An Unhappy Medium Series: Family Fortune Mystery #4 on April 5, 2016
Pages: 304
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Also in this series: Be Careful What You Witch For, A Fright to the Death
Former cop and novice psychic Clyde Fortune finds herself in a race for justice when a Zombie Fun Run turns deadly...
All of Crystal Haven, Michigan, is psyching up to participate in a Zombie Fun Run organized by Clyde’s nephew Seth, but Clyde is fretful about the undead festivities. For one thing, her sister, Grace, has unexpectedly returned to town after fifteen years. For another, Clyde has the nagging feeling that something is about to go wrong...
When one of the zombie runners is found murdered and then Grace disappears, Clyde realizes her grim premonition is dead-on. Now, she and her police detective boyfriend Mac must find a ghoulish murderer before someone points the finger at Grace. And when a tangled web of family secrets and old grudges combines with a mysterious case of stolen diamonds, even someone as quick-witted as Clyde might not be able to outrun a killer...
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Review
I’ve been following this series almost from the beginning, and in many ways, it just keeps getting better. This book really pulled me in from the start. I always enjoy Clyde and Mac, Clyde’s nephew Seth, the two dogs, and the whole psychic, eccentric Fortune family. Throw in an unexpected visit from Clyde’s sister and brother-in-law leading to even more unexpected revelations, a zombie run, a case of possibly mistaken identity, a dead zombie (if that’s not an oxymoron), missing diamonds, and a charming seven-year-old, and I was definitely hooked. The book-to-book character development and ongoing subplot arcs were the icing on the cake.
The only weak spot for me was the wrap-up. The murderer’s identity came as a surprise to me — and to pretty much everyone in the book as well, I think. That’s a good thing; I like it when the author can keep me guessing right up to the end. However, the denouement felt a little rushed and a little weak: everything was explained satisfactorily, and yet I didn’t have that feeling of “Ah, of course! Now it all makes sense” that I usually get at the end of the mystery. It almost seemed as though, with a different explanation of the same events, someone else could have been the villain. (No one in particular, or rather, any of several someones.)
That barely dimmed my overall enjoyment at all, though. I don’t know how the author first came up with this cast of characters and their endearingly offbeat little town, but I hope she keeps writing about them for a long time. Especially because Clyde and Mac’s relationship seems to deepen with each book. Thank you, Ms. Eastman, for not writing one of those “on-again, off-again” romances. These two make a great pair, as people as well as crime-solvers. I look forward to their next adventure!
Giveaway
Thanks to the author and publisher, I have one print copy to give away!
About Dawn Eastman
When I was ten years old, my two favorite things were climbing trees and reading. As a bonus, I discovered if I combined the two, I could hide from my mother when she wanted me to clean my room. Nancy Drew and I spent many afternoons solving crimes and avoiding chores. Eventually, I moved on to Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, and Stephanie Plum. I improved my housework-dodging ploys.
After many years in Michigan, I now live in Iowa with my husband, son and daughter. When I’m not writing or chauffeuring kids, I keep busy catering to the whims of a bossy bichon-shih tzu mix who wants to rule the world.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2016
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
You know I hadn’t really thought about the killer reveal as being vague but after reading your review it took me several minutes to remember who the killer was. Like you I really did love the rest of the book. I need to go back and read the first 2 in the series.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…Silenced in the Surf – Blog Tour Review + Giveaway
Lark_Bookwyrm
I’ve read all but the first one and enjoyed them all. One of these days I’ll have time to read book one!
Sandra Rose
Would love to try your cozy.
Lark_Bookwyrm
Then I wish you luck in the giveaway! But you can also check your library and/or bookstore for the series. 🙂
Kathleen Costa
I love all the ‘cozy’ themes, and this is no exception…psychics? zombies? Yeah, I love it all! I am exploring Dawn’s books, and I’m a fan! Thanks…
Lark_Bookwyrm
Hi, Kathleen! Welcome; I’m glad you stopped by — and glad you’re trying Dawn’s books, because they are a lot of fun.
Barbara Laughlin
I wasn’t fast or smart enough to have pre-ordered Dawn Eastman’s fourth in the Family Fortune Series, but one thing for sure…like the others…it definitely won’t disappoint cozy devotees. I loved the first three, and know this fourth is going to be just as good. A Zombie Run? lol I can only imagine what Dawn will entertain us with next.
Lark_Bookwyrm
You will enjoy this one for sure! And you may not have preordered, but it’s certainly not to late to order!
Kathleen Chrisman
This is a fun series. I look forward to reading the newest book.
Lark_Bookwyrm
If you like the previous ones, you won’t be disappointed! 🙂
April Rogers
I love this series. It is one of my favorites. This new book did not disappoint. But I agree with you on the ending.
Lark_Bookwyrm
I still enjoyed it a lot!
Lola
I hadn’t heard of this series before, but it sounds like a fun series! I’ll have to check out the first book. And the cover is so cute with the dogs on it! It’s too bad the wrap up felt a bit weak though. I have had a few cozies where the wrap up felt a bit too rushed, which is always a shame. I like the sound of the romance and how they solve the mysteries as a pair. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Review: April by Audrey Carlan
Lark_Bookwyrm
It is fun — I hope you’ll give it a try!
Penny Marks
This series is awesome! I have read books one and two. Fingers crossed for this one.
Lark_Bookwyrm
Don’t miss the third one, too — Clyde and Mac’s vacation getaway runs into a lot of complications. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
*blinks* Did you say zombies? I love the premise. I know this is book four but would you recommend it as standalone?
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Beside Myself by Ann Morgan
Lark_Bookwyrm
It’s a zombie run, so they aren’t “real” zombies, and it only takes up part of the book, but it is fun. You could read it as a standalone, though you’d miss some of the backstory on various personal relationships. But the author does a pretty good job of filling you in if you are just starting the series here.
SHELLEY S.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Lark_Bookwyrm
I hope you’ll check out the series, Shelley! And welcome to The Bookwyrm’s Hoard!
Marilyn
The word psychic immediately caught my attention. I love stuff when it follows that into a cozy mystery…even if its funny…even if its not!
thank you for the chance to win and read the book.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Lark_Bookwyrm
Then you’ll definitely like this series!
rosemary Pfeiffer
I am very interested in reading this book because it has a medium and it takes place in the great state of Michigan,my favorite places to take road trips.
Lark_Bookwyrm
I just wish Crystal Haven was a real town, so I could take a road trip there!
Sally Schmidt
The zombies!
Lark_Bookwyrm
That was a fun aspect of the book. 🙂
Dawn Eastman
Thank you for hosting! And good luck to the commenters – I wish we could all meet up in Crystal Haven for a cup of tea….
Lark_Bookwyrm
I would love that! 🙂 And it was my pleasure to host a tour stop. I’m already looking forward to the next book!