A Plot to Die For (Ghostwriter Mystery #2) by C.A. Larmer

A Plot to Die For (Ghostwriter Mystery #2) Reviews

• 
  Phrynne

  As cosy mysteries go this one was quite good. It was obviously intentionally based on the style of
  Agatha Christie and it did capture some of the feel of her books, that is the amateur detective who happens to blunder into the scene of a murder and solves the case before the professional does. The setting is delightful, the characters are interesting, the pace of the book is a little slow, the murderer is not obvious. All characteristics of an enjoyable but not particularly memorable cosy mystery novel.
• 
  Carolyn

  Roxy Parker has scored what could be her dream assignment, staying all expenses paid on a tropical island to ghostwrite the story of a famous but reclusive woman. She is enjoying herself immensely, steeped in old world style resort living, until there is a murder. Now she must put her talents as amateur sleuth to work to unravel the networks of lies and deception and find the killer.
  
  This was a fun cosy mystery with a nod to the plots of Agatha Christie. Roxy is not only a modern day sleuth who is a keen observer of human nature but can also use her little grey cells to put line up all the small clues together to see the bigger picture. 3.5★
• 
  Brenda

  Roxy Parker, ghostwriter and amateur sleuth, was a little hesitant about accepting her latest assignment. Abigail Lilton, wealthy island resort owner but total recluse had refused all interviews with not just Roxy, but everyone else over the years. Why would she change her mind now? But the idea of a fully paid luxury resort holiday (even though she’d be working) sounded too good to miss out on…
  
  When Roxy arrived on the small tropical island of Dormay, she was met at the airport by one of the locals, a vibrant and friendly young man. The run to the resort through the bush was full of interest to Roxy – she knew she would love to explore when she had the chance. But her meeting with the effusive, funny and elderly Abigail Lilton (call me Abi) was the highlight of Roxy’s arrival. She liked her immediately. Her daughter Helen though was reticent; the guests a mixture of wealthy but odd individuals.
  
  Settling in, meeting the guests, dining together – Roxy absorbed it all. But it was her meetings with Abi which were of the most interest. And the morning Abi didn’t turn up for their breakfast meeting was the start of a horror that affected them all. Who would murder Abi – the woman loved and admired by all? Roxy knew she needed to investigate; but what would she discover? It seemed that suspicion was pointing to them all…
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed A Plot to Die For, the second in the Ghostwriter Mystery series by Aussie author C.A. Larmer. A quick, easy read filled with likeable characters, the plot is well structured and intriguing. A great cosy mystery which I recommend.
  
• 
  Karen

  I really like these mysteries because they make me work to figure out who the culprit is going to be in the end. I think because I read the fourth book in the series first I was expecting a lot more from this one when I decided to go back to the beginning and it is not bad at all. The writing is clear and gives me a complete sense of what is happening around the characters and therefore me. The language engages and pulls you in even though the slang a lot of the time is Aussie in nature. The characters are all fun with interesting quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them more or less endearing to the reader.
  
  Roxy is invited to Dormay Island by Abigail Lilton, owner and operator of an exclusive resort who has shunned all publicity in the past. But now Abi has decided to write her biography and wants Roxy to ghost write it for her. It is the off-season and Roxy is a little surprised but pleased that she gets to do this book in such an exotic location. The only really bothering Roxy is the fact that she has not heard from Max, even though she is the one who blew him off.
  
  Then the worst happens and Abigail is murdered with suspicion falling on all those in residence at the resort during this time. The local law officer comes to investigate but the daughter of the victim asks that Roxy help in the investigation because she believes the constable will favor the locals if they are involved and so wants an outsider to help. Roxy does her thing as usual and finds much more than a simple murder or murderer for her trouble.
  
  Another great story with a great mystery and some good motives by all of the suspects involved. Definitely recommend.
  
  
• 
  Cheryl Landmark

  I loved the Agatha Christie feel to this book--an isolated island paradise, a cast of quirky, eccentric characters, lots of twists and turns, red herrings galore, a decent murder mystery, and an intelligent, persistent sleuth who used her "little gray cells" to bring the bad guy to justice.
  
  The island of Dormay sounded very appealing and ideal for a relaxing vacation--minus the murder, of course! The author's descriptions of the tropical paradise were vivid and compelling.
  
  The residents of the exclusive hotel were certainly an eclectic, peculiar lot, who made Roxy's stay very interesting indeed.
  
  I really enjoyed this mystery and will certainly continue on with the series. One other thing I loved about it was the absence of a lot of romantic tension and drama that seems to permeate these types of books too often. There was only a hint of potential romance with Max in Roxy's future and that was just fine with me.
• 
  Jennifer K.

  Another really good ghostwriter Book
  
  I just finish this 2nd Book in the ghostwriter series and I have to say I was somewhat surprised by the ending and that’s saying a lot from an avid mystery reader. I knew there was a lot going on but more than I know! If you like good mysteries with a interesting main character and some surprising twists you’ll probably like this book. I did.
• 
  Shirley

  Great characters and an interesting plot with lots of surprising twists.
• 
  Kat Lebo

  A Plot to Die For by C.A. Larmer (A Ghostwriter mystery)
  
  Roxy Parker is back! This time out, Larmer channels her inner Agatha Christie to create a slam-bang mystery set on an isolated tropical isle, replete with a mysterious murder and 12 prime suspects.
  
  Roxy has been hired to ghostwrite the life story of Abigail Lilton and of the island on which Abigail’s upscale vacation resort sits, Dormay Island. Lilton previously has been adamant about preserving her privacy, so the invitation to come to Dormay to work came as a surprise to Roxy ad her agent, Oliver Horowitz. Once there, Roxy is introduced to an interesting cast of characters, ranging from the reigning figurehead of the island, Abigail, to her daughter, Helen, the hotel’s everything-handler and General Manager, Joshua, the German couple, Ingrid and Bernard Zimmerman, the long-term resident, Dr. Fergus Spinks a/k/a Doc, the wayward wife, Maya Thomas, and her husband, Wade, and the artist-in-residence, Luc, to the local resident staff, Popeye, Maurice, Mary and Tara, and the new hire, Willie.
  
  Just a couple of days into Roxy’s stay on the island, there is a murder. The local police chief orders everyone to stay on the island while the investigation continues. Roxy comes to the realization that there are just a handful of suspects – and all of them are confined with her at the Dormay resort!
  
  I’ve read C.A. Larmer before, so embarking on this adventure with Roxy Parker was like spending time with an old friend -- An old friend who travels to exotic locales and meets the most interesting people! All that I said about Larmer’s writing in my review of “Killer Twist” still holds true. I’m certainly better at getting the meaning of Australian idioms/slang this time around! The editing and proofreading is excellent. The pacing wonderful. The mystery truly is to die for. I found this book a very fun read and the fact that it very much reminded me of the writing of Agatha Christie – an author who stands second only to Wilkie Collins in my personal pantheon of mystery writers – was just icing on the cake!
  
  Great, fun summer read!
  
• 
  Melinda

  I received a free copy through Goodreads.
  ----
  This is the first book that I have read of the Ghostwriter Mystery.
  
  I honestly was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It certainly is a mystery through and through with inspirations from Agatha Christie.
  
  Right off the bat, you already know a murder takes place, and as the time ticks by, you wonder just how soon the murder is going to happen as Roxy lands in Dormay and starts her 'research'. I like how some subtle or obvious clues were planted throughout the storyline, letting the readers to try and piece together the clues before the big reveal. There were certainly plenty of twists and turns to take the story to the next level, leaving things very unpredictable to say the least. Honestly, the big reveal was very, very reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style, which was a very nice homage. Also, I enjoyed the visuals that the descriptions gave, it certainly made the story very enjoyable, minus the murder and soap opera drama that is :)
  
  Overall, it's a nice story with a very decent mystery waiting to be solved. If you are into mysteries with some soap opera drama, definitely give this book a try. If I get the chance I would definitely check out other books in this series.
• 
  Sandra Lopez

  Roxy Parker is back!
  
  
  After solving one murder mystery in Book 1, she needed a vacation, even though she’s working on yet another ghostwriting project. What could possibly go wrong? Yeah, right.
  
  Dormay seems lovely. I wonder where it is?
  
  Although it seemed like a lovely setting, it was a typical tropical resort filled with haughty, eccentric characters. What a bore!
  
  Again, Roxy’s wit and spunk leap off the page, but it still wasn’t enough to sustain the reader through this dreary story. It was so mind-numbingly slow. C’mon, move it along! Somebody die already! I had a feeling the murder had something to do with money, but the problem was I never got to find out. This book was such a waste of time and I hope the next book is better.
• 
  moxieBK

  Book #2 in the Ghostwriter Mysteries.
  
  Second book, same as the first book...Fun, easy, breezy read. Roxy and gang are back in further hijinks as this time, as she travels to a resort island to write the auto-biography of a client. Of course, the client ends up dead, but that does stop Roxy and pals from figuring out who-dun-it. Another great plot written by Ms. Larmer here, with a tight story, fast-paced and great minor characters. I didn't want to put it down. can't wait for the next installment.
  
  Three stars.
• 
  Kristi | Hidden Staircase |

  The second in the series, another fun mystery with Roxy Parker. This one finds Roxy on a very secluded island with an exclusive resort. She is set to ghostwrite the story of the island's owner, Abi. When Abi is murdered, Roxy must take a closer look at everyone at the resort. Great cast of characters, I was guessing who done it to the end.
• 
  Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton

  This is awesome! I really enjoyed this mystery, and the characters that Roxy meets up with. I was surprised by the outcome, but it was still a great mystery, and actually made a lot of sense in the end. Read it. The whole series is good!
• 
  H.M. Chambers

  I love Roxy! However, she *is* slightly out f place at an exclusive island resort. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I prefer it when Ms Larmer sets the story in the city.
• 
  Victoria Williams

  really enjoyed this book. look forward to reading more in the series
• 
  Julie

  I really liked this book and the author. It had mystery and a little surprise. I like the main character as well. good read