Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer

Scarlet Oaks Cozy Mystery Series, Book 2

By: Michaela James

Narrated by: Kimberly M. Wetherell

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

Something sinister is going on at Bay Radio. Is it possible there’s a connection between the mafia-type men who show up after dark, the terrified young women they have in tow, and the ominous commune Scarlet’s sister calls home?

A troubled caller’s cryptic clues point to a man from Scarlet’s past. Could he be the key to breaking her sister Violet out of a seemingly impenetrable commune? 

Scarlet’s new boyfriend gets a crash course on the life and times of Violet, as they enter a world of shadows, sex, and secrets. With more than her own life on the line, Scarlet fights to save her sister.

Can Scarlet and friends, armed with only a harebrained scheme and spy store gadgets, solve this mystery? All roads lead back to the cryptic caller. Expose the photographer from Scarlet’s past, and the thick, scandalous web starts to unravel.

Jump on this speeding cable car with Scarlet and hold on for dear life. This fast-paced, clever mystery will have you laughing one minute and gasping the next. Spend time with the characters you’ve grown to love and make room in your heart for more. 

If you grew up reading or listening to Nancy Drew, you’ll love Scarlet Oaks. This is the second book in the Scarlet Oaks series. Continue the adventure - buy Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer today!

©2017 Michaela James (P)2020 Michaela James

A second fun outing for Scarlet and her cohorts...

Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer is the second book in this delightful cozy mystery series. Although the mystery portion of the book can be read as a standalone, I think it is more enjoyable after reading the first book in the series. The best part of this series is the interaction between the characters, and it is great fun to watch them progress from the first book to the second book. Scarlet is a typical young adult in many ways: she is exploring her new career as a radio talk show host while juggling the demands of a new relationship, good friends and a dysfunctional but loving family. In case that doesn't keep her occupied, she keeps getting herself involved in dangerous amateur sleuthing, this time in an attempt to help her sister escape from a commune. Thankfully, she is joined in her adventures by her father, her boyfriend James and her two best friends, Niles and Tom. This leads to some truly hysterical schemes by the crew as well as a couple tense moments when I wasn't sure how Scarlet could possibly extract herself scratch-free from the danger. With the perfect blend of comedy, intrigue and heart-warming dialogue, Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer not only kept my attention, it kept me glued to my iPod until the satisfying conclusion.

Kimberly M Wetherell narrates both books in the series, and I really appreciate that continuity as I moved from one book to the next. Wetherell has a pleasing voice and delivers a flawless performance. I especially enjoyed how she handled both the comedic and serious sides of the story with equal skill. I'm looking forward to hearing the next collaboration between James and Wetherell as they continue the Scarlet Oaks saga.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

another sucessful sluth

Scarlet Oaks is a fabulous on air DJ focusing on Mending Men and while she's at it she mends or rather meddles in cases that come to her. Case in point - a woman pretending to be a man calls into her men's radio show to ask for help / give her a warning. This causes Scarlet and her band of equally wonderful friends to solve the case - and this one is so close to home since it involves her siblings. I love the dynamic found within these pages / listen. The narrator did a great job and the author hits it out of the park yet again. I love prudence and wish she was a bit more prominent in this read / listen but I still loved it all!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Intriguing and engrossing

This audiobook was absolutely phenomenal. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked on this well written storyline and the twist and turns made it more amazing. I can't wait to read or hear more from this author. I received this book at my request and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review here of my own volition. This book is a must read or listen to I highly recommend it.

Great fun!

This was great! Truly The characters involved are the best part...even her bizarre self centered Mom you love. But her friends and co-worker make this perfect!

Decent sequel

Again, like the first book, this story is slightly roundabout and very long winded. I enjoy the characters and the plot but my main beef is that many segments seem so drawn out I get bored. I’m all for sleuthing but this is comical in how drawn out things can get.

Parents: this is probably ok for mature teens... there’s mention of intimacy and adult photography and prostitution. Not much in the way of language and certainly no Fbombs.

Overall it was a good time-filler read and I will read the third establishment shortly.


—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Another fun and entertaining caper

At 12 hours and 30 minutes long, this was definitely a story within a story within a story. Following on from where book one finished, Scarlet and Sylvia now have a new, larger studio to match their larger audience. Their show, Mending Men, has changed and now includes experts to give advice to men on legal and family matters - from divorce and alimony to grief counselling. 

When Scarlet gets a call warning her that she needs to look into a matter concerning someone she knows, thoughts immediately turn to her sister Violet who is living in a "commune" that doesn't allow visitors from family members. Convinced Violet is in danger, Scarlet and her friends (boyfriend James, plus Tom & Niles) check out the place ...and don't like what they see. 

A further clue leads her to a photographer, who she knows from her childhood days as a beauty queen contestant with her sister. All clues point to the commune, so the friends make a visit to their local spy gadget shop and virtually empty the shelves. These scenes resemble those when James Bond visited Q to see all the gadgetry available. Tom's excitement here is hilarious. 

While all this is going on, Scarlet's brother has disappeared. His wife, Lisa, is unperturbed, as she agrees with her "pastor" that things in her marriage need to change. 

From here, the story splits into yet more subplots, all of which come together by the end. But who would have known that a homeless man by the dumpster, a baker, and a man dressed as a cleaning lady would have anything in common in this story? The plot ideas are wild, and funny, poignant and crazy. As before, the story is slow to get going, but once it does it is a wild race to the finish.

Is Violet in danger? Where is Trent? Is there a cult at large? And why does the commune need a photographer?

All will be explained in this cosy mystery tale, where stories of family members and friends mingle with the crime solving capers. 

The narrator keeps the story buzzing, injecting life into every character, and keeping them distinct and therefore making it easy to follow. 

A little on the long side, but an enjoyable story and a fun and endearing cast of characters. 

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Michaela James. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Scarlet Oaks Book 2

Book two in this fun series. This book could be read as a stand-alone but you get so much more out of it if you read Scarlet Oaks and the Serial Killer first in my opinion. Once again it is the same cast of characters and they are so much fun and funny. Michaela James does a great job of developing the characters and bringing them to life. At times the book was a little long in the tooth for me but not to the point that I didn't want to continue. I just love mysteries and wanted to get on with that :-). Kimberly M Wetherell is the narrator for both these books and she is great. I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

This series is getting even better!

I completely enjoyed the first book in this series. However, this one is even better. I love the way this group of friends come together, undercover and with spy gadgets, to solve the mystery. Some classic laugh out loud moments alongside finding themselves in tense predicaments. You could probably make a whole book just out of Violet's shenanigans. This book was made even better with the great narration.

Good mystery

Good mystery with a sweet family touch that keeps you wondering what is going on?!

I received a free copy and left my honest review

Really enjoyed this cosy mystery.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This is book 2 of the Scarlet Oaks Cosy Mysteries series.

Scarlets family is dysfunctional. Her sister Violet is living in a commune and when a late night caller to Scarlet's radio show Mending Men hints that the people in that place may not be there of her own free will... our amateur P.I. realizes its up to her and her scooby gang to get off to the gadget spy shop so they can to investigate these rumors and save her sister. The plot thickens when her brother Trent later also disappears.

There was a lot more suspense in this story and the evil cult vibes were much edgier than the first book which I enjoyed immensely.

Michaela James weaves a fantastic mystery here and it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand alone... but come on.... mini pigs!!!

Expose this book to.the world

I enjoyed this book. It started a bit slowly which is why it only gets a four star for the story. Other than that I enjoyed it, I liked the characters and the family drama, it's nice many of the characters from the previous book play apart in this book too. The books can be read as a stand alone book but this one does continue from where book one left of and does name the killer from that book, so might give away spoilers if you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying it. The unusual setting of working on a radio show add to the fun with guest phoning in with there problems, which gives it the humour needed.
Things have improved greatly for Scarlet at work and she is even being moved to a bigger studio as the show Mending men is growing in popularity but that doesn't prepare her for when a caller phones into the show with a cryptic message. Scarlet is sure the caller is telling her that estranged sister is in trouble and needs her help. At the same time her brother drops of the face of the planet and nobody knows where he is. Worried about both of her siblings Scarlet and the Scooby gang play a visit to a spy shop and take on a cult like church to get to the bottom of the mystery call. Is more going on at the church than adult films and what about all the blood found on rocks next to strange symbols, that just happen to be where her Dad likes to do his morning swim. Is someone trying to tell them something? And what about the homeless man following the gang? Is he as dangerous as the church members with there unusual beliefs? Scarlet is about to find out.
I like the narrator she does a good job with all the voices and even has to sing a few words.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.