Review: For Sale by Killer by Catherine Bruns

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Gemma Halliday Publishing

Release Date:
May 22, 2019






Synopsis from Goodreads:

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Words for Cindy York to live by. The struggling real estate agent, full-time mother, and part-time sleuth has been having a tough winter and is desperate for a juicy commission. When she stumbles across a quaint mansion that's "For Sale by Owner," she can hardly believe her luck. Percy Rodgers is anxious to move and immediately hires Cindy as his agent. But when she shares the exciting news with boss and best bud, Jacques Forte, he tells her that Mr. Rodgers neighborhood is a dangerous place to play, since the man just served 20 years for murdering his wife. Before Cindy can axe the deal, she stumbles over another dead body inside the house and is swept up in family drama, resentment, and decade old secrets that someone will kill to keep. If Cindy isn’t careful, this may end up being one deal that really is to die for.

My Review

This is the third book in the Cindy York series. I must admit that I haven’t read the previous two, but it definitely didn’t matter to me. I didn’t feel as if I missed a beat in starting with the third book. If anything, it convinced me to read this author’s backlist. What a great, fast-paced read! I loved every minute of it.

First, Cindy York is a great character. She’s strong, but is also sympathetic and sweet. She has a lot on her plate to deal with. For starters, she’s pregnant. She, also, has 9 year old twins and a teenager at home. She, also, works full time as a real estate agent. Yikes! That’s enough for any woman to have to deal with.

While scouting the area for homes to sell, she discovers a mansion owned by Percy Rodgers up for sale. No one wants to take the listing since Percy is a recently released convicted killer. He was convicted of killing his wife. Cindy is ready to put this all behind her and take the listing anyway. When she gets cold feet about it, before she can get out of the deal, she finds Percy dead. Filled with all kinds of emotions, Cindy vows to find out who killed the man. Not to mention that she doesn’t believe he killed his wife and plans to solve that murder as well. In fact, she thinks both murders are connected.

I love Cindy’s cohort Jacques Forte. He’s a great character for her to work with. I’d like to see more of her husband so I can get a better feel for him. I know I hated his mother. LOL What a witch. The author did a great job of making the reader hate the mother-in-law.

I was truly shocked at how this all ended. I didn’t see the ending coming until just before Cindy did. Very well written and well plotted. I couldn’t put this one down. Although I don’t have to, I want to read the previous two books. This author has one me over with this one book. Loved it!




For reading challenges:
Cruisin’ for the Cozies Reading Challenge 2018
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2018

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.