A Giant Murder, A 1920s Romantic Mystery with a Fairy Tale Twist by Marji Laine is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Chapter One: About the Beans Dallas, Texas 1926 Always be prepared for anything. More about this fabulous story later.
But first the photo and verse. I love this photo taken with my iPhone one night when the moon popped out from behind the clouds. I had no idea the iPhone could take night photos! And the two verses are some of my go-to when I need encouragement.
Now for A Giant Murder, A 1920s Romantic Mystery with a Fairy Tale Twist by Marji Laine. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Who Killed the Giant?
Dallas, Texas, 1926
An exclusive party with the social elite of Dallas.
An elaborate venue high atop the downtown Adolphus Hotel.
A host who is one of the richest men in 1926 . . . Also, one of the deadest.
Josephine Jacobs was just doing her job, serving the food giant everything except his eternal “parting shot.” With the Century Ballroom literally full of suspects, why has she been pinpointed for shooting TG Taggert? With her long-time “friend,” Officer Porter O’Brien, Josie attempts to find out who really killed the giant, and clear her name. Get your copy of Marji’s first historical mystery with a fairy tale twist.
My Take:
I loved this book set in the 1920s that is a retelling (of sorts) of Jack and the Beanstalk. I hope Josephine Jacobs turns up in more of Marji Laine’s books. The story’s pacing was excellent and had an Agatha Christie feel to it. The clues are all laid out for the reader to figure out (I didn’t until the end), with a large cast of suspects. The romance was sweet and for a bit I wondered if the police detective was going to give Porter a run for his money…I hope he gets his own book in the future. This is a story mystery readers will enjoy…it also has a little twist at the end.
You can find purchase links for A Giant Murder, A 1920s Romantic Mystery with a Fairy Tale Twist by Marji Laine here.
Okay, Readers, what are you reading this week? Leave your first line in the comments or comment on A Giant Murder!
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Comments 30
A Giant Murder sounds like a fun retelling and cozy! I’m reading a Christian thriller, Days Are Coming by Pat Simmons. The first line: I’m coming for the children, God whispered.
It’s proving to be a page-turner!
Author
Priscilla, Days Are Coming sounds like a page-turner! I’ll have to check it out.
I hadn’t heard of the book you’re reviewing today, but it sounds pretty much delightful. Thanks!
Author
I really enjoyed it, especially the 1920’s part, Delores.
Pat, that lovely photo could have been taken here last night. And that’s a great pairing of that verse with it. The monsoon rains reached Tucson yesterday afternoon and evening. I got a whole minute of rain! But, there is the promise of more to come now. Watch out for those gully washers pouring through the arroyos!
I’ve read a few of Marji’s books, and they are good.
“A man lay on the floor, pooled in blood. Stunned at the sight, her heart seized. She gasped for breath.” One of the early paragraphs of “Hidden in the Night” by Elizabeth Goddard.
Tim, I like Elizabeth Goddard’s books, but I have fallen behind on hers, as well as various other authors I follow. These past several months have been busy. I hope I can start catching up on my reading in the fall.
Author
Don’t you hate it when life gets in the way of our reading, Edward! lol That’s happening to me now…by the time I make it to bed, I go to sleep instead of reading…
Author
Thanks, Tim! A whole minute, huh? We could use a little rain now–when it stopped, it stopped! lol I have Elizabeth Goddard’s latest next to be read…
Beautiful blue hues for a night photo! I love that half of the moon is sheltered under the clouds. The Scripture is a beautiful promise of God’s presence always. Isn’t that absolutely wonderful?
A Giant Murder sounds like a fun, fun book. I don’t think I’ve read any of Marji’s books. Great review, Pat.
“Her life would begin as soon as that preacher stepped talking. Lord forgive her, but the news burning in her chest and squirming its way out of her fluttering fingers brought with it far more hope than the drone of the second Sunday sermon.” These are the first two lines of Missing Mercy, book three of the Ironwood Plantation Saga, by Stephenia H. McGee. Part of the series takes place in Corinth, Mississippi! 🙂
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Stephenia McGee is a great writer, Barbara! And I remember when she researched here in Corinth…although we hadn’t met yet. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the photo and verse.
New to me author! The book sounds like a fun & interesting read!
Author
I think you will enjoy any of Marji Laine’s books, Barbie D!
This sounds like a fun read. I have enjoyed reading books in that time period. I am reading The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh.
Kelsey
Beep. Beep.
Click. Drip.
Whirrrrr.
Click. Drip.
My eyes flutter open, from murky to gray to light and back to gray, like the shutter on a camera taking pictures in the dark.
Author
Courtney Walsh’s book sounds like it’s a page-turner, Gloria!
I enjoy scenes like the one you took of the moon. Those verses fit well. The last phrase of Jer. 29:13 caught my attention: “. . . Seek me with all your heart.” I fear too often, I slide into a half-hearted effort.
The book sounds interesting and different. I haven’t read anything by this author.
I just started reading Creston Mapes’s “Celebrity Pastor.” As Colleen Coble said in her praise for the book: “Celebrity Pastor should be required reading as a help to recognize the trap of pride and power in any kind of prominent position.” The opening lines:
Horace Stone (The Washington Post): How can a megachurch pastor – a man with thousands of people looking up to him, depending on him – fall into the kind of flagrant misconduct and moral failures of which this man is being accused? How can this happen?
Author
Edward, I have Creston Mapes book on order and can’t wait to read it! And I’m afraid I fall into the half-hearted category sometimes, too.
It sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It is, Diana…I know I say that about all the books I review, but it’s true…I won’t review a book I didn’t like. 🙂
You always pick such good books .
Author
Thanks, Judy. I’m blessed to be friends with many great authors. Reviews are my way of supporting them. 🙂
I’m reading an ARC of Rescued by Jerusha Agen:
The screaming blare sought her in the darkness.
A smoke detector?
The children.
The thought jolted Valena Greer upright in bed.
Author
Natalya, I love Jerusha’s books! And this one sounds very suspenseful!
book sounds so good! I have just finished the book “Hope is Born”
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It is good, Shelia! I’ll have to check out Hope is Born…
Beautiful photo for the scripture, Pat!
A Giant Murder sounds like a fun read. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoy your weekend.
Author
Thanks, Caryl! I think you would enjoy A Giant Murder…
Love this photo! A beautiful night view! Jer, 29:13 is a verse I try to remember to practice.
Marji Laine is new to me and this book sounds interesting.
Edward, Celebrity Pastor is a good read, although fictional parts of it rang too true.
I just finished reading Flashpoint by Susan Warren.
Author
Hi Mary G! I love night views and can’t understand how anyone can look at the night sky and not believe there’s a God! I must read Celebrity Pastor!
Beautiful picture.
I like stories set in the 1920s.
Author
Thanks, Paula. and I enjoy the 1920s stories, too.