Staying Home Is a Killer A Mom Zone Mystery Mom Zone Mysteries

Staying Home Is a Killer A Mom Zone Mystery Mom Zone Mysteries

When not organizing closets or toting her toddler on her hip, military wife Ellie Avery sleuths around Greenly Air Force Base in eastern Washington State, which has lately become unsafe for military wives in Rosett’s satisfying, well-executed second Mom Zone cozy (after 2006’s Moving Is Murder). Just hours after Ellie finds her friend Penny Follette in a strangely animated mood, the usually mousy art historian is discovered dead in her bathtub with slit wrists. Police first assume suicide, but Ellie knows Penny wouldn’t have killed herself—Penny was thrilled about her new pregnancy. When another friend of Ellie’s is hospitalized by an apparent poisoning, Ellie’s connection to the two victims makes her a suspect in the eyes of officials. Rosett complicates the story with the murder of another military wife and with a stalker who harasses Ellie. The author, also the wife of an air force pilot, includes practical tips for organizing closets, but the novel’s most valuable insight is its window into women’s lives on a military base. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great reading
This book was entertaining and held my interest throughout. Looking forward to next in series.

A different slant as the characters are members of military families.

3 Stars Who Killed Penny?
Ellie, her husband Mitch, and their daughter Livvy have been stationed in Washington for over a year now. In that time, Ellie has made some new friends, including Penny Follette. Penny is usually downcast, so when she is upbeat, Ellie definitely takes notice. And when Penny dies by suicide a few hours later, Ellie doesn’t buy it.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take the police long to agree that Penny’s death was murder. Unfortunately, they begin to zero in on Ellie as a suspect. With Mitch about to be deployed for a month, Ellie wants to spend time with him. But she begins to investigate to clear her name. Can she stay out of jail?

This book is a mixed bag. I find the life of a military family interesting. The plot was good and developed nicely. But the characters weren’t that developed and I had a hard time keeping all the suspects straight. The writing, which brought the story to life, at times got too detailed. I would find myself getting bored at times as Ellie’s every action was described.

I’m right on the fence with this one. The enjoyable mystery was weakened by some serious flaws.

5 Stars special Washington State cozy
On her way to see her husband who is with the 52nd Air Refueling squadron, stay-at-home mom Ellie Avery meets her daughter’s babysitter Penny Follette. Instead of fading into the woodwork, she is all aglow promising to tell Ellie her secret later. She gives Ellie a bag of chocolate covered coffees beans and she promptly sets it down in the area where the squadron has its drinks and food.

Later that day Ellie receives a phone call from a friend saying that Penny committed suicide. When a stunned Ellie listens to her phone messages, Penny’s is full of vigor as she informs her that she is pregnant. Ellie is certain that her friend didn’t kill herself as the enthusiasm is too great. A tox screen shows she was poisoned. Georgia, who is part of the squadron, drinks the coffee Ellie left behind and is rushed to the hospital because she was poisoned. Ellie soon becomes a suspect as she is the only link between the two women. Things get worse when she finds a third body, the general’s wife who was also murdered. In between poisonings, Ellie is the victim of serious malicious pranks by someone who wants her to turn over “it” to him; since she doesn’t know what it is, she begins sleuthing in earnest to prevent anyone else especially her and her family from becoming victim number four.

Anyone who is a stay at home mom with a husband in the service who goes TDY frequently will empathize with Ellie who has to deal with all the family problems by herself. Sara Rosett is a great storyteller as she creates a magnificent protagonist who is a bloodhound once she gets the scent. The author infuses her delightful cozy with humor as a tension relieving technique that works so well that readers will eagerly awaits the next installment in this special Washington State cozy.

Harriet Klausner

4 Stars Plenty of action
Ellie Avery, military wife and the mother of a two-year-old daughter, has a habit of turning up in the thick of a murder and that gets the attention of the police. And Ellie would prefer to avoid police contact. Her history with the police has not been the best.

When Ellie’s friend Penny Follette is found dead of an apparent suicide, Ellie knows it’s murder because Penny left a message on Ellie’s answering machine that proves it. Penny wasn’t depressed, but she was pregnant and that alone would prevent her from taking her own life.

Following Penny’s death a female pilot is poisoned and the young wife of a military ‘big shot’ is murdered. Ellie uncovers a myriad of suspects with plenty of secrets. And then there’s the shady art dealer, Middle Eastern artifacts and an ancient manuscript that might be more valuable than anyone could ever imagine. Throw in a nosey neighbor, a husband on a military mission, a missing dog and threats to her personal safety. Ellie had better solve the mystery before she’s the next victim.

If you like cozy mysteries that have plenty of action and lots of suspects and clues, Staying Home Is A Killer will be a fun romp through murder and mayhem.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a mystery with a “mommy lit” flavor. A fun read

Buy/More Info

No Excuses: Deserving A Life Free From Violence And Abuse

Note: Cross posted from [blogger angelzfury] Family Court Crisis-Abusers Getting Custody..!!.Permalinkhttp://blogs.courant.com/overcoming_battered_lives/2009/08/no-excuses-deserving-a-life-fr.html Sharlene B. Kerelejza, MSW currently serves as the Executive Director forMeriden-Wallingford Chrysalis, Inc., a local domestic violence victim’s service agency. She is contributing to the Overcoming Battered Lives blog this week. Several years ago I presented a rape prevention program at a middle schoo

Mothers Qualify For Obamas Government Scholarships?

President Obama has created one of the largest stimulus packages in history. Part of the stimulus package is a grant program that has received a great deal of news coverage. What is known is that despite helping corporate America, this package also includes billions of dollars for single moms that want to return to school. If you are thinking about earning a college degree, you may qualify for this money if you are single mother. Going back to school is a very large decision to make, especiall

Contest Listings 9/31/09 #1

A Shopper’s Quest Heaven’s Alchemy Perfume Sample Sat 35.00 Value 9/10/2009 USA Direct Contest Link Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom Floating Ring Toss 9/1/2009 USA Direct Contest Link jewelrybytara $45 of Altered Art Jewelry 10/1/2009 International Direct Contest Link ArtSnark’s Artifacts 250 Custom Greeting Cards 9/3/2009 USA Direct Contest Link ArtSnark’s Artifacts 500 Custom Business Cards 9/10/2009 USA Direct Contest Link The Suburban Jungle $25 Sams Club

it’s easy to be against health care reform when you have insurance

note: this is part of the august synchroblog focused on christian’s response to health care reform. i haven’t participated in a while, but i thought i’d join in this month. links to other posts on the same topics are below. * * * * * i usually stay away from political topics here on the carnival. once in a while i enter the fray, but on the whole it just isn’t something i focus on here. trust me, though, when i’m across the table from anyone over coffee or food or at some fun party i

Mommy, Come Home: Productivity

Catch up on the rest of the Mommy, Come Home series here. Schedule. Routine. Do you have them? Do you embrace them? In my ever-present quest to get organized , I’ve found that having a schedule and following a routine is a lifesaver! As a stay-at-home-mom, though, it’s not only the “we have to be here at this time” type of appointments that need to be remembered. There is so much to do in a day . I am my own worst enemy when it comes to productivity with m

From the Network That Brought You LOST

Which new ABC sci-fi show are you more excited for, “Flash Forward” or “V” ? Check out the promos and additional info below and don’t forget to leave your vote and comment! “Flash Forward” Plot: A mysterious global event causes everyone to black out simultaneously for two minutes and seventeen seconds, and each person sees a glimpse of their lives six months from now. When they wake up, everyone is left wondering if what they saw will actually happen. The ensemble cast includes Domin

New at Reason: Radley Balko on The Police Women of Broward County

There's always a good time to us e a Taser. So says Andrea, attractive single mom and one of the four stars of The Police Women of Broward County , the new TLC reality cop show that's part girls-can-kick-as-much-ass-as-the-boys feminism, part prime-time SM fantasy. Senior editor Radley Balko says the show is also the latest in a genre of reality television that trivializes the state's use of force and celebrates the wrong aspects of police work. Read all about it here .

There is Opportunity for Single Mothers to Get Access to Money To Raise Their Children

Taking care of a family is tough for a single mom. With only one income in the house, many mothers can’t afford to pay all the bills, let alone go back to school or change jobs. Single mothers who earn low salaries can be assisted. There are many social programs, like welfare, that can give financial assistance for single mothers . Different programs have different income requirements, so looking into them online first will help you pinpoint the right one for you. They also consider any speci

CULTURAL APOCALYPSE WATCH:The Pole-Dancer Doll for Girls

God owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology : It rotates. It has blinking lights, a disco ball, and a pole. And it's probably one of the wrongest toys you can give to any girl. Probably ? One hesitates to ask what could possibly be worse. I'm sure the manufacturers will soon be offering a stripper accessory kit -- tramp-stamp tattoo stickers, clip-on belly-button ring, garter with play-money, mint-flavored candy Newports -- but then again, there's always the nipple-tassle T-shirt for girls .

Next Page »