Silver Scream: A Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery (Bed-and-Breakfast Mysteries)

The action is very believable. The characters are likeable. Couldn't wait to get to the end and see how it unfolded. Love her books both b&b and Alpine series.

I was starting to get a little tired of this series but this one improved a bit over the last several books; it is particularly better than the last in the series, Suture Self, whose title was the best thing about it.Judith must play hostess to a bevy of Hollywood names & stars & starlets who are in town to celebrate the premier of a movie that had been filmed in the city. Of course, there is a murder (the producer of the film) or was it murder? There is a chance that it is the result of negligence on the part of the B & B. Of course, it is obvious that it is a murder and, for me, it was obvious from almost the beginning who had done the deed. For that reason I almost rated it 3 instead of 4 stars. But, the interaction between the cousins and their families is fun to read (although Bill, Renie's husband, was silly in his duck outfit for Halloween). All in all, a pleasant read and I will continue reading the series if she keeps the quality at this level or higher.

Judith is mostly recovered from her hip surgery and looking forward to the slow season in the B & B business, when Ingrid, the head of the state Bed and Breakfast organization calls to cancel her scheduled reservations and substitute them with a group visiting for the premiere of a movie filmed in the area. The Gasman is the history of the world seen through the eyes of a lowly gasman. Judith is not looking forward to the pushy Hollywood types but can't refuse. In short, the movie bombs, the producer ends up dead, and Joe and Judith investigate with the help of Renie and Bill who seem to have their own problems.This was an entertaining cozy, though not as good as Suture Self. The author left alot of loose ends that I hope will be tied up in the next novel. A great beach and vacation read, very quick and entertaining and not too deep.

Judith Flynn's B & B is playing host to Hollywood producer Bruno Zept and before she knows it, Judith is also being invaded by Bruno's whole entourage who are in town for the premier of their latest movie. Judith has a hard time coping with the demands of this eccentric Hollywood crew and soon one of them is lying dead in her kitchen sink! She and husband Joe are afraid that they will be held liable for the murder, so they begin their own investigation. They uncover all sorts of unsavory secrets about their guests and there are plenty of motives for murder. Daheim throws in plenty of red herrings, and the revelation of the real murderer is a surprise. Her characters are delightfully drawn and the plot is sufficiently complicated to keep the reader guessing until the very end. This is a cozy reader's delight!

Having read every mystery she has written I can say this fast paced book is Mary Daheim's best yet! There isn't a dull moment in the entire book as Hillside Manor is invaded by a group of Hollywood celebs who get on Judith's last nerve and even endanger the very existence of the B & B Daheim fans come to love.While the cast of characters is large, keeping track of them is easy because Daheim has written them brilliantly giving each his own well defined personality. The reader is led on a merry chase as this well-crafted story evolves...Mary Daheim is an expert at dropping both red herrings and real clues equally subtly throughout her writing. I myself was sure I knew "who-done-it" three different times only to find a head slapping "of course!" moment just 12 pages from the end.As always, Daheim's sense of humor, off the wall characters, and great skill with word play give the reader some laughs along with this extremely well plotted mystery.Daheim is a true artist in creating atmosphere and settings. She'll bring you right into the scenes in a manner so well written you'll swear you feel the dampness of the fog, smell the bologna in Gertrude's sandwich, and are looking over Judith's shoulder as she confronts the true criminal.This book even includes a complete floor plan of Hillside Manor which is fun to refer to as the action takes place. It will also come in handy when reading the other books in the series. There seems to be an error in the placement of bathroom doors on the second floor but it doesn't affect the story at all.I first read Mary Daheim several years ago when "Snow Place to Die" was published. By the time I finished the third chapter I had purchased or ordered all of the other books in the series and began buying her other wonderful series, the Alpine mysteries. . Starting with her first of the B & B series, "Just Desserts", I read them in order and recommend you do the same as soon as you read "Silver Scream"! Judith's own story develops with each consecutive book. You will find yourself caring about the details of her life and how some very personal issues will turn out. You will also come to love the other people in her life...lovable protective Joe, Judith's outspoken cousin Renie and Renie's husband Bill, wacky neighbors and especially Judith's one of a kind mother, Gertrude, (who lives in the tool shed because she refuses to live under the same roof as Joe) will capture your imagination and become as familiar as people in your own life. Read Gertrude carefully...there's a lot beneath the blustery surface that has yet to be brought to light. I hope Gertrude lives forever!Mary Daheim is the best of the many cozy mystery authors...and "Silver Scream" is her best. Buy it. You won't be sorry.

Judith McMonigle Flynn grew up in Hillside Manor and when her husband died, she moved back home and turned it into a bed and breakfast inn. For over a decade, she put her blood, sweat and tears into the place and in spite of the few murders that took place there, she made it a success. She now has more business than she knows what to do with. Over the Halloween weekend, she had to turn down some guests because Hollywood producer Bruno Zepf and his entourage are staying there. He is previewing his latest movie and he always stays at a B & B because it brings him luck. Unfortunately, his good Karma runs out this time and Judith finds him drowned in her kitchen sink with the cupboard door above it open. Afraid that she will be sued for negligence because she knew the cupboard door needed to be repaired, she frantically tries to prove that Bruno was murdered. SILVER SCREAM is a delightful and charming cozy starring a heroine and a support cast that readers will find utterly delightful. The readers really become involved in this mystery, trying to figure out along with the heroine, exactly what happened. The solution is very believable, and even though the author gives a few hints, there is no way that anyone could guess who is responsible for Bruno's death. Mary Daheim's latest mystery is fantastic.Harriet Klausner