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The Mystery Sisters #2
Foliage and Fatality
Seventy-something sisters, Max and Lil, visit western Pennsylvania, partly to see Lil's son Terry and his family, and partly to enjoy the colorful fall foliage. The sisters volunteer to help staff a fund-raiser haunted house. The house has amazing special effects and a haunted garden. It is hugely popular and should bring in a lot of money for the new school auditorium. What could go wrong?
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2018
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282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 31, 2021
This is a second book of the series. I enjoyed how the characters came together and the mystery of the haunted house was enjoyable to read. Liked it.
December 27, 2018
Feisty family fun
Two lively sisters, in their 70's, take trips in Max's restored Studebaker. Max manages to discover a mystery, and she can't help getting herself and sister Lil involved in solving the crime. Of course, they getting themselves into dangerous situations, and arguments. Lil's extended family is involved in this pre-Halloween crime and adventure. I like the feisty Max and Lil, and enjoy their mis-adventures.
Two lively sisters, in their 70's, take trips in Max's restored Studebaker. Max manages to discover a mystery, and she can't help getting herself and sister Lil involved in solving the crime. Of course, they getting themselves into dangerous situations, and arguments. Lil's extended family is involved in this pre-Halloween crime and adventure. I like the feisty Max and Lil, and enjoy their mis-adventures.
December 13, 2018
Well and Max come into their own
I read the first book in this series, and enjoyed this one even more. Lil and Max have a sisterly relationship that is sometimes easy and sometimes involves barbed comments. Makes them more interesting then a couple of longtime friends. Good mystery, and a good small town feel.
I read the first book in this series, and enjoyed this one even more. Lil and Max have a sisterly relationship that is sometimes easy and sometimes involves barbed comments. Makes them more interesting then a couple of longtime friends. Good mystery, and a good small town feel.
July 31, 2020
Audio Review
I’m fairly new to Cozy Mysteries and audio books so both the author Karen Musser Northman and Kathleen Godwin are new to me but after listening to this entertaining book I will be checking out previous works by both.
Max and her sister Lil are very different but the one thing they can agree on is they need to investigate the murder they came across while visiting Lil’s sons family. The murder takes place in a haunted house that is being used as a fundraiser and this mystery brought the whole haunted house memories to life. This story kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed the clues to find the murderer, the story was entertaining, the narration was spot on and Ms Godwin did a great job bringing the book to life. If you love a good mystery with lots of secrets and suspense look no further than Foliage and Fatality (the Mystery Sisters Book 2).
I’m fairly new to Cozy Mysteries and audio books so both the author Karen Musser Northman and Kathleen Godwin are new to me but after listening to this entertaining book I will be checking out previous works by both.
Max and her sister Lil are very different but the one thing they can agree on is they need to investigate the murder they came across while visiting Lil’s sons family. The murder takes place in a haunted house that is being used as a fundraiser and this mystery brought the whole haunted house memories to life. This story kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed the clues to find the murderer, the story was entertaining, the narration was spot on and Ms Godwin did a great job bringing the book to life. If you love a good mystery with lots of secrets and suspense look no further than Foliage and Fatality (the Mystery Sisters Book 2).
July 18, 2019
I Liked this Story
I Read the first installment and liked it but have to say I thought this story was very good! I love the sisters and I liked the theme. This was set at Halloween in a community sponsored haunted house. The murder was we plotted and there was a lot of excitement. He characters are funny, there is small town charm. Hope to see more books in this series.
I Read the first installment and liked it but have to say I thought this story was very good! I love the sisters and I liked the theme. This was set at Halloween in a community sponsored haunted house. The murder was we plotted and there was a lot of excitement. He characters are funny, there is small town charm. Hope to see more books in this series.
July 19, 2019
A good mystery
Loved the adventures of the senior sisters as it is unusual to have detectives be lively seniors. Didn't figure it out till close to the end.
Loved the adventures of the senior sisters as it is unusual to have detectives be lively seniors. Didn't figure it out till close to the end.
July 16, 2019
Loved it!
I really liked this one! Read it in one day. Now I
I am excited to start the 3rd book in the series. After that I will have to read something else because that will bring me up to date with the series. Hope there will be more. I really like Max and Lil!
I really liked this one! Read it in one day. Now I
I am excited to start the 3rd book in the series. After that I will have to read something else because that will bring me up to date with the series. Hope there will be more. I really like Max and Lil!
July 11, 2019
Two sister traveling to see Lil son Terry and family, the barbs between them, will keep the laughs as you read. The bank where Terry is a loan officer is in charge of the fund raiser this year. With it being at the haunted house, murder and mayhem was not part of the event. Good plot and mystery to figure out.
December 18, 2018
The secrets of the haunted house
A great read. So much better than the first book. The characters are fuller and not quite as grumpy, irascible as the first book and the plot is well thought out and executed.
They are taking a trip to see family. Family who have moved to a little community where the children can grow but where the wife (who suffers from sclerosis) can lead as normal a life as possible. The children are excited to tell their Gran and Great Aunt all about the haunted house they have helped to establish. However all is not as quite as it seems with a resident lothario, bank robbers, murder and being chased by a crazed axe man. Will the two sisters survive and catch the targets of a money grabbing lothario whilst making sure that the murder is also cleared up?
A great read. So much better than the first book. The characters are fuller and not quite as grumpy, irascible as the first book and the plot is well thought out and executed.
They are taking a trip to see family. Family who have moved to a little community where the children can grow but where the wife (who suffers from sclerosis) can lead as normal a life as possible. The children are excited to tell their Gran and Great Aunt all about the haunted house they have helped to establish. However all is not as quite as it seems with a resident lothario, bank robbers, murder and being chased by a crazed axe man. Will the two sisters survive and catch the targets of a money grabbing lothario whilst making sure that the murder is also cleared up?
December 4, 2018
This is the 2nd in the series. The main characters are Lil and Max, two sisters who travel together in a Studebakers. This time they are going to visit Lil's son and his family. They decide to help him with a haunted house his bank has and there is a body found in the house. Max and Lil have to try and figure it all out. Lil ends up with a broken leg before it is all over with. I love these two gals. Can't wait for the next adventure.
February 15, 2019
Better than the First
I enjoyed this more so than the first in this series. Maybe it's because I love Autumn and grew up in Pennsylvania. Anyway I hope I'm as adventurous as Max & Lil when I'm in my 70's!
I enjoyed this more so than the first in this series. Maybe it's because I love Autumn and grew up in Pennsylvania. Anyway I hope I'm as adventurous as Max & Lil when I'm in my 70's!
January 31, 2019
I'm enjoying this new series
Written in true Karen Musser style. She never fails to grab your attention and reel you in. Love this book!
Written in true Karen Musser style. She never fails to grab your attention and reel you in. Love this book!
July 21, 2020
I have listened to the author's Frannie Shoemaker series and enjoyed them so thought I would give this series a go too. As normal I don't start with book one but I don't think it matters as this was easy to under stand. If I go back to the beginning it is not because I need to too understand the series it is because I want to see what adventure and mystery I had missed out on. The characters were like able and the excitement the child felt for the holiday season came through nicely. The mystery was good, with a number of suspects. I had guessed the killer but it was just a guess. The only down side, is the story wasn't very long, don't get me wrong this is great if you only have a few hours to kill but I like my stories longer, so you can really get to know the characters. All in all a good mystery and a series I will keep an eye out for.
Max and Lil are traveling to visit Lil's son and family. When they arrive they discover that as part of his new job Terry is arranging a fundraiser for the school by organizing a haunted house tour. Even the children have joined in with the fun and are eager for Grandma Lil and Aunt Max to help. The sisters agree and are soon helping to raise money and scare any unsuspecting visitors but the biggest scare is produced when they find one of the mannequins has been switched for a real dead body. The police shut down the tour and with children missing out on funds the tour was generating, the sisters set out to find the killer so they can go back to making money. The dead woman was part of a coach tour group and was trying to track down a mystery man that came from the area that she met on a cruise. Who is the mystery man and why has nobody heard of him? It also appears the house was being used for a lot more than just a haunted house, but is it connected to the death?The sisters have solved a murder before, can they do it again?
I liked the narrator, she uses her voice well to add excitement to the story.
Max and Lil are traveling to visit Lil's son and family. When they arrive they discover that as part of his new job Terry is arranging a fundraiser for the school by organizing a haunted house tour. Even the children have joined in with the fun and are eager for Grandma Lil and Aunt Max to help. The sisters agree and are soon helping to raise money and scare any unsuspecting visitors but the biggest scare is produced when they find one of the mannequins has been switched for a real dead body. The police shut down the tour and with children missing out on funds the tour was generating, the sisters set out to find the killer so they can go back to making money. The dead woman was part of a coach tour group and was trying to track down a mystery man that came from the area that she met on a cruise. Who is the mystery man and why has nobody heard of him? It also appears the house was being used for a lot more than just a haunted house, but is it connected to the death?The sisters have solved a murder before, can they do it again?
I liked the narrator, she uses her voice well to add excitement to the story.
April 4, 2022
The author’s skill as a writer is improving, and again the dialogue felt real, particularly amongst the family. Even the kids, who we saw, but never really heard, in the first book. The dog is a trip and absolutely reminds me of the Irish Setter I had in high school. I’m thinking the author either had one or was closely associated with one, because the characterization of the dog was a bullseye.
The haunted house was a fun idea, although with an old abandoned house the liability alone would have made this an instant no-go. Depending on how realistic you like your realistic fiction, your mileage may vary on that one. I didn’t notice any loose ends this time, so she’s either not left any or the one’s she left were more obvious assumptions than those in the first book.
I have to say I felt bad for Max at the quilt shop. Yes, I laughed because I can absolutely see that happening, but I would have felt bad that she was upset by it because it could have happened to anyone.
The haunted house was a fun idea, although with an old abandoned house the liability alone would have made this an instant no-go. Depending on how realistic you like your realistic fiction, your mileage may vary on that one. I didn’t notice any loose ends this time, so she’s either not left any or the one’s she left were more obvious assumptions than those in the first book.
I have to say I felt bad for Max at the quilt shop. Yes, I laughed because I can absolutely see that happening, but I would have felt bad that she was upset by it because it could have happened to anyone.
July 24, 2020
4 Star review Foliage & Fatality (The Mystery Sisters #4) by Karen Musser Nortman
Audio Review:
Both the author Karen Musser Nortman and narrator Kathleen Godwin are new to me. This is a cozy mystery and one that I found entertaining. I was intrigued as I followed the clues trying to guess the murderer before Lil and her sister Max.
I had a hard time warming up to Max, she seemed rather judgemental. She and Lil are as different as chalk and cheese, however one thing they agree on is that they need to investigate the murder that takes place at the haunted house that Lil’s son is using as a fundraiser.
The narrator really brought this book to life for me and did a good job keeping me entertained. This was a a book filled with a lot of secrets and the intrigue and suspense kept me riveted as I listened to this story.
Audio Review:
Both the author Karen Musser Nortman and narrator Kathleen Godwin are new to me. This is a cozy mystery and one that I found entertaining. I was intrigued as I followed the clues trying to guess the murderer before Lil and her sister Max.
I had a hard time warming up to Max, she seemed rather judgemental. She and Lil are as different as chalk and cheese, however one thing they agree on is that they need to investigate the murder that takes place at the haunted house that Lil’s son is using as a fundraiser.
The narrator really brought this book to life for me and did a good job keeping me entertained. This was a a book filled with a lot of secrets and the intrigue and suspense kept me riveted as I listened to this story.
July 23, 2020
These two sisters are as different as can be--and do get into squabbles on occasion. They took a road trip in Max's Studebaker to visit Lil's son and his family-along with Max's dog. While there a woman is found dead in an old house which was going to be used for a fund raiser. These two just could not let it go--they had to figure it out.-much to the distress of Lil's son and the police! They were quite good but did get in a bit of trouble which left Lil walking with a walker!
I actually never read this as an e-book but it certainly kept my attention! The narrator did a really good job when reading-I was able to picture all that was happening.
I received this audio book from the author for my enjoyment and possible review.
I actually never read this as an e-book but it certainly kept my attention! The narrator did a really good job when reading-I was able to picture all that was happening.
I received this audio book from the author for my enjoyment and possible review.
October 14, 2019
Lil and Max are two sisters in the senior years that travel together a couple of times a year. On a visit to Lil’s son Terry’s family the two volunteer to help run a Haunted House fundraiser. Unfortunately, they discover that one of the “dummies” used is actually a real dead person. To make sure that the fundraising continues the two sisters decide to help the police solve the murder mystery. This is a fun cozy mystery that proves sisters do not always get along but always love each other.
May 12, 2024
Max and Lil are on their next trip, visiting Lil's son Terry, his wife Melody and their children. while they are there, they help with a haunted house that Terry's employer is staging for the benefit of the local school. Max and Lil are enlisted to help on the opening weekend. All is going well until a tour group come to attend and one if the attendees us found dead in a staged scene in the house. Max and Lil are on their second case, much to the displeasure of the local police chief. Can they help solve the case? A fun read.
July 29, 2019
Old Biddies Full of Curiosity
Ms.Nortman tells a whale of tail in good clean writing full of intreage and humor as well as fabulous caracters. These two retired sisters know how to live a full life getting together to explore places they haven't been sometimes find mistjuf, mystery and murder along the way. So grab a drink, a snack and someplace cozey because you won't want any interruptions till you've finished reading "Foliage and Fatality ".🙄☺ Kat
Ms.Nortman tells a whale of tail in good clean writing full of intreage and humor as well as fabulous caracters. These two retired sisters know how to live a full life getting together to explore places they haven't been sometimes find mistjuf, mystery and murder along the way. So grab a drink, a snack and someplace cozey because you won't want any interruptions till you've finished reading "Foliage and Fatality ".🙄☺ Kat
March 23, 2022
Foliage and Fatality (The Mystery Sisters Book 2), my first read from author Karen Musser Nortman. Enjoyable 3-hour 32-minute, 165-page cozy mystery. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I was impressed and enjoyed the vocal variety & inflections of narrator Kathleen Godwin. I look forward to reading more in this series & from this author as I get them. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 12, 2025
As much as I love this author's Frannie Shoemaker and Time Traveler series, this one just isn't as interesting to me. This is the 2nd in this series that I've read, and a book of this length, when it hooks me, is finished in no more that 2-3 days. The stories are good, don't get me wrong. I guess I don't identify with the characters, or bond with them?
I still have one more of this series to read, since it's already in my library; maybe this one will reel me in.
I still have one more of this series to read, since it's already in my library; maybe this one will reel me in.
August 2, 2019
Cozy mystery author Karen Nortman can always be counted on to provide an entertaining story, and Foliage and Fatality is no exception. The Mystery Sisters novels are not quite as fast paced as the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries, but then Max and Lil are a little older than Frannie and Larry. For a fun read, I can definitely recommend Foliage and Fatality.
October 29, 2019
Haunted House Mystery
What a lot of fun older sisters have when they go on road trips together. Always running into some crazy doings, this time while helping Lil’s son and family with a seasonal haunted house to raise money for a new school auditorium. And then .... A fun read that almost makes me wish I had a sister.
What a lot of fun older sisters have when they go on road trips together. Always running into some crazy doings, this time while helping Lil’s son and family with a seasonal haunted house to raise money for a new school auditorium. And then .... A fun read that almost makes me wish I had a sister.
December 1, 2019
More fatality than foliage, a fun haunted house mystery
Sisters Max and Lil visit Lil’s son and grandchildren in October, and help out with a haunted house fundraiser. They get more than they bargained for when a stranger turns up dead.
The mystery is solid, the writing clear, moving the story along. A fun and quick cozy read.
Sisters Max and Lil visit Lil’s son and grandchildren in October, and help out with a haunted house fundraiser. They get more than they bargained for when a stranger turns up dead.
The mystery is solid, the writing clear, moving the story along. A fun and quick cozy read.
August 3, 2020
Fun, cozy mystery! This series is so much fun! Great characters and so much fun along the way. Sisters Max and Lil are at it again! They are off on a new adventure, this time traveling through Pennsylvania. They want to enjoy the fall foliage and visit Lily’s son Terry and his family. But then somebody dies, and Max and Lily can’t stop themselves from doing a little investigating on their own.
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October 8, 2020Funny and Suspenseful
Wonderful characters! Great story! Suspense! Humor! Two aging sisters, always arguing, always having A travel adventure together! A haunted house! An Apple festival! Quaint little Pennsylvania town with amazing autumnal scenery, set around Halloween! A spooky haunted house to raise funds for a school auditorium! Something for everyone!
Wonderful characters! Great story! Suspense! Humor! Two aging sisters, always arguing, always having A travel adventure together! A haunted house! An Apple festival! Quaint little Pennsylvania town with amazing autumnal scenery, set around Halloween! A spooky haunted house to raise funds for a school auditorium! Something for everyone!
November 6, 2020
Max and her sister are traveling companions as well as super investigators. Returning home to visit her son, Lil finds there is a Halloween house decorated with all kinds of scary decorations. When someone is found dead in the house, Max and Lil set out to discover the murderer.
A well-written story with friendly characters that make this a nice cozy mystery.
A well-written story with friendly characters that make this a nice cozy mystery.
April 7, 2023
What fun!
These sisters remind me so much of me and mine. I love that they are close, different, and loving. They stumble onto things that shouldn’t happen, but are still smart and sharp. They can figure things out based on their intelligence and life experience that others don’t think. Love them!
These sisters remind me so much of me and mine. I love that they are close, different, and loving. They stumble onto things that shouldn’t happen, but are still smart and sharp. They can figure things out based on their intelligence and life experience that others don’t think. Love them!
August 20, 2023
Sisters Max Berra and Lil Garrett take two road trips a year together, and this trip they are visit Lil's son and his family in Pennsylvania. While helping out at a local haunted house fundraiser, the dead body of a tourist is discovered. The sister's get involved in trying to solver whodunnit. Cute series. 3.5 stars.
July 22, 2019
Enjoyable read - liked the theme and the characters (and some of them really were!) plot was interesting. I found a few typos including a reputation of a paragraph below itself but there was only one other. Small transgression compared to some ebooks I have read. Light and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews