Murder in the Forecast (A Josie Pigeon Mystery #5) [Mass Market Paperback]

Valerie Wolzien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2001

GONE WITH THE WIND

With a signed contract in hand for remodeling the grandest old house on the island, contractor Josie Pigeon figures her summer is made. But before she can lift a hammer, she finds her new employer–wealthy New Yorker Cornell Hudson–murdered on the premises with a strip of drop cloth twisted tightly around his neck.

When Hurricane Agatha sweeps away both the house and the body, Josie would like to forget she ever saw them. But she can’t help wondering: What could have drawn Hudson and his megamillions to this quiet summer resort? His three gorgeous blonde daughters hate the place and Hudson seems to have known not a soul on the island. But appearances have never been more deceptive. Now, through rain and wind, and through a past that refuses to die, Josie pursues the truth–and nails down a killer who is tougher than boards.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Valerie Wolzien is a consummate crime writer. Her heroines sparkle as they sift through clues and stir up evidence in the darker, deadly side of suburbia.”
–MARY DAHEIM

“Wit is Wolzien’s strong suit. . . . Her portrayal of small-town life will prompt those of us in similar situations to agree that we too have been there and done that.”
–The Mystery Review

From the Inside Flap

GONE WITH THE WIND

With a signed contract in hand for remodeling the grandest old house on the island, contractor Josie Pigeon figures her summer is made. But before she can lift a hammer, she finds her new employer?wealthy New Yorker Cornell Hudson?murdered on the premises with a strip of drop cloth twisted tightly around his neck.

When Hurricane Agatha sweeps away both the house and the body, Josie would like to forget she ever saw them. But she can?t help wondering: What could have drawn Hudson and his megamillions to this quiet summer resort? His three gorgeous blonde daughters hate the place and Hudson seems to have known not a soul on the island. But appearances have never been more deceptive. Now, through rain and wind, and through a past that refuses to die, Josie pursues the truth?and nails down a killer who is tougher than boards.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett Books; First Edition edition (August 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044900631x
• ISBN-13: 978-0449006313
• ASIN: 044900631X
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars some of the best amateur sleuth mysteries in the genre today, August 28, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Murder in the Forecast (A Josie Pigeon Mystery #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

At the moment Josie is content and has her world in order, living on one of the barrier islands in Florida. She owns her own construction business and is involved in a deep meaningful relationship with her significant other. All that changes when Hurricane Agatha is supposed to directly hit the island. Before evacuating, Josie goes to get something from the house she is remodeling but finds the owner dead with something of hers wrapped around his neck

Since the police chief of the island dislikes her, Josie does not report the murder. When everyone returns home after the hurricane passes, Josie finds the house and the body are gone. The victim's three daughters arrive on the island insisting something happened to their father. One of Josie's friends had illegal dealings with him back in New York and hated the man. Her boyfriend's mother, also on the island, was dating the man. There are so many suspects and so few clues that even for an expert amateur sleuth like Josie Pigeon, this is a difficult case to solve.

Valerie Wolzein writes some of the best amateur sleuth mysteries in the genre today. MURDER IN THE FORECAST displays a dry sense of humor (even during the hurricane), a colorful and atmospheric scenery, and best of all a believable plot. The author turns Hurricane Agatha into the main adversary of the tale. The heroine is an independent feminist who likes her work as a construction worker and makes the audience believe that she genuinely enjoys it. This novel and the other books in the series are must reading for mystery lovers.

Harriet KLausne

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Hurricane as a coverup for a murder., December 30, 2001

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder in the Forecast (A Josie Pigeon Mystery #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

Josie Pigeon has landed a dream remodeling job. A millionaire has bought the Point House, the largest house on the island, and plans on remodeling it as a summer home for himself and his daughters. Josie and yet another new crew of carpenters have only just started to work on the building when a hurricane hits. Just before she is forcibly evacuated from the island, she sees the body of the owner, Mr. Hudson, dead in the living room. Unfortunately, the house is completely wiped out by the storm. Josie and her friends and crew, while rebuilding the island, have to solve the murder.

While I wish that the construction crew would retain at least one steady member, at least Betty returns to help Josie. The locals are as eccentric as ever and the mystery is entertaining. I can't wait to read the next one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars murder in the forecast, March 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder in the Forecast (A Josie Pigeon Mystery #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

The story was ok. I felt like I was reading a Nancy Drew or a Bobsy Twins book. It feels like it was written for an audience of 10 or 12 years old.