Blog Tour: Twelve to Murder by Lauren Carr (review)

Twelve to Murder
written by Lauren Carr
published by Acorn Book Services

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I participated in the blog tour hosted by Pump Up Your Book! (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: Yes.

Twelve To Murder is a clever blend of comedy, mystery, and sappy love story. Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue.  And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end.

She creates a variety of atypical characters. The protagonist is likeable. The obligatory love interest is someone you want to see the hero marry. And even the German shepherd, Gnarly, has a well-developed love story.  Gnarly kind of steals the story providing some wonderful comic relief. Not that it’s really necessary given the behavior of the hostage ‘’victims” and other peculiar characters.

The setting is in Maryland, again an unusual choice considering the characters are mostly big shot Hollywood types. But I think that’s a big part of what makes the book worth reading. It’s a good story and it’s told in a unique way.

Why four stars instead of five? Somewhere around 65%, the quirkiness and humor wore thin and I just wanted to know whodunit.

Would I recommend it: I do. I think this book would appeal to the same target audience as the TV show Castle. It’s a fun mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Will I read it again: I will not.

About the book: Two people are brutally murdered in their summer place on Deep Creek Lake. Suspected of the murders, former child star and one-time teenybopper idol Lenny Frost takes innocent bystanders hostage in a local pub and demands that Mac Faraday find the killer. Can Mac save the hostages and himself from the wrath of the enraged has-been by piecing together the clues in less than twelve hours, or will it be a fatal last call at the stroke of midnight?

Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE.

 

About the author: Lauren Carr is the best-selling author of the Mac Faraday Mysteries, which takes place in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Twelve to Murder is the seventh installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series.

In addition to her series set on DeepCreekLake, Lauren Carr has also written the Lovers in Crime Mysteries, which features prosecutor Joshua Thornton with homicide detective Cameron Gates, who were introduced in Shades of Murder, the third book in the Mac Faraday Mysteries. They also make an appearance in The Lady Who Cried Murder. Dead on Ice (A Lovers in Crime Mystery) was released September 2012. The second installment, Real Murder will be out in 2014.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. This year, several books, over a variety of genre, written by independent authors will be released through the management of Acorn Book Services, which is currently accepting submissions. Visit Acorn Book Services website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Find Ms. Carr here: web, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads