For Deader or Worse

John Pickett Mysteries, Book 6

By: Sheri Cobb South

Narrated by: Joel Froomkin

After a modest wedding ceremony, Bow Street Runner John Pickett and his bride, Julia, the former Lady Fieldhurst, set out for a wedding trip to Somersetshire, where Pickett must face his greatest challenge yet: meeting his in-laws.

Sir Thaddeus and Lady Runyon are shocked at their daughter’s hasty remarriage - and appalled by her choice of a second husband. Pickett, for his part, is surprised to learn that Julia once had an elder sister: Claudia, Lady Buckleigh, disappeared 13 years earlier, leaving no trace beyond a blood-soaked shawl.

When Sir Thaddeus confides that his wife is convinced Claudia’s spirit now haunts her childhood home, Pickett sees a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of Julia’s family. He agrees to investigate and, hopefully, lay the Runyon "ghost", whoever - or whatever - it is. Matters take a grisly turn when Sir Thaddeus' groom is discovered with his throat slit.

The timing could hardly be worse, for the whole village is aflutter with the news that Lord Buckleigh has brought home a new bride just when Major James Pennington, the vicar’s son who was Claudia’s childhood sweetheart, has returned on leave from war in the Peninsula. The major was apparently the last person to see Claudia alive, and Pickett is convinced he knows more about her disappearance than he’s telling. Suddenly, it seems the distant past is not so distant, after all. It may not even be past....

©2017 Sheri Cobb South (P)2018 Sheri Cobb South

More Romance and Mystery!

I really love this series! After waiting 5 books, John Pickett and Lady Fieldhurst finally marry for real! Now John finds his biggest challenge yet - meeting the in-laws! And they are not very happy about the marriage. We also learn that Julia had an older sister, who died 13 years ago, or did she? Lady Runyon believes Claudia's ghost haunts their house. Pickett agrees to investigate, then comes upon Sir Thaddeus' groom with his throat slit!

Another murder, a mysterious prescence and in-laws who think John is beneath their beloved daughter get John thinking about how he can't afford to keep Julia's living standards on his wages. More doubt about their relationship does not help a murder investigation!

Once again, Sheri Cobb South breaths life into this pair and the crazy people who surround them. Add Joel Froomkin in, and you've got a mini-movie in your head as Froomkin does all of the voices and magically brings these memorable characters back to us once again.

More please!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The honeymoon is over

It's been ages since I've really read historical romances, well I did read one a couple of weeks back, but before that it's been years and years. This book tells me I should pick them up more often because I have been missing out.

John Pickett and Julia are on their honeymoon and travelling to her parents to let them in on the good news. *cough* And introduce John into the family. Tensions are high and Julia's parents are far from happy with the union. Things get even tenser when a body is found and the evidence starts to point to events taking place 13 years in the past when Julia's sister Claudia disappeared...

For Deader or Worse was my first book by this author. I've never read any of her other books before. I dare say my reason for picking up this book was because I love the narrator of it. And I have no regrets. While it is at the end of the John Picket series it book can be read as a standalone without feeling lost in any way. Of course there were references to past events in the lives of John and Julia, but in a good way. They made me want to go back to the beginning and get to know their whole story.

Joel Froomkin is an amazing narrator. I love listening to books he's narrated. Though he narrating a historical romance was new to me I will say it worked out splendidly. Froomkin always gives his all to his books, the feelings he adds to the books he narrates truly makes you a part of ig. He has such a wide range of voices and accents that it makes following along the story effortless.

For Deader or Worse was a light hearted historical romance with a mystery twist. I had a great time meeting John and Julia and dare say I might just need to go back to the beginning and find out more of their story - it seems to be an interesting one!

A copy of this audiobook was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Cut Throat Murder

The sixth in the John Pickett mysteries finds Bow Street Runner John Pickett and his bride, Julia off on their honeymoon, to meet and visit Julia’s parents. Sir Thaddeus and Lady Runyon, Julia’s parents are aghast at her hasty marriage and choice of husbands, and it was not helped by the fact that Julia had not told them ahead of time of her marriage. Lady Runyon believes that there’s a ghost in the house, and even John Pickett is hearing things. Surprised to learn that Julia had a much older sister that had died, and now meeting her former husband and his new bride, John Pickett wonders what else he doesn’t know about his new bride. He doesn’t have long to wonder though, because soon his attention is turned to murder, when his new father-in-law’s groomsman is found murdered. This installment is one of my favorites in the series, as much “comes to rights”, as the English would say. The unraveling of several years of injustices under Bow Street Runner John Pickett’s clever eye makes for an intriguing tale. BRAVO!

John Pickett

What wonderful tales of honesty, valor and love these stories are.
I wish parents would read them to young children to help instill these qualities.
I thoroughly enjoy them and hope Ms Cobb writes hundreds more
Listening to the old English language is so captivating, sad we don’t still speak similar and respect the elders as these stories give rise.
Thank you Ms Cobb

Better and Better!

I so enjoy listening to this series featuring John Pickett and his wife the former Lady Fieldhurst. Each adventure is a standalone book with the same endearing characters and some new ones added in. This particular book features Julia's sister, whom has been missing for 13 years. I love how Sheri Cobb South weaves the mystery and brings to light some issues that plagued the time frame of the book. Julia's mother in the story was more concerned with being a paragon of society instead of nurturing her family. I wanted to strangle the lady. Joel Froomkin did such a wonderful performance with his variety of characters and their distinguishable voices. His British accent adds to the vivid imagery and authenticity of the story. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. The bonus short story at the end of this book was a fun addition. Kudos to the author for including it. I love the additional insights into John Pickett's character.

I think the series is great

every book from the series is an enjoyment I loved this book as well as the others it's a very well original series and this book in particular doesn't disappoint as well I couldn't stop listening to this book and enjoyed every single second of it
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Cobb South is the Master of Mystery and Wit

I have thoroughly enjoyed the John Pickett mysteries. Ms. Cobb South's writing is strong. The various storylines are masterfully woven looking back in time, then continuing with the present several times. I cannot say anymore for fear of ruining various plots. Let's just say, I didn't see it coming!

Cobb South's main characters John Pickett and his new wife, Julia are so wonderful together. Cobb South does not disappoint with the romantic and witty dialogue. I simply adore her writing.

Joel Froomkin's performance is spot on. He handles the various characters without flaw. Once I start listening to Mr. Froomkin, I don't want to stop. I even run out of household chores! LOL I will gladly listen to anything Mr. Froomkin narrates. I am guaranteed listening pleasure. Bravo!

I love this series!!!

There are few things better than a John Pickett Mystery!! In this one, John and his M'Lady are wed (officially this time) and they are off to the inlaws. The mystery thereafter was a good one. The requisite bad guy was dealt with and all was right in the world.

The narration is seriously some of the best on the planet! Froomkin. Is. Insane.

I've got book seven cued and ready to go. Whoohoo!!

Honeymoon and... murder:)

I've had two of the books in the John Pickett Mysteries series waiting on my Kindle for some time now, but somehow I haven't yet got to read them - a big mistake, judging from what I have just finished listening to...:)

"For Deader or Worse" turned out to be one of those books I listened to almost in one sitting (as usual, I started too late at night and had to finish it the next day)... It has an intriguing plot with some really good twists - just when you think you have already worked everything out Ms South has yet another surprise for you... And the book is so well written that even when you think you know how the situation is going to be solved, you still listen on just to see how John and his sidekicks will manage with all this...

All the characters in the book are very well drawn and evoke strong emotions; some of them we like from the start, some we don't know what to think about, and some are just downright awful people - like in real life. There is also quite a lot of humor there, and social observations of the way of life in the 19th century England only add some flavour to the whole.

Narration by Mr Froomkin is very good. You definitely hear differences between aristocrats and those from the lower classes, and each "voice" perfectly mirrors the personality of a given character. Also, Mr Froomkin doesn't try to sound very feminine, which is good as it makes the female characters sound quite natural, too. All in all, this interpretation is perfect for the book.


DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Amazing didn't want it to end

Book 6 in this wonderful series and this maybe my favorite one yet. We find John and Julia off to meet Julia's parents. Of course a murder has to take place and no it's not one of the family. This series is fun, sweet, romantic and a mystery too. Joel Froomkin once again does an outstanding job of narrating the book. I found myself not wanting to stop listening. Joel has a way of reading this series that just gets you hooked. Sheri Cobb South is amazing in her writing of the story is placed in the past but it seems so today. Also the book has a little extra at the end "Finders Weepers" book 6.5 in the series.
"I was given this free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."