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csnurr's review against another edition
2.0
I forgot that I really don’t like this series. The writing is so backward it feels like this should be set in the 50s instead of 1996, when this book was written.
Aurora spends way too much time obsessing over her marriage to a man she knows nothing about but stays married for vague reasons like “this man is my sweetheart” when he hasn’t told her the truth once since they’ve known one another. It doesn’t help that this book is way more focused on Aurora FINALLY (she’s in her early thirties????) getting married instead of the mystery. The mystery only takes up about 15% of this book and that’s just not enough to make this book worthwhile.
Aurora spends way too much time obsessing over her marriage to a man she knows nothing about but stays married for vague reasons like “this man is my sweetheart” when he hasn’t told her the truth once since they’ve known one another. It doesn’t help that this book is way more focused on Aurora FINALLY (she’s in her early thirties????) getting married instead of the mystery. The mystery only takes up about 15% of this book and that’s just not enough to make this book worthwhile.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fourth in the Aurora Teagarden cozy mystery series revolving around an amateur sleuth in Lawrenceton, Georgia. The focus is on Roe's new house and the disappearance of the previous owners.
My Take
Harris uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Roe's perspective, which provides insight into how she feels about the house, the farm, the wedding prep, and her honeymoon. As well as that inner need she has to solve mysteries — the disappearance of the Juliuses and those secret places in her new place.
My favorite part was fixing up the house. It sounds gorgeous, partly because I love farmhouses as well as all that land around them.
On the purchases of real estate, Aurora gets sneaky! She plans to be the front for a religious cult in hopes of getting Flocken to sell the farm to spite his stepkids. Nor is the stepdad the only one spiting Martin, his own son "can't come" for his wedding. Uh-huh. It's a rocky start, as well, when Roe meets Shelby.
Poor Roe. I think she's more excited about finally getting married (and being the star at bridal showers) than marrying. Their religious counseling sessions (and Cindy's revelations) provide Aurora with some "interesting" insight into her husband-to-be.
And there are more revelations to come. Scary ones. Lol, including all those dinner parties with Roe a'wondering at her penance.
I am not liking Roe's father. Such a jerk. As for Mrs Totino, what a whack job! From gifting Roe a wedding present to screaming for her to go!
Why wouldn't T.C. welcome his mother-in-law? She was in need; her daughter was in need? What is Aurora's idea of family?
There is some scary action as well as those scary revelations, but it's mostly about the house. Decorating it, exploring it. And that mystery about the previous owners who had disappeared. Roe just can't resist.
The Story
It was an amazing wedding present — the Julius House. A surprising reciprocation, as Aurora gave Martin real estate as well.
As Roe throws herself into renovating the Julius house, her misgivings about Martin's rather murky past recede. But when Roe is attacked by an axe-wielding maniac, she realizes that the secrets inside her four walls — and her brand-new marriage — could destroy her.
The Characters
Aurora "Roe" Teagarden was a librarian who quit in A Bone to Pick, 2, and now regrets it. Martin Bartell, Aurora's fiancé, a Vietnam vet, and an adrenaline junkie, is a vice-president at Pan-Am Agra. Madeleine is the cat Aurora inherited from Jane in A Bone to Pick.
Aurora's mother, Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland, is a very successful real estate agent with her own business, Select Realty. John Queensland is her newlywed husband, and he'll be Martin's best man. Melinda is John's daughter-in-law.
Roe's father is now married to Betty Jo with a nine-year-old son, Phillip. It's been three years since Roe saw her half-brother, not since Real Murders, 1.
Lawrenceton, Georgia, is . . .
. . . Aurora's hometown. Total House is a paint/carpet/wallpaper store. St James, an Episcopal church, is where Aurora and Martin are getting married. Father Aubrey Scott is the pastor. He and Aurora had dated back in Three Bedrooms, One Corpse, 3. Emily Kaye is the woman Aubrey is dating. John Henry is a plumber who regrets that he has to employ his wife's best friend's obnoxious son. Parnell Engle is a local contractor and had been related to Jane (A Bone to Pick). Washington Prescott had worked for Engle.
Select Realty employs Patty Cloud as office manager.
Eileen (Aida's second-in-command) and Sally Allison (a reporter for the Lawrenceton Sentinel) host a bridal shower for Roe. Sally's son Perry is in therapy. Paul is her newish husband, and it's shaky.
Amina, Roe's best friend, moved to Houston, got married to Hugh (a lawyer), and had a baby. Her mama, Miss Joe Nell, owns a dress shop in town, Great Day. Women Roe has known all her life include Susu Hunter (Little Jim and Bethany are Susu's children, and she and Jimmy are in therapy), Lizanne Buckley Sewell (she recently married Bubba, a lawyer and legislator), Linda Erhardt, and Eunice "Neecy" Dawson.
The Julius family . . .
. . . vanished six years ago. T.C. (a retired army sergeant) and Hope are/were Charity's parents. Hope's mother moved into the mother-in-law apartment over the garage. Essie Nyland was T.C.'s aunt. Melba Tostino, Hope's mom, is the trustee for the estate and lives at the Peachtree Leisure Apartments. Alicia Manigault is Melba's sister who lives in New Orleans. The house was originally built by the Zinsners; Sarah May (John L. had been her husband) sold the house to the Juliuses. Harley Dimmoch, who lives in Columbia, South Carolina, is/had been Charity's boyfriend.
Lawrenceton PD
Detective Lynn Liggett Smith is married to Detective Arthur Smith (he used to date Roe as well). Lorna is their new baby. Padgett Lanier is the chief of police. Detective-Sergeant Jack Burns hates Roe.
An old friend of Martin's is in need of a job and a home: Shelby and Angel Youngblood. In return for the over-the-garage apartment, the Youngbloods will be there whenever something needs to be delivered to the house and to run errands. Jimmy Dell Dunn, a swamp boy from Florida, was another fellow veteran. Angel had been his youngest sister.
Pan-Am Agra specializes . . .
. . . in a combination of foods, farm machinery, and agricultural teachings. Mrs Sands is Martin's secretary. Bill Anderson is a new division chief; Bettina is his wife.
Duncan and Roosevelt are security guards at the Peachtree Leisure Apartments.
Corinth, Ohio, is . . .
. . . where Martin's family farm is located. Martin's parents, well his dad died, and his mother had married Joseph Flocken, who HATES Martin and greatly dislikes Barby.
Cindy Bartell, a florist who owns Cindy's Flowers, had been Martin's first wife. Ruth is one of Cindy's employees. Their son, Barrett, is trying to become a successful actor in LA. Barby is Martin's sister. Regina is her somewhat brainless daughter. Mary Anne Bishop is a real estate agent with Bishop Realty. Inez has a place to sell.
Tonia Lee Greenhouse had been murdered in the Anderton house in Three Bedrooms, One Corpse. Mandy is a friend of Roe's who had owned Anderton house.
New Orleans
Alicia lives here where Lanelda and Carl Coleman are living in her house. Kickapoo is their Toy Manchester. Betty Lynn Sistrump was a neighbor and remembered Alicia and Melba. Dumont is renting a Cajun house from a man in the army. I think Rene is a neighbor of Dumont's.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a diamond-patterned lilac background with a pair of pale lilac swirls partially framing the title in its italic pale lilac in the center. At the top is the author's name in purple. At the bottom, a shelf of vari-colored books are outlined in a glowing white. Perched on the right side of the books is a pair of brown glasses. The series info, in brown, is right above the glasses.
The title is all about The Julius House, its past, present, and future.
My Take
Harris uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Roe's perspective, which provides insight into how she feels about the house, the farm, the wedding prep, and her honeymoon. As well as that inner need she has to solve mysteries — the disappearance of the Juliuses and those secret places in her new place.
My favorite part was fixing up the house. It sounds gorgeous, partly because I love farmhouses as well as all that land around them.
On the purchases of real estate, Aurora gets sneaky! She plans to be the front for a religious cult in hopes of getting Flocken to sell the farm to spite his stepkids. Nor is the stepdad the only one spiting Martin, his own son "can't come" for his wedding. Uh-huh. It's a rocky start, as well, when Roe meets Shelby.
Poor Roe. I think she's more excited about finally getting married (and being the star at bridal showers) than marrying. Their religious counseling sessions (and Cindy's revelations) provide Aurora with some "interesting" insight into her husband-to-be.
"Why wasn't it all roses? If he loved me, why didn't he treat me perfectly?"Oh, Roe. She sure has some interesting ideas about what marriage looks like. Life is not all roses. Couples usually will experience a fight(s). And why on earth do you expect Martin to read your mind?
And there are more revelations to come. Scary ones. Lol, including all those dinner parties with Roe a'wondering at her penance.
I am not liking Roe's father. Such a jerk. As for Mrs Totino, what a whack job! From gifting Roe a wedding present to screaming for her to go!
Why wouldn't T.C. welcome his mother-in-law? She was in need; her daughter was in need? What is Aurora's idea of family?
There is some scary action as well as those scary revelations, but it's mostly about the house. Decorating it, exploring it. And that mystery about the previous owners who had disappeared. Roe just can't resist.
The Story
It was an amazing wedding present — the Julius House. A surprising reciprocation, as Aurora gave Martin real estate as well.
As Roe throws herself into renovating the Julius house, her misgivings about Martin's rather murky past recede. But when Roe is attacked by an axe-wielding maniac, she realizes that the secrets inside her four walls — and her brand-new marriage — could destroy her.
The Characters
Aurora "Roe" Teagarden was a librarian who quit in A Bone to Pick, 2, and now regrets it. Martin Bartell, Aurora's fiancé, a Vietnam vet, and an adrenaline junkie, is a vice-president at Pan-Am Agra. Madeleine is the cat Aurora inherited from Jane in A Bone to Pick.
Aurora's mother, Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland, is a very successful real estate agent with her own business, Select Realty. John Queensland is her newlywed husband, and he'll be Martin's best man. Melinda is John's daughter-in-law.
Roe's father is now married to Betty Jo with a nine-year-old son, Phillip. It's been three years since Roe saw her half-brother, not since Real Murders, 1.
Lawrenceton, Georgia, is . . .
. . . Aurora's hometown. Total House is a paint/carpet/wallpaper store. St James, an Episcopal church, is where Aurora and Martin are getting married. Father Aubrey Scott is the pastor. He and Aurora had dated back in Three Bedrooms, One Corpse, 3. Emily Kaye is the woman Aubrey is dating. John Henry is a plumber who regrets that he has to employ his wife's best friend's obnoxious son. Parnell Engle is a local contractor and had been related to Jane (A Bone to Pick). Washington Prescott had worked for Engle.
Select Realty employs Patty Cloud as office manager.
Eileen (Aida's second-in-command) and Sally Allison (a reporter for the Lawrenceton Sentinel) host a bridal shower for Roe. Sally's son Perry is in therapy. Paul is her newish husband, and it's shaky.
Amina, Roe's best friend, moved to Houston, got married to Hugh (a lawyer), and had a baby. Her mama, Miss Joe Nell, owns a dress shop in town, Great Day. Women Roe has known all her life include Susu Hunter (Little Jim and Bethany are Susu's children, and she and Jimmy are in therapy), Lizanne Buckley Sewell (she recently married Bubba, a lawyer and legislator), Linda Erhardt, and Eunice "Neecy" Dawson.
The Julius family . . .
. . . vanished six years ago. T.C. (a retired army sergeant) and Hope are/were Charity's parents. Hope's mother moved into the mother-in-law apartment over the garage. Essie Nyland was T.C.'s aunt. Melba Tostino, Hope's mom, is the trustee for the estate and lives at the Peachtree Leisure Apartments. Alicia Manigault is Melba's sister who lives in New Orleans. The house was originally built by the Zinsners; Sarah May (John L. had been her husband) sold the house to the Juliuses. Harley Dimmoch, who lives in Columbia, South Carolina, is/had been Charity's boyfriend.
Lawrenceton PD
Detective Lynn Liggett Smith is married to Detective Arthur Smith (he used to date Roe as well). Lorna is their new baby. Padgett Lanier is the chief of police. Detective-Sergeant Jack Burns hates Roe.
An old friend of Martin's is in need of a job and a home: Shelby and Angel Youngblood. In return for the over-the-garage apartment, the Youngbloods will be there whenever something needs to be delivered to the house and to run errands. Jimmy Dell Dunn, a swamp boy from Florida, was another fellow veteran. Angel had been his youngest sister.
Pan-Am Agra specializes . . .
. . . in a combination of foods, farm machinery, and agricultural teachings. Mrs Sands is Martin's secretary. Bill Anderson is a new division chief; Bettina is his wife.
Duncan and Roosevelt are security guards at the Peachtree Leisure Apartments.
Corinth, Ohio, is . . .
. . . where Martin's family farm is located. Martin's parents, well his dad died, and his mother had married Joseph Flocken, who HATES Martin and greatly dislikes Barby.
Cindy Bartell, a florist who owns Cindy's Flowers, had been Martin's first wife. Ruth is one of Cindy's employees. Their son, Barrett, is trying to become a successful actor in LA. Barby is Martin's sister. Regina is her somewhat brainless daughter. Mary Anne Bishop is a real estate agent with Bishop Realty. Inez has a place to sell.
Tonia Lee Greenhouse had been murdered in the Anderton house in Three Bedrooms, One Corpse. Mandy is a friend of Roe's who had owned Anderton house.
New Orleans
Alicia lives here where Lanelda and Carl Coleman are living in her house. Kickapoo is their Toy Manchester. Betty Lynn Sistrump was a neighbor and remembered Alicia and Melba. Dumont is renting a Cajun house from a man in the army. I think Rene is a neighbor of Dumont's.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a diamond-patterned lilac background with a pair of pale lilac swirls partially framing the title in its italic pale lilac in the center. At the top is the author's name in purple. At the bottom, a shelf of vari-colored books are outlined in a glowing white. Perched on the right side of the books is a pair of brown glasses. The series info, in brown, is right above the glasses.
The title is all about The Julius House, its past, present, and future.
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, I enjoyed this novel by Charlaine Harris. Harris is adept at more than one genre of books. I am filling in holes in my books by her and this one did not let me down.
kwillen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rmhs14's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Really liked this one! Very fast read because it kept my interest with the multiple storylines.
kikila's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
5.0
storieswithsoul's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
angelic712's review against another edition
4.0
There is something very comforting about finishing a cozy mystery.