Angel at Troublesome Creek

Augusta Goodnight #1

by Mignon F. Ballard

When Mary George Murphy finds that her Aunt Caroline fell down a flight of stairs to her death, she's heartbroken. To make matters worse, Mary is sure that Caroline's death was no accident.

Enter Augusta Goodnight, Mary's guardian angel. Normally assigned to Heaven's strawberry fields, Augusta died during WWII -- which explains her old-fashioned glamour and love of swing. She appears in Troublesome Creek just in the nick of time-helping Mary unearth an old mystery and the truth about Caroline's death.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Angels, Paranormal Mystery, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Mignon Franklin Ballard grew up in a small town in Georgia, and now lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Reviews

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I re-read periodically that has never lost its charm. Great characters, and a solid mystery - there's just very little I disliked in this slim but fast-paced mystery.

Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/107286...

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute book and a good story; but the angel didn't have involvement in solving the mystery or helping Mary George, in spite of being her guardian angel. I read another book involving Augusta that she was much more present in helping things along.
Having said all that, I enjoyed it, and I was amused at Augusta's delight in discovering modern delights (learning the Slide and insisting that Mary George learn to line dance.)
I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Angel at Troublesome Creek”, first in the 'Augusta Goodnight' series, is a decent reading but is far from being great.
It starts with Mary George Murphy attempting suicide after a week from hell – her aunt died, she lost her job, her long term boyfriend dumped her for a newer model, and she's just about broke.
As for the suicide – her heart really isn't into it and nothing she tries works out.
Enter her temporary guardian angel Augusta Goodnight who departed this life during WWII and finds the modern world entertaining and horrifying in equal parts.
Mary George is convinced that her aunt Caroline – who adopted her after the death of her parents – was murdered, and events soon indicate that she isn't wrong.
But why would anyone kill her?
A missing cookie jar may be the vital clue, but finding it is not easy.
There are a couple of subplots, chief among them being her attempt to find her childhood friend at the local orphanage, fundraising, and dealing with the locals.
The problem with the novel is that Augusta seems to be included mostly for comic effect and makes only a single contribution to solving the mystery, and that happens almost at the end.
It's nicely done but didn't really grab me.
3 Stars.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, and I liked the way Augusta helped Mary George Murphy get her life back on track without handing her all the answers. The characters are vivid and quite a lot like the characters in almost every small town. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding out who killed Aunt Caroline and why and proving it wasn't the accident everyone, but Mary thought it was. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is light, and fun to read. Not as funny as the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones, but just as entertaining. I just wish Augusta (the angel) would have shown up more. Her comments on modern life (as opposed to the 1940s where she seemed to have come from) were absolutely precious.

[Sandybear76]

Mary George has moved from Charlotte, NC to Troublesome Creek to deal with her aunt's sudden death. Set in May of 1995. 50 years after WWII

Books mentioned in this book: Nancy Drew, Book of poems, mystery by Carolyn Hart, Troublesome Creek Cooks, Heidi, Pinocchio, the Bible, Wuthering Heights.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Otter Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts out slow, gets better.

Better than three stars, but not five. I will probably not read any more in the series. Story and writing inconsistent.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Augusta helps out orphan Mary George Murphy. She's not there as much as she was in the previous book, so solutions are mostly up to Mary George. Liked this book.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery with twists and turns --- ending was a little too tidily finished off.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and delightful mystery story which introduces a guardian angel named Augusta Goodnight.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cozy mystery that wasn't too hard to figure who was the murderer. Surprisingly, the angel, Augusta, didn't have involvement in helping Mary George solve the mysteries.

[Meggie Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny

[Lori Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Augusta is a guardian angel. She is sent to help Mary George who was trying to kill herself at the time of her first meeting. Mary George has been through some difficult things. First of all she had recently lost her job, her fiance broke up with her and if that wasn't enough her Aunt Caroline was found dead in her home. Aunt Caroline and Uncle Henry took Mary in and treated her like their own when she was a little girl. Mary George wasn't sure that her Aunt's death was an accident. Augusta tells her that if she isn't sure a little investigating is in order.

I liked this first book in the series and would like to try another one in order to determine whether or not I will continue with the others in the series.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mary George Murphy is not very good at committing suicide. She tried poison and it tasted bad, she didn't have enough gas in her tank, and the rope was frayed. When she fell through the banister when the rope broke, she hears a voice and meets Augusta Goodnight, her standin guardian angel.

With Augusta's help (or was she even really there), Mary George unravels the mystery of her aunt's sudden death, finds a family, finds live, and gets her life back on trap.

Charming and quirky book helps pass the time while waiting.....It's a little better than "meh" and enough to read more about Augusta. Mary George I could take or leave.....

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Aunt Caroline, Mary George's adopted mother, dies, Mary George knows it's no accident. Caroline had promised her she would not try to go to the attic alone. Her boyfriend has betrayed her, her boss has fired her, and Mary George is at the end of her rope--literally. That's when Augusta Goodnight appears, claiming to be Mary George's guardian angel. Interesting things start to happen in Mary George's life, but despite Augusta's intermittent visits, Mary George is not sure who she can trust.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

An quick and easy summer read. I like someone else's description of the book as "cozy." I didn't really care for the main character Mary George Murphy, but I liked the character Augusta Goodnight so I'll likely check out the next book in the series before I make a decision whether or not to carry on with it.

Also, it reminded me of "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. Very similar story elements - food, magic, mystery, etc.

[Bonnie McHenry · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book about a guardian angel who helps to solve murders, the guardian angels appearance was minimal. Very disappointing and not a great mystery. The writer seemed to flip flop plots throughout the book. The main character was likable but I thought there would be more about the guardian angel. Very cute idea if the angel would have been more developed and part of the story. Haven't decided on whether or not I will read the 2nd in the series.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying a new author. Set in the present with a guardian angel from the 40s. One thing I thought was interesting was the guardian angel was typically in charge of the strawberry fields in Heaven. She said they had strawberry fields and angels who took care of puppies and the such because of all the people who say "it wouldn't be Heaven if there wasn't chocolate or (fill in the blank)." interesting thought. As far as the rest of the book, it was pleasant.

[Jani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. A "cozy" book is the term I have heard that would fit. I got two more of the books of the series that I will read in the next few weeks. I hope they are as cute. They are perfect books for when you are in the mood to read but not "think" too much.. with a cup of cocoa and a roaring fire..

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a thriller or a can't put it down kind of book. I enjoyed it because it was cute in regards to the angel without being religious. THe Angel was from another period in time, so that added interest to the story. Also it was a 'cozy' murder mystery, but had other mysteries in it as well.


Best wishes for good reads!!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2nd book in the Augusta Goodnight Mystery series was a fun and quick cozy read full of mystery, and a little romance and suspense. I'm ready to read the next installment and see what delicious items Augusta is baking and what new fashion creations she has sewn up.

[Natnat337 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute!! A very cozy, comforting book. I've reread it several times, when I'm feeling anxious, down, rainy day bluesy... A quirky guardian angel helps solve a mystery; the main characters are well fleshed-out and likeable.

[Janet Noonan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelic overtones are felt in this cozy as Augusta Goodnight makes her debut into the life of crime. A strawberry chocolate loving Angel lends support and protection as Mary George Murphy seeks the truth about her aunts death

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the "Angel" series of mysteries by Mignon Ballard. So when I found a bunch of them at the library, I checked out a whole stack. It's kind of a different perspective on guardian angels. Good cozy.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a young woman, Mary George, and her guardian angel. Mary George's adopted mother (aunt) fell down the steps and died, and Mary George (and her guardian angel) feel it was not an accident. It's a clean mystery and kept me guessing. There are a few swear words.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.It took
so many twists and turns and the characters,
especially the 1940's angel, were such lovable
characters. Humor was interwoven through out.

This is my first novel to read by Mignon F.Ballard
and I look forward to many more.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a promising start to a cute cozy series. The main character appears to be the guardian angel in the title. A little murder, a little mystery, a little romance.....perfect little cozy.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, fun, mystery read.