Customer Reviews

Another Stab at Life (Volstead Manor Series #1) (Heartsong Presents Mysteries #9)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My very first sampling of gothic romance came in the form of "Another Stab at Life" by Anita Higman. This is the first book in the Volstead Manor Series from Heartsong Presents Mysteries.

Bailey Walker discovers that the dilapidated mansion she's inherited from her granny Minna has a very colorful history. She falls for a guy her deceased grandma hired to watch out for her and deals with a handfull of oddball neighbors, all the while, trying to solve one mystery after another that she uncovers within her new home.

The book is a real page turner and really keeps you guessing who or what is behind the treachery going on inside Volstead Manor. On the other hand, I still had some questions after the book ended. Perhaps those questions will be answered in book two, "Another Hour To Kill." I can't wait to read that one.

The book was very interesting to me since it took place in Houston, Texas where I grew up. It also intrigued me that the book is loosely based on the Volstead Act of 1920, also known as "The National Prohibition Act."

I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good gothic mystery. I guarantee you will fall in love with the main character, Bailey Walker.

'Another Stab at Life' by Anita Higman
Review by Shari Van Baale

Who wouldn't love to inherit a mansion? But what if there were a lot more to the gift than that - some strings, of sorts, attached to it? That is what our main character is about to uncover when she moves from Oklahoma to Texas to investigate this unanticipated prize. The inheritance is from her dear Granny, whom the main character refers to as a 'sweet riot', and 'full of angel stuffings', a woman of great faith and love for her granddaughter. The 'monstrous' mansion, as it turns out, however, is pretty creepy, and in need of some major repair. And there is a man attached to it in some way (hmmm...). As the action rises, the main character embarks upon a very strange journey, wherein lie several opportunities of meeting either friend or foe. Granny also had a few very cool surprises in store for her granddaughter - if she chose to stay. There were several moments when I thought I had figured out various mysteries embedded within the story, only to find out that I was mistaken. This story is not only a great mystery, but also a story of how God can provide for us if we choose to trust Him, as was the case with our main character. It is an intriguing story of unforseen twists and sudden turns, but also one of hope for provision during our journeys as well. My only disappointment was that what seemed to me to be the major climax of the story occurred at the end of the book, and the story seemed to drop off very suddenly from there. I would, however, very much encourage anyone, mystery buff or not, to journey through the pages of this book. I'm sure all who take the time to 'wander' through this strange mansion will be glad that they took the trip. This author has previously written 19 other novels, and has a cyber book cafe at [...], which she encourages readers to 'visit'.

'Another Stab at Life' by Anita Higman
Review by Shari Van Baale

Who wouldn't love to inherit a mansion? But what if there were a lot more to the gift than that - some strings, of sorts, attached to it? That is what our main character is about to uncover when she moves from Oklahoma to Texas to investigate this unanticipated prize. The inheritance is from her dear Granny, whom the main character refers to as a 'sweet riot', and 'full of angel stuffings', a woman of great faith and love for her granddaughter. The 'monstrous' mansion, as it turns out, however, is pretty creepy, and in need of some major repair. And there is a man attached to it in some way (hmmm...). As the action rises, the main character embarks upon a very strange journey, wherein lie several opportunities of meeting either friend or foe. Granny also had a few very cool surprises in store for her granddaughter - if she chose to stay. There were several moments when I thought I had figured out various mysteries embedded within the story, only to find out that I was mistaken. This story is not only a great mystery, but also a story of how God can provide for us if we choose to trust Him, as was the case with our main character. It is an intriguing story of unforseen twists and sudden turns, but also one of hope for provision during our journeys as well. My only disappointment was that what seemed to me to be the major climax of the story occurred at the end of the book, and the story seemed to drop off very suddenly from there. I would, however, very much encourage anyone, mystery buff or not, to journey through the pages of this book. I'm sure all who take the time to 'wander' through this strange mansion will be glad that they took the trip. This author has previously written 19 other novels, and has a cyber book cafe at www.anitahigman.com, which she encourages readers to 'visit'.

This cozy suspense combines secrets, suspicion, romance, and humor, along with quirky characters and an intriguing, dilapidated manor house in Houston--all the elements for a romping read. I wouldn't call it a mystery since the book doesn't contain a murder, but a spooky, old house with hidden passages always draws me in.

Bailey Walker has lost her job, her old boyfriend, and her family (her parents and grandparents are dead), but she has inherited this "mansion" from her grandmother. So she packs up and moves to Volstead Manor. She's broke so has no choice but to camp out in the creepy place. Apparently someone doesn't want her to stay. Who keeps breaking in and leaving cruel warnings? Is Bailey's life in danger?

Should she confide in Max Sumner, the handsome realtor her grandmother asked to watch over her? Will their strained friendship move on to something more? Bailey had much to deal with as she tries to renovate the house and her life. Another Stab at Life by Anita Higman is followed by a sequel, Another Hour to Kill. The titles alone make you want to pick up the books and get lost in the story.

ANOTHER STAB AT LIFE is a refreshing change from the usual whodonit lining the bookshelves. From the very first sentence you share the uncomfortable humidity of Houston, Texas, along with a healty dose of anxiety as Bailey Walker gets her first glimpse of the dilapidated mansion she has inherited from her granny Minna. If you're like me and love old homes and the mysteries they hold, you will absolutely love the history of this old house. GREAT READ!

Loved the characters in this book. Since it's written in the first person POV, it was a hoot being inside the main character's (Bailey) head. Found myself laughing right out loud several times. Volstead Manor was a character in its own right and I would love to have a chance to explore all the secret places hidden within its walls.

Can't wait to read the second book in the series (Another Hour to Kill). Thanks to the author for several hours of reading enjoyment!

The first in a cozy mystery series Anita Higman has given us in her Volstead Manor Mysteries. She's furnished something to intrigue us and bring a smile or chuckle to our lives.
This great story published in the Heartsong Presents MYSTERIES is a great lead in to the following book(s).
Ms Higman spreads out the clues and seems to be a master of foreshadowing. I look for that in any mystery and she subtly handed out clues without ruining any suspense for me, the reader. I found the romance to be somewhat amusing but satisfying for my happily ever after thirst.
You'll not want to miss this if you like ANY mystery at all.

I was very excited to finally get this book after having had it on my Wish List for years. The plot line looked good - and really was good. However there was a little too much "religion" that was added in that wasn't needed. It's a Heartsong, so it's not unexpected but it could have been done with more subtly with references put in that actually ADDED to the story .... not just thrown in here and there. "Trying too hard" would be the categorization from my high school English teacher. While the story was basically intriguing, there were too many details left out - throughout the book and especially in the wrap up - which would have enhanced the basic plot and made it more "visually appealing" to the reader. If I were reviewing this book to the author, I would say "Great first draft!"

I am ever the fan of gothic mysteries and romances, but it is a love that is hard to fulfill these days with the best gothic writers going out of the world in the 70's. Gothic romances and msyteries seem to be a dying genre, so I was pleased to find this book which sounded like a modern day gothic tale.

I was not diappointed. I nthe typical gothic romance a girl ends up at some large and spooky mansion, manor or castle. She may be hired as a nanny, a maid, a governess or a long lost relative come home. There is a mystery, she doesn't know who to trust, and yet all ends well with the mystery solved and a romance blossoming.

"Another Stab At Life" follows this formula perfectly and is an absoloute joy to read. Bailey's shattered life begins when a fiance leaves her for her best friend, and then years later she finds herself without a job and no money to pay the bills. But, her grandmother had died and left her a spoooky old house in Texas.

Packing up her few belongings she leaves everything behind in Oklahoma and moves to Texas to pick up the pieces of her life. She realizes the house needs more work than she can afford, but at least she has a roof over her head and no house payments. Being a loner for so long Bailey also discovers something else she needs: friends. Her neighbors force their way into her life, and Max forces his way into her heart, and teach her how to be friends and how to love.

She also discoveres a secret that her granny left her that makes her life almost a million times better, and she solves the secret of who is trying to scare her out of her home and why.

Higman writes in a light-hearted and whimsical way that is truly fun to read. Her analogies and descriptions have got to be the most unique that I have seen. I was surprised to see so many Christian references, not realizing that all of the books by this publisher tend to be faith based, and not being a Chrisitan this was a little bit of a shocker when it was unexpected. However, it did not detract from the book at all and was not preachy. The book was an excellent read that will go on my shelf in the Gothic Romance section to be read again and again.

Great start to the story, old mansion, a secret passage. Then the focus of the story turns solely to a budding romance. The mystery story takes a "backseat." Story is wrapped up quickly in the epilogue. Very dissapointing.