No Egrets, A Clean and Cozy Murder Mystery (The Empty Nesters Book 3) by Jen Dodrill is this week’s Reader Friday. It kept me up past midnight two nights in a row! Here are the first two lines: Even at 7:30 p.m., heat hung heavily in the air. Perspiration trickled down my back. This meeting, scheduled to last until nine, stretched before me like an endless road on a moonless night.
But first the photo and verse. I took the photo a couple of years ago when I had to be at the physical therapist’s office at seven..a.m. I have no idea what I was thinking, scheduling an appointment at that time, but I did take several good photos of dawn breaking. 🙂 And Psalm 19:14 is one I like to start my day with.
Now for No Egrets, the third book in Jen Dodrill’s Empty Nesters Series. Here’s the cover and back copy:
When the birds disappear, the secrets take flight.
Life in Stone Creek Cove is supposed to be peaceful—sunny Florida days, friendly neighbors, and a rookery of beloved egrets nesting near the creek. So when the birds vanish overnight, Peg Howard expects nothing more than a little small-town drama.
She doesn’t expect to find a body.
Volunteered to help search for the missing egrets, Peg teams up with her mother-in-law, Hazel, and quickly discovers that Stone Creek Cove has more secrets than birdwatchers. Rumors spread, tempers flare, and what started as a harmless mystery turns into a full-blown murder investigation.
As Peg and Hazel dig deeper, they uncover shady deals, long-held grudges, and motives hiding behind polite smiles. And in a town where everyone knows everyone, the killer could be closer than Peg ever imagined.
Can Peg untangle the mystery before curiosity turns deadly—or will this case cost her more than a few feathers?
My take:
This third book in the Empty Nesters Series is a great cozy read. I loved this third book in the Empty Nesters Series! I couldn’t put it down and stayed up way too late reading it. Dodrill has created characters that I really care about, and her mystery takes turns I wasn’t expecting.
I’ve enjoyed all three of the books and hope that Dodrill will continue the series with Peg and Hazel. They are two of my favorite over-fifty heroines. No Egrets will keep you flipping pages, trying to figure out who “did it.” I especially enjoyed the light romance with Peg and Marcus. Thanks Jen Dodrill for my copy that I wasn’t required to leave a review for. I loved it and will be buying it for friends when it releases on February 24th.
You can preorder it here.
Okay Readers, grab the book you’re reading and put the first line in the comments and I’ll enter you in a February drawing for a book from my library.
In case you missed it Tuesday, the MidSouth Christian Writers Conference will be held March 20-21. We have classes on nonfiction, fiction, and the business end of writing. Best-selling author DiAnn Mills is our keynote, and she has a wealth of knowledge to share.
Now for today’s song. The first time I heard this song back in 1997, it became one of my all-time favorites. I hope you enjoy it as well.
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Comments 42
The November wind carried a thin edge of cold across the Texas hills, strong enough to sting the skin but not strong enough to chase the sun. First line of Stampede Your Heart by Debra Clopton
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I love that opening sentence, Phyllis!
Love the song Shout to the Lord
The 1st line of book I’m Reading is from The Never Game Book 1: Colter Shaw Series by Jefferey Weaver and the first line is:
Sprinting toward the sea, Colter Shaw eyed the craft closely.
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Good opening, Crystal!
I am finally reading the last of my Christmas TBR books. Holly and Nick hate Christmas by Betsey St Amant,
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Congratulations, Sharon…I don’t know that I’ll ever catch up on my TBR list. lol
“Shout to the Lord” is SUCH a good song! The sunrise photo and verse are beautiful.
I read another of Jen Dodrill’s mysteries and enjoyed it. I’m not surprised you liked No Egrets. (Haha, cute title.)
I’m reading Blaze of Mercy by Laura Lond. The first line: “Shank is out of danger, and my assignment is over. Immediately, I get the callback.”
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Years ago I learned the sign language for “Shout to the Lord,” Priscilla, and taught it to kids at day camp. They loved it, along with Jehovah Jireh. And yes, I’ve enjoyed all of Jen Dodrill’s books.
What a beautiful photo, Pat! Very inspiring, and especially so with the verse you chose to go with it. “Shout to the Lord” is one of my favorites, and often sung in our contemporary service.
“No Egrets” reminded me of the joke that was going around a few decades ago. Someone was leaving bowls filled with whiskey on the ocean beach. He wanted to leave no tern unstoned. Groan.
I am currently reading “Silk & Slippers (#2 of the Whiskey River Mysteries by Claire O’Sullivan. It opens with: “I may be a doctor, but I don’t deal in beauty or health. I deal in death.” The doctor is the new assistant ME for the Oregon town of Whiskey River. Like the other two books in this series, Ms O’Sullivan demonstrates her sharp wit, snappy writing style, and ability to weave a great mystery where you probably won’t guess Who Donut. (The name of an eat-in bakery founded by one of the book’s characters.)
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Thanks, Tim. Getting up that early was worth it. lol And I’m still groaning at the “no tern unstoned.” I can’t wait to read the rest of Claire O’Sullivan’s books!
That’s also a great song. Thanks for reminding me of it.
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One of my favorites, Delores!
“Drifted with snow, the village of Chatham was decidedly quaint.”
The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz.
I have the first book in the bird cozy. I need to get to it.
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Good opening line, Paula, and I think you’ll really enjoy No Egrets. But even though it’s a stand alone, you’ll enjoy it more if you read the second book first. 🙂
Committee meetings were the bane of Crosby Virtue’s existence. The Cowboys Christmas Match by Tanya Agler.
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I like that first line, Deborah.
No Egrets sounds like a delightful read. I enjoy cozy mysteries because there’s usually a few good laughs included. I also like that Jen made her characters over fifty years old. Lol
I’m reading another Tracie Peterson book, Under the Starry Skies. “‘Hello Mama.” Cassie Barton sat down and smiled. ‘“I couldn’t keep myself from coming today. I miss you so much.’”
The burst of sunlight in your photo, looks like a big sparrow sitting there, Pat. It really does! 🙂
I love Shout to the Lord! One of my favorites!
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I love that her characters are over 50, Barbara! And I had to go look, but yes, it does look like a sparrow…or canary. 🙂
I hit some button and it left off half of my name and put me in a reply i stead of a comment!!
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I’m always doing something like that, Barbara. lol
Siberia – 1956
Shoulder to shoulder. we’re marching down the snow packed road. The Soviet Sisters – Anika Scott
Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!
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That’s an intriguing first line, Caryl. And a happy Friday to you as well as weekend!
Great photo and verse.
Hope is an anchor for the soul.
Prologue
Off the coast of Aviles, Spain 1728
Cira tried to keep her balance on the rocking wooden deck of the Bartholomew, head down in seeming defeat, watching through hanks of her wet hair as the pirates pawed through the passengers’ trunks, flinging belongings overboard.
The Liar’s Treasure by Connie Mann
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Great opening line, Gloria!
On his first day in Golden, Theo woke early, pulled back the curtains of his hotel room, and looked out over the southern dawn. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.
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Sounds really interesting, Jenny!
sounds interesting
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It is very interesting, BN100!
“She was reborn that day of dust and wind, with tangles in her hair and a hard-cracked soul.”
The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep.
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That’s an intriguing first line, Gail!
This comes from Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier by Megan Short: “Your location has been compromised. A handler is on the way to extract you.” The caller from the US Marshals Service hung up, leaving Beth Ryder’s heart to gallop in her throat. How? How had her location been compromised?
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Oh, wow, Diana, that’s a really good one.
Love the picture and verse. The verse is one I need to focus on much more than I do.
That last line you shared about “endless road on a moonless night” certainly grabs the attention. I don’t think I’ve read any of Jen Dodrill’s books, but this sounds like something I would enjoy.
I’m getting ready to read another of Jody Hedlund’s earlier books, Rebellious Heart. Here’s the opening:
Braintree, Massachusetts
September 1763
“He’s guilty of murder.” The judge’s voice echoed through the meetinghouse. “I hereby sentence him to be hanged.”
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Your first line was compelling, Edward! I think you’d really enjoy Jen’s No Egrets, but I’d advise starting with the first one, Birds Alive.
“Tara Piper darted a final glance around the waiting room and flipped the sign in the window to Closed.” Outrunning Danger by Gina Bell
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Interesting first line, Shelia!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful photo and the psalm – it is so appropriate! Oh, the song “Shout to The Lord” is so powerful yet so soothing!!
I am reading The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson and the first line goes:
“Desensitised to the horror and gore of murder, that is how I felt.”
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Thanks, Emily! I’ve loved “Shout to the Lord” from the first time I heard it. The Refugee sounds intriguing.
I know I’m running a little late. Love the photo and Ps. 19:14 is a favorite verse. As you and others have said, Shout to the Lord is also a favorite.
No Egrets sounds like a great read. I enjoyed the first book in this series . Thanks, Pat, for sharing this one
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You’re never late, Mary G! 🙂 I think you’ll really enjoy No Egrets…but even though it’s a stand alone, it’ll be better if you read the second one first. 🙂
First line: A white blur burst in front of Ted’s vehicle, and he slammed on brakes. The Lingering Dead by Philippa Wozniak.
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Wow, Sally Jo! That’s a good opening line.