"Killer Under Contract" By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

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

Taking part in wedding preparations can be stressful. House hunting for that ever elusive perfect home can also have its challenges. Realtor Cindy York finds herself involved in both on behalf of her older daughter, Darcy, in book number six of the Cindy York Mystery series. This was my first time reading a Cindy York Mystery, and now I am going to need to go back and read the preceding ones because I enjoyed this one so much. The characters are not only entertaining but also relatable. The little touches of backstory kept me from feeling lost or confused.

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Cindy has four children who range in age from twenty-two years to six years, and a husband whom she loves and adores. Theirs is a marriage of trust that spans over two decades, so needless to say, she is comfortable and confident in their relationship. I really enjoyed the way she handled the ex-fiancé, Hillary Ryder, who suddenly pops up as the listing agent for “the perfect house” that Darcy just has to have. I am not sure that I wouldn’t do more than bristle at some of the comments that Hillary makes which are half-truths.

My favorite character is Cindy’s boss, Jacques Forte, who is not only an amazing realtor in his own right but also a snazzy dresser. His only apparent flaw is that he drives like a maniac and likes to offer up Cindy as a sleuth. At least he is willing to be the Watson to Cindy’s Sherlock. The banter between them is pure enjoyment to read and makes one crave a caramel macchiato, Cindy’s Starbucks of choice.

Much like Jacques’ driving, this story is fast and furious with hairpin turns and near misses. There is a lost wedding gown, a possible haunting, possible missing uncirculated coins worth thousands, and some self-entitled surviving family members. The only character who isn’t a suspect is Mr. Meowgi, the beneficiary of Edith Livingston’s will. Mr. Meowgi doesn’t have apposable thumbs so strangulation would have been a little difficult for him.

This was a very good read, and you can pick up a few helpful real estate tips as well. (I was able to figure out the who but not the why.) As an added bonus, there is a teaser chapter to the Cindy York prequel titled A Killer Market that left me wanting to read it, too.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Killer Under Contract, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "contract,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 28, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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 check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

 

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won't see coming.

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.