Successful author Viola Roberts is headed to a writers’ conference at an exotic Florida resort complete with white sand beaches and swaying palm trees. She plans to lounge in the shade drinking frosty beverages with little umbrellas while catching up on her never ending to-be-read pile. And, of course, no sojourn to tropical climes would be complete without her boozy, wise-cracking best friend … and fellow author, Cheryl.
When Viola discovers the diva of the author world dead (as a doornail) of unnatural causes, the police immediately consider her their prime suspect. But when the head detective turns a gimlet eye on Viola’s best friend, the author has had enough! Along with help from hunky fellow writer, Lucas Salvatore, Viola is determined to ascertain who killed the corpse in the cabana before she, or Cheryl, wind up in jail. Or worse.
The Corpse in the Cabana is the first in the bookish cozy mystery series, Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries set (mostly) in the quaint seaside town of Astoria, Oregon.
“Fun and fresh, with a twisty, clever plot that will have you turning pages right to the end.” -Cheryl Bradshaw, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sloane Monroe mysteries.
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Viola is with her friend Cheryl at a writers conference and the drama is about to ensue. When Viola discovers a dead body in the cabana, and Cheryl had an encounter with the victim the night before; Viola steps in to solve the case. Voila is so relatable and such a fun character. There are some quirky people you meet along the way. This was such a fun read. I look forward to more Viola.
“This is a horrible idea Viola. You’re bound to get yourself killed or wind up in jail or something.”
Viola Roberts had a way of ignoring Cheryl’s warning. After all, as one of Detective Costa’s prime suspects, she couldn’t just sit there and wait while he tried to find her guilty. The ensuing adventure is non-stop and includes another corpse as well as more than one attempt on Viola’s life!
Fast-paced writing, well-developed characters, and an increasingly intriguing storyline, make this first volume of a new series hard to put down. Till it’s done. I really enjoyed Viola’s adventure and am looking forward to many more! Highly recommend!
4 star Review The Corpse In The Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries, Book 1) by Shea MacLeod
AUDIO REVIEW
Both the author Shea MacLeod and narrator Yvette Keller are new to me and I have no idea why that is. Although this is my first book from both of them, it will not be my last.
It is a cozy mystery and one that I found entertaining.
The narrator did a good job and kept me entertained, her voice was easy to listen too as well, although her male voices could have been stronger, but that is just my opinion. Viola Roberts is a successful writer attending a conference in Florida with her best friend and fellow author Cheryl.
She planned a trip with plenty of relaxation beside the pool, what she didn’t count on was finding a body and certainly not that she or Cheryl would appear to be the prime suspects.
Teaming up with fellow writer Lucas Salvatore, Cheryl and a couple of other writers, she is determined to find the real killer before she or Cheryl end up in jail for a murder they didn’t commit.
This was a book filled with secrets, suspense, mystery and I was kept on the edge of my seat as I listened to this story. There are a number of twists, turns and surprises in The Corpse In The Cabana as Viola and her band of friends follow the clues and I have to say that I was taken by surprise on a couple of occasions.
I looking forward to more adventures with Viola Roberts in the future.
I enjoyed this mystery! It’s the first in the Viola Robert’s cozy mysteries series. Viola and her friend Cheryl were so much fun! And Viola’s knack of getting herself in trouble and her commentary were so good also! Viola and Cheryl are headed to a writer’s conference in Florida. But things get interesting when one of the writers is found murdered. By Viola herself. To make matters worse, it’s one of the most successful authors. There were lots of fun characters and humor throughout the story. I listened to this as an audiobook. The narration was really good and the narrator portrayed the characters delightfully.
I enjoyed reading about St Petersburg, Florida, a location I’m familiar with. It was a good mystery at a book convention. A fun read!!
Having an enemy that bests you in every way possible is downright annoying, but having an enemy who winds up dead–and you found the body–well that is just really poor timing. It seems a little too coincidental, but then again–if she is your enemy…chances are she’s found a lot of them down the road as well. The Corpse in the Cabana is a cozy mystery set around a murder that takes place at a writers’ conference. Shea MacLeod will have readers interested in the life and drama of a romance author in no time.
Viola Roberts has done well for herself after pursuing her lifelong dream of writing novels. She dabbled a bit in different types of romances, but set her sights on westerns and that is where the fan-base led her. After joining a girlfriend, and fellow romance writer, at the writers’ conference in Florida, she is not surprised to see the one and only, famed author of steamy romance novels–Natasha, AKA the diva of the author world. Natasha has made several enemies and it’s no surprise when she winds up face down in the cabana, but the police actually think that Viola is a suspect after finding the body. What wretched timing right?! With the heat on all of the writers at the conference who may have had a beef with Natasha, Viola takes it upon herself to find the killer–because she’s seen those police shows–they sometimes do convict the innocent ones and she is no fool to lying down and waiting for the detectives to find someone else. While she is on the lookout though, the real killer may be two steps ahead of her, landing Viola to find herself in some seriously dangerous predicaments that could get her killed too.
Shea MacLeod has a great story-line, filled with intriguing characters and a credible mystery plot. The writing appears to have been well done, but this review compliments the audiobook; therefore, the conclusion is taken from the narrator’s effortless and entertaining voice relay. This story is recommended to those who enjoy cozy mysteries and women’s fiction or chick lit. Since this is the first installment within The Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries, readers are able to jump right in.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a four-star rating to The Corpse in the Cabana by Shea MacLeod.
THE CORPSE IN THE CABANA is the first book in the Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery series. Each will be a stand-alone story featuring romance author Viola Roberts as she solves a murder mystery.
This was a fun cozy mystery, but the relevant “clue” was given several chapters before it became the a-ha clue to solve the mystery. That’s a no-no! Of course, when it was given the first time is when I did solve the crime.
There is great humor, especially if you are in the world of books, blogging, and reading. These are the people we know through social media – the introverts and drama queens. Plus, there was a romance element (or two) and a bit of ghost hunting!
I did look up the hotel purported the second most haunted site in Florida and it is actually the second one listed on the website, but it is a countdown of the seven most haunted sights, so that would make it number six. To me, fact checking is important. If you are writing about a real place, people will be from that area. I am from Central Florida and I am a paranormal junkie. I went to the website to find out what number one was, and instead was disappointed to find out the error in the story. Boo-hiss!
Perhaps this is early in the author’s career and she is learning how to build a cozy mystery. I have committed to reading (listening to) three from this series and, other then that one faux pas and the fact error, I quite enjoyed this story. I’ll be back next week with the next adventure with Viola Roberts.
Narration: Yvette Keller is quite a fun narrator. The good news is that she does read the next story!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audiobookworm, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE CORPSE IN THE CABANA
Series: Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery #1
Author: Shéa MacLeod
Narrator: Yvette Keller
Length: 4 hours 47 minutes
Audible Release Date: 08.29.2016
Publisher: Shéa MacLeod
Publish Date: 02.08.2016
Category /Genre: Cozy Mystery
Recommended for: 14+ (one swear word, adult concept – infidelity)
Listenability: OK for most ears
Received from: Shéa MacLeod (as an Audible gifted copy)
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
What fun to be heading to a convention for work and find that you are involved in a mystery? How far will you go to get yourself out of trouble? Would you do the same for a friends? I loved Viola. She was fun, quirky, smart, almost clueless, except for when she was very on the money. The narrator Yvette Keller had the voice that made this cozy mystery just flow and jive with me. I am looking forward to the next one.
This was a quick, fun, light, sassy read/listen. Viola had a good friend, a job she loved, and three men (one she did know, one too young, one a stick in the mud).
4.5 stars! I liked this book A LOT! It was a well thought through murder mystery with great characters, a little bit of romance and some not over the too humour. I think I got it some time for free on Amazon but while reading it purchased the next 2 of the series already. Highly recommended
Great first book of the series!!