“Daley’s mysteries offer as much sizzle and pop as fireworks on a hot summer’s day.” —Mary Kennedy, author of the Dream Club Mysteries While on vacation in South Carolina, Tj Jensen receives a call that her father has been left in a coma after a devastating car crash. Back home in Nevada, Tj learns the accident that killed family friend Judge Harper and left her father clinging to life wasn’t an … to life wasn’t an accident at all—someone cut their brake lines.
To make matters worse, her friend and police contact, Deputy Roy Fisher, is working with a new partner who has no intention of letting Tj anywhere near the case. Facing an investigation more explosive than the annual fireworks show, Tj enlists the help of her best friends to unravel the mystery, while navigating a new romance and the fear that her father may never wake up . . .
“Daley’s stories draw you in and keep you glued until the very last page.” —Tracy Weber, Agatha Award–nominated author of the Downward Dog Mysteries
more
This is book 8 of 10 in the TJ Jensen series. This book can be read as a standalone and I convey that as someone who has read other TJ Jensen mysteries. The characters are well developed, and the story moves along, TJ is called regarding an ‘accident’ involving her father, who is clinging to life and the likely actual target of the accident the judge who didn’t survive. This is where the mystery starts because the police don’t necessarily believe it’s an accident, and look into the possibility of murder. TJ with the help of her friends tries to get to the bottom of things, in the small-town setting of Serenity having to cut their vacation short to do so. Kathi does a wonderful job with this book, and if this is your first read by her, not only will you want to read other TJ books, but let me encourage you to try the other books in her repertoire. Nice, clean, quick read, with a good plot and fun characters. I reviewed a complimentary copy and am providing my honest, unsolicited review.
Loved loved it
Good characters and story development. Enjoyable read
This book started well for me- new author and series to me. I became increasingly annoyed at the writing as the plot progressed. I feel the author was trying to “teach values” instead of focusing on her novel’s plot and it did not enhance the narrative- in fact it was distracting. The ending was highly unrealistic and surprisingly predictable at the same time.
Love Kathi Daley and always look forward to her next book.
Reading now, almost finished. Love the twists and turns in TJ’s investigation as well as intresting development of key characters who are assuredly going to be featured in subsewuent stories.
I love all the books in this series they are almost impossible to put down!
I would like to thank Henery Press for granting my wish for a copy of this book.
This is a wonderful mystery series. This is the eighth book in the series. Tj Jensen has to rush back to Paradise Lake after hearing that her father, Mike Jensen, was in the hospital after being in an accident. An accident, that also claimed the life of Judge Harper.
When it is learned that the accident wasn’t what it seemed, Tj decides to do some snooping. Tj has a nose for investigating and finding clues. Tj finds out that she has to tread lightly, because there is a new deputy with strong opinions about civilians getting involved.
While Mike is in the hospital, the family pitches in to help the festivities at the resort go smoothly in Mikes’ absence.
After making a list of suspects, and learning that Judge Harper was looking into an old case, it may be that Roy, Tj, and Kyle have their work cut out for them. It may be more than one case that needs to be solved.
TJ rushes home after finding out her father is in critical condition and a long time family friend is dead after an auto accident. TJ arrives at the hospital to see her father in a coma clinging to life. TJ, of course, is very upset and emotional but when she finds out the accident was not really an accident she is determined to find out who was behind killing her friend and nearly killing her father. After getting everyone else and the animals safely home joins TJ in her search for answers. Can TJ find the truth of who is behind this tragic accident and why without putting herself and Kyle in harm’s way?
I really enjoyed this book. This is only the 2nd book of this series that I have read so I was a little lost at when it came to TJ’s love life. The only other book I have read in the series was the first book so I was a little behind on who TJ was dating. Other than TJ love life I had no issues in reading this book out of order. This is a great mystery, with fabulous twists and turns to keep you entertained and intrigued until the end. I love the characters and the setting is ideal for the storyline. Author Kathi Daley is a wonderful storyteller. I have very much enjoyed all her books from all her different series and this book doesn’t disappoint.
I would recommend this book to all mystery lovers especially cozy lovers. I was provided with an ARC if this book from Netgallery in hopes I would submit a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received this book as a wish from Henery Press and NetGalley to read and give my honest review. I have read Kathi Daley’s other TJ Jensen mysteries and enjoyed them so I was really looking forward to this one. In fact, it was already on my TBR list. And it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed being back at the resort on Paradise Lake and the town of Serenity. The characters are great and you get to feel like you would fit right in. She did a great job of continuing where TJ and Kyle left off in the previous book. But you didn’t have to read that one first. Again TJ did a great job unraveling the mystery as to who killed the Judge. You got ideas of who it might be, but it all fell into place at the end. And there was just enough romance in it to spice it up a little. Looking forward to what will happen in the next book.
Fireworks in Paradise Valley by author Kathi Dailey is another TJ Jensen murder mystery. In this new book TJ has been with Kyle and a team in South Carolina working with on a new resort and spending some time for her own leisure. Suddenly TJ is called home due to her father being critically injured in an auto accident. Family friend Judge Harper was driving Mike home from a city council meeting when suddenly the car goes off the road in an unfortunate area and Judge Harper is killed.
So, when is an accident NOT an accident?? When it is actually a murder! TJ learns someone had cut the brake line on the judge’s car and the slow leak caused brake failure and resulting in the horrific wreck. TJ insists on helping Roy investigate who would have reason to want to cause harm to the judge. As She tries to delve into reasons for murder, she is also dealing with the worry and fear for her father’s recovery from his injuries. Hunter is there to help at the hospital and to lend emotional support. She tries to reassure Mike’s fiancée Rosalie and her younger sisters that things will be all right. They must have faith and carry on with the hectic July 4th festivities which were already planned at the resort.
Even with all the drama TJ cannot forget the very sweet kiss she shared with Kyle before leaving South Carolina. Will things be awkward between them when he returns with the rest of the crew? Read more to find all the answers!
I enjoy Kathi Daley’s TJ Jensen stories!
I enjoy every series Kathy Daley has written.Her Cozy mysteries are fun to try to find “who dunnit” likeable characters with a dash of romance. Something for everyone.
This was my first book in this series and was easy to read as a stand-alone even knowing nothing of the series I felt comfortable with the characters and situations- The characters are vivid and easy to emotionally bond with. Daley keeps you on your toes with the little-hidden twists and turns that make a good mystery so enjoyable. What would be the fun if you new who-dun-it in the first few chapters? I was provided a complimentary copy by the author and look forward to more of her work.
TJ rushes home when her father is in a bad accident that has greatly injured him and killed a family friend. At first it seems like an accident but when evidence comes to light showing that it wasn’t TJ jumps right in to figure out who was responsible and why. With the Fourth of July week approaching and her feelings for Kyle yet defined TJ has more than she can handle but knows she must move forward. She just can’t let it go but the suspect pool is deeper than she thought, will she be able to wade through this mixed up group of people to figure out just who killed the judge and came close to doing in her father. This was an emotional ride that had me feeling as if I were on a roller coaster but I didn’t want to get off until the end. It was a terrific whodunit that had me guessing up to the end. I can’t wait to find out what happens next to this wonderful cast of characters.
I am an avid fan of the author’s books and was glad to see that this series will continue through Henery Press. This book began with a bit of a more serious tone, with a terrible accident that killed a family friend and has left Tj’s dad fighting for his life. Unable to just stand aside, Tj gets involved investigating.
What I really like about this author’s work is that she knows exactly what a cozy should be – and she nails it every book, every time. The books are always well-written with classic cozy styling – and in this one, a blossoming romance for Tj. The stories are full of family, friends, and animals. I would recommend all of the series that the author writes for fans of the cozy mystery genre
“Fireworks in Paradise” earns 5/5 Clever Mysteries and Wow Endings!
Immediately following “Treasure in Paradise” Kathi Daley sends us right into another gripping murder mystery. Tj Jensen’s relaxing vacation with family and friends is cut short, interrupted by a frantic phone message from Dr. Hunter about her father, Mike, being in an accident. A devastating car crash has killed a family friend and put her father in a coma. What a way to make this very personal and engaging for fans and newbies alike! Tj will not be left out of this investigation despite her fears that her father might not regain consciousness. Deputy Fisher explains the evidence doesn’t prove ‘accident.’ The brake line on the judge’s car had been deliberately cut making it more obvious that Judge Harper was the intended victim and her father an innocent bystander. A key part of Kathi Daley’s work is she continues to write a clever mystery along with a positive perspective on the importance of law enforcement having her characters, like Tj, working in tandem with, not circumventing, local police. Even though there are opportunities for Tj to go ‘rouge’ or partner with her friends and family, she has a unique talent recognized not ignored by the deputy in charge. Kathi’s style in her mysteries often provides a wide range of motives and ample suspect giving us readers the opportunity to channel our inner detective. Tj works through the clues knowing even though retired Judge Harper must have some typical enemies from his time on the bench, he was also the mayor of the town which widens the suspect pool closer to home with disgruntled business owners and maybe even neighbors. “Wow!” There’s always a very clever solution capped with someone ending up in jeopardy! This story is further complicated for Tj with Deputy Fisher having been assigned a new partner. ‘She’ may not be so tolerant of a civilian actively ingratiating herself into police investigations; Tj will need to rely on her ability to be subtle to avoid being shut out completely. Always playing in the background of Kathi’s work we find family issues, holiday or community events, and a bit of romance. In this story we continue to see the evolution of the Jensen family with a her father’s fiance, the town prepping for the Fourth of July festivities, and in the wake of a very romantic ‘kiss’ Tj and Kyle are trying to navigate through a new relationship. Fireworks all around Paradise Lake, and I enjoyed every bit of it!