Where’s the Quetzal? (The Empty Nesters Book 2) by Jen Dodrill is this week’s Reader Friday. Here are the first two lines: “I woke, panting and sweating, sheets twisted around my feet. Eight months since the murders and the Keatons’ escape, and I still suffered from crazy dreams.”
But first the photo and verse. This is a photo of the Mighty Mississippi at flood stage and the setting sun. I took it a few years ago, and came across it when I found a jump drive that I’d downloaded all my old photos on. And now I can’t find the jump drive (Prayers for God to show me where I laid it down would be appreciated). When I was a potter, I spent half my time or more looking for my tools. The verse is also perfect for my frame of mind as I look for the jump drive…
Now for Where’s the Quetzal? (The Empty Nesters Book 2) by Jen Dodrill. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Peg Howard has planned the perfect baby shower for her oldest daughter. But the return of Estelle and Roger Keaton disrupts her peace, reigniting old mysteries.
A chance discovery of a centuries-old shipwreck sets off a chain of events, thrusting Peg and her friends into a perilous game of deception. As they unravel the mysteries surrounding a rare quetzal bird, they uncover a plot that threatens their very lives.
With Detective Marcus Sharp and her mother-in-law Hazel by her side, Peg races against time to solve the mystery. But as she digs deeper, she realizes that some truths are better left buried.
In a tale full of twists and turns, Peg confronts her deepest fears, facing an adversary more cunning and unexpected than anyone anticipated. Join Peg and her friends on a journey through intrigue and peril, where bonds of friendship and family may be their only salvation. Will they uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will the past come back to haunt them all?
My Take:
Where’s the Quetzal? is the second book in the Empty Nesters series by Jen Dodrill and it did not disappoint. There is enough back story that you don’t have to read Birds Alive, but it’s a great book. I enjoyed Peg in the first book, and she is still getting into trouble trying to solve murders in their small town. Hazel, her mother-in-law, Shortie, her maybe boyfriend, and Detective Marcus Sharp are all back as are the bad guys from Birds Alive.
The mystery is front and center, but I also enjoyed the tension between Peg and Marcus (who I thought she should’ve picked instead of Shortie the last time). Peg is no longer an empty-nester since two of her kids return home, and she becomes a grandmother.
I love the way Hazel, her mother-in-law, helps solve the mystery of where the Quetzals are and who killed the victims. Even Marcus the detective begins to see they are onto something. Dodrill’s characters are all entertaining and three-dimensional. This is a book cozy mystery readers will enjoy!
You can read Where’s the Quetzal? in KU like I did, or buy it on Amazon.
Please share since my blog no longer goes straight to Twitter…Where's the Quetzal? (The Empty Nesters Book 2) by Jen Dodrill is this week's Reader Friday. I'm giving away a handcrafted pen this month! Share on X
So, what are you reading this week? Leave a comment, and I’ll enter you in a March drawing for a beautiful pen handcrafted by Dr. Steve Hooley, a $60 value. You can see more of his work at his website. I’ll be giving away one of his pens each month on my Reader Friday Blog.
And the winner of February’s drawing for a $15 gift card is…Pam!
About the pen:
The wood for the pen comes from one of the largest hard maple trees in his w
oodlot. With a trunk of 49 inches in diameter, the tree dates back to before 1750. A large branch was blown from the tree in 2022, and was cut and dried for pen blanks.
The finish is an acrylic varnish mixed with metallic gold pigment. This allows the grain to be seen, but gives a faint golden glitter when held in the light. Three coats of the gold and acrylic are followed by one coat of the acrylic without gold. Then four coats of CA glue (super glue) are applied and polished to give the wet gloss appearance.
The pen is a Slimline kit, using Cross-style refills, allowing a slender look and feel for those who prefer a more delicate pen. Refills can be purchased as generic “Cross- style” refills, 4 ½ inches long. The pen is pulled apart at the middle, and the refill is unscrewed and replaced.
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Comments 44
I’m reading Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller
Author
The title sounds good, Gail!
I am reading Mary Alford’s Seeking Evil.
Author
Once I start one of Mary’s books, I can’t put it down! Earlier this week I read Beside the Dead. It kept me up until 2:30…
I am reading a set of cozy mysteries that I found on the pure read site. They are by Poppy Blythe and called the Pippa Finn mysteries. A light read and they only are about 80 to 90 pages long. On book 9.
Author
I need to download some of those books, Sharon since sometimes I need a short book like that to read before I go to sleep!
Wow, the Mississippi is so wide there it looks like the ocean. It looks calm, and the verse says where true calm is.
I’m currently reading Susan Sleeman’s excellent book, “Lost Hours”. It opens with, “Death. The ultimate payback, and he was the one to inflict it.” Do you know what an escape room is? It’s part of a game where you are locked in a room, perhaps with others, and you have to find clues to solve the puzzle which allows you to escape from the room. That’s how the story opens in chapter 1.
Author
The Mississippi is a mile wide at Memphis, Tim, and much wider at flood stage. We had an escape room in Corinth at one time and I wish I’d gone to it! Can’t remember why I didn’t…one day! I have one of Susan’s books on my TBR table…
The sunset Mississippi River photo is beautiful. I pray you find that jump drive! Where’s the Quetzal sounds so fun! I am reading Not by Sight by Elizabeth Jacobson. It’s an Old Testament Biblical fiction novel. The first line: “The shriek rent the still air.” Steve’s pen is gorgeous!
Author
I found my jump drive!! Thank you for the prayers!! And where was it, you ask? In a computer bag I’d looked through at least twice…
Priscilla, I love watching the Mississippi roll toward New Orleans, whether in Cauthersville, MO or Memphis or Natchez. 🙂 I think you’d enjoy Where’s the Quetzal.
And I love Steve’s pens. Just thinking of how old the wood is send chills down my arms. I’ll have to check out Not By Sight.
I live in MS, but not close to the river.
I am reading Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee.
Author
Hi Linda. I don’t live close to the Mississippi, either…closer to the Tennessee River. 😉 But I do drive down to Riverside Drive sometimes just to see the river. I think that photo was taken when I was writing Justice Betrayed. I went to Elmwood to research the cemetery since a pivotal scene was set there and drove on down to the river.
Hollow Point by Lisa Phillips
Author
Lisa Phillips has some can’t-put-down books, Lisa!
Great photo and may you find your jump drive soon. Too bad they’re not magnetic and you could sweep a magnet around the house, but that would probably mess up the contents. I’m reading and enjoying What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma. Have a great weekend.
Author
I found the jump drive, Delores! Check my answer to Priscilla. 😉 A magnet would’ve been good…but you’re probably right about it erasing the photos.
“A serial killer’s main objective is to kill”. Thank you for your books. I really enjoy reading them.
Author
Thanks, Pam. I emailed you about the drawing. 😉
Pat! That is a phenomenal photo! Wow! Definitely frame worthy. Will add finding the jump drive to my pray list.
I took a pause on Serial Burn by Lynette Eason but am now eagerly back to reading it.
Where’s the Quetzal looks like a fun read. Thanks for sharing it.
Author
Thanks, Barbara! I found it! See the comment to Priscilla’s. Looking forward to seeing you next week at the MidSouth Christian Writers Conference!
So glad you found it. I wrote it down on my prayer sheet! Now I guess I’ll erase that one! 🙂
Yep, looking forward to seeing you again, too! It’ll be fun!!!!
Author
🙂 <3
Great photo and verse, one of my favorites. This book sounds like a fun one and the cover is nice. The pen looks lovely. My son makes pens from blanks. I have Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon coming up. This first line is:
Was something burning?
Was something burning?
Author
I have one of Irene’s books on my TBR table…hoping to get to it this week! I love Steve’s pens– this one is so well-balanced and pretty.
Thank you for the verse you shared. I needed the reminder this morning. I’m glad you found your jump drive. Have a wonderful weekend.
Author
I know what you mean about the verse, Carolyn. 🙂
Beautiful photo Pat, and love the verse! I’m happy you found your jump drive.
Congratulations Pam!
Jen Dodrill is a new to me author. I have downloaded the first book, Birds Alive from KU.
I just finished reading Jack by Susan May Warren.
Have a blessed weekend!
Author
I’m glad, too, Mary G. I really enjoy Jen Dodrill’s books. 🙂
The Shell Keeper by Robin P. Nolet
Author
I’ll have to check that one out, BN.
I’m reading Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl.
Author
Oooh, that’s a good one, Patricia!
Hi Patricia, I haven’t received any email regarding winning the gift card. When was it sent? Thank you.
Pam
Author
You should have it by now…
Beautiful photo. I’m reading “Grave Amish Secrets” by Patricia Johns.
Author
Patricia and I used to do a blog together, Diana. She is a sweetheart and I love her books.
I thought the picture was of the ocean until I read your description. Although the picture is pretty, I’m sure the damage of the flooding was not at all pretty.
I’m reading The Homecoming by Dan Walsh. The first sentence: Sean looked down at the empty seat beside him, trying to imagine Elizabeth there.
Author
At flood stage, it looks like the ocean, Edward. While the river does a lot of damage at flood stage, it also deposits silt…which makes the surrounding land very rich. 🙂 I’ll have to check out Dan’s book!
Beautiful photo and scripture, Pat!
Enjoy your weekend.
Author
Thanks, Caryl!
Really enjoyed reading all of this. Thank you.
Author
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Janis!
Beautiful photo. I’m currently reading Cornered, a novella collection featuring Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters.
Author
I loved Cornered!, Megan.