Murder under Blue Skies [Hardcover]

Willard Scott (Author), Bill Crider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

A beloved fixture on NBC TV's "Today" show since 1980, Willard Scott is welcomed into millions of homes every week as he broadcasts from around the country. Now, with this wonderfully charming new series of cozy mysteries, Scott's fans will share a new set of adventures. Featuring retired weatherman Stanley Waters, Murder Under Blue Skies provides one surprise after another for Stanley, who thinks that opening his own bed-and-breakfast in Virginia, called Blue Skies, is the perfect change after two decades on the nation's top morning show. But when a guest drops dead at Blue Skies' grand opening, Stanley and his three adorable cats find themselves smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Suddenly real life is much more exciting than television - and certainly more dangerous. *Willard Scott appears twice a week on NBC-TV's "Today" and co-hosts the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. *This mystery includes all the elements of cozy suspense: a delightful bed-and-breakfast setting, humor, and charming, well-drawn characters. *Book includes fascinating weather lore every five chapters. *Another book in this series is already signed up.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-Internationally famous weatherman Stanley Waters purchases a bed-and-breakfast inn and makes the news when one of his guests, Belinda Grimsby, falls facedown in a bowl of salsa, dead as a soggy chip. When the investigating police chief turns out to be Stanley's high-school sweetheart, dealing with the murder becomes even more complex as their renewed romance gently blooms. With assorted ill-planned maneuvers, Stanley haphazardly solves the case but almost loses his own life in the process. Scott's novel contains a goodly share of humor, both slapstick and of the more intellectual variety. Stanley, while lovable and kindhearted, has a tendency to become quite clumsy when nervous, and he's nervous a lot. This results in frequent lighthearted moments that balance nicely with the deadly events occurring in the search for the killer. The characters sound like the basic types found in most small-town settings, complete with appealing quirks and strong personalities, age-old disputes and gossip. The mystery itself unfolds carefully, allowing for plenty of speculation and red-herring clues.
Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Scott, best known as the plump and jovial weatherman from the Today show, turns his talents to mystery writing and shows a fair degree of flair and charm. (Of course, it can't hurt that his coauthor is genre veteran Crider.) The tale stars Stanley Waters, a widower and retired weatherman who's realized his longtime ambition and opened up a B & B in friendly Higgins, Virginia. But his new venture starts badly when a guest at the B & B's opening drops dead, apparently poisoned by the salsa Stanley's cook has prepared. Aided by Police Chief Marilyn Tunney--who just happens to be the object of Stanley's so-far-unrequited love--Stanley sets off to find the killer. Occasionally bordering on smarmy but more often gently humorous, this surprisingly suspenseful, brightly entertaining story is a delightful "American cozy" that will delight Scott's many fans. The forecast for Scott's future as a mystery writer? Blue skies ahead (as long as Crider stays on the team). Emily Melton

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dutton; 1ST edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156865670X
• ISBN-13: 978-0525943242
• ASIN: 0525943242
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,605,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It!, April 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder under Blue Skies (Paperback)

I am thankful for books like this one. I quickly tire of all the sex and violence our society is saturated with daily. It was refreshing to me to read "Murder Under Blue Skies" because I didn't have to worry about vulgar language, gratuitous sex, or unnecessary violence. I enjoyed the easy and relaxing read! Way to go Mr. Scott!!!!!! I look forward to "Murder in the Mist".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a great weekend or rainy day read!, December 26, 2000

By 

"bibliofiend" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Under Blue Skies (Thorndike Press Large Print Senior Lifestyles Series) (Hardcover)

You can definitely tell that the protagonist (Stanley Waters) was modeled after Willard Scott, but in this his first book (in collaboration with Bill Crider), I think Mr. Scott has a hit. From the opening page where the victim falls face first into a bowl of salsa dip, through the rest of the book in fictional Higgins, Virginia, it is definitely a trip worth making. The characters, despite all their faults and complexities, are fun to follow. This is an excellent first book, and is great if you are looking for a quick, fun read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great rainy day read (pun intended)!, September 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder under Blue Skies (Hardcover)

The loveable Stanley just coincidentally resembles Willard phisically and in his background. Never the less this is a highly entertaining light reading mystery. Humorous from the beginning when the local not so loved lady drops dead face down in the salsa at the opening festivities of Stanley's retirement B&B through his unrequited affair with his highschool sweetheart, who just happens to be the local chief of police (they're both widowed). Quick reading and witty throughout!!