What do you think?
Rate this book
Squeaky Clean Mysteries #2
Suspicious Minds
Rock and roll may never die, but the King is definitely dead . . . again. To pay off some bills, crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire takes a job doing mold remediation, but she finds a surprise in the dilapidated home's Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this? A sequel to the popular novel Hazardous Duty.
233 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2008
254 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Christy Barritt
296 books1,641 followersChristy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
September 30, 2021
While I've been a mystery fan for quite a while, I prefer the light-hearted, "cozy" type; either something that doesn't involve murder, such as the old Scooby-Doo cartoons, or, if it does have violence, doesn't get graphic or gory, i.e., Monk or Murder, She Wrote. Nowadays, it seems that popular tastes agree with me; I work at a library, and "cozy" mysteries can be seen throughout our fiction section.
So...how was this mystery? Despite being non-graphic, it does get rather intense at times; to say how would spoil the plot. Still, as a longtime whodunit fan, I had fun with this one; I need to find the other entries in the series, which I will likely do by requesting an inter-library loan.
So...how was this mystery? Despite being non-graphic, it does get rather intense at times; to say how would spoil the plot. Still, as a longtime whodunit fan, I had fun with this one; I need to find the other entries in the series, which I will likely do by requesting an inter-library loan.
September 4, 2012
I love the fact that this is a "squeaky clean" mystery. How refreshing that an author relies on her good writing skills and not on smut or so-called sexy things to make her writing tintillating. I like the way Barritt develops her characters and the "Elvis" connection was amusing.
That you, Christy, for writing a mystery without smut.
That you, Christy, for writing a mystery without smut.
April 8, 2025
Funny, great characters, lots of faith.
June 29, 2021
This continued the comedic mystery feel I wanted, and I appreciated the added spiritual depth as Gabby ponders what a relationship with God might mean.
I personally don’t care that the portrayed pastor seems hip. But the other Christians in the book seem solid.
There is a kiss and mild love triangle and such, but nothing cringey. I think it was better than Book 1, but some younger conservative readers might not appreciate it.
I personally don’t care that the portrayed pastor seems hip. But the other Christians in the book seem solid.
There is a kiss and mild love triangle and such, but nothing cringey. I think it was better than Book 1, but some younger conservative readers might not appreciate it.
June 12, 2023
I’m loving this series. Kinda like a future-Christian Stephanie Plum but better. Can just tell I’ll have to read all of them!
February 26, 2009
My review of Suspicious Minds by Christy Barritt!
About the book:
Rock and roll may never die, but the King is definitely dead . . . again. To pay off some bills, crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire takes a job doing mold remediation, but she finds a surprise in the dilapidated home's crawlspace: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this? A sequel to the popular novel Hazardous Duty.
My review:
Have you ever read a book that was so funny you wanted to read it out loud to your friends? Have you ever found a book with such original inner dialog and snappy attitude that you think, "Wish I'd thought of that." Ever have a story that is so intricately put together that everything is important and every detail is necessary? No words wasted? Well, if you haven't discovered a treasure like that yet, then I suggest you go to the store and order this book now.
Suspicious Minds is brilliant, funny, intense, witty, romantic and downright awesome. I totally loved this book even more than Hazardous Duty, and that's saying a lot because I thought it was the best! And ironically in the midst of all the other stuff going on in Suspicious Minds , there is also a deep spiritual thread that is meaningful, and a kiss or two that would make even the stodgiest reader swoon. Did I mention I loved this story? I don't want to spoil things by giving away important details, so just trust me on this one. It's like a comedy-suspense-mystery and definitely worth buying. Christy Barritt has created a whole new genre.
Suspicious Minds was published by Kregel and released in July 2008.
About the book:
Rock and roll may never die, but the King is definitely dead . . . again. To pay off some bills, crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire takes a job doing mold remediation, but she finds a surprise in the dilapidated home's crawlspace: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this? A sequel to the popular novel Hazardous Duty.
My review:
Have you ever read a book that was so funny you wanted to read it out loud to your friends? Have you ever found a book with such original inner dialog and snappy attitude that you think, "Wish I'd thought of that." Ever have a story that is so intricately put together that everything is important and every detail is necessary? No words wasted? Well, if you haven't discovered a treasure like that yet, then I suggest you go to the store and order this book now.
Suspicious Minds is brilliant, funny, intense, witty, romantic and downright awesome. I totally loved this book even more than Hazardous Duty, and that's saying a lot because I thought it was the best! And ironically in the midst of all the other stuff going on in Suspicious Minds , there is also a deep spiritual thread that is meaningful, and a kiss or two that would make even the stodgiest reader swoon. Did I mention I loved this story? I don't want to spoil things by giving away important details, so just trust me on this one. It's like a comedy-suspense-mystery and definitely worth buying. Christy Barritt has created a whole new genre.
Suspicious Minds was published by Kregel and released in July 2008.
January 4, 2020
“Gabby, remember this: Cats have nine lives. You don’t. Please stay out of trouble.”
“Did our society today make it too easy for people to become isolated? A person could form friendships on the Internet without ever leaving home. Order groceries online to be delivered to their front steps. Use the computer to work from the comfort of their living room. Criminals, even, could hop onto the net and steal someone’s identity, all while wearing pajamas and sipping java. Today, society’s members could avoid ever interacting face-to-face. The result: loneliness.”
“I believe that Jesus is truth, that he really walked on this earth and died for our sins. Why wouldn’t I want to live for him?”
Another humorous Christy Barritt book. Glad to be getting back into the series. I love all the characters, both primary and secondary. Gabby sure does get herself into some crazy predicaments. But I love her humor and wit, though I hope it doesn’t get old after awhile. Only time will tell. This was a good mystery that had plenty of twists and red herrings and Elvis references. I will say that this one took me longer to read than most Barritt books.
For more reviews, please check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...
“Did our society today make it too easy for people to become isolated? A person could form friendships on the Internet without ever leaving home. Order groceries online to be delivered to their front steps. Use the computer to work from the comfort of their living room. Criminals, even, could hop onto the net and steal someone’s identity, all while wearing pajamas and sipping java. Today, society’s members could avoid ever interacting face-to-face. The result: loneliness.”
“I believe that Jesus is truth, that he really walked on this earth and died for our sins. Why wouldn’t I want to live for him?”
Another humorous Christy Barritt book. Glad to be getting back into the series. I love all the characters, both primary and secondary. Gabby sure does get herself into some crazy predicaments. But I love her humor and wit, though I hope it doesn’t get old after awhile. Only time will tell. This was a good mystery that had plenty of twists and red herrings and Elvis references. I will say that this one took me longer to read than most Barritt books.
For more reviews, please check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...
March 9, 2017
This was an great sequel to Hazards Duty. Gabby's at it again, going where she probably should not go, but driven by curiosity. Though in this book, I can't fault her because Gabby was asked to snoop. There were some character developments that made me happy in this book, and some... not so much. But it really did seem like things that would happen in real life. I look forward to watching the characters continue to grow.
I did get a little irritated, because the characters seemed to be ignoring some pretty obvious questions that needed to be asked. But since people do that in real life, I couldn't really fault them to much.
The only draw back to this book was a lot more details about her work. Being a crime scene cleaner, you can imagine she sees some gross stuff. I have a strong stomach, and I wished the author had laid back on those details just a bit.
I look forward to the next book!
I did get a little irritated, because the characters seemed to be ignoring some pretty obvious questions that needed to be asked. But since people do that in real life, I couldn't really fault them to much.
The only draw back to this book was a lot more details about her work. Being a crime scene cleaner, you can imagine she sees some gross stuff. I have a strong stomach, and I wished the author had laid back on those details just a bit.
I look forward to the next book!
March 7, 2021
Gabby is adding mold remediation to her crime scene clean-up repertoire. She finds a dead body under the house who happens to be an Elvis impersonator & the mystery is on. Confronting the dead Elvis's wife, mistress, business partner, and former employer has Gabby put in the cross hairs of a killer. Problems are heating up for Gabby & her boyfriend Parker when she's finding they don't have a lot in common. Add to that her mending broken heart over Riley who keeps helping her out and hanging around. Gabby is trying to solve a murder along with her crisis in faith with God and being alone. Enter in a foxy guy named Chad who is starting a crime scene cleaning business and Gabby now has competition for work and her heart. Clean book and faith filled
April 21, 2022
Book 2 was even better than book 1. Gabby has become just as quirky as the folks in her apartment building, and I love her humor!
I can't wait to see what she does next!
I can't wait to see what she does next!
August 24, 2025
Gabby St. Claire is back, this time scrubbing mold instead of crime scenes—or so she thinks. What should’ve been a routine job turns bizarre when she stumbles across a dead man dressed like Elvis, blue suede shoes and all, tucked away in a crawlspace. Suddenly, her knack for uncovering trouble kicks in again, pulling her into a whirlwind of secrets, suspects, and quirky characters.
August 9, 2019
I'm enjoying this series! On to the next book...
January 1, 2014
This is book two of the Squeaky Clean Mystery series by Christy Barritt. I have really enjoyed the first two books in the series. The author has such a great sense of humor, and the characters are so likeable. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Gabby is a college student studying forensics and has her own business as a crime scene cleaner to help pay the bills. When she is hired to eliminate a mold problem under the crawlspace of a house, she discovers a dead body. Not just any dead body...but an Elvis impersonator. This mystery is full of humor, danger, and compassion as Gabby makes some discoveries about herself and learns to depend on her friends.
Gabby is a college student studying forensics and has her own business as a crime scene cleaner to help pay the bills. When she is hired to eliminate a mold problem under the crawlspace of a house, she discovers a dead body. Not just any dead body...but an Elvis impersonator. This mystery is full of humor, danger, and compassion as Gabby makes some discoveries about herself and learns to depend on her friends.
October 13, 2018
Suspicious Minds is book two in the Squeaky Clean Mystery series by Christy Barritt. It was a fun read full of humor, great characters, and a head-scratching mystery.
I'm always entertained when I pick up a Christy Barritt book. I'm immediately pulled into the story and have a difficult time putting it down. This one was no different.
I'm really loving the characters in this series, Gabby, Riley, Sierra – even Mrs. Mystery, Bill McCormick, and the new addition Chad Davis. They're such a fun group of people and I've really enjoyed getting to know them.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes cozy mysteries. I'm excited to check out the next book.
I'm always entertained when I pick up a Christy Barritt book. I'm immediately pulled into the story and have a difficult time putting it down. This one was no different.
I'm really loving the characters in this series, Gabby, Riley, Sierra – even Mrs. Mystery, Bill McCormick, and the new addition Chad Davis. They're such a fun group of people and I've really enjoyed getting to know them.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes cozy mysteries. I'm excited to check out the next book.
August 1, 2013
I indicated ages ago I was reading this and never came back to review it or give my status. I admit it was so long ago I can't remember all of the story that well, but I do remember really enjoying it a lot.
I fell in love with Christy Barritt's first book in this series Hazardous Duty and this book continues with the same sleuth.
If you like mysteries and a protag that has a bit of sass and is a whole lot of lovable and can sniff out a solution to a mystery better than some cops, you will enjoy this book!
I fell in love with Christy Barritt's first book in this series Hazardous Duty and this book continues with the same sleuth.
If you like mysteries and a protag that has a bit of sass and is a whole lot of lovable and can sniff out a solution to a mystery better than some cops, you will enjoy this book!
May 16, 2019
Cute book, I enjoy this series. Clean, engaging mysteries. Nothing mind boggling, but sometimes you just need a light story.
February 23, 2009
This was a fun read with lots of laughs and some very touching moments. I highly recommend this book.
August 11, 2022
I loved the first book in this series and thought a crime scene cleaner was a totally novel idea, so I just had to get the next book. However I was slightly disappointed with this book and will have to think long and hard before adding the next book to my collection. Don't get me wrong there was some good points and I love the characters but the main character spent much to much time pining over a lost love while seeing someone and whether to attend church of not, instead of investigating the murder. The mystery did kind of got lost with all the drama but there was plenty of suspects to keep it interesting and me listening. The characters are the main reason why I would visit this series again, they are such an unusual and whacky bunch. I especially liked the mysterious Mrs Mystery and of course the antics the animal loving Sierra gets up to, adds some humour.
Gabby has been asked to clean mold from a crawl space under a house, instead she finds a dead body. A popular Elvis impersonator. His wife asks Gabby to find out who killed him blaming his manager as the likely suspect or maybe his girlfriend or the list quickly grows and Gabby finds herself once again dodging bullets. Then another body is found under the house and Gabby has to ask what do the two men have in common other than the house? Will she be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before somebody tried to clean up?
I liked the narrator. She helped to bring the story to life by giving each character there own voice.
Gabby has been asked to clean mold from a crawl space under a house, instead she finds a dead body. A popular Elvis impersonator. His wife asks Gabby to find out who killed him blaming his manager as the likely suspect or maybe his girlfriend or the list quickly grows and Gabby finds herself once again dodging bullets. Then another body is found under the house and Gabby has to ask what do the two men have in common other than the house? Will she be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before somebody tried to clean up?
I liked the narrator. She helped to bring the story to life by giving each character there own voice.
January 3, 2021
I enjoyed the book enough to finish, when I did, I thought there wasn't much mystery in the story. My lasting impression was more about Gabby's person situation (father, school, cleaning job, the two men in her life, etc.) than the mystery. I really had to think about the mystery for the details to come to me despite the mystery wrapping up quite close to the end.
When I did reflect on the mystery, it was fine, but I had issues with the reasoning behind the first death.
The issue of religion comes up again. I don't mind a character having issues with religion and mentally referencing it, but when Riley starts evangelizing it mildly irritates me. There's only one or two brief references so it didn't stop me from continuing on.
There are also a few times when I think it was meant to be funny, but misses the mark for me: Gabby rapidly vacillates on how she feels about someone or something. To me it indicates immaturity and isn't funny. Gabby has poor impulse control.
I have books 2.5 (Christmas novella) and 3, so I think I'll crack on because they are light, quick reads.
When I did reflect on the mystery, it was fine, but I had issues with the reasoning behind the first death.
The issue of religion comes up again. I don't mind a character having issues with religion and mentally referencing it, but when Riley starts evangelizing it mildly irritates me. There's only one or two brief references so it didn't stop me from continuing on.
There are also a few times when I think it was meant to be funny, but misses the mark for me: Gabby rapidly vacillates on how she feels about someone or something. To me it indicates immaturity and isn't funny. Gabby has poor impulse control.
I have books 2.5 (Christmas novella) and 3, so I think I'll crack on because they are light, quick reads.
February 11, 2019
So much to like about this suspense filled book. Gabby is dating the cop she met in the first book even though she feels no real chemistry with him. Her dream man is Riley but will she every have those dreams fulfilled. A new friend is added to the mix, Chad who will eventually become her partner in the crime cleaning business. They find a dead Elvis impersonator int he crawl space of a house. Gabby can't help but to get involved in an investigation as to how this Elvis impersonator met his end. This Elvis impersonator was quite the ladies man. He had a wife and a mistress on this side who both had motives to kill him but who did. As usual her investigation the murderer nervous and her life is put in danger.
August 2, 2019
Enjoyed this book, though not as much as the first in the series. It’s a little bit of a repeat story with names & location changed. However, the personality of the main character, Gabby, along with her mis-matched group of friends caused me not to mind that too much. I would continue this series if I could find titles free; but, I’m not willing to pay for them. Don’t take that as a negative to this book. I don’t buy anything. There are thousands of free titles available on all e-readers and the public library & our church library has more than I could ever get through. Now I just have to pick my next adventure 😀
January 18, 2018
Christy Barritt is another of my favorite authors, her books are filled with suspense and Gabby will make you laugh out loud at her antics and the situations she gets caught in. Some situations are not funny and Gabby barely escapes with her life but everything you want in a suspense series is included minus the sex and foul language. I'm on a mission to read all the Squeaky Clean Series, currently I am through book 4. Each novel stands alone so you won't feel like you have missed out on anything.
May 7, 2018
A gripping story
I have five stars as Suspicious Minds was a page turner from the first to the last. You feel like you know the main characters. I was trying to work out the clues of the murders and arson with her.
She went through so much in order to solve the case, you felt you were trying to breathe for her.
It was gripping, thoughtful and made me think about life.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery, teenager to adult.
I have five stars as Suspicious Minds was a page turner from the first to the last. You feel like you know the main characters. I was trying to work out the clues of the murders and arson with her.
She went through so much in order to solve the case, you felt you were trying to breathe for her.
It was gripping, thoughtful and made me think about life.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery, teenager to adult.
May 7, 2020
Wow!
Another Wonderful adventure with Gabby the crime scene cleaner. Finding Elvis in a crawl space filled with mold, our heroine Gabby begins with another great mystery. She finds herself getting into more trouble than she can handle with every turn of her investigation. Funny things begin to happen along the way and she decides to hire help to get through some of the dirtiest jobs she now faces. As the suspects increase, so does the danger.
Another Wonderful adventure with Gabby the crime scene cleaner. Finding Elvis in a crawl space filled with mold, our heroine Gabby begins with another great mystery. She finds herself getting into more trouble than she can handle with every turn of her investigation. Funny things begin to happen along the way and she decides to hire help to get through some of the dirtiest jobs she now faces. As the suspects increase, so does the danger.
March 3, 2023
I loved book one so much that I’d thought I’d continue with book two. It was just as good, if not better than the first! I loved everything about it. Gabby is fast becoming one of my favorite characters, and it’s rare in my experience that the main character of a series be my favorite one. The story is great and a fast-paced read. I loved and highly recommend it! It’s safe to say that this is another hit from Christy and should race to the top of your TBR!
October 30, 2018
This was a very unique mystery.
This story is filled with interesting characters and crazy crime scene. The main character is one quirky lady who cleans crime scenes which is not always fun of easy. Come along for the adventure as she tried to solve the murders and almost gets kill in the process.
This story is filled with interesting characters and crazy crime scene. The main character is one quirky lady who cleans crime scenes which is not always fun of easy. Come along for the adventure as she tried to solve the murders and almost gets kill in the process.
April 5, 2020
Easy Read
I am reading alot of Christie Barritt’s books. They are easy to read and she develops plots that keep my attention. I find similarity in the way she build the stories but she keeps the twists and turns moving so I seldom see the outcomes coming. The only similarities is a romance plot and a mystery plot. not intertwined
I am reading alot of Christie Barritt’s books. They are easy to read and she develops plots that keep my attention. I find similarity in the way she build the stories but she keeps the twists and turns moving so I seldom see the outcomes coming. The only similarities is a romance plot and a mystery plot. not intertwined
May 20, 2020
A gang has put out a contract for Cady Matthews police detective , after she accidentally killed the leader. She has to hide out until the trial and change to identity to Cassidy Livingston. Her new job is driving an ice cream truck throughout Lantern Beach in NC while hiding all her detective skills. Now a body has washed ashore near her home. Who is it? What has happened? She must find out.
October 25, 2020
Hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable
This has to be the most hilarious romantic comedy ever penned. So many great, fun loving, pun loving, song loving characters, all of them seemingly in love with the heroine, just to keep things fun and interesting. A great mystery with all the excitement and suspense Christy Barritt is so good at.
This has to be the most hilarious romantic comedy ever penned. So many great, fun loving, pun loving, song loving characters, all of them seemingly in love with the heroine, just to keep things fun and interesting. A great mystery with all the excitement and suspense Christy Barritt is so good at.
February 14, 2021
Mystery, funny and clean. With a Christian theme.
Another great book by Christy Barritt. On to "It Came Upon a Midnight Crime: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 2.5 (a Christmas novella)" I know it's not Christmas but keeping it in order. Want to hear more about Gabby's mysteries and her quirky friends. Love Christy's books. Onto book 2.5.
Another great book by Christy Barritt. On to "It Came Upon a Midnight Crime: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 2.5 (a Christmas novella)" I know it's not Christmas but keeping it in order. Want to hear more about Gabby's mysteries and her quirky friends. Love Christy's books. Onto book 2.5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews