Book Title: Murder by Perfection by Lauren Carr
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 3)
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 3)
Category: Adult fiction, 322 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: May 31, 2018
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)
We received a copy of this novel from the author or publisher for use in our review.
All opinions are my own.
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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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About the Book
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 Faraday expected for her date night was to take a the couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and business.
When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
My Review
Lauren Carr offers readers fun engaging mysteries. I love Lauren's writing style, her characters, and her mystery development. While there are some predictable moments in Murder by Perfection, there are enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged and interested in solving the mysteries through to the end. The storyline is never dull and is well organized with fun dialogue and great characters. Murder by Perfection is rated PG because there are (obviously) murders and flirty innuendo--but, overall the novel is fairly clean for readers who like adult mystery novels without a lot of sex and violence.
Don't Be Intimidated by the Large Cast of Characters. The author incorporates a lot of characters into her stories--whether via direct roles or mentions. Murder by Perfection is no exception and builds on the ever-growing cast of characters from the author's previous novels and series. While the novels of The Thorny Rose Mystery series are stand-alone--there are a lot of characters to organize in your reader's mind. Having said that, the author does a nice job giving readers the details and background of the characters necessary to understand the character's relationships and roles within the current novel. Expect to grow attached to each and every character--from a dog to the main characters. They all have something to offer the story.
Would I recommend Murder by Perfection by Lauren Carr? If you enjoy grown-up mysteries (that are still PG in content) with fun and engaging characters and a storyline that twists and turns just enough to keep you glued to the pages--I cannot recommend this novel (and the series) enough. There are a lot of characters--but, their humor, dialogue, and interactions always pull the stories together and keeps me interested in the resolution. I do think readers who have read Carr's earlier novels and related series will have an easier time organizing the characters and appreciating some of the relationships and backgrounds more. I would certainly recommend this novel along with the other books of this series.
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"Lauren Carr is a master of the light murder mystery. Each contains a strong couple as the central characters. Both the male and female roles are great role models - smart, loyal, talented and always interested in the truth. And as the author is a huge dog lover, there are always several incredible pets, each with their own unique personality. No matter how serious the threat they are facing, the author manages to work in a little humor to keep the tale from getting too dark.
Murder by Perfection is book 3 in Carr's Thorny Rose Mystery Series. The main characters - Murphy and Jessica - fell in love at first sight and married quickly. This 3rd story sees them struggling to try to find balance in their daily lives as well as enough free time to spend together. After a quarrel one evening, Murphy takes off on his motorcycle to calm down - and disappears! He has been kidnapped. Why - no one knows for sure. Friends, family and the government come together to search for answers. Can he be found in time?
Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
Check out these other great Thorny Rose Mysteries:
"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They entertain, give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a few good laughs, and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one book!" Review by Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
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.
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”
"The plot was well thought out and there were no loose ends at the end. The story was fast-paced to keep my attention easily. The book is a treat to a reader who loves a mix of genres in their reads. It has the right amount of romance, mystery, action and thrill to keep me satisfied from the start to the end." - Reviewer: The Travelogue of a Book Addict
About the Book
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.
Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?
Buy the Book
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Amazon ~ Audible
Add to Goodreads
"Lauren Carr has yet gone it again with another great mystery. I am so loving this series and can't wait for more. I know have to read more of Lauren's books. She is a very talented writer." Review by Stacey Schneller of Books, Dreams, Life.
"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Meet the Author Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
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Enter the Giveaway
Thank you so much for the fabulous review for MURDER BY PERFECTION. I am thrilled that you have been enjoying this series. Here's wishing each of your followers luck in the giveaway.
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