Mixing with Murder

Fran Varady #6

by Ann Granger

Whilst pursuing one crime investigation, Fran Varady gets caught up in another . . . Amateur sleuth Fran Varady faces more questionable characters in her most complicated investigation yet. Mixing with Murder is the sixth sparky mystery in Ann Granger's Fran Varady series, not to be missed by fans of Carola Dunn and Val McDermid. Fran Varady isn't keen to help seedy club owner Mickey Allerton track down Lisa, a dancer who's done a bunk. But since Mickey's holding Fran's dog Bonnie hostage till the job's done, she doesn't have much choice. She quickly locates Lisa and they arrange to meet--but when Fran gets there early, the first thing she sees is a body floating in the river. It's Ivo, one of Mickey's nastier bouncers. If Lisa wasn't terrified already, she is when she gets this news, and Fran finds herself torn between helping the frightened girl and doing Mickey's bidding. And it's all about to get a lot more complicated . . .

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Detective, British Literature

Audio CD

About the author

Ann Granger (born 1939) has worked in British embassies in various parts of the world. She met her husband, who was also working for the British Embassy, in Prague and together they received postings to places as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. They are now permanently based in Oxfordshire.

Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.

Reviews

[Berengaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Book 6 of 7 in the Fran Varaday series.

While the mystery is solid -- this is Ann Granger after all -- it is a very by-the-book bog-standard mystery that takes a whopping long time to actually get anywhere. Besides that, the novel reads more like a "had to keep the series going" offering than Granger actually having had an idea for it. That's fine, but it could have been trimmed by 100 pages and still would have got the job done.

Still, Fran Varaday is an excellent series character and Granger always delivers -- even when she's not greatly inspired.

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is quite obvious Ann GRANGER is a talented writer, as she begins and slowly drags you into her story along with some dark bits and some humour.
I like the way she progresses the story and yes, keeps you very interested, and has an intriguing ending.
Recommended

[Hilary G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve now read all 7 Fran Varady crime novels, not quite in the right order, but it didn’t matter much. I’ve rated the whole series 4 stars because the stories were a bit different. Fran is an engaging heroine and Ann Granger uses her circumstances to say some important things about homelessness, something I am interested in, and ashamed how prevalent it is in my country and how the homeless are largely dismissed as junkies or alcoholics. But there is no political agenda in these stories, the comments are incidental and there are no rants about homelessness. There are some really interesting characters, such as Ganesh, Hari, Edna, even Bonnie the dog. I am baffled why the stories have not been adapted for TV as I think they would work well. Not that I care much, I watch little TV, but I can’t help wondering. After 7 books, I think I have had enough of Fran and her world, and perhaps the writer felt the same as there are no more. But I happily read all 7, felt comfy with the characters, and enjoyed them all.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fran Varady books are very fun; interesting and light reading. Fran always gets herself into difficult situations, often with her friend, Ganesh. I like the series as she does not take herself seriously (although she takes the crime solving seriously). The descriptions are frank observations from a woman who has seen much hardship in her life. Mixing with Murder is a good beach or weekend read.

[Cristina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigues and games are played and surprising outcomes, including the person, kills the bouncer and the mother who normally so straight.

The private investigator is neat lady fun and scared and with little dog, but has guts, not given many options to work as wishes she eventually cuts through it all.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent crime novel.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

fran would be actor part time detective
she is sent to find Lisa by gang boss
fran finds Lisa and who done it easy read

[Geoffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery, with twists and turns to the end.

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for the fast read..a decent book to pass the time while avoiding outside work at -34C.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy the Fran Varady mysteries. The character is interesting and fun, the mysteries are interesting and the interplay between the different types of characters is never dull. She's one smart cookie.

[Janis]

Loved it!

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Ann's best out of those I've read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - Good