Words Can Kill (A Ghostwriter Mystery #5) by C.A. Larmer

Words Can Kill (A Ghostwriter Mystery #5) Reviews

• 
  Brenda

  With Roxy Parker’s latest ghostwriting book only just submitted to her publisher, she was looking for a bit of relaxation. Her latest book had had little to inspire her, so she and indeed Oliver, were glad it was finished. But the relaxation wasn’t to last – Caroline, her best friend Max’s sister passed on a message from her and Max’s mother, who was convinced Max was missing. In Berlin for work, Max wasn’t answering calls, texts or even social media posts – Roxy felt a little shiver of anxiety…
  
  As Roxy and Caroline headed from Sydney, Australia to Berlin in search of Max, it started a journey of mystery, intrigue and horror. For on their arrival, it was discovered Max’s flatmate Jake had been violently murdered and Max was nowhere to be seen. Following the trail from the small clues they found, Caroline and Roxy first searched the luxurious Swiss resort on top of Mount Pilatus and then on to the Italian Riviera. The friendly locals, as well as some not so friendly, were willing to help – but the discovery of another body; this time a young woman who had been seen with Max, had Roxy and Caroline as well as the local police very worried.
  
  With their anxiety high, even the beautiful Mediterranean Sea couldn’t take their minds off their search for Max. Roxy couldn’t seem to get her head around what was happening – but she did know they were running out of time. Would they find Max before it was too late? And was it possible he was still alive?
  
  Words Can Kill by Aussie author C.A. Larmer is another excellent episode in the Ghostwriter Mystery series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every book, travelling with Roxy while she solves the latest crime. Her relationship with Max is always a highlight; Caroline plays her part well and Oliver is – well, Oliver! Words Can Kill was a particularly suspenseful novel, with lots of action and angst – highly recommended.
  
• 
  JE

  In this latest adventure in CA Larmer's 'Ghostwriter' series, Roxy becomes embroiled in a mystery that hits close to home – her ex-boyfriend, Max, has been "lost". Although she teams up with Max's sister to try to find him, Roxy is not always sure she wants to find him, or if he wants to be found. The circumstances of his disappearances become more complicated and mysterious when linked to apparently unrelated deaths in two different countries. Little snippets from Max's point of view tell us he was still alive during the early part of this adventure, but tell us little else about where he is, or why, or whether he will ever be found. 'Words Can Kill' has great characters, lots of intrigue, some humour, and even a dash of romance; as a bonus, much of the action in this mystery takes place in a breathtakingly beautiful mountainside setting in central Switzerland. All in all – a great find!
• 
  Italo Italophiles

  The protagonist of the cozy mystery series Ghostwriter Mysteries is Roxy. She authors books for other people, leaving her name off the cover, and leaving the fame to the name author, in exchange for a comfortable living. Unfortunately adventure and mystery stalks mild-mannered wordsmith Roxy Parker, who is:
  
  "...the first to suspect foulplay in any situation."
  
  Luckily Roxy is also an investigative journalist, so she is well-equipped to track down the truths and to resolve the mysteries. Most of her stories occur in her native Australia, peppering the books in the series with wonderfully entertaining Aussie-isms (for non-Australians), dry humor, and stunning scenery. However, book 5 in the series takes Roxy to the Italian Riviera for some equally stunning scenery.
  
  The author explains the change in scenery for Roxy (in a mail to me when I received a review-copy):
  
  My husband and I took our boys to Europe in 2013 and the Cinque Terre was one of our most cherished destinations. We stayed in the heart of Riomaggiore for four days and loved every minute of it. While there I decided I just had to bring my protagonist Roxy Parker back. It's such a magical place and I knew it would lend itself to a vibrant and colourful mystery.
  
  Roxy's mystery is not just vibrant and colorful, it is mysterious and life-threatening for someone very close to her. TIP: Avoid the book's description if you want enjoy Words Can Kill to its fullest. Paired with Caroline, a compatriot who is the complete opposite of Roxy, there are laughs and conflicts that lead both women to grow and groan along the way to resolving the mystery.
  
  Along with the cozy fun, we get an accurate depiction of a ghostwriter's precarious career. Part of the entertainment of this cozy series is that Roxy gets to change her scenery and associates quite often, at least with every new writing contract. That keeps the stories fresh, and saves the population of her hometown from massacre, unlike the unlucky inhabitants of Jessica Fletcher's Cabot Cove (reference: TV's Murder She Wrote).
  
  The books in the Ghostwriter Mystery Series to date are:
  Killer Twist
  A Plot to Die For
  Last Writes
  Dying Words
  Words Can Kill
  
  The books are well-written, well-edited, and presented stylishly with eye-catching covers. The cozy elements are all there, including a possible love interest for Roxy, whose mother has decided:
  
  "You're destined for spinsterhood..."
  
  Each book can be read as a standalone book, but to understand the recurring characters' relationships it would be best to read the books in order.
  
  Be ready for some real pain and danger for Roxy's loved ones in Words Can Kill, in which the amateur sleuth's emotions are put through a wringer. But trust that Roxy's dogged determination wins out in the end.
  
  The Italian scenery and characters enrich the book for any Italophile; two thirds of the book takes place in Italy. We get good and bad guy Italians, an exciting finish, and a meaty Epilog in which all the loose ends are wrapped up for the reader.
  
  Please visit my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
  
  http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
  
• 
  Kat Lebo

  Words Can Kill, A Ghostwriter Mystery
  by C.A.Larmer
  
  Despite my lower rating, I was a big fan of this plot. Note I didn't say novel, as giving it the lower rating would be disingenuous. I'll give the reason I marked it down immediately, and then move on to the things I liked (cause there were a lot of them and just one of the 'unlikes').
  
  Why I marked this down two stars from the 5 stars I wanted to rate it: At location 4150 on my Kindle is this: "...these guys are all multilingual. Hell, even the Roma gypsies speak four languages, they probably say 'benvenuto' before they rob you." This is an extremely racist remark. I suppose I should give some credit for the use of the correct term, Roma, but following it up with the pejorative term gypsies, and following that with the horribly demeaning statement 'before they rob you,' completely wiped out any points earned for the use of Roma. The Roma are the race most discriminated against worldwide, historically and currently. To put this single sentence in a modern day novel, especially used in just general conversation and not as part of characterization, is inexcusable.
  
  Rant over.
  
  On to what I did like. As usual, Larmer's editing/proofing are impeccable. Her plotting and pacing keep the reader engaged and reading well past time to turn out the lights. This particular storyline took us out of Sydney to Germany, Switzerland, and on to where the most of the action occurred, Italy. Good suspense, surprising twists leading to the uncovering of the villains of the piece, and good insight into the characterizations of both Caroline and Roxy.
  
  The premise is that Max has disappeared. He isn't posting online, hasn't contacted his family, and isn't answering his phone -- for several days. The family is worried and asks Roxy to help find him. Caroline and Roxy head to Germany, where Max is now living/working, only to find his roommate, who had just left them a phone message, murdered in he and Max's apartment. A tip from a neighbor sends them on to Switzerland where Max was supposed to be vacationing, and they follow the trail on to Italy, where the plot thickens considerably.
  
  A good, thrilling storyline, featuring a large cast of memorable characters.
  
  Wish the author had just skipped that one remark. I'd have been a whole lot happier. I will now have to rethink purchasing anything else she's done, and that's a shame.
  
  
  
• 
  Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton

  I enjoyed this one. The setting was different than the previous books in the series. Set in Europe, there were a lot of different locales mentioned, from Germany all the way to Italy and everything in between. Roxy and Caroline, Max's sister, go to Europe to find a missing Max and uncover murder and mayhem everywhere they go. There are a number of red herrings thrown in to confuse the issues, but it finally gets straightened out. A good read.
• 
  moxieBK

  Best book in the series so far!!!
  
  Very tightly written; really felt for the characters; plot was well thought out and the characters rich and clearly defined.
• 
  Christi

  I liked this whole series.