This is my review for Frozen Stiff Drink: A Kellan Ayrwick Cozy Mystery (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 6) by James J. Cudney
About the Book
A winter blizzard barrels toward Wharton County with a vengeance. Madam Zenya predicted the raging storm would change the course of Kellan’s life, but the famed seer never could’ve prepared him for all the collateral damage. Nana D disappears after visiting a patient at Willow Trees, leaving behind a trail of confusion. When the patient turns up dead and a second body is discovered beneath the snowbanks, Kellan must face his worst fears. What tragedy has befallen his beloved grandmother?
Kellan’s brother Hampton learns essential life lessons the hard way after his father-in-law accuses him of embezzlement. While trying to prove his innocence, Hampton digs himself a deeper hole that might lead to prison. Sheriff Montague wants to save him, but she receives the shock of her life as the past hurtles forward and complicates her future.
Between locating Nana D and solving the scandalous murder of another prominent Braxton citizen, Kellan and April’s worlds explode with more turmoil than they can handle. Too bad neither one of them knows what to do about the psychic’s latest premonition. The suspicious deaths happening around town aren’t ending anytime soon.
My review for the book 27th August 2020
It is hard to believe that Kellan Ayrwick has only been back at the Braxton Campus for a year in this series of mysteries. In that time he has solved several murders and other criminal activities and either charmed or alienated family and residents. Just when the poor guy thought he could relax with his daughter and nephew away in Florida with his parents, and his developing romance with the town sheriff April on track, a storm front races in.
It is not just the snow that Kellan is up to his eyes in, with his fiesty grandmother going missing, corruption allegations rocking the judicial office, accusations piling up against all his family members and bodies being discovered on an alarmingly regular basis.
As always the author keeps us on our toes with fast paced action and a growing list of suspects; all well drawn with their own quirks and characteristics. Some are familiar from other books and others new to the town.. including the irritatingly arrogant Fox Terrell who seems to turn up when he is least wanted or expected.
James Cudney writes a very good murder mystery and leaves the reader guessing to the last minute as to who could be the killer. He also unravels the other mysteries very satisfactorily in the final chapters, although we are left with a cliffhanger guaranteed to encourage you to buy the next book in the series, which of course we will.
Recommended for murder mystery readers who enjoy second guessing the author right to the last page.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Also by James J. Cudney
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Website/Blog: This is my truth now – Goodreads: James J. Cudney – Twitter: @Jamescudney4
About James J. Cudney
James is my given name; most call me Jay. I grew up on Long Island and currently live in New York City, but I’ve traveled all across the US (and various parts of the world). After college, I spent 15 years working in technology and business operations in the sports, entertainment and media industries. Although I enjoyed my job, I left in 2016 to focus on my passion: telling stories and connecting people through words. My debut novel is ‘Watching Glass Shatter,’ a contemporary fiction family drama with elements of mystery, suspense, humor and romance. To see samples or receive news from my current and upcoming books, please subscribe with your email address at my website: https://jamesjcudney.com
What do I do outside of writing: I’m an avid genealogist (discovered 2K family members going back about 250 years) and cook (I find it so hard to follow a recipe). I love to read; between Goodreads and my blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, I have over 500 book reviews which will give you a full flavor for my voice and style. On my blog, I started the 365 Daily Challenge, where I post a word each day that has some meaning to me, then converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dog has a weekly segment called “Ryder’s Rants” where he complains about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real and show how I live every day.
A bit of humor: Everything doubles as something else when you live in NYC. For me, it’s the dining room, my favorite space in the apartment, where more than just my cooking is on display! As I look out the windows onto a 12th floor terrace, various parts of nature (trees, bushes, flowers, bugs & animals) inspire me to write. Ryder, my 10-year old shiba inu, usually lays on my feet, growling when I shift positions too many times or when I forget to share my food! Although he’s only 20 pounds, he’s quite strong and pushy. But how else can you pen the best story possible without these things by your side?
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you have enjoyed the review… Sally.
I must check, Sally, but I’m sure I have the start of the series on my list as well… Congratulations to James!
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I have just reorganised my reader and checking for older books that need to be aired.. my new mandatory hour’s reading each afternoon is making inroads..hugsx
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Great plan, Sally!
Thank you, Olga!
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Thanks James.. enjoying the process..x
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This is a great book, Sally. Jay is very good at murder mysteries and manages to keep the family element alive which I really enjoy.
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I agree Robbie.. and I have become quite attached to Kellan and his extended family…xx
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Thank you for mentioning it. Those are my two favorite things to write about. Some day I’ll go into humor like Sally and horror like Robbie… I have so much to learn!
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Join the club James… and something to look forward to.. xx
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I haven’t read James yet, but I’m keen to! Better go check out the best intro into James’ body of work 😉
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I have enjoyed the series Jessica and Academic Curveball is a good place to start…xx
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Thanks for the tip 😉
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xx
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Thanks Jessica. I’m glad to get to know you here better too! Been circling our worlds just haven’t spent a whole of time chatting. Have a great weekend!
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I love that description 🤗
You too have a good one, James 😉
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Thank youfor the great review. Think i have to read very soon, before here the winter arrives, and i got frozen myself. 😉 Michael
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Oh Michael don’t mention the W word.. I have just resigned myself to the fact we are already in Autumn lol..xx
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Here we just have a little bit of summer stored up. But i fear it will not last for long.
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Get outside while you can…work permitting of course..hugs
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I will do, Sally! I am every second day on a part of the pilgrims way, the “Jakobsweg”. Its the connection from our house to the food discounter. Lol
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It gets you out…and away from the screen which is a good thing…x
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😉
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I must admit, I’m excited for autumn. 🙂
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Summer came and went so quickly that I think we might have autumn around for a while…xx
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Fab review Sal. I’m awaiting Jay’s book 2 to come out for Watching Glass Shatter. Congrats to Jay! ❤
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Thanks Debby.. good reading ahead then..hugs ♥[
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Much appreciated. We’re almost there. Working on the blog tour set up now!
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Great..x
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I just skimmed the review because I know this one is already waiting for me on my Kindle, Sally. I’ve already read two of Jay’s books (Watching Glass Shatter and Father Figure), and I’m already a fan.
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Great Pete.. I try to avoid too many spoilers.. enjoy the book..x
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I’m very appreciative, Pete. You’ve been so kind. Thank you.
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Super review, Sally. Congratulations to Jay.
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Thanks John…hugsx
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Thank you, John.
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This is a lovely review and I’m off to find out a bit more about it!
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Great thanks Alex..xx
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Thanks Alex. Hope you love it.
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Great review, Sally! It sounds like a fun read. Off to take a look now 😊 hugs x
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Great Harmony thank you..hugsx
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Much appreciated, Harmony. Have a wonderful Saturday.
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What a great review, Sally. Congrats to Jay on what sounds like a wonderful book.
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Thanks Diana.. and James’s books are always fun to read but also keeps you guessing.. xx
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Thank you Diana! I appreciate it.
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Sally,
You are amazing! I’m so grateful for your support. Thank you for this wonderful review. I’ll be sharing it everywhere.
Kellan is such a fun character to write for… and his family, wow! The things they do to him. 🙂 Glad it went so well this time.
J
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Delighted to review James and that guy certainly needs a holiday.. this has been such a hectic year for him.. but does not sound like that is going to happen any time soon lol…xx
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Thanks, Sally. I have been promising myself a cozy mystery for ages and I have just downloaded the first in the series – Academic Curveball. Looking forward to reading it.
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Great Elizabeth.. I am sure you will enjoy meeting Kellan and his family…hugsxx
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Thank you both very much for sharing!
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Hi Sally, What a great review and this sounds like just my cup of tea. Where would we be without murders? Toni x
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Very bored Toni …lol.. a series I enjoyed.. and well worth starting at the beginning to get to know the regulars…hugsx
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Yes, it’s good to have this all happen in a made-up place! 🙂 Keeps us sane.
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I haven’t read this one yet but it sounds as good as the others.
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I think the beauty of a series is that you are familiar with the main characters and enjoy catching up with them. And James keeps them on their toes as always..xx
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Thank you both. I enjoy this series so much. And I really try to make them all different and fresh, but memorable. 🙂
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