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Portrait of a Dead Guy: A Cherry Tucker Mystery
Audible Audiobook
– Unabridged
High-octane action with quirky, down-home characters....
In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buckshot rips from a ten gauge - but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival. As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Between ex-boyfriends, her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she'll be lucky to survive.
* Winner of the Dixie Kane Memorial Award * Nominated for the Daphne du Maurier Award and the Emily Award *
- Listening Length10 hours and 1 minute
- Audible release dateOctober 8, 2013
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB00FPT5YW0
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Product details
Listening Length | 10 hours and 1 minute |
---|---|
Author | Larissa Reinhart |
Narrator | Erin Clark |
Whispersync for Voice | Ready |
Audible.com Release Date | October 08, 2013 |
Publisher | Audible Studios |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B00FPT5YW0 |
Best Sellers Rank | #246,854 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #7,484 in Women Sleuth Mysteries #8,396 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) #32,254 in Women Sleuths (Books) |
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book amusing and fun to read. They describe the story as interesting with nice twists and turns. The characters are likable and slowly develop. Many appreciate the colorful art style and punk rock elements. The book is described as suspenseful and filled with humor.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it amusing, fun, and a great start to an entertaining series. The dialogue is believable and makes them smile. It's a good rainy day read for a comfortable chair and a cup of hot chocolate.
"...Larissa Reinhart has written a first-rate debut mystery novel, filled with humorous, quirky, authentic and intriguing characters...." Read more
"...Great start to an entertaining series!" Read more
"...villain was but the story is interesting (and convoluted) enough to make the journey fun...." Read more
"...This book has a sense of humor running through it. There is a lot of comparison of the classes and lifestyles...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story's intriguing plot with nice twists and turns. They find it a first-rate debut mystery novel filled with humor, quirky characters, and suspense that keeps them guessing until the end. The book is described as a must-read for cozy mystery fans.
"...Author Larissa Reinhart has written a first-rate debut mystery novel, filled with humorous, quirky, authentic and intriguing characters...." Read more
"...The story is entertaining; it just tries to do too much." Read more
"...And/or Todd! I guessed who the villain was but the story is interesting (and convoluted) enough to make the journey fun...." Read more
"...it's not just the humor and hunky characters (Luke), there is some great plotting, suspense, and mystery that keeps the pages turning...." Read more
Customers find the characters engaging and likable. They appreciate how the characters slowly develop and mature. The book is described as humorous and fun.
"...mystery novel, filled with humorous, quirky, authentic and intriguing characters...." Read more
"What an amazing cast of characters! I loved Cherry, and can’t wait to see what transpires next with her and Luke. And/or Todd!..." Read more
"...But it's not just the humor and hunky characters (Luke), there is some great plotting, suspense, and mystery that keeps the pages turning...." Read more
"Very amusing. Some very colorful characters and a whole lot of painting." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's art style. They find it cute, funny, and colorful. The book contains a mystery and painting elements.
"...is mostly redneck, she went to art school and became a classically-trained portrait artist...." Read more
"Very amusing. Some very colorful characters and a whole lot of painting." Read more
"...It's fast-paced and colorful! I could have done without her alcoholic bar binges and respected her better. She really comes across loose...." Read more
"Small town murder, gambling, art, and mystery...what a lovely picture Ms. Reinhart has painted for the reader...." Read more
Customers enjoy the punk rock style of the book. They find the female lead unique and spunky. The book is described as a funny cozy mystery with plenty of hot men to admire.
"...Cherry is a spunky heroine, brought up in a dysfunctional family in the small Georgia town of Halo...." Read more
"...I love love love this series. Cherry is a spunky no nonsense girl who won't go down without a fight. She is also one to speak her mind...." Read more
"I loved the female lead. Spunky and unique. I after having met the cast of players I am excited about the next book to see where they go from here!" Read more
"...Hilarious scenes. Of course there are plenty of hunks to drool over, not to mention a cranky old timer and his goat. ;-)..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find the characters engaging and the story well-written. The setting is described as authentic and appealing.
"Love the characters. Love the south, I now have a new series to read. It really is a humorous mystery." Read more
"Thoroughly entertaining! Story was filled with humor, sass and mystery. The characters were given enough backstory to understand their quirks...." Read more
"Sassy Southern Sleuth..." Read more
"Cherry is a sassy southern sleuth..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the humor in the book. Some find it lighthearted and funny, while others feel it lacks the promised humor or is a bit silly.
"...The fun witted writing style creates a light hearted mood as the investigation begins and also as the protagonist, a local artist paints a portrait..." Read more
"...OF A DEAD GUY is a rather bizarre cozy murder mystery with mostly dark humor...." Read more
"...and outright belly laughs, and at the same time delivers a palette of poignant moments." Read more
"This is a great mystery set in the South. A little redneck with some funny scenes but with a great twist to who the bad guy is...." Read more
Reviews with images
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I found myself laughing at this one.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014Portrait of a Dead Guy is a really great, really fun read! Author Larissa Reinhart has written a first-rate debut mystery novel, filled with humorous, quirky, authentic and intriguing characters. Reinhart has created a believable setting in fictional Halo of Forks County. It's a place I'd like to visit (except for the murders, of course).
Halo is a small town, where everybody knows everything about everyone — and everyone's family. As far as the townsfolk of Halo are concerned, Cherry has to overcome not only her own teenage shenanigans, but also those of her older sister Casey and her younger brother Cody, plus the actions of their mother (who abandoned them when they were little). Cherry keeps getting pulled into situations by the killer, but the townsfolk think that she's just pulling the crazy stunts on her own, to get orders for her art business. This is why winning the commission for the coffin portrait of Dustin Branson is so important to her.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Portrait of a Dead Guy:
Art
"You spent all that money on art school to paint pictures of dogs?'
"I spent all that money on art school to become a professional artist," I said. "It's early days yet. For now, I take what I can get."
"Including painting the departed?"
"You ever heard of a still life?"
After two minutes of carefully unwrapping Dustin's portrait, a stunned silence filled the room. Wanda clutched her sides with tears running rivulets down her face.
"It's amazing," she said. "It's like a work of art."
Ex-boyfriends
"How can you be mistaken about that?" asked Luke. I looked up from my bowl and caught Todd's wide-eyed open face greet Luke's shuttered countenance. They reminded me of Lassie meeting Cujo.
With a grunt, he kicked his heel against the archway. "I'm usually more in control. Do you think I like feeling this way? You're like malaria or something. I think I'm over you and suddenly you've worked your way into my system again."
I hope these quotes have made you want to read more about Cherry Tucker, in Portrait of a Dead Guy. I recommend it to all cozy mystery fans, and to mystery fans in general. This would be a great introduction to the cozy genre. I give Portrait of a Dead Guy my Five-Star seal of approval.
originally published at Jane Reads
- Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2020I've read several other cozy mysteries by this author, but it was fun to go back and see how it all began.
Cherry is a spunky heroine, brought up in a dysfunctional family in the small Georgia town of Halo. Although her behavior is mostly redneck, she went to art school and became a classically-trained portrait artist. Many of the descriptions show how Cherry views the world through an artist's eyes, which made her art education believable.
When the story opens, Cherry gets an opportunity for a portrait commission; she desperately needs the money. Dustin Branson, son of one of Halo's wealthiest families, has died, and his stepmother, Wanda, requests that a portrait be made of Dustin in his coffin. Cherry jumps at the chance.
She has competition, though, from long-time nemesis, Shawna Branson, whose artistic vision leans more toward kitsch.
It turns out Dustin, who was no angel, was murdered. Up close and personal while trying to create her painting, Cherry picks up some clues about the crime, and her inquisitive nature puts her in danger.
And there are love triangles. Luke Branson, an old flame, is back from the army, and sparks between him and Cherry rekindle. But Shawna also seems interested in Luke, if only to keep him away from Cherry. Cherry's other love interest is good-looking, slow-witted Todd, a local musician with a penchant for gambling.
Suspects abound and Cherry gets beat up a lot. Her sheriff uncle warns her away from the investigation, but of course, she doesn't listen--and ends up face-to-face with a killer.
Great start to an entertaining series!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY is a rather bizarre cozy murder mystery with mostly dark humor. There are red herrings all over the place and a main character named Cherry who has some serious issues with impulse control and interpersonal relationships. The story is entertaining; it just tries to do too much.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024What an amazing cast of characters! I loved Cherry, and can’t wait to see what transpires next with her and Luke. And/or Todd! I guessed who the villain was but the story is interesting (and convoluted) enough to make the journey fun. I’m looking forward to see what shenanigans Cherry gets up to next. Definitely re-readable, and definitely recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013This novel is the debut in the 'Cherry Tucker Mystery' series. It takes place in Halo, Georgia. A small town with the kindness and cruelness found in a small town that has non-forgettable memories. Cherry left town and attended Savannah' College of Arts and Design. She majored in Portrait painting. Now that leaves a very small niche in Halo to utilize her talents.
So, when a chance to do a death portrait of poor, unfortunate, Dustin Branson, found murdered but well off, Cherry jumps to get the commission. Unfortunately, Cherry isn't the only one. Not only is there competition for the painting...someone is breaking in the competitor's homes and even poor Dustin's.
Rumors abound about the murdered man. Gambling, stolen coins, jewelry, mob connections, and more. When Cherry finds herself attacked...she decides that it is in her family's honor to ferret out the culprit and bring him/her to justice!
This book has a sense of humor running through it. There is a lot of comparison of the classes and lifestyles. Sometimes I wearied of the red-neck jokes, but this was a first novel and it was worthy of being a finalist in the 2012 Daphne Du Maurier Award. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.
Top reviews from other countries
- E who Reads a Thousand MysteriesReviewed in Canada on March 8, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
FYI this is high quality fiction! Vvery funny, sarcastic and totally a small town mentality where people gossip about her when she never even had the fun in the gossip.
- Eileen ThorntonReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Murder Mystery
Cherry Tucker is an artist. She went to art school to learn her trade. However, though she produces wonderful paintings, there is a limit to the number of commissions she receives in the small town where she lives. Running short of money, she decides to hurry across to a couple who are seeking someone to paint a portrait of their recently murdered son. However, on arriving at the funeral home, Cherry finds that she is not the only person after the job and so begins the rivalry between the two artists. But rivalry turns out to be the least of Cherry's problems, as she very soon finds herself caught up in a web of robbery, deceit and murder.
I really enjoyed this murder mystery, so much, I didn't want to put it down. Also, I found it so easy to read, which is , I believe, another bonus. If you are looking for a cozy murder mystery, then check out this one. I highly recommend Portrait of a Dead Guy.
- KrysiaReviewed in Canada on November 29, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading book
Fun to read. Enjoyable quick read.
- Toots SullivanReviewed in Australia on January 27, 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars humorous in a Hicksville trashy kind of way
This story’s setting and characters isn’t something I usually read about, I suppose that made it interesting enough for me to push ahead and finish reading it.
I don’t think I want to explore these characters any further though by reading any more books in this set.
- Bernie KoenigReviewed in Canada on March 9, 2014
3.0 out of 5 stars An Okay Mystery
Maybe it is me but I have never had great success reading books that have won awards. I bought this book based on a review which mentioned that it won one award and was a finalist in others. While the book was perfectly acceptable, I did not see anything that really stood out.
The main character, Cherry, is a young woman who went to art school and now is back home in the small town of Halo, Georgia, trying to create a career as a portrait artist. She is commissioned to paint the portrait of a dead person, so the mother can remember him.
Various events lead Cherry to try and solve the murder herself, especially after she is mugged while painting. The dead person stole something and now someone is trying to steal it back.
We get involved in her family life and her love life, and meet a bunch of people, and we see her jumping to conclusions about who did what and why.
I found the ending pretty standard: Heroine makes a mistake, gets into trouble, but gets recused in time, etc etc.
Nothing special but perfectly acceptable.