Trouble on the Doorstep

Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series, Volume 5

By: Elaine L. Orr

Narrated by: Christy Lynn

From Hurricane Sandy to B&B repairs to Aunt Madge's wedding in three weeks. If Jolie can handle that surely she can deal with a sobbing woman who shows up at midnight. The next morning, when Jolie learns that Pooki's husband is missing and his partner is dead, it seems there may be a connection to some shady hurricane repairs at Ocean Alley's senior complex. Jolie incurs the ire of a prominent builder, her boyfriend (local reporter George Winters), and of course the police - so she knows she's on to something.

©2013 Elaine L. Orr (P)2013 Elaine L. Orr

Another interesting Jolie Gentil book

Jolie Gentil gets her Aunt Madge married off to Jolie’s boss and sent on her honeymoon and is ready for a much- needed rest when a screaming, panicked woman comes to the door of the Cozy Corner B&B owned by her aunt in Trouble on the Doorstep by Elaine Orr. Pooki plays a voice mail from her husband, telling her to turn off her phone and not use any of their credit cards and also to stay away from anyone she knows. Jolie takes in Pooki, but the next day the news comes out that Steve, the business partner of Pooki’s husband, has been killed in a hit and run accident, and Pooki’s husband is missing. When the radio reports that Steve had received a letter threatening him against bidding on a project to do repairs on the senior citizen complex in Ocean Alley, Pooki says that her husband also received a similar letter. At this point, Jolie insists on taking Pooki to the police to report these details. Then, later that day, Jolie comes home to find Pooki’s husband hiding in her kitchen. Going to the police station to get the detective to talk to the husband, Jolie returns with the detective, only to find the man stabbed to death.

Against all the orders of her friends and boyfriend, Jolie gets involved in investigating. Ordered to visit a senior woman whom Jolie particularity dislikes, she learns that the man who came to check the woman’s home from the hurricane damage gave a ridiculously high estimate for the cost of repairs. With the two partners now out of the way, the company with the ridiculous estimate will be left as the sole bidders on the project. Could the project be behind the murder or possible murders?

This book was an enjoyable read. I liked seeing how it is Jolie’s concern for other people that inspires her to get involved in the case and not just pure nosiness. The plot proceeded smoothly and kept me listening. I did not like her relationship with her boyfriend, George, the local reporter, who gets upset at Jolie for not telling him that the wife of the missing man was with her. He seems more concerned about his getting a scoop than about Jolie. He takes turns with Scooby staying with Jolie for her safety, but we don’t really sense that he is doing anything out of real love for her. His selfishness makes me hope that in the future, Jolie finds someone better, unless George makes significant changes in his attitude and life.

Christy Lynn narrates the audio version of this book. I liked her portrayal of the book, especially after the publisher selected a man to narrate the previous book despite the fact that Jolie serves as the book’s narrator. She helped to make this book enjoyable.

I liked listening to Trouble on the Doorstep, which helped me to stay distracted from my migraine pain, which was pretty bad that night. I look forward to listening to more in the series and learning what happens to Jolie in the future. I give this book four stars.

Don't waste your time. Terrible narrator.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The story line was so-so, but the narration was awful. The narrator tried to do voices, but over exaggerated each one until it was irritating instead of interesting.

What was most disappointing about Elaine Orr’s story?

The story was run of the mill, but might have been OK with a different narrator.

Would you be willing to try another one of Christy Lynn’s performances?

No. I will check all future audio selections. If Christy Lynn is narrating, I will pass.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Relief when it was finally over.

Any additional comments?

This was my first time to listen to this author & narrator, and I will not choose either again.