Nora Charles

Kate Kennedy moved to Palmetto, Florida, because her husband wanted to live there. But he died within twenty-four hours of the move, and since they sold their old home, she's pretty much stuck. He's been gone a mere six months, and she misses him. However, she's decided to try and make the best of it.

When it's discovered that a developer wants to buy out their condo community and put up a resort, the board president isn't going to give up without a fight. But unfortunately, she doesn't last show more the night after a scheduled meeting, and now Kate wonders who hated Stella Sajak enough to kill her...

This is an older book, but I really wished it would have been better. I was a bit thrown after finding out that Kate hadn't shaved her legs since her husband died. Six months? Through an entire Florida summer? While she must have worn slacks all summer (or people would have definitely noticed), I can't imagine that it wouldn't have been extremely uncomfortable, not to mention quite a sight to behold. One I'd rather not see. (Personal opinion, but hey...)

Then, Kate sees a couple of residents walking along the beach, hears one of them yell, "Stella!" (Shades of Stanley Kowalski), and calls 911. Fair enough. But how did she know she should call 911? How did she know that Stella was dead if she couldn't see the body from her window? Does she always call 911 if she hears a resident yelling a name?

Then, the police seem as if they don't believe what she's telling them in her statement and want her to come to the police station the next day to give it again. Why? She was standing on her balcony, couldn't see anything, and only heard the man say, 'Stella'. She didn't actually see a body or have anything to do with it, so why would the police need her to come to the station? She had no other information to give, wasn't a suspect, and basically only heard the man say a name. How is this relevant in any way that she needs to go to a police station?

Also, in the beginning of the story Kate mentions as how Stella has a great body and is wearing a swimsuit with a halter top and skirt bottom while walking around, but when she sees a friend wearing a midriff-showing outfit to a costume party she thinks it's scandalous. Say what? Isn't this Florida? Don't seniors ever go swimming? Showing your stomach is scandalous? What. A. Prude.

But the kicker was an ex-nun pours a can of Coke over another resident because said resident asks the woman if she murdered Stella. Asks. A. Question. Probably even tongue-in-cheek. Was this supposed to be funny? It wasn't. It was over the top, and if someone did that to me because I merely asked them a question, there would be consequences. Trust me.

I couldn't even read the book after this. I'd had enough of Kate's judging people and self-righteousness, her boring personality and resentfulness of anything and anyone she didn't like. Kate is truly unlikable, and I'm sorry I have the rest in this series. They'll be donated to the library. Maybe someone else will find the humor in these books. I sure didn't. show less

I didn't warm to this first book in what is bound to be a series of cozy mysteries. Usually I enjoy this style, but I was not drawn into this plot.
While I empathised with the lead character's struggles to find an interest in life after her husband's death - I didn't find any of the other characters interesting at all.
I found the POV changes irritating, and many of the events and conversations seemed to be obvious 'busy work'.

It is possible that the characters may develop in more show more interesting ways as the series progresses. I won't go out of my way to read another, but I'll read one if I stumble over it. show less

The Kate Kennedy Mystery Series is a reissue of the series written in 2004 under the name Nora Charles. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and hope they reissue the rest of them. Kate Kennedy lost her husband as they moved to the small Florida town of Palmetto. She had not wanted to move, she agreed because her husband loved it and she loved her husband. She is a lost soul as the story begins and does not yet feel at home in the condo they purchased. She and her dog go for walks show more throughout the day and her only friend is her ex-sister-in-law, Marlene. Recently, a developer is trying to get the town council to force the sale of Ocean Vista so he can raze it for a parking lot. Kate reluctantly goes to the townhall meeting and witnesses various disagreements, one involing Stella, the condo board president. When Stella is found murdered, Kate and her friends decide to do some snooping on their own to solve the case. If you are looking for a great mystery then you need to read this book. I can’t wait until the next book is out. The characters are well developed and described in a way that you can picture these seniors. They made me chuckle at various time in the book. The relationship between Kate and Marlene is strong. They have been friends since gradeschool and they put up with one another's foibles and mistakes. The mystery kept me guessing almost until the end as there were several suspects and red herrings thrown in for good measure. A fun mystery. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. show less

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

In this fun, light cozy mystery, Wald introduces readers to Kate Kennedy, a widower living in Florida adjusting to her new life. What brings her out of her self-imposed shell, besides the ministrations of her long-time best friend, is a shocking murder on the beach below her condo.

Local politics, love affairs, zoning rights, tell-all articles, and show more Hearts games combine to form a quick read with some well-done twists and turns. The characters are well-differentiated, and there are some really funny, clever scenes, as well as more heartfelt moments as Kate reflects on the life she never expected to be living.

My issue is with the epilogue. It's really short, just a few paragraphs, and just throws out there a major, major secret that comes out of left field. The epilogue seems completely tacked on, and undermines one of the most important relationships in the pages that had preceded it.

If you just ignore the epilogue, this is a quick, easy, fun mystery that doesn't require much thinking, which can be a very welcome thing. show less