What do you think?
Rate this book
Isabel & Alma Trumbo #1
Quiet Anchorage
Quiet Anchorage, Virginia, is like any other sleepy small town until Jake Robbins is murdered, and his fiancée Megan Connors is arrested for it. The laidback, good old boy Sheriff Roscoe Fox feels smugly confident he’s got the right culprit, Megan Connors, locked up in his jail. It’s a feather in his cap to help give his re-election campaign for town sheriff a boost. However, not all the townies believe Sheriff Fox has so niftily solved Jake’s murder. Megan’s feisty septuagenarian aunts, Isabel and Alma Trumbo, are angry with Sheriff Fox. They decide they better roll up their sleeves and get busy doing some shrewd detective work. They are avid mystery fans with their large home library filled with every whodunit they’ve read, so they know the tricks a clever killer might employ. They befriend the twentysomething Sammi Jo Garner who takes no guff off anybody and becomes the sisters’s assistant as they snoop away and unravel Jake’s murder mystery. Isabel and Alma also enlist the aid of their other local friends, the Three Musketeers, who are the gray-haired benchwarmers on Main Street, and Sammi Jo’s eccentric aunt Phyllis Garner. Together, they follow the right clues to track down Jake’s actual killer and clear Megan’s name. Everybody wishes they had a determined, loyal pair of aunts like Isabel and Alma Trumbo in their corner. This first book launches the humorous cozy mystery series that offers a clean read and a traditional whodunit. Join Isabel and Alma when they set off on their new life adventure as amateur sleuths that is as fun and challenging for them as it is for the reader.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2011
7 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Ed Lynskey
68 books2,713 followersEd Lynskey is a crime fiction author who writes the P.I. Frank Johnson Mystery Series and the Isabel and Alma Trumbo Cozy Mystery Series. His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 11, 2011
I love a good cozy mystery and this one fit the bill! The characters were fun and the book was a fast and easy, yet extremely entertaining read!
Isabel and Alma Trumbo are sisters. They are upset when their niece, Megan, is accused of murdering her fiance and the two set out to clear Megan's name. However, Sheriff Fox is not going to let it go that easily. The aunt's will stop at nothing (and I do mean nothing) to help.
I enjoyed the small town atmosphere (very much like the town I live in) and the characters were eay to connect too. The author kept you guessing as to who the killer was and I was pleasantly surprised at the end.
This book was a fast read but kept me interested throughout the whole story. I read it quickly simply because I did not want to put it down. I found the book funny and can't wait for more from this author!
Isabel and Alma Trumbo are sisters. They are upset when their niece, Megan, is accused of murdering her fiance and the two set out to clear Megan's name. However, Sheriff Fox is not going to let it go that easily. The aunt's will stop at nothing (and I do mean nothing) to help.
I enjoyed the small town atmosphere (very much like the town I live in) and the characters were eay to connect too. The author kept you guessing as to who the killer was and I was pleasantly surprised at the end.
This book was a fast read but kept me interested throughout the whole story. I read it quickly simply because I did not want to put it down. I found the book funny and can't wait for more from this author!
January 29, 2020
3 stars
Funny and fast paced mystery about 2 seventy something sisters Isabel and Alma, who bicker there way through the case picking up allies along the way to free their niece Megan from a murder charge. Sammi Jo is their first and most effective ally as she has
The mystery itself is pretty good with the ladies up against the sheriff and
The series is a fun change of pace with the two senior sisters in a genre that usually is dominated by much younger heroines.
Cozies Reading Challenge
Funny and fast paced mystery about 2 seventy something sisters Isabel and Alma, who bicker there way through the case picking up allies along the way to free their niece Megan from a murder charge. Sammi Jo is their first and most effective ally as she has
The mystery itself is pretty good with the ladies up against the sheriff and
The series is a fun change of pace with the two senior sisters in a genre that usually is dominated by much younger heroines.
Cozies Reading Challenge
February 7, 2015
I was so charmed by this first book in the 'Alma & Isabel' mystery series, I have already downloaded the next two into my Kindle. Alma and Isabel are two elderly sisters who are young at heart, wicked of tongue and do not suffer fools gladly. Their niece is charged with murder and they are determined to find the true murderer. These are the kind of mysteries that I don't really care who did it. I am entertained by the sister's relationship with one another and to all they encounter. I love Alma, especially, for her snark and withering remarks. I look forward to more of the sisters and long may they live!!
January 3, 2018
Megan Connors is arrested for the murder of her
fiancé, Jake Robbins. Megan is the niece of the
Trumbo sisters, Isabel & Alma. These two senior
citizens have been helping solving the small town
of Quiet Anchorage, Virginia mysteries. Now they
are about to form the Trumbo Detective Agency
and help solve this murder to prove their niece
innocent.
Small town characters that are quirky, vivid, colorful
and well created involved in a puzzling plot.
A quick, humorous, enjoyable read.
fiancé, Jake Robbins. Megan is the niece of the
Trumbo sisters, Isabel & Alma. These two senior
citizens have been helping solving the small town
of Quiet Anchorage, Virginia mysteries. Now they
are about to form the Trumbo Detective Agency
and help solve this murder to prove their niece
innocent.
Small town characters that are quirky, vivid, colorful
and well created involved in a puzzling plot.
A quick, humorous, enjoyable read.
March 5, 2011
A really cute story. Good detective work and some pretty good use of dumb luck. I'dd reccomend it to anyone who like cozy mysteries or anyone who likesw small town stories.
September 16, 2014
I liked it! Love the quirky characters. Right out of any small town USA.
I have shared my review on gbmysteries.blogspot.com.
I have shared my review on gbmysteries.blogspot.com.
July 19, 2017
Not a bad mystery , with some decent twists and turns. The main problem I had with it is that it leaps straight into the plot without really setting up the location or the characters - whereas with cozy mysteries, you normally get a bit more of a feel for the setting than that.
August 29, 2011
Quiet Anchorage is a debut cozy mystery for Ed Lynskey in the tradition of Anne George's Southern Sisters series. In the small American town of Quiet Anchorage, sisters Isabel and Alma Trumbo enjoy sipping iced tea, reading mystery novels, watching 'stories' and completing the odd crossword or two but these two spry septuagenarians are incensed when their niece, Megan, is accused of the murder of her fiance and set out to prove Sheriff Fox wrong and unmask the real killer.
With just enough misdirection to keep the reader off balance, this mystery is well thought out and engaging. Through a combination of clever investigation and a little luck, the sisters identify several possible suspects including the arrogant Sheriff seeking reelection and his rival deputy.
Alma and Isabel bicker good naturedly and have a cynical wisdom afforded by age. The pair are very likable protagonists being forthright and slightly eccentric. Sammi Jo is a good foil for the two, the brawn behind the brains almost. The book is also populated by the quintessential small town characters like the 'Benchwarmers' that add to the appeal of the story by grounding it firmly in a community.
The novel's gentle momentum and sense of humor has an undeniable charm. I noticed that Lynskey often misused prepositions and punctuation was a bit hit and miss but these were minor issues.
Quiet Anchorage is a delightful cozy mystery that I enjoyed. Lynskey is planning on creating a series based on the lively Alma and Isabel Trumbo and their newly incorporated investigation agency so keep an eye out for more titles.
With just enough misdirection to keep the reader off balance, this mystery is well thought out and engaging. Through a combination of clever investigation and a little luck, the sisters identify several possible suspects including the arrogant Sheriff seeking reelection and his rival deputy.
Alma and Isabel bicker good naturedly and have a cynical wisdom afforded by age. The pair are very likable protagonists being forthright and slightly eccentric. Sammi Jo is a good foil for the two, the brawn behind the brains almost. The book is also populated by the quintessential small town characters like the 'Benchwarmers' that add to the appeal of the story by grounding it firmly in a community.
The novel's gentle momentum and sense of humor has an undeniable charm. I noticed that Lynskey often misused prepositions and punctuation was a bit hit and miss but these were minor issues.
Quiet Anchorage is a delightful cozy mystery that I enjoyed. Lynskey is planning on creating a series based on the lively Alma and Isabel Trumbo and their newly incorporated investigation agency so keep an eye out for more titles.
March 23, 2011
My 2 cents:
What a great cozy mystery this was to read. This is the first book I have read by the author and what a read it was. I throughly enjoyed reading about Alma and Isabel the amateur sleuths of Quiet Anchorage. They end up trying to help their niece Megan get our of jail. If they can, with Megan's prints on the murder weapon she might not stand a chance up against Sheriff Fox. He is bound and determined to make this case stick right before election time.
Alma and Isabel really make this book rock. I enjoyed the banter between the two that made this cozy read hilarious through out the book. The things these two women won't stop at to free Megan is out of this world. I could picture my great aunt or grandma for that matter trying to pull some of the same stunts what a hoot that would be. Ed does a wonderful job creating these characters. He did have me guessing up till the end who committed the crime.
What makes this a good read there are plenty villains in this book to keep the twists and your mind going trying to figure out who killed Jake and why. The book held my attention and made me think about who I thought it would be and that makes a great mystery.
What a great cozy mystery this was to read. This is the first book I have read by the author and what a read it was. I throughly enjoyed reading about Alma and Isabel the amateur sleuths of Quiet Anchorage. They end up trying to help their niece Megan get our of jail. If they can, with Megan's prints on the murder weapon she might not stand a chance up against Sheriff Fox. He is bound and determined to make this case stick right before election time.
Alma and Isabel really make this book rock. I enjoyed the banter between the two that made this cozy read hilarious through out the book. The things these two women won't stop at to free Megan is out of this world. I could picture my great aunt or grandma for that matter trying to pull some of the same stunts what a hoot that would be. Ed does a wonderful job creating these characters. He did have me guessing up till the end who committed the crime.
What makes this a good read there are plenty villains in this book to keep the twists and your mind going trying to figure out who killed Jake and why. The book held my attention and made me think about who I thought it would be and that makes a great mystery.
March 16, 2011
Quiet Anchorage by Ed Lynskey is a fun read of the cozy mystery variety. While I probably won't reread this one, I'm certainly going to be on the look-out for the further adventures of the elderly sleuths, Isabel and Alma. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the small town as well as the relationship between the sisters. And it was a pleasure to have a different kind of detective-or, rather, detectives!
Many thanks to Ed Lynskey for the ride and hopes for another one soon!
Many thanks to Ed Lynskey for the ride and hopes for another one soon!
March 19, 2015
It was good, the 2 old ladies were fun but it seemed to drag quite a bit in spots. I thought there was a few sections that really didn't advance the plot and seemed as if they could have been deleted with no one being the wiser. I did not actually guess who it was though so that's good.
February 14, 2016
Delightful read, Alma and Isabel are super sleuths! Loved the plot and the sisters eagerness to save their niece. This is a series I will certainly read more of.
May 2, 2019
I just couldn't get cozy enough with this story, it was like sitting in a soft, encompassing arm chair that someone left the remote control on, and it was as if my butt couldn't get comfortable but I couldn't move to get the remote and switch it off...
The old ladies are delightful it is true, and the setting a cute bit of small town America that doesn't exist anymore, but it was so unrealistic and hackneyed that I just couldn't make it work. The dialogue was contrived, the writing lackluster, and it felt like just a good first try. Maybe future efforts get better. Though it is difficult for me to really despise any mystery involving inquisitive and feisty old ladies, call it Ms. Marplitis, I felt like this watery tea needed some more substance.
The old ladies are delightful it is true, and the setting a cute bit of small town America that doesn't exist anymore, but it was so unrealistic and hackneyed that I just couldn't make it work. The dialogue was contrived, the writing lackluster, and it felt like just a good first try. Maybe future efforts get better. Though it is difficult for me to really despise any mystery involving inquisitive and feisty old ladies, call it Ms. Marplitis, I felt like this watery tea needed some more substance.
January 9, 2019
Ed Lynskey books are enjoyable reads which you don't want to put down until you finish the book
The sisters always make for a good read and this book was a good read. Living in a small town off the beaten path.the sisters always champion the truth.
The sisters always make for a good read and this book was a good read. Living in a small town off the beaten path.the sisters always champion the truth.
March 3, 2022
Never under estimate little old ladies! Alma and Isabel are some real spit fires and get
to have Sammi Jo join them in their hunt for a killer. I was surprised by who it turned
out to be because I was with the ladies and thought it was the Sheriff....he was too cocky.
A good cozy read
to have Sammi Jo join them in their hunt for a killer. I was surprised by who it turned
out to be because I was with the ladies and thought it was the Sheriff....he was too cocky.
A good cozy read
Read
May 28, 2017Written by an acquaintance of mine through the Cozy Mysteries Club. The two 70+ sleuths are delightfully amusing foils. Can't wait to read the second book.
September 15, 2020
Fun characters!
I enjoyed the personalities and the seemingly haphazard way they investigated the murder. But it all came together n the end!
I enjoyed the personalities and the seemingly haphazard way they investigated the murder. But it all came together n the end!
February 19, 2022
I enjoyed this story and will try the next in the series. I liked that it took a while to wonder about the murderer. Always like a good murder.
February 12, 2015
First few chapters were OK. They introduced the reader to the mystery plot and the main characters, although I found some of the descriptive words were odd.
However by the time I got to Chapter 8 I found I was having to re-read two or three sentences on every page to try and make sense of what the author was trying to convey. Here are a few examples where I got bogged down;
On page 40 the author used the word kibbutz (meaning Israeli residential settlement). I think he had intended to use kibbitz (meaning unwanted and intrusive comments or conversation). However, I am not sure that kibbitz was even the meaning he intended within the context of the sentence, since why would someone invite people to his office for unwanted and intrusive comments???
On page 42 he wrote that the Sheriff's 'cadence turned brusque." I puzzled over this for a few seconds asking myself did his tone of voice turn brusque, or did the rhythm of his speech speed up???
Another example on page 43 "...and her eyes had sunken into patchy cavities over a droopy chin." What??
Sorry but I prefer cozy mysteries that are light and breezy and that I can zip through for entertainment. This story became too hard a slog, and by one quarter through the book I had completely lost the thread of the plot in the author’s descriptive language that was very frustrating.
Plot: 3 Stars Overall Rating: 2 Stars Did Not Finish
However by the time I got to Chapter 8 I found I was having to re-read two or three sentences on every page to try and make sense of what the author was trying to convey. Here are a few examples where I got bogged down;
On page 40 the author used the word kibbutz (meaning Israeli residential settlement). I think he had intended to use kibbitz (meaning unwanted and intrusive comments or conversation). However, I am not sure that kibbitz was even the meaning he intended within the context of the sentence, since why would someone invite people to his office for unwanted and intrusive comments???
On page 42 he wrote that the Sheriff's 'cadence turned brusque." I puzzled over this for a few seconds asking myself did his tone of voice turn brusque, or did the rhythm of his speech speed up???
Another example on page 43 "...and her eyes had sunken into patchy cavities over a droopy chin." What??
Sorry but I prefer cozy mysteries that are light and breezy and that I can zip through for entertainment. This story became too hard a slog, and by one quarter through the book I had completely lost the thread of the plot in the author’s descriptive language that was very frustrating.
Plot: 3 Stars Overall Rating: 2 Stars Did Not Finish
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2012
Refreshing new sister sleuth mystery series, October 16, 2012
Alma and Isabel, make up the new Trumbo Sisters Detective Agency. That is after their niece, Megan, was arrested for the murder of her fiance, Jake Robbins, the local mechanic.
Megan discovered Jake at his garage dead from a gun shot. Sheriff Fox arrests Megan after finding her fingerprints on the gun. Alma and Isabel are livid to put it mildly. They are bound and determined to get to the bottom of this set up against Megan. But every clue leads them to a frustrating dead end. The sisters' even resort to browsing in their "siberia". A room filled with all their paperback mysteries. Their desperate hope is that a title may lead them to the real killer.
The sisters investigations seem to be taking them around in circles until Sammi Jo joins their plight. Once Sammi Jo puts on her thinking cap the ball starts rolling. That's when the action starts and it's non-stop until the end.
I was so happy to finally find another cozy mystery series with elderly sisters at the helm. There are so many fans of Anne George's southern sisters mysteries who have been waiting for a series like this to come along. I am eagerly looking forward to the next story in this series.
The beginning gets off to a slow start but it's well worth it for any cozy lover to continue reading. A great cozy.
Alma and Isabel, make up the new Trumbo Sisters Detective Agency. That is after their niece, Megan, was arrested for the murder of her fiance, Jake Robbins, the local mechanic.
Megan discovered Jake at his garage dead from a gun shot. Sheriff Fox arrests Megan after finding her fingerprints on the gun. Alma and Isabel are livid to put it mildly. They are bound and determined to get to the bottom of this set up against Megan. But every clue leads them to a frustrating dead end. The sisters' even resort to browsing in their "siberia". A room filled with all their paperback mysteries. Their desperate hope is that a title may lead them to the real killer.
The sisters investigations seem to be taking them around in circles until Sammi Jo joins their plight. Once Sammi Jo puts on her thinking cap the ball starts rolling. That's when the action starts and it's non-stop until the end.
I was so happy to finally find another cozy mystery series with elderly sisters at the helm. There are so many fans of Anne George's southern sisters mysteries who have been waiting for a series like this to come along. I am eagerly looking forward to the next story in this series.
The beginning gets off to a slow start but it's well worth it for any cozy lover to continue reading. A great cozy.
March 25, 2014
Sisters, Isabel and Alma are on the case when their niece, Megan, is falsely accused of the murder of her fiance. Since they have been reading murder mysteries novels forever, they believe they are experts when it comes to solving crimes. These two elderly sisters are a hoot! Their back and forth conversations are like a pinball machine, jumping from subject to subject without missing a beat. I swear if these two ladies were real people, I would get whiplash every time I had a conversation with them. And good Lord almighty, they are a determined pair!
This was such a delightfully fun novel to read. Once I started, I could not put it down until I figured out who the real killer was (like Isabel and Alma, I was quite determined!). The author certainly kept me guessing until the very end. This was a well-written story and had such a great cast of characters that kept me giggling throughout.
If you enjoy a good, solid mystery, then go grab your favorite drink, settle down in your comfy chair and spend the day with Isabel and Alma as they unravel the mystery of who done it!
This was such a delightfully fun novel to read. Once I started, I could not put it down until I figured out who the real killer was (like Isabel and Alma, I was quite determined!). The author certainly kept me guessing until the very end. This was a well-written story and had such a great cast of characters that kept me giggling throughout.
If you enjoy a good, solid mystery, then go grab your favorite drink, settle down in your comfy chair and spend the day with Isabel and Alma as they unravel the mystery of who done it!
October 9, 2015
Quiet Anchorage, Virginia, a small town with as many quirky, eccentric characters as any other small town also has the Trumbo sisters, Isabel and Alma. When Megan, the Trumbo's niece, is accused of the murder of her boyfriend the newly formed Trumbo Detective Agency gets busy finding out who the real murderer is.
I liked the characters, especially Isabel and Alma as well as their young, bright, friend Sammi Jo. I found their antics quite humorous but frustrating at times. I was a little confused two or three times as to their movements when checking out the deceased's home/office/workshop and again as they moved about in the drugstore looking for clues. In one instance it seemed like they hadn't been there before and in the other instance they seemed to use multiple doors to come and go.
There were a lot of typos in the book, mainly missing words, transposed words and extra words. The process of rewriting in your head always slows things down a bit.
Overall, I would read about the Trumbo sisters again hoping that things are a little clearer next time.
I liked the characters, especially Isabel and Alma as well as their young, bright, friend Sammi Jo. I found their antics quite humorous but frustrating at times. I was a little confused two or three times as to their movements when checking out the deceased's home/office/workshop and again as they moved about in the drugstore looking for clues. In one instance it seemed like they hadn't been there before and in the other instance they seemed to use multiple doors to come and go.
There were a lot of typos in the book, mainly missing words, transposed words and extra words. The process of rewriting in your head always slows things down a bit.
Overall, I would read about the Trumbo sisters again hoping that things are a little clearer next time.
May 10, 2015
The 1st in a cozy book series featuring 2 sisters who are fun, feisty and very likeable. I tore through this book and ideally will read the whole series. My favorite genre is British mysteries, and this reminds me of the cozy English village mysteries. Most of the books I read now are not at all cozy, which can become a bit harrowing, so it's lovely to be able to turn to something sweet, fun as well as being a mystery!
June 19, 2011
Hope this is the beginning of a series. Would love to know more about the sisters back stories. Enticing tidbits about their past thrown in and now I want to know more about them. Loved the 3 eccentrics on the bench and Sammi Jo. Story good although I thought I knew who did it early on but only started to figure out why later on.
April 2, 2011
Quiet Anchorage is an entertaining cozy mystery. Isabel and Alma are tenacious, outspoken mystery readers determined to exonerate their niece who has been framed for murder.
Quiet Anchorage is the first in a planned series of amateur sleuth novels featuring Isabel and Alma's ladies detective agency. I look forward to their next case.
Quiet Anchorage is the first in a planned series of amateur sleuth novels featuring Isabel and Alma's ladies detective agency. I look forward to their next case.
May 4, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were lots of fun and very lovable. The mystery was simple and made you feel like you were part of the community and wanted to root on the two sisters to solve the murder! I can't wait for the next one! Thank you for allowing me to read this giveaway edition!
June 27, 2015
This book had a good story. I really liked the sisters and their assistant. The niece they were trying to save was a bit odd. In one part, one of the sisters was looking for something that had fallen into the knitting basket. Being a knitter myself, I wish she hadn't given up on the knitting so that could become part of the continuing story!
November 27, 2013
Good cozy mystery about two sisters.. retired, widowed, and senior citizens working to solve a murder that finds their niece accused and behind bars. This is the first book in the series. I plan to read the next one "The Cashmere Shroud".
January 2, 2014
It took a little while for me to warm to the protagonists, but once I did, the novel ended too quickly. Now I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of trouble they stir up in the second novel of the series.
April 25, 2015
Started and then put down. Just did not warm up to the sisters. I has been compared to Anne George's southern sisters so perhaps my expectation level was too high. I may pick it back ip later but for now giving it a pass.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews