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158th out of 457 books
—
476 voters
Take the Monkeys and Run (Barbara Barr Murder Mystery #1)
by
Karen Cantwell (Goodreads Author)
Film lover Barbara Marr is a typical suburban mom living the typical suburban life in her sleepy little town of Rustic Woods, Virginia. Typical, that is until she sets out to find the missing link between a bizarre monkey sighting in her yard and the bone chilling middle-of-the-night fright fest at the strangely vacant house next door. When Barb talks her two friends into...more
Paperback, 198 pages
Published
August 26th 2010
by Createspace
(first published June 15th 2010)
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I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. It looks like a fun read & I look forward to reading it when I receive it.
March 2011 - I did really enjoy this book. Love her writing of the main character, especially when she has a scene with her mother. Just hilarious! The plot was a bit over the top, but enjoyable if a bit far-fetched. I will definitely read more of her work.
March 2011 - I did really enjoy this book. Love her writing of the main character, especially when she has a scene with her mother. Just hilarious! The plot was a bit over the top, but enjoyable if a bit far-fetched. I will definitely read more of her work.
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I liked the title of this book, and settled down eager to read.
An hour or so later, not impressed. It started out fairly well, introduced believable, relatable characters and a plausible mystery. It all goes downhill from there. Characters do not seem fully developed and the storyline plunges from believable to a tad unrealistic to downright implausible. The novel reaches further and further to explain events, and not in a 'I-didn't-see-that-coming' way, but in a 'that-would-never-happen-in-a-mi...more
An hour or so later, not impressed. It started out fairly well, introduced believable, relatable characters and a plausible mystery. It all goes downhill from there. Characters do not seem fully developed and the storyline plunges from believable to a tad unrealistic to downright implausible. The novel reaches further and further to explain events, and not in a 'I-didn't-see-that-coming' way, but in a 'that-would-never-happen-in-a-mi...more
Storyline: Well, Karen Cantwell, you’ve really nailed it with this crime-slash-mystery-slash-comedy-slash-romance story about a middle aged housewife with a boring life, an obsession with movies and monkeys in her yard. Take the Monkeys and Run is truly splendid!
Poor Barbara. She’s a newly single housewife that leads a rather dull life in a sleepy little cul-de-sac in rural Virginia. Well, it’s quiet until a moving van shows up in the middle of the night with a mysterious (and rather cheeky) car...more
Poor Barbara. She’s a newly single housewife that leads a rather dull life in a sleepy little cul-de-sac in rural Virginia. Well, it’s quiet until a moving van shows up in the middle of the night with a mysterious (and rather cheeky) car...more
The first in the Barbara Marr Murder Mystery series, this book by Karen Cantwell is a hoot. Barb is zany, outlandish, and doesn't always make the best choices, so she's a lot of fun to follow. She says and does things we all think about sometimes. She's a typical mom with three girls and a bit -ok, more than a bit- of a movie fetish. Barb sees things in terms of how characters in a movie would react, which adds some nice color commentary. I found this tact to be a clever way to tie the storyline...more
Barbara Marr is a fairly normal middle aged woman, living in a fairly normal suburban community in Northern Virginia, but when she witnesses some not so normal activity at the house next door, she can’t help her curiosity. The peculiar, abandoned house she has nicknamed “The House of Many Bones” has always been a mystery to her so when on a late night walk around her house she sees and hears bizarre activity she dives head first into her own personal investigation for some answers.
Warnings from...more
Warnings from...more
First of all, I believe I am required to state that I won this book in a goodreads giveaway contest. I also want to say that I was seriously impressed with how fast this book arrived in the mail. I had expected to wait at least a month for the book, especially since I'm outside the US, but a signed copy was on my doorstep in one week flat! Thanks Ms Cantwell and goodreads!
Now on to our feature presentation, Take the Monkeys and Run. I don't want to mindlessly parrot other reviewers, but truly th...more
Now on to our feature presentation, Take the Monkeys and Run. I don't want to mindlessly parrot other reviewers, but truly th...more
Barbara Marr, a typical (if slightly frazzled) suburban mom, has her world go topsy-turvy. First, her husband, Howard (who resembles George Clooney -- hmm), walks out on her without explanation. (Something vague about needing "space.") As the book opens, Marr is investigating strange goings on in the night at the house next door.
This house (which Marr and her neighborhood pals have come to call "The House of Many Bones") has something of an odd history. The house has been vacant for years and th...more
This house (which Marr and her neighborhood pals have come to call "The House of Many Bones") has something of an odd history. The house has been vacant for years and th...more
Mar 18, 2012
Lisa (Limarie)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle-bought
While Barb is still reeling from her husband's unexpectedly walking out on her and their three daughters, very strange happenings occur in the house-next-door that has stood vacant for 29 years. To keep her mind off of the state of her marriage, Barb decides to focus on the mysterious events. Will she, her family, her ex-boyfriend, and friends survive her meddling? Although this is the first book in the series, I read it after the second book. And, I'm glad I did so. I absolutely loved the secon...more
I won a copy of this book in a contest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Cantwell has a distinctive voice that I absolutely loved. Without giving away any spoilers, I found this story to be reminiscent of a humorous, action-adventure movie made back in the nineties especially the circumstances involving the husband and his job.
Take the Monkeys and Run follows the antics of 45 year-old suburban soccer Mom, Barbara Marr. Her life is falling apart. Her husband has decided that he needs some space...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Cantwell has a distinctive voice that I absolutely loved. Without giving away any spoilers, I found this story to be reminiscent of a humorous, action-adventure movie made back in the nineties especially the circumstances involving the husband and his job.
Take the Monkeys and Run follows the antics of 45 year-old suburban soccer Mom, Barbara Marr. Her life is falling apart. Her husband has decided that he needs some space...more
Not bad. In the Janet Evanovich category, however not nearly as well crafted.
First paragraphs
THE SKY WAS BLACK, MY toes were numb and I was a lunatic. Forgetting that our recent October nights had turned colder, I had set out on my mission barefoot. I had no idea what the thermometer said, but the ice-cold brick beneath my unprotected feet told me plenty. And my worn-thin-through-the-years knit jammies were certainly no match against the biting air. Evidently I had left my brains in the house al...more
First paragraphs
THE SKY WAS BLACK, MY toes were numb and I was a lunatic. Forgetting that our recent October nights had turned colder, I had set out on my mission barefoot. I had no idea what the thermometer said, but the ice-cold brick beneath my unprotected feet told me plenty. And my worn-thin-through-the-years knit jammies were certainly no match against the biting air. Evidently I had left my brains in the house al...more
"Take the Monkeys and Run" by Karen Cantwell is like comfort food. It is a great book to read when life has become too complicated and you need a rest! From the beginning, your attention is quickly captured. Why are there monkeys in the backyard? Why has the main character, Barbara Marr's husband, Howard, left her so he can get some space? Why can't she get started on her movie review blog? Why has the house next door been vacant aka "House of Many Bones" been vacant for almost 30 years?
Barbara...more
Barbara...more
Take the Monkeys and Run is a humor filled cozy mystery centered on the never "normal" life of a "normal" suburban soccer mom. Karen Cantwell starts off the Barbara Marr Murder Mystery series with a hit that will render you unable to put your book (or kindle!) down.
Barbara is your average suburban soccer mom, trying to raise three girls while trying to sort out her marriage to an engineer. Or so she thinks. Almost immediately it becomes clear she does not live the average life -- after a night...more
Barbara is your average suburban soccer mom, trying to raise three girls while trying to sort out her marriage to an engineer. Or so she thinks. Almost immediately it becomes clear she does not live the average life -- after a night...more
Suburban housewife Barbara Marr is not having a good day. In fact, it’s something straight out of the movies she so loves to watch. Her husband suddenly walks out on her and their three daughters, she’s turning 45 and now there are monkeys running wild around her backyard.
After hearing strange noises coming from the vacant house next to hers, Barbara does some snooping and finds a rotting dead head. She wonders just what is going on in the small town of Rustic Woods, Virginia. With the help of h...more
After hearing strange noises coming from the vacant house next to hers, Barbara does some snooping and finds a rotting dead head. She wonders just what is going on in the small town of Rustic Woods, Virginia. With the help of h...more
Clever dialogue and sassy characters. I loved Barbara's knowledge of movie trivia and how she incorporated this knowledge into her everyday life. There's lots of humor in this book and author Cantwell nails the bittersweet off-again, on-again relationship just right. Also, I really enjoyed the supporting cast of neighborhood girlfriends.
My main concern is only that I thought this would be more of a cozy mystery and it's actually more of a thriller. The action becomes rather intense about half-wa...more
My main concern is only that I thought this would be more of a cozy mystery and it's actually more of a thriller. The action becomes rather intense about half-wa...more
Three stars doesn't seem much, but note that it stands for "Liked it."
This cozy mystery, the first in the series of the Barbara Marr books, is good enough to read through. The humor is cute and the writing is good.
What I didn't get is the feeling I'd like to read another in the series. It just didn't grab me. Perhaps that's because of my own biases. While the MC steps up bravely in the end, she is content to be a housewife, who is clueless about her husband's secret activities. I just didn't bu...more
This cozy mystery, the first in the series of the Barbara Marr books, is good enough to read through. The humor is cute and the writing is good.
What I didn't get is the feeling I'd like to read another in the series. It just didn't grab me. Perhaps that's because of my own biases. While the MC steps up bravely in the end, she is content to be a housewife, who is clueless about her husband's secret activities. I just didn't bu...more
Main character Barbara is wondering about the noises coming from the neighboring house that's been vacant for nearly 30 years. She refers to it as the "House of Many Bones." Then something is making scrambling noises on her roof. Barbara, alone with her three daughters (as her husband has left her), takes on the mystery. Trouble always finds Barbara but she is brave (her husband might think she's dim-witted), curious, and determined. Likewise, the author, Karen Cantwell, provides the humor to al...more
I loved this book...the cover is colorful and quirky, the title definitely catches your attention. It really sets you up for a silly mystery.
It starts out with Barb, the main character bemoaning her lack of talents. She thinks she's a good mom and thought she was a good wife, but her husband just left. She is miserable, she really thought her marriage was fine and then he up and walked out on her and the girls. She also loves watching movies and does comparisons throughout the story. The first o...more
It starts out with Barb, the main character bemoaning her lack of talents. She thinks she's a good mom and thought she was a good wife, but her husband just left. She is miserable, she really thought her marriage was fine and then he up and walked out on her and the girls. She also loves watching movies and does comparisons throughout the story. The first o...more
This book's colorful cover and clever title drew me in. And the book itself did not let me down. Take the Monkeys and Run is a witty, clever book and I just fell in love with the main character Barb. She tries to be a perfect mom (but she's not, like most of us) and her husband has moved out without explanation. Then she hears strange noises in the night, followed by a gaggle of monkies in her backyard the next morning. Could her life get any worse? Um, yes, and it does.
Throughout this novel I...more
Throughout this novel I...more
This review is from: Take the Monkeys and Run (A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery) (Kindle Edition)
Heroine Barbara Marr is an amateur sleuth with a family, a bossy mother, and an ex boyfriend who would like to get back into her life now that Barbara's husband is suddenly sending mixed signals. It isn't as if Barbara deliberately sets out to delve into her neighborhood's mysterious past, but who can blame her for getting a little involved--okay, a lot involved--when the trees near her house are sudden...more
This book caught my attention from the very first sentence and held it until the very end of the book. It also has me ordering her next book.
A housewife in Virginia has a heck of a week. Her husband walks out on her and their 3 daughters, she has a birthday (45th,) and yes, she has trees full of Monkeys in her backyard. This is the beginning folks.
What is going on in peaceful Rustic Woods, Virginia? Well, Barbara Marr is going to find out with the help of her gal friends, Roz and Peggy. Chancing...more
A housewife in Virginia has a heck of a week. Her husband walks out on her and their 3 daughters, she has a birthday (45th,) and yes, she has trees full of Monkeys in her backyard. This is the beginning folks.
What is going on in peaceful Rustic Woods, Virginia? Well, Barbara Marr is going to find out with the help of her gal friends, Roz and Peggy. Chancing...more
*I received a copy of this book for review through the firstreads program*
What a fun book! Barbara Marr is a suburban mom living in Northern Virginia, whose husband has just decided they need to take a "break," when she finds a bunch of monkeys in her backyard. Everything goes downhill for her from there. Marr is a relatable and funny character, and her hijinks are laugh-out-loud funny (without a lot of those cringeworthy "why on earth did you think that was a good idea" scenes you sometimes see...more
What a fun book! Barbara Marr is a suburban mom living in Northern Virginia, whose husband has just decided they need to take a "break," when she finds a bunch of monkeys in her backyard. Everything goes downhill for her from there. Marr is a relatable and funny character, and her hijinks are laugh-out-loud funny (without a lot of those cringeworthy "why on earth did you think that was a good idea" scenes you sometimes see...more
I won this book from Library Thing's Member Giveaways.
This book was so funny and quirky and I loved it! It was also a very good mystery as well. What more could you ask from a book!
This is the story of a housewife who was outside with her cat in the wee hours of the morning and saw something going on at the house next door. This wouldn't have been odd, except that the house next door had been empty for almost 30 years. She decides to go take a look and ends up getting herself and a friend who co...more
This book was so funny and quirky and I loved it! It was also a very good mystery as well. What more could you ask from a book!
This is the story of a housewife who was outside with her cat in the wee hours of the morning and saw something going on at the house next door. This wouldn't have been odd, except that the house next door had been empty for almost 30 years. She decides to go take a look and ends up getting herself and a friend who co...more
I was already in the middle of reading two other hard cover books from the library when I started reading this. Reading on my Kindle with the built in booklight is a lot better for not waking up my husband during the night. Take the Monkeys and Run was the next acquisition waiting on my Kindle 'home' page so I started reading it. I don't think I ever went to sleep that night. I found this book so engaging that I couldn't put it down. The author writes in a very appealing style, it never gets wei...more
I absolutely loved Take the Monkeys and Run (A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery). Barbara Marr is an average suburban soccer mom with three kids and a husband who has decided he "needs space". When five monkeys show up in the trees in Barbara's back yard, she decides to find out how they got there. When she makes a gruesome discovery in the basement of the vacant house next door, things really get interesting.
Karen Cantwell's novel is one of the best comedic mysteries I've read. Her writing is flawle...more
Karen Cantwell's novel is one of the best comedic mysteries I've read. Her writing is flawle...more
Karen Cantwell's "Take the Monkeys and Run" is a fast paced mystery with trigger happy dialogue that has a little to do with monkeys and a lot to do with the laugh-out-loud antics of one suburbanite soccer mom/obsessed movie buff, who finds her imagination running wild when monkeys and a human head are discovered at the house next door. With the help of some neighborhood friends and an old flame from college, she unravels layers of hilarity and insanity, as well as secrets her husband has been k...more
The heroine was unbelievably dumb and selfish. The Mafia clichés were not cute or funny at all. Stereotypes galore. Here is how a Hispanic woman speaks to the main character- "Meesus Marr! How are joo too-day?" Yes, because all Hispanic women speak with a "theeck" accent like Sofia Vergara. I did laugh out loud during an early scene, too bad the rest of the book went downhill. I ended up not caring about the mystery or the characters involved. I'm glad I only spent 99 cents for this ebook. This...more
Oh my stars - I loved this book!
Barbara Marr is just an average wife, mother, and movie aficionado, but when her husband moves out her solid foundation is shaken. A sleepless night leads to observing the abandoned house in her neighborhood, and when a moving truck arrives at the suspicious house in the middle of the night - followed by monkeys populating her backyard the next day - Barb is determined to figure out what's going on. Her amateur sleuthing soon turns up a grisly scene, and talk of t...more
Barbara Marr is just an average wife, mother, and movie aficionado, but when her husband moves out her solid foundation is shaken. A sleepless night leads to observing the abandoned house in her neighborhood, and when a moving truck arrives at the suspicious house in the middle of the night - followed by monkeys populating her backyard the next day - Barb is determined to figure out what's going on. Her amateur sleuthing soon turns up a grisly scene, and talk of t...more
This book was just fantastic. Full of fun and wit, it still had plenty of action and more than one twist to the plot.
Barb Marr is your typical suburban housewife. Things are mostly normal - great kids, neighbors (some friends, some just nosy, some downright weird). Barb's a bit too curious for her own good, though. The house next door is a strange one, and she's been keeping her eye on it. After some fishy goings-on one evening which resulted in monkeys in her yard the following morning, Barb de...more
Barb Marr is your typical suburban housewife. Things are mostly normal - great kids, neighbors (some friends, some just nosy, some downright weird). Barb's a bit too curious for her own good, though. The house next door is a strange one, and she's been keeping her eye on it. After some fishy goings-on one evening which resulted in monkeys in her yard the following morning, Barb de...more
I bought this kindle book because it had high ratings and the reviews suggested it was very funny. It started out like this, but the funny soon turned to buffoonery and this annoyed me. I finished it because . . . . I don't know. Usually I would have just stopped reading altogether and moved on to something else. Barb Marr is a middle-aged housewife whose husband just left her and their 3 girls to "take a break". One sleepless night she hears strange noises from the house next door which has sto...more
Quick, fun, laugh-out-loud read. This is one of those books wherein you suspend disbelief and go with the author as she laughs at her own character names (mafia types named NoToes?!?) and the idea of monkeys in the trees of your suburban home.
I'm a closet 'cozy' reader. Loving the mystery novels, loving it more when there's not too much violence, very little blood, and a few laughs along the way. This was a good read. I'll be looking for more from Karen Cantwell.
I'm a closet 'cozy' reader. Loving the mystery novels, loving it more when there's not too much violence, very little blood, and a few laughs along the way. This was a good read. I'll be looking for more from Karen Cantwell.
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Karen's novel, Take the Monkeys and Run was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest (under the original title of Monkeys in My Trees)and has gone on to be a Kindle bestseller on Amazon. She has written three more books in the Barbara Marr Murder Mystery Series: Citizen Insane, Silenced by the Yams, and Saturday Night Cleaver.
When she's not writing, Karen loves gardening...more
More about Karen Cantwell...
When she's not writing, Karen loves gardening...more
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“or dead is coincidental. Copyright 2010 by Karen Fraunfelder Cantwell Chapter”
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“a push up or two . . . or twenty.”
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