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Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)…
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Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery) (original 2013; edition 2013)

by Ellery Adams (Author)

Series: Books By the Bay (5)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
18018150,280 (4.1)7
Olivia thought gathering some of the most renowned storytellers in one place would be a nice, simple way for herself and the Bayside Book Writers to appreciate their talents. But things take a dark turn when the most famous storyteller in the nation, the captivating performer Violetta Devereaux, announces onstage that she will meet her end in Oyster Bay. When Violetta is discovered murdered after the show, everyone involved with the retreat becomes a suspect. There are rumors that Violetta, who grew up in extreme poverty in the Appalachian Mountains, possessed an invaluable treasure. Now Chief Rawlings and the Bayside Book Writers must work at a frenzied pace to solve the crime before someone closes the book on them.… (more)
Member:GailL
Title:Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)
Authors:Ellery Adams (Author)
Info:Berkley (2013), 304 pages
Collections:Suggest by friend
Rating:*****
Tags:Mystery, Light read, MPL

Work Information

Poisoned Prose by Ellery Adams (2013)

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» See also 7 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 18 (next | show all)
Oyster Bay, NC is hosting a storyteller's retreat. The best storytellers from around the country are coming, with the headliner being Violetta Devereaux. Violetta is by far the most famous guest, renowned for her talent at captivating entire rooms of listeners with her stories. The Bayside Book Writers Group is a bit surprised at how secretive and closed off the performer seems to be. Violetta doesn't give interviews. She doesn't stay after performances or mingle with fans. Olivia Limoges is surprised when Violetta agrees to see her. The storyteller answers a few of Olivia's questions, but seems resigned to meeting some strange fate in Oyster Bay. She calls the coastal NC town her Gethsemane. Her strange future vision comes true when she is found strangled just minutes later. Who killed Violetta? And why?

This mystery is complex and a bit dark, but very enjoyable. Secrets never stay hidden. Some main characters in this series have secrets that come out in this book....but none compare to the secrets hidden by their famous storyteller. It makes for a fast-paced, suspenseful and creative story!

My one issue with this series is that it tends to get a bit overly emotional for me. I'm not one for romance novels. I like mysteries....and this series just tends to wing off into romance land, or women's fiction type melodramatic scenes, a bit too much for my taste. But -- I am invested in the characters and I love the creative plots. I do occasionally have to roll my eyes when Olivia goes into some soliloquy about how much she loves her boyfriend....I just have this snarky little voice in my head that goes "OK OK....you love the guy...get back to the mystery!'' :) Just being honest. I do like the fact that the books don't abruptly come to an end when the mystery is solved. There is always a chapter or two of wrap up and character development. I could just use a bit less lovey-dovey sappiness. But....for those who enjoy romance novels and cozies, this would be the perfect mix!

Just a bit of a head's up -- there is sex and some adult themes in this series. No cursing and no graphic stuff, but it does get a bit adult here and there. I wouldn't hand this book to anyone under 13 without reading it first to be sure it passes your personal appropriate guidelines.

Poisoned Prose is the 5th book in this series of 8. Three more to go! :) ( )
  JuliW | Nov 22, 2020 |
The series gets better with each book. ( )
  sgilbraith | Feb 8, 2019 |
Next Books by the Bay Mystery for me and it didn't disappoint. Fun regular characters with interesting plot and background data. ( )
  cyderry | Dec 30, 2017 |
A nice cozy mystery in the seaside town of Oyster Bay (not the one on Long Island), featuring a restaurant owner and her police chief lover. No proof, but I suspect this is set in North Carolina. The story includes Appalachian storytellers and a genetic mutation that gives people blue skin, something I have heard about, so it wasn't nonsense. But the usual motives of passion, envy, and greed are reliably employed. A pleasant read ( )
  ffortsa | Oct 4, 2016 |
As an aspiring author, Olivia Limoges is happy to sponsor a retreat for famous storytellers- among other things she is hoping to get some ideas to help her lackluster novel. She and fellow members of the Bayside Book Writers Club are especially entranced by the storytelling abilities of Violetta Devereaux who accurately predicts her own imminent death. Olivia's boyfriend Sawyer Rawlings is on the case but as always he welcomes the help of Olivia and the rest of the Bayside Book Writers Club in solving the murder. They are eager to help him but don't realize how devastating the truth may be.

"Poisoned Prose" is the nicely done, at times heart-breaking, fifth book in Ellery Adams' Books By the Bay cozy mystery series. This book represents a crossroads of sorts for some of the characters and longtime fans of the series may be surprised at some of the choices the characters make. This novel is about friendship and loyalty and the twists and turns it can take, even among family members. Adams has a gift with words and words play an important part of this story - I actually felt like I was in the audience when Violetta was telling her stories. Adams' gift with words weaves its way throughout the entire story whether it be the setting of Oyster Bay (I could feel the heat); the characters (who grow with each story); or the mystery (which is well plotted with more than a few twists and turns and surprises). Olivia continues to grow on me as a character even if I don't always like her or the decisions she makes. She is certainly a complex character who is still learning to open her heart to people and love. Without giving too much away, the end to the book made me both sad (for more than one reason) and very happy. The series seems to be going in a slightly different direction and I can't wait to see what happens next!

"Poisoned Prose" is another nicely done mystery by Ellery Adams. ( )
  drebbles | Feb 17, 2016 |
Showing 1-5 of 18 (next | show all)
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For Tim, because I am at home in your heart
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Olivia thought gathering some of the most renowned storytellers in one place would be a nice, simple way for herself and the Bayside Book Writers to appreciate their talents. But things take a dark turn when the most famous storyteller in the nation, the captivating performer Violetta Devereaux, announces onstage that she will meet her end in Oyster Bay. When Violetta is discovered murdered after the show, everyone involved with the retreat becomes a suspect. There are rumors that Violetta, who grew up in extreme poverty in the Appalachian Mountains, possessed an invaluable treasure. Now Chief Rawlings and the Bayside Book Writers must work at a frenzied pace to solve the crime before someone closes the book on them.

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