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An Auction Block Mystery #4
Death & the Viking's Daughter
Auctioneer Wren Morgan and her private eye fiancé Death Bogart are ready to meet the parents and settle down together. But their sleuthing days are far from over. While Death and Wren are helping prepare auction items at an old supper club, a Viking reenactor nearly dies at the historical settlement next door. The cause? Seeing the ghost of his daughter, who went missing twenty years ago.
As Wren looks into what happened to the Viking's daughter, Death is hired to investigate the theft of historical items that have high sentimental value. When their respective investigations turn out to be connected, the couple gets caught in a deadly conflict.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2018
5 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Loretta Ross
6 books167 followersLoretta Ross is a writer and historian who lives and works in rural Missouri. She is an alumna of Cottey College and holds a BA in archaeology from the University of Missouri - Columbia. She has loved mysteries since she first learned to read. Death and the Redheaded Woman will be her first published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 3, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Wren and Death (pronounced “Deeth”) are stepping up their relationship and are looking to buy a house together. Wren thinks she has found the perfect place. Just a little problem, there’s a body buried beneath the rose bushes and everyone knows it’s there. Wren is also helping to organize an auction at an old supper club, situated right next to a Viking reenactment settlement. One of the participants almost dies when he thinks he sees his daughter’s ghost. She went missing 20 years ago, it is still an open police case but with no new leads. Wren decides to try to help him with her own investigation. Death is working on his own case of a theft from a museum. It is not long before all these things start to connect. But solving all the mysteries could have deathly consequences.
Loretta Ross has created such rich characters for this series and you need to read this series from the beginning to appreciate their growth. Death and Wren have come so far since they first met, but there are still obstacles in the path forward. Obstacles they know they can work through together. Death’s PTSD is a huge hurdle but Wren loves and supports him in every way she can. Her parents finally meet him in this story and her mother especially has several concerns. The ebb and flow of this part of the story touched me as both a mom and a daughter.
I really enjoyed that all the mysteries in this series started from events in the past, 20 years ago, 40 years ago and more. Solved with newly found evidence, research, perseverance and a hastily formed plan. The author has her readers along for a fascinating ride. I was on the edge of my seat for the exciting ending which is exactly what I have come to expect from this author.
The setting of this one and the history of the supper club and how it was created in the image of an actual place was compelling. I also like the background of the Viking Settlement historic site.
I love this author’s writing style. She takes on some stirring topics but injects humor in all the right places. Her characters draw you in and the mysteries hold you tight. I read the book all in one sitting. Another thing I have come to expect from this author.
A great series and a perfect escape!
Wren and Death (pronounced “Deeth”) are stepping up their relationship and are looking to buy a house together. Wren thinks she has found the perfect place. Just a little problem, there’s a body buried beneath the rose bushes and everyone knows it’s there. Wren is also helping to organize an auction at an old supper club, situated right next to a Viking reenactment settlement. One of the participants almost dies when he thinks he sees his daughter’s ghost. She went missing 20 years ago, it is still an open police case but with no new leads. Wren decides to try to help him with her own investigation. Death is working on his own case of a theft from a museum. It is not long before all these things start to connect. But solving all the mysteries could have deathly consequences.
Loretta Ross has created such rich characters for this series and you need to read this series from the beginning to appreciate their growth. Death and Wren have come so far since they first met, but there are still obstacles in the path forward. Obstacles they know they can work through together. Death’s PTSD is a huge hurdle but Wren loves and supports him in every way she can. Her parents finally meet him in this story and her mother especially has several concerns. The ebb and flow of this part of the story touched me as both a mom and a daughter.
I really enjoyed that all the mysteries in this series started from events in the past, 20 years ago, 40 years ago and more. Solved with newly found evidence, research, perseverance and a hastily formed plan. The author has her readers along for a fascinating ride. I was on the edge of my seat for the exciting ending which is exactly what I have come to expect from this author.
The setting of this one and the history of the supper club and how it was created in the image of an actual place was compelling. I also like the background of the Viking Settlement historic site.
I love this author’s writing style. She takes on some stirring topics but injects humor in all the right places. Her characters draw you in and the mysteries hold you tight. I read the book all in one sitting. Another thing I have come to expect from this author.
A great series and a perfect escape!
March 30, 2018
Wren and Death return for another fun mystery. Death is investigating the counterfeiting of a minor work of art while Wren pokes her nose into the disappearance of a young woman at a renaissance fair more than 40 years earlier.
Adding to their problems, having heard about Wren's engagement to Death, her parents have called in for a visit and they're anything but impressed with him.
The Auction Block mysteries aren't particularly surprising. Honestly they're not particularly original. What they have going for them is great characters and that's what makes these books just a little better than the competition.
Adding to their problems, having heard about Wren's engagement to Death, her parents have called in for a visit and they're anything but impressed with him.
The Auction Block mysteries aren't particularly surprising. Honestly they're not particularly original. What they have going for them is great characters and that's what makes these books just a little better than the competition.
February 3, 2018
I first heard of this series when Angela @ Simply Angela's blog reviewed book one and then I saw the books praised on a few different blogs. I caught sight of this latest release in the Auction Block mystery series and decided to give it a go.
Death and the Viking's Daughter worked fine standalone in many ways, but I can see that this series is one the builds on the installments before it. Death and Wren's relationship, their healing over their separate troubled past issues, intro to regular series characters and situations... it all develops as it goes. I got the recap in this one, but I definitely want to go back to the beginning- meet the characters where they were back then and see them come along even while getting a fun mystery.
I'm terribly interested in getting the beginning because I was struck by the depth and humanity of Ross' characters. Death is a combat Marine, discharged for health reasons, suffering from PTSD, had his wife leave him because being married in the military is tough and other issues she had going, and the man having thought all his family was gone. He hit bottom after the service and was living alone and out of his car. But now... the resilient, calm and capable, but still working to get better man is farther along the path.
And alongside Death (pronounced 'Deeth' by the by) is Wren. Wren had to get past a failed engagement when her fiance finally told the truth about being gay and using her as a beard, but he couldn't keep lying because he truly cared for her just not in the way she needed. Small town; big uproar. Wren has trust issues. But she picks up the pieces and finds her way as an auction house worker.
I have not seen such well drawn characters even for the lead detective in a cozy mystery series before and I was splendidly in raptures over this.
And, the other fabulous thing about these books is the historical and archeological connections that lead to the mysteries. Because of Wren's work with a (colorful and eccentric, yet warmhearted) family owned auction business, they encounter old artifacts, quirky old places, historical settings, and people in the fields of historical study. In this one, as can be surmised from the title, the focus is a little on Viking history. It was all cleverly woven into the mystery plot. I learned several details about the Vikings that I was unaware so I ended up like Death's younger brother, Randy, just bummed that the term' Viking' wasn't what the called themselves, but what they went out doing since it's a verb form meaning 'raiding', that the great dragon head masts of the longboats was not for real, that Vikings didn't wear those horned helmets, and that women, though definitely leaders in their own right, didn't become Viking warriors like I thought. Yes, Randy and I were bummed to learn all that, but also fascinated.
I suppose I should actually discuss the book I did read and not just the series in general. Death and the Viking's Daughter offered several plot threads that were all very engaging. Death is working a forged art case for his PI business, Wren is doing an auction at the old supper club by the lake near the Viking re-enactment group where a woman went missing. They are house hunting and both like a home that has a John Doe named 'Bob' buried in its rose bed. And, Death gets to finally meet the in-laws who are wary of him for their daughter.
The story flipped scenes abruptly at times, but I had no trouble keeping track of the various threads or whose point of view I was getting. The pace was good and all the elements eventually found their way together. The mysteries are not tough to solve, but there were still some good twists and a thrilling moment. I found the sum of the parts a great weave rather than any particular elements standing out as stronger or weaker.
In summary, I'm hooked and I'll definitely be going forward as well as snagging the series back list.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Death and the Viking's Daughter worked fine standalone in many ways, but I can see that this series is one the builds on the installments before it. Death and Wren's relationship, their healing over their separate troubled past issues, intro to regular series characters and situations... it all develops as it goes. I got the recap in this one, but I definitely want to go back to the beginning- meet the characters where they were back then and see them come along even while getting a fun mystery.
I'm terribly interested in getting the beginning because I was struck by the depth and humanity of Ross' characters. Death is a combat Marine, discharged for health reasons, suffering from PTSD, had his wife leave him because being married in the military is tough and other issues she had going, and the man having thought all his family was gone. He hit bottom after the service and was living alone and out of his car. But now... the resilient, calm and capable, but still working to get better man is farther along the path.
And alongside Death (pronounced 'Deeth' by the by) is Wren. Wren had to get past a failed engagement when her fiance finally told the truth about being gay and using her as a beard, but he couldn't keep lying because he truly cared for her just not in the way she needed. Small town; big uproar. Wren has trust issues. But she picks up the pieces and finds her way as an auction house worker.
I have not seen such well drawn characters even for the lead detective in a cozy mystery series before and I was splendidly in raptures over this.
And, the other fabulous thing about these books is the historical and archeological connections that lead to the mysteries. Because of Wren's work with a (colorful and eccentric, yet warmhearted) family owned auction business, they encounter old artifacts, quirky old places, historical settings, and people in the fields of historical study. In this one, as can be surmised from the title, the focus is a little on Viking history. It was all cleverly woven into the mystery plot. I learned several details about the Vikings that I was unaware so I ended up like Death's younger brother, Randy, just bummed that the term' Viking' wasn't what the called themselves, but what they went out doing since it's a verb form meaning 'raiding', that the great dragon head masts of the longboats was not for real, that Vikings didn't wear those horned helmets, and that women, though definitely leaders in their own right, didn't become Viking warriors like I thought. Yes, Randy and I were bummed to learn all that, but also fascinated.
I suppose I should actually discuss the book I did read and not just the series in general. Death and the Viking's Daughter offered several plot threads that were all very engaging. Death is working a forged art case for his PI business, Wren is doing an auction at the old supper club by the lake near the Viking re-enactment group where a woman went missing. They are house hunting and both like a home that has a John Doe named 'Bob' buried in its rose bed. And, Death gets to finally meet the in-laws who are wary of him for their daughter.
The story flipped scenes abruptly at times, but I had no trouble keeping track of the various threads or whose point of view I was getting. The pace was good and all the elements eventually found their way together. The mysteries are not tough to solve, but there were still some good twists and a thrilling moment. I found the sum of the parts a great weave rather than any particular elements standing out as stronger or weaker.
In summary, I'm hooked and I'll definitely be going forward as well as snagging the series back list.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2018
This is the first book I've read in this series.
While it was interesting, I think I would need to read the series in order.
I had a difficult time following the characters.
My only other problem was remembering that Death was pronounced Deeth, and it made me irritated having to remember that.
I was interested in the plot and the book was well written. I will read it again once I've read the others first.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
While it was interesting, I think I would need to read the series in order.
I had a difficult time following the characters.
My only other problem was remembering that Death was pronounced Deeth, and it made me irritated having to remember that.
I was interested in the plot and the book was well written. I will read it again once I've read the others first.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
February 28, 2019
I have loved this series since the first book, and not one book has let me down in being a great read - this installment was no different. I love this!
Wren and Death are super characters. They are smart and resourceful and very, very likable. So are all the other people in their lives. This book we got to meet Wren's parents and they are just as fun and likable as the other characters.
The murder investigations are always well conceived and this one was as well. I don't think these are terribly difficult to figure out, but that isn't where the charm and cleverness of this series lies. The humour, the cultural references - we get Scooby Doo in this book! - and the fun interplay among the various characters is what keeps me coming back to this series. I am quite certain, based on how she writes, that I would love the author of these books a lot.
There is just a cleverness, charm and sweet fun to these books that makes them a simple joy to read. I hope Loretta Ross has plans for more adventures for Wren and Death, because I will keep reading as long as she keeps writing. Definitely one of my favourite series, and one I highly recommend!!
Wren and Death are super characters. They are smart and resourceful and very, very likable. So are all the other people in their lives. This book we got to meet Wren's parents and they are just as fun and likable as the other characters.
The murder investigations are always well conceived and this one was as well. I don't think these are terribly difficult to figure out, but that isn't where the charm and cleverness of this series lies. The humour, the cultural references - we get Scooby Doo in this book! - and the fun interplay among the various characters is what keeps me coming back to this series. I am quite certain, based on how she writes, that I would love the author of these books a lot.
There is just a cleverness, charm and sweet fun to these books that makes them a simple joy to read. I hope Loretta Ross has plans for more adventures for Wren and Death, because I will keep reading as long as she keeps writing. Definitely one of my favourite series, and one I highly recommend!!
May 22, 2018
Another good one in the series! I love the connection between not only Wren and Death, but his brother as well. This one has Wren and Death looking for and finding their dream house. Of course the one main thing that everyone mentions is that there's a John Doe (aka Bob) body buried in the rose bushes. Being a private detective, someone brings up that they could possibly work on figuring out who it is. While Wren does her auction thing and Death does his detecting thing, their lives/cases run together for an absolutely thrilling mystery. I loved reading about the history parts and had to look up some of the stuff to see if it was real.
Fun story that I really enjoyed and really hope there's more to come!!!
Fun story that I really enjoyed and really hope there's more to come!!!
December 6, 2020
Quite charming, intelligent, funny and a little goofy!
Wren Morgan is an auctioneer. Her fiance' is Death Bogart and is a private investigator.
Wren is doing inventory on an old supper club to get it ready for sale. Next store is a Viking Village re-enactment settlement.
One of the Viking re-enactors nearly dies the first day that Wren is doing the inventory for the supper club.
Wren starts to investigate the disappearance of the Viking's daughter some years earlier.
Death is working on a case of a painting that got lost, and came back forged.
The two investigations end up with a connection.
ONe of the most original cozy mysteries I have read. Enjoyed it!
Wren Morgan is an auctioneer. Her fiance' is Death Bogart and is a private investigator.
Wren is doing inventory on an old supper club to get it ready for sale. Next store is a Viking Village re-enactment settlement.
One of the Viking re-enactors nearly dies the first day that Wren is doing the inventory for the supper club.
Wren starts to investigate the disappearance of the Viking's daughter some years earlier.
Death is working on a case of a painting that got lost, and came back forged.
The two investigations end up with a connection.
ONe of the most original cozy mysteries I have read. Enjoyed it!
October 23, 2017
Ex-Marine private eye Death (prounounced "Deeth") Bogart and auctioneer Wren Morgan are ready to move in together, settle down and get married. So in between working, they're house-hunting when they can, and Wren thinks she's found the perfect home for the two of them. Perfect - except for the body in the rosebushes...
But it is nearing Thanksgiving, and Wren has a job to do; and it means cataloging the contents of an abandoned old supper club which will be auctioned off by her employers, the Keystone Brothers. While in the process of doing so, she hears what sounds like a call for help, and finds two of the Keystones' grandchildren with a man who has apparently suffered a heart attack.
It turns out the man was struck suddenly when he saw the apparition of his missing daughter in the boat house on the supper club property. The young girl disappeared many years ago in the 70's and Niels Larsen has never given up hope that he will find his daughter Ingrid alive.
While the present owner of the home explains away the presence of "Bob," the unknown man buried there, Wren's natural curiosity takes over and she wants to know more about him. Of course, she goes right to her friend and employers, the Keystones, who seem to know something about everything going on in East Bledsoe. She also wants to know more about the missing girl when ragged clothing stained with what appears to be blood is found in the boat house.
Meanwhile, Death has been hired to find out how an oil painting, protected 24/7 at a gallery, was able to be replaced with a forgery. What makes it so odd is that the painting wasn't even very valuable in a monetary form, but had sentimental value for the owner.
To make things more complicated, Wren, having informed her parents of her engagement, expects them to be happy and supportive; but her mother has serious misgivings - especially while overhearing a potentially sensitive conversation by Death's ex-wife Madeline. It makes her suspicious of the man her daughter's chosen to wed, and she's not happy about the situation at all.
But it isn't until several random facts seem to tie everything together that makes an already confusing situation even more complicated; but the real mystery is how to find the proof to permanently connect it all...
This is the fourth book in the Auction Block Mysteries, following Death and the Gravedigger's Angel. Once again, Ms. Ross has enacted for us another intriguing mystery; this time centering around stolen artwork, invaluable artifacts, and the disappearance of an historical reenactor. She has intertwined the stories seamlessly, so that each one, while at first seeming to have no connection to the next, is linked softly and almost imperceptibly. By the time the fragments are pieced together, the story has come to a logical conclusion that shows the author has a talent for taking multiple story lines and uniting them as one.
I enjoyed this book no end, and loved the interaction between the characters, showing us the love and protection that Wren and Death feel for each other, both willing to do whatever it takes to keep the other safe. There is no saccharine behavior between the two; but the love is still felt, still palpable and real. It does take a while to warm up to Wren's mother Emily; but I liked her father much more quickly; he seemed that while a quiet man, he watched for signs and listened, while her mother was completely opposite. However, many marriages are built on this and quite happy indeed.
The story behind the disappearance of Ingrid was a tad more interesting to me, although I, too, wondered why anyone would want what seemed to be others' mere junk. When all is said and done, we may never know how far people will go to achieve their ends; and that one's idea of right and wrong can be convoluted in someone's mind.
When the book was finished I found myself sorry it had ended so soon, as I enjoy spending time in the company of this group of friends and family. Everything came together nicely, and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
But it is nearing Thanksgiving, and Wren has a job to do; and it means cataloging the contents of an abandoned old supper club which will be auctioned off by her employers, the Keystone Brothers. While in the process of doing so, she hears what sounds like a call for help, and finds two of the Keystones' grandchildren with a man who has apparently suffered a heart attack.
It turns out the man was struck suddenly when he saw the apparition of his missing daughter in the boat house on the supper club property. The young girl disappeared many years ago in the 70's and Niels Larsen has never given up hope that he will find his daughter Ingrid alive.
While the present owner of the home explains away the presence of "Bob," the unknown man buried there, Wren's natural curiosity takes over and she wants to know more about him. Of course, she goes right to her friend and employers, the Keystones, who seem to know something about everything going on in East Bledsoe. She also wants to know more about the missing girl when ragged clothing stained with what appears to be blood is found in the boat house.
Meanwhile, Death has been hired to find out how an oil painting, protected 24/7 at a gallery, was able to be replaced with a forgery. What makes it so odd is that the painting wasn't even very valuable in a monetary form, but had sentimental value for the owner.
To make things more complicated, Wren, having informed her parents of her engagement, expects them to be happy and supportive; but her mother has serious misgivings - especially while overhearing a potentially sensitive conversation by Death's ex-wife Madeline. It makes her suspicious of the man her daughter's chosen to wed, and she's not happy about the situation at all.
But it isn't until several random facts seem to tie everything together that makes an already confusing situation even more complicated; but the real mystery is how to find the proof to permanently connect it all...
This is the fourth book in the Auction Block Mysteries, following Death and the Gravedigger's Angel. Once again, Ms. Ross has enacted for us another intriguing mystery; this time centering around stolen artwork, invaluable artifacts, and the disappearance of an historical reenactor. She has intertwined the stories seamlessly, so that each one, while at first seeming to have no connection to the next, is linked softly and almost imperceptibly. By the time the fragments are pieced together, the story has come to a logical conclusion that shows the author has a talent for taking multiple story lines and uniting them as one.
I enjoyed this book no end, and loved the interaction between the characters, showing us the love and protection that Wren and Death feel for each other, both willing to do whatever it takes to keep the other safe. There is no saccharine behavior between the two; but the love is still felt, still palpable and real. It does take a while to warm up to Wren's mother Emily; but I liked her father much more quickly; he seemed that while a quiet man, he watched for signs and listened, while her mother was completely opposite. However, many marriages are built on this and quite happy indeed.
The story behind the disappearance of Ingrid was a tad more interesting to me, although I, too, wondered why anyone would want what seemed to be others' mere junk. When all is said and done, we may never know how far people will go to achieve their ends; and that one's idea of right and wrong can be convoluted in someone's mind.
When the book was finished I found myself sorry it had ended so soon, as I enjoy spending time in the company of this group of friends and family. Everything came together nicely, and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2018
The ending of the last book gave just enough of a tease that left me itching for this mystery and when I received the ARC, I read it in one sitting. Yeah, when these are in book form rather than audio form, they don’t last very long.
Like the mysteries in previous books, this too centered had a bit of an historical bend to it. Death has been hired to look into a forged painting that’s value is more sentimental than monetary. Along the way, he discovers that several historic items with sentimental value have been replaced with forgeries. While he’s been sorting out his mystery, Wren makes a discovery of her own in the form of a blood-caked costume like the Viking’s daughter was last seen wearing. As they continue their investigations, they soon realize the two are connected.
I really enjoyed watching Wren and Death settle into their relationship. They’re still working through some issues. Death’s still getting a handle on his PTSD and he’s worried about sharing such a close space with Wren. He also has the new complication of meeting Wren’s parents. Wren’s dealing with her mother questioning whether she makes the best relationship choices given her last fiancé came out as gay. I just loved watching them grow in their relationship. They’ve finally found their footing and I’m so thrilled for them.
The mystery was a bit different in this one and I enjoyed that she changed up the formula while keeping true to the series. Like the previous books, there are several threads to the mystery and while I had an inkling about some things, I was surprised by the ending.
The secondary characters are just amazing. The entire Keystone brood just makes me smile. They’re a bit kooky at times but so entertaining and lovable. They bring so much heart to this series. Then there’s Randy, Death’s brother, he’s bit over the top but such fun and always there for Death and Wren. This is the first time Wren’s parents made an appearance and I enjoyed them, they added a nice touch.
Although this one is labeled as a cozy mystery, it’s has so much more depth to it and it brings so many serious issues to light and I like how she incorporates the hard-hitting issues with the lightness and humor of the characters without diminishing seriousness of the issues.
Overall, this one is another great addition to the Auction Block Mystery series. It has a bit of everything history, mystery, romance, serious issues, and comedy. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Wren and Death.
Like the mysteries in previous books, this too centered had a bit of an historical bend to it. Death has been hired to look into a forged painting that’s value is more sentimental than monetary. Along the way, he discovers that several historic items with sentimental value have been replaced with forgeries. While he’s been sorting out his mystery, Wren makes a discovery of her own in the form of a blood-caked costume like the Viking’s daughter was last seen wearing. As they continue their investigations, they soon realize the two are connected.
I really enjoyed watching Wren and Death settle into their relationship. They’re still working through some issues. Death’s still getting a handle on his PTSD and he’s worried about sharing such a close space with Wren. He also has the new complication of meeting Wren’s parents. Wren’s dealing with her mother questioning whether she makes the best relationship choices given her last fiancé came out as gay. I just loved watching them grow in their relationship. They’ve finally found their footing and I’m so thrilled for them.
The mystery was a bit different in this one and I enjoyed that she changed up the formula while keeping true to the series. Like the previous books, there are several threads to the mystery and while I had an inkling about some things, I was surprised by the ending.
The secondary characters are just amazing. The entire Keystone brood just makes me smile. They’re a bit kooky at times but so entertaining and lovable. They bring so much heart to this series. Then there’s Randy, Death’s brother, he’s bit over the top but such fun and always there for Death and Wren. This is the first time Wren’s parents made an appearance and I enjoyed them, they added a nice touch.
Although this one is labeled as a cozy mystery, it’s has so much more depth to it and it brings so many serious issues to light and I like how she incorporates the hard-hitting issues with the lightness and humor of the characters without diminishing seriousness of the issues.
Overall, this one is another great addition to the Auction Block Mystery series. It has a bit of everything history, mystery, romance, serious issues, and comedy. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Wren and Death.
January 21, 2018
Wren has called her parents and invited them for Thanksgiving. She wants them to meet Death (pronounced Deeth) because they are engaged. Obligingly they come right away. Both parents trying to decide how they feel about this stranger marrying their only daughter. While father, Edgar, and mother, Emily, checked Death out (and learned about the ex-wife and son that someone wasn't paying child support for) Death went about his business unknowing the scrutiny he was under.
Death is a PI, and he is on a case about a painting stolen from a museum, and the painting was neither valuable nor by a well known artist. Along the way he connects a lot of dots about other stolen items as well. Meanwhile Wren is working with the Keystone Auction company preparing for a sale at an old supper club. Odd thing was, this supper club was modeled after one in Cincinnati that burned down, killing 166 people. The property next to the supper club is a Viking reenactment settlement. In the late 1970's, the daughter of a reenactment member thought he saw his daughter's ghost near the supper club. She went missing from a Renaissance Fair in the Cincinnati area and was never heard from again.
While all this is being presented to the reader, we also learn of a house Wren has found to buy that has an unknown man's body buried in the rosebushes. Talk about a fascinating book with so many unrelated and unusual stories. This is the fourth book in the series by Loretta Ross, and lives up to the excitement and fascinating historical background that cemented my interest in the series during the first book.
The characters in the series have that appealing down to earth attitude found so often in small communities like theirs. While they know so much about each of the other people living in the area, it is ingenious how it all fits together to make a story that is almost impossible to put down once you start reading it. As the books progress, we get to know the main characters and watch them blossom.
I can't recommend this series enough. Read the books in the order they were written and savor them. Death and the Viking's Daughter is proof that some authors and series just get better and better.
Death is a PI, and he is on a case about a painting stolen from a museum, and the painting was neither valuable nor by a well known artist. Along the way he connects a lot of dots about other stolen items as well. Meanwhile Wren is working with the Keystone Auction company preparing for a sale at an old supper club. Odd thing was, this supper club was modeled after one in Cincinnati that burned down, killing 166 people. The property next to the supper club is a Viking reenactment settlement. In the late 1970's, the daughter of a reenactment member thought he saw his daughter's ghost near the supper club. She went missing from a Renaissance Fair in the Cincinnati area and was never heard from again.
While all this is being presented to the reader, we also learn of a house Wren has found to buy that has an unknown man's body buried in the rosebushes. Talk about a fascinating book with so many unrelated and unusual stories. This is the fourth book in the series by Loretta Ross, and lives up to the excitement and fascinating historical background that cemented my interest in the series during the first book.
The characters in the series have that appealing down to earth attitude found so often in small communities like theirs. While they know so much about each of the other people living in the area, it is ingenious how it all fits together to make a story that is almost impossible to put down once you start reading it. As the books progress, we get to know the main characters and watch them blossom.
I can't recommend this series enough. Read the books in the order they were written and savor them. Death and the Viking's Daughter is proof that some authors and series just get better and better.
September 15, 2017
4 stars
Wren Morgan and her fiancée Death Bogart are house hunting. They find one they really like. When telling people they are interested in the house, everyone says the same thing, “You know there’s a body buried in the garden?” This is very amusing.
Next to the place where Wren and her auction company are conducting and auction is a Viking re-enactment camp. One of its members thinks he spots his long lost daughter at the river. He falls and injures himself. Wren takes an interest in the disappearance of the daughter.
At the same time, private eye Death takes on a case of a years-old forgery of an artwork that was just discovered. Upon speaking with friends, Death learns that there were a few other forgeries of items that were not worth a lot monetarily but of a great sentimental value for its owners. Death solves the forged painting case quickly and efficiently. Death gets called back into the forgery case. It seems the guys who stole the painting were anonymously hired and the owner wants to know who they are. Death follows the clues and come to a conclusion. He knows who the suspect and thief is.
Death and Wren have taken an interest in the unidentified skeleton found in the woods. Death goes to the sheriff’s office to see the reconstruction of the face and look at the file. This is the “Bob” that is buried in the garden. After investigating and making some connections, Death puts together who the skeleton victim was and the circumstances of how he came to be in the woods. An arrest is made and a daughter is found.
I like the way the book is written with a tongue-in-cheek humor. It is very well written and plotted. It was written in a linear fashion and with a slow and easy manner. It is a very good book and I truly enjoyed it. This is my first Loretta Ross novel, but it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to have a look at her other books.
I want to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book to read and enjoy.
Wren Morgan and her fiancée Death Bogart are house hunting. They find one they really like. When telling people they are interested in the house, everyone says the same thing, “You know there’s a body buried in the garden?” This is very amusing.
Next to the place where Wren and her auction company are conducting and auction is a Viking re-enactment camp. One of its members thinks he spots his long lost daughter at the river. He falls and injures himself. Wren takes an interest in the disappearance of the daughter.
At the same time, private eye Death takes on a case of a years-old forgery of an artwork that was just discovered. Upon speaking with friends, Death learns that there were a few other forgeries of items that were not worth a lot monetarily but of a great sentimental value for its owners. Death solves the forged painting case quickly and efficiently. Death gets called back into the forgery case. It seems the guys who stole the painting were anonymously hired and the owner wants to know who they are. Death follows the clues and come to a conclusion. He knows who the suspect and thief is.
Death and Wren have taken an interest in the unidentified skeleton found in the woods. Death goes to the sheriff’s office to see the reconstruction of the face and look at the file. This is the “Bob” that is buried in the garden. After investigating and making some connections, Death puts together who the skeleton victim was and the circumstances of how he came to be in the woods. An arrest is made and a daughter is found.
I like the way the book is written with a tongue-in-cheek humor. It is very well written and plotted. It was written in a linear fashion and with a slow and easy manner. It is a very good book and I truly enjoyed it. This is my first Loretta Ross novel, but it won’t be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to have a look at her other books.
I want to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book to read and enjoy.
April 7, 2018
I saw that someone else had read this & given it a good review so I thought I'd try it. What I didn't know was it is # 4 or #5 in a series that begins with the name Death (pronounced Deeth), so once again I'm ROOing.
What I also realized when I put the other books in the series on hold, is each book's title begins with "Death", and then I had an "Ah...." moment, because I would have sworn that Death's fiancée, Wren, was the main character.
Death & Wren are looking for a new home together as they are planning on getting married. Both like the home Sandburg, which is infamous for the body "Bob" buried in the rose garden. When the Sandburg home was slated to be destroyed by rising waters of a proposed dam, the only way to save it, was for the land to have a graveyard on it.... The County Sheriff had a cold case & unidentified bones, so Myrna Sandburg gave the bones a burial & a stone in her rose garden, thus a "graveyard".
Wren is also working on auctioning off the land, building & contents of the defunct Ozark Hills Supper Club, which was the exact copy of another famous supper club in Kentucky that burned to the ground, when a member of the Viking reenactment group falls off a bridge after seeing what he believes is the ghost of his long lost daughter. The ghost turns out to be two children dressed up in a costume they found above the also defunct yacht club, which belonged to the missing young woman, but is now covered in dried blood.
Adding to the excitement is Death's investigation into a forgery of a painting, which expands to a forged piece of pottery & forged gold coins... all related to the local Viking families & the former owner of the supper club.
The book was light reading and it held my interest. The characters were mostly believable & fun. The manner in which the author connected the dots & tied everything together was neatly written and not wildly unbelievable....
Needless to say, I ordered the others in the series & will begin at the beginning.
What I also realized when I put the other books in the series on hold, is each book's title begins with "Death", and then I had an "Ah...." moment, because I would have sworn that Death's fiancée, Wren, was the main character.
Death & Wren are looking for a new home together as they are planning on getting married. Both like the home Sandburg, which is infamous for the body "Bob" buried in the rose garden. When the Sandburg home was slated to be destroyed by rising waters of a proposed dam, the only way to save it, was for the land to have a graveyard on it.... The County Sheriff had a cold case & unidentified bones, so Myrna Sandburg gave the bones a burial & a stone in her rose garden, thus a "graveyard".
Wren is also working on auctioning off the land, building & contents of the defunct Ozark Hills Supper Club, which was the exact copy of another famous supper club in Kentucky that burned to the ground, when a member of the Viking reenactment group falls off a bridge after seeing what he believes is the ghost of his long lost daughter. The ghost turns out to be two children dressed up in a costume they found above the also defunct yacht club, which belonged to the missing young woman, but is now covered in dried blood.
Adding to the excitement is Death's investigation into a forgery of a painting, which expands to a forged piece of pottery & forged gold coins... all related to the local Viking families & the former owner of the supper club.
The book was light reading and it held my interest. The characters were mostly believable & fun. The manner in which the author connected the dots & tied everything together was neatly written and not wildly unbelievable....
Needless to say, I ordered the others in the series & will begin at the beginning.
February 15, 2018
This is the fourth book in the series and I would encourage reading them in order. That way all of the back story is known. But, if you are new to the series and like the sound of this one, it can be read as a stand alone - it just won't have as much depth of character development.
Wren is an auctioneer in the MidWest and has become engaged to a Marine vet, Death (pronounced Deeth) Bogart who is now a private investigator. Adding to her busy life are her extended family and friends. Her parents are traveling the country but head home to join her for Thanksgiving. Before that celebration, while organizing an auction, she comes to the aid of an elderly gentleman who has collapsed from what, at first blush, seems to be a heart attack. The cause is shock over seeing what he thinks is the ghost of his missing daughter. She was last seen in the late 1970's - she just vanished. As the whole family are Viking re-enactors, she is the title character.
I don't want to give too much away about the mystery or the continuation of Wren and Death's relationship but I will say that I would love to meet her parents and Death's brother, Randy. Heck, I would like to have all of them as friends.
The pace of the mystery is slow in the best way and the story and clues play fair with the reader. Great character development and some very funny bits. I can't say more because I don't want to spoil it. But trust me, you will smile a lot.
I will not hesitate to read all future entries in this series.
My thanks to the publisher Midnight Ink and to NetGalley for giving me an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wren is an auctioneer in the MidWest and has become engaged to a Marine vet, Death (pronounced Deeth) Bogart who is now a private investigator. Adding to her busy life are her extended family and friends. Her parents are traveling the country but head home to join her for Thanksgiving. Before that celebration, while organizing an auction, she comes to the aid of an elderly gentleman who has collapsed from what, at first blush, seems to be a heart attack. The cause is shock over seeing what he thinks is the ghost of his missing daughter. She was last seen in the late 1970's - she just vanished. As the whole family are Viking re-enactors, she is the title character.
I don't want to give too much away about the mystery or the continuation of Wren and Death's relationship but I will say that I would love to meet her parents and Death's brother, Randy. Heck, I would like to have all of them as friends.
The pace of the mystery is slow in the best way and the story and clues play fair with the reader. Great character development and some very funny bits. I can't say more because I don't want to spoil it. But trust me, you will smile a lot.
I will not hesitate to read all future entries in this series.
My thanks to the publisher Midnight Ink and to NetGalley for giving me an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2018
This is the fourth in the Auction Block series but I haven't read any of the others. While I have some questions that weren't answered in this one, it does stand alone quite well.
Death Bogart is a private investigator. This was not his first choice of career but a roadside bomb when he was a Marine in Afghanistan changed his career path and left him with severely diminished lung capacity. Wren Morgan is an auctioneer with they Keystone family.
Death's latest case has him trying to discover who forged a not-very-valuable painting and steel it from the museum where it has lived for many years. Meanwhile, Wren is working on organizing items for an auction at a long-defunct supper club. The supper club happens to be next door to land owned by Viking reenactors. One of the reenactors had his 17-year-old daughter disappear without a trace in 1973 but thinks he saw her, or her ghost, at the supper club.
Wren and Death have just become engaged and are house hunting. Wren finds a possibility that would work for them and which has, as its claim to fame, a body buried in the rose garden. The body had been found in the woods in the 1980s and had never been identified or claimed.
Somehow, these three threads - the missing art, the missing daughter, and the unidentified body - come together into one satisfying mystery. I liked Death and his relationship with his brother Randy. I liked Wren and her relationship with her parents. I thought the mystery was well-done and interesting.
Fans of cozies will enjoy this book and this series.
Death Bogart is a private investigator. This was not his first choice of career but a roadside bomb when he was a Marine in Afghanistan changed his career path and left him with severely diminished lung capacity. Wren Morgan is an auctioneer with they Keystone family.
Death's latest case has him trying to discover who forged a not-very-valuable painting and steel it from the museum where it has lived for many years. Meanwhile, Wren is working on organizing items for an auction at a long-defunct supper club. The supper club happens to be next door to land owned by Viking reenactors. One of the reenactors had his 17-year-old daughter disappear without a trace in 1973 but thinks he saw her, or her ghost, at the supper club.
Wren and Death have just become engaged and are house hunting. Wren finds a possibility that would work for them and which has, as its claim to fame, a body buried in the rose garden. The body had been found in the woods in the 1980s and had never been identified or claimed.
Somehow, these three threads - the missing art, the missing daughter, and the unidentified body - come together into one satisfying mystery. I liked Death and his relationship with his brother Randy. I liked Wren and her relationship with her parents. I thought the mystery was well-done and interesting.
Fans of cozies will enjoy this book and this series.
March 25, 2019
Auctioneer Wren Morgan with her fellow workers is preparing for an auction of a strange night club that was constructed on the plans of a Cincinnati nightclub that was the scene of a disastrous fire. A small level of nervousness is apparent.
At about the same time, her fiancé Death (pronounced Deeth) Bogart is tasked by a museum director to look into an apparent theft of a painting, a painting worth more to the owners due to the subject than for its artistic merit.
While preparing the site for the coming auction, a resident collapses upon seeing a figure in the nearby woods who looks like his long-missing daughter. Meanwhile, Wren and Death (pronounced Deeth) are looking for a home to buy. They find one at the end of a roadway not far away where a man, name unknown, is buried beneath rosebushes in the yard.
Get the picture? This is not a complicated mystery, but it has several threads that are cleverly woven together in this carefully and very well-written novel. Eventually all these threads will come together, along with tension-filled meetings between Wren and Death’s parent groups.
The tranquil setting becomes well-used as a foil against the tension that builds up. Private investigator Death Bogart wends his careful way through a variety of interesting experiences all while worrying about presenting a positive image to his about-to-be in-laws. A fun and intriguing novel that I recommend especially for those readers who are not wedded to intense and brutal violence on the page.
At about the same time, her fiancé Death (pronounced Deeth) Bogart is tasked by a museum director to look into an apparent theft of a painting, a painting worth more to the owners due to the subject than for its artistic merit.
While preparing the site for the coming auction, a resident collapses upon seeing a figure in the nearby woods who looks like his long-missing daughter. Meanwhile, Wren and Death (pronounced Deeth) are looking for a home to buy. They find one at the end of a roadway not far away where a man, name unknown, is buried beneath rosebushes in the yard.
Get the picture? This is not a complicated mystery, but it has several threads that are cleverly woven together in this carefully and very well-written novel. Eventually all these threads will come together, along with tension-filled meetings between Wren and Death’s parent groups.
The tranquil setting becomes well-used as a foil against the tension that builds up. Private investigator Death Bogart wends his careful way through a variety of interesting experiences all while worrying about presenting a positive image to his about-to-be in-laws. A fun and intriguing novel that I recommend especially for those readers who are not wedded to intense and brutal violence on the page.
March 9, 2018
3 stars
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is the fourth book in this series. I haven't read the first 3 books, but I didn't feel too lost. The author provides enough backstory for the reader to figure out the history of the main characters. Wren is an auctioneer and her fiancé Death (pronounced Deeth) is a private investigator. They are ready for Death to meet Wren's parents and settle down in a new house together. The company Wren works for is preparing to auction items from an old supper club in the woods near a Viking reenactment camp. One day they run into an elderly man that nearly dies after he sees what he believes is the ghost of his long-lost daughter.
Meanwhile Death is hired to investigate the theft of several art pieces with no real monetary value, but high sentimental value. When both mysteries appear to be entwined, the couple find themselves in the middle of a dangerous situation.
I grew up in Missouri, so it was fun to see locations that I was familiar with in the story. The story was ok for a cozy mystery. The characters are very nice and kind of corny, the storyline is not overly complicated and the book has a predictable, happy ending. The book is a fun, fluffy quick read.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is the fourth book in this series. I haven't read the first 3 books, but I didn't feel too lost. The author provides enough backstory for the reader to figure out the history of the main characters. Wren is an auctioneer and her fiancé Death (pronounced Deeth) is a private investigator. They are ready for Death to meet Wren's parents and settle down in a new house together. The company Wren works for is preparing to auction items from an old supper club in the woods near a Viking reenactment camp. One day they run into an elderly man that nearly dies after he sees what he believes is the ghost of his long-lost daughter.
Meanwhile Death is hired to investigate the theft of several art pieces with no real monetary value, but high sentimental value. When both mysteries appear to be entwined, the couple find themselves in the middle of a dangerous situation.
I grew up in Missouri, so it was fun to see locations that I was familiar with in the story. The story was ok for a cozy mystery. The characters are very nice and kind of corny, the storyline is not overly complicated and the book has a predictable, happy ending. The book is a fun, fluffy quick read.
December 17, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy to read (although I am late with my review).
I read the 'Death and the Redheaded Woman', the first in this series, and loved it. I didn't realise this was the fourth in the series (already!) but enjoyed it immensely nonetheless. This time, Death and Wren et al are searching for someone who is stealing seemingly unrelated items from museums and replacing them with forgeries, trying to figure out who the dead body in the rosebushes of their new house is and whether a woman is missing or dead. Scariest of all, however, is that Death is meeting Wren's parents for the first time and his attempts to impress aren't always successful...
This series is so well written, it's hard to find anything wrong with it. The plots and mystery are well thought out and satisfyingly complex, the characters genuine, and the story flows extremely well. It's genuinely funny in parts. Ms Ross is a great observer of people and how they interact and speak to each other. I need to go back and find books two and three, so I can fill in the blanks on Wren and Death's relationship.
I read the 'Death and the Redheaded Woman', the first in this series, and loved it. I didn't realise this was the fourth in the series (already!) but enjoyed it immensely nonetheless. This time, Death and Wren et al are searching for someone who is stealing seemingly unrelated items from museums and replacing them with forgeries, trying to figure out who the dead body in the rosebushes of their new house is and whether a woman is missing or dead. Scariest of all, however, is that Death is meeting Wren's parents for the first time and his attempts to impress aren't always successful...
This series is so well written, it's hard to find anything wrong with it. The plots and mystery are well thought out and satisfyingly complex, the characters genuine, and the story flows extremely well. It's genuinely funny in parts. Ms Ross is a great observer of people and how they interact and speak to each other. I need to go back and find books two and three, so I can fill in the blanks on Wren and Death's relationship.
April 21, 2018
This is the fourth book in a series, and while it might have been helpful to read the series in order, I had no problem picking up this one as a stand-alone.
Wren and her fiance Death (Seriously? How long did I read before I learned that the "e" is long so it is pronounced "Deeth" - and I stumbled on that through the entire book!) are looking for a house to buy. They find the perfect home but it has an unknown body buried in the garden. It seems that the previous owners needed to have a cemetery on the property to save it from being flooded when a new dam was built. So they claimed an unknown body from the local morgue and buried him as "Bob."
There are historical references to events in the general area and of things that happened over 30 years ago and a missing young woman from that time frame is "the Viking's daughter"
The characters are all wonderful. It is easy to find oneself cheering for some and hoping that some recieve the justice they deserve.
I think I will have to go back and read the previous books, not to gain insight for this one, but simply because I enjoyed this one so much and need to read more by this author.
Wren and her fiance Death (Seriously? How long did I read before I learned that the "e" is long so it is pronounced "Deeth" - and I stumbled on that through the entire book!) are looking for a house to buy. They find the perfect home but it has an unknown body buried in the garden. It seems that the previous owners needed to have a cemetery on the property to save it from being flooded when a new dam was built. So they claimed an unknown body from the local morgue and buried him as "Bob."
There are historical references to events in the general area and of things that happened over 30 years ago and a missing young woman from that time frame is "the Viking's daughter"
The characters are all wonderful. It is easy to find oneself cheering for some and hoping that some recieve the justice they deserve.
I think I will have to go back and read the previous books, not to gain insight for this one, but simply because I enjoyed this one so much and need to read more by this author.
January 24, 2018
Wren Morgan,auctioneer,and her PI fiancé Death Bogart,are house hunting. They find a perfect house,and everybody tells them, there is a body buried in the rose bed,which is mildly amusing first time round,but you can over egg the pudding!! There are two mysteries to be solved,a painting that has been stolen and an inferior put in its place,and a young girl disappeared 20 years ago. Her father thought he saw her ghost one night and collapsed and Wren and Death try to find out what happened.
That's the basic story! I found this story entertaining and full of humour,but I thought the main characters to be very lightweight . The best exchanges were between Emily and Edgar,Wrens parents,who were hilarious and quite suspicious of Death and his intentions to marry Wren. My biggest bugbear was Death,what parent calls their child that? Pronounced Deeth,just as stupid in my opinion,that really annoyed me! As a Christian name,no,no,no! As an old,established family name,going back through the centuries ,I know such a family and the pronunciation is De'Ath,so much nicer!!
That's the basic story! I found this story entertaining and full of humour,but I thought the main characters to be very lightweight . The best exchanges were between Emily and Edgar,Wrens parents,who were hilarious and quite suspicious of Death and his intentions to marry Wren. My biggest bugbear was Death,what parent calls their child that? Pronounced Deeth,just as stupid in my opinion,that really annoyed me! As a Christian name,no,no,no! As an old,established family name,going back through the centuries ,I know such a family and the pronunciation is De'Ath,so much nicer!!
December 2, 2017
#4 in the series; I read this courtesy of NetGalley. Auctioneer Wren and her PI fiancé Death (pronounced Death) become involved in separate, but connected mysteries. Wren tries to figure out what happened to a teenage girl dressed in Viking clothing and Death tries to figure out why a not-valuable painting was forged and stolen. Throughout the story is the very humorous house hunting and the not very secret issue of Bob, the body under the rose bushes. Slightly quirky and definitely funny, sometimes LOL, this book was a pleasure to read. Likable characters (Emily was a little dicey and the ex-wife not-so-much) made this cozy seem very familiar and comfortable. I will definitely read the previous three books; although this one was quite able to stand alone with references to past events.
April 24, 2018
Wren and Death are engaged and found the perfect house together. It even has a body buried beneath the rose bushes, while Death gets to finally meet the in-laws who are wary of him for their daughter.
Death has been hired to look into a forged painting. Meanwhile, Wren makes a discovery of her own in the form of a blood-caked costume like the Viking’s daughter was last seen wearing. As they continue their investigations, they soon realize that they all are connected.
The secondary characters are just amazing. The entire Keystone brood just makes me smile. They’re a bit kooky at times but so entertaining and lovable. They bring so much heart to this series. Then there’s Randy, Death’s brother, he’s a bit over the top but such fun and always there for Death and Wren. This is the first time Wren’s parents made an appearance and I enjoyed them, they added a nice touch.
Death has been hired to look into a forged painting. Meanwhile, Wren makes a discovery of her own in the form of a blood-caked costume like the Viking’s daughter was last seen wearing. As they continue their investigations, they soon realize that they all are connected.
The secondary characters are just amazing. The entire Keystone brood just makes me smile. They’re a bit kooky at times but so entertaining and lovable. They bring so much heart to this series. Then there’s Randy, Death’s brother, he’s a bit over the top but such fun and always there for Death and Wren. This is the first time Wren’s parents made an appearance and I enjoyed them, they added a nice touch.
January 8, 2019
With the fourth book, I can officially say that the Auction Block mystery series is my favorite contemporary cozy series. I love the characters! They just get better and better with each book. I really enjoy the growth of the main characters and the fun and well developed secondary characters. It's hard to have so many well done side characters and keep them interesting but Ross knocks that out of the park each and every time.
That said, this book was not perfect. I really wished for more of the auction and appraisal details and more of Wren. The mystery in this one was a little contrived and more obvious than in the first two. I also could not stand Wren's mother. At all. She was horrible. How a woman like that could raise a daughter like Wren is mind boggling. I really hope she isn't in any more books but I suspect that is false hope.
That said, this book was not perfect. I really wished for more of the auction and appraisal details and more of Wren. The mystery in this one was a little contrived and more obvious than in the first two. I also could not stand Wren's mother. At all. She was horrible. How a woman like that could raise a daughter like Wren is mind boggling. I really hope she isn't in any more books but I suspect that is false hope.
October 2, 2017
An old supper club on the lake has come up for auction that leads both Wren and her PI fiance on the trail of two cold cases. One is the unidentified body of "Bob" a young man's body that is located in a rose garden of the home Wren and Death hope to buy shortly. Plus the disappearance of Ingrid a young Vikings daughter some 40 years earlier from the same area. Wren's parents have just been informed of their daughter's plans to wed Death. Death is a little nervous about making a good impression. Will he find the clues to the two cases and solve the mystery all the while being under the watchful eyes of his future parents-in-laws? Plus how are the thefts of certain ancestral artifacts tied into the whole picture?
October 19, 2017
Fully Scooby! Not partial or half but full. This murder mystery was amazing light and humorous with just the right amount of sadness. The two individual tales in the story come together with a fun, Full Scooby Doo twist. Having not read previous books in this series and I think Ms. Ross has done a wonderful job introducing a new reader to the main characters, their back stories, and how their relationship works without a lot of retelling. The author did a great job describing the scenery, whether it was the woods, the viking ship, or the portrait painting, the reader is transported there. Any reader who enjoys a cozy mystery with some romance and humor will definitely be entertained by this book.
March 10, 2018
Death and Wren are engaged and looking for a new house. Wren finds one she likes, but it has a quirk. There is a dead body buried among the roses. Wren's work is auctioning the contents of a defunct supper club. There is a Viking reenactment site next door to the supper club. Death has a new case to find out how a painting that doesn't have much value was stolen and replaced with a forgery.
Among the Vikings, a daughter went missing nearly twenty years ago.
All of these elements are skillfully woven together to create one of the best mysteries I have read in a while. This is the fourth book in an Auction Block mystery series. Each has gotten progressively better.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review Death and the Viking's Daughter.
Among the Vikings, a daughter went missing nearly twenty years ago.
All of these elements are skillfully woven together to create one of the best mysteries I have read in a while. This is the fourth book in an Auction Block mystery series. Each has gotten progressively better.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review Death and the Viking's Daughter.
March 21, 2018
Auctioneer Wren Morgan and injured former Marine Death Bogart are newly engaged, though Wren's mother thinks they're rushing it and doesn't trust Death (pronounced, like his namesake Peter Death Wimsey, "Deeth"). The firm Wren works for is preparing to auction off a remote supper club next to the encampment of a group of Viking reenactors; Death is working as a private investigator on a minor painting in a museum that apparently had been replaced by a copy. There's also an unidentified body buried on the grounds of the house that the two are planning to buy, as everyone seems all too eager to tell them. There are perhaps too many characters and the ending may be a little pat, but this is amusing and compelling reading nonetheless.
February 2, 2018
There's a lot going on in this slim cozy. Wren's an auctioneer and her fiancé Death is a private investigator. I get that it's a family name but frankly I found De'ath to distracting throughout. They're getting married but Wren's parents, Emily and Edgar (two of my favorite characters) are concerned so they're poking around in his background even as there's 1) a ghost (or not); 2) missing art work; and, a body in the garden of the house Wren hopes to purchase. Whew. I read this as a standalone and suspect I would have enjoyed it more if I was familiar with the back story. That said, it's a good read and I thank netgalley for the ARC.
October 14, 2017
Smartly written cozy with lots of surprises
Loretta Ross has done a good job with this, the fourth book in the Auction Block Mystery series. When I started reading the book I hadn't realized this book was part of the series. I think reading the first 3 might have enhanced my experience but I enjoyed the characters and the relationship between Wren and Death and their family and friends. The plot had a number of mysteries going on and that made the ultimate resolution made for a very satisfying ending.
I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Loretta Ross has done a good job with this, the fourth book in the Auction Block Mystery series. When I started reading the book I hadn't realized this book was part of the series. I think reading the first 3 might have enhanced my experience but I enjoyed the characters and the relationship between Wren and Death and their family and friends. The plot had a number of mysteries going on and that made the ultimate resolution made for a very satisfying ending.
I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
November 25, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Midnight Ink Books for free in exchange for an honest review.
Wren and Death (pronounced Deeth) are engaged and house hunting. They are also busy with their work at the auction house and as a private investigator, respectively. It is a surprise to both of them when their current assignments intersect and then quickly become dangerous. And in case they weren't busy enough, Wren's parents are visiting for Thanksgiving (and to give Death the parental once over).
Death and the Viking's Daughter is a fast paced, well written cozy mystery.
Wren and Death (pronounced Deeth) are engaged and house hunting. They are also busy with their work at the auction house and as a private investigator, respectively. It is a surprise to both of them when their current assignments intersect and then quickly become dangerous. And in case they weren't busy enough, Wren's parents are visiting for Thanksgiving (and to give Death the parental once over).
Death and the Viking's Daughter is a fast paced, well written cozy mystery.
January 22, 2019
I've enjoyed all the books in this series, and this one was just as good. Funny, well-written and with many different well-developed characters. It's a pleasant change to have a female main character who isn't angsting over her "meaningful" relationship: Wren loves Death and he loves her, so she's happy. I liked that the mystery in this one was so quirky, and didn't involve Wren (or anyone else) stumbling over a recently deceased corpse. The ending had very satisfying twist, although I'd worked out who the villain must be early on, especially of the case Death had been hired to solve.
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