From School Library Journal

YA-- Someone is killing the crime buffs of the Real Murders Society in Lawrenceton, Georgia. A librarian, Aurora Teagarden, sets out to catch the brutal murderer after fellow club members end up as victims. The uncanny resemblances to famous crimes challenge Roe and her two admirers, policeman Arthur Smith and mystery writer Robin Crusoe, to pursue the criminal. The lighthearted, witty handling of characters contrasts with the heightening suspense as Aurora seeks clues by searching past mysteries for the killer''s identity--until she is caught in the sadistic web of terror herself. Clever pacing along with ample red herrings and judiciously placed clues keep Harris''s story moving briskly. Let''s hope for another fast-paced mystery featuring Aurora and her friends.
- Mary T. Gerrity, Queen Anne School, Upper Marlboro,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This title is the first thrilling Aurora Teagarden mystery from the bestselling author of the hit TV series "True Blood". Librarian Aurora Teagarden reckons she knows everything about her fellow townsfolk, including which ones share her interest in the darker side of human nature, as she and her friends have formed a club to discuss real life killings. But fiction soon becomes fact as more and more bodies are discovered, and the similarities between prior murders and those of Aurora''s fellow townsfolk become frighteningly common. This recording is unabridged. Typically abridged audiobooks are not more than 60 per cent of the author''s work and as low as 30 per cent with characters and plotlines removed.

Review

"A series that just might surpass all her others." Booklist "An author of rare talents." Publishers Weekly "Paranormal mystery at its best." The Romantic Times"

From Publishers Weekly

An ingenious plot and sufficient flow of blood keep the pages flying in Harris''s ( Sweet and Deadly ) third novel, as a series of killings patterned after celebrated murders is perpetrated on the small community of Lawrenceton, Ga. Twenty-eight-year-old Aurora (Roe) Teagarden, professional librarian, belongs to the Real Murders club, a group of 12 enthusiasts who gather monthly to study famous baffling or unsolved crimes. As a meeting is to begin, Roe discovers the massacred body of a club member. She recognizes the method of slaughter as imitating the very crime she was to address that night--suddenly her life as armchair sleuth assumes an eerie reality. The murderer continues to claim victims, each in the style of a different historical killer. Roe herself becomes a target, and also attracts two admirers, Robin Crusoe, a famed mystery writer new to Lawrenceton, and club member/detective Arthur Smith. Death seems to have infused new life into her waning social calendar, an irony not lost on this pensive character. Harris draws the guilty and the innocent into an engrossing tale while inventing a heroine as capable and potentially complex as P. D. James''s Cordelia Gray.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Charlaine Harris is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse and Midnight, Texas, fantasy/mystery series and the Aurora Teagarden, Harper Connelly, and Lily Bard mystery series. Her books have inspired HBO’s True Blood, NBC’s Midnight, Texas, and the Aurora Teagarden movies for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. She has lived in the South her entire life.

Description

From School Library Journal

YA-- Someone is killing the crime buffs of the Real Murders Society in Lawrenceton, Georgia. A librarian, Aurora Teagarden, sets out to catch the brutal murderer after fellow club members end up as victims. The uncanny resemblances to famous crimes challenge Roe and her two admirers, policeman Arthur Smith and mystery writer Robin Crusoe, to pursue the criminal. The lighthearted, witty handling of characters contrasts with the heightening suspense as Aurora seeks clues by searching past mysteries for the killer''s identity--until she is caught in the sadistic web of terror herself. Clever pacing along with ample red herrings and judiciously placed clues keep Harris''s story moving briskly. Let''s hope for another fast-paced mystery featuring Aurora and her friends.
- Mary T. Gerrity, Queen Anne School, Upper Marlboro,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This title is the first thrilling Aurora Teagarden mystery from the bestselling author of the hit TV series "True Blood". Librarian Aurora Teagarden reckons she knows everything about her fellow townsfolk, including which ones share her interest in the darker side of human nature, as she and her friends have formed a club to discuss real life killings. But fiction soon becomes fact as more and more bodies are discovered, and the similarities between prior murders and those of Aurora''s fellow townsfolk become frighteningly common. This recording is unabridged. Typically abridged audiobooks are not more than 60 per cent of the author''s work and as low as 30 per cent with characters and plotlines removed.

Review

"A series that just might surpass all her others." Booklist "An author of rare talents." Publishers Weekly "Paranormal mystery at its best." The Romantic Times"

From Publishers Weekly

An ingenious plot and sufficient flow of blood keep the pages flying in Harris''s ( Sweet and Deadly ) third novel, as a series of killings patterned after celebrated murders is perpetrated on the small community of Lawrenceton, Ga. Twenty-eight-year-old Aurora (Roe) Teagarden, professional librarian, belongs to the Real Murders club, a group of 12 enthusiasts who gather monthly to study famous baffling or unsolved crimes. As a meeting is to begin, Roe discovers the massacred body of a club member. She recognizes the method of slaughter as imitating the very crime she was to address that night--suddenly her life as armchair sleuth assumes an eerie reality. The murderer continues to claim victims, each in the style of a different historical killer. Roe herself becomes a target, and also attracts two admirers, Robin Crusoe, a famed mystery writer new to Lawrenceton, and club member/detective Arthur Smith. Death seems to have infused new life into her waning social calendar, an irony not lost on this pensive character. Harris draws the guilty and the innocent into an engrossing tale while inventing a heroine as capable and potentially complex as P. D. James''s Cordelia Gray.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Charlaine Harris is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse and Midnight, Texas, fantasy/mystery series and the Aurora Teagarden, Harper Connelly, and Lily Bard mystery series. Her books have inspired HBO’s True Blood, NBC’s Midnight, Texas, and the Aurora Teagarden movies for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. She has lived in the South her entire life.

Product details

• Listening Length: 6 hours and 7 minutes
• Author: Charlaine Harris
• Narrator: Therese Plummer
• Whispersync for Voice Ready
• Audible.com Release Date: November 19, 2009

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Top reviews from the United States

Kent Nelson4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Cleaned Up for Hallmark but still Cozy Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020 Like a lot reviewers my intro to Roe was the Hallmark Mystery Movies that I watched with my wife. They are decidedly geared toward a demographic that doesn''t include me, and neither is this book. Nevertheless, I like the TV series and I like this book. It was... See more Like a lot reviewers my intro to Roe was the Hallmark Mystery Movies that I watched with my wife. They are decidedly geared toward a demographic that doesn''t include me, and neither is this book.

Nevertheless, I like the TV series and I like this book. It was just the thing to read during our current pandemic to take my mind off of news and visit another place and time (in this case the 1990s). I''ve always liked stories about little towns and small communities, and though they often - at least in fiction - have shockingly high murder rates, there''s nostalgia about them.

"Real Murders" is a well plotted mystery with fair clues, red herring (though my one beef is that a really obvious one was seemingly ignored by Roe and so never gave her any of the anticipated doubt about the person). The suspense is a little more intense than in the Hallmark version, but isn''t dragged on. And of course the murders are a little more messy. Roe is somewhat more worldly here than our TV version, but she''s not a tramp. The premise is interesting, particularly for those of us who have read about real murders in history (as I have) and both the group and the murders are interesting. Finally, the writing is good. Harris writes good prose without padding and has a good ear for dialogue. There are no pointless chapters or wasted scenes.

Even tough I''d viewed the TV movie I''d forgotten who did it and actually suspected (strongly) someone else. By the way, if you are new to this series don''t read any reviews of future installments. I did that before I finished reading this one and saw the character I suspected mentioned in it. Lesson learned.

I liked it. Recommend. And will be reading the next one. 24 people found this helpful Helpful Report Ruth Anderson3.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Entertaining cozy, 3.5 stars... Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2015 I must confess, I''d never even heard of Aurora Teagarden until I started seeing advertisements for a new film on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel (which is kind of my default "background noise" station, because seriously can you ever have too many Murder She... See more I must confess, I''d never even heard of Aurora Teagarden until I started seeing advertisements for a new film on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel (which is kind of my default "background noise" station, because seriously can you ever have too many Murder She Wrote re-runs? No, obvs...). And even then, nothing in the trailer clued me into the fact that it was a book series, until I finally did a google search on the name and discovered that not only was the upcoming film inspired by a series of books, but the main character was a LIBRARIAN. My book loving heart was overcome -- this is total cozy mystery catnip for the likes of me, people!

Real Murders is the first installment of Aurora''s sleuthing adventures, and it is so 1990s it was giving me all the nostalgic feels. No internet! Phones on CORDS attached to WALLS! Not to mention Aurora''s fashion sense. *wink* Aurora (also called Roe) is all of 4''11" with coke-bottle glasses and a mass of hair she usually keeps tame with a braid...quiet and bookish and perfectly ordinary. She''s content with her lot in life until her existence is upended with a terrifying splash of murder, the likes of which she''s only found in her true crime books. Her passion for history and mystery met its outlet in the Real Murders Club, a diverse group of locals who met once a month to discuss a historical murder case or related crime-solving topic. But when one of the club members turns up dead, the body staged to mimic that meeting''s topic -- the Julia Wallace murder -- Roe''s amateur passion for murder casts an unwelcome and all too real shadow over her carefully ordered life. Soon the perpetually-single Aurora is juggling not one but two potential boyfriends, all while wondering which member of her criminally savvy fellow club members decided to take their passion for history''s more gruesome chapters and bring it to life in her hometown...and where, and how, would they strike next?

If you''re craving the mystery equivalent of comfort food, Real Murders contains all the ingredients to satisfy one''s craving for a mystery cozy -- a plucky heroine, a quirky small town, a dash of romantic possibility, and a few red herrings. Roe is a likable lead, if not particularly well-rounded, and the supporting players are typical of the assortment that normally populates stories of this ilk -- the flirt, the jock, etc. While not particularly groundbreaking Real Murders is an altogether pleasant way with which to while away a few hours. It may lack some of the finesse of a Christie novel, but it more than makes up for any predictability with its action-packed final act. This series has promise, and its premise makes it perfect material for a series of telefilms, all guaranteeing I''ll revisit Aurora''s world soon! 78 people found this helpful Helpful Report Tari H.5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Steady pace, some surprises and twists, didn''t disappoint Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017 I was first introduced to the Aurora Teagarden series from the Hallmark series on TV so of course I wanted to read the books that inspired it. I went in expecting things to be different so I wasn''t disappointed or anything. The same familiar characters were there and they... See more I was first introduced to the Aurora Teagarden series from the Hallmark series on TV so of course I wanted to read the books that inspired it. I went in expecting things to be different so I wasn''t disappointed or anything. The same familiar characters were there and they weren''t really different than how they''re depicted on TV. The pace was steady, suspenseful and sometimes a murder would pop up very suddenly so kind of had some surprises too. The plot had enough twists that had I not seen the movie, I probably wouldn''t have guessed who did it until the official take down.

I think there was enough detail to explain who was who in the town but the author didn''t go overboard or drone on with details/conversations that readers wouldn''t need or think about later after they read them. This book was a little more of a dark cozy since there was more detail listed about the murders than in a typical cozy. I still liked it and it wasn''t gory or anything. Just a word to anyone who has seen the movie, don''t expect the book to be just like the movie. The movie is simply based on this book. I will be reading the rest of the series. 16 people found this helpful Helpful Report P. Felton1.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase “Uncle” Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2018 I’m calling “uncle”. I’ve loved her other books and was so excited to start reading this series. My Kindle and I go through dozens of books and year and Ican count on one hand with fingers left over the number of books I’ve started and not finished, however, halfway into... See more I’m calling “uncle”. I’ve loved her other books and was so excited to start reading this series. My Kindle and I go through dozens of books and year and Ican count on one hand with fingers left over the number of books I’ve started and not finished, however, halfway into this book, a murder mystery no less, I’m done. I just don’t care who did it, why they did it, what past famous murder they were mirroring, or which of the two guys she end up with. I don’t care enough that I didn’t even skip to the end to see “who dun it” or if she stayed with either of the two men. Bummed. I may have to re-read one of the other series to get the magic back. 12 people found this helpful Helpful Report Sonya S.5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase A great series starter! Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020 I watched and enjoyed True Blood when it aired on HBO even though I had never read the series. When I came across this book I felt I could trust the talented Charlaine Harris to create a great reading experience. I was not only not disappointed, but have found a new heroine... See more I watched and enjoyed True Blood when it aired on HBO even though I had never read the series. When I came across this book I felt I could trust the talented Charlaine Harris to create a great reading experience. I was not only not disappointed, but have found a new heroine to love in Aurora Teagarden, the feisty sleuth featured in the story. Aurora embraces her differences while at least attempting to observe social niceties, all while working two part-time jobs and trying to solve the murder of a member of her book club. The mystery at the heart of the story is full of surprising twists, giving the plot more heft than many cozy mysteries. I enjoyed this book start to finish and am so happy that I have more Aurora in my future! Highly recommend! 5 people found this helpful Helpful Report Kelley A Johnson5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Very sorry it took me so long to finally get to it Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018 Very well written. Great characters. Just enough to grip you but not morbid or terrifying. Great cozy for a first in series. Much better than the Hallmark movies & those are great. I don''t recommend reading Garage Sale mysteries if you like the Hallmark movie version. The... See more Very well written. Great characters. Just enough to grip you but not morbid or terrifying. Great cozy for a first in series. Much better than the Hallmark movies & those are great. I don''t recommend reading Garage Sale mysteries if you like the Hallmark movie version. The books are most definitely not a true cozy. I have a strong constitution but the person who wrote those should be committed. Grotesque. Can''t wait to read a "Bone to Pick." Yay! I was just running out of series too. All caught up on Coffeehouse & Booktown mysteries. Love those. Great lovable constantly evolving characters in those series, Aurora T. Will fit right into my favorites list I believe. 6 people found this helpful Helpful Report Cewsbaby21205.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase One of my favorite series! Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2017 I have been a fan of this series since the very first book came out and had no idea that she had released some new ones or that there were movies (I cut cable years ago)! I have all of the originals in paperback but they have sadly been packed away for a very long time so I... See more I have been a fan of this series since the very first book came out and had no idea that she had released some new ones or that there were movies (I cut cable years ago)! I have all of the originals in paperback but they have sadly been packed away for a very long time so I listen to the audio versions. I just repurchased all of the books in kindle format just so that I always have them on hand! I cant wait to delve back into the world of murder and books! If you have not read this series I say give it a chance. I was never a fan of the Sookie books but these have a very close spot in my heart! 10 people found this helpful Helpful Report Kindle Customer5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Recently, I''ve been reading a lot of "cozy mysteries" ... Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016 Recently, I''ve been reading a lot of "cozy mysteries" - which seem to follow a basic formula, which can get a bit tiring. This authir''s approah is different. The chacrater has more depth, the "romance" is more realitic (not graphic, just more interpersonal... See more Recently, I''ve been reading a lot of "cozy mysteries" - which seem to follow a basic formula, which can get a bit tiring. This authir''s approah is different. The chacrater has more depth, the "romance" is more realitic (not graphic, just more interpersonal and lifelike), and the mystery a bit more challenging. Very enjoyable reading! 12 people found this helpful Helpful Report

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Top reviews from other countries

Zac F3.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Don’t give up Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2021 I read a couple of reviews where the readers had given up a few chapters in and to be honest I thought I was going to do the same. I’m not a fan of the first person narrative even when done well and I hate to say it but this isn’t a great example. The heroine seems to be...See moreI read a couple of reviews where the readers had given up a few chapters in and to be honest I thought I was going to do the same. I’m not a fan of the first person narrative even when done well and I hate to say it but this isn’t a great example. The heroine seems to be very self absorbed, irritating and thinks in cliches which means the writing feels clumsy and repetitive. In saying that though the plot was intriguing enough to keep me battling on and eventually the story took over and I got in to the rhythm. I wouldn’t read another Aurora Teagarden mystery because I had to re-read too many passages, but as a one off it’s a clever and interesting plot. Report Samantha5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2018

Having been a HUGE Sookie Stackhouse and Harper Connolly fan, this did not disappoint! Whereas Harris’s other franchises concentrate on the supernatural and spooky with a focus on crime, this is soley based on murder and maybem with a very ordinary, every day character who...See moreHaving been a HUGE Sookie Stackhouse and Harper Connolly fan, this did not disappoint! Whereas Harris’s other franchises concentrate on the supernatural and spooky with a focus on crime, this is soley based on murder and maybem with a very ordinary, every day character who is so down to earth that you could be likely to bump in to her and not even know! From the start, Harris throws her usual bloody gore in to the plot, which immediately has you hooked and wanting to know more. With a new arrival in town, it seems like the evidence is all aimed at him being the culprit, but it all does seem so overly obvious that he would be to blame, so the suspicion is moved back and forth easily until it hits you (and poor Aurora!) right at the very end! Can’t wait to read more instalments! 3 people found this helpful Report Bennett5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase It''s by Charlaine Harris it''s got to be good. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021 Been a fan of Charlaine Harris since stumbling on the Sooky Sackhouse books on Audible. Since read the Shakspear series with Lilly Bard and now starting Aurora Teagarten . Familiar with the t.v. Films but as always the books are grittier and more involved. I combined this...See moreBeen a fan of Charlaine Harris since stumbling on the Sooky Sackhouse books on Audible. Since read the Shakspear series with Lilly Bard and now starting Aurora Teagarten . Familiar with the t.v. Films but as always the books are grittier and more involved. I combined this with the audion book that is very well performed. Report Ralst1.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Poor Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018 I managed around 80 pages before I admitted defeat. I found the main character surprisingly unlikeable and the writing style pedestrian to say the least. I know that a dose of romance is typical for these types of books but the writer''s decision to have nearly every man of...See moreI managed around 80 pages before I admitted defeat. I found the main character surprisingly unlikeable and the writing style pedestrian to say the least. I know that a dose of romance is typical for these types of books but the writer''s decision to have nearly every man of a similar age be attracted to Aurora and their girlfriends (where they had one) jealous was beyond irritating. Part of me wishes I could finish the book, to see if it improves, but it''s sat on my bedside table for over a month now and I just can''t bring myself to pick it up. One person found this helpful Report Kindle Customer5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Excellent book Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2020 I had watched the TV series/movies so I knew the storyline but I enjoyed reading the book. There were a few differences to the TV episode so I was interested to see if it was the same killers. I liked the book it was well written and I had the narration as well and that was...See moreI had watched the TV series/movies so I knew the storyline but I enjoyed reading the book. There were a few differences to the TV episode so I was interested to see if it was the same killers. I liked the book it was well written and I had the narration as well and that was good for when I was walking and listening. Report

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