A Just Clause

Booktown Mystery Series, Book 11

By: Lorna Barrett

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Tricia Miles, mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, is in for a surprise when her ne'er-do-well father, John, comes to town - and promptly becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a woman with her own scandalous past. Even Tricia's faith in the old man is shaken when the Stoneham police break the news that her father is a known con man who has done jail time. But what about best-selling thriller author Steven Richardson? Is it a coincidence that he arrived for a book signing just before the crime or that the victim was found with a signed copy of his latest best seller? From merlot to murder, Tricia is determined to clear the family name before another body shows up and ruins Stoneham's first - and highly anticipated - wine and jazz festival.

©2017 Penguin Random House LLC (P)2017 Tantor

The story doesn't disappoint, the narrator does

I have listened to all of the books in the Booktown Mystery Series, and Cassandra Campbell, who narrated the first 5 books does a far better job than the current narrator Karen White. The men in the book took on a completely different persona when Karen White started the narrating. Mr. Everest used to be a likable character, but KW's narration makes him seem stodgy. Also, the character Christopher completely underwent a character transformation, I believe because how she narrated the character was whiney, annoying, and conceited. KW's narration of Tricia is ok (although I also prefer CC's narration of Tricia) but KW does not do men's voices well at all. They all sound the same...and not at all masculine. Really takes away from enjoying the book. Another small point...I by no means am a teatotaler, but I thought in this particular book (and the 3 or 4 previous books) every single activity they do, involves an alcoholic drink. If people drank as much as they do in this book in real life, they would be full fledged alcoholics. I don't mind a few drinks a few times a week, but these girls belt down pitcher after pitcher of Martini's...just seems a bit unnecessary. Bothered me enough that I only rated the story 4 stars.

The family dynamic!

This was probably the best book of the series for me. For one, the family dynamics in this book bring a lot of things full circle. I have loved to see and understand more of why Trisha is how she is. The mystery itself wasn't really the highlight of this book. It didn't really make sense as much as it was sort of thrown together to close the plot. So if you're looking for a good sense mystery this won't fit the bill. But if you are an avid lover of this series then this book definitely will delight. I can't wait for the next book! In fact, I hope there is one ....

The End

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Mission impossible. In the beginning books the parents were wealthy and in this one the father is a crazy bum, gallivanting around the country leaving debt/mayhem. The characters (parents) along the original story line are wealthy, conservative and self centered. Now even that has become too unrealistic to even begin to enjoy the book.

What could Lorna Barrett have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I've given up on this writer. This was the one series that she writes I enjoyed. Now it too has became unbearable.

What aspect of Karen White’s performance would you have changed?

The poor woman could only do so much with this tripe!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from A Just Clause?

The characters of the book would have remained some what believable. I would have advised the writer to throw the whole thing out and start over.

Any additional comments?

The reason for the title is, this is the last book by Lorna Barrett I will purchase. I strongly do not care to continue wasting money on poor story lines and hair brain poorly written books.

boring

extremely boring and rarely entertaining. There's no mystery and no suspense. Don't bother. with it.

Family Finally

The characters have really developed in Book 11. Although I did start to wonder if one of the workers on Tricia’s loft was going to end up murdered.

Sometimes it seems like the author decides at the last minute who the murderer is—-because she wants to stump us?

Great cozy mystery series

I really enjoy this series and cannot wait to see what these two sisters get into next. I enjoyed the family aspects of this book as well this time. My hope is that both sisters fine love and not just dead bodies by the end of the series.
This book is worth a credit if you are looking for something light to read.

very disappointing

this story sounded good but once it started it was annoying, one sister always getting the other into situations, a father who should have been sent packing, very unprofessionally written. If it were not to be running around like clown cars after the main characters there may be a story to come of it.

Regret buying this book

It was written for younger readers. The plot was too simple and boring. I quit listening before the second chapter.

Satisfying Story

This book really warmed my heart. I loved how a lot of loose ends were tied up and the story was crafted well.

WOW

Like the previous books in this series, this one is very good. The characters and plot are very realistic. Karen White does a great job bringing the characters to life. This is one of the best cozy mystery series written.