Customer Reviews

Death's a Beach: A Jersey Shore Mystery (Jersey Shore Mysteries)

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

 

 

Just as ghoswriter Anne Hardaway is under pressure to finish a how-to home repair book she finds herself having to hire a workman to rebuild her basement floor. As this isn't enough, she discovers a skeleton hidden in the floor and comes to suspect that her late Alzheimer-stricken mother may played a part in its being there. Following the path of her mother's last years, Anne investigates a hypnotherapist, a philanthropist, and a run-down nursing home to either clear her mother or implicate her. A boyfriend pressuring her for marriage adds to Anne's confusion, but her determination and wit keep her from giving up. Anne Hardaway remains a strong character following her previous two appearances, and her humor and wit keep the novel from being overwhelmed by its serious plotline.

This is another good adventure with Anne Hardaway on the Jersey Shore. She is busy trying to ghostwrite another book and dealing with major home repair herself.... when the repairman discovers a skeleton under the basement floor. In her search to discover the identity of the body buried under her house and wondering about her mother's involvement with it, Ann begins a trip back in time which involves investigating the last years of her mother's life. This is a good story that keeps you guessing until the end. all in all a good read

Ghostwriter Anne Hardaway is hard at work on a "how-to" book about home repair. It may not be all that exciting, but it's a living and she can work from home in the beach community of Oceanside Heights.

She's distracted from her work as weather forecasters are issuing warnings of an out of season nor'easter, because her house needs some serious bolstering to be ready for a big storm. When she discovers the plank flooring in the basement giving way, she calls in a repairman who finds a skeleton under the floor.

The bones are identified as the psychologist who'd treated Anne's mother years earlier and fearing her mother might be involved, Anne naturally wants to make sure she wasn't. Her investigation leads her to Sunnydale Nursing Home, where elderly people are dying at an alarming rate. Now she's in the thick of things.

I found this a captivating story with well drawn characters and I liked it five stars worth. Tomorrow I start another Anne Hardaway mystery.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

The town of Oceanside Heights has just been hit by a nor'easter in October. Anne Hardaway's house has been hit hard, and she can no longer put off the repairs her home needs. But when the contractor starts work on the basement, he finds a skeleton. Reading her mother's diary, Anne begins to suspect who it might be. But, could her mother have killed this man? Anne finds it hard to believe and sets out to figure out what happened. The trail soon leads to a nursing home where the residents seem to have a regular pattern of dieing. Is there a connection? And why is that car staked out across the street from Anne's house? Meanwhile, Anne is having problems of her own with boyfriend Jack. He seems to be ready for a commitment that Anne can't seem to make. Will they be able to work this out?

This book shows us Oceanside Heights without the tourists. It paints a different picture yet still holds plenty of murder and mayhem. The writing style makes the town seem inviting, a stark contrast to the storyline.

The mystery plot took a little time to get started, instead focusing a little more on Anne's problems with Jack. However, about half way through the emphasis shifted. This bothered me only slightly and felt realistic. As with the other two in the series, I was confused until the end. With the exception of Jack, the supporting players in Anne's life have little more then a walk on part. I would like to see more of them if only to get to know Anne a little better.

This series emphasizes plot and setting. While I still don't feel like I fully know Anne, the series is perfect for anyone who likes their mysteries with a twist.

I picked up this book just because of the title, having not been familiar with this author - probably because I seldom read fiction, just listen on audio. After looking at the acknowledgments I discovered the story takes place in my hometown in what could have been the house I grew up in - dirt floor basement and all. I believe the author has done her homework as her descriptions of Ocean Grove (called Oceanside in the book) and the surrounding area seem quite accurate. It is a very easy book to read in an evening or an afternoon at the beach, but I would have preferred to have it in audio format so the characters would stand out a little more.