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Murder in the Backwater: A Lainey Maynard Mystery Series - Book 2 (The Lainey Maynard Mystery Series) Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

Everyone looked forward to it. The press swarmed the town. Who knew stink bait fishing could be deadly?

Reviewers said: "Engaging characters...fun and interesting...enjoyable and light reading...you won't want to put it down!"

Lainey and her friends volunteered to help organize the fishing opener. It was supposed to be easy. Crowd control and a drawing of names. Nothing to it.

Things were going smoothly until the dream.

Shep had always seen things. He’d gone to the police many times over the years, until they stopped listening. The town’s people called him crazy. This time, Lainey believed him.

Her keen sense of intuition and cunning wit has served her well in the past. The more she digs, the more dirt piles up. This time, though, it may be more than she can handle. Could the town’s favorite son, a former college football star, be involved?

Mistaken identities, smuggling, stink bait, and cat burglars lie at the heart of this delightful cozy mystery.

You’ll love every page, because we all love the good guys to win in the end.

Join Lainey and her friends in Book 2 of the Lainey Maynard Cozy Mystery Series. Get your copy today!

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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Lainey Maynard knew that winter's Cabin Fever transformed the kindest of locals into angry, caged animals chomping at the bit to escape the confines of their homes. The coming of Spring and the fact the Mirror Falls had been chosen as the site for the Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener was the only things that kept their hopes alive.
When she volunteered to help Della, Francy, and Vera organize the big drawing event, she realized there was more to fishing than stink bait. Missing person cold case files aren't popular topics among anglers. And throwing suspicion on prominent city officials could raise more than eyebrows. The Backwater had been the locals favorite dining spot for over forty years. The delicious food more than made up for the old rumors about the owner's crazy dreams. And the police had never charged him with anything over the years. Lainey's sharp intuition had saved her from danger in the past. But her stubbornness and determination to find the truth had gotten her into trouble, too. Things aren't always as they seem to be. Dreaming isn't against the law, is it?

About the Author

Blessings to you! My name Laura Hern and I am an author. My first series is called the Lainey Maynard Mystery Series. I have always been an avid reader...and loved mysteries! I thought I was solving the cases with Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, and Hercule Poirot. I love shows like Monk, psych, Midsomer Murders, and Miss Marple...they are fun, exciting, and cozy!

As a former teacher, I have been blessed to have lived in many places over the years including Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, California and more. When husband of almost 25 years died, I was devastated...and lost.

Many friends helped me through that difficult time and encouraged me to write. I quickly found out that I LOVED writing! Since 2009, I have been an insurance agent living in Minnesota. I am passionate about music, traveling, golfing, (a beginner for sure!) public speaking and coffee. I have two adult children and two cats that I love.

I love to hear from readers and look forward to sharing more adventures with you!
Laura

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B089ZL8Q5L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Laura Hern (June 30, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2915 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

About the author

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Laura Hern
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Laura Hern is an author who writes Cozy Mysteries and Romance novels.

She loves cats, charred brussel sprouts with bacon, and romantic murder mysteries!

Laura grew up in Texas and lives in Minnesota. She loves to ride motorcycles, and is an avid domino and card player. Music and traveling are her passions.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
162 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable with a good mystery and plot line. They describe it as a fun adventure with Lainey Maynard and her friends solving a murder.

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4 customers mention "Mystery"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery. They find it engaging with a good plot and characters. The murder is solved by Lainey Maynard and her fun group of friends. The book is described as an adventure when a body is found during preparations.

"...Anyway, I liked it and I figured out the mystery. It was good enough that I’ve already download it. Book 3." Read more

"A fun cozy mystery with a gang of ladies. Good mystery an plot line. Thought it ended abruptly. Easy read overall." Read more

"...This was a fun adventure when a body was found during the preparations for a big town celebration...." Read more

"An enjoyable read. A bit of mystery. I figured out who the bad guy was about 3/4 of the way through...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it lighthearted and fun, with a bit of mystery.

"...Super sleuth, Lainey sets out to solve this murder. Chaos ensues! It's delightful. I love this light hearted and fun series." Read more

"An enjoyable read. A bit of mystery. I figured out who the bad guy was about 3/4 of the way through...." Read more

"good book..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
    I liked this book. Although there were places in the book where I felt like I had missed a book, but this is book 2 and I read book one, so I didn’t miss a book. Anyway, I liked it and I figured out the mystery. It was good enough that I’ve already download it. Book 3.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
    A fun cozy mystery with a gang of ladies. Good mystery an plot line. Thought it ended abruptly. Easy read overall.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
    Another great little murder solved by Lainey Maynard and her fun group of friends! This was a fun adventure when a body was found during the preparations for a big town celebration. Super sleuth, Lainey sets out to solve this murder. Chaos ensues! It's delightful. I love this light hearted and fun series.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
    An enjoyable read. A bit of mystery. I figured out who the bad guy was about 3/4 of the way through. But the rest of the story provided the why, how and where. I will probably continue reading more in the series.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2020
    Murder in the Backwater by Laura Hern

    In the town of Mirror Falls the first day of fishing season is a big deal; it brings a ton. of tourists to town who spend money and it is good politically to be picked to go in the governor's boat. Reporters will flock to the town to capture every minute.

    Lainey, Francey and Della as well as France's mother Vera, are all helping to host the event this year. As they are talking about what can, and probably will, go wrong, Lainey gets goosebumps and starts feeling nauseous, a sure sign that something is going to go wrong. And this year, with the frigid winter temperatures and everyone suffering from cabin fever, the event will be so crowded that no one will be able to move. What were Della, Francey and Lainey thinking, to volunteer for this madhouse? Of course, Lainey's prediction comes true. This year for the first time, to make things more equitable, the governor will have the names of the people in his boat drawn at random. Because of that, no one will be allowed to put their boat in the water the day before the event since they will need the area to park the cars for the drawing. Instead they will be able to put their boats in the water after the drawing and some people are not happy about that. And Raymond Sullivan, the CEO of Sullivan's Best Poultry, is the chairman of the event, a fact that could make things awkward for Lainey who had dated him for a few months until he dumped her recently.

    At least one person tries to offload their boat the night before, however. In the middle of the night a young man tries to put his boat in the water from an illegal point rather than the approved ramp. At this point there is a deep drop off about 12 inches from the shore and when he tries to offload the boat, it goes underwater still attached to the trailer and pulls his truck after it. As it goes down he hears it colliding with another object. When the police arrive and try to pull up the truck and boat on the trailer, it brings up another boat, an old boat that appears to have been in the water a long time. And attached to the steering wheel is a skeleton!

    Of course, Lainey, with the help of Francey and Della, is immediately drawn into the investigation. And you will be totally shocked at what the girls unearth about the boat, the inhabitants of their town 40 years ago and how it has led to the biggest scandal the town has ever seen! Enjoy!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2020
    I received the ARC of the second book in the Lainey Maynard Mystery series, and really enjoyed it! Lainey and her wacky friends, the Whoopee group, get involved in sponsoring the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Mirror Falls, and how to select the fishermen to fish from the Governors boat, a special privilege with both political and other ramifications. What she doesn’t expect are the crazy events that happen along with the fishing opener! Sabotaged stink bait, an old sunken boat with a body inside, and a Mayor that seems just a little too sleepy. Can she and the Whoopee group solve this convoluted mystery? Great characters and fun to read, as well!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
    In these stressful times, an entertaining and relaxing read hits the spot. This is a well plotted story with characters you want to read about. It moves along nicely and does not bog down. Recommended reading for those interested in a quick, light read. I received a copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
    Free book, free review. Love the story, the characters and the plot. What a fun series this is going to be to follow. Such a wonderful place and the people who will become friends are just priceless. A fun read!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Margaret Kapitor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and fun read
    Reviewed in Canada on January 20, 2024
    This is my second Laura Hern mystery and it didn't disappoint. It is fast paced and Lainey and the Whoopee Club are so much fun. Special shout out to Vera, just love her.

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