I look forward to reading more of this author's work. Feb 24, Stephanie rated it really liked it Shelves: Another funny mystery cozy set in the area where my sister lives rural MN. Still funny and quirky. Looking forward to the next one. Apr 16, Heather rated it liked it. Thi Synopsis from bn. This is the second book in the Murder-by-Month series. I am not one at all for reading any book, much less cozies, out of order, but I happened to come across this series completely by mistake. A great workout book! Mar 16, Brenda rated it liked it Shelves: June Bug is the second in the Murder by Month mystery series.
Mira and her cat Tiger Pop have settled into the double wide trailer she is housesitting for her friend Sunny and taking care of Sunny's German Shepherd, Luna. When Jason Blunt stumbles into her bedroom drunk, Sunny is not happy to see the man she had a bad experience with as a young college student. Jason lets it slip that he is June Bug is the second in the Murder by Month mystery series. Jason lets it slip that he is back in Battle Lake to dive for the Shangri-La diamond. Local legend has it that a guest staying at the Shangri- La lodge had gone swimming with a huge dewdrop diamond around her neck and when she emerged from the lake the diamond was gone.
Divers had searched to locate the diamond in the past to no avail. The new owners of Shangri-La have started a contest to bring more tourists to the tiny town. In an effort to scoop the rival newspaper and find the diamond herself, Mira dives not only into the lake but the shady behaviors of both locals and tourists.
A fast paced romp with fun, quirky characters. Back in the days of Prohibition, the wealthy Addams family had a lovely lodge built on the shoreline of Whiskey Lake. One summer, a guest reportedly lost a diamond necklace while swimming in the lake.
The necklace was never found. Mira herself is intrigued and dives in search of the neckl Back in the days of Prohibition, the wealthy Addams family had a lovely lodge built on the shoreline of Whiskey Lake. Mira herself is intrigued and dives in search of the necklace; unfortunately, she finds a weighted-down body instead.
A fake shooting and a real kidnapping later, Mira pieces together the connections between the old and new mysteries. I enjoyed this mystery very much—it feels like the series is finding its footing. The Jason-Sunny storyline also bothered me. Looking forward to Knee High by the Fourth of July!!! I snatched this up when it was a Kindle freebie awhile back and just now got around to reading it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it enough to purchase another one while it was a low price waiting for the others to drop a little as well.
It opens with a man from Mira's past, Jason who climbs into bed thinking she's someone else. At first I was a little irritated with her because as other reviewers have said she's a bit spineless when it comes to this jerk but I forgave that when the story got rollin I snatched this up when it was a Kindle freebie awhile back and just now got around to reading it. At first I was a little irritated with her because as other reviewers have said she's a bit spineless when it comes to this jerk but I forgave that when the story got rolling a little more.
Mira has a wonderful sense of humor and wit and I laughed out loud while reading some of her commentary on her fellow neighbors. I also like how there was just enough of Mira's background to be given to give a little insight on the person she was but not enough to drag the story down overall and it opened it up for more to be released in the later books. Come into reading this book with an open mind because I found it to not be like other mystery series and that Mira is special on her own so don't try comparing her of Lourey's sense of writing to other's in the craft and genre and I think you'll enjoy it as well.
I agree with the review which refers to this book as "ribald. Mira works for a small-town newspaper. A very small newspaper.
And she's the town's head librarian. Some local news made the bigger newspapers and the townspeople got wind of it before she did and she, being the reporter, wonders how this news got past her. She uses the library's computer and plagiarizes the story with a slight spin to make it "hers," giving the impression that she was in the know. On I agree with the review which refers to this book as "ribald. One of the locals, an older woman from the elderly home, talks her way into becoming her assistant at the library.
She does more than flirt with the guys. The slightly eccentric female mayor's name is Kennie Rogers and she goes out with the police chief. Mira talks Kennie into flirting with this guy Jason to distract him, and for payback, Mira is set up on a blind date with the chief's friend Ody from out of town who undoes his pants' button to make room for more food. Mira has more than merely an attraction to Johnny who she hires to help with her gardening. She's hoping it's not obvious. This book was okay. Its a mystery that starts out she is dreaming and realizes someone is in bed with her.
Mira is house sitting for her friend Sunny who Jason thought would welcome him. Mira works part time for small town newspaper. She is also the librain. She does not trust Jason. Thier is a big city newspaper that is sponsering a hunt in the lake for fake diamond in a black box and winner gets 5, dollars. Thier is also brought up how in the a women went into the lake with diamond on and came out of the wat Its a mystery that starts out she is dreaming and realizes someone is in bed with her.
Thier is also brought up how in the a women went into the lake with diamond on and came out of the water without it. It was never found also other jewerly from resort was stolen. Mira decides she could use the money so she rents some diving equipment and check out the lake before the contests starts.
Feb 07, Gretchen rated it really liked it. She acknowledges the reality of her iconoclastic heroine's life so far whither Mira goes, bodies seem to follow along with a heartfelt theme of childhood trauma revealed as a driver to the Mira's motivation in life. A simple enjoyable read - might read more from this author. I enjoyed this mystery very much—it feels like the series is finding its footing. Mira has a wonderful sense of humor and wit and I laughed out loud while reading some of her commentary on her fellow neighbors. I also like how there was just enough of Mira's background to be given to give a little insight on the person she was but not enough to drag the story down overall and it opened it up for more to be released in the later books.
Diving by herself she freaks out when she tangles with robe on dead body. It has some twists and turns. Keeps your interests, has some laughs along the way. LOTS of lusty remarks, which I think we could have done without, but no actual explicit sex. Mira is house-sitting for a friend, in the backwoods of MN.
She stumbles upon a decades-old mystery, which as part-time newspaper reporter, she just HAS to figure out. Back in the 20's a lot a jewelry disappeared from the, then, Shangri-la resort.
As an aside, she has the "h LOTS of lusty remarks, which I think we could have done without, but no actual explicit sex. As an aside, she has the "hots" for one of the garden center men, which causes her to be a blubbering, bumbling idiot.
This is a fun book, but as I said, it could do without a lot of the sexual references. Jun 18, Ann rated it it was ok. This book is wrong on so many levels: I could go on. This book attempts to be witty This book is wrong on so many levels: This book attempts to be witty and funny but falls flat. It is an OK read but the mystery isn't good and you know who did it and why so it is not a very interesting read.
I won't waste my time on any of the others. I missed the previous two books in the series, normally I would have looked for them first. Instead, I picked it up on impulse. This book just left me sad and unsatisfied, and wishing I had never read it. Mar 28, Jane rated it it was ok Shelves: Feb 16, Jen rated it it was ok. Train gets stuck in a snowstorm in the Rockies. Kidnapping, murder, missing persons, mafia. Pretty close to terrible. Nov 22, Stephanie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Another excellent mystery, but I'm not convinced that our sleuth would have trusted the one guy on the train that she did.
I cried when a bad thing happened. You'll know the spot when you read it.
Mar 13, Debbie rated it liked it. Clever mystery full of fun, quirky characters. The author has a delightful sense of humor and combines it well with the story line. Aug 03, Sue T rated it it was ok Shelves: This was my least favorite of the Murder-by-Month Mysteries. It seemed to drag on and on. Feb 04, OpenBookSociety. I could not help notice that throughout most of the book, I had a smile upon my face. I even burst out into laughter periodically. I quite enjoyed the scene where Mira has agreed to one dance only with Chad and then a mishap occurs…. Mira trips and lands face first …: It should not be attempted by amateurs, but if you find yourself cornered, here is the key rule: I preferred them frozen, and I had a method for eating them.
I smoothed down my skirt, surreptitiously checking for any lady boners. Nope, I was good. I was kept guessing until the end as well. A couple of twists that I did not foresee! And Mira is reunited with her boyfriend Johnny. Jed is a lovable character, whose heart is in the right place. Jed is always happy to provide assistance whenever he can to Mira and Mrs. Berns — she is definitely a character! Her sense of humor is interesting and she also has some sage advice for Mira. Having crossed Canada via train, I could easily sympathize with the patrons of the Valentine Train, being stuck on a train that is not moving due to snow with a murderer on board!
Having the three interact was intriguing and fun to see how they each approached the murder. Each with different sleuthing styles. As a first time reader of Jess Lourey, I was pleasantly surprised to find that her sense of humor combined with the mystery aspect meshed really well with what I am looking for in novels of this genre.
A very entertaining cozy mystery which I most certainly will go back and read the entire series from book one: Feb 22, Lisa rated it really liked it. This is the 10th book in the Murder-by-month series. Probably not the best idea to read first as I did because this one does refer to other mysteries.
The main character, Mira is a librarian with an tendency to stumble upon dead bodies. She goes on a cros country Valentines themed train excursion with two friends and she becomes wrapped up in a murder on the train. I loved the widdiness of the character's This is the 10th book in the Murder-by-month series. I loved the widdiness of the character's voices vs. The building of suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, but there were a few strange things that were presented, never explained, and likely added just to throw the reader's suspicions toward a certain suspect.
Well let's just say you won't see it coming, and now I have to read the rest of the series. Oct 21, Reggie Billingsworth rated it really liked it. Jess Lourey has done it again with applomb, humour and her wonderfully original style. She acknowledges the reality of her iconoclastic heroine's life so far whither Mira goes, bodies seem to follow along with a heartfelt theme of childhood trauma revealed as a driver to the Mira's motivation in life.
Laugh out loud social commentary, a specialty of Lourey's, punctuates the plot as it wanders just a tad mid-book, but pulls into a dramatic finale which also reminds us that while the jokes are th Jess Lourey has done it again with applomb, humour and her wonderfully original style. Laugh out loud social commentary, a specialty of Lourey's, punctuates the plot as it wanders just a tad mid-book, but pulls into a dramatic finale which also reminds us that while the jokes are there, the nastiness of life always lurks in the corner. All fans hope Lourey will continue to round out this Murder by the Month series and I'm sure there are bets being taken for the last two remaining titles: Then "April Fool", Mira is happier and more accepting of her mad fate and really loses it, taking out all manner of real or imagined evil ones!
All indications seem to be that Lourey could commendably build a fair but also impressive conclusion for what has emerged as a hugely entertaining and unique series. Sincerely hope JL can wrap it up in her own inimitable way. Can't wait for the next one. Feb 11, Angela rated it really liked it. Holy Moly, Jess Lourey! Here I thought I was embarking on another cozy mystery, threaded with a teensy bit of romance and some humor. The writing rocks, too. My Holy Moly, Jess Lourey! My favorite line about being stuck in a snowstorm: After the halfway mark, however, things got serious.
By the end of February Fever I was crying like a baby. Mira may have solved the mystery on the train, but she also brought full-circle some unresolved heartaches. Writing a funny mystery that naturally turns serious takes talent. Ending same book with a funeral takes guts. When can I read the next book?! NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mar 18, Karen rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was nominated for a Lefty, so I was anxious to read it as part of my due diligance before voting. I usually do not jump into a series at the end, but I am hoping that it will not affect my reading of the earlier books in the series, as I did enjoy this one and look forward to more.
I understand that Mira is faced with finding corpses at the rate of one a month back home. In order to break t This book was nominated for a Lefty, so I was anxious to read it as part of my due diligance before voting. In order to break this trend she takes a Valentine Day Train across country, and, yes, finds another dead body in the compartment next door.
May Day (Murder-by-Month Mysteries, No. 1) [Jess Lourey] on Knee High by the Fourth of July: Hot and Hilarious (A Mira James Mystery). Jess Lourey. November Hunt (The Murder-By-Month Mysteries) [Jess Lourey] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com June Bug: Hot and Hilarious (A Mira James Mystery) . this to enjoy this book, ( the series starts with May Day) but I highly recommend reading the entire lot.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Mira is likeable, even if Mrs. Bern is not very. The plot is straight forward, no flashbacks and time travel. I know my Mother appreciates that in a mystery. With something of her own to hide, Mira hopes she can avoid the police long enough to track down the object of her mega-crush—but is Mira trailing a statue-thief, a kidnapper, or a murderer? I enjoyed every page! A great read by a talented author. Maybe it's time for me to leave this crazy town, hightail it back to Minneapolis, and become a cat-collecting, fist-shaking, asexual English professor Furious after being stood up by local hottie Johnny Leeson, Mira decides to abandon Battle Lake, Minnesota, where the women are churchgoers, the men like to hunt, and the body count is above average.
But when a cheerleader bites the dust, Mira loiters long enough to snoop. Before ditching Battle Lake, Mira is hell-bent on confronting her own demons and catching a killer. The festival fun is riding high until the newly crowned Milkfed Mary, Queen of the Dairy, a Battle Lake native, is brutally murdered while her regal likeness is carved in butter. Can Mira James, covering the fair for the Battle Lake Recall, expose a deadly State Fair secret and win a blue ribbon for caging a killer? You bet your last deep-fried Nut Goodie! Beer and polka music reign supreme at Octoberfest, Battle Lake's premier fall festival.
To kick off the celebrations, the town hosts a public debate between the two congressional candidates: But the festive mood sours when a well-known Glokkmann-bashing blogger is found dead. Get started on this Lefty-nominated series if you've previously missed it! Great fun to read and loaded with humor. Libraries will want the entire series! November in Battle Lake, Minnesota, is cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table. When Tom Kicker is killed in a hunting accident, Mira James is hired to investigate—a job that brings her closer to a P.
Braving subzero temps and shrieking blizzards, Mira uncovers a decades-old scandal that has never quite died, unlike the cold stiffs who are piling up in the town morgue. As she pieces together the clues, Mira discovers that Battle Lake's good-old boys have been up to some bad business. But with threats and enemies around every icy corner, she may not live long enough to expose the truth.