The Nutcracker Conspiracy

A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 4

De: Lauren Carr

Narrado por: Mike Alger

Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead - the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.

Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project - completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.

“She was number 12,” Dean says.

“Twelve?” Murphy asks.

“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”

Two days later, Dean dies suddenly, but not before sending a text message to Murphy: “13.”

©2020 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2020 Terri Lynn Zaleski

A Complex Mystery

4.5 stars

Unlike most of Lauren Carr’s books, The Nutcracker Conspiracy features one body after another after another and it’s no wonder that Dean Conway believes a conspiracy is tying so many of these deaths together. It all started with an attempt on the President’s life that actually claimed two other lives and it’s only natural to think that such an assassination attempt must have involved one federal agency or another, maybe more than one. Murphy Thornton didn’t pay much attention to Dean’s theory, that is, until Dean himself was blown up by a bomb.

Since Dean’s wife, Amy, is a close friend of Jessica’s, the latter is drawn into Murphy’s investigation when Amy is pegged as a prime suspect in the bombing. With a little help from Jessica’s brother, Tristan, and Nigel, the Thorntons’ very efficient AI butler, not to mention even more family members and friends, Murphy and Jessica start down a very complex trail of clues, theories, motives and potential perpetrators that lead them to a multitude of puzzle pieces. Putting the puzzle together kept me listening into the night hours while the couple worked as hard as they ever have to catch the killer…or maybe more than one.

As it happens, Jessica’s dad’s dog, Gnarly, is visiting—he needed to get out of town for a while till the furor dies down—and he’s settled right in with the other two dogs, Newman and Spencer. Newman is perfectly happy with the visitor as long as Gnarly doesn’t mess with his TV remote and Spencer seems to have a bit of a crush on the German Shepherd but Gnarly is more interested in continuing his life of minor crimes and misdemeanours, a habit that doesn’t fit well with his position as elected mayor of the town of Spencer. You can imagine, I’m sure, the chuckles and outright guffaws that ensue when these pups are on the page.

Mike Alger continues his stellar performance as narrator of so many of Ms. Carr’s books and he really has become one of my favorite readers; Mr. Alger has a way with words and vocal personalizations, not to mention a clear sense of mood and pacing. Between his narration and Ms. Carr’s deviously tangled plot and vivid characters, a listener/reader won’t be the least bit disappointed in this latest Thorny Rose adventure.

Conspiracy, theft, and Gnarly!

The Nutcracker Conspiracy by Lauren Carr is such a great listen! I love how the author weaves several stories into one. The book is both a standalone listen and part of a series. Many characters in this book have made appearances in other books by this author, so its like catching up with old friends. The book has mystery, murder, heists, humor, and suspense. Jessica and Murphy, Nigel and Gnarly all have big parts in this book. I so enjoyed this Thorny Rose book and look forward to more in the series. Mike Alger is wonderful bringing the characters to life. He really does a great job painting pictures in my mind for the characters and settings. I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written this review. This is such a great story!

What happens when a conspiracy is a conspiracy?

The Nutcracker Conspiracy
A Thorny Rose Mystery #4
By Lauren Carr
Read by Mike Algers

The Nutcracker Conspiracy by Lauren CarrWhen Jessica Faraday's best friend finds herself suspect number
one in her husband's murder, Jessica is determined to prove Amy's innocence. There is just one problem Amy looks good for the
murder of Dean. Just days before at a wedding Dean told Murphy Thornton that he was about to publish a book based on the
Nutcracker Conspiracy - a conspiracy in which 12 people had so far died to keep hidden.

When Dean is killed Murphy, Jessica, and Tristan find themselves digging into an assassination attempt that occurred 3 years ago.
Could Dean's death be tied to his research into the thwarted attempt
on the President's life?

The deeper they dig the more questions they have. And when the Nutcracker Conspiracy has links to
a case that Murphy is currently involved in at work he realizes something even more sinister is at work.

One fun note is that Gnarly is visiting while Mac and Archie are overseas. Yes, that Gnarly and he
is his full of trouble thieving self. He also helps out in more than one instance so he adds a light note
throughout. For fans of Lauren Carr's Chris Matheson series, he makes a guest appearance.


Get ready for a mystery with more turns than a winding road as the truth is searched out. Murder,
espionage, and treason what more could you want? Maybe a little revenge on an ex-girlfriend? Yes,
Tristan has a little bit of mental revenge on his with a little help with his technical skills.

This is not a cozy mystery or a gentle read and is most definitely in the PG category for violence and suggestive scenes. But if your taste in books runs towards mystery, suspense, and murder you will devour
this book! There are suspects aplenty and a few characters that one just can't help disliking. The narration
is well presented by Mike Alger. There is no drag and it progresses at a good
pace for the reading, good for a long commute or just eye-resting listening enjoyment.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my
honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Another Great Story in the Thorny Rose Series

I previously reviewed a physical copy of this book. The audiobook had given it so much more reach. I loved this book all over from the start. This is another great addition to the Thorny Rose series. You really need to check it out!!

A presidential assassination attempt three years prior took the lives of the vice president’s wife and the assassin. Since then there have been all kinds of conspiracy theories about the true target and who ordered the murder.

Zip to present day which finds Murphy Thornton at a wedding reception with author Dean Conway. Dean is going on and on about his book about the assassination attempt. He tells Murphy about how twelve witnesses have died in the last couple years. How when someone seems to be getting close to the results, they end up dying. Murphy doesn’t think anything about it until he receives a text message from Dean saying “13.” Dean is later found dead.

Murphy jumps into the mystery of spies, stolen secrets, and assassinations. What follows is a twisting, turning ride with lots of red hearings along the way. I was kept on my toes the whole way and was completely wrong with who the killer was, as usual. This is what makes me a huge fan of Lauren Carr’s books.

And of course, there are the animals: Gnarly, Newman, and Spencer. The only thing I can say is lycanthrope. Sprinkled through the story are hilarious canine antics.

I love Lauren Carr’s books and strongly recommend checking them out. You can read them in order to get more from the books or you can read them as a standalone without being completely lost. If you like mysteries, you HAVE to check them out. You won’t be disappointed. I really enjoyed this book as a read but listening to it has given it more depth. It's definitely worth the read or listen.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

Enjoyable Mystery, Fun Characters

Narrator Mike Alger does a great job bringing the characters to life by giving a unique voice to each one. His steady pace and distinct tones add depth to this already intriguing story. His mannerisms add to the personalities of the characters making them more realistic to the listeners.

The story is a wonderful mixture of humor, suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance wrapped around a conspiracy plot. The characters are quirky and likeable. The author skillfully weaves canines as major characters making readers/listeners believe their participation in this fascinating story.

There are several leads of thought going on throughout the tale, but it’s easy to follow all and not be lost along the way. While this is the fourth installment in the series, the story stands on its own. If you’re new to the series as I was, it will make you want to follow up on the previous stories just for the fun of it to find out where all the various characters come from.

The Nutcracker Conspiracy will hold your attention with zany characters, unexpected twists, and a tantalizing mystery to solve.

I was proved an audio copy of this book, but the thoughts are completely my own and not influenced by the gift.