Send in the Clowns (Country Club Murder #4) by Julie Mulhern
Rating: Good
Source: Blog Tour
Description: Haunted houses are scary enough without knife-wielding clowns. Especially murderous knife-wielding clowns. So thinks Ellison Russell, single mother, artist, and reluctant sleuth.
Now death wears a red nose and Ellison is up to the blood-stained collar of her new trench coat in costumes, caffeine, and possible killers. Who stabbed Brooks Harney? And why? Money? Jealousy? Drugs?
With Mother meddling, her father furious, and her date dragged downtown for questioning, turns out Ellison's only confidante is Mr. Coffee.
Genre: Mystery
Why I Picked This Book: This is one of my absolute favorite mystery series right now so picking up the newest one is just automatic!
My Impression: This may just be the best Halloween themed mysteries I've read yet! There are killer clowns, haunted houses, trick or treating and costume parties as well as a pretty spooky murder. We start off with Ellison's daughter Grace being left at a haunted house and Ellison ending up having to go get her. And of course Ellison being Ellison she manages to stumble over a dead body. Unfortunately for her the body in question is in the act of being murdered when she comes on the scene.
The characters have always been a big part of what makes this series so enjoyable and this book was no exception. I did feel like I got to know Ellison better as she really begins to deal with what she wants in her relationships with Hunter and Anarchy as well as for herself in general. There's also so interesting progress in her relationship with her father as well as her daughter and I'm curious to see where that goes next. At times her adoration on Mr. Coffee becomes a bit much though it did make sense with what was going on in her personal life. I also enjoyed the bigger glimpse into Ellison's art. Being an artist has always been part of her character but I felt like it was explored more in this book than I've seen before.
The mystery is entertaining and well-plotted though I expect nothing less from Mulhern! I had no idea who the killer clown was until towards the end though I kept thinking I had it all figured out. There are all kinds of false leads and interesting bits of information that pop up through the whole book. There were one or two things that I would have liked to have been tied up a bit more.
I'm going to be honest - this wasn't my favorite in the series. However, saying this wasn't my favorite in this particular series is kind of like saying that I don't like chocolate souffle quite as much as creme brulee. It's still pretty great just maybe not as great as I found the others to be. If you're a fan of the series I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you're new to Ellison and her adventures you can jump in here without any trouble though I think you'd get more out of it starting with an earlier book. This is a Don't Miss series for any mystery lover.
As an extra treat, go check out Julie Mulhern's Pinterest boards. I always love checking out her pins for the book after I've finished. She mentions a gorgeous sounding Bill Blass coat in this book and it was so fun to see the actual coat on her board!
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Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely! I'm already anxiously waiting for the next book!
Would I Recommend this Book?: Definitely! I think this is a mystery any mystery reader would really enjoy!
Nice to see this one and just in time for fall! And how timely with the clowns! I love a good Halloween themed mystery though and that coupled with the fact that this is an Ellison mystery makes it an auto buy. I'm glad to hear that her relationship with her dad is explored more in this one, as that's something I've been curious about. The focus has often been on her (hilarious) mother and he's just the guy who goes and plays golf, so nice to see him take a role. I'll have to check out those Pinterest boards too. The 70's references are half the fun. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about the dad. While I did miss Frances being center stage I really enjoyed seeing more of him. The clown plot is such a funny coincidence! I really enjoyed this one.
DeleteKiller clowns, :-O
ReplyDeleteThis series sounds like so much fun and has been praised by many bloggers whose opinion I respect! If I don't win the Deep End, above, I will be buying or borrowing it asap to get into this series. Even folks who don't favor cozies love this one! Thanks, Katherine, for the good review and the chance.
I really think you will enjoy this series Rita! They're such entertaining mysteries!
DeleteI love this series, so it's an automatic read for me, too! Glad to hear it didn't disappoint. My only question is how soon I can start...
ReplyDeleteStart soon! I think you'll enjoy it!
DeleteI keep forgetting to move this series up. Okay, I added book one to my 2016 to try shelf.
ReplyDeleteI'll be really curious to see what you think of it!
DeleteGreat review. Good read for this time of year. Can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to it soon! It's lots of fun!
DeleteI am currently reading listening to book one! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying it! This is one of my favorite series.
DeleteWhile I am not a big cozy reader what would draw me in is the development of characters and their relationships over time. Sounds like this series has that.
ReplyDeleteI really think this is a cozy for non-cozy readers. It is definitely mystery but the characters are really interesting and so likable!
DeleteOkay, you have me totally curious. I would so not have even considered this book before now.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely cozier than your normal reads but I think you'd enjoy it!
DeleteEver since I saw on Julie's Pinterest that Steve McQueen is the inspiration for Anarchy Jones, I've loved this series even more (if that were possible)!
ReplyDeleteI love her Punterest boards! I love looking at all the clothes and Anarchy definitely looks like Steve McQueen in my head!
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