Book Title: Candidate for Murder by Lauren Carr
Series: A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 12)
Category: Adult fiction, 464 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery / Political Satire
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: June 9, 2016
Format available for review: Print (USA only). Audible download, ebook (mobi, epub, PDF)
Tour dates: Aug 31to Oct 9, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 – (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
It’s election time in Spencer, Maryland, and the race for mayor is not a pretty one. In recent years, the small resort town has become divided between the year-round residents who enjoy their rural way of life and the city dwellers who are moving into mansions, taking over the town council, and proceeding to turn Deep Creek Lake into a closed-gate community—complete with a host of regulations for everything from speed limits to clotheslines. When the political parties force-feed two unsavory mayoral nominees to the town’s residents, David O’Callaghan, the chief of police, decides to make a statement—by nominating Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s German shepherd, to run for mayor of Spencer! What starts out as a joke turns into a disaster when overnight, Gnarly becomes the front-runner, and his political opponents proceed to dig into the canine’s past. When one of the mayoral candidates ends up dead, it becomes apparent that slinging mud is not enough for someone with a stake in this election. With murder on the ballot, Mac Faraday and the gang—including old friends from past cases—dive in to clear Gnarly’s name, catch a killer, and save Spencer!
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My Review
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I had read this book four years ago, but I was happy to listen to it because I knew I enjoyed it back then, but I didn’t remember all of the details.
This is Lauren Carr’s 12th Mac Faraday novel. I have read quite a few of her bookss because I like her writing style. It’s easy to follow, the dialogue is outstanding, and I enjoy the dogs’ parts in the stories.
There are a lot of characters in Candidate for Murder but since I’m acquainted with several of them, I wasn’t confused. There is usually a Cast of Characters at the beginning of the books which helps new readers, but that’s not available with the audiobook as far as I can tell.
I like Mac Faraday and his wife, Archie Monday, and I love Mac’s dog, Gnarly! In fact, this book is about Gnarly in a roundabout way. Chief of Police and Mac Faraday’s half brother, David, is watching Gnarly while Mac is out of town. David is so disgusted with the two candidates running for mayor of the small town of Spencer that he signs Gnarly up as a candidate. Gnarly’s immediately a hit and way ahead of the other candidates in the polls.
Unfortunately, one of the candidates is murdered. That’s not the only murder that Mac and his entourage have to solve. They meet the husband of Gnarly’s murdered handler and promise to find out who killed her when she was in Iraq.
There are some twists and humor as usual. It’s hard to figure out who the bad guy is, or the worst guy. When politics is involved you never know what’s going to come up. And when Gnarly runs for mayor, they even try to dig up dirt on him. Can he actually win?
The narrator did an excellent job. I was impressed that he was able to change his voice enough for the many characters that I had no difficulty knowing who was speaking.
I definitely recommend Candidate for Murder. It has great characters, mystery, intrigue, twists, and lots of humor.
“It is an amusing look at politics and media today. Appropriate to see how the Deep Creek mayoral election relates to current events. Dissatisfaction with politicians on many levels often leave us looking for extreme change. It may leave you thoughtful. It may leave you writing Gnarly’s name in as your preferred candidate in the next election.” Reviewer: Merry Citarella, Jaquo.com
“Hilarious, mysterious and full of adventure, Gnarly and his human friends will have you on the edge of your seat unable to put your book down. Candidate for Murder is well written, played out and a story that you have just never heard before. I enjoyed every moment reading this book!” Reviewer: Working Mommy Journal
About the Author
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, Thorny Rose Mysteries, and the Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—close to thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds (including the nephew of the late-great Gnarly! (pictured above)) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest
~ Goodreads
Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Lauren Carr, author of CANDIDATE FOR MURDER (ends Oct 16)
TOUR SCHEDULE:
Sep 1 –Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 2 – Books for Books – book review of It’s Murder, My Son
Sep 2 – Blooming with Books – book spotlight of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 3 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Sep 4 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 7 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Sep 8 – My Reading Journeys – audiobook review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Sep 9 –My Fictional Oasis – book review of Candidate for Murder
Sep 11 –Nighttime Reading Center – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 11 –fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 14 –Literary Flits – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Sep 15 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 16 –Books for Books – book spotlight
Sep 17 –Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of It’s Murder, My Son / guest post / giveaway
Sep 18 –My Journey Back – audiobook review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Sep 21 –My Journey Back – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 22 – Mystery Suspense Reviews – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / author interview
Sep 23 – Books and Zebras @jypsylynn – book review of Candidate for Murder
Sep 24 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 25 –Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 28 – StoreyBook Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 29 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight
Sep 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Sep 30 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Oct 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Oct 1 – So Fine Print – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Oct 2 – Adventurous Jessy – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Oct 5 – Splashes of Joy – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Oct 6 – Literary Flits – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Oct 6 – Amy’s Booket List – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder
Oct 7 – Sylv.net – book spotlight
Oct 7 – My Reading Journeys – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / guest post / giveaway
Oct 8 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Candidate for Murder / guest post / author interview / giveaway
Oct 9 – Nighttime Reading Center – audiobook review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
Oct 9 – Adventurous Jessy – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
TBD – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – book review of Candidate for Murder / giveaway
TBD – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – book review of It’s Murder, My Son / giveaway
Bound 4 Escape