Book Title: A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 368 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing
Release date: October 2024
Content Rating: G. No profanity or intimate situations
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Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.
She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state.
When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation.
Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.
A Hush at Midnight is a Fast-paced, Easy-to-Read Page Turner. Don't let the character list at the beginning scare you! The list provides a quick introduction to the characters that helps you place them in their roles, but the story isn't convoluted. There are several characters, but most find their way to firm roles in the storyline. The novel does an excellent job setting the scene for the central mystery and a few subplots while developing her cast of characters into a cast of suspects. The story moves quickly, with enough twists, turns and side stories to keep readers engaged from beginning to end.
The Author Offers a Varied Cast of Characters. I don't always quickly connect with the main characters in Bell's books, and this novel is no exception. I didn't love Laura's personality, but, in true cozy mystery style, she amateur-sleuthed her way through a murder mystery and an instant romance to a successful ending. I did find a few characters to like along the way, and while I didn't love Laura, I enjoyed following along in her adventures and misadventures.
Would I Recommend A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell? If you enjoy mysteries, this one is an engaging, well-developed story for your reading list. It's a little more complicated and involved than a typical cozy mystery--but it still holds the less-than-realistic adventures of a chef turned detective that cozy mysteries are known for! Expect everyone to seem like a suspect, and expect an entertaining read as you try to solve the mystery before the characters do! I enjoy Bell's mystery writing style and would recommend this to cozy mystery fans.
Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch, her fans often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic suspense, thriller, and cozy mystery books as characters or subject matter.
Marlene’s multi-award-winning Annalisse series boasts numerous Best Mystery honors for all installments including the newest IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, and Global Gold Award for the fourth cozy mystery from down under.
A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell Book Tour Giveaway
The book sounds very intriguing. Love the cover.
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