Friday, June 2, 2017

The Clock Strikes Nun by Alice Loweecey - #review #giveaway


When terrified Elaine Patrick knocks on Driscoll Investigations’ door and insists her house is haunted, Giulia Driscoll’s first response is “we don’t handle ghosts.” When Elaine’s housekeeper and crackpot filthy rich cousin descend on Giulia and demand she find out who’s trying to steal sweet, fragile Elaine’s family business out from under her, that’s a different story. They want DI to provide Tarot readings, ghost hunting sessions, and even an exorcism.


Ghost hunting? There are apps for that. Tarot readings? Experts in the skill are right across the street. Exorcisms? Having a priest for a brother-in-law comes in handy. Giulia plunges into a crash course in all things supernatural, convinced everything happening to Elaine is stagecraft.

Except when it isn’t. Giulia’s about to discover a new dimension to sleuthing, if she can survive attempted murder long enough to see through the web of lies around her client.


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MY REVIEW

It was funny when Elaine called her house a 'castle'; that's what I call my MIL's house!  Now, she doesn't have a deconsecrated chapel turned library, but her house has a turret that houses a bathroom with a two-story ceiling.  MIL didn't have an easy childhood, but she didn't have NEAR the problems that poor Elaine has had.  Elaine's mom makes 'Mommie Dearest' Joan Crawford look like an angel.

When Elaine was nine, both her parents and three of the  household staff were brutally murdered in a home invasion.  The only reason Elaine wasn't part of that package because she was locked in a hidden room at the time for punishment!  That's just part of her childhood that has been tucked away in a hidden room in her mind for all the ensuing years.  And when Giulia and Zane perform an exorcism 'show', the room is discovered and Elaine goes into hysterics.

The three remaining executives in Elaine's family business have had the run of the business until Elaine officially inherited control on her 21st birthday.  They were not exactly thrilled when Elaine asserted control and seemed to be quite good at the job.  Any little not-strictly-authorized 'bonuses' they had given themselves since they took over would have to fall by the wayside.  They make three great suspects.  My immediate thought (even before discovery of the hidden room) was that they were trying to drive Elaine off the rails so they could keep their cushy little corner offices.

I had a moment of silence for the Nunmobile, even though after the crash it was expected to make a full recovery.  You see, shortly after Giulia interviewed two of the three execs, a white panel van tried to force her off a bridge!  And Guilia is pregnant!  (This reminds me, during my last pregnancy, I worked as a civilian in a Texas city PD.  I had the opportunity to go on a ride in with an officer, but turned it down because, well, the possible danger wasn't worth my health or the health of my child.)

Which makes me wonder...will their be a 'line in the sand' for Guilia and little Zlatan?

I've read three of the four books in the series now and with each installment I enjoy the characters and the story a little bit more.  Giulia goes to great lengths to solve cases (all ethical, I'm sure - she's a former nun).  Frank's interactions with his brothers are quite hilarious at times.  Her employees have their quirks, but they have her back, and it never hurts to be in good with the psychic across the street!

If you like cozies with gutsy and clever heroines, especially with a little supernatural element thrown in for good measure, and sprinkled with 'discussions' amongst believers and non-believers, The Clock Strikes Nun should be on your shelf!



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MEET THE AUTHOR



Baker of brownies and tormenter of characters, Alice Loweecey recently celebrated her thirtieth year outside the convent. She grew up watching Hammer horror films and Scooby-Doo mysteries, which explains a whole lot. When she’s not creating trouble for her sleuth Giulia Driscoll or inspiring nightmares as her alter-ego Kate Morgan, she can be found growing her own vegetables (in summer) and cooking with them (the rest of the year).

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GIVEAWAY!!!


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Click on the banner to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of The Clock Strikes Nun by Alice Loweecey, as well as several interviews with the author!  You can also find out how to become a blog host for future book tours.

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.)

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