The Case of the Killer Divorce

By: Barbara Venkataraman

Narrated by: Carrie Lee Martz

Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, has returned to her family law practice after a hiatus due to the death of her mother. It's business as usual until a bitter divorce case turns into a murder investigation, and Jamie's client becomes the prime suspect. When she can't untangle truth from lies, Jamie enlists the help of Duke Broussard, her favorite private investigator, to try to clear her client's name. And she's hoping that, in his spare time, he can help her find her long-lost father.

©2014 Barbara Venkataraman (P)2014 Barbara Venkataraman

A Great Fun Entertaining Series!

What made the experience of listening to The Case of the Killer Divorce the most enjoyable?

A great cast of characters, a fast moving plot with no filler text and the amazing vocal talents of Carrie Lee Martz.

What other book might you compare The Case of the Killer Divorce to and why?

It reminds me of the Stephanie Plum books but doesn't have the never ending pursuit of weird boyfriends, which gets tiresome.

Have you listened to any of Carrie Lee Martz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, the first book in the series, 'Death by Didgeridoo' .. she continues the wry funny and very natural performance.

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

Yes, but I needed to get some sleep, lol.

Any additional comments?

The Case of the Killer Divorce (Jamie Quinn Mystery Book 2) - Barbara Venkataramann has written another winner. I listened to the audio book narrated by the wonderful, almost addicting vocal talents of Carrie Lee Martz.

Carrie Lee, as the first person narrator's voice of Jamie Quinn, is perfect - touching, wry, tough, and vulnerable in turns. As the voice of the other memorable characters she is outstanding. It made this mystery very very entertaining. The author has the ability to write a naturally flowing story, nothing seemed forced or contrived. I was happy to read the first book in the series, 'Death by Didgeridoo' but I was delighted to read this one because it showed me that this was truly a great series I could stay with.

Written with humor and insight, the plots develop the characters more in this book. Jamie enlists PI Duke Broussard to help her track down her biological father. Jamie is also the lawyer representing the wife in a bitter divorce that ends in the husband's death. Jamie needs Duke Broussard to help clear her client.

It kept my interest and was highly entertaining throughout. This series stands out as exceptional among fun cozy mysteries. I'm glad I got the next book in the series because the plot between Jamie and her search for her father develops further.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thoroughly enjoyable mystery!

I enjoyed the characters and the writing was very good. It is a really fast read and you don't have to think a lot. If you are looking for a quick read (or listen in this case) for that boring airplane ride, this is a good choice!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Short but good

This is another quick read in the series. Jamie is back to practicing law and getting over her melancholy from her mother's passing. The time line was a little jumpy at times.

In addition to trying to help her divorce client who is accused of her husband's murder, Jamie is also looking for her father. Oh yeah, throw in a little dating. For such a short read there really is a lot going on.

I generally like these books but find them too short, wish there were more show and less tell. They are all from Jamie's POV, which limits the scope of the narrative.

Not huge mysteries, but fun to read. Fabulous supporting cast in her friends Grace and Duke. I also love smarmy lawyer Nick!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Carrie Lee Martz, who is great. I really enjoy the texture of her voice and the pace of the read. I like the way she plays with Duke's voice, he is quite the character. The only thing I really didn't like are the sound moments, ie a sigh when somebody sighs. They just take me out of the read.

Overall, another entertaining book in the series. I really hope the third is coming out in audio soon!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Mystery Series

I received a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review.

I have listened to several of Barbara Venkataraman’s books including the first and third Jamie Quinn mysteries, Death by Didgeridoo and Peril in the Park. This is the second book in the series so I kind of knew what was going to happen in Jamie’s personal life but I still liked finding out how it happened and, of course, there was a mystery to solve.

I like Barbara Venkataraman’s style of writing and her sense of humor. I also think the narrator of the Jamie Quinn series is perfect for these stories.

Even though there’s a murder to solve, it is still a fun and quick read (or listen). I definitely recommend The Case of the Killer Divorce. It is part of a series but does stand on its own.

Just a little flat than the first

In the second book, Jamie finds herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation after her client in a divorce case becomes the prime suspect in her was-soon-to-be-ex husband's death. Jamie's good heart and great connections lead her to help with her client's defense, and soon she's a sleuth putting together the pieces again.

We also get to see a deeper side of Jamie as the search for who her father is and where he might be after all these years is intertwined throughout the book.

This book just fell a bit flat compared to the first one in the series. It was nice to see most of the same characters were back - the awesome one-liners from Duke, the challenge with Mr. DA, the friendship Jamie has with Grace - and even a new love interest for Jamie, but something was lacking overall. Was it just a little less humorous? Or maybe there weren't as many twists in the mystery? I can't exactly put my finger on what was missing. It's still as much of a quick and easy read as the first, and overall, I enjoyed reading the continuation of Jamie's story.

Note: I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Carrie Lee Martz did another great job with the narration.

Jaime Quinn

What made the experience of listening to The Case of the Killer Divorce the most enjoyable?

This book had family drama, a mysterious death, love found and lost, and good characters .It has enough suspenseful scenes that made me keep listening to the end of the audiobook.

Cute Cozy Novella

The Case of the Killer Divorce was a cute novella based on Jamie Quinn, a divorce lawyer in Hollywood, Florida. She has some interesting clients including Becca who wants a divorce while having a boyfriend. he also wants custody, child support, alimony, and the house. When her husband Bill turns up dead from an overdose of sleeping pills, things get a little scary.

This story has several quirky twists and a hilarious private investigator named Duke Broussard who has a terrific southern, slow motion drawl and completely fits the profile.
I thought this audiobook was pretty cute and my only wish is that it had been longer. I liked the characters and the plot. Overall, I would recommend for a short, light, and fun listen.

About the narrator: Carrie Lee Martz did a great job with this story. Her voice characterizations were original and funny. She showed great control and range which made for a good listen.

Audiobook gifted in exchange for review.

Has potential, but...

What did you like best about The Case of the Killer Divorce? What did you like least?

For the most part, the book was well written, laugh out loud funny at times. But I felt like the ending was rushed rather than having a climatic finish. What I liked least though, was the narrator, especially when she was Duke. Ugh. Worst southern accent ever!

Would you recommend The Case of the Killer Divorce to your friends? Why or why not?

As a written book, yes, but not as an audible book

Would you be willing to try another one of Carrie Lee Martz’s performances?

Maybe. But not if there were any Southern male characters. That was painful to listen to.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I wouldn't rule it out

Short COZY Mystery

I thoroughly enjoyed this story ~ listened in one sitting. Loved the characters, especially Jamie. Looking forward to listening to more Jamie Quinn, Grace, and Kip. Nice ending but I wanted it to continue. Narration also very good. If you are looking for a light and easy listen ~ highly recommend....

Audiobook provided for an honest review....

More adventures with Jamie Quinn

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

Yes, I would. The story, tho only 3 hours long, is a good solid mystery. I think that the characters are well developed and that it builds on what we know of them from book 1.

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

As this book is only 3 hours long, it would be very easy to listen to in one sitting. It would make a great book to listen to when on a trip.

Any additional comments?

The Case of the Killer Divorce is book 2 in the Jamie Quinn series. Jamie, a family law attorney, is drawn into another mystery. This time it involves a client and the death of her soon to be ex husband. Jamie, trying to help her client, is on the hunt to see if her client could have done it and if not, then who did. Jamie is joined by her best friend Grace and Duke, a local PI.

I would recommend this book to my friends who like a good solid cozy mystery. This is a book for ages 15+.