Milwaukee Autumns Can Be Lethal

Beth Hartley #3

by Kathleen Barret

Legal researcher and occasional sleuth Beth Hartley must track a killer when Don Balstrum, the man she is working for, is brutally murdered, plunging her a world of corruption and greed where she is confronted by a wealth of suspects. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 1998

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beth is a lawyer who writes briefs for other attorneys. She goes to deliver one to Don (a lawyer she does work for) and finds him dead. She decides it is up to her to solve the murder and goes about it with gusto.

The problem with writing a cozy is for the author to make the reason for investigating the crime believable. After all, why not let the police do their job?

I liked most of the characters well enough in this book BUT that said, the enthusiasm with which they embrace Beth's involvement in the investigation really irritated me at times. one friend of hers actually pumped fist in the air and exclaimed YES or something like that. I found it off-putting.

Yet I can get past it if the story keeps me going. And for the most part, it did. But then, I felt the resolution didn't work either. Where did the killer come from out of the story? Were their clues? Maybe it was just me, but I missed it.

[Karen Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story by Kathleen Anne Barrett is an interesting read for those who are familiar with this area of Wisconsin. The creative characters, Milwaukee, WI setting, and crafty ending will have readers searching for more tales of this setting and author. copy right 1998 250 pages

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this because it was A) set in Milwaukee - where I live and B) my mom already read it and passed it on.

However, it is not good. The dialogue is forced horribly and the plot is thin and formulaic. Everyone in the book is described in excessive detail from what they wear to their car to their home, you get it. The book would be about 1/3 shorter and better too if all this over the top description was left out.

Can't believe this is the third in a series but no way I'll read the others.

I will note that it got better in the last 25% and I almost gave it a second star; but then remembered the beginning and the thoughts of DNFing and came back to earth.

[Greyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth's friends are way too nonchalant about the death notes while she investigates her friend's murder (concurrently with but apart from a police investigation? Wouldn't they be interviewing the same people?)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fully expected it to be two stars but it exceeded my expectations. Entertaining, classic mystery with just the right number of nostalgic nods to Milwaukee

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was the third book in the Beth Hartley Mystery Series until I had begun reading it. The author did a great job writhing this book that made it so you didn’t feel as though you had to stop reading it to read the books before it. There were parts that would have probably made more sense if you had read the other books in the series, but those parts were also explained in a way that made it still easy to follow and get the gist of what probably happened. I never felt at all at a disadvantage due to not reading the others.

I really liked this book. It had me after the prologue pages. Beth (the main character) is a lawyer who has branched into her own business and has 3 people under her at her office, which she runs out of her home. She also has taken on some amateur sleuthing in the past and has gotten quite good at it. So when her friend (another lawyer) is murdered, she is all about helping solve the case. The case takes a turn for the worst when Beth starts getting threatening letters and photos in her mail that basically tell her to stop investigating or she and her friends/family will be sorry. Does this stop a headstrong woman lawyer with her own business though? Heck no it doesn’t, it makes her kick her investigation up even more and makes her even MORE determined to find out who has done this and who murdered her lawyer friend Don. Not all the people she tries to talk to for clues are willing participants or give her a lot of information, but Beth is very determined and keeps plugging along. As she digs she finds MANY secrets that could have lead to Don’s death, but which one is the one that finally did him in? To find the answers she relies most on Don’s twin brother David and Don’s business partner Glen for information. Neither is very open with her…at first. But when you are a determined woman on a mission like Beth, you have ways to get them to spill the beans.

Would highly recommend this book for a good mystery read. 4 out of 5 stars!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-practicing lawyer Beth runs a brief-writing service for lawyers. She's delivering one to old law school acquaintance Don when she finds out that he's been murdered. Beth and some of her co-workers decide to investigate, which upsets her boyfriend, detective Brian. Beth finds out more than she wants to know about Don's strange family and unhappy law practice, but she does figure out who the murderer is. I know that some people may find Barrett's works a little too smooth and lacking in conflict, but they make great comfort reads.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a book written about places where I have been. Set in Milwaukee, WI, this book discusses areas that are familiar as Beth goes about solving another murder mystery. I enjoyed the author's descriptions and sub-plots. The characters seem to be quite realistic.
Beth is a lawyer who plans to deliver papers to a classmate only to find him dead. Her decision to pursue finding the killer puts her and other into danger. I only wish the story with Brian could have been developed more. I would like to see Beth and Brian actually working together.

[Nancy Rogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book I've read in this series and probably the best. The only part that is not very good is the romance angle. For a couple who are supposedly pretty committed Beth and her "boyfriend" rarely talk or see each other except when something happens during her investigations. This is a weird and so-unrealistic relationship. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, was fooled again by the ending and would read more by this author.

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery about a lawyer turned private investigator who finds the murdered body of her client, also a lawyer. Some nice twists and some handy background to make decisions easier. Gentle and fun.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not particularly well written, and the finale didn't really make much sense, but it is enjoyable to read a story set in a place with which I am familiar.