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Tuesday, February 21, 2023

My Thoughts - Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr

 


Book Title Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) 
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Feb 22, 2023
Format available for review:  print, mobi, epub, PDF
Will send print books out:  USA 
Tour datesFeb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring  Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!" - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ...I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases." - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

Book Description:
It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.

With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.
Buy the Book:
(available for preorder)
Amazon.com 
B&N ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads

Also Available for Review: 

ICE (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr

Book Details:

Book Title: ICE  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  364 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  February 26, 2018
Available for review in:  ebook (mobi, epub, PDF), audiobook (audible download code)
Tour dates:  Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat...I love the way Lauren spun this novel - I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and how this disappearance was tied into a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!" 5-Star Review by Carla at Working Mommy Journal

Book Description:
When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. 

With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

WINTER FROST (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr

Book Details:

Book Title: Winter Frost  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  332 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  January 22, 2019
Available for review in:  ebook (EPUB, MOBI, PDF), audiobook (Audible download)
Will send books:  USA 
Tour dates:  Feb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review

Book Description:
It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. 

Nothing is as it seems. 

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?

THE LAST THING SHE SAID (a Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr

Book Details:

Book Title The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  386 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   July 22, 2019
Format available for review:  ebook (MOBI, EPUB, PDF), audiobook (Audible download)
Will send print books out:  USA 
Tour datesFeb 22 to Mar 31, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

Book Description:
“I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!

Author Lauren Carr

Meet the Author:

​Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. 

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.  

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. 

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. 

connect with the author: website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ pinterest


Honest, Officer, I’m Not a Psychopath. I’m a Mystery Writer

By Lauren Carr


I’m a murder mystery writer. Really. I am. My thirty-second book, Chris Crossed Murder was released on February 22. That is proof that all of the research I do is for literary purposes. Therefore, when I ask questions about how to turn common household items into murder weapons, it isn’t because I actually intend to use that item to kill someone I know—unless that person ticked me off and I’m planning to make them a murder victim in my next book. (That’s another guest post.)  

It isn’t like I ever expected to be normal. What type of person sits around all day thinking about ways to kill people? Long ago, I accepted the fact that if I wasn’t a mystery writer, I’d be a psychopath. What kind of person does that? At least my husband doesn’t have to sleep with his eyes open.

Usually, my family simply accepts what I do for a living. Since I spend most of my time doing my research and writing on the laptop, they wouldn’t even know what I do—except when I decide to take my research into the real world.

I love to watch criminal documentaries like Forensics Files. I could watch those all day long. I also have some friends in law enforcement—including a former homicide detective. I’ve made some visits to the Writer’s Police Academy, a weekend workshop that takes place at an actual police academy.

Truthfully, Google and YouTube can only take you so far when it comes to research. Sure, with YouTube, you can see a video of how to turn a blender into a weapon to be used in self-defense against an international assassin, but that’s no substitute for actually crouching in the pantry and feeling your heart beating against your chest while assembling it.

Before internet, I was intimidated because I would have to actually talk to people. I felt like a fool saying, “I’m a writer, can you tell me…”

Back when I was writing my first mystery novel, I called the police to ask for procedural information concerning a homicide.  So I dialed the local police department, not the emergency number, and I got an officer on the phone. Immediately, I proceeded to tell him the situation. “I’ve got this dead body, and he’s been murdered and…” 

“Excuse me,” the officer interrupted me, “did you say you have a dead body?”

“Yes, and he’s been murdered. So, when you get here, what’s the first thing you do?”

“Where are you?” he asked.

Suddenly, I realized that I was so anxious to ask my question that I failed to tell him that I was a writer doing research. I immediately hung up the phone and closed the blinds. I spent the rest of the day peering out the window to see if the police had traced the call.

Now, I’m much bolder, which is why I don’t get invited to Pampered Chef parties anymore. Years ago, I interrupted the sales rep to demonstrate how a melon baller could be used to extract information from a reluctant source about where his murderous gang is hiding. I’m still waiting to get mad about making that “Do Not Invite” list.

Personal research is not easy, which is why I grab every opportunity I can. The last time I went to the airport, I purposely made myself look suspicious so that I could get patted down and searched. I had waited in line for over an hour and a half for a pat down that only took five seconds. Afterwards, I turned to the security agent and said, “That’s it?” 

“Yes,” was her reply and she urged me to move along.

I hadn’t been that disappointed since my first date. 

The last time I took my son, Tristan, to the dentist—and I mean the last time—I had the nerve to ask the dentist which tool on his tray would make the most unusual murder weapon. Now that I think about it, the dentist had no problem explaining how each one could be used to kill someone. I wonder if that says something about him … or his patients.

Laying back in the dentist chair, with the suction hose in his mouth, Tristan widened his eyes in horror while the dentist on one side, and me on the other, examined the various tools on the tray directly above him. 

 “A scalpel is so cliché,” I told our dentist. “I’m looking for one that when the police see it, they will have no idea that it was a murder weapon until Mac points it out in the end.”

“I have just the thing for you,” the dentist said, “But I don’t have it here. Give me your address and I’ll mail it to you.” A few days later, the weapon arrived at our home in a padded envelope with a note, “Here’s your murder weapon. Enjoy!”

That was when I stopped being asked to drive family members to the doctor. I’m still waiting to get mad about that.

I fondly remember the very last time I drove Tristan home from school a few years ago. On the way there, I came upon a police road block. With cars backed up on the road, the police were stopping everyone to search their car. 

I practically jumped up and down in my seat with anticipation about being pulled over by the police and getting patted down and having my car searched. Think of the material I would have to use! So, you can imagine my dismay when they waved me through! They searched the guy in front of me and behind me—but they completely ignored me! ME! 

Obviously, I didn’t look suspicious enough to warrant a search.

So, when I picked up Tristan, I told him, “Okay, we’re going to be coming to a road block. The police are searching cars. Look suspicious.”

Tristan scrunched down in his seat.

“Sit up. They won’t be able to see you. And try to look sneaky.”

By the time we came back to the road block, I had my eyebrows knitted together and my mouth screwed up into what I hoped to be an evil snarl, while Tristan was hiding in the back seat where hopefully no one would see him and know he was with me.

Again, the police stopped the car in front of me, and the one behind me, while waving me through. Couldn’t they see the body in my back seat? That should have looked suspicious, don’t you think? I knew when they waved me on that I should have reached back and pinched Tristan to make him scream out for help.

Now, my family insists that I don’t need to take any of them anywhere anymore. 

That’s something else that I’m still waiting to get mad about.





My Thoughts
Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) is written by Lauren Carr. I have not read the other books in the series, and I did not have any issues following along. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be my last. You will be drawn into this book as soon as you start reading.

Retired FBI agent, Chris Matheson has worked a lot undercover missions. He is called to investigate a missing college student - and does not get very far before being pulled for another mission. Fast forward 9 years and a body is found with Chris's FBI badge. Everyone is shocked, especially Chris who is alive and well. The Geezer gang (made up of Chris's family and friends) start to investigate who the body is, and why they found Chris identification on it. The potential killer has been leaving a lot of clues to take the team to the next step. 

Suddenly Chris finds himself on a trail of a cold case that was not solved. There are a lot of suspects and motives. The author did a great job at throwing in different thoughts to throw readers off track. I enjoyed reading this mystery. I did not want to put it down once I started.

The characters are well written and the storyline is intriguing. I loved seeing the Geezer gang work together. I hope to read more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and IRead Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Tour Schedule:

Feb 22 Mystery Review Crew - book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 - The Book Countess – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 22 – Locks Hooks and Books – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / author interview / giveaway
Feb 22 - Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review  of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Feb 23 - Leanne Bookstagram – book review of ICE
Feb 23 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Feb 24 – My WorldReads – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 24 – Book Reviews by Linda Moore – book series spotlight / giveaway
Feb 24 Christa Reads and Writes - book review of ICE 
Feb 27 - Splashes of Joy – book review of ICE / giveaway
Feb 27 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Feb 27 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Feb 28 
Blooming with Books - book series spotlight / giveaway
Feb 28 - Splashes of Joy – book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Feb 28 - Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of ICE / giveaway
Mar 1 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of WINTER FROST
Mar 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Mar 2 – Diane’s Book Journal – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 2 - 
Leels Loves Books - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 3 - Novels Alive – book review of ICE / giveaway
Mar 3 
Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of ICE / giveaway
Mar 3 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Mar 3 – Bigreadersite – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 6 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of ICE / giveaway
Mar 6 –Novels Alive – book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 7 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 7 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID
Mar 8  Deborah-Zenha Adams – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Mar 8 - Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 8 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 9 - Splashes of Joy – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 9 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 9 – FUONLYKNEW – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Mar 10 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 10 –Novels Alive – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 10 - Splashes of Joy – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 13  Liese's Blog – book series spotlight
Mar 14 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 14 - Library of Clean Reads – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 15 –Novels Alive – book spotlight of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 15 –Novels Alive – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 16 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 16 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 17  Celticlady's Reviews – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Mar 17 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 17 Christa Reads and Writes - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER 
Mar 17 - Older & Smarter? – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / author interview / giveaway
Mar 20 
Books for Books - book series spotlight
Mar 20 – Sandra's Book Club – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 21 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 21  fundinmental – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 22 - My Reading Getaway – book review of ICE / giveaway
Mar 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 23 - My Reading Getaway – book review of WINTER FROST / giveaway
Mar 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 24 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / guest post / giveaway
Mar 24  Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 24 – Pause for Tales – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 27 – My Reading Journeys – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 28 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Mar 28 -- My Reading Getaway – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 29 – inspired.j.reads – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 30 - My Reading Getaway – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 31  Adventurous Jessy – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Mar 31 - 
Just Another Reader - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for the wonderful review for CHRIS CROSSED MURDER. I am so glad you enjoyed this latest Geezer Squad mystery! Good luck to everyone in the giveaway for the PayPal prize and cookied!

    ReplyDelete