Customer Reviews

Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear (Bargain Hunters Mysteries, No. 2)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The second in the BARGAIN HUNTER MYSTERIES, Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear is a welcome addition to Sharon Dunn's books.

Ginger and the other members of the BHN (Bargain Hunter's Network) are headed to Calamity, NV for what's been dubbed the world's largest garage sale. Ginger's husband Earl is coming along to participate in an inventor's convention to get his dream off the ground.

Within minutes of finally arriving at the hotel, Ginger finds their plans unraveling all around her. Then her husband has become someone she doesn't recognize, and they both become embroiled in a murder investigation. Chaos reigns supreme with lots of humor and heart inserted.

The book is filled with quirks from the hotel that has a retro children's toys theme to the characters themselves. Ginger and her cohorts are as lively as ever and surrounded by a full cast of characters. While the characters are filled with quirks, they also have a lot of heart and challenges. Ginger doesn't want to believe the worst of her husband, but why would he lie to the police? Earl doesn't understand why Ginger isn't supporting him as he chases his dream. Kindra is surprised to find herself in a possible relationship and wonder if she can cast aside her list of requirements before falling into a relationship. Suzanne missed her children even though she couldn't wait to get away from them. And Arleta is trying to live even as she fears she's growing too old.

I could find something to relate with each of these characters about. I also enjoyed the plot -- even though it moves at the pace of a cozy mystery -- mainly because the characters made me care about what would happen to them.

Bottom-line: this is an enjoyable mystery even with it's cozy-mystery pacing.

A missing squirrel, a runaway cat, and a mysterious murder wreak havoc at the Wind-Up Hotel in Calamity, Nevada. Sharon Dunn creates a twisting tale of adventure and secrets in this second book in the Bargain Hunter's Network (BHN) series, Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear.

The overbooked hotel is host to both the Inventors Expo and the Squirrel Lovers convention. In their quest to find one another, leading lady Ginger, and her husband Earl, instead find a dead man in a teddy bear costume. Before they know it, they're the primary suspects in the murder.

Their commitment is challenged as they struggle to stay connected. Ginger's BHN girlfriends try to support her as she endures interrogation by a pair of investigators. However, suspicion of her involvement is raised by her intermittent disappearances.

Who is responsible for the murder? Do they find the missing feline? What is the connection between the quirky hotel clerk, a washed-up celebrity and the hotel owner? And what do Ginger and her gal pals have to do with any of it?

Discover the ultimate meaning of what's really important along with them as they follow leads down hotel hallways and beyond. In their search for answers they find so much more: innocence, honesty and the true meaning of friendship.

Armchair Interviews says: Nice read with good characters.

Sharon Dunn has a knack for writing hilarious fiction at the same time she tells a good story. A master at constructing a cozy mystery, Sharon skillfully weaves in all the elements that keep the reader guessing. The red herrings, false clues, dead-end trails, it's all there.

Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear is one fast-paced and delightful ride. A missing cat and a water-skiing squirrel, combined with a cluster of outrageous yet believable characters will have you eagerly flipping the pages to see what happens next. Not to mention trying to figure out who-dun-it.

I loved this book. And it was particularly fun for me because of its setting--smack in the middle of the southern Nevada desert. And, believe me, broken AC in the desert in the middle of summer is not a pleasant experience. I know. I live there.

The Bargain Hunters Network is back, and what a fun read! This mystery had me laughing out loud all the way through. The author wove in plenty of red herrings, so the story wasn't predictable. And I never saw the plot twist at the end coming. What a surprise! The characters have loveable, believable quirks and insecurities everyone can relate to, yet laugh at. If you're looking for a light, enjoyable read without a lot of romance, Death of Six-Foot Teddy Bear should definitely be added to your to-be-read list.

I laughed out loud while reading this book! A great cozy mystery that keeps you in suspense until the end. A great book for adults but also for the young adult crowd.

This review was written for Connie's Book Reviews and More on Facebook.

I found this book to be quite a bit better than the first book in the series, Death of a Garage Sale Newbie (Bargain Hunters Mysteries, No. 1). There were parts here that I really enjoyed, but other parts I just couldn't get into...I won't detail the story line as several others have already done that, so I'll just give my take on the story.

I really enjoyed Kindra's part of the story, she really brought some life to things. Maybe it's because of my age (23) or where I'm at, but she was the only character I was really able to relate to. The rest of the characters are a bit older, for example Ginger is the main character and she is almost 60. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just wasn't able to relate to her very much.

The two female police officers kind of got on my nerves a little bit. The one seemed obsessed with food, weight, and dieting...every other thing she said or thought was about food. I guess with the crime angle the police characters were necessary, but I just couldn't 'click' with them and I was always glad when the point of view shifted to someone else.

I wish Kindra had been the main character, as I said I really enjoyed hers and Xabier's part of the story. I thought the whole concept of the teddy bear costume was really fun, along with the whole toy-themed hotel that the Bargain Hunters stayed at. The squirrel stuff was pretty humorous, too! I'm not sure if there is another book planned or not, there were a few things left a bit unfinished so there is certainly story left to tell. If there is another book, maybe the story could shift to give Kindra the main role? I'd really like to see that!

The thrill of the hunt, the terror of murder, and many events make this book a keep reading book. I found this one of best books Sharon Dunn has written yet. I am saddened that her Publisher pulled her book to follow this one because I am ready for another. A water skiing squirrel is kidnapped, a woman is knocked out and ends up miles from her hotel, a cat has gone missing, romance between a College girl and a guy in a teddy bear suit, jewelry thefts, and much more intrigue you and grip you throughout the book. I sure would not have had the courage that Ginger had in this book to launch out and follow a murderer. It will amaze you at the end who actually committed the murder.

Everybody has a dream.

For the ladies of BHN it's a bargain at the world's biggest garage sale. For Earl it's getting one of his inventions noticed. For others it's fame, fortune, and a host of other things that can make murder seem almost and sane and reasonable. So when the teddy bear drops dead, there's a dozen reasons why someone would want him dead.

Though using the squirrel as a method of homicide is...disturbing...and makes you really wonder just who could be behind this evil deed.

Ginger, head of the BHN wonders that too. As she sets out to investigate the other ladies each get caught into their own stories. Has Kindra finally found love...only to lose it? Has Arleta found something even greater than that?

The questions keep coming and the pursuit of answers leads the reader breathless through the second book in the Bargain Hunters Mystery series. You don't need to read the first book to know what's going on, but you'll certainly want to pick it up so that you can get to know these lovable, quirky characters better. The author, Sharon Dunn, is amazing and you'll be kept in suspense to the very last page. I highly recommend this book!

I've read enough mysteries that sometimes I figure out the villain, before the author exposes him/her. It's a fun challenge for me. But this time I was surprised.

The squirrel lovers convention added a nice touch of comic relief. Some call it wit-lit. I recommend the book and will be reading more books by Sharon Dunn.

If you want to sit back and read a chapter of a book then set the book aside for days, this book is not for you. Sharon Dunn, author Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, wove a most interesting mystery. From her cast of characters to the unfolding mystery she created a sequel to her first book with the same entertainment value as its predecessor. And, even if you haven't read Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, you can jump right in enjoy the lives of the Bargain Hunter's Network(BHN) and the most unusual set of circumstances they find themselves in.
Ginger has followed her husband, Earl, to Calamity, Nevada for the Inventor's Convention. In an effort to show her support of his inventions, she and her friends travel on this adventure. Of course, it helps that they will be able to attend the world's largest yard sale while there.
No one expected to meet a man in a six-foot teddy bear costume who immediately bonds with Kindra, the youngest member of the BHN. When a man is found murdered at the marina, wearing the bear costume, the Inventor's Expo is canceled. Ginger finds herself tangled in the most intriguing mystery and even ends up one of the murder suspects.
And, while their days spent in Calamity appear to define the city's name, they more than define Ginger and her friends. They refine them. Can you lose everything and realize you have it all?
With skill and wit Sharon Dunn has created a story that is believable and lovable. You will laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page. You will be sure you have solved the mystery and when you turn the page she surprises you with something else. I highly recommend this book.