Helpful Score: 4
Very good 1st book in a series. I particularly enjoyed the Orlando tips that were about attractions other than Disney. We are planning a trip there in April and I've been stumped on what to do besides Disney. :O)
Mallory is a recent widow that has decided to re-enter the workforce. She somewhat falls into a dream job as a travel writer just in time to write an article about Florida off the beaten path. Unfortunately, her trip is soured by the murder of another travel writer. Mallory is a prime suspect in the eyes of the local law and must find a way to clear herself before her trip ends.
Mallory is a recent widow that has decided to re-enter the workforce. She somewhat falls into a dream job as a travel writer just in time to write an article about Florida off the beaten path. Unfortunately, her trip is soured by the murder of another travel writer. Mallory is a prime suspect in the eyes of the local law and must find a way to clear herself before her trip ends.
Carol B. (Wisemom) - , reviewed Murder Packs a Suitcase (Murder Packs a Suitcase, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is the first in a new series by Cynthia Baxter and an excellent read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. Mallory is very down to earth and likable.
I thought the plot was well constructed and I did not even come close to guessing "whodunnit".
This is the first new series that I have enjoyed in a while and can't wait for the next one!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. Mallory is very down to earth and likable.
I thought the plot was well constructed and I did not even come close to guessing "whodunnit".
This is the first new series that I have enjoyed in a while and can't wait for the next one!
Sheila A. (mysterylady) -
Helpful Score: 2
1st in the series! Cozy Mystery! This was a pretty good book. There is some info on places in Florida other than Disney World to visit.
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 2
I was a bit concerned wondering if this series would be as good as her "Reigning Cats and Dogs" series. I am happy to say that I think it is just as good. :) A bit of a different cozy scenario, ala the "Passport to Peril" books by Maddy Hunter. The character development was good, and I did not have a clue who done it until Mallory caught on and explained it to me. Recommend highly
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Murder Packs a Suitcase (Murder Packs a Suitcase, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
On her first travel writing assignment, Mallory Marlow is given the task of exploring Orlando, Florida in search of the 50's, 60's and 70's kitsch that made Orlando the tourist attraction that it used to be. Do the old crocodile farms and ice cream coned shaped attractions still exist in this Disneyesque environment. She is on a mission to find out and to share it with her readers.
While on this vacation jaunt, a smarmy veteran travel writer is killed and since Mallory was the one to find the body, it must have been her that did the killing. Well, that just won't do, she has an article to write, and a family to get back home to; so, she'll just solve the crime in her free time. She's a mom, she can do anything.
But when her present and her past suddenly merge, everything that she thought was true appears to get mixed up and Mallory really is in for the fight of her life.
This was quite a fun book, Baxter really gave the reader the feel of old Orlando and with travel tips and real reviews of Florida attractions, it gave quite a unique overall feel to this book.
While on this vacation jaunt, a smarmy veteran travel writer is killed and since Mallory was the one to find the body, it must have been her that did the killing. Well, that just won't do, she has an article to write, and a family to get back home to; so, she'll just solve the crime in her free time. She's a mom, she can do anything.
But when her present and her past suddenly merge, everything that she thought was true appears to get mixed up and Mallory really is in for the fight of her life.
This was quite a fun book, Baxter really gave the reader the feel of old Orlando and with travel tips and real reviews of Florida attractions, it gave quite a unique overall feel to this book.
Elizabeth G. (cybelle) reviewed Murder Packs a Suitcase (Murder Packs a Suitcase, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who may have had the good fortune to visit Orlando during the 50's, 60's or 70's. Mallory's sleuthing progression was enjoyable and the descriptions of Florida's kitsch attractions was a walk down memory lane. As much as I enjoyed subsequent Florida vacation trips to Disney and Universal the authors vivid descriptions of "Old Florida" attractions reminded me of the places our family visited long before the huge theme parks became the go-to destinations.
Special Seats
Reserved in Hades
For Whiskered Guys
Who Scratch
Their Ladies
Burma-Shave
Special Seats
Reserved in Hades
For Whiskered Guys
Who Scratch
Their Ladies
Burma-Shave
Paul L. (ChanurCousin) -
As a fan of her "Reigning Cats and Dogs" series, I was expecting another fun series, but I was rather disappointed with this first book.
Her characters are likable and well-drawn, the story kept my interest with her usual flair and humor, but what editor let her get away with that plot!?
The entire story is a mish-mash of unexplained coincidences. People coming together from distant places, for vaguely unrelated reasons, and all of them deeply and negatively involved in some part of the victim's life ... but all brought together absolutely coincidentally.
That's just plain sloppy writing and editing. The initial backstory seems to have no logical relationship with the story that results. I honestly got the feeling that the original book was written as a standalone (which very well might have been a rehash of a rather well-known plot from a famous old mystery), and was rewritten to adapt it to becoming a new series.
I hope that future books in that series are more coherent.
Her characters are likable and well-drawn, the story kept my interest with her usual flair and humor, but what editor let her get away with that plot!?
The entire story is a mish-mash of unexplained coincidences. People coming together from distant places, for vaguely unrelated reasons, and all of them deeply and negatively involved in some part of the victim's life ... but all brought together absolutely coincidentally.
That's just plain sloppy writing and editing. The initial backstory seems to have no logical relationship with the story that results. I honestly got the feeling that the original book was written as a standalone (which very well might have been a rehash of a rather well-known plot from a famous old mystery), and was rewritten to adapt it to becoming a new series.
I hope that future books in that series are more coherent.
