Your Killin' Heart by Peggy O'Neal Peden

Your Killin' Heart (Nashville Mystery)

by Peggy O'Neal Peden

"Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Nashville is an aspiring country music star. Campbell Hall, for one, just wants to get her travel agency off the ground and move on from a break-up. But when she gets the opportunity to visit the mansion of mysterious country icon Jake Miller, she jumps at the chance. After all, who knows what clues are lurking around the long-dead star's last home? But as Campbell pokes around, she discovers more than a few sequined suits and priceless memorabilia. She finds Hazel Miller, Jake's widow, quietly resting in a bedroom on the main floor. But Hazel might just be dead quiet. And Campbell might just be the last person to have seen her alive. Juggling the twisty plots of high-profile country stars with her blossoming business--not to mention the tattered remains of her love life--Campbell thinks she's got everything figured out. But when the danger becomes personal, she must uncover a killer who will stop at nothing to get what they want--or face the music."--

Reviewed by Mystereity Reviews on

5 of 5 stars

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Campbell Hall, a travel agent in Nashville, TN, grew up surrounded by the history of country music. When her boyfriend, Doug Elliot, has to pick up a few paintings at the estate of Jake Miller, a long dead country music legend who died young, Campbell begs to tag along, hoping to catch a glimpse inside the opulent mansion still occupied by Jake's widow, Hazel. When she's left alone for a moment, Campbell can't help but take a look around and peeks into what turns out to be Hazel's bedroom, with Hazel seemingly asleep in the bed. When it is reported that night that Hazel was found dead and is later determined to have been murdered, Campbell is compelled to investigate. Uncovering long held secrets and pursued by a killer, Campbell risks it all to find justice.

I loved this! The first in a new series, I already know I'll keep coming back for more. Besides the great plot, the characters were likable and realistic, especialy Campbell, she's my kinda gal. Self-described as "a little too honest" she's impulsive, inquisitive, and a little bit socially awkward - in other words, me in a nutshell. Even the setting was a character in itself, with tidbits about the music, the history and the culture of Nashville, TN. It was so vivid, it felt like I was really there.

I really enjoyed the plot, lots of good suspects and lots of suspects you don't realize are suspects and suspects you suspect but aren't actually suspects. Lots of plot twists and red herrings kept me guessing and the thrilling ending left me satisfied. The story left a few plot points open to be explored in later books and I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

A light, entertaining cozy mystery that will keep you guessing, Your Killin' Heart is a fantastic start to a new series and a must read for any cozy mystery fan.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 8 May, 2017: Finished reading
  • 8 May, 2017: Reviewed