Divas and Dead Rebels

By: Virginia Brown

Narrated by: Karen Commins

Length: 13 hrs

Publisher's Summary

The bestselling Dixie Divas mystery series continues! Trinket and her pals are, once again, caught in the middle of a murder scene...

"Professor Sturgis is dead. What I'd thought was an untidy pile of clothing tumbling out of the closet turned out to be a professor with whom Bitty had just quarreled that very morning."

Virginia Brown is the author of The Dixie Divas Mysteries, The Blue Suede Memphis Mysteries, and a mystery/drama, Dark River Road. As a long-time resident of Mississippi, she has lived in several different areas of the state, and finds the history, romance, and intrigue of the deep South irresistible. Although having spent her childhood as a military brat living all over the US, and overseas, this author of nearly fifty novels is now happily settled in and drawing her favorite fictional characters from the wonderful, whimsical Southerners she has known and loved.

©2012 Virginia Brown (P)2013 Bell Bridge Books

Southern Humor with a twist.

Would you listen to Divas and Dead Rebels again? Why?

I actually came across these just by chance but I decided to give Dixie Divas a try and I was hooked. I have never laughed so hard in my life. My husband would actually ask me what so funny I wouldn't realize I was laughing. The relationship between Bitty and Trinket is one the best older women relationships I have heard in a while. Let's not forget the sexy men in the book Jackson Lee and Kit. I love how these relationships have progressed in the books. The trouble all the divas seem to find there self in is so funny. If you are going through a bad time or just need something to lighten your world I suggest these books. I really did enjoy them and hope the fifth one will be on audio soon. Oh one more thought I just hope my relationship with my husband is as much fun as Trinkets parents is.

What about Karen Commins’s performance did you like?

Oh she is awesome with her story telling

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Anytime Trinket thought Bitty was in trouble she always put her own fears aside and went to help her. Also the way the relationship between the couples is growing.

Again?!

I loved each of these books and either own unique way of keeping you listening to every word. The narration is great and each minute brings new surprises.

I LOVE A GOOD SOUTHERN BELLE!!!

What made the experience of listening to Divas and Dead Rebels the most enjoyable?

It was written such humor, you had to like it!! It grew on me chapter by chapter, I really liked Trinket and Bitty...I would totally listen to another one of their adventures!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

i really liked the way it unfolded...I never suspected...

Which character – as performed by Karen Commins – was your favorite?

Bitty..she is soooo funny with her little dog Chinling.....lol

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have!

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I have had this series on my wishlist for a bit now, and when offered this for free, I was super excited!! I love a good cozy mystery, and this fits the bill,,,The Divas have a little ladies group who stumbled onto solving mysteries, and have ran into several dead bodies...this one put them in some danger...and if it wasn't for Bitty and her purse gun, they may have been goners!!!

Funny, and narrated nicely....I recommend, and will explore more of this series!!!

Divas and Dead Rebels

I enjoyed it, but the theme is a little repetitive to others in the series. I know it is supposed to be funny, but it just makes them look stupid. I do enjoy this series, but Trinket, who i supposed to be the strong and smart main character, lets herself be led by her Cousin Bitty who is a self-centered trouble magnet. Any sane person would stop following along eventually!

Oh so Funny! Another Hit

My Review
It's been my absolute pleasure to listen to the first three books of this series, I awarded them all five stars, both for story and narrator. I didn't think they could get any funnier but this one did, it's hilarious.
You really need to be alone to listen because before you know it, you'll be laughing aloud.
Bitty is a real star, she is the queen of the outrageous statement and her convoluted and unusual solutions to problems (like finding a body in a closet) leave Trinket almost gasping in disbelief! Bitty doesn't let this deter her though, she believes she makes perfect sense and usually persuades (bulldozes) Trinket in to submitting to her awesome will!
This time Bitty thinks her son is under threat of being accused of murder, she immediately goes in to full Southern Mama Mode, look out everyone.
When her first plan goes awry a meeting of the Divas is called and a new plan of action is implemented. Oh look out for these ladies, they sure mean business!
I honestly don't know how Virginia Brown thinks up these situations in which the Divas find themselves, they are of course, highly unlikely, but it's a comedy, it's fiction and it makes me laugh and feel happy.
I would recommend that anyone interested in the Diva series start from book one, the author develops each character with every book, to miss one would be missing out on learning some interesting and very entertaining details.
Narrator
I've reviewed a few of Karen's books now and have always given her 5 stars for her narration. She is just the perfect choice here, apart from her awesome narrating skills, you know, the accents, pace, rhythm and gender changes, she does comedy so darned well.
Unlike traditional books, the success of audiobooks depend on the talents of both author and narrator, in finding Karen, the author struck pure gold.
This audiobook provided for review via Audioblast dot com

Mad Cap Fun Southern Style Cozy

This was a light fun southern style cozy murder mystery consisting of a group of grandmother aged southern belles who find themselves embroiled in murder mysteries.

These grandmother aged Divas behave like pre-teen school girls when they are joined. Biddy is especially exasperating and illogical and her more sensible cousin Trinket loses all her common sense when she is with Biddy,

When Biddy and Trinket find a dead body In Biddy's twin son's dorm closet do they:
A- Report the finding to police
B- Call a lawyer for advice
C- Do both A and B above
or
D- Move the body via a laundry cart to the back of a truck to get it out of the boy's room and off campus.

Hint: the craziest most illogical answer is their actions

And so the book goes. It is a very enjoyable book with both humor and mystery/suspense.

The performance and narration was excellent. For cozy lovers this book is a must.



“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

Deep in Southern charm ...

This is a charming, sometimes hilarious cozy mystery that combines good mystery making, plotting, scene setting and character development.

What happens when you put a dozen steel magnolias in the same place, at the same time, with the same goal? Well, it all begins with fireworks. As any reader of Southern literature knows, you do not mess with the only son (even if he’s an identical twin) of a Southern mother. That’s exactly what someone did, by hiding a body in the closet of Bitty’s son. From there, we get to experience Ol’ Miss during a home game weekend, murder, mayhem, and the Divas. The author has a wonderful sense of place, and presents her environment with love, care, and gentle objectivity. Mississippi has a complex and tumultuous history. Without going into detail, the author gives us a sense of that history, like the scent of flowers drifting on a breeze.

The characters are absolutely wonderful While not all are quite the Belles that Bitty is, all of them can transform from sweet and charming into lethally efficient in about a breath.

Yes, very occasionally, some of the antics of the Divas dragged, just a little, but then the story would change gears, and I’d once again be holding my seat, with excitement or laughter, or both.

The narrator was perfect for this book! If she isn’t a Southern girl, she should be adopted as one, she gets the accent and expression *so* right!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, the deep South, or just needs to brighten a dreary day with a hearty laugh (or a dozen).

I received a copy of this book in exchange for this unbiased review from audioBookBlast dot com.

A fun mystery ...

Which character – as performed by Karen Commins – was your favorite?

I really enjoyed Ms. Commins portrayal of Trinket. She, at times, was the voice of reason vs. Bitty's jump first think later mentality. Ms. Commins is a good narrator who gives each character their own voice and nuance. I really enjoy her work and look forward to listening to more of it.

Any additional comments?

Divas and Dead Rebels is the 4th book in the Diva Mystery series. While I wouldn't call this a stand alone book, I didn't feel lost in the story. Yes, there were some mentions of antics that had happened in previous books but not to the point where you felt like you were missing something. I would like to go back and start this series from the beginning. These characters are that entertaining.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Great Book!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book; this is the fourth book in The Dixie Divas Mystery series written by Virginia Brown and narrated by Karen Commins. Trinket and her cousin Bitty, find the dead body of a professor in her son’s dorm room closet. It did not look good since Bitty was seen arguing with the professor that morning. They need to put their sleuthing skills to the test to find the killer.

The narrator Karen Commins, did a wonderful job, and was very easy to listen too. She did a great job with the different characters and their voices.

This book has a great story; if you are looking for a great romance, then you need to get this book. I am looking forward to the next book by this author. Once I started listening to this book, I didn’t want to stop until the end.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Divas=Drama

This was my first "Diva" story and it was pretty good. Virginia Brown does well to create a in- depth mystery that takes you on a whirlwind ride where several middle-aged women get themselves involved in, and then attempt to solve, the local murders. Even though this was not the first book in the series, I didn't feel like I was left with missing information as every character and previous backstory was written well into this story. However, I did feel the story tended to drag with too much, of what I'm going to call "filler" conversation. It was funny, witty, and I can see how it worked within the lives of the characters, but it made me restless, wanting to know the truth behind the mystery.

Karen Commins did a fine job with the narration of this story. With the multitude of characters in this narrative, she delivered a smooth and enjoyable read. Her pacing and character nuances were superb. I will definitely be looking for more of her works.

Overall a good listen, just a little too long for me.

This audiobook was given to me in exchange for an honest review.