Review
MUMBO GUMBO MURDER by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran
The Sixteenth Scrapbooking Mystery
Carmela Bertrand and her best friend, Ava, are celebrating Jazz Fest in
the French Quarter when a crashing disturbance interrupts the revel
making. The two friends rush to where the commotion seems to be
happening only to discover the window of their good friend Devon
Dowling's antique shop smashed. With only Devon's dog responding to
Carmela's calls she enters the building only to face another destructive
onslaught, and the discovery of Devon's body. But Carmela's detective
fiancé may have more to get mad about that Carmela insinuating herself
in his investigation. Good looking Quigg Brevard has opened up shop
right next door to Memory Mine, and has a proposition for her. Will a
killer, or a guy with killer looks put Carmela in hot water?
I love Carmela Bertrand, I really do, but in this sixteenth Scrapbooking Mystery she really made me mad. It's one thing to drag her feet about setting a date for her nuptials, or anything else to do with her upcoming wedding, but her behavior really puts her whole relationship with Detective Babcock at risk. What on earth was she playing at with Quigg? Still, I could overlook that, I was a little irked but I could kind of see where she was coming from. However, when she figures out the real reason Devon was murdered, I was aghast at what she did and literally screamed out loud, "You are so stupid!" inadvertently scaring my cats.
Despite thinking Carmela's done lost her mind in her need to seek out adrenaline rushes and simply accepting how over the top Ava is, I did enjoy the book. The mystery itself was excellent and I loved all of the red herrings and various other complications.
MUMBO GUMBO MURDER is a fast paced fun read showcasing many of the wonderful events that make New Orleans so special. I don't know how Carmela and Ava find time for all that fun, but I enjoy being able to experience it vicariously though them.
I love Carmela Bertrand, I really do, but in this sixteenth Scrapbooking Mystery she really made me mad. It's one thing to drag her feet about setting a date for her nuptials, or anything else to do with her upcoming wedding, but her behavior really puts her whole relationship with Detective Babcock at risk. What on earth was she playing at with Quigg? Still, I could overlook that, I was a little irked but I could kind of see where she was coming from. However, when she figures out the real reason Devon was murdered, I was aghast at what she did and literally screamed out loud, "You are so stupid!" inadvertently scaring my cats.
Despite thinking Carmela's done lost her mind in her need to seek out adrenaline rushes and simply accepting how over the top Ava is, I did enjoy the book. The mystery itself was excellent and I loved all of the red herrings and various other complications.
MUMBO GUMBO MURDER is a fast paced fun read showcasing many of the wonderful events that make New Orleans so special. I don't know how Carmela and Ava find time for all that fun, but I enjoy being able to experience it vicariously though them.
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Mumbo Gumbo Murder (A Scrapbooking Mystery) by Laura Childs and Terrie Farley Moran
About Mumbo Gumbo Murder
Mumbo Gumbo Murder (A Scrapbooking Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 16th in Series Berkley
(October 1, 2019) Hardcover: 320 pages
A shocking murder strikes a sour note during Jazz Fest in the latest New Orleans Scrapbooking Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.
It's Jazz Fest in New Orleans, and the giant puppets from the Beastmaster Puppet Theatre are parading through the French Quarter. Some are very spooky and veiled, others are tall and gangly, like strange aliens.
As the parade proceeds, Carmela Bertrand and her best friend, Ava, follow behind, down Royal Street and past the food booths. Suddenly, they hear a terrible crash from Devon Dowling's antiques shop. They rush inside to find Devon collapsed with blood streaming down the side of his face. Has he been shot? Stabbed? 911 is hastily called, and the police and EMTs show up. After the police examine Devon's body, they tell Carmela and Ava that their friend was murdered with an icepick. They're shocked beyond belief—and now Mimi, Devon's little pug, is left homeless.
Carmela and Ava are determined to catch the murderer, but the list of suspects is long. How long do they have before they find themselves on the killer's list?
About The Authors
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries
, Scrapbook Mysteries
, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries
. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries 
- set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
- set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries
– a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
– a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries
- set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Laura’s Links:
- set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.Webpage - http://www.laurachilds.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31
Terrie’s Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrie.moran.9
Blog: www.womenofmystery.net
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23186092-terrie-moran
Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play IndieBound
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ReplyDeleteBeen following, sounds good!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, Believe me you aren't the only one who gets crazy with Carmela! Both Laura and I have been known to yell at her a time or two. Thanks for a heartfelt review.
ReplyDelete