The Monet Murders

By: Jean Harrington

Narrated by: Gayle Hendrix

Interior decorator Deva Dunne never dreamed she'd see a Monet hanging on someone's dining room wall. Then she snags a client with two Monet seascapes. Her thrill lasts until she finds one of the paintings missing, cut from its frame, and the cook shot dead.

Rough-around-the edges, but gorgeous all-around police lieutenant Victor Rossi insists Deva leave the sleuthing to the police. But what could it hurt to come up with a list of suspects that doesn't include her? Like the owners of the Monets, a rich man and his trophy wife, and their frequent guests. Even the cook's husband is suspect. Then Deva finds another victim, clutching a very strange set of clues.

Desperate to save her business amid the negative publicity, Deva helps Rossi investigate. And when he needs advice decorating his bedroom, she just might find a client for life. Unless a killer gets to her first.

©2012 Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd (P)2012 Audible, Inc

The Quintessential Cozy Mystery

I've read two Jean Harrington mysteries now and have thoroughly enjoyed them both. The characters are delightfully fun and the plot has just enough twists to keep the reader guessing. Quintessential cozy mysteries!

Enjoying this Series!

I was very much looking forward to this second book in the series because I loved the main character - Deva Dunne...and I was not disappointed. It was a little like getting to spend time with someone I I had already met. Told in first person, you get a chance to hear what she's really thinking, really feeling about everything that happens. She's funny, vulnerable and sometimes flawed but always likeable. The plot keeps moving along with lots of twists and turns, larger than life characters and the growing love interest with Deva and Rossi. It's a good "beach listen" and I hope there's a new installment soon.

A SASSY HEROINE AND A SASSY READ

Where does The Monet Murders rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have to be honest here, I haven't heard that many--I usually read my books but audio is a new and fun experience for me.

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

Absolutely! As an amateur artist myself, I was intrigued with the theft of a real Monet and where the thief had stashed it. And when the killer was on Deva Dunne's heels I was right there, scared to death with her, every step of the way.

Have you listened to any of Gayle Hendrix’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I loved when she narrated the first book in the series, Designed for Death. That's what made me buy this one.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Monets can be murder!

Any additional comments?

Just that I hope this author writes another Deva Dunne mystery. I love that Deva's an interior decorator and sleuthing murder mysteries aat the same time in the most unlikely places. The books are fun to read--and to listen to!

Enjoyable read

Loved the first two books in this series. Can't wait for the next one. Love all the quirky characters can't wait to see what they'll do next.

Second time is not the charm

I bought this book on the strength of the first novel. I was wrong. This installment of the series was not nearly as interesting as the first. There were many things wrong with it that would make me not recommend it to someone else. First, I figured out the mystery before the book was half way through. Sometimes I don't mind when that happens because I like the way the story unfolds, but not this time. Second, the side story plots were enough to make me pull out my hair. They were poorly written and unnecessary. The plot that involved Leah really annoyed me. She used ya'll to address a single person as well as a group of people. PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH DO NOT TALK LIKE THAT! The love triangle between Rossi, Simon and Deva was drawn out and annoying. In the first book Deva clung to the memory of her husband. In this book she behaved like an indecisive teenager. The narrato also did a poor job. The voices she gave the characters were distracting, annoying and added nothing to the story. It is rare when I can't think of positive things to say about a book. This is one of those rare times. Buyer beware!