Small-town life in Hazel Rock becomes a Texas-size crime scene when murder takes a page from Charli Rae Warren’s book club’s latest mystery . . . Charli takes great pride in running one of the few independent, family-owned bookstores in small-town Texas. She vets everything carefully, with an eye to the eclectic tastes of the locals. That includes the Book Barn’s weekly book club selection. … book club selection. This time out it’s a mystery whose characters bear a striking resemblance to local citizens, including Charli’s friend Sugar . . . who’s the prime suspect when her real-life nemesis is found dead in a hotel’s water tank.
With help from her pet armadillo Princess, Charli campaigns to clear Sugar’s sweet name—literally—when the up-for-election mayor becomes a killer’s next target. Murder and politics make scandalous bedfellows as Charli discovers that fiction may be fatal, but reality could be just as deadly . . .
“A well written, fast-paced cozy mystery that has well developed and likable characters with good humor and a bit of romance.” —Fresh Fiction on Perilous Poetry
“An electrifying tale.”—Fresh Fiction on A Reference to Murder
more
I loved Killer Classics as much as I have loved any of the Book Barn Mysteries. As the series evolves there is are small changes in the feel of the novels but everyone is still fun and excellent. Although the victim was not loved by most of the people of the town, they still felt the loss and one person was extremely touched by the murder. Charli Rae’s relationship with Mateo makes a progress and Cade makes a major decision, and then rethinks it. As always, Charli manages to get into more trouble than a couple of two year olds but we still love her. The Princess has a boyfriend, one who is not loved by all! Join the fun and get ready for some Texas sized humor and Texas sized heart. I can’t wait for the next book!
Killer Classics
A Book Barn Mystery, Book #5
Kym Roberts
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Small-town life in Hazel Rock becomes a Texas-size crime scene when murder takes a page from Charli Rae Warren’s book club’s latest mystery . . .
Charli takes great pride in running one of the few independent, family-owned bookstores in small-town Texas. She vets everything carefully, with an eye to the eclectic tastes of the locals. That includes the Book Barn’s weekly book club selection. This time out it’s a mystery whose characters bear a striking resemblance to local citizens, including Charli’s friend Sugar . . . who’s the prime suspect when her real-life nemesis is found dead in a hotel’s water tank.
With help from her pet armadillo Princess, Charli campaigns to clear Sugar’s sweet name—literally—when the up-for-election mayor becomes a killer’s next target. Murder and politics make scandalous bedfellows as Charli discovers that fiction may be fatal, but reality could be just as deadly . . .
“A well written, fast-paced cozy mystery that has well developed and likable characters with good humor and a bit of romance.” —Fresh Fiction on Perilous Poetry
“An electrifying tale.”—Fresh Fiction on A Reference to Murder (Amazon)
Review:
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and it pulled me right into the book. I felt like I was there in Hazel Rock, visiting with the people and animals. I would love to go into the Book Barn to do some browsing.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Charli is smart and adventurous and she is not afraid of hard work. She wants the bookstore to continue to be successful. She loves her dad and Princess, their pink armadillo, and she is grateful that she is back home. I like the friendship between her and Scarlett, her best friend. They can get themselves into some awful predicaments and it is fun to see how they get out of them.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and it was not easily solved. I really liked that the story revolved around a book mystery.
I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Grab a copy and enjoy.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Killer Classics, the latest Book Barn mystery by Kym Roberts, starts off with a bang and keeps going. As always, Roberts builds on the established characters and makes sure the town itself is a character in its own right. Charli, of course, gets herself into situations she shouldn’t, but somehow that makes her all the more relatable. The mystery is engaging and will keep you guessing until the very end. This is one of my favorite cozy series.
I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of this novel.
I may need a lie down after writing this review. This is the last in the series of Book Barn Mysteries and I’m a wee bit heartbroken! This town has brought many laughs, snorts and chuckles at the expense of Charlie, Mateo, Cade and the other slightly unhinged natives of Hazel Rock.
Charlie loves the Mystery Moms Book Club but she never expected that the latest book would come to life in Hazel Rock! Before she knows it she is embroiled in another mysterious murder, the plot and characters mirroring the book club read. But with one of her friends in the frame for murder, can Charlie get to the root of the mystery or will she finally have met a mystery she can’t solve?
Princess is back in fine form and she has a new beau in tow. She’s acting like a love struck teenager but her bf is not so sweet! Charlie and Mateo’s relationship gets outed to pretty much the entire town and Cade has set his sights on a bigger political platform than Hazel Rock. Jesse and Daisy are also in fine fettle and Jesse even manages to get more than a word in edgewise!
Not going to give any spoilers but it was chock full of mystery, red herrings, laughs and tears. I’m heartbroken and wanted a solid HEA for everyone but I’m not too disappointed in that, I’ll just imagine the ending I want for everyone, LOL.
Just read all five books available. Must say that at first it took me a bit to become involved in the story lines. But once I did I couldn’t wait to read the next one. The author describes each character so well that I have great mental pictures of them all. The pink armadillo is awesome. In each book there is a hint of family values, friendships as strong as blood, and the art of paying it forward for many causes.
I thank Kym Roberts for introducing me to the world of cozy mysteries. They’re fun, often sweet, and a wonderful change of pace to read after a particularly angsty love story. Not that there’s anything wrong with angsty love stories, (my blogging life is built on them :)) but a change of pace never hurt anyone.
Charli Rae, our small town bookstore owner, is back on the case in the latest installment of the Book Barn Mysteries with Killer Classics. When an author writes a murder mystery that bears too close resemblance to the real town and citizens of Hazel Rock, art imitates life in the form of murder. Charli soon finds herself tangled in another mystery where she must prove the innocence of a friend while keeping herself out of the killer’s sights.
Kym Roberts’ years in law enforcement make her an excellent observer of human nature and behavior and that really shines in the story. The book is loads of fun to read and the characters are very real. We all know people like the citizens of Hazel Rock, Texas or we are one ourselves. That kind of writing keeps turning the pages to find out more.
I didn’t know the killer’s identity until very late in the book, a plus since I’m a good guesser and often figure it out early. So if you want to be stumped, this is the one to read. Plus there’s armadillo love!
Loads of fun to read. Worth every penny!
Rating: 5 stars
Charli takes great pride in running one of the few independent, family-owned bookstores in small-town Texas. She vets everything carefully, with an eye to the eclectic tastes of the locals. That includes the Book Barn’s weekly book club selection. This time out it’s a mystery whose characters bear a striking resemblance to local citizens, including Charli’s friend Sugar. Who happens to be the prime suspect when her real-life nemesis is found dead in a hotel’s water tank.
With help from her pet armadillo Princess, Charli campaigns to clear Sugar’s sweet name, literally, when the up-for-election mayor becomes a killer’s next target. Murder and politics make scandalous bedfellows as Charli discovers that fiction may be fatal, but reality could be just as deadly.
—
Series: A Book Barn Mystery – Book 5
Author: Kym Roberts
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Charli and Princess are at it again. Another murder, another adventure. This time Charli must save the reputation of her friend, Sugar, and keep her from going to prison for murder. Killer Classics, as with the other four books in this series is absorbing and notable. Kym Roberts has created a highly entertaining story filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Her writing is smooth, fast-paced, character-driven, and humorous. The love interest in this book is well defined, and readers will finally be able to see where Charli’s heart leads her.
Sugar is a great suspect and a delightful character. Everything that happens endears her to the reader. Ms. Roberts could do a series with just Sugar and readers would love it. Other characters are engaging as well, and everyone loves Cade as they cheer him on with his new political career. There simply is no way anyone can forget Princess. Booklovers will believe that she is a person instead of an armadillo, and it’s easy to see why. Princess has a distinctive personality and is the comic relief that fills you with hope when everything seems hopeless. Her escapades put a smile on the readers face and fills them with wonder.
In the end, the murderer is revealed, and the motive made clear, a bit on the odd side but not totally irrational. Readers may have the feeling that there should have been more to the murder than what it turns out to be. Regrettably, it isn’t hard to imagine or accept the motive in a world where killing someone over trivial matters is a real possibility.
Unfortunately, this book cannot stand on its own. It is suggested that readers take the time to read the other books in this series before tackling Killer Classics. There is little to no background info provided for the reader. So if you are new to the series you may become confused and exasperated without the character background knowledge that comes from reading a series from the beginning.
Over-all I recommend this book and series to lovers of odd stories, definitive characters, and settings that are intriguing, as well as to those who want a quick read with a happy ending and an unforgettable plot.