Death Is a Bargain

by Nora Charles

Book Overview

A table opens up for Kate Kennedy and her friend at the Palmetto Beach Flea Market. When a fellow vendor is murdered Kate must find out who had a motive to put him out of business.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425205134
• ISBN13: 9780425205136
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

But not all bargains are worthwhile --

Sometimes it's better to walk away than to be lured in, regardless of the price. Happily, that theory does not apply to the Kate Kennedy books of Nora Charles. The author seemingly goes from strength to strength and is really hitting her stride well now in this third adventure of Kate and her former sister-in-law Marlene. The ex-nun Mary Frances is here, too, playing a larger role than in the previous books. Kate and Marlene have also been friends for some sixty years, a case of opposites attracting. Kate is a neatnik; Marlene an acquirer. But after a time, some older things must go in order for new things to come in, which results in Marlene setting up a booth at a flea market type arcade outside a local circus. Kate will be her assistant. But even before they get there, one of the previous sellers was murdered. That is, of course, why there was a spot available to Marlene. There's also a nasty rumor floating around, about animal abuse in the circus, and Kate thinks maybe she should consider becoming a volunteer for the local animal shelter. But before that can happen, there's yet another incident at the circus. In the middle of a matinee, smoke bombs are detonated, and after the ensuing confusion and evacuation, two more of the market's tenants are found dead in the far reaches of the empty big-top. The animal trainer suspected of the abuse is injured while trying to get her animals all safely away from the danger. She isn't seriously hurt, but ends up in the hospital with a badly broken leg, leaving her six-year-old son with no one to care for him, until Kate volunteers. The suspects go around and around like horses on a merry-go-round. Kate loves being a faux-grandma, until danger gets a little too close to young Billy. As always, the writing and the characterizations are excellent, and I think this book might be the most tightly-plotted in the series, at least so far. Kate and her friends are aging gracefully, and learning to appreciate being of . . . a certain age. Brava, Kate!

Cute 3rd installment

This is a cute 3rd installment to the Kate Kennedy sleuth mysteries. Her friend is always flamboyant and of course kate is nosing around and finding out what is going on HERE??!! This book is easy to read and fun. Underlying old friendship lend a realistic air to the stories and Marlene holds a secret from the past.