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Geek Girl Mysteries #1
A Geek Girl's Guide to Murder
IT manager Mia Connors is up to her tortoiseshell glasses in technical drama when a glitch in the Horseshoe Falls email system disrupts security and sends errant messages to residents of the gated community. The snafu's timing couldn't be worse—Renaissance Faire season is in full swing and Mia's family's business relies on her presence.
Mia doesn't have time to hunt down a computer hacker. Her best friend has disappeared, and she finds another of her friends murdered—in her office. When the hunky new head of Horseshoe Falls security identifies Mia as the prime suspect, her anxiety level registers on the Richter scale.
Eager to clear her name, Mia moves into action to locate her missing buddy and find out who killed their friend. But her quick tongue gets her into trouble with more than the new head of security. When Mia begins receiving threats, the killer makes it clear that he's closer than she'd ever imagined.
82,750 words
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2015
61 people are currently reading
1366 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Lindsey
171 books1,469 followersJulie Anne Lindsey- Hatcher is an award-winning and bestselling author of cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than sixty novels as herself & under the pen names, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost & Julie Chase, for various publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Crooked Lane Books. When she's not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Kent, Ohio with her three amazing kids and shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
Be sure to check out NOT QUITE BY THE BOOK, Julie's latest work of contemporary fiction, written under her birth name, Julie Hatcher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
March 16, 2016
Alright. So normally I have to finish reading a book within 2 days because I usually lost any interest if the book stays unfinished for a long time. A Geek Girl's Guide to Murder took me almost a week to finish.
I think I'm not just used with the author's way of writing that's why it took me days to finish the book but I love the story. I enjoyed it despite being an unconventional read.
First thing that I really liked is the slow romance. I love reading romance as long as it's properly built and explained to the readers. A Geek Girl's Guide to Murder has the romance that can be associated with Middle Grade genre. It means that it's almost non-existent but it was just there and it makes you a wee bit crazy because you want to know more and at the same time, you love how the author teases you about it.
Another thing that I liked is the mystery. You will never know who the fuck is doing the crime and for a cozy mystery, that's like having a 5 star vacation for a 1 star price.
Bonus points for the heroine's "real-life" geekiness and the hero's swoon worthy appeal. ♥
January 23, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
Esta ha sido una lectura rara. Con personajes de cartón y una trama que roza lo fantástico de irrealista que es.
La protagonista es una supermodelo multimillonaria, a la que le gustan los ordenadores. ¡Ah! Pero usa gafas… Esto es lo más geek que vas a encontrar en la historia. La chica viste con minifaldas y taconazos y tiene locos a la mitad de los hombres con los que se relaciona, y claro, ella no se da ni cuenta. No se da cuenta de eso ni de que investigar un asesinato por tu cuenta y riesgo es una estupidez.
Como toda la historia está contada en primera persona no tenemos ni idea de qué pasa por la cabeza de los otros personajes. Pero aún así, el malo estaba claro desde el principio. Así que ni siquiera el asesinato ha sido algo original. Y el desenlace es penoso, como para salir del paso, algo rapidito y plis-plas.
En fin, que no me ha gustado. Esto no es un romance. No hay absolutamente nada romántico en esta historia y a saber qué piensa el protagonista, que en cuanto la muerte queda aclarada, se larga sin mirar atrás. Esto no es un cozy-mystery. Es un asesinato que todos los personajes se toman a broma. Y el papel de la policía es algo tan ridículo que ni lo voy a comentar.
Ha sido una elección poco acertada.
***
This has been an odd read. With cardboard characters and a plot that is so unrealistic that borders on fantasy.
The heroine is a supermodel and a millionaire who likes computers. Oh! But she wears glasses ... This is all the geek you are going to get. The woman wears miniskirts and high-heels and has half of the men she knows in love with her, but, of course, she does not even notice it. She neither realize that investigating a murder at your own risk is stupid.
As the whole story is told in first person, we have no idea what goes through the other characters´ heads. And the bad guy was clear from the start. So even the murder has not been something original. And the outcome is painfully simple, a quick fix.
Anyway, I did not like it. This is not a romance. There is absolutely nothing romantic in this story and who knows what the hero thinks, but as soon as the death is clarified, he goes away without looking back. This is not a cozy mystery either. It is a murder that nobody took seriously. And the role of the police is something so ridiculous that I will not comment on it.
It has been an unfortunate choice.
Esta ha sido una lectura rara. Con personajes de cartón y una trama que roza lo fantástico de irrealista que es.
La protagonista es una supermodelo multimillonaria, a la que le gustan los ordenadores. ¡Ah! Pero usa gafas… Esto es lo más geek que vas a encontrar en la historia. La chica viste con minifaldas y taconazos y tiene locos a la mitad de los hombres con los que se relaciona, y claro, ella no se da ni cuenta. No se da cuenta de eso ni de que investigar un asesinato por tu cuenta y riesgo es una estupidez.
Como toda la historia está contada en primera persona no tenemos ni idea de qué pasa por la cabeza de los otros personajes. Pero aún así, el malo estaba claro desde el principio. Así que ni siquiera el asesinato ha sido algo original. Y el desenlace es penoso, como para salir del paso, algo rapidito y plis-plas.
En fin, que no me ha gustado. Esto no es un romance. No hay absolutamente nada romántico en esta historia y a saber qué piensa el protagonista, que en cuanto la muerte queda aclarada, se larga sin mirar atrás. Esto no es un cozy-mystery. Es un asesinato que todos los personajes se toman a broma. Y el papel de la policía es algo tan ridículo que ni lo voy a comentar.
Ha sido una elección poco acertada.
***
This has been an odd read. With cardboard characters and a plot that is so unrealistic that borders on fantasy.
The heroine is a supermodel and a millionaire who likes computers. Oh! But she wears glasses ... This is all the geek you are going to get. The woman wears miniskirts and high-heels and has half of the men she knows in love with her, but, of course, she does not even notice it. She neither realize that investigating a murder at your own risk is stupid.
As the whole story is told in first person, we have no idea what goes through the other characters´ heads. And the bad guy was clear from the start. So even the murder has not been something original. And the outcome is painfully simple, a quick fix.
Anyway, I did not like it. This is not a romance. There is absolutely nothing romantic in this story and who knows what the hero thinks, but as soon as the death is clarified, he goes away without looking back. This is not a cozy mystery either. It is a murder that nobody took seriously. And the role of the police is something so ridiculous that I will not comment on it.
It has been an unfortunate choice.
June 18, 2025
Cosy mystery with Mia, IT manager and accidental amateur sleuth.
September 1, 2015
As a self proclaimed Geek Girl myself, when I saw the title of this, I absolutely had to take a look. When i saw it was a Cozy Mystery, I was all in, and it was fantabulous!
Mia is an IT Manager at a private gated community where her grandmother lives. She proudly admits to being a Geek, into Cosplay, Social Media and very awkward in social situations. But she's also a girly girl with a thing for shoes and bags, and though she's a techie, she freely admits that she's not a hacker... just really good with search engines. Her two best friends are guys, she named her pink mini cooper Stella, and her entire family is into Ren Faire. I couldn't help but adore Mia.
I LOVED this book. I was sucked into Mia's world and consumed this book in a single reading, unable to put it down. Knowing it was a cozy mystery, I wasn't expecting a romance, but the sparks between Mia and Jake Archer, the new head of security, were spectacular. As a matter of fact, as I neared the last pages of the book, I was baffled over how I could be so wrong about their chemistry. How could they not end up together.... right up until I saw that there would be a sequel. That's right, I didn't realize it was the first book in a series. Thank goodness! Now I am rubbing my hands together in delighted glee at the prospect of more Mia and Jake shenanigans. I gave this book 5 stars and can't wait for the next installment.
Thanks to Great Escapes Tour, Netgalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Mia is an IT Manager at a private gated community where her grandmother lives. She proudly admits to being a Geek, into Cosplay, Social Media and very awkward in social situations. But she's also a girly girl with a thing for shoes and bags, and though she's a techie, she freely admits that she's not a hacker... just really good with search engines. Her two best friends are guys, she named her pink mini cooper Stella, and her entire family is into Ren Faire. I couldn't help but adore Mia.
I LOVED this book. I was sucked into Mia's world and consumed this book in a single reading, unable to put it down. Knowing it was a cozy mystery, I wasn't expecting a romance, but the sparks between Mia and Jake Archer, the new head of security, were spectacular. As a matter of fact, as I neared the last pages of the book, I was baffled over how I could be so wrong about their chemistry. How could they not end up together.... right up until I saw that there would be a sequel. That's right, I didn't realize it was the first book in a series. Thank goodness! Now I am rubbing my hands together in delighted glee at the prospect of more Mia and Jake shenanigans. I gave this book 5 stars and can't wait for the next installment.
Thanks to Great Escapes Tour, Netgalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 14, 2016
Starting it today. It's been a tough week, I need some fluffy read. And if the heroine is an IT girl, even better.
In my mind, I can only see Ms. Felicity Smoak.
In my mind, I can only see Ms. Felicity Smoak.
January 17, 2021
It's a Julie Anne Lindsey book... of course it's five stars!!
Watch the livestream discussion here:
https://youtu.be/bfj8m6Eoqy4
Pop Culture Readathon 80's Round Prompt: Clue (Murder Mystery)
Watch the livestream discussion here:
https://youtu.be/bfj8m6Eoqy4
Pop Culture Readathon 80's Round Prompt: Clue (Murder Mystery)
August 11, 2015
Mia is a geek and she is proud of that fact, she works in IT, she drives a pink MINI, she plays RPG's and she takes part in Renaissance Faires (willingly).
The one thing she isn't is a murderer but when one of her best friends is found dead in her office the fingers start getting pointed in her direction.
Mia is in charge of IT at exclusive gated community Horseshoe Falls and the days leading up to the murder of her friend don't go to plan, the residents have been receiving emails offering to do all sorts of wonderful things but the problem is even though it looks like it has came from the management it hasn't. There seems to be a hacker in the works and Mia needs to act fast.
An added thorn in Mia's side is the arrival of the acting Head of Security, the walking piece of hot booty called Jake who seems to be watching Mia like a hawk. She could do without him right now but when she discovers her friend's body she comes together with Jake to see if they can solve the mystery.
Mia and Jake are like chalk and cheese but together they start to uncover the seedier side of Horseshoe Falls and of course a little bit of chemistry starts to ignite, whether or not they get it on I can't say but they would make a cute couple.
Mia finds herself in the killers sight, can she find the killer before the killer finds her?
This was a great read, one of these books you look forward to getting back to. In the background of the novel there is another story about Mia's family and what they do plus you find out more about Jake who is a little bit shifty but this can be forgiven because he is hot!
The ending, well let me say this it was a total OMG how did I not see that, it was very well done. I think I could put this in to my cosy mystery pile, it was like putting on a warm pair of fuzzy slippers, a nice comforting read and also the start of something good, book 2 is coming out next year.
Thanks to Carina for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The one thing she isn't is a murderer but when one of her best friends is found dead in her office the fingers start getting pointed in her direction.
Mia is in charge of IT at exclusive gated community Horseshoe Falls and the days leading up to the murder of her friend don't go to plan, the residents have been receiving emails offering to do all sorts of wonderful things but the problem is even though it looks like it has came from the management it hasn't. There seems to be a hacker in the works and Mia needs to act fast.
An added thorn in Mia's side is the arrival of the acting Head of Security, the walking piece of hot booty called Jake who seems to be watching Mia like a hawk. She could do without him right now but when she discovers her friend's body she comes together with Jake to see if they can solve the mystery.
Mia and Jake are like chalk and cheese but together they start to uncover the seedier side of Horseshoe Falls and of course a little bit of chemistry starts to ignite, whether or not they get it on I can't say but they would make a cute couple.
Mia finds herself in the killers sight, can she find the killer before the killer finds her?
This was a great read, one of these books you look forward to getting back to. In the background of the novel there is another story about Mia's family and what they do plus you find out more about Jake who is a little bit shifty but this can be forgiven because he is hot!
The ending, well let me say this it was a total OMG how did I not see that, it was very well done. I think I could put this in to my cosy mystery pile, it was like putting on a warm pair of fuzzy slippers, a nice comforting read and also the start of something good, book 2 is coming out next year.
Thanks to Carina for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2015
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
Hilarious book! Review to come closer to the release date :)
Hilarious book! Review to come closer to the release date :)
September 11, 2018
My very first cozy mystery...
Cozy Mysteries are not really my cuppa…and I'm probably not the best one to judge this type of book. But overall this ended up being not so bad. The first half did kind of drag and did feel a little too sickly sweet…but once the mystery started getting closer to being solved, I started getting into it more. I even lol'd a few times. I can see why others would like this genre of mystery…it's probably perfect for someone who doesn't like a lot of graphic gore and sexy type scenes.
๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏
~~~~~MY RATING~~~~~
☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-
๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 3.7/5
Characters~ 4.3/5
The Feels~ 3/5
Pacing~ 3/5
Addictiveness~ 2.8/5
Theme or Tone~ 4.3/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 3/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 3.5/5
Ending~ 3.8/5 Cliffhanger~ a "to be continued"…
Book Cover~ I like it.
Series~ Geek Girl Mysteries #1
Setting~ Horseshoe Falls
Source~ Kindle eBook (Library)
Cozy Mysteries are not really my cuppa…and I'm probably not the best one to judge this type of book. But overall this ended up being not so bad. The first half did kind of drag and did feel a little too sickly sweet…but once the mystery started getting closer to being solved, I started getting into it more. I even lol'd a few times. I can see why others would like this genre of mystery…it's probably perfect for someone who doesn't like a lot of graphic gore and sexy type scenes.
๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏
~~~~~MY RATING~~~~~
☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-
๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏๏
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 3.7/5
Characters~ 4.3/5
The Feels~ 3/5
Pacing~ 3/5
Addictiveness~ 2.8/5
Theme or Tone~ 4.3/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 3/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 3.5/5
Ending~ 3.8/5 Cliffhanger~ a "to be continued"…
Book Cover~ I like it.
Series~ Geek Girl Mysteries #1
Setting~ Horseshoe Falls
Source~ Kindle eBook (Library)
April 29, 2025
Take a shot every time she says tummy.
September 9, 2016
5 STARS - A MUST READ SERIES!
IT Manager, Mia Connors is the Horseshoe Falls it girl. She dresses in costume even on a normal day and love the vintage, steampunk look. So, it is easy to say, she is not your everyday ordinary gal. Her family owns a beauty company that is targeted for the Renaissance Faire crowd. And she is the face of the company. Everything about Mia is just uber cool.
Mia’s coolness is tested when one of her best friends is found dead in her office and her other friend, Nate has disappeared. Ever Jake Archer, new temporary security head. He is a sort of by-the-book type of guy and he thinks he has found a prime suspect in Mia.
The timing for all this nonsense is not good because the Renaissance Faire season is in full swing. And this is the best time for her family to make money on her Grandmother’s beauty products.
Then Mia decides to investigate the death of her friend and try and locate Nate but she keeps bumping into the new security dude who seems to be everywhere. And strangely enough the homicide detective on the case is Jake Archer’s brother, Dan. Things that make you go, HUM.
Meanwhile, in her favorite virtual game, Reign, her uber enemy Punisher is raining holy heck on her kingdom. Then when the threats get personal, Mia begins to suspect that her online rival might want her out of the picture permanently.
This is my favorite new series of the year. Book two is called Geek Girl’s Guide to Arsenic. I am halfway through and it is just as awesome as this one. Book three is coming out soon called Geek Girl’s Guide to Justice. I am sure that will be a winner as well. Definitely check out this series.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGally, the author, Julie Anne Lindsay, and the Publisher for allowing me to read this title.
IT Manager, Mia Connors is the Horseshoe Falls it girl. She dresses in costume even on a normal day and love the vintage, steampunk look. So, it is easy to say, she is not your everyday ordinary gal. Her family owns a beauty company that is targeted for the Renaissance Faire crowd. And she is the face of the company. Everything about Mia is just uber cool.
Mia’s coolness is tested when one of her best friends is found dead in her office and her other friend, Nate has disappeared. Ever Jake Archer, new temporary security head. He is a sort of by-the-book type of guy and he thinks he has found a prime suspect in Mia.
The timing for all this nonsense is not good because the Renaissance Faire season is in full swing. And this is the best time for her family to make money on her Grandmother’s beauty products.
Then Mia decides to investigate the death of her friend and try and locate Nate but she keeps bumping into the new security dude who seems to be everywhere. And strangely enough the homicide detective on the case is Jake Archer’s brother, Dan. Things that make you go, HUM.
Meanwhile, in her favorite virtual game, Reign, her uber enemy Punisher is raining holy heck on her kingdom. Then when the threats get personal, Mia begins to suspect that her online rival might want her out of the picture permanently.
This is my favorite new series of the year. Book two is called Geek Girl’s Guide to Arsenic. I am halfway through and it is just as awesome as this one. Book three is coming out soon called Geek Girl’s Guide to Justice. I am sure that will be a winner as well. Definitely check out this series.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank NetGally, the author, Julie Anne Lindsay, and the Publisher for allowing me to read this title.
February 18, 2017
When I saw the title I was not thinking it would be about an IT girl that likes RPG computer games, dressing up like a fairy tale queen and watching movies. Her loves for computer games puts her in the middle of a dangerous stalker.
A cute, sometimes laughable cozy that has an IT girl on the search of a mysterious email tail that could put her life in danger.
A cute, sometimes laughable cozy that has an IT girl on the search of a mysterious email tail that could put her life in danger.
August 16, 2015
Overall, I liked this book a lot. I liked Mia. I liked her off-beat family. I liked her geeky friends. Well, I liked one of her geeky friends. However, I feel like we were shortchanged on the romance. I'm HOPING it's because this is book 1 of a series and we'll get more resolution down the road because it felt like there was a lot of potential for steamy hook-ups and awesome romantic banter and it didn't quite pan out.
That said, Mia's life is a fun, fun place to visit. She gets to dress up in awesome costumes, has a family who might get a little snippy with her upon occasion but who ultimately support her, and do something she enjoys. Well, I don't think she enjoyed the murder that popped up, but she works in IT because she's good at it and she likes doing it.
Basically, Mia is a woman of many talents.
Fortunately, her talents come in handy as she works her way through the clues as to why and how her friend ended up dead in her office. She also has to prove her own innocence to Jake, which kinda sucks for her, but what can you do?
Solid, engaging, and fun, I just wish we'd been given a little more resolution on the romance end.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
That said, Mia's life is a fun, fun place to visit. She gets to dress up in awesome costumes, has a family who might get a little snippy with her upon occasion but who ultimately support her, and do something she enjoys. Well, I don't think she enjoyed the murder that popped up, but she works in IT because she's good at it and she likes doing it.
Basically, Mia is a woman of many talents.
Fortunately, her talents come in handy as she works her way through the clues as to why and how her friend ended up dead in her office. She also has to prove her own innocence to Jake, which kinda sucks for her, but what can you do?
Solid, engaging, and fun, I just wish we'd been given a little more resolution on the romance end.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
August 1, 2015
I loved this book so much that I was sorry when it ended. It grabbed me from the first page and kept me turning pages late into the night because I couldn't put it down.
Mia is a quirky geek IT girl. While brilliant, she has a very limited ability to interact with other people, especially men. So when the new head of security, Jake, arrives, she is at a loss as to how to talk to him. Add security problems at her job that keeps him in her orbit, and many funny interactions follow. Throw a murder into the mix and Mia seems to be in over her head.
This is a funny and smart chick lit mystery. I love having a heroine that is smart, especially when she is thrown together with a hot security chief. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. More Mia and Jake, please...... I have added this author to my must read authors' list. If you are a fan of Julie Moffett's Lexi Carmicheal series, you will love this one. This is a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a complementary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mia is a quirky geek IT girl. While brilliant, she has a very limited ability to interact with other people, especially men. So when the new head of security, Jake, arrives, she is at a loss as to how to talk to him. Add security problems at her job that keeps him in her orbit, and many funny interactions follow. Throw a murder into the mix and Mia seems to be in over her head.
This is a funny and smart chick lit mystery. I love having a heroine that is smart, especially when she is thrown together with a hot security chief. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. More Mia and Jake, please...... I have added this author to my must read authors' list. If you are a fan of Julie Moffett's Lexi Carmicheal series, you will love this one. This is a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a complementary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2021
Disappointed by this book, it seems like every geeky obsession is mashed into the book, comic con, renaissance festival, online gaming, but they are all just mentioned or are background scenes for the novels action no real flavor. That and I found all of the characters either unlikable or boring. Not really sure why I bothered to finish it.
October 11, 2024
I smiled. "I'm in the trust circle? Who else?"
"My brother, Dan."
I swung my feet through the open doorframe. "We sound like the making of a limerick or a dirty joke. A detective, a security guy and a geek walk into a bar."
"Why do you do that? You're not a geek."
I slid onto the concrete and shut the door. "I am a geek. Haven't you heard? Geek is the new chic." I pulled the pins from my chignon before my brain exploded, and shook wavy brown locks down my back."
November 29, 2016
I really liked Mia. She lives up to the title by being very geeky, has a job in IT and is akward with people. She's got a great family who are a bit kooky and the place she works leaves lots of options open for further mysteries.
The mystery was pretty good, although I figured out a couple things way before Mia did. I will definitely check out the next one.
The mystery was pretty good, although I figured out a couple things way before Mia did. I will definitely check out the next one.
January 25, 2022
Meh. Unlikeable characters doing uncharacteristic things in a awkwardly written book. And I don't really think Mia is a geek - she just happens to work in IT for a living. The whole thing felt like it was written by someone who has read about geeky things but doesn't really understand or enjoy them.
February 4, 2019
Full disclosure: I literally could not get past chapter one. So many things wrong with this book. First the author presumes that the reader had insider
knowledge such as who the characters are and where the book is taking place. She does not introduce any details of these things but does make artsy mention of dust motes and breakfast smells. I actually went back to the beginning of the chapter
to see if I missed something. Nope. Decided my time was better spent on another book.
knowledge such as who the characters are and where the book is taking place. She does not introduce any details of these things but does make artsy mention of dust motes and breakfast smells. I actually went back to the beginning of the chapter
to see if I missed something. Nope. Decided my time was better spent on another book.
February 10, 2024
Loved it. Great mystery. Great geek references. Great feels.
“Anything’s possible and consultants are buffoons. Consultants could bring the whole global internet down accidentally, given proper admin rights.”
“These sorts of groups were always formed by power-hungry commoners with angry hearts, except Friends of the Library. I stood behind those ladies”
“I made a show of checking my watch. ‘Nope. It says here this isn’t 1955 anymore, and I’m a grown-ass woman.’l
“Anything’s possible and consultants are buffoons. Consultants could bring the whole global internet down accidentally, given proper admin rights.”
“These sorts of groups were always formed by power-hungry commoners with angry hearts, except Friends of the Library. I stood behind those ladies”
“I made a show of checking my watch. ‘Nope. It says here this isn’t 1955 anymore, and I’m a grown-ass woman.’l
December 30, 2019
I picked up the second book in this series at a used book shop and enjoyed it enough to request this one through interlibrary loan. I liked this one, too, but I wish I'd read it first because the events of the second book make it obvious who the killer is. This series should definitely be read in order!
April 30, 2020
I loved this book! Mia is so much fun and even though I am not a big gamer, like she is, I can see a lot of myself in her.
I am sad there are only 3 in this series, but Julie Anne Lindsey if you want to write another one, just for fun, I wouldn't mind lol.
On to book 2!
I am sad there are only 3 in this series, but Julie Anne Lindsey if you want to write another one, just for fun, I wouldn't mind lol.
On to book 2!
October 24, 2022
I loved this book! I could not pur it down! The main character is a lovable geek, there's a broody agent, and an Irishman awesome! Mia has one of those pretend lives that you wish were real. What can I say it's awesome!!
June 3, 2017
A spunky, geeky heroine! Loved the story line and the tension between the characters.
January 6, 2020
A light and refreshing murder mystery. Would have loved more romance between Jake and Mia but otherwise it was a fun read! Excited to check out book 2!
April 7, 2018
This was so fun! I adored the main character - she's crazy smart, funny, and a little awkward. The rest of the characters were great, too. The sister and BIL's work on sexuality was an odd little piece of the story, but it added to some of the humor and a unique tone to their parts of the story. The mystery was good - I figured out the culprit, but had to wait for all the reasons to be revealed. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.
November 16, 2025
Basic cozy mystery. Too much cute, too much atmosphere/innuendo/reflection and too little clues. But mostly well written with likeable characters.
September 2, 2015
Violence Invades a Gaming Girl’s Life, 1 Sept. 2015
Mia Connors is a self-confessed geek who works as IT Manager at Horseshoe Falls, a gated community for those people who value nature and the outdoors lifestyle. She has a close family including her identical twin, Bree, and two good ‘geeky’ friends, Nate and Baxter. Mia is more than happy with her life especially as she relates best to IT issues and online gaming relationships; she doesn’t date and shows no sign of following Bree into marriage and motherhood.
Then one morning she arrives early for work to find a blue pickup parked in her space – the nerve! --and she has to attend a meeting of all staff over a problem with the IT. It seems that residents have been turning up at the clubhouse for appointments with hairdressers, dog groomers, golf pros, and so on; appointments which they made on-line have received an email advising them that this was a new facility. Some are also expecting to take advantage of coupons which accompanied the email. Mia knows that the email was not sent from her section and she rushes to try to identify the problem.
On her way back to her office she runs across the brooding but downright sexy new Security Manager, Jake Archer – the owner of the blue pickup no less! Suffice to say that this is not a match made in Heaven and sparks begin to fly, especially when Nate and Baxter arrive at her office with something important to tell her. Jake summarily evicts them and Mia is furious.
The next day Baxter turns up dead at her desk and Nate is nowhere to be found and so is deemed the prime suspect. Mia sets out to prove Nate’s innocence while at the same time investigating the email mystery – could there be a connection?
This is a light and easy read with the suspense coming softly without many shocks, but as a mystery it is satisfying, and with Mia and Jake’s relationship moving from joint antipathy almost to romance, the characterisation is crisp and credible.
If you like your suspense turbo charged and on steroids, this probably isn’t the book for you, but as a fairly comfortable mystery it is a jolly good read, with lots of humour adding another dimension. -- Pashtpaws
Rating: Three Stars
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given a copy of the book to review
Mia Connors is a self-confessed geek who works as IT Manager at Horseshoe Falls, a gated community for those people who value nature and the outdoors lifestyle. She has a close family including her identical twin, Bree, and two good ‘geeky’ friends, Nate and Baxter. Mia is more than happy with her life especially as she relates best to IT issues and online gaming relationships; she doesn’t date and shows no sign of following Bree into marriage and motherhood.
Then one morning she arrives early for work to find a blue pickup parked in her space – the nerve! --and she has to attend a meeting of all staff over a problem with the IT. It seems that residents have been turning up at the clubhouse for appointments with hairdressers, dog groomers, golf pros, and so on; appointments which they made on-line have received an email advising them that this was a new facility. Some are also expecting to take advantage of coupons which accompanied the email. Mia knows that the email was not sent from her section and she rushes to try to identify the problem.
On her way back to her office she runs across the brooding but downright sexy new Security Manager, Jake Archer – the owner of the blue pickup no less! Suffice to say that this is not a match made in Heaven and sparks begin to fly, especially when Nate and Baxter arrive at her office with something important to tell her. Jake summarily evicts them and Mia is furious.
The next day Baxter turns up dead at her desk and Nate is nowhere to be found and so is deemed the prime suspect. Mia sets out to prove Nate’s innocence while at the same time investigating the email mystery – could there be a connection?
This is a light and easy read with the suspense coming softly without many shocks, but as a mystery it is satisfying, and with Mia and Jake’s relationship moving from joint antipathy almost to romance, the characterisation is crisp and credible.
If you like your suspense turbo charged and on steroids, this probably isn’t the book for you, but as a fairly comfortable mystery it is a jolly good read, with lots of humour adding another dimension. -- Pashtpaws
Rating: Three Stars
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given a copy of the book to review
January 24, 2016
I like a lot about this book, which is a fun look at an American lifestyle for an intelligent girl, who gets involved with a murder investigation.
A girl who runs the computer system in a large gated community, is shocked when one of her pals is found dead in her ergonomically designed office. The lad was not an employee and an alarm was tripped, drawing the new security officer. Another of the girl's friends has gone missing and she gets worried about his safety, though it seems strange that she doesn't wonder if he could have been the killer.
The scenes include the office, on-site shops, a Renaissance fair in an orchard, cosy chats among family members and a convention. Plenty of variety so there should be something for every reader. Particularly nice is that three generations of the family are running a stand at the fair, dressing the part of course.
I should note the items I don't like, which stop me from giving full marks. I don't like the cover, which doesn't inspire me to read the book and is unrelated to other cosy crime stories. Mini cars are not an acronym (any more than Ford) so every time I saw MINI it annoyed me and took me out of the story. A person responsible for the security of her computer system is not going to accept a newcomer as a security officer without even a proper introduction, or asking to see credentials and inquiring what this man knows about computer security, viruses, password safety and so on. This guard also does nothing but glower for most of the book although he's a major part of the story.
I did think that the author was purposely taking us through too many settings in order to show a rounded lifestyle for the people she calls geeks - the drawback then is that she has used up all her material and can't make another book of a particular setting. This also detracted from the drama of the murder mystery just because there were so many changes to process. However it's a lot of fun and an unusual cosy crime.
A girl who runs the computer system in a large gated community, is shocked when one of her pals is found dead in her ergonomically designed office. The lad was not an employee and an alarm was tripped, drawing the new security officer. Another of the girl's friends has gone missing and she gets worried about his safety, though it seems strange that she doesn't wonder if he could have been the killer.
The scenes include the office, on-site shops, a Renaissance fair in an orchard, cosy chats among family members and a convention. Plenty of variety so there should be something for every reader. Particularly nice is that three generations of the family are running a stand at the fair, dressing the part of course.
I should note the items I don't like, which stop me from giving full marks. I don't like the cover, which doesn't inspire me to read the book and is unrelated to other cosy crime stories. Mini cars are not an acronym (any more than Ford) so every time I saw MINI it annoyed me and took me out of the story. A person responsible for the security of her computer system is not going to accept a newcomer as a security officer without even a proper introduction, or asking to see credentials and inquiring what this man knows about computer security, viruses, password safety and so on. This guard also does nothing but glower for most of the book although he's a major part of the story.
I did think that the author was purposely taking us through too many settings in order to show a rounded lifestyle for the people she calls geeks - the drawback then is that she has used up all her material and can't make another book of a particular setting. This also detracted from the drama of the murder mystery just because there were so many changes to process. However it's a lot of fun and an unusual cosy crime.
February 22, 2016
This score is more accurately 2 1/2 stars for me, because this book was a mess with some good moments in it. Mia felt like a person that I wouldn't mind hanging out with as did some of her co-workers and family, but the hero made no sense and the plot was a mess. I wanted to like this book more than I did, because there were points I would be happily reading along and then get stopped by something that made no sense.
There were a lot of contrivances and they all seemed to revolve around the hero not getting the heroine in really stupid ways especially when his secret was revealed. What would happen would be, he didn't understand something about the heroine or would make an assumption about her and that would give her a chance to show another surprising facet of her character. This can be a good way to introduce people but it needs to go both ways and not be overused. It felt like this was how they communicated and it made him seem dumb and her odd. The pace of the book was frantic with so much stuffed in it that there wasn't a lot of time for anything to make a solid impression. There's a Renn Faire and a Comic Con going on at the same time in a city in Ohio, which didn't make any sense to me. Both of those are huge events and were given a light glimpse of look, geek stuff. I felt like the author was trying to get too much into the book and the characters and the story suffered for it.
Also the villain ended up much more awful than I expected, when the final confrontation came the tone changed from a cozy style mystery to something darker. When the book worked, it was good, there were small interactions between Mia and people around her that felt real and gave the setting depth, but the awkward relationship between her and Jake, the investigator, didn't feel plausible. A decent read and I might try another of the author's books.
There were a lot of contrivances and they all seemed to revolve around the hero not getting the heroine in really stupid ways especially when his secret was revealed. What would happen would be, he didn't understand something about the heroine or would make an assumption about her and that would give her a chance to show another surprising facet of her character. This can be a good way to introduce people but it needs to go both ways and not be overused. It felt like this was how they communicated and it made him seem dumb and her odd. The pace of the book was frantic with so much stuffed in it that there wasn't a lot of time for anything to make a solid impression. There's a Renn Faire and a Comic Con going on at the same time in a city in Ohio, which didn't make any sense to me. Both of those are huge events and were given a light glimpse of look, geek stuff. I felt like the author was trying to get too much into the book and the characters and the story suffered for it.
Also the villain ended up much more awful than I expected, when the final confrontation came the tone changed from a cozy style mystery to something darker. When the book worked, it was good, there were small interactions between Mia and people around her that felt real and gave the setting depth, but the awkward relationship between her and Jake, the investigator, didn't feel plausible. A decent read and I might try another of the author's books.
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