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A Bargain Hunters Mystery #2
Death of a Six-Foot Teddy Bear
Another murder mystery for the Bargain Hunters Network–only this time, one of them is a suspect!
Ginger and her husband, Earl, are in for a wild ride in Calamity, Nevada, along with the other BHN ladies–college student Kindra, mother-of-four Suzanne, and sassy senior Arleta. They came to town for the Invention Expo and some outlet shopping, but instead they endure lost luggage, broken air conditioning, and a long line of people angry at hotel owner Dustin Clydell. With the Invention Expo and the Squirrel Lovers’ convention both in town, the Wind-Up Hotel has somehow overbooked.
Before the night is over, a man has been found dead in a teddy bear costume, the Invention Expo has been canceled, Binky the water-skiing squirrel has gone missing…and the authorities want to talk to one of the BHN ladies! What else could possibly go wrong?
Once again, the Bargain Hunters Network swings into sleuth mode to solve the murder–and this time, clear one of their own. Along the way, Ginger discovers something even better than a bargain.
Ginger and her husband, Earl, are in for a wild ride in Calamity, Nevada, along with the other BHN ladies–college student Kindra, mother-of-four Suzanne, and sassy senior Arleta. They came to town for the Invention Expo and some outlet shopping, but instead they endure lost luggage, broken air conditioning, and a long line of people angry at hotel owner Dustin Clydell. With the Invention Expo and the Squirrel Lovers’ convention both in town, the Wind-Up Hotel has somehow overbooked.
Before the night is over, a man has been found dead in a teddy bear costume, the Invention Expo has been canceled, Binky the water-skiing squirrel has gone missing…and the authorities want to talk to one of the BHN ladies! What else could possibly go wrong?
Once again, the Bargain Hunters Network swings into sleuth mode to solve the murder–and this time, clear one of their own. Along the way, Ginger discovers something even better than a bargain.
- GenresMysteryChristian Fiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2008
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 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 2, 2020
Cute cozy mystery, ending a bit abrupt. overall enjoyable if you like cozies.
May 11, 2022
This is the 2nd Bargain Hunters Mystery book. I didn’t read the first book, but that didn’t seem to take away from this one.
The book was barely okay. I didn’t realize the genre was “Christian fiction” before reading it, but that explains why some of the characters were a bit hyper-focused on their religious beliefs. That’s fine if that’s your thing, but it’s not mine.
Quick thoughts:
Weak, lazy dialogue and an inconsistent storyline.
Ginger’s husband is self-centered to the point of it being absurd.
Ahh yes. An overweight female detective who is obsessed with food & yells at her partner for eating a doughnut. So realistic, so original.
The ending was rushed and chaotic - I found myself skimming sections because it wasn’t making sense.
10 minutes after finishing this book, I had already forgotten who the killer was. Does that say enough?
The book was barely okay. I didn’t realize the genre was “Christian fiction” before reading it, but that explains why some of the characters were a bit hyper-focused on their religious beliefs. That’s fine if that’s your thing, but it’s not mine.
Quick thoughts:
Weak, lazy dialogue and an inconsistent storyline.
Ginger’s husband is self-centered to the point of it being absurd.
Ahh yes. An overweight female detective who is obsessed with food & yells at her partner for eating a doughnut. So realistic, so original.
The ending was rushed and chaotic - I found myself skimming sections because it wasn’t making sense.
10 minutes after finishing this book, I had already forgotten who the killer was. Does that say enough?
January 1, 2024
Just OK.
The title is what grabbed me. Who is the 6 foot teddy bear, and why are they dead. The answers were not super satisfying.
This is a cozy mystery. The characters are fairly one dimensional, and a quick conversation could clear up a lot of the misunderstandings. The murderer was who I suspected, but the reason was not as clear until closer to the end. There are two other subplots that are solved.
The characters started in a different book, but this one is all wrapped in one. I do not think I will be likely to pick up another. Would be good for an airport layover. Easy to put down, and pick right back up.
The title is what grabbed me. Who is the 6 foot teddy bear, and why are they dead. The answers were not super satisfying.
This is a cozy mystery. The characters are fairly one dimensional, and a quick conversation could clear up a lot of the misunderstandings. The murderer was who I suspected, but the reason was not as clear until closer to the end. There are two other subplots that are solved.
The characters started in a different book, but this one is all wrapped in one. I do not think I will be likely to pick up another. Would be good for an airport layover. Easy to put down, and pick right back up.
May 15, 2012
Murder and Mayhem at the World's Largest Garage Sale!
Join the members of the Bargain Hunters Network (BHN) Kindra, Ginger, Suzanne and Arleta on another adventure at the Wind Up Hotel located in picturesque Calamity, Nevada. Calamity seems to have its own share of mystery and excitement, besides being host to the World's Largest Garage Sale! The Wind Up is overbooked with guests attending both the Inventors and the Squirrel Lover's Convention.
From no air conditioning and a faulty elevator to strange disappearances this trip for the BHN will be anything but boring!
Dustin Clydell and his ex-wife Tiffany share in the responsibilies of running the hotel, find that success in the business world can sometimes have its drawbacks.
Detectives Cynthia and Cindy are called to the scene to investigate mystery and mayhem surrounding the hotel and its guests. The detectives find that concern for their waistlines can become a challenge when temptations lie on every corner.
When someone occupying a bear costume is found murdered, one of their own (BHN) becomes a suspect in the murder investigation. Far from the comforts of home and bargains in Three Horses, Montana who could these four women trust?
In this second and final book in the Bargain Hunters Mysteries series, I enjoyed reconnecting with the girls in a new adventure! I found the book hard to put down. The introduction of additional characters and new scenery kept the story moving and entertaining! With twists, turns and suspense in the storyline (had me guessing throughout) along with a sprinkling of humor and romance this book has it all. I connected with the characters through the dialogue and at times felt as if I were there. I found the overall message to be inspiring and faith challenging and would recommend this book to others.
Join the members of the Bargain Hunters Network (BHN) Kindra, Ginger, Suzanne and Arleta on another adventure at the Wind Up Hotel located in picturesque Calamity, Nevada. Calamity seems to have its own share of mystery and excitement, besides being host to the World's Largest Garage Sale! The Wind Up is overbooked with guests attending both the Inventors and the Squirrel Lover's Convention.
From no air conditioning and a faulty elevator to strange disappearances this trip for the BHN will be anything but boring!
Dustin Clydell and his ex-wife Tiffany share in the responsibilies of running the hotel, find that success in the business world can sometimes have its drawbacks.
Detectives Cynthia and Cindy are called to the scene to investigate mystery and mayhem surrounding the hotel and its guests. The detectives find that concern for their waistlines can become a challenge when temptations lie on every corner.
When someone occupying a bear costume is found murdered, one of their own (BHN) becomes a suspect in the murder investigation. Far from the comforts of home and bargains in Three Horses, Montana who could these four women trust?
In this second and final book in the Bargain Hunters Mysteries series, I enjoyed reconnecting with the girls in a new adventure! I found the book hard to put down. The introduction of additional characters and new scenery kept the story moving and entertaining! With twists, turns and suspense in the storyline (had me guessing throughout) along with a sprinkling of humor and romance this book has it all. I connected with the characters through the dialogue and at times felt as if I were there. I found the overall message to be inspiring and faith challenging and would recommend this book to others.
July 20, 2016
I found this book to be quite a bit better than the first book in the series, Death of a Garage Sale Newbie (Bargain Hunters Mysteries, No. 1). There were parts here that I really enjoyed, but other parts I just couldn't get into...I won't detail the story line as several others have already done that, so I'll just give my take on the story.
I really enjoyed Kindra's part of the story, she really brought some life to things. Maybe it's because of my age (23) or where I'm at, but she was the only character I was really able to relate to. The rest of the characters are a bit older, for example Ginger is the main character and she is almost 60. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just wasn't able to relate to her very much.
The two female police officers kind of got on my nerves a little bit. The one seemed obsessed with food, weight, and dieting...every other thing she said or thought was about food. I guess with the crime angle the police characters were necessary, but I just couldn't 'click' with them and I was always glad when the point of view shifted to someone else.
I wish Kindra had been the main character, as I said I really enjoyed hers and Xabier's part of the story. I thought the whole concept of the teddy bear costume was really fun, along with the whole toy-themed hotel that the Bargain Hunters stayed at. The squirrel stuff was pretty humorous, too! I'm not sure if there is another book planned or not, there were a few things left a bit unfinished so there is certainly story left to tell. If there is another book, maybe the story could shift to give Kindra the main role? I'd really like to see that!
I really enjoyed Kindra's part of the story, she really brought some life to things. Maybe it's because of my age (23) or where I'm at, but she was the only character I was really able to relate to. The rest of the characters are a bit older, for example Ginger is the main character and she is almost 60. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just wasn't able to relate to her very much.
The two female police officers kind of got on my nerves a little bit. The one seemed obsessed with food, weight, and dieting...every other thing she said or thought was about food. I guess with the crime angle the police characters were necessary, but I just couldn't 'click' with them and I was always glad when the point of view shifted to someone else.
I wish Kindra had been the main character, as I said I really enjoyed hers and Xabier's part of the story. I thought the whole concept of the teddy bear costume was really fun, along with the whole toy-themed hotel that the Bargain Hunters stayed at. The squirrel stuff was pretty humorous, too! I'm not sure if there is another book planned or not, there were a few things left a bit unfinished so there is certainly story left to tell. If there is another book, maybe the story could shift to give Kindra the main role? I'd really like to see that!
February 19, 2009
Ginger finds herself in for way more than she is expecting when she arrives at the Hotel with the other Bargain Hunters. There is nothing but troubles from the start to the end of their trip. Her husband loses his place on the Inventor's Convention - in fact it ends up being cancelled due to a murder. There is a guy murdered in a teddy bear suit. Kindra finds herself falling for a guy in a teddy bear suit who turns out not to be the one murdered.
Ginger is knocked out and ends up miles from the hotel. Ginger is trying to solve the murder and at one point is even a suspect to the police. There is a skiing squirrel kidnapped and murdered, a cat lost, jewelry thiefs, and murder plus more. There is also romance, bargain hunting, and excitement. A book that will hold your interest from beginning to end.
Ginger is knocked out and ends up miles from the hotel. Ginger is trying to solve the murder and at one point is even a suspect to the police. There is a skiing squirrel kidnapped and murdered, a cat lost, jewelry thiefs, and murder plus more. There is also romance, bargain hunting, and excitement. A book that will hold your interest from beginning to end.
March 10, 2013
I didn't realize this title was Christian fiction until after I had already received it along with the first book. I don't normally read that sort of thing and I found the characters' obsession with religion a bit off-putting, particularly when one decides not to continue a relationship with a man she really likes because he isn't a believer. Religious elitism is a bit bizarre. The storyline wasn't consistent and the murderer wasn't believable. Also, the grammar was atrocious. the author bio says she has a master's degree but every character said the phrase "I got", "We got" etc...making them all sound like they stepped out of a trailer park. It appeared too many times to be an editorial error and after the fourth time, I just couldn't take the book seriously anymore.
April 19, 2012
WOW...Am I glad I finally finished this book, it certainly was not a favorite book of mine. I have struggled all week trying to get this book read. I didn't read the first book in this series, however, I had read some of the reviews of this book and it received high ratings, so I guess I am the only person who didn't really like it.
I thought there was just to much craziness going on. To many characters to keep track of, and so much craziness, what can I say? It just wasn't my kind of reading. Even though it is the second book in the Bargain Hunters Network mysteries series, it is a stand-alone book as well.
I thought there was just to much craziness going on. To many characters to keep track of, and so much craziness, what can I say? It just wasn't my kind of reading. Even though it is the second book in the Bargain Hunters Network mysteries series, it is a stand-alone book as well.
April 30, 2011
Bad writing + worse editing = this book was torture to finish. I can not believe this book managed publication with all the simply ridiculous mistakes in it. Extra words inserted into sentences some places, words missing from others. Combined with an unbelievable plot and one-dimensinal characters. Sharon Dunn needs to do two things stat. First, fire her editor and then, take a writing class. Yes, you CAN overuse similes!
July 7, 2012
Too many characters, no outline of a plot. Everything just seems to happen on a whim, no connections between anything. And I don't know if it was a weird publishing glitch for the digital version that I read, but this was one of the worst cases of bad punctuation I have ever read. Don't waste your time on this book.
January 22, 2011
I laughed out loud while reading this book! A great cozy mystery that keeps you in suspense until the end. A great book for adults but also for the young adult crowd.
FTC disclosure: I bought my copy of this book.
FTC disclosure: I bought my copy of this book.
May 24, 2009
For me, in the beginning, the hotel and the conventions were a little bit too crowded and not really my cup of tea. But I liked it later on.
Shelved as 'abandoned'
April 11, 2012religious
February 10, 2017
This is one crazy book. I guess I should have known by the title. Can't really say anymore or I'll give it away. However the person you don't really suspect is the one who did it.
January 6, 2012
Hope I can find this one because the first book was so good
April 25, 2016
I like a great cozy mystery
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews