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Ruby Taylor Mysteries #3
Cow Crimes and the Mustang Menace
This award-winning series continues with a mystery of Ruby Taylor proportions—complete with thieving ranchers, tangled romance, and the redheaded heroine who just doesn't know when to quit. A series of mysterious thefts leaves a small town wondering why someone would take what is most meaningful to them—a beloved cat, a prize bull, and a 1965 Mustang. Ruby Taylor thinks she knows who is behind it all and tries to prove it with Wesley's help. Unfortunately, he is so involved in the investigation that he has no time for her. The police force won't help either, so Ruby must solve the mystery alone. When an outsider turns up dead, the danger only increases for Ruby. As she uncovers painful town secrets and chases down thieves robbing ranches around Eagleton, she also tries to improve her domestically-challenged nature and enters a recipe in the Potato Festival contest. Will Ruby solve the mystery and even win the local cooking contest?
- GenresMystery
284 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2005
About the author
Sharon Dunn
145 books178 followersAfter 26 years of marriage Sharon's beloved husband Michael passed away in 2014. Together they had a life filled with adventure, laughter and unconditional love. She considers herself blessed to have been loved that way. She now lives with three nearly grown children, a nervous border collie and two cats.
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her Web site.
Her love for mystery and suspense began in the fifth grade, when she found a whole set of Nancy Drew mysteries with pink covers in the school library. Sharon is the author of five humorous mysteries that were written for Christian readers. Her second book in her Ruby Taylor mystery series was voted book of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers.
Sharon has a bachelor's degree in film production and a master's degree in history. She loves old movies like Double Indemnity and anything by Frank Capra or Alfred Hitchcock. She enjoys reading all kinds of books but is partial to the nonfiction of C. S. Lewis. She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her Web site.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 23, 2014
If you want to read a book devoid of any edge, sex, blood, or social angst, then this is the book for you. While I thought Ms. Dunn's characters were quite droll, her story was a bit predictable. I figured out whodunit it fairly early, but not why, so that helped a bit.
I don't know if it was editing errors or whether we were supposed to read Ms. Dunn's mind, but in more than a few places, the timing of some of the actions were a bit off and the time sequence was a bit iffy.
But if you want a very easy, clean, read, then it is worth a look. It was chosen by a member of my book club. I probably wouldn't read another simply because it was too simple for my taste. I like my books a bit more complicated.
I don't know if it was editing errors or whether we were supposed to read Ms. Dunn's mind, but in more than a few places, the timing of some of the actions were a bit off and the time sequence was a bit iffy.
But if you want a very easy, clean, read, then it is worth a look. It was chosen by a member of my book club. I probably wouldn't read another simply because it was too simple for my taste. I like my books a bit more complicated.
April 27, 2018
Cow Crimes and the Mustang Menace by Sharon Dunn is the third book in the Ruby Taylor Mystery Series.
I liked this book a little better than the second one, but not by much.
The mystery, as usual, was creative, if a little unbelievable. Ruby was still funny and loveable. I wish we had gotten to see more of Sevee and Ruby's mom, but I did like Starlight and Julia.
What really annoyed me was the romance. Wesley and Ruby are either fighting or ignoring each other the entire book. Then, when Ruby is suddenly in a life-threatening situation, Wesley comes to her rescue and they are suddenly in love and engaged. I have mentioned a few times before that when a couple needs a sickness/near-death experience to realize they love each other, it just annoys me. If you were THAT in love, you would have realized it earlier.
I never liked Wesley in the first place, though, so maybe I'm biased. And I honestly thought Sevee and Ruby would have been cuter. If it had just been mystery with a hint of romance, like the first book, I would have enjoyed this way more.
I liked the series overall. I think it was worth the read, even if Wesley is extremely irritating. The mysteries are fun and unpredictable, and there is lots of funny wit and jokes sprinkled in, too. This book gets 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up.
I liked this book a little better than the second one, but not by much.
The mystery, as usual, was creative, if a little unbelievable. Ruby was still funny and loveable. I wish we had gotten to see more of Sevee and Ruby's mom, but I did like Starlight and Julia.
What really annoyed me was the romance. Wesley and Ruby are either fighting or ignoring each other the entire book. Then, when Ruby is suddenly in a life-threatening situation, Wesley comes to her rescue and they are suddenly in love and engaged. I have mentioned a few times before that when a couple needs a sickness/near-death experience to realize they love each other, it just annoys me. If you were THAT in love, you would have realized it earlier.
I never liked Wesley in the first place, though, so maybe I'm biased. And I honestly thought Sevee and Ruby would have been cuter. If it had just been mystery with a hint of romance, like the first book, I would have enjoyed this way more.
I liked the series overall. I think it was worth the read, even if Wesley is extremely irritating. The mysteries are fun and unpredictable, and there is lots of funny wit and jokes sprinkled in, too. This book gets 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up.
September 22, 2023
romantic mystery works well in this novel with Ruby and Wesley finding the cause of the mystery of thefts.
August 14, 2012
I have read a couple of books in another series by Sharon Dunn so was pleased when I was given this book. This is actually book 3 in the Ruby Taylor series but you don't seem to need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. I really liked Ruby, she is a Christian, but she is not one of the perfect ones you find in some books, she is very human with flaws and weaknesses but trying to be the women she knows God wants her to be. There are lots of good characters in the book including the enigmatic deputy Wesley, her boss Georgia and her determined mother. In the story Ruby is investigating a series of bizarre ranch thefts and also trying to come up with a recipe for an entry in the Potato Festival. This is a really good read and full of unexpected twists and turns. I am now looking forward to reading the first two books in this series.
June 11, 2009
Review by Gigi Hoffman
The final installment of Sharon Dunn’s A Ruby Taylor Mystery is just as entertaining as books one and two. If you’ve read the first two in the series, the third is a must!
Ruby, sassy and quick-witted as always, gets herself into even more crazy situations. Take a Potato Festival recipe contest, a murder, old town family secrets, and curious thefts. Throw in some quirky friends, a mocha, and her strong faith, and you’ve got Ruby’s life. And don’t forget about Wesley—her unpredictable, sometimes infuriating boyfriend. What can come from all this? Only time will tell. So, sit down with a cup of coffee and prepare to ride along with Ruby Taylor in one of her craziest adventures yet!
The final installment of Sharon Dunn’s A Ruby Taylor Mystery is just as entertaining as books one and two. If you’ve read the first two in the series, the third is a must!
Ruby, sassy and quick-witted as always, gets herself into even more crazy situations. Take a Potato Festival recipe contest, a murder, old town family secrets, and curious thefts. Throw in some quirky friends, a mocha, and her strong faith, and you’ve got Ruby’s life. And don’t forget about Wesley—her unpredictable, sometimes infuriating boyfriend. What can come from all this? Only time will tell. So, sit down with a cup of coffee and prepare to ride along with Ruby Taylor in one of her craziest adventures yet!
May 18, 2014
What a fun read. This is #3 in A Ruby Taylor Mystery series, I think I will try to find the first 2. Ruby tries to help solve a mystery/puzzle/robbery which leads to many adventures and some very interesting experiences.
received the book from my sister when she was handing out books she had already read!
received the book from my sister when she was handing out books she had already read!
July 15, 2015
The trouble with series is that the first book is nearly always the best and
the course of love can never run straight. I liked Ruby enough to read all three stories but this was probably the one I enjoyed the least. It reminded me why I don't like amateur detectives, they seem to take risks I can't imagine a real person taking.
the course of love can never run straight. I liked Ruby enough to read all three stories but this was probably the one I enjoyed the least. It reminded me why I don't like amateur detectives, they seem to take risks I can't imagine a real person taking.
June 1, 2010
This is the third book in the Sharon Dunn's Ruby Taylor Mystery series. I have enjoyed reading about Ruby and her life as she handles thieves, murders and a boyfriend by the name of Wesley. This is a fast, entertaining and light read. Nice for a change from the more serious books.
April 25, 2011
I loved this series. It was great. I am sure this was the last installment and I am satisfied with how it ends. I would recommend this for anyone who likes a good Christian cozy
December 11, 2011
It started slow, but it captured my attention when it started involving topics other than Ruby's romantic dilemna's.
August 11, 2013
A silly little 'who done it' book, but I really enjoyed reading it. It was fun and a little quirky.
September 25, 2016
Really enjoyed
I couldn't stop reading this series. Ruby is so human and fearless. The mysteries are good and the characters are complex
I couldn't stop reading this series. Ruby is so human and fearless. The mysteries are good and the characters are complex
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews