Julie Mulhern

I LOVE THIS SERIES! In fact I will go so far as to say, it is my absolute favorite. I read it back in April and just realized that I hadn't written a review.

The characters in this series are so believable - they remind me of my family minus the dead bodies. This book was Ellison and Anarchy settling in to married life only to have a murder happen across the street. Anarchy is investigating but Ellison has all the society contacts to get the background info. And of course, as always, Ellison's mother, Frances, wants her to stay out of it.

well-written, so much fun!… (altro)

The novel is set in 1974, and author Julie Mulhern captures that time period well with occasional passing references to historical events, social mores, and the fashion of the day. I love that Ellison drinks Tab, which was my dad's favorite drink (my mom still has a can of the soda in her refrigerator in his memory). It's touches like that which help me immerse myself completely in a novel.

I liked Ellison's spunk and ability to think on her feet. There is mention that she hasn't always stood up for herself in her marriage or with her mother in the past, but, from what I saw, she makes quite a formidable character. Her husband, Henry, was every bit the moron. And I found her mother extremely overbearing, but it was obvious she loves her daughter. Gossip spreads like wildfire in the country club community and it seemed to work for and against Ellison. There are a number of interesting background characters, many with secrets of their own.

The mystery was well executed. I suspect I figured out who the killer was at just the moment the author hoped I would. Before Ellison but not so soon to say I could see it coming a mile away. I loved the humor throughout the novel--that dry humor that sets just the right tone throughout the novel. This was such an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.… (altro)

Ellison and Anarchy are invited to join a few other Country Club couples at the Fin and Feather, an outdoor club outside the confines of Kansas City. Skeet shooting and fishing are to be the big events during this hot summer weekend. Ellison is grateful for the company of her best friend Libba during this adventure. Several of the men have ties to the same law firm and one morning after his wife returns from an early morning jog, Graham is found shot to death in their cabin. A lawyer, he probably had plenty of enemies, but Ellison quickly realizes that the remote setting means that its' one of their acquaintances that has committed a crime. I can't say enough good things about this series--the author captures this time and place so well, with nods to the societal norms that are being challenged as the decade moves on.… (altro)