Brilliant Disguise

A Charlie McClung Mystery: The Charlie McClung Mysteries, Book 1

By: Mary Anne Edwards

Narrated by: Bruce Peters

Are you sure you could tell the difference between murder and suicide?

Having had more than enough of the big city, Detective Charlie McClung moves to a small town, looking for a simpler life.

Turns out his first case is the most complicated of his career.

A young woman is found shot and while everyone is telling him suicide, his gut, and the dead woman’s beautiful neighbor, are telling him something quite different.

How far can he dig before he uncovers secrets never meant to be unearthed? Throw in a shady police chief and an unexpected love interest and McClung quickly finds himself with more trouble than he ever imagined.

©2014 Mary Anne Edwards (P)2020 Mary Anne Edwards

Critic reviews

"Brilliant Disguise is a first-rate mystery that harkens you back to the days of Agatha Christie. You’ll feel a sense of nostalgia as you immerse yourself in the story, investigating alongside Det. McClung and eagerly awaiting clues at every turn. It’s an edge-of-your-seat whodunit!” (Monique Michelle Mason, author of Moving at the Speed of Single)

Lovely!

Fantastic story with narration that keeps you hooked! The characters are well written, and I can't help but fall in love with them.

Engaging and exciting, wonderful characters

Great start to a series that promises to be engaging and exciting. I want to solve many more mysteries with Charlie McClung, and I hope Marian is along for the ride.

Charlie is the new detective in town. He left the big city to get away from the politics and corruption but it seems small towns can be just the same. Marian lost her husband several years ago and has moved on with her life but not her heart. She doesn’t believe the death of her friend next door was a suicide as ruled by the medical examiner and insisted on by the police chief. When Charlie routinely questions her as a witness she isn’t afraid to voice her suspicion that this is murder. They begin an under-radar-investigation and the story takes off: secrets, lies, corruption, violence, a real detective and an amateur sleuth, and some sweet dinners and meetings. The story has everything plus two characters that you can’t help but like and worry about the danger they are in.

A nice secondary emphasis in the story is the attraction between Marian and Charlie almost from the minute they meet. It’s not flashy young love but the possibility of something mature and lasting between two adults who have lived some life.

I was given a free audiobook by the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review. It was excellently read and easy to understand and follow. This was a very enjoyable book and I can’t wait to see what is in store for these likeable characters next.

Keeps you thinking

I have to say I really enjoyed this book and audible definitely help enhanced the experience. The VO Bruce Peters did a wonderful job narrating. It never sounded like he was reading a script. His voices for the different characters were entertaining. I would definitely would recommend this to anyone.

Page turner

This book is a page turner. Leaves you wanting to know more. Looking forward to catching up on the McClung Mysteries series.

Fantastic character driven mystery

Marian Selby's life is turned upside down after a disturbance in her neighborhood. Neighbors and police have gathered and she discovers the horrible news that her friend and neighbor Dianne is dead. The police rule it a suicide and close the case, but Marian knows it is not a suicide. It is a good thing Detective Charlie McClung is on the case because it seems like he is the only one who will dig a bit deeper into the mystery. Marian and Charlie work on the case together secretly, but danger is right around the corner.

I loved this book. It is a character driven story, and the mystery is the backdrop for romance. The reader gets to know Marian and Charlie at the same time the characters are getting to know each other as they investigate a crime. The characters are refreshingly real. They have flaws which makes them genuine and endearing. I love that it takes place in the 1980's. It reminds me of hart to hart, the 1980's tv show. I mean that in the most positive way. It is a fantastic first book in the Charlie Clung series.

I loved the narrator. He did a great job. Some stories are better told out loud. This book is one of them. I hope the rest of the series gets recorded on audio book.

A Brilliant Duo has hit the Mystery Scene!

I absolutely loved this story from the very first chapter! The characters are so believable and brought to life by the spot on narration. Brilliant Disguise is a Mystery and a Love Story all wrapped up in one awesome book that will keep you wanting more.. A must listen to Clean Read.
I can't wait for Author Mary Anne Edwards and Narrator Bruce Peter's to team up for All of The Charlie McClung Mystery Series!
Again, this is a MUST listen to Brilliant Disguise!!

Applying a face mask, then uncovering a disguise

The first book in the Charlie Clung series, Brilliant disguise is a traditional small-town mystery with romance woven in, set in the eighties. The story opens with Marian Selby applying a face mask in front of the mirror and ends with unveiling who’s the criminal behind the brilliant disguise.

Marian is startled to find out that her friend and neighbor Dianne is dead. Refusing to accept it as a suicide, she gathers clues alongside Detective Charlie McClung, as the case uncovers a web of corruption and drug trafficking. They investigate the case together despite the risk of the killer closing in on them.



The narrator, Bruce Peers, has a Versatile vocal range and made listening to the characters a delicious experience.

Suspenseful

Absolutely brilliant. Charlie moved to a small town for quiet. How wrong he was. Murder and secrets a plentiful. The Narrator is fantastic in making the story come alive.