"Execution in E" By Alexia Gordon: Review/Giveaway

by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of this book, and a link to purchase it.

Murder in the Chord of “E”ntertainment!
Thirty-eight-year-old Dr. Gethsemane Brown, an ex-pat from Texas, has been living in Dunmallach, Ireland, for the past year. Having had an assistant conductor position with the Cork Philharmonic usurped by the conductor’s mistress, she was lucky to be hired as maestra at St. Brennan’s School for Boys; it was better than unemployment she thought. Her challenges living in a foreign country, dealing with small village life, and trying to fit in were exacerbated by her roommate Eamon McCarthy, who she’s nicknamed “Irish.” He is her musical idol which is extraordinary, but the fact he’s been dead for the past twenty-five years is more so. Why she can see, hear, and interact with him and others can’t is still a mystery. Her first experience being entangled in a murder mystery and her amateur attempt at investigation came from helping clear Eamon of the murder/suicide stigma. But it wasn’t a “one off,” to the frustration of Inspector Sutton, head of the local Garda Homicide unit. There is Garda Niall O’Reilly from the cold case division who is less complicated, but he would still probably arrest her for “criminal smart-aleckyness” just to teach her a lesson. Gethsemane has found herself embroiled in art forgeries, a cursed opera, a prized hybrid rose, and a social media Bridezilla that have all lead to murder in the chord of...“D”elightful!

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Image Source Henery Press
Execution in E earns 5+/5 Wedding Photos…“Insta-perfect!”
The one thing that can really get a ghost turning “blue” is when his territory is invaded. Ready with an orb to cause serious destruction, Gethsemane quiets Eamon by reminding him how hard it would be to explain his paranormal tantrum. Bride Sunny Markham, American heiress and “social media influencer,” has arranged for a variety of photos to be shot in and around the lovely village hoping to garner internet support and sponsors for her elaborate wedding. She even tries, unsuccessfully, to get Gethsemane, as a well-known and honored musician, to play at the wedding ceremony. But it’s the groom, Ty Lismore, that has garnered Gethsemane’s attention and venomous threats from several locals. Frankie Grennan is a good friend, math teacher at St. Brennan’s, and Gethsemane’s usual accomplice, but his girlfriend Verna and her sister Vivian hold some serious animosity toward the groom; he had been involved in a tragic “accident” with their brother, then he left Verna at the altar. Gethsemane’s early warning system (She hears Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” playing in her head.) has been on a continuous loop. She isn’t always successful heeding the musical warning, but this time she’s unable to ignore that something isn’t right. Rattling off batting averages of players from the Negro League doesn’t seem to be ease her anxieties like usual. At dawn, Inspector Sutton pounded on her door to inform her the groom was found dead at “her” lighthouse; the sisters will need much to explain away their textbook motive, means, and opportunity.

And a one, and a two, and a...thrilling! Alexia Gordon’s Gethsemane Brown mystery series is a big favorite to which every year I look forward. Well worth the wait, this fifth book adds a Kardashian-like Bridezilla to once again entangle this quiet Irish village in multiple murders. The well-written drama uses a third-person narrative illustrating how what happens in the past, “doesn’t” always stay in the past like we’d hope with secrets, long hidden tragic events, and seemingly unrelated characters all revealed, but not soon enough to avoid several murders. The sensory-laden language continues to bring to life the Irish countryside, the Inn and lighthouse, and character appearances along with dialogue that does well to show tone and personalities and provide a few giggles with snarky humor. All this and a shocking, yet very clever, ending makes for an enjoyable and engaging page-turner I highly recommend!

I love a bit of the paranormal sprinkled in my cozy, but I demand a bit of realism, too. With this series, I surprising get both. Eamon McCarthy is the perfect roommate although exasperating at times with his colorful auras, energy orbs, and snarky retorts. He is a good listener, gives sound advice or criticism, whichever is warranted, and plays the piano, often with music perfect for the moment. He also eavesdrops undetected, levitates objects, transports in a flash, and makes...coffee. It isn’t juvenile hocus-pocus; “Irish” is an effective character and his ghostly manner can often be overlooked as just another quirk.

Newbies? You can easily start reading with book five. Background and character connections are made clear without spoilers, however a reference to one character’s accomplishment is mentioned, but it wouldn’t ruin any previous book’s mystery. To enrich your experience, though, I suggest starting from the beginning and moving through the series in order.

Be a Big Alexia Gordon Fan!
Alexia Gordon has been a writer since she was young, but first went to medical school with a Family Medicine residency training. She returned to writing where her five-book Gethsemane Brown series was picked up by Henery Press.

Gethsemane Brown Mystery
Murder in G Major (2016)
Death in D Minor (2017)
Killing in C Sharp (2018)
Fatality in F (2019)
Execution in E (2020)

Like on Facebook – Alexia Gordon writer
Visit on the Web – Alexia Gordon (Sign up for her newsletter.)
Twitter – Alexia Gordon

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Execution in E, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "exuction" or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 18, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. Be sure to include your mailing address if entering via email in case you win-we will delete emails after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And speaking of podcasts, check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:




Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

  1. I've read the first book in this series & really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest. Thanks for the giveaway!
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. This does sound like a fun read. Thanks very much for the chance to win a copy. Stay safe everyone! crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like a fun series, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Would really like to read. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have read the previous books in this series and enjoyed each one. My fingers are crossed
    I may be the one chosen to winit.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a fun series. I'm looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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