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Barbara Marr Murder Mystery
The Chronicles of Marr-nia
From USA Today bestselling author, Karen Cantwell Four funny and touching short stories featuring soccer mom and movie lover, Barbara Marr, who made her debut appearance in the hilarious murder mystery, Take the Monkeys and Run.
Includes the laugh-out-loud mystery short story, "Missing Impossible." When Barb decides to tag along on a PI job with Colt, things don't go quite as planned, and she finds herself in yet another sticky situation. (A between-the-novels short)
Other short "Taming the Hulk," "Top Lawn," and "The Road to Shangri-La." Also, just for fun, the author has added two BONUS shorts with different themes. All-in-all - a collection sure to entertain.
Includes the laugh-out-loud mystery short story, "Missing Impossible." When Barb decides to tag along on a PI job with Colt, things don't go quite as planned, and she finds herself in yet another sticky situation. (A between-the-novels short)
Other short "Taming the Hulk," "Top Lawn," and "The Road to Shangri-La." Also, just for fun, the author has added two BONUS shorts with different themes. All-in-all - a collection sure to entertain.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2010
14 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Karen Cantwell
34 books205 followersKaren's novel, Take the Monkeys and Run was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest (under the original title of Monkeys in My Trees)and has gone on to be a Kindle bestseller on Amazon. She has written three more books in the Barbara Marr Murder Mystery Series: Citizen Insane, Silenced by the Yams, and Saturday Night Cleaver.
When she's not writing, Karen loves gardening and spending time with her family. She is currently working on the release of Keep Me Ghosted, the first book in the new Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance Series, as well as beginning the draft of Kiss Me, Tate, part of the upcoming Barbara Marr spin-off, Love in Rustic Woods Series. Karen loves to hear from readers, so feel free to drop her a line at karen.cantwell@yahoo.com. You can also stay in touch by liking her Facebook Page, Karen Cantwell Author
Karen's website: Karen's Website
Karen's books and short stories:
Take the Monkeys and Run (Barbara Marr Murder Mystery #1)
Citizen Insane (Barbara Marr MM #2)
Silenced by the Yams (Barbara Marr MM #3)
Saturday Night Cleaver (Barbara Marr MM #4)
The Chronicles of Marr-nia, Short Stories Starring Barbara Marr
It's a Dunder-Bull Wife, A Barbara Marr Holiday Tale
A Spirited Season, Holiday Tales with a Paranormal Flair
Books to be released in 2013:
Keep Me Ghosted (Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance #1)
Kiss Me, Tate (Love in Rustic Woods #1)
Piper Nash and the Power Police (YA Fantasy)
Dead Man Stalking (Barbara Marr MM #5)
When she's not writing, Karen loves gardening and spending time with her family. She is currently working on the release of Keep Me Ghosted, the first book in the new Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance Series, as well as beginning the draft of Kiss Me, Tate, part of the upcoming Barbara Marr spin-off, Love in Rustic Woods Series. Karen loves to hear from readers, so feel free to drop her a line at karen.cantwell@yahoo.com. You can also stay in touch by liking her Facebook Page, Karen Cantwell Author
Karen's website: Karen's Website
Karen's books and short stories:
Take the Monkeys and Run (Barbara Marr Murder Mystery #1)
Citizen Insane (Barbara Marr MM #2)
Silenced by the Yams (Barbara Marr MM #3)
Saturday Night Cleaver (Barbara Marr MM #4)
The Chronicles of Marr-nia, Short Stories Starring Barbara Marr
It's a Dunder-Bull Wife, A Barbara Marr Holiday Tale
A Spirited Season, Holiday Tales with a Paranormal Flair
Books to be released in 2013:
Keep Me Ghosted (Sophie Rhodes Ghostly Romance #1)
Kiss Me, Tate (Love in Rustic Woods #1)
Piper Nash and the Power Police (YA Fantasy)
Dead Man Stalking (Barbara Marr MM #5)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 18, 2012
I would love to live next door to Barbara Marr, or better yet Karen Cantwell! I love the voice Karen writes with using Barbara, she is sincere and zany. She has real aspirations and the way her mind works, well let's just say I don't think I will ever tire it. If you are looking for an entertaining humorous read this is the book for you. Warning: these books can be addictive. :)
May 28, 2014
"Really Funny Short Stories to Make You Laugh"
Well, you'll laugh at all these stories except the last two which have deep meanings and revelations. Most of the stories feature Barbara Marr as the protagonist who is in previous novels of the author. As I read these funny stories, I could not help compare the writing style to that of Janet Evanovich, a very popular and prolific author. The first story is "Taming the Hunk," a life-of-a-mother tale of how Barbara appreciates obedient, well mannered kids to make her feel happy and contented. But there are times when tensions rise and moms tend to turn into the "The Hulk." But Barbara stands tall, assesses the busy schedule of the day, and takes control. The second story portraits Barbara again in "Top Lawn." The lawn in six inches high, hubby Howard is working another 12 hour day, rain is forecast for the next four days, so she takes on the task to mow it after Howard gives her a one minute instruction on the old gas power mower. She is determined to show Howard that she's made of "The Right Stuff." It's very, very funny, one story I can relate to. The third story with Barbara is "The Road To Shangri-La" where she wants to spend the day in her Utopia, Paradise, or Shangri La as she calls it. But, is going to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. going to be fun or is it truly a trip to hell? This is so funny of how planned family vacations can be all in vain when everything goes wrong! Next up is "Mission Impossible" where Barbara is in training to become a private detective. (If your husband was secretly an FBI agent, wouldn't this entice you to be an investigator also?) This story is exciting and funny as she sits with partner Colt in freezing weather, sipping cold coffee, while a woman is under surveillance for possibly cheating on her husband. Wow, does this go awry with her mother involved, her Tae Kwon Do master, local police, and the FBI. All because a wife may be enjoying another man other than her husband?? Twists and turns here, that really do capture your imagination! "The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines" is a more serious story about living in the south at a time when slavery is coming to an end. Rosabelle has lived many lives thus what she says may be considered predictions, they are her memories. Her sister Flora has no understanding of this. Because of what she dreams sometimes causes her to faint, she seems to realize something bad is about to happen and she turns into a stellar investigator like Agatha Christie's character Miss Marple trying to prevent a crime before it happens. The last story, "Sherman's Purpose," is very moving and reflects brotherly love which lasts a life time, even after a brother passes away. A very warm story to warm your heart. These are all awesome stories, which I'm glad I finally got around to reading and I totally enjoyed them. I could read them in one night, and now I wish to read more from this outstanding author, Karen Cantwell.
Well, you'll laugh at all these stories except the last two which have deep meanings and revelations. Most of the stories feature Barbara Marr as the protagonist who is in previous novels of the author. As I read these funny stories, I could not help compare the writing style to that of Janet Evanovich, a very popular and prolific author. The first story is "Taming the Hunk," a life-of-a-mother tale of how Barbara appreciates obedient, well mannered kids to make her feel happy and contented. But there are times when tensions rise and moms tend to turn into the "The Hulk." But Barbara stands tall, assesses the busy schedule of the day, and takes control. The second story portraits Barbara again in "Top Lawn." The lawn in six inches high, hubby Howard is working another 12 hour day, rain is forecast for the next four days, so she takes on the task to mow it after Howard gives her a one minute instruction on the old gas power mower. She is determined to show Howard that she's made of "The Right Stuff." It's very, very funny, one story I can relate to. The third story with Barbara is "The Road To Shangri-La" where she wants to spend the day in her Utopia, Paradise, or Shangri La as she calls it. But, is going to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. going to be fun or is it truly a trip to hell? This is so funny of how planned family vacations can be all in vain when everything goes wrong! Next up is "Mission Impossible" where Barbara is in training to become a private detective. (If your husband was secretly an FBI agent, wouldn't this entice you to be an investigator also?) This story is exciting and funny as she sits with partner Colt in freezing weather, sipping cold coffee, while a woman is under surveillance for possibly cheating on her husband. Wow, does this go awry with her mother involved, her Tae Kwon Do master, local police, and the FBI. All because a wife may be enjoying another man other than her husband?? Twists and turns here, that really do capture your imagination! "The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines" is a more serious story about living in the south at a time when slavery is coming to an end. Rosabelle has lived many lives thus what she says may be considered predictions, they are her memories. Her sister Flora has no understanding of this. Because of what she dreams sometimes causes her to faint, she seems to realize something bad is about to happen and she turns into a stellar investigator like Agatha Christie's character Miss Marple trying to prevent a crime before it happens. The last story, "Sherman's Purpose," is very moving and reflects brotherly love which lasts a life time, even after a brother passes away. A very warm story to warm your heart. These are all awesome stories, which I'm glad I finally got around to reading and I totally enjoyed them. I could read them in one night, and now I wish to read more from this outstanding author, Karen Cantwell.
December 31, 2011
From: Lilac Wolf and Stuff
Barbara Marr is fast becoming my favorite mystery solving character ever. The best part about this collection was the switch in genre that completely fit with who Barbara Marr is all around. There 2 mysteries, but there were also stories about being a wife and mother - those things that are also a huge part of her day to day life. Added to this, 2 bonus stories that had nothing to do with Barbara Marr.
The one, Sherman's Purpose haunts me still. I hate to say anything, because it will tell you all. But it's just a short story about an old man and his purpose in this last stage of his life.
The other one, The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines left me speechless. It had an bit of the paranormal mixed in but it was set in the South just after the civil war. Honestly it was amazing. It says to keep an eye out for the Novella in 2011, so after I write this I am going to go bug Ms. Cantwell about it.
It's 99 cents, 6 short stories and all of them well-written and tasty.
Barbara Marr is fast becoming my favorite mystery solving character ever. The best part about this collection was the switch in genre that completely fit with who Barbara Marr is all around. There 2 mysteries, but there were also stories about being a wife and mother - those things that are also a huge part of her day to day life. Added to this, 2 bonus stories that had nothing to do with Barbara Marr.
The one, Sherman's Purpose haunts me still. I hate to say anything, because it will tell you all. But it's just a short story about an old man and his purpose in this last stage of his life.
The other one, The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines left me speechless. It had an bit of the paranormal mixed in but it was set in the South just after the civil war. Honestly it was amazing. It says to keep an eye out for the Novella in 2011, so after I write this I am going to go bug Ms. Cantwell about it.
It's 99 cents, 6 short stories and all of them well-written and tasty.
April 10, 2011
A collection of shorts, "The Chronicles of Marr-nia" showcases Barbara Marr in some family adventures. Zany and fun, this is a good companion to "Take the Monkeys and Run." I could especially relate to the motherhood aspect of the stories, and I will fully admit that I've been known to "Hulk-out," too. This collection may be a good bet if you'd like to get to know Barb before deciding if her murder mystery series is right for you. It's a great introduction to the characters and the type of writing you'll see in the full-length novel. There are also a few bonus stories at the end that follow a completely different type of writing style, and it gives the reader a sense of the author's other capabilities as a writer.
November 29, 2010
If you liked Take the Monkeys and Run (of even if you haven't read it yet, you will like this. For the most part, The Chronicles of Marr-nia, are shorts about Barbara Marr, and her somewhat unusual adventures. It's amazing to me, how much like me, she is. Most are funny, and you wonder how this woman gets into the things she gets herself into. The last story is totally different, though no less good reading.
I'm not a big fan of shorts, but these are day brighteners and just right for when you don't have time to read a whole book, and just need a quickie.
I'm not a big fan of shorts, but these are day brighteners and just right for when you don't have time to read a whole book, and just need a quickie.
Read
August 6, 2012I actually didn't finish this book. I don't really read many short stories but decided to read this one after finishing books 1, 2, and 3 of the Barbara Marr series. If you like short stories, this book is probably a good one. I'll probably pick up the book again to read the last two short stories of the book when I just need to fill in time between books. I'm considering the book to be finished, however, because there is a huge chance that I will not go back to the book simply because I generally avoid short stories.
September 3, 2015
This a collections of short stories featuring Barbara Marr and her wacky family.
I honestly did not enjoy these at all. Maybe because the stories were so short, that they seemed inconsequential to me. Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read them. Mostly because there really isn't any mysteries in them. They are more background stories about her family and events they participated in.
Two stars.
I honestly did not enjoy these at all. Maybe because the stories were so short, that they seemed inconsequential to me. Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read them. Mostly because there really isn't any mysteries in them. They are more background stories about her family and events they participated in.
Two stars.
February 11, 2013
This is such a great collection of short stories. The stories have the same qualities as the novels. They have me in stitches with laughter and leave me with the feeling of I just can't get enough of Barbara Marr. There are a couple bonus stories that did not feature Barbara Marr which I loved equally as well.
April 22, 2012
This book is a collection of short stories about Barb Marr. Some are mysteries and some are just tales of her daily life. She also includes two of her non-Barb short stories – one that is her favorite and one that is her son’s favorite. I enjoyed the ones about Barb. The other two, although well written, just weren't my cup of tea. One was a period piece and one was just plain sad.
October 11, 2011
Karen Cantwell has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I am hooked on Barbara Marr and her family. I can't wait to read more about Rosabelle and I agree with Karen's son about Sherman's Purpose. What a sweet story!
May 23, 2012
This book is a very quick read! I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. They were funny but also real (mostly). I loved the Incredible Hulk story. It definitely made me think about the way I react in stressful mommy situations.
June 15, 2012
Cute book of short stories. I really enjoyed the 1st 4 stories. All were quick easy reads. Great stories for beach or summer reading. I am definitely going to read "Take The Monkeys and Run" now.
April 16, 2013
I really enjoyed the Chronicles of Marr-nia. They are short, funny, yet contemplative. The stories are well thought out and every word is essential.
I shall certainly read more books by Karen Cantwell when I am in the mood for something humorous.
I shall certainly read more books by Karen Cantwell when I am in the mood for something humorous.
March 16, 2011
Karen Cantwell is definitely becoming one of my favorites. This collection of shorts had some surprises beyond more Barbara Marr escapades.
August 14, 2011
Funny!
Read
October 4, 2011Sweet stories. A quick and pleasant read. I'm looking forward to more.
May 15, 2012
I love the short story with Barbara and her kids and how they just blew off dance lesson and ate cheese puffs in the back yard. Great! :)
February 7, 2013
Cute short stories!
August 27, 2013
Fun little stories about a mom and her family. I enjoyed the short story format, and it was nice homey and fun reading. I got it free on Kindle, but I think I'd like to read more.
Read
October 14, 2013In this collection of short stories I preferred the contemporary tales of the characters domestic life and their escapades. Cantwell reminds me a lot of Janet Evanovich A highly entertaining read.
December 30, 2014
First thing I've ever read by Karen Cantwell. I'll definitely be back for more!
July 24, 2016
Oh My Goodness I think I found my new favorite character Barbara Marr is hilarious!!!! I can't wait to read more of these book.
October 5, 2011
A quick read that actually reminded me to be a good mother- seize the moment and enjoy my family!
January 7, 2013
Barbara Marr is such a fun character. I liked that it was an outrageous story. Kept me entertained!
April 23, 2013
Loved the short stories, made me laugh alot. Wish there were more.
January 7, 2015
funny thriller mysteries about a suburban housewife and mother.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews