Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)
Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)
Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)
Ebook344 pages5 hours

Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

Read preview

About this ebook

When a celebrated ACTOR IS FOUND MURDERED IN HIS DRESSING ROOM, all signs point to Drew's old flame. But behind the curtains nothing is what it seems and this quickly becomes his MOST puzzling case YET.

Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has calmed down some, Fleur Landis, a former girlfriend, reappears, in dire need of his help. She's married now, no longer an actress--but the lead actor in her former troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect.

Drew would rather focus on his fiancée, Madeline Parker, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur and her family in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline begin investigating, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. It seems nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between.

Both the murder case and the presence of the beautiful, exotic Fleur put a heavy strain on Drew and Madeline's relationship. Will their still-young romance survive the pressure?

"Deering gives us an enchanting mystery set around an England country estate in the 1930s... Rules of Murder is a wonderful, inspirational novel for those of you who love a good murder mystery."--Fresh Fiction
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 24, 2014
ISBN9781441264053
Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)
Author

Julianna Deering

Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works for an attorney specializing in wills and estate planning. She lives outside Dallas, Texas, where she loves to quilt, cross-stitch, and watch hockey.

Related to Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)

Titles in the series (6)

View More

Related ebooks

Christian Fiction For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3)

Rating: 4.0625 out of 5 stars
4/5

16 ratings4 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Since I requested the newly released fourth title in this series from Netgalley a while back, I decided it was high time to read this, the third one, first.
    I had rather mixed feelings about the previous two titles when I read them a couple of years back, and I think I can say the same for this. As a mystery buff and a fan of the classical authors like Agatha Christie, I should love a mystery set during thier the time of thier stories, right?

    Yet, sadly I just didn't. It wasn't a terrible book, but I just didn't much care for it. Other reviewers have mentioned how they found the story rather hardgoing, and not very engaging, and I have to agree. I also found the plot rather choppy, and some events predictable or convenient.
    The protaganists seemed more concerned with their relationship then actual detective work- which is fine if this is well written. In this case however, I just did not really find I could connect with the characters, or thier feelings, decisions and actions.

    Also, this one just did not have the 'feel' of the classic mysteries. Oh, it had the details right, but it seemed slightly lacking in authenticity and credibilty. Perhaps it was the Americanisms used by the British characters, or the sometimes awkward, clumsy-sounding dialog like 'she never much let anyone have any'.
    Good mysteries don't have to be very complicated, but by the end, one could almost be forgiven for thinking that the police could have solved the whole thing themselves before long, and the characters really weren't needed. Like they just went around in a lot of circles until the final clue was found, and then all of a sudden everything fell into place and the gulty parties very oblingly confessed.
    Nor was the conclusion entirely satisfying- at least not for me. Motives and reasons for the crimes did not seem entirely clear, or rather unconvincing.

    As said above, the book wasn't terrible. There were some humourous and cute moments (like Drew with little Peter). It just wasn't my cup of tea.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I’m hooked! I am a fan of all types of mysteries, but Julianna Deering’s Drew Farthering Mystery series has a lot of what I am looking for — puzzling clues, a classic time period and setting, and characters who try to live their faith, but have struggles like the rest of us. The third book in the series, Murder at The Mikado, does not disappoint. Another winner that a mystery aficionado will love!Drew and Madeline are getting married. After a whirlwind courtship that included not just one, but two, murder investigations, the two are ready to settle down. But of course murders seem to find them, so the two, along with steward-in-training, Nick, are drawn into the world of the theater in order to find out just who killed the leading actor in the light opera company. But while the previous murders have put the two in physical danger, this one may prove fatal to their relationship.I love everything about this series. With the feel of a classic Christie or Sayers novel, the setting of a small village in England in the 1920s is perfect. Deering’s witty dialog, puzzling plot, and endearing characters are spot on. I especially like that Drew and Madeline seem so real, and definitely relatable. They draw on their faith to keep themselves and their engagement steady, even as they struggle with unforgiveness, insecurity and jealousy.Murder at The Mikado can be read as a standalone, but I recommend you begin at the beginning. The series is just that good — you won’t want to miss a thing. And I hope this one won’t be the end of the detecting team of Drew, Madeline and Nick. Sure hope there are many more mysteries for them to solve.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Bethany House for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Author Julianna Deering stepped it up with Murder at the Mikado! This is the third book of the The Drew Farthering Mystery series. I would recommend starting with the first one, Rules of Murder. However, in all honesty, I had been a little lukewarm about this series. There are many positives… These books are set in a fun time period and location filled with quirky characters. They are clean, as in I don’t have to wade through vulgar language or embarrassing bedroom situations, AND I would be willing to let my daughters read them. Also, there a sweet love story developing between the solving of mysteries! But I have been won over with Murder at the Mikado! :) So… Is there going to be another one, Deering?Drew and his financee Madeline are looking forward to their wedding. However, Fleur, an old flame of Drew’s steps into the picture and stirs up some buried wounds in Madeline. When Fleur becomes the prime suspect in some murders, her husband asks for Drew’s help while Madeline is hoping just once he would say no! …Will they make it to the alter or will their relationship die a tragic death of it’s own. I loved that she pulled the original detective trio — Drew, Madeline (though not as excited this time), and Nick, Drew’s best friend — back together! Madeline’s aunt Ruth is still a wonderful addition to the story. Also Chief Inspector Birdsong has become a favorite for me — gruff and serious, but his willingness to allow these amateurs to get involved has grown through the series. :)Deering kept me guessing to the end. I would think I had it figured out and then a kink would be thrown in!! Who is involved? … Fleur? Her husband? The nanny? One of the maids? One of the actors? The missing reporter?I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Drew Fathering is at it again! Just as he thinks his life is slowing down, an old girlfriend, Fleur Landis, re-enters his life and in desperate needs of his crime solving help. The lead actor of Fleur’s old troupe’s production of “The Mikado” has been murdered and she turns up the number one suspect.Drew tries to stay out of this one and his past feelings for Fleur, so he can concentrate on his fiancee and upcoming wedding. But he can’t let down his business partner, even it puts quite the strain on his relationship with Madeline.This book started out pretty slow for me. However, I have not read the first two books before this one which I feel might of helped a great deal. But after I got all the characters straight and got to the plot, it picked up a lot. There are enough characters to keep it interesting, guessing who could be the suspect, but not too many where you get confused on who is who.I overall enjoyed the book. However, it has the feel like she is trying too hard to be Sir Conan Doyle and write a Sherlock novel. She lacks the in depth detail, jumping in to the good parts without the proper suspense in the climax, without boring the reader.Still worth reading if you are looking for a quick and easy murder mystery, great for a beach day.Disclaimer: I was given this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book preview

Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery Book #3) - Julianna Deering

1^book_preview_excerpt.htmlu\KF Jf;2Ҩ֨YiY/X§7s9ܤO2=YEV"<{|397_|5~Poy7{K;囯OG7Nsßű/ebE/7}1ܜr*k33eqTZN5~piiz(G|?REWŇ9#dae.q۫G ci؅q*N-Քc\-syl0k gk+9|.7BS0>ߏp.5}~_0S_Ocﰺi 1VLŇk(׿Vm[<*VwOqPl]q*baUrq~xxQ9CSVٗ3W aq0prsm Ӝ1^[OP~!੍~WE]NJ@9Le{uRS%ˢm7sc؄t5gU7LZ ũ`QnxKǞg|NO-0..rf旅F{3ozP5Ж7C|o {'|S m Ӳl|Xɶx-e *{D՘j `? uCjvauI9,﫶MsГƅfo6zl 4i\_MGP!T\j*YT;g cɿMC| <^Ɏzn8 щ %45)!4K6RF)5@+if<7$`k,!S{pafS]tq yeT޲lzGsӁBs ]ȍNPN|PB/dqg q~Ǻ@g5 pOؖދâ[hlk937/4y4zc$8oÂWy4Hk(϶pMU#c)Ɔa: =B`.(8 ~y'!t]|% %j5î50tph"a\eY< cox 4ΝNS8}<-5Ɣz\.I>0+ - Bs:&HAĽ@~nC\(YdoRE&eo!ѷOX}wh_Dsc/AB OaVc? r^`2.Qec Wb'CSṴx ' hq{4kˤ>sGsI7sÇ_ֶ. _+ɠeT'a)E^ |^z"<&171TFJ (D%@yoO6apQ>Lp6>guD,6ͣk`ȁB+iM :VQpL@7sŸOfwmL@߉`aX|=MOt-Ų8MvtWZu@$=bBϗ^g>)6*OH\)@+@cEJv#cCypp4p~}D(m1C=YYYGFq"#VΕreknH 7EZ\p ?' DfD8ߡBL];ڕ G27ZB6P@teD_whXtqp@ \Sn +sqTeiM$$Kfs2FCfX~ ފ pBRhaXdG)딲 4S77P) 3OQ kHrS"!8Zgn N7!"xK3dj>+HImn-*0]lzT tI3lcuLG|jxUbkߍ@.#Xx7*1¯O`h);b1g.*׮{M_aԫL[nɛ9מi)gN޼+qg3 T60̦ Ҙ[#" 6N>J8Yr?K5e0F gL$\U?+R1dv`mQG"o!i@\XflS27+T֖ݲb(/-ԟ`ۣzBߦwEΆ< 9nKɀbLogL@uo\ \&t t¥k<[=32OICImUop5>P8{y)(KU:Q?Q*N:?Ρg>Ӹ ?W@)/ggpP9z@TИ^,Y#\ ++(D=J 継0Ekmsm_54D;Yi@䩗΢,[xAIc8LXCZtI n/rL(O#!,1((РB֩ xv\t!++J&Qu |鞧X4-;T`c%JxpQ=3ѹc^g4u:_N0M"ڒ3Y3EYx \q`ry23 + $5iA$;RaZs@,niJc`,Yt#fn2$|N1˄{yNvZ:A\ru"#, FGʗL97`^?R ˘ eMeqp#yߜ+܌s0$'9V =|xӅJ=~q+N%A2 E ۙyUYnG`ا >>߳>{"mX&C C3#֫~N䕶R LL­K_PtDXԂf~sɅN;/G+inZsLHս>1cXBgK9 ?zY%gD:b~GdQ ƲƜ|'>$+U0F2[qB$>ok9Ac7L~',I.J= STA#1uv,E Sb㺑Jrz5F*+o׭F1f=Hƃ%~`ԈC }Se m SLJ \s"0*+ ;^5I28WeT9~Qz ֣tZ3 YmŸU?1Q OJ:8p<Crv*$5$شs2 6aSx$^yMϒ맺A-I~5KON7$ };Ǵf"قN각 (iJ`tx~̪qbk?N,y ;V<}{}Mt&dFl%n.#/5LJ-m&Ym7n}KR8s;V S_]cTUv~Ia<D&5lUνʔࡦfs|S#7|-=륚Y~~uEzr9{aǦCgϥ_uZ/^ V=xܝc:2=DgR3o)+H,{Mk gjvH6E1Zs'%2S_hge?_i*5axs >IHl答z9m=׆]0\pMnٿ_y1t5+ޛ &yn2R.Bw;qA+pO[dO$2mOG@uw/81c5$5qaMcnA|SR5 8Tof*M}|PKLus y@[?اP^x$]cRͧ^i )lO x].Xdwi^, Bu~.ʹ%@'PRdG6mso]^Pվ|<c!CmXmN޲6/by*4J 3kw畽=J1qY‰T7癲:FSϹsb]bXOxa leY`4"Țx?xzEPPZ i?7)ĭ5Y=v&@pD09%6*Ocsn% 59ʌY^[R/2҄DQQŧm+4j|}kA(u[Q쭄!~٘iÎsL\A`>Ԓ䓰x .scm|(Ҵ9DG:9{x!A ,رdӱ"TiceŹa9_9(U6j'Bf~gҺX/iXHt 79Ssn+B+m%;T N>x|_k: #$\5ҕ=K&Z<{1IeVQ koGx$EFTF0[n.)DuyaF&2k983r9/;ʺ51I+š9Z?d )Oo ٘\/JR2FY$4SGuQp5هTӴvRszc9m1m״j1IlwkGK)c.T &Z"fz1brv˚'ywA|ڰ&TVz4׽Q2rd8-n 𓗜2-ab])%_9p>u <gA!:>%^-aJgq624pldK fRǞ $W)T9 ?3GB!3b~w>=)%Q/V=Kd|w8S-N4yNrʋAvaʔK۵ᨱQk<ߗ&,Lfs#}x>_o5tE{Uֵv[nkGK"mQu%ME}<;[]2u`dmG;i; *mvQlYW%-$q̹񶝉CלH~{aJ5B/i1CZ8U'7۹sHsj3.!()Αʕ˚۸˗S}Kpgߔߘr@j'c i 8}}bVSHoȨDHwritw6?0Y?EtfA+^$XRNF(@]=5/g*)z۠W<./nt]4p3PN{peP3s}09^ۨ3MtZ+w밁dk^G5 62 [`vDK|Y9daiiԴ4@3/وi-8sN$6)JRl -#b^kSr(u .V7Mb,G{.C؆$.4nϏCyB|ol9V L7aKk*92XZv3jk/ r=D˗>%W<͂;S4VܨbXyhm0iv43wf0m2e* J݂u* !m qnJς!msx n=zIږl`< +}5M75|j_'ϧo`ERXᤊt®dN>9NJ2JK 6ؼ[8 n{;λ_9~7g%g'P)/w<u'[cbV@}s9Gz;kO; Rۉ>9~GxA3@9|c?W0IWӘ#ķ(`鋤$4/ు8.Q ȇOűu[6 E^XZNϺt)ʤ$ ,W䨫CsY,~dlW "]v"=sFj-[y R P_(7[*O'uv+-X9Yr܋jeN@ڕ-SuZ܉:G#^ztϏCIW-mgل 4f=e9;9v>u%Fkﺂ'SORG];=FzSWT.4\E^A[> Tu˥ (<ް,jgd"2[ p٩D#U/޲3:PZoOsJAwfxNjn\<6jk[WonG ^كܗwKxO܏jy>HCE2ȽG@= Ĭ%_TeyJ 1Dͭu}]r."<~YCOy+_>ّ>ΉmF:+n|vp.4рftcl}+ )1\>uhѡٸp^tngxu$EdjO&.څ"ԥvL<0 Ύ[Xv"m٧ssk_fMGe ,o.}^孊spDwn> b=Nkeoՠb'8?U ˔A_-c7V [Sto%gu%p׮VXh-RË/Y}Rsm ͑{N7sovdz{X]W(J2La×Kn~փM~oJD֭: mmHA Ҵk[SҦ=9*3t>YVAo\>]j ~){>=(ʈJڙIߊ0L.>_v-4h"1U, _|Ѽ&lBdQ seC5E{[4.3 ݮB=rpHDXcg+a"?+_1%dl-^u^?^˵GlnH|M܈AXQ]^&RmT!~5{W J%bnZο 訊+8ϔ-8aQmb:l~$[$/ 7do1PX< Eօ @k{NIyv_)JV%«hpe
Enjoying the preview?
Page 1 of 1