A winter blizzard barrels toward Wharton County with a vengeance. Madam Zenya predicted the raging storm would change the course of Kellan’s life, but the famed seer never could’ve prepared him for all the collateral damage. Nana D disappears after visiting a patient at Willow Trees, leaving behind a trail of confusion. When the patient turns up dead and a second body is discovered beneath the … snowbanks, Kellan must face his worst fears. What tragedy has befallen his beloved grandmother?
Kellan’s brother Hampton learns essential life lessons the hard way after his father-in-law accuses him of embezzlement. While trying to prove his innocence, Hampton digs himself a deeper hole that might lead to prison. Sheriff Montague wants to save him, but she receives the shock of her life as the past hurtles forward and complicates her future.
Between locating Nana D and solving the scandalous murder of another prominent Braxton citizen, Kellan and April’s worlds explode with more turmoil than they can handle. Too bad neither one of them knows what to do about the psychic’s latest premonition. The suspicious deaths happening around town aren’t ending anytime soon.
more
This book is currently available via pre-sale at http://mybook.to/fsd
I have uploaded reviews to the author website @ https://jamesjcudney.com to see all the feedback before the publication date on 3/18.
It is hard to believe that Kellan Ayrwick has only been back at the Braxton Campus for a year in this series of mysteries. In that time he has solved several murders and other criminal activities and either charmed or alienated family and residents. Just when the poor guy thought he could relax with his daughter and nephew away in Florida with his parents, and his developing romance with the town sheriff April on track, a storm front races in.
It is not just the snow that Kellan is up to his eyes in, with his fiesty grandmother going missing, corruption allegations rocking the judicial office, accusations piling up against all his family members and bodies being discovered on an alarmingly regular basis.
As always the author keeps us on our toes with fast paced action and a growing list of suspects; all well drawn with their own quirks and characteristics. Some are familiar from other books and others new to the town.. including the irritatingly arrogant Fox Terrell who seems to turn up when he is least wanted or expected.
James Cudney writes a very good murder mystery and leaves the reader guessing to the last minute as to who could be the killer. He also unravels the other mysteries very satisfactorily in he final chapters, although we are left with a cliffhanger guaranteed to encourage you to buy the next book in the series, which of course we will.
Recommended for murder mystery readers who enjoy second guessing the author right to the last page.
Winter has struck Wharton County, and it’s icy bite is a bitter one! What I’ve always loved about the Braxton Campus mysteries is the mastering of character development world building. In book 6, Frozen Stiff Drink, the perfection of build up and unraveling little clue nuggets continues. Only for me, this time feels more intimate, more emotional which is awesome! Maybe because I love Nana D. so much, and she finds herself missing, so for a large portion of the book I was devouring pages like a ravenous animal wanting to know what’s happened to her!
Along with the Nana D. drama, a murderous chaos breaks out, a family is under the radar of very vicious people as they’re accused of taking an outrageous sum of money, and Kellan’s love life is put through the ringer. Whew, there’s a lot going on in Wharton County, but what’s phenomenal about the whole situation(s) is that James J. Cudney has really dotted his I’s and crossed his T’s. No stone is left unturned, and no corner is left undusted.
In previous books Kellan begins to build a romance with a local law enforcement beauty, April. She’s down to earth, and dedicated to her job. I really like her! She really has her hands full with nasty, heinous deaths going down, but what’s possibly even more complicated – well personal, anyway – is that her old flame returns and reaps absolute havoc on her and Kellan’s relationship. The man is a buffoon, but kind of funny. The way he and Kellan interact with each other seriously cracked me up!
Now, I mentioned a family in financial turmoil. It isn’t just any family. It’s Kellan’s brother Hampton, and the mess he’s in is deep and dangerous! His marriage has become a rocky one and the accusations only stir the pot of disaster! I absolutely loved this book! It’s one of my favorites in the series and I can’t wait for another instalment! Hands down stars!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Winter in Wharton County is not something to mess with especially when Madam Zenya has predicted the storm would change Kellan’s life. It sure has him worried when his Nana D. goes missing. She was last seen visiting a patient at Willow Trees. Later that patient is found dead. The bodies start to pile up when another is found frozen stiff in a car that had plowed into a snowbank.
In addition to the dead bodies, Kellan’s brother Hampton’s marriage is on the rocks after his father-in-law accuses him of stealing money from his company. Sheriff April Montague is juggling the deaths but her personal life is in flux as she tries to handle something from her past that now has a shot at ruining her future. She is also trying to help Kellan find his grandmother.
A missing person, dead bodies, a surprise visit, embezzlement, some bad reviews, and more. Someone has shaken the Braxton snowglobe and created chaos everywhere. They will all need a good stiff drink to thaw them out of this frozen tundra of mayhem.
______
I have enjoyed every book in this series and Mr. Cudney continues to top himself.
This time my favorite character Nana D. was in peril and I was totally enthralled by the search to find her. Madam Zenya sets the story off with her prediction and she pops up throughout the story to try to help Kellan. Hampton, his wife, and inlaws are center stage in this story. Kellan’s folks have taken the kids to Disney World but their vacay may not end as they had planned. April and Kellan are really trying to move their relationship forward but hit a huge roadblock. The family dynamics in this series continue to evolve and is what draws me in every time. They are authentic and the dialogue pops. I am invested in these characters and always excited to see what is going on in their lives, including the murder and confusion.
Mr. Cudney has written an intricate story that is multifaceted with subplots twisted together and Kellan in the middle of them all. I love that even with serious events the author expertly sprinkles humor in all the right places. Full of twists and misdirections, the pace is at a constant high. The ending was exciting and full of surprises. It was very entertaining to follow each clue and twist. There is one person that really rubbed me the wrong way but you will have to read the book to see if they were actually implicated in any crime.
While new crimes are wrapped up by the end of the book, there are plotlines that carry on from one book to the next. You know you get the feeling of accomplishment when the story ends. Well, I have learned to hold on tight at the end of these books because the author always gets his readers excited for the next book with a cliffhanger and this one rocked the world!! You listen here, James J. Cudney! Book 7 better be released soon!!
Frozen Stiff Drink was frigidly cold Perfect Escape! Grab a blanket before you start reading this book because a Braxton winter will have you shivering right along with its residents.
When a snowstorm barrels into Wharton County, it leaves murder in its wake.
In Frozen Stiff Drink, Kellan Arywick has his hands full with threats to his family, a missing Nanna D., and the annoying arrival of his girlfriend’s ex- not to mention two murders and a partridge in a pear tree (kidding). He does have the worst luck of any hero though.
Constance’s frightening premonition cracked holes in the perimeter of my skull like a determined woodpecker in search of its next meal.
FROZEN STIFF DRINK- JAMES J. CUDNEY
Worried about Nanna D, who isn’t answering her phone and can’t be found, Kellan searches all her favorite haunts with no success, though he’s soon immersed in allegations of corruption against his older brother, and the mysterious murder of two prominent men of the city. Is Nana D. somehow involved? And what about the elusive Fox? What is his end game?
There are multiple plotlines to follow, but the author does a masterful job of tying loose strings by the end of the book. Nana D. continues to be a favorite with her snarky wit and indomitable attitude. I’m SO glad she survives the storm (Oops, spoiler alert!).
Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney is a complex plot with multiple crimes and intriguing characters.
Will Kellen find the culprit before his family’s reputation is ruined?
Kellen
Kellen is a college professor and our sleuth. His family has an outstanding reputation locally as his Grandmother “Nana D” is the mayor. However, it seems that someone is out to get them. Kellen is slightly paranoid that Fox, April’s husband, is behind it. Perhaps that is just wishful thinking.
I like Kellen. However, he has a large family, and they don’t always get along. He loves April, but they have a few things to take care of, such as getting divorced.
The Mystery
We start with Nana D missing, a murder, and April’s husband staying with her for a few days. There are lots of characters to follow and keep track of, but the author does give us a cast list at the front of the book, along with a map.
Four Stars
My rating for Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney is four stars. I enjoyed the banter, especially from Nana D. The mystery was good; it kept me guessing. However, the ending isn’t what you would expect. I recommend reading these books in order; that way, the characters are better set in your mind.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
I thought life in Braxton without Nana D wouldn’t be so much interesting and entertaining, but James J. Cudney, the author of already six books in the Braxton Campus Mysteries series, proved me wrong. Frozen Stiff Drink is as much entertaining, funny, and capturing even in the hours of her absence, because he smartly used a whole small army of other characters to make us glued to his latest story.
The disappearance of a beloved, witty and cunning mayoress, the series of new mysterious murders, and the barreling winter blizzard are more than excellent reasons to make this literary riddle a successful page-turner. And introducing a new arrogant “villain” who fights with Kellan for the heart of the same darling adds a nice kick and a few extra pinches of love-spice to our reading experience.
Without further ado, James nailed it again, ending Frozen Stiff Drink with a BLAST of the cliffhanger! The wait was worth it!
This book mirrors what’s going on in my part of the world right now, at least with regard to the weather. We also had a snowstorm last week and the city is still covered in snow and ice. So that makes it the perfect environment to stay in and read a book, about people coping with a sudden winter weather warning. In addition to this, Kellan tries to determine what happened to cause the death of one of Wharton County’s most illustrious citizens. At least he doesn’t have to worry about Emma and Ulan, because they’ve gone to Disney World with their grandparents/aunt and uncle, Wesley and Violet.
Kellan certainly still has enough on his plate, though because while everyone prepares for the storm, Nana D goes missing! (No, not Nana D!) Kellan is also trying to help his brother out of his troubles but then things get even worse for Hampton when his father-in-law also turns up missing. In other news, Kellan is also constantly annoyed by a parking-spot stealer, which is just the cherry on the sludge sundae which is Kellan’s day.
I had a nice feeling of coming full circle when I read this book, not only because Kellan and Emma have been in Braxton for a year now but Kellan has actually been working on his own tv show, which is what he’d wanted at the start of the series and I think it was nice for him to get that. Of course he is still professoring, and still butting heads with Dr. Miriam Castle, but I enjoy their back and forth.
I was surprised by a few of the twists and turns this story took, which I think is not easy to do, so kudos, Mr. Cudney. All in all, I found this a delightful diversion and I eagerly look forward to my next trip to Pennsylvania to see what happens next!
Dear Readers,
Gee…. Where do I start here? It’s always hard to find the exact
right words for a book review.
For one thing, I hit a home run as the author sent this book over to me.
The neat thing about this book is it also works as a stand alone. The character development is superb, making it easy to keep up with these people.
The beginning of the book contains a key pertaining to all the characters and who they are, a nice introduction. Another feature I appreciate is the map, showing the Braxton Campus and the area surrounding it so one gets a good sense of place.
I’ve been enjoying this series, and feel like these characters are friends of mine. Kellan has a great sense of humor, and he gets himself into all sorts of crazy situations.
As you can see, this is a mystery book. Again, Kellan finds himself immersed in solving more murder cases along with April, the sheriff.
This book has a little bit of everything. There is romance, e.g., Kellan and his lady friend. There is mystery and intrigue.
I don’t know how the author did this, yet he found a way to weave humor into this book. There is a scene involving dentures that I’m still laughing about. I will leave it up to you, fellow readers to check into that scene. No spoilers here.
There is a wide variety of characters, each with a unique and distinct personality. All of these characters have some sort of human condition to deal with. The author somehow magically weaves these characters and their situations into a well put-together book. Somehow, by the end of the book, every dilemma is solved.
Here’s the kicker on these novels: a cliffhanger. The author reveals just enough of a serious dilemma, just enough to pique one’s curiosity and then the book ends, and the reader waits patiently for the next book. Yep. I am such a reader, and am looking forward to his next Braxton Campus Mystery.
I thank the author kindly for having written and published this book. These cozy mysteries are just what the doctor ordered.
Book 6 in James J. Cudney’s Braxton Campus Mysteries is another page turner, a shell-shocker and will most certainly leave you gasping, “What?” but in a good way! Let’s get to the meat of the story.
Murder Mystery Plot: I think this author is getting cleverer and cleverer with his plot weaving. Maybe he has some nefarious plans up his sleeve… hmm… The murder to solve is who killed Hiram Grey, a not so well-liked county judge. Once again, there are several aspects to the mystery and a few secondary stories to delve into. We have the murder(s), a secretive rally, a new-comer who annoyingly turns up in several parts of Kellan’s life, an anti-Arywick smear campaign and a missing Nana D, just to name some. There are several suspects and you can imagine each of them doing the deed as their opportunities and motives are revealed. There are a couple I really wanted to be guilty too. Even if you think you know who is (are?) guilty, you’ll still be surprised to discover the motive(s) and how the opportunity arose. The red herrings are strategically placed and believable enough to leave you thoroughly perplexed. It’s great.
There are a lot of threads to keep track of in this novel, but I think they crossover one another enough that the reader won’t be too lost while reading. That said, I would say this book is definitely better suited to series readers. In addition to several sub-plots there are also quite a few characters, both new and ‘old’. Perhaps, it may be a bit more challenging for newer readers to follow and fully engage with the tale.
Characters: We’re treated to time with some of our series favourites once again… and we get little life updates on characters we met in earlier instalments. Nana D is such a larger than life character that sometimes she’s a lot to handle. We get enough of her sarcasm, antics and attitude but not too much that it’s over the top; a perfect balance. Madam Zenya, makes anoher appearance, or appearnaces, in this story and I must admit I loved every word of her dramatics. Kellan and April continue to work at developing a relationship. They’re cute and I look forward to more scenes between the two of them.
And then there’s Fox. This new character is such a pain for Kellan, maybe you could even consider him another Myriam is poor Kellan’s life. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to say who is more obnoxious between the two. You’ll have to read to decide for yourself!
The cliffhanger: While Frozen Stiff Drink is a full novel, with a satisfying, all-loose-ends-tied-up ending, this devious author pulls us into the next instalment in explosive style. All I can say is, he’d better have book 7 ready soon.
Kellen’s Incredible Life Inadvertently Solving Mysteries
In this 6th book of the Braxton Campus cozy mystery series, the author brings another character to the front of the action. Madam Zeyna predicts some occurrences in Kellan’s future that may be insurmountable. Once again, Cudney’s ability to portray his characters made me smile. While we envision Madame Zeyna – we know exactly how she may look – Cudney focuses on her personality and how she fits into the action.
Kellan’s grandmother, the feisty and wise Nana D goes missing. By the way, she is one of my favorite characters in this entire series. Cudney has created a spunky older woman we all might like to be when we age. Kellan is on overload searching for her while also solving the murder of a prominent Braxton citizen the has the town in near lock down. Then there is his tempestuous liaison with the Deputy Sheriff, April, which is becoming a solid relationship, but both have different duties, and this always tears at their relationship. As this series moves along, we watch the characters grow and learn life’s lessons. An air of mystery shadows this story and I feel it may run into the next story, though all the stories in this series are stand-along if you wish to read them that way.
Cudney builds an exciting story around these events, with occurrences and surprises we don’t see coming. As with all his stories, he ends this one with a superb cliffhanger. The story finishes nicely, but now we know there will be another soon.
This series has been so much fun! Each book gets better and more entertaining! I love Cudney’s writing and the way he can put the unexpected into his stories!
I’ve loved seeing the character growth in all the characters in each book! Kellan is such a likable character and being in his head is the best! And nothing can come easy for my boy! I also seriously love the sweet moments between Kellan and April, even though they have a lot of chaotic things going on!
There was a certain scene of bickering between Nana D and Kellan that had me laughing out loud too! I’m serious when I say this needs to be a Netflix series already! Cudney also knows how to write cliffhangers dang good, leaving me yearning for the next book!
Not as entertaining as the previous books. Characters are dull, boring.