Customer Reviews

On the Run (Ivy Malone Mysteries, Book 3)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book, the third in the Ivy Malone series, is another great one by Ms. McCourtney. Since e-mail, we've all thought LOL stood for "laughing out loud." In Ivy's lingo, it stands for "little old lady," but there's plenty of laughing out loud in these books too. In her usual entertaining style, the author weaves a tale of making it seem natural for our heroine to stumble across another murder and by using her powers of observation ferret out the truth that the authorities have missed by their preconceived notions. Hope this isn't the last in the series. I also recommend her other series, "Whirlpool," "Riptide," and "Undertow."

Ivy Malone is back again, this time on the run in a motor home as she tries to escape the Braxtons yet again. Thinking that she can just enjoy being on the road and enjoying the sites, Ivy sets off on sets off across the country. Of course since it's Ivy, she can't escape any adventure, which comes in the form of a runaway abused wife and a new job opportunity where her would be employees end up dead before Ivy can even apply for the job. Since Ivy can't pass up a good investigation, she and her new friend Abilene search for clues as to what really happen when the son of the dead ask her to be the caretaker. Mix in some emus and enough toilet paper to last you a lifetime, and you've just encountered another normal day in the life of Ivy Malone.

I cannot get enough of Ivy Malone and her adventures. I really love how she just happens to stumble on them, she doesn't go out to look for trouble and pretend to be a detective. She's a very levelheaded person. I always love stories that involve road trips, it's just something about not knowing what's going to happen next in the story. I'm glad Ivy was able to find a good relationship with Abilene who I found to be a fascinating character and a good sidekick for Ivy. Those two women are awfully brave to enter a house with two dead bodies staring right at you. And then they stayed AT the house afterwards! I would have run far far away, just being near the house would have been too creepy for me. I also will say I was surprised at the ending, totally didn't see it coming. Abilene's husband makes me want to scream and I hope justice happens in the next book for him. I found it very amusing during the paintball scene, imagine your grandma shooting at you with paintballs! I also love that she has a toe ring! And the emus and that huge stockpile of supplies! I could go on and on about what a great book this is. Once again I highly recommend this book, this book is like Pringles, once you start reading you can't stop.

LOL (Little old Ladies) like Ivy Malone should not be on the run in her RV going from town to town to escape people who are trying to kill her. Ever since she was one of the people who helped convict one of the Braxton brothers for murder the clan has been after her. They almost succeeded in burning her Missouri home down (with her inside) and they put dynamite in her car. After escaping from them once more, she picks up a hitchhiker, Abilene, in Oklahoma and the pair applies for a job at Jack and Jessie's compound.

They find the couple dead, apparently the result of a murder suicide pact. There was a note in their handwriting and there was gun residue on Jack's hand. From the very beginning Ivy and Abilene are sure that both people were the victims of a homicide by a person unknown. Little things like a gold Kruggerand mysteriously appearing in a spot it wasn't in before and a bullet hidden in the wall makes them think the case is not open and shut. Ivy proves to be too smart for her own good and as a result she puts her life in danger.

Getting a job as the caretakers to watch over the compound is supposed to gives both women who are on the run (Abilene' husband, a spouse abuser is looking for her) a chance to rest. Instead they find themselves in the middle of two deaths where the surface picture doesn't take into account certain anomalies. Ivy and Abilene make a perfect sleuthing pair and the friendship that springs up between the older woman and the younger is emotionally heartwarming and adds depth to a fascinations and exciting storyline. Lorena McCourtney writes an action packed character driven amateur sleuth mystery that readers will enjoy immensely.

Harriet Klausner

I'm hooked on Ivy Malone and her escapades! This page turner
had me reading by flashlight when our power went out and I just
had to know "what happens next".
Lorena McCourtney has created a character in Ivy Malone that
is a modern day Miss Marple. She wears a toe-ring and jeans while out to catch the "bad guy"! Who couldn't just love her
to pieces.
Thanks Lorena, and I can hardly wait for her next adventure.

I'm an Ivy Malone fan although I'm not a Christian. I AM an old lady and admire Ivy's "little old lady" (LOL) spunk. This book, third in the series, takes Ivy on the road in an RV which she traded for her beloved vintage Thunderbird. She picks up a stray cat and a stray woman on the way, and, in typical Ivy fashion, they get into trouble regularly and get out of trouble--not without some serious hazards along the way.
If you're not Christian, Ivy's "messages" are short and innocuous. She prays for herself and doesn't try to convert YOU. Just skip over the religious parts and you'll have a lot of fun with Ivy Malone.

I enjoyed the third Ivy Malone book very much. Some reviewers on earlier books in the series complained that the books are too preachy, but I don't find that to be the case. Ivy's Christian beliefs are part of who she is, and the author does a good job of showing us how she reacts to things in light of her beliefs. They are a vital part of who she is. I consider the parts of the stories that mention God to show how a Christian might think and act, and I don't consider that "preachy" at all. Ivy is a fascinating character, and I will continue to read more of this series.

I'm reading this book right now and can hardly put it down. Love the humor and the mystery.

Ivy Malone is on the run in a motor home. She's trying to hide out from some Mafia thugs who want revenge. She ends up in a small town in the middle of nowhere.

Ivy has done some sleuthing in the past, so when she stumbles across two dead bodies, she feels right at home looking in to it. Only problem is the police don't think it was murder. They believe it is a murder/suicide. Ivy is not so sure.

Abilene, a hitchhiker that Ivy befriends, and Ivy end up working together to try to figure out who the killer is. Can they do so without putting themselves at risk?

You will laugh out loud with this LOL (little old lady)! I devoured this book in two days because I just couldn't put it down. I wanted to find out what would happen next!

Ivy is such a fun LOL and Abilene is a great addition. I hope she'll be in future books. I think these two characters worked well together, and with Ivy traveling, she needed a "sidekick."

I hope there'll be many more books in this series. I can't wait to read the next one! I highly recommend this book and series.

Super senior sleuth Ivy Malone is spunkier than Miss Marple, with a curiosity gene that just won't quit. That inquisitiveness has gotten her into plenty of trouble, including murder, mayhem, and a place on a mini-Mafia hit list.

Now Ivy's headed across country with a stray cat and God as her only companions. But just when she thinks she's safe, two dead bodies turn up--discovered by Ivy, of course.

My mom loved books, especially mystery, so I cut my literary teeth on Agatha Christie. Mom and I discovered Mrs. Pollifax when I was in my teens, and she quickly became one of our all time favorite sleuths. I can't wait to introduce Mom to Ivy Malone.

On the Run is delightful, suspenseful, well-written and clever -- pretty much all I look for in a book.

Wonder if Ivy is looking for a place to park her RV. Other than the unsavory characters she brings with her, I'd love to have her stop by for a long visit.

I recommend this great read to Lillian Jackson Braun fans who will love Koop the quirky cat. Mrs. Pollifax fans will enjoy Ivy's choice of weapons.

I could go on and on. Bottom line: if you like quirk, mystery and three dimensional characters, you'll have a blast On the Run.

On the Run is SUCH a good book! Who would think a little old lady and a young sidekick would find such an adventure on an emu farm! Lorena McCourtney is an excellent writer. Not only is this book a good mystery--it's funny too!