Cyanide with Christie

Crime with the Classics, Book 3

By: Katherine Bolger Hyde

Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

A game of charades ends in coldblooded murder in this entertaining cozy mystery - third in the Crime with the Classics series.

Having finished transforming Windy Corner, the grand Victorian mansion she inherited from her great aunt, into a writers’ retreat, widowed literature professor Emily Cavanaugh is ready to receive her first set of guests. But her careful planning is thrown into disarray by the unexpected arrival of outrageous true-crime writer, Cruella Crime, whose unpardonably rude behavior is causing great offence.

As a ferocious ice storm rages outside, the guests entertain one another with a game of charades. But their revelries are brought to a sudden halt by the discovery of a body in one of the guest bedrooms. When it transpires the victim was poisoned, Emily decides to take a leaf out of the book of her favorite detective writer, Agatha Christie, and investigate. But as she pursues her inquiries, it becomes chillingly clear that she herself may have been the intended victim …

©2018 Katherine Bolger Hyde (P)2019 Blackstone Publishers

Satisfying book

As a book lover and a writer myself, this was a dream to read. The setting is a writer's getaway. I was excited at all the book references the characters used among themselves and I was proud of myself that I knew most if not all the references. The twists and turns were good, I knew who the murderer was a little bit before the end but so did the characters so it didn't feel like they were dense. And oh my gosh, I LOVE the reader's voice! It's so relaxing and her accents/impressions for the different characters are so good!!

The only thing I didn't like about this story was that the love interest was pressuring the main character into marriage. Granted, she was having trouble committing and had dragged on their relationship for some time, and should have made a decision, but nevertheless a person has to do it in their own time, not under pressure. He wasn't grossly manipulative or anything, but definitely pressuring. This took up a reasonable amount of their interactions and I didn't like it.

Other than that, this book was lovely to read and I will definitely be checking out more in the series.

a good cozy

this is an interesting story which kept my interest and had several twists. the reason not 5 stars it was not outstanding.

Good Cozy Mystery

I did figure it out, but it kept me guessing awhile. Enjoyable characters with just enough development of each to "see" them in my minds eye without boaring my with details. I like that!

Predictable

Just as the last one heavy on religious beliefs and I guessed the killer and the motive within the first few chapters.

Sickeningly Sweet Mystery

Although I enjoyed this book, I also found it annoying. Emily's character is unrealistic and too sentimental. The plot is interesting, but, I wish Emily was more realistic. Caroline Shaffer is great narrator and got me through it to the end. I'm not sure if I can stomach the next book.

Ok since it was free

This is just ok. The writing was mediocre, but this worked sufficiently as background while I was cleaning.
I actually enjoyed that some more “modern” characters were sympathetically presented with strong individual morals, while being non-judgmental to others. At least I liked the idea, because the characterization was inexpertly done. Kudos for trying though.
Heads up- do not look for anything but the most superficial Christie references. They were a few, but they seemed to be clumsily inserted in order to justify the title.
Give it a try since it’s free. You probably won’t love it but you probably won’t hate it, either.

An enjoyable Summer Who Did it and Who's in love

A town with crazy crazy weather a beautiful old Victorian home the naughtiness of unrequented love Murder poisoning teenage love affairs sadly rape and other items all roll together to make sense and in the end it's explained.

Disappointed

I was listening along and getting involved when foul language started to happen. Reviews had said it was clean so I quit listening.