Erica Ruth Neubauer
Author of Murder at the Mena House
About the Author
Image credit: photo by Rachel Neubauer
Series
Works by Erica Ruth Neubauer
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Neubauer, Erica Ruth
- Other names
- ノイバウアー エリカ ルース
- Gender
- female
- Organizations
- Mystery Writers of America
Sisters in Crime - Short biography
- [from author's website]
Erica Ruth Neubauer spent eleven years in the military, two years as a cop and one year as a high school English teacher before finding her way as a writer. She has reviewed mysteries and crime fiction for several years at publications such as Publishers Weekly, the Los Angeles Review of Books and Mystery Scene Magazine and is a member of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. When she's not writing her next novel or curled up with a book, she enjoys traveling, yoga and craft beer. She lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband. - Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Wisconsin, USA
Members
Reviews
There is some great period detail in Murder at the Mena House that puts readers right in the middle of the action, and life without air conditioning in the desert is just one of those fascinating facts.
Jane Wunderly is a strong, interesting character with a backstory that makes it clear why she's not in the market for a husband, although I do wish she could afford to travel without the disagreeable Aunt Millie (who has her own little secrets).
How's the story? It's a good'un, with excellent show more misdirection and some exciting action scenes. Am I willing to take another trip with Jane? You bet! Just let me finish packing my bags. show less
Jane Wunderly is a strong, interesting character with a backstory that makes it clear why she's not in the market for a husband, although I do wish she could afford to travel without the disagreeable Aunt Millie (who has her own little secrets).
How's the story? It's a good'un, with excellent show more misdirection and some exciting action scenes. Am I willing to take another trip with Jane? You bet! Just let me finish packing my bags. show less
Well that was just wonderful! Real Agatha Christie with a smidge of Amelia Peabody vibes.
Jane is a young widow who has traveled with her Aunt Millie to Egypt and before long finds firstly a dead body and then that she is the prime suspect.
With the help of the mysterious Redvers she sets out to clear her name by finding the real killer.
Jane is a wonderful protagonist. She's not had it easy but still manages to be smart and funny.
The story moves at pace, with of course lots of suspects so you show more get lots of fun playing the guessing game..
Glad to see there will be more books with Jane , I've already pre-ordered the next one. show less
Jane is a young widow who has traveled with her Aunt Millie to Egypt and before long finds firstly a dead body and then that she is the prime suspect.
With the help of the mysterious Redvers she sets out to clear her name by finding the real killer.
Jane is a wonderful protagonist. She's not had it easy but still manages to be smart and funny.
The story moves at pace, with of course lots of suspects so you show more get lots of fun playing the guessing game..
Glad to see there will be more books with Jane , I've already pre-ordered the next one. show less
Lorraine Highsmith is a great protagonist--a bit feisty and as the author of the advice column for the Sheboygan Bay newspapers, she can be as nosy as she wants. When awakes to a dead body on her lawn, Lorraine's shady past begins to emerge. Detective Michaela "Mike" Zenoni is still trying to prove to her male counterparts that she's up to her promotions. The two of them butt heads as Lorraine inserts herself in the investigation as often as she can. usually a beat ahead of Mike. Am I the show more only one who seems to get lots of recs for old lady mysteries? It's definitely become a fun trope. I also liked the setting of 1989--just enough ahead of technology for the case to progress organically and slowly. show less
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Jane and Redvers are finally on their honeymoon at one of the most romantic places on earth, but they are not alone in the Floating City. No, Millie and Lord Hughes arrive to attend a party hosted by Clara Morton, and they have invited the newlyweds to accompany them to her palazzo on the Grand Canal. The place is quite bizarre, as is their hostess, who is dressed as Medusa with live snakes. She also has a pet cheetah that she takes for nightly walks.
The gala includes show more something Jane and Redvers were trying to avoid: a dead body. Found in the garden with suspicious marks on his neck, he is identified as Clara’s ex-husband, poet Christopher D’Annuzzio. Clara quickly points a finger at Deanna Parks, the tarot card reader she had hired for the party. Jane had met Deanna and her husband, Charlie, in Egypt. They are vaudeville performers who will take any job they can get. Charlie always has big ideas. Deanna had revealed her cards warned that there would be a death of someone close to Clara.
Jane and Redvers want to help Deanna, and of course, Aunt Millie needs to investigate the death as well. With plenty of suspects, they will be able to keep her busy while they wade through the quagmire of secrets, lies, torrid affairs, and false identities to get to the truth and prove that Deanna is innocent.
Traveling with Jane and Redvers is always a good time. They are the ideal couple. Jane is an independent woman whose confidence grows in each story. Redvers has the knowledge, experience, and connections needed to handle everything thrown at him. He also loves his wife very much and is attentive to her needs. Jane needs vast amounts of coffee to start her day, and he lets her sleep in when he can, much to Aunt Millie’s dismay. I love how they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and help each other. Yes, Redvers has weaknesses, one of which reared its head in this story. Lord Hughes is a laid-back gent who knows who he married. Aunt Millie demands to be involved and informed. Redvers and Jane are accustomed to her ways, and sometimes her connections are appreciated, but they know how to divert her with other tasks when necessary. Lord Hughes smiles, winks, and nods. He knows his assignment.
Now, almost as soon as Clara Morton entered the picture, her free-spiritedness and eccentricities brought Annie Mame, played by Rosalind Russell, to mind. Her palazzo, parties, travels, marriages, and friends made me feel she and Mame would be grand friends. Kate Conrad, an artist, has a romantic relationship with Clara and has painted several portraits of Clara in many states of undress. Clara’s cheetah, Carmine, was a cool cat. I love big kitties; it would be awesome to have one for a pet.
This mystery was a scandalous one. Clara insists she didn’t kill her ex-husband and names several people who could have killed Christopher D’Annuzzio. All had affairs with Clara, Christopher, or both. All the swapping of partners gave Jane pause, but she soldiered on. I enjoyed traveling around Venice and beyond on a gondola or rented boat to visit the suspects and follow the clues. The actual cause of death was held back. Through his employer, Redvers found out, and that gave them another avenue to pursue. There is a surprising development that twists up the mystery, sending Jane, Redvers, Millie, and Hughes off to revisit some of the suspects. Everyone was holding back information. A confession seemed to wrap up the case, but Jane starts to question her theories. More secrets are revealed, and then final clue fell into place for Jane. A chase ensued, and a fight was had; a sad but satisfying conclusion was reached.
Vengeance in Venice is my new favorite of the series. A tight, well-plotted, and well-written mystery with a plethora of suspects pulled me into the story. Epic twists tightened the pull. The author’s detailed descriptions of time, place, people, and food revealed her in-depth research and talent, creating a solid story that held me tight to the very last page. Genuine characters, humor, and light romance keep the book in the cozy realm.
Investigating a murder is no way to celebrate a marriage. I am excited for Jane and Redvers next adventure. Will they ever get a honeymoon and time to spend alone? I wonder what Ms. Neubauer has in store for her characters next. show less
Jane and Redvers are finally on their honeymoon at one of the most romantic places on earth, but they are not alone in the Floating City. No, Millie and Lord Hughes arrive to attend a party hosted by Clara Morton, and they have invited the newlyweds to accompany them to her palazzo on the Grand Canal. The place is quite bizarre, as is their hostess, who is dressed as Medusa with live snakes. She also has a pet cheetah that she takes for nightly walks.
The gala includes show more something Jane and Redvers were trying to avoid: a dead body. Found in the garden with suspicious marks on his neck, he is identified as Clara’s ex-husband, poet Christopher D’Annuzzio. Clara quickly points a finger at Deanna Parks, the tarot card reader she had hired for the party. Jane had met Deanna and her husband, Charlie, in Egypt. They are vaudeville performers who will take any job they can get. Charlie always has big ideas. Deanna had revealed her cards warned that there would be a death of someone close to Clara.
Jane and Redvers want to help Deanna, and of course, Aunt Millie needs to investigate the death as well. With plenty of suspects, they will be able to keep her busy while they wade through the quagmire of secrets, lies, torrid affairs, and false identities to get to the truth and prove that Deanna is innocent.
Traveling with Jane and Redvers is always a good time. They are the ideal couple. Jane is an independent woman whose confidence grows in each story. Redvers has the knowledge, experience, and connections needed to handle everything thrown at him. He also loves his wife very much and is attentive to her needs. Jane needs vast amounts of coffee to start her day, and he lets her sleep in when he can, much to Aunt Millie’s dismay. I love how they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and help each other. Yes, Redvers has weaknesses, one of which reared its head in this story. Lord Hughes is a laid-back gent who knows who he married. Aunt Millie demands to be involved and informed. Redvers and Jane are accustomed to her ways, and sometimes her connections are appreciated, but they know how to divert her with other tasks when necessary. Lord Hughes smiles, winks, and nods. He knows his assignment.
Now, almost as soon as Clara Morton entered the picture, her free-spiritedness and eccentricities brought Annie Mame, played by Rosalind Russell, to mind. Her palazzo, parties, travels, marriages, and friends made me feel she and Mame would be grand friends. Kate Conrad, an artist, has a romantic relationship with Clara and has painted several portraits of Clara in many states of undress. Clara’s cheetah, Carmine, was a cool cat. I love big kitties; it would be awesome to have one for a pet.
This mystery was a scandalous one. Clara insists she didn’t kill her ex-husband and names several people who could have killed Christopher D’Annuzzio. All had affairs with Clara, Christopher, or both. All the swapping of partners gave Jane pause, but she soldiered on. I enjoyed traveling around Venice and beyond on a gondola or rented boat to visit the suspects and follow the clues. The actual cause of death was held back. Through his employer, Redvers found out, and that gave them another avenue to pursue. There is a surprising development that twists up the mystery, sending Jane, Redvers, Millie, and Hughes off to revisit some of the suspects. Everyone was holding back information. A confession seemed to wrap up the case, but Jane starts to question her theories. More secrets are revealed, and then final clue fell into place for Jane. A chase ensued, and a fight was had; a sad but satisfying conclusion was reached.
Vengeance in Venice is my new favorite of the series. A tight, well-plotted, and well-written mystery with a plethora of suspects pulled me into the story. Epic twists tightened the pull. The author’s detailed descriptions of time, place, people, and food revealed her in-depth research and talent, creating a solid story that held me tight to the very last page. Genuine characters, humor, and light romance keep the book in the cozy realm.
Investigating a murder is no way to celebrate a marriage. I am excited for Jane and Redvers next adventure. Will they ever get a honeymoon and time to spend alone? I wonder what Ms. Neubauer has in store for her characters next. show less
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- Rating
- 3.7
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