What do you think?
River's Edge Cozy Mystery #2
Demise of a Devious Neighbor: A River's Edge Cozy Mystery
The reverberating bangs shake Melanie Perkin's nerves. Either someone's aiming at her truck, or they don't know fireworks are supposed to go upward. Could things get any worse? Yes. The next day she discovers a dead body in the barn on her late parents' farm, Sheriff's Deputy Granger's gun pointed at the chest of a primary suspect - someone she holds dear. Illegal merchandise flooding the small Iowa town of River's Edge, upcoming Fourth of July activities, and a half-finished manuscript all hinder her determined efforts to solve the crime, before an innocent person is convicted of murder. In this, the second novel in beloved, cozy mystery writer Elaine Orr's River's Edge series, the author once again offers humor, believable characters and tight prose as she carries the reader to an exciting climax. Those who follow her Jolie Gentil series will find themselves right at home. You won't want to miss this one!
220 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2017
About the author
Elaine Orr
43 books263 followersAlso published as Elaine L. Orr
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including five mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime and the Independent Book Publishers Association, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994. She now lives in Springfield, IL.
Elaine L. Orr has authored 35 works of fiction, including five mystery series. They include the fourteen-book Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set at the Jersey shore. "Behind the Walls" was short-listed for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. "Demise of a Devious Neighbor," second of the River's Edge series, set in Iowa, was a Chanticleer shortlister in 2017.
The Western Maryland mountains host the five-book Family History Mystery Series, which began with "Least Trodden Ground." The "Unscheduled Murder Trip" received a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2021. Small-town Illinois is the setting for the Logland Series, which features Police Chief Elizabeth Friedman -- a police procedural with a cozy feel.
Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, "Common Ground," published in 2015. Her novella, "Biding Time," was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. "Falling into Place" is a novella about family strength as a World War II veteran rises to the toughest occasion. "In the Shadow of Light" is the fictional story of Corozón and her family, who are separated at the U.S./Mexico border.
A member of Sisters in Crime and the Independent Book Publishers Association, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994. She now lives in Springfield, IL.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 13, 2017
The second book in the River Edge series. An Elaine Orr is always a relaxing and enjoyable read. This book continues with the back story from the first book. Melanie Perkins and her brother Ambrose were hit with a breach of contract suit on the death of their parents in a automobile.
Melanie received a static phone call from Peter Frost asking her to meet him at their barn. Arriving at the barn she finds her brother holding a bloody knife standing over the body of Frost. A sheriff deputy Granger has his gun pointed at Ambrose chest. Melanie must solved what happened to save her brother from a trial for murder. She feels her friends at the local newspaper let her done when they slant the news indicating Ambrose is guilty. She received a copy of a book implying that her parents death was planed. As she explores Frost's death she finds illegal fireworks are being sold in the area. The ending wil shocked you. I highly recommend this book and I am ready to read the next one.
Melanie received a static phone call from Peter Frost asking her to meet him at their barn. Arriving at the barn she finds her brother holding a bloody knife standing over the body of Frost. A sheriff deputy Granger has his gun pointed at Ambrose chest. Melanie must solved what happened to save her brother from a trial for murder. She feels her friends at the local newspaper let her done when they slant the news indicating Ambrose is guilty. She received a copy of a book implying that her parents death was planed. As she explores Frost's death she finds illegal fireworks are being sold in the area. The ending wil shocked you. I highly recommend this book and I am ready to read the next one.
January 13, 2017
A great addition to a great series
I can always trust Elaine Orr to write an entertaining mystery that keeps me involved with the story from page 1. We not only get a good mystery, but learn more about the characters and their families. And Ms Orr is such a delightful writer that I often slow down and just enjoy the way the words flow. She doesn't need on screen violence or colorful language to keep our attention. Good plot, great description, realistic characters, locale that's part of the story (not just backdrop) and pacing that keeps it all together. There's a reason that Elaine Orr is one of my most favorite authors.
I can always trust Elaine Orr to write an entertaining mystery that keeps me involved with the story from page 1. We not only get a good mystery, but learn more about the characters and their families. And Ms Orr is such a delightful writer that I often slow down and just enjoy the way the words flow. She doesn't need on screen violence or colorful language to keep our attention. Good plot, great description, realistic characters, locale that's part of the story (not just backdrop) and pacing that keeps it all together. There's a reason that Elaine Orr is one of my most favorite authors.
October 20, 2017
It's a little early for fireworks, after all the 4th isn't for another week. Plus you really aren't supposed to shoot them at people in cars. Every week Melanie drives past her parents house to check that things are okay while she waits for the her parents estate to settle out. The next day she gets a call from the neighbor, who is trying to steal her parents farm in the courts, he wants to meet both her and her brother at her parents barn to discuss the legal battle. When she gets to the barn she finds the devious neighbor dead in her parents barn and her brother standing over the body with the murder weapon in his hand. To make matters even worse the victims nephew, who happens to be a sheriff's deputy, shows up then. Now Melanie has to find the real killer before her brother is railroaded all the way to jail. Along the way she stumbles into a fireworks smuggling ring that has been using her parents barn for storage. Will Melanie manage to solve both mysteries before anyone else gets hurt?
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
June 9, 2020
I listened to this book. This is a standalone story. Enough of the back story from book one is included just after the opening. We find Melanie arriving at her parent’s farm to meet Mr. Frost and her brother, Ambrose. Ambrose is holding a knife over Mr. Frost. In walks sheriff deputy Aaron Granger, nephew of Mr. Frost. Ambrose goes to the top of the suspect list.
Mr. Frost filed a breach of contract suit against Melanie Perkins and her brother Ambrose on the death of their parents in an automobile accident.
Something isn’t right and the barn was being used for other purposes unknown to Melanie and Ambrose.
Plenty of twists and turns, the ending may surprise you. I liked the mystery and the characters.
I did not like the actual end of the book. They mystery was over and the whole last scene seems out of place- possibly a cliff hanger. I don’t like stories with cliff hangers.
Like the story behind Mr. Tibbs, Mel’s dog.
Mr. Frost filed a breach of contract suit against Melanie Perkins and her brother Ambrose on the death of their parents in an automobile accident.
Something isn’t right and the barn was being used for other purposes unknown to Melanie and Ambrose.
Plenty of twists and turns, the ending may surprise you. I liked the mystery and the characters.
I did not like the actual end of the book. They mystery was over and the whole last scene seems out of place- possibly a cliff hanger. I don’t like stories with cliff hangers.
Like the story behind Mr. Tibbs, Mel’s dog.
May 27, 2017
Twisty and with lots of suspense. Set in small town rural Iowa which, basically could be farm town anywhere. Everybody knows everyone's business, and the gossip is spread really fast. The murder victim was an unlucky opportunist, the alleged murderer a former resident with a good reason to seriously dislike the man. Plus, there's a manuscript of a mystery novel based on local events, suspicion of illegal goings on, and a deputy with an ax to grind, and some really serious hard evidence. Good reflection of rural reality and some real characters! I loved it!
February 12, 2017
What an enjoyable story. It's been quite some time since I've taken the time to read a cozy mystery. This one was very enjoyable and difficult to put down. I was a little put off by some of the language which occasionally appeared. That was the only thing which kept me from giving it five stars. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
August 6, 2017
I was annoyed that I didn't read the first book first. But this was a fabulous book! So then I had to go read the first book in the series. Not that it changed anything. They were both awesome. And I discovered I have more I can read. So I will! Love this series.
September 19, 2017
I received this book for free from the author / narrator / publisher, in exchange for an unbiased review.
Both the author and narrator were new to me.
This was a nice listen.
The story moved along well and kept your attention throughout.
Both the author and narrator were new to me.
This was a nice listen.
The story moved along well and kept your attention throughout.
July 26, 2022
Great book
November 2, 2023
A good small town murder mystery that keeps interest to the last page. Ready for part 3.
July 25, 2025
Ex reporter for a small town newspaper locks horns with the local Sheriff. He finds her brother kneeling over a body and figures he has the killer. She has to find the real killer, and quickly.
March 7, 2017
I'm giving this book 4 1/2 stars. There were a few mistakes in it, but overall, the book moved quickly and the characters were interesting. I didn't know who the murderer was, so that's bonus points for the author.
Melanie (or Mel, as she prefers) was a reporter who now has her own landscaping/planting business. She and her brother, are in involved with a court proceeding involving the family farm. A neighbor, they both dislike, has informed them after their parents had died that their parents had agreed to sell him their farm by verbal agreement. This neighbor is found murdered in their barn. Mel decides she needs to investigate if she's going to get her brother off the murder charge. There a lot of questions that branch out to keep the reader from figuring out who the evil doer is.
This is small town Iowa at it's best with the usual going ons in a small town. The author does a great job setting up her town and the interesting cast of characters that populate it.
I received an ARC of this book. My review is my opinion only.
Melanie (or Mel, as she prefers) was a reporter who now has her own landscaping/planting business. She and her brother, are in involved with a court proceeding involving the family farm. A neighbor, they both dislike, has informed them after their parents had died that their parents had agreed to sell him their farm by verbal agreement. This neighbor is found murdered in their barn. Mel decides she needs to investigate if she's going to get her brother off the murder charge. There a lot of questions that branch out to keep the reader from figuring out who the evil doer is.
This is small town Iowa at it's best with the usual going ons in a small town. The author does a great job setting up her town and the interesting cast of characters that populate it.
I received an ARC of this book. My review is my opinion only.
March 5, 2017
Really enjoyed book 2 in the River's Edge series. The book had me thinking several of the townsfolk were the killer, but in the end it was a total surprise. It definitely continues to carry the small town feel with the gossip central being the diner and hardware store.
As a pet parent (owner who treats their pet like a child) it is nice to see how Melanie has become so attached to Mister Tibbs....still chuckle that it's actually a female dog.
This time there is a murder in her deceased parents vacant home. As usual, Melanie goes about trying to prove someone's innocents only to become the target of the killer.
Hope Elaine continues this story as I look forward to reading more about Melanie, Mister Tibbs, Stooper and the rest of the cast.
I received a copy of this book free from the author which had no influence on my review. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
As a pet parent (owner who treats their pet like a child) it is nice to see how Melanie has become so attached to Mister Tibbs....still chuckle that it's actually a female dog.
This time there is a murder in her deceased parents vacant home. As usual, Melanie goes about trying to prove someone's innocents only to become the target of the killer.
Hope Elaine continues this story as I look forward to reading more about Melanie, Mister Tibbs, Stooper and the rest of the cast.
I received a copy of this book free from the author which had no influence on my review. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
March 9, 2017
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review.
This was an awesome cozy mystery filled with edge of your seat suspense and page turning mystery. I couldn't put this down until I reached the last page. Definitely recommend this must read.
This was an awesome cozy mystery filled with edge of your seat suspense and page turning mystery. I couldn't put this down until I reached the last page. Definitely recommend this must read.
February 24, 2017
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honesr review.
Did I enjoy this book? Absolutely!
Since reading this book it has come to my attention that it is the second book in Elaine Orr's River's Edge series. The author provides enough background information regarding the characters and the preceeding book's storyline so that it can be enjoyed as part of her series or as a stand alone book.
The author tells a tale where the amateur sleuth, Amy Perkins, plays an active role investigating the latest crime to occur in Rivers Edge, Iowa.
The secondary characters and their relationships with Perkins are well suited to the author's story line. I would have preferred fewer characters for purely selfish reasons - too many suspects for me to solve the mystery! Each character did serve a specific purpose so my fragile ego will have to put aside its selfish wants.
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a well written "clean" cozy mystery.
Did I enjoy this book? Absolutely!
Since reading this book it has come to my attention that it is the second book in Elaine Orr's River's Edge series. The author provides enough background information regarding the characters and the preceeding book's storyline so that it can be enjoyed as part of her series or as a stand alone book.
The author tells a tale where the amateur sleuth, Amy Perkins, plays an active role investigating the latest crime to occur in Rivers Edge, Iowa.
The secondary characters and their relationships with Perkins are well suited to the author's story line. I would have preferred fewer characters for purely selfish reasons - too many suspects for me to solve the mystery! Each character did serve a specific purpose so my fragile ego will have to put aside its selfish wants.
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a well written "clean" cozy mystery.
February 12, 2017
Fun Cozy mystery, hard to put down once started. It is only the first of Elaine Orr's novels that I'll be reading.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun mystery.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun mystery.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book from ebook discovery in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderful story with well rounded characters.
Having started a new career as a gardener/landscaper Melanie is hoping that life will get back to normal soon. Of course life could never be that simple.
As if the neighbor who has claimed that her parents were going to sell their farm to him (well below market rate) before their deaths two years ago turning up dead himself in the barn now her brother is being charged with his murder. There is also the fact that someone is smuggling fireworks accross state lines and has possibly been using the barn on her parents property to store them.
This is a wonderful story with well rounded characters.
Having started a new career as a gardener/landscaper Melanie is hoping that life will get back to normal soon. Of course life could never be that simple.
As if the neighbor who has claimed that her parents were going to sell their farm to him (well below market rate) before their deaths two years ago turning up dead himself in the barn now her brother is being charged with his murder. There is also the fact that someone is smuggling fireworks accross state lines and has possibly been using the barn on her parents property to store them.
May 31, 2020
amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, cozy-mystery, murder-investigation, iowa
Twisty and with lots of suspense. Set in small town rural Iowa which, basically could be farm town anywhere. Everybody knows everyone's business, and the gossip is spread really fast. The murder victim was an unlucky opportunist, the alleged murderer a former resident with a good reason to seriously dislike the man. Plus, there's a manuscript of a mystery novel based on local events, suspicion of illegal goings on, and a deputy with an ax to grind, and some really serious hard evidence. Good reflection of rural reality and some real characters! I loved it!
I now have the audio and the reader is better than the robot but has no idea how to talk Midwestern.
Twisty and with lots of suspense. Set in small town rural Iowa which, basically could be farm town anywhere. Everybody knows everyone's business, and the gossip is spread really fast. The murder victim was an unlucky opportunist, the alleged murderer a former resident with a good reason to seriously dislike the man. Plus, there's a manuscript of a mystery novel based on local events, suspicion of illegal goings on, and a deputy with an ax to grind, and some really serious hard evidence. Good reflection of rural reality and some real characters! I loved it!
I now have the audio and the reader is better than the robot but has no idea how to talk Midwestern.
February 8, 2017
I enjoyed the characters and the setting. This was my first book by this author and I think I will look for more.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
October 11, 2021
Very interesting read. I hope to see more from this author. This series keeps you reading into the night with believable characters and settings.
March 24, 2017
Elaine L. Orr is the author the Jolie Gentile series and if you enjoyed those mysteries you will probably enjoy the River's Edge cozy series. This is book two in the series and Melanie and her brother Ambrose find a dead body on their dead parents' property. This is a man who is claiming their father agreed to sell him the property at a ridiculously low price and is taking them to court over it. So of course, they would have motive and when Ambrose is found with a bloody knife in his hand he becomes the prime suspect. Meanwhile Melanie is suspicious that her parents' barn is being used to store illegal goods --perhaps fireworks shipped in from one state over. She is determined to to prove her brother's innocence and at the same time discover just what is going on at the barn. Her dog, Mr. Tibbs accompanies her and truthfully she is my favorite character. (Yes, Mr. Tibbs is a female). I love Melanie's loyalty to her pet and her determination to find out just what is going on.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews