Southwest of Love and Murder

By: Brenda Whiteside

Narrated by: Holly Holt

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mystery writer Phoebe Anderson owes her success to killing her first husband on paper 17 years earlier. Now, someone has actually done it. When she decides to take a few days away on the ranch of her best friend’s brother-in-law, she doesn’t expect romance to find her...or murder to follow her.

Mason Meadowlark is happy with his wild cowboy ways, avoiding love since the death of his baby and the end of his marriage 20 years ago. When Phoebe shows up, he fights to control his emotions but soon wonders if she just might be worth the risk of opening his heart again.

With an obsessed fan close on her heels, Phoebe is thrown into her own murder mystery…and the next target on his list is Mason.

©2015 Brenda Whiteside (P)2018 Brenda Whiteside

A good addition to the series

Both author Brenda Whiteside and narrator Holly Holt are relatively new to me. We met mystery writer Phoebe Anderson in the first book in the series and I really enjoyed her character. Finding out that the second book in the series was her story was great news. Pairing her with her best friends’ brother in law, Mason Meadowlark just seemed like a fabulous added twist.
Phoebe and Mason meet when Lacy and Chance got married and they decide to have a bit of fun. Phoebe is attracted to Mason and when she needs to research her latest book she decides to visit his ranch. Mason has baggage and Phoebe needs to break through the walls he has erected if they are to have a chance. The question is can she and will Mason let her in?
Add in that Phoebe has an obsessed fan stalking her and soon danger rears it’s head.
I love romantic suspense books and this was an enjoyable listen as I felt that the narration had improved from the previous book.
#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Great suspense! I couldn't stop listening.

Book two in the Love and Murder series picks up a few months after book one ends. Lacy and Chance are married, but we miss the wedding, sigh. They are off on their honeymoon and the story focuses on Lacy’s best friend, Phoebe, who if you remember asked Chance, in book one, if he had a brother. Phoebe and Mason hook up at the wedding, again we don’t get to experience this, and now several weeks later, Phoebe finds herself thinking about Mason a lot. She’s starting work on her next novel and decides to write a mystery about a cowboy. There’s no better opportunity to “research her novel” and have an excuse to see Mason again. While at his ranch, she discovers a room that will allow her to see the vulnerable side of this rough cowboy’s existence. Will Phoebe be able to break the shell this cowboy has formed around his heart? And will a murderer carry out his plan to rid Mason from Phoebe’s life? I highly recommend you read or listen to this story to find out. The narrator has a pleasant, lively voice and does a good job at altering her voice to the different characters. This book hooked me and I didn’t want to stop listening to find out what happened. It gets my five-star rating of “I can’t put it down.”

Want to read again and again!

Brenda is one talented writer!

I love every character she creates and finds myself instantly compelled and drawn into their stories - past and future almost like they become a friend - as silly as that sounds.

Truly entertaining and combines two of my favorite genres - suspense and romance.

Psycho killer<br /><br /><br />

A psycho faux author reenacts a favorite author's books to get her attention, and wants to write with her at all costs. This villain was ruthless and without a conscience. Just out for his own ego! Grr... Phoebe was a little slow to catch the clues, but she finally pieces it together. Will it be in time ?? Check this out.I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job with female voices, but not so much with male characters. There were some background recording noises when dialogue ended, but I kept trying to figure out what it was.

Good from start to finish.

A very good romantic suspense. Lots of feels. Great characters. Beautiful location. Hot attraction. Creepy villain. Caring family.
I listened to Audible version. Narrator did good job. Would like more emotion, but she did male voices well, too. I was happy with her pace.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

A wonderful book

I did receive this book for free in exchange for a honest review. This was a very well written book, one full richly developed characters. The authors ability to sprinkle good clean romance with a suspense plot of murder was very well done. I would happily read more of her work. I have no problem with recommending this book and author to others. So happy reading!

Murder mystery

This book is a romance murder mystery. We get to know Chance's twin brother, Mason better in this book. You get a gist of who the murderer is from the beginning, the mystery part lays in what will be do next in order to gain the attention of his favorite author. The HEA is awesome and the narrator did an outstanding job!
🎧AudioBookObessionReviewer

In Love

I love this author! This is my 2nd book by her and boy am I WOWED!! This is beautifully written and Holly Holt did a beautiful job with this book! We meet Phoebe in book one as Lacy's writer friend. Now we get to dive deep into her world as she goes on a trip to learn the life of a rancher for her newest murder mystery book she is working on. But life doesn't go according to plan and she didn't anticipate LIVING the murder mystery life. This book has many turns and keeps you ramped up until the end. I never thought I'd be into murder mystery novels but I am hooked to this writer! The plot is well thought out and executed marvelously! I liked that we got to still hear a little bit about Lacy and her new life in peeks but it didn't take away from this story.

Stand alone story

While part of the Love and Murder series, you wouldn't need to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. The events aren't related and the characters from the first book don't play a large role in this one.

The actual voice of the narrator was good, but there were many, many instances where a single line sounded like it had been added in later and it didn't blend in at all with the existing recording. I found it very strange and distracting, almost like it was another person's voice interrupting the story.

Overall, I liked the story. I would recommend it to people who like a little external conflict along with the relationship development.

#AudiobookObsession

Another great story!

No spoiler review!

The characters of this story are well developed you become connected to the main characters as well as the supporting cast.

The story is well crafted and keeps you guessing until the reveal!

The narration was good. Holly is improving her craft with every book.

Who dun it

A writer named Phoebe meets Mason at her friends wedding. She decides to head to his ranch after hearing her ex was murdered. The obsessed fan hunts downs Phoebe..He tries tontake out Mason as well.
Great story, characters

The narrator is new to me. Did a great job.
🎧audiobookobsessionreviewer

Fanatic fan

This book illustrates the danger of an over zealous fan to the mystery writer. He emulated her murder mysteries in real life to attract attention.

The excitement and drama was enough to keep the reader excited and scared.

The narration was well done.

This book was provided free of charge with the expectation of an honest review.

Wow

Prepare for a sleepless night this has the perfect balance of intriguing mystery and a fantastic romance.

The narrator has done a fantastic job of giving the characters life which was also helped by the author giving them so much individuality

The love and murder series

This book is about Phoebe, Lacy best friend from book one. This is a mix of romance and mystery.