Relative Danger (C Cealie Gunther Mystery)

by June Shaw

Book Overview

Originally published by Five Star Publications, this is the December 2007 paperback edition. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• ISBN: 0373266200
• ISBN13: 9780373266203
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Worldwide Library
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Relative Danger by June Shaw

I had to take a hiatus from reading novels for a while, but I am back! I'm here to say that Relative Danger was a great book to start my reading comeback! What a page turner! As an international traveler, a doting grandmother and an independent, active baby boomer, I could identify with Cealie. I highly recommend this great book for everyone who enjoys romantic murder mysteries, but especially all of you baby boomers! I had a very difficult time putting this book down.

Great Read!

Relative Danger by June Shaw (Thomson - Gale 2006) is a mystery written from the perspective of a baby boomer. It is the first adventure for Cealie, a sexy grandmother, who is out to "find herself". She stumbles on a mysterious death at her granddaughter's (Kat) high school while in town for Kat's graduation. Relative Danger is an easy and fun read. Although it's a mystery, Relative Danger is laced with humor and insight into the aging of woman who was recently widowed and coping well. The reader will relate to and love the characters, from Cealie's single parent, somewhat depressed son, Roger to perky but honor student granddaughter, Kat. And then there is Gil, Cealie's sometimes boy friend, and my favorite, "Chicken Boy". Cealie becomes a snoop when Kat avoids school just before graduation because of the suspected murder of the school's janitor. Cealie was determined to see Kat graduate based on son Roger's deceased wife's wish that her daughter graduate. There are unexpected twists and turns in the plot that will keep the reader in suspense until Cealie finally solves mystery. Relative Danger is a great launch for what could be a series for Granny turned private eye Cealie. However, as a male, sometimes I found that I was given too much information about some of Cealie's female "problems". Ironically, this look into how a widowed Baby Boomer overcomes aging problems may make Relative Danger a surprise best seller. I highly recommend Relative Danger. It just may be a book that will make rainy summer vacation days a little sunnier.

A Wonderful book and a great read

Cealie Gunther is a super sleuthing amateur homicide detective but not by choice. Her granddaughter, Kat, is scheduled to graduate from high school soon but the murder of a janitor at her school and the implication of her favorite teacher has her staying home from school with no desire to graduate. Cealie made a deathbed promise to Kat's mother to always be there taking her place when Kat graduates, gets married, has babies and other memorable events in life. That deathbed promise causes Cealie to seek a position of substitute teacher at the high school Kat attends so she can secretly investigate the murder and get Kat's favorite teacher off the hook so Kat will go back to school and graduate. June Shaw has created interesting and realistic characters in Relative Danger. The suspense begins to mount right from the beginning of the story and each chapter ends in a cliff hanger, which made it impossible for me to put the book down. Ms. Shaw's well written and structured book coerced me into reading her book to find out what was going to happen next. The number of suspects increases as Cealie gathers new facts and when the culprit is finally caught, I was completely surprised. I never would have guessed. Relative Danger is a wonderful cozy mystery and will keep you entertained throughout the story. When it ended, I was sorry that there was no more to read. However, the story ends with Cealie receiving a mysterious email from her cousin Stevie that begins with HELP!!! So, it looks like the murders, suspense, intrigue, and cliff hangers may not be too far away. I can't wait. I highly recommend this book. You won't regret reading it.

Great new mystery series

Caelie Gunther arrives in town a few days before her granddaughter Kat's graduation only to find out Kat may not graduate at all. Caelie made a deathbed promise to Kat's mother that she would see Kat graduate, so she is determined to make Kat graduate. Kat explains that a school janitor was killed. Her favorite teacher is no longer speaking to her so she has no interest in going to school. Caelie signs up to be a substitute teacher at the high school to get Kat back in classes. In the school Caelie encounters some rude students and there are some mysterious incidents as well as more violence. Can she find the killer in time for Kat to complete her final exams and graduate? Will the fact that her ex-lover Gil Thurman is in town at his new restaurant sidetrack her plans? I enjoyed Caelie. She is a great senior sleuth. She is a lot of fun and cares about her family but doesn't want to be tied down to them or them to her. Apparently she moves around a lot. She doesn't want to get tied down in a relationship either. This makes her a very interesting character and also very three-dimensional in my eyes. The sparks always fly when she's with Gil. There is a lot of mystery as to what might develop between them. I hope that eventually something does. I like the way Caelie interacts with her granddaughter and son as well. I highly recommend this book.

Sassy amateur detective will entertain you

Cealie Gunther visits her widowed son and granddaughter Kat, for her high school graduation--only to find that Kat has stopped attending school. And, her favorite teacher is a suspect in the death of a school janitor. Cealie decides to take it upon herself to get the girl to go back to school, and if that means she has to solve a murder, so be it. She takes a job as a substitute teacher to gain entry to the school and snoop around. Cealie's ex-lover, Gil, is also in town opening a new venue in his chain of Cajun restaurants. Cealie had broken off their relationship when she felt a need to find her own independence. She has spent the time since traveling and rediscovering herself. However, she finds herself unable to stay away from him even when she spies his new woman. Cealie manages to cause all kinds of trouble for everyone as she sticks her nose in the murder investigation and attempts to get her family back on track. I liked Cealie a lot. She is feisty, determined, and lovable. She has a cactus plant as a pet. Shaw does a good job of showing that grandmas can be sexy too. Armchair Interviews says: Sexy grandmas, hmmmm.