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    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)
    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)
    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)
    Ebook344 pages7 hours

    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)

    By A.H. Gabhart

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Young Maggie Greene may be trespassing in the old, empty Victorian mansion on a quiet street in Hidden Springs, but all she wants is some private time in the magnificent tower room to write her stories. Certain she'll be in trouble if caught, she hides when a realtor shows up. But someone else is in the house too, someone even more worried about getting caught. When Maggie finds the realtor's body at the bottom of a flight of stairs and the other person gone, Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is called in. He assumes the realtor's death is a tragic accident--until a second person is found dead in the house. When Maggie is threatened, Michael must catch the murderer before anyone else dies.

    Cozy mystery fans will love this third installment in The Hidden Springs Mysteries series from an author who knows how to make small-town America sweet, sentimental--and a little sinister.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateMar 14, 2017
    ISBN9781493405985
    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)

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    Reviews for Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3)

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      Maggie loves to sit in the tower room of an old Victorian mansion, a house her mother cleans, but things get messy when she finds the local realtor dead at the bottom of the stairs and she may be the only "witness" because of an argument she heard from the tower room. Fonda Chandler, an elder dementia patient at the local nursing home, is the owner and gave Maggie permission to be there, but no one else knows that so Maggie is afraid to let anyone know what she heard. Another murder gets the local sheriff thinking that the "accidental" fall by the realtor wasn't necessarily an accident.The characters in this series are continuing to emerge with their own personalities and the mystery was entertaining.
    • 5/5
      This has been a fun series as it ties a good mystery with great characters. I love the small town atmosphere and how Maggie feels that using the old mansion is just the ticket to make her stories work. She find more than she bargained for though when people start turning up dead. I enjoyed the suspense of the book and how Maggie wanted to stay quiet about her involvement, but would up quite involved instead. I received a copy of this from the publisher, but the review is entirely my own.
    • 4/5
      This is the third entry in Gabhart's "Hidden Springs" mystery series, featuring Michael Keene, a Deputy Sheriff in the small town of Hidden Springs, Kentucky. When a local realtor is found dead at the base of the stairs in an empty Victorian Mansion owned by an elderly lady suffering from dementia, Michael is called to investigate whether this is an unfortunate accident or something more sinister. At the same time, he is grappling with whether his on-again, off-again relationship with Washington D.C. lawyer and childhood sweetheart Alexandria has any future, given their vastly differing lifestyles.This is a very satisfying mystery, with enough of a puzzle to keep the reader guessing for quite awhile but not so obscure as to be unsolvable and frustrating. The relationship issues are well handled, and not impossible to follow for a reader like myself who has not yet read the first two books in the series. The Christian content is deftly handled, and flows naturally from the characters.I look forward to seeking out the other books in the series.
    • 2/5
      Mostly liked the mystery part of the story, but the love story part of it was annoying. Really? All those years and never said he loved her? Maybe if I'd read the first (more?) book it would have read more true. That whole side story just kind of bugged me. Liked the other characters, liked the setting.
    • 3/5
      I have not read the other books in this series, so this is my first encounter with the small town and characters. I do like "cozy" mysteries in small town settings though. I would probably enjoy it more if I knew more about the characters, as I had to get "caught up" to find out about them. I saw that the book received mixed reviews. I think it can be slow starting, but an interesting end twist. One thing that did annoy me was the frequent occurrence of sentence fragments throughout, which is a pet peeve of mine. I guess that is my "blue pencil" rearing its ugly little head! I may go back and investigate the previous novels to find out what occurred before this one, as well as to check out the writing style. I also realized that I had read a previous novel by this author, but not in this series. I got this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
    • 3/5
      Good mystery with twists and turns.
    • 2/5
      I received this book as an Early Reviewer through LibraryThing in return for an honest review. I normally enjoy cozy mysteries and get into them right away, but this book just did not grab me at all. I had to force myself to keep reading because the writing style just felt overly simplistic and the characters too stereotypical. The mystery was interesting and the book was definitely "cozy" for those who like their murders without too much violence and gore, but it was just too sugary and sweet for my palate.
    • 5/5
      I received this book for an honest review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers:This is the third book of The Hidden Springs Mystery Series and it is an excellent addition and I have enjoyed all three books. The stores are well-written and the characters are always very interesting. The plot is unique and kept me turning the pages until the very end. I am especially enjoying the relationship between Michael and Alex and can't wait to see what happens in the next installment. I was glad to see with the relationship of the teenagers, Anthony and Maggie, that they were respecting Maggie's parents wishes in regards to dating. I would highly suggest this series to fans of cozy mysteries. I look forward to reading more of this series as they are published. I enjoy Gabhart's sense of humor in all of the books also. Great small-town mystery series!
    • 5/5
      These just keep getting better. I love this town. No one wants an accident to be considered a murder, especially the Deputy Sheriff. Michael just wants a peaceful day of fishing but that is not what he gets. I love all these characters and hope Michael will find happiness soon. I look forward to many more books in this series. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 3/5
      Murder is no Accident is about 2 murders, possibly 3, in the same house. Michael the deputy investigates. Has a big resembalance to Mayberry RFD at times with Lester another deputy equal to Barney.
    • 3/5
      This was my first book by A. H. Gabhart. I noticed that it is the third book in the A Hidden Springs Mystery series. It does fine as a stand alone novel, but I think if I had read the first two books I would have related more to the characters. The story centers around deputy sheriff Michael Keane and the town of Hidden Springs. It has the same feel as Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford. Small town,quiet for the most part, quirky people, and mysterious circumstances. I love the description of Miss Vonda's Victorian house. Michael Keane has to protect the innocent and catch the guilty as the bodies start adding up! This book is a light murder mystery with a little romance mixed in. Again, maybe I would feel more for Michael and his love interest Alex, had I read the previous books.Overall, a slow start. But the author adds just enough mystery to keep me reading to find out who did it.
    • 3/5
      This was an OK book that couldn't really decide if it wanted to be a mystery or a romance novel. The mystery part was continuously interrupted by a slow-as-molasses romance between the Deputy Chief protagonist who was always ready to drop his investigation of two, if not three, murders to moon over his old girlfriend who, despite being presented as a sophisticated lawyer, couldn't seem to make up her mind about him. If it hadn't been for a small boy wanting to feed a cat, the murders never would have been solved. An ok read for a romance novel, but if you want a good mystery I would suggest you look elsewhere.
    • 4/5
      Young Maggie Green, 15, knows she has no business in Miss Fonda's alluring Victorian mansion by herself. But she can't resist. Even though the elderly Miss Fonda has invited her to come by whenever she wants, Maggie's mother, who cleans the mansion with Maggie's help, does not approve of her being there when they're not working, especially since Miss Fonda is relegated to a gentle care facility now and the house sits empty. As young folks are sometimes prone to disobey their parents' wishes, Maggie is inside the mansion in the tower room which is above the third floor, accessed by a trap door in the room beneath, making entries in her secret diary when she hears real estate agent, Geraldine Harper, entering the house. Careful not to be heard, Maggie stays still and quiet, hoping the well-known agent will leave shortly. But wait, there's another set of footsteps heard in the house, and Geraldine hears them too. When she encounters the other intruder, a person she clearly knows, a conversation ensues and when Geraldine threatens to beckon the police, Maggie hears what sounds like someone tumbling down a flight of stairs. In fear, she waits a little while before leaving her hideaway and discovers the real estate agent dead at the bottom of the stairs. She calls 911 with Geraldine's phone and sneaks away from the house unnoticed before the police arrive. Or did she get away unnoticed? In time Maggie becomes privy to not one murder, but two, and will she be able to keep herself out of harms way before the threats of a killer make her murder victim number three?Murder Is No Accident is the first book I've read by A.H. Gabhart, and it was a pretty good mystery. What I liked most was the climactic ending. It was a different experience reading about a young teen discovering murder victims, as opposed to an adult. Some of the complexities that accompany mysteries featuring an adult protagonist is not present in this book, which was a little bit of a minus for me. The pacing started out slow but gradually picked up. It ebbed and flowed, with the ending reaching a crescendo. I think some of the parts in the beginning of the book made me feel as though it was written to appeal to an older demographic with the mention of dementia, strokes, accidents amongst the elderly, and the infirmities that are typically associated with aging. It was a little depressing, but thankfully those subjects didn't prevail throughout the entire book. The sleepy town, Hidden Springs, where the murders took place, was comprised of quirky characters that tend to inhabit small, southern towns. A Deputy, Michael Keane, had a continual presence in the book, and the direction of his love life was somewhat of a secondary plot. I ultimately enjoyed how things turned out for him. The other characters made their appearances without much fanfare; sprinkled about here and there. Nothing particularly endearing about any of them besides Maggie and the boy who had a crush on her, Anthony. They were a sweet, innocent pair. Aside from them, there wasn't a whole lot of character development that would make me long to read more about what happened to any of them in the future. All in all, whereas the mystery aspect wasn't bad, and the conclusion plausible, this was just an okay read for me. Others may really enjoy it. I just needed a little more excitement to keep me turning the pages, and that wasn't the case for me. Thank you Baker Publishing for an ARC of this book. In return I have provided an honest review.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed my first visit to Hidden Springs as much as I enjoyed visiting Hollyhill and Rosey Corner, each a small town springing from A. H. Gabhart's creative mind, complete with a cast of memorable characters. While Murder Is No Accident is the third book in The Hidden Springs Mysteries series, it worked well as a stand-alone read, revealing just enough from the first two books to entice readers to read the previous books in the series. (I already have Murder at the Courthouse loaded on my Kindle.) Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane has roots that grow deep in Hidden Springs as His ancestors were founding fathers in Keane County. Alexandria Sheridan's family never remained anywhere long enough to put down roots, but childhood visits to her aunt and uncle's made Hidden Springs feel like home. While undeniably drawn to one another, Michael and Alex had never been able to figure out how to match Michael's small town roots and Alex's big city career. Something not being made any easier by the demands suddenly placed on Michael's time to solve one or maybe two murders while protecting a key witness and her family. Solving the current mystery might depend on his being able to put other ghosts to rest in the old Victorian mansion known as the Chandler house. While this may be Gabhart's first mystery series, her expertise as a storyteller stands her in good stead, and I believe her fans, as well as those new to her writing, will not be disappointed. I thank Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing me with a copy of Murder Is No Accident in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no compensation for this review.
    • 5/5
      If you like Christian, a light murder mystery,suspense,and a small town with a touch of romance, you'll love AH Gabhart's Murder is No Accident. The setting is the beautiful old Chandler mansion. When the local real estate agent dies, it appears to be an accident...but someone knows different and is threatening poor young Maggie to keep quiet.Gabheart gives us plenty of complicated characters to care about, from Alex and her uncle;to Deputy Michael Keane and his aunt; to Maggie and her family; and don't forget Fonda!Kudos to Gabheart on the solution. I just didn't see it coming, and chances are, most readers won't. Totally made sense, but left me in awe of Gabheart's writing prowess.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher,which did not influence my review. I also received a copy from NetGalley. I am solely responsible for the opinions therein.
    • 4/5
      I received a copy of this book as an Early Reviewer for an honest review. I should preface my review by admitting that cozy mysteries are my “go-to” genre (I simply love the “down-home, Murder She Wrote” feel of this type of book even though I will usually give them only 3 stars because, while they are a fun read, they usually aren’t literary masterpieces!) This book, however, is a solid 4 to 4 ½ stars! Maggie Greene, a young high school girl, is, unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although she and her mother clean the large Chandler home, Maggie has no good reason to be up in the tower room the day that a local real estate saleswoman takes a tumble down the stairs and breaks her neck. Afraid that she will be in trouble for trespassing, she calls 911 from the dead woman’s phone and runs away. What she didn’t know was that someone saw her. At first, the death seems like an unfortunate accident; however, after another person is killed the local police realize they have a murderer on the loose.There was a lot going on in this book. The author did a great job of developing all of the characters in the book – I think this is what is lacking in many cozy mysteries – characters that you feel you really know. As for the mystery itself, I can’t give away too much. There were enough characters in the book that I had several prime suspects; however, by the end, I wasn’t surprised.It was obvious while reading this book that it is one of a series; however, the references to earlier events weren’t distracting from this story and it didn’t feel as though the author was trying to “catch me up” on characters. Of course, since I didn’t read the first book in the series, I may not be the best judge at what details were redundant!This book would probably be classified as Christian literature; however, references to religion and religious beliefs were primarily used to define the characters and never came across as “preachy”I would read more in this series (and may have to go back and read the first one too!)
    • 4/5
      Title: Murder is No Accident (Hidden Springs Mystery #3)Author: A.H. GabhartPages: 343Year: 2017Publisher: RevellMy rating is 4 stars.Deputy Michael Keane is called to the scene of an accidental fall down the stairs by a local realtor at an old Victorian style mansion. The owner has been transferred to a senior care home and her executor’s son is trying to sell the house out from under her. The realtor had come to appraise the house and ran into someone unexpected there. What the surprise visitor doesn’t know is that a local teen is hiding up in the tower room of the house when the accident happens and hears everything. The teen leaves the scene, but then receives an alarming telephone call. Michael has his suspicions about the “accident”, but has no proof that it was anything other than just that…an accident. This brings back memories for the owner of years ago when her sister died the same way in the same house. This has always been ruled an accident, but the owner claims she knows who killed her sister. Another body is soon found at the old house and this time there is no doubt that the person was murdered. Michael has his hands full investigating these crimes as well as helping with the local church youth group.Michael also receives news that his aunt’s neighbor and good friend to all in the community has had a stroke. This is the local town’s attorney whose niece just happens to be the love of Michael’s life, but he hasn’t told her that. Alexandria Sheridan arrives in town to help with the care of her uncle. She has loved Michael all her life, but hasn’t been bold enough to let him know. Besides she is an attorney for a big law firm in Washington, D.C. and likes her life there. Michael has roots and likes his small-town life in Hidden Springs. Michael, however, decides he wants more than a long-distance telephone relationship with Alex and wants to move things to a new level. Can Michael solve the case and get the girl?What a good mystery series! I like the direction the relationship between Michael and Alex is taking and can’t wait to see where they stand in the next book! I just loved Miss Fonnie and the gentle way Michael treated her. He still respected her even though she didn’t know what was going on in the present most of the time. I also liked the relationship between the teenagers Anthony and Maggie and how they both respected Maggie’s parents’ wishes in regards to dating. Anthony treated Maggie with respect. The pace of the story was a little slow in a couple of places, but I still would definitely recommend this book to readers.
    • 5/5
      When real estate agent Geraldine Harper takes a fatal fall down a flight of stairs, just about everyone in Hidden Springs thinks it was a tragic accident. But Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane feels a bit uneasy about what really happened and teenager Maggie Greene knows for a fact that what happened to Geraldine Harper was no accident. Maggie is afraid to tell anyone what happened and thinks her silence will protect those she loves but she couldn’t be more wrong.“Murder Is No Accident” is an excellent mystery. While I have not read any other Hidden Spring mysteries, I was immediately caught up in this book and the characters – elderly Miss Fonda who mostly lives in the past, Maggie with her secrets and troubled home life, Michael with his troubled love life, Alex who is the source of Michael’s troubles, Michael’s Aunt Malinda, Alex’s Uncle Reese, and many more. I usually read only cozy mysteries but I wouldn’t quite call this a cozy mystery – it isn’t violent by any means but the characters and situations are just a tad deeper than in most cozy mysteries I have read. But, although this was a bit different than other mysteries I have read, I enjoyed it quite a bit and kept thinking about the mystery and various characters long after I finished reading the book. The book has a nice atmospheric feel that lingers with the reader. The mystery is nicely done and well-plotted (including an old mystery lingering in the background throughout the book), and with just the right amount of suspense and tension especially at the end of the book.“Murder Is No Accident” is a great mystery.
    • 5/5
      We are back in Hidden Springs with some well known friends, as this is book three in the series, and there is a lot of action and sadly murder going on.Michael and Alex are still not really together and by the looks of their relationship it may never happen, she is living in Washington DC and of course he is the Sheriff in Hidden Springs. His Aunt is still teaching and worrying about Michael and Alex and of course Reese, now you are going to quickly find out whom all of these folks are, or you can do yourself a favor and read the two previous books.What we have here is questions about an old murder, an elderly woman with dementia, someone or someone’s greed, and threats against children. You are going to change your mind more than once as to who is responsible.I hope we come back here again, but if this is goodbye, I loved this series and these people.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 3/5
      Murder is No Accident by A.H. Gabhart is the third book in The Hidden Springs Mysteries. Maggie Greene is up in the tower room writing of the Chandler house when she hears noises below. Maggie stays as still as possible so she will not be discovered. Then Geraldine Harper, the local realtor, enters the house. Maggie hears Geraldine find the intruder and an argument ensues. Geraldine goes to call the sheriff, but it is her last act. Only after she is sure the trespasser has departed, does Maggie venture down from the tower. She finds Geraldine dead at the bottom of the back steps (many big Victorian homes had a fancy front staircase and a serviceable back staircase that was very narrow). Maggie is afraid she will be accused of trespassing even though she has permission from Fonda Chandler, the owner of the house. Maggie uses Geraldine’s phone to call 911 anonymously and then she quietly leaves. While Maggie did not see anyone nearby, someone saw her. Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane receives a call that Miss Fonda (as she is called) has once again escaped from the Gentle Care Home where she is looked after by Mrs. Gibson. Miss Fonda has dementia and forgets that she no longer lives at Chandler house. Michael arrives at Chandler house as he is notified of the 911 call. He notices that her car is out front and enters the open house. He finds Miss Fonda holding Geraldine. She believes it is her deceased sister, Audrey who died in a very similar manner. Geraldine’s death is ruled accidental. But soon another person is found dead inside the Chandler home. Maggie is afraid to come forward after she receives a threatening call from the killer. Has someone decided to search for the rumored treasure of Chandler house? Michael will need to work quickly to find the guilty party before the killer takes further action.While Murder is No Accident is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I was never able to get into and enjoy this book. It is hard to describe the writing style. Murder is No Accident is jam packed with activity. There is just one incident after another. Besides the main mystery there is Miss Fonda escaping from the care home (frequently which does not speak well for their care or vigilance), fishing, the fifty-year-old mystery of how Audrey, fishing, Miss Fonda’s sister died, Sonny trying to sell Miss Fonda’s home, fishing, the romance between Michael and Alex Sheridan (which was very prevalent), Betty Jean Atkins dating life, Lana Waverly’s tea shop and investigation, and more fishing. In the small town of Hidden Springs, everyone gets involved in your life (even if you wish they would not). One of the problems with Murder is No Accident is the number of characters. I stopped keeping track after twelve. I did not like how fifteen-year-old Maggie was portrayed as simple minded when she actually is creative and smart (she likes to write). The Christian element is very subtle (mostly prayer). Murder is No Accident is more cozy than mystery. I give Murder is No Accident 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery may seem complicated, but the solution was not (at least part of it). I enjoy Christian mysteries (I get new ones every month), but this one was not for me. I think the right elements are present, they just needed to be put together differently.
    • 5/5
      Tuesday, March 14, 2017Murder is No Accident by A. H. Gabhart, © 2017The Hidden Springs Mysteries, Book 3“The little town that time forgot but murder didn’t.”After Miss Fonda had to go to the Gentle Care Home, Maggie’s mother did say Maggie could come feed Miss Fonda’s calico cat, Miss Marble, who lived out in the garden shed. But the cat excuse wouldn’t help if Maggie got caught inside the house. She’d be in trouble.--Murder is No Accident, 7.Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is well taken care of supplied with sandwiches and coffee as he makes his rounds in Hidden Springs with Sheriff Potter away on vacation. Be sure to read the author's behind-the-scenes writings in her January 2017 blog posts. Two new businesses have been added, a tea & bookshop, and an antique store. Both are newcomers and in hope of rising interest in this quaint little town of older residents, all settled for prospective tourist Main Street visitors.There is quite a difference in Deputy Keane in his quiet care of the town, and Lester Stucker who liked to keep his patrol car dome lights flashing and siren going throughout town. That is an alert to Hank Leland, the newspaper editor, to be scribbling in his notebook and camera ready.I really like the young teen character, Maggie Greene, who helps her mom clean a couple times a month at the Chandler mansion, dusting and tidying up the vacant home of elderly Miss Fonda who is needing closer care at Mrs. Gibson's house now with her loss of memory. Well partial loss, anyway; she remembers bits and pieces of the past, especially about her beloved home. Remembering how much she loved writing in her journal, sharing verbal stories with Maggie, she would want her quiet hidden space to be Maggie's too...Anthony Blake and Maggie become better acquainted while at a church youth group fishing outing. She is fifteen and not allowed to date yet. Maggie is amazed that a senior would like her and begin talking to her at school. She takes care of her little brother after school until her parents are home. I like how Anthony checks on them. He is a good friend to have.Deputy Keane has a returning visitor, placing concentration on his job vision at the forefront. Likely, there may be some who would like to predict what others "will do and should say."The past becomes unexpectedly revealed. Today has enough troubles of its own. What an opener! Visiting Hidden Springs, it will not be an ordinary day.***Thank you, Revell Reads Fiction for a copy of the third book in The Hidden Springs Mysteries. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

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    Murder Is No Accident (The Hidden Springs Mysteries Book #3) - A.H. Gabhart

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