The Chronicles of Marr-nia (Short Stories Starring Barbara Marr) [Kindle Edition]

Karen Cantwell (Author)

Book Description

Four funny and touching short stories featuring soccer mom and movie lover, Barbara Marr, who made her debut appearance in the hilarious murder mystery, Take the Monkeys and Run.

Includes the laugh-out-loud mystery short story, “Missing Impossible.” When Barb decides to tag along on a PI job with Colt, things don’t go quite as planned, and she finds herself in yet another sticky situation. (A between-the-novels short)

Other short stories: “Taming the Hulk,” “Top Lawn,” and “The Road to Shangri-La.” Also, just for fun, the author has added two BONUS shorts with different themes. All-in-all - a collection sure to entertain.

Product Details

• File Size: 205 KB
• Print Length: 120 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00486U5Y8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,170 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MORE good stuff! November 24, 2010

By L. Mihay

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

After reading the sample of Karen's Take the Monkeys and Run, I HAD to have the book. Then she threw in a sample of The Chronicles of Marnia, at the end, and I had to have THAT! Let me tell you, you won't be disappointed. Barbara Marr is something ELSE! But they weren't ALL about Barb. The last story is a totally off the wall change from Barb's zaniness. This is fun and easy to read on the go, something I'd never considered before, as I don't normally care for shorts. Karen changed my mind. LOVE it!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fun collection of short stories! November 23, 2010

By Jackie-the-Greyhound TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed the first Barbara Marr story and was quite happy to see this title published. The first was a full novel and was a very fun read. This, on the other hand, contains multiple shorts. Most involve Barbara again plus a couple others. The two non-Barbaras had a different flair to them and served well to show different writing styles.

Without giving too much away, one involves a young lady with an interesting ability that could see her locked away in the post Civil War era South. It is almost a borderline paranormal Southern historical mystery with a hint of romance (there may be a real genre name for that, but that is what I thought of while reading it). It is an excellent short story as you learn enough detail and feel as though there is a full beginning, middle and end--complete within itself. Yet it looks as though the story may actually be expanded some, to which I say Yay! I look forward to that.

The final story is actually more of a poignant piece--very much not what I was expecting but in a good way. In other words the author did a great job. No laughter, mystery, crimes, romance or paranormal activity...and I loved it! Go figure.

Of course the draw for this purchase are the Barbara Marr stories--one in the mystery solving mode, and three more along what I call 'slices of life' or 'normal life moments with Barbara'. The slices were stories about the lady who is Barbara and were the perfect length for the telling--showing more of her daily life and were borderline hysterically funny. (to the author on the off chance she reads this--my favorite was the one with the cherry blossom viewing plan. I used to live on the Maryland side, and I FELT her pain! And really, WHY aren't there potties in the Metro stops????... )

The mystery oriented one was also enjoyable--if it were the template for a longer story I would enjoy that too. If you hadn't read the first Marr book (the one with --shudder-- monkeys) this will not make as much sense. However, as a follow on tale it worked great!

All in all quite the nice collection of reads and I was quite pleased with this grouping of stories. In my ideal world of split star ratings I'd be giving a 9.125. Points off because I wished the mystery Marr would have been better if longer. And for those who are concerned about such things, there were 1914 Kindle locations (I don't think there is a paper version of this to worry about), and at a 99 cent (at time of my purchase) price tag, well, that was just icing on the cake.

JTG Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Genuine Fun November 12, 2010

By LB Gschwandtner

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Readers who liked -- and laughed with -- Barbara Marr in Take The Monkeys And Run will delight in more of her escapades in this collection of short stories. But what I like best about this collection is the irrepressible voice of the author that resonates throughout her work. She is simply a delight to curl up and spend time with. These stories are sure to please. And Cantwell fans can look forward to more zany, LOL fun.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Weak story line April 4, 2013

By JET

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

humorous, but very light reading with very little substance or character development, and
meandering plot line. Plot not very believable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Barb is a hoot! April 10, 2011

By GraceKrispy (MotherLode blog)

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A collection of shorts, "The Chronicles of Marr-nia" showcases Barbara Marr in some family adventures. Zany and fun, this is a good companion to "Take the Monkeys and Run." I could especially relate to the motherhood aspect of the stories, and I will fully admit that I've been known to "Hulk-out," too. This collection may be a good bet if you'd like to get to know Barb before deciding if her murder mystery series is right for you. It's a great introduction to the characters and the type of writing you'll see in the full-length novel. There are also a few bonus stories at the end that follow a completely different type of writing style, and it gives the reader a sense of the author's other capabilities as a writer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Barb is back - 4+ stars December 29, 2010

By blondie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Barbara Marr has become one of my favorite characters. I find her hilarious! I really enjoyed Take the Monkeys and Run so I tried this collection of short stories and I loved it. There are 6 stories in this collection. The first 4 are Barbara Marr stories and run along the same vein as Take the Monkeys and Run. I especially enjoy these stories because I live near the Marrs and I can see some of this happening - the Cherry Blossom debacle specifically.

The fifth story is an historical mystery which takes place after the civil war and was enjoyable. It was not funny like the Marr stories.
The final story is about two brothers and is very somber and touching. Definitely a far cry from Barb hacking up her yard with the mower, but it was still good.

I'm eagerly waiting for Karen Cantwell's next novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Wonderful December 7, 2010

By JCPhelps

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd read Karen Cantwell's book, Take the Monkeys and Run (A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery) and was very pleased with it. This one is even better. I loved the little stories about Barbara Marr's life and parenting problems and solutions. Cantwell does a great job describing the feelings of a mother and is able to write them down into endearing stories with plenty of humor. I was especially excited to see Colt show up again in one particular story. Also, there are some bonus stories at the end of the book. I'm excited to see if Karen Cantwell creates books from these characters as well. They'd definitely be interesting reads.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Chronicles of Marr-nia Short Stories e-book December 30, 2012

By Moc Girl

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been enjoying the Barbara Marr mysteries and decided to get this one as well. The Barbara Marr stories were good but the additional stories were just OK. Wouldn't recommend this. Stay with the full length Barbara Mysteries.

More About the Author

Welcome!

I'm so glad and honored that you have visited my author page.

I have been writing plays and short stories for many years, some of which are published in short story collections.

My first novel, TAKE THE MONKEYS AND RUN, is a comedy-mystery, inspired, to some degree by a true monkey sighting in my own neighborhood. Because I love to laugh as well as make other people laugh, I have great fun writing the characters Barbara Marr, her friends and her adversaries. When I set out to write this book, I knew I wanted to write something that readers would say, "Now that was FUN." I HOPE I have achieved that goal. And if I did, please feel free to drop me a line at and let me know! I love to hear from readers. (especially if they LIKE the book!)

Books in the Barbara Marr series are: TAKE THE MONKEYS AND RUN (#1), CITIZEN INSANE (#2), AND SILENCED BY THE YAMS (#3). SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER (#4) will be released December of 2013. You can also enjoy a Barbara Marr short story collection, THE CHRONICLES OF MARR-NIA, as well a holiday short story, IT'S A DUNDER-BULL WIFE. All are available on Kindle.

Again, thank you for stopping by!

email: [e-mail]
www.KarenCantwell.com