Cindy Brown

Actress and part-time P.I., Ivy Meadows (Olive Zeigwart) is excited when she learns that her best friend and fellow actress Candy Moonpie is in town as part of the touring cast of The Wizard of Ozpera. It has been a few months since they have seen one another and when they meet up, things are strained. Candy, now called Candace Moon, has lost a dangerous amount of weight, seems jumpy, doesn't look well or seem like herself. Ivy visits her on set and is caught up in an accident when the chandelier comes crashing down and injures one of the actresses. The producer/director asks Ivy to investigate and well as work as understudy for the show. Ivy finds out that there have been many accidents on this tour. She also comes up against Babette, a nasty woman who has a television show that finds the next "It Girl". When Candy disappears, Ivy not only has to find out about the accidents, but is worried that something bad has happened to Candy. Can Ivy find the answers before someone else gets hurt? Of course Ivy is also dealing with her brother Cody who is being secretive as well as a developing romance with Matt, her brother's previous caregiver.

The book includes a musical that is a mash up of The Wizard of Oz being performed in Space. There are bits from Star Wars, Star Trek and more. There is humor along with the stress of working in the theatre with stage mothers. (The munchkins are child actors) Ivy also discovers a couple of things about herself that she does not like very much and she works hard to change. There is a lot going on in this story and the murder and disappearance happen later in the story. Once that occurs, the climax comes pretty quickly. This was not one of my favorite books in this series, but it was still an enjoyable read. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.… (meer)

Actress Ivy Meadows, aka Olive Ziegwart, private detective is the protaganist of this humorous cozy mystery series. She is enjoying a rare day off with her boyfriend Matt, her brother Cody, and Cody's girlfriend at the Renaissance Faire. They were lucky to get free tickets from an old actor acquaintance of Ivy's, Riley. They are excited to watch Riley's debut in the jousting event when a terrible accident seriously injures, Angus, the jouster that Riley is up against, or was it Riley? The jouster disappears with Riley's horse and armor into the dessert. Riley staggers into the arena, apparently hit on the head and suffering from a concussion. Olive finds herself hired by the Faire to work undercover to find out what really happened. At the same time, Ivy finds herself undercover at the home of a Broadway writer where Riley's horse was found. Will she be able to keep her undercover assignments straight? Will she find out what happened? Could this job land her a ticket to Broadway? Will she and Matt take the next step in their relationship?

There is a lot going on in this story, but I had no problem keeping everything straight. Along with the mystery, there is a lot going on in Ivy's personal life that keeps her awake at night. They mystery still took centre stage, but this was more of a character driven mystery than some of the previous books in this series. So much was happening that once I started this book, I had a hard time putting it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. We meet a wide variety of people, most of them a bit quirky. I was disappointed that we did not see as much of her uncle in this book. This series once again pulled in broadway plays and added a lot of tongue in cheek humour. The whole idea of Camelot becoming Kennelot was a hoot and the play was so badly imagined. Things do get serious in the last part of the book when the story pulls together and Ivy/Olive finds the culprit. I had an inkling of who it was, but wasn't positive until the reveal at the end. Fans of the series will be thrilled to see how Ivy grows in her personal life as well as her professional one. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. The publisher, Henery Press, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.… (meer)

This is the first in the Ivy Meadows Mystery series and it is a great start. I love the character if Ivy (real name Olive Ziegwart). "My name is Ivy Meadows, and I am an actress" is her affirmation statement as she is getting ready for her audition for Macbeth. Little does she know a new chapter in her life is about to begin. Ivy gets the part of witch #3 in this adaptation of Macbeth set in a circus. When the name of the play is uttered in the theatre on opening night, the curse is set. This is known as the Curse of the Scottish Play and something bad is going to happen. What happens is that one of the actors dies that night and Ivy is sure that he has been murdered. When she loses her day job as a waitress at Olive Garden, her uncle, a Private Investigator offers her a job. This gives her ample time and opportunity to do some digging regarding the death of Simon. She finally convinces her uncle to investigate the death and this sets in motion danger to others.

With this being the first in the series, we learn some background about Ivy/Olive and her family situation. We meet her brother, who will appear in future books. Ivy also is involved in a budding romance with another character in the play, but I do not know if this will continue in future books or if it has run its course. Personally, I hope it is finished. The characters of Uncle Bob and "Pink" the detective were great characters for Ivy to play off. There was quite a bit of humor in this story, I mean, Macbeth in a circus as well as situations in Ivy's personal life. The mystery was well plotted and I did not guess the culprit at all. I understand why this person did it at the end, but was not on my radar during the story. I enjoyed this story with spunky Ivy and look forward to seeing what she gets herself into next. If you enjoy humorous cozy mysteries, pick this one up.… (meer)

This new to me author has written a complex tale that will keep you, the reader, on your toes. Actress and PI Ivy Meadows has her work cut out for her trying to discover who killed Renaissance Faire jouster Angus Duff. This is no easy task as he was known as a bully and there are many faire workers who did not like him. Ivy gets to use her acting talent by going undercover as a mime/belly dancer and as an actress playing the role of Marilyn Monroe in a show being developed by a well-known playwright.

In addition, Ivy needs to decide the direction of her relationship with boyfriend. Can she commit to a serious relationship knowing that an acting career could mean long times away from home? There is also the issue of her family. She feels responsible for her brother’s ice-skating accident and has a less than picture perfect relationship with her parents.

Cindy Brown does a wonderful job bringing her characters to life. If you have ever been to a Ren Faire, then you will feel the authenticity of the faire atmosphere. Like the author, I also have a background in theater enjoyed how Ivy used her acting skills to investigate the murder. I did feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning when I was first trying to sort out the “who’s who,” but that disappeared as I got more involved in the story.

I received my copy of this book by entering a Facebook group contest (random draw). I’m thrilled to have won as Ms. Brown is now on my radar as an author I want to continue to read.… (meer)