Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: A Tourist's Guide to Murder by V.M. Burns

 

Today I’m participating in the A Tourist's Guide to Murder Great Escapes Blog Tour. In this post you’ll find information about the book and author along with my review. And be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, details below.  

About the book . . .

A Tourist's Guide to Murder (A Mystery Bookshop Mystery)

Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Michigan, USA – London, England
Publisher: Kensington (January 26, 2021)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1496728955
ISBN-13: 978-1496728951]
Digital ASIN: B087YRY1S4

Synopsis . . . While visiting the land of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Samantha Washington finds herself on a tragical mystery tour . . . 

 

Sam joins Nana Jo and her Shady Acres Retirement Village friends Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae on a weeklong trip to London, England, to experience the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour. The chance to see the sights and walk the streets that inspired Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle is a dream come true for Sam—and a perfect way to celebrate her new publishing contract as a mystery author.

 

But between visits to Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel district and 221B Baker Street, Major Horace Peabody is found dead, supposedly of natural causes. Despite his employer’s unfortunate demise, the tour guide insists on keeping calm and carrying on—until another tourist on their trip also dies under mysterious circumstances. Now it’s up to Sam and the Shady Acres ladies to mix and mingle among their fellow mystery lovers, find a motive, and turn up a murderer . . .

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My review . . . Author and bookshop owner Samantha (Sam) Washington is excited to embark on a week-long tour of mysterious and murderous British settings featured in the works of Dame Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Accompanying Sam on the trip are her grandmother Nana Jo and three of her sassy senior friends. Sam expects the enthusiasm of the high-spirited group to pose a bit of a challenge—but really, it's only for a week—what could possibly go wrong? Apparently, quite a lot.

 

From forgetting her passport, to a highly-invasive TSA search, to a sprint to catch the flight before it departs without her, Sam is worn out by the time she gets on the plane. She imagines her only issue once she arrives in the UK will be jet lag, but it isn't long before the tour goes totally awry.  

 

Far from their Michigan home, Sam, Nana Jo, and the Shady Acres Retirement Villagers find themselves in the midst of two murder investigations when their tour operator and a fellow tourist each meet a mysterious demise. No strangers to solving murder mysteries at home, the group gets involved in investigating the crimes, much to the consternation and amusement of New Scotland Yard authorities. Will they continue their perfect crime-solving record across the pond without causing an international incident?

 

A Tourist's Guide to Murder is V.M. Burns's most entertaining installment to date in the fantastic Mystery Bookshop mystery series. In addition to the series' lovable characters and their laugh-out-loud antics, readers of this latest cozy are treated to amusing, dramatic murder suspects and enjoyable armchair travel. This series continues to delight, and I eagerly await the further escapades of Sam, Nana Jo, and their vibrant, fun-loving friends.

 

 

Giveaway . . . Enter the A Tourist's Guide to Murder Giveaway for a chance to win one of five $25 Amazon gift cards by clicking here.

About the author . . . V.M. (Valerie) Burns was born and raised in the Midwestern United States. She currently resides in the warmer region of the country in East Tennessee with her two poodles.

Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Dog Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Valerie is the author of the RJ Franklin Mysteries, the Dog Club Mysteries, and the Agatha Award-nominated Mystery Bookshop Mystery series.

Author links . . . Website  Facebook   Twitter:  @vmburns    Goodreads     BookBub       Instagram

Purchase links . . . Apple –  Amazon – Google – Kobo – Nook –  BAM –  Bookshop.org –  Hudson Booksellers –  IndieBound –  Target

Tour participants . . .

January 21 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
January 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
January 21 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
January 22 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, GUEST POST
January 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
January 23 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 23 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 24 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW
January 24 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT
January 25 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, GUEST POST
January 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 25 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
January 26 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
January 26 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
January 27 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 27 – Island Confidential – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 28 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
January 28 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
January 29 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW  
January 29 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT 
January 29 – Books to the Ceiling – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
January 30 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 31 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 31 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
January 31 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of A Tourist's Guide to Murder from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

 

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

 

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, A Tourist's Guide to Murder by V.M. Burns. It's the latest book in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series. The excerpts shared are from an eBook provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

Beginning:  Chapter 1

"Attention." I clinked my knife against my glass. "Attention." Unfortunately, no one listened, and the chatter got louder rather than softer.

My sister, Jenna Rutherford, leaned close and whispered into my ear, "Does the phrase 'herding cats' mean anything to you?"

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56% of eBook:  The Scotland Yard detectives faced us. Detective Sergeant Templeton's eyes sparkled as though she wanted to laugh, but she refrained.

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My thoughts:  The latest installment in V.M. Burns's delightful series revolves around a trip to England, where the characters participate in a murder mystery lovers tour. While visiting such famous sites as Agatha Christie's home in Torquay and Sherlock Holmes's Baker Street establishment, the tourists find themselves in the midst of a real-life murder mystery.

A Tourist's Guide to Murder combines an entertaining armchair travelogue through London and the British countryside with an intriguing whodunit.

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From GoodReads:  While visiting the land of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Samantha Washington finds herself on a tragical mystery tour . . .

Sam joins Nana Jo and her Shady Acres Retirement Village friends Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae on a weeklong trip to London, England, to experience the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour. The chance to see the sights and walk the streets that inspired Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle is a dream come true for Sam—and a perfect way to celebrate her new publishing contract as a mystery author.

But between visits to Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel district and 221B Baker Street, Major Horace Peabody is found dead, supposedly of natural causes. Despite his employer’s unfortunate demise, the tour guide insists on keeping calm and carrying on—until another tourist on their trip also dies under mysterious circumstances. Now it’s up to Sam and the Shady Acres ladies to mix and mingle among their fellow mystery lovers, find a motive, and turn up a murderer . . .

 

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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

  It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

 

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The End of Her by Shari Lapena. It's the most recent book by the author of The Couple Next Door and several other bestsellers.  The excerpts shared are from a hardcover edition borrowed from the library.

First Chapter:  August 2018

Aylesford, New York

Hanna Bright puts little Teddy in his baby swing on the front porch and sits down to read her novel. It's going to get hot later, but in the morning it's nice on the porch, out of the sun. She notices two cars parked at the house across the street and a couple of doors down. The house is for sale; someone must be looking to buy it.

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

The beginning paints such an innocent scene, but given the author, my radar has been tripped and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.  

 

This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.   

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

   

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, Playing Nice by JP Delaney. The excerpts shared are from a hardcover edition borrowed from the library.

Beginning: 1

Pete

It was just an ordinary day.

If this were a color piece or a feature, the kind of thing I used to write on a daily basis, the editor would have rejected it just for that opening sentence. Openers need to hook people, Pete, she'd tell me, tossing my pages back at me across my desk. Paint a picture, set a scene. Be dramatic. In travel journalism especially, you need a sense of place. Take me on a journey.

So: It was just an ordinary day in Willesden Green, north London.

********************

Page 56: I looked at her, aghast. Was it possible she didn't know?

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My thoughts: This is the latest novel by the author of The Girl Before, an engrossing thriller that I read a few years ago. I really like his writing style, which I find engaging, as well as his interesting plot developments.

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From GoodReads: What if you found out that your family isn't yours at all? How far would you go to protect them? A gripping new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Girl Before. . . .

Pete Riley answers the door one morning and lets in a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, a stranger who breaks the devastating news that Pete's son, Theo, isn't actually his son--he is the Lamberts', switched at birth by an understaffed hospital while their real son was sent home with Miles and his wife, Lucy. For Pete, his partner Maddie, and the little boy they've been raising for the past two years, life will never be the same again.

The two families, reeling from the shock, take comfort in shared good intentions, eagerly entwining their very different lives in the hope of becoming one unconventional modern family. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an official investigation that unearths some disturbing questions about the night their children were switched. How much can they trust the other parents--or even each other? What secrets are hidden behind the Lamberts' glossy front door? Stretched to the breaking point, Pete and Maddie discover they will each stop at nothing to keep their family safe. 

They are done playing nice.

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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com. It cannot be republished without attribution.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

  It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

 

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, Can't Judge a Book by Its Murder by Amy Lillard.  It's the first book in the Main Street Bookclub Mysteries series. The excerpt shared is from an eBook borrowed from the library.

First Chapter:  This was the last thing she needed.

Arlo Stanley hurried around the building, barely missing the crumbling spot at the edge of the street. Her foot twisted, and a sharp pain shot from her toes up to her ankle. This was not the day to break in new shoes. And heels at that. Now she had a bum ankle to add to the equation. But she had already been dressed for work when the police called.

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

As many already know, I find new cozy mystery series irresistible--especially those that have some of my favorite elements. In this case, those elements are a book store and book club. I'm eager to make the acquaintance of Arlo Stanley, and want to know why the police are contacting her.

This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

   

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a book that has been sitting patiently on my shelves, As She Left It by Catriona McPherson. The excerpts shared are from a book I purchased a while ago.

Beginning:  21 July 2010  Tuesday

It's all connected. Everything's joined to everything. You think you can keep things out of your head, if you concentrate hard. You think your brain's in charge. And then blammo! From nowhere, one little thread starts to fray, one little rock gets lifted, and the light shines in. That's when you know it's your blood that runs the show. Your bowels. Your guts and your glands. When you're shaking so hard you can't talk and you're breathing so fast you can't think and all of your careful stories have been blown away.

********************

Page 56:  She followed it out into the passage and along to the back of the house and the attic stairs, then climbed them as quietly as she could. She didn't know whether her ears were getting attuned or if she was really getting closer.

********************

My thoughts:  The cover, opening lines, and excerpt are all rather ominous. I'm in the mood for a mysterious, atmospheric read and this book is calling to me.

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From Goodreads:  When she was twelve years old, Opal Jones escaped her mother's endless drinking. Now, returning to their small Leeds cottage after her mum's death, Opal feels like she's gone back in time. Nosey Mrs. Pickess is still polishing her windows to a sparkle. Fishbo, Opal's ancient music teacher, still plays trumpet with his band. And much to Opal's delight, her favorite neighbor, Margaret Reid, still keeps an eye on things from the walk in front of her house.

But a tragedy has struck Mote Street. Margaret's grandson, Craig, disappeared some ten years ago, and every day he's not found, shame and sorrow settle deeper into the neighborhood's forgotten corners. As the door she closed on her own dark past begins to open, Opal uncovers more secrets than she can bear about the people who were once her friends.

 

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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com. It cannot be republished without a

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

 It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

 

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard. The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

First Chapter:   Jim was on patrol. Head up, eyes scanning, thumbs hooked into his belt. The heft of the items clipped to it--his phone, a walkie-talkie, a sizeable flashlight--pushed the leather down toward his hips, and the weight of them forced him to stride rather than walk. He liked that. When he got home at the end of the day and had to take off the belt, he missed the feel of it.

The store had only opened thirty minutes ago and the staff still outnumbered the customers. Jim circled the Home section, then cut through Womenswear to Grocery. There was at least some activity there. You could count on a handful of suited twenty-something males to come darting around the aisles round about now, eyes scanning for the carton of oat milk or prepacked superfood salad they were after, as if they were on some sort of team-building task.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

The opening paragraphs aren't particularly revealing, but this is an author I have wanted to read for a while now, and I'm anticipating a good story.

 

This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.