James J. Cudney

I mainly read books in the psychological thriller, mystery, horror,paranormal genre, however , I have enjoyed many stories about families and relationships in the past and I'm glad I decided to give this one a try.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and each character felt real to me.
I come from a big family and was able to relate to the story as it unfolded. Real life has a way of taking over sometimes despite all the best laid plans....
It didn't take me long to get caught up in the story and I couldn't stop reading till the end.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading more of his writing.… (meer)

Don’t let the cutesy retro cover of this book fool you. What lies within is a good old fashioned Who-Dunnit, with scads of suspects, copious leads, and more twists and turns than a Halloween corn maze. So not a cookie-cutter cozy.

I am new to the Braxton Campus Series, but after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back and fill in the bits of the stories I have missed out on. Seriously, it has all the hallmarks of a great detective television show, thanks in part to some well-written characters that leap off the page. I wasn’t sure if I should fear Nana D or laugh at her shenanigans. Kellen’s siblings are such bold strokes of color, they almost take the story over in a whole new readable direction and the local citizenry is funny and abrasive and totally real.

I truly enjoy Kellan Ayrwick, “The Unlikely Death Locator.” When your almost girlfriend gives you a nickname like that you have to be something different. Not your typical cozy sleuth, Kellen is in his early thirties with a young daughter, a former Hollywood director turned college professor, and well, he’s a man. One doesn’t see that often enough in the genre. He has got a lot on his plate with raising his daughter and teen cousin while juggling his teaching job and keeping his never pleased boss happy while trying to find a way to turn his hot flirtation with the county sheriff into an actual relationship. It would be a lot easier if he could finish the renovations on his new home and just get the family settled in. Trouble is the house seems to be haunted and the alleged ghost doesn’t want him there making changes to the house.

When Kellen lives up to his nickname and finds a 50-year-old skeleton that might be connected to the history of his house, he finds out that “whodunnit?” is just the first question that needs answering and Braxton is just full of skeletons, the kind that hangs out in closets.

This book reads beautifully as a stand-alone, but it is its own advertisement for reading the rest of the series. I don’t have a lot of favorite authors, but James J. Cudney may just have made the list.

I received a free copy of the book for review purposes. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.… (meer)

https://mjmallon.com/2020/09/10/book-review-watching-glass-shatter-by-james-cudn...

I loved this. Fantastic family drama, strong female characters, so moving it made me cry! Enjoyed the characterisation of all the 5 brothers. All so different and engaging. Great characters, and dialogue. Interesting look at how shocking secrets exist in families and how circumstances can alter how we deal when they are revealed. The story line elaborates on many important concerns within the family dynamic: vulnerabilities, mistakes made and forgiven, pressure to succeed, the far reaching consequences of drug dependency, 'coming out,' and accepting a love one's different lifestyle choices and learning to forgive a husband's decision. To cope with the most terrible heartbreak and be strong. The beginning and end are powerful. My recommendation 5 stars read this!… (meer)

A light-hearted murder mystery set in an academic setting with strong family vibes. I enjoyed this cozy story. It is for you if you like a well written story with lots of engaging dialogue. It is perhaps a bit different from what I would normally read but it is good to try new genres from time to time. I particularly enjoyed the main character's Kellan Ayrwick's feisty Nana who is such a fun character! Kellan is a widower with a young daughter, he works on a true crime television series called "Dark Reality." His father's retirement party at Braxton Campus brings more than he expects when Abby Monroe is found dead and it soon becomes clear that her death is not of natural causes.

Recommended� reading for those who enjoy humour as a side dish to garnish their murder mystery.

https://mjmallon.com/2020/03/08/book-review-academic-curveball-by-james-j-cudney...

My rating 4 stars.… (meer)