Milwaukee Summers Can Be Deadly

Beth Hartley #2

by Kathleen Barret

When well-respected CPA Phillip Barry is murdered, ex-attorney turned legal researcher Beth Hartley finds herself immersed in the case when she discovers that Phillip was a notorious womanizer who left behind a number of vengeful women, who are eager to reveal his many dark secrets. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

the story drags on a lot and leaves in details that weren’t needed. it’s boring and i remember seeing a grammar error (wrong you’re/your lol). super boring characters that just were not fleshed out enough to interest me much. i don’t see myself reading the rest of the series. 👋😔

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled on this in a used bookstore. A former attorney turned legal researcher does some sleuthing on the side. In this case, her second, her young neighbor/snow shoveler asks her to help investigate his father's murder, believing that Beth can solve it before the police can. As she races to solve not one but two murders, Beth --who is racing against the police in a side bet with her maybe boyfriend/police officer -- learns a lot about human behavior, and relationships (parents and children, spouses, siblings). Much isn't pretty, but her leads her to the right answer. And it makes me want to visit Milwaukee!

[Morgan Larsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring. It seems like there is no plot until the last 5 pages. Otherwise, it spends the entire time physically describing characters' clothes, hair, homes, and the lay out of the city of Milkwaukee for no reason.

[Johnmarilyn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to read some of the reviews that labeled this book "boring". I found it intriguing and interesting how the main character "solved" the case - slow and methodical investigation while making new friends and understanding many others' needs & actions along the way.

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up at a little free library. A quick read. The author spent a lot of time describing what she ate,how people had their home decorated. She also name dropped a lot of Milwaukee locations, a number that no longer exist as this was copy written in the 90’s.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beth Hartley is a legal researcher with a lot of time on her hands, apparently. When the a neighbor is killed, his teenage son asks her to investigate his death. She discovers lots of people with reason to dislike the dead man. But even though she finds lots of people with secrets they'd like to keep hidden, will she find a murderer?

I thought this was a pretty good story, but not really anything special. I wouldn't really be interested in reading more in this series. I hope someone else will enjoy it more than I did.

CMB

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Grew up near Milwaukee and wanted to read this because of the location. While it referenced many of the malls, streets and restaurants, the book was not worth reading it for the nostalgia only. Loved the references to the lake, but the author just seemed to try to hard to make herself a good writer- sticking in totally random sentences to seem poetic. This was the second in a series, I did not read the first- this books assume you know what is going on, and jump right into a mystery with no background or curiosity written. Frankly, the book was stupid.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I have read. It kept describing Milwaukee like it was some sort of historical guide book. It was forced and interfered with the narrative, which was also dull and painful to read. The characters lacked spark and were not endearing at all. And the plot was lame-o and poorly developed. I don't understand how it got published, and now I know why I never heard of it.

[Graceann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Milwaukee Summers" Review"

Terrible book. No story, no writing skill, no excuse. If detailed descriptions of upholstery and meal ingredients float your boat, you'll love this waste of paper. I can't believe it's part of a series - this author should never have been allowed off of the reject pile.

[Jazz Eisinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was enough interest to keep me reading to the end, but the over abundance of unnecessary description and minute details was sometimes distracting. It felt less like a mystery novel and more like a tour of Milwaukee in the 90s (not that I'm complaining - it's very thorough and thrilling for a life-long Milwaukeean). However the ending was a little too neat and didn't make me feel like I had any clues to latch on to and help solve along with the characters.

[Teesa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character Beth Hartley left me wanting more. The supporting cast were equally unappealing and she spend more time describing very meal and I did not learn anything about her background in legal research. Her childhood friend works with her but there's absolutely nothing about their relationship to one another and why they chose to work together. Very unsatisfying and not sure I will read anything further in the series from this author.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again former lawyer Beth Hartley is asked to investigate a murder. This time, the young boy who shovels her snow asks her to find out who killed his father. Beth's narration, which sounds like her confiding in a girlfriend, draws the reader into her confusion and lack of confidence as she interviews a variety of family members, workmates and friends, uncovering skeletons in the family closets.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lawyer is murdered and not too much later, so isn't his secretary. Beth isn't with the police but shes on the case!

I didn't think id like this book but I'm glad i gave it a shot. I loved it but its a 4/5 because the large amount of details were distracting at times and a lot of questions were left unanswered.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather pedestrian novel. A more adroit author does not find it necessary to go over what the protagonist does next, and next, and next, including what she had for lunch and when she let the dog out. 24 hours later I could not remember the ending.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best mystery I've ever read, but it was fun to read a book based in Milwaukee.

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book didn't hold my interest. It seemed a little disconnected and it was hard to care about the characters.

[Toesnorth's mom]

not very good

[Nancy Rogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second one I've read in this older series and I liked it. It's a good easy read. I didn't see the ending coming and I like the characters who appear in each book.

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read-typical mystery but good story. This seems like a series, so if there is another I might read it later on.

[Charlee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like I was reading a very chronological diary about a woman who loves tea.

[Nancy Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beth is REALLY annoying.