Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, Book 1

For any fan of Charlaine Harris, it is first necessary to understand that this first book in a series isn't like her Sookie Stackhouse or Harper Conolly series--nothing supernatural.
Second, it is an earlier work and, while the trademark humor and wit are there, the style and plotting aren't as fully developed as later works.
Third, while many characters are introduced in this book, they are not as well-developed as one might like, but they do turn up again in later books so don't dismiss them.
Fourth, this story and ones that follow are more like a leisurely stroll through a residential neighborhood than a car chase with spectacular crashes. Often, the story is as much a chronicle of Aurora's life as it is a mystery to be solved.
Fifth, Aurora is still finding herself so don't think that the sweet librarian in this book remains static and a fixed character in future books.

There was enough of interest in this first in the series for me to continue with more and it can't be compared to Sookie or Harper. It shouldn't be. It isn't deep, fast-paced, or overly complex. Aurora is not a super-sleuth or the most prudent person you will meet, but she is an interesting enough character for me to find it worthwhile to spend a few hours with as she lives her life and stumbles onto murder scenes.

This is a light, entertaining murder mystery with hints dropped along the way, but I was surprised when I found out who did it. However, in listening the 2nd time, some of the main character's comments are even funnier, now that I know how it ends. This book has me giggling out loud! I've read the second book, and am really looking forward to the others in this series.
Murder scenes are described in some detail, but not enough to keep me from recommending it to anyone easily made squeamish. The characters are described well enough that I feel like I would recognize them if I could meet them, but not in a way to bog down the story.
Highly recommended!

I downloaded this book because I was familiar with the author, having listened to the Sookie Stackhouse series and was pleased to discover another series that I can begin to enjoy. This series has no supernatural actors, all 100% human. The main character, Aurora ("Ro") Teagarden, is a single woman who is a member of a murder club. Right at the beginning of the book one of the members of the club is murdered in a way similar to how someone the club had studied was murdered in the past. Everyone in the club is instantly a suspect and all kinds of fun ensues. This book is what I would call a "light" murder mystery. If you were going to give mysteries a rating, I would rate this one PG.

These books are really fun. After reading all of Charlaine Harris's Sookie books and then all of the Harris's Harper Connelly books, I figured that the Aurora Teagarden series would naturally be next on the list. At first I really thought they were a bit cheesey, but Aurora started to grow on me. While it doesn't have any of the supernatural aspects of the other series and would be more of a PG rating, instead of the maybe PG-13 or R rating of the other series. This is a fun, quirky, easy read. The narrator is great & the character is lovable. After a slow start with the 1st book not knowing what to expect, I began to love the characters that were introduced and re introduced throughout the series, so by the time I got to the 8th book (within a weeks time) I will say each book in this series gets better. The only thing I do not like in the narration is how the mens voices are done. Although it's no big deal, she makes each male character sound like a sniviling nerd.

I do like the Sookie Stackhouse books Charlaine has written but; I am a much bigger fan of her other books. The Aurora Teagarden series is great. I think that if you enjoy Cozies you will love her character. The Librarian murder detective idea may sound far fetched but, she pulls it off nicely. if you give this series a chance I think you will love it.

I loved the mystery of the who-dunnit and the surprise at the end. All my guesses were wrong and it kept me on my toes.

I really loved Aurora. I'm pretty short too and desperately in love with books so I was really able to connect with her.

My favorite scene was when Aurora visited her date at the college campus and all the girls who liked the professor didn't like her.

Absolutely and I did!

I really loved the reader and thought the book was great despite being only 6 hours long.

The detective is just a spectator with a gee whiz attitude. Very little girl.

Real Murders has nice writing and a pleasant protagonist but the story was pedestrian. I really liked the True Blood and Grave Sight series but the Real Murders story and side characters were not compelling enough to maintain my interest.

Definitely not up to Charlaine Harris's usual character strength with a weak and predictable storyline. Go, run, to the Lily Bard or Harper Connelly books, and leave Amanda Teagarten behind.

I really enjoy Charlaine Harris as a writer but wasn't sure about how she would do with a straightforward murder mystery, which is how I would classify this book. Turns out I could not go to bed till I found out how it ended. The murderer is not who I thought it was...