Helpful Score: 2
Family secrets, buried treasure, and numerous plot twists make for another enchanting mystery by Mindy Starns Clark. If you liked Whispers of the Bayou, you'll enjoy this one too.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a stand alone mystery. It involves a hidden treasure, along with clues. Interwoven is the story of the origins of the treasure set in france in 1700s. One chapter will be set in the present, in New Orleans, and then you will get a chapter set in the 1700s. The story is full of some great historical info, some based on fact some fictionalized. You can visit a website to learn which parts were factual and which were fictional after you read the story.
I tend to not enjoy sappy Christian books or Christian books that are not written well. This was well done, nothing sappy, or super sugary, or even overly religious really. If you really love Christian books you will also love the story. Nothing offensive. If you love a good mystery, this is also a good choice.
I must admit that the villain was no surprise. Which was mildly a disappointment.
I tend to not enjoy sappy Christian books or Christian books that are not written well. This was well done, nothing sappy, or super sugary, or even overly religious really. If you really love Christian books you will also love the story. Nothing offensive. If you love a good mystery, this is also a good choice.
I must admit that the villain was no surprise. Which was mildly a disappointment.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was a little slower to get me involved that previous Clark's books but it was a fantastic book. Christian Fiction, mystery which kept you guessing until the end of the book plus a little romance added in made for a great read!
Helpful Score: 1
WOW! What an awesome book! I was hooked from the first page and if I'd had the time I would have read the whole thing in one sitting. I have read this one and "Shadows of Lancaster County" and was impressed by both, but really enjoyed this one the best (so far). Great read and not to preachy. Once again, I really love that there is no bad language.
Dollycas's Thoughts
This book received such wonderful reviews when it came out I purchased it right away and then it was buried in my TBR stacks. I pulled it out last week and started reading and could not stop. I finished the book at 3:07 a.m. I was planning to read just a chapter or two before going to sleep and one chapter just led to another and another and another. Usually when this happens I call the next morning a "book hangover" but that wasn't the case this time. I actually woke up at my usual time and wasn't tired at all.
Chloe receives a call telling her her father has been shot and before he became unconscious he told her mother that Chloe must come home to finish a deal he had started. She remembers getting off the plane and meeting her father's lawyer at his restaurant but has no idea how she got to a hotel suite and who is pounding on the door? and why is the lawyer asleep on the couch. What happens next sends her on a wild ride searching for the truth and following a recipe to find a secret treasure.
There is also a story from the past of Jacques, a young goldsmith in France, interwoven into the main plot. I really enjoyed this part of the story.
Both Jacques and Chloe are endearing characters. You truly care about them and their journey. They are both just trying to do what is right with so many, sometimes heart-wrenching obstacles in their way. Each has a bit of a love story too. Chloe meets Travis and he helps her so much. Jacques love story is a bit more complicated.
This is not the first story I have read by Mindy Starns Clark. I enjoyed her Million Dollar Mysteries several years ago but I don't remember being so totally drawn in my those books. This mystery was perfectly paced and wonderfully written. All the characters were well developed and so interesting. There is a bit of a Christian theme but it does not preach or become overbearing. It blends in with the history, the mystery and the wonderful scenery of the bayou seamlessly. The only thing I didn't like were the snakes :)
I am truly upset with myself for waiting so long to read this book. I now see why it was getting great reviews. It was a riveting read and while it is an older book I do recommend you pick it up today, just don't wait to read it like I did.
This book received such wonderful reviews when it came out I purchased it right away and then it was buried in my TBR stacks. I pulled it out last week and started reading and could not stop. I finished the book at 3:07 a.m. I was planning to read just a chapter or two before going to sleep and one chapter just led to another and another and another. Usually when this happens I call the next morning a "book hangover" but that wasn't the case this time. I actually woke up at my usual time and wasn't tired at all.
Chloe receives a call telling her her father has been shot and before he became unconscious he told her mother that Chloe must come home to finish a deal he had started. She remembers getting off the plane and meeting her father's lawyer at his restaurant but has no idea how she got to a hotel suite and who is pounding on the door? and why is the lawyer asleep on the couch. What happens next sends her on a wild ride searching for the truth and following a recipe to find a secret treasure.
There is also a story from the past of Jacques, a young goldsmith in France, interwoven into the main plot. I really enjoyed this part of the story.
Both Jacques and Chloe are endearing characters. You truly care about them and their journey. They are both just trying to do what is right with so many, sometimes heart-wrenching obstacles in their way. Each has a bit of a love story too. Chloe meets Travis and he helps her so much. Jacques love story is a bit more complicated.
This is not the first story I have read by Mindy Starns Clark. I enjoyed her Million Dollar Mysteries several years ago but I don't remember being so totally drawn in my those books. This mystery was perfectly paced and wonderfully written. All the characters were well developed and so interesting. There is a bit of a Christian theme but it does not preach or become overbearing. It blends in with the history, the mystery and the wonderful scenery of the bayou seamlessly. The only thing I didn't like were the snakes :)
I am truly upset with myself for waiting so long to read this book. I now see why it was getting great reviews. It was a riveting read and while it is an older book I do recommend you pick it up today, just don't wait to read it like I did.
I just finished this book. Wow! It is a mystery and I could hardly put it down. It takes place in Louisiana and it is also a Christion book and a romance. Something for everyone.
I really enjoyed this book. This is one of several I have read by the author. I think this may be my favorite. Due to the fact my daughter lives outside New Orleans and I visit there, I felt an attraction to the setting. I had a hard time putting it down and read it in one evening.
Good book! Just enough suspense and drama without creeping me out.
Under the Cajun Moon by Mindy Starns Clark's
Anyone who knows me would answer the following trivia question "What is Karen's all-time favorite novel?" with the answer: "The Princess Bride!" So, it's no wonder that I loved this book. Murder, mayhem, mystery, kidnapping, snakes, alligators, hidden treasure, romance and history -- you'll find all these and more in this absolutely amazing book!
More than 6 years had passed since I had read the series, Million Dollar Mysteries by Mindy Starns Clark, and liked them, so I was eager to read this stand alone. You can read the plotline on the back cover, so I won't repeat and just dive into my review. Clark is so descriptive of her characters and locations, I actually felt as if I were there with them. Since much of the story is told in various flash backs, we feel involved from the first page. Weaving through the book is the story of Jacques, a young man in France in 1719. It is fairly obvious early on what his story is doing in the book, although there were a few curves' tossed in, for good measure. I must admit that I found myself so caught up in the second storyline that I was often tempted to jump to the following chapter to see what happens to Jacques! Obviously, this works because the characters are so well constructed. I connected with both Chloe and Jacques right away. I have found that, in some stories the characters are too perfect and you just can't relate to them, but in this book, the main character is easily relatable. Travis is a little obvious as the love interest, but seemed a perfect balance and didn't take away from the main or secondary storyline. There were plenty of surprises.
Yes, this is a Christian mystery. Outside of one scene, however, there is nothing remotely preachy. And that scene? It was still entertaining and feels like a real part of the story and not something forced in to make it religious'.
I didn't want to put this book down and I thoroughly enjoyed the French story line and its connection to the present. I learned a great deal about New Orleans and its surrounding geography and rich history. A win-win, in my book (pun intended!). This book is a must for readers who enjoy mystery and history, as it has the perfect amount of suspense. I enjoyed it so much -that I don't intend to list it on Paperbackswap.com, but rather pass it along to friends to read it's that good! Oh, by the way - naturally, the villain is the person we least suspect....
Anyone who knows me would answer the following trivia question "What is Karen's all-time favorite novel?" with the answer: "The Princess Bride!" So, it's no wonder that I loved this book. Murder, mayhem, mystery, kidnapping, snakes, alligators, hidden treasure, romance and history -- you'll find all these and more in this absolutely amazing book!
More than 6 years had passed since I had read the series, Million Dollar Mysteries by Mindy Starns Clark, and liked them, so I was eager to read this stand alone. You can read the plotline on the back cover, so I won't repeat and just dive into my review. Clark is so descriptive of her characters and locations, I actually felt as if I were there with them. Since much of the story is told in various flash backs, we feel involved from the first page. Weaving through the book is the story of Jacques, a young man in France in 1719. It is fairly obvious early on what his story is doing in the book, although there were a few curves' tossed in, for good measure. I must admit that I found myself so caught up in the second storyline that I was often tempted to jump to the following chapter to see what happens to Jacques! Obviously, this works because the characters are so well constructed. I connected with both Chloe and Jacques right away. I have found that, in some stories the characters are too perfect and you just can't relate to them, but in this book, the main character is easily relatable. Travis is a little obvious as the love interest, but seemed a perfect balance and didn't take away from the main or secondary storyline. There were plenty of surprises.
Yes, this is a Christian mystery. Outside of one scene, however, there is nothing remotely preachy. And that scene? It was still entertaining and feels like a real part of the story and not something forced in to make it religious'.
I didn't want to put this book down and I thoroughly enjoyed the French story line and its connection to the present. I learned a great deal about New Orleans and its surrounding geography and rich history. A win-win, in my book (pun intended!). This book is a must for readers who enjoy mystery and history, as it has the perfect amount of suspense. I enjoyed it so much -that I don't intend to list it on Paperbackswap.com, but rather pass it along to friends to read it's that good! Oh, by the way - naturally, the villain is the person we least suspect....
This book caught my attention from the very first page. Wasn't able to put it down. Very well done.
Excellent read. Mystery,romance secrets and intrigue. A story within a story. Very enjoyable.
