Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
It is my pleasure to feature
Swimming with the Fishes today.
Swimming with the Fishes: An Ozarks Lake Mystery
by Marc Jedel
About Swimming with the Fishes
Swimming with the Fishes: An Ozarks Lake Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Arkansas
Publisher: BGM Press
Number of Pages: 220
She’s settling into a new life. But when a fishing trip totally capsizes, can she get a friend off the hook for murder?
Elizabeth Trout still feels awkward being back home. Discovering a BFF from her raucous high-school days has become the perfect mom is as weird as staying with her mother while awaiting construction of her new home. But she’s shaken to her core when her newlywed husband and beloved dog are nearly blown out of the water in a dockside explosion which leaves another woman dead … and her bestie is arrested for the crime.
To clear her friend, Elizabeth and her spouse set out to reel in a killer by sifting through the murky depths of small town drama. But between missing money, ominous strangers, and a shady ex-husband, these amateur sleuths net more motives than they can handle.
Can this dynamic detective duo dig up an answer before the big one gets away?
Swimming with the Fishes is the sensational second book in the Ozarks Lake Mystery series. If you like clever couples, delightful lakeside settings, and a rollicking good time, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s hilarious whodunit.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Elizabeth and Jonas Trout have decided to stay in Jenkins, Arkansas. Jonas is finishing up the school year as a substitute teacher and Elizabeth is still trying to adjust to being back home. They are still living with her mom but a house of their own is under construction on the property Elizabeth inherited.
Jonas finds himself out on the lake in the early morning with the mayor of Jenkins and the high school principal trying to enjoy the peace and quiet but that is impossible with his present company. His dog Daisy was supposed to be along too but was not a fan of being in the boat so she is lying on the dock waiting for Jonas to return. As the men head back into the dock he notices Daisy is up, alert, and growling. He can’t see anyone, except maybe a “shadowy figure” nearby but something has upset the pup. Soon Daisy is diving into the water and Jonas dives in after her. Then a “fiery blast” with “a burst of blinding light, noise, and heat” occurs just as Jonas raises his head out of the water. The principal was hit by debris as the mayor brought the boat in. Looking down the dock they see what is left of another boat and a body near the captain’s seat.
The police quickly arrest one of Elizabeth’s friends and she doesn’t hesitate in pulling out the stops to clear her name. Can she and Jonas reel in the real killer or will they be caught by the killer themselves?
So much happens within these pages, an explosion, a dead body, missing money, a reunion, some sketchy gentlemen, a Bean Festival complete with Outhouse Races, and Elizabeth coming home with a child. My head was spinning with all the drama and I enjoyed the wild ride.
Jenkins is filled with the requisite quirky characters you usually find in a cozy mystery in abundance. Elizabeth is trying to reconnect with friends and Jonas is getting to know many of the residents. All the characters are cleverly written and we find them in several humorous situations. Elizabeth is truly tested as she tries to help her friend in any way she can even if it means traveling into some truly uncharted waters.
There are two mysteries to solve and Elizabeth is sure they are connected. There were several twists and turns and I was sometimes confused as to the significance of some of the clues but I really loved the way everything played out and the takedown that occurred.
It may have just been me but I didn’t find this story to be as funny as other books by this author but he sure did write a story that kept me on my toes and totally entertained.
Swimming with the Fishes
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About Marc Jedel
Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. He credits his years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley for honing his writing skills and sense of humor. While his high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, these were just called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.
For most of Marc’s life, he’s been inventing stories. As he’s gotten older, he’s encountered more funny and odd people and situations. This has made it even easier for him to write what he knows and make up the rest. It’s a skill that’s served him well, both as an author and marketer.
The publication of Marc’s first novel, UNCLE AND ANTS, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.” Becoming an Amazon best-selling author has only made him more insufferable.
Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like his character, Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Along with all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.
Visit his website, marcjedel.com, for free chapters of novels, special offers, and more.
Author Links
Website: www.marcjedel.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mjedel/
Blog: www.marcjedel.com/blog
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
• Purchase Links: Amazon
Great Escapes Praise for Swimming with the Fishes: An Ozarks Lake Mystery
by Marc Jedel
Swimming with the Fishes is another hilarious, well-plotted cozy mystery from Marc Jedel.
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
I enjoyed the reveal, as it was not dangerous to anyone and the police arrived just at the right time. This feels like a fun series that brings us good mysteries, great secondary characters and two wonderful sleuths in Elizabeth and Jason.
~Carla Loves To Read
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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.”
Thanks for hosting me today and writing a lovely review! I hope readers will enjoy Swimming with the Fishes as much I liked writing it. I’m busy working on the next book in the Silicon Valley Mystery series so now’s a perfect chance to catch up on any books you may have missed. Sign up for my newsletter to learn about special offers and new releases.