Don't let the title fool you, this is a story of relationships, but it is also a legitimate murder mystery served up with inter-active humour, sometimes quirky, sometimes laugh-out-loud, sometimes with snappy wit. There are many different relationships between mothers and daughters: love, pride, disappointment, competition, among others. This book has them all. Imagine the insecurity and fate of a young woman who has not quite found her niche in life. Now imagine her mother, a famous soap opera actress, strong, confident, and not 30 pounds overweight. On the other hand even she, Ava Gerard, has her own fears to conquer...she has never won an Emmy! Here we have the basis for the relationship between Heather McPhaul's two main characters. Still, many can relate to at least some aspects of these relationships. Leann Conklin has a difficult time with her many choices of work, but has finally found the one that at least has one customer. She is on her first day as a private investigator and is hired by the wife of a supposed cheating high-profile husband, Joseph Marlens, to take photos of night-time activities in his office where she believes he is having an affair with his new secretary, Brenda. No problem, a handy perch, perfect view to take the photos that very night, but they only appear to be working, nothing more. After work, Marlens escorts her to her cab then returns to his own car and is immediately shot to death! Oh, oh! Looks like another short term job for Leann. But wait! Why is her picture plastered all over the news? And just who is this cop that keeps showing up everywhere? Surveillance or something more sinister? She wasn't even there when the shooting happened, but now she must either run for her life or wait for the murderer to catch up with her. Heather McPhaul has a wonderful quirky style of writing. She can switch locations and personalities at a moments notice without losing the plot. This book gives her plenty to work with as naturally, the plot is about to thicken like glue! But this is where our perception of the mother-daughter relationship alters. They actually not only work together, they work well together and the humour flies. Fast paced, with an actress in the mix, the book is given a lot of opportunity to entertain. The mystery and the chase to keep Leann from being arrested or killed covers a lot of ground quickly. The story spins out in rapid speed to the final confession. Loose ends are tied up, but there seems to be a possibility of a man in Leann's future, even the possibility of a partnership of some type, whether it will be romantic, friendly, or working relationship remains to be seen, but sounds like a good deal to me. However, we will have to wait and see if anything comes of it. For now, we will have to just sit back and enjoy this attention-grabbing book and leave the rest to chance, or to the author. Disclaimer: Given me by the author, I was in no way influenced in my review, the words and intent are strictly my own.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2012
Great weekend reading for your e-reader! Fun and funny!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2012
Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries by Heather McPhaul – Fellow blogger and stunt woman extraordinaire (check out her memoir Fire in the Hole: A Year in the Life of the World's Sorriest Stuntwoman written as Colleen Kelli), also known in some circles as Aging Gal (at AgingGal dot com), is a total hoot. She tells it like it is and makes the mundane seem hilarious. I discovered Heather when she was Freshly Pressed in March 2011. Her post, about planning to one day retire to prison, where all her expenses will be covered–by taxpayers–and health care is free, still remains one of my favorites. It had me laughing so hard, I cried.
Her novel, Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries, is about a young woman, Leeann Conklin who, at a crossroads in her life, decides to start her own detective agency in NYC. Leeann has issues with her mom, Ava Gerard, a diva-type who pops in for a surprise visit when she’s in town for the Daytime Emmy Awards. Of course, this all happens just when Leeann gets her first detective gig. Ava joins in the mayhem that ensues, coming up with a few crafty disguises to help solve the crime.
I like supporting my fellow bloggers when I can, and I hope you will, too, by reading Heather’s book. It’s a fun, easy read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BlogLover
Posted February 21, 2012
Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries by Heather McPhaul - Fellow blogger and stunt woman extraordinaire (check out her memoir Fire in the Hole: A Year in the Life of the World's Sorriest Stuntwoman written as Colleen Kelli), also known in some circles as Aging Gal (at AgingGal dot com), is a total hoot. She tells it like it is and makes the mundane seem hilarious. I discovered Heather when she was Freshly Pressed in March 2011. Her post, about planning to one day retire to prison, where all her expenses will be covered-by taxpayers-and health care is free, still remains one of my favorites. It had me laughing so hard, I cried.
Her novel, Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries, is about a young woman, Leeann Conklin who, at a crossroads in her life, decides to start her own detective agency in NYC. Leeann has issues with her mom, Ava Gerard, a diva-type who pops in for a surprise visit when she's in town for the Daytime Emmy Awards. Of course, this all happens just when Leeann gets her first detective gig. Ava joins in the mayhem that ensues, coming up with a few crafty disguises to help solve the crime.
I like supporting my fellow bloggers when I can, and I hope you will, too, by reading Heather's book. It's a fun, easy read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2012
Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries by Heather McPhaul – Fellow blogger and stunt woman extraordinaire (check out her memoir Fire in the Hole: A Year in the Life of the World's Sorriest Stuntwoman written as Colleen Kelli), also known in some circles as Aging Gal (at AgingGal dot com), is a total hoot. She tells it like it is and makes the mundane seem hilarious. I discovered Heather when she was Freshly Pressed in March 2011. Her post, about planning to one day retire to prison, where all her expenses will be covered–by taxpayers–and health care is free, still remains one of my favorites. It had me laughing so hard, I cried.
Her novel, Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries, is about a young woman, Leeann Conklin who, at a crossroads in her life, decides to start her own detective agency in NYC. Leeann has issues with her mom, Ava Gerard, a diva-type who pops in for a surprise visit when she’s in town for the Daytime Emmy Awards. Of course, this all happens just when Leeann gets her first detective gig. Ava joins in the mayhem that ensues, coming up with a few crafty disguises to help solve the crime.
I like supporting my fellow bloggers when I can, and I hope you will, too, by reading Heather’s book. It’s a fun, easy read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MissEva
Posted February 21, 2012
I recently read Raggedy Ann Heart by a fellow blogger who's posts at Aging and Other Inconveniences always make me chuckle. Because I enjoy her blog so much, I decided to buy her book.
What a great choice for a summer read. The story starts out in the 1970's and is told from the point of view of a 12-year-old girl, Lindy Logan. You can't help but identify with her experiences, finding herself uprooted from the town she has known as home for her first twelve years and trying to fit into a new school, and a new life in the rural Texas.
Lindy is constantly vying for her mother's love, competing with her younger sister Jo. Her plan to secure a place in her mother's heart is to become a star, someone famous. Her trials and tribulations tug at the heart string sat times, and sometimes just make you laugh out loud.
I loved this book; I loved watching the relationship between the two sisters, and the interaction between the parents. Lindy's mother had dreams, too. She was runner-up in the Miss Texas pageant and has her own regrets and challenges.
Heather McPhaul has written a heart-warming tale of family love, sibling rivalry, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that's well worth the time to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you might, too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 21, 2012
Mothers, Daughters and Other Mysteries is the third book by Heather McPhaul I have reviewed, and I have to say, I think it's my favorite. It has a little of everything: action, humor, romance, and suspense.
Leann Conklin is in her thirties and still trying to find her place in the world of work. She's tried on various hats in the past, including that of a matchmaker as she tried to start her own online dating site. So far nothing has panned out. It's a tough position to be in, when your mother is Ava Gerard, Queen of the Daytime Soaps, a successful actress.
Leann's latest career plan is to become a private investigator. While working on a case she accidently finds herself involved in a murder, and now danger is lurking around every corner. To make matters worse, her mother decides to drop in for a surprise visit. Soon, Leann's photo is appearing on television as a murder suspect, and she and her mother must solve the murder, or they both could end up dead.
It's a fast-paced, fun read that will keep you engaged and have you laughing out loud. Heather has proved once again that she is a talented wrter. This book is based on a screen play the actor Rod Steiger was negotiating to produce just before he died. Although the movie never happened, we are fortunate that Heather liked her story well enough to turn it into a book. Her characters are believable and diverse. I say, Buy it, you'll love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 22, 2012
Loved Heather's first book, Raggedy Ann Heart, and this one is just as entertaining! As I read Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries, all I could think is "What a great movie this would make!" Any fan of other funny mystery series (i.e., Stephanie Plum, Southern Sisters, etc.) will love this book. My only question is, "When is your next book going to be published?"
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Reviewed by Paul J. for Readers Favorite
Leann Conklin is a thirty-something who is still trying to find her place in the world. She has tried various careers, including that of managing an online dating service. So far nothing has materialized. But, that is not the least of her problems. You see, he mother is Ava Gerard, Queen of the Daytime Soaps, a successful actress. With her dating service a bust, Leann's latest career plan is to become a private investigator. Her first case is supposed to be simple, to get some incriminating photos on a man cheating on his wife with his new secretary. She is able to get her photos but they aren’t exactly what she expected. Soon after, she finds herself involved in a murder, a murder of the man in the pictures. To make matters worse, her star mother decides to drop in for a surprise visit. Together they quickly get involved in the mystery but things get complicated when Leann's photo appears on television as the murder suspect. She soon realizes that she and her mother must solve the murder, or they both could end up dead.
This is a short book. As cozy mysteries go, it is a fun easy read. The readers will immediately find themselves liking the characters and enjoying the interactions between them, particularly the mother and her role playing. The plot is simple but intense enough to keep the readers' interest with just enough mystery and danger. I would have liked to see a little more in the action sequences but that is just me. Overall, very good.
CarolPowell
Posted March 7, 2012
I read Heather McPhaul's book "Raggedy Ann Heart" and it was a can't-put-it-down book as is "Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries." I was on a plane from CA to FL and the book filled the hours with suspense and laughter. The characters are easily pictured and their personalities fun to follow through their escapades that pop up in the book thanks to Heather's writing style, and obvious enjoyment of making people laugh. I also follow Heather's "Aging Gal" blog and "Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries" does have her sense of humor in the mother and daughter characters as in her blog writings. I was on the edge of my seat at times in the book with fingers crossed all would be well. Sad it ended because I wanted to follow Leann around and find out what was next in her life. Ava is a sweet lady and loving mom despite her not-so motherly comments. Can't help but love her. Lots of laughs that would be fun seeing as a sitcom to end my day on a funny note. A recommended read of suspense and humor.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CarolPowell
Posted March 7, 2012
I read Heather McPhaul's book "Raggedy Ann Heart" and it was a can't-put-it-down book as is "Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries." I was on a plane from CA to FL and the book filled the hours with suspense and laughter. The characters are easily pictured and their personalities fun to follow through their escapades that pop up in the book thanks to Heather's writing style, and obvious enjoyment of making people laugh. I also follow Heather's "Aging Gal" blog and "Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries" does have her sense of humor in the mother and daughter characters as in her blog writings. I was on the edge of my seat at times in the book with fingers crossed all would be well. Sad it ended because I wanted to follow Leann around and find out what was next in her life. Ava is a sweet lady and loving mom despite her not-so motherly comments. Can't help but love her. Lots of laughs that would be fun seeing as a sitcom to end my day on a funny note. A recommended read of suspense and humor.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
When Leann stumbles onto a murder case, she finds her life suddenly in danger. Worse, her mother, Ava, has paid her a surprise visit in the Big Apple. ...