Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery Reviews & Book Tour Giveaway

You will always find cozy mysteries and short stories on my reading list! I love finding short mysteries!  Yesterday, I shared my review of Matrimony, Mayhem and Murder--the 10th book from the Fiona Quinn mystery series by C.S. McDonald.  I have read and reviewed a few of the Fiona Quinn books over the past few years.  I love the author's writing style!  Today, I have some of her short mysteries in my review spotlight!  Check out my thoughts on a few of the Fiona Quinn quick mysteries, learn about the books and the series and author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

Enjoy All Four Fiona Quinn Quick Mysteries

 Banking on a Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery 

Book Title:  Banking on a Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  YA Fiction, 30 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  January 31, 2018
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)


About the Book

Fiona’s old college chum, Priscilla Conroy, has recently moved back to the Pittsburgh area after a most unpleasant divorce. Fiona was looking forward to reconnecting with her friend to help cheer her up and the two had made plans to meet at the bank where her friend worked after it closed—only Priscilla never shows up for the lunch date. Thinking the worse, Fiona is beside herself and spends the entire Memorial Day weekend searching for her friend. Did her ex-husband abduct her? Has she been murdered? Somehow Fiona knows that the key to Priscilla Conroy’s disappearance lies within the bank. But how can that be?

Join Fiona Quinn for a quick mystery that’s sure to keep you guessing!

 

My Review

 

Banking on a Murder is a Quick, Fun Read. I love easy-to-read mysteries--especially clean reads that I can share with my daughters. Banking on a Murder is in keeping with C.S. McDonald's writing style. In this short mystery, she develops a complete mystery from beginning to end--keeping readers guessing a bit as she brings it to resolution. 

 

The Quick Mystery Offers Quirky Characters and a Developed Story Line. If you have read the other books of the series--you know that the author likes to give readers a variety of characters. Every character introduced in this quick mystery serves a purpose--and every scene gives readers clues toward the mystery. I always enjoy the variety of characters that McDonald offers--Vivien was probably my favorite in this one--and the little Pittsburgh references are fun for those familiar with the area.


Would I Recommend Banking on A Murder? This short story is the perfect little story for a waiting room (or school pick-up line)--or for a quick bedtime read. The author really gives a cute little mystery--with some suspense and new characters in a short space. The quick mysteries are stand-alone stories, so do not worry if you haven't read the series' other books. The author does a great job filling readers in on essential details and past events. If you want quick, cozy mysteries with a bit of humor--I would definitely recommend this one and the other series' books.

 


Buy the Book

 Amazon

 

Harriet's Heist:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery



Book Title:  Harriet's Heist:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  YA Fiction, 51 pages
Length: 1 hr, 11 minutes

Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  August 14, 2018
Formats Available for review: audible download, ebook (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf)
Tour dates:  Jan 10 to Feb 4, 2022
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

About the Book

Fiona Quinn arrives at her parent’s home in Daytona, Florida for a short visit only to be informed that their usually quiet retirement community has been besieged with robberies—cash, jewelry, and more. Her mom told all the neighbors Fiona is a wiz at catching bad guys.

Yikes!

Can Fiona crack the case? Hopefully, but what’s an amateur sleuth supposed to do when her Maltese, Harriet, shows up decked out in the stolen goods?

Double yikes!

Join Fiona, her parents, Harriet, and some pretty crazy old ladies for a real jewel of a quick mystery!
 
 
My Review

 

 

Harriet's Heist is Another Quick, Fun Read. Harriet's Heist gives a quick, short mystery--and includes Fiona's dog Harriet.  I love easy-to-read mysteries--especially clean reads that I can share with my daughters. The girls would have really liked this one when they were a little younger!  Harriet's Heist  is in keeping with C.S. McDonald's writing style. In another short mystery, she develops a complete mystery story from beginning to end--keeping readers guessing and giggling a bit as she brings it to resolution. 

 

The Quick Mystery Offers More Quirky Characters and a Developed Story Line. If you have read the other books of the series--you know that the author likes to give readers a variety of characters. In this quick mystery, readers get to know Fiona's parents a little and see them in action at home. I am pretty sure that Fiona's mom and my mom are the same human! Like always, every character introduced in this quick mystery serves a purpose--and every scene gives readers clues toward the mystery. This is a fun mystery with Fiona's dog Harriet joining in on the sleuthing.


Would I Recommend Harriet's Heist? This quick mystery would be fun for the kids to use to get those nightly reading minutes logged! Harriet joins forces with Fiona for a cute little mystery--with new characters and visits with familiar ones. The quick mysteries are stand-alone stories, so do not worry if you haven't read the series' other books. The author does a great job filling readers in on essential details and past events. If you want quick, cozy mysteries with a bit of humor--I would definitely recommend this one and the other series' books. 


Buy the Book
 Amazon ~  Audible
 
 
 
Crystal Clear Confusion:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
 


Book Title:  Crystal Clear Confusion:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  YA Fiction, 37 pages
Length: 1 hr, 22 minutes

Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  January 15, 2019
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

About the Book

Yikes! Fiona’s been having a recurring nightmare and it’s driving her to distraction—so much so that she’s allowed her kooky neighbor, Astrid Dingle, to search for the answer through her crystal ball. What could be the cause of the dream, and what lengths will Fiona go to get to the crux of it all? You’ll be chasing dreams with Fiona, Detective Landry and Astrid in this fun quick mystery!  ​
 
 
My Review
 

Fiona Tackles a Lighter Different Kind of Mystery with Crystal Clear Confusion. As Fiona is bothered by a recurring dream, she learns about fears and "lions." My girls would have enjoyed this story, too, as the author allows readers to learn about dreams, nightmares, and real-world fears.  Readers won't find murders or thieves in this story--but there is still a bit of mystery for Fiona to solve.   

 

Would I Recommend Crystal Clear Confusion? This short mystery is a fun way to introduce meanings of dreams and fears to tween readers. I was not fond of the characters as much in this story as I did in other series' books--but there is still some humor as Fiona discovers some things about her bout with nightmares. The quick mysteries are stand-alone stories, so do not worry if you haven't read the series' other books. The author does a great job filling readers in on essential details and past events. If you want quick, cozy mysteries with a bit of humor and family-friendly scenes, I would definitely recommend this one and the other series' books. 


 
Buy the Book:
Amazon ~  
Audible
 
 
 
The Christmas Cameo:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
 


Book Title:  The Christmas Cameo:  A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  YA Fiction, 32 pages
Length: 1 hr, 16 minutes

Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  November 13, 2019
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)

About the Book

A lovely cameo brooch is discovered in Fiona’s late Uncle Wilbur’s house two days before Christmas. The pin bears a romantic Christmas message from Wilbur for his new wife with the initials, D.A.S.
How very strange! To the family’s knowledge, Uncle Wilbur had never been married. So, who is this mysterious woman? Now, Fiona is on a holiday mission to locate D.A.S. and deliver the belated gift. 
Question is, what happened to the marriage? Is D.A.S. still alive after all these years? And if so, can Fiona find her before Christmas?
 
 
My Review
 

The Christmas Cameo Reveals a Family Secret.  In this quick, easy-to-read story--the author takes Fiona on a Christmas mission to uncover some family secrets. The Christmas Cameo is in keeping with C.S. McDonald's light, humorous writing style. In another short mystery, she guides her main character toward some answers about a cameo brooch discovered in her late uncle's home.

 

Expect a Few More Quirky Characters to Create some Story Line Twists.  If you have read the other books of the series--you know that the author likes to give readers a variety of characters. In this short mystery, readers meet a pickpocket and his mother--as well as an endearing elderly lady. As always, every character introduced in this brief "mystery" serves a purpose. This story is a fun family-focused, holiday mystery that uncovers a bit of Fiona's family history.


Would I Recommend The Christmas Cameo?  I enjoy books that explore secrets and the past as much as books that solve murders and robberies. This book made me smile--and was another 

quick read while waiting for an appointment! I recommend this book and the Fiona Quinn series if you enjoy light, cozy mysteries dotted with humor.

 
Buy the Book


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Book Title:  Matrimony. Mayhem, and Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  Adult Fiction, 242 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 10, 2021
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald's books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults--no bad language or sexual content.
 

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About the Book



The venue is set, invitations sent, and the flowers ordered. It’s almost time for Fiona and Nathan to get married…again. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing…well, until the wedding planner is found dead.

Then the woman Fiona has never met shows up--Nathan’s enigmatic mom, Rita Landry. And she’s wearing a gorgeous but mysterious necklace. Worse, Rita is being followed by two sinister-looking men, forcing her to flee the country. And who gets dragged along? None other than the bride-to be! How does a girl prepare for all of that? Looks like Fiona’s perfectly planned matrimony has morphed into mayhem and murder!

You’re formally invited to Fiona and Nathan’s wedding. Question is: Will the wedding happen?

 

Buy the Book
 

Also Available for Your Reading or Listening Pleasure:
 
 
Book Title:  Mambo and Murder:  A Fiona Quinn Mystery #6
Author:  C.S. McDonald
Category:  YA Fiction, 160 pages
Run Time: 4 hours, 9 minutes
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  October 31, 2018
Content Rating:  G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone--adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)
 
 
 


About the Book
 
Three ballroom dancers were murdered over 40 years ago. Wow, that’s one old cold case. What’s more, the murderer, who was thought to have been killed during a police chase, has resurfaced in Pittsburgh. Yikes! How can that be? 

Worse, ballroom dancing simply isn’t Detective Nathan Landry’s forte. After weeks of practice, Nathan still has two left feet. Can Fiona step in to guide Nathan through this dancing debacle or will it take 40 years for the detective to find his footing? 

Double yikes! Join Fiona and detective Landry in this high-stepping whodunit!

 
Buy the Book

 Audible ~ Amazon

 


Meet the Author
 

 

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries nine books with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

 

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Enter the Giveaway

 MATRIMONY MAYHEM AND MURDER Book Tour Giveaway


 

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