I was set to review this book later in the month but today’s blogger has disappeared from the internet so I popped myself in as a replacement. I was originally just going to post a spotlight but I squeezed the book into my reading schedule and boy I am so glad I did!
Death and the Redheaded Woman
(An Auction Block Mystery)
Mystery
Setting – Missouri
Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (February 8, 2015)
Paperback: 264 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738743936
E-Book ASIN: B00S1MTLCW
Next Up for Auction: Murder
When auctioneer Wren Morgan begins cataloging the contents of the Campbell mansion, she’s unprepared to find something that can’t be appraised—a dead man. After the body turns out to be a criminal with ties to a recent jewel heist, Wren comes face-to-face with Death Bogart. A private eye and part-time bounty hunter, Death is searching for the stolen jewels needed to convict a murderer.
Death finds a friend and willing ally in Wren, but they aren’t the only ones searching for treasure. Two ruthless men are also on the hunt, and they will do anything to eliminate the competition. To survive, Death and Wren must solve two mysteries spanning a century and a half and outwit a pair of cold-blooded killers.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book is just amazing! When a book starts out with
He was gorgeous and he was naked but, unfortunately, he was dead.
you sit up and pay attention because you have not idea where this story is going to take you. But I quickly knew this was going to be an extremely entertaining read.
Wren Morgan is an assistant auctioneer. She arrived at the Campbell Victorian to start an inventory of the oldest house in the county for an upcoming auction. Barely in the door she finds the dead body, something tells her this auction won’t be taking place anytime soon.
Death (Dee-th) “it’s a family name” Bogart, a private eye/bounty hunter has just arrived in town chasing down a bail jumper. Death is also a veteran, who had to leave the military for health reasons. The government is taking its good sweet time processing his military benefits so he is presently living in his Jeep Grand Cherokee. He arrives at the police station to drop off his detainee and sees Wren across the room and is immediately captivated.
The relationship that has begun between Death and Wren was a pleasure to read as they quickly grew comfortable with each other. Death has been through so much and Wren opens her heart to him. Like many war vets he not only has a physical disability, he also suffers with PTSD. His self esteem is pretty darn low and he has a hard time accepting help. Wren knows to tread lightly and allow Death to share things with her at his own pace. She too has a bit of drama in her past and he knows she needs someone to help her get on with her life and someone she can trust. Ross was written both characters in a way that you become engaged into their lives and what they are feeling pretty rapidly.
The main mystery plot of the story is excellent. We are not only following clues to solve a murder but there are some valuable items that have gone missing and there may be a tie in to some objects that disappeared back during the Civil War. The “aha moment” was absolutely priceless and something I never saw coming.
Loretta Ross has a fantastic sense of humor and liberally injects into this story. I was smiling and giggling throughout.
The author also knows how to tempt us readers. As this story wraps up she give us just a bit of a tease of the next Auction Block Mystery.
To learn this is Loretta Ross’ debut novel just blows my mind. I don’t need an appraisal to tell you this is an author we need to watch! She is going places! I am completely SOLD!!
About This Author
Loretta Ross is a writer and historian who lives and works in rural Missouri. She is an alumna of Cottey College and holds a BA in archaeology from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has loved mysteries since she first learned to read. Death and the Redheaded Woman will be her first published novel.
My Website is at http://www.lorettasueross.com.
My blog is connected to my website at http://lorettasueross.com/blog/
My Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/lorettasueross
My author page at Goodreads is at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/236665.Loretta_Ross
I’m on Twitter as @lorettasueross and my profile page is at https://twitter.com/lorettasueross
Other Purchase Links:
In addition to the Rafflecopter above I also have
1 Print Copy of this fantastic book to giveaway!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Following the new Google+ Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book Fan Page will earn you 3 Bonus Entries.
Leave a comment for Loretta for 5 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End February 20, 2015 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
Check out the rest of the tour!
Tour Participants
February 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
February 2 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
February 3 – The Ninja Librarian – Review
February 4 – readalot – Review
February 5 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post
February 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight, Giveaway
February 7 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review, Giveaway
February 8 – Jane Reads – Review, Giveaway
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
You made it sound so good Dollycas. I can’t wait!
What’s more fun than an auction? A bounty Hunter named Death!
What an interesting sounding book!
It’s so great to see a book that’s both plot driven and has great quirky characters. I think we’d have a great time with this book and the series as a whole. Thanks.
An intriguing and captivating book. Thanks for this feature and giveaway.
This sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to read it.
You got me after reading that one of the characters names was Death Bogart. Wow!
You are so right about the first sentence of Death and the Redheaded Woman grabbing your attention! This book sounds terrific and I love the title, too! Thank you for a great review and contest!
Interesting book and I hope I get to win a copy… ALSO the link to the author’s goodread’s page didn’t work I had to find it manually.
Ok a few more broken or non existent links @KatreaderKLK isn’t clicking through properly… ALSO Ninjalibrarian doesn’t work either.
If Austin Carr isn’t a suspect, I think I’d better read this book. Sounds like our kind of reading.
Thanks for sharing this one!
I have to admit I loved that sentence where he was found naked but dead.
That is one dynamite opening sentence!
Wish Rafflecopter weren’t so gunho about twitter.
That is a ‘killer’ beginning! LOL Such a waste. This is on my radar and I’m looking for a new cozy mystery author. I’m always looking!
How interesting, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love your review, this sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway.
This sounds like a great book! Would love to read this series and see what being a lady auctioneer is all about!
This looks likes a great book. Thank you for sharing
I haven’t been to an auction in years—–now I want to go to one. I’d also like to read this book. Thanks for the contest.
Oh, this one sounds SO good!
Just love the cozy mysteries. Don’t care too much for autions. I’m a little on the slow side when it comes to bidding. Book sounds great.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
sounds like a good read.
The book sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway
What a terrific opening sentence and what a terrific review. I have been thinking this might be a good read, but your review convinced me this has to be at the top of my TBR. Thanks! And thanks for the giveaway.
I Think the rafflecopter pic is tricking alot of people to thinking this is over but It looks like a great book so I’ll enter anyway 🙂