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Kate Benedict #5
Assignment in Amsterdam
SHE CAN SEE WHO’S GOING TO DIE –
AND THIS TIME, IT'S EVERYONE!
AND THIS TIME, IT'S EVERYONE!
It looks like a plum job for architect Kate Benedict—she’s been sent to Amsterdam to repurpose an ancient mansion, happily assigned to work with an old friend. Should have been a lark! But it's a catastrophe—her old friend’s going to die.
And so is the caretaker. And the owner. Not to mention the owner’s personal assistant.
Kate’s the only one who knows. Because she has a secret.
She’s just a normal Londoner except for one tiny thing—she sees auras that predict death. This is a first, though— never has she seen so many in such a small area. Based on past experience, everyone in the house—or even attached to it—is about to die.
(Probably Kate included, but she wouldn't know—the auras don't show in mirrors.)
The place could be haunted, of course. Author Bedford will give you goosebumps as voices speak in empty rooms, hidden passageways turn up, heavy objects fall, and always, always, Kate feels as if she’s being watched.
She’s as creeped out as the reader, but Kate knows perfectly well it isn't haunted—it conceals something. A crime perhaps. Certainly a secret—a valuable object perhaps… a cache of dead bodies. Or maybe… something she can't even imagine. Someone will kill and kill and kill again to keep the secret.
Have tea handy! It’s a shivery ride to the smashing solution.
Who will like it? Almost everyone who loves traditional British mysteries, from Agatha Christie, right through Tana French. American cozy readers will love her too, especially those who delight in a slight hint of the paranormal, like Barbara Michaels and her colleague Carolyn Hart (in her Bailey Ruth series.)
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2019
416 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 13, 2022
The series is fun to follow..This story involved saving her
dear friend Sam, while they both worked on a project in Amsterdam. The murder mystery was very exciting. 4 stars
dear friend Sam, while they both worked on a project in Amsterdam. The murder mystery was very exciting. 4 stars
November 23, 2019
Carrie Bedford - Kate Benedict Series - Assignment in Amsterdam - Reviewed 11/22/19
Murder, accidents?? Seeing auras on everyone spells disaster for Kate….
Kate Benedict gets an awesome assignment to Amsterdam to design offices in a historical building that a London based company wants to relocate their home office too. Her college friend recommended her for the job, and she is thrilled to finally be working with him. When he meets her at the airport, she is devastated to see an aura circling over his head. She knows that it is a death sentence unless she can do something to stop it. They meet with all the others involved in the project, and four of them have auras also. This has never happened before, and Kate doesn’t know where to begin. Mystifying things start happening around them, is the building haunted? To top it off they are being followed by a mysterious man. Where will it end, and can she save her old college friend?????
What did I like? I have read others in this series and really enjoyed them; I was happy when this was offered for review by Julie Smith from booksBnimble. I have done reviews for Julie in the past and she finds the most remarkable books and authors, this one is no exception… Awesome read and Carrie Bedford has outdone herself with it. I loved the intense action and mystery.
What will you like? Intense action, extremely mysterious and awesome characters. The mystery and the intricate involvement of the characters will leave you breathless trying to keep up with who is who, and who did it!!! I love the way that Carrie developed this storyline bringing in so much more action and involving the past with the present. Her details and descriptions will take you to Amsterdam so that you can enjoy the sights with all the characters. The fact that Kate is an architect and I love old buildings, she describes them in such detail. This was a breathtaking read and I sure will be on the lookout for the next adventure for Kate Benedict.
Release Date: 11/22/19 * Print Length: 268 * File Size: 2930 KB
Murder, accidents?? Seeing auras on everyone spells disaster for Kate….
Kate Benedict gets an awesome assignment to Amsterdam to design offices in a historical building that a London based company wants to relocate their home office too. Her college friend recommended her for the job, and she is thrilled to finally be working with him. When he meets her at the airport, she is devastated to see an aura circling over his head. She knows that it is a death sentence unless she can do something to stop it. They meet with all the others involved in the project, and four of them have auras also. This has never happened before, and Kate doesn’t know where to begin. Mystifying things start happening around them, is the building haunted? To top it off they are being followed by a mysterious man. Where will it end, and can she save her old college friend?????
What did I like? I have read others in this series and really enjoyed them; I was happy when this was offered for review by Julie Smith from booksBnimble. I have done reviews for Julie in the past and she finds the most remarkable books and authors, this one is no exception… Awesome read and Carrie Bedford has outdone herself with it. I loved the intense action and mystery.
What will you like? Intense action, extremely mysterious and awesome characters. The mystery and the intricate involvement of the characters will leave you breathless trying to keep up with who is who, and who did it!!! I love the way that Carrie developed this storyline bringing in so much more action and involving the past with the present. Her details and descriptions will take you to Amsterdam so that you can enjoy the sights with all the characters. The fact that Kate is an architect and I love old buildings, she describes them in such detail. This was a breathtaking read and I sure will be on the lookout for the next adventure for Kate Benedict.
Release Date: 11/22/19 * Print Length: 268 * File Size: 2930 KB
February 18, 2020
𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒎𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒎, Book #5, Kate Benedict Paranormal Mysteries
by Carrie Bedford
This is a fun series. More mystery than paranormal (Kate sees auras over people who are about to die is the paranormal part), Kate has developed a talent, since an accident of her own, to see turbulent air, which she calls auras, over the heads of people who are soon to die. She can't see them in the mirror, which means she is never sure as to whether she has one herself. In this episode, Kate's friend, Sam, has hired her to help with a feasibility study regarding an old house in Amsterdam. When she arrives, she sees that Sam has an aura. At the house, she meets a woman who has worked for the owner for years, and she has an aura. She meets the house/grounds keeper and he has an aura. She meets the owner and she has an aura. Another employee joins them, and before the story is over, she has an aura. In fact, eventually, the only one without an aura seems to be Kate! However, it is an interesting mystery, with plenty of red herrings (at some point you will suspect pretty much everyone), lots of twists and turns, empty rooms, strange architectural details, and plenty of dead bodies.
I've read all 5 of the Kate Benedict books, and like them all. This one felt drawn out and I would lay it down and go read something else for days at a time. However, when I came back to the story, it was easy to pick up the thread and go on without a hiccup. There was excellent proofing and editing. And no cliff hanger ending -- always a plus with me.
There was a fun pop culture reference (location 1651 on my Kindle) to Eddie Redmayne. I'd never heard of this UK actor until the movie, 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒔 (𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎) came out, but since that time he seems to be everywhere I look. So, it was fun to run across one of the characters crooning over him as her favorite actor when reading this book.
I'd suggest reading this series in order, however picking it up at this book 5 and reading it as a stand alone would probably be fine.
by Carrie Bedford
This is a fun series. More mystery than paranormal (Kate sees auras over people who are about to die is the paranormal part), Kate has developed a talent, since an accident of her own, to see turbulent air, which she calls auras, over the heads of people who are soon to die. She can't see them in the mirror, which means she is never sure as to whether she has one herself. In this episode, Kate's friend, Sam, has hired her to help with a feasibility study regarding an old house in Amsterdam. When she arrives, she sees that Sam has an aura. At the house, she meets a woman who has worked for the owner for years, and she has an aura. She meets the house/grounds keeper and he has an aura. She meets the owner and she has an aura. Another employee joins them, and before the story is over, she has an aura. In fact, eventually, the only one without an aura seems to be Kate! However, it is an interesting mystery, with plenty of red herrings (at some point you will suspect pretty much everyone), lots of twists and turns, empty rooms, strange architectural details, and plenty of dead bodies.
I've read all 5 of the Kate Benedict books, and like them all. This one felt drawn out and I would lay it down and go read something else for days at a time. However, when I came back to the story, it was easy to pick up the thread and go on without a hiccup. There was excellent proofing and editing. And no cliff hanger ending -- always a plus with me.
There was a fun pop culture reference (location 1651 on my Kindle) to Eddie Redmayne. I'd never heard of this UK actor until the movie, 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒔 (𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎) came out, but since that time he seems to be everywhere I look. So, it was fun to run across one of the characters crooning over him as her favorite actor when reading this book.
I'd suggest reading this series in order, however picking it up at this book 5 and reading it as a stand alone would probably be fine.
May 29, 2022
This was my first Kate Benedict book to read and I didn't have any problem getting into it or following things. It seems to be a story unto itself, which is good. I chose to read the book because it's set in Amsterdam and we've visited there a few times and like the place, so wanted to "visit" through the lens of the novel. Kate is a likeable character, even though she has this strange ability to see "auras" over people's heads who are "slated" to die. The thing that I find even more strange is that if the person's circumstances change, the aura may disappear and death is no longer imminent. Hmmm...a bit too convenient sometimes. At any rate, for the most part, it was a good story. My biggest negative is the repetition of Kate going over and over the "situation" in her mind. There were some interesting twists in the plot-line that were even surprising. I was pleased that there is no profanity in this book - a big plus for me. There is a decent glimpse of Amsterdam in the book, which is nice too. A good story-line.
September 27, 2020
ASSIGNMENT IN AMSTERDAM
CARRIE BEDFORD
Review by Author Roy Murry
ASSIGNMENT is my first Bedford novel. I should not have started with book five of this paranormal book series.
For me, the plot was a little implausible. Let's put that aside.
Kate Benedict, the main character, reads auras of people, indicating danger in Amsterdam's architecture assignment. Then, an adventuristic mystery begins that is confusing.
She is part of a group that goes to a huge house to prepare it for sale. The house has secrets attached to an influential group leading to murder and abduction.
The twists and turns and running around seem wasteful but become clear in a somewhat nail-biting ending. Kate's abilities help save the day.
Bedford's writing is long-winded and overly descriptive. I would have enjoyed a shorter, more mysterious version, which I find in other cozy mystery series.
However, the novel is a good read for the price.
CARRIE BEDFORD
Review by Author Roy Murry
ASSIGNMENT is my first Bedford novel. I should not have started with book five of this paranormal book series.
For me, the plot was a little implausible. Let's put that aside.
Kate Benedict, the main character, reads auras of people, indicating danger in Amsterdam's architecture assignment. Then, an adventuristic mystery begins that is confusing.
She is part of a group that goes to a huge house to prepare it for sale. The house has secrets attached to an influential group leading to murder and abduction.
The twists and turns and running around seem wasteful but become clear in a somewhat nail-biting ending. Kate's abilities help save the day.
Bedford's writing is long-winded and overly descriptive. I would have enjoyed a shorter, more mysterious version, which I find in other cozy mystery series.
However, the novel is a good read for the price.
October 19, 2020
This is the fifth Kate Benedict mystery. Kate sees what she calls an aura swirling above the head of a person whose death is imminent. These auras are the paranormal element in each of the books in the series. The bulk of each book is focused on resolving the issue that has prompted the appearance of the aura so that a death is prevented. In this installment Kate travels to Amsterdam to work with a friend to convert an old mansion into usable office space. Her friend Sam and several others have auras that foreshadow their deaths unless the mystery of the strange happenings in the mansion is solved.
This is a fast paced, engaging story with well developed likable characters. There is just enough of the paranormal to add interest and a bit of uniqueness. The mystery to be solved is what drives the storyline. This is another solid entry in this very enjoyable series.
This is a fast paced, engaging story with well developed likable characters. There is just enough of the paranormal to add interest and a bit of uniqueness. The mystery to be solved is what drives the storyline. This is another solid entry in this very enjoyable series.
December 27, 2019
Another fast-moving mystery featuring Kate Benedict, the young British architectural designer whose paranormal gift allows her to see, above people’s head, the “auras” that predicts their untimely death.
On arriving in Amsterdam, her team’s assignment is to evaluate and draw out plans to remodel a centuries-old Dutch mansion. But that malevolent house was long ago conceived to hide secrets. This time, Kate has to protect herself and her three friends from the house and the machinations of a sleek international group of gangsters willing to kill to safeguard their anonymity.
In Carrie Bedford’s vivid writing, I recognized the Amsterdam I visited, the many canals, bicycles and museums that make that city unique, and I was riveted to the who-done-it-and-why.
On arriving in Amsterdam, her team’s assignment is to evaluate and draw out plans to remodel a centuries-old Dutch mansion. But that malevolent house was long ago conceived to hide secrets. This time, Kate has to protect herself and her three friends from the house and the machinations of a sleek international group of gangsters willing to kill to safeguard their anonymity.
In Carrie Bedford’s vivid writing, I recognized the Amsterdam I visited, the many canals, bicycles and museums that make that city unique, and I was riveted to the who-done-it-and-why.
January 25, 2021
This is book 5 in a series I haven't read before, but it stood up all right with what background was given in the story. A few references are made to what I assume are prior 'cases'. Kate can see 'auras' - a flickering flame above a person's head - when a person is in danger of dying. When she is sent to Amsterdam to join her friend Sam on a job restoring an old house up for sale to be used as offices, she sees several auras - including Sam's, which totally panics her. As they work on creating the specs of the house and designing its new uses, strange things keep happening, people disappear, and people die - or are killed. It was a good read, and I think I will try some others in the series to see if I continue to like Kate.
January 19, 2025
Kate is joined up with a friend in the Netherlands - Amsterdam. Their clients are uptight and need them to look, assess, and sketch specs on a building. In her dismay, her friend has a Aura
.
This building is surprising. Although the previous tenants lived in a small part of the building, there are multiple floors that hadn't been used for years.
A closer look shows that not only are there multiple floors, but there are multiple hidden, blocked off secretive rooms.
The seller also has an Aura as well as the weird elderly caretaker. It is too much for Kate. All she wants to do is create her sketches, submit them, and run back to London. But weird happenings, strange men and that Aura keeps her determined to save him and the others.
.
This building is surprising. Although the previous tenants lived in a small part of the building, there are multiple floors that hadn't been used for years.
A closer look shows that not only are there multiple floors, but there are multiple hidden, blocked off secretive rooms.
The seller also has an Aura as well as the weird elderly caretaker. It is too much for Kate. All she wants to do is create her sketches, submit them, and run back to London. But weird happenings, strange men and that Aura keeps her determined to save him and the others.
August 12, 2020
Exciting, fast moving
Kate and her co-workers are up to their eyeballs in this novel. They are in Amsterdam to draw up plans and do a feasibility study for converting a beautiful old neglected mansion into offices and headquarters for a company deciding on opening another office there. However, for no apparent reason the death aura is swirling above the heads of 4 people, including her friends, of people associated with the house. Hidden rooms, a mysterious man following them and too many sudden deaths increase the fears they must face. And they have no idea why.
Kate and her co-workers are up to their eyeballs in this novel. They are in Amsterdam to draw up plans and do a feasibility study for converting a beautiful old neglected mansion into offices and headquarters for a company deciding on opening another office there. However, for no apparent reason the death aura is swirling above the heads of 4 people, including her friends, of people associated with the house. Hidden rooms, a mysterious man following them and too many sudden deaths increase the fears they must face. And they have no idea why.
January 4, 2020
Enthralling Book!
Carrie Bedford writes a tightly packed novel filled with action and mystery. This is her fifth Late Benedict novel and each book is better than the last! There is a paranormal element to the book, but it adds dimension to the story rather than detracts from it. The characters are well-rounded and believable. The plot flows beautifully . This book is a nail-biter!
Carrie Bedford writes a tightly packed novel filled with action and mystery. This is her fifth Late Benedict novel and each book is better than the last! There is a paranormal element to the book, but it adds dimension to the story rather than detracts from it. The characters are well-rounded and believable. The plot flows beautifully . This book is a nail-biter!
February 22, 2020
Book 5 in the Kate Benedict series. I have read all 5 and enjoyed each of them. Paranormal is not my thing but this series is lite on the paranormal and more a really good mystery. Kate and her friends are great characters well written and the kind of characters you wish you knew. This book takes place in Amsterdam and you always learn interesting facts about the area and the people. Just another great thing about this series. I hope Carrie Bedford writes more in this fun series.
May 23, 2020
Good exciting read.
This is the first book in the series I read and it was a good find! Good story, good characters, good complex plot with some nice twists, plus a little paranormal thrown in for good measure. I have been to Amsterdam several times, so appreciated the references to the Dutch city (and the food!). I plan to go back and read the series from the start. Nice work Carrie Bedford.
This is the first book in the series I read and it was a good find! Good story, good characters, good complex plot with some nice twists, plus a little paranormal thrown in for good measure. I have been to Amsterdam several times, so appreciated the references to the Dutch city (and the food!). I plan to go back and read the series from the start. Nice work Carrie Bedford.
January 2, 2021
Amsterdam is dangerous
Kate gets involved with a renovation of an old house in Amsterdam. When she arrives at the house she spots 2 auras then more, 4 people have auras. She's never had this many people in danger at one time. Great story with Kate and Sam trying to find out what's going on. Strange thing happening in the house, then the aura victim dies, it looks like an accident. Really enjoying the series.
Kate gets involved with a renovation of an old house in Amsterdam. When she arrives at the house she spots 2 auras then more, 4 people have auras. She's never had this many people in danger at one time. Great story with Kate and Sam trying to find out what's going on. Strange thing happening in the house, then the aura victim dies, it looks like an accident. Really enjoying the series.
May 25, 2022
Uma narrative que envolve crimes, teorias da conspiração, organizações secretas, e muita confusão. A protagonista sempre tenta levar uma vida normal, mas seu dom de perceber quando a morte se aproxima de pessoas que ela conheça faz com que ela sempre se envolva em situações complexas e perigosas. Não deixa de ser divertido ver como ela se sai das encrencas em que se mete. É uma série interessante.
October 16, 2022
I do enjoy her stories and this one was no exception. She can definitely provide a picture of the surroundings where the story unfolds. Sometimes I wish there was more in depth about the other characters. It seems that sometimes everything in the ancillary characters stops while Kate sits around worrying that she doesn't know what to do. This maybe be obvious to me since I am reading all 5 books in a row. I have been enjoying them though,
February 8, 2023
I had read the first four books in this series and took a break to read some of the other books that were on "My List". However, it was fun to become reacquainted with the series. I would have liked Josh to make an appearance, but Josh's exclusion did not negatively impact the series. Kate goes on an assignmnent in Amsterdam and becomes involved in saving her friend Sam and new friends Alex and Karen. The pacing of this good and the mystery was clever and interesting.
A fun read!!
A fun read!!
February 28, 2020
Good mystery with a little bit of paranormal. Kate sees auras above a person and it could predict their early demise. She is in Amsterdam on assignment to redesign an old huge home to offices. But strange things start happening and then people start dying. Very fast paced towards the end with lots of excitement.
July 9, 2020
A fun trip to Amsterdam with interesting characters, expertly written by an acomplished storyteller. The plot kept me reading and blotted out any discomfort from the Virus-That-Must-Not-Be-Named and the current heat wave. What an amazing story with great characterization, description, and lots of action. I applaud the author and look forward to the rest of her novels.
August 31, 2020
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My fifth of Carrie Bedfords “Aura” series. Again I was very pleased. Kept me going throughout and trying to second guess her as to how Kate was going to escaped this mess. But indeed she did and in a manner that pleased me. Once again, my thanks to author Carrie Bedford for a job well done. Hope to see more a little farther down the line. Next???
My fifth of Carrie Bedfords “Aura” series. Again I was very pleased. Kept me going throughout and trying to second guess her as to how Kate was going to escaped this mess. But indeed she did and in a manner that pleased me. Once again, my thanks to author Carrie Bedford for a job well done. Hope to see more a little farther down the line. Next???
October 2, 2022
Kate is sent to Holland to help redesign an old building, but it is deadly.
Kate is assigned a new job redesigning a beautiful old building She meets an old friend Sam on the design team and they try to investigate the old building only to be involved in intrigue, murder and a fight for their lives
Kate is assigned a new job redesigning a beautiful old building She meets an old friend Sam on the design team and they try to investigate the old building only to be involved in intrigue, murder and a fight for their lives
May 20, 2024
Another good Kate Benedict mystery.
You know when you start the first chapter of a Kate Benedict mystery you are in for a good read with plenty of twists and turns. The tension built with the auras keeps the reader engaged until everyone is safe. Goodbye Holland and bring on the next!
You know when you start the first chapter of a Kate Benedict mystery you are in for a good read with plenty of twists and turns. The tension built with the auras keeps the reader engaged until everyone is safe. Goodbye Holland and bring on the next!
July 30, 2020
Extremely Entertaining
Thoroughly attention grabbing...from beginning to end situations with much meat rolled and kept me turning the next page. Characters superbly developed.
Thoroughly attention grabbing...from beginning to end situations with much meat rolled and kept me turning the next page. Characters superbly developed.
August 3, 2020
Good
This is a good story that builds from the first book, but you get enough background that it could easily stand alone. It's frustratingly slow in some spots, but it makes up for that in others. Good book.
This is a good story that builds from the first book, but you get enough background that it could easily stand alone. It's frustratingly slow in some spots, but it makes up for that in others. Good book.
January 18, 2021
A series of murder in Amsterdam
Kate is assigned to draw plans for an office to be built in a lovely old home in Amsterdam.
The tribulations that she, Sam and Alex face are horrendous as they cross paths with an ancient brotherhood.
Kate is assigned to draw plans for an office to be built in a lovely old home in Amsterdam.
The tribulations that she, Sam and Alex face are horrendous as they cross paths with an ancient brotherhood.
January 20, 2021
Amazing
I love this series. Kate's gift of being able to see auras of death and her timely intervention to try and rescue the people from the clutches of death is so unique and spectacular. It is a must read.
I love this series. Kate's gift of being able to see auras of death and her timely intervention to try and rescue the people from the clutches of death is so unique and spectacular. It is a must read.
January 20, 2021
Good story
Good start to a series. It was well paced, good intrigue, lighter than a heavy mystery. I enjoyed the characters. Very light on the paranormal aspect. It was a quick read for me.
Good start to a series. It was well paced, good intrigue, lighter than a heavy mystery. I enjoyed the characters. Very light on the paranormal aspect. It was a quick read for me.
August 18, 2022
Swirling auras signify imminent death and all of her friends have this so what can be done? A spooky old house, secret passages, being chased all makes for riveting page turning. I couldn't put it down until I turned the last page. Fantastic
Read
November 28, 2019A lovely read
Thanks so much for writing such engrossing, intriguing stories. The characters are so believable, and dialogue so perfect. Thanks for writing.
Thanks so much for writing such engrossing, intriguing stories. The characters are so believable, and dialogue so perfect. Thanks for writing.
December 31, 2019
just finished and now I wish there were more! This series gets better as it goes along.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews