Mrs. Peabody's Party Line: A Honeyspoon Murder Mystery (Honeyspoon Murder Mysteries, Book 1)

Mrs. Peabody is a character you'll enjoy meeting. Living in the 1950's and being connected to her neighbors through a party line, she can't help but listen in to all the conversations through which she becomes privy to secrets, adulterous affairs, and other matters some people would've preferred kept private.When a murder occurs in the town library, she takes it upon herself to investigate. Teaming up with a cute little dog who joins her later in the book, she faces danger but also helps solve the mystery.I loved the period setting of this quaint town and all the quirky characters including the nun who isn't happy following her vows and some of the kids who are smarter than their parents. It was a perfect cozy and one that gets this fun series off to a great start.

This was a delightful murder mystery that I read in one sitting, because I could not put it down! All of the characters were crafted with such care, each with their own quirks and foibles, and I adored them all. The mystery itself kept me guessing until the very end, and I read a lot of mysteries, so I've gotten fairly good at predicting the big reveals. This was exactly the kind of ending I love, one that I didn't see coming, but makes perfect sense once all the pieces are in place. Well, almost all of the pieces... the ending left a few hints about what might be up next for Mrs. Peabody, and I, for one, cannot wait to read it!Many thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a book I would have found well worth paying for!

Think back to a time when people shared their telephone line with others and turned to Lawrence Welk for entertainment--or at least Mrs. Peabody does. And she's a snoop, and a murder has occurred... But Mrs. Peabody is no genteel Miss Marple; some aspects of her character are a little... rough. In fact, that's what makes Heusler's people memorable; they are all quite human, and Heusler detects and confesses their every oddity. Here, Heusler peeks into a range of folks in this small town and happily dishes the dirt on all. Follow Mrs. Peabody to lunch at the local 5 and dime and reading a romance magazine taken from her neighbor's stash. Well, hopefully she will solve this terrible crime. The plot is as jam packed as the small town is with unique inhabitants who have pasts they would rather have remain secret and debts that they don't want the others on their phone line to find out about. Really an engrossing, fun book, as are all those of Ms. Heuisler's that I've read.

I liked the setting in 1957 and how a lonely, nosy widow joins the ranks of famous sleuths like the little old ladies of British murder mysteries who see everything and are clever enough to keep investigating until they find the murderer that no one suspected. A fun read!

Mrs. Peabody lives from hand to mouth some days. Cookies and coffee are rationed. The electric is getting turned off. She's is bored and finds solace in listening in on her 3 party phone line. She has a well deserved reputation as a busy body. That said, her intentions are good. Murders happen. Neighbors and an unhappy nun are involved one way or another. Well developed characters. Things work out and her future looks brighter. I think the nosy streak will remain. I was wondering if there were other Honeyspoon books. I enjoyed this one and would like to read another.