| Title | : | Gone with the Twins (League of Literary Ladies #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0425282961 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780425282960 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | First published March 7, 2017 |
The League of Literary Ladies is currently enjoying Margaret Mitchell's saga of the South, Gone with the Wind. But there's one situation on South Bass Island that they wish would simply blow over.
Kidnapped as teenagers, the children of a famous movie star are now media darlings after a miraculous escape. What's next for the celebrity twins? They're opening an over-the-top B and B called Tara on South Bass Island, and frankly, they don't give a damn about the competition--including Bea Cartwright's own beloved inn.
The other members of the League--Chandra, Kate, and Luella--are turning scarlet. But when local realtor Vivian Frisk is found murdered, and the suspects include Chandra, who lost her beau to the frisky Vivian, the Ladies rally to her defense. They may have to skim a few chapters of the Civil War soap opera and focus on bringing justice to the island they call home...
Gone with the Twins (League of Literary Ladies #5) Reviews
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3+ stars to
Kylie Logan's
Gone with the Twins, the fifth book in the “League of Literary Ladies” mystery series about a woman who owns a B&B on an island between Ohio and Canada and helps the local police solve crimes using her skills as a secret famous fiction author. I was excited to read this book as it was recently released and one of the only mystery series I am current on. While it was a good story and follow-up to the previous books, it wasn’t my favorite and felt a little too easy this go-round. But still worth a read.
Story
Bea is still upset after finding out a secret about Levi at the end of the previous book, but her heart still wants him. As the story starts out, a rival B&B has opened, taking all of the normal summer guests that would have gone to Bea’s place had the famous Champion Twins not set up camp on the island. Recently thrust back into the spotlight after having been kidnapped, Riva and Quentin Champion have designed their new B&B like Tara from “Gone With the Wind,” which just happens to be the book that Bea and her friends in the literary league started reading. When the local real estate agent who sold most of the homes to the main island inhabitants passes away, her niece, Vivian, takes over and begins making enough enemies that she’s soon found dead in her basement on the evening she was set to meet several people to sell them antiques from her late aunt’s house. When it looks like Chandra, Bea’s neighbor and New Age friend, is the primary culprit, Bea sets out to prove her friend’s innocence. Along the way, she and Levi re-connect and he watches over her when the murderer gets too close. Somehow, it’s all connected and Bea will stop at nothing to figure out what’s at the core of the shenanigans, especially when rumors about her not-true ex-con or ex-psycho status, as well as fake bed bug stories, start popping up all over town. In true Bea style, she dives in with the Chief of Police, Hank, and soon uncovers more connections to her own past than she realized were possible.
Strengths
Bea’s friends and hijinks are on target. The story incorporates daily life as well as solving the crime, making it a fun and quick read. Her interest in Levi maintains its roller coaster course, providing a good boost of romance, fun and humor. The descriptions of the Twins and their history is something cute to laugh about. And the cast of new characters is vivid and amusing.
The story focuses on Chandra’s relationship with her first husband, who was connected to Vivian, the victim in this book. The Twins figure prominently both in the real estate transactions and the fame of Hollywood being brought to the quiet Lake Bass island. Levi appears frequently while Luella and Kate take a bit of a back seat this time. It’s good to focus on different supporting characters in each book, as we get a more well-rounded opinion of the whole shebang!
Suggestions
The plot was a little too simple in this book. A few red herrings helped create a bit of fun and suspense, but the title gives it away, knowing the Twins have something to do with the mayhem. No spoilers given away here, just mentioning what felt too obvious for a reader. While there were a few potential suspects, the reasons for everyone never felt compelling enough for one of them to want to murder Vivian, but when you find out why, it makes sense. Just a little too loose for me.
The story starts off with the death of the elderly real estate agent who sold Bea the B&B. I would have liked to know that character, Estelle, a little more. Her death and appearance just seemed inserted for plot points. As this is Book 5, I think the author should have dropped more hints about Estelle in Books 1 thru 4 so we as readers felt the loss, too.
Final Thoughts
The charm and suspense felt a little off in this book, too. I expected more, given the great impressions I had from the earlier books. Still worth a read, just sayin’! That said, I love Bea and the whole premise of the book, and her secret identity as F.X. O’Grady. I hope the next book focuses more on her own past… and I definitely look forward to the next one, even is this one was a little disappointing. -
Gone With The Twins is the fifth book in the A League Of Literary Ladies series.
Another entertaining visit with Bea and the Literary Ladies book group on South Bass Island.
With the literary ladies having chosen Gone With The Wind might prove to be a mistake for the folks of South Bass Island. Bea has new competitions for her B&B when a set of twins, who had been reportedly been kidnapped as young teenagers and open their own B&B, Tara, leaving Bea with empty rooms.
Real estate agent Vivian Frisk is selling off her late aunt’s estate and Bea goes to pay for an antique piece that the aunt had said she could buy on her passing. When Vivian doesn’t respond at the people waiting continued knocking, they find a door unlocked and enter, only to find the lifeless body of Vivian.
Bea soon finds that there is quite a list of people that might have wanted to end her life. First, is the former suitor who only the day before had a boisterous confrontation with Vivian and ended be pouring a bucket of water over her. Also, there is an auto mechanic that thinks Vivian is interested in him and has been seen sneaking around her home. But the one person she is hoping it isn’t is her friend neighbor and literary lady member, Chandra. Years before Chandra had been married and Vivian had stolen her husband. As Bea is investigating finds Chandra sneaking about where Vivian body was found.
Looking forward to the next book in the series hoping that once again Bea has a B&B full of guests. -
It is amazing what 10+ hours without power does for your reading. Finished this off and got 1/2 way through another one!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!
4 1/2 Stars
I love these books. This series is by far one of the most favorite of all the series' that I read. We've heard rumors that this is the last one and if that is the case, I will be totally and completely bummed out. This one was by far one of my favorites of the series and I really cannot write that much about it as I have three other friends who read my reviews that are currently reading it. :-) Just know that it was REALLY good [even though I had the murderer figured out pretty early on, but NOT the why and how etc etc] and I really enjoyed every second of this book!! -
Bea Cartwright is facing stiff competition from twins who have set up a bed and breakfast on South Bass Island themed after Gone with the Wind. While she figured out how to get customers back – any customers at all – a local relator is murdered and Bea’s friend Chandra starts acting suspicious. Can Bea clear her?
I love the characters in this series, so it’s always a delight to visit them. This book is no exception. The pace appears to lag at times, but it also picks back up again soon. I certainly always had a hard time putting it down.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at
Carstairs Considers. -
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Riva and Quentin Champion were kidnapped as teenagers and now that they have escaped they decide to start over by opening a Gone with the Wind themed B&B that just might force Bea out of business. Chandra also chooses that The League of Literary Ladies read Gone with the Wind as their next book club selection. So as the town get ready to celebrate the B & B’s opening with a Civil War gala, Bea is more concerned with getting customers for her own establishment. Until a local realtor is murdered and Chandra doesn’t have an alibi. She did have a bumpy history with the home seller. She also isn’t helping her case by talking to her friends about where she was and what she was doing at the time of the murder. Bea decides to put her problems aside to try and help prove her friend’s innocence.
These ladies have come a long way since the judge ordered them to start their book club. They now really have each other’s backs. Yes, they still have some minor skirmishes but really have grown to care about each other.
In this story the twins, Riva and Quentin Champion, are building their lives off the fame they have received since they escaped their kidnapper. In addition to the B & B. They are meeting with a producer about a movie. They also will do anything to get what they want, whether it comes to customers, furnishings for the inn, and even taking over town committees. Chandra is hiding something from the other ladies and that is putting her in the hot seat. Bea and Levi are still sorting out their relationship. Kate and Luella are available to their friends for anything the need but take a less prominent role this time.
Kylie Logan brings this set of eclectic characters together is a very fast paced story. I read the whole book in an afternoon. I just couldn’t put it down. The mystery was not as complex as previous installments but had plenty of twists and surprises. Another death plays into the main plot but this death takes place before the story begins. I don’t think this character was mentioned in previous books so we really didn’t get to meet her before her death but this is a minor point. While I had an inkling about the murderer I needed to follow behind Bea right to the end to answer all my questions.
I did enjoy the Gone with the Wind theme for this story. In fact, I love that each story ties into a literary classic.
This author always gives the reader an entertaining story to escape into. Mayhem and mystery, with humor and romance. I found this story to be a very enjoyable getaway. I wonder what she has dreamed up for The League of Literary Ladies next. -
I read Gone with the Twins by Kylie Logan last week and I was very impressed. Good Southern Twist, Romance & that Cozy Feeling. This is book 5 in the Literary Ladies Mystery series. Gone with The Twins is out now and has a great Southern Theme. I found myself shaking my head at some of the book but also cheering in many more places. This is the second book in the series I have read and I loved it.
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With a book like this, Scarlett O’Hara would have given up scheming and taken up reading!
It's very clear to see why this series has the following that it does. Author Kylie Logan consistently writes tales that are quick witted and clever, and that holds true once again with, GONE WITH THE TWINS.
A fast paced story, this whodunit contains more than just one mystery. Readers will have to keep on their toes trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together. I’ll admit, I was a few pieces short of guessing it all myself. And even after everything was solved, the author threw in one more twist.
With a cold soda on the table next to me, and a peaceful house to myself, GONE WITH THE TWINS was a fun way to spend an afternoon. I look forward to seeing what Kylie Logan has in store for her ladies, and us next.
Fans of the League of Literary Ladies Mysteries, you may just have a new favorite in the series with this one. -
I still love the series. While I like the other books, I did like this one but felt it could of been better. I still had fun reading this though and was surprised by how much I was breezing through it. Also that ending.
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Review at
A Cozy Girl Reads -
Meet the League of Literary Ladies, Chandra, Kate, Luella and Bea! Their book club is reading Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. The recent arrival of infamous twins from Hollywood have put everyone living on Bass Island in a dither. The twins are busy redoing a property to look like Tara, the famous plantation from the books. They plan on opening it as a B&B in direct competition with Bea's own B&B. As children of Hollywood Royalty who were kidnapped and then escaped a year later, they seem to be hiding secrets! Then a local realtor is murdered and Chandra becomes a prime suspect. The ladies are off and running. Sniffing out clues, following leads and pushing Chandra for the whole truth behind her feud with the deceased. Wonderful characters and intricate plots all tied in with books make this a double pleasure to read.
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Hokey. I just couldn't get into it.
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I thoroughly enjoy this author, although I had this one figured out early ... apparently before our heroine had a clue. But it was still fun, and of course ... I could have been wrong.
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4.5 stars
I remember reading somewhere that this would be the last book in this series. I hope it isn't true, because it is my absolute favorite cozy series, and I'd hate for it to be over this soon. -
This is the last book in this series (at this point). Like the other four, I really enjoyed it. This was a fun series and the characters and the island they live on were a great place to visit. Hoping she will decide to go back and write more in the series down the road.
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Loved it! Excellent story line, finished it in two days , couldn’t put it down. I certainly hope there will be a sixth book in the series.
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This is an interesting novel in the League of Literary Ladies series; as can be guessed from the title, they are currently reading "Gone with the Wind."
It isn't the real Tara that is in question in this novel, however. The Twins, Riva and Quentin, twin adult children of a well-know Hollywood star, purchased the property, set up a luxurious B & B built with 20 guest rooms, and sucked up much of the business on the island.
The rumors went around town about Bea - that her B & B had bedbugs and that she was recently released either from prison or a psych ward. So much for her business for a while, but she knew she could wait them out.
The novel begins with the memorial service of Estelle, aunt to Vivian, a somewhat less-than-paperwork-perfect realtor who learned the right way of doing the business from Estelle but chose to do it her way. Her way included omitting relevant information from potential buyers,such as Zane's home: he could not put the in-ground pool he wanted to because that part of his property was a Native American burial ground. It is little wonder then that Vivian is found dead in her late aunt's home, in the basement, later that evening.
There are slow spots in this mystery that made the tale drag a bit for me. While I appreciated the intelligent approach of Bea's, I had a good idea who the murderer(s) might be early on based on a couple little things that jumped out at me. Even if I didn't yet have a motive, I was right about the bad guy / gal.
All in all it is well-written with regards to the plot, description, and characters, just a little slow for me in places. I still highly recommend it to those who appreciate this series, eccentric characters, even Gone with the Wind, the Literary Ladies' current read. -
Number five in the series does not disappoint! There is a murder to solve and someone is out to put Bea's beloved B & B out of business.
This book was chock full of secrets and it was a delight to read.
I hope there are more books to come in this series. -
I had a little trouble getting into this book but I ended up enjoying it. A cute little cozy mystery.
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http://openbooksociety.com/article/go...
Gone with the Twins
League of Literary Ladies, Book #5
By Kylie Logan
ISBN: 9780425282960
Author Website: kylielogan.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
The national bestselling author of And Then There Were Nuns takes readers back to South Bass Island on Lake Erie, where a pair of ambitious twins are causing double trouble for the League of Literary Ladies.
The League of Literary Ladies is currently enjoying Margaret Mitchell’s saga of the South, Gone with the Wind. But there’s one situation on South Bass Island that they wish would simply blow over.
Kidnapped as teenagers, the children of a famous movie star are now media darlings after a miraculous escape. What’s next for the celebrity twins? They’re opening an over-the-top B and B called Tara on South Bass Island, and frankly, they don’t give a damn about the competition–including Bea Cartwright’s own beloved inn.
The other members of the League–Chandra, Kate, and Luella–are turning scarlet. But when local realtor Vivian Frisk is found murdered, and the suspects include Chandra, who lost her beau to the frisky Vivian, the Ladies rally to her defense. They may have to skim a few chapters of the Civil War soap opera and focus on bringing justice to the island they call home… (Goodreads)
Review:
What a magnificent mystery, with Twins with a capital T, and – horrors – rumors of bedbugs in Bea’s bed and breakfast, and rumors that she is either fresh from a prison or psych ward! The author has put together a unique cozy mystery nestled within a unique League of Literary Ladies. Fifth in the League of Literary Ladies series, it can be read as a standalone or within the series.
Tara is not just the fabled home of Scarlett O’Hara anymore, even though our Literary Ladies are reading Gone with the Wind. It is now the name of a recently completed B & B that is outrageous competition with not only the other B & B’s on the island, but especially Bea and B’s. The Twins, Riva and Quentin, are children of a Hollywood star. Not that many years ago, they were kidnapped and held prisoner for about a year, along with priceless Civil War-era coins, until their kidnapper, their mother’s business manager, disappeared with the coins. Not only did they write a best-selling book based on their hostage experience, but a movie is in the works, also. They are full to capacity and turning people away.
Vivian is a realtor who learned the business from her aunt when her earlier career was downsized in the sour economy. It is whispered that Vivian doesn’t use above-board practices in her transactions, including Zane, who was infuriated that the area of his property where he planned to put an in-ground pool was a Native American burial ground so his hands were tied.
The novel opens to her Aunt Estelle’s memorial service. Vivian is emptying her aunt’s home and selling the antiques to those who have expressed interest in them. When Bea went to see Vivian at Estelle’s home about several furnishings at Estelle’s, she ran into Levi, an ex-boyfriend, and the Twins. Nobody answered, but the door was unlocked. Bea noticed that the highboy, silver candlesticks and oil lamp she planned to purchase were noticeably missing. They tried to find Vivian in Estelle’s and finally they did. In the basement, dead, murdered. One of the suspects is Chandra, who is one of the members of the Literary Ladies, as well as being a bit eccentric. She was also the first wife of her now deceased ex-husband – who had been lured away from her by Vivian, many years earlier.
I like Bea and Kate, and was sorry to see that Chandra and Luella are more noticeable by their absence than their presence through much of the novel. While Luella was busy with charter tours, Chandra looks to be more guilty as the novel proceeds. As we see the entire novel through Bea’s eyes, we know her best; she is fully developed as a result. Kate is one of the more reliable friends, a tried-and-true woman who will be present through adventures and thick and thin.The Twins? The more I saw them, the less I like them! Luella is steady and calming, someone I’d like on my side! She has the wisdom that one would like to have as they age. Chandra was simply not my favorite person in this novel as she just seemed too flaky.
At one point fairly early in the novel I thought I knew who the bad guy/ gal was, even though I didn’t yet know a motive. There are stunning twists to the plot, a couple of which tossed a red herring into the mix. It would seem that Bea’s Bea and B was failing rapidly, and the culprit was not easily visible; helping Chandra against her over-the-top behavior was equally as important. Overall, the plot is complex and layered, which I like! I just didn’t like thinking I had named the bad guy or gal so early in the mystery. However, I do highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys the League of Literary Ladies cozy mysteries as well as has good memories of Gone with the Wind. -
I have really tried with this series. I really have. The core characters should be likeable. They’re all strong, independent women with the exception of the consistently annoying Chandra. I’ve been feeling generous when I reviewed earlier books in this series and gave them 4 and 5 stars. This time not so much. Things I’ve previously found unappealing continue to bother me.
- other than the connection thru book club the bond between the ladies is tenuous at best. The author has failed to give their relationships much depth. I’m guessing Kate and Bea could become friends. Luella being the hardworking woman she is continues to be absent more often than not. It appears Chandra’s sole purpose in this series is to annoy the other group members. This book tries to make her a sympathetic character with some semblance of personality but it asks a lot of the reader to buy into that.
--And, again, the publisher makes a play for the Cat Cozy contingent by putting pictures of a cat on both the front and back of the book. I’m assuming it's Chandra’s ill behaved cat, Jerry Garcia, but since it has nothing to do with the story it’s never explained. Can’t decide if this is more deceptive or insulting to readers.
And I finally put my finger on something that's rubbed me wrong with all these books. The author writes like it’s a YA novel. Bea’s actions and dialog seem more that of a 14yr old girl rather than a woman who has dealt with publishers and Hollywood producers.
That being said I'm sad to see yet another cozy series rumored to be losing it's publishing house. The demise of the Berkley Prime Crime imprint is going to really affect the flow of our cozy releases. -
From the cover: The League of Literary Ladies is currently enjoying Margaret Mitchell's saga of the South, Gone with the Wind. But there's one situation on South Bass Island that they wish would simply blow over. Kidnapped as teenagers, the children of a famous movie star are now media darlings after a miraculous escape. What's next for the celebrity twins? They're opening an over-the-top B and B called Tara on South Bass Island, and frankly, they don't give a damn about the competition--including Bea Cartwright's own beloved inn. The other members of the League--Chandra, Kate, and Luella--are turning scarlet. But when local realtor Vivian Frisk is found murdered, and the suspects include Chandra, who lost her beau to the frisky Vivian, the Ladies rally to her defense. They may have to skim a few chapters of the Civil War soap opera and focus on bringing justice to the island they call home...
Gone With The Twins is the fifth book in the A League Of Literary Ladies series, but only the second one that I have read. I like the returning characters in this series. Bea seems very interesting and I wish I knew more about her past. Her female friends can usually bring a smile to my face reading about some of their antics. This is an enjoyable story with mystery, humor and some romance. It is a good afternoon or evening read. -
I love this series. It's a neat premise of friends getting together, but weren't exactly keen on each other in the beginning. Each woman brings something to the party and keeps the conversation lively.
I like the setting, the characters, and that the story ties in with a classic that the Literary Ladies are reading for their book club.
It was a bit loosey-goosey mystery-wise. I had an inkling of the whodunit, but it didn't keep me from enjoying it. I have been known to stop reading a story once I've figured it out, but not in the case of a well-written story that surrounds the mystery. Like GONE WITH THE TWINS. I like watching Bea's brain work, watch her investigate. It's a natural need to do so, especially here as it is partly her livelihood that is suffering due to part of the mystery.
I need to go back and read the fourth one as some things occurred that I need to see for myself.
The first book in the series, MAYHEM AT THE ORIENT EXPRESS, remains my favorite. I also love Kylie's other series, Button Box Mystery and Ethnic Eats Mystery. Each one has a unique premise and unique characters. Kylie will keep me enjoying mysteries for some time to come I believe.
Definite recommend book, series and author. -
Bea has a run of bad luck, with no guests at her B&B. rumors are going around town that her food is bad, she has bedbugs, and her personal history is shady. this happens at the same time that celebrity twins open a competing B&B with a Southern, Gone with the Wind theme, and two island realtors die (one from age, one from murder). Bea investigates in order to prove that she's functional. Hank, the chief of police, invites her along - which results in evidence tampering and is a great example of why not get amateur sleuths involved (as the police typically don't).
I figured the whole thing out very early in the story, like probably within the first three chapters. there are sideplots with Chandra acting super sketch and Bea figuring out what to do re: her relationship with Levi. I enjoy the friendship among the "literary ladies" the most, and while Levi is a likeable character, his romance with Bea doesn't make a ton of sense to me. -
So as of this date this is the last book in the series I'm not sure if there are any more in the works so it's kind of did wrap up some questions I had about the characters Etc so I guess if it is the last book in the series I'll have a comfort level of where things ended!
Again this was a good summer read for me as it was fast easy to read very entertaining it hooks you write in from chapter 1 with lots of plot twists and turns although this book I did figure out who had committed the crime!
I think there were five books there were one or two bucks if I would rate as good I'm an Ender enjoyable just not as good as or great as the other ones and then three of the books were Beyond good so I am hoping that the series does continue! -
I loved this book as much as the others in the series. There were a few frustrating parts in the plot though, but I get why the author had to include them for the sake of the story. I was very satisfied to find that I correctly guessed the killer. I hope there are more books in the series, because they are very good cozy mysteries. But the way the book ends, it almost feels like a series finale for a TV show where the ongoing plot lines are wrapped up - and that's kind of what happens by the end of this book. I'll be very disappointed if there aren't anymore League of Literary Ladies mysteries.
