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Talk Radio Mystery #3
Stay Tuned for Murder
Psychologist Maggie Walsh matches wits with a phony psychic who blows into town and starts holding seances. Does Madame Chantel really have the power to talk to the dead? Two beloved old ladies attend one of her "ghostly chats" and wind up murdered. Meanwhile, Cypress Grove is gearing up for a celebration; the mayor is about to unearth a time capsule dating back fifty years and WYME is promoting the event. Maggie wonders if the contents of the time capsule could somehow be connected with the mysterious murders? People are dying to know what’s inside the capsule. Yes, literally dying! Stay tuned...
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 23, 2010
222 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kennedy
145 books330 followersMary Kennedy is a national best-selling novelist and a licensed psychologist on the east coast. She has written 37 young adult novels and has a new adult mystery series with Penguin, The Talk Radio Mysteries.The first title, DEATH IS BAD KARMA was released in January 2010, and the second release, REEL MURDER, is available now. She has spoken at over 100 schools, libraries and writers' conferences all over the country. She received a grant and award for "artistic excellence in fiction" from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Please visit her online at http://www.marykennedy.net. And be sure to visit Killer Characters--it's a fun site where cozy mystery writers blog as their characters! www.killercharacters.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 2, 2018
Stay Tuned for Murder by Mary Kennedy was another fun edition to the Talk Radio series.
Ms. Kennedy's descriptive writing of Cypress Grove always makes me feel like I'm right there with Maggie, Lark, Lola and Vera Mae. Maggie has a new adversary this time with Madame Chantel, a self-proclaimed medium who has moved into town and taken over Maggie's radio show. I do love Vera Mae! It was good visiting with Lola, too, although she wasn't in this book as much as the previous one. I appreciate that Rafe is beginning to be more amendable to Maggie's opinions; but he still frustrates me with his "psychobabble" attitude.
The plot flowed smoothly and quickly as Maggie tries to find out who is responsible for two murders. Are they connected or two separate incidents? The twists and turns with only a few suspects made this a book that I didn't want to put down.
Ms. Kennedy's descriptive writing of Cypress Grove always makes me feel like I'm right there with Maggie, Lark, Lola and Vera Mae. Maggie has a new adversary this time with Madame Chantel, a self-proclaimed medium who has moved into town and taken over Maggie's radio show. I do love Vera Mae! It was good visiting with Lola, too, although she wasn't in this book as much as the previous one. I appreciate that Rafe is beginning to be more amendable to Maggie's opinions; but he still frustrates me with his "psychobabble" attitude.
The plot flowed smoothly and quickly as Maggie tries to find out who is responsible for two murders. Are they connected or two separate incidents? The twists and turns with only a few suspects made this a book that I didn't want to put down.
April 24, 2020
3.5 stars. Another good entry in the series. This one had almost too much going on, there were a lot of characters and plot threads to keep track of. I enjoyed all the mysteries though and had fun watching everything get solved.
December 21, 2016
Psychic Madame Chantel has become a frequent guest on psychologist Maggie's talk show lately and when she and her friends get invited to a seance, Madame Chantel predicts something evil will happen in Cypress Grove, FL. The next day the town's historian is found murdered. What, if anything does this have to do withe the time capsule that's soon to be open? I really like the "Talk Radio Mystery" series. Good stories and great characters!
February 7, 2019
Maggie Walsh, a radio talk show psychologist, has a lot to deal with this time around (psychics, seances, time capsules, and paintings.) I love Maggie and her group of friends but in this book, we didn’t get to see much of her mom, her furbaby, or her roommate. Vera Mae was still ever present which I loved, but it seems that where every Maggie was the pushy psychic, Chatel, was in one way or another. I really didn’t like Chatel but it’s always fun to have a character to dislike. I like how Detective Rafe seems to be mellowing with Maggie as he is not dismissing her opinions as much as he once did. I really enjoyed the storyline it is easy to follow even if you haven’t read the other books in the series. The plot was fast-paced but had several well-placed twists and turns to keep you guessing. I admit I didn’t figure out the killer until the end.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
February 5, 2011
The question given is "What did you think?" Well, the answer is, "I think this book was worth the wait, money, and reading time." My only complaint is now I must await the next book.
Cypress Grove, FL will never be the same after two murders, time capsules, historical buildings, development projects, and fortunes being made and lost. Oh, did I forget the Oracle?
WYME radio talk host, Maggie is left to try and solve the above mysteries and even her two 'insiders' the local PD detective, Rafe and a newspaperman, Nick are lost as to clues as to what is happening to their gentle town.
This is all I'm going to say as I truly want you to run out and buy this book now. Treat yourself to a real 'who dun it?' and enjoy yourselves.
Cypress Grove, FL will never be the same after two murders, time capsules, historical buildings, development projects, and fortunes being made and lost. Oh, did I forget the Oracle?
WYME radio talk host, Maggie is left to try and solve the above mysteries and even her two 'insiders' the local PD detective, Rafe and a newspaperman, Nick are lost as to clues as to what is happening to their gentle town.
This is all I'm going to say as I truly want you to run out and buy this book now. Treat yourself to a real 'who dun it?' and enjoy yourselves.
September 4, 2010
This is Book 3 in my Penguin series,the Talk Radio Mysteries. It will hit the shelves (and everywhere!) next January (January 1, 2011)
February 27, 2020
This is the 3rd in the talk show mystery and my personal fav. I felt that the excitement and suspense was really amped up. Not to mention rafe is finally coming to his senses about Maggie! Unfortunately I cant find the 4th book anywhere but when I do I'll def be continuing on.
March 2, 2011
Stay Tuned for Murder – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘I ran down the list of suspects, feeling more frustrated by the moment. Chantel Carrington was the first name that leap into my mind. Why did I think of her as a suspect? I wrote down everything I knew about her. She was here in town under an alias, her background was murky, and somehow she’d made a name for herself in the motivational field. Could Mildred or Althea have suspected who she really was, or maybe they uncovered some dark secret from her past? Did they threaten to reveal it? I thought of Althea and Mildred. I couldn’t picture either one of them as a blackmailer. Irina said that Vera Mae told her Chantel reminded her of someone. Did she mean a celebrity? Or someone close to home? Could Chantel have relatives living in the area? Maybe there was a family resemblance that Vera Mae picked up on? Why had Chantel come to Cypress Grove? Yes, I knew the standard answer, but I didn’t buy it. My gut instinct told me she would never choose Cypress Grove as a place to kick back and pound out her memoirs. She’d lived all over the country, and I found it very hard to believe that she’d chosen our little town as a retreat. I put a star and a question mark next to her name. Chantel was still in the running, even though I was drawing a blank as to her motive.’
Maggie Walsh, talk show psychologist for radio station WYME is pondering the murder of two longtime Cypress Grove residences, Althea Somerset from the Cypress Grove Historical Society and Mildred Smoot the town’s librarian. Both have were murdered but for no apparent reason. Nothing was stolen and there was no abuse. Other than them being friends, the only thing Maggie can find in common between the two women was their excitement about the upcoming opening of the time capsule and their attendance of a séance given by Chantel Carrington. But, as Maggie questions others in town, her list of suspects starts to grow.
Trevor McNamara is on her list due to her feeling that his story about scouting out vacation properties in Cypress Grove is bogus. Mark Sanderson wants to build a towering condo project on the grounds where the court house stands. Why? Candace Somerset is the sister of Althea and she stands to inherit her sisters estate, which Maggie learns is quite substantial. Bob and Shalimar Hennessey are on her list but only because of their suspicious actions after inviting Maggie and a reporter friend Nick to dinner. But what motive would they have? And then there’s Chris Hendricks who Althea talked with about reframing a painting that she had found in the basement of the Society building. When Maggie interviewed him, she was disturbed by his high level of nervousness. She feels he has something to do with the murders but can’t seem to find his motive either.
I’ve had the pleasure and enjoyment of reading Mary Kennedy’s books Dead Air, Reel Murder and now Stay Tuned for Murder which is the 3rd in the Maggie Walsh series. After reading Reel Murder, I thought I had the Author’s style figured out and would be able to come up with the killer early on in Stay Tuned for Murder. Wrong! There are so many possible suspects with just as many reasons, that she kept me guessing until the very end. This was really a book I hated to not only put down but also to end.
Talk Radio Mysteries
305 pages
2011
Obsidian Mystery
ISBN# 978-0-451-23235-9
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘I ran down the list of suspects, feeling more frustrated by the moment. Chantel Carrington was the first name that leap into my mind. Why did I think of her as a suspect? I wrote down everything I knew about her. She was here in town under an alias, her background was murky, and somehow she’d made a name for herself in the motivational field. Could Mildred or Althea have suspected who she really was, or maybe they uncovered some dark secret from her past? Did they threaten to reveal it? I thought of Althea and Mildred. I couldn’t picture either one of them as a blackmailer. Irina said that Vera Mae told her Chantel reminded her of someone. Did she mean a celebrity? Or someone close to home? Could Chantel have relatives living in the area? Maybe there was a family resemblance that Vera Mae picked up on? Why had Chantel come to Cypress Grove? Yes, I knew the standard answer, but I didn’t buy it. My gut instinct told me she would never choose Cypress Grove as a place to kick back and pound out her memoirs. She’d lived all over the country, and I found it very hard to believe that she’d chosen our little town as a retreat. I put a star and a question mark next to her name. Chantel was still in the running, even though I was drawing a blank as to her motive.’
Maggie Walsh, talk show psychologist for radio station WYME is pondering the murder of two longtime Cypress Grove residences, Althea Somerset from the Cypress Grove Historical Society and Mildred Smoot the town’s librarian. Both have were murdered but for no apparent reason. Nothing was stolen and there was no abuse. Other than them being friends, the only thing Maggie can find in common between the two women was their excitement about the upcoming opening of the time capsule and their attendance of a séance given by Chantel Carrington. But, as Maggie questions others in town, her list of suspects starts to grow.
Trevor McNamara is on her list due to her feeling that his story about scouting out vacation properties in Cypress Grove is bogus. Mark Sanderson wants to build a towering condo project on the grounds where the court house stands. Why? Candace Somerset is the sister of Althea and she stands to inherit her sisters estate, which Maggie learns is quite substantial. Bob and Shalimar Hennessey are on her list but only because of their suspicious actions after inviting Maggie and a reporter friend Nick to dinner. But what motive would they have? And then there’s Chris Hendricks who Althea talked with about reframing a painting that she had found in the basement of the Society building. When Maggie interviewed him, she was disturbed by his high level of nervousness. She feels he has something to do with the murders but can’t seem to find his motive either.
I’ve had the pleasure and enjoyment of reading Mary Kennedy’s books Dead Air, Reel Murder and now Stay Tuned for Murder which is the 3rd in the Maggie Walsh series. After reading Reel Murder, I thought I had the Author’s style figured out and would be able to come up with the killer early on in Stay Tuned for Murder. Wrong! There are so many possible suspects with just as many reasons, that she kept me guessing until the very end. This was really a book I hated to not only put down but also to end.
Talk Radio Mysteries
305 pages
2011
Obsidian Mystery
ISBN# 978-0-451-23235-9
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
July 19, 2015
I started reading this book thinking it was book two in the series, and after having read book one I decided it was a book I was willing to read. I read chapter one and two and was discovering I felt like I had either missed something or the author was writing in a style I very much disliked. After three chapters of small things being said I didn't follow I looked closer at the book and realized it was book three not book two in the series. Then things started making sense as to why I was feeling like I mussed things. Ok, it was nothing super big in respect to this book making sense, but it was things that made the backgrounds make more sense. For instance; why Rafe and Maggie were going to start dating and then we're described as on again off again. Another instance is; talk of Maggie helping solve two murders when she only solved one in the first book. Like I said nothing detrimental to the story line, just made for some confusion while reading when I thought it was book two not book three.
As for this book, it was pretty good. The characters were great as they were in the other book I read. The writing was wonderful, with a flow like a raging river, nonstop from start to finish. I again liked the feel of that bit different murder mystery book. It had basically one plot, but it was more than enough to keep you guessing. This one had a couple tiny subplots, but they only added to the reading fun. I must say I really was not sure about the new character of Chantel. I came to dislike her mostly because of my extreme like for Maggie and how Chantel seemed to be under Maggie's skin all the time. She just was one of those "I'm better than you" characters, that I just love to hate.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a new and interesting murder mystery.
4/5 Stars
As for this book, it was pretty good. The characters were great as they were in the other book I read. The writing was wonderful, with a flow like a raging river, nonstop from start to finish. I again liked the feel of that bit different murder mystery book. It had basically one plot, but it was more than enough to keep you guessing. This one had a couple tiny subplots, but they only added to the reading fun. I must say I really was not sure about the new character of Chantel. I came to dislike her mostly because of my extreme like for Maggie and how Chantel seemed to be under Maggie's skin all the time. She just was one of those "I'm better than you" characters, that I just love to hate.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a new and interesting murder mystery.
4/5 Stars
February 4, 2011
Stay Tuned for Murder is the third in Mary Kennedy’s Talk Radio Mystery Series. I reviewed the first in the series, Dead Air. In Stay Tuned for Murder, Maggie Walsh is back as a radio talk show psychologist and determined amateur sleuth. This time she’s dealing with a pushy psychic, the opening of the town’s time capsule, and, of course, murder.
The first thing that draws you into this series is the characters. Maggie is believable – even her urge to put herself into the middle of investigations. Her mom is so over-the-top, you’ll wish she were your mom. And Rafe, Maggie’s semi-boyfriend and local cop, in this book, isn’t on-scene much but when he is you can feel the heat between him and Maggie. As for Mary Kennedy, the author, she is a practicing clinical psychologist so she brings credibility and realism to Maggie.
In Stay Tuned for Murder, you get to meet quite a few of the townfolk. Kennedy keeps the pace moving. Maggie is either on the air or sleuthing around the town. While Chantel the psychic swoops into town and creates havoc, the people in town are like most residents of a small town – they all know each other right down to the good, the bad and the nutty.
Even though Kennedy keeps you reading with twists and unexpected turns, for me, it’s the characters who stick in my head. I give Stay Tuned for Murder by Mary Kennedy a Hel-Yeah.
The first thing that draws you into this series is the characters. Maggie is believable – even her urge to put herself into the middle of investigations. Her mom is so over-the-top, you’ll wish she were your mom. And Rafe, Maggie’s semi-boyfriend and local cop, in this book, isn’t on-scene much but when he is you can feel the heat between him and Maggie. As for Mary Kennedy, the author, she is a practicing clinical psychologist so she brings credibility and realism to Maggie.
In Stay Tuned for Murder, you get to meet quite a few of the townfolk. Kennedy keeps the pace moving. Maggie is either on the air or sleuthing around the town. While Chantel the psychic swoops into town and creates havoc, the people in town are like most residents of a small town – they all know each other right down to the good, the bad and the nutty.
Even though Kennedy keeps you reading with twists and unexpected turns, for me, it’s the characters who stick in my head. I give Stay Tuned for Murder by Mary Kennedy a Hel-Yeah.
May 19, 2011
3rd in series... MUCH better than the last one.
After reading (and really not liking) the 2nd book, Id thought id givin up on this series for good. However the author definiitely redeemed herself with this one.
We open this one with a BS psychic named Chantel who claimes she can talk to the dead ... (as a guest on Maggies talk show) Chantel seems to be taking over Maggies show, and after a seance, the local historian is found dead in her house.
Maggie is determined to pin this on Chantel and during the local time capsel celebration plans, the local librarian is also found dead.
Someone in Cypres Grove is determined to keep their secrets burried, and will do anything to keep it that way.
I gotta say, this one really held my attention a lot more than the other 2 books. I was unable to guess the killer, (my guess was the librarian, but she ended up dead, LOL) and there was a twist on the end. All the loose ends were tied up neatly, and it was an enjoyable read.
Im not sure if there are any more books planned in this series, because the ending closed without any indication of another book.
After reading (and really not liking) the 2nd book, Id thought id givin up on this series for good. However the author definiitely redeemed herself with this one.
We open this one with a BS psychic named Chantel who claimes she can talk to the dead ... (as a guest on Maggies talk show) Chantel seems to be taking over Maggies show, and after a seance, the local historian is found dead in her house.
Maggie is determined to pin this on Chantel and during the local time capsel celebration plans, the local librarian is also found dead.
Someone in Cypres Grove is determined to keep their secrets burried, and will do anything to keep it that way.
I gotta say, this one really held my attention a lot more than the other 2 books. I was unable to guess the killer, (my guess was the librarian, but she ended up dead, LOL) and there was a twist on the end. All the loose ends were tied up neatly, and it was an enjoyable read.
Im not sure if there are any more books planned in this series, because the ending closed without any indication of another book.
February 3, 2019
This is the third book in the Talk Radio Mysteries series. Love this series and the characters! Maggie’s show has been doing better in the ratings since Madame Chantel has been a guest. It seems that Chantel claims she can talk to the dead. Hype for ratings??? Really? Don’t think Maggie is buying her act but the radio callers certainly are.
Cypress Grove, Florida is having a ceremony for opening the time capsule. People are getting killed, are there secrets waiting to come out of that time capsule? Or is it all just hype??
Maggie wants to know why and who is behind the killings.
Twists, turns, humor, a sexy detective definitely make this a fun read.
Frasier you couldn’t keep up with Dr. Maggie!
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
Cypress Grove, Florida is having a ceremony for opening the time capsule. People are getting killed, are there secrets waiting to come out of that time capsule? Or is it all just hype??
Maggie wants to know why and who is behind the killings.
Twists, turns, humor, a sexy detective definitely make this a fun read.
Frasier you couldn’t keep up with Dr. Maggie!
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 20, 2011
Maggie is a psychologist turned radio talk show host in south Florida. This mystery involves a psychic who appears as a frequent quest on Maggie's show along with two murders in the small town of Cyprus Grove. The book started out well and I was on my way to giving it four stars, but then I lost interest. I think there were too many characters who were briefly introduced and seemed to be tangential to the story (the "ESL teacher" in particular). The whole build up for the revealing of the contents of the time capsule just took too long.
March 16, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was just as good as Dead Air
The only thing I thought was a bit off was Chapter ten, it should not have cut at that paragraph given it was just a continuation of the conversation she had in the previous paragraph, it made no since to cut into a new chapter at that point. But that's nit picking.
Also, the relationship between Maggie and Rafe was insanely rushed, like Kennedy wanted to move their relationship along but only had literally the very last two lines to do so. (I expected more)
Other than that. Great read.
The only thing I thought was a bit off was Chapter ten, it should not have cut at that paragraph given it was just a continuation of the conversation she had in the previous paragraph, it made no since to cut into a new chapter at that point. But that's nit picking.
Also, the relationship between Maggie and Rafe was insanely rushed, like Kennedy wanted to move their relationship along but only had literally the very last two lines to do so. (I expected more)
Other than that. Great read.
March 22, 2011
Chantal, the new psychic in town, has slowly been edging in on Maggie's psychologically-based radio talk show. After the pushy psychic talks to her spirit guide at the Cypress Grove historical society and warns against evil in their midst, a quiet, inoffensive local person is murdered. The whole town is eager for the opening of a time capsule, which is rumored to contain some sensational information. I enjoy the series in general, but felt that the solution to these mysteries was below par.
January 24, 2011
This is the third book in this series. For Maggie being a psychologist, she some times seems to need a knock on the head for observation of the people around her. The answer for the one murder was kind of obvious, but the second one was a bit of a stumper. See if you can figure them out
February 10, 2011
Another series that gets noticeably better with each book.
May 21, 2011
Very cute story that will keep you guessing to the very end.
April 4, 2013
better than book #2 in this series. I didn't Maggie in this one.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews