A Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Collection: Box Set One - Three

By: Shéa MacLeod

Narrated by: Yvette Keller

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Join in Viola’s shenanigans in this fun, contemporary cozy series! A Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Collection Box Set One - Three contains the first three Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery books:

The Corpse in the Cabana

Viola Roberts is headed to a writers’ conference at an exotic Florida resort complete with white sand beaches and swaying palm trees where she plans to lounge in the shade drinking frosty beverages with little umbrellas. And, of course, no sojourn to tropical climes would be complete without her wise-cracking best friend, Cheryl.

When Viola discovers the diva of the author world dead (as a doornail) of unnatural causes, the police detective turns a gimlet eye on Viola’s best friend. Along with help from hunky fellow writer, Lucas Salvatore, Viola is determined to ascertain who killed the corpse in the cabana before she, or Cheryl, wind up in jail. Or worse.

The Stiff in the Study

The sleepy seaside town of Astoria, Oregon is the last place you’d expect to find a dead body. That is until the director of the local museum turns up dead in the study and Viola’s friend, Portia, is accused of the crime.

Viola ignores her looming deadline and bout of writer’s block and sets out with her best friend, Cheryl, to solve the murder. From starting riots at local dive bars to breaking into crime scenes, Viola will stop at nothing to prove Portia innocent even if it means putting herself in the crosshairs of the killer.

The Poison in the Pudding

With a book deadline and Christmas fast approaching, the last thing Viola Roberts has time for is a party. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she gets roped into by the Mayor of Astoria. Party planning it is. Complete with Christmas puddings.

Everything is humming along just fine when suddenly the guests begin to drop like flies! With both her reputation and her favorite Christmas cookies threatened, Viola has no time to waste. She’s got to find the poisoner before somebody ends up dead.

©2019 Shéa MacLeod (P)2019 Shéa MacLeod

Fun, funny whodunnits

Viola Roberts and the other quirky cast of characters really bring these stories to life, as does the fantastic narration and range of character voices. The mysteries are interesting and take some unexpected turns, but most of the fun is following Viola and her friends on the way to figuring it all out. A great collection of short and sweet, snarky mysteries!

Classical cozy mystery - light and funny

Love it! It is a classical cozy mystery: sketchy violence, slightly implied sex, a bright lady amateur sleuths and a mediocre detective. The narrater does distinct voices for different characters that makes reading even more entertaining. So, if you like this genre, it will be a great read during this shelter-at-home time.

Great listen for a road-trip

I enjoyed listening to these books while driving 11 hours to and from my destination. I enjoyed this fun and quirky murder plot that kept me guessing right to the grand finale. Like other reviewers noted it was a bit like 'Murder, She Wrote' vibe but in a lovelier way. I look forward to listening to the next series of books. Yvette Keller was amazing! Her narration was wonderful adding all the nuances needed in every situation. She kept me engaged in the story. I agree as another reviewer stated, "She really brought life to the book and actually made the characters real."

enjoyable entertainment. it was easy to listen to.

enjoyable entertainment. i would read more. of these books. many twists and turns but not a lot of gore.

Keeps you entertained

This is a light hearted story and is fun to listen to. The characters are very likable.

Fun, silly, cozy murder with a spunky author hero

I'm a fan of the cozy mysteries. I don't have to work hard to overlook that everywhere the hero goes, she stumbles across a body. This is a fun example of the genre with the added appeal of the author/hero NOT being 22, blonde, and perky. As a woman beyond that, I can appreciate the extra curves and the extra experience Viola brings to her sleuthing.

I started book 2 and it was BETTER than book 1. A little shorter, a little more succinct, but fun and busy.

Not for me

This book is not for me. Viola Roberts makes stupid decisions over and over again. I listened to book 1 and 2 and decided that I'm done.