Back to the Burgh and Beyond

The Owl's Nest Mysteries, Book 1

By: C.S. McDonald

Narrated by: Maren Swenson Waxenberg

Meet Alexa Owl. She's returned home to Pittsburgh after a divorce to start a new life and a new business, The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to her surprise, she's getting more than she ever bargained for: Detective Bobby Starr, and he's no ordinary sleuth. Bobby is an angel who's returned to Earth in hopes of earning his way into the Guardian Angel Squad. He's been sent by none other than Saint Pete to acquire Alexa’s help to solve three cold case murders he left behind.

Except, here’s the catch: He’s been allotted only four days to solve the first case! How in heaven’s name is she supposed to do that? Alexa is a professional seamstress - not a detective. Bobby insists the only way to solve the first case is to return to 1953, and Alexa’s not in love with that idea at all!

©2020 cindy Mcdonald (P)2020 cindy Mcdonald

Quite an adventure

This was a fun read. The characters were entertaining and it was well written. I will read books by this author again

Amazing!

I. Loved. This. Book! Full of humor, this cozy mystery had me laughing and trying to solve the case. This is probably my favorite time-travel series because the character doesn't stay too long in either period, and she's really annoyed about traveling back to the 1950s. Most, if not all, time travel books I've read, the character goes to sleep and wakes up in a different time period. In this gem, Alexa gets sucked back in the most inconvenient moments, adding humor and leaving me hooked! She continues to function in the present time but in a more automated fashion or spaced-out mind. Or so her amusing Irish assistant informs her. It's full of delightful characters in both periods. Detective Bobby must solve his ex-wife's murder, and Alexa gets harassed by his future wife, who doesn't like seeing them together. At present, she has a new shop to tend to, an energetic sister, a new romance blooming, and the ghosts of Bobby and his ex-wife's ghost cat that keep appearing spontaneously, which is very inconvenient because only she can see them. She acquires strange looks when she talks or argues with them. I rate it a 5-star. It's lighthearted, a quick read, and the narrator does an outstanding job!

Interesting cozy mystery (with ghosts!)

Before I get into my thoughts on this book, I do want to say that I do recommend it to anyone that enjoys an easy to read cozy mystery with interesting characters. Also, I received this audiobook for free or at a reduced price in order to listen to it and give my honest thoughts. I was not required to leave a review.

I enjoyed the audiobook. It was easy to listen to, had interesting characters, and the writing flows well. The narrator did a good job, keeping it engaging for the listener.

My only problem with the story, and after discussing it with my teen daughter she agreed, was the ease with which the main character accepted so many unbelievable things. Oh, there are ghosts. OK. Oh, there are other incredible things, like angels and Saint Pete, that many people wouldn't believe existed. Sure, I'll believe it all and not get scared, confused, awestruck, or any other extreme, or even mild, emotions that most people would feel.

I try not to get stuck on details like that, but it really bothered me throughout the book. That being said though, I did enjoy the book. I got into the story, wanting to know what would happen. I enjoyed the setting and really enjoyed the characters, especially the ghost cat. I looked forward to an ending that would satisfy most people and was not disappointed.

So, like I said earlier, I would definitely recommend it in either book form or audiobook form. It is a fun read with an interesting story and unique characters. Just don't get hung up on small details like I did!

Mystery-time travel-humor-romance.

This first installment in the Owl’s Nest Mysteries has the total package. It’s a clean fun mystery for cozy mystery lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.

A wonderfully entertaining cozy mystery series!

Back to the Burgh and Beyond is a delightfully entertaining story about a woman recently divorced, returns to her home town to open a quality clothier store. There is only one thing wrong... She has an unexpected visiter who won’t go away until she agrees to help him. Will this ruin her chances for a possible romance with another?

With some added humor, the author has created a wonderful mystery series with a touch of paranormal and romance. It is very well written and constantly “keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat”, with action and new events.

The characters are portrayed in such a manner, it is difficult to remember that they are not real. The background scenes are equally realistic. The Title and Cover image are very well chosen.

The narrator, Maren Swenson Waxenberg, does an outstanding job in the portrayal of the various characters and in the narration of the overall story.
*This audiobook was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review .