As part of a virtual tour organized by IREAD Book Tours, I was recently offered the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of The Nutcracker Conspiracy. Having read and enjoyed previous books by Lauren Carr, I was happy to sign up for this tour.
Recently released, The Nutcracker Conspiracy is the fourth book in the Thorny Rose Mystery Series.
About the Book
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and assassin. Even after numerous investigations proving otherwise, conspiracy theorists still argue that the would-be assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital and the government was involved in a massive cover-up.
An aspiring author, Dean Conway is the last person with whom Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton USN wanted to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest unfinished work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an unknown investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve you know,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks while looking for someone, anyone, to offer him an escape.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating the assassination have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean Conway dies suddenly, but not before sending a text message to Murphy. “13.”
About the Thorny Rose Mystery Series
The previous books in the Thorny Rose Series:
- Kill and Run
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer? - A Fine Year for Murder
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple? - Murder by Perfection
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night. The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and business.When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
All of the books in the series are available on Amazon.
My Review
Another well written cozy thriller featuring the Thorntons and the Faradays. Why do I call it a cozy thriller? It has all the elements of page-turning thriller – an intricate plot, tension, action, and such – with the antics of several quirky canines, including a kleptomaniac and a TV remote hog, providing a light, humorous touch not typically found in thrillers or hard-boiled mysteries.
Of course, the plot wouldn’t be same without the two-legged characters. Jessica’s loyalty to her friends is admirable and is reflected in her determination to prove her friends’ innocence of wrong doing. A naval officer, Murphy is clearly devoted both to his wife and to his job. He is skeptical about the conspiracy theory put forth by Dean, however as events unfold he realizes that something is up – not everything is what it seems to be. He has ties within different branches of the intelligence community and leverages those ties in his search for the truth. Both Jessica and Murphy are good, likable people and it was nice to spend time with them again.
The author did a great job of creating an intricate story, with interesting twists and subplots. A very enjoyable read.
FTC Disclosure: I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the publisher. This has not affected the content of this review.
If you’d like to read my review of Kill and Run (the first book in the series), click here.
Giveaway
Enter a rafflecopter for your chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Lauren Carr, author of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY.
About the Author
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
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