I have recently had the pleasure of reading the first two Marge Christensen Mysteries by author Patricia K. Batta
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What Did You Do Before Dying?
is the first book in the Marge Christensen series. Late one night, forty-seven year-old Marge finds her husband Gene dead inside his still running BMW, inside of their garage. The police have ruled his death a suicide, but Marge is convinced that something else is going on. She takes it upon herself to do some investigating of her own, and what she uncovers is enough to make Detective Peterson think she may be on to something.
is the first book in the Marge Christensen series. Late one night, forty-seven year-old Marge finds her husband Gene dead inside his still running BMW, inside of their garage. The police have ruled his death a suicide, but Marge is convinced that something else is going on. She takes it upon herself to do some investigating of her own, and what she uncovers is enough to make Detective Peterson think she may be on to something.
Why Did You Die In The Park?
is the follow up novel in the series. Marge Christensen is finally at peace with herself and late husband Gene's death. In a new home and trying to start a new life teaching art classes and doing temp work, Marge has put the events of the past year behind her. But when a quiet afternoon of sketching in the park leads her to a half-buried dead body, Marge can't help but get herself involved in the investigation... especially when her best friend Lori's husband is implicated in the murder! Putting herself in harm's way, Marge is compelled to prove his innocence and discover what really happened.
is the follow up novel in the series. Marge Christensen is finally at peace with herself and late husband Gene's death. In a new home and trying to start a new life teaching art classes and doing temp work, Marge has put the events of the past year behind her. But when a quiet afternoon of sketching in the park leads her to a half-buried dead body, Marge can't help but get herself involved in the investigation... especially when her best friend Lori's husband is implicated in the murder! Putting herself in harm's way, Marge is compelled to prove his innocence and discover what really happened.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Each book took me about a day to read, and I really liked how easily the stories flowed. At first I didn't find the story of the first book too compelling, and I was afraid I wasn't going to like it, but by the end of the first chapter, Batta had me hook, line and sinker. I found myself frantically turning pages to find out what was going to happen. By the time I hit the second book, I dove right in and didn't look back!
Marge is a likable, if not ordinary woman with likable, ordinary friends and two grown children. I think that's what drew me to her - is that she is so ordinary. There's no kooky, way-out-there premise. Everything and everyone is believable, probably so much so that you just might have Marge Christensen living next door to you and you wouldn't even know it!
Patricia K. Batta is a new-to-me author whom I'm glad to have discovered. It will be my pleasure to host a "Q & A" session with her, right here on A Cup of Tea on Monday, June 7th.
So please come on back for a visit to learn more about this little known mystery author. It's sure to be a lot of fun!
Also, I will be giving away two copies of her first book -
What Did You Do Before Dying?! What fun...
! What fun...So mark your calendar for this upcoming Monday and see what's in store!
