Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

The Aurora Teagarden mysteries were my first introduction to Charlaine Harris's novels. I doubt I would have read a single one of the vampire mysteries if I hadn't already learned to know and love her other series characters, including Harper Connelly and Lily Bard, as well as Aurora Teagarden. I had read all of those before I ever picked up a Sookie Stackhouse novel, and then I read all of them, too. This Aurora Teagarden mystery is #7 in that series, and I'd read it before when I picked it for my Kindle. It's best to read these in chronological order, since things happen in Aurora's life that affect the mysteries. That's also true of the Sookie Stackhouse books. All are good reads. I also love that Aurora lives in an Atlanta suburb, and that's part of the atmosphere, but Harris doesn't overdo the Southern business, as so many Southern writers seem to me to do. As a native Alabamian, I have strong feelings about the South, especially the rural South, and I find that far too many writers play on the stereotypes. Suffice it to say, Charlaine Harris writes about the South the way I like to see it written about, without stooping to hokey characters or cutesy dialogue. OK, her name is Aurora Teagarden, but that's as exotic as it gets (she goes by "Roe"). What a wonderful writer Charlaine Harris is!

The 7th in the Aurora Teagarden series. It had been years since I picked up one of these books, so I hadn’t realized how different the Hallmark movies were from the novels. For instance, Arthur is likable in the movies, but a real tool in the books. And the movies are set in the pnw...books take place in the south. So even though I’d seen the movie, it was still worth it to read the book....almost a completely different story

Aurora is collecting bodies, and maybe men, again. Still grieving for Martin, she arrives on the set of a movie based on a book written by Robin Crusoe, her writer friend from her first first-hand experience with murder. He is back in town for the filming, and showing an interest in the young widow. Of course, Martin's son, the actor, is also there, nasty to Aurora as usual. When the star is murdered, who comes to investigate but Detective Arthur Smith, divorced and interested in rekindling an affair with Aurora as well.This book offers an interesting continuation to Aurora's story and enough twists to entertain the mystery lover.Can't wait for the next installment.

This is one of Ms. Harris' earlier books and it shows in the writing. There are a few plot errors from book to book in the series but mainly noticeable if you read them back to back like I did. Overall a good book and only slightly predictable ending. It is very different from the made for T.V. movies!

I’ve said many times how much I enjoy these fun mysteries. Unfortunately, this one was not my favorite. There was just too many things going on. It was difficult to focus on any one mystery because so much popped up in such a short book. Oh well, they can’t all be winners.

and it's typical that it needed a murder to rouse her. This series seems to have recovered a little of the light-heartedness that had dimmed over the last few books, but it is NOT (despite idiot jacket blurbs) a "cozy."The plot is thinner than is typical in a Harris mystery -- mostly, I think,so readers can get to know the "new" Roe -- a woman who was widowed with shocking suddenness as an almost incidental incident in a series of nasty crimes. Harris does an excellent job with Roe's gradual recovery, though she focuses exclusively on Martin Bartell's death and ignores the trauma and misery that must have resulted from the attendant crimes. And what would be sufficient to distract Aurora Teagarden in her half-frozen state? Murders old and new, of course.The movies are coming to town, and they are filming a script based on a true-crime book dealing with a horrid series of murders that plagued Lawrenceton many years earlier. Roe had been instrumental in exposing the killers in that case (nearly dying herself in the process). Roe is NOT happy about this movie, which tastelessly commercializes the deaths of people she knew and cared about, but the rest of the town is star struck. The movie provides an excellent vehichle for bringing Roe's sullen and immature stepson, Barrett, and her one-time, almost-boyfriend, Robin (author of the true crime book), back to town.However, the movie set is not where Roe finds important information about the new crimes in Lawrenceton. It's her library's collection that holds some of the keys to the mysteries. The murder itself has a fairly wispy plot with not much of anything to detect; the associated crimes are somewhat more melodramatic.If you've been reading this series, you'll enjoy the development of several long-time characters, as well as Roe's deepening relationship with her mother. This book does a great job in setting up the next one, and it is absorbing to read. If you are new to the series, though, do NOT read this one first. It doesn't quite stand alone.

The year following her husband's death, Aurora still misses him, but her past is about to re-enter her life, in the form of writer Robin Crusoe. But since this is An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, murder soon follows. And of course, Aurora has to investigate the murder and apparently her mourning has ended.

Still well written but Aurora’s character seems too off and the doldrums in the beginning and her resentment of the movie being filmed in Lawrenceton did cast a pall over the whole book that I hope will be absent in the next in series

In this seventh instalment of the life and times of Aurora Teagarden, a not so mild mannered librarian, we see Aurora still trying to come to terms with her situation and the immense blow that she has suffered. Robin Crusoe, a true crime writer and erstwhile friend, is in town having his book filmed for the big screen - to Auroras' horror the book and the film cover the events surrounding Auroras' brush with death in 'Real Murders' (book one). Hollywood arrives in town and, needless to say, murder and mayhem soon abound when Aurora attends the film set. Death is never far behind. Another rollercoaster from Charlaine Harris and , always keeping it real, she never, ever disappoints. It's a fabulous read, yet again, with a very believable, very real and immensely likeable protagonist in Aurora. The plethora of characters adds to the delight and the storyline belts along at a rapid pace. The book can be read as a standalone, there are plenty of cross references and explanations, although there is a definite timeline across the series and more enjoyment can most definitely be had by reading them in succession. Recommended for all Teagarden fans and for everyone who enjoys a well written, fast paced, clever murder mystery with a fabulous protagonist, plenty of wry humour and a great big heart.

This is the penultimate book of Charlaine Harris's 'Aurora Teagarden' series, (which my library does not hold), so in order to read the full series , I ordered it to read before the last book in the series was available from my library.I was mildly wary of ordering it from America, but it was in good order, with a $2.50 label on it !!It arrived within the time allocated, in good condition.It has Charlaine Harris's expected skill and interest for me.

I enjoyed this story. Light, easy reading. I prefer the filns of these books.

Another great read. Aurora Teagarden is a likeable character who takes you on her adventures at a racy pace

Excellent book, good story line.