Bye Bye Bertie: Ivy Towers Mystery Series #2 [Mass Market Paperback]

Nancy Mehl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2008

Ivy Towers is working hard to get Miss Bitty s Bygone Bookstore on its feet in Winter Break, Kansas, when she discovers a map hidden inside an old music box. Could the map lead her to the Lost Gambler s Gold? The legend of the ill-fated 1860s gambler had circulated among residents for as long as Ivy can remember. But when Ivy follows the directions to where X marks the spot, what she digs up uncovers a mystery that leads to more than she ever imagined. Lives will be changed, old secrets revealed, and Ivy will learn that lost treasure can sometimes turn out to be much more valuable than a chest full of gold.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Norman, and her son, Danny. She’s authored nine books and is currently at work on her newest series. All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc (April 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597897663
• ISBN-13: 978-1597897662
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and her son, Danny. She's authored nine books and is currently at work on two new series for Barbour Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help." She and her husband attend Believer's Tabernacle in Wichita.

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com or her blog at: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com. You can also find her on FaceBook!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book 2 in an exceptional mystery series..., December 17, 2008

By 

Laurel Johnson (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bye Bye Bertie: Ivy Towers Mystery Series #2 (Mass Market Paperback)

Ivy Towers is back with the second in this exceptional series of cozy mysteries. Spring has come to Winter Break after a lingering winter. On hand again are the same delightful town characters, and Ivy's Bygone Bookstore is in the black. Her life is back on track. And with the first thrall of Spring, Ivy is beginning to think she might be in love with childhood friend turned Deputy Sheriff, Amos Parker. Will their budding romance survive Ivy's latest investigation and the unexpected arrival of her parents in Winter Break?

When Ivy discovers a map hidden in an old music box, the legend of gambler's gold resurfaces. The legend of hidden gold has been a topic of interest in Winter Break for more than a century. Does the faded map represent hidden gold, or something far more sinister? Ivy simply has to know, of course, despite Amos's warnings and concerns. Mehl scatters enticing hints for readers to relish as Ivy investigates and the plot thickens. Someone tries to burn down the bookstore. Who and why? The arrival of Ivy's parents -- especially her mother -- complicates an already difficult situation. Why did her missionary parents suddenly leave China and head for Winter Break? Helping Ivy dig for answers is entertaining, and great fun.

Mehl's plot and character development makes for a satisfying read. Even the brief appearance by a passing character becomes memorable and adds an interesting dimension to the story when Nancy Mehl spins a tale. Winter Break resident, Mavis Baumgartner, is the perfect example:

"Mavis Baumgartner was a force to be reckoned with, and she ran her family like a drill sergeant cursed with an unruly command. Although all our volunteers had been given firefighters' outfits by the Stevens County Fire Department, only the men had them on. Mavis was so massive she couldn't fit into hers. Instead, she wore a big, bright yellow rain poncho over her long flannel nightgown. As she clomped around in enormous black rubber boots, with her poncho flapping in the breeze and her overly bleached bun beginning to come loose from the hairpins that were trying valiantly to keep it secure, she looked like Big Bird with an attitude and a bad dye job."

We have two more books remaining in the Ivy Towers mystery series. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with intriguing plots and delightful characters won't want to miss even one book in this series. Ivy Towers and the gang from Winter Break will be back soon in book three, For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. I wonder if Ivy gets married in this one or if that tolling bell signifies a mystery? We'll have to read the book to find out.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Second One and BETTER, August 24, 2009

By 

Caroljane "Kidney cancer survivor" (Underground) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bye Bye Bertie: Ivy Towers Mystery Series #2 (Mass Market Paperback)

This cozy mystery is skillfully written and is a wonderful followup to the first book. Heart strings are tugged, the importance of family. I didn't guess who-dun-it right away. I think this is a delightful cozy mystery, better than the first of the series.

There is a lot of Christian thinking and speaking in this series. I find it very comfortable but others might not.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CUTE!!, March 26, 2009

By 

avid reader (fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bye Bye Bertie: Ivy Towers Mystery Series #2 (Mass Market Paperback)

This is, for me, the best novel in the In the Dead of Winter/Bye, Bye Bertie/For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll collection. I didn't see the end (mystery part) coming. The relationship between Ivy and the deputy sheriff is really cute, especially when she calls him pet names, and he says something and adds, "And don't call me (whatever it is)." The style is smooth, and I really looked forward to reading it at bedtime. Perhaps the very end is a little far-fetched, but it's an inspirational cozy!