Release: May 19, 2020
Format: EBook
Publisher: McWriter Books
Source: IRead Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Audible
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Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom, claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case.
Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect Nancy Quinn!
Can Fiona crack this cold case, and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder!
About the Author:
For twenty-six years, C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer.
In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. Also, in 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. Also, in 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.
Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. Moreover, the Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!
Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and she poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.
Taking Notes on Murder Review:
“Taking Notes on Murder” is the ninth installment of the Fiona Quinn series, and this one was darker than the others.
I admire how creative the author gets with her ideas on this series. I loved the story’s premise where Fiona got strange notes from her kindergarten school about a murder back in 2005. The plot immediately intrigued me. Why would someone from her kindergarten class reopen a murder investigation? As Fiona gets tangled in the case, we see the possible suspects behind the murder.
The author did an excellent job with the characters in this book. I adore Fiona and Nathan. Like the previous book in the Fiona Quinn series “Bon Voyage to Murder,” I could not get enough of them. I also appreciate the author giving equal importance to both of them in their involvement in the case. Moreover, the author also wrote some of the suspects creepily, especially Eugene and Roxanne.
Similarly, the author also places the story with quite a few twists and turns that you don’t see coming. Some of the memorable scenes in the tale were when Fiona goes to see Julian or when one of her students reveals a secret.
However, I felt there could have been more suspects to spice things up in the story. Unfortunately, the suspects were very few, and I wasn’t shocked by the reveal. Moreover, I found the book to be more severe and gruesome as compared to the other books. For instance, I missed Chad and wished he was in the story to provide some humor.
Nevertheless, the story is very entertaining and a worthy addition to the series. I hope the author continues to write many more mystery adventures for Fiona.
Giveaway:
Autographed copy of MAXED OUT, plus other gifts (the USA only) (ends Jul 23)
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Taking Notes on Murder by C.S. McDonald Blog Tour hosted by IRead Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Book Tour Schedule
Rockin’ Book Reviews – June 22 – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway
Bound 4 Escape – June 22 – book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
Book Corner News and Reviews – June 22 – book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
Rajiv’s Reviews – June 22 – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
Splashes of Joy – June 23 – book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
Book Corner News and Reviews – June 23 – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
Working Mommy Journal – June 23 – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
Rajiv’s Reviews – June 23 – book review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway
Buried Under Books – June 24 – book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
Rajiv’s Reviews – June 24 – book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
Locks, Hooks, and Books – June 24 – book review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway
This book sounds so fun! I’m definitely going to have to add this series to my TBR pile!