The Case of the Clobbered Cad Review and Giveaway!

I am so excited to have Debra Marvin on the blog today! As I mentioned on my #FirstLineFriday post, I actually met her recently. Not to make for a long post, but I have to share! I recently attended the Christian Fictions Reader’s Retreat, and it was amazing. No words to describe how awesome it was! But, my husband was a little nervous about me driving all the way there on my own (plane tickets were just too expensive). Enter Debra. It just so happens that she lives in the same state as me, and graciously offered to meet me in a town off the highway in NY, and then drive me to the event. And when I say she drove me, I am being literal. She has a standard vehicle, which I cannot drive.

Let me just say this – Debra is an absolute joy to be around. She is so friendly, and I really got to know a lot about her and her family. AND I got to hear some behind the scenes stuff about her trip. (no, I’m not going to share, but keep reading on because Debra is going to share some!) Anyways, I am so grateful to her and was so glad to have made a new friend. And as much as I love sharing about books, sometimes it’s also nice as a reader to learn how truly awesome an author is 🙂

Okay…..on with the tour!

About the Book

Series: The Nosy Parker Mysteries
Genre:  Journey Fiction, Historical, Mystery
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: August 1, 2017

Inspired by the famous Girl Detective, the members of the Olentangy Heights Girls’ Detective Society, affectionately known as the Nosy Parkers, spent their formative years studying criminology, codes, and capers. Unfortunately, opportunities to put their unique skills to work were thin on the ground in the post-war boom of their little corner of suburbia and they eventually grew up to pursue more sensible careers. Until…

Heather Munro’s youthful devotion to The Girl Detective led to a passion for digging around in history. Now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Celtic Studies, Heather must balance exploring Edinburgh with her determination to excel in her all–male classes at the University. Unfortunately, on her first night working in the Archives room, she discovers the dead body of a visiting professor, the same would-be lothario she’d hoped never to see again.

As clues come to light, it’s clear someone hopes to frame Heather for the murder. Besides her quirky landlady, whom can she trust? How can she clear her name? The police and the American Consul have plenty of suspects, but only two seem to have both motive and opportunity: Heather and the quiet Scottish historian she longs to believe in.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

My Perspective

What a well written novel. The talk, the setting, the situations – all seemed realistic to the location and time period of the story. The research that Ms. Marvin put into this novel was evident in every page. Aside from that, the mystery was great and I found myself diving in head first to finding the killer. In fact, I’m not who wanted it more, me or Heather. The way that the clues were given was genius. I had my theories of course, as will you. But here’s the thing, just when you are going in one direction and think you have it figured out, surprise! Ms. Marvin has steered you into an entirely different direction. The clues keep you on your toes right up until the end.

My favorite character was actually Mrs. Kintyre. I think it’s because if I were her, I would find myself meddling in the case as well. She was a smart lady, and paid attention to things you wouldn’t necessarily think about. She also had a way of nudging Heather forward when Heather was ready to go a different direction. And she was not afraid of the authorities! She had this spunk that I kind of admired.

I thought the ending was great. Turns out, I was wrong about the killer. In fact, it ended up being someone I only briefly thought about. What does that mean? Well either I am just naïve, or the author is really good at what she does. I’m thinking the latter on that! Honestly, if I look back and some scenes it does come together. But it takes the second read to see that! I hope you enjoy the mystery as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Debra E. Marvin is a member of ACFW, Sisters in Crime, a Grace Awards Judge, and serves on the board of Bridges Ministry in Seneca Falls, NY. She’s one of the founders of Inkwell Inspirations Blog, and is published with WhiteFire Publishing, Forget Me Not Romances, Journey Fiction and contracted with Barbour Publishing. Debra works as a program assistant at Cornell University in upstate NY, and enjoys her family and grandchildren, obsessively buying fabric, watching British programming and traveling with her childhood friends.

10 Behind the Scene Facts about the Book!!

1. We reference “The Girl Detective” but we never actually use her name!  You know who I’m talking about though, don’t you?
2. The book is set in 1956.  Can you guess why I chose that particular year? Go ahead. You won’t offend me!
3. Heather’s first trip abroad is to the U.K. Sixty years later, Debra made her first trip abroad and was greeted in the Edinburgh airport by a lovely customs agent with a broad Scottish accent. (Debra grinned like an eejit!)
4. The Case of the Clobbered Cad was originally set in Old Sturbridge Village because I wanted to visit there. The heroine was a history major doing an internship.  When I made the last minute decision to buy a ticket to Scotland, I asked my publisher if she minded if I changed the setting! She loved the idea!
5. Like Heather, my grandfather was Scottish. (though mine was born in the U.S. to a Scottish immigrant family). He insisted I was “Scots t’ the backbone and prood of it.” What a thrill to be able to visit the village where his my great-grandparents called home.
6. I visited the Archeology Department at the University of Edinburgh and went inside the archives room. If you read the book, you’ll understand why that was so important! (Though in 1956, the setting was completely different!)
7. I actually stayed on both of the Edinburgh streets used as ‘home addresses’ for two of my characters.
8. Some retired policemen and professors answered my questions, including a gentleman with an OBE.  You do know what that means, don’t you?
9. Lisa Richardson, author of The Counterfeit Clue designed the covers!
10. While my earlier published works have been sweet romances, mysteries are my first love and I hope to take Heather elsewhere in Scotland and Ireland.

Giveaway

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