RSVP to Murder - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

RSVP TO MURDER by Carol Pouliot
The Fourth Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery 

A chance to attend a holiday party at a great camp in the Adirondacks? In 1934? Yes, please! Olivia Watson is excited to join Detective Steven Blackwell, even as it will test her ability to remain in the past away from the house she and Steven share. It's a good thing that their host, publisher Gil Racine, has planned plenty festive activities, as a blizzard arrived along with the guests preventing anyone from leaving. A rousing round of carol singing is stopped abruptly as their host keels over...poisoned. With the blizzard preventing local police from arriving, it's up to Steven and Olivia to begin an investigation. The murderer has to be one of the family or staff, but who?

A jolly holiday party turns into a murder investigation for Depression era police detective Steven Blackwell and his modern day partner Olivia Watson. Quaint holiday traditions, including a sleigh ride and singing carols make the murder all the more shocking, especially as the victim was having such a wonderful time. With the blizzard in the remote forest creating a closed circle mystery, the murderer had to be a family member or one of the staff. It was fascinating to see Steven and Olivia work together, making due with impromptu tools in order to investigate. Motives were cleverly revealed to readers, also providing many red herrings.

While Steven and Olivia were in the Adirondacks, the Knightsbridge  police department soldiered on, eventually helping in the investigation. It was curious to see Will, Steven's work partner, decide to investigate Olivia-and thrilling to see what happens when the two of them become cornered by the killer. I enjoy the 1930s ambiance, but it's fun to see some of Olivia's modern day moves! There were also some moving moments, and a surprisingly heart tugging one.

RSVP TO MURDER is a swell mystery combining a Depression era setting and mindset with a modern viewpoint. Christmas, whether in 1934, 2014, or today can be a special time with family and friends with a certain special something in the air. Readers see this in the fourth Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery and will also be teased by the ending when Steven and Olivia experience something more.

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RSVP to Murder

by Carol Pouliot

November 6 - December 1, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A new twist on the 1930s English country house mystery.

Embarking on their most daring time-travel experiment to date, Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and his 21st-century partner-in-crime Olivia Watson travel to the Adirondack Mountains for a Christmas party at one of the legendary Great Camps. Their host, a wealthy New York publisher, has planned a weekend filled with holiday activities, but, as the last guest arrives, temperatures plummet and a blizzard hits. Before long, the area is buried in snow, the roads are impassable, and the publisher is poisoned.

Unwilling to wait until the local police can arrive, the victim’s widow convinces Steven to launch an unofficial investigation. Soon, a family member goes missing and Steven and Olivia discover a second victim. Trapped with a killer, Steven and Olivia race against the clock before the murderer strikes again.

Praise for RSVP to Murder:

"A classic holiday movie and Agatha Christie novel mashup"
~ Shawn Reilly Simmons, author of the Red Carpet Catering Mystery Series

"RSVP to Murder is Agatha Christie with a time-travel twist. Pouliot supplies us with just what we crave in a great locked-room mystery: a blizzard, closed roads, dead phone lines, roaring fires, and lots of suspects and motives—all set in a luxurious Adirondack Great Camp in 1934. Snap on your seatbelt and travel with Steven and Olivia, you’ll be happy you did!"
~ Tina deBellegarde, Author of The Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery Series.

"A Great Camp in the Adirondacks serves up a sumptuous setting of plump armchairs, roaring fireplaces, and the heady scent of Christmas pines—all begging to be settled into with this thumping good vintage whodunit set in the 1930s. Cleverly plotted with plot-twists aplenty and some time-travel to boot, this immersive mystery is a gem."
~ Laurie Loewenstein, Author of the Dust Bowl Mystery Series

"Readers are invited to the glamour of the Thirties, where the rich are putting on the Ritz, until there’s a murder to solve. Join time-travelers Blackwell and Watson in a race to the Racines’ Adirondack Great Camp to catch a killer. A clever...and a thoroughly unique must for fans of the paranormal and historical. RSVP today!"
~ Gabriel Valjan, Author of the Shane Cleary Mysteries series

"The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries’ latest installment, RSVP to Murder, combines the thrilling and “timeless” aspects of Jack Finney’s classic TIME AND AGAIN mixed with the wit and charm of a modern, puzzling mystery. Highly recommended for all lovers of time travel, history, romance and wily sleuths."
~ L.A. Chandlar, Best-selling author of the Art Deco Mystery Series

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 305
ISBN: 9781685123857
Series: The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, #4
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

December 31, 1902
New York City, New York

She was marrying the wrong man.

With a silk-gloved hand, Margery Belleville lifted the bottom of her wedding gown and peeked around the heavy, carved doors into the nave of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Several hundred guests—ladies in expensive finery, wool coats trimmed with ermine and fancy hats with brims reaching out over their shoulders, and tuxedoed men in black silk top hats—awaited the wedding of the decade. St. Patrick’s reminded Margery of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with its Gothic-style pointed arches and rich stained-glass windows set in lacey webs. The soaring, vaulted ceiling, lit by crystal chandeliers suspended on long rope-like cables, rose hundreds of feet in the air. Light from the chandeliers reached into the far corners of the church and mingled with the glow of candles twinkling in wrought-iron stands. Inhaling the scent of balsam fir from the many holiday decorations, Margery gazed down the long center aisle, where she would soon walk with her father.

Margery stepped back into the vestibule, her pure-white gown rustling softly as she moved. She was, at least, happy her parents had allowed her the choice of her wedding dress, if not the groom. Margery and her mother had searched in several shops, nearly deciding to have the dress custom made when they came upon this elegant, sleek gown. The moment Margery laid eyes on it, she knew it was the one. The high neckline draped in soft folds beneath her chin, flattering her face. The form-fitting bodice hugged her curves, yet avoided the dreaded hourglass silhouette, with its yards of smooth satin skirt billowing around her. Margery’s unadorned veil revealed topaz eyes and soft lips, but covered her rich auburn hair and cascaded down her back. This was the gown of a modern, independent woman. If only her life matched the dress.

His conversation with the bishop finished, Anthony Belleville joined his daughter. “Are you ready, my dear?”

The organ began Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” and a rumble echoed throughout the nave as the guests stood and turned toward the back of the cathedral. Trembling, Margery took her father’s arm.

He must have felt her shaking because her father leaned over and, to Margery’s astonishment, whispered, “I know he’s not your first choice. But you will be well cared for and you know Gil adores you. I don’t know which man has captured your heart, but you won’t lack for anything with Gilbert Racine. The publishing empire he’s going to inherit will provide a comfortable, even pampered, life. He’s the best choice to keep you in the style your mother and I have provided. I can’t bear the thought that you would ever lack for anything, my dearest daughter.”

Margery was further shocked when her father wiped a tear from his eye.

It was at that moment when Margery Belleville, soon to be Margery Racine, accepted her fate. She would be a good wife for her successful businessman husband. She would provide him with children and a well-run home. She’d bury her feelings deep inside, lock them away in a cupboard, and throw away the key. She could not marry the man she loved. But she might grow to love the man she married.

Margery forced a smile and reached up to give her father a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be alright, Papa. Gil will be a good husband.” She patted his hand. Straightening her spine, Margery gave a sharp nod of her head. “I’m ready.”

***

Excerpt from RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot. Copyright 2023 by Carol Pouliot. Reproduced with permission from Carol Pouliot. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

A former language teacher and business owner, Carol Pouliot writes the acclaimed Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, traditional police procedurals with a seemingly impossible relationship between Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and 21st-century journalist Olivia Watson. With their fast pace and unexpected twists and turns, the books have earned praise from readers and mystery authors alike.

Carol is a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks, Co-chair of the Murderous March Mystery Conference, and President of her Sisters in Crime chapter. When not writing, Carol can be found packing her suitcase and reaching for her passport for her next travel adventure.

Learn more and sign up for Carol’s newsletter on her website:
www.carolpouliot.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @cpouliot13
Instagram - @carolpouliotmysterywriter
Facebook - @WriterCarolPouliot
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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot. This book is the fourth in the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

A chance to attend a holiday party at a great camp in the Adirondacks? In 1934? Yes, please! Olivia Watson is excited to join Detective Steven Blackwell, even as it will test her ability to remain in the past away from the house she and Steven share. It's a good thing that their host, publisher Gil Racine, has planned plenty festive activities, as a blizzard arrived along with the guests preventing anyone from leaving. A rousing round of carol singing is stopped abruptly as their host keels over...poisoned. With the blizzard preventing local police from arriving, it's up to Steven and Olivia to begin an investigation. The murderer has to be one of the family or staff, but who?

Death Rang the Bell - A Review

 Review

 

DEATH RANG THE BELL by Carol Pouliot
The Third Blackwell & Watson Mystery

Olivia Watson is excited to spend her first Halloween in 1934. It's fun for the 21st century woman to see the differences as well as the similarities in the way people celebrate the holiday. Her friend, 20th century Detective Steven Blackwell, though happy to attend a Halloween party with her in his time, is waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him, something bad always happens on Halloween. Sure enough, while they are in his house, the duo hear a gunshot. The man across the street has been shot dead in his doorway and Olivia saw the whole thing from the upstairs window. The hunt is now on for the slender man Olivia saw. The question is, did he see her? The biggest fear for both Steven and Olivia, however, is that with Olivia as a material witness, will their time traveling secret be exposed?

This third Blackwell & Watson Mystery finds Olivia spending more time in 1934. No longer a quiet bystander she's making friends and even writing news articles. Lines are becoming blurred and I'm curious as to the ramifications of her actions.

I like that Olivia doesn't actively investigate the murder. She's a sounding board for Steven and even accompanies him and assists with some interviews, but the pursuit of a killer is left to law enforcement. The mystery is deftly crafted with plenty of misdirection and multiple timelines laid out the story, giving both background and motive.

DEATH RANG THE BELL is a Halloween treat with a devil for a villain as a victim, disguises, and a spark of romance.

Currently Reading...

I just started reading Death Rang the Bell by Carol Pouliot. This book is the third in the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series and was released yesterday. 

Olivia Watson is excited to spend her first Halloween in 1934. It's fun for the 21st century woman to see the differences as well as the similarities in the way people celebrate the holiday. Her friend, 20th century Detective Steven Blackwell, though happy to attend a Halloween party with her in his time, is waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him, something bad always happens on Halloween. Sure enough, while they are in his house, the duo hear a gunshot. The man across the street has been shot dead in his doorway and Olivia saw the whole thing from the upstairs window. The hunt is now on for the slender man Olivia saw. The question is, did he see her? The biggest fear for both Steven and Olivia, however, is that with Olivia as a material witness, will their time traveling secret be exposed?

Threshold of Deceit - A Review

Review

THRESHOLD OF DECEIT by Carol Pouliot

The Second Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery

In 1934 the death of the local lothario leads Detective Steven Blackwall into another murder investigation. Could it have been an old girlfriend, an angry husband, or perhaps even his wife who finally had enough of Frankie Russo? Olivia Watson has her own mystery to solve when her elderly friend tells her she has a twin, one she never met, but hopes to find. As Blackwell and his team search for answers Steven and Olivia continue their experiments with time-travel. While Olivia and he have shared evenings together in their house, neither have left its apparent safety, or each other. Olivia is ready to step eighty years in the past and begins to walk the streets and interact with the people of 1934. Will Olivia find the missing sibling? Will Steven find the murderer?

An intricately plotted mystery is the highlight of THRESHOLD OF DECEIT. Lots of suspects and surprises along the way kept my interest piqued. I also appreciated the details included in the investigation, the process of which was fascinating, especially considering the differences police officers faced in 1934 as opposed to today.

Olivia plays a more important role, not only in Steven's life, but in the mystery itself in this second Blackwell and Watson Time Travel Mystery. No longer an interesting side note and a respite for a grieving detective, Olivia and her ideas and opinions have more significance. Her acceptance of the past and how she does her best to fit in is admirable as is her ability to still remain true to herself.

THRESHOLD OF DECEIT brings the past and present together in a unique mystery.

Doorway To Murder - A Review

Review

DOORWAY TO MURDER by Carol Pouliot

The First Blackwell & Watson Mystery

In 1934 in a small town in Central New York Detective Sergeant Steven Blackwell is called in when the Vice-President of the First National Bank and Trust Company is found murdered in his vault. What could Leo Castleman have been doing there, especially with a blizzard raging outside? As Blackwell begins to work the case he notices something strange in his house-the figure of a woman. Thinking he must be working too hard he shrugs it off. But every night he sees her. Then one night, she speaks. 

The "she" who Steven has been seeing and who finally speaks is Olivia Watson, a researcher who happens to live in Steven's house...in 2014. The two subscribe to Einstein's theory that time can fold over. By day Steven investigates the murder in 1934, but in the evening he goes home and visits with Olivia.

DOORWAY TO MURDER has two distinct parts, only one of which is a clear cut mystery. Steven Blackwell's section in 1934 is the most captivating of the two. In fact, the book would have been just as good without Olivia and the time-travel concept. While I was originally thrilled with the idea of 2014 overlapping 1934 and people from each time period reacting to the other, the reality of it didn't match my expectations. Olivia's story, while interesting, didn't bring a lot to the table. While she didn't play much of a part in the mystery itself, Olivia did wind up making a huge difference, and may have changed history by one small act.

I really enjoyed the mystery of the murder of the branch manager and the methods the police department of the time used to investigate it. I found the characters in the first Blackwell and Watson Mystery to be engaging and the widow was especially intriguing.

With a captivating time-travel hook DOORWAY TO MURDER is a promising start to a brand new series.

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Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001048955645

https://www.pinterest.com/cpouliot13/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17785867-carol-pouliot

Purchase Link:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carol+pouliot&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Doorway to Murder by Carol Pouliot. This book is the first in the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

Detective Sergeant Steven Blackwell is called in when the Vice-President of the First National Bank and Trust Company is found murdered in his vault. What could Leo Castleman have been doing there, especially with a blizzard raging outside? As Blackwell begins to work the case he notices something strange in his house-the figure of a woman. Thinking he must be working too hard he shrugs it off. But every night he sees her. Then one night, she speaks.

An Interview with Carol Pouliot

I'm pleased to welcome Carol Pouliot to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Carol pens the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

Kathy: The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series brings a detective from 1934 together with a woman from the present day. Have you ever dreamed about traveling through time yourself?

CP: Yes. I’m fascinated by ancient Egypt and have read all of Pauline Gedge’s books. It would be amazing to visit during the time of the pharaohs, when the Pyramids were being built, and when Hatshepsut’s temple was constructed. Hatshepsut is one of my heroes.


Kathy: What made you choose the 1930s as your era? If you were to travel through time yourself would you pick this time period or sometime else?

CP: I am drawn to the Golden Age of Travel. I picture myself packing trunks, suitcases, and hatboxes and boarding a sleek ocean liner or train. The 1930s would be my first choice if I were to travel into the past. I’d want to be in Europe and take the Simplon Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul.


Kathy: If you were to meet someone from another time period in your house, would you prefer to introduce him to your world or visit his?

CP: I’d want to visit his. That’s why I chose to have Olivia make increased visits into Steven’s time. In books 2 and 3 in the series, Threshold of Deceit and Death Rang the Bell, Olivia spends a lot of time in 1934. I’m sure from Steven’s point of view, he’d rather spend more time in the future, but his murder investigations keep him pretty much in his own time.


Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?

CP: Like so many of us, I read all the Nancy Drew books when I was a kid. Later on, I fell in love with Agatha Christie’s mysteries and proceeded to read all of those. As a reader, I enjoy solving the puzzle, looking for clues, and trying to figure out not only who but also why the crime was committed. Now, as a writer, I like the challenge of creating the plot and sprinkling the story with real clues−and red herrings!


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CP: I wrote two memoir-type pieces for Victoria magazine. When I sat down to write the first one, a real sense of satisfaction washed over me. I knew I had to spend the rest of my life writing. I’ve recently been convinced to write a blog on my updated website that launches soon. I’ve been enjoying that a lot. It allows me to be creative in a different way. I plan to post one each month. They’ll deal with a variety of topics−New Beginnings, Beer, Writers’ Conferences, Rituals, Art, and Cars−are some of the posts that I’m writing.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CP: My series is The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries. Steven Blackwell, a Depression-era cop, comes face to face with Olivia Watson, a 21st-century journalist, when time folds over in the house they share−80 years apart. They begin a friendship, learn to travel to each other’s time, and eventually Olivia helps Steven uncover the killer, becoming his “partner in crime.”


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

CP: Naturally, I love Steven and Olivia. But, if I had to pick a supporting character it would be Jimmy Bou (short for Bourgogne, pronounced boo.) He’s a young patrolman, extremely enthusiastic about his work. He idolizes Steven, who is his mentor. Jimmy’s awkward but extremely good at his job. He’s loveable, like a puppy, and very funny.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

CP: Yes. When I was teaching I sometimes took a different route to school in the morning. I’d pass a tall brick house, situated alone on a hill surrounded by an extensive lawn. I began to imagine that some kind of otherworldly phenomenon could easily happen there. In that particular isolated location, anything would be believable. I ended up pairing this with my idea of using Einstein’s theory that all time happens simultaneously and time can fold over. When the idea hit me, all of a sudden I could see Steven’s and Olivia’s entire story−all the way to the end of the series.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CP: I wanted to share my stories.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

CP: Ooh! This is an interesting question. I’m not sure if my choices would make for good dinner guests but here goes: Agatha Christie, Honoré de Balzac, Henrik Ibsen, and Martha Grimes.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CP: I just finished all 8 books in Ann Cleeves’ Shetland series and I loved them! A while ago, I was in a used bookstore and came upon three novels by E. Phillips Oppenheim, who was a bestselling British mystery and thriller writer at the beginning of the 20th century. He wrote over 150 novels and is considered to be one of the inventors of the thriller. I’m reading his political thriller The Spy Paramount, which takes place in Europe in 1934.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

CP: Travel is my passion, especially overseas. I still want to go to Tibet and I’d love to visit the Arctic Circle before it’s gone. I like playing cards and board games. I enjoy visiting art and history museums.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

CP: Fresh tomatoes (on the counter, of course), lettuce (artisan or spring mix), natural chunky peanut butter, rye bread.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

CP: At this point, I envision 7 books in the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries. If the series takes off and readers want more, I can do that.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

CP: Talking with people who love my books and meeting other authors. Actually, that’s tied with the creative process. I love coming up with the plots and watching the story unfold!

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Author Bio

Carol Pouliot holds a BA in French and Spanish and an MA in French. She has taught French, Spanish, German, and English. She also owned and operated a translating agency for 20 years in Upstate New York. Carol’s work has appeared in Victoria magazine. She is the author of The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series, which includes Doorway to Murder (Book #1) and Threshold of Deceit (Book #2). She is a proud member of Sisters in Crime. To learn more about Carol and The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mystery series, visit www.carolpouliot.com.


Links

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001048955645

https://www.pinterest.com/cpouliot13/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17785867-carol-pouliot

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