Progressive Dinner Deadly (A Myrtle Clover Mystery) [Kindle Edition]

Elizabeth Spann Craig (Author)

Book Description

Retired octogenarian schoolteacher Myrtle Clover is fit to be tied when her book club votes to change to a supper club.  Who wants chips and dip when they can have Dickens and Twain?

The first supper club is a progressive dinner...where Myrtle loses interest during the hors d'oeuvres. But when a body is discovered during the main course, the evening quickly gets interesting. Myrtle pits her sleuthing skills against her police chief son's to find the killer....if the killer doesn't find her first.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The following are reviews for the first book in the series, "Pretty is as Pretty Dies:"

Publishers Weekly: "The amusing first in a new cozy series from Craig...Myrtle's wacky personality is a delight."

Mystery News: "Wonderful cozy mystery: solidly written, well-plotted and funny."

ForeWord: "The treat here is Myrtle's eccentricity, brought to life with rich humor and executed ...with breezy skill."

About the Author

Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries (2012) for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink. She blogs daily at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010.

As the mother of two, Elizabeth writes on the run as she juggles duties as Girl Scout leader, referees play dates, drives carpools, and is dragged along as a hostage/chaperone on field trips.

Find Elizabeth on Twitter (@elizabethscraig), her blog (mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/), Facebook (Elizabeth Spann Craig Author), and Google Plus (Elizabeth S. Craig).

Product Details

• File Size: 1817 KB
• Print Length: 193 pages
• Publisher: Elizabeth Spann Craig (August 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005HAWAZG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,939 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious cozy September 23, 2011

By Dorothy Barkell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a treasure! Instead of being another Miss Marple wannabe, it is a delightful mystery that keeps you reading right up to the last page. The heroine, Myrtle Clover, just happens to be the police chief's mother, and in spite of his preventive measures, Myrtle and her sidekick Miles investigate the murder that occurred during the progressive dinner party. Add a mixture of characters, from the neighborhood gossip to the too-perfect wife and you have a great mesh of personalities. One of my favorite characters was Myrtle's mean, feisty feral cat who keeps trying to teach Myrtle how to hunt. Buy this book and prepare to enjoy every page. I look forward to more mysteries from this author.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute gem October 13, 2011

By Annie B TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

This book is yet another reason to love my Kindle! I found it while browsing Amazon and thought it sounded pretty good. It was waaayyy better than just pretty good. I loved it and thought it was great.

I don't want to give away anything of this wonderful story, so I'll simply tell you that the writing and mystery are very well done. The characters are just terrific. The author does a great job of character development and Myrtle who is a senior, is a great character. The humor is just right, and I found myself laughing many times. My only complaint is that there isn't another book in the series--yet! I certainly hope that changes soon. I loved this book.

Overall, great, entertaining, fun cozy mystery. I highly recommend it cozy mystery readers, especially those who like some laughs along with their mystery. I will certainly read future books by this author.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific and funny cosy mystery. September 2, 2011

By Dorte Jakobsen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Though in her eighties, Myrtle Clover is fit for fight. The local book club has stagnated, and Myrtle is not pleased with their diet of bland beach books so something must change. Myrtle is not the only one who has plans for the club, however, so before she and her ally Miles have a chance to unfold their ideas for a literary club, everybody else has turned it into a progressive dinner club.
Grudgingly Myrtle accepts her defeat, and during the frantic preparations for the first night we get to know all the generous women of Bradley, California, and we can begin to wonder how they have survived so many conflicts and embarrassing secrets for so long. Obviously their premiere must end in murder, and when Myrtle happens to tell her troublesome neighbour Erma Sherman that she is on the verge of discovering who did it, the editor of the Bradley Bugle puts the story about the aged detective on the front page. Now Myrtle is forced to solve the case to save face. Her son Red, the local chief of police, reacts with a mixture of anger and over-protectiveness, but no matter what he does, he cannot keep Myrtle and the various suspects apart.
A very fine cosy mystery, and one of my favourite characters, the vicious cat Pasha made me laugh out loud more than once. No, don't worry, this is not a speaking Disney character, just an animal with a bit of personality. So my only complaint is that the story was over far too soon.

More About the Author

Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque mystery series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. She blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010--2013.

A lifelong resident of the South, she enjoys finding inspiration for her mysteries in the beautiful states of North and South Carolina.


Elizabeth Spann Craig (Riley Adams)
www.elizabethspanncraig.com
http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com
Twitter: @elizabethscraig