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Frankie Bow
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The Black Thumb: In Which Molly Takes On Tropical Gardening, A Toxic Frenemy, A Rocky Engagement, Her Albanian Heritage, and Murder (Professor Molly Mysteries Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Frankie Bow (Author), Maria de Pillis-Shintaku (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
See all formats and editions
When a violent death disrupts the monthly meeting of the Pua Kala Garden society, Professor Molly Barda has no intention of playing amateur detective. But Molly’s not just a witness–the victim is Molly’s house guest and grad-school frenemy. And Molly quickly finds to her dismay that her interest in the murder of the stylish and self-centered Melanie Polewski is more than just…academic.
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 11
    Professor Molly Mysteries
  2. Print length
    310 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    April 30, 2016
  6. File size
    965 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Black Thumb
  • The Black Thumb is a great addition to the series!~Back Porchervations
  • Frankie Bow writes intelligent mysteries. It is fun to be educated as we try to puzzle out all the angles and adjust to each change.~Laura's Interests
  • The Black Thumb, in fact, each book in the series, is a fast, fun read. Author Frankie Bow has created very detailed worlds in Mahina, Hawai′i and Mahina State University...~Jane Reads
  • If you like character driven stories, The Black Thumb by Frankie Bow fits the bill...~fundinmental
  • This was a mystery that caught my attention and kept it from the start to the end.
  • ~The Ninja Librarian
  • BLACK THUMB is a great read, very entertaining, with excellent character evolution and plenty of tension and what-will-happen-next excitement.~Mallory Heart's Cozies
  • The plot is well developed, well written with a good pace and with an interesting cast of characters. It 's an easy and engaging read, great company for the afternoons by the sea. ~LibriAmoriMiei

From the Author

I love to read traditional and cozy mysteries, and I write what I like to read.
My influences include:
  • The book and play reviews of Dorothy Parker
  • The Jeeves and Wooster stories by P.G. Wodehouse
  • The Mapp and Lucia books by E.F. Benson
  • Sarah Caudwell's Hilary Tamar mysteries
  • The Provincial Lady series by E.M. Delafield
  • Anything by Dave Barry
  • Everything by Allie Brosh, including her calendars
  • Frog and Toad

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01E3JRMC2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hawaiian Heritage Press (April 30, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 965 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Frankie Bow

Frankie Bow

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Frankie Bow writes two mystery series: The Professor Molly mysteries and licensed novellas in Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune universe. Writing as Patience Fairweather, she is also the author of No, You Can't be an Astronaut, a realistic career guide.

Like Professor Molly, Frankie works in higher education. Unlike her protagonist, she is blessed with delightful students, sane colleagues, and an adequate office chair. Follow Frankie at frankiebow.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
29 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

BreAnna Herron 14
5.0 out of 5 stars A New Academic Mystery Series To Follow
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016
Molly is my new favorite professor in the mystery world. I personally found her quirks and oddness humorous. Though her swaying on Donnie back and forth gave me some eye rolls, I felt as though this was intended to foreshadow further installments of the series. The mystery, was well thought out and I found the obsession interesting and the evil of the victim to be perfect. And I actually thought the murdered was someone else entirely, so was certainly was blindsided by the "Sweet" person. I was rooting for the Brewster House though and hope when I continue this series I see more of it. Molly, sounds as though she will bring life to the side of the island that many don't visit.
The island language was a bit hard for me to get use to but it started a rhythm after awhile. I do believe though that the author speaks of some experience around this culture in the use of the words. I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I look forward to more of Molly!
3 people found this helpful
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david2
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, true Hawaiian characters!
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Amusing- places one right in the heart of Hawaiian culture- the Carl Hiaasen of Hawaiian lore, fun lighthearted reading with colourful characters!
3 people found this helpful
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Laura S Reading
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and intelligent mystery.
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2016
I have enjoyed Molly's adventures from the beginning. We've gotten to know the quirks of the other University staff members. We've watched her relationship with Donnie evolve, but never had it been as vacillating as these days nearing their wedding. Donnie's son Davison plays an influential role in the tensions.

Add in a former friend of Molly's who turns out to be more of an acquaintance and perhaps nemesis.
When said friend dies mysteriously, Molly must fight to prove her own innocence. This, and visiting parents, add more layers of tension to what should be happy and relaxed summer days.

Frankie Bow writes intelligent mysteries. It is fun to be educated as we try to puzzle out all the angles and adjust to each change. Some may choose to focus on the Pidgin dialogue, but I find that if you let it flow it is more easily understood. It adds to the atmosphere.

Surprises near the end involving DNA had me expecting volatile complications in future books.
Even while explained I am not totally convinced this thought won't be revisited.

I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Even though they did not have the best relationship, Molly tries to prove to everyone that ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2016
A college professor finds herself as the suspect in the murder of her roommate whom she has known since college. Even though they did not have the best relationship, Molly tries to prove to everyone that she is not guilty.
The main character in this novel was very hard to like. She could not make up her mind when it came to her fiance and friends. This was an okay read, but I definitely would not put it on the top of my list. I'm hoping that since this is a series that the character develops more and can make up her mind when it comes to her life.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Veronica Marzini
4.0 out of 5 stars I was happy to come back to visit this beautiful island of Hawaii and to read another clever mystery by Frankie Bow.
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2017
I was happy to come back to visit this beautiful island of Hawaii and to read another clever mystery by Frankie Bow. Her books are so compelling that catch you from the first page.
Professor Molly would like to buy Brewster House, the ancient house of ownership of Mrs Msterman to move there soon after her marriage. The owner seeks a buyer who is able to love the house as much as she. She is the president of Pua Kala Garden Society and Molly takes part in the monthly meetings in order to make a good impression. During the last meeting Melanie, Molly's old school friend visiting the island, is found dead. Molly unfortunately is suspected of murder. She must investigate to clear her name and will also have some problems with her engagement.
It is the third book in the series but really does work well as a standalone.
The plot is well developed, well written with a good pace and with an interesting cast of characters. It 's an easy and engaging read, great company for the afternoons by the sea
One person found this helpful
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KeBerk
2.0 out of 5 stars Has Potential
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2016
This book was an easy read. However, I was a little confused about some of the language (I think it was called Pidgen?). So, some of it didn't make sense to me. I'm still not sure what "da kine" means. The main character was likable but needs to become a little stronger. If I were accused of murder I certainly would not continue to put off reviewing paper work that my attorney gave me. Plus, she was so quick to call off her wedding, multiple times. The ending was a good twist but I didn't feel it quite explained how the victim was killed. One of my pet peeves is poor proofreading and this had a few places that need fixed. All in all, none of these issues are all that bad and I would still recommend reading this book. This series has a lot of potential and I hope they get better in time.
One person found this helpful
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bridgit
4.0 out of 5 stars fiance and acquaintances provided an entertaining and exasperating support cast to make this book a page turner - good plot and
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2016
Molly was amazingly sanguine given the awkward situation the death of her frenemy placed her in. Added to that, Molly's friends, family, fiance and acquaintances provided an entertaining and exasperating support cast to make this book a page turner - good plot and pace.
This was my first Molly Barda mystery and it stands alone fine.
I received this as a LibraryThing EarlyBird Review copy. Thank you.
2 people found this helpful
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