Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels (The Million Dollar Mysteries, Book 2) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Mindy Starns Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2004

Book 2 in The Million Dollar Mysteries

A CBA Bestseller

Business investigator Callie Webber finds herself attempting to help a young woman coming out of drug rehabilitation and into the workforce -- just as she?s charged with murder. Back in her hometown on the Chesapeake, Callie doesn't see at the outset that what appears to be a routine investigation in her sleepy waterside village will suddenly explode with international intrigue and deadly deception.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A likable protagonist and a fresh, carefully crafted plot make this debut in a new mystery series an enjoyable, albeit occasionally preachy, romp for the CBA market. Recently widowed PI Callie Webber, who takes solace in quiet canoe trips on Chesapeake Bay and does volunteer work in her free time with indigent women, lands in the thick of a murder investigation after the body of a client's boyfriend turns up in the trunk of the client's car. The key to solving the case seemingly lies in a promotional wooden nickel. The author occasionally tells instead of shows, and the faith passages can feel forced (God, for example, is touted as "the Master Paddler"), but the novel finishes on a strong and surprising note.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Callie Webber, of Clark's Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels, is a young widow, an attorney with a job reminiscent of that old TV show, The Millionaire--delivering cash to people her boss, the mysterious "Tom," deems worthy. Through her church, she also works with battered women. Returning from one of her missions, she finds herself investigating the murder of ne'er-do-well Eddie Ray, the boyfriend of one of the women she has helped; simultaneously, when she is finally to meet "Tom," he disappears. Clark portrays Callie's loneliness and stoicism so ably that the effect is sometimes boring, but this is a well-done mystery otherwise.

John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 565 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (January 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786257539
• ISBN-13: 978-0786257539
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,374,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mindy Starns Clark is the author of many books, which include the popular Smart Chick Mysteries and Whispers of the Bayou. In addition, Mindy's plays and musicals have been featured in schools and churches across the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wooden Nickel= Be Cautious, May 27, 2007

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels (The Million Dollar Mysteries, Book 2) (Paperback)

Callie Webber has come back to her Chesapeake Bay home to relax after working hard for the J.O.S.H.U.A. foundation. However , she ends up investigating another charity, one that helps out troubled women with clothes and accessories to start a new job. Callie is drawn to one of the young women, Shayna and is eager to get her started with her new career. But then Shayna's boyfriend goes missing. Eddie Ray then ends up dead in the trunk of her car. Not believing the rumors that Shayna is a murderer Callie goes to investigate who it really is. The clues she discovers all lead up to finding out that Eddie Ray might have stumbled onto something that he shouldn't have.

This is another wonderful work from Mindy Starns Clark. Callie continues to be a likable heroine, who shows that she can remain calm and cool in heated situations. I also liked that the detective working with Callie was female as well showing that women can domen's jobs. The suspense in this book is excellent, you are kept guessing the whole way through. The reader is introduced to many clues throughout the book, but it is only at the end that you see how they all fit together. This book really makes you guess Tom's identity. At first I was annoyed that he kept ditching Callie and wouldn't offer her any answers to her questions. It was totally understandable why she would be frustrated, angry and why she would resort to snooping. It all came down to a trust issue but I can see why Callie would question Tom when he won't tell her anything. I even thought for a while that the other guy could possibly be Tom, he was a good guy for Callie though at the very least. I liked the references to geocaching, it was really cool to learn more about that activity. Once again this is an superb addition to the series, highly recommended for mystery fans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read!, June 15, 2003

By 

Faith Ward "BigDogsBabe" (Ackworth, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels (The Million Dollar Mysteries, Book 2) (Paperback)

It's not often the 2nd book in a series is as good as the first, but I have to say that I absoulutely loved this one better than the first, and the first book was great too!
Not only does Mindy Clark do a great job with her character profiles/backgroud but it makes you feel like you know them and are with them while the story unfolds. I found myself at times talking to them ( the characters).
In this book, Callie not only works on another murder mystery, but she also is going through some personal feelings and changes.
Her boss, Tom, is and enigma to me and there are a few nuggets of info on him that keep you guessing just what is up with him. I am so hoping in the next book that Mindy will give us some more details on him.
Mindy's books both the first in this series ( A Penny For Your Thoughts) and Don't Take any Wooden Nickels are really, really hard to put down.
Enjoy them. I know I sure did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!, February 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels (The Million Dollar Mysteries, Book 2) (Paperback)

It is rare that an author writes a 2nd book in a series that is just as good or better than the first. I found this book to be page turning and enjoyable. And the ending was a real surprise too!