Changing Habits: A Short Story

Giulia Driscoll #0.5

by Alice Loweecey

A GIULIA DRISCOLL MYSTERY SHORT STORY

Sub-Genre Tags: Short Stories, Humorous Mysteries, Women Sleuths, Cozy Mysteries, Private Investigator Books, Whodunnit

The day Giulia Falcone jumped the wall—that’s code for leaving the convent—her sole possessions were the clothes on her back.

Four years later, she’s an official Private Investigator juggling a rash of church vessel thefts and her complete inability to find a wedding gown that doesn’t require her to steal a gold chalice for herself. She’s about to marry her boss despite all the advice about office romance.

Giulia is a champion multitasker. The Church is on her back to find the thief. Her all-natural co-worker is insisting she walk down the aisle to the soundtrack for The Sound of Music. Her fiancé’s relatives are overwhelming her with plans and advice and excitement. Piece of cake.

She can find the clue that unmasks the thief. She can keep an eye on the music. All she needs is a wedding gown for her own wedding. In four days. What could possibly go wrong?

Books in the Giulia Driscoll Humorous Mystery Series: CHANGING HABITS (Short Story prequel to NUN TOO SOON) NUN TOO SOON (#1) SECOND TO NUN (#2) Fall 2015

Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Short Stories, Novella, Fiction

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2014

About the author

Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey celebrates the the day she jumped the wall with as much enthusiasm as her birthday. She grew up watching Hammer horror films and Scooby-Doo mysteries, which explains a whole lot. When she's not creating trouble for her sleuth Giulia Driscoll or inspiring nightmares as her alter-ego Kate Morgan, she can be found growing vegetables in her garden and water lilies in her koi pond.

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a week before Giulia Falcone's wedding to Frank Driscoll, her former boss and soon to be partner in Driscoll Investigations, and she has a few last-minute things to take care of. You know, typical details for the week before the wedding like getting the wedding favors together, finding a wedding dress, and figure out who is switching the valuable items in various churches in the area for cheap fakes. Nothing major, right? When the latest theft hits close to home, Giulia is determined to find the guilty party. Can she handle everything?

This short story was written to bridge the transition as Giulia switched publishers. It packs quite a bit into the story, but handles it all in an entertaining way. The story doesn't have quite the twists and turns of a novel, but it entertained me for the hour it took me to read it. Likewise, the characters don't show us any hidden depths, but we still get to enjoy time spent with them. Since I love this cast of characters, I was glad for that chance. Plus there are a few laughs along the way. Long time fans will enjoy this story, and those who jump in here will be left wanting to spend even more time with Giulia.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Sandra Nedopričljivica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short book! I wanna find out about Giulia as a nun.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Novella comes after book #3 of the Falcone & Driscoll Investigation (3.5) and the beginning of the Giulia Driscoll Mysteries (0.5) before book #1, Nun Too Soon.

A GIULIA DRISCOLL MYSTERY SHORT STORY

The day Giulia Falcone jumped the wall—that’s code for leaving the convent—her sole possessions were the clothes on her back.

Four years later, she’s an official Private Investigator juggling a rash of church vessel thefts and her complete inability to find a wedding gown that doesn’t require her to steal a gold chalice for herself. She’s about to marry her boss despite all the advice about office romance.

Giulia is a champion multitasker. The Church is on her back to find the thief. Her all-natural co-worker is insisting she walk down the aisle to the soundtrack for The Sound of Music. Her fiancé’s relatives are overwhelming her with plans and advice and excitement. Piece of cake.

She can find the clue that unmasks the thief. She can keep an eye on the music. All she needs is a wedding gown for her own wedding. In four days. What could possibly go wrong?

This is a great fun novella. And a great starter for anyone who hasn't tried the Alice Loweecey, Guila Driscoll (nee Falcone) books.

I love these books. Alice Loweecey gives you the candid and fun view from both sides of the fence (being an ex nun, who jumped the wall). They are well plotted, written and fun to read, with a great set of characters that you will want to continue to follow.

If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this mystery would have been better with a few more pages on the stories' background, but all in all it was a fun cozy mystery and worth grabbing. Giulia Falcone was a nun at one time, but now works at a detective agency and is getting ready to marry the boss, Frank Driscoll. A string of thefts at nearby churches has Frank and Guilia on the hunt. This is a quick, fun read.

[Deepak Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a short adventure of Giulia where she tries to solve mystery of thefts happening in the church.
Giulia is ex Nun and about to get married, she has a investigation agency and tries her best to solve mysteries.
She is approached by Her Ex Church to solve the Mystery of Artifacts being stolen and replaced by fake.
She and her Would be solve the mystery and have a happy ending to the story.

The story is sweet and moves nicely, some funny moments other than that its a well written book and decent ending

I give this book 3/5
DeVil D

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had kind of forgotten about Giulia since I have been reading a lot of paranormal lately. One of my book sites reminded me about Alice Loweecey and her series. Having grown up in the Catholic church, I really enjoy this series. I consider it a sort of mini expose, and Giulia reminds me a bit of the nun who made me reconsider the nunnery as a life choice.
Giulia's impending wedding is close to driving her crazy, way too many future in laws getting way too involved, and her family is still black listing her for leaving the convent. She doesn't let it bother her too much, though, except for the normal "Catholic Guilt".
When she has to also help track down a robber who is stealing gold chalices, etc., by replacing the originals with brass copies, and she only has 7 days till her wedding, everyone thinks she has bitten off way more than she can handle.
I love the way Alice draws me right into Giulia's adventures, and the back up cast of characters in the Driscoll Detective Agency are great. Not only did I fall in love with Giulia and Frank from the original series, Zane and Sidney, the office staff, are great at making me want to know them better too.
If you like books that suck you in and make you finish them in 2 sittings or less, try this series.
I'm now reading Nun Too Soon, and it has me up all night too!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changing Habits Earns 5/5 Golden Chalices…Entertaining Fun!

Alice Loweecey penned a delightful short easily I thoroughly enjoyed after a hectic holiday. From a cloistered nun to a private detective to bride-to-be in four years is quite the change of habit for Giulia Driscoll. The wedding to her boss is only days away, but it’s made more hectic with a last minute search for a wedding gown, suggestions to use The Sound of Music music, and very involved future in-laws. But, added to her “to-do” list is finding a thief o several vessels from the church…fun! Loweecey’s writing style is descriptive and witty, and definitely provide a bit of respite from holiday chaos!

[Sister Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A No Nunsense, wonderful little story which finished far too quickly.

This is a very original short story, it has mystery, romance and humor, I loved it from the first word to the last and was Nun too pleased when it ended. Oh and did I mention that I am a Nun too, or rather aSister

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome, I really enjoyed it. It was a nice light,fast read. Just what I needed after finishing a very involved long book. The characters were very believable and likable. The writing was very down to earth and the story really flowed.

[Janice Salotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute.

This is short, but complete. To completely understand it's probably good to read the first of the series. However, the author gives enough detail that it's not necessary. A light mystery and a satisfying conclusion. A fun, short read.

[Jsublette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and deIghtful

This book was charming and utterly delightful! The story is short but full of details. The former nun is the detective in this story.

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every moment while reading this story. Loved the story and the characters.

[Frances Torres · Rating 1 out of 5]

◾BLAH..BLAH..BLAH...
◾Y GIULIA, LA EX MONJA, SE CASó

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read. Read it in one setting. Bride wedding day jitters. What happens when you are going to become part of a very large, loving and inviting people.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of typos

[Anna McCormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun mystery

Cozy sort story. Smile as ex-nun Guilia solves a mystery and gets married — without a veil, of course !

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit confused when I started this story because I thought it was a prequel to the series. What I didn't realize was that it was the prequel of the new series; as in The Giulia Driscoll series as opposed to the Falcone and Driscoll series. Because of that error on my part, I felt like I had fallen into the middle of a series; which is exactly what I had done. However, Ms. Loweecey writes so well that I thoroughly enjoyed the story anyway. I love all of the characters and can't wait to start at the beginning and get to know each one of them even better.
This isn't a deep, involved mystery but a thoroughly enjoyable read anyway. I highly recommend it. Just be sure you read the Falcone and Driscoll series first.

[pdarnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read to lighten my mind. I was in the middle of another book that weighed dark and heavy, so this was the perfect distraction I needed. I don't know if it was because of the other book I was into but this really made me smile. The characters are quirky and fun. I can relate to Giulia feeling overwhelmed by her abundance of in-laws. The mystery isn't all that mysterious, but the characters capture the heart. I will be continuing to the next book at some point in time.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prequel novella...Not having read the others in the series, I was a little lost on relationships herein, but they seem like a nice cast of characters. I'm intrigued enough about the former nun-turned-detective to continue reading the series...there was only a brief mention of her having been a nun for 10 years, but there's obviously more to know on that front. Plus, evidently Loweecey herself was a nun, so this must be genuine experience talking.

Here, Giulia is hunting for a wedding gown for her upcoming (nay,nearly here) nuptials. Intertwined with that drama is a whodunnit in the church: someone is stealing the chalices and replacing the gold ones with inferior (read cheaper) brass ones. As I said, I don't know the background on why/how Giulia left her order, but if the church is hiring her detective agency, there must not be bad blood. Curious to know more. I think the point of this novella was to discuss the nuptials, not to solve a mystery so while the mystery wasn't fantastic, I didn't expect it to be, so I wasn't disappointed. Consider this background info, and you'll be delighted. Come in looking for a mystery, and you might step away disappointed.

[Li · Rating 2 out of 5]

With her wedding only a few days away, an ex-nun and her private investigator business partner/fiance solve a crime plaguing the Catholic church. This story just wasn't my style. And, a couple parts of it simply made no sense to me; they really needed a bit more explanation for clarification's sake. I was glad I started with the short prequel and that it was a Kindle freebie. Keep in mind that my rating system differs from that of Goodreads. Two stars means I didn't really like it all that much.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Solving crimes is less stressful than planning a wedding.” says Giulia Driscoll a few days before her wedding...after trying on the upteenth wedding gown. She and soon to be husband Frank run the Driscoll Agency, a small PI firm. This short is in keeping with the beginning of many marriages: a bit scrambled but well ordered...

And, as usual, its an off-handed remark that sends Giulia down the road to find the answer where she least expects it is a fast paced short that helps a long term reader of this series have a better idea of how she got there.

Marvelous!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short story prequel to Nun To Soon, ex-nun Giulia Falcone has to solve the theft of church vessels from several different churches, all before she walks down the aisle to marry her boss.

Her fiance's relatives are full of ideas and tasks and ideas for the wedding, her co-worker has a quirky music idea and she still needs to find a dress!

I did not guess the whodunit, and found the characters entertaining. I cannot wait to read more of this series. A new delight for me!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changing Habits by Alice Loweecey truly hit the spot. Tuesday night after not having my mail for the second week (though my husband did get two packages he was waiting one) I turned to the wonderful kindle app and downloaded (for Free at time of posting) this Giulia Driscoll Mystery. It was outstanding, delightful, funny and warm, cozy for sure. Alice writes with quick wit, from a place of humor, understanding, love and faith.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't met Giulia Falcone yet you are in for a treat - what a wonderful introduction to a great Henery Press new heroine. I think that Alice Loweecy is among the most enjoyable authors published by Henery Press.

I will be at the front of the line to purchase and read "Nun Too Soon" A Giuilia Driscoll Mystery #1

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the free Kindle version of this novella and thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm sure that you don't have to be a Sound of Music fan to be tickled pink by the author's humor, but having been a huge SOM fan since grammar school, this little book had me cracking up. Cute story, slightly predictable, but a lot of fun.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quick novella which bridges the gap between the Falcone & Driscoll Investigation series and the Giulia Driscoll series. There is a short investigation for the Catholic Diocese, but mostly it is the story of the wedding of Giulia and Frank. It's a nice little story without a whole lot of substance. Without the context of the other books it probably wouldn't mean much.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a prequel to the Guilia Driscoll Mystery series. This is a bridge book from the Driscoll and Falcone series to the Giulia Driscoll series. A very brief story about her wedding to her partner. I am looking forward to getting into this series. In this book she solved the mystery of who is stealing the gold chalices etc. and replacing them with brass ones in the local catholic churches.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fast Read

A novella with Giulia,a former nun who is marrying Frank Driscoll, who is the owner of Detective business where she works. We meet is extend family and part of the staff. This proceeds Alice Loweecey's book NUN TOO SOON.

[Star ☔️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery short story. Giulia Falcone is a fun character, that I would like to get to know more. I liked the Catholic theme running throughout the story. I will be reading more books in the series!

[Gabi Eagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable short story.

It helps when you only have time for a short story to find a good one. Guillia is out of the convent and getting ready to marry Frank. Of course a case has to be solved before the wedding.