| Title | : | A Tourists Guide to Murder (Mystery Bookshop, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 |
| Publication | : | First published January 26, 2021 |
Sam joins Nana Jo and her Shady Acres Retirement Village friends Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae on a weeklong trip to London, England, to experience the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour. The chance to see the sights and walk the streets that inspired Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle is a dream come true for Sam—and a perfect way to celebrate her new publishing contract as a mystery author.
But between visits to Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel district and 221B Baker Street, Major Horace Peabody is found dead, supposedly of natural causes. Despite his employer’s unfortunate demise, the tour guide insists on keeping calm and carrying on—until another tourist on their trip also dies under mysterious circumstances. Now it’s up to Sam and the Shady Acres ladies to mix and mingle among their fellow mystery lovers, find a motive, and turn up a murderer . . .
A Tourists Guide to Murder (Mystery Bookshop, #6) Reviews
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sam, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae are off to England for a Mystery Lovers Tour, what could go wrong? Well before they even leave the country, Sam oversleeps and they miss their shuttle and have to drive all the way to the airport in Chicago. When they arrive Sam realizes she forgot the pack something very important but Ruby Mae, who reminds me a lot of my dad because no matter where they go they know someone, finds a member of her extended family at the airport to help. But then Irma’s flirtations get them unwanted special attention. They finally make it onto the plane where Sam has a major breakdown but it pays off in the end. They fly across the pond where soon after landing Dorothy creates a little chaos of her own.
Happy to arrive at the hotel it soon becomes apparent that the drama will continue when the namesake of the Mystery Tours, Major Horace Peabody is found dead. The death is ruled to be from natural causes and the tour continues, but when another member of their tour group dies of suspicious means, the ladies from Michigan believe there is a murderer afoot. Channeling the great characters of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle they are going to do what they do best and uncover a killer.
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I love these characters! This time they all seem to get equal time as they tour some fabulous places and meet some interesting people. They had me snickering and laughing out loud several times. I am happy to say London survived their visit even though a couple of the new characters did not. I did miss Oreo and Snickers but I am sure they had plenty of love and care while the ladies traveled hither and yon.
I really enjoy that there are two separate mysteries in each book. The main one set in the present time and the historical one aspiring author Sam is writing that features the occupants of Wickfield Lodge, the English country home of Lord William March. Lady Elizabeth and her niece Lady Penelope are worthy amateur sleuths themselves. Both mysteries are very well-plotted. While Sam’s creative juices flow in her writing it helps settle and order her thoughts regarding the current mystery she is trying to solve. Both mysteries have substantial twists and turns that really kept me on my toes. At first, it was a little hard to read the mystery within the mystery but now I crave it and can’t wait to have the parallel mystery start. It is a clever way to write a book and I find it very entertaining.
The setting this time brought me so much joy. I will never be able to travel the streets of London or the English countryside to walk in the footsteps of the classic mystery authors I have come to love. It was a pleasure to tag along with Sam and the Shady Acres ladies on their journey. Solving a mystery or two and the trip to Scotland Yard were just added delights.
A Tourist’s Guide to Murder was just that. I escaped right into this book and was captivated from beginning to end. Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone but for maximum enjoyment and to get to really know these wonderful characters you should read them all. -
A Tourist's Guide to Murder was another amazing installment in the Mystery Bookshop series that sees our characters head to England.
Samantha Washington, Nana Jo, and the ladies from Shady Acres Retirement Village are headed to London for a weeklong mystery tour. For Sam, it's a dream come true to walk the streets of some of her favorite mystery writers. But after the head of the tour is found dead under mysterious circumstances and another member of the tour dies shortly after, Sam knows something is up. With the help of her friends, Sam sets out to uncover the murderer before the tour takes an even darker turn.
The mystery in this book was very well done and I loved the addition of the mystery tour as it added a very unique element to the story. The different setting was also a nice change of pace. From the start, it's clear that a number of characters have it out for the man who heads the tour company. The author does a great job making you believe any of them could have been the killer. The second murder only made things more interesting and I enjoyed watching Sam try to connect the two crimes. Overall I was happy with the way the case wrapped up. The characters in this series are fantastic and this book was no exception. The Sleuthing Seniors in particular are amazing and I love how each woman brings her own skills to the table allowing the group to cover more ground.
Sam's writing career has taken the next step in this installment as Sam has received an offer to publish her books from a mystery book publishing company. I've enjoyed watching Sam's journey with her writing throughout the series. While on her trip Sam uses any spare moment she can find to write the next novel in her British cozy mystery series. One thing I really enjoy about these books is how Sam uses her writing to work out any theories she has about the real-life case she's trying to solve as the parallels between the cases are always interesting.
Overall A Tourist's Guide to Murder was just as fantastic as the rest of the series and I'm looking forward to future installments.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.** -
A Tourist's Guide to Murder by V.M. Burns was another fun and engaging adventure with Samantha, Nana Jo, Ruby Mae, Dorothy and Irma. It was an incredible opportunity to experience Great Britain and many settings that were featured in mysteries written by many British authors or settings that influenced their writing.
With a well-crafted quickly paced plot, several suspects, a few deft twists and turns that kept me guessing, I didn't put this book down until I finished it. Ms. Burns' descriptive writing has developed the characters so well over these last few books that I feel like I could easily be friends with all of these ladies. Samantha's historical mystery within the mystery was a lovely cozy historical that tied right in with Samantha and the Shady Acres ladies current murder mystery. I look forward to more mysteries with Samantha, Nana Jo, Ruby Mae, Dorothy and Irma.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. -
Michigan, USA. Present day. V. M. Burns’ A Tourist’s Guide to Murder (Mystery Bookshop Mystery #6) finds Samantha Washington, Market Street Mysteries bookshop owner and writer of British historic cozy mysteries, finalizing details for the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour in England that she will be taking her Nana Jo and her friends from the Shady Acres Retirement Village for one week. And what a group this is! Little old ladies they are not! Mystery lovers they are or at least, Nana Jo and Sam are. I believe the others are going for adventure and men! Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack the Ripper are on the itinerary for these ladies, but a murder or two are also included on this tour which is perfect for these women as they love to solve mysteries. The author has fun with these characters, and the reader does too. For example, the Detective Sergeant when referring to her D. I. tells these ladies “I’m sure you noticed that (D.I.) Nelson is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”. What a great line! The setting is England, and the tour visits some places that I know well. Enjoyable! 4.0 stars.
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Tourist's Guide to Murder ia V.M. Burns 6th entry into her Mystery Bookshop cozy series.Sam is a mystery bookstore owner and a historical cozy mystery author. Oh, and along the way, Sam and the girls have solved a mystery or two..In this book, Sam. Nana Jo. Ruby Mae, Irma and Dorothy are off to London England on a mystery lovers tour. They are looking forward to seeing the areas that gave such authors as Agatha Christie, Dick Francis and Arthur Conan Doyle the concepts and the ideas for their novels. Of course, murder is underfoot and the girls divide and conquer to solve the murders. When they put their heads together no one gets by them ! I just love Sam's Nana Jo! Another thing I enjoyed in this book was the background information regarding the authors of old, especially Agatha Christie. The readers should be aware that the historical mystery that Sam is writing is written within the book itself; two mysteries in one - historical and present day. Thanks so much to NetGalley. Kensington Publishing and V.M. Burns for allowing me to read and review this book. The release date is 26 Jan 2021
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★★★★☆
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A Tourist's Guide to Murder (Mystery Bookshop, #6) by V.M. Burns.
I found this book so exciting since I've wanted to take a mystery lovers tour in England and/or Scotland for years. That's just what this story was about. The information inside was well researched by this author. Page 82 reveals that the address 221 B. Baker Street actually never existed. the address for Sherlock Holmes was originally 239 Baker Street but was changed to 221 B. Baker Street after the Abbey National Building Society began receiving mail for sherlock Holmes at their address. They then decided to change their address to 221 B. Baker Street. That was all news to me and so glad to learn of it!
In Chapter 21 we learn how excited Samantha was to arrive at the Grand Hotel in Torquay where Agatha Christie and Archibald Christie spent their honeymoon. The vivid descriptions of the hotels along the tour, the Cotswold (home for many a mystery series) and the landscape made my day.
Of course, the story within this tour with the characters of Sam, Nana Jo and the girls brought me back to a comfy cozy atmosphere. Frank and Sam's relationship seems to be blossoming with possibly a happy future together.
This book with the grand mystery lovers tour brought a smile to my face and hours of enjoyment. -
4.5 stars
“What could possibly go wrong?”
A Tourist’s Guide to Murder is full of humor and heart, with a clever mystery in the coziest of cozy settings – a mystery lovers’ tour of England.
There is much that I love about this series by V.M. Burns, and all of these elements shine in A Tourist’s Guide to Murder. Sam is a wonderful & relatable heroine who is following her dreams, with a great wit and a sharp mind ideal for solving mysteries. But while Sam may be the star of the series, Nana Jo & her Shady Acres gang steal the spotlight often (sorta like the Golden Girls, if the Golden Girls were diverse & knew martial arts lol). This group, along with Sam’s witty narrative, kept me giggling throughout the story.
The mystery was well-done and full of several misdirections and classic red herrings, made all the more cozy by the fact that it’s set on this tour of England, covering authorly locations related to Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, etc. There’s one particular nod to classic mysteries that totally made my day, but I don’t want to say more for fear of ruining your discovery of it when you read this book for yourself. My first suspicions of whodunit proved true but Burns nearly had me convinced of a couple of other suspects before all was said and done.
Bottom Line: I really enjoy this Mystery Bookshop series by V. M. Burns, and A Tourist’s Guide To Murder is my favorite installment so far! The writing voice (also Sam’s 1st person narrative) is witty and engaging, and readers will easily love the characters and the setting. The case is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing, ideal since it’s set on a mystery lovers’ tour of England. I also appreciated that it was free from bad language, which is sadly becoming rarer in the cozy mystery genre. Loved this book & can’t wait for more adventures with this group of ladies!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at
Reading Is My SuperPower -
Love this series! Fun story, and I love the story within a story. Reading about Sam and Nana Jo and the gang is always a fun time. Fantastic read!
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4.5
Another adorable installment.
Love the setting.
The the cast.
Super cute. -
o … The Ladies have planned a trip to London and the surrounding areas for a romp through the locations made famous by Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and their equally famous contemporaries. What could go wrong?
Before they even leave the country, they miss the airport shuttle, almost miss their flight, lose their seats on the plane and their luggage disappears for parts unknown. Just when they try to put it all behind them, the director of the tour company is found dead. Sam tries to resist Nana Jo’s nudging her into investigating the murder, she is on vacation after all, but when a second person is found dead it is time to assemble her investigators and find out what is going on.
First off let me say how much I enjoy the detail given of the tour and its destinations. I will forever be an armchair tourist, as much as I would love to visit these places that mean so much to the authors and stories that started me reading, I will probably never see them first hand.
This story delivers not just one cozy, but two. The first set in modern times starring Sam and her Ladies, and the second in-story historical cozy being written by Sam as the first story progresses. The idea is a bit hard to get used to at first, but it isn’t long before the reader sucked into the twists and turns in both mysteries.
Tucked away in this story are so many little tidbits of Classic mystery. From the wrong turn/witnessing an incriminating disagreement to the almost hidden corners where Sam, in such a Miss Marple-like way, could sit quietly and “accidentally” overhear the occasional bit of drama that may or may not be important. Each and every member of the mystery tour was Christie-classic, cleverly introduced into the story, shrouded in intrigue, dripping with hidden backstory, and not always what they claim to be. Of course, there is the Holmesque inspector to round things off.
Nana Jo and her retirement village friends are vibrant, filling in the corners of this story. They are outrageous, over-the-top, and in your face, and, with their specilialized talents, just about the best team of investigators, any amateur sleuth could want. They kept me laughing and feeling for poor Sam at times. Early in the story, she references “herding cats” and the image never left my head. Some readers collect book boyfriends as they read along, I adopt grandparents of all stripes. I adore the whole bunch of these gals. This is a series more than worth the time it takes to read it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. -
Watch out England, Samantha, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy and Ruby Mae are on the way to take The Peabody Mystery Lover's Tour! Where the ladies go - murder follows! When Major Peabody is murdered along with another tour member, it's up to the ladies to figure out "whodunit" before becoming an Agatha Christie mystery novel come to life!
I loved the location of the book! The descriptions of London and the villages they visited were wonderfully written. The ladies were on point and being in another country did not slow them down in their sleuthing. The book was full of humor and kindness along with mystery - a trademark of the author that I love. The twists and turns of the story reflected the "mystery within a mystery" as Samantha was working on her next novel.
I can't wait for the next adventure!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own. -
Number six in the series does not disappoint, and is my favourite in the series!
The main character is also a writer, so there is a bonus in that there are two mysteries to solve within the book. This is not a distraction from the main story, but a compliment.
The regular cast of characters are so endearing and I love to read about them! I really enjoy the relationship between Sam and Nana Jo. As well, I enjoy Nana Jo’s friends, who are written as smart, full of life and entertaining.
This latest offering takes the main characters to England, and what a treat it is!
The mysteries are well written and kept me guessing!
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. -
Samantha, Nana-Jo and the Shady Acre gang are headed to England to take part in the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour where some of the greats such as Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle walked, lived and wrote.
While on the tour, it seems murder wants to take the forefront of their fun as Horace Peabody is found dead. Now, far from home and their vacation on hold, it's up to Samantha and the girls to do what they do best...get nosy and get to solving the crime.
Man I missed this series!! I just love the characters, the banter between them and the fun they have. The cozy-within-a-cozy is great too as you can see Samantha's mind at work solving the real mystery while she writes. So the question now is...how long is the wait for the next one 😂😂 -
I really enjoy this series, now Sam is on a roadtrip to England with Nana Jo and her lady friends, while she is looking to do research for her cozy mystery writing, you know looking after that crazy senior crew is going to be a full time job and then some. Sure enough a mystery lovers tour turns into a real mystery when not one but two people on the tour turn up dead. Can Sam figure out what happened while keeping her crazy crew safe??? It well worth going along for the ride to find out.
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Samantha Washington is thrilled to be off to England on a Mystery Lovers Book Tour. She'll be researching for her next book - and chaperoning Nana Jo and the ladies from the retirement village. Sam has been preparing for weeks so she's ready for any event. What could possibly go wrong? How about murder! When the owner of the tour company is found dead and the doctor pronounces death by natural causes, Sam is a bit suspicious but doesn't want to get involved. When a fellow tour guest ends up dead, Sam KNOWS it's NOT natural causes! The team assembles to solve the mystery ahead of the inept DI, the Metropolitan Police's answer to Detective Stinky Pit. Can they solve the mystery before an innocent person is arrested and their visit ends?
This is the worst of the series. I was excited to read about a visit to England but this trip reads like a tourist's guidebook to things to see and do without feeling like I was actually there. The writing is super awkward and clunky. Sam is obsessed with describing people's looks, especially their race and ethnicity, figure size. I thought writers have moved beyond that these days. The 1930s set mystery Sam is working on is even more awkward. She knows some historical facts but lacks an understanding of the culture and the mindset of the upper classes of the day. (Also, a Lady does not automatically equal cousin to the King and if she was, she wouldn't be entertaining random people in her own home ). The villain is nasty and horrid by today's standards but he's expressing and doing things many upper class Brits felt was Ok in the between-the-war years. I know it's a first draft but if the murder hinges on one particular revelation, it's a moot point because Sam needs to do more research. Not being familiar with Golden Age British mysteries, I failed to really appreciate the tour but the tour is more of an afterthought- a drive by look and see and move on sort of tour.
Nana Jo and her friends are crazy. That kind of old lady character doesn't appeal to me. Ruby Mae is kind and friendly. I like her the most. Irma is my least favorite. She's man-crazy and flirts with any male that breathes. She doesn't know when to back off and when not to make jokes. She needs to learn the #MeToo movement works both ways. Sam is supposed to be clever but this mystery is too easy to solve. She's always doubting herself and doesn't have enough self-confidence. A little balance between Sam and Nana Jo would be nice.
Major Horace Peabody is the proprietor of the mystery tour. He's bullying, rude, offensive and doesn't care about anyone but himself. He manages to alienate his business partner, his family and some of his guests. It's no wonder he gets murdered. Clive Green, his business partner, has been left out of the decision making process. Mr. Peabody seems Mr. Green as merely an employee to be ordered around at will. That makes Clive angry. Was he angry enough to kill? Prudence Pickelsimer Haberhsam is an overbearing, pushy woman who is clearly used to getting her own way. She claims she knows Major Peabody and they had a liason in the past. He denies it of course. Then she drops a bombshell that gives her a motive for murder! I feel very sorry for her daughter Lavender. Lavender is a meek, mild woman who can't stand up to her mother. Lavender is not allowed a thought in her head without her mother thinking it first. Debra, Major Peabody's niece, arrives to cause a scene. She's a gold digging, vain woman who just wants her uncle's money so she can marry her boy toy, Sebastian. He seems fake and slimy to me- perfect for nasty Debra. However, if he's one of THE Rothschilds, he doesn't need Peabody money! Hannah Schneider is a nice, older Jewish widow who befriends Sam on the tour. Hannah seems kind and she and Sam have a lot in common. I want to like her but since Major Peabody was clearly anti-Semitic, she has a good reason to want him dead.
Other tour guests include Dr. Vincent Blankenship and his wife Tiffany. He's rude, snippy and reluctant to actually do his job when someone is in need. His wife is whiny and lacks an understanding of what her husband's profession means. It's not something you can leave behind at the end of the day. I don't think their marriage is going to survive this trip. Albus Lavington, professor at the University of Saint Andrews, seems like a quiet, mild mannered type but he too has a motive for murder. Oberst Senf, a German businessman who gets on the wrong side of Nana Jo and friends, doesn't seem to have a motive for murder. He's mainly there for entertainment purposes.
The DI is a nincompoop. I thought the Metropolitan police were supposed to be really smart and great? The only character I liked in this book was Moira. She's a better "copper" than her boss.
I honestly don't care about any of these people. I was more into the 1930s story and what the nasty man's secret was that got him killed. I suspected something like that. I skipped ahead to the end of the book halfway through just to find out because it was very late and I was bored.
I was also bothered by the inaccuracies and Americanisms coming from the British characters.
I have to remember NOT to read more of these books, no matter how tempting the blurb sounds and cute the dogs (who aren't even in this novel) look. -
Coffee lovers, come on a journey with Sam, owner of the mystery bookstore she and her late husband always hoped to have and author of the next bestselling series of British historical cozy mysteries. She, her grandmother, Nana Jo, and Jo’s friends from the active senior living community are a real kick to travel with. That includes the kicks that might result from the two ladies with martial arts black belts, or even the octogenarian with the 6-inch stiletto heels. I would want to travel with them at least once, as it is far too funny to miss. These ladies simply get more out of a day than most of us do.
Sam works on her cozy mystery whenever she has spare moments and has been known to fall asleep on her keyboard more than once. One of the reasons she is joining her grandmother and friends on a Mystery Lover’s Tour in England is to do research for the cozy mystery she is writing. I enjoyed reading it as Sam worked on it, first because it is written in the months before WWII began, and second, because the characters and mystery were captivating.
Before the official Mystery Lover’s Tour technically began, the owner of the tour company died. There seemed to be a couple good suspects that Sam and friends saw at the welcome reception for the group of tourists who were a bit outspoken with the arrogant Horace Peabody. His partner claims, however, that the man died of natural causes, and kept to the schedule of the tour. At least until the second death occurred, this time of one of the tourists who had been one of my suspects.
Sam, her grandmother, and friends Dorothy, Ruby Mae, and Irma worked together in their Michigan town to solve murders in the past. Much to the chagrin of the local detective, they were successful! They knew people there, however, and Sam decided that they have no contacts there and she is on vacation, so she will leave this to the locals.
It was not to be, however, as their new friend, a recent widow, quickly became the primary suspect in the murder of the fellow tourist. Detective Inspector Nelson was about as competent as the detective back home, though. His assistant, Detective Sergeant Templeton, who he treats as a secretary, appears more than competent. They couldn’t leave Hannah in the less than capable hands of DI Nelson.
I very much enjoyed watching both mysteries unfold, as I am a fan of both historical and modern cozy mysteries. I also appreciated the tour of parts of England, the incredible historic places the country. Moira Templeton may not be Sam’s biggest fan, but she is brilliant enough to take the help the ladies can give her. Jo, Sam, and their friends are a great bunch of women to spend time with, and I look forward to their next adventure.
Both mysteries were fascinating, and I enjoyed watching them progress. There were twists that I didn’t see coming, one of which was a first time I’ve seen in a mystery. Sam and friends did a great job of sifting through the suspects! The ending was perfect, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy laugh out loud mysteries, British cozies and England, mature sleuths, and the combination of granddaughter and grandmother working together.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review. -
A Tourist's Guide to Murder is the sixth book in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series and continues to entertain me as a reader. I love the characters in this series. They are all diverse and play their own part in each story. This time around, Sam, Nana Jo, and the rest of the ladies from the retirement village are off on an adventure to England. Sadly, murder does not give Sam a holiday, and she finds herself confronted with two murders on her murder mystery tour. We also get a glimpse of Sam's new novel as she takes a break occasionally from solving the murders and sightseeing to write. I love how she wove what was going on in real life into her own cozy mystery. I do have to say that I did miss Dawson, the twins, and the rest of the residents in North Harbor that usually make an appearance in these books. However, the ladies do what they do best and each one takes a role in gathering information to assist Scotland Yard to wrap up the murders. I enjoyed the nod to the classic board game Clue that was included in the plot. There are some nice twists in one of the murders that I didn't see coming and there are a few suspects for the reader to focus on.
I enjoy this series and look forward to seeing what the author has in store next for her readers.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. -
This is a wonderful instalment in the Mystery Bookshop series. Sam, Nana Jo, and their four retired friends are still just as fun but this time they are on a mystery lovers tour of England. I loved traveling to a new location and the tour fit in perfectly with the mystery and the cozy that Sam is writing throughout. It's great to get two mysteries in one book. I like the "fictional" mystery story just as much as the main one. If anything, I wish there'd been more about London and tourist stops. I couldn't get enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. -
Murder!
A Tourist's Guide to Murder has Sam, her Nana Jo, and the rest of the retirement crew on vacation in England . A mystery tour turns into so much more, including lost luggage, a real-life attempt at "Clue", and of course, murder. A delightful benefit from this series is that we get to read Samantha's literary efforts, her mystery series that she set in 1930s England. Two wonderful mysteries for the price of one! -
I am still so in love with this entire series. I think one of my favorite parts is how the main character introduces the reader to other authors. I am looking forward to researching and reading many of the other books VM Burns recommends!
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Wow! This book is so good! It is entertaining, witty, cozy-mysterious, full of unexpected twists and turns, and so-well written! Whenever I picked up "A Tourist's Guide to Murder", I was whisked away on a sleuthing adventure in England, and found myself guessing up until the very end.
This is the sixth book in V. M. Burn's "Mystery Bookshop", but the first I have read, and I definitely think the book can work as as stand-alone novel as well (however, after reading this one, I definitely want to read the others from before too, and hope this series will continue!). Her storytelling is spectacular, and she truly knows how to bring her characters to life right from the start. All of their personalities are distinctly clear, and I could envision and every one. It is so clear the Ms. Burn's is extremely passionate about what she is writing.
Samantha, her grandmother Nana Jo, and some of Nana Jo's friends travel to England to go on a tour specifically designed for lovers of mystery novels. When they arrive, things very quickly start to go wrong, and not everything is at it appears to be. Little could they have expected what occurs, or that they will decide to become involved and try to help solve the case.
I really enjoyed getting to read the snippets of one of the novels that Sam is writing, and felt that is really mirrored what is going on in the story quite well. I think it added to the story, and as the tension begins to build on the tour, it does in her story as well. I found this really interesting!
I do feel that the plot took a little too long to get in to in terms of the characters arriving in England, and to really start moving with the mysteries. I also wish that the author would have delved further into each location, and the history and connection to various authors' mystery works. While it is mentioned and spoken off, sometimes this felt a bit rushed, and I wish we would have seen more of it. I also wish that the two adorable puppies on the cover had more to do with the story in some way. However, even with these things said, none of this took away from my enjoyment of the novel in any way.
If you enjoy cozy-mysteries, I highly recommend this book! I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning to see whodunit, and what and how everything worked out. My mouth dropped quite a few times, and there are clues brilliantly placed throughout that are brought together brilliantly (no spoilers here!).
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book, I so enjoyed it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. -
A Tourist Guide To Murder is the sixth book in the Mystery Bookstore Mystery series by V. M. Burns.
Samantha, Nana Jo, and ladies from Shady Acres Retirement Village are jetting off to England for a mystery tour. After settling into their rooms, the ladies head for the ballroom to get Peabody’s Mystery Tours itinerary, and on their way there, they hear a heated argument between Mr. Peabody and tour guide, Clive Green. As they enter the ballroom, Peabody’s approached by his niece, demanding money so she and her boyfriend can marry, and he is also accosted by another woman who claims that he is the father of her daughter.
When Peabody is found dead in his room, Sam vows not to get involved in the police’s investigation but instead enjoy visiting 221B Baker Street and Agatha Christie’s home. But Nana Jo and her “posse” have other plans and soon convince her that the police need her help. Sam will find help from an unlikely source, that being a young female constable.
I love this series; it’s well written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and very believable. I particularly like the “posse,” they are exciting and funny. Irma is a total hoot, what with her chasing all the men and Sam having to stop her from saying something colorful. I also enjoy Ms. Burns incorporating Sam’s writing of her next novel into the current story, and It’s an interesting way for Sam to work through the present mystery they are working to solve. There were enough twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the end. -
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A TOURIST’S GUIDE TO MURDER (Book 6 of the Mystery Bookshop Mysteries) by V.M. Burns in exchange for an honest review. Sam is the owner of the Mystery Bookshop, a historical mystery novelist, and wrangler of her Nana Jo and senior pals from the Shady Acres Retirement Village. Sam has the opportunity to visit England to research and experience the settings from her books. When Nana Jo and her gang of elderly troublemakers decide to tag along, Sam agrees. After all, how much trouble can they actually get into? As it turns out, a lot. As usual, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae are, in turns, both helpful and exasperating. When the leader of their tour group dies under suspicious circumstances, the group is bothered, but the ruling of natural causes allays their suspicions. However, a second death in the tour group has Sam and her senior sleuths swinging into action. As their tour group dwindles from fatalities, can the group figure out whodunit before the tour bus is completely empty? Also, as usual, we get to read along as Sam writes her newest historical mystery.
I liked this book and the series. I recommend this book to fans of the series. I recommend the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, books, dogs, feisty senior citizens, secondary storylines, family.
#ATouristsGuidetoMurder #NetGalley -
This is the sixth book in this charming cozy mystery series. I have enjoyed each book in the series . As a mystery lover reading a book about a mystery bookstore and a protagnist with a great love of mysteries and books is delightful. I highly recommend this series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity,
Sam and her Grandmother, with friends from the Retirement Village are thrilled to be leaving together for a vacation trip to England for a tour of all the British Crime authors settings in England. A comedy of errors occurs at the airport with all the ladies that leaves them rattled but they are soon on their way and arrive in England with their tour group. When a member of the tour is argumentative and putting everyone on edge its no surprise when he is murdered. Sam and her Grandmother are on the case and soon have clues and suspects abound as they try to enjoy the tour and solve the murder before leaving England.
This was so entertaining. Everyone that enjoys mysteries will love this book and the tour. I enjoyed all the author references and the way the author brought England to life for the reader. The sleuth was very well crafted and kept me guessing to conclusion. I like Sam as a protagnist and all the supporting charcters are likable and add to the story. Very well done to the author. -
When Sam innocently asked, "What could possibly happen?" about her upcoming trip to England with Nana Jo and the girls, she had to have some inkling that craziness and murder would follow. From the airport in Chicago to the airport in England and beyond, this was a roller coaster trip you don't want to miss! Irma was at her hilarious best again, and sweet Ruby Mae seemed to be related to someone everywhere she went just when they needed a friend. And they met a new friend in England that I'd love to see come visit them or at least keep in touch with her.
After a couple of murders, the Mystery Lovers' Tour was turning into the real deal. I was glad that Sam was able to find an ally in the female Detective Sergeant, because her DI co-worker was worse than good old Det. "Stinky" Pitt back home! I didn't really know whodunit, so I enjoyed the ride with my favorite characters. The showdown was exciting--boy, if only Nana Jo had her peacemaker with her! I kind of hope the next book recaps their trip with friends at home. That alone would be hysterical! Love, love, love this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. -
I absolutely loved this book! I love books where the main characters travel and I also love books that put the characters together in a limited space and some Agatha-Christie-style mystery takes place. This book combined both. The main character is in her element, she finds out her book will be published and she’s going to visit the home of her favorite mysteries and mystery authors. The ladies have all joined her and they’re met by a few other nice ladies who, of course, are recruited to help solve the mystery.
There are a lot of characters in the book but they’re all very unique so they’re easy to keep straight. I did have a little trouble keeping the Ladies separate in the story-within-the-story but that wasn’t critical to the story and I still enjoyed it, especially how it parallels the main story.
Because of the number of characters in this series I do think it’s important to read them in order. The entire series is worth the read for sure!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. -
Sam and the gang are off to Jolly Olde England to spend a week in London soaking up the atmosphere of Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This was a great revisit for me, to mentally go back to 221B Baker Street. I didn't want the book to end, I was enjoying it so much. Samantha, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy, Ruby Mae and the rest of the ladies from the retirement village are looking forward to a week of mystery but hadn't envisioned a couple of murders to be included in the tour. As they are no strangers to murder and investigating same, they dive in to track down the killer.
If one mystery is good, having two going at once is even better. Sam is also a cozy mystery writer and her work in progress runs in tandem with their real life investigating. Double the fun. Full of red herrings and lots of twists and turns, this is a very well written and entertaining mystery - as is the entire series.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
