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The Uninvited Corpse
The Uninvited Corpse
The Uninvited Corpse
Audiobook8 hours

The Uninvited Corpse

Written by Debra Sennefelder

Narrated by Callie Beaulieu

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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About this audiobook

Hope's schedule is already jam packed with recipe testing and shameless plugs for her food blog as she rushes off to attend a spring garden tour in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Unfortunately, it isn't the perfectly arranged potted plants that grab her attention-it's the bloody body of reviled real estate agent Peaches McCoy . . .

One of the tour guests committed murder, and all eyes are on Hope's older sister, Claire Dixon-who, at best, saw Peaches as a professional rival. And suspicions really heat up when another murder occurs the following night. Now, with two messy murders shaking Jefferson and all evidence pointing to Claire, Hope must set aside her burgeoning brand to prove her sister's innocence. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer intent on making sure her life goes permanently out of style . . .
LanguageEnglish
Release dateMar 27, 2018
ISBN9781977372147
Author

Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder is an author of cozy mysteries, including the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not writing, she’s either baking or reading. She lives with her family and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu in Connecticut.

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Reviews for The Uninvited Corpse

Rating: 3.4615384000000002 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

26 ratings7 reviews

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  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Hope Early, after a less than stellar turn as a competitor on a baking reality show, a divorce, and leaving her publishing career in New York City, has moved back to her little home town of Jefferson, Connecticut, and is making her living as a successful food blogger. With her family, as well as old friends and new, nearby, the future is looking good.Then she attends the book launch of friend Audrey Bloom. Audrey is a gardener, with a profitable career writing about gardening, and this launch party is also a tour of her own garden. Hope's sister, Claire, a real estate agent, also attends, against Hope's advice. Claire wants Audrey to list her house with Claire; Audrey has no obvious reason to sell. It's potentially contentious.Someone else unexpected turns up--Claire's biggest rival, Peaches McCoy, another real estate agent, who has been poaching listings from other agents, including Claire.When Peaches is discovered dead in Audrey's husband's home office, Claire immediately becomes the prime suspect. The police detective in charge of the investigation is, though, strangely and aggressively hostile, starting off by rather smugly telling Hope that her friendship with the police chief, Ethan Cahill, going back to school days, isn't going to stop him investigating his prime suspect. Which, outside the context of the conversation in the book, doesn't sound inappropriate, but he's also, as the story goes on, actively resistant to any evidence that might suggest anyone other than Claire could have a motive.I really liked Hope, Ethan Cahill, another of Hope's friends, Drew, who is a local reporter, and a few other characters. The hostile police detective, on the other hand, is both unlikeable and a cliché. Claire is also not very likeable, and more than a little short-sighted about what is and isn't in her own best interests.And with the detective so obviously set on railroading Claire, it's bizarre that everyone keeps haranguing Hope about her decision to do some investigating herself, without suggesting any alternative other than trusting the detective who wants to railroad Claire. Yet at the same time, Hope is a terrible choice as an investigator, because she alienates pretty much every potential witness or possible suspect she speaks to.Overall, though I like Hope and her friends, the story overall is frustrating and annoying.I bought this audiobook.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Hope Early moved back to her hometown after losing her husband and her job, and losing on a television reality show. Now she's moved into a farmhouse, raises chickens, and makes her living with her home and cooking blog. Things seem to be going well, at least until she goes to a friend's book signing party...While there, she finds that her sister Claire's nemesis, real estate agent Peaches McCoy, has arrived uninvited and is rude to everyone. When Hope finds Peaches murdered in the study of her friend Audrey's home, that's bad enough. But when Claire is the prime suspect for the murder, that's worse. And when Hope decides to investigate trying to find out who the killer is, things go completely downhill. Now she's in the sights of a killer, and Claire's next home might be a prison cell. If Hope doesn't figure this out soon, both Early girls are going to be losing their lives in one way or another...This is the first in a new series, and I really would have liked to enjoy it. But there were things unexplained (which I will explain later) and my thoughts on the plot, which I will explain first:First off, Hope is a horrible investigator. She goes to peoples' homes and just starts looking around, without trying to be subtle, but subtlety isn't her strong point, since she just goes around asking everyone if they killed Peaches - which, of course, makes them dislike her, and honestly I don't blame them. Who would like someone who walks up to them and accuses them of murder? Of course they're going to think she's trying to find someone else to take the rap for her sister, who's the suspect.Then, she's a blogger who never blogs. As in never. She states as how she's making her money from it, but she never goes on her computer to do so. She spends her time making food for people to get information or ask forgiveness or going to snoop.Her sister Claire is completely dense. She lives and breathes real estate, ignores the fact she's a murder suspect, and rarely mentions that she's married with two kids, one of whom we meet in one sentence only - her husband is out of town on business (we learn he has his own business but don't know what he does) and Claire has dinner at Hope's a couple of nights while her husband's gone, then tells us how much she loves her kids. Loves them so much she eats at Hope's without them? Never spends time with them? Never talks about them? Sure, sure...Things I would have liked explained were how did Hope lose the top prize? How did she lose her job? We get that her husband cheated, but somehow she lost her job as a magazine editor? How did her husband get everything she owned if she were the one cheated on? Why would a woman hold a grudge since grade school over something so ridiculous? If there's more to it, shouldn't we have been told what that is? None of this is explained, and should have been.But the kicker - and the thing that may keep me from reading any more in this series which will depend upon the second book - is the ubiquitous 'love triangle'. Never interesting, always frustrating, and as I've said many, many times before, if it were a man stringing along two women, you'd think he was a dog, so why is it okay when a woman does it? It isn't. The way it happens isn't even believable. So if it develops in the next book I can tell you that I won't finish the book and will not read any more in the series. For that alone, this book was a disappointment. I do hope that this isn't going to become one. I also hope that Meg doesn't become the 'evil nemesis'. I really loathe that in books.When the murderer was discovered, it might have been a surprise, but by the end of the book I really didn't care since there were so many slow parts with things that just weren't relevant to the murder, and the subject kept coming up about her failed career and reality show with no details about how they ended and why. Details count.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As is often the case in Cozy Mystery Series, the MC, Hope Early has had a rough time lately. After losing her job as a Magazine Editor, flopping on a Reality Baking Show and a divorce, she has moved back home to Jefferson Connecticut from New York City. She is trying to make a living with her food blog, lovingly named "Hope at Home". She is attending The Jefferson Garden Club's spring garden tour at the home of her friend Audrey Bloom. Audrey is the author of several gardening books and Hope is helping her out. There are some problems between members of The Garden Club, and Peaches McCoy, a local realtor shows up uninvited causing a rocky start to the event. When Peaches is killed during the Garden Tour, Hope's sister Claire, a rival real estate agent becomes the top suspect. As Hope investigates, trying to prove her sister innocent, many other suspects come to light. Peaches is unpopular because she's been buying up area farmland and properties for development into subdivisions, she and Audrey are at odds over many local issues including the development projects, and Peaches' drive and personality have caused many people to dislike her. Who hated the woman enough to bash her head in with a rock?

    I enjoyed the story from beginning to end, with its good pacing, clues scattered throughout, a few twists and a totally unexpected ending. I like Hope as a main character. She is real, with normal emotions, a friendly disposition, loyal, honest and smart. It looks like she may have a romance coming in future books with the Chief of Police, but I hope it is not rushed. I have read a lot of culinary cozies, but this is a bit different with blogging as a lifestyle for the main character. One of the things I really like in a cozy are some quirky characters and some interesting pets and we have both in this book. Overall, this was a good start to a new series and I look forward to seeing what is next for Hope and her friends.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Hope’s schedule is crazy with recipe testing and shameless plugs for her food blog. Unfortunately, she has to attend the spring garden tour in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. However, it isn’t the perfectly arranged potted plants that grab her attention; it’s the bloody body of loathed real estate agent Peaches McCoy.

    Someone on the tour committed murder and for some reason Hope’s older sister, Claire Dixon, who, at best, saw Peaches as a professional rival is the number one suspect. When another murder occurs, suspicion lands squarely on Claire’s shoulders. Now, with two murders and all evidence pointing to Claire, Hope must set aside her burgeoning brand to prove her sister’s innocence. But the closer she gets to unveiling the killer, the closer she gets to someone intent on making sure she doesn’t uncover the truth at any cost.

    --

    Series: Food Blogger Mystery
    Author: Debra Sennefelder
    Genre: Cozy Mystery/Culinary
    Publisher: Kensington

    The Uninvited Corpse is a delectable mystery filled with wonderful food, the occasional insufferable character and a killer set on making sure that Hope’s sister pays the ultimate price for a crime she didn’t commit. For the killer’s plan to succeed, Hope must be taken out of the picture.

    Hope is a woman set on helping her sister whether she likes it or not. Even when she promises that she will stay out of the investigation, Hope lands smack in the middle of everything. It seems that she keeps finding bodies everywhere she goes. All Hope really wants is to get back to her blog and her recipes, but her love of her sister makes it impossible to leave the investigation in the hands of the local police.

    Hope is a very relevant character in today's world of social media and blogging. She is also a great example of what can happen when a person has time on their hands. Even though she is busy, she manages to stick her nose in the wrong places and almost gets it cut off. She is a modern woman with modern insights, and a lovely character the reader will enjoy getting to know.

    Other characters in this book are remarkably average or outrageous but highly entertaining. When the killer is revealed, it will shock and surprise many. Readers will not quite believe the solution, but once they look at the subtle hints, they will accept that it is the only logical conclusion.

    Although the location of the story is not described in depth, there is enough detail to add to the enjoyment of the plot and give the reader a clear idea of what the town of Jefferson and its resident are like when murder comes to town.

    This series is destined to be popular, entertaining, and will give the reader hours of pleasure for a long time to come. The recipes in the back of the book are tantalizing and will make anyone want to try their hand at cooking, baking or just eating every dish. The Uninvited Corpse is highly recommended for anyone who likes their heroines stubborn, bold and persistent under demanding conditions.


  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really liked the debut story in a new mystery series. After coming in second in a reality baking show, Hope Early has moved home to Jefferson, Connecticut and is trying her hand at being a food blogger. With some of her past notoriety, this endeavor is slowly becoming a going concern. She shares an assistant with fellow townsperson/author, Audrey Bloom. During Audrey's combination garden tour and book signing. local realtor Peaches McCoy, uninvited and not well liked, is found dead. Unfortunately for Hope, her realtor sister Claire turns out to be the number one suspect. I really liked how the story wove into both some of the past and present of these new characters. And often I felt nods to some other great series, the interplay between the characters was a lot of fun and seemed so real.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The Uninvited Corpse by Debra Sennefelder is the first novel in Food Blogger Mysteries. Hope Early lives in a lovely farmhouse in Jefferson, Connecticut where she writes her blog, Hope at Home. Hope is off to attend Audrey Bloom’s book signing and garden tour. Claire, Hope’s sister and a local real estate agent, insists on coming with her in the hopes that Peaches McCoy will be attendance. Claire is upset that Peaches, a rival real estate agent, stole another listing from her and this one was for the controversial new Whitcomb development. The event is to promote Audrey’s new book. Hope, who just cannot help herself, is cleaning up after the guests. She goes into the study and finds it in a disarray with Peaches dead on the floor. Detective Sam Reid zeros in on Claire as the killer. With encouragement from her friends since she has always been good at solving mysteries, Hope delves into the case. The next night Hope receives a call from Vanessa stating she needs to talk to her right away. Hope arrives at Vanessa’s house to find the door open and Vanessa dead. What did Vanessa know that got her killed? Hope needs to expose the killer before Claire ends up doing twenty to life. Someone is unhappy with Hope’s snooping and attempts to put her out of commission. Can Hope reveal the killer before Claire is fitted for an orange jumpsuit?The Uninvited Corpse is easy to read (I am starting with the positive aspects). I wish, though, that the author had taken the time to establish Hope’s background. We are told what happened to her recently and why she has moved to Jefferson to start over (several times), but I wanted to know more about her. The Uninvited Corpse starts off with the author introducing us to a plethora of characters. There was just one after another and it was difficult to keep them all straight. My favorite character is Jane Merrifield, a mystery writer. I wish the author had made her the main character (I really liked her). The book seemed disjointed/choppy. It lacked an ease and flow. There is the cliché nasty detective that frequently reminds Hope to quit investigating. As an investigator, Hope is severely lacking. She was good as a teen in solving mysteries as a part of a library group (which we are told many times), but that was in theory (like me solving cozy mysteries). Hope asks bad questions and lacks subtlety. She goes around antagonizing people all around the town (she was relentless). I am curious if anyone else wondered why Claire never had dinner with her kids? There was a repetition of information. The same details are mentioned repeatedly. And let me not forget the love triangle. Why do author’s keep putting love triangles in cozy mysteries? The mystery was simple and easily solved. The why takes longer to become apparent. When Hope is not out investigating, she is baking, painting, cooking, chatting, writing blog posts and cleaning (a bit obsessive about it). Since The Uninvited Corpse is the first book, I am hoping Debra Sennefelder will work out the kinks before the next Food Blogger Mystery. I am giving The Uninvited Corpse 3 out of 5 stars.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In this exciting new series we meet Hope. She is a fun character who does a food blog with tips and recipes for her followers to try out. I really liked Hope right away and found her to be funny and a bit quirky. The excitement starts right away when Hope is at a book signing. An uninvited guest shows up by the name of Peaches. I really liked that name and thought it fit the character well. Poor Peaches is not very popular in the town. Guess when you cut throat people at the job to get ahead, you tend to make enemies. I loved how the author quickly gave us a taste of how mean Peaches can be with her hostility towards others. She sure doesn't know how to make friends.The town is all a buzz when a murder occurs and Hope discovers the body. Isn't it funny how gossip spreads so quickly? One of the things I liked most was how Hope quickly came to her sister's defense when she becomes a suspect. There is nothing better when family surrounds you when you need them the most. Ethan who happens to be the chief of police is a real almost by the book person. He does look the other way at times as Hope tackles trying to find who the killer is. I wonder if Hope and Ethan are more than just good friends?As the investigation heats up, Hope starts to ruffle some feathers. Some people aren't excited by her snooping. I can see why a few would get upset when Hope takes it upon herself to check alibis. I loved how the author slowly added suspects and had me furiously turning pages so I could see what Hope was up to next. The deeper she digs the more she puts herself in danger. I really enjoyed the story and loved how the story flowed with ease. The ending is exciting as well as unexpected. It leaves readers anxious for more books from this gifted author. Be sure to check out the recipes at the end of the book.I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Virtual Blog Tour. The review is my own opinion.