The Blurb
Who killed Gwendolyn Paddington?
When an extra ticket becomes available to see the dress rehearsal of King Lear, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies.
When one of them dies of an apparent heart attack in the middle of the second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate the death. With family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns that the Paddingtons might not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks.
But can Kellan find the killer, or will he get caught up his own stage fright?
When an extra ticket becomes available to see the dress rehearsal of King Lear, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies.
When one of them dies of an apparent heart attack in the middle of the second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate the death. With family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns that the Paddingtons might not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks.
But can Kellan find the killer, or will he get caught up his own stage fright?
Broken Heart Attack by James J. Cudney
Series: Braxton Campus Mystery, #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Academic Mystery
Publication Date: November 25, 2018
Independently Published
Paperback: 270 pages
ISBN-10: 1731310501
ISBN-13: 978-1731310507
Digital ASIN: B07KGGJX1T
ISBN-10: 1731310501
ISBN-13: 978-1731310507
Digital ASIN: B07KGGJX1T
The Review
I just finished an amazing book, y'all — Broken Heart Attack by James J. Cudney. Let me tell you about it.
Broken Heart Attack is the second book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, following — and even better than! — Academic Curveball (reviewed here). Most of the characters from Academic Curveball return to join main character Kellan Ayrwick in Broken Heart Attack. New people include the Paddington family and (my favorite new character) Kellan's six-year-old daughter Emma. I loved the wonderful dynamic between Kellan and Emma. I continued to enjoy Kellan's witty, humorous remarks and thoughts.
At the end of Academic Curveball, Kellan accepted a new job as a professor at Braxton and received some shocking news just as the book ended. Broken Heart Attack begins five days after Kellan gets the bombshell news. The news is so stunning that he never discloses it to anyone else during the book (so I shall not disclose it either).
This bombshell is always on his mind, however, causing him much internal conflict and driving much of the plot. The plot is so entertaining, complex, and exciting that I couldn't put the book down, and read it in one sitting. Broken Heart Attack kept me guessing until the end.
Startling revelations about several characters in the last chapter ensure that Book Three, Flower Power Trip, will be interesting indeed. I can't wait to read it! Write faster, Jay!!
I recommend Broken Heart Attack to fans of cozy mysteries, especially academic cozies. I totally adored Broken Heart Attack by James J. Cudney, and bestow upon it the highest rating of Five Kitties.
Five out of five kitties
and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions shared are 100% my own.
The Character Guest Post
Nana D
It’s been a hard day. I lost one of my best friends. She was only 74, life’s got at least another three decades before we’re supposed to slow down. What’s even worse… I suspect she didn’t just die of a heart attack. Someone in that Paddington family had it out to get my friend, and I’ll make my grandson, Kellan, prove it. As well as get a haircut. That kid couldn’t find his way out of a paper bag even if it had holes in it. I gotta tell him what to do all the time. I call him a kid, but he’s actually 32 years old. Not my oldest grandkid, not my youngest. Smack in the middle… and boy, does he ever suffer from middle-child syndrome.
Truth be told, I shouldn’t complain about him. He’s a good boy, but I won’t tell him that. Kids today need to be pushed a little harder. They have it too easy with their mobile devices, wireless connections, and crypto-currency goals. They should have to scoop up a couple of piles of manure like I did as a little girl. Farm work makes you tough. Strong. Honest. So does dropping that pile of crap on shady politicians like Marcus Stanton, my opponent in the race for mayor of our fine town. That con artist will get what’s coming to him soon, and that’s a promise. But if he ends up dead, don’t come looking for me. I had nothing to do with it. I just want his existence erased from Braxton, not the whole world.
Let’s see… what should I tell you? I’ve been baking pies all day. Started with a chocolate cream this morning, then turned out an apple crumb this afternoon. Tonight, we’re gonna focus on a cherry pie. Emma’s gonna help me. She’s my great-granddaughter. I really hope Kellan makes the right decision to move in with me. He needs to give his parents some space so they can do their own things. Now that my daughter’s kids have all grown up and moved out, it’s time Violet and that ninny she calls a husband, Wesley, figure out what to do on their own. Speaking of my daughter’s kids, I’m gonna be using the Internet to search for my other grandchild, Gabriel. He left town after a fight with his father, but Wesley was clearly in the wrong. Gabriel’s my perfect little angel, he didn’t do anything wrong. I’m confident he’ll be back soon. I can just feel it. And to be honest, if he’s not, I know a certain Creator who will suffer the consequences. I know a few Margarita tricks to teach him a lesson just like I taught Kellan a lesson. Be sure to check out that scene in Broken Heart Attack. It might just remind you of what us nanas are capable of when pushed to the limit.
Back to my poor friend who died this week… she was murdered. I feel it in my bones. Especially the big one in my right leg. It’s been acting up ever since that tractor incident with Marcus. Some days I can predict the weather, others I know when someone’s been murdered. Not too shabby of a talent if you ask me! Here’s what I’m gonna do… I’m gonna butter Kellan up, make him think it’s all his idea to investigate the truth. He’s so nosy anyway, he’ll just feel compelled to search for clues. At least I can admit it, unlike him. I have a responsibility as this town’s next mayor to rid us of these nasty leaders who can’t keep their grubby paws out of the cookie jar. And if that Sheriff Montague doesn’t watch herself, I’ll be after her job, too. Maybe Kellan should be the sheriff instead of a professor.
I’ve prattled on enough. Gotta get my pie outta the oven. Kellan’s expecting one tomorrow, and if there’s one thing that boy knows how to do, it’s eat desserts. But how does he stay in such good shape? I’ve got to peel the women away from him at the septuagenarian club. Every old biddy has asked me to set him up with their granddaughters. I’ve got my eye on a sweet girl who tames snakes for a living. She might be the right one for his next secret blind date. But don’t tell ‘em… he gets his panties all twisted up when I try to introduce him to such fine young women like the snake girl. Stop on by if you want some pie tomorrow… always extra for you fans!
The Author
About James J. Cudney
Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. I decided to pursue my passion by dusting off the creativity inside my head and drafting outlines for several novels. I quickly realized I was back in my element growing happier and more excited with life each day. My goal in writing is to connect with readers who want to be part of great stories and who enjoy interacting with authors. To get a strong picture of who I am, check out my author website or my blog. It’s full of humor and eccentricity, sharing connections with everyone I follow — all in the hope of building a network of friends across the world.
When I completed the first book, Watching Glass Shatter, I knew I’d stumbled upon my passion again, suddenly dreaming up characters, plots, and settings all day long. I chose my second novel, Father Figure, through a poll on my blog where I let everyone vote for their favorite plot and character summaries. It is with my third book, Academic Curveball, the first in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, where I immersed myself in a college campus full of so much activity, I could hardly stop thinking about new murder scenes or character relationships to finish writing the current story. Come join in the fun!
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4
The Giveaway
Follow the tour, to read other Reviews and Guest Posts, plus Author Interviews!
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
January 17 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW
January 18 – The Book's the Thing – GUEST POST
January 19 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - SPOTLIGHT
January 20 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
January 20 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
January 21 – Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW
January 21 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
January 22 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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January 24 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
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January 26 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
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