Death by Auction
by Alexis Morgan
Abby McCree is new to Snowberry Creek, but wants to contribute to her community, so she spearheads a fundraiser in support of a local veterans’ group. It is a fun bachelor/bachelorette auction which will be followed in a few weeks by a World War II era dance. Well, it would be fun if Abby had not discovered her celebrity Master of Ceremony’s dead body and if her boyfriend’s ex-wife hadn’t made a surprise visit to Snowberry Creek.
Abby is not happy to be in the middle of this mess, but she responds in her usual hospitable manner to the unwelcome ex-wife whom she privately calls “the barnacle.” With her never ending stash of muffins and cookies tucked away in the freezer, she even feeds the law enforcement officers who show up on her doorstep.
The story, which varies in mood from humorous to serious, moves quickly. As much as I wanted to know who committed the crime, I still didn’t want the book to end. From adventures at a biker bar to the joys of having her boyfriend’s ex-wife, who is one of the suspects, as a houseguest, the plot has a high energy level. The characters’ interactions are interesting. I’d love to join Abby at her kitchen table for a chat and the chance to pet Zeke, her slobbery ninety pound mastiff mix who is a good companion for her because of his intimidating size and his abilities in judging character. Abby is astute in her investigations and instrumental in solving the crime. All in all, Alexis Morgan’s Death by Auction is a very satisfying cozy mystery.
I would like to extend my thanks to Netgalley and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #3 in the Abby McCree Mystery Series, but would be excellent as a standalone
Publication: May 26, 2020—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
They settled in at the table while Zeke parked himself between them in case someone dropped food on the floor that would require an emergency cleanup. He was good about things like that.
“I’ve learned never to underestimate your total inability to stay out of trouble, but also every guilty thought you have flashes across your face like it’s a billboard.”
Mount St. Helens had nothing on the eruption Abby could sense brewing in Tripp. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles stood out in stark relief. One wrong word at this point, and she had no doubt he would go ballistic.
education pathways 
I love when I don’t want a book to end. So glad it was a good one!
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I enjoy this book and have DEATH BY INTERMISSION, the lasted in the series.
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I’m looking forward to that one too.
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If you didn’t want the book to end, that is a great recommendation! Thanks Linda, it sounds like a fun read!
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It was a great break. I’m reading Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and needed something a little lighter (OK, a lot lighter!) to balance it out.
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Thank you Linda it sounds like one I would enjoy! The grandkids went home Sunday (they have been here for 2-1/2 months. My daughter had both vaccine shots so now we only have them Thursday night through Sunday night when my daughter works her 12 hour nursing shifts in ICU. With almost 4 full days free I am hoping to have time to read. This would be a great start!
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So many books, so much fun! It will be quite an adjustment for you and your grandchildren. How great that you have them during some time when you don’t have to supervise their school work. Please tell your daughter that her work in the ICU is very much appreciated by me and so many others. I am happy she has been able to stay healthy. You were a big part of that process too, Diane.
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Thank you so much. It was exhausting but worth it. However, I am VERY glad to be done with school work!!!! I told my daughter to make sure homework was done before she brings them on Thursday night…lol
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Oh my sounds so exciting Linda. I have your rec on Amazon wishlist. But they don’t seem to have a sale
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Frankly, I think they charge too much for cozies and romances that are meant to be read in a short amount of time and presumably did not take as long to write. I am not denigrating the craft of the writer, but these are not War and Peace, for heaven’s sake.
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Another great review Linda. I love when you want to find out whodunnit, but you also want more of the story. I have only read the first in this series, but I hope to continue with it when I finish some of the ARCs I have. I think it is available on Hoopla.
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You have a lot of good sources for reading and listening and seem to know how to use them to your advantage. I think that is a valuable skill.
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I am so lucky that my library and the one in the city we border, both allow me to be members. It gives me a lot of opportunity to find what I want. I also use Scribd, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading, so can find about 70% of what I want to read or listen to before buying things.
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