Author: Michaela James
Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell
Length: 10 hours 25 minutes
Series: Scarlet Oaks Cozy Mystery Series, Book 1
Publisher: LW Media Group Ltd.
Released: Nov. 9, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Is it possible Scarlet Oaks, the reluctant new host of a men’s call-in show, inspired the first serial killer San Francisco’s seen in some 40 years?
Struggling to pay the rent after her boyfriend’s sudden departure, continue her role as mediator in an unconventional family, and feed a micro pig who appears less micro by the day, Scarlet’s life is far from perfect. But when an eerie sounding caller is identified as the bay area’s latest serial killer, it appears her life will never be the same.
With the killer continually calling into Scarlet’s show, while managing to stay one step ahead of the San Francisco police, Scarlet begins to fear she’s his next victim. Enlisting best friends Niles and Tom and their often-hilarious help, Scarlet sets out to find the elusive Serial Caller...before he finds her.
Root for Scarlet during this heart-pounding and alternately humorous mystery thriller. Fall in love with unforgettable characters, recognize familiar family members, and hold on tight for an adrenaline-filled ride.
If you’re a Stephanie Plum fan, make room for Scarlet Oaks!
This is the first book in the Scarlet Oaks series.
Find the Scarlet Oaks playlist HERE
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My Review:
4 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Suspense--
While this was certainly a mystery, I feel that the relationship dynamics between Scarlet and all the side characters was the star of the book. I mean don't get me wrong, the tension was well done and the creepy encounters were great, but it did not seem as important as all the family drama, friendship crisis and bad dates that made up Scarlet's day to day life.
I liked getting to know Scarlet and I rooted for her. She was level headed and kind, stuck in one drama after the next basically through no fault of her own. At the beginning of the book she gets transferred from her musical radio show to a men's self-help show with sports and she just rolls with it, trying her best in a situation she has zero knowledge about. Oh my gosh, I love that Prudence the pig was suppose to be a tiny size was slowly growing throughout the story- denial is real!. It gave a nice break in the murder mystery aspect with bursts of cute pig shaped levity.
There are so many people that Scarlet acquires throughout the book, be it her two best friends, an intern, blind dates, police officers, feuding parents, dysfunctional siblings and her adorable grandmother. Her friends Tom and Niles were cute together (complete relationship goals!)and the most supportive of friends- I mean really, not all friends would watch a porn for you to see if you sister was the "star". Scarlet got into one tough situation after another in her personal life and I loved how her people banded together to help- or create more drama.
Overall this was fun read, perfect for those who like cozy mysteries as well as women's fiction, smooshed together to create this cohesive story. The narrator did a great job bring Scarlet as well as the tons of side characters to life and I would gladly listen to more books set in this world. I am hoping the next book will show Scarlet and James getting to know each better because I am all for a little romance!
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Michaela James. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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Michaela lives near Reno, Nevada, where there are lovely walking trails and lots of sun. She was born and grew up in Hampshire, England, where there is less sun, but better chocolate! A professional voice over artist and the voice of a local radio station, Michaela enjoys watching great movies with her husband and grown sons, playing tennis and and drinking lots of tea.
A bright, versatile, broad-next-door type, Kimberly M. Wetherell is rapidly becoming a sought-after talent in the voiceover market, specializing in audiobooks, commercials, and animation.
Kimberly has worn multiple hats in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. A graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, Kimberly has been an actor, a singer of musical theatre, director of both opera and film, and producer of opera, film, and most recently, commercials.
She speaks French, Italian, and German (all thanks to her 15-year career in opera), and, as a lifelong lover of language, has a large catalogue of dialects and accents from around the world at the tip of her tongue.
Equally active in the literary world, Kimberly is a published essayist and contributing editor of The Nervous Breakdown. She founded and hosted DISH, a monthly food & drink reading series at SoHo’s Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, as well as having hosted other reading series around NYC, such as NPR’s Dime Stories at Brooklyn’s Barbès and TNB’s Literary Experience at Chinatown’s Happy Endings.
Voiceover artistry is the perfect marriage of her life’s two passions, and she couldn’t be happier with this new career pursuit.
Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card
The Scarlet Oaks Mystery Series Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card
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