Murder on the Cape Fear

Magnolia Mysteries #6

by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter

This sixth book in Ellen Elizabeth Hunter’s popular Wilmington series is set in the Historic District where Ashley Wilkes, historic preservationist, is restoring a former blockade runner’s home. Captain Pettigrew ran the blockade successfully before he and his ship disappeared during the final days of the Civil War. Letters found in the captain’s house narrate his adventures in his own words. As Ashley’s sister Melanie hosts a real estate investors weekend, Ashley stumbles over a corpse at Two Sisters Bookery. Then a terrorist threatens to blow up Memorial Bridge at the height of rush hour and Ashley’s beloved Wilmington is thrown into panic and chaos! “Hunter’s fascination with historic Wilmington is evident in the rich descriptions, and her list of murder suspects will keep the reader guessing until the end.” – Our State Magazine, North Carolina "This author is one of my all time favorites. She provides a vivid picture of the area she is in and makes you feel you are right there. She has done so in all her books and still makes it interesting to want to read more of her works. Historically and descriptive in what the main character is going through. I find it fun and educational without being boring." Sharian “I have recently started reading your books on the Wilmington series and have fallen in LOVE. I cannot put them down . Needless to say not a lot is getting done at home.Thank you and GOD BLESS” Anne “Just finished the last of the nine books in your Wilmington Series via my Kindle. Greatly enjoyed all of them. Are there any more to come? Especially liked the descriptions of the various foods available in Wilmington – makes one want to run right up here. Best wishes for future literary efforts.” William “I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I just finished reading your ninth book. I was thrilled to see on your web page that you are writing a tenth! I've come to feel that I really "know" the characters, and enjoy reading about historic Wilmington. I've also fallen in love with the characters, and feel as if I know them as friends. I can't wait till your next in the series. Don't ever stop!” Kathy “I am a huge fan of your books. I've read all of this series so far. Please don't stop writing this series. You've done such good character development that the readers want these gals to go on and have new adventurer in their married lives. I truly enjoy your stories, please keep going. Thank you,” Jan “I finished Christmas Wedding yesterday evening and I really loved it. You did a great job with the characters and elements of surprise as well as keeping it believable. I enjoy the historical information you include, it makes me want to come further south the next time we come to the Outer Banks. I have started “Murder at the Bellamy Mansion” and have to really restrain myself to not let my work go and just sit and read. “ Mary Ann “My mother and I are huge fans of your Magnolia Mysteries book series! We live in Indiana. I have read all of the books that you have written so far, and I was wondering if there will be another book? Thank you for writing your books…they have given me a lot of good entertainment!” Haley “I just finished the last of the Magnolia Mysteries, when are you going to write more? I love the characters and the settings. You can't just leave your readers guessing about what Melanie, Ashley, Scarlett and the rest will do with all the gold coins they found. Please continue the series. A true fan.” Lucie “I just stumbled across your first book last weekend and am now up to book 5 - I simply can NOT put them down. They are wonderfully written - with characters you get to know and love and want to know more about. I thoroughly enjoy the descriptions of Wilmington - it sounds like a place I want to visit someday. To top that off, I am thoroughly enjoying the mysteries themselves - you have excellent plot twists and just when I think I've figured out "whodunit" I realize I'm wrong. I've been surprised every t

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Amy]

The mysteries and the series itself is interesting; I love Wilmington and North Carolina history. Her writing is fairly good and this is the 3rd book I've read in the series; they also do not have to be read in order. However, my reason for giving the book a 3star is her continuing obsession with women's sizes, what they order from the menu, their portion size, being sure to emphasize that Ashley does NOT drink sweet tea, only unsweetened! There was one character who was "played up" to be this gargantuan sized, obese, "disgusting" woman. She is later murdered and Ashley is going through her things to sort them out and finds that she wears a size 18 jeans!! OMG.. She can't believe it.. As if anyone could be so big.. I actually wanted to throw the book against the wall at that point but it is a library book so I refrained. I own three more of her books so I probably will read them b/c of the subject matter. I lived in the area for some time and toured Ft. Fisher in October, which was some of the focus of this mystery of hidden Confederate gold. Now I'll be sure and make up some sweet tea to drink y'all.. lol.. Extra sweet for dear Ashley, who can't gain an ounce until her wedding!

[Dee Gurganus]

Another great read by Ms Hunter. Melanie, the historic house restore, finds another body and the hunt for the murderer begins. Classic mystery story. But Ms Hunter brings Melanie and her family right into your heart as she learns to live with who she is. Aunt Ruby & Bilkie are adorable characters while being older myself I can definitely relate to. And of course, there is the setting in Wilmington, NC, a beautiful place with lots of water & beaches. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries should really consider making Ms Hunter's books one of their Ladies of Mystery movie series. Loved It!

[Kellene]

I guess I really don't like this series although I keep reading the books. What's up with that? Actually, I do like the setting and love the history involved with so many of the stories. But there's too much obsession with appearances to suit me (I know they are prepping for a wedding, but seriously?), and the writing is an issue at times (for the record, it's The Beatles, not The Beetles). Anyway, I'm not saying I will or won't continue with the series because I think I tend to grab them when it's convenient, forgetting that I don't like them much.

[Rosaland Harris]

Quick page turner. I have actually seen the cape fear river and it is beautiful. What irritated me a little was the relationship with Ashley and Jon. She made their relationship perfect, but to me it was syrupy sappy. I can't wait to read Murder on Wrightsville Beach.

[Johnmarilyn Rivera]

Good read!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book)]

Ashley Wilkes lives in Wilmington, North Carolina and is an historic preservationist; she is restoring the home of a sea captain, Thomas Pettigrew, who was a Civil War blockade runner. An old journal and letters link Captain Pettigrew to the present day, and someone who believes there is buried treasure somewhere in the house she is restoring is willing to kill for it.

While at a local bookshop where her uncle is having a book signing, Ashley stumbles - literally - across a dead body. She discovers that her uncle was sent a journal written by the late Captain Pettigrew.

I picked up this book for the fact that it has ties to the Civil War, a subject I am extremely interested in. I am glad to say I was not disappointed. The plot is well-woven, the story tight, and the characters both endearing and infuriating.

I was slightly confused at first, because although the book's description reads that Ashley is an "historic preservationist," and that she is refurbishing a home, she refers to the home as 'hers', and several times throughout the book she notes that she has to get back to 'her house,' and I guess maybe a preservationist could refer to a house that way; I don't think I, personally, would get so attached to a house I was refurbishing to look at it as mine. Nor would I live in it as Ashley is doing. I've seen houses that needed to be restored, and no one I know would think of living in them while they're refinishing unless the house truly belonged to them. After all, how would you feel when it was time to leave? But I digress...

When Ashley finds the body, it turns out he was part of an 'investors weekend' her sister Melanie was hosting. Melanie is an ex-beauty queen-turned-realtor who breezes through life without a care, and does pretty much whatever she pleases. So until the police can clear the rest of the investors as suspects, no one is allowed to leave town.

Melanie being who she is, foists upon her younger sister a loud-mouthed writer and her mousy husband who proceed to take over the house from Ashley, lock, stock and barrel. Ashley is beside herself but her sister won't do anything (stating all hotels are full), and Patsy, the unwelcome houseguest, considers herself a 'picker' and begins to load the house with all sorts of junk, to Ashley's dismay. Patsy is a thoroughly unlikeable, coarse woman in my opinion, and there were a few times while reading I wanted to give her a swift kick myself.

Then things begin to happen - and I won't spoil the book and say what. But what I will say is that it is all tied to the journal that Ashley's Uncle Binkie has received from the home's owner - and that it goes back to the Civil War, Wilmington and the blockade runners. There are historical references and information regarding Wilmington and the surrounding area which I found to be interesting.

When the ending is finally revealed, it was put together well. A very good read and recommended for anyone with either an interest in the Civil War or mysteries.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)]

I waited to long to read this book! I had high expectations and I think that set me up for a little disappointment. Loved learning about my town (Wilmington, NC) and the history of the blockade and the treacherous Cape Fear River. It was a blast seeing events of the story take place in stores, restaurants, and roads in which I frequently visit! Found myself a little dissatisfied with the mystery though. There didn't seem to be enough development leading up to the solution, and everything wrapped up a little too quickly.

Also, Ashely's sister, Melanie was such a selfish pain in this book! I can't believe what she put her poor sister through! She got on my nerves a little too much.

[Cindy]

Ashley is planning her wedding to her sweetheart Joel and restoring a historic home that belonged to a Confederate Navy Captain. But then she discovers another dead body or two. And her soon-to-be ex wants her back.

This could have been more fun, if I was in a better mood, I think. The story of the Confederate gold was interesting. But I really didn't approve of some personal decisions by Ashley and the writing wasn't very good. Maybe it's just me, but it's tacky to sleep with someone until your divorce is final. I won't read more by this author.

[Chris]

I loved including Two Sisters Bookery in a murder mystery!
Nick wants a 2nd chance....HAAAAAAAAAAA!
The mystery of the gold coins kept me interested...but even I wanted to murder Patsy!

oops, I think the history about the sunken ships was in this one, not ICW???? I read them after each other so now I don't remember...sigh

[Karen]

I have read several of the Magnolia Mysteries by this author and they are just good, fun reads. Makes me think of favorite books of my childhood, the Nancy Drew Mysteries.

It also helps that the area of North Carolina where these books are set is one of my favorite areas to visit.

[Susan]

Sixth in the Willington, NC murder mystery series.

[Glenn Harris]

Not one of the best in the "Magnolia Mystery" series, but enjoyable.

[Lesley Looper]

As usual, I enjoyed the NC coastal setting of this book, like others in this series, but I didn't enjoy the extra characters as much in this installment.

[Kate]

My first book by this author. Like the Wilmington setting, the food, a bit of history and and the fun of a mystery. Think I will read some more of this series for a quick, easy read.