robin Spencer, a famous mystery writer. He had only discovered who his mother was in adulthood, and is still reeling from the changes wrought by his new-found wealth.

So when his ex-wife Christine shows up (inebriated) at his new home, Spencer Manor, he is totally unprepared for her desperate plea for him to take her back. Apparently the lover she left Mac for has dumped her cruelly, and now she realizes what she had...and lost.

Mac takes her over to the penthouse suite at The Spencer Inn, where he hopes she'll sober up. He plans to meet her the next day for breakfast to talk.

But suddenly Mac's life spirals out of control when, the next day, he discovers Christine and her estranged lover, Stephen Maguire, murdered in the suite.

Over the next scintillating pages, we discover several possible suspects, many of whom had some kind of political connections to one another, and the thrill ride begins. The fun in this kind of story is trying to figure out who did what to whom, and how they did it; and just when you think you have it sorted out, there is another possible scenario playing out. Mac and his half-brother David, the police chief, work together to solve the case, discovering all kinds of secrets as dead bodies show up right and left.

We learn a lot more about the deceased victims, too, as Old Loves Die Hard (The Mac Faraday Mysteries) winds down to its thrilling conclusion. Along the way, we get to enjoy the interactions between Mac and his new love, Archie, and the antics of Gnarly the dog, who is a bit of a kleptomaniac.

I thoroughly enjoyed this continuing romp with Mac Faraday and those who share his life. I can't wait to see what author Lauren Carr will bring us next! Five stars. Review by Laurel-Rain Snow- Accidental Moments

Reader Wants More!

In Old Loves Die Hard, Lauren Carr continues the adventure of Mac Faraday, retired detective and heir to a fortune, with a story that weaves together past and present. Carr crashes Mac's past into his future just as he's getting comfortable with his new role in life. Carr explores how the past created the present and how one can never run from one's own life experience in this murder mystery where Mac finds himself a suspect in the murders of his ex-wife and her former lover. Threads of identity theft, deception, betrayal, ambition, and a warped sense of justice drive the characters in Old Loves Die Hard. Carr creates characters who are neither all bad nor all good causing the reader to be unsure whom to trust and whom to suspect. In one moment the reader may find themselves rooting for someone's innocence and in the next hoping that same someone is guilty. She creates interpersonal dynamics that are at once complicated and simple. Old Loves Die Hard draws the reader into the characters, their motivations for their actions, and their ability to seemingly not see what they don't want to see. In an investigation that on the surface seems simple, the motivation behind the murders in Old Loves Die Hard complicates the investigation and keeps the reader wanting to know more. Reviewed by T.L. Cooper, Reviews with TLC

Gnarly Reads Sign Language to Save Master

I'm in for the long-haul on this series and I think you will be too...so check out my review of the first book, It's Murder My Son! Plan to get both books and have a great weekend with another mystery lover, the author, Lauren Carr! And Enjoy Reviewed by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

More Than A Cozy

Mac is an enjoyable main character as a man who didn't know his birth mother until he died and now is adjusting to wealth...and not being a homicide cop anymore. He is tested by his ex-wife's relatives, a former defense attorney, and a former judge show up for a collision of his former life with his new. Archie, the love interest, has been a favorite of mine since the first book and we get to know her a bit better. The other characters are finely drawn as being not all bad, but definitely not all good either creating a multi-layered cast. And then there is Gnarly, the German Shepherd that once had been military trained. He gets into trouble because he isn't challenged any longer. Gnarly even knows sign language as part of his former training, which saves Mac's life at one point. This character is worth his weight in gold.

The plot itself was complex and gave a touch of crime drama to this cozy without losing the cozy charm. I liked that we see a little of the police detective side without it being dark or gruesome. There is suspense and twists that keep the pages turning. The killer is a surprise although I had a good idea of the motive, and the final confrontation with the killer felt natural and even realistic.

This is a cozy mystery that is character and plot driven. I think Ms. Carr is just hitting her stride and I suspect that we shall see each new book surpass the last. I particularly recommend to not only cozy fans but those who like a good police detective story without the guts, gore, or darkness usually associated with them. Reviewed by Ariel Heart, Mystery and My MusingsGnarly is back ... oh, and so is Mac - Another humorous Murder Mystery, July 8, 2011

If you are a person who enjoys a good murder mystery, with bodies dropping everywhere, you will really enjoy Old Loves Die Hard. This is the second of the Mac Faraday series. In the first, he discovers that he has just inherited a huge estate left to him by his mother (who gave him up for adoption as a child). The estate comes with Gnarly - a hugely intelligent dog who misbehaves out of boredom; Archie, a beautiful woman living in the cottage, and David, a half-brother who is Chief of Police.

Just when Mac thinks that things have settled down at the estate following his last escapade It's Murder, My Son (Mac Faraday Mysteries), David shows up to confront Gnarly about stealing a bone out of a local store, and Mac's ex-wife shows up on his doorstep fully drunk and wanting to reconcile.

Not wanting to evict her later, or ruin his blossoming romance with Archie, he decides his best bet is to put her up at the Spencer Inn (a part of his new inheritance) and discovers that he has his own private suite at the inn as its owner. However, on the way into the inn, she runs into her ex-lover, the cause of her break-up with Mac and causes a scene, threatening to murder him.

When both she and the lover turn up murdered in Mac's suite the following morning, Mac becomes a prime suspect.

Like her previous novel, Lauren Carr interweaves several potential scenarios for the murders and their causes, throws in a few more murders to keep things interesting, and leaves the reader wondering until the end who did what and how will it all work out.

I love having Gnarly as a part of the story, since when things grow too intense, he is always there to provide a little relief. I should mention that poor Gnarly is a former Army Dog who was "dishonorably discharged," unfairly, I believe, since he probably would have done well if he were given a human job, but just didn't do well following orders of humans who were less capable than him.

Gnarly proves his worth again in this novel, showing more intelligence than all of the other characters in knowing who is good and who is evil.

Another great read!

Reviewer: Bobbie - "Andromeda's Grandma" (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)

A Kleptomaniac Dog!

Old Loves Die Hard was a jewel to read. Mac is the perfect ex-policeman turned wealthy character. Archie, the computer whiz that lives in the guest house, is taking on a more personal role in this Faraday Mystery. But my favorite character has to be Gnarly the Kleptomaniac dog. Gnarly was actually a member of the military that was given a dishonorable discharge for reasons unknown to Mac.

Old Loves Die Hard has everything...murder, suspense, politics, action and humor. As the plot of the story takes you back into the past, I feel the ending will come as much a surprise to you as it did to me. Author Lauren Carr, hooked me with It's Murder My Son so I'm asking her to "Please keep this series going!" Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat

Love the Twists & Turns

The second novel in the Mac Faraday series, Old Loves Die Hard, is a wonderful mystery novel involving the murder of Mac Faraday's ex-wife. Carr has again created an action packed suspense novel, bringing back the beloved characters of Mac Faraday, Archie, police Chief David O'Callaghan, and the ever-mischievous Gnarly. I absolutely loved the many twists and turns within the novel, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. Carr's superb characterization causes the reader to feel like they're a part of the story, as if the characters are close friends. I really enjoyed this novel, especially as Carr continues to surprise me at every turn within her stories; I never saw the ending coming, and I highly recommend this series to any reader looking for a great murder mystery with wonderful characters, lots of suspense, and endings that will leave you reeling. Reviewer: A Book Vacation