Cyanide with Christie

Crime with the Classics, Book 3

By: Katherine Bolger Hyde

Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer

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

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.

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.

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.