Miriam, the Grand Old Lady Detectives, & Charly’s Angels take on a cold case that will have you wondering what the dickens is going on until the very end!A cold case doesn’t stay cold for long when Miriam and her Grand Old Lady Detective [G.O.L.D.] pals take on a new mystery to solve. Charly’s old friend, Judith Rogow, asks for her help in locating her ex-husband’s grave. A Vietnam War … Vietnam War veteran, Allen Rogow survived the war and returned home only to disappear several years later. Although evidence pointed to foul play, the police never found his body and Allen Rogow’s disappearance remained an unsolved mystery. That all changes when an ex-convict makes a deathbed confession claiming someone murdered Allen Rogow and buried his body on Dickens’ Dune.
As the cold case warms up, it becomes clear that Allen Rogow had lots of secrets. Was he killed to make sure he’d take them to his grave? What Miriam soon discovers is that it’s the secrets you don’t know you’re keeping that can sometimes be the most dangerous.
Grab your copy of book 3 in the Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Anna Celeste Burke and join the fun as Miriam and her friends unravel the mystery in Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune.
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Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune is a perfect title for this mystery. A death bed confession that a body was buried on Dicken’s Dune some forty years in the past has Miriam, the Grand Old Lady Detectives, & Charly’s Angels once again embroiled in an investigation. This well written, fast paced mystery and these fascinating characters will grab your attention on page one and not let go until you reach the end. I love my time at Seaview Cottages.
I really enjoyed this mystery. I’m so glad Miriam and Hank are now an item! The grand old lady detectives are a lit of fun.
This is the third installment in the Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery Series, and I suggest that you read them in order to have the best grasp of the characters involved.
The G.O.L.D. (Grand Old Lady Detectives) and Charley’s Angels have just been hired to solve a cold case. This comes hot on the heels of them solving a case dealing with the ghost of Shakespeare while also solving a smuggling ring that was happening in their area as well.
When Judith Rogow asks the GOLD agency to find out what happened to her ex-husband, Miriam Webster and the rest of the ladies with the agency, and Charley’s Angels jump right in. Judith’s ex-husband Allen was a changed man when he came back from Vietnam. Addicted to drugs, he’d been in and out of rehab and jail. Making friends with other addicts, he chose the drugs over his family, and eventually he and Judith divorced. When he came up missing, his ex knew it had to do with the people he’d been involved with. Now she’s ready to know the truth and hires the agency to find out exactly what happened. At the same time, Miriam was confronted by a man with a promissory note she’d never signed and was informed that she owed thousands of dollars because her late husband had signed it and hadn’t paid. Miriam was suspicious of the note, not only because her signature was forged, but because of the spelling errors it contained. Putting that into the back of her mind, she and Neely head out to start their leg of the investigation.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping you on your toes. She blends in multiple suspects, witnesses, and bits of the victim’s past in a way that you keep wondering until the very end. She has a lot of strings to pull in and does a great job unveiling all. I do like the recipes at the end of each book, and the quotes by different authors that run through each story. You can tell that she has done a lot of homework researching the different towns she talks about and makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters.
I can’t wait to start another book by Ms. Burke, she’s a magnificent storyteller.
*I read this book using my Kindle Unlimited subscription
What a good book! I love that the characters are older. I also love the story, the setting and the Dalmatian.
Another winner for Anna Celeste Burke! Miriam and the gang are back in the third book of the Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery series. There are several mysteries in this book: What happened to Allen Rogow in Vietnam? Was he murdered and buried on Dickens’ Dune several years after his return? Who did Jimmy Dunn work for and is Miriam in danger? The twists and turns will keep you guessing “whodunit” until the end.
I love the way each member of GOLD has a unique background/strength that complements the rest of the group and makes them so much more capable when they work together. Even Charly’s Angels have their own unique niche to fill. I truly enjoy books where the characters are middle-aged and beyond and show that people can still be productive regardless of age.
If you enjoy books with likable, competent characters, an engaging plot that keeps you turning the pages, an interesting mystery, humor, and a touch of romance, then I urge you to read Grave Expectations On Dickens’ Dune.
Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune earns 5/5 Cold Case Conundrums…Clever and Engaging!
Curiosity has said to have “killed the cat,” so, why not take a dog with you! Miriam Webster and her trusty “fur” companion Domino go exploring on the dunes, which aren’t really dunes, to see if she can locate the hidden grave of the ex-husband of current client of the G.O.L.D team Judith Rogow. In the early 80s, after returning from Vietnam, Judith’s ex-husband disappeared, but a recent deathbed confession revealed he may have been murdered and buried somewhere on Dickens’ Dune makes this cold case…hot! Hence, Miriam’s ill-conceived trek, the suspicious man watching her, footsteps on the rocks, and Domino’s uneasiness gives her great pause. What has she gotten into? They learn the victim made a promise to take to his grave a secret, a promise he appears to have kept, but what personal perils are still lurking now that the death is being closely scrutinized.
I am a big fan of Anna Celeste Burke’s writing style and creativity, so I’m always ready to read any book she pens. And this Seaview Cottage Mystery series may have become an all-time top favorite with an entertaining writing style from the first-person perspective of Miriam Webster sharing her insights along with descriptive language, humor, and dialogue that illustrates well tone and personalities. But, more importantly, it’s her clever mystery, contemporary themes, wonderful mature characters, a bit of romance, and incorporating links to Charles Dickens’ work through quotes with direct meaning…all keeping me totally engaged. Newbies can easily join in with book three and using the brief bios in the Cast of Character list keeps everyone informed, but the first two books are so clever, you don’t want to miss them. Charles Dickens would have been deliciously inspired by the easy-to-follow recipes that are included: Midge’s favorite Amish Tomato Pie (Intriguing…Gotta try this!), Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Earl Grey Doughnuts with Brown Butter Glaze, Rainbow Antipasto Pasta Salad, Barramudi with Pineapple Citrus Salsa, and my absolute favorite…Crème Brülée.
Another good one from an amazingly creative author. Miriam and her GOLD crew are at it again. In this story, they are asked to find out if a hubby was killed and if his grave was in a bunker on Dickens Dune. This is not the usual ” who done it” kind of story.. Its more of a “where did they put him” ? Yes, Miriam and her gang are always up for a challenge! Do things go as hoped? Nope but thats what makes this story so much fun to read! Definitely recommend to everyone!
the-mob, NamVets, friendship, cozy-mystery
Another twisty mystery involving the G.O.L.D. sleuths and their cohorts Charly’s Angels! The publisher’s blurb is a pretty good hook, but you really have to read it! Each book works as a stand alone, but they are so good that I snuffled them all.
Seaview Cottages is a retirement community where seniors (at least most of them are over the required age) are anything but coach potatoes!! As a matter of fact they are probably more inquisitive and active then many of the younger people out there–much to the Sheriff’s distress!! They use very unique methods of getting to the bottom of mysteries! This group of women decided to call themselves The Grand Old Lady Detectives (G.O.L.D. for short) and now will help people solve the mysteries in their lives. Of course Charly’s Angels (2 of the men who have attached themselves to the group) are instrumental in helping as well. Miriam’s dog–Domino–is in on the action and is really good at digging up clues and protecting all the ladies and men. Domino is also much better at knowing immediately if a person is a good guy or bad!!
Allen Rogow disappeared years ago, One of his friends made a deathbed confession saying that Allen was murdered and his body buried on Dicken’s Dune– and his wife would really like to know the truth!!
The Ladies get right on the case. Trouble starts when Miriam takes a walk with Domino up to the Dune–
Twists and turns and secrets are revealed left and right!! Of course–these ladies all have meetings that include food at alternating cottages–and the food and baked goods sound so good. (Recipes at the end of the book!)
This is a very enjoyable, easy read series each of which can be read as a stand alone–but you might really want to read them in order as the character’s do overlap as does the story line.
In this third installment of the Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery series is an absolute slam dunk! The author has several mysteries going on in this one and the twists and turns keep you guessing. The book moves at a fast pace as the pages just fly as you become engrossed in the wonderful story.
This book is about a cold case that the GOLD team is hired to investigate for Judith Rogow the death of her ex-husband, Allen Rogow. More precisely had he been murdered and buried somewhere on Dicken’s Dune, what happened to him in Vietnam, these are some of the questions that the team needs to find the answers to. The information that was received by Judith was from a deathbed confession; is it truthful?
Miriam Webster, along with her Dalmatian, Domino, decided to go investigate. Miriam, soon had unwanted company, and she had to make a hasty retreat. Later she is accosted in front of her home by someone from her late husband’s past demanding money. She knows nothing about it and the man shows her a promissory note for $10,000 with her and Pete’s signatures. He tells her his name is Jimmy Dunn and he wants the money now. Who did Jimmy Dunn work for and is Miriam in danger? With a cold case, to solve, and keeping a watch for others who might target Miriam, the gang has a lot on their plate.
The GOLD team and Charley’s Angels are working at a breakneck speed to find the answers for Judith as well as watching out for Miriam. With the help of Detective Hank Miller they are working around the clock to solve this cold case and make sure Miriam is safe. As the team soon discovers Allen Rogow was really murdered, but by whom and for what reason. Where is the body? The answers to these questions are found in the book which I highly recommend that you read.
I have read Anna Celeste Burke’s books from the beginning and have to say that this series is one of my favorites. The characters are so much fun; they are witty, smart and always bring a smile as I read about the trouble they get themselves into. No matter what the team sticks together and are truly friends. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book
The G.O.L.D (Grand Old Lady Detectives) made up of Miriam Webster, Charly Parker, Neely Conrad, Marty Monroe and Midge Gaylord, take on a dated crime where from Leonard Cohen’s deathbed confession has lead them to Dickens’ Dune.
Judith Rogow, who hired the G.O.L.D, was a new client who had been told that her ex-husband, Allen Rogow, had been murdered and buried somewhere on Dickens’ Dune. Miriam Webster, along with her Dalmatian, Domino, decided to go investigate. Miriam, soon had unwanted company, and she made a hasty retreat.
A cold case, and info from a deathbed has the G.O.L.D digging up and turning over every little stone.
When, Miriam Webster, is accosted in front of her home by someone from her late husband’s past. Miriam is told to lie low, so the gang splits up with Miriam and Neely going to Luis Obispo to visit a halfway house, where Allen Rogow had lived.
With a cold case, to solve, and keeping a watch for others who might target Miriam, the gang has a lot on their plate.
This was an interesting read with many variables involved to keep you guessing!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
“Death is a mighty, universal truth.~Charles Dickens”
The Grand Old Lady Detectives and “Charly’ s Angels” are at it again when they agree to meet with the ex wife of a long dead Vietnam Vet who may have died near Dickens’ Dune off the Seaview Cottages near where most of them live. And leave it to Miriam Webster and Domino , her trusty canine companion to have discovered the connections as she is confronted by still another “situation” her late husband kept from her, and the man confronting her is found dead.
The personal and professional become intertwined as the case they investigate takes them into what begins to feel like and old gangster movie with is much lawyers, missing pieces, drugs, guns and secrets no one could believe it was truth until the key to the whole situation fits the pieces together.
The GOLD gang has solved another cold case with their unusual unorthodox approach to solving mysteries. How Anna Celeste Burke does it is beyond me but in the end, she always keeps the reader entertained, from beginning to end, and then tempts the reader with a few fantastic recipes. Highly recommended. 5/5
[ I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune by Anna Celeste Burke is book three in the Seaview Cottages series and the best one yet!
The plot moved at lightning speed this time as G.O.L.D. takes on a new case of a missing person that happened decades ago. Charly, Miriam, Neely, Midge and Marty are smart, energetic, and more than competent when it comes to ferreting out clues. There is also a subplot as Miriam finds out more about Pete’s financial past missteps that really took a toll on her in this one. The plot was quickly paced with plenty of twists that even though there was an obvious suspect still kept me guessing until the reveal. It turns out that there is so much more to the missing person story. I really love this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
The Grand Old Lady Detectives and Charly’s Angels Tackle a Cold Case
Grave Expectations on Dickens’ Dune is the third book in Anna Celeste Burke’s Seaview Cottages Cozy Mystery series. This book is a quick and easy read, involving a complex cold case mystery. The storyline is well plotted, and the affable characters are well developed. Red herrings, plus twists and turns, are abundant and kept me guessing until the reveal. As always, Ms. Burke has given readers a clean read with delightful and three-dimensional characters and vivid descriptions that made me feel like I was involved with the action along with the characters. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy well-crafted whodunits.
Miriam Webster, Charly Parker, Marty Monroe, Midge Gaylord, and Neely Conrad, who all reside in the Seaview Cottages community, recently banded together as the “Grand Old Lady Detectives” (a/k/a G.O.L.D.), and Carl Rodgers and Joe Torrance, who also live in the community, have dubbed themselves as Charly’s Angels and help with investigations. The Grand Old Lady Detectives [G.O.L.D.] and Charly’s Angels take on a cold case when Charly Parker’s friend, Judith Rogow, hires the amateur detectives to locate ex-husband’s grave. Allen Rogow, Judith’s ex-husband, is a Vietnam War veteran, who survived the war, but disappeared several years after he returned home. Authorities suspected foul play was involved in Allen’s disappearance, but his body was never found, and the case remains unsolved. New facts recently became known when a convict, Leonard Cohen, made a deathbed confession. While Leonard didn’t confess to murdering Allen, if what he said is true, Allen was murdered and buried on Dickens’ Dune. Miriam, her high-spirited Dalmatian, Domino, the other G.O.L.D. members, and Charly’s Angels set out to find the Allen Rogow’s grave, determine if his killer is still, and, if so, alert the authorities bring that person to justice. Things get pretty heated, but the group works together well, and with Domino’s help, they have things under control when Hank Miller, a detective with the County Sheriff’s Department who’s dating Miriam, and other authorities show up. Meanwhile, Miriam has to worry about another problem her deceased husband left for her to clean up.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The GOLD women are back in business. Only this time, the cold case they’re working on his for a friend, . She needs to know what happened to her husband when he disappeared. There’s a death bed confession by a convict that Allen Rogow was murdered by one of his friends and is buried somewhere on Dickens Dune. A bookie who says he works for the mob tries to get money from Miriam and ends up dead. Now, she has a little better idea of all the things Pete was involved in, but she’s worried the mob may be after her to pay his debts. And when the well-known and handsome mob lawyer sends her flowers and chocolates, what does he have in mind.
As with other books in this series, Burke creates older characters with energy and intellect. With all their connections it’s easy for Miriam, Neely, Midge, and Marty to get to the bottom of things. Especially with the help of Charly’s angels. The story is well-paced with subplots, twists and turns, and lots of secrets revealed.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and older, competent protagonists, this one is for you. Although it is the third in the Seaview Cottage series, Grave Expectations on Dickens Dune can be read as a stand-alone or out of order. I always suggest you start at the beginning to experience how relationships grow over time.