Beware! Perfection has a dark side!Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night. The last thing Jessica expected for her date night was a couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford–the embodiment of feminine perfection.When Natalie ends up dead and … ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s flawless life to discover that perfection has a very sinister dark side.
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I love the way Lauren Carr thinks and writes. Reading her books is always a joy and an adventure. LISTENING to one takes the experience up a notch. Mike Alger narrates this series to perfection. From the voice of the “smart house” to the attitudes of the dogs to each of the many individual characters, this book is amazing to listen to.
The plot, as always, will take you through a range of emotions. As often as you are on the edge of your seat, you will find reasons to smile. Sensuous and dangerous, Carr writes characters that are well developed and individual. Male readers/listeners will be as intrigued by the characterizations as the dangerous intrigue.
This is a mystery you have to pay attention to as the details are masterfully encased in the narrative.
It had been a while since I visited these character’s but I quickly found my footing on who was who, both human and other. One year into their marriage, Jessica and Murphy have hit a bump in the road. It’s push me pull me with so many things consuming all of their time. The murder of Murphy’s friend is sure to take even more of his time. But, a bone is tossed and they can work this case together. They just need to join a cooking class and warn the person instructing it that they’re in danger. She may be a clue to get the case moving again. If they can keep her alive.
Having read many of Lauren’s books, I knew there would be more than one mystery to solve. There was also character growth, loads of laughs and some fun critter antics, including a cocky rooster.
And Nigel. I’d forgot all about Nigel. He’s the A.I. that keeps the smart house in order and things running smoothly. He’s also a huge help with solving cases as he has a font of information at his fingertips, kind of. He may be artificial, but he’s still got a personality. A charming one, in fact.
There’s more than one mystery, as I mentioned at the beginning. And a kidnapping that had me all twisted inside. As the investigation deepens, more character’s are involved, more suspects join the list and the suspense builds. You’ll need your thinking cap and an assistant to figure this one out. It’s not an obvious resolution.
Character driven stories are my favorite. I don’t have to love them, I just need to be to relate to them. And Lauren gives me character’s from all walks of life. And her critters. They hop, skip and jump throughout the book. Each one has their own personality with quirks that keep you laughing and loving them. I’m not talking about just cats and dogs either.
Once again, Lauren managed to immerse me in her story quickly. And while I couldn’t wait to see how things concluded, I also tried to savor all of the little bits in between.
Murder, kidnapping, mystery, romance and laugh out loud moments are what this is all about. Never a dull moment and another excellent story from Lauren.
Murder by Perfection
Thorny Rose Mystery #3
By Lauren Carr
Read by Mike Alger
For Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday marriage is not a easy with their schedules conflicting. But they are determined to take time out for them – but when Murphy is given an assignment on “date night” Jessica is less than thrilled. Who wants to take part in a couple’s cooking class instead of having a romantic date at home? But a murder investigation is riding on what Murphy can uncover.
But Murphy goes missing and the gourmet cooking instructor is brutally murdered. With time ticking down Murphy’s father Joshua and his twin brother JJ soon join Jessica and Tristan as they comb through clues. Is Murphy’s disappearance related to the murder he was investigating? And even more troubling who could take down a Phantom?
This is one who-dun-it that will leave you wondering just who did what to whom. This is the first that I’ve read anything in which JJ was more than a mention and some of the scenes with him are quite entertaining. And one just can’t help but be amused whenever Nigel is in a scene – the Thornton/Faraday “butler”.
This is not a cozy mystery or a gentle read and is most definitely in the PG category for violence and suggestive scenes. But if your taste in books runs towards mystery, suspense, and murder you will devour this book! There are suspects aplenty and a few characters that one just can’t help disliking. The narration is well presented by Mike Alger. There is no drag and it progresses at a good pace for the 8-1/2 hour reading, good for a long commute or just eye-resting listening enjoyment.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Thank you IRead and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Murder By Perfection
A Thorny Rose Mystery #3
By: Lauren Carr
*REVIEW*
Lauren Carr has become one of my favorite authors. I know her books will be intriguing entertaining and compelling. Murder By Perfection is the story of Murphy and Jessica and third in the Thorny Rose Mystery Series. Murphy and Jessica have overwhelming schedules and are missing quality time. A much needed date night ends in disaster with a murder, and Murphy goes missing. It’s a mystery that branches off to various areas such as police procedure, cold cases, humor, suspense, thriller, drama-basically it’s a great balance of many elements that make this an excellent read. The characters are likeable, intelligent, authentic and feel like old friends. The story is not predictable or boring, rather, it’s an addictive guessing game that is hard to put down. I read it quickly because I had to know what happens next! I enjoyed this story immensely and recommend it, especially if you are looking for a new author. Lauren Carr has written numerous books, and I have liked each one I’ve read so far. Overall, a great mystery!
Murphy connects with an old friend from his navy academy days, Lt. Cromwell, who tells him a friend thinks there’s something fishy going down somewhere. Lt. Cromwell ends up dead and Murphy wonders if it’s related to the “something fishy.” He and Jessica take a cooking class with a local chef, who has videos online, not just of cooking. Natalie Stepford is married and living in a beautiful home with her rich husband. She’s the next victim, soon after she gives Murphy some information. He disappears, his motorcycle left on the side of the road. His father and twin, JJ, come to help find him, along with the government agencies already involved.
There are twists and turns with paths intertwining, some with historical routes, some with Kitty Kat and her playfulness, and of course there is Lt. Cromwell’s family. All the dogs and Ollie add a bit of lightness as does JJ’s panic and avoidance when it comes to his feelings. Another great read by Carr with inventive scenarios and a quick paced plot.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
Lauren Carr has done it again. If you have read one of her books, you know that you have been hooked from that first one you read. You will want more. If you have not read Lauren Carr books you are truly missing out on some really good murders and murder mystery. She write so well that you will not be able to stop with one chapter.
Murder by Perfection is no different. We see that Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are doing in there lives. Things looks like they are still enjoying there bliss but it starting to warn off as they both have busy schedules. Can they fix it? Will they be able to find time for themselves?
Things really start to get interesting once Murphy runs into an old buddy of his from his time at the academy. His buddy starts talking to him about making it work to keep his marriage work. Though his buddy and Captain want to talk to Murphy alone about something important?
By the time, Murphy get to the park, there a crime and he a witness to his navy buddy crime. We go for a ride with murder galore. Murphy goes missing? Who want him gone and took him. Jessica get a ransom and also bring in the Thornton family like, JJ Thornton, Joshua Thornton, NCIS Team and a few others. We even see Tristan Faraday involved.
Lauren Carr brings in drugs, kidnapping and so much more. I loved just about everything. You are keep guessing until the end. How is it all connected? What does Natalie Shepherd’s life got to do with Murphy?