Old Loves Die Hard

By: Lauren Carr

Narrated by: James C. Lewis

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

Old loves die hard...and in the worst places.

In Old Loves Die Hard, Lauren Carr continues the rags-to-riches story of Mac Faraday, an underpaid homicide detective who inherits 270 million dollars and an estate on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, from his birth mother on the day his divorce becomes final.

Mac is settling nicely into his new life at Spencer Manor when his ex-wife Christine shows up-and she wants him back! Before Mac can send her packing, Christine and her estranged lover are murdered in Mac's private penthouse suite at the Spencer Inn, the five-star resort built by his ancestors.

The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac's murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife's lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac's old cases?

With the help of his new friends on Deep Creek Lake, Mac must use all of his detective skills to clear his name and the Spencer Inn's reputation, before its five-stars - and more bodies - start dropping!

©2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2016 Terri Lynn Zaleski

Lauren Carr is amazing

Lauren Carr is becoming one of my favorites. Her writing is well rounded. The characters have back stories, there is humor, and there is suspense. You will want to jump right into the next book wen you finish this one!

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Great second book in series

I liked this book but wanted the back story from book one in the series. Since its not available in audio format I bought the kindle version for a big whopping $.99. Best dollar investment I could ask for. Since I prefer audio I used the text to voice feature on my Kindle. Sure makes me appreciate all of the wonderful narrators available through Audible!

I hope the rest of the series is as enjoyable as the first two books.

Great Mystery

If you could sum up Old Loves Die Hard in three words, what would they be?

Complicated, Fun, Well Developed

What other book might you compare Old Loves Die Hard to and why?

Most of Lauren Carr's mysteries are very similar in style.

Which character – as performed by James C. Lewis – was your favorite?

I didn't feel that I connected with any of the characters in particular as performed by this narrator.

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

I really enjoy the character conversations. I don't think there was any one point that stands out in my mind as moving--but, I find myself myself smiling and feeling at ease with Carr's characters throughout the book.

Fun mystery - twists & turns keep you guessing!

Mac Faraday is a retired homicide detective who is trying to get accustomed to the estate, Inn and wealth that he inherited from his natural mother. The estate comes with his mother’s research and computer assistant, a beautiful young woman, Archie, and an unruly German Shepard, Gnarly. The two (Mac and Archie more than Mac and Gnarly) have a budding relationship which they are just about to explore when Mac’s inebriated ex-wife, Christine, shows up at the door wanting him back.

Mac takes Christine off to the Spenser Inn to sleep out the night. Before the next morning rolls around Christine and her ex-lover, the man she left Mac for, are found murdered. Mac would make a great suspect since his only alibi for the remainder of the night is Gnarly. Mac’s half-brother (and best friend) happens to be the local police chief. David must interrogate Mac but once he rules him out as a suspect, they tackle the investigation together. After all, the dead man had a handful of files form Mac's old cases with him and a list of names that is a mystery.

I enjoyed the hassle and craziness provided by Mac’s ex-sisters-in-law and a law colleague and wife of the estranged lover and a Judge, all of whom show up wanted something from the deceased’s possessions. They add color to the investigation as David and Mac try to locate the mysterious woman who was caught on camera entering the suite but never leaving.

The story moves along well with humor, action and intrigue. The romance is on a slow simmer while Mac copes with his children and the loss of his ex. It is nicely handled. This is the third book I have listened to from this author. I recommend Ms. Carr for easy, fun cozy mysteries.

Audio Notes: James C. Lewis does a decent job with the narration. He does not necessarily try to create a voice for each character but he still conveys the nature of the personalities. I’m sure these mysteries would read well in print/ebook but I really enjoy the ability to listen to them in audio.

I received the audiobook for tour review.

It's great to return to Mac Faraday

Note: Even though this is Book 2 in the series, it works fine as a stand alone novel.

Set in Maryland, Mac Faraday is looking forward to a nice companionable evening with his neighbor Archie and his dog Gnarly when his ex-wife Christine unexpectedly shows up. She wants to reconcile but Mac isn’t even going to consider it. Making sure she’s safely ensconced at the nearby resort for the night, he plans to have a final conversation with her the next morning when she’s sober. However, she and the man that wrecked their marriage, Stephen, are both found dead at the resort. The plot thickens when Stephen’s room is searched and old case files that concern Mac are discovered.

It was nice to return to Mac Faraday’s neck of the woods. I have previously enjoyed Book 5, The Murders at Astaire Castle. Here, I get to know more about Mac’s origins. He’s a retired homicide detective who unexpectedly inherited a fortune from his birth mother. He’s also got a half-brother (David), the large mansion he now resides in, and the local resort. With no day job, the mystery of his ex-wife’s murder becomes the focus of his keen wit and all his energy.

As with every Lauren Carr novel I have experienced, this mystery has layers, some of which go back decades. For some reason Stephen was looking into old case files, several of which were tied to Mac in some way. The Chief of Police (David) has to take a hard look at Mac before he can be cleared in the murders, and their blood relationship ruffles some people’s feathers. Now I did find it a little too convenient that David was OK with Mac investigating the murders. Even with him cleared, he still has a stake in the outcome of the investigation. While it makes for great drama having Mac run around asking tough questions and discovering clues, I did have to work hard to suspend my disbelief on this point.

Archie is a wonder with modern electronics and worked closely with Mac’s birth mother (a famous mystery writer) for over a decade before she passed away. She’s become friends with Mac and there’s potentially a romance building between the two. While I do like her character, the author doesn’t really do much with her. Christine, who dies pretty early on, has more influence on the story than Archie does.

There’s this one side character who is of South American decent and works as a maid. The plot felt a little weak when Christine’s sisters immediately equated this person to a South American maid they had years ago. How many documented and undocumented South American women work as maids in the US? Too many to count. So I did feel that it was a really big leap for everyone to assume this maid was the same one who worked for the sisters in the past. While this leap did move the plot forward, it could have been done much better.

Otis the squirrel added some perfect comedic relief. I also liked Gnarly’s klepto behavior, not that I want to encourage it. Still, it was funny how he was so picky about what dog chew he stole from the store.

The answer to the big mystery wasn’t what I was expecting. I liked the surprise, but I felt the execution was a little far-fetched. I wanted a bit more build up or a few more details – something to help me buy into it. Even with that, I found the over all story to be engaging and entertaining. I really like Mac’s character.

I received a free copy of this book via iRead Book Tours.

The Narration: James C. Lewis makes a really good Mac Faraday. He sounds like a retired cop. I also liked how he managed to make David, Mac’s half-brother, sound related. His female voices could use more femininity but each character was distinct.

Another Good Mystery

I chose to read this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I have read several books in the Mac Faraday series and they all stand alone and they're all good mysteries. Old Loves Die Hard is full of mystery and action with a little humor on the side. It is the second book in the series and I enjoyed learning how Mac and Archie got together. I also liked learning the history of some of the characters in the series.

I like Lauren Carr’s writing style because it’s easy to follow and she doesn’t get bogged down with lengthy descriptions. The narrator, James Lewis, has a great voice to listen to. He has good timing and a pleasant voice.

I have read and listened to several of Lauren Carr's books. I've decided that for some reason, I like listening to the Mac Faraday books more than reading them. I haven't figured out why yet but maybe I will after I listen to the next one. I definitely recommend Old Loves Die Hard. If you like mystery, intrigue, and action, it’s for you

What is happened to Cause Two Murders

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, Those that want to find out what happens to Mac and his children mother this is one good book and more murders to solve and the mysteries of why they do just a thing.

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

Yes, Trying to figure out who done it and why?

Which scene was your favorite?

Old Love, Die Hard is done well. You get to meet up with Mac’s Ex Wife. The mystery starts once she is in town. There are two murders once Mac takes his ex-wife to this penthouse in Spencer Inn.

Did Mac do the murders? Did his ex-wife go and killed her lover? There is not much going on. Who is behind all the murders. We meet or at least learn about his two children. Who would murder Mac two children mother?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Did Mac do the murders? Did his ex-wife go and killed her lover? There is not much going on. Who is behind all the murders. We meet or at least learn about his two children. Who would murder Mac two children mother?

A good mystery

This was my first Mac Faraday novel, as well as the first novel by Lauren Carr. It is not the first book in the series, but I had absolutely no trouble following the plot, because all the characters are properly introduced, and their background is sufficiently explained, so I never felt that I missed something because I didn’t know the previous books, yet.

The story is a mystery until the very end; there are many twists and turns, and I never saw it coming. It was convincing, too. We have a great character-building here, the characters aren’t just black or white, but everything in between, most of them have something to hide, so we have lots of suspects.

I wasn’t too sure about the dog, it has a special ability which seemed odd, if not impossible, but then who knows what a well-trained, intelligent dog is capable of. I have since done a bit of research, and apparently it’s not all that abstract after all. I absolutely loved the dog’s antics, in those moments, he seemed to be one clever dog-like dog.

I’m now curious about the area, and I’d really love to see it for real one day. The story drew me in from the start, and kept me listening; and I look forward to listening to others in that series.

The narration was good and easy to listen to. Although there isn’t much in the way of different timbres, dialects, or accents, and all the characters sounded more or less alike to me, I didn’t really have problems following who said what, so there must have been variations after all, but they certainly weren’t overdone.

An interesting story that will make you a fan.

I had not read anything by Lauren Carr before listening to OLD LOVES DIE HARD and I have to say that I am now officially a fan.

Her characters are complex and yet simple, they act like real people rather than characters in a book.

The fact that Mac's wife cheated on him and then asked for a divorce which then became final on the exact same day that he learned that he was to receive $270 million dollars along with a mansion and a thriving 5 Star Inn, feels like sweet justice.

Mac had been a homicide detective, and he never made much money, but he was good at his job and he loved it. Coming into massive amounts of money, anď quitting his job, he isn't really sure what to do with his time.

But, 'Old Habits Die Hard' and he finds himself once again investigating murders. The difference this time is because of who the victims are as well as where they were killed.

If you choose to purchase this audiobook, and I sincerely hope you do, you will fall in love with Mac Farady (just like I have."

I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 Stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lauren Carr has done it again!!!

Mac Faraday is back. His ex wife shows up drunk saying she wants to get back together. Mac Takes her to the inn and checks her in to sleep it off. The next morning he shows up to meet her for breakfast and finds not only her but her estranged lover, who she left Mac for, both murdered in Mac's private suite.

Once sort of being cleared as being a suspect he has to help his 1/2 brother the Police Chief solve the murders. The strange part of the whole thing is the lover has shown up with a handful of files from Mac's old murder cases. Mac needs to arrest the killer so his Kids can have closure and also to figure out why McGuire was digging around in his old cases.

I am huge fan of Lauren Carr. I have read several of her books. I love all of the twists and turns in the books. The books are always pretty fast moving but they also drag you in as well as make you feel like a detective. I usually have a list of my own suspects, but am usually wrong when I pinpoint the killer, with all of the twists. I love how there is a touch of humor, a touch of light romance, and no real strong language.

I also like that that with the Mac Faraday books, you do not have to read them in order to follow the story line. Each book can be read as stand alone. I have read the last few books of this series already so am back tracking with this book. But it could be the next book in the series instead of being the 2nd book.

I did listen the audio book. I was quite happy with James C Lewis' narration. his voice is very expressive. He makes you hear what the characters are feeling. I really like that in narrator. He also does a great job with changing his voice for each character.

A satisfying mystery

I have enjoyed spending several hours over the past week walking around my town even though I have actually been thousands of miles away in my head. It's what I love most about listening to a good audiobook - exercise without realising it! Old Loves Die Hard is the second in Lauren Carr's Mac Faraday mysteries series, but I was able to fully enjoy the story without having read the first instalment because concise recaps fill in the gaps. Mac is now ridiculously rich after an unexpected inheritance, but still wants to spend his life solving local crime of which there is rather a lot in Spencer.

Carr introduces us to a large cast and, although she has a good eye for characters, I wasn't always immediately able to remember who was who in the early chapters. I thought that James Lewis did a good job of the narration though which helped immensely. His creation of numerous different voices meant that, once the book was underway, I could often tell who was speaking without being told. I was surprised by how much Mac and Archie were able to be involved in the police case despite being civilians themselves. Enough money opens many doors! In this aspect I was reminded of vintage British mysteries such as Agatha Christie novels where amateur sleuths tend to be the most adept. Carr's emphasis on the affluence and old money of the Washington communities also helped reinforce this vibe.

The mystery itself is intricately plotted and ultimately satisfying to unravel. A good level of concentration is needed throughout the story and I think I did miss some of the clues. I had worked out some elements but not others so felt both pleased with myself and surprised at the end.