At a masquerade ball to raise money for renovations to Memorial Library, Kellan finds a dead body dressed in a Dr. Evil costume.Did one of Maggie’s sisters kill the annoying guest who’d been staying at the Roarke and Daughters Inn, or does the victim have a closer connection to someone else at Braxton College?As Kellan helps school president Ursula bury a secret from her past and discover the … discover the identity of her stalker, he unexpectedly encounters a missing member of his family. Everything seems to trace back to the Stoddards: a new family who recently moved in.
Between the murder, a special flower exhibit and strange postcards arriving each week, Kellan can’t decide which mystery in his life should take priority. But unfortunately, the biggest one of all has yet to be exposed – and when it is, Kellan won’t know what hit him.
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Once you visit Braxton Campus, you can’t help becoming immersed in the lives of the varied people who populate this quaint setting. Kellan Arywick is a professor with an uncanny knack for sleuthing out murderers—through no fault of his own, and much to the chagrin of the local sheriff. This time around, Kellan agrees to help Braxton College president, Ursula Power, discover who’s stalking her and sending threatening notes. Instead, Kellan ends up with a dead body on his hands, the prime suspect his ex-girlfriend’s sister. Kellan and Maggie have a maintained a strong friendship, so he’s soon up to his neck in trying to find out who did the deed. A stalker, a murder—and that’s only part of what’s going on in this multi-layered mystery.
Complex, but believably presented, the main threads tie up in a neat bow by the time the end arrives. Getting there, however, is quite the rollercoaster ride with suspects presenting themselves at every turn (there is also a few ongoing threads that carry over the series, but in no way leave the reader unsatisfied).
Highlights for me: Kellan’s grandmother “Nana D” is a scene stealer, though there are so many colorful characters in this series, each is given multiple moments to shine. The dialogue is witty and the writing crisp.
An absolute highlight is the masquerade party held to raise funds for renovations to the library. The theme is Heroes and Villains, with guests attending dressed as their favorite hero or villain from literature. I want to go to that party!—minus the murder, of course. Also of note is Kellan’s frenemy relationship with Sheriff April Montague, who finds his meddling in police business annoying to say the least. It’s fun seeing the progression and changes to their relationship.
If you like cozies and whodunits, with vibrant characters and snappy dialogue, this is a series for you! I read this book without reading the first two in the series, but given how enthralled I am, I want to read them all!
“Flower Power Trip” is the third book in The Braxton Campus Mystery Series, but it is also a terrific standalone murder mystery.
The author introduces all his previous characters at the beginning of this book, which helped my ailing memory, before a new journey unfolded.
Kellan Ayrwick is dressed in a very apt Sherlock Holmes outfit at a “Heroes and Villains” fundraiser when the body of “Dr Evil from Austin Powers” is found dead from stab wounds. The principal suspect lies a little close to home, but Kellan follows a series of clues and has his own theories as always.
This is yet another immensely entertaining read, filled with red herrings and endless witty repartee from a wonderful cast of characters.
I chuckled from start to finish. Highly recommended.
a well written and compelling mystery.
Having read the previous two books in The Braxton Campus Mysteries, it was great to catch up with familiar characters, and find how they have moved on in the short time since the last story. Considering that it is only four months into Kellan Ayrwick’s return to the town, he has been kept busy sleuthing. As the police chief, April Montague, keeps mentioning, people do seem to be dropping dead rather more frequently since his return. But is her frosty demeanour towards his intrusion into her investigations beginning to thaw?
With a costume fundraiser and a prominent flower show being organised in the university grounds, it is not a great time for another murder, especially when Kellan stumbles upon it and a possible killer. The official investigation is hampered by lack of evidence and with a tacit agreement from the police chief, Kellan is back to sleuthing to uncover secrets from the past, and shady dealings by both residents some of the newcomers to the town.
Running parallel to the story is the continuing mystery surrounding the death of Kellan’s wife, Francesca, daughter of mobster and his wife Vincenzo and Cecilia Castigliano. Who is sending those nostalgic postcards?
Kellan’s grandmother is as feisty as ever as she prepares for the mayoral election and continues to interfere in the lives of those around her. We are introduced to the extended family of existing characters from the previous book, adding fresh faces and another layer of intrigue to the fabric of the story. After three Braxton mysteries, this eclectic group of people is beginning to feel like a community I would not mind joining.
I pride myself on being able to spot the culprit pretty early on in a murder investigation, but James Cudney introduces enough red herrings to keep us amateur sleuths busy and barking up the wrong tree. The climax to the story was excellent and we have been left with a cliffhanger that encourages a swift purchase of the next book in the series Mistaken Identity Crisis… which is now lined up on my reader.
The author has created characters that are easy to relate to and enjoy and the plot is well paced. The reveals give you only just enough to whet your appetite and keep you guessing until the last page. I recommend that you begin with Academic Curveball and enjoy the same journey that I have been on, getting to know the family and friends of Kellan Ayrwick and the Braxton Campus.
Flower power trip, James J Cudney
This is the third book in the Braxton Campus Mystery series and – although I had not read the two preceding books – (and now wish I had), this was not an issue, as all the characters are explained to the reader when they appear for the first time in the story.
The protagonist, Kellan finds the dead body of a University professor at the library. This is the third corpse that he has stumbled across and the local pólice chief makes it clear that she does not like him meddling in her investigations, although it is more than apparent that she actually needs his help.
Kellan needs to clear Helena Rourke´s name. She is found holding the murder weapon and is believed to be the killer. Kellan, on the other hand, has other suspicions.
The convoluted plot makes just about everyone a suspect and the reader is thrown from pillar to post trying to second guess who the real murderer could be and why.
The storyline has everything, from a wife in hiding, presumed dead, links to the Mafia, long lost relatives, stalkers and a Grandmother running for Mayoress.
The cliffhanger ending leaves the reader wanting more. This is a well-written, entertaining book with just the right amount of humour. Highly recommended.
Once again, Kellan Ayrwick finds himself trying to solve a murder at Braxton College, when, at a fancy dress function he finds a visiting professor stabbed to death
Alarmingly, the person standing over the body, clutching the knife, later proved to have killed the man, is a family friend. She professes her innocence to Kellan and, even though he believes she didn’t kill the man, he keeps getting the feeling that she is hiding something. But he is adamant to get to the bottom of the problem and find the real killer and prove that she is innocent.
However, along the way, there are times when he wonders whether he might have been wrong – maybe the person he was defending was guilty after all. Nevertheless, he continues on his quest to get to the truth, often irritating April, the County Sheriff. But he is beginning to get used to that.
This is a most enjoyable read. I had already read and enjoyed the first two books in the series, so I was sure this one would be just as good – if not better. And, yes I was right. The story-line continues to run well. James J. Cudney has done it again. I thoroughly recommend this novel.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Poor Kellan, he finds another dead body. This time in the courtyard at the Memorial Library during the fundraiser masquerade ball. Crime sure has been on the rise since he came back to town. The body may tie into a situation Braxton’s school president is facing. The school is also hosting a special flower exhibit, one of Kellan’s siblings is back in town, Nana D is running for mayor, and Kellan’s not so dead wife is sending him postcards from places they had traveled together.
Kellan Ayrwick is a protagonist pulled in so many directions this reader almost got whiplash. Thankfully he handles it all pretty well. Some really big things happen in this book in addition to the murder and I need to be very careful because I don’t want to spoil anything.
The story sets a quick pace from the beginning and doesn’t let up even at the end because there is a heartstopping cliffhanger. A story full of twists, the book is practically impossible to put down. I think I suspected everyone at some point in the story, except maybe Kellan. His parents were surprisingly absent from the masquerade ball but that didn’t mean one of them wasn’t hiding in the courtyard. So they were on my list too, like I said, everyone was a suspect in my mind. The author did a great job of keeping his readers guessing.
The characters Mr. Cudney has created are top-notch and continue to grow as this series continues. Nana D. continues to be my favorite. I love the relationship she has with both Kellan and Emma. His parents are actually missing him now that he has moved to his grandmother’s guest house. Kellan’s relationship is evolving in a surprising way with another character. It gets kinda humorous in places.
While the main mystery of this story reaches a very satisfactory conclusion, a continuing storyline hits a major arc by the final page. I loved that and I hated that. It has become a trait of this author that I just have to get used to. Thankfully the author has the next book Mistaken Identity Crisis set to be released on June 30, so I won’t have to wait too long to see what happens next.
I have seen James J. Cudney writing chops grow in each of the books in this series. He is clearly finding his footing as each book is better than the last. I recommend reading the series in order for maximum enjoyment, but each one can stand on its own.
The Braxton Campus Mysteries continue in this third instalment, Flower Power Trip. In short, I loved it. The author has most certainly hit his cozy mystery stride and that comes through in this book. It’s a treat to read.
While each book in many cozy mystery series function well as stand-alone, I think this series is best read from the start. Important character arcs develop from book to book and the highest level of enjoyment will come from following in order. That said, each book in this series provides a new, fully-developed and properly-resolved mystery and can still work on its own.
The current mystery: Once again Jay delivers a very well-plotted story of intrigue. No one is above suspicion, not even family! The many viable suspects, motives and opportunities made the story interesting and made me feel I had an actual chance at discovering the culprit. I may have had a chance but ultimately I did not figure out who it was until a moment before the big reveal.
Kellan: This protagonist is definitely growing on me! I like that he gets dressed down by April and even Myriam, who remains her bossy, insufferable self. That’s not a bad thing as Kellan is still pretty full of himself at times, especially as concerns his sleuthing abilities. He does possess a kind and generous disposition, though, and that makes him very likeable.
Secondary characters: I really enjoyed the reappearance of several characters from earlier stories, even types we may not normally see recurring in a cozy series. This helps to make this newest instalment really feel like a ‘coming home’ and running into familiar folks.
Nana D isn’t too much in the spotlight this time around but that’s okay as we get to focus on other characters. Her behaviour at a family gathering still manages to provide one of the funniest scenes in the book.
Gabriel comes home and I am so in love with his story. He has a shady past. He is /was on a journey of self-discovery. He’s keeping his return home on the down low and he’s building his relationship with Sam. There is so much potential to explore in just this one character. I can’t wait to read more.
April and Kellan are at each other again. We see a softer side, however, to the brash and indomitable sheriff. She and Kellan are certainly trying to find a way to put up with each other and I look forward to see how this volatile relationship unfolds.
Francesca: This story line just gets juicier and juicier. But it’s not the main mystery. The author does a great job providing readers with little snippets of that drama while keeping the focus on the main storyline.
Kellan’s managed to find himself in the middle of a love quadrangle. But it’s really cute, especially as there is no guarantee of returned feelings. Only one of these ladies has made it clear she’s interested but the chemistry is there with the others too. Where will that delicious drama go???
The pacing is spot on in this narrative. The story starts off with a bang and the action continues from there. The characters are evolving and remain interesting. The bigger story arcs are intriguing and being well-developed across the books.
Just be warned, the last page sets up the drama for Book 4. I hate cliffhangers but I can’t really fault Jay for how he’s done it this time. It’s pretty much a great segue! I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book.
It felt like home to be back inside Kellan’s head once again! His character feels extremely real and you struggle with him, journey with him, and grow even more with him! And yes, my lady, Nana D is back!!! I’d honestly love a whole book about her! Even like a prequel to when she was younger!
One of my favorite scenes in the entire book is the costume party! I seriously want to go to one like that!! The side characters are all great with distinctive personalities that don’t feel cookie cutter!
This one has quite a good mystery that I had a lot of fun with! It has to be my favorite in the series so far and I can’t wait to see what Kellan’s up to next! Because dun, dun, dun … cliffhanger!!!
Kellan has much going on in this third instalment in James Cudney’s Braxton Campus series. He, along with his daughter, is now living on Nana D.’s property, as well as continuing to run her mayoral campaign. Kellan also tries to dodge trouble from both the sheriff and his bosses, Ursula and Myriam, while inserting himself in yet another murder investigation, at Maggie’s behest, to protect a family member of hers going to jail for said murder. However, it proves not easy to hold both Sheriff April Montague and Myriam Castle at bay, considering that both Kellan and Ursula are hiding things from both of them, instead of involving the proper authorities.
Kellan is also still dealing with the situations that entered the fray at the ends of the previous books, culminating in a very complicated situation with April, as they seem to be developing feelings for each other, but neither is willing to further put aside their antagonistic tendencies to pursue that at this point and just work on developing their tentative friendship.
Kellan’s teaching job seemed to take more of a backseat in this one than in past volumes but there is more than enough family drama to make up for it. His sister, Eleanor, is still eager to start her own family and the reappearance of Kellan and Eleanor’s younger brother further intrigues.
I very much enjoyed this story. I didn’t expect the twist in the mystery that was presented at the end of the previous book and I always enjoy seeing what people have been up to since we last saw them. I liked this latest journey to Pennysylvania and I look forward to going back in the next book.
I love Cudney’s novels and as the third in his Braxton Campus Mysteries, this one is awesome! Great character development and perfect murder mystery! Can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend you start with the first as these characters will grow on you like family!
lower Power Trip is the third in this charming cosy mystery series set on Braxton university campus and featuring the likeable amateur sleuth Professor Kellon Arywick, along with a colourful and memorable cast of characters – I’m rather fond of Nana D.
Written in a pleasing first-person style, Cudney offers a quick catch-up to bring the reader up to speed on the complications in Kellon’s personal life and the various professional frictions on campus. There are the usual departmental rivalries and all the shenanigans that go with them. This time, President of Braxton Ursula Power is in mortal danger.
Cudney draws you into his story world and brings you up close to an array of quirky and relatable characters with all of their foibles, interweaving thick descriptions with a large dose of intrigue. Cudney makes sure to tick all the cosy mystery boxes, and all the loose threads are tied up at the end of this satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable read.
Flower Power Trip: Death at The Masquerade Ball is the third book in James J. Cudney’s Braxton Campus Mysteries. This cozy mystery series grows more gripping with each successive book as Kellan Ayrwick, professor and campus sleuth, stumbles again upon another perplexing murder.
Ursula Power, President of Braxton, is the target of an unknown stalker and has asked Kellan for help. Ursula’s history comes to light when, once again, a third murder crosses Kellan’s path at a costume ball fundraiser for Braxton’s new library.
“Whoever was lying on the ground had been stabbed and bled all over the slate tiles. “Who is it?” . . . I looked more closely at the victim and realized it was a guest who’d dressed as Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers flicks . . . Sheriff Montague wasn’t going to be pleased that I’d found another dead body.”
Is there a connection between Ursula’s stalking and the murder of George Braun who’s possibly her long-deceased brother?
“From what Ursula had previously shared, Flower Child was a nickname given to her by her brother, Hans. She’d spent most of her childhood collecting flowers and researching their potential uses in medicines and herbal remedies. . . until the explosion in the lab eliminated any records or verifiable, repeatable results.”
Kellan’s mind starts to spin with questions as he meddles in Sherriff Montague’s investigation, getting her riled. Hmm, but not so much this time. Kellan’s always in the wrong place at the right time or vice versa. He’s a magnet for murder. Is he, as Sheriff Montague stated, “the center of all the crime in our charming and secluded town.”
” . . . it was definitely from a knife wound to his abdomen. Actually, he was stabbed twice. The killer knew exactly where to cut George for maximum pain and almost immediate death. Oddly enough, only Braun’s prints were found on the weapon.”
The third book introduces new characters, George Braun, the Stoddard family, Lissette Nutberry, Kellan’s capricious Aunt, Deidre, and a few more. Old and new characters’ lives intertwine in mysterious ways with the deceased, George Braun, making them prime suspects in this Agatha Christy style whodunnit mystery.
Just when I thought I’d figured out the murderer, I was proven wrong again. What I love about this series is that every suspect has a compelling motive to kill. The obvious suspect standing over the body with the knife is too easy. Kellan takes a circular path, backtracks, then moves in a different direction until the murderer clarifies, or he’s wounded senseless with a flowerpot.
Kellan’s world is still filled with unresolved issues surrounding his supposedly dead wife, Francesca, a mystery as baffling as Braxton Campus murders, one dangerously entangled in the mob-controlled, Castigliano family. Nana D is still running for Mayor as Kellan settles into his new role as professor and a single parent to his beloved daughter Emma. His wayward brother, Gabriel, has returned with secrets Kellan withholds from the family, respecting his brother’s privacy. Continuously, Kellan receives postcards from his missing wife visiting places they frequented in the past.
Is it truly his wife or someone trying to mislead him? How can he possibly have a normal life with the Castigliano family shadowing him? No wonder Kellan’s love life is still nonexistent. However, a strange relationship is burgeoning between him and Sheriff April Montague. Can it be? Is she? I dare not ask. Hopefully, I’ll find the answer to my queries in Book 4.
Mr. Cudney has crafted a mystery true to the cozy mystery genre. His well-written, suspenseful story held my attention clear through the end as Kellan sleuthed into every aspect of suspects’ lives. I’m looking forward to seeing Kellan’s world unfold as the series progresses, his relationship with Sheriff Montague, Nana D’s antics, and the discovery of his missing wife.
If you love a cozy mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie, and an adorably witty, sleuthing protagonist who has a weakness for sweets and his daughter, you will want to pick this one up. I highly recommend Braxton Campus Mysteries.
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that costume ball in the library made me drool. I want to visit this campus.
A murder mystery with a difference, Flower Power Trip by James J. Cudney is fast- paced than the previous two books in the series and is more entangled, with no clue for the reader. I wouldn’t call it a cozy mystery, as it has some nerve wrecking moments but there is Nana to diffuse the tension and Emma, Kellan’s daughter provides the welcome change to the investigative scenario. Having read two books in the series, I knew Cudney’s trick of dragging everyone into the net of suspicion except the murderer! He conjures up some amazing revelations that he saves for the climax. I was familiar with that, and therefore didn’t bite the bait this time to suspect anyone he kept hinting at.
What I appreciate about the series is that James keeps the gory details, curse words and sexual content out, which elevate his books above the modern wiles of the writers. He has even done away with the trick of dark secrets. Kellan has been improving with each story; now I expect to meet him in each book I read and then shake myself with the reminder – this is not the ‘Braxton Campus’ series!
The plot is interwoven in such a superb manner that one event spontaneously slips into another – friendship, family bonding and benevolence merge into each other and that too while a murder investigation is in progress. I have read very few books, which could maintain this kind of harmony. Characters evolve at a given pace and enter the story only when they contribute more to the mystery that deepens as it progresses. The arrival of aunt Deirdre evokes some hope.
The sub-plot is no less intriguing. I hope James would clarify the mystery of Francesca in another book by the name “The Mystery of the Missing Wife.”
Once again, the Braxton Campus is in turmoil after a library fundraiser turns into a murder investigation. Kellen Arywick has his hands full with his personal life’s mess, his boss’s bizarre secrets, and his pathological curiosity to help the sheriff’s office find the killer. This series features multiple characters and settings in a complicated labyrinth of puzzles that challenge the reader. On a character note, I enjoyed seeing more of his personal relationships with his family, especially his daughter and Nana D. I related to many of the parenting details like how he wouldn’t let his daughter see a movie until she read the book first. That was a rule at my house when the kids were younger, too.
You could read this story as a stand alone because the author provides a helpful guide to the characters in the opening pages. Fans of academic mysteries should definitely read this series, although I’d recommend beginning with book one.