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Baby Boomer Mysteries #4
Class Reunions Can Be Murder
Class Reunions Can Be Murder, a Baby Boomer Mystery by the author of Retirement Can Be Murder, Moving Can Be Murder, and Marriage Can Be Murder. Baby Boomer Carol Andrews has no interest in her upcoming fortieth high school reunion. Her memories of days at Mount Saint Francis Academy are mixed, to put it mildly. But BFF Nancy convinces her to join the reunion planning committee, so she'll have some say in how the event is organized. All is going smoothly until the dead body of one of their classmates is found the night before the reunion -- in Carol and Nancy's room.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2013
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511 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 25, 2015
Although I did enjoy this book as a very light read I did find it somewhat predictable. The plot was o.k. but there was far too much of the narrator talking to herself (or discussing her investigation with her dogs) in fact more of this than actually speaking to real people! I also found it annoying that the author kept commenting to the reader in little 'asides' as if we were friends and I knew her personally, that is just something that I personally find off putting as it takes me away from the actual story.
A murder at a school reunion is a good start, I can think of a few ex class mates that I would like to pop off but I found this one a bit obvious.
A murder at a school reunion is a good start, I can think of a few ex class mates that I would like to pop off but I found this one a bit obvious.
October 24, 2018
All girls' school St. Frances Academy is being converted to a seniors residence and Carol and her 3 BFFs are organizing a 40th (Ruby) class reunion with the urging of Sister Rose.
All the drama of High School is exposed and recreated by mean-girl, bully Mary Margaret(Meg).
When Carol & Nancy find Meg dead in their room the night before the reunion, keeping things on track and solving a suicide that is really a murder keeps the plot twisting when Meg's life is exposed and revealed.
A well written cozy that has unique POV as Carol tells the story and lets the reader in on a few secrets the rest of the characters don't know about.
All the drama of High School is exposed and recreated by mean-girl, bully Mary Margaret(Meg).
When Carol & Nancy find Meg dead in their room the night before the reunion, keeping things on track and solving a suicide that is really a murder keeps the plot twisting when Meg's life is exposed and revealed.
A well written cozy that has unique POV as Carol tells the story and lets the reader in on a few secrets the rest of the characters don't know about.
August 11, 2013
“Class Reunions can be Murder” by Susan Santangelo
Being the fourth in the Baby Boomer Mysteries series, “Class Reunions can be Murder” is still high on the charts and so is Santangelo. This author can whip together a story that will have you cackling. Warning: don’t read it when others are around. If so, they may end up wondering if there’s something wrong with you because you’ll be doubling over in laughter.
Carol Andrews is at it again. The poor woman can’t stay away from dead bodies. It’s not like she goes looking for them, they just seem to appear wherever she is.
This time a body is found in Mount Saint Francis Academy, an all-girl Catholic school. Oh, excuse me, it’s Fairport Manor Senior Living Community now. Or will be right after the Ruby Reunion. Forty years after graduation, Carol is talked into being on the committee to head up the reunion. The dinner the night before is a huge hit. They decide to stay in rooms the night before the actual reunion at Fairport. But Carol doesn’t get the chance for any sleep that night. She and her girlfriend Nancy walk into the room, only to find a dead body in one of the beds. And the victim is none other than Carol’s arch nemesis from her school days. Just great. Finding bodies is what happens to Carol. Can we expect less?
It’s hilarious reading about the following excursions and escapades that Carol goes through to find out first, why everyone believes the suicide note and second, who is actually responsible for the murder.
Honestly, even if you have not read a book in Santangelo’s series before, you really need to pick this one up. Pure entertainment at its best!
Being the fourth in the Baby Boomer Mysteries series, “Class Reunions can be Murder” is still high on the charts and so is Santangelo. This author can whip together a story that will have you cackling. Warning: don’t read it when others are around. If so, they may end up wondering if there’s something wrong with you because you’ll be doubling over in laughter.
Carol Andrews is at it again. The poor woman can’t stay away from dead bodies. It’s not like she goes looking for them, they just seem to appear wherever she is.
This time a body is found in Mount Saint Francis Academy, an all-girl Catholic school. Oh, excuse me, it’s Fairport Manor Senior Living Community now. Or will be right after the Ruby Reunion. Forty years after graduation, Carol is talked into being on the committee to head up the reunion. The dinner the night before is a huge hit. They decide to stay in rooms the night before the actual reunion at Fairport. But Carol doesn’t get the chance for any sleep that night. She and her girlfriend Nancy walk into the room, only to find a dead body in one of the beds. And the victim is none other than Carol’s arch nemesis from her school days. Just great. Finding bodies is what happens to Carol. Can we expect less?
It’s hilarious reading about the following excursions and escapades that Carol goes through to find out first, why everyone believes the suicide note and second, who is actually responsible for the murder.
Honestly, even if you have not read a book in Santangelo’s series before, you really need to pick this one up. Pure entertainment at its best!
August 19, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I recently attended my 35th Class Reunion so it was easy to relate to this story. Thankfully no dead bodies were found at our party so it was much more fun than Carol’s.
Satangelo tells the story from Carol’s point of view, in fact Carol talks directly to reader throughout the story.
Jim and Carol are finding their way through retirement. They each sort of do their own thing, but Jim is a little put out when he finds spouses are not invited to the reunion. It was an all girl’s school but he did know one of Carol’s classmates, he even dated her for awhile, so he kind of wanted to see her, and there must be other husbands that wanted to attend too. When the reunion starts with a dead body Jim is more concerned with keeping Carol from sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.
Santangelo tells a fine story. We have gotten to know these characters quite well over the span of the series. I really didn’t like Jim at first but he has grown on me. Carol doesn’t seem to call him her “Beloved” as often and that really helps. I really enjoy Sister Rose. She reminds me of Sister Paulette that I knew during my teenage years. Those sisters can lay on guilt and get us to do almost anything. I have almost forgiven Carol for not letting us share in her daughter’s wedding in Marriage Can Be Murder. She was a little more forthcoming this time about the reunion.
This has been an entertaining series, I think baby boomers will enjoy all four books.
December 29, 2016
Carol has no interest in her upcoming 40th class reunion let alone helping to plan it. Her BFF Nancy can be very persuasive, however, and before she knows it she is holding a planning committee meeting in her dining room. It was bad enough to think of being on the committee but it becomes even worse when a classmate who bullied her and made her feel horrible is also a part of the group.
A get together party is planned for the first evening, followed by a sleep over in their old school building which is becoming a retirement facility and then the final big party. Everything is going according to plan until a class mate shows up unexpectedly and dead. Now Carol feels obligated to try and figure out exactly what happened.
This was an enjoyable read. I also liked the short, funny comments at the beginning of each chapter. This is my second novel by Santangelo and I am looking forward to reading others.
A get together party is planned for the first evening, followed by a sleep over in their old school building which is becoming a retirement facility and then the final big party. Everything is going according to plan until a class mate shows up unexpectedly and dead. Now Carol feels obligated to try and figure out exactly what happened.
This was an enjoyable read. I also liked the short, funny comments at the beginning of each chapter. This is my second novel by Santangelo and I am looking forward to reading others.
March 7, 2014
5 STARS
September 17, 2016
very good
August 3, 2020
It was ok though I’m not keen on the parr’s where the main character is making comments to the reader.
September 18, 2019
Against her will, Carol Andrews agreed to be on a committee planning the fortieth anniversary of graduation from Mount Saint Francis Academy. Joining her are her three best friends from those school days, all of whom had remained friends.
The school, located in a beautiful old mansion, had been turned into a senior living facility. The night before the reunion, the committee members decided to sleep there, partly for memories and partly to be able to get an early start on the preparations. As Carol and her best friend Nancy opened the door to their room, they discover that it was not locked. They entered the room and discovered someone was already sleeping there. A closer inspection revealed that the person was dead.
The story then went into flashback.
Before the first committee meeting, another classmate, Meg, showed up and demanded to be on the committee as well. Carol had very unpleasant memories of her. Entering high school divided the her and her three friends as they got involved in different groups, but she blamed Meg for her worst experience. She decided to let bygones be bygones and invited her to the first meeting. The woman showed up for the first meeting, bringing three other classmates with her. She inquired about the others at the meeting but said nothing about herself.
It turned out the other three friends also had negative feelings about Meg as well. Because the group refused to adopt one of Meg’s suggestions for the reunion, she stopped attending the meetings.
Later questions arose about what Meg had been doing the past forty years.
Back to the dead woman in Carol’s room. At first the coroner ruled her death a suicide. But Carol and her friends didn’t believe that. They decided to verify.
Meanwhile, a book was coming out the day of the reunion, an expose of life in a Catholic girls’ high school. The author was unknown but the picture on the cover was Mount Saint Francis Academy. Needless to say, the class members were very upset.
As many people who attend class reunions might have experienced, in many ways while people have changed, the members often revert to their old behaviors. That was true in CLASS REUNIONS CAN BE MURDER.
After the story ended, Susan Santangelo added an essay about bullying by girls that has some very important information. She also added several recipes, based on food served at the reunion, that have both the original recipe and revised ones with fewer calories.
The story moved fairly well. There are witticisms and puns galore. Most of them related to getting old even though they were only fifty eight. Examples included “Jim always made the morning coffee. It was one of the few perks (pun intended) of his being retired.”
Each chapter opened with a humorous observation: “I got great news at the supermarket the other day. Campbell’s alphabet soup now comes in a large type version.”
“I changed my computer password to ‘incorrect.” That way, if I log in with the wrong one, the computer will tell me, ‘Your password is incorrect....’”
One big editing error had Carol leaving her dog in her car for several hours and then when she got home, her husband told her what he had been doing with the dog.
Santangelo also unnecessarily referred incidents in previous books in the series.
The mansion had been donated to the local nuns with the stipulation that “the building be used primarily to educate and nurture young women.” The book didn’t explain how the nuns were able to convert it legally into a senior residence.
This book was a free download.
The school, located in a beautiful old mansion, had been turned into a senior living facility. The night before the reunion, the committee members decided to sleep there, partly for memories and partly to be able to get an early start on the preparations. As Carol and her best friend Nancy opened the door to their room, they discover that it was not locked. They entered the room and discovered someone was already sleeping there. A closer inspection revealed that the person was dead.
The story then went into flashback.
Before the first committee meeting, another classmate, Meg, showed up and demanded to be on the committee as well. Carol had very unpleasant memories of her. Entering high school divided the her and her three friends as they got involved in different groups, but she blamed Meg for her worst experience. She decided to let bygones be bygones and invited her to the first meeting. The woman showed up for the first meeting, bringing three other classmates with her. She inquired about the others at the meeting but said nothing about herself.
It turned out the other three friends also had negative feelings about Meg as well. Because the group refused to adopt one of Meg’s suggestions for the reunion, she stopped attending the meetings.
Later questions arose about what Meg had been doing the past forty years.
Back to the dead woman in Carol’s room. At first the coroner ruled her death a suicide. But Carol and her friends didn’t believe that. They decided to verify.
Meanwhile, a book was coming out the day of the reunion, an expose of life in a Catholic girls’ high school. The author was unknown but the picture on the cover was Mount Saint Francis Academy. Needless to say, the class members were very upset.
As many people who attend class reunions might have experienced, in many ways while people have changed, the members often revert to their old behaviors. That was true in CLASS REUNIONS CAN BE MURDER.
After the story ended, Susan Santangelo added an essay about bullying by girls that has some very important information. She also added several recipes, based on food served at the reunion, that have both the original recipe and revised ones with fewer calories.
The story moved fairly well. There are witticisms and puns galore. Most of them related to getting old even though they were only fifty eight. Examples included “Jim always made the morning coffee. It was one of the few perks (pun intended) of his being retired.”
Each chapter opened with a humorous observation: “I got great news at the supermarket the other day. Campbell’s alphabet soup now comes in a large type version.”
“I changed my computer password to ‘incorrect.” That way, if I log in with the wrong one, the computer will tell me, ‘Your password is incorrect....’”
One big editing error had Carol leaving her dog in her car for several hours and then when she got home, her husband told her what he had been doing with the dog.
Santangelo also unnecessarily referred incidents in previous books in the series.
The mansion had been donated to the local nuns with the stipulation that “the building be used primarily to educate and nurture young women.” The book didn’t explain how the nuns were able to convert it legally into a senior residence.
This book was a free download.
November 1, 2022
I’ve read some fabulous cozy mysteries. And I’ve read some pretty terrible ones. Class Reunions Can Be Murder definitely belongs in the latter category. Supposedly the characters are in their late 50s, but they act like they are in their 20s. They are kind of insufferable, immature, and never got over things from high school. But lest you forget that they are not in their 20s, the author continually makes references to their age and aging. The main character is extremely annoying. She’s just plain unlikable. The story is both predictable and ridiculous. The book is in bad need of an editor. There are so many editing errors. The author does not seem to know what a scene change symbol is for. They are inserted randomly right in the middle of scenes. Generally they are put in places where the main character begins to think about something else or do whatever she said she was going to do. But the scene is still the same so the symbols just ended up being irritating. The whole book was about a 40-year reunion being planned, but the author doesn’t really give any time to the actual reunion activities. The book would’ve been way better if she did (though she included lots of recipes, including how the food was made then and how it’s made now, and reunion ideas in the back which was basically useless fluff). As they are planning the reunion they make a decision to include significant others in the pre-union mixer, but then suddenly significant others aren’t allowed and this becomes a whole scene with the main character’s (equally annoying) husband because he can’t go. So she says he can walk through but he doesn’t want to actually do that, he just wanted to be invited and then later it turns out he did walk through the mixer briefly. Several of the women spent the night in their old school (which is now an active construction zone), but it was literally show up, go to bed. Why in the world would you have a slumber party which only involved sleeping in a different location? Maybe she thought that would show that these women are SO OLD that they couldn’t stay up late which, if they were real people in their late 50s, they absolutely would have. The reunion itself is barely mentioned at all. While the book had its moments that weren’t horrible, overall this is just a poorly written, not very entertaining book. Definitely one to skip.
August 5, 2018
The premise of this series is a joy. Using humor to tell the exploits of four lifelong friends going through the challenges of late-middle age has lots that should make for a good cozy. Except maybe in this case it’s missing a well plotted storyline.
This book is the fourth in the series. I appreciate the author respecting readers of previous books by not going into detail of main characters’ backstories. But because of that this could be a difficult book for new readers to grasp any sort of connection to them.
I think it was supposed to be amusing that all but one of the new central characters was named Mary. Maybe I have a pea brain but it was difficult for me to keep track of who was who: Mary Alice, Mary Beth, Mary Ann, Mary Catherine or Mary Margaret who was, thank goodness, nicknamed Meg.
The technique of putting Carol’s thoughts in italics and then almost every single time saying a variation of ‘of course I didn’t say that out loud’ became a bit unnecessary. We readers recognize the technique.
The wrap-up to the mystery was too forced and too quick. Too quick in that there were several details that were flat not answered (who stole the incriminating item, how did the murderer know where the victim would be) or not addressed (where did the ladies meet with meg, how did they have time).
My nit-picking aside the book is a fine representative of the humor cozy genre. Will definitely read the next in the series.
This book is the fourth in the series. I appreciate the author respecting readers of previous books by not going into detail of main characters’ backstories. But because of that this could be a difficult book for new readers to grasp any sort of connection to them.
I think it was supposed to be amusing that all but one of the new central characters was named Mary. Maybe I have a pea brain but it was difficult for me to keep track of who was who: Mary Alice, Mary Beth, Mary Ann, Mary Catherine or Mary Margaret who was, thank goodness, nicknamed Meg.
The technique of putting Carol’s thoughts in italics and then almost every single time saying a variation of ‘of course I didn’t say that out loud’ became a bit unnecessary. We readers recognize the technique.
The wrap-up to the mystery was too forced and too quick. Too quick in that there were several details that were flat not answered (who stole the incriminating item, how did the murderer know where the victim would be) or not addressed (where did the ladies meet with meg, how did they have time).
My nit-picking aside the book is a fine representative of the humor cozy genre. Will definitely read the next in the series.
April 12, 2024
This is the first book I've read in the Baby Boomer mystery series. Carol and Jim Andrews live in Fairport, Connecticut. Carol's best friend, Nancy, wants to plan their Mount St. Francis 40th class reunion. Reluctantly Carol, Nancy, and their friends Claire and Mary Alice put together a planning committee for the so-called Ruby Reunion. It soon becomes apparent that Meg Mahoney was a bully during their time in high school and the night before the reunion she is discovered dead. It appears to be a suicide but Carol isn't convinced and begins to do some sleuthing. I easily related to this book because I am a boomer. I liked the characters, Carol's dogs, and the humor. Now I want to read other books in this series.
September 30, 2017
Retirement series
This is the fourth book in the retirement series. There were a few typos or misspellings in the book which was a little distracting. Carol Andrews and her friends, especially Nancy decide to have a class reunion at their old school. After the party at a local eatery Nancy and Carol arrive at Mount Francis Academy where they are spending the night and find someone dead in their room. The dead person is a classmate who hadn't registered for the reunion and was not well liked. Carol decides to try to find out what happened to their classmate. The ending was a total surprise and unexpected. Really enjoyed this book and the series.
This is the fourth book in the retirement series. There were a few typos or misspellings in the book which was a little distracting. Carol Andrews and her friends, especially Nancy decide to have a class reunion at their old school. After the party at a local eatery Nancy and Carol arrive at Mount Francis Academy where they are spending the night and find someone dead in their room. The dead person is a classmate who hadn't registered for the reunion and was not well liked. Carol decides to try to find out what happened to their classmate. The ending was a total surprise and unexpected. Really enjoyed this book and the series.
June 27, 2018
Class Reunions Can Be Murder
Another adventure with Carol Andrews and Crew. Carol and friends face organizing a 40th Class Reunion. They are surprised when the class bully (but always popular with the adults in charge) Meg wants to help with the planning.
Meg is found dead by Carol and Nancy the night before the Reunion Luncheon.
I love that the humor and characters are consistent from book to book, although I was disappointed that Carol had lapsed in her volunteer work at the Thrift Store--but it looks like Sister Rose had her back on track by the end of the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series
Another adventure with Carol Andrews and Crew. Carol and friends face organizing a 40th Class Reunion. They are surprised when the class bully (but always popular with the adults in charge) Meg wants to help with the planning.
Meg is found dead by Carol and Nancy the night before the Reunion Luncheon.
I love that the humor and characters are consistent from book to book, although I was disappointed that Carol had lapsed in her volunteer work at the Thrift Store--but it looks like Sister Rose had her back on track by the end of the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series
July 9, 2017
It was an enjoyable book to read. The beginning was a little slow, but once into the story, it moved quickly. The characters were interesting, and their personalities revealing, but you have to watch out for the many women whose names start with Mary, there's a lot of them. The plot twists some as these women reveal their secrets from high school, some you can guess, some not. When all is disclosed, the murder is solved.
February 24, 2021
Complete Surprise
Another good mystery featuring our favorite baby boomer--Carol Andrews. As always, there is plenty of humor (I particularly love the chapter headings). Since they are baby boomers, most of the action is in the form of talking, internet searches, and using 'the little gray cells'. After all, they are older and out of shape (well, Carol is). The mystery is puzzling and the conclusion is a complete surprise.
Another good mystery featuring our favorite baby boomer--Carol Andrews. As always, there is plenty of humor (I particularly love the chapter headings). Since they are baby boomers, most of the action is in the form of talking, internet searches, and using 'the little gray cells'. After all, they are older and out of shape (well, Carol is). The mystery is puzzling and the conclusion is a complete surprise.
June 19, 2017
I dislike a "prologue" from later in the book then starting chap 1 way earlier with no transition or timemarkers to explain it. Took a few pages to figure out. Then this one was painfully slow. Murder doesn't happen until the middle, so then the investigation was relatively short and simple. 2 star.
September 3, 2017
Very good
This book kept me guessing till the end. I almost wished that TJ wasn't charged. Meg was poison to all. Caroline and her friends came through again. I hope there's another book with same main characters. Thank you so much for entertaining me. I enjoy your books. Stay well and keep writing.
This book kept me guessing till the end. I almost wished that TJ wasn't charged. Meg was poison to all. Caroline and her friends came through again. I hope there's another book with same main characters. Thank you so much for entertaining me. I enjoy your books. Stay well and keep writing.
September 7, 2018
Has it been 40 years?
This mystery was especially interesting to me because it is my 40th reunion also minus the dead body. This author continuously breaks the fourth wall to talk to/engage the reader. Sometimes a bit wordy, the concept was enjoyable. The recipes at the back were an excellent bonus. Can't wait to try the Seven Deadly Sins Cheesecake!
This mystery was especially interesting to me because it is my 40th reunion also minus the dead body. This author continuously breaks the fourth wall to talk to/engage the reader. Sometimes a bit wordy, the concept was enjoyable. The recipes at the back were an excellent bonus. Can't wait to try the Seven Deadly Sins Cheesecake!
February 14, 2021
Loved the main characters, especially Sister Rose. Being a catholic myself I have to laugh at the childhood regression the girls) have in response to the nun. It’s a great easy read.
I would recommend the book to every women in her late 50’s and up. I especially like the characters Carol and Nancy.
I would recommend the book to every women in her late 50’s and up. I especially like the characters Carol and Nancy.
April 27, 2023
Class Reunion Can Be Murder Book 4
In this book Carol and her friends organize a school reunion. Memories both good and bad are shared and at the reunion one of the planners is found dead The former all girl school is taking on a renovation for senior housing. During the reunion the ladies in charge of the reunion help bring the killer to justice.
In this book Carol and her friends organize a school reunion. Memories both good and bad are shared and at the reunion one of the planners is found dead The former all girl school is taking on a renovation for senior housing. During the reunion the ladies in charge of the reunion help bring the killer to justice.
July 12, 2023
another fun read
Although I enjoyed moving can be murder more than this book, it was interesting to see how the writer includes twists and turns that makes it hard to identify the killer right off. There are also some recipes at the end of this book. I don’t really entertain anymore, so I probably never use them.
Although I enjoyed moving can be murder more than this book, it was interesting to see how the writer includes twists and turns that makes it hard to identify the killer right off. There are also some recipes at the end of this book. I don’t really entertain anymore, so I probably never use them.
November 17, 2019
Best of the series, so far
The author took a little longer in this book getting to the actual murder, but the build-up was required. I had figured out bits and pieces as the story went along, but clearly didn’t have the whole picture until the very end. An enjoyable read!
The author took a little longer in this book getting to the actual murder, but the build-up was required. I had figured out bits and pieces as the story went along, but clearly didn’t have the whole picture until the very end. An enjoyable read!
May 18, 2020
I read the first book in this series and didn't realize I owned the 4th one on my kindle. During the COVID - 19 shelter-in-place it bubbled up to the top to be read. Cute cozy mystery with a humorous heroine.
March 30, 2021
Quite a good mystery
Unfortunately, the author’s first person style tended to grate on me, as she continually shared things with the reader as if with a best friend. This made a good plot rather more tedious than it should have been.
Unfortunately, the author’s first person style tended to grate on me, as she continually shared things with the reader as if with a best friend. This made a good plot rather more tedious than it should have been.
February 3, 2017
Class reunions are awful
I really liked the book. Putting a class reunion together with a murder is a different approach. You never know who will be the victim.
I really liked the book. Putting a class reunion together with a murder is a different approach. You never know who will be the victim.
May 19, 2017
Not It up to my expectations
Not up,to my expectations because the other books were so good and humorous, but this one seemed to lag. Hope the next one is better.
Not up,to my expectations because the other books were so good and humorous, but this one seemed to lag. Hope the next one is better.
August 21, 2017
I'm hooked
I'm hooked on Carol Andrews and her childhood friends Claire, Nancy, Mary Alice and to forget the strict English Teacher Sr. ROSE!
I'm hooked on Carol Andrews and her childhood friends Claire, Nancy, Mary Alice and to forget the strict English Teacher Sr. ROSE!
October 5, 2017
Half way through the story I realized that I have read a previous story with the same characters I got so excited to revisit the characters looking forward to reading more in the series
January 15, 2018
Great read
If you want a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that will keep you turning the page then this one by Susan Santangelo is a must read
If you want a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that will keep you turning the page then this one by Susan Santangelo is a must read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews