Murder To My Ears (An Octavia Fields Mysteries)
by Rebecca McKinnon
About Murder to My Ears
Murder To My Ears (An Octavia Fields Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Independently Published (June 30, 2023)
Print Length 260 pages
ASIN : B0C7LT56BD
Octavia Fields should know better than to judge things by their appearance. After all, most people don’t expect a nomadic hippie to be a classical violist—let alone one who runs a seasonal music shop at Aerie Pines, the summer home of the Aerie Peaks Symphony.
But when her business season starts off on the wrong note, it’s obviously the persnickety concertmaster’s fault. If he hadn’t turned up dead—leaving Octavia to find his body— she wouldn’t have to deal with the handsome detective who isn’t sure what to think of her impressive arrest record.
With symphony members cornering Octavia to pass on “evidence” by way of sotto-voce rumors, it shouldn’t surprise her to learn the helpful musicians aren’t the only ones who believe Octavia’s helping with the investigation. When a threatening letter arrives, it’s clear the killer thinks she’s playing harmony to the detective, too.
When the detective doesn’t appear to be making progress on the case, Octavia decides it’s up to her to solve the mystery—before the killer hears their cue to silence her!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Self-proclaimed nomadic hippie Octavia Fields is a classical violist who spends her summers managing the Aerie Peaks Symphony seasonal music shop. The summer gets off to a really bad start when she finds the concertmaster’s dead body shortly after having an argument with him about a violin string. This brings Detective Price also known as “Detective What’s-His-Bucket”, just one of the many other names she gives him, into her life. She has dealt with the police before but this one really pushes her buttons. Soon everyone knows she has the detective’s ear and starts reaching out to her with their evidence and theories. But for some reason “Detective Stone Face” isn’t arresting anyone even when Octavia receives a threatening letter showing she is on the right track and the killer knows it. So before the music stops playing for her permanently she is going to catch the killer herself.
Ms. McKinnion has created vivid characters for her new series. Octavia Fields is such a unique protagonist, a truly quirky character. She seems to live in her own world. She manages the music shop but really her employees manage her and the shop which leaves her plenty of her time searching out clues, questioning “suspects” and ticking most of them off. Her best friend Piper is a huge gossip and flirt, with a passion for dark and smoldering men even though she is married and totally in love with her husband. We also meet Detective Locke, Detective Watson, and the multi-named broad-shouldered lead Detective Jack Price with his piercing blue eyes. Octavia and the detective’s banter throughout the story was fun and very entertaining.
The author doesn’t reveal where this story takes place but she gives a really good description of the symphony’s summer home on the side of a mountain, the octagonal music shop, the musician’s lodging choices, along with the other buildings that make up the site.
The mystery was very well-plotted with several suspects. The victim was demanding and pushy and wasn’t really liked by anyone. I tried really hard to solve the mystery myself before everything was all spelled out but the final twist was so impressive it shook everything up. Octavia was awesome and was forced to do something she never does. What a great ending!
Murder To My Ears
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About Rebecca McKinnon
Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.
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Purchase Link
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Also by Rebecca McKinnon
Coming October 5, 2023
Great Escapes Praise for Murder To My Ears (An Octavia Fields Mysteries)
by Rebecca McKinnon
With a symphonic summer camp vibe the first Octavia Fields Mystery brings down the house. Its intricate plot, unique classical music setting, and compelling characters make a great start to a new series. MURDER TO MY EARS is music to my ears.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
I recommend MURDER TO MY EARS to cozy mystery readers ready for a new series to enjoy, especially those who enjoy a music-themed story and summer camp vibe.
~Guatemala Paula Loves To Read
I wasn’t ready for it to be over when I turned the final page. I was smiling as I closed the book. I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Octavia and company. I recommend Murder to My Ears to all cozy mystery fans. I think it will appeal especially to current and former musicians, and to current and former hippies. I love Murder to My Ears and bestow upon it the highest rating of Five Kitties!
~Jane Reads
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Sounds like a great book.
Can’t wait to read.
I thought this sounded like a good cozy mystery. Thanks for sharing your review thoughts.
What an intriguing book! Octavia sounds like a very interesting character.
Thanks for the fantastic review! I’m so glad you enjoyed getting to know Octavia.