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Leigh Koslow Mystery #11
Never Murder a Birder
Eleventh in the USA-Today bestselling Leigh Koslow mystery series!
Note to Some witnesses are more trouble than others.
When Leigh's husband Warren gets offered a consulting gig in Corpus Christi, Texas, Leigh decides to migrate south for a rare week of fun and sun on the Gulf Coast. Warren may have to work, but for Leigh every day is a play day as she roams the beaches and parks of the sleepy, charismatic little town of Port Mesten, winter home to a few locals, scads of vacationing retirees, and a whole lot of birdlife. Now granted, it might seem odd that a body would wash up on the sand within hours of her arrival, considering that the peaceful birding and fishing mecca hasn't seen a murder in well over a decade. But Leigh is not involved -- she's simply having a good time getting to know her cousin Hap, who's putting her up at the historic hotel he manages, and his wife Bev, who is fattening Leigh up with delectable home cooking. So what if a bunch of random people in town are staring at Leigh as if she looks familiar? The fact that these same people happen to be murder suspects is not her problem.
But when a dedicated birdwatcher is felled at dawn with his binoculars still around his neck, Bev and the other birders of Port Mesten decide to make it their problem. What crime did the unfortunate birder witness that cost him his life? And why does Leigh continue to be freakishly stalked from a distance? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Leigh would prefer to make beachcombing her first priority, but as the body count rises, she fears she will suffer for the sins of her mystery lookalike. While law enforcement does its thing, the birdwatchers quietly go about their own agenda, giving new meaning to the term "neighborhood watch." And when a fateful twist occurs that threatens not only Leigh, but the future of the local wildlife population, a desperate killer finds that silencing this witness has brought on a peck of trouble.
Praise for the Leigh Koslow Mystery
NEVER BURIED
"A funny, fast-paced, clever, and unusual mystery that will have readers clamoring for more. Edie Claire writes with style and dash. Sheer delight."--Carolyn Hart
NEVER SORRY
"Edie Claire is a bright new addition to the mystery world. Along with appealing characters and a blessedly lucid writing style, she delivers a solid plot that keeps the pages turning."--Margaret Maron
NEVER TEASE A SIAMESE
"The fifth installment in this excellent series, and perhaps Ms. Claire's best yet. The characters and relationships are superior, written with heartfelt compassion and wry wit."--Romantic Times
Note to Some witnesses are more trouble than others.
When Leigh's husband Warren gets offered a consulting gig in Corpus Christi, Texas, Leigh decides to migrate south for a rare week of fun and sun on the Gulf Coast. Warren may have to work, but for Leigh every day is a play day as she roams the beaches and parks of the sleepy, charismatic little town of Port Mesten, winter home to a few locals, scads of vacationing retirees, and a whole lot of birdlife. Now granted, it might seem odd that a body would wash up on the sand within hours of her arrival, considering that the peaceful birding and fishing mecca hasn't seen a murder in well over a decade. But Leigh is not involved -- she's simply having a good time getting to know her cousin Hap, who's putting her up at the historic hotel he manages, and his wife Bev, who is fattening Leigh up with delectable home cooking. So what if a bunch of random people in town are staring at Leigh as if she looks familiar? The fact that these same people happen to be murder suspects is not her problem.
But when a dedicated birdwatcher is felled at dawn with his binoculars still around his neck, Bev and the other birders of Port Mesten decide to make it their problem. What crime did the unfortunate birder witness that cost him his life? And why does Leigh continue to be freakishly stalked from a distance? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Leigh would prefer to make beachcombing her first priority, but as the body count rises, she fears she will suffer for the sins of her mystery lookalike. While law enforcement does its thing, the birdwatchers quietly go about their own agenda, giving new meaning to the term "neighborhood watch." And when a fateful twist occurs that threatens not only Leigh, but the future of the local wildlife population, a desperate killer finds that silencing this witness has brought on a peck of trouble.
Praise for the Leigh Koslow Mystery
NEVER BURIED
"A funny, fast-paced, clever, and unusual mystery that will have readers clamoring for more. Edie Claire writes with style and dash. Sheer delight."--Carolyn Hart
NEVER SORRY
"Edie Claire is a bright new addition to the mystery world. Along with appealing characters and a blessedly lucid writing style, she delivers a solid plot that keeps the pages turning."--Margaret Maron
NEVER TEASE A SIAMESE
"The fifth installment in this excellent series, and perhaps Ms. Claire's best yet. The characters and relationships are superior, written with heartfelt compassion and wry wit."--Romantic Times
- GenresCozy MysteryMysteryCozy
230 pages, Hardcover
First published April 13, 2017
About the author
Edie Claire
41 books277 followersNo matter the genre, USA-Today bestselling novelist and playwright Edie Claire strives to infuse all her writing with both warmth and humor. Her family-friendly Leigh Koslow cozy mystery series, a favorite of animal lovers that was originally published in 1999, was reborn in 2012 to become a Kindle Top-10 bestseller. Her romantic novels range from women’s fiction with romantic elements to a blend of romance and mystery, beginning with her traditionally published contemporaries, the award-winning Long Time Coming and Meant To Be, and continuing with her USA-Today bestselling Pacific Horizons series, whose characters follow the migration of the humpback whales to some of the most gorgeous locations on earth. In any Edie Claire work, the reader may be assured that while intrigue may beckon and tensions rise, love and happiness will always triumph in the end!
Edie has worked as a veterinarian, a childbirth educator, and a scientific/technical writer. A mother of three, she lives in Pennsylvania and aspires to become a snowbird.
Edie has worked as a veterinarian, a childbirth educator, and a scientific/technical writer. A mother of three, she lives in Pennsylvania and aspires to become a snowbird.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 7, 2025
When one of their number is found dead in a wildlife reserve, a group of bird watchers are determined to find her killer. Leigh Koslow is on holiday there, and keeps getting mistaken for someone else. And the CFO of the company that owns the place where she is staying has also been found dead. How do the threads connect? Leigh and the birders track down a cunning killer, while getting covered in mud and cat cuddles.
A fun cozy mystery set on an island off the Texas coast.
A fun cozy mystery set on an island off the Texas coast.
April 29, 2017
I had forgotten how much I enjoy Edie Claire 's Leigh Koslow books. I have some good reading to catch up on the series. I saw this book on a list and couldn't resist the topic. The birding information is outstanding. I really like the descriptions of the heron and turkey vultures in their actions. It was accurate. The tale flow smoothly making it easy to read. The comments of non-birders right on the content.
Keith's husband Warren accepted a consulting job in Corpus Christi, Texas. Leigh decided to accompany him for a relaxing vacation on the beach and no bodies. At the airport in Corpus Christi, there is an incident about Keith's suitcase that bothers her. Arriving at their destination, they learned of a body washing up on the beach. The first murder in Port Meston in ten years. It doesn't phase Leigh as she is not involved but is that true? As Leigh strolls around the area and she encounters strangers with binoculars looking at birds. A couple of strange men seem to recognize her and their room is search. Then bodies are found when Leigh is nearby. Before long it becomes apparent the Leigh is in danger and they moved to an RV park. One of the bodies is birder which has upset the residents of the park. An area watch is established man by the birders. Leigh needs a seeds before she becomes a victim. I highly recommend this book and series.
Keith's husband Warren accepted a consulting job in Corpus Christi, Texas. Leigh decided to accompany him for a relaxing vacation on the beach and no bodies. At the airport in Corpus Christi, there is an incident about Keith's suitcase that bothers her. Arriving at their destination, they learned of a body washing up on the beach. The first murder in Port Meston in ten years. It doesn't phase Leigh as she is not involved but is that true? As Leigh strolls around the area and she encounters strangers with binoculars looking at birds. A couple of strange men seem to recognize her and their room is search. Then bodies are found when Leigh is nearby. Before long it becomes apparent the Leigh is in danger and they moved to an RV park. One of the bodies is birder which has upset the residents of the park. An area watch is established man by the birders. Leigh needs a seeds before she becomes a victim. I highly recommend this book and series.
February 18, 2025
I've been putting off books from this series because I know it ends with book #12, and I've really enjoyed the stories, the characters and the setting. This book takes Leigh and husband Warren away from their home in Pittsburgh to Corpus Christi, Texas, and I missed the secondary characters.
There was a lot going on in this book, with Leigh at the center of most of it, despite being in unfamiliar surroundings - and her near-constant mantra of "I am not involved." There were a lot of twists in the mystery, but I wasn't surprised when the solution was revealed.
As much as I don't want to say goodbye to these characters, I'm eager to read the next - and last - book in the series, and hope that the story returns to the suburbs of Pittsburgh :)
There was a lot going on in this book, with Leigh at the center of most of it, despite being in unfamiliar surroundings - and her near-constant mantra of "I am not involved." There were a lot of twists in the mystery, but I wasn't surprised when the solution was revealed.
As much as I don't want to say goodbye to these characters, I'm eager to read the next - and last - book in the series, and hope that the story returns to the suburbs of Pittsburgh :)
September 5, 2024
Note to Some witnesses are more trouble than others.
When Leigh’s husband Warren gets offered a consulting gig in Corpus Christi, Texas, Leigh decides to migrate south for a rare week of fun and sun on the Gulf Coast. Warren may have to work, but for Leigh every day is a play day as she roams the beaches and parks of the sleepy, charismatic little town of Port Mesten, winter home to a few locals, scads of vacationing retirees, and a whole lot of birdlife. Now granted, it might seem odd that a body would wash up on the sand within hours of her arrival, considering that the peaceful birding and fishing mecca hasn’t seen a murder in well over a decade. But Leigh is not involved -- she’s simply having a good time getting to know her cousin Hap, who’s putting her up at the historic hotel he manages, and his wife Bev, who is fattening Leigh up with delectable home cooking. So what if a bunch of random people in town are staring at Leigh as if she looks familiar? The fact that these same people happen to be murder suspects is not her problem.
But when a dedicated birdwatcher is felled at dawn with his binoculars still around his neck, Bev and the other birders of Port Mesten decide to make it their problem. What crime did the unfortunate birder witness that cost him his life? And why does Leigh continue to be freakishly stalked from a distance? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Leigh would prefer to make beachcombing her first priority, but as the body count rises, she fears she will suffer for the sins of her mystery lookalike. While law enforcement does its thing, the birdwatchers quietly go about their own agenda, giving new meaning to the term “neighborhood watch.” And when a fateful twist occurs that threatens not only Leigh, but the future of the local wildlife population, a desperate killer finds that silencing this witness has brought on a peck of trouble.
When Leigh’s husband Warren gets offered a consulting gig in Corpus Christi, Texas, Leigh decides to migrate south for a rare week of fun and sun on the Gulf Coast. Warren may have to work, but for Leigh every day is a play day as she roams the beaches and parks of the sleepy, charismatic little town of Port Mesten, winter home to a few locals, scads of vacationing retirees, and a whole lot of birdlife. Now granted, it might seem odd that a body would wash up on the sand within hours of her arrival, considering that the peaceful birding and fishing mecca hasn’t seen a murder in well over a decade. But Leigh is not involved -- she’s simply having a good time getting to know her cousin Hap, who’s putting her up at the historic hotel he manages, and his wife Bev, who is fattening Leigh up with delectable home cooking. So what if a bunch of random people in town are staring at Leigh as if she looks familiar? The fact that these same people happen to be murder suspects is not her problem.
But when a dedicated birdwatcher is felled at dawn with his binoculars still around his neck, Bev and the other birders of Port Mesten decide to make it their problem. What crime did the unfortunate birder witness that cost him his life? And why does Leigh continue to be freakishly stalked from a distance? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Leigh would prefer to make beachcombing her first priority, but as the body count rises, she fears she will suffer for the sins of her mystery lookalike. While law enforcement does its thing, the birdwatchers quietly go about their own agenda, giving new meaning to the term “neighborhood watch.” And when a fateful twist occurs that threatens not only Leigh, but the future of the local wildlife population, a desperate killer finds that silencing this witness has brought on a peck of trouble.
July 9, 2017
Leigh accompanies Warren to a consulting gig in Corpus Christi and of course her mother has a cousin nearby in Port Meren who runs an hotel so they agree to stay on e island, visit with family and Leigh can site see whilst Warren works in the day. Whilst site seeing around the island Leigh notes several people who seem to be staring at her as if they know her. Maybe she has a doppelgänger? When one of those people searches their hotel room her cousin discovers all the people who have been staring at her are the children of his old friend who recently died. The old friend went from a mom and pop organisation to a large national corporation. Unfortunately his children were never interested and frankly not smart enough to run the corporation. But when the CFO of the corporation washes up on the beach, murdered Leigh and Warren figure something is up. Then when a birdwatcher is murdered in the preserve all the birders get into the investigation! Another excellent read.
October 8, 2017
"Never Murder a Birder,"!by Edie Claire, is the eleventh in a series of murder mysteries . Each one takes you into a particular environment, in this case the world of birdwatchers.that for me as one of your pills of reading such a gendre, whose plots are relatively the same. Striking characterizations, good background description, and stylish language are another appeal, and this one has that too, if you find the author's wry humorous observations and portrayal of the adventures of a middle-aged woman and her husband on vacation in a Texas wetlands to be your cup of tea. A pleasant pass the time kind of m book.
June 6, 2017
Leigh can always find trouble even when she tries not to because she just can't help being curious and trying to solve a mystery. This is a fun and sometimes funny story perfect for summer reading.
June 20, 2017
Another great book for the series
I really enjoyed this book (as I have all the others in this series). A fun, light read which keeps you guessing. I wish there were even more to read!
I really enjoyed this book (as I have all the others in this series). A fun, light read which keeps you guessing. I wish there were even more to read!
February 18, 2019
Birders
Another vibrant and thoroughly entertaining read of the escapades of Leigh Koslow and her family. Can't wait for volume 12!! If you haven't read any of the "Never" series then you don't know what you are missing.
Another vibrant and thoroughly entertaining read of the escapades of Leigh Koslow and her family. Can't wait for volume 12!! If you haven't read any of the "Never" series then you don't know what you are missing.
September 29, 2025
Finally getting to the last two in this series. This was an interesting twist with the main character on vacation. I enjoyed the setting near and at a Texas nature preserve. The murder(s) and mysteries surrounding them were quite interesting as well.
June 17, 2017
Good book
While I missed the the usual cast of characters, it was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed the bird's eye view!
While I missed the the usual cast of characters, it was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed the bird's eye view!
June 29, 2019
Another great book in this series....keep them coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
Review
I love this series. I missed the Pittsburgh locations and people but enjoyed the new ones. Leigh always finds trouble in a fun way.
I love this series. I missed the Pittsburgh locations and people but enjoyed the new ones. Leigh always finds trouble in a fun way.
August 17, 2025
Great! Great!
This has been the best story of the series! I did not want to put the book down! It was suspenseful! Again, Leigh was in the middle of everything!
This has been the best story of the series! I did not want to put the book down! It was suspenseful! Again, Leigh was in the middle of everything!
April 28, 2017
Another great book by a great author. Realistic characters and wonderful dialogue. I read all she writes.
April 18, 2017
Great read
I love Edie Claire's books I have read all of the Leigh koslow series and with great stories great characters you will too I can't wait till the next one
I love Edie Claire's books I have read all of the Leigh koslow series and with great stories great characters you will too I can't wait till the next one
April 22, 2017
Never Murder a Birder: Leigh Koslow mysteries #11
by Edie Claire
It's always a joy to read work by an author who understands pacing, flow, humor, building tension, and the importance of professional editing and proofing. That said, I did find one really glaring error, and I'm going to post it early, because, yes, it cost the book a star. At 354 on my Kindle is this: "The fish taco had been low-cal, right?" Seems fine, right? Unfortunately, the fish taco had been a chicken taco at location 306, with no snacks or meals in between. So, with my what's wrong with the book out of the way, let's move on to what's good!
Leigh and Warren are going away -- alone -- without children -- on a short vacation. Warren has business in Corpus Christi, and Leigh is tagging along to escape the Pennsylvania winter weather. Her kids and pets are safely stashed with her sister and Leigh looks forward to staying at The Silver King Hotel, managed by her cousin, Hap, in Port Mesten, a small town close to Corpus Christi (Port Mesten is a fictional Texas town, probably based on Port Aransas since the Leigh and Warren drove through Mustang Island to get there, but the location, distance from Corpus Christi, and physical description reminded me of the Rockport/Fulton area where my sons lived and worked for a time.). Leigh looks forward to lazy days walking on the beach and eating healthy. But, as Robert Burns noted: "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley," and Leigh's vacation plans hit a snag immediately upon landing in Texas, when a glamorous woman seems determined to snag Leigh's suitcase at the airport. After arriving at the Silver King, and meeting her cousin, Hap Taylor, and his wife Bev, another part of her fantasy of vacations slips away when she discovers that Bev is an excellent cook and makes wonderful baked goods. So much for healthy eating! The final straw is the body that has washed up on the beach, coinciding with Leigh and Warren's arrival.
Try as she might, Leigh cannot seem to stay unconnected from violent deaths, as the body count begins to rise around her. And who are these folks she keeps running into who seem to know her? Throw in a group of elderly snowbirds who want nothing more than to protect the wildlife sanctuary and be left to their bird watching, a cat named Snowbell with issues of her own, a prominent family with hidden agendas, and you get a slam-bang mystery, full of action, angst, and fun.
by Edie Claire
It's always a joy to read work by an author who understands pacing, flow, humor, building tension, and the importance of professional editing and proofing. That said, I did find one really glaring error, and I'm going to post it early, because, yes, it cost the book a star. At 354 on my Kindle is this: "The fish taco had been low-cal, right?" Seems fine, right? Unfortunately, the fish taco had been a chicken taco at location 306, with no snacks or meals in between. So, with my what's wrong with the book out of the way, let's move on to what's good!
Leigh and Warren are going away -- alone -- without children -- on a short vacation. Warren has business in Corpus Christi, and Leigh is tagging along to escape the Pennsylvania winter weather. Her kids and pets are safely stashed with her sister and Leigh looks forward to staying at The Silver King Hotel, managed by her cousin, Hap, in Port Mesten, a small town close to Corpus Christi (Port Mesten is a fictional Texas town, probably based on Port Aransas since the Leigh and Warren drove through Mustang Island to get there, but the location, distance from Corpus Christi, and physical description reminded me of the Rockport/Fulton area where my sons lived and worked for a time.). Leigh looks forward to lazy days walking on the beach and eating healthy. But, as Robert Burns noted: "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley," and Leigh's vacation plans hit a snag immediately upon landing in Texas, when a glamorous woman seems determined to snag Leigh's suitcase at the airport. After arriving at the Silver King, and meeting her cousin, Hap Taylor, and his wife Bev, another part of her fantasy of vacations slips away when she discovers that Bev is an excellent cook and makes wonderful baked goods. So much for healthy eating! The final straw is the body that has washed up on the beach, coinciding with Leigh and Warren's arrival.
Try as she might, Leigh cannot seem to stay unconnected from violent deaths, as the body count begins to rise around her. And who are these folks she keeps running into who seem to know her? Throw in a group of elderly snowbirds who want nothing more than to protect the wildlife sanctuary and be left to their bird watching, a cat named Snowbell with issues of her own, a prominent family with hidden agendas, and you get a slam-bang mystery, full of action, angst, and fun.
April 22, 2017
Another fun read from Edie Claire! It was neat getting to see Leigh and Warren in a different location, Texas gulf coast, instead of near Pittsburgh, PA. A good story with interesting characters and good twists.
April 27, 2017
Love these Leigh Koslow books, nice to find her on her "holidays" but did miss the rest of the family a little bit in this one, but some good birder characters. Hope she goes back there at some point.
Would recommend this series of books, but do start at book 1 for a funny, great character based novel with a few murders thrown in while Leigh tries to keep a hold on her family and pets whilst helping solve a mystery along the way.
Would recommend this series of books, but do start at book 1 for a funny, great character based novel with a few murders thrown in while Leigh tries to keep a hold on her family and pets whilst helping solve a mystery along the way.
April 28, 2017
A very enjoyable read with a satisfying ending. This is one long running series I still enjoy reading. Leigh always manages to get herself into situations and being on vacation is no different. The mystery is different enough to be interesting and just off key enough to remain plausible. Looking forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews