Candy Apple Red: A Jane Kelly Mystery

Written by Nancy Bush

Narrated by Wendy Tremont King

Jane Kelly is through following men. She left Southern California for the murky quaintness of Lake Chinook, Oregon, apparently so she could trade her bartending skills for much more glamorous work as a process server. And the boyfriend, of course, is long gone. But things have been looking a little brighter lately. Her hobby doing PI work is kind of fun, especially when she lands a real case-that pays real money.

But the case is about Bobby Reynolds, best friend of Tim Murphy, the only guy she's never gotten over. Everyone except Tim believed Bobby murdered his young family-isn't that why he vanished? Now Tim's coming home and Jane's on her way to talk to Bobby's father. Looks like Jane'll be trailing men after all-this time with a tape recorder and a camera. To top it off, she's being trailed by a homely pug named Binky, left to her by a distant relative. With a job she's learning as she goes along and her ex back in town, Jane's life just went from stress-free to completely stressed-out. And then there's the dead body . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781515933373

Nancy Bush

Bestselling author Nancy Bush has had an eclectic writing career. She started her first story when she heard how young mothers were making money writing romance novels. She thought, "I can do that," and talked her sister, bestselling author, Lisa Jackson, into joining her in her foray into writing. Nancy began her career in the romance genre, writing both contemporary and historical novels, but being a mystery buff, she kept trying to add suspense into the plot, as much as her editors would allow. In 2002 she was chosen by ABC Television to be part of a writing group "think tank" which was tasked with developing story for ABC's daytime dramas. She was one of two people selected from that group to actually become a breakdown writer for, at the time, one of ABC's top-rated daytime shows: All My Children. Nancy made the move to New York to join the AMC team while she was writing for the soap. That was an experience, she admits. Ask her, and she'll swear that the pressure cooker of delivering story every day - lots and lots of story -- helped focus her writing. When Nancy returned to her home state of Oregon she channeled that newfound energy into writing the kind of books she's always loved: mysteries. She is the author of the gripping mystery novels Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Huide, Nowhere Safe, You Can't Escape and I'll Find You. Like her sister Lisa, she's now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, both in her co-writing ventures and on her own merits as well.

Reviews for Candy Apple Red

[nandamom74 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story, good characters. Lackluster ending.

[srearley · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was wadnering the library stacks looking for something new, and saw that there were several books of this series, so I decided to give the first one a try.

There were too many people, I kept getting confused about who was who, although I suppose maybe some were supposed to be red herrings? The murderer was pretty obvious, and I usually don't figure the mystery out sooner than the protagonist.

I thought the main characters motives to keep pursuing the answer were a little fuzzy, and I thought she was a little annoying, a little cliched, even.

I liked it well enough to finish, but I don't know that I'll go back for more in this serious.

[cottontail_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did it was very good. I really enjoyed it. A goo first novel in the series.

[mmerose_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I would have enjoyed this book more if it had not been for the misleading quotes from other authors on the book jacket. It is an enjoyable read, but does not have the humor or "quirkyness" of a Stephanie Plum adventure. I was expecting something different - laugh out loud humor, quiet giggles...this book does not have them. Please! Stop comparing apples to oranges and let readers find their own enjoyment!

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Kelly is lamenting her lack of focus about a career (she is serving eviction notices for a private investigator's customers) when she asked by an attorney to work for the ex-wife of one of Lake Chinook, Oregon's most wealthy residents, Cotton Reynolds. The ex is the mother of a man who is wanted in the murders of his wife and children and she is convinced that Cotton is hiding their son. She says she has heard that Cotton is ill and is afraid that he will die without letting her see her son. She wants Jane, who has an in with Cotton, to try to get some information from him. Well, that is what she says anyway. Jane soon finds herself in the midst of a mystery that is far deeper than she ever expected.I enjoyed this book. I admit it took a bit of getting into, but once it hit it's stride I was sold. I really like Jane Kelly, she is witty and has the instincts of a bulldog. She is driven to solve the mystery and find the answers to all the questions that get raised. I liked the supporting cast as well. I really like Binks, the pug she inherits. I think the mystery was very well crafted and kept me wondering. I only had the answer (for sure) only about a page before she did the reveal. I will definitely read the second in the series.

[fvrlacs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this series! If you are looking for a Stephanie Plum read-a-like, this series is for you. This first book didn't seem to flow well at first, but towards the middle, it finds its rhythm. The books all have witty dialogue, sexual tension, and hilarious (and very realistic!) descriptions of Binky-the-pug!

[stacers1973 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun, easy, quick read from an Oregon author. Jane is pretty easy to keep up with and her dog is a bundle of fun.