Customer Reviews

Staying Home Is a Killer: A Mom Zone Mystery (Ellie Avery Mysteries)

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

 

 

This book was entertaining and held my interest throughout. Looking forward to next in series.
A different slant as the characters are members of military families.

Ellie, her husband Mitch, and their daughter Livvy have been stationed in Washington for over a year now. In that time, Ellie has made some new friends, including Penny Follette. Penny is usually downcast, so when she is upbeat, Ellie definitely takes notice. And when Penny dies by suicide a few hours later, Ellie doesn't buy it.

Fortunately, it doesn't take the police long to agree that Penny's death was murder. Unfortunately, they begin to zero in on Ellie as a suspect. With Mitch about to be deployed for a month, Ellie wants to spend time with him. But she begins to investigate to clear her name. Can she stay out of jail?

This book is a mixed bag. I find the life of a military family interesting. The plot was good and developed nicely. But the characters weren't that developed and I had a hard time keeping all the suspects straight. The writing, which brought the story to life, at times got too detailed. I would find myself getting bored at times as Ellie's every action was described.

I'm right on the fence with this one. The enjoyable mystery was weakened by some serious flaws.

On her way to see her husband who is with the 52nd Air Refueling squadron, stay-at-home mom Ellie Avery meets her daughter's babysitter Penny Follette. Instead of fading into the woodwork, she is all aglow promising to tell Ellie her secret later. She gives Ellie a bag of chocolate covered coffees beans and she promptly sets it down in the area where the squadron has its drinks and food.

Later that day Ellie receives a phone call from a friend saying that Penny committed suicide. When a stunned Ellie listens to her phone messages, Penny's is full of vigor as she informs her that she is pregnant. Ellie is certain that her friend didn't kill herself as the enthusiasm is too great. A tox screen shows she was poisoned. Georgia, who is part of the squadron, drinks the coffee Ellie left behind and is rushed to the hospital because she was poisoned. Ellie soon becomes a suspect as she is the only link between the two women. Things get worse when she finds a third body, the general's wife who was also murdered. In between poisonings, Ellie is the victim of serious malicious pranks by someone who wants her to turn over "it" to him; since she doesn't know what it is, she begins sleuthing in earnest to prevent anyone else especially her and her family from becoming victim number four.

Anyone who is a stay at home mom with a husband in the service who goes TDY frequently will empathize with Ellie who has to deal with all the family problems by herself. Sara Rosett is a great storyteller as she creates a magnificent protagonist who is a bloodhound once she gets the scent. The author infuses her delightful cozy with humor as a tension relieving technique that works so well that readers will eagerly awaits the next installment in this special Washington State cozy.

Harriet Klausner

Ellie Avery, military wife and the mother of a two-year-old daughter, has a habit of turning up in the thick of a murder and that gets the attention of the police. And Ellie would prefer to avoid police contact. Her history with the police has not been the best.

When Ellie's friend Penny Follette is found dead of an apparent suicide, Ellie knows it's murder because Penny left a message on Ellie's answering machine that proves it. Penny wasn't depressed, but she was pregnant and that alone would prevent her from taking her own life.

Following Penny's death a female pilot is poisoned and the young wife of a military 'big shot' is murdered. Ellie uncovers a myriad of suspects with plenty of secrets. And then there's the shady art dealer, Middle Eastern artifacts and an ancient manuscript that might be more valuable than anyone could ever imagine. Throw in a nosey neighbor, a husband on a military mission, a missing dog and threats to her personal safety. Ellie had better solve the mystery before she's the next victim.

If you like cozy mysteries that have plenty of action and lots of suspects and clues, Staying Home Is A Killer will be a fun romp through murder and mayhem.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a mystery with a "mommy lit" flavor. A fun read

I cannot believe i purchased this book. it was a very slow painful start, extremely descriptive and wordy. Did not hold my interest, as such did not finish.

Ellie spends so much time complaining in this series about life of the military that I cannot believe her husband is still in the Airforce! She was tired of living on base (poor baby) and oh no! her husband's squad lives in her neighborhood (boo hoo). Hello Ellie, these are the people your husband works with and his life is in their hands as well as theirs in his. They are a HUGE part of his life and getting to know the others that he works with and thier families is military life. If you don't like being part of the "family" then he could apply with an airline. As a military wife I am appaulled that Ellie does not display any patriotic values at all. Every event at her husbands company is full of complaints. My husband is gone for a year to a year and a half at a time. I treasure every second I have with him and if I get to go to his place of work then I am honered. Mitch is only going for 45 days at a time. I am not impressed and very dissappointed that Ellie portrays military spouses like she does. Moving is part of the job and while that is tuff we are supporting our spouses and serving our country. I really hope that someday someone writes a book that is true to the American spirit that us military wives live.