Suitable for Framing

Callie Cassidy Mysteries, Book 1

By: Lori Roberts Herbst

Narrated by: Lillian Baxter

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Silver Falchion Winner for Best Cozy Mystery and Second Runner-up for Best Book of 2021!

First Place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards Murder and Mayhem Division!

Now that prize-winning photojournalist Callie Cassidy has returned to the mountainside village of her youth, she believes she’s put crime scenes and corpses in her rear view mirror. So why does she end up—once again—focusing her lens on murder?

Callie Cassidy is no stranger to dead bodies. Two decades as a photojournalist on a big-city newspaper landed her face to face with so many of them that her colleagues dubbed her Queen of the Dead. Now, Callie believes her days of hanging out with cadavers are behind her. With her lovable golden retriever Woody in tow, she has returned in disgrace to Rock Creek Village, Colorado, where she licks her wounds in a cabin on her parents’ Rocky Mountain ski resort property.

But when her mother persuades her to abandon her fetal position beneath the quilts and take a photography gig at the Snowflake Swirl winter ball, Callie’s foray back into the real world lands her smack in the middle of town drama.

Before the first partygoer arrives, Callie stumbles across a deadly scene. A former classmate, one of the “mean girls” from high school, lies lifeless on her office floor. Another woman from Callie’s past crouches above the body, holding a bloody letter opener.

The conclusion is obvious—at least to rookie detective Raul Sanchez. But Callie believes there’s more to the picture. With the help of an adopted stray cat named Carl, whose investigative skills may rival her own, Callie sets out to find the real murderer. Because unless she, her pets, and a quirky group of villagers can solve the mystery, Callie’s photos won’t be the only thing being framed.

©2021 Lori Roberts Herbst (P)2023 Lori Roberts Herbst

Twists and turns

I never guessed the ending. Can't wait to listen to the next book. Hope to listen to more books in the future from this author.

Fun book with smart leading lady

I love a good cozy mystery, but when the main character is smart enough not to go touching everything in the crime scene it makes me excited. This book included some good character development that left me wondering where the author might take the storyline in future books. I have to admit that the narrator for this one wasn't my favorite voice for this character, but there were moments she sold it and moments I wish I was reading it physically instead of listening to it.

Great story with fun characters

"Suitable for Framing" is a great story featuring fun characters. It's well written and flows well. It's definitely a great cozy. It took most of the book to get used to the narrator's style, but that didn't detract from the story.

Thoroughly Entertaining Read

Setting the Scene: "Callie Cassidy is no stranger to dead bodies. Two decades as a photojournalist on a big-city newspaper landed her face to face with so many of them that her colleagues dubbed her Queen of the Dead. Now, Callie believes her days of hanging out with cadavers are behind her. With her lovable golden retriever Woody in tow, she has returned in disgrace to Rock Creek Village, Colorado, where she licks her wounds in a cabin on her parents’ Rocky Mountain ski resort property.

But when her mother persuades her to abandon her fetal position beneath the quilts and take a photography gig at the Snowflake Swirl winter ball, Callie’s foray back into the real world lands her smack in the middle of town drama.

Before the first partygoer arrives, Callie stumbles across a deadly scene. A former classmate, one of the “mean girls” from high school, lies lifeless on her office floor. Another woman from Callie’s past crouches above the body, holding a bloody letter opener.

The conclusion is obvious—at least to rookie detective Raul Sanchez. But Callie believes there’s more to the picture. With the help of an adopted stray cat named Carl, whose investigative skills may rival her own, Callie sets out to find the real murderer. Because unless she, her pets, and a quirky group of villagers can solve the mystery, Callie’s photos won’t be the only thing being framed."

What I Thought: What a great find for a cozy mystery lover. Callie is a great lead with just the right amount of gumption and vulnerability, not to mention a background that provides some basis for the investigating she does. The characters are likeable and well developed, and the mystery well plotted. I look forward to more adventures with Callie and the citizens of Rock Creek Village.

Well written and entertaining

Suitable for Framing is an entertaining cozy mystery with engaging characters and an entertaining plot. I look forward to the next book.

Delightful!

I’m new to the cozy mystery genre, and if this book is representative, I’m hooked! The narrator brought the characters to life, and I enjoyed every minute. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Delightful Narration

A mystery so cozy your mind can smell the fireplace crackling as you read. The narration is delightful.

Loved reading this book more than listening

This is the second time I have reviewed this book. The reason I am reviewing it again is that I just listened to the audio version. I really prefer reading to listening but I really wanted to try the audio book. The narrator did well, but I struggled to imagine the setting and characters in the audio version. Though the narrator attempted to give each character a distinctive voice, I still found the audio difficult to follow. Being more of a visual learner, I comprehend easier by reading. Listening to the audio version made me want to read it again, so that is what I did. After finishing the audio version, I picked up my kindle to reread my favorite cozy mystery. I loved it just as much as the first time. Having first read it over a year ago, there were some details I had forgotten, so it was a nice refresher.

Callie Cassidy, a photojournalist, returns to her parents' Rocky Mountain ski resort in Rock Creek Village to recover from a work-related tragedy. Her mom convinces her to take a photo gig at the Snowflake Swirl winter ball where she stumbles upon a dead body who just happens to be her nemesis from high school. So Callie finds herself in the middle of the the investigation, much to the dismay of the head detective in the case and her father, who is a retired chief of police.

Callie is someone I would love to have as best friend. She is smart, loyal and loves her dog, cat & wine so what could be better! She especially loves boxed wine which makes her more down to earth. All the characters in the book just seem to come alive. The author has a way of making you think you are there so I could picture the settings and each character. You will love Ms. Finney as her personality comes alive throughout the series. She also has a secret which was fun to read. I wish Rock Creek was a real place because I want to visit and stay at the Rocky Mountain Ski Resort owned by Callie's parents. And who doesn't love a book with pets!!

I love that Callie is smart and doesn't want to believe the obvious suspect just may not be the doer. She does her own investigation to find a killer. The suspect list is growing, as it takes on a lot of twists and turns until the surprise ending you won't see coming.

If you are looking for a great suspenseful cozy mystery that you can't put down with a fantastic protagonist and other quirky characters in a small town, You will love The Callie Cassidy Mystery series. Start with this book first and you will definitely want to read the rest of the series. When I read this book, it leaves me wanting more!!

If you like to listen to books on your way to work or while cleaning etc, then pick up the audio version. Personally, I prefer to read the book. Whichever option you choose, you will not be disappointed.

"Home is where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in,"
--- Robert Frost

Enjoyable

A great start to a series. Callie has returned home to start over but still finds herself drawn into her past. She has left her job as a journalist/photographer. After her mom talks her into taking photos at an event, she runs across the body of an old classmate. Fortunately she has experience with what to do and soon finds herself trying to figure out who killed her and why. I enjoyed the characters and I think the cat is going to be interesting to see what he will do next. I look forward to the next book.