After an on-air gaffe goes viral and jeopardizes her career, journalist Desiree Turner retreats home to Verbena, California for some peace and quiet. She begins working one of the quietest jobs around: presiding over funerals for her great-grandfather’s funeral parlor. But the action seems to follow her as a fistfight breaks out between neighbors Rosemarie Brewer and Lola Hansen at one of the … first funerals she’s in charge of running. It exposes a nasty dispute and Rosemarie’s husband, Alan, is found murdered shortly after.
Lola’s husband, Kyle, is immediately arrested. Desiree, whose own father’s death was devastating, has always viewed Kyle as a second father. Determined to clear his name, Desiree jumps head first into the investigation and quickly discovers that Alan had several unsavory habits at his job and in his personal life, including putting assets into his mistress’s account to hide them from Rosemarie. People murder for money and love all the time, and there’s no telling who he offended just enough to push them over the edge.
Desiree is looking in all the right places, but she better catch the killer fast before they come for her next in A Grave Issue, the clever series debut by Lillian Bell.
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A Grave Issue is first in A Funeral Parlor Mystery series, taking it to a great start! Imagine growing up in the town’s funeral home, where earthly remains of loved ones are gently prepared with dignity for visitation or viewings, and funerals are conducted with reverence. It is no wonder, then, that Desiree Turner, great-granddaughter of the founder of Turner’s, left for college and went to the big city to start her new career. The author writes with respect for the deceased, sensitivity toward the murder, and laugh-out-loud humor regarding escapades that Desiree and other townspeople become embroiled in.
It all starts with an emu. A pet named Vincent, it is owned by banker Alan Brewer’s wife, Rosemarie. She claimed that Kyle and Lola Hansen’s dogs scared the bird to death with all their barking. The Hansens were one of the couples who stepped forward when Desiree and her older sister Donna lost their mother as children. Kyle is their father’s best friend – or was, until Dad disappeared when surfing early one morning a year ago. Kyle has been a second father to Desiree for many years. That’s why she knows Kyle didn’t murder the bank manager. No matter what the evidence said.
The characters in this small town of Verbena, California are unique. Many are delightful, most are very likable, and all very community-minded. I like Desiree and her best friend Jasmine, therapist to many who she says are seething with anger. Donna, Desiree’s sister, is too bossy for my liking, but she has stayed in Verbena and Taylor Family Funeral Home while Desiree pursued her career. There are three men in Desiree’s life right now – two that she dated in the past. At least one of the three is very interested in her now. I enjoy Nate and Rafe best, as they are multidimensional, while Luke seems to see life only through the eyes of a detective. Some of the townspeople bring the most humor, including those who caused scenes inside the funeral home.
I like how well the characters mesh (and those who don’t – loudly), and how well the author describes nuances of the weather or landscapes. There are many beautiful spots there, from the hills to the shores. To me, I think there are slow places at the beginning, but oh, does it speed up! The mystery is drawn with care, and I appreciate Desiree’s hard work in trying to clear her second father from a murder charge. She misses her father terribly, and is now learning some of his secrets.
There are many good suspects, if only Luke would look beyond the immediate and into the smoldering motives! I did guess who the killer was, but no way could I have guessed the multifaceted crimes leading to the murder. The bank manager had more secrets than most, secrets that could shock and damage Verbena. Kudos to Lillian Bell for such a complex, detailed plot with twists and turns this reader didn’t see coming! I highly recommend this mystery to those who enjoy very well-crafted cozy mysteries that takes one out of the armchair and on their toes!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, and was not required to post a review.
A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell is the first installment in the A Funeral Parlor Mystery series. Desiree Turner has returned home to Verbena, California after ten years. Desiree was a reporter for KLVX-TV in Los Angeles until an on-air faux pas got her fired and unable to find another job in the industry. She is now working at her families’ business Turner Family Funeral Home handling the front of the house issues that used to be done by her father before his disappearance. Alan Brewer is brought in after being shot in the head. There has been an ongoing dispute between the Brewer’s (Alan and his wife, Rosemarie) and their neighbor’s Lola and Kyle Hansen. There was even an altercation at Delia Burns funeral between Lola and Rosemarie. Kyle who has been a second father to Desiree is arrested for Alan’s murder. Desiree knows Kyle did not harm Alan and begins probing into Alan’s death. She soon unearths some interesting information regarding Alan. Which of Alan’s secret got him murdered? Desiree needs to work quickly before Kyle has to submit a change of address form with the local prison as his new address.
A Grave Issue is nicely written and has a fast pace. I felt, though, that it was lacking in several areas. The characters were not developed especially Desiree. We are given scant information on Desiree who is a hard character to like. She dives head first into the investigation and puts herself in danger several times. It seems that Desiree has never heard of 911. There are three different mysteries in A Grave Issue. The murder of Alan Brewer, the disappearance of Desiree’s father and Jasmine Rodrigues’ stalker (Desiree’s best friend). Two of these mysteries are resolved in the book and one readers are left to wonder about until the next book. The murder occurs in first chapter (big pet peeve of mine). I wish the author would set the stage first (especially since this is the first book in the series) and then have the murder occur. The identity of the killer is a no brainer. There are a limited number of suspects and a lack of sleuthing. The focus of the book is not on Alan’s murder. More of the story is devoted to Desiree’s missing father. I wonder if this will be the focus of the next book or will it be in the background of the whole series. There are a couple of love interests for Desiree. We will have to wait and see which one strikes her fancy. Verbena, California is a small town full of gossipy, quirky characters. I am giving A Grave Issue 3 out of 5 stars. A Grave Issue is for those readers who prefer light-hearted humorous cozy mysteries.
I have no idea why I have been gravitating towards funeral home stories lately but man I love them ! I had no clue who the stalker or the killer was but that is what made the book enjoyable. The whole Dad situation I had figured out from the start but now I’m chomping at the bit to see why. (Cheeky author) Very glad I took a chance on a new author
I enjoyed this first in the series by Ms. Bell. Desiree returns home and helps with the family owned funeral parlor but all is not quiet here. Between feuding neighbors where one ends up dead, battling wives in the funeral parlor and the arrest of a dear friend of the family, Desiree with her journalistic background is curious to solve the problem.
This was an entertaining read with plenty of twists to keep me guessing. I really enjoyed the beginning of the chapters with a newspaper article, a nice touch. I would have liked a little more description of the characters, but that is minor since the characters are so likable and real. I will continue on with this series.
cozy-mystery, law-enforcement, friendship, family-dynamics, funeral, verbal-humor, journalist
Desiree is in a bad place inside her head: her only parent disappeared some months ago, she royally screwed up in her career in television news and had to return home after ten years to take a position in the family funeral business because her sister is on bedrest. Then the man who was like a second dad to them is arrested for the murder of the bank manager because it was his gun and the wives were bitter enemies. Oh, and too many of her high school classmates are making her nutz, like the police detective and the medical examiner. But best friends are there too, and she really needs their support because the local news editor seems to make it a point to keep her name in the paper. Not that it’s hard either because of incidents at the funerals or stuff that happens while she investigates to find the real killer. The publisher’s blurb is pretty good, but doesn’t let you know about the giggles!
A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell just didn’t appeal to me and I had trouble connecting with the characters or getting into the story. I muddled through and even though it wasn’t my cup of tea does not mean it would not be yours.
Desiree’s character was ok but she seemed a little flaky to me. I think she needs to grow up in many ways. I did find that she was loyal to her friends for example she would not believe her friend would kill someone especially over an Emu or neighbor feud so that was a plus. It had more than one possible suspect and that helps make it a little more interesting but was somewhat predictable. All in all it was not a bad book just one I had trouble keeping my interest
“A Grave Issue” earns 5/5 Funeral Bouquets…Delightful Fun!
New series…First book…Yeah! Everyone starts out as a newbie, but I am now a fan of Lillian Bell’s Funeral Parlor Mystery series! She also pens thrillers under the name Eileen Carr, paranormal and chick lit by Eileen Rendahl, and another cozy the Popcorn Shop Mysteries under the name of Kristi Abbott, so it was easy to join in. The first notable and very entertaining extra of “A Grave Issue” is that several chapters begin with a news article from the Verbena Free Press. These articles are a fascinating literary technique to provide background and character connections and to further the storyline. Along with that, we have contemporary issues related to the role the press plays in defining, or exacerbating, community and personal affairs. Cozies often start out with a serious event occurring, sending the lead character back home, and here, Desiree Turner, a former journalist in L.A., returns to her small hometown of Verbena, California after a live television faux pax went viral. Putting journalism aside, she goes to work in her family’s funeral parlor where she grew up, taking charge of funeral preparations. That is a delightful setting with lots of rich characters not relying on stereotypes, but adding some quirkiness for fun. Although dead bodies don’t bother Desiree, a murdered body is another topic, and working near her former boyfriend/county medical examiner Nate Johar adds an interesting dynamic. And when motive, opportunity, and means implicates close friend and “he’s like a second father” is arrested for murder, her thorn-in-her-side Luke Butler becomes another dynamic worth following…and her journalistic nose comes in handy. But beyond the main mystery, Desiree is dealing with being on the opposite side of journalism, keeping the funeral home going, and the mysterious death of her father. All of this makes for a very entertaining page-turner I highly recommend.
I enjoyed reading A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell the first book in her new series Funeral Parlor Mystery. Starting a new series should leave the reader wanting more; more of the main character, more of the secondary characters, more of the town (in the case of cozies anyway), just more. I am totally curious about future shenanigans with Death Ray…err.. sorry. Desiree. DESIREE Turner (*grin*) and her friends and family.
As a former reporter, Desiree returns home to help her Sister and Uncle run the family business, a Funeral Parlor. For Desiree, returning home to her small town is difficult. I can totally understand Desiree’s dislike of everyone using her old nickname, Death Ray, running into old acquaintances, and noticing the changes in town like what businesses had popped up, even discovering a murdered body.
Having Desiree’s family own the local funeral home allows for a very interesting look into a world most wouldn’t see. In addition, we witness some crazy antics by the visitors to various wakes and funerals. We witness a fight over a dead emu, a grieving grown child jumping into a casket, a trio of gossiping old ladies who show up to all the funerals of townspeople hoping for cookies and then there’s Desiree’s link to all of the above, including getting a nice shiner for her efforts. Add in the local newspaper guy who happens to notice everything she does and writes about it in the paper, and our poor girl is getting more attention than she wants. We also get the beginnings of a love triangle: the old high school sweetheart, the old school rival, and the new guy in town. I love reading cozies for the romantic interests, and I’m definitely curious about how this will all play out! I’ll admit I was kept guessing who the murderer was up until the end, and I even ended up wrong at that.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this funny, sweet and intriguing book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms Bell kept me on my toes guessing who the killer was, until I turned the last page. The secondary characters were all welcome additions fitting in both Desiree’s life and the town. I definitely recommend this book to other readers look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Desiree Turner, a journalist whose was living in
Los Angels, California, blows her career and returns
home to Verbena, California. Desiree grew up in the
family funeral business. Her father disappeared but
his body was never found. Now on her return, Desiree
discovers her father’s best friend who was like a
second father to her has been arrested for murder.
She knows he is innocent but how will she prove his
innocence?
A fast paced, intriguing and interesting murder mystery.
The characters are all very well crafted, diverse, feisty,
colorful and small town…..everyone knows everyone else’s
business.
The funeral business was a novel idea for a setting. It was
very informative about the process that occurs in a funeral
parlor.
A dead emu, two barking dogs, murder, explosions, fire,
secrets gifts, fights in the funeral parlor, someone jumping
into a relative coffin at the viewing, weed, profit skimming,
humor plus a touch of romance combine to make this book
a good read.
I highly recommend this book.
I volunteered to read A Grave Issue. Thanks to the author and
publisher via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the book.
My opinion is my own.
I really enjoyed reading A Grave Issue, the first book in Lillian Bell’s Funeral Parlor Mystery series. Desiree (aka much to her dismay “Death Ray”) Turner has returned home to Verbena, California, and her family’s business – Turner Family Funeral Home – after losing her job as an on-air reporter in Los Angeles. Her beloved father has passed away suddenly, her sister is having a difficult pregnancy, and a very close friend has been arrested for murder. Fistfights at funerals, lawsuits over dead emus, and cheating husbands – so many memorable characters make this a very fun cozy mystery, and the author adds a nice touch by starting each chapter with an excerpt from the town newspaper. I absolutely recommend it, and am looking forward to the next in series! A+