Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review: Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson

I'm excited to participate in the Murder a la Christie Blog Tour.  In this post you will find book and author information along with my review.

About the Book . . .

 

Murder a la Christie  by Marilyn Levinson

Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  Dark Oak Mysteries

Paperback:  234 pages
ISBN-13: 978-161009135

Synopsis . . .

Professor Lexie Driscoll is leading a discussion of Agatha Christie’s novels at the first meeting of the Golden Age of Mystery book club, when an old friend is murdered. A free spirit, Lexie finds herself outside her element housesitting in the upscale village of Old Cadfield. As she unravels secret after secret, more members are murdered. Lexie employs Miss Marple’s knowledge of human nature and Hercule Poirot’s cunning to find the killer.

My Review . . .
Old Cadfield, a ritrzy suburb in Long Island, New York is the setting for Murder a la Christie, an entertaining new mystery from Marilyn Levinson.   When Lexie Driscoll, an English professor from a local university agrees to facilitate the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club at a friend’s home, little does she know that she will be cast into an unfolding murder mystery that rivals any of Agatha Christie’s books. 

Minutes into the group discussion of Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Sylvia Morris complains of stomach pain and becomes disoriented.  Before the meeting ends, Sylvia is found dead in the guest room where she had been resting after becoming ill.  How could this have happened?  Was it something she ate at the meeting?  Had her heart condition played a role?  Or is it possible that a threat uttered by another book club member during a heated confrontation moments before the meeting commenced was carried out?

Lexie is disturbed by the heinous crime and is determined to find out who killed her friend.  The plot thickens when two other book club members are subsequently found murdered soon thereafter.  Are the murders linked?  Who is responsible?  Can Lexie and the police solve these cases before another murder occurs? 
 

Suspects and motives multiply as Lexie’s investigation uncovers the past secrets, romantic liaisons, and current hostilities of the residents of Old Cadfield.  Attuned to the similarities between Agatha Christie’s plots and the murders at hand, Lexie applies the techniques of Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot to analyze the crimes and reveal the truth.

Murder a la Christie is a smart whodunit and delightful homage to the grand dame of the genre from a contemporary mystery writer.  A comparison and contrast to several of Christie’s novels are nicely incorporated into the storyline, and provide added enjoyment for mystery lovers.  The story is engaging to its satisfying conclusion, although it does leave readers wondering what will happen next in Lexie’s chaotic life, and which of her two romantic suitors she will choose.  Such is the stuff that sequels are made of, and I hope there will be one soon.

Note:  I received an ebook copy of Murder a la Christie from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author . . .

Marilyn Levinson, a former Spanish teacher, writes mysteries, romance, and books for children and young adults.

Her romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, is a love story entwined with an intriguing mystery. Giving Up the Ghost is an entertaining ghost mystery. A new edition of A Murderer Among Us, which won a Best Indie award from Suspense Magazine in 2011, and its sequel, Murder in the Air, are out with Untreed Reads. A ghost, a mansion, and a feral Maine Coon cat feature in Marilyn’s most recent YA novel, Getting Back to Normal. Three of her popular out-of-print children’s books, And Don't Bring Jeremy, No Boys Allowed, and Rufus and Magic Run Amok are now available as ebooks.

Marilyn is co-founder and past-president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on Long Island.

Author Links:
web page: http://www.marilynlevinson.com
Untreed Reads books: http://goo.gl/ktYzs
Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson
Purchase Links
AMAZON  

 

Murder a la Christie Tour Participants

March 14 – Rachel Cotterill Book Reviews - Review

March 15 – Melina’s Book Blog - Review, Guest Post

March 16 – Chloe Gets A Clue - Interview

March 17 – readalot blog - Review

March 18 – Queen of All She Reads - Review, Guest Post – Giveaway

March 19 – Must Read Faster – Review - Giveaway

March 20 – Book Club Librarian – Review

March 21 – The Bookwyrm's Hoard - Review, Guest Post – Giveaway

March 22 – off

March 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy - Interview

March 24 - Read Your Writes Book Reviews - Guest Post
 

Enjoy life with books . . .
 

Catherine 
 

Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review: Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com. This post cannot be republished without attribution. 
 

FTC Disclaimer:  Unless otherwise noted, the statements and opinions expressed in reviews and posts on this blog are those of Book Club Librarian. Authors, publishers, and tour guides are welcome to contact me and/or send an ARC or finished copy of a book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews will mention the material source. Opinions shared by others in comments may not reflect my own views, and I reserve the right to moderate comments.