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Bloody Murder
Zofia Smith left behind a promising career as a journalist when she realized her former employers meant it when they said, "You'll never work in this business again." Convinced by her best friend to move to New Orleans and start over, Zo opened a bookstore in the Crescent City's French Quarter.
For six years, life was peaceful, enjoyable. Bloody Murder made a profit with its focus on mystery books and its regular patrons enjoyed Zo's homemade muffins and fresh coffee.
Things changed one morning when Zofia walked downstairs from her apartment above the store and tripped over a corpse, landing in a heap of blood and muffins. The clues the police found included a knife with a Polish eagle and the corpse's criminal record that indicated he typically worked for a crime family, though not a local one.
Clues came from and pointed to different directions. A narrow miss with a gunshot, mysterious phone calls, and oddly enough to a man Zofia long thought dead.
For six years, life was peaceful, enjoyable. Bloody Murder made a profit with its focus on mystery books and its regular patrons enjoyed Zo's homemade muffins and fresh coffee.
Things changed one morning when Zofia walked downstairs from her apartment above the store and tripped over a corpse, landing in a heap of blood and muffins. The clues the police found included a knife with a Polish eagle and the corpse's criminal record that indicated he typically worked for a crime family, though not a local one.
Clues came from and pointed to different directions. A narrow miss with a gunshot, mysterious phone calls, and oddly enough to a man Zofia long thought dead.
- GenresMystery
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2011
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Kate Kulig
5 books15 followersKate Kulig was born in Saugus, Massachusetts and denies all responsibility for the hospital burning down at a later date. Her first story that generated a positive response was, "If I were the Easter Bunny," when she was in first grade. She graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in Communications with a minor in English.
Six states, several moves and more than a few careers later, including time spent as a disc jockey, stage manger, delivery driver, bookseller and a memorable temp job counting arrows, she found herself in New York City. By day she is a project manager in health information technology. When not working, reading, or writing, she can be found prowling ramen shops, traveling to New Orleans, experimenting in the kitchen, playing RPG's, and watching way too many crime shows.
If you'd like to write to Kate, you may do so at bloodymurderbooks@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @KateKulig
Six states, several moves and more than a few careers later, including time spent as a disc jockey, stage manger, delivery driver, bookseller and a memorable temp job counting arrows, she found herself in New York City. By day she is a project manager in health information technology. When not working, reading, or writing, she can be found prowling ramen shops, traveling to New Orleans, experimenting in the kitchen, playing RPG's, and watching way too many crime shows.
If you'd like to write to Kate, you may do so at bloodymurderbooks@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @KateKulig
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 6, 2015
Kate Kulig's Bloody Murder is the first installment in her series of the same name. The title refers to the name of the mystery bookstore owned by the protagonist, Zofia Smith, who comes downstairs from her apartment above the shop to find a man stabbed to death on the stairway. The investigation ends up revealing dark and uncomfortable secrets from Zo's past.
This is a good, solid book that straddles the amateur sleuth and romantic suspense subgenres. I hesitate to use the word "cozy" here for two reasons: one, that word sets some people's teeth on edge; and two, the romance is a little spicier than one finds in the average cozy, about which more in a moment.
Three things that make a book like this one sucessful are: the quality of the romance; a charming, or at least interesting setting; and quirky but likable supporting characters. Kulig handles all of these with an aplomb far beyond what you'd expect from a first timer. One suspects that she's been at this awhile. The descriptions of New Orleans make you feel Kulig's love of the place right along with her. The supporting cast is colorful and, well, supportive. The sex scenes are erotic but delicately handled, which believe me is a lot harder than it looks. Finally, the resolution sets up questions to be answered in the next volumes without leaving the reader frustrated by loose ends.
This book works. Recommended.
This is a good, solid book that straddles the amateur sleuth and romantic suspense subgenres. I hesitate to use the word "cozy" here for two reasons: one, that word sets some people's teeth on edge; and two, the romance is a little spicier than one finds in the average cozy, about which more in a moment.
Three things that make a book like this one sucessful are: the quality of the romance; a charming, or at least interesting setting; and quirky but likable supporting characters. Kulig handles all of these with an aplomb far beyond what you'd expect from a first timer. One suspects that she's been at this awhile. The descriptions of New Orleans make you feel Kulig's love of the place right along with her. The supporting cast is colorful and, well, supportive. The sex scenes are erotic but delicately handled, which believe me is a lot harder than it looks. Finally, the resolution sets up questions to be answered in the next volumes without leaving the reader frustrated by loose ends.
This book works. Recommended.
February 9, 2012
This has to be one of the most fun reads I had in a while. When Zofia, better known as Zo, trips over a dead body on her way to work (literally!), you get plunged into New Orleans in a way that you don't expect. I couldn't help but crack up at how on-point some of the characters came across, and from the beginning, I had to know exactly what happened to Mr. Dead Body to end up right in front of Zo's door.
Recommended for anyone who likes their mysteries, who likes to smile because they relate to the characters, and anyone looking for a book that they can't put down.
Recommended for anyone who likes their mysteries, who likes to smile because they relate to the characters, and anyone looking for a book that they can't put down.
March 4, 2012
I enjoyed this book very very much. The writing style was very naturalistic.
April 1, 2012
See my review of Bloody Murder on my blog here: http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...
July 7, 2019
Fun story with enough twists to keep you guessing!
Good plot and character development. Nice to have a mystery that didn't feel formulaic. Would have been nice for Zo to get all her answers at the end. More careful copy editing would have made this a five star rating.
Good plot and character development. Nice to have a mystery that didn't feel formulaic. Would have been nice for Zo to get all her answers at the end. More careful copy editing would have made this a five star rating.
June 13, 2015
Bloody Murder is the first in a series of murder mysteries about the quaint little bookshop of the same name. And I can give it no higher praise than that it makes me want to pick up the rest of the novels. Mostly because I like the main character, Zofia Smith, who’s a smart, independent woman, not easily shaken, if a little harsh on her friends and colleagues (Poor James). Zo is a woman who’s loved mysteries her whole life, owns a mystery book store, finds herself in the middle of a real life one, but isn’t content to sit back and let the police handle everything. I can see a little Miss Marple in her, but with a snarkier attitude.
Along the way, there might be details that seem superfluous, such as the info about Baker & Taylor that did nothing to advance the plot or aid in world-building, which is sometimes a side effect of the first-person narrative. You can be inside the character’s head too much, and the plot and pacing slow down. More tension and less Zo going about her daily life as if she hadn’t tripped over a dead body would’ve helped pacing in the first half of the book. But once it got going in the second half, it was an exciting read.
As for the big reveal, it isn’t so much the twist about who the murderer is that didn’t sit well with me. It was more how Zofia came to that conclusion on evidence that was circumstantial at best. The same can be said of how she figured out at the prison who Crystal really was. There didn’t seem to be enough breadcrumbs in the narrative for her or the reader to know that it was as obvious as Zo stated it. Yes, we knew something was up with her, but not to that extent. There were also a few continuity issues, the major happening during Zo’s attempted kidnapping. If one was being held at gunpoint and the other knocked out, how then did they get away and no one knew what they looked like?
Those things stood out for me and probably keep this from having a 4-star rating. Overall, Bloody Murder is at times funny, has intense moments of suspense, and a little sexiness all thrown in. A good read that made me want to spend more time Zo, Michael, and the rest of the supporting crew.
Along the way, there might be details that seem superfluous, such as the info about Baker & Taylor that did nothing to advance the plot or aid in world-building, which is sometimes a side effect of the first-person narrative. You can be inside the character’s head too much, and the plot and pacing slow down. More tension and less Zo going about her daily life as if she hadn’t tripped over a dead body would’ve helped pacing in the first half of the book. But once it got going in the second half, it was an exciting read.
As for the big reveal, it isn’t so much the twist about who the murderer is that didn’t sit well with me. It was more how Zofia came to that conclusion on evidence that was circumstantial at best. The same can be said of how she figured out at the prison who Crystal really was. There didn’t seem to be enough breadcrumbs in the narrative for her or the reader to know that it was as obvious as Zo stated it. Yes, we knew something was up with her, but not to that extent. There were also a few continuity issues, the major happening during Zo’s attempted kidnapping. If one was being held at gunpoint and the other knocked out, how then did they get away and no one knew what they looked like?
Those things stood out for me and probably keep this from having a 4-star rating. Overall, Bloody Murder is at times funny, has intense moments of suspense, and a little sexiness all thrown in. A good read that made me want to spend more time Zo, Michael, and the rest of the supporting crew.
May 16, 2015
This book has a great first line: "I've never seen a crime scene contaminated by muffins before."
The Bloody Murder bookstore, owned and run by Zofia Smith, exists in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Although not normally known as a quiet part of town, the bookstore has enjoyed six years of peace and prosperity until Zofia trips over a body on the way downstairs from her apartment, upstairs from the bookstore, to go to work.
So far so good. Zofia's life becomes abruptly even more complicated when she meets an intriguing young man of Native American-Asian ancestry with a great smile. The tale continues with complications that include false starts and red herrings galore. The Blood Murder bookstore always stays front and center during the story, with helpful references to classical mysteries – both well-known and not-so-well-known and also snide asides about not-so-good offerings. The regional references and descriptions of local food make the setting a delight, especially as told through the eyes Zofia, a non-New Orleans native.
I found the prose to be competent and well-paced aside from the occasional first-person 'overtelling' or repetition. The characters are likeable and plausible. There were parts of the story that suffered from too much exposition and backstory. But once the plot begins to unfold, the reading becomes easier.
The book's end surprises but doesn't cheat and leads to some satisfying complications that are sure to appear again as the series progresses.
If you like a fast read with a highly-spiced setting and characters with a generous dose of romance, you'll enjoy Bloody Murder.
The Bloody Murder bookstore, owned and run by Zofia Smith, exists in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Although not normally known as a quiet part of town, the bookstore has enjoyed six years of peace and prosperity until Zofia trips over a body on the way downstairs from her apartment, upstairs from the bookstore, to go to work.
So far so good. Zofia's life becomes abruptly even more complicated when she meets an intriguing young man of Native American-Asian ancestry with a great smile. The tale continues with complications that include false starts and red herrings galore. The Blood Murder bookstore always stays front and center during the story, with helpful references to classical mysteries – both well-known and not-so-well-known and also snide asides about not-so-good offerings. The regional references and descriptions of local food make the setting a delight, especially as told through the eyes Zofia, a non-New Orleans native.
I found the prose to be competent and well-paced aside from the occasional first-person 'overtelling' or repetition. The characters are likeable and plausible. There were parts of the story that suffered from too much exposition and backstory. But once the plot begins to unfold, the reading becomes easier.
The book's end surprises but doesn't cheat and leads to some satisfying complications that are sure to appear again as the series progresses.
If you like a fast read with a highly-spiced setting and characters with a generous dose of romance, you'll enjoy Bloody Murder.
October 17, 2012
Bloody Murder is the definition of a cozy mystery. It is not action packed and there is no gore, but you quickly start to care about the main character, Zo, and you want to stick around. It made me want to curl up in a chair and read on to unravel the mysteries in this woman’s life.
I don’t judge books by their covers, but I do judge books by their opening lines. “I’ve never seen a crime scene contaminated by muffins before,” had me hooked.
Now I will say that the first half of the novel is slow. You learn about Zo and all of the characters that work in and out of her Bloody Murder bookstore, you learn about her ill-fated career in journalism and the sadness she had from her tragic family life. But you are also witness to her growing relationship with Michael. As you round the halfway mark you have to keep reading to find out what happens.
I’m really looking forward to reading Kate Kulig’s second novel in this series, Post Parcel, to find out what else happens to Zo and her friends.
I don’t judge books by their covers, but I do judge books by their opening lines. “I’ve never seen a crime scene contaminated by muffins before,” had me hooked.
Now I will say that the first half of the novel is slow. You learn about Zo and all of the characters that work in and out of her Bloody Murder bookstore, you learn about her ill-fated career in journalism and the sadness she had from her tragic family life. But you are also witness to her growing relationship with Michael. As you round the halfway mark you have to keep reading to find out what happens.
I’m really looking forward to reading Kate Kulig’s second novel in this series, Post Parcel, to find out what else happens to Zo and her friends.
November 6, 2012
This is a fun little twisty maze of finding a dead body and puzzling out the who, why, and how of it.
Normally I shy away from self-published books, but I knew Kate had spent the necessary time to turn her NaNoWriMo challenge into a real book. More importantly, I knew Kate had not only passed a college writing course, but also retained everything she had learned in 8th grade English class. (If you read enough comments on internet blogs, you might understand what I mean.) Also handicapping my open mind was my lack of preference for mundane mysteries -- as much as I enjoy "Bones" and "Law & Order: XYZ," I much prefer my literature to have at least one paranormal major character.
I happily surprised to enjoy this, especially since I bought both books at the same time. Zo is likeable, believable, and smarter than Sookie Stackhouse. (I know that's not saying much, but it's still a point in her favor.) The food porn does drag the story off-point a little, but it also rounds out the world of Zo: the cuisine is part of what she likes about living in New Orleans.
This is a fun little twisty maze of finding a dead body and puzzling out the who, why, and how of it.
Normally I shy away from self-published books, but I knew Kate had spent the necessary time to turn her NaNoWriMo challenge into a real book. More importantly, I knew Kate had not only passed a college writing course, but also retained everything she had learned in 8th grade English class. (If you read enough comments on internet blogs, you might understand what I mean.) Also handicapping my open mind was my lack of preference for mundane mysteries -- as much as I enjoy "Bones" and "Law & Order: XYZ," I much prefer my literature to have at least one paranormal major character.
I happily surprised to enjoy this, especially since I bought both books at the same time. Zo is likeable, believable, and smarter than Sookie Stackhouse. (I know that's not saying much, but it's still a point in her favor.) The food porn does drag the story off-point a little, but it also rounds out the world of Zo: the cuisine is part of what she likes about living in New Orleans.
This is a fun little twisty maze of finding a dead body and puzzling out the who, why, and how of it.
September 10, 2011
Still in the midst of this novel. The story is gripping, realistic, and the dialog is superb. I highly recommend this book and this author; looking forward to future novels!
Update: Finished the book and WOW!!! Did not entirely see that ending coming. .
This book is sprinkled with phrases that I've heard Kate utter at some point, or others in the chat spaces we both have inhabited. "For some Chinese values of interesting" is such a turn of phrase. This was such a delight to read, not only from the standpoint of knowing the author online, but in and of itself such a well-written tale.
Update: Finished the book and WOW!!! Did not entirely see that ending coming. .
This book is sprinkled with phrases that I've heard Kate utter at some point, or others in the chat spaces we both have inhabited. "For some Chinese values of interesting" is such a turn of phrase. This was such a delight to read, not only from the standpoint of knowing the author online, but in and of itself such a well-written tale.
April 29, 2012
“Bloody Murder” by Kate Kurlig is about a young woman living in New Orleans who owns a bookstore by the name of the title. Following an attempt on her life, things get more and more complicated as she finds the assistance of a handsome investigator and her family background moves to the foreground. All around, it’s got romance, suspense, action, and a wonderfully written New Orleans backdrop, the best I’ve seen in a while. Great job, four stars!
September 23, 2013
Bloody Murders is a good mystery book, I like how thought out Kulig’s writing is.
The characters are likable, and I love that it takes place in New Orleans – Plus the food sounds delicious!
The first few chapters were a little slow for me, but after that it picks up and I didn’t stop reading until I hit the last page. It’s a light read with the right amount of action and romance that I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
The characters are likable, and I love that it takes place in New Orleans – Plus the food sounds delicious!
The first few chapters were a little slow for me, but after that it picks up and I didn’t stop reading until I hit the last page. It’s a light read with the right amount of action and romance that I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Want to read
August 3, 2012Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2012/03/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2012/03/...
April 19, 2017
Enjoyable
I like the main character, she has a lot of quirks and that makes for a lot of fun. I recommend for people that like mystery series.
I like the main character, she has a lot of quirks and that makes for a lot of fun. I recommend for people that like mystery series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews