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Amhearst Mystery #2
Caught in the Act
In a sequel to CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE, girl reporter Merrileigh Kramer discovers a grisly murder and learns that she can be wrong about who her friends really are. Like its predecessor, CAUGHT IN THE ACT looks at the long-term consequences of the choices we make. Woven with threads of romance and humor, this mystery makes an enjoyable read with a clear Christian message.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
112 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Roper
81 books90 followersGayle Roper rejoices every day that she gets to be a writer because she's in love with story. Even on the days that words rebel and have to be coerced onto the paper, there is nothing else she'd rather do. When readers like her work, it's like God says, "See? I knew what you were wired to do." When her books win awards like the Carol Award (Caught Redhanded) or the RITA Award (Autumn Dreams), the Holt Medallion (The Decision, Caught in a Bind, Autumn Dreams) or the Reviewer's Choice (The Decision), it's icing on the cake. And she gets to teach others how to write at conferences too. She spends a lot of time smiling. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and is the best-selling author of Hide & Seek and more than forty other books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 31, 2018
What a disappointment. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one didn't even feel like it was by the same person. I checked my e-book a couple of times to make sure I was reading the right book. That's not good.
First off, this story felt out of control. A lot of that is because of Jolene, a character who doesn't make sense to me. She and her family are so weird the book became almost silly, like something by Janet Evanovich - especially when you add in the crazy car troubles. Then there's the "problem" with Jack. He pops up after four months and wants to get back with Merry. Ok, here's what you do, Merry. You say, "Sorry, Jack, but I'm not your girlfriend. I don't want to go out with you. Please stop bothering me." But she won't do that; she just thinks it, but won't say the words because he "wouldn't understand". How does she know? She never tried! You can't blame the clueless guy for not reading your mind.
In the first book Merry was an imperfect but likable woman. In this one she's a mess, and I blame her for the problem with Jack, not him. She's supposed to be this super straight-forward person, in fact at one point she goes into a long speech about how honest and "Christian" she is, but she lies and avoids the truth with lots of people.
There's also too much going on in this book, with pregnant teenagers and Christmas and her new boss, etc. At the halfway point I wanted to stop reading. It got better at about 60 percent, but not enough to make me really like it. I'm so disappointed.
First off, this story felt out of control. A lot of that is because of Jolene, a character who doesn't make sense to me. She and her family are so weird the book became almost silly, like something by Janet Evanovich - especially when you add in the crazy car troubles. Then there's the "problem" with Jack. He pops up after four months and wants to get back with Merry. Ok, here's what you do, Merry. You say, "Sorry, Jack, but I'm not your girlfriend. I don't want to go out with you. Please stop bothering me." But she won't do that; she just thinks it, but won't say the words because he "wouldn't understand". How does she know? She never tried! You can't blame the clueless guy for not reading your mind.
In the first book Merry was an imperfect but likable woman. In this one she's a mess, and I blame her for the problem with Jack, not him. She's supposed to be this super straight-forward person, in fact at one point she goes into a long speech about how honest and "Christian" she is, but she lies and avoids the truth with lots of people.
There's also too much going on in this book, with pregnant teenagers and Christmas and her new boss, etc. At the halfway point I wanted to stop reading. It got better at about 60 percent, but not enough to make me really like it. I'm so disappointed.
March 15, 2024
2.75 stars
The mystery part of this story was well done and deserves 4 stars.
The dialogue and characters, however, were rather unbelievable. Merry is so frustrating in this book. She is in her mid-twenties and should know enough about human behaviour and fears to understand what is going on with Curt when he pulls back from her. Why she can't just tell Jack to buzz off and walk past him when he shows up is beyond me. The inner dialogue and thesaurus-spewing anger is not realistic (spoken as a person whose top strength is verbal intelligence)... And the number of times Merry spills something on Curt is overdone. And lastly, the dialogue from the His House girls is completely unrealistic.
Also, does NO ONE in this town eat healthy food?? Diet Coke and Oreos are Merry's 'food' of choice in all three books. Aside from that, the rest of the food described is also unhealthy. I didn't think folks from PA were such Midwesterners in their eating habits. 😳
Other than that... The mystery was intriguing and she gave just enough clues to figure it out right before/as Merry does. I like it when mysteries aren't obvious, but also aren't impossible (like Agatha Christie) because the author didn't give you enough details to possibly figure it out.
Pretty sure this is the weakest book of the series, but I still enjoyed it as a relaxing evening read.
The mystery part of this story was well done and deserves 4 stars.
The dialogue and characters, however, were rather unbelievable. Merry is so frustrating in this book. She is in her mid-twenties and should know enough about human behaviour and fears to understand what is going on with Curt when he pulls back from her. Why she can't just tell Jack to buzz off and walk past him when he shows up is beyond me. The inner dialogue and thesaurus-spewing anger is not realistic (spoken as a person whose top strength is verbal intelligence)... And the number of times Merry spills something on Curt is overdone. And lastly, the dialogue from the His House girls is completely unrealistic.
Also, does NO ONE in this town eat healthy food?? Diet Coke and Oreos are Merry's 'food' of choice in all three books. Aside from that, the rest of the food described is also unhealthy. I didn't think folks from PA were such Midwesterners in their eating habits. 😳
Other than that... The mystery was intriguing and she gave just enough clues to figure it out right before/as Merry does. I like it when mysteries aren't obvious, but also aren't impossible (like Agatha Christie) because the author didn't give you enough details to possibly figure it out.
Pretty sure this is the weakest book of the series, but I still enjoyed it as a relaxing evening read.
September 17, 2020
Still love these series. Love seeing Merry through adult eyes. I would reread these a lot as a kid and now as an adult with more reading knowledge under my belt, I still enjoyed these and would read them again.
Jolene is a character I love to dislike and want more from at the same time. Gayle Roper also knows how to organically incorporate good Christian conversation within the pages.
Jolene is a character I love to dislike and want more from at the same time. Gayle Roper also knows how to organically incorporate good Christian conversation within the pages.
May 9, 2023
Sounded like exactly the kind of novel which I would love and yet somehow fell a little flat. The mystery is probably the best part of the story but the characters are a little insipid which is why I think I didnt enjoy it as much as I was expecting to. Pass mark but wouldnt rush out to buy the rest of the series.
July 24, 2020
Enjoyable and quick inspirational romantic suspense/mystery. I hadn't read the first in the series, however I still felt I could understand some back story, so ok as a standalone. Well written with interesting characters. Great storyline that had me guessing "whodunnit?".
March 30, 2019
Ok read. Christian romance.
May 30, 2013
Gayle Roper is such a delightful author! Her character, Merry, in this second book of the Amhearst Mystery Series is even more entertaining than in the first--as she finds herself entangled in yet another murder mystery.
Merry deals ineptly with the unexpected and undesired appearance of her old boyfriend, Jack, while grappling with her budding relationship with Curt, a highly esteemed artist/coach in Amhearst. She becomes better acquainted with her narcissistic coworker, Jolene, as they process the death of her ex-husband. Other characters and romantic interests unfold, along with a beautiful portrayal of a home for pregnant teens. As always, the murderer is the person you least expect, who nearly adds Merry and another victim to her belt at an annual holiday party.
I read this book aloud to my husband. Merry's antics and self-talk had us in stitches several times. I can't wait to get my hands on book #3 in the series to see what the folks in Merry's circle of friends and coworkers do next!
Merry deals ineptly with the unexpected and undesired appearance of her old boyfriend, Jack, while grappling with her budding relationship with Curt, a highly esteemed artist/coach in Amhearst. She becomes better acquainted with her narcissistic coworker, Jolene, as they process the death of her ex-husband. Other characters and romantic interests unfold, along with a beautiful portrayal of a home for pregnant teens. As always, the murderer is the person you least expect, who nearly adds Merry and another victim to her belt at an annual holiday party.
I read this book aloud to my husband. Merry's antics and self-talk had us in stitches several times. I can't wait to get my hands on book #3 in the series to see what the folks in Merry's circle of friends and coworkers do next!
June 13, 2015
In this second book of the Curt/Merry romance saga, we watch the budding relationship go through a few minor problems. There's something bothering Curt, but he won't tell Merry what it is. He's still a sweetheart of a man, though. I can't help but love him!
This book's mystery surrounds Merry's co-worker, Jolene, and her estranged husband. That's all I'm going to say about it. I thought the author did really good with the "shock" factor at the end of the book...
I'm also glad that even though the story is taken from the heroine's POV, Curt is still allowed to be a hero!
This series is turning out to be one I have to read one after the other as quickly as i can because I can't wait to see what happens next!
This book's mystery surrounds Merry's co-worker, Jolene, and her estranged husband. That's all I'm going to say about it. I thought the author did really good with the "shock" factor at the end of the book...
I'm also glad that even though the story is taken from the heroine's POV, Curt is still allowed to be a hero!
This series is turning out to be one I have to read one after the other as quickly as i can because I can't wait to see what happens next!
February 20, 2013
Let author Gayle Roper take you on the adventure of your lifetime. A great cast of charters, Merrileigh will have you struggling to choose between two romantic interests. And if that doesn't keep you at the edge of your seat a murder defiantly will. Jolene is a purely selfish coworker, with crazy parents, a dead husband and secret boyfriend. I was keep guessing who the murder was until the very surprising end. This is a great read for anyone who likes a little romance, laughs and mystery. This is a great book with surprises around every corner.
March 20, 2014
Merry is taking a co-worker home when they find the co-worker's estranged husband dead on the kitchen floor. Merry can't resist digging to find out a little more. But can she solve the crime? This book is equal parts mystery and romance. The characters are so great, I cared about both. And both story lines were strong and well worth reading.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 21, 2010
This book is part of a series. You don't have to read them in any order. The suspense is good, the humor is funny and the romance believable.
December 9, 2013
Great 2nd book! It was suspenseful, funny (attacking plants and totaling her 4th car :-), and touching all at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews