Mrs. Peabody's Party Line: A Honeyspoon Murder Mystery

by Marianna Heusler

In 1957, the town of Honeyspoon is ill prepared for a murder mystery. In fact, most of the townspeople have never experienced a violent death until a shocking murder in the small town sets everyone on edge. Mrs. Nancy Peabody is a widow of very limited means. Her life is drab and lonely so she can’t avoid the temptation offered by the party line she shares with two of her neighbors. When someone calls the line, it rings once, twice or three times to designate which household the call is for, but anyone on the party line can pick up and listen to any of the calls and Mrs. Peabody can’t resist picking up on every call.Unfortunately, listening in on her neighbors’ calls is tricky. If you don’t pick up just right, the other parties can hear a click and they know someone is listening and of course any background noise is a dead give-a-way. Since Mrs. Peabody’s technique wasn’t always perfect, her reputation as a snoop and busy body was common knowledge. That reputation is dangerous as she begins to stick her nose into other people's business. The authorities don't take her seriously, but the murderer does and as the body count starts to rise, Mrs. Peabody and her little dog become the killer’s next target.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2019

About the author

An Edgar nominated author of ten novels and hundreds of short stories. A former elementary school teacher

http://honeyspoon1957.com/midges-mod-...

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Charming!

This was a delightful murder mystery that I read in one sitting, because I could not put it down! All of the characters were crafted with such care, each with their own quirks and foibles, and I adored them all. The mystery itself kept me guessing until the very end, and I read a lot of mysteries, so I've gotten fairly good at predicting the big reveals. This was exactly the kind of ending I love, one that I didn't see coming, but makes perfect sense once all the pieces are in place. Well, almost all of the pieces... the ending left a few hints about what might be up next for Mrs. Peabody, and I, for one, cannot wait to read it!

Many thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a book I would have found well worth paying for!

[Sameer Shakya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Peabody is someone you wouldn't like. She has a habit of sticking her nose in other people's business, gossiping, freeloading every chance she gets and might I add, taking stuff without permission. These traits of hers gets her all mixed up with a mysterious murder in the small town of Honeyspoon and what follows is a brilliantly written, entertaining mystery that will get you hooked.

The thing I loved about this mystery is how cleverly and efficiently it is written. It's a relatively small book which manages to tell us a story from the perspective of multiple characters who are given just the right amount of back story to make them interesting while keeping us readers engaged. You somehow end up caring for every one of the main characters, yes, even Mrs. Peabody. A lot of things happen, some coincidences (which are great by the way), some mix-ups, some twists here and there, and it all converges to the finale that neatly ties up everything together. The story progresses in such a natural way, and unlike some other mysteries in the genre which heavily relies on the final reveal to make or break the experience, Mrs. Peabody's Party Line keeps you entertained from the beginning to the end without a single dull moment. The big reveal was also cleverly done, and without spoiling anything, I'd like to say how satisfying it was when things came together.

This book really reignited my love for cozy mysteries. This is the first in the series of Honeyspoon Murder Mysteries and I'm already so excited about the second book, the plot of which is hinted in the final chapter.

I'd like to thank Marianna Heusler for sharing this copy with me in exchange for my honest review. I really had a great time with it and I would recommend it to all the mystery lovers out there. A solid 5 out of 5 stars from me.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Peabody is a character you'll enjoy meeting. Living in the 1950's and being connected to her neighbors through a party line, she can't help but listen in to all the conversations through which she becomes privy to secrets, adulterous affairs, and other matters some people would've preferred kept private.

When a murder occurs in the town library, she takes it upon herself to investigate. Teaming up with a cute little dog who joins her later in the book, she faces danger but also helps solve the mystery.

I loved the period setting of this quaint town and all the quirky characters including the nun who isn't happy following her vows and some of the kids who are smarter than their parents. It was a perfect cozy and one that gets this fun series off to a great start.

[Kimberly Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐
Honestly, I don't know if mystery books are for me. I have read a couple now and none of them have been amazing like some people say. This book was not bad at all, but it didn't hook me in. It felt complicated and convoluted to the point where I was like, 'okay let's get to the point here.' The characters, specifically Mrs. Peabody, grew on me as the story went on. But I wasn't crazy about the ending. I wanted something a bit more dramatic and unexpected but it was just okay for me.

[Jan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes being a busybody can help you solve a murder or it can get you killed. Mrs. Peabody can't resist listening in on other people's phone calls. When she overhears some things that she shouldn't things get a bit scary for Mrs. Peabody.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Honeyspoon Murder Mystery

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great year to set the book in. I loved this book, just shared it with a friend. First time reading her must find more from her.

[G. Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's such a smart author and her books are so fun. She's great with period pieces. If you didn't live through the period, you'll learn something. Very enjoyable.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book only took 1 day to read. Wonderful. Great mystery and during a time I remember growing up in. (Late 50's) A busybody who enjoys taking what she can, as she can without giving too much of herself in her older years. Murders that could be related, but no clear indications while hunting for clues. Clear, abrupt & the distanced style of MA and the New England area. Suburban America in a smaller city with the neighborhood dramas and gossip that goes with it. Shoplifter, librarian, a family who fights night after night, a historical landmark, a cute little dog named Oliver all contributed to a fresh and lively mystery. I really enjoyed the book a lot.

[Destiny Constantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Peabody’s Party Line is an entertaining, page-turner, comical, and charming cozy murder mystery written by Edgar’s nominated writer, Marianna Heusler. She has published hundreds of short stories and eight novels with various writing styles, including supernatural, mystery, and fantasy. She is a new author for me, but I love a good cozy mystery novel, and mysteries are what I love to read and write. I absolutely loved this book, and I enjoyed reading it from the first page to the last. Mrs. Peabody’s Party Line is full of town secrets, adventure, and suspense and is different from other murder mystery stories I have read. It reminded me of a mystery book I read a while ago titled, Murder, Curlers, and Cream by Arlene McFarlane.

Continue reading my review on my blog, Destiny's Magical Creations, and on Functionally Fictional.

https://constantinsbooks.com/destiny%...
https://functionallyfictional.com/202...