Gethsemane uncovers devilish dealings as she fights to clear Verna, for Frankie’s sake. Will she find the killer in time to save Frankie from another heartbreak? Or will the photos in her social media feed be post-mortem?
Execution in E is my first Alexia Gordon novel, but it most certainly will not be my last. Thanks to my Southern Baptist upbringing, I knew how to pronounce the heroine’s name, Gethsemane, without asking Google. Another thing that I did not have to research was backstory from the series’ first four books since Gordon gives us just the right amount of exposition. What’s the right amount? Why that’s when her explanations sprinkled here and there answer a question that begins to loom in your mind, but don’t satisfy it completely. Genius so that you will make a mental note to read the other books as soon as you are done with this one!
At first glance, the cover looked a bit old timey and didn’t prepare me for the influencer bits that the American character Sunny stomps in with to the picturesque Ireland. But given the amount that Gethsemane quotes the bard with her friends, I’m guessing that the artistic choice starts back from the beginning of the series. (See there? Now I really have to read the other books.) At any rate, I’m sure that some Instagram-esque cover would probably look a bit cheesy, not match books A through D, and not have that cozy mystery appeal on the shelf.
I don’t know that I’ve read many cozy paranormal mysteries (cozy and paranormal separately, but not usually together), but I love how Execution in E lets you know that you have come to the right place from page one: beautiful descriptions of the quaint little town and an introduction to Gethsemane’s “spectral roommate”. I could read about Eamon for days. You’ve gotta love a feisty ghost that will sort out your Irish curse words, spy on people without you having to ask, and be able to touch things – most notably, coffee pots and musical instruments.
I really enjoyed how much music is another character in this book. I’m ashamed to admit that although I have played classical music for years, I had to look up Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique on YouTube. There was a very calm movement that I have played in the past on the piano, but somehow I don’t think that it the same movement that Gethsemane hears in her head when danger is afoot.
The human characters are just as captivating as the invisible ones. The multiple car pile up of human beings that make up the wedding party is too intriguing to look away from. As despicable as Ty and Sunny (Mr. and Mrs. Instagram-to-be) are, you can’t help but hang onto their every word. I dare you to have a long conversation with someone like them in real life. Do it without so much as a smirk on your face that someone could be so self-involved. And what would be even more fascinating would be to dissect their “friends” if they were normal, non-vapid people. Which is pretty much what Gethsemane does in the book, and it is so satisfying.
The twists and turns, the shocking reveals, and the ominous ending were so much more than I expected from a cozy mystery. Cups of comforting tea aside, this story made my heart pound and I hated to have to put it down to sleep. If it weren’t wasteful to order the other four books one by one, I would. Because let’s face it, when I get them all at once, I probably won’t sleep for about a week so that I can devour them immediately.
A writer since childhood, Alexia Gordon won her first writing prize in the 6th grade. She continued writing through college but put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and Family Medicine residency training. She established her medical career then returned to writing fiction. Raised in the southeast, schooled in the northeast, she relocated to the west where she completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path program. She admits Texas brisket is as good as Carolina pulled pork. She practices medicine in North Chicago, IL. She enjoys the symphony, art collecting, embroidery, and ghost stories.
Signed copy of Execution in E + $10 Starbucks Gift Card + Gethsemane Brown Swag:
mug, stickers, pens, bookmark, combo bookmark/laser pointer, coasters, & more
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
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3/24/20
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Notable Quotable
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3/24/20
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BONUS Post
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3/25/20
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Review
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3/26/20
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Excerpt
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3/27/20
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Review
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3/28/20
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Top Ten List
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3/29/20
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Playlist
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3/30/20
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Review
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3/31/20
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Series Spotlight
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4/1/20
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Review
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4/2/20
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BONUS Review
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4/2/20
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Review
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missusgonzo 