Death Comes to Happy Acres

By: JT Moss

Narrated by: Peter Husmann

At 63, former jazz musician Wade Lovett finds himself something of a trailer park Lothario carrying on affairs with three different women. But when circumstances prompt Carol Smitzky to make a compelling case for a marriage arrangement, he agrees. The next morning, he visits girlfriend number two, Peggy MacCallister, to tell her the news - and finds her lying dead on her kitchen floor. Shortly after Peggy's death, Wade is surprised to learn that she left him guardianship of her prized cat, Prince Albert. Even more surprising, she named Wade as beneficiary of her life insurance, which provokes her son to demand an autopsy. As a natural death seems less and less likely, Wade becomes the prime suspect in her murder, forcing him to investigate the crime himself. Was Peggy killed by one of her two children, the park manager, a mystery second boyfriend, or was it Wade's third paramour, Sue Mullins?

©2015 JT Moss (P)2016 JT Moss

Mystery Romance

What a delightful little mystery and romantic story. It had a great twist, actually, a couple of twists, that kept me guessing. It was a bit like a male version of a Murder, She Wrote. Wade better solve a Murder before his own liberty becomes vulnerable to the local police who are too inept to do any actual crime solving.

As a woman in my mid 50s, I love a cozy mystery, so this book fit the bill. Narrator Peter Husmann gave it his all and made me an instant fan.

I recommend this book for a road trip or a day home sick.

very entertaining mystery

Where does Death Comes to Happy Acres rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

just started with audiobooks, but so far this ranks as a two for sure!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, Wayne. He really came across as a semi retired older guy who is completely oblivious to dealing with women!

Which scene was your favorite?

don't have a favorite scene

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

understanding women?

Any additional comments?

I was given the opportunity to listen to this audiobook by the author/reader or publisher and asked to give an unbiased, honest review.

Perfect weekend listening

Where does Death Comes to Happy Acres rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm not a big audiobook listener, but 'Death Comes to Happy Acres' has me rethinking that. I'd read the book and delighted in the style, characters and story, and it has been brought to life in near-perfect fashion by narrator Peter Husmann. He has exactly the voice, cadence and delivery I'd expect for this book. It made for the perfect audiobook experience over the long weekend.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I can't say it kept me on the edge of my seat - that seems more appropriate for a thriller. This is a delightful mystery that kept me guessing.

What does Peter Husmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Peter Husmann has the delivery and voice I would most connect with this book. The characters were brought to life well and distinctly, and the pacing was just what it should be.

Any additional comments?

I'll be listening to more audiobooks after this one! It's a great introduction (and in my case, a re-introduction) into the unique world of the spoken narrative.

Death comes to Happy acres

audible:I absolutely loved this book!There needs to be a sequel!Narration by Peter Husmann was terrific! So Peggy dies,but was it a heart attack or suspicious circumstances?What to do with her cat is a problem too.In a trailer curt where everyone knows everyone elses business,how can anything this strange even happen? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

Great Who Done It Mystery!

If you could sum up Death Comes to Happy Acres in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, Suspenseful, Creative

Which character – as performed by Peter Husmann – was your favorite?

I would have to say Peter Husmanns' performance of Wade was my favorite. Peter managed to show that Wade was not a player/ladies man as he first comes off but is a lost man that is quite endearing. Mr. Husmann gave life to Wade and performed him perfectly. I would have been disappointed if Wade was presented to me in any other way.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I actually did listen to this book in one sitting. Recovering from back surgery gives me the time to do just that and I am so glad that I did. For me, I was enjoying the story so much and it ended too soon. I hope JT Moss writes some more Happy Acres stories as they are quite enjoyable and written exactly how a mystery should be written. Kudos!!

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

Death Comes to Happy Acres

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”


I have to name this a cozy mystery. It was a quick listen with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. I found myself scratching my head trying to guess "who dun it?" The characters weren't terribly likable, but I didn't hate em either. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more "Happy Acre." adventures.




The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.

Keeps you guessing

I received this audiobook for free with the understanding that I would leave an honest review. I thought this was a wonderful book. It kept me guessing as to who did what and why they did it. Peter Husmann does a wonderful job oh narrating this story. I have listened before to books Peter has read an I like his style. If you enjoy mysteries you will enjoy this book.

Great cosy mystery with unconventional protagonist

What did you love best about Death Comes to Happy Acres?

The main character in this book, Wade Lovett, is a 60+ retiree living in a trailer park in California -- not exactly the lead character you'd expect in a cozy mystery. Through adept storytelling and solid characterization, JT Moss creates a story that is intriguing, entertaining and engaging. Wade is a brisk change from female caterers, bakers and knitters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death Comes to Happy Acres?

The story is nicely paced with twists, turns and red herrings. Just when I thought I knew "who done it," I had to guess again. The events felt uncontrived and flowed naturally and logically. I enjoy a well-crafted story where all of the story elements are seamlessly interwoven.

Which character – as performed by Peter Husmann – was your favorite?

Wade is by no means a hero. He unabashedly dates several women at once, may or may not love the woman he's just wed, and has zero ambition. Yet these foibles make him real, likeable and endearing.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

This book was so awesome!

I have given many books in my reading life five stars, I only wish there was a way I can make a distinction between the five stars I get this book as opposed to every other book I have ever given five stars to. The narrator was the most perfect narrator for the book and the story he told and the way he told it made it sound like a real story he was telling me his friend. I truly truly enjoyed the story. I cannot express how awesome I thought the story was. It is a story made up of people who live in a trailer park surrounding the murder of one of their friends and the thing I love most about this story is that everyone talks with logic and like every day people. I really hope there is a book Two I would be so down with that. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries good plot stories tall with logic and common sense this is the book for you.

a cozy, clean mystery set on a trailer park

63-year-old Wade has been a bit of a lady’s man. But when Carol proposes marriage, he accepts. After all, there’s the benefit of health insurance, and it seems a good deal all around. Trying to do the right thing, Wade intends to notify one of his other hook-ups, Peggy, that their get-togethers will have to stop, but he discovers Peggy is dead. Soon, Wade finds himself a suspect in the police investigation, as he is the person to gain the most from Peggy’s death. For starters, there’s Prince Albert, the cat, whose guardian Wade becomes. Wade has to find out what happened to Peggy.

Death Comes To Happy Acres was a cozy, clean mystery set on a trailer park in California with a small cast of oddball characters. Told from Wade’s first person perspective, it was written in a light-hearted, straightforward manner and was a quick and entertaining listen. There were plenty of suspects, and I failed to work out what exactly had happened to poor old Peggy until all was revealed in the end. Though Wade may come across as a bit of a player initially, he is actually a very likable guy who hasn’t got over the death of his wife. He gradually forms an attachment to Albert, the cat, which was endearing, and some of his musings were quite witty.

The narration was very good. Peter Husmann’s interpretation of Wade was excellent. He got across the sentiment of a lovable but philosophical, slightly lost character and sounded enthusiastic throughout. I wish the female voices would have been a bit more distinguishable. Because there were numerous females, it wasn’t always easy to keep up with it. There were no production issues.

On the whole, this was a solid whodunit without violence or strong language but with plenty of dry humor and the additional benefit of following an older gentleman on his journey of coping with his loss and finding an unexpected bond with an animal. Definitely recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with down-to-earth characters and all animal lovers.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

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