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J. Ivanel Johnson
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Just A Still Life (Just (e)State Mysteries) Paperback – September 22, 2022

by J. Ivanel Johnson (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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"Warm up the apple crisp and cozy up to a detective mystery that has been 75 years in the making." –BestThrillers.com

In the simpler times of 1971, Inspector Philip Steele, recently transferred to Fredericton, takes a well-deserved holiday visiting his beloved, elderly godmother in her quaint village nestled in the gently-rolling Appalachians of Atlantic Canada. But when a bank robbery and the murder of a teenage boy initiate a string of even more shocking events which wreak panic in the quiet community, Phil must return to long days of investigation with his oft-misquoting, black sergeant Zareb Woodbridge, who struggles with questioning some of the more racist locals.

While Phil's godmother, P.J., secretly prepares her annual Harvest Moon Ritual to be used as a trap for the murderer, he himself has fallen in love with the accused: watercolorist Beth Grimball, enjoying new-found 'freedom' albeit in a jail cell. Phil finds he is not only urgently compelled to solve the crimes because it's his job, but to save the lives of those he has always loved. And those he has just begun to.

First in the new Just (e)State mysteries series, the following books are prequels to Just A STILL LIFE.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 2
    Just (e) State Mysteries
  2. Print length
    249 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 22, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.63 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    168513033X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1685130336
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Warm up the apple crisp and cozy up to a detective mystery that has been 75 years in the making." -BestThrillers.com

"The characters are as intriguing as the plot in this well-written, small-town murder mystery that is impossible to put down." -A.J. McCarthy, award-winning mystery author

"Johnson knows exactly how to tell a story with flair, humor and a whole lot of heart." -Phillip Mellor, poet/author of The Dark Places of Lost Things

About the Author

J. Ivanel Johnson is the pen name for a disabled author/playwright who now resides on a remote farm in the Appalachians of New Brunswick. She strives always to write about marginalized and culturally-diverse characters, many based on people from the First Nations, inner city or mountain communities where she has previously lived and taught across the UK, USA and Canada.Her most recently-published fiction includes 2019's Iron Bone, a short story about coping with disability in the groundbreaking Nothing Without Us anthology by Renaissance Press, as well as works in other literary journals and anthologies.Just A STILL LIFE is her debut novel, first outlined 75 years ago by her Ontario author-grandmother.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing (September 22, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 249 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168513033X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685130336
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.63 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings

About the author

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J. Ivanel Johnson

J. Ivanel Johnson

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J. Ivanel Johnson is the pen name for an author living with (dis)Ability who now resides in the Appalachian range of Northwestern New Brunswick on a small farm overlooking inspirational views of nature. Like her grandmother before her (the 'Ivanel' of her pen name) she has written her entire life, first publishing two poems with Annick Press in Toronto when she was only 12. She has been a high school English/Drama teacher, working & living in the highlands of Scotland, the moors of Yorkshire, & the Rockies of Montana & Yukon, before settling in the east of Canada. She strives always to include culturally-diverse characters & those from marginalized communities in her works, as she has taught on Indigenous reservations, in inner-cities, & in remote mountain schools. She is the author of the JUST (e)STATE mystery series, whodunnits with literary clues & wordplay, set in the late 1960s in various Canadian provinces. Her links ( incl. many free links to read shorter works, or to find deals on novels, read articles by, or interviews about, etc.) are all found here: https://linktr.ee/j.ivanel Her Author website is mckencroftproducti.wixsite.com/jivanelauthor

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
48 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Exce!!ent
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
First one of J. lvanel Johnson books I have read. I really enjoyed all the characters. The twist and turns keep me guessing g the whole time. I would recommend this book to family and friends.
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Kim W
5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Engaging!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
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I had never heard of the cozy-mystery genre before reading this book, but that is an exact description! It is a book to cozy up with, a cup of something warm, tucked into bed all warm and toasty. It was a delight from start to finish, and I felt like part of the town whose characters are so well described. I had a hard time putting it down, and each night I picked it up, I couldn't wait to continue the story. When my eyes could no longer stay open, I put it down with with regret, yet also a warm heart. Wonderfully written, and I very much look forward to the next one in the series!
One person found this helpful
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Carol Barreyre
5.0 out of 5 stars What a fun cozy mystery/romance!
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Just a Still Life is a fun cozy mystery with a lovely romance woven in. It's a very clean story that's full of jealousy, murder and revenge, with a happy ending. The author does a great job keeping readers turning pages with twist and turns from directions you don't expect. Each colorful character is a suspect, while they're alive at least.
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Denise F
5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
The story takes place in Canada and Is an entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much. I plan to keep an eye out for other books by this author
One person found this helpful
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Joy Ann Ribar, Wisconsin Author
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling prose draws in readers
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Dear readers, take a rest in the quiet Canadian Atlantic region at Aunt Polly’s cottage right beside her godson, Inspector Philip Steele, that is, rest while you can. The inspector is enjoying a well-deserved vacation from a murder investigation that haunts his troubled mind, only to become immersed in another murder in the quaint village where nothing exciting happens. J. Ivanel Johnson’s gratifying plot brings the story into sharp focus while the well-developed characters dance right off the pages into your heart. The stylish prose compelled me to keep turning the pages, and I’m already hungry for the next in the series.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps You Guessing
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2023
The story weaves a suspenseful tale, so much so, I could not stop turning the pages. I love Ms. Johnson's ability to include reality of the culture of the time when the story took place, the details, and the trails of evidence that kept me guessing. I also look forward to reading her next selection of stories, which I hope will be many. ---K Salisbury
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Geoff Chislett
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2023
Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book.
One person found this helpful
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L. Haggar
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun page-turner!
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2022
This book has all the elements of a good mystery, with added humor and fun. A wonderful book to curl up with on a cold winter night!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Erin
3.0 out of 5 stars Aardig mysterie verhaal
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Phill is op vakantie en wil eigenlijk stoppen met zijn werk bij de politie als inspecteur. Maar in het dorpje waar hij opgroeide en hij nu verblijft bij zijn peettante vinden aansluitend ineens allerlei misdrijven plaats, eerst wordt de bank overvallen, vervolgens vinden er 3 moorden vlak na elkaar plaats en later wordt er zelfs een vierde slachtoffer gevonden.
Elizabeth lijkt een motief te hebben, maar Phill gelooft in haar onschuld, maar dan moet hij wel ontdekken wie er wel achter zit en voorkomen dat er nog meer slachtoffers vallen.

Een aardig whodunnit verhaal.
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ejlred
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely New Canadian author of Cozy Mystery
Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a very well written book to curl up with on a wintery day. It has good character development and captures small town life in Canada. I can't wait to read her next book, A Stale Mate.
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K. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars Complex mystery
Reviewed in Canada on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved this book! From its first elegantly worded paragraph through its weaving intricacies to its satisfying ending, the author kept me hooked all the way through.
The characters are compelling, the setting in Canada in the early 70's familiar, and the mystery intriguing, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing to the very end.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
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Jan Maman
5.0 out of 5 stars “Just a Still Life” Worthy of more than 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Engaged by the characters, plot development and twists from start to finish this is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Anyone with experience of living in a small town will easily understand, if not the rather numerous actual murders, certainly with motivations for so many. I grew up in such a place, where apples landing on the wrong side of a fence generations ago is seen as just cause to continue a feud and contemplate murder. This author captures beautifully both the nuances and restrictions of an insular community. Brava!
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Jan Maman
5.0 out of 5 stars “Just a Still Life” Worthy of more than 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2022
Engaged by the characters, plot development and twists from start to finish this is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Anyone with experience of living in a small town will easily understand, if not the rather numerous actual murders, certainly with motivations for so many. I grew up in such a place, where apples landing on the wrong side of a fence generations ago is seen as just cause to continue a feud and contemplate murder. This author captures beautifully both the nuances and restrictions of an insular community. Brava!
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2 people found this helpful
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SusieQ
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging
Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading this mystery which takes place in a small Canadian town. The story was engaging and catches the readers interest within the first few pages. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
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