Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Murder Most Persuasive (An Elizabeth Parker Mystery #3)
by
Tracy Kiely
Finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award
After the death of Elizabeth Parker’s great-uncle Martin Reynolds, the family’s house in the picturesque Maryland town of St. Michaels is sold.When the new owners dig up the pool, they find the body of the man thought to have run off eight years earlier after embezzling over a million dollars from the family business.
This grisly d...more
After the death of Elizabeth Parker’s great-uncle Martin Reynolds, the family’s house in the picturesque Maryland town of St. Michaels is sold.When the new owners dig up the pool, they find the body of the man thought to have run off eight years earlier after embezzling over a million dollars from the family business.
This grisly d...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
August 30th 2011
by Minotaur Books
(first published 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
446)
I loved the first of these books, don't think I liked the second much as I didn't write a review or give it any stars, but did mark it as "read" which is my MO when I don't want to give a book a high rating, but also don't want to diss it.
However, I really enjoyed this one. I thought, as I have before, that the dialogue is a bit stilted, but this might be Kiely going for a more formal Austen air, I'm not sure.
This one was funnier than I remember the others being, which I think is what made me l...more
However, I really enjoyed this one. I thought, as I have before, that the dialogue is a bit stilted, but this might be Kiely going for a more formal Austen air, I'm not sure.
This one was funnier than I remember the others being, which I think is what made me l...more
Martin Reynolds sold his vacation home in Maryland shortly before he died, with the proceeds to be divided between his three children. When the new owners begin renovations, they find a body buried underneath the pool, which turns out have been the former fiancé of Martin's daughter Reggie. Michael Barrow had disappeared the day after Reggie broke off their engagement, along with a million dollars from the Reynold's family business, where he worked. It was assumed that he'd absconded with the mo...more
Martin Reynolds sold his vacation home in Maryland shortly before he died, with the proceeds to be divided between his three children. When the new owners begin renovations, they find a body buried underneath the pool, which turns out have been the former fiancé of Martin's daughter Reggie. Michael Barrow had disappeared the day after Reggie broke off their engagement, along with a million dollars from the Reynold's family business, where he worked. It was assumed that he'd absconded with the mo...more
The Reynolds’ family thinks they have all they can deal with when the patriarch of the family, Martin, dies. But that’s just the beginning of the drama that is about to be unsurfaced. When Martin’s lavish home is sold, the new owners dig up the pool and find the body of a young man who was not only engaged to Martin’s daughter, but disappeared nearly a decade ago after embezzling $1 million from the family company.
Now the drama they thought they had put to rest so long ago is back, but now there...more
Now the drama they thought they had put to rest so long ago is back, but now there...more
Murder Most Persuasive is Tracy Kiely's 3rd mystery based on loosely on Jane Austen's novels. One can readily guess the influence from the title. Elizabeth Parker makes her third appearance as a sleuth. Much like Miss Marple she finds herself at the right place at the right time. Like Miss Marple, Elizabeth understands that she has a talent for solving mysteries.
In this instance, Elizabeth happens to be gathered for the funeral of great-uncle Martin Reynolds. When Uncle Martie's house in St. Mic...more
In this instance, Elizabeth happens to be gathered for the funeral of great-uncle Martin Reynolds. When Uncle Martie's house in St. Mic...more
I think Tracy Kiely must be one of the most well-read authors out there. Not only do her characters quote Jane Austen (much to be expected in this up-dated Persuasion inspired novel), but one of them works at the Folger Shakespeare Company (yes, I'm jealous), and makes a point of quoting the bard. I love Elizabeth's voice and personality throughout this book, and her characters are all believably flawed, which makes the various events in the story ring true. I enjoyed Ann's reunion with Joe (rea...more
When a family house is sold after the death of Martin Reynolds a body is found of a man thought to have stolen money from the family eight years before. It is up to Elizabeth Parker to try to solve the case and clear her family of any criminal charges. She has the help of her sister Kit and her cousin Ann to solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again. While working on finding the killer Elizabeth tries to also play matchmaker to Ann, her ex-boyfriend Detective Joe Muldoon is also on the...more
A funeral, a murder and a Jane Austen theme! Uncle Marty is dead but a body is discovered under his old pool, which had to be put there eight years earlier. Which leads Elizabeth to ask- who commited the murder and why?
Marty's daughter Ann is staying at the house, getting the will in order while her step mother is away at a spa following her husband's funeral. The identity of the dead body is not a stranger to the family, everyone believed he embezzeled money from the family and ran off- but it...more
Marty's daughter Ann is staying at the house, getting the will in order while her step mother is away at a spa following her husband's funeral. The identity of the dead body is not a stranger to the family, everyone believed he embezzeled money from the family and ran off- but it...more
I am a great fan of this series, the plots are always well written and the killer hidden to the near end of the book.
I gave this one four stars as opposed to the five stars I gave the two other books in the series because of characters. This may be entirely personal, but when an annoying character is written into a plot, it does have it's purpose for substance and antagonism, but I think you have to be very careful not to over expose them. That was my problem with this book. The annoying sister...more
Good mystery based on my favorite Austen novel- Persuasion. Elizabeth Parker is at her uncle's funeral when she gets involved in a murder case. Her cousin Ann is suspected in the murder of her sister Reggie's ex fiance. Said fiance allegedly disappeared with millions of the family's money eight years before.. When he turns up under the pool in their summer home, the family secrets start to unravel. I enjoyed the loopy ,widowed ,stepmother and the dysfunctional cousins. I would have liked to see...more
I received Murder Most Persuasive in a drawing to read an Advance Uncorrected Proof copy. This book will be available for purchase Aug. 30, 2011
This is the first book that I have read by Tracy Kiely. The book resolves around an extended family in Maryland. Just after burying the head of the family it is discovered that at a house once owned by them was the body of an ex fiancé of one of the daughters.
Ms. Kiely has done a very good job of keeping the story going forward yet bringing in backgrou...more
This is the first book that I have read by Tracy Kiely. The book resolves around an extended family in Maryland. Just after burying the head of the family it is discovered that at a house once owned by them was the body of an ex fiancé of one of the daughters.
Ms. Kiely has done a very good job of keeping the story going forward yet bringing in backgrou...more
(This was a goodreads give-away.)
I had some trepidation about the Austen-ness when I first started the book. (It's been my experience that a lot of writers of themed mysteries pretty much use the theme to prop up a 3rd rate story and 2nd rate writing skills.)
There were quite a few Austen references at the beginning--one of the most painful being Aust-Inn-tatious for the name of a planned bed and breakfast. This was at about page 17 so, not being an Austen fan, I was starting to get worried.
Then,...more
I had some trepidation about the Austen-ness when I first started the book. (It's been my experience that a lot of writers of themed mysteries pretty much use the theme to prop up a 3rd rate story and 2nd rate writing skills.)
There were quite a few Austen references at the beginning--one of the most painful being Aust-Inn-tatious for the name of a planned bed and breakfast. This was at about page 17 so, not being an Austen fan, I was starting to get worried.
Then,...more
Light and fun!
I admit, Persuasion isn't my favorite Jane Austen novel, and listening to it while reading Murder Most Persuasive confirmed that. Still, I'm glad I revisited it, because I would have missed most of the Austen references in this book, and then I would have missed out on much of the fun.
I haven't read any of the previous books in the Elizabeth Parker series, but that didn't present any problems here.
The characters are lively and well-drawn. I suspect there is a little more depth if...more
I admit, Persuasion isn't my favorite Jane Austen novel, and listening to it while reading Murder Most Persuasive confirmed that. Still, I'm glad I revisited it, because I would have missed most of the Austen references in this book, and then I would have missed out on much of the fun.
I haven't read any of the previous books in the Elizabeth Parker series, but that didn't present any problems here.
The characters are lively and well-drawn. I suspect there is a little more depth if...more
When Elizabeth's great uncle dies shortly after selling his home, his three daughters are shocked to learn that a body has been found under the swimming pool--a body with connections to all three. Elizabeth wants to help her youngest cousin and long-time friend Ann, especially when the detective in charge of the case turns out to be the man Ann broke up with, at her family's insistence, at the time of the murder. This charming series loosely bases plot elements on the novels of Jane Austen, but...more
3.5/5
While browsing through the new releases at my library, I came across this title and immediately wondered if it was a modern Persuasion retelling. After reading the synopsis, I knew it was and as a long-time Austen fan, I thought I would enjoy this so I snatched it up.
And I did mostly enjoy this. Main character Elizabeth Parker has aided in two previous murder investigations (see the previous books in the series) and fancies herself somewhat of an amateur detective, perhaps along the lines o...more
While browsing through the new releases at my library, I came across this title and immediately wondered if it was a modern Persuasion retelling. After reading the synopsis, I knew it was and as a long-time Austen fan, I thought I would enjoy this so I snatched it up.
And I did mostly enjoy this. Main character Elizabeth Parker has aided in two previous murder investigations (see the previous books in the series) and fancies herself somewhat of an amateur detective, perhaps along the lines o...more
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
If I had not won this book through the giveaway, I would have never heard of it, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I do not know the realm of murder mysteries well, but I have read a few Mary Higgins Clark novels, and I have read Jane Austen.
Though not quite the same, this is what I imagine their babies would look like -- their less inspiriting babies, but babies nonetheless. The characters are instantly flawed and likable (some are so...more
If I had not won this book through the giveaway, I would have never heard of it, and I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I do not know the realm of murder mysteries well, but I have read a few Mary Higgins Clark novels, and I have read Jane Austen.
Though not quite the same, this is what I imagine their babies would look like -- their less inspiriting babies, but babies nonetheless. The characters are instantly flawed and likable (some are so...more
It seems like Elizabeth Parker, my favorite Austen-Inspired sleuth, has once again stumbled upon a murder mystery! Just days after Uncle Marty's death, someone unearthed a surprising family skeleton – literally! It looks like the new homeowners of Uncle Marty's house in St. Michaels found the body of ex-fiancée and ex-employee Michael Barrow buried under their in-ground pool. The last time the Reynolds family saw Michael Barrow was eight years ago, just before he ended his engagement with cousin...more
A funny mystery, and the Jane Austen element isn't a horribly phony adaptation of Austen the way some are, it's just that our heroine and some members of her family like to throw around Austen quotes and references, often specifically for the purpose of annoying other members of the family who don't get the references, which is a sense of humor I can appreciate.
This is the 3rd book of this series, but I found the others and recommend them. Fun read and Elizabeth Parker can find herself in some trouble. Murder kind of trouble that is. If you are a Jane Austen fan; old movie buff you will enjoy the parallel of some of the characters and also the quotes among Elizabeth and family/friends. Recommend
Another light, fun, breezy mystery from Tracy Kiely. I'm really enjoying this series, obvious from the fact I've read three of her books in the last two weeks. I love Elizabeth and aunt Winnie, their humor is very much like mine. I can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book. Especially since this time their heading to Bath. If only I had an aunt Winnie:)
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
This was a very entertaining story. The author did a wonderful job of combining my favorite elements together in one story - she threw in just the right amount of humor and romance to go along with the murder investigation. I would have given it three and a half stars if it were possible. Definitely recommend.
This cozy mystery writer uses the works of Jane Austen as the background for her books. This is a sweet mystery with a surprise ending. The plot itself was well developed that kept you wondering who the killer was. You were kept in supense until the end for the killer's true identity and what truly happened to Michael. I would recommend this book to others.
Thanks Librarything for the opportunity to read an author I hadn't read before. Tracy Keily's protagonist, Elizabeth Parker has a penchant for everything Austen. In this book, members of her family become suspects in a murder. She manages to solve the murder along with a little matchmaking. If you'd like to see my full review - check out my post at my blog site - www.virginiagruver.com
When Jane Austen lover and unhappy journalist, Elizabeth, attends her uncle’s funeral, she gets embroiled in an 8-year old murder that leads to more. Entertaining cozy with an interesting cast of characters. Kiely has a wonderful grasp of family dynamics and a fun sense of humor. I am looking forward to reading more.
I won this book on a goodreads giveaway and I am really glad that I did. I really enjoyed reading this book. When I read a murder mystery I like to see if I can predict what can happen next. I was surprised at the ending. I will be keeping an eye out for any other books by Tracy Kiely.
Jun 15, 2012
Martha D
added it
This book is set in recent times in Maryland, but the characters and parts of the plot come unabashedly from Jane Austen. Each chapter begins with a quote from one of Austen's books. I enjoyed the way this author put her mystery plot and the Austen influences together.
I found this novel to be a real slow read for the first 50 pages. I'm very glad I stuck with it as it turned out to be a very good mystery that fooled me. The writing is top notched and the reference to Austin is clever. Makes me want to check out Jane Austin.
This book was a fun little murder mystery that was more about the cast of unique characters than about murder. The characters are described well, with all their flaws and quirks. I like the references to Jane Austin books that are bantered about as well. There is a murder, actually a few of them, and plenty of twists and turns as the main character tries to figure out what happened. I enjoyed it.
Elizabeth parker is back again. This time helping her cousin Ann after the death of Ann's father and the discovery of a body killed 8 years ago.
Another modern cozy using a Jane Austen connection - Persuasion, this time. Just a fun, light mystery.
Another modern cozy using a Jane Austen connection - Persuasion, this time. Just a fun, light mystery.
This was a compelling "chick-flick" mystery that kept me moving through its pages wanting to know what came next. The multi-generational characters kept the story lively and the reader guessing. I am anxious to read more of Tracy Kiely's work.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Austen Sequels: Murder Most Persuasive, by Tracy Kiely | 1 | 2 | Oct 06, 2012 03:44pm |
Tracy Kiely graduated from Trinity College in 1990 with a degree in English. Tracy's first novel, Murder at Longbourn, is a mystery set in Cape Cod, and combines her love of the classic English country house murder and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband, Matt, and their three children.
More about Tracy Kiely...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
