Craks in a Marriage
Mah Jongg Mysteries Book 1
by Barbara Barrett
Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
 |
Talking about this book? Be sure to tag it using #CraksInAMarriage #NetGalley |
Description
When Sydney Bonner overhears a fellow mah jongg player arguing on the
phone with her husband, she realizes the couple’s “perfect marriage”
isn’t all it appears to be. A few days later, the husband is found dead,
his head bashed in. Fearing she’ll be considered the most likely
suspect, the widow prevails upon Sydney and her three friends—Marianne,
Kat and Micki—to find out who really killed him.
Though none of
these four fun-loving, take-charge retirees has any training as
detectives, the women agree to launch a secret investigation. As they
dig under the happy veneer of their community’s social life, they find
more than enough suspects, from shady ladies to resentful golf buddies,
to keep them looking over their shoulders.
Could the murderer be
lurking among the talent in a chaotic production put on by Sydney’s
husband, who will do anything to keep busy in retirement? Could the
sheriff, who may have more than a professional interest in chanteuse
Kat, end up pinning the crime on the women instead? Each discovery
during their investigations and their weekly mah jongg game keeps them
running as they close in on the killer—but the killer may also be
closing in on them.
This cozy mystery, the first in the Mah Jongg Mystery series, features
four retired amateur sleuths who live in the small Florida town of
Serendipity Springs, all female and all friends who play the game of mah
jongg together. Though they don't set out to investigate murder, after
their first experience in this story, others start looking to them to
help investigate subsequent homicides and questionable accidents. In
this first book, Sydney Bonner takes the lead, although she turns to her
three friends for help. Though this series features four protagonists,
the others will take the lead in subsequent stories. Two are married,
one is divorced and the fourth, who has been single all her life while
she tended to her ailing mother, now finds herself the object of the
sheriff's attention in this series.
The four don't seek out
murder; somehow the circumstances and those affected drag them in.
Meanwhile, as they attempt to gather information, life goes on in their
community in such activities as a women's club, a social group for those
over 50, real estate transactions, numerous stops at the local
coffeehouse, and even a shopping trip to Naples. Sydney's husband, Trip,
and her friend Marianne Putnam's husband, Beau, are golf buddies who
spend many a day on the course. When not there, Trip is busy seeking to
build a new post retirement life, and Beau is often prevailed upon to
join in Trip's latest activity, which in this first book is a town
follies. Kat Faulkner has lived a frugal life until winning big in a
lottery shortly after her mother's death; suddenly, Kat has money and
doesn't know how to spend it. But her divorced friend and freelance
writer, Micki Demetrius, does, even if it's to guide Kat through a
makeover and wardrobe change for her lounge act.
This cozy mystery is the first book in the Mah Jongg Mystery series.
Barbara Barrett is already published in contemporary romance. She is a
member of the Mystery/Romantic Suspense chapter of Romance Writers of
America. Like her protagonists, she is retired and is a resident of
Florida, although she spends her summers in her home state of Iowa. She
spent over three decades as a human resource management analyst with
Iowa state government. She can be contacted at
barbarabarrett747@gmail.com. Check her website at
barbarabarrettbooks.com.
When Sydney Bonner overhears a fellow mah jongg player arguing on the phone with her husband, she realizes the couple’s “perfect marriage” isn’t all it appears to be. A few days later, the...
Description
When Sydney Bonner overhears a fellow mah jongg player arguing on the
phone with her husband, she realizes the couple’s “perfect marriage”
isn’t all it appears to be. A few days later, the husband is found dead,
his head bashed in. Fearing she’ll be considered the most likely
suspect, the widow prevails upon Sydney and her three friends—Marianne,
Kat and Micki—to find out who really killed him.
Though none of
these four fun-loving, take-charge retirees has any training as
detectives, the women agree to launch a secret investigation. As they
dig under the happy veneer of their community’s social life, they find
more than enough suspects, from shady ladies to resentful golf buddies,
to keep them looking over their shoulders.
Could the murderer be
lurking among the talent in a chaotic production put on by Sydney’s
husband, who will do anything to keep busy in retirement? Could the
sheriff, who may have more than a professional interest in chanteuse
Kat, end up pinning the crime on the women instead? Each discovery
during their investigations and their weekly mah jongg game keeps them
running as they close in on the killer—but the killer may also be
closing in on them.
This cozy mystery, the first in the Mah Jongg Mystery series, features
four retired amateur sleuths who live in the small Florida town of
Serendipity Springs, all female and all friends who play the game of mah
jongg together. Though they don't set out to investigate murder, after
their first experience in this story, others start looking to them to
help investigate subsequent homicides and questionable accidents. In
this first book, Sydney Bonner takes the lead, although she turns to her
three friends for help. Though this series features four protagonists,
the others will take the lead in subsequent stories. Two are married,
one is divorced and the fourth, who has been single all her life while
she tended to her ailing mother, now finds herself the object of the
sheriff's attention in this series.
The four don't seek out
murder; somehow the circumstances and those affected drag them in.
Meanwhile, as they attempt to gather information, life goes on in their
community in such activities as a women's club, a social group for those
over 50, real estate transactions, numerous stops at the local
coffeehouse, and even a shopping trip to Naples. Sydney's husband, Trip,
and her friend Marianne Putnam's husband, Beau, are golf buddies who
spend many a day on the course. When not there, Trip is busy seeking to
build a new post retirement life, and Beau is often prevailed upon to
join in Trip's latest activity, which in this first book is a town
follies. Kat Faulkner has lived a frugal life until winning big in a
lottery shortly after her mother's death; suddenly, Kat has money and
doesn't know how to spend it. But her divorced friend and freelance
writer, Micki Demetrius, does, even if it's to guide Kat through a
makeover and wardrobe change for her lounge act.
This cozy mystery is the first book in the Mah Jongg Mystery series.
Barbara Barrett is already published in contemporary romance. She is a
member of the Mystery/Romantic Suspense chapter of Romance Writers of
America. Like her protagonists, she is retired and is a resident of
Florida, although she spends her summers in her home state of Iowa. She
spent over three decades as a human resource management analyst with
Iowa state government. She can be contacted at
barbarabarrett747@gmail.com. Check her website at
barbarabarrettbooks.com.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781948532013 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Amy F, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
This book is the first in the new Mah Jongg Mysteries, set in Serendipity Springs, Florida. Sydney, Kat, Marianne and Micki are friends who play mah jongg at one table together and are enjoying their retired life in this quiet town. Olivia Schwimmer plays at another table and doesn't socialize much with the other ladies; she is a more competitive player. All of that changes when Olivia's husband is found murdered off of a path in broad daylight. When Olivia asks Syd and the other three ladies to investigate who might have killed her husband, the women begin to discover how many cracks are in the Schwimmer marriage. But Olivia is not the only one with a motive. The ladies find leads that the Sheriff can't seem to uncover, much to his dismay. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read. It was different to have four protagonists. While the book description states that Syd is the lead, the other characters are well-developed--especially for the first in the series. They had nice, identifiable personalities and I wanted to pull up a chair and join them for a cup of coffee. The mystery had some nice twists and a couple of red herrings. While most of the book was at a comfortable pace, I felt like the ending was too rushed. **Thanks to NetGalley and Backlit PR for a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary.. |
My Recommendation
|
Rhonda C, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Loved that the characters were seniors. Kudos to Barbara Barrett for casting the Mah Jongh Mysteries with smart senior characters. They were likable and just eccentric enough to be realistic and interesting. I liked that some of the characters like Sydney are married and others( you'll see who) may be finding love in their later years. The mystery was well thought out and compelling and I loved that I hadn't figured out the murderer too soon in the book. Definately a fun entertaining read. I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley. |
My Recommendation
|
Kristin S, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Very enjoyable book. I liked that the story focused on a group of people, but my addled brain had trouble keeping everyone straight. The mystery was really good. Fun read! |
My Recommendation
|
aleksandra r, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Craks in a Marriage is the first book in Mah Jongg series by Barbara Barrett. Here we meet four ladies Syd, Kat, Marianne and Micki a devoted players of Mah Jongg. In their group there is a woman named Olivia whose husband turns up dead. It is immediately obvious that he was murdered and as always the first suspect is a wife. Olivia claims she did not do it, admits she susected her husband of having an affair and asks her Mah Jongg friends to investigate. Reluctantly ladies accept but it turns out that Olivia has been keeping secrets. A formidable chief has his eye on the ladies, especially Kat, suspecting they are up to no good. Interesting story, reasonably paced and not too detailed. Likable, congenial characteres in realisticaly presented situations, behaving as amateur sleuths should act. Judging by the first book this series has a chance of becoming one of the great mystery series. |
My Recommendation
|
Cheryl S, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
I know nothing about the game of mah jongg, so I was interested to learn about it along with this story, Well written and well rounded characters that I want to have a conversation with. Enjoyed the twists and turns trying to figure it all out. |
My Recommendation
|
Patty A, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Craks in a Marriage by Barbara Barrett, is the first book in Mah Jongg series. A fun group of seniors, Kat, Syd, Marianne and Micki, help co player Olivia solve her husbands murder before she is arrested. This book is a fun read, with intelligent older women. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love fun cozy mysteries like I do, than I recommend this book. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. |
My Recommendation
|
Jeri C, Librarian
|
My Recommendation
|
|
For Ms. Barrett's first voyage into cozy mystery writing she did a fine job! For me, this book combined two of my favorite things: Mah Jongg and mystery. Welcome to Serendipity Springs, Florida. You will meet four fun and fabulous retired ladies who get together once a week for a game of Mah Jongg. When another woman's husband is murdered they work to uncover who could've murdered him before his wife is arrested for the crime. |
My Recommendation
|
Anna Maria G, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
I really liked this book! I liked the cast of characters, their friendship and the description of the live in the town. The mystery was quite good and kept me guessing. Strongly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley |
My Recommendation
|
Read an Excerpt
Craks in a Marriage
Barbara Barrett
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781948532013 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Amy F, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
This book is the first in the new Mah Jongg Mysteries, set in Serendipity Springs, Florida. Sydney, Kat, Marianne and Micki are friends who play mah jongg at one table together and are enjoying their retired life in this quiet town. Olivia Schwimmer plays at another table and doesn't socialize much with the other ladies; she is a more competitive player. All of that changes when Olivia's husband is found murdered off of a path in broad daylight. When Olivia asks Syd and the other three ladies to investigate who might have killed her husband, the women begin to discover how many cracks are in the Schwimmer marriage. But Olivia is not the only one with a motive. The ladies find leads that the Sheriff can't seem to uncover, much to his dismay. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read. It was different to have four protagonists. While the book description states that Syd is the lead, the other characters are well-developed--especially for the first in the series. They had nice, identifiable personalities and I wanted to pull up a chair and join them for a cup of coffee. The mystery had some nice twists and a couple of red herrings. While most of the book was at a comfortable pace, I felt like the ending was too rushed. **Thanks to NetGalley and Backlit PR for a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary.. |
My Recommendation
|
Rhonda C, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Loved that the characters were seniors. Kudos to Barbara Barrett for casting the Mah Jongh Mysteries with smart senior characters. They were likable and just eccentric enough to be realistic and interesting. I liked that some of the characters like Sydney are married and others( you'll see who) may be finding love in their later years. The mystery was well thought out and compelling and I loved that I hadn't figured out the murderer too soon in the book. Definately a fun entertaining read. I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley. |
My Recommendation
|
Kristin S, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Very enjoyable book. I liked that the story focused on a group of people, but my addled brain had trouble keeping everyone straight. The mystery was really good. Fun read! |
My Recommendation
|
aleksandra r, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Craks in a Marriage is the first book in Mah Jongg series by Barbara Barrett. Here we meet four ladies Syd, Kat, Marianne and Micki a devoted players of Mah Jongg. In their group there is a woman named Olivia whose husband turns up dead. It is immediately obvious that he was murdered and as always the first suspect is a wife. Olivia claims she did not do it, admits she susected her husband of having an affair and asks her Mah Jongg friends to investigate. Reluctantly ladies accept but it turns out that Olivia has been keeping secrets. A formidable chief has his eye on the ladies, especially Kat, suspecting they are up to no good. Interesting story, reasonably paced and not too detailed. Likable, congenial characteres in realisticaly presented situations, behaving as amateur sleuths should act. Judging by the first book this series has a chance of becoming one of the great mystery series. |
My Recommendation
|
Cheryl S, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
I know nothing about the game of mah jongg, so I was interested to learn about it along with this story, Well written and well rounded characters that I want to have a conversation with. Enjoyed the twists and turns trying to figure it all out. |
My Recommendation
|
Patty A, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
Craks in a Marriage by Barbara Barrett, is the first book in Mah Jongg series. A fun group of seniors, Kat, Syd, Marianne and Micki, help co player Olivia solve her husbands murder before she is arrested. This book is a fun read, with intelligent older women. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love fun cozy mysteries like I do, than I recommend this book. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. |
My Recommendation
|
Jeri C, Librarian
|
My Recommendation
|
|
For Ms. Barrett's first voyage into cozy mystery writing she did a fine job! For me, this book combined two of my favorite things: Mah Jongg and mystery. Welcome to Serendipity Springs, Florida. You will meet four fun and fabulous retired ladies who get together once a week for a game of Mah Jongg. When another woman's husband is murdered they work to uncover who could've murdered him before his wife is arrested for the crime. |
My Recommendation
|
Anna Maria G, Reviewer
|
My Recommendation
|
|
I really liked this book! I liked the cast of characters, their friendship and the description of the live in the town. The mystery was quite good and kept me guessing. Strongly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley |
My Recommendation
|
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