Book Title:  Back to the Burgh and Beyond (The Owl’s Nest Mysteries, Book 1) 
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 208 pages
Run Time: 5 hours, 59 minutes
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Sep 10, 2020
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

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Book Description:

​Meet Alexa Owl. She’s returned home to Pittsburgh after a divorce to start a new life and a new business, The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to her surprise, she’s getting more than she ever bargained for: Detective Bobby Starr, and he’s no ordinary sleuth. Bobby is an angel who’s returned to Earth in hopes of earning his way into the Guardian Angel Squad. He’s been sent by none other than Saint Pete to acquire Alexa’s help to solve three cold case murders he left behind. Except, here’s the catch: he’s only been allotted four days to solve the first case! How in heaven’s name is she supposed to do that? Alexa is a professional seamstress—not a detective. Bobby insists the only way to solve the first case is to return to 1953, and Alexa’s not in love with that idea at all!

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My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This is the first book in the Owl’s Nest Mysteries. I had read the second book, Maxed Out, a while back and enjoyed it, so I was glad to read the first book.

I like the main character, Alexa. She’s an independent and brave woman who has just gotten a divorce and now owns her own business. I found it interesting how she just takes everything in stride: ghost, ghost cat, time travel…no biggie!

Detective Bobby Starr is an interesting character, particularly since he’s dead. He wants to be part of an elite group of angels but in order to be in it, St. Peter wants him to prove he’s worthy by resolving some cases that he didn’t have a chance to finish when he was alive. The first case he needs to solve is the murder of an ex-wife.

It’s obvious that Bobby wasn’t the greatest detective, so Alexa agrees to help him. Something she didn’t count on was having to travel back in time to help solve the murder!

This is a short but fun (and funny) murder mystery that I enjoyed. I look forward to listening to Double Dog Dare, the third book in the series.

About the Author

For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.

Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Meet the Narrator

Ms. Waxenberg is a voice over artist and presentation coach.  She serves as a consultant to the Professional Development Company, Inc. teaching presentation and interview skills seminars to a variety of clients, Columbia MBA, and SIPA graduate students.  Maren has a 30-year background in special events, performing arts production and the entertainment industry.   In 1996, she founded Maren Productions which produces audio books, radio and television voice-overs, and podcasts.  Maren Productions also offers special event production and consultancy services. 

Ms. Waxenberg has worked in Special event production with George Trescher Associates, theater production and management at the TheatreVirginia in Richmond, the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, and The New Dramatists in New York. She edited and formatted feature films for ABC Motion Picture Post Production.  Maren served as the concert manager of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall for four years, produced events for the promotion department of The New York Daily News, and has produced chamber music recitals at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  Ms, Waxenberg has produced, directed and performed in numerous Off-Broadway theatre productions.  She trained with the CoActive Training Institute.

Giveaway

Enter to win a signed copy of DOUBLE DOG DARE
(an Owl’s Nest Mystery)
(two winners/USA only)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

Oct 3 – Mystery Review Crew – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 3 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook review of BACK TO THE BURGH / giveaway
Oct 4 – Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of BACK TO THE BURGH / giveaway
Oct 4 – Leanne bookstagram  – book review of BACK TO THE BURGH / giveaway
Oct 5 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 6 – Literary Flits – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
​Oct 6 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 7 – Books for Books – audiobook review of BACK TO THE BURGH
Oct 11 – Leanne bookstagram  – book review of MAXED OUT / giveaway
Oct 12 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 12 – Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of MAXED OUT / giveaway
Oct 13 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of BACK TO THE BURGH / giveaway
Oct 13 – Bigreadersite  – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 13 – She Just Loves Books – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE
Oct 14 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of MAXED OUT / giveaway
Oct 17 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of BACK TO THE BURGH / giveaway
Oct 17 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook review of MAXED OUT / giveaway
Oct 18 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of MAXED OUT / giveaway
Oct 18 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 19 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 19 – Duckfacekim09 – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 20 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE – giveaway
Oct 20 – Leanne bookstagram  – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 21 – Books for Books – audiobook review of MAXED OUT
Oct 24 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 24 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 25 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 25 – Cheryl’s Book Nook  – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 26 –Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 27 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review of DOUBLE DOG DARE / giveaway
Oct 28 – Books for Books – audiobook review of DOUBLE DOG DARE