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Lynn Bohart
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INN KEEPING WITH MURDER: (1st book in the Old Maids of Mercer Island mysteries.) Kindle Edition

by Lynn Bohart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,592 ratings

Members of a certain book club are dying in the small town of Mercer Island.

One woman drives off a cliff. Another one drops dead in her peach cobbler at the St. Claire Inn making Julia Applegate, the inn's owner, the prime suspect. Never one to flinch from a challenge, Jula recruits her “sixty-something” group of older women friends to launch their own investigation. Together, this group of loyal friends track down a group of sex traffickers to save the life of a young mother and her baby.

Do you like dog heroes? We have those. Do you like older women who are fearless? We have those. How about helpful but humorous ghosts? We have those, too. Add a talking parrot who likes to quote old movies, a book club member who drives like she's in the Indy 500, and a very handsome detective (or two), and sixty-something won't seem so old anymore!

Join Lynn Bohart's thousands of satisfied readers with this popular cozy mystery.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE 'OLD MAIDS'

"This book had me riveted for hours."
"I couldn't put my Kindle down until I finished the entire book."
"Wonderful read. The characters soon become your neighbors."
"I am not usually into paranormal books. But this one made me laugh out loud, often!"

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  1. Part of series
    Old Maids of Mercer Island Mysteries
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    December 30, 2013
  6. File size
    3.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 6 books in this series.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ms. Bohart holds a master's degree in theater, has published in Woman's World, and has a story in Dead on Demand, an anthology of ghost stories that remained on the Library Journals best seller list for six months. As a thirty-year nonprofit professional, she has spent a lifetime writing brochures, newsletters, business letters, website copy, and more. She did a short stint writing for Patch.com, teaches writing through the Continuing Education Program at Green River Community College, and writes a monthly column for the Renton Reporter. Inn Keeping With Murder is her third full-length novel. She has also self-published Mass Murder and Grave Doubts, as well as two short story books. She is hard at work on the second 'Old Maids of Mercer Island' book, as well as the second Giorgio Salvatori mystery.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GN1EOKC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little Dog Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 30, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Old Maids of Mercer Island Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,592 ratings

About the author

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Lynn Bohart

Lynn Bohart

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Ms. Bohart kills people for fun and profit (on paper, that is).

She holds a master's degree in theater (directing) and has taught both acting and directing. She has been published in “Woman's World” and "Dead on Demand", an anthology of ghost stories that was on the Library Journal Bestsellers List. She also wrote for the Renton Reporter and has taught writing classes through Kent Parks & Recreation and currently through Green River College.

As an avid dog lover and canine rescue advocate, she weaves dogs into all her novels. In fact, they play major roles. "I want the dogs to be realistic, though," she says. "I don't like books that make animals seem like cartoon figures."

Ms. Bohart now has ten paranormal mystery novels on Amazon, along with two short story books, and two nonfiction books. Her most popular series is the Old Maids of Mercer Island. The first book in that series, "Inn Keeping With Murder" remained on Amazon's top ghost story list for over ten months.

She recently launched the NO ALIBI ZONE on her website as a resource for both mystery writers and mystery fans. The No Alibi Zone takes a deep dive into how homicides are investigated. Through her newsletter “Let’s Talk About Murder,” she interviews police officers, mystery writers, forensic technicians, and others who work in the field of murder investigations. She also writes the MURDER BRIEF, which are blog posts on topics like the serial killer gene, the Body Farm, whether eyewitness testimony is reliable, and more.

Visit her author website to sign up for the newsletter for free, read the blog posts, and let Lynn know what you think through the contact page.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,592 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this cozy mystery book engaging, with an abundantly-charactered plot that keeps them guessing throughout. The book features strong friendships among older women, with one customer particularly noting Julia's relationship with her ghostly companions. Customers appreciate the book's writing style, describing it as excellent and easy to read, while also enjoying its mischievous ghosts and appealing inn setting. The book's humor receives positive feedback, with customers laughing out loud at various points.

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322 customers mention "Enjoyment"322 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and entertaining, with several noting it kept their interest throughout. One customer describes it as a good lazy day read, while another mentions it's worth learning about.

"Inn Keeping with Murder by Lynn Bohart was a surprising read for me. I had never read anything by this author and I loved the book...." Read more

"...that is a tiny personal quibble of mine in what is, overall, a thoroughly enjoyable, fun mystery...." Read more

"Loved everything about this book especially how the story evolves into an unexpected but sadly relevant happening, even today...." Read more

"...Ms. Bohart's writing flows well and kept me interested, although there were slow periods...." Read more

274 customers mention "Storyline"256 positive18 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this cozy murder mystery, praising its abundant character development and plot twists that are skillfully woven into the narrative.

"...The bit of paranormal activity is an added plus that makes this cozy mystery a great read...." Read more

"I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is a well-written mystery surrounding a group of ‘mature’ friends who decide to investigate when..." Read more

"...very nicely done; they aren't creepy and they do not overshadow the rest of the story...." Read more

"...I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes the standard cozy mystery with a little helping hand from some ghostly protectors." Read more

184 customers mention "Character development"181 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, particularly appreciating the older protagonists, with one customer specifically mentioning the mother's spirit as their favorite character.

"...The villains catch you by surprise. I look forward to reading more by this author." Read more

"...The women involved are all unique individuals with well-defined and varied personalities, yet the friendship is genuine and believable despite their..." Read more

"...The characters are people I really liked and want to be friends with...." Read more

"...I found myself getting comfortable with the characters as they were slowly introduced in the first few chapters...." Read more

82 customers mention "Writing quality"72 positive10 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its excellent descriptions and easy readability, with one customer highlighting its immaculate grammar and very few typos.

"...The women involved are all unique individuals with well-defined and varied personalities, yet the friendship is genuine and believable despite their..." Read more

"...Miss Bohart is a great writer and I I already ordered all the remaining books (5 in all). Write fast please as I cannot hardly wait for #6." Read more

"...There were lots of great descriptions of Mercer Island. I've never been to that part of the country, so really enjoyed reading about it...." Read more

"...the animals interaction and a unique African Grey Parrot with a huge vocabulary...." Read more

81 customers mention "Humor"79 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it a comedic mystery that makes them laugh out loud, with one customer particularly appreciating the interactions between the friends.

"...The interactions between the friends is very funny at times which helps with the seriousness of the story...." Read more

"...The women in this series are strong, intelligent, humorous and soft at just the right times...." Read more

"...I will just say that it involves ghosts, a very smart talking African Grey parrot, older women who are figuring out how to live and not just cruise..." Read more

"...They just fit right. I enjoyed the humor, and even the zany phone calls with the dead mother...." Read more

55 customers mention "Ghosts"55 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the paranormal elements in the book, particularly the mischievous ghosts and their humorous touches, with one customer specifically appreciating Julia's relationship with them.

"...The bit of paranormal activity is an added plus that makes this cozy mystery a great read...." Read more

"...And the paranormal elements...very nicely done; they aren't creepy and they do not overshadow the rest of the story...." Read more

"...cast of characters that populate the story is the ongoing paranormal activity with helpful ghosts dropping in and out at the most opportune..." Read more

"...It certainly makes you want to visit and stay a while. Interesting paranormal, cozy, baby boomer type mystery." Read more

49 customers mention "Setting"49 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the quaint inn setting of the book, with its appealing atmosphere and beautiful cover.

"...edition as these super sleuth women solve murders with elegance and charm...." Read more

"...I loved the beautiful cover. It certainly makes you want to visit and stay a while. Interesting paranormal, cozy, baby boomer type mystery." Read more

"...I liked Julia's wiener dogs and Angela's great dane, as well as the parrot...." Read more

"...I liked the animals interaction and a unique African Grey Parrot with a huge vocabulary...." Read more

45 customers mention "Friendship"45 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strong friendships among the older women characters in the book.

"...with well-defined and varied personalities, yet the friendship is genuine and believable despite their differences...." Read more

"The fact the ladies involved are older, living on beautiful Mercer Island outside of Seattle leads to the charm and intrigue with mature women as..." Read more

"...I liked the camaraderie between the ladies and enjoyed reading about the other people on the island...." Read more

"...I liked that the protagonist and her friends are older women...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Nancy Wolfe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Senior Sleuthing at its Best
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Inn Keeping with Murder by Lynn Bohart was a surprising read for me. I had never read anything by this author and I loved the book. St. Claire Inn is the setting for seventy-three year old, Martha Denton, who drops dead in her peach cobbler while visiting with her friends. No one is surprised after all she has a heart condition. She is the second of there friends who have died and the group feels the strain. When her death is ruled a murder, the inn’s owner, Julia Applegate, becomes the prime suspect. Julia recruits her “sixty-something” group of friends to launch their own investigation. With the aid of the inn’s resident ghosts, including Julia’s recently deceased mother who has learned to use a cell phone, they go after the truth. Among there interesting group is a talking parrot who likes to quote old movies, two miniature Dachshunds, Mickey and Minnie, and the loan of a Harlequin great dane to protect Julia. After a break in at the warehouse used to store antiques and the bakery is searched the ladies determine that the thief's are looking for something they have. They must work together to figure out what it is before anyone else is found dead. The ladies are all friends but become even more when danger surrounds them binding them closer than ever.
    The bit of paranormal activity is an added plus that makes this cozy mystery a great read. I loved that the amateur sleuths are all seniors that enjoy looking at great looking men when they see one! I will not say anymore except to recommend that you read this book, and I know you will enjoy the many twists the author throws in to keep you guessing. The villains catch you by surprise. I look forward to reading more by this author.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars only ok at first, had to warm up to it
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I really wanted to give this 3 1/2, but since I did like it in the end, I rounded up. Took me several chapters to decided if I wanted to continue reading this book. Right off I found most of the characters rather unlikable and asked myself why I was bothering. I held on and it did get better. Some of the scenarios were a bit far fetched, I always find it a little amazing when characters find a really important clue and their first thought isn't " We need to get this to the police ASAP!" And yes, it was one thing for her mother to call while being dead, but to actually have a conversation was a bit too much. She had other ghosts in the house, have her appear that way, but on a dead cell phone? C'mon. Sometimes her friends didn't really act like friends. So you like to quote The Wizard of Oz, big deal. Friend Ruby snaps at her and says she's acting like an idiot. Geez lady, get over it. This was a book I downloaded for free so nothing lost. If I got any subsequent ones that way I would give them a try but considering the next book deals with a run for mayor against another rude, nasty character, maybe not.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cymbeline
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, fast read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is a well-written mystery surrounding a group of ‘mature’ friends who decide to investigate when two of their own die under mysterious circumstances and a third becomes a suspect to one of the crimes. It is my favorite kind of murder mystery, one where the author sprinkles clues in here and there while weaving an enjoyable narrative and, if you’ve paid close attention, when the pieces fall into place at the end it all makes sense. No last minute hat-tricks to solve the crime.

    The women involved are all unique individuals with well-defined and varied personalities, yet the friendship is genuine and believable despite their differences. I wasn’t a fan of the ghostly aspects, I didn’t think it was necessary, but they were inserted well into the story and weren’t a distraction except for one instance. The constant phone-ringing during the climax of the story, which was meant to cause confusion and frustration to the antagonists of the story, also served to irritate me, and I thought it unnecessarily bogged down the pace at a crucial moment. But that is a tiny personal quibble of mine in what is, overall, a thoroughly enjoyable, fun mystery. I’m looking forward to joining the girls on their next adventure when the sequel comes out.

    I usually round my half star reviews downward, but in this case I don't want the author's ratings to suffer due to my personal preferences. I would recommend this title without hesitation to mystery lovers as well as those who like a touch of the paranormal in their stories.
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  • Mr. Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read it! Seriously - just read it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book because it popped up on the list of recommendations when I was stocking up on cozy mysteries to get me through the winter "snow days." I did not read the summary very closely and did not realize it was a "supernatural" or "paranormal" mystery - which I usually don't read - until I had it in my hands. Then I noticed it was self-published, too. Just kill me now, I thought. I started to return it, but it really wasn't worth the postage as it was just a $10 book, and then I started to donate it to the library without reading it, but we have had more snow than usual this year and eventually it was just me and this book,sittng here with my cup of tea and my snuggie,and I thought....what the heck; it beats watching ESPN with my husband. So I dug in and was surprised to find that it was really, really good. The characters are people I really liked and want to be friends with. The "bad guys" are really, unambiguously "bad" and you really find yourself wanting to "get these guys" during the big showdown. And the paranormal elements...very nicely done; they aren't creepy and they do not overshadow the rest of the story. I can't think of a way to tell you more about why you should give this book a chance without giving up plot spoilers, which I am trying not to do, but give it a shot. I think you'll be glad you did.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • E.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A cozy mistery with a paranormal twist
    Reviewed in Italy on October 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book for its characters, real and funny, and for the story, not so usual for a cozy mistery. I loved the dogs, too :)
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  • Marleen
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent story,I wanted to keep reading,a real page turner
    Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Thi was a great first book of a series,will definitely look for the others if they are half as good as this one was
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  • ChazzyB
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good murder mystery/thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I expected this to be a run-of-the-mill whodunnit, like an episode of 'Murder She Wrote', but instead this was a complex murder mystery with lots of twists and turns, and even some thrilling, high-octane action thrown in for good measure. At the three-quarter mark I was unable to stop reading until I finished the book.

    The writing is descriptive and emotive, and the storyline is compelling. There is a broad range of characters, some likeable, some less so, who are fleshed out just enough to allow the reader to picture them I'm their mind's eye.

    I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery/thriller.
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  • buecherwurm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Überraschend
    Reviewed in Germany on February 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Vielleicht ging es nur mir so, aber am Anfang fragt man sich, wieso das wohl ein Krimi ist und je weiter man liest, desto klarer wird es. Alles nimmt einen überraschenden Verlauf und bleibt bis zuletzt spannend.
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  • Deborah Jay
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cosy muder mystery with humour and ghosts
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I picked this up as I like the occasional cozy murder mystery, and I wasn't disappointed.
    The book begins with an apparent suicide and continues for quite a while without any apparent murder, and although the reader realises there is something fishy going on, it's quite some time before the characters in the book do. I felt a little as though I was marking time during this gentle introduction to the main characters, setting and social set-up, but it was so charming I didn't mind too much.
    Five friends, spurred on by the final words of their dying friend, form a social club - The Old Maids of Mercer Island - and start taking life by the short and curlies, doing all the activities they missed out on when they were younger. Then, at one of their meetings, a member drops dead and Julia Applegate, owner of the St. Claire Inn, a house with a history and more than one opinionated ghost, finds herself suspected of murder - poison in her home-made fudge, no less.
    Numerous red herrings are cast in the reader's path, though few of them look particularly tempting. The characters are really what make the story, and although I had a pretty good idea of the culprit and the reason for the murders fairly early on, it was still fun to watch the ladies work it out, and the climax, with a little help from the ghosts, is fast, a little crazy, and satisfying.
    I can't finish without mentioning Julia's two dachshunds and the visiting Great Dane - all of them with parts to play.
    This is a light hearted book, with a cast of very unlikely sleuths, a good dash of humour and a sprinkling of the supernatural. In the right mood, I would definitely read another.
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