After Pamela Barnes discovers her department's star researcher strangled to death in the computer lab, she is determined to find the killer. Unfort...
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Dec 07, 2011
Angie
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From Lilac Wolf and Stuff
Cozy Mystery...I really like that. Yes, this would be a cozy mystery. You have a psychology professor who specializes in sounds (I never knew there was such a thing) and when her colleague is murdered, she feels she is the only one who can crack the code of the recorded murder.
Her husband is the perfect man, knows what Pamela needs and delivers. Plus he loves to cook fancy gourmet meals ALL THE TIME. As I said, perfect...it's your first clue that More...
Cozy Mystery...I really like that. Yes, this would be a cozy mystery. You have a psychology professor who specializes in sounds (I never knew there was such a thing) and when her colleague is murdered, she feels she is the only one who can crack the code of the recorded murder.
Her husband is the perfect man, knows what Pamela needs and delivers. Plus he loves to cook fancy gourmet meals ALL THE TIME. As I said, perfect...it's your first clue that More...
Sep 24, 2011
Jeannie
rated it:
I was really interested to begin reading this book. I am one of the cozy mystery readers that enjoy cozies because I can learn something new from the book. I was not disappointed in the beginning. The sleuth is a Professor of Psychology specializing in Sound acoustics. The sleuth begins with a seminar on sound and interpretation. I really can see how this would solve a mystery.
The problem was there was the murder and then too much of the book dwelled upon how no one really liked the vi More...
The problem was there was the murder and then too much of the book dwelled upon how no one really liked the vi More...
Sep 09, 2011
Kristen
rated it: 
Really not worth the time (and I read it in about 3 hours). I am predispositioned to like mysteries set in a university environment and I was hoping to pick up a bit about sound in psychology too.
This book (published in 2010) seemed to paint such an unrealistic picture of today's psychology departments that I couldn't get past it. I can't count the number of times the author referred to "special research databases" that could only be accessed on these four special computer More...
This book (published in 2010) seemed to paint such an unrealistic picture of today's psychology departments that I couldn't get past it. I can't count the number of times the author referred to "special research databases" that could only be accessed on these four special computer More...
Jun 12, 2010
Darcy
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In "Sounds of Murder," Grace University psychology professor Dr. Pamela Barnes turns amateur sleuth when her graduate assistant, Kent Drummond, summons her to the department's state-of-the-art computer lab where Pamela finds prima donna professor Dr. Charlotte Clark strangled to death. Though Charlotte was a real go-getter and brought in mega dollars in research money, she was not well liked by department staff, and for good reason. However, since Pamela discovered Charlotte's body, sh
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Jun 10, 2010
Martha
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Sounds of Murder – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘Pamela followed Kent, running behind him around the corner of the main hallway towards the experimental computer laboratory at the far end of the side hallway. She could see in the distance that the door to the lab was wide open and the lights were on. Kent ran through the doorway and Pamela followed on his heels. He went immediately to the first row of computer carrels, to Carre More...
‘Pamela followed Kent, running behind him around the corner of the main hallway towards the experimental computer laboratory at the far end of the side hallway. She could see in the distance that the door to the lab was wide open and the lights were on. Kent ran through the doorway and Pamela followed on his heels. He went immediately to the first row of computer carrels, to Carre More...
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May 19, 2010
Diane
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Sounds of Murder" is a delightful first book in the acoustic mystery series. Pamela Barnes is a on the tenure Committee along with Charlotte Clark and they have the future of several co-workers in their hands. When Charlotte's body is found in the new lab that Charlotte made possible with grants she acquired for the college, everyone in the department is a suspect. When Pamela discovers a recording of the murder she uses her unique knowledge of sound to figure out who murdered Charlotte.
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May 31, 2011
Pam
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I just finished reading “Sounds of Murder” by Patricia Rockwell. This is the first segment in the Pamela Barnes Acoustic Mystery series. In “Sounds of Murder”, Psychology Professor Pamela discovers the body of her fellow employee and renowned researcher, Charlotte Clark murdered in the schools computer lab. While Pamela, or none of the other Professors, was very fond of Charlotte, it becomes her personal mission to avenge Charlotte’s death and discover her killer. Being an authority in acoustics
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Jan 07, 2011
Jeff
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I liked the story. I mainly read older mystery books. My attention was initially drawn to this book because it was on a list of low cost Kindle books. I figured it was a low-risk to try it out on my new Kindle. The technology aspect of the book (audio analysis) was the second factor.
Overall, I recommend the book. It was a quick read and the story moved along well. The story is placed right in the middle of a university staff environment. Since the author is an academic, I suspect that More...
Overall, I recommend the book. It was a quick read and the story moved along well. The story is placed right in the middle of a university staff environment. Since the author is an academic, I suspect that More...
Jul 20, 2010
Janice
rated it:
Pamela Barnes is a professor in psychology who specializes in speech and sound at Grace University. Kent, her graduate assistant, finds Dr. Charlotte Clark dead in the computer lab, strangled by a cord. Though Clark brought in lots of grant money to the university, she was not popular with the others in the department but Barnes wants to make sure her murderer is found.
Dr. Barnes had heard Clark arguing with the department head Mitchell Marks before the murder and Clark placed a myster More...
Dr. Barnes had heard Clark arguing with the department head Mitchell Marks before the murder and Clark placed a myster More...
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Jul 05, 2010
Wenj
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A little hard to sink into at first. Mostly because you can't quickly relate to the main character and are given only glances at supporting cast. The murder happens almost right off the bat, so you aren't given a lot of background on the 'suspects', those faculty and students with reasons to want Charlotte Clark dead. However, after the murder occurs you are enveloped by the faculaty and learn more about the main character, Pamela Barnes.
In the end this is a somewhat charming novel, More...
In the end this is a somewhat charming novel, More...
Jan 24, 2012
Marty
rated it:
The story started off effectively enough—with a murder—giving the reader and the characters a mystery to solve. But much of the story was contained in the head of the protagonist as she fretted about what to do and replayed the list of possible suspects over and over again. There would be brief snippets of dialogue with her colleagues, after which she would run around "wondering" about this person or that person, or some bit of evidence.
As the title implies, the plot revolves More...
As the title implies, the plot revolves More...
Jun 09, 2010
Mindy
rated it:
What a great mystery. This book kept me guessing all the way to the end. I really liked the mian character Pamela Barnes. She was likable character and I really iked the relationship she had with her husband and daughter. In this day and age when it seems as if there are problems in all the relationships in books it was refreshing to find a husband and sife who had a good marrigage and actually liked eadh other. Yes they had their disagreements but there where legimate reasons. I liked the
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Jan 07, 2011
Sheri
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Sounds of Murder(Patricia Rockwell)
Murder/Mystery
Pamela Barnes, psychology Professor finds one of her colleagues Murdered in the computer lab. Charlotte Clark was not well liked, a woman with a lot of power and authority, she had quite a few people angry with her. Pamela is determined to find the murderer. With the aide of an audio recording, she decides to try to figure out just who committed this crime. This is not an easy task, since Charlotte seemed to have more enemies than More...
Murder/Mystery
Pamela Barnes, psychology Professor finds one of her colleagues Murdered in the computer lab. Charlotte Clark was not well liked, a woman with a lot of power and authority, she had quite a few people angry with her. Pamela is determined to find the murderer. With the aide of an audio recording, she decides to try to figure out just who committed this crime. This is not an easy task, since Charlotte seemed to have more enemies than More...
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Nov 06, 2011
Karen
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Blake University is small but thanks to Dr. Charlotte Clark it's Psychology department is rich from her generous donations but still someone has seen it fit to kill her in the computer lab she paod for, but why?
Enter Pamela Barnes and ehr graduate student Kent who discover her strangled while do doing research and now the search to find out who in the department wants her dead that badly. Everyone from the department head had fought with her just prior to her death.
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Enter Pamela Barnes and ehr graduate student Kent who discover her strangled while do doing research and now the search to find out who in the department wants her dead that badly. Everyone from the department head had fought with her just prior to her death.
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Sep 02, 2010
Betty
rated it:
Patricia Rockwell is an academic with an extensive portfolio of publications, journal articles, textbooks and presentations. She holds a doctorate in Communications. This is her first book of fiction. With her solid and prolific background in academics, it would be easy to think the transition to fiction might be a bit weighty, or overly academic. This is absolutely not true of Dr. Rockwell. She has written a cozy novel in an untapped area of the study of sound waves that is very definitely re
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May 03, 2011
A.M.
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Sounds of Murder is a cozy murder mystery debut which brings back childhood memories of reading the adventures of amateur sleuths like Nancy Drew — except instead of a teenaged detective, we have an older, professional sleuth who uses acoustics to solve crime.
Main character Pamela Barnes is a university professor with an expertise in acoustic technology and the classical personality of an amateur sleuth: she’s passionate, stubborn, and can’t leave well enough alone -- choosing to con More...
Main character Pamela Barnes is a university professor with an expertise in acoustic technology and the classical personality of an amateur sleuth: she’s passionate, stubborn, and can’t leave well enough alone -- choosing to con More...
Aug 04, 2011
Pamela Barnes is a professor in psychology who specializes in speech and sound at Grace University. Kent, her graduate assistant, finds Dr. Charlotte Clark dead in the computer lab, strangled by a cord. Though Clark brought in lots of grant money to the university, she was not popular with the others in the department but Barnes wants to make sure her murderer is found.
Dr. Barnes had heard Clark arguing with the department head Mitchell Marks before the murder and Clark placed a mysterious photo More...
Dr. Barnes had heard Clark arguing with the department head Mitchell Marks before the murder and Clark placed a mysterious photo More...
Aug 29, 2011
Cathy
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When an unpopular faculty member is found strangled in her lab Professor Pamela Barnes is shocked. She's even more shocked to realize that some of the advanced equipment in the lab has recorded the sounds of the murder.
Dr. Barnes is in her element - acoustics - as she works with Detective Shoop to solve the murder.
Good story. Enjoyed the interactions between characters. Rocky Barnes was a good balance to his wife.
There was a little too much "should I tell Rocky" or More...
Dr. Barnes is in her element - acoustics - as she works with Detective Shoop to solve the murder.
Good story. Enjoyed the interactions between characters. Rocky Barnes was a good balance to his wife.
There was a little too much "should I tell Rocky" or More...
Oct 26, 2010
Kate
rated it:
I have to say first off, that I am quite picky about my cozy mysteries. I believe there to be a verrrrry fine line between cozy and boring. I think Sounds of Murder found itself teetering for a minute or two, but ultimately came out pretty dang good...
To see the complete review over at The Book Buff, click on the following link: http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/10/...
-Kate the Book Buff
To see the complete review over at The Book Buff, click on the following link: http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/10/...
-Kate the Book Buff
Nov 21, 2011
Joyce
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Dr. Pam Barnes is a professor who specializes in speech and sound at the university. After completing her evening class, she and her graduate assistant, Kent Drummond found Charlotte's body in the computer lab. Dr. Barnes was puzzled about why she'd be in the lab so late at night. With everyone in the department being a suspect, I kept trying to help solve the case and was surprised at the end of story. Very suspenseful and a great acoustic mystery. Rockwell is one of my favorite mystery wr
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Jul 06, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
A great cozy mystery that was fun to read and a fantastic start to the series. I enjoyed the storyline and characters - nothing over the top and quite realistic. This well written book had me anxious at times and snickering at others. I'm really looking forward to getting the next book in the series!
May 23, 2011
Chaun
rated it:
I purchased "Sounds of Murder" as a Kindle 99c download and it was more than worth the price. I enjoyed it enough to read the next in the series, but I wouldn't say it's one of the best I've read recently. There was nothing to find fault with, it just didn't 'wow' me. Using acoustic science as the heroine's specialty and the means for solving the murder was an interesting twist though.
May 07, 2011
Karen B
rated it:
I loved this book. Dr.Pamela Barnes, the somewhat reluctant but determined sleuth reminded me of a mixture of Miss Marple, Goldie Schultz and Hannah Swenson. Several times I thought I had some guesses as to the murderer, however I really was surprised when she uncovered the culprit.
And the recipes don't look too complicated for me to try.
And the recipes don't look too complicated for me to try.
Nov 05, 2011
Karen
rated it:
This was an OK read, but the dialogue was somewhat stilted and often repetitious. And what lab would have sound-proof walls but no carpeting on the floor?
Jun 12, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It took me a long while to get through it, but due in no part to the quality of the book, but rather how busy I've been lately.
I enjoyed the academic setting of this series. Perhaps even more so now with my DH in the thick of graduate school and having recently worked for our local university. I'm still a bit confused as to why an acoustics expert is part of the psychology department, but perhaps the next book will make that a bit clearer? In reality it did More...
I enjoyed the academic setting of this series. Perhaps even more so now with my DH in the thick of graduate school and having recently worked for our local university. I'm still a bit confused as to why an acoustics expert is part of the psychology department, but perhaps the next book will make that a bit clearer? In reality it did More...
Jan 15, 2011
Rick
rated it:
Splendidly written novel- exciting, superior characterization and a plot one simply cannot resist- a must read
Mar 22, 2011
Darcia
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Sounds of Murder is a quick read, mixing the classic whodunit mystery with modern technology. Patricia Rockwell has spent her career in academics and her familiarity with that world is captured within this story. The characters are entertaining and the plot unique.
This is Rockwell's first novel and at times that shows in her writing style. Facts the reader already knows are often repeated within various dialogues between characters. Overall, though, this is a fun read with an intrig More...
This is Rockwell's first novel and at times that shows in her writing style. Facts the reader already knows are often repeated within various dialogues between characters. Overall, though, this is a fun read with an intrig More...
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