Customer Reviews

Holy Terrors (Bed-And-Breakfast Mysteries)

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

 

 

This is one book in a series of bed-and-breakfast mysteries set in Seattle, Washington. Anyone familiar with the city can tell that the author, Mary Daheim, has changed the place names, but retained the feel of the city in accurate descriptions. Heraldsgate Hill is really Queen Anne Hill. Norway General Hospital is really Swedish Hospital. Papaya Pete's restaurant is really Trader Vics. Donner and Blitzen department store is really the now defunct Frederick and Nelsons. Nordquist is Nordstroms. The Belle Epoch is The Bon Marche, now known just as The Bon. Moonbeams coffee house is really Starbucks, and so on. The descriptions are so accurately and fondly drawn that the reader experiences a warm sense of being there, especially if one has actually lived in Seattle at one time. The relationships of the characters are sometimes feisty but honest and often very funny. I recommend this whole series.

This is the First book i have read by Mary Daheim. She is a Good author who makes very good charecter development but she should focus more on the plot and the mystery. I am not a person to give awayt the story or to tell you parts i like and dislikes because that will be something that you will have to decide for yourself. I will continue to read more of her books but i hope her others are a lot more exciting and with alot more twist and turns!!

This is one of the earlier books in the series. Judith is getting ready for Easter on the Hill. The annual SOTS Easter Egg Hunt is Easter Saturday, so Judith brings some of Gertrude's famous potato salad to the event. Neighbor Wilbur Paine is the Easter Bunny. Judith thought that all had gone pretty well, until she is informed that one of her neighbors, who had just received a big inheritance, was stabbed to death in the nursery. Joe asks for her help and she of course can't say no.

This is one of the best books in the series. Judith and Renie's attempts to investigate are hilarious, as are their neighbors and family. Every time I pick up one of Daheim's books I hope for one like this but unfortunately, the later ones are less and less funny and more silly. I hope to find more like this one.

Judith McMonigle does the catering for a church brunch and Easter egg hunt. During the course of the morning she spots someone in a rabbit suit exiting the church in a hurry. Later, it is discovered that a murder has taken place and the rabbit suit is covered with the victim's blood. Judith knows who was orginally in the suit, but does not know if someone else stole the suit before commiting the murder. The murder victim is discovered to have a surprising secret and this leads Judith to try to solve the mystery, despite crossing paths with her ex-fiance, Joe Flynn. This is an entertaining "cozy" and it takes many twists and turns before the murderer is revealed.

This is not as good as the other books I have read by Mary Daheim. I get tired of her Mother who is spoiled and selfish and lets Judith do all the work.

I was less than impressed with Mary Daheim's Holy Terrors. I thought the book description sounded fun and interesting: a murder by a bunny-suit clad perpetrator to be solved by a Bed-and Breakfast owner. I thought this would be a laugh out loud book because a few reviewers described the book as hilarious. I was wrong.

I thought there were too many characters. Keeping track of them was a bit cumbersome at first but then the main suspects and characters were more front and center so remembering who is who became easier. I felt the pace dragged a bit and then towards the end came to a screeching halt. I found myself skimming just to move forward and had to go back and re-read. I thought there was a very strong Christian/Catholic influence. I think this book should be listed as Christian Fiction. I understand that this is an older book and earlier in the series so maybe it's not as polished as the later ones.

The third in the B.and B. series, written in 1992. I didn't really notice the dates of the books until this one, but at one point I remember thinking " why doesn't she use her cell phone?" and then I noticed the date. Seventeen years ago there weren't many cell phones around, and those that were, were big. I know that because Zach Morris had one - I'm really dating myself.
Anyhow, about the mystery. It was another delightful read, with all the cast of characters and Joe Flynn back in the picture. I love them all, even Sweetums, who seems to have mellowed just a tiny bit. The plot was well done, and had an impressive number of twists. I had what I thought was the "aha" moment, but it didn't reveal the killer, only the identity of Stella. I did not figure this one out. Well done, Mary! I'm on my way to book 4, and I intend to read my way all the way through to the end of book 24, hoping that by then book 25 will be out. Highly recommended.

This is another good read from Mary D. Cousins Judith and Renie entertain you while trying to decipher the Easter Bunny murder.