Pineapple Lies

By: Amy Vansant

Narrated by: Rosemary Benson

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Growing up in one of Florida's age-55-plus communities, Charlotte never expected life to be wild. Golf cart racing with her surrogate mothers Mariska and Darla was about as nutty as life got... until she found the hot pawnbroker's mom buried in her backyard.

Talk about making a lousy first impression.

Armed with nothing but her wits, Pineapple Port's questionable cast of characters and a growing crush, Charlotte is determined to solve the mystery of Declan's mother's murder.

Hey, at least this guy's skeletons aren't in his closet.

©2015 Amy Vansant (P)2015 Amy Vansant

Laugh your way to the murder solution!

When I started this book, I was annoyed that the author didn't know a spade from a trowel, and it seemed as if the main character was beyond unemployed. But then I got into it and found the book too much fun to be hung up on such silliness, especially since she really did have a cottage industry. This book is AWFULly funny! Although the publisher's summary covers the main plot basics, it will not prepare you for the fun! Like the friend's grandson from Atlanta who thinks he can charm her into bed by telling her how wonderful he is and later shows up at her home with an armful of booze! Or when she has a headache and takes the two pills on the counter that she THINKS are aspirin! Lots of snark and lots of groans and gigglesnorts.
Rosemary is an excellent audio-performer, but just doesn't snark well. Not a good fit here, but would be excellent in many other novels. Her voice is pleasant, cadence and flow are good, but not in the snark department.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Pineapple Lies

Anyone who likes a cozy mystery, a little romance, and lots of laughs will definitely enjoy this. 😂

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Laugh out loud!

What made the experience of listening to Pineapple Lies the most enjoyable?

Ms. Benson's narration ... it draws you right into the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pineapple Lies?

When Charlotte takes what she thinks is aspirin. Not going to spoil it but it is funny!

What does Rosemary Benson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Benson really gets the characters. She gives each one their own voice. Charlotte has a lot of 'in her head' dialogue and Ms. Benson is able to make it so you know what Charlotte is saying out loud and what she is not.

Any additional comments?

Pineapple Lies is the story of Charlotte, a woman in her mid 20's, who lives in a 55+ retirement community. With her 2 surrogate mothers along for the ride, Charlotte is determined to figure out who murdered the woman that was buried in her backyard. Throw in a hunky pawnbroker who happens to be the son of the dead woman and you have yourself a comedy waiting to happen.

Ms. Vansant has written a solid mystery full of humor, laughs and surprises. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the cozy mystery genre of books.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

OH HOW I LOVE A COZY MYSTERY!!!!!!!

What made the experience of listening to Pineapple Lies the most enjoyable?

It was funny, and narrated well...super fun listen!!!

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

Yes and No....but it was such a fun time...I loved it..and yes it was a surprise at how this murder really happened!

Which character – as performed by Rosemary Benson – was your favorite?

Charlotte...and Mariska ans Darla..they were sooo funny!

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

I really liked how Charlotte persisted and was gently with Declan....and the extasy mishap was hilarious!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

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

This was a great little listen, and super funny...I am so glad I discovered cozy mysteries...because they are almost always a guaranteed good time!!!

Charlotte lives in her grandmas home in a retirement community called Pineapple Port...she is only 26...but inherited it when her grandma passed away...this has been her home since she was young and the whole community has taken her under there wing and cared for her...She has 2 older lady besties Mariska and Darla and they are hilarious!

Charlotte discovers some bones in her backyard and it turns out to be a missing ladies skeletal remains...Declan runs a pawn shop and frequents pineapple cove when people have passed to buy items for his store...well he meets Charlotte and quite by mistake sees a necklace that was on the body and recognizes it as belonging to his missing mom...Charlotte and her friends are determined to help Declan and discover what happened....and it is a hilarious and fun time with a little romance solving this mystery!!!

I adored this and recommend it!!!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hilarious! Brilliant story, brilliant narration!

Would you listen to Pineapple Lies again? Why?

I do listen to it again - especially the scene in the clubhouse. Unbelievably funny. The narrator - Rosemary Benson - has pitch perfect comic timing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved them all - they were so beautifully well written and superbly acted - distinct characterizations. Wacky, funny, foibles - loved them all.

Which character – as performed by Rosemary Benson – was your favorite?

Couldn't choose one - maybe Penny.

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

Totally.

Any additional comments?

Rosemary Benson is uniquely talented as an audiobook narrator - she has an impeccable ear for characterization and her accents are flawless. Amy Vansant is a talented author - her dialogue rivals Aaron Sorkin - this is an eminently entertaining audiobook.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

a witty, cozy mystery...

I received this audio book of "Pineapple Lies" as a gift in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. First of all - Kudos to the author for writing a witty, hilarious cozy mystery! I laughed my butt off many times! I really enjoyed listening to this book. The older generation can be so funny and that is very true in this story. Everyone is in everyone else's business too! that makes it even more funny, along with the rumors. I love the mystery and danger in this book too!

The author, Amy Vansant did a fantastic job writing this story! The plot is great. The jokes are even better. The old ladies, just crack me up! The narrator, Rosemary Benson did a fantastic job delivering this story to us! I loved the accents and all the multiple voices too! Great job, both of you!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

How does she do it!

The story was cute and funny. Good light read that is enjoyable.

This is the second book I've "read" with Rosemary Benson as the narrator and she is tremendous. Each character with an individual voice that is perfect for them. She can take any story and improve with how she literally brings the characters to life.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I enjoyed this book

The story kept me coming back for more with this book. As always I want there to be more, but i get that all books have to end. I will definitely look for more by this author!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So Much Fun!

If you could sum up Pineapple Lies in three words, what would they be?

Funny, cute, mustread

What did you like best about this story?

The humor for sure and it's not just the same old story line - it's fresh.

What does Rosemary Benson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I read and loved the book so I was very excited to find it available on audible. This reader does a great job with the voices and bringing the story to life. Having read the book first I wasn't real sure about the main character, Charlottes voice. It just sounded different than I had imagined in my head - a little older I guess. However, I got over that and just enjoyed the story. There is a large cast of older characters in this book and the reader has them spot on.

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

Very much so. I love a great humorous mystery, with a great cast of characters, a community that I would want to live in or at least interact with ;) There is so much to enjoy about this story.

Any additional comments?

If you need a good laugh, and a great escape from the moment then I urge you to hurry and purchase this book and settle back for a mini vacation from reality. Be prepared to smile:) This is a book I will be able to listen to again and again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Can't wait for the next book!

I was given an Audible version of this book for evaluation. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the narrator was good, the plot was twisty enough to keep me engaged, I cared about the the characters and I want to read the next book in the series. I played part of this book for my wife so she could enjoy the characters. I told her "I know these women!" In short, it is a great story and you should enjoy it too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Laugh-aloud funny!

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, in many different genres, from chick lit to thriller, non fiction to sweeping historical fiction. Pineapple Lies is different from all of them! Its premise (a murder mystery/romance) set in a 55+ retirement community was terrific, and the humour was great - a difficult feat to pull off when you're writing about the discovery of the bones of the mother of the man you are falling in love with!

It was a great easy listen - fun, not too demanding. It might have been a grisly read, but was actually quite uplifting.

Amy Vansant has the older characters down to a T - she has clearly spent some time observing people in such communities. They are likeable, sharp, each with their own foibles, and they provide a magnificent backdrop to the unfolding tale. The heroine, Charlotte, has plenty strengths and weaknesses. When she unthinkingly swallowing what she thinks are headache pills, a hysterically funny romantic scene results ... The plot twists are credible and not too complicated and kept me guessing to the last.

I worry about body parts that seem to have a life of their own (such as 'wandering hands') and there were rather a lot of eye darting everywhere – which conjured up some strange visions. That apart, I loved the book and welcome the fact there are more to follow.

I was given an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.