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Rhe Brewster #1
Death In A Red Canvas Chair
On a warm fall afternoon, the sweet odor of decay distracts Rhe Brewster from the noise and fury of her son’s soccer game. She’s a tall, attractive emergency room nurse with a type A personality, a nose for investigation and a yen for adrenalin. This time her nose leads her to the wet, decaying body of a young woman, sitting in a red canvas chair at the far end of the soccer field. Her first call is to her brother-in-law, Sam Brewster, who is Sheriff of Pequod, the coastal Maine town where she lives. Sam and Rhe’s best friend Paulette, Pequod’s answer to Betty Crocker, are her biggest sources of encouragement when Rhe decides to help the police find the killer. Her discovery that the victim is a student at the local college is initially thwarted by an old frenemy, Bitsy Wellington, the Dean of Students. Will, Rhe’s husband and a professor at the same college, resents her involvement in anything other than being a wife and mother and must be manipulated by Rhe so that she can follow her instincts. Rhe’s interviews of college students leads her to a young woman who had been recruited the previous year to be an escort on a Caribbean cruise ship, and Rhe trails her to a high class brothel at a local seaside estate. The man behind the cruise ship escort service and the brothel is the owner of a chain of mortuaries and is related to the dead student. When Rhe happens on the murder of a young hospital employee who also works for the mortuary chain, she becomes too much of a threat to the owner’s multiple enterprises. She is kidnapped by two of his thugs and is left to die in a mortuary freezer. In the freezer she finds frozen body parts, which are linked to a transplantation program at her hospital. Despite all the twists and turns in her investigation, Rhe ultimately understands why the student was killed and who did it. And she solves the riddle of why the body was placed in the red canvas chair on the soccer field.
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2013
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72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 18, 2017
A well developed story of mystery and non-stop action. Rhe Brewster, an Emergency Room nurse, turns amateur detective to help her brother in law solve crimes in a small town in Maine. Did she help or hinder? Someone leaving a dead body on the soccer field where children are playing brings a tale of unexpected twists and an exciting adventure for Rhe.
June 12, 2015
Little did Rhe Brewster know while coming to watch her kid's soccer game where her curiosity would lead her when she decided to check the appearance of a strange woman in a red canvas chair, a woman who sat at some distance and didn't appear to watch the game like the rest of the excited moms and dads. The insistent odor of rot that the wind brought along didn't help to stop Rhe from checking her suspicion.
Yet, the whirlwind of events her finding the body unfolded caught everyone by surprise, from police, to her family, through entire campus of the nearby college to the murderers and other crime elements that thought themselves well covered.
I read this novel in practically one sitting, unable to put my kindle down. Written in delightfully light, conversational tone, never too heavy on details and description, or too light for that matter, this story kept me on edge, made me turn pages and wish to know what would happen next. The action never slacked, the tension never dropped, not even one little bit. I never knew what would come next, what Rhe would find out or in what trouble she would land herself, and sometimes her friends. The only thing I could vouch for was the expectation that she would do that, land herself into more trouble. It was truly impossible to put this book down and I was glad that there is a sequel to pick (which I already did!)
Yet, the whirlwind of events her finding the body unfolded caught everyone by surprise, from police, to her family, through entire campus of the nearby college to the murderers and other crime elements that thought themselves well covered.
I read this novel in practically one sitting, unable to put my kindle down. Written in delightfully light, conversational tone, never too heavy on details and description, or too light for that matter, this story kept me on edge, made me turn pages and wish to know what would happen next. The action never slacked, the tension never dropped, not even one little bit. I never knew what would come next, what Rhe would find out or in what trouble she would land herself, and sometimes her friends. The only thing I could vouch for was the expectation that she would do that, land herself into more trouble. It was truly impossible to put this book down and I was glad that there is a sequel to pick (which I already did!)
July 18, 2017
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is a murder mystery with an amateur sleuth, a format I’m keen on. I do like small town settings, and Pequod in Maine is just such a place. The protagonist, Rhe Brewster, is on first name terms with the receptionist at the police station and the police chief, Sam, is her brother in law. There is history with other characters because of school and of course everyone knows everyone else’s business, or at least they would like to.
I did not take to Will, Rhe’s husband, at all. A little controlling and grumpy I felt Rhe dreaded him finding out what she was getting involved in, which is never healthy, but I was pleased that Rhe carried on regardless.
Rhe seems to have had a past with investigation but on a purely amateur basis. This time she is appointed as a consultant to the police, which gives her more investigative powers, and credibility.
There is, of course, a murder and Rhe is kept busy trying to piece together what happened by chatting to students, other parents and faculty members.
Without giving anything away I found the opening, the actual placing of the body bit, to this a little unbelievable (although this was eventually explained). But after this the author gets into her stride and takes on the investigation with huge conviction.
This story turns out to be much more than just a murder mystery though as the murder almost gets lost in the background because of the other bad things going on, which for fear of spoilers I won’t expand further on.
There are plenty of people who could be up to no good and this author is terrific at raising our suspicions over who could be involved among the wide ranging cast.
I liked Rhe’s relationship with Sam and Paulette particularly and was positively salivating at the baked goods produced by Paulette. This book reminded me of the Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton and I have a desire to try the cinnamon rolls mentioned in both.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The medical and sailing knowledge was detailed and you could tell the author knows what she is talking about. It was well paced throughout and with plenty of action. I highly recommend to all readers who like well written murder mysteries.
I did not take to Will, Rhe’s husband, at all. A little controlling and grumpy I felt Rhe dreaded him finding out what she was getting involved in, which is never healthy, but I was pleased that Rhe carried on regardless.
Rhe seems to have had a past with investigation but on a purely amateur basis. This time she is appointed as a consultant to the police, which gives her more investigative powers, and credibility.
There is, of course, a murder and Rhe is kept busy trying to piece together what happened by chatting to students, other parents and faculty members.
Without giving anything away I found the opening, the actual placing of the body bit, to this a little unbelievable (although this was eventually explained). But after this the author gets into her stride and takes on the investigation with huge conviction.
This story turns out to be much more than just a murder mystery though as the murder almost gets lost in the background because of the other bad things going on, which for fear of spoilers I won’t expand further on.
There are plenty of people who could be up to no good and this author is terrific at raising our suspicions over who could be involved among the wide ranging cast.
I liked Rhe’s relationship with Sam and Paulette particularly and was positively salivating at the baked goods produced by Paulette. This book reminded me of the Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton and I have a desire to try the cinnamon rolls mentioned in both.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The medical and sailing knowledge was detailed and you could tell the author knows what she is talking about. It was well paced throughout and with plenty of action. I highly recommend to all readers who like well written murder mysteries.
February 11, 2023
N A Granger wrote a novel called The Last Pilgrim. I bought it because it covered a history that I knew very little about. I loved this book so much I’ve bought several more copies and given them to friends.
Recently, I went to see what else she had to offer and came across a series called the Rhe Brewster Mysteries. Death in a Red Canvas Chair is the first of them and so I bought it.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are believable, flawed and mattered to me. A third of the way through I was convinced I knew who’d murdered the young girl left in the red chair of the title and thought the author hadn’t hidden the clues very subtly. I was wrong! I was very wrong, and the surprises kept coming.
There’s a core cast of characters that I assume continue through the rest of the series. Chief amongst the cast are Rhe Brewster who is a part-time Emergency Room nurse, her husband Will, Will’s brother Sam who is the Sheriff of Pequod in Maine, and Paulette her friend.
What I really liked was the mix of danger and humour that blended so well together. Rhe is a wonderful character. Many heroines are dainty little things, Rhe is tall, loves food and sparkles with energy and an enthusiasm that worries her more serious husband. She describes her house as ‘more like me, a sprawling old salt box, in serious need of yard work’.Their young son has ADHD and this is just naturally woven into their lives. Their relationship is honest and believable too with more than its share of niggles.
The details of the decomposing body are gruesome but realistic – and realism plays its part elsewhere in the story. When duct tape is ripped off a mouth it takes some skin with it… This is not a thriller with a veneer of glamour.
I’m going to buy the next in the series now.
Recently, I went to see what else she had to offer and came across a series called the Rhe Brewster Mysteries. Death in a Red Canvas Chair is the first of them and so I bought it.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are believable, flawed and mattered to me. A third of the way through I was convinced I knew who’d murdered the young girl left in the red chair of the title and thought the author hadn’t hidden the clues very subtly. I was wrong! I was very wrong, and the surprises kept coming.
There’s a core cast of characters that I assume continue through the rest of the series. Chief amongst the cast are Rhe Brewster who is a part-time Emergency Room nurse, her husband Will, Will’s brother Sam who is the Sheriff of Pequod in Maine, and Paulette her friend.
What I really liked was the mix of danger and humour that blended so well together. Rhe is a wonderful character. Many heroines are dainty little things, Rhe is tall, loves food and sparkles with energy and an enthusiasm that worries her more serious husband. She describes her house as ‘more like me, a sprawling old salt box, in serious need of yard work’.Their young son has ADHD and this is just naturally woven into their lives. Their relationship is honest and believable too with more than its share of niggles.
The details of the decomposing body are gruesome but realistic – and realism plays its part elsewhere in the story. When duct tape is ripped off a mouth it takes some skin with it… This is not a thriller with a veneer of glamour.
I’m going to buy the next in the series now.
January 23, 2023
In this first book of a series set in the fictional college town of Pequod, Maine, we meet Rhe Brewster, an energetic woman with an attraction for solving crimes. The appearance of a corpse at the edge of a sports field launches Rhe into a demanding investigation and sets off a running conflict with her husband Will, who objects to the hazards of his wife's avocation. Rhe's roles as emergency room nurse, mother, wife, and friend are realistically worked into the plot, even as she interviews a people connected to the murder victim and engages in risky investigations. A hazardous nighttime sail in a small boat is especially exciting.
I appreciated the author's knowledge of things medical and the depiction of the New England setting. A number of real locations in the Boston area make an appearance, as well as the ambience of fall. As far as I could tell, the parts of the story that involve the local police force are realistically treated. The police chief is Rhe's brother-in-law, which both facilitates and complicates her amateur investigations.
The plot is complicated enough to be interesting but does not cross the boundaries of plausibility. I especially enjoyed the scenes including Rhe's best friend Paulette, both for their joking relationship and because of Paulette's cooking. There is a lot of food in this story; reading it may be fattening!
I appreciated the author's knowledge of things medical and the depiction of the New England setting. A number of real locations in the Boston area make an appearance, as well as the ambience of fall. As far as I could tell, the parts of the story that involve the local police force are realistically treated. The police chief is Rhe's brother-in-law, which both facilitates and complicates her amateur investigations.
The plot is complicated enough to be interesting but does not cross the boundaries of plausibility. I especially enjoyed the scenes including Rhe's best friend Paulette, both for their joking relationship and because of Paulette's cooking. There is a lot of food in this story; reading it may be fattening!
March 11, 2021
A Mystery Series Character with a lot of Spunk!
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Book 1 of a series of mysteries with Rhe Brewster, an ER nurse who has a penchant for solving mysteries and is always in the midst of murder. So begins this series with a strong and fearless woman who works with her brother-in-law, Sam Brewster, who is the sheriff in Pequot, coastal town of Maine.
Rhe is not afraid of digging deep into solving mysteries which is anything but what her husband wants her to do. Will is a college professor who is forever fearful of losing his wife when she goes off on another tangent to solve a case.
The author has a strong background in anatomy and sailing as is displayed in the descriptive scenes in the story. This gives the mystery a more polished and professional appeal.
A perfect beginning to this murder mystery series that will keep you turning pages. Highly recommend! I will be downloading the next two books in this series soon to visit with Rhe Brewster to see what she is up to once again.
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Book 1 of a series of mysteries with Rhe Brewster, an ER nurse who has a penchant for solving mysteries and is always in the midst of murder. So begins this series with a strong and fearless woman who works with her brother-in-law, Sam Brewster, who is the sheriff in Pequot, coastal town of Maine.
Rhe is not afraid of digging deep into solving mysteries which is anything but what her husband wants her to do. Will is a college professor who is forever fearful of losing his wife when she goes off on another tangent to solve a case.
The author has a strong background in anatomy and sailing as is displayed in the descriptive scenes in the story. This gives the mystery a more polished and professional appeal.
A perfect beginning to this murder mystery series that will keep you turning pages. Highly recommend! I will be downloading the next two books in this series soon to visit with Rhe Brewster to see what she is up to once again.
February 1, 2023
Meet Rhe Brewster, a nurse, a police consultant, and a wonderful wife and mother. She wears many hats, but still finds time to be a great neighbor and friend.
Actually, I found Rhe to be a realistic and interesting character. She has an insatiable thirst for getting to the truth, even when it gets her into trouble.
Of course, it helps when your brother-in-law is also the chief of police. That, and the fact her nursing degree helps her understand medical terms. She grew up in this small town on the Maine coast. You know small towns. Everyone knows each other and each other’s business. But that kind of knowledge is necessary to solve this recent murder.
So, when a nasty stench leads Rhe to discover a gruesome corpse on the soccer field of one of her son’s games, you know it’s going to get interesting.
There’s plenty of intrigue to suck you into Rhe’s fast-paced world. This is a satisfying, cozy mystery with loveable characters. I look forward to reading the next two books in this three-book series.
Actually, I found Rhe to be a realistic and interesting character. She has an insatiable thirst for getting to the truth, even when it gets her into trouble.
Of course, it helps when your brother-in-law is also the chief of police. That, and the fact her nursing degree helps her understand medical terms. She grew up in this small town on the Maine coast. You know small towns. Everyone knows each other and each other’s business. But that kind of knowledge is necessary to solve this recent murder.
So, when a nasty stench leads Rhe to discover a gruesome corpse on the soccer field of one of her son’s games, you know it’s going to get interesting.
There’s plenty of intrigue to suck you into Rhe’s fast-paced world. This is a satisfying, cozy mystery with loveable characters. I look forward to reading the next two books in this three-book series.
June 25, 2018
Rhe Brewster loves to eat….and to sleuth. And she does both well and often in this well written murder mystery. The author is knowledgeable about the location of the story (a coastal town in Maine, where she grew up) and the medical field (impressive bio!) and her writing is infused with her expertise, giving the entire story authenticity. She weaves the mystery in a skilled way and you may find yourself thinking you know who the murderer is, just to change your mind a chapter or two later. Action packed, credible dialogue, real-life problems in Rhe’s relationship with her husband. A lot going on here but it all comes together seamlessly; a page turner!
Read
September 5, 2021I bought this book at a NC Author Festival. It's autographed for Eileen. The author taught at UNC.
It was a good read but the mom in the story did really dangerous things in her attempt to investigate the murder. I passed the book back to Eileen.
It was a good read but the mom in the story did really dangerous things in her attempt to investigate the murder. I passed the book back to Eileen.
February 14, 2017
This book is a great read. Very entertaining. The plot had plenty of twists and the main character has plenty of spunk. Take the time to read this book. I am going to start on the next one soon.
February 18, 2020
I'm hooked on N.A.Granger's murder mystery series. A great read to dive right in and chase down the clues with the interesting characters. I'm on to the next one.
December 8, 2022
Interesting story
It starts out a little slow but once it gets moving boy does it get moving! Kept me guessing right to the end. I plan to read the second book.
It starts out a little slow but once it gets moving boy does it get moving! Kept me guessing right to the end. I plan to read the second book.
July 3, 2014
When a female body is posed at the far end of a youth soccer field, no one seems to notice. No one, that is, except Rhe Brewster, an emergency room nurse with an eye for detail and a knack for putting her nose where it doesn’t belong.
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Noelle Granger’s debut mystery novel, the first in a series about Rhe Brewster and her adventures as an amateur detective. It’s set in the fictional town of Pequod, Maine and offers a nice backdrop of New England coastal living. I don’t read a lot of mysteries, but I do know that all mysteries follow a certain framework, and Death in a Red Canvas Chair is true to this format. Granger presents an intriguing crime, introduces some shady characters, some good guys and muddles it up with some characters you’re not too sure about.
It’s a well-organized, light and entertaining plot-driven read that invites you to solve the crime before you reach the final pages. It’s not too gory or too violent, but there’s enough action and suspense and a few rough moments to keep the story moving. And there are a couple of red herrings to mix things up a little. The author also adds a running list of what Rhe and her colleagues eat, and frequent references to coffee suggest that this mystery will be solved with a great deal of caffeine.
The author’s PhD in anatomy certainly shows, which comes in handy with the medical lingo and, being a sailor myself, I appreciated accuracy of the boat scenes. She offers some character quirkiness as well, mixed in with humor and that helps flesh out the characters and make it an enjoyable read. Marital and family conflicts also add dimension to Granger’s characters.
I’m a bit of a stickler for details, however, especially typos (a few here and there), facts and accurate quotes, and there are a couple that aren’t quite correct. For me, that takes away from the polish of the plot. A little research might have fixed these.
For example, when we learn about Kelly’s character, a possibly violent football player, it might have made more sense to give him a defensive position, not quarterback, because the quarterback is the guy everyone else is trying to sack. Saying Kelly is “rough on the football field” as a quarterback, might occasionally be true, but making Kelly a defensive end or a linebacker is much more plausible.
Rhe remembers a slogan at a coffee shop she used to visit and quotes T. S. Eliot. The real quote from “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons,” not “My life is measured out in coffee spoons.”
The words to Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” are permanently etched in my brain, so the author’s reference to this song was fun for me, but the quote isn’t quite right. The real lyrics are “I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee” – not “there are clouds in my coffee, clouds and dreams.”
Also, I’m not sure that drying out a phone in a bag of rice is a new idea. That’s been done many times at my house, thanks to rain, laundry mishaps and other water-related accidents!
All in all, however, Death in a Red Canvas Chair is polished and tight and it’s easy to imagine Rhe Brewster becoming mired in a lot more mysteries!
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Noelle Granger’s debut mystery novel, the first in a series about Rhe Brewster and her adventures as an amateur detective. It’s set in the fictional town of Pequod, Maine and offers a nice backdrop of New England coastal living. I don’t read a lot of mysteries, but I do know that all mysteries follow a certain framework, and Death in a Red Canvas Chair is true to this format. Granger presents an intriguing crime, introduces some shady characters, some good guys and muddles it up with some characters you’re not too sure about.
It’s a well-organized, light and entertaining plot-driven read that invites you to solve the crime before you reach the final pages. It’s not too gory or too violent, but there’s enough action and suspense and a few rough moments to keep the story moving. And there are a couple of red herrings to mix things up a little. The author also adds a running list of what Rhe and her colleagues eat, and frequent references to coffee suggest that this mystery will be solved with a great deal of caffeine.
The author’s PhD in anatomy certainly shows, which comes in handy with the medical lingo and, being a sailor myself, I appreciated accuracy of the boat scenes. She offers some character quirkiness as well, mixed in with humor and that helps flesh out the characters and make it an enjoyable read. Marital and family conflicts also add dimension to Granger’s characters.
I’m a bit of a stickler for details, however, especially typos (a few here and there), facts and accurate quotes, and there are a couple that aren’t quite correct. For me, that takes away from the polish of the plot. A little research might have fixed these.
For example, when we learn about Kelly’s character, a possibly violent football player, it might have made more sense to give him a defensive position, not quarterback, because the quarterback is the guy everyone else is trying to sack. Saying Kelly is “rough on the football field” as a quarterback, might occasionally be true, but making Kelly a defensive end or a linebacker is much more plausible.
Rhe remembers a slogan at a coffee shop she used to visit and quotes T. S. Eliot. The real quote from “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons,” not “My life is measured out in coffee spoons.”
The words to Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” are permanently etched in my brain, so the author’s reference to this song was fun for me, but the quote isn’t quite right. The real lyrics are “I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee” – not “there are clouds in my coffee, clouds and dreams.”
Also, I’m not sure that drying out a phone in a bag of rice is a new idea. That’s been done many times at my house, thanks to rain, laundry mishaps and other water-related accidents!
All in all, however, Death in a Red Canvas Chair is polished and tight and it’s easy to imagine Rhe Brewster becoming mired in a lot more mysteries!
May 29, 2014
The One Sentence Summary: An inquisitive ER nurse is pulled into the hunt for a murderer when she finds a dead body at her son’s soccer game.
The Meat and Potatoes:
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Granger’s first novel, a basic murder mystery, told in the first person limited, from the perspective of Rhe Brewster, an ER nurse with a flair for investigation. The story begins with the main character finding the dead body propped up in a folding spectator chair at her son’s soccer game. As the discoverer of the body, Rhe is involved in the investigation from the start, but her naturally curious nature (as well as the fact that her brother-in-law is the town’s Sheriff) quickly lands her a job working the case as an official consultant. When the body is identified as a local college girl, Rhe begins to find a lot of students at the college are spending suspicious amounts of money, with no way to account for it. Everyone seems to have something to hide, so Rhe keeps digging. And then there are threats on her life…
The novel takes place in Pequod, a fictional small town in coastal Maine. Granger does a good job of setting the scene for us, so even those who’ve never been to Maine can practically smell the salty sea air. Although she may give a bit too much technical information about sailing, the level of detail contributes to the novel’s realism.
Rhe Brewster is an interesting and engaging character. She’s a likeable wife/mother/ER nurse, though she may be too perfect. Her one flaw—she’s nosy. I could have said “inquisitive” again, but there are definitely times in the story when her behavior is a step beyond. Rhe even trespasses on private property to learn more about the things she finds suspicious, which, though just illegal for a police consultant, would be unconstitutional for an officer. I suppose it wasn’t just her zeal for investigation that I found tiresome, but that she seemed motivated more by a desire to “know it all” rather than to solve the case.
The Praiseworthy: Death in a Red Canvas Chair is an intriguing mystery with an interesting angle. The story moves at a brisk pace, and keeps the reader’s attention. Overall, this is a good first novel.
The Shortcomings: There are just a few things about the writing that I have to pick on: the dialogue is quite wooden, and the author misuses the subjunctive mood several times. But that’s just me being picky. A bigger problem though is that a significant chunk of the mystery is explained to the reader after the fact, in dialogue. “So it turns out so and so did this, and it was really so and so who did that” isn’t the most interesting way to resolve the story.
The Verdict: I would recommend Death in a Red Canvas Chair to readers who enjoy murder mysteries with engaging characters, in interesting settings.
The Meat and Potatoes:
Death in a Red Canvas Chair is Granger’s first novel, a basic murder mystery, told in the first person limited, from the perspective of Rhe Brewster, an ER nurse with a flair for investigation. The story begins with the main character finding the dead body propped up in a folding spectator chair at her son’s soccer game. As the discoverer of the body, Rhe is involved in the investigation from the start, but her naturally curious nature (as well as the fact that her brother-in-law is the town’s Sheriff) quickly lands her a job working the case as an official consultant. When the body is identified as a local college girl, Rhe begins to find a lot of students at the college are spending suspicious amounts of money, with no way to account for it. Everyone seems to have something to hide, so Rhe keeps digging. And then there are threats on her life…
The novel takes place in Pequod, a fictional small town in coastal Maine. Granger does a good job of setting the scene for us, so even those who’ve never been to Maine can practically smell the salty sea air. Although she may give a bit too much technical information about sailing, the level of detail contributes to the novel’s realism.
Rhe Brewster is an interesting and engaging character. She’s a likeable wife/mother/ER nurse, though she may be too perfect. Her one flaw—she’s nosy. I could have said “inquisitive” again, but there are definitely times in the story when her behavior is a step beyond. Rhe even trespasses on private property to learn more about the things she finds suspicious, which, though just illegal for a police consultant, would be unconstitutional for an officer. I suppose it wasn’t just her zeal for investigation that I found tiresome, but that she seemed motivated more by a desire to “know it all” rather than to solve the case.
The Praiseworthy: Death in a Red Canvas Chair is an intriguing mystery with an interesting angle. The story moves at a brisk pace, and keeps the reader’s attention. Overall, this is a good first novel.
The Shortcomings: There are just a few things about the writing that I have to pick on: the dialogue is quite wooden, and the author misuses the subjunctive mood several times. But that’s just me being picky. A bigger problem though is that a significant chunk of the mystery is explained to the reader after the fact, in dialogue. “So it turns out so and so did this, and it was really so and so who did that” isn’t the most interesting way to resolve the story.
The Verdict: I would recommend Death in a Red Canvas Chair to readers who enjoy murder mysteries with engaging characters, in interesting settings.
September 22, 2014
This is not really a cosy mystery, although it starts out that way, but Rhe Brewster, our heroine, turns into a police consultant, so I suppose it could be police procedural after all. What it definitely is, is a well-toned and robust crime mystery with plenty of personal endangerment that makes the reader say “don’t be so stupid, you know it’ll go wrong!” And so it… might.
It all starts with the smell of something nasty on the football field. We’re in New England, Maine, in fact, so forgive this Brit if she loses the plot at junior school football games. But Mums everywhere sit on the sidelines watching their loved ones play sport, whatever the sport, so it comes as a little surprise to Rhe when she discovers that this godawful smell is coming from a woman who hasn’t moved out of her chair since half time. Which is when she arrived. The body, that is, not Rhe.
Rhe starts delving through the evidence (sorely lacking) to find out who she is and what she’s been up to that might have got her into this state, with the blessing of her friendly police captain (who is invited over to dinner most weeks) but not of her husband, who is understandably nervous of her endangering herself. I think Hubby gets a raw deal in this book, since Rhe is narrating, more or less. He’s got enough on his plate as it is, with all those gorgeous students he has to teach at college – and where do those girls get the money for all those designer accessories anyway?
Well, the clues come up thick and fast, and there’s really not much covering up of the essentials of the story from near the start. The details, though – the details are amazing! There are wonderful twists and turns, beautifully described dangerous adventures, and heart warming – and breaking – relationships going on. The ‘How’ is the real mystery, rather than the ‘Who’.
It’s an exciting, pacey read, with great narrative and attention to detail, and the most awe-ful guide to how to combat hypothermia that I hope you never have to put into practice.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to more Rhe Brewster mysteries.
It all starts with the smell of something nasty on the football field. We’re in New England, Maine, in fact, so forgive this Brit if she loses the plot at junior school football games. But Mums everywhere sit on the sidelines watching their loved ones play sport, whatever the sport, so it comes as a little surprise to Rhe when she discovers that this godawful smell is coming from a woman who hasn’t moved out of her chair since half time. Which is when she arrived. The body, that is, not Rhe.
Rhe starts delving through the evidence (sorely lacking) to find out who she is and what she’s been up to that might have got her into this state, with the blessing of her friendly police captain (who is invited over to dinner most weeks) but not of her husband, who is understandably nervous of her endangering herself. I think Hubby gets a raw deal in this book, since Rhe is narrating, more or less. He’s got enough on his plate as it is, with all those gorgeous students he has to teach at college – and where do those girls get the money for all those designer accessories anyway?
Well, the clues come up thick and fast, and there’s really not much covering up of the essentials of the story from near the start. The details, though – the details are amazing! There are wonderful twists and turns, beautifully described dangerous adventures, and heart warming – and breaking – relationships going on. The ‘How’ is the real mystery, rather than the ‘Who’.
It’s an exciting, pacey read, with great narrative and attention to detail, and the most awe-ful guide to how to combat hypothermia that I hope you never have to put into practice.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to more Rhe Brewster mysteries.
July 7, 2014
The eye catching title page of this murder mystery exactly reflects the prologue where the victim is deposited in full sight of a group of mother’s watching their sons’ soccer match, but the scene has been set specifically for Rhe Brewster, our heroine and narrator. Rhe is a part-time emergency nurse, wife and mother whose stubborn, determined character make her an ideal investigator with a penchant for putting herself in danger, which adds to the drama.
Gradually, Rhe’s life growing up in the small Maine coastal town help her to unravel both the reason for the victim’s death and a conspiracy involving many significant people in the community. The back story of communication problems within her marriage and valued relationships with others ensure that the reader will want to return to Rhe’s life in future mysteries.
Characterisation is well developed, especially in the case of Sam, the police chief and some, apparently minor characters, tease the reader. Are they only a small part of the plot or will they prove to be part of the major criminal activity?
As a British reader I had trouble with some of the vocabulary. I had to look up Mirandized (read your rights) and had no idea what a “red slicker” was but generally Ms Granger has a fluent, clear style of writing which advances the storyline while enabling us to understand Rhe’s feelings. Some of the quotes she makes from literature and songs are unfortunately misquotes which are difficult to ignore, but Rhe’s original comments such as her, “peculiar sense of ownership of this crime,” enhance the narrative.
The balance of problem solving, “edge of seat” events and a heroine who is likeable and real, make this an enjoyable read and I shall certainly look forward to her next venture into the precarious world of crime.
Gradually, Rhe’s life growing up in the small Maine coastal town help her to unravel both the reason for the victim’s death and a conspiracy involving many significant people in the community. The back story of communication problems within her marriage and valued relationships with others ensure that the reader will want to return to Rhe’s life in future mysteries.
Characterisation is well developed, especially in the case of Sam, the police chief and some, apparently minor characters, tease the reader. Are they only a small part of the plot or will they prove to be part of the major criminal activity?
As a British reader I had trouble with some of the vocabulary. I had to look up Mirandized (read your rights) and had no idea what a “red slicker” was but generally Ms Granger has a fluent, clear style of writing which advances the storyline while enabling us to understand Rhe’s feelings. Some of the quotes she makes from literature and songs are unfortunately misquotes which are difficult to ignore, but Rhe’s original comments such as her, “peculiar sense of ownership of this crime,” enhance the narrative.
The balance of problem solving, “edge of seat” events and a heroine who is likeable and real, make this an enjoyable read and I shall certainly look forward to her next venture into the precarious world of crime.
August 29, 2014
Death on a Red Canvas Chair is an enjoyable murder mystery, including elements of suspense, and featuring the work of forensic experts. I was drawn into the novel immediately, from scene one, and it was a pleasure to read, due to the well-written, vivid, and flowing language.
Rhe is an unlikely and loveable heroine. She’s a hard-working nurse, police consultant, loving mother, supportive wife, and good friend. She’s the best friend or neighbor we’d all love to have. Sounds like a boring heroine, well, like the adorable Miss Marple, Rhe is anything but boring! Although she is highly regarded professionally, on a personal level, she struggles with important issues, and there are plenty of exciting moments to keep you on the edge of your seat, in a plot which is carefully woven with plenty of twists and turns!
Our heroine has first-hand knowledge of medical terms, so at times, reading is like watching an episode of CSI, but she’s also prepared to work outside the lab, and put her life at risk confronting the bad guys, in action-packed scenes.
Although the crime is finally solved, we have become so involved with Rhe and her world, that we are anxious to discover what happens to other aspects of her personal life, and are thus drawn into impatient expectation for the following book in which she will (hopefully) unravel another mystery.
Rhe is an unlikely and loveable heroine. She’s a hard-working nurse, police consultant, loving mother, supportive wife, and good friend. She’s the best friend or neighbor we’d all love to have. Sounds like a boring heroine, well, like the adorable Miss Marple, Rhe is anything but boring! Although she is highly regarded professionally, on a personal level, she struggles with important issues, and there are plenty of exciting moments to keep you on the edge of your seat, in a plot which is carefully woven with plenty of twists and turns!
Our heroine has first-hand knowledge of medical terms, so at times, reading is like watching an episode of CSI, but she’s also prepared to work outside the lab, and put her life at risk confronting the bad guys, in action-packed scenes.
Although the crime is finally solved, we have become so involved with Rhe and her world, that we are anxious to discover what happens to other aspects of her personal life, and are thus drawn into impatient expectation for the following book in which she will (hopefully) unravel another mystery.
July 3, 2015
This is a quirky cosy mystery with ER nurse Rhe Brewster at the centre of the investigation. When her son plays soccer and she discovers a body dumped by the side of the game, Rhe alarms the authorities and before you know it, she is deeply involved in solving the case. Rhe is quite a character, the most apt description of herself is: “despite his PhD in Psychology he (her husband) still doesn’t understand me.” I think many would struggle and that is what makes her such a wonderful and watchable protagonist.
Familiar with Sheriff Sam there is little that can stop her.
The victim was a college student and the investigation starts to step on Rhe’s husband’s toes, a professor at the same college.
The plot is quite complex and has some turns and twists, includes prostitution, kidnapping and marital disputes for Rhe as well. Well-paced with great, entertaining characterisation, good suspense and solid writing this is well worth your time.
Familiar with Sheriff Sam there is little that can stop her.
The victim was a college student and the investigation starts to step on Rhe’s husband’s toes, a professor at the same college.
The plot is quite complex and has some turns and twists, includes prostitution, kidnapping and marital disputes for Rhe as well. Well-paced with great, entertaining characterisation, good suspense and solid writing this is well worth your time.
June 26, 2013
N.A. Granger has given me a new favorite sleuth. I immediately fell in love with Rhe Brewster. She is a nurse, a mom, and wicked smart. Rhe, an insightful tenacious snoop, finds a body beside the Pequod soccer field. She then uses her connections with the sheriff and medical examiner to insert herself into the investigation. I felt like I was right there with Rhe as she chased down clues between making dinner for her son, shifts in the ER, and eating muffins with her best friend. By the end of the book, I felt I knew Rhe.
Death In A Canvas Chair is a fun read. The quaint little town of Pequod, Maine is a hotbed of iniquity - they've got co-eds behaving badly, gangsters lurking in the shadows, and dead bodies turning up on soccer fields. I could not put the book down until I knew who killed the co-ed.
Death In A Canvas Chair is a fun read. The quaint little town of Pequod, Maine is a hotbed of iniquity - they've got co-eds behaving badly, gangsters lurking in the shadows, and dead bodies turning up on soccer fields. I could not put the book down until I knew who killed the co-ed.
June 1, 2020
Rhe Brewster likes to be in the middle of things. She’s an ER nurse and a woman with an insatiable appetite to solve crimes and eat. Luckily, her best friend is a good cook.
Her husband is not a fan of the work she is doing to help the police (and the Chief, his brother), so there is trouble on the home front. Good start to this mystery series; this is the first book, even though it makes mention of an earlier investigation. On to the next book, Death in a Dacron Sail.
Her husband is not a fan of the work she is doing to help the police (and the Chief, his brother), so there is trouble on the home front. Good start to this mystery series; this is the first book, even though it makes mention of an earlier investigation. On to the next book, Death in a Dacron Sail.
October 28, 2015
Good
the woman who had a family and as a mother whose young son needed special needs that where costs she worked part times as a nurse
the woman who had a family and as a mother whose young son needed special needs that where costs she worked part times as a nurse
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