Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder (Ellie Avery Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Sara Rosett (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ellie Avery Mysteries | Publication Date: April 1, 2010

For military wife and professional organizer Ellie Avery, the hardest thing about hosting her husband Mitch's rambunctious Southern family reunion is remembering everyone's name. But this summer, her backyard bash is shadowed by menace after a killer shows up without an invitation...Before the last slice of peach pie is served, the family festivities are cut short by news that Mitch's squadron commander has been strangled - and the prime suspect is his wife Denise, Ellie's close friend and fellow knitting enthusiast. That same day, Ellie and the rest of the sleepy little town of North Dawkins, Georgia, are shocked to learn that one of Mitch's cousins - a fitness fanatic who's in town for the party - narrowly missed being shot when he collapsed during his daily workout. Everyone agrees that the bullet was a stray from hunters nearby...but to Ellie the close call is as suspicious as a possum in a persimmon tree. As the humidity rises, so does the danger. Ellie uncovers strange clues that point to a sinister and deadly plan...and the possibility that someone wants to ground her pilot husband, Mitch - permanently. In between outdoor walks with the Mom Stroller Brigade, drumming up clients for her organizing business, and trying out new recipes for Southern-style barbecue, Ellie must unravel a mystery that grows more perplexing every day. Because if she doesn't, Mitch's afternoon jog just may turn out to be a run for his life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Rosett's nifty fifth Ellie Avery mystery (after 2009's Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder), the strangulation murder of Col. Lewis Pershall shocks everyone at Taylor Air Force Base in North Dawkins, Ga. The popular Pershall was Ellie's husband Mitch's squadron commander. The victim's frantic wife, alarmed that she might be considered a suspect, asks amateur sleuth Ellie for help. As Ellie investigates, she discovers that Mitch and a cousin of his have also been targeted by someone with evil intent, each man having received an odd squadron coin from an anonymous source. Threatening letters to Pershall from an angry, troublemaking air force widow suggest she might be the culprit, but Ellie also suspects two jealous fellow officers of Pershall's. Fans of TV's Air Force Wives will especially appreciate Ellie, a smart crime solver who successfully navigates the challenges of military life. (Apr.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758226837
• ISBN-13: 978-0758226839
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write the Ellie Avery mystery series. You can find out more about my books at my website, http://www.SaraRosett.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable way to spend the afternoon!, April 7, 2010

By 

365andMe - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder (Ellie Avery Mysteries) (Hardcover)

"Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder", by Sara Rosett, is another of the Ellie Avery Mystery series. In this one, Ellie Avery and her husband, Air Force pilot Mitch get bad news at his family reunion. His boss, Col. Pershall, was just murdered and cousin Dan was shot at. With an anti-war group setting off dry ice bombs, and husband Mitch a target for the killer, Ellie is once again drawn into solving the case.

Rosett writes with a light touch that makes this one of those very enjoyable murder mysteries. Her main character, Ellie, is a mother, wife and professional organizer and has a side business called "Everything in its Place". She is pretty much a normal officer's wife, being involved in the officer's wife club and children activities and around Robins AFB in Georgia.

Building a business, being a stay-at-home mom for Livvy, age 4 and Nathan, age 2, and dealing with the stress of being a military wife keeps this book moving along. Add to this a murder mystery, and this is the 30 something's version of Murder, She Wrote. As a bonus, throughout the book are tips for organizing from "Everything in its Place". All this makes for a cute, fast , and enjoyable read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars super military homeland amateur sleuth, April 1, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder (Ellie Avery Mysteries) (Hardcover)

At Taylor Air Force Base in North Dawkins, Georgia, everyone is stunned by the strangulation murder of popular Squadron Commander Colonel Lewis Pershall who was at an off base golf course at the time he was killed. His stunned wife Denise realizes the Sheriff's department investigating her spouse' s homicide believe her to be the prime suspect. She asks Ellie Avery, wife of a member of her late husband's squadron, to investigate because she knows Ellie has a reputation as a successful amateur sleuth (see Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder).

Ellie makes inquires that lead her to learn someone is threatening her husband Mitch and their cousin although Mitch hid it from her; that culprit sent them strange squadron coins. Also an air force widow sent hostile menacing letters to the victim. As accidents seem to follow Mitch, Ellie looks closely at other officers who envied and loathed Pershall.

The fifth Ellie Avery military homeland amateur sleuth tale is a great whodunit that deftly balances an intelligent strong investigation, increasingly dangerous incidents targeting Mitch, and life on the CONUS air force base. The cast is superb as the Avery family reunion showcases dependents and other civilians on a base while the inquiry is top rate as Avery uncovers three suspects with two having easy access. Fans will appreciate drinking mint juleps alongside of Ellie while seeking who is causing mayhem and murder.

Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars ENJOYED THIS BOOK MORE!, December 7, 2011

By 

Judy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder (Ellie Avery Mysteries) (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book more than the other one I read by the same author. This one really held my attention and had the good ole mystery involved. Thanks.