The Parlor PI's discussion
All Aboard! for February Fever Read & Discuss Chptrs 1 thru 17. Hop on, join in.
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Thanks, PugMom! A Q upon launch and... Just starting the book so I'll rely on and post the synop as intro while I get moving on the story.
"Mira James’s hot and heavy relationship with boyfriend Johnny Leeson is definitely warming up her winter. But when Johnny has to go to Portland, Oregon, for a month-long internship, airplane-averse Mira lets her septuagenarian friend Mrs. Berns talk her into a visit. On the plus side, Mira can make the trip a tax write-off by attending the International Private Investigator Conference. On the downside, Mrs. Berns books them―much to Mira’s dismay―on the Valentine Train, a place for singles to meet and mingle.
After a few glasses of champagne and Mrs. Berns’ encouragement, Mira begins to relax and enjoy herself . . . until a fellow passenger is murdered and a snowstorm traps the train in the Rockies. If Mira can’t track down the killer, she may end up derailed―permanently."
Q - Do you feel a sub-genre in this read? A certain character our protag reminds you of. If so, what, why and who?
I do but will hold my thoughts as I read a few more pages to see if it persists. But do feel free to post your thoughts and comments.
"Mira James’s hot and heavy relationship with boyfriend Johnny Leeson is definitely warming up her winter. But when Johnny has to go to Portland, Oregon, for a month-long internship, airplane-averse Mira lets her septuagenarian friend Mrs. Berns talk her into a visit. On the plus side, Mira can make the trip a tax write-off by attending the International Private Investigator Conference. On the downside, Mrs. Berns books them―much to Mira’s dismay―on the Valentine Train, a place for singles to meet and mingle.
After a few glasses of champagne and Mrs. Berns’ encouragement, Mira begins to relax and enjoy herself . . . until a fellow passenger is murdered and a snowstorm traps the train in the Rockies. If Mira can’t track down the killer, she may end up derailed―permanently."
Q - Do you feel a sub-genre in this read? A certain character our protag reminds you of. If so, what, why and who?
I do but will hold my thoughts as I read a few more pages to see if it persists. But do feel free to post your thoughts and comments.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I just got the message the book is in. Pick it up today and start this evening."
Purr-fect, PugMom, Pghfan. I'm on chapter three so I'm right there with you.
Purr-fect, PugMom, Pghfan. I'm on chapter three so I'm right there with you.
Nicole wrote: "The book is still unavailable at my library, so I just bought the Kindle version - I'll be caught up in a couple of days!"
We all seem to be on the same page, Nicole, but sorry your book didn't arrive. Lots of delivery issues out there lately.
We all seem to be on the same page, Nicole, but sorry your book didn't arrive. Lots of delivery issues out there lately.
Umm, Dorothy, we're not in St. Mary Mead anymore. Miss Marple isn't blushing re: those first few paragraphs, so I guess we're good. LOL Let's see where this goes.
Tina wrote: "She's pulling into the station as we speak so have your cozy ticket ready for boarding by this Tues. All Welcome! Choo, choo!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/......"
Tina wrote: "Thanks, PugMom! A Q upon launch and... Just starting the book so I'll rely on and post the synop as intro while I get moving on the story.
"Mira James’s hot and heavy relationship with boyfriend ..."
Tina wrote: "She's pulling into the station as we speak so have your cozy ticket ready for boarding by this Tues. All Welcome! Choo, choo!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/......"
Tina wrote: "Thanks, PugMom! A Q upon launch and... Just starting the book so I'll rely on and post the synop as intro while I get moving on the story.
"Mira James’s hot and heavy relationship with boyfriend ..."

I only got to read 1 chapter last night because I couldn't keep my eyes open. I wanted to read more but my eyes weren't cooperating LOL
PugMom wrote: "I'm not sure if this protagonist reminds me of any others but I think there will be a good amount of humor.
I only got to read 1 chapter last night because I couldn't keep my eyes open. I wanted to..."
I know the feeling, PugMom.
I only got to read 1 chapter last night because I couldn't keep my eyes open. I wanted to..."
I know the feeling, PugMom.
Mini Spoiler --
Q - Gratuitous (love scene, kids' scene) or do they fit story, move it along? Were they dumped in as filler or necessary? Chat away, chatters.
Q - Gratuitous (love scene, kids' scene) or do they fit story, move it along? Were they dumped in as filler or necessary? Chat away, chatters.
I'm about 50+ pages into this already, and waiting for something to happen, crime wise. Since this is the 10th book in the series, I guess she is confident that her character is well known enough that the reader will not mind so much lead-in to what I assume will happen, perhaps on the train.
It is certainly a different sort of book than we typically read.
It is certainly a different sort of book than we typically read.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I'm about 50+ pages into this already, and waiting for something to happen, crime wise. Since this is the 10th book in the series, I guess she is confident that her character is well known enough t..."
I'll say!
I'll say!
Nicole wrote: "I will admit to double-checking to make sure it's a mystery, lol. Racy part over, let the murdering begin! ;-)"
Maybe I missed something in the synop but to me it read like a standard cozy that we're used to. Sorry about that gang but I'd seen no indication of a racy bent. Maybe a mention but not...ya know.
Maybe I missed something in the synop but to me it read like a standard cozy that we're used to. Sorry about that gang but I'd seen no indication of a racy bent. Maybe a mention but not...ya know.

Can’t wait to read about the train. Sounds like fun although her traveling companions are a bit strange!
PugMom wrote: "She did mention that she finds a dead body every month but was hoping to skip this month lol
Can’t wait to read about the train. Sounds like fun although her traveling companions are a bit strange!"
Yes, they are, PM! And lucky Mira that everyone got together to meet all her travel needs. It takes me days to get tickets, pet arrangements, bags packed etc. ;-)
Can’t wait to read about the train. Sounds like fun although her traveling companions are a bit strange!"
Yes, they are, PM! And lucky Mira that everyone got together to meet all her travel needs. It takes me days to get tickets, pet arrangements, bags packed etc. ;-)


Mrs. Berns reminds me of a character in another series but I can't put my finger on which. Mira reminds me a bit of the MC in the Laura Levine series.
Nicole wrote: "I don't like to fly, I love the train! I'm thinking about visiting my friend in Nebraska, but it's a 28 hour trip!"
Ditto, Nicole. I rarely fly but do love the train. And 28 hours should make for an interesting story. ;-) But yeah, I'm not so sure I'd be a happy camper on a 28 hour train ride. Let us know what you do. :-)
Ditto, Nicole. I rarely fly but do love the train. And 28 hours should make for an interesting story. ;-) But yeah, I'm not so sure I'd be a happy camper on a 28 hour train ride. Let us know what you do. :-)
PugMom wrote: "I took a train several times on 5-6 trips and it was very relaxing. I have only flown to 2 different places in my whole life. My husband hates it.
Mrs. Berns reminds me of a character in another se..."
That Mrs. Berns is one plucky gal. A bit much at times but it seems Mira can handle it.
Mrs. Berns reminds me of a character in another se..."
That Mrs. Berns is one plucky gal. A bit much at times but it seems Mira can handle it.
Wonder what's in that pkg. that Mira and Co. are to chaperon? I'm not sure I'd want to be a party to that. Would you? How would you handle the task if it'd be asked of you?
I'm out of this first section and into the next. I hope all this bizarre stuff has something to do with the actual mystery. (Though at least we have a body...)

2. I'm a little disturbed by the Noel storyline. That kind of thing always bothers me, it's terrifying.
3. Reed - what's up with him?!?
Nicole wrote: "1. I'm glad that we finally have a murder!
2. I'm a little disturbed by the Noel storyline. That kind of thing always bothers me, it's terrifying.
3. Reed - what's up with him?!?"
Nicole, and does Noel bit fit in the story anywhere, is it necessary to the story? I guess we'll find out.
2. I'm a little disturbed by the Noel storyline. That kind of thing always bothers me, it's terrifying.
3. Reed - what's up with him?!?"
Nicole, and does Noel bit fit in the story anywhere, is it necessary to the story? I guess we'll find out.
Nicole wrote: "1. I'm glad that we finally have a murder!
2. I'm a little disturbed by the Noel storyline. That kind of thing always bothers me, it's terrifying.
3. Reed - what's up with him?!?"
Exactly, PI Nicole! I do like the Wrenshall hint about her not posting a Do Not Disturb sign and what's up with Reed, indeed.
2. I'm a little disturbed by the Noel storyline. That kind of thing always bothers me, it's terrifying.
3. Reed - what's up with him?!?"
Exactly, PI Nicole! I do like the Wrenshall hint about her not posting a Do Not Disturb sign and what's up with Reed, indeed.
Hm, I was surprised to see Ms. Wrenshall at dinner. I thought she bit the big one when she hadn't posted her Do Not Disturb sign.
And who is this Terry that is attending in place for his agent buddy? Regardless, Mrs. Berns was rude to him. Sorry, but she flatters herself too much to think that every (septuagenarian or other) man wants to get jiggy with her.
What are your thoughts on Mrs. Berns? Would you like her as a friend? Adding to PI Nicole's earlier post: could you do a several day train jaunt of this sort? Do share, PI's.
And who is this Terry that is attending in place for his agent buddy? Regardless, Mrs. Berns was rude to him. Sorry, but she flatters herself too much to think that every (septuagenarian or other) man wants to get jiggy with her.
What are your thoughts on Mrs. Berns? Would you like her as a friend? Adding to PI Nicole's earlier post: could you do a several day train jaunt of this sort? Do share, PI's.

Nicole wrote: "I think the character of Mrs. Berns could be considered a little stereotypical of single elderly ladies featured in cozies - they're either spinsters or man hungry - personally, I've never met anyo..."
LOL Same here, Nicole. And yes, the stereo typical older gal needs a refresh. ;-)
LOL Same here, Nicole. And yes, the stereo typical older gal needs a refresh. ;-)
What's up with this Mr. Fatigues? Watch him be an agent of some sort as he's too much an imposing creature to be a bad guy. Too obvious. Of course, I've been wrong before...lots of befores. LOL
Mark Pghfan wrote: "Mr. Fatigues enters the picture in part two, at least in a way."
Hmm, the plot thickens, PI Pghfan. I'll get the grey cells (such as they are lol ) ready.
Hmm, the plot thickens, PI Pghfan. I'll get the grey cells (such as they are lol ) ready.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/...