Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital. capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says. “Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy: “13”
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Are you a fan of Murphy and Jessica? Then do not look much further than that of Lauren Carr. The Thorny Rose Mystery is picked up once again. We find that Murphy and Jessica are in the thick of things once again in “The Nutcracker Conspiracy”.
The plot seems to be interconnected a bit. Is it just that or is it two different things but involvement. This book seems too real like it really as if I am in real-world experience in my time. There seem to be Jessica who seems to in the middle of defending her friend Amy and her friend Kenneth. When her house is blown up and her husband is killed? Is it Amy that plotted it or is it someone else?
Murphy seems to be trying to find out who killed not one person but several different people. I seem to like this what my real-life government might be doing in a fictional tale. I hope not. But the plot seems to involve more than just the murder but also doing something called a spy ring?
What is the PEAA group? Will Murphy and Jessica come out of this okay and survive? This book has it all. It got surprises and twists and turns from beginning to end. We even get Chris Matheson involved to a point. What is going on? What happens with the President’s assassination attempt?
Thank you IRead and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy
By: Lauren Carr
*REVIEW*
I’ve been fortunate to read several of Lauren Carr’s books, and each one has been enjoyable. The Nutcracker Conspiracy did not disappoint. This is a thrilling read full of mystery, intrigue, suspense and drama, all in the grip of Washington D.C and the kind of conspiracy theories you might expect in this type of climate. As the mystery unravels, it goes further back in time than I expected, and there are plenty of twists and turns. The characters are intelligent, engaging and likeable. I enjoyed this thrilling mystery and recommend for fans of this genre.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy – book #4 in author Lauren Carr’s Thorny Rose Mystery series – offers a wild and complicated ride. It is a political thriller full of head spinning twists and turns. Intriguing clues are offered along the way to guide you, but the complicated plot is one that will keep you guessing until the final chapter.
The book opens with a scene from the past. The US president and first lady, along with the vice president and his wife, are at a performance of The Nutcracker. During intermission, the Vice President’s wife is shot during an attempt on the president’s life. At least that’s the official story. Immediately conspiracy theories arise, fueled by the sheer number of deaths that occur over time to those whose life touched this event in any way. Was the man accused of the crime and killed in the process really trying to kill the president or was the person shot the true target? Was the cabinet was trying to remove the president from office?
Elite Phantom Murphy Thorton and his wife, Forensics Psychology student (and daughter of Mac Faraday) Jessica Faraday-Thornton, initially bought the official line. Case closed. Then a friend’s husband brags he has intimate knowledge of a conspiracy, as well as a manuscript written by another author investigating the event. One who died mysteriously. The couple was at first skeptical. That was until this man becomes victim 13.
What follows is a complicated, fast paced, exciting story that follows the key characters as they try to find answers to the many questions that arise. Are there corrupt people in key government jobs? Was the killing what it appeared to be or was there something else going on behind the scenes? Are there moles inside the government and what is their goal? What is the secret research project focused on at Cox Industries? Who has orchestrated all these deaths and how did they manage to make them all look like accidents or suicides?
The only way you’ll get the answer to these questions and more is to get your copy and dive in. And be prepared – it’ll be a hard one to put down.
I love this series and I’m thrilled to get back to it.
So much worked in this book. The characters were complex. Many of them were favorites I’d encountered in the previous books. The mystery was convoluted. Something caught my attention and pointed to who was behind the crimes. Later, something else kind of confirmed it for me. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was way off the mark and it was someone else. I think those misdirection’s Lauren planted were intentional and very clever.
There was also a prank thing going on. Someone from the past returned and a certain someone else couldn’t resist getting payback, in quite the imaginative ways.
And let’s not forget my other favorites. The critters! This time there are reported sightings of a lycanthrope terrorizing the community. It strikes from cover, even from up in the trees. I wonder who it could be. LOL
I had so much fun and didn’t want it to end. Now I can’t wait for the next book in this charming, addictive and hilarious
The Nutcracker Conspiracy is the fourth and latest installment to Lauren Carr’s Thorny Rose Mysteries. I have read the previous books in the series and this one does not disappoint. It is by far my favorite of the series. I love how Miss Carr is able to throw in humor in addition to her murder mysteries. I love trying to figure out “who done it” and every time, she throws me off. I hardly every predict how it all ends. That is what is so great about her books. She is so clever coming up with these mysteries.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy catches up the perfect couple and investigative team, Murphy and Jessie. Murphy starts investigating the cold case murder of the Vice President’s wife. Witnesses of the murder have, also, have died mysteriously. Murphy teams up with Dean, a writer, to find out the truth behind these deaths before more become victims. There were so many twists and turns within the pages that I would never had seen coming. Mixed in the suspense, there were some sprinkles of humor that kept me reading. I had no problem to continue reading from front to back in one sitting. It is so very good.
I am giving The Nutcracker Conspiracy a very well deserved five plus stars. I am hoping there will be another release from the Thorny Rose Mysteries in the near future. I am ready to give up these fun characters. I highly recommend this one for readers who enjoy a good suspense filled cozy mystery.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This is a review of the Nutcracker Conspiracy by Lauren Carr and done for iRead Book Tours.
What is the book about?
“Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.”
What did I like about the book?
I love a good mystery/thriller/murder mystery book. This book had all the elements of a good murder mystery. Good strong characters, although an awful lot of them. At times it was confusing to keep up with who is who. The setting was mostly in Washington DC and the author told the mystery in a very convincing way. You never expect who the bad guy is and it is unexpected. I also liked that one of the characters is dog Gnarly. At first, I thought it was a person.
What I didn’t like about the book?
The only thing I can think of is the number of characters. I did like that the author put in the front of the book a cast of characters. That really helped.
Do I recommend this book?
I most certainly do. I give it 4 stars! I loved the book and I highly recommend it if you like a good suspenseful story that leaves you satisfied at the end.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes only.
I love a good conspiracy mystery and this one was loaded with mystery, murders, cover ups and “who done it”!
Per usual, there was more than one case happening at once – one that initially appears to be linked with the other.
I felt this time, there were many more characters, more deaths, more “frame jobs”, more cover ups than previous Lauren Carr reads (I may be slightly obsessed with Lauren’s mysteries) and the depth of the “conspiracy” made the entire mystery all the more enjoyable to figure out.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy focuses on Murphy and Jessica (hence, Thorny Rose Mystery), but of course, we have Tristan and Nigel (who are never far from Murphy and Jessica) as well as my favorite dog Gnarly, and another Lauren Carr character, Chris Matheson. (I love that we get to blend our favorite characters into one mystery! It always makes it so much more enjoyable!)
The Nutcracker Conspiracy, as with all other Lauren Carr mysteries, did not disappoint and is a great “who done it” read that captures your attentions, pulls you into the mystery, and keeps you on your toes the entire read.
There is always more than one case going that appear linked, but at times, are two separate cases – which leave you all the more invested.
Lauren’s writing makes you feel like you are part of the team while investigating and per the usual, I did not figure out the suspects until the book revealed them. (I’m pretty sure I was 100% stumped on the suspects in this book and did not see them coming!)
If you enjoy a good mystery, The Nutcracker Conspiracy is definitely a must grab book!