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Main Street Mystery #1
Running on Empty
The first in a new series by the author of the ‘Maggy Thorsen’ mysteries - Life on Sutherton's Main Street has always been inexplicably hazardous. Like the student who bet he could paddle a beer-filled ice chest across the lake. And lost. Not to mention the occasional tourist who wandered into the mountains, never to wander back out. But the day Daisy Griggs siphoned three pints of blood from poor Mrs Bradenham seemed to set a new standard. Now more and more people are dying and unless Daisy’s daughter can figure out why, her mother may be next.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
20 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Balzo
31 books234 followersSandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including fourteen books in two mystery series--one set outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the other in the High Country of North Carolina. MURDER a la Mocha, the eleventh Maggy Thorsen Wisconsin coffeehouse mystery, will be released in January, and the series has been optioned for development as a TV series/film.
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 22, 2021
Coffee shop series is better
January 7, 2016
I actually stayed up last night (this morning) until after 3 am to finish this book. The first in Sandra Balzo's Main Street Murders series, has a feisty, sometimes grouchy protagonist who is called away from her newspaper job in Wisconsin to "see to" her mother who, though only 50, is having brief, troubling episodes of loss of concentration and reality.
Annalise returns to her home town and her lifelong friends and relations, and finds herself in the middle of a mystery: In the short time that Annalise expects to stay in town there are 2 suspicious deaths and several other attempts at different individual's lives, including that of our heroine.
Ms. Balzo has created a devilish plot with surprises at every turn. The town and the characters are beautifully described, and I can't wait to read the next Main Street Murder
Annalise returns to her home town and her lifelong friends and relations, and finds herself in the middle of a mystery: In the short time that Annalise expects to stay in town there are 2 suspicious deaths and several other attempts at different individual's lives, including that of our heroine.
Ms. Balzo has created a devilish plot with surprises at every turn. The town and the characters are beautifully described, and I can't wait to read the next Main Street Murder
July 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this book.
April 9, 2024
I've been a fan of Sandra Balzo since reading the first book in her other series, Maggy Thorsen Mystery, which features a woman owning a coffee shop. I've read a few of those and they are superb, so I knew this one would be nifty. I do like being right. This was fun!
AnnaLise is my favorite character, followed closely by her mother, who she calls Daisy, and Daisy's best friend who AnnaLise calls Mama.
The setting in a small town in North Carolina which is inhabited by tourists almost year-round and has the local cast of characters of bigwig rich guys who throw their weight around, small town mayor and police chief, both of whom are friends of AnnaLise...just everything that a reader could hope for.
This is not to be thought of as a cozy if you need your cozy to be without cussing and such, but it's a great story told be a great storyteller. I want to visit this small town of Sutherton, rooting for AnnaLise to stay for a while, especially to ensure her mom is going to be okay with her memory issues.
There's a discarded flame back in the big city AnnaLise has her life in, hopefully it's her old life and she resettles in her hometown..which will mean that the old flame might come down for a visit and the tussle will begin with someone not getting the message that it's over.
The characters are colorful, the setting is nifty, the story and mystery are fab.
Love love love this book!
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
AnnaLise is my favorite character, followed closely by her mother, who she calls Daisy, and Daisy's best friend who AnnaLise calls Mama.
The setting in a small town in North Carolina which is inhabited by tourists almost year-round and has the local cast of characters of bigwig rich guys who throw their weight around, small town mayor and police chief, both of whom are friends of AnnaLise...just everything that a reader could hope for.
This is not to be thought of as a cozy if you need your cozy to be without cussing and such, but it's a great story told be a great storyteller. I want to visit this small town of Sutherton, rooting for AnnaLise to stay for a while, especially to ensure her mom is going to be okay with her memory issues.
There's a discarded flame back in the big city AnnaLise has her life in, hopefully it's her old life and she resettles in her hometown..which will mean that the old flame might come down for a visit and the tussle will begin with someone not getting the message that it's over.
The characters are colorful, the setting is nifty, the story and mystery are fab.
Love love love this book!
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
January 28, 2021
In Sandra Balzo's Running on Empty, the first installment in the Main Street Mystery series, this debut takes you straight to the heart of the matter in the deep south. It all started for AnnaLise Griggs that she received a call about her mother's "mental" problems. So during a weekend stay, she left her cushy job as a police beat reporter in Wisconsin and traveled to Sutherton, North Carolina. Things have changed for AnnaLise ever since she left her hometown--her former boyfriend Chuck is now a police chief and had came out as gay, her best friend Bobby is the mayor. While she untangled her mother's issues, she became privy to some sordid secrets about Dickens Hart--a rich land develop who's having some monetary problems--and needed someone to ghost write his memoirs for a big cash out amount. And when a Japanese visitor named Ichiro Katou visited them to learn about the United States, he ended up in the river. With two dead bodies and one possible attempt on Dickens's life, and one on her own, it was up to AnnaLise to discover the truth on who killed them and why... when it boiled them to a matter of DNA... and a trunk filled of family secrets, right down to the end.
November 12, 2016
Running on Empty book#1 in the series MAIN STREET MURDERS MYSTERY by: Sandra Balzo. This book will have you coming back for more. Go back to small town living where every one knows every one business and where the skeletons are buried. But when a mother is in trouble her daughter will come home to help. Coming back brings a lot of memories of old and the changes that take place now, and seeing her two best friends are welcome to her as she try's to put a disastrous relationship behind her and move on with her life so back home a all he'll breaks out 2 murders 2 attempted murders and a frame up has this reporter looking for answeres. So when the truth final comes out the town and people that are involved are speechless to say the least. If you want to find out what it is go and pick up a copy of Sandra Balzo's series Main Street Murders and find out what skeletons are buried in the sand.
January 4, 2018
This was an enjoyable read. I confess I did get confused at times trying to decide who AnnaLise was talking too. Her mother she called Daisy and her mothers best friend Phyllis she called Mama due to the name of Phyllis's restaurant and everyone in the town called her Mama. Most of the time when AnnaLise mentions Mama I had to stop and think "wait, she's not talking to/about her mother but Phyllis. I will be reading the next book in the series.
April 5, 2023
I thought this was a pretty good start to this series. I liked the characters and the humor. I kind of figured out a couple of the mysteries, although one was only half solved. This was a good enough series opener to keep me going. I'm just really worried about Daisy.... :-(
September 7, 2023
Holiday Read September 2023
Girl comes home for Labor Day weekend and helps solve a mystery.
Good writing, generally good dialog, unexpected twists, though bunched at the end.
Some interesting characters.
Girl comes home for Labor Day weekend and helps solve a mystery.
Good writing, generally good dialog, unexpected twists, though bunched at the end.
Some interesting characters.
November 22, 2024
I can’t begin to describe how boring this book was. This constant influx of characters. The different names. Keeping track of everything was so hard. Then you don’t even find out the diagnoses of why Daisy was losing her memory to begin with??? Early Alzheimer’s?? A deficiency?? Nothing
August 12, 2012
I have lived in the mountains of western North Carolina for most of my life, so I am a sucker for books set in WNC.When I saw this book was in the nothern mountains of NC, I jumped at the chance to read it.
Unfortunately, almost from the very beginning, I could tell the writer wasn't from around here.She never quite captures the mountain attitudes.She was obviously one of those people who spends half the time in the mountains and the other half somewhere else.Admittedly, some of these people manage to fit into the area.But most never lose that tourist label.I personally live in the southern mountains(about 2 hours or so from where the fictional town is supposed to be).I heard the term High Country in this book more than I have heard it in over 35 years of living here.Saying High Country would be like referring to your car by color, make, model and year every time you talked about it.High Country is almost always used in conjuction with tourists.Around here they are simply called the mounatins or northern mountains.Even more, we usually just refer to the town by name.Another tourist term is the half-back(people originally from up north that moved to Florida and now divide their time between Florida and NC).If anybody who lives in the WNC mountains uses that term it is because they are working to be polite.Most of what tourists get called should not see print.
It is also true that accidents do happen around our many lakes and waterways and in hunting.It is not the case though that they happen so often that people just shrug them off.The University of the Mountain (obviously based on Appalachain University) struck me as something a tourist would come use for a fake name.Truthfully it sounds more like some religious retreat than a place of learning. In fact several of the names were of this nature.The knickname Joe Palooka(which was never shortened)and Boozer Bacchus the third(strangely the main character had never heard this name even though the family had lived there for generations)fall into this category.
Speaking of names, the author seemed to want to make this more confusing then necessary.Try to follow this.The main character is named AnnaLise.In the book, she is called AnnaLise, Annie,and Lise.Her Mother's name is Lorraine.She is called Daisy, Lorraine and Lorry.Lorraine's best friend is named Phyllis.Most call her Mama, including AnnaLise but others call her Phyllis still.Finally Mama has trouble saying almost everyone's name.In an introduction novel especially, this is a tad confusing and makes it harder to connect to the characters.
It is also hard to warm to AnnaLise because she has the annoying habit of correcting everyone's grammar and word choice.(At times, it is obvious the author is messing up just so AnnaLise can correct it.I also had problems understanding AnnaLise's thought processes at times.Her supposed reason for coming home was concern for her mother(Daisy not Mama).Then she spends most of the time hanging out with her childhood friends.Even when she is with her friends she is more concerned with her affair with a married man than her mother's condition.(This tis an obvious to be explored in a later book thread since it neither matters to this novel or is really explored in it.)
The mystery was fairly thin which is often the case in a first in a series book.AnnaLise doesn't even start to actively investigate until about 3/4ths of the way through the book.
For this series to work, the author would need to make AnnaLise more likeable.Also she would need to make her feel more local and not so "touristy"..The author should try getting out of her
"halfback" neighborhood and try mixing with some locals to get better flavor for her story.
Unfortunately, almost from the very beginning, I could tell the writer wasn't from around here.She never quite captures the mountain attitudes.She was obviously one of those people who spends half the time in the mountains and the other half somewhere else.Admittedly, some of these people manage to fit into the area.But most never lose that tourist label.I personally live in the southern mountains(about 2 hours or so from where the fictional town is supposed to be).I heard the term High Country in this book more than I have heard it in over 35 years of living here.Saying High Country would be like referring to your car by color, make, model and year every time you talked about it.High Country is almost always used in conjuction with tourists.Around here they are simply called the mounatins or northern mountains.Even more, we usually just refer to the town by name.Another tourist term is the half-back(people originally from up north that moved to Florida and now divide their time between Florida and NC).If anybody who lives in the WNC mountains uses that term it is because they are working to be polite.Most of what tourists get called should not see print.
It is also true that accidents do happen around our many lakes and waterways and in hunting.It is not the case though that they happen so often that people just shrug them off.The University of the Mountain (obviously based on Appalachain University) struck me as something a tourist would come use for a fake name.Truthfully it sounds more like some religious retreat than a place of learning. In fact several of the names were of this nature.The knickname Joe Palooka(which was never shortened)and Boozer Bacchus the third(strangely the main character had never heard this name even though the family had lived there for generations)fall into this category.
Speaking of names, the author seemed to want to make this more confusing then necessary.Try to follow this.The main character is named AnnaLise.In the book, she is called AnnaLise, Annie,and Lise.Her Mother's name is Lorraine.She is called Daisy, Lorraine and Lorry.Lorraine's best friend is named Phyllis.Most call her Mama, including AnnaLise but others call her Phyllis still.Finally Mama has trouble saying almost everyone's name.In an introduction novel especially, this is a tad confusing and makes it harder to connect to the characters.
It is also hard to warm to AnnaLise because she has the annoying habit of correcting everyone's grammar and word choice.(At times, it is obvious the author is messing up just so AnnaLise can correct it.I also had problems understanding AnnaLise's thought processes at times.Her supposed reason for coming home was concern for her mother(Daisy not Mama).Then she spends most of the time hanging out with her childhood friends.Even when she is with her friends she is more concerned with her affair with a married man than her mother's condition.(This tis an obvious to be explored in a later book thread since it neither matters to this novel or is really explored in it.)
The mystery was fairly thin which is often the case in a first in a series book.AnnaLise doesn't even start to actively investigate until about 3/4ths of the way through the book.
For this series to work, the author would need to make AnnaLise more likeable.Also she would need to make her feel more local and not so "touristy"..The author should try getting out of her
"halfback" neighborhood and try mixing with some locals to get better flavor for her story.
March 16, 2011
AnnaLise left Sutherton, North Carolina to go to college in Wisconsin and really never looked back. That was until she received the phone call that told her "...Daisy (her mother),she went and drained all of the blood out of Mrs. Bradenham." "Don't you worry, I didn't let the chief's police boys take your mother away." AnnaLise threw a few things in her car and headed home to North Carolina. To clarify, Daisy was helping at the local blood drive and she didn't drain all of Mrs. Bradenham's blood, just a couple of extra pints and Mrs. Bradenham was fine, well as fine as she was before the incident.
AnnaLise arrives home just in time for the Labor Day celebration but after getting the whole story on her mother, AnnaLise finds this is going to be more than just a little trip home. Bodies are turning up everywhere and she fears Daisy may be next. Using her training as a journalist she sets out to investigate what the heck is going on in Sutherton and is going get to the bottom of it, if she doesn't die trying.
I know, I rarely say I love the first book of any series because I believe it takes more than one story to get to know the characters, the setting and the a journey the author has planned for both, but I absolutely, positively, genuinely loved this book!!!
I want to visit Sutherton as soon as possible. There is a cafe like in every small town where the news and gossip travels at the speed of light. AnnaLise is surrounded by a great group of friends and even an old boyfriend or two. The story flows naturally, the mystery unfolds with ease, the humor level is spot-on, and most of the characters are offbeat but all of them are lovable.
I have always stated that being a true storyteller is a gift. Sandra Balzo has that gift. I can't believe it took me so long to find this wonderful author. I have read the first book in the Maggy Thorsen Mystery Series too and cannot wait to get caught up on the rest of that series. I know the first three are now available on Kindle at the bargain price of just $2.99, so be sure to check those out as soon as possible and pre-order Running On Empty today. You can thank me later because I know you will love it too!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
AnnaLise arrives home just in time for the Labor Day celebration but after getting the whole story on her mother, AnnaLise finds this is going to be more than just a little trip home. Bodies are turning up everywhere and she fears Daisy may be next. Using her training as a journalist she sets out to investigate what the heck is going on in Sutherton and is going get to the bottom of it, if she doesn't die trying.
I know, I rarely say I love the first book of any series because I believe it takes more than one story to get to know the characters, the setting and the a journey the author has planned for both, but I absolutely, positively, genuinely loved this book!!!
I want to visit Sutherton as soon as possible. There is a cafe like in every small town where the news and gossip travels at the speed of light. AnnaLise is surrounded by a great group of friends and even an old boyfriend or two. The story flows naturally, the mystery unfolds with ease, the humor level is spot-on, and most of the characters are offbeat but all of them are lovable.
I have always stated that being a true storyteller is a gift. Sandra Balzo has that gift. I can't believe it took me so long to find this wonderful author. I have read the first book in the Maggy Thorsen Mystery Series too and cannot wait to get caught up on the rest of that series. I know the first three are now available on Kindle at the bargain price of just $2.99, so be sure to check those out as soon as possible and pre-order Running On Empty today. You can thank me later because I know you will love it too!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 31, 2014
Narrated by Amy DeLuca
Publishers' Summary
The debut title in a new series by the award-winning author of the Maggy Thorsen Coffee Mysteries, optioned for television.
Though a magnet to tourists looking for some Southern comfort, the small lake town of Sutherton - tucked so picturesquely into the mountains of North Carolina - has had its fair share inexplicable hazards. But when Daisy Griggs siphoned three pints of blood from poor Mrs. Bradenham at the resort's annual blood drive - well, that seemed to take the cake. And so, police reporter AnnaLise Griggs comes home to Sutherton to look after her volunteer phlebotomist mother, Daisy (of the accidental bloodletting). But the "accidents" only seem to escalate upon the reporter's arrival in the High Country, leading AnnaLise to question whether Daisy is truly the cause of the trouble, as everyone else seems to believe, or its target.
©2010 Sandra Balzo (P)2014 Sandra Balzo
My Review
Not the type of mystery I would normally choose, but, as usual, I'm looking for a new Mystery series.
After reading the publishers blurb I did expect to enjoy the book - somewhat, but what a surprise! I loved it!
The story is fast, quick to draw in the listener, it's full of interesting characters all described so beautifully that I easily gave a face to them all. I found it witty, amusing and clever, what more could I ask for? Well, a good mystery of course, and Sandra Balzo certainly obliged, I was quite surprised at the ending. I can't wait for more.
As a bonus, I have found a new narrator to love, Amy DeLuca does the job so darned well that I shall be on the look out for her name. Pleasant easy to listen to voice, able to magically conjure up all the different characters making it so easy for the listener to differentiate. Age, gender, rythymn, cadence .... None a problem for Amy.
Publishers' Summary
The debut title in a new series by the award-winning author of the Maggy Thorsen Coffee Mysteries, optioned for television.
Though a magnet to tourists looking for some Southern comfort, the small lake town of Sutherton - tucked so picturesquely into the mountains of North Carolina - has had its fair share inexplicable hazards. But when Daisy Griggs siphoned three pints of blood from poor Mrs. Bradenham at the resort's annual blood drive - well, that seemed to take the cake. And so, police reporter AnnaLise Griggs comes home to Sutherton to look after her volunteer phlebotomist mother, Daisy (of the accidental bloodletting). But the "accidents" only seem to escalate upon the reporter's arrival in the High Country, leading AnnaLise to question whether Daisy is truly the cause of the trouble, as everyone else seems to believe, or its target.
©2010 Sandra Balzo (P)2014 Sandra Balzo
My Review
Not the type of mystery I would normally choose, but, as usual, I'm looking for a new Mystery series.
After reading the publishers blurb I did expect to enjoy the book - somewhat, but what a surprise! I loved it!
The story is fast, quick to draw in the listener, it's full of interesting characters all described so beautifully that I easily gave a face to them all. I found it witty, amusing and clever, what more could I ask for? Well, a good mystery of course, and Sandra Balzo certainly obliged, I was quite surprised at the ending. I can't wait for more.
As a bonus, I have found a new narrator to love, Amy DeLuca does the job so darned well that I shall be on the look out for her name. Pleasant easy to listen to voice, able to magically conjure up all the different characters making it so easy for the listener to differentiate. Age, gender, rythymn, cadence .... None a problem for Amy.
February 14, 2011
AnnaLise Griggs is working when she receives a call from Mama, who is really not her mother, informing her that Daisy, who is her mother, had drained all of the blood out of Mrs. Brandenham. Mama also informs AnnaLise that the doctor says Daisy is not quite right. Mama is Phyllis Balisteri the proprietor of Mama Philomena’s restaurant in Sutherton, North Carolina, AnnaLise’s hometown. AnnaLise began calling her mother Daisy when she was in kindergarten and eventually most everyone called Lorraine Griggs Daisy.
Mama’s call terrified AnnaLise who could not believe her mother who was still in her fifties was beginning to have mental problems. The trip from Wisconsin to Sutherton was a trip back in time for AnnaLise who counted memories as she made the drive. Sutherton was preparing for the Labor Day weekend when AnnaLise arrived in town. She soon found out that although Daisy did make a terrible mistake when drawing blood from Ema Brandenham, Ema was suffering no ill effects from the accident.
Before AnnaLise had even been in town for a day, a body is pulled from the lake. Chuck Greystone, an old friend from school, is now Chief of Police. Chief Greystone rules that the death was not accidental. Soon there was a second body pulled from the lake. As AnnaLise and her hometown friends get together, everyone has a theory as to who is behind the killings. AnnaLise decides that she must find the killer before someone begins to suspect Daisy, who is indeed acting strangely.
AnnaLise has a varied group of friends in Sutherton including Bobby Brandenham who still lives at home with his mother Ema Brandenham, the victim of Daisy’s blood-letting.
This is a good beginning to a new series by Sandra Balzo.
Mama’s call terrified AnnaLise who could not believe her mother who was still in her fifties was beginning to have mental problems. The trip from Wisconsin to Sutherton was a trip back in time for AnnaLise who counted memories as she made the drive. Sutherton was preparing for the Labor Day weekend when AnnaLise arrived in town. She soon found out that although Daisy did make a terrible mistake when drawing blood from Ema Brandenham, Ema was suffering no ill effects from the accident.
Before AnnaLise had even been in town for a day, a body is pulled from the lake. Chuck Greystone, an old friend from school, is now Chief of Police. Chief Greystone rules that the death was not accidental. Soon there was a second body pulled from the lake. As AnnaLise and her hometown friends get together, everyone has a theory as to who is behind the killings. AnnaLise decides that she must find the killer before someone begins to suspect Daisy, who is indeed acting strangely.
AnnaLise has a varied group of friends in Sutherton including Bobby Brandenham who still lives at home with his mother Ema Brandenham, the victim of Daisy’s blood-letting.
This is a good beginning to a new series by Sandra Balzo.
March 10, 2011
Annalise is a charming, clever and calm character no matter what is happening at the time. She gets a call from "Mama" the local owner of the Sutherton's cafe, to come help her mom Daisy. After telling Annalise what happened to Mrs Bradenham she decides to come home fro the weekend and find out what is going on. No sooner then Annalise gets to the cafe when they learn there is a body on the beach. It is the old Chief of police that her friend Chuck took over for. He ends up shot. Was it an accident or murder. Things start to happen when Annalise comes back to town. Could someone be after her, after all she was with Mr Hart when he got shot in the arm.
Why I enjoyed this book. There is Mama the cafe owner that makes you feel at home in the cafe. Lots of great food going on in that cafe! The friends Annalise has are remarkable. Chuck the police chief, and Annalise use to go out in high school and have remained friends since then. Then we meet Bobby a mother's boy but with a big heart. Sherre Pepper is a contrast to everyone else but a great girl. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold anything back.
I also like the small town feel along with all the secrets a small town has. The book has so many twists and turns it is easy to get caught up n the read and not want to put the book down at all. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
Why I enjoyed this book. There is Mama the cafe owner that makes you feel at home in the cafe. Lots of great food going on in that cafe! The friends Annalise has are remarkable. Chuck the police chief, and Annalise use to go out in high school and have remained friends since then. Then we meet Bobby a mother's boy but with a big heart. Sherre Pepper is a contrast to everyone else but a great girl. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold anything back.
I also like the small town feel along with all the secrets a small town has. The book has so many twists and turns it is easy to get caught up n the read and not want to put the book down at all. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
April 26, 2011
review originally posted: http://newborrowedused.blogspot.com/2...
We start the story with AnnaLise, who is a reporter, getting a phone call that her mother has drained Mrs Bradenham of blood (only 3 or 4 pints). She rushes back home to find her mother having spells where she goes back to her youth and forgets the present. During this time people begin to show up dead and it's not drunk tourists, it's the locals. This is when the book started to pick up for me. Trying to figure out what three seemingly random people have to do with each other and why someone would want them dead. I liked the characters in this small tourist town, many had their own eccentric traits that made them enjoyable to read about. The setting of the small town made all the gossipy, everyone knows whats going on right after it happens believable in a way a big city would not have. The fact that AnnaLise is a reporter explains her need to be in the middle of everything and dig up things that may have been better left hidden.
Overall: My original concern that this was a chick lit book was put to rest once the story started going forward. It was easy to get caught up in the goings on of this small southern tourist town. This was the first time I had read one of Ms Balzo's books and I look forward to reading more.
Rating: 3.5
We start the story with AnnaLise, who is a reporter, getting a phone call that her mother has drained Mrs Bradenham of blood (only 3 or 4 pints). She rushes back home to find her mother having spells where she goes back to her youth and forgets the present. During this time people begin to show up dead and it's not drunk tourists, it's the locals. This is when the book started to pick up for me. Trying to figure out what three seemingly random people have to do with each other and why someone would want them dead. I liked the characters in this small tourist town, many had their own eccentric traits that made them enjoyable to read about. The setting of the small town made all the gossipy, everyone knows whats going on right after it happens believable in a way a big city would not have. The fact that AnnaLise is a reporter explains her need to be in the middle of everything and dig up things that may have been better left hidden.
Overall: My original concern that this was a chick lit book was put to rest once the story started going forward. It was easy to get caught up in the goings on of this small southern tourist town. This was the first time I had read one of Ms Balzo's books and I look forward to reading more.
Rating: 3.5
August 15, 2012
The first mystery in the Main Street series takes off with a bang! Running on Empty has diverse and quirky characters, a quaint “High Country” setting, and a good plot with ample red herrings to keep the most avid cozy mystery readers guessing.
AnnaLise Griggs is called home to her childhood residence in Sutherton, NC. Her mother, Daisy, has just drained several pints of blood from a friend during a blood drive. Was it an accident or has her mother lost her mind? While AnnaLise tries to understand what is happening to her mother, and at the same time reconnect with her old pals, the town drunk is murdered. Chuck, an old flame, now the town Sheriff, tells her he is gay and out of the closet, another surprise for AnnaLise to deal with. During Chuck’s pursuit for clues an egotistical land developer is shot in the arm, barely escaping death. Are the two shootings related? If so, the sketchy clues lead to close friends of AnnaLise. Even her own mother becomes a suspect after a Japanese friend of a friend who purchased an apartment in the new development is drowned under suspicious circumstances.
AnnaLise’s journalism background comes in handy as she asks the tough questions and her dogged search for the answers reveal shocking secrets and lies that put her and her mother at peril.
A delightful new series from the author of the Maggy Thorsen Mysteries!
AnnaLise Griggs is called home to her childhood residence in Sutherton, NC. Her mother, Daisy, has just drained several pints of blood from a friend during a blood drive. Was it an accident or has her mother lost her mind? While AnnaLise tries to understand what is happening to her mother, and at the same time reconnect with her old pals, the town drunk is murdered. Chuck, an old flame, now the town Sheriff, tells her he is gay and out of the closet, another surprise for AnnaLise to deal with. During Chuck’s pursuit for clues an egotistical land developer is shot in the arm, barely escaping death. Are the two shootings related? If so, the sketchy clues lead to close friends of AnnaLise. Even her own mother becomes a suspect after a Japanese friend of a friend who purchased an apartment in the new development is drowned under suspicious circumstances.
AnnaLise’s journalism background comes in handy as she asks the tough questions and her dogged search for the answers reveal shocking secrets and lies that put her and her mother at peril.
A delightful new series from the author of the Maggy Thorsen Mysteries!
November 27, 2013
Review from E. Michael Helms
AnnaLise Griggs, ace reporter for a Wisconsin newspaper, receives a bizarre phone call from her North Carolina hometown. Her mother has drained a goodly portion of blood from a prominent citizen during a local blood drive. Reluctantly, AnnaLise returns home to see if her mother has turned closet vampire or is going senile.
It seems the Twilight Zone has risen and settled upon the small mountain community of Sutherton. She encounters a group of characters, some quirky, some apparently straitlaced, and others a bit on the shady side, who help to propel the plot along. Oh, and people are dropping dead left and right (with a little help, of course).
Using her considerable journalistic skills, AnnaLise digs deep and asks the right questions even though it rubs some the wrong way. Her unrelenting doggedness uncovers deceit and secrets that threaten to put her and her mother on the hit list.
This first book in Ms. Balzo's "Main Street Mystery Series" promises to be a wonderful addition to her "Maggy Thorsen Mysteries," and is well-worth the reader giving it a try.
AnnaLise Griggs, ace reporter for a Wisconsin newspaper, receives a bizarre phone call from her North Carolina hometown. Her mother has drained a goodly portion of blood from a prominent citizen during a local blood drive. Reluctantly, AnnaLise returns home to see if her mother has turned closet vampire or is going senile.
It seems the Twilight Zone has risen and settled upon the small mountain community of Sutherton. She encounters a group of characters, some quirky, some apparently straitlaced, and others a bit on the shady side, who help to propel the plot along. Oh, and people are dropping dead left and right (with a little help, of course).
Using her considerable journalistic skills, AnnaLise digs deep and asks the right questions even though it rubs some the wrong way. Her unrelenting doggedness uncovers deceit and secrets that threaten to put her and her mother on the hit list.
This first book in Ms. Balzo's "Main Street Mystery Series" promises to be a wonderful addition to her "Maggy Thorsen Mysteries," and is well-worth the reader giving it a try.
February 18, 2011
I love finding new authors and new series to read. Running on Empty by Sandra Balzo did not disappoint me.
I was caught from the first chapter and couldn't wait to get back to the story any time that I had to put it down. The characters and the story were well thought out and developed. The story kept me guessing as I tried to figure out the killer was.
I really liked AnnaLise and can't wait to see how she develops in the next book. In this book, she has to face a couple of problems in her personal life. First is her mother, Daisy, and Daisy's health issues. Next is deciding how she is going to handle her life in Wisconsin which is temporarily on hold as AnnaLise deals with her mother in Sutherton, North Carolina.
I can't wait to read the next installment in this series and am adding Ms. Balzo's 'Maggy Thorsen' series to my TBR pile.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
I was caught from the first chapter and couldn't wait to get back to the story any time that I had to put it down. The characters and the story were well thought out and developed. The story kept me guessing as I tried to figure out the killer was.
I really liked AnnaLise and can't wait to see how she develops in the next book. In this book, she has to face a couple of problems in her personal life. First is her mother, Daisy, and Daisy's health issues. Next is deciding how she is going to handle her life in Wisconsin which is temporarily on hold as AnnaLise deals with her mother in Sutherton, North Carolina.
I can't wait to read the next installment in this series and am adding Ms. Balzo's 'Maggy Thorsen' series to my TBR pile.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
January 30, 2015
I saw this book on a library display and picked it up although "mysteries lite" isn't usually a genre I seek out. The main character/amateur detective (AnnaLise) is clever and likeable in a Nancy Drew/Jessica Fletcher kind of way. There are alot of other quirky characters living in a quirky town that has more than the normal share of scandal and secrecy. Some don't stay around long as they are being murdered, but I liked the idea of the main character returning to her home town to solve a mystery. I read that this is a first in a new series, and it felt like in this book the author was just setting the stage for the future. The characters are introduced in this one, and the story provides a reason for AnnaLise to stay on in her hometown rather than return to her reporting job in Wisconsin, and so it very much feels like the beginning of a story rather than a story of it's own. It ended up being pretty much what I expected - a pleasant, not-too-complex murder mystery.
April 20, 2011
Seriously, I purchased this book based upon my appreciation of the Author's talents. I loved her Maggie Thornsen mysteries so I figured I'd like her new series.
Well, I truly do like the characters and action found in Sutherton, N.C. This township lives on tourism, but worries pop up when the normal above normal accident rates begin to climb steeply. Our new sleuth, AnnaLise is there to check how her Mom is doing after receiving a urgent message from a close friend,
AnnaLise finds murders, paternity issues, friendships and more and a long weekend becomes a possibly life change for her.
I grew comfortable with all the characters, invested in the storyline and satisfied with the ending. I like the feeling there is going to be another book (hopefully soon,) in the series.
Do read this new series. Ms. Balzo is a good, solid, Author and never lets you down.
Well, I truly do like the characters and action found in Sutherton, N.C. This township lives on tourism, but worries pop up when the normal above normal accident rates begin to climb steeply. Our new sleuth, AnnaLise is there to check how her Mom is doing after receiving a urgent message from a close friend,
AnnaLise finds murders, paternity issues, friendships and more and a long weekend becomes a possibly life change for her.
I grew comfortable with all the characters, invested in the storyline and satisfied with the ending. I like the feeling there is going to be another book (hopefully soon,) in the series.
Do read this new series. Ms. Balzo is a good, solid, Author and never lets you down.
February 11, 2011
RUNNING ON EMPTY:A MAIN STREET MYSTERY by Sandra Balzo is a delightful murder mystery set in present day Sutherton, North Carolina. It is written with depth and details.It is the beginning of a new series. It has murder,mystery,small town life,serial killer,unexplained happenings,accidents, amateur sleuth,journalist,and murders that look like accidents.Daisy must learn the mystery of the accidents/murder before she or her mother are the next on have an accident.If you enjoy a cozy mystery,a quick read that is fast paced and full of surprises that I would recommend this one.You won't be sorry you picked it up to read. This book was received for the purpose of review from the author and details can be found at Seven House Publishers and My Book Addiction and More.
August 26, 2014
I'm always a little wary when an author starts a new series, but Sandra Balzo (author also of the Maggie Thorsen coffee house books) has really produced a winner this time. AnnaLise Griggs, a reporter in Wisconsin, has come home to Sutherton for the Labor Day weekend because her mother Daisy seems to be losing her grip. Sutherton, on a lake and in the mountains, always has a high accident rate, but this is ridiculous: first the former police chief is found in the lake, then someone shoots at the richest man in town, then a Japanese incomer--sushi in Sutherton?--disappears. What could these incidents have in common? And is the mayor--AnnaLise's long-time best friend--really the rich man's bastard son?
June 5, 2011
I have loved the Maggy Thorsen series by Sandra Balzo so was interested in her new series. Running on Empty did not disappoint. Set in a small North Carolina town, AnnaLisa comes home for a weekend to check up on her mother and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. One of the things that the author does best is create characters that feel real to me. They have real jobs with real problems but also have real friendships and conversations. They are the sort of people that I would love to be friends with. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series as I find myself missing these people.
March 12, 2015
AnnaLise Griggs, Wisconsin reporter, returns home to Sutherton, NC when she receives a call saying her mother has accidentally almost killed someone during a blood donor drive. It seems, Daisy, has been acting strangely and having memory issues. Soon after AnnaLise arrives and starts reconnecting with old friends a real murder does happen. The town has been changing to attract tourists, particularly a large housing and shopping development. These changes don't please everyone. As things change, long buried secrets start bubbling to the surface and AnnaLise is in for many surprises. Nice cozy, but not sure if I'm interested in looking for more in the series.
February 11, 2016
I really enjoyed Balzo's Maggie Thornson Mysteries. I was keen to start this new series, Main Street Murder Mysteries but it took me awhile to get into it. To be clear, I stopped and started with the book and that may have been becuase I had read seven of the Maggie Thornson in a row. The mind may not have been ready for the new setting and characters.
Anyway, I kept at it and finsinghed the book once I found my groove in a couple of days. It looks like I will enjoy this series as well. It is engaging and it made me smile. The story is unlikely to end the way you expect.
I am off to read book two.
Anyway, I kept at it and finsinghed the book once I found my groove in a couple of days. It looks like I will enjoy this series as well. It is engaging and it made me smile. The story is unlikely to end the way you expect.
I am off to read book two.
March 29, 2011
Reviewed by Andrew at RexRobotReviews.com
I enjoyed the mystery of this novel because it kept taking many plot twists and turns. I never could have imagined the secrets that some of the town citizens were trying to keep hidden. Running on Empty kept me engrossed to the very last page.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I would rate Running on Empty 5 robots! It will keep you trying to solve the mystery behind the killings along with AnnaLise. I can’t wait to continue reading the next book in the Main Street Murders series!
I enjoyed the mystery of this novel because it kept taking many plot twists and turns. I never could have imagined the secrets that some of the town citizens were trying to keep hidden. Running on Empty kept me engrossed to the very last page.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I would rate Running on Empty 5 robots! It will keep you trying to solve the mystery behind the killings along with AnnaLise. I can’t wait to continue reading the next book in the Main Street Murders series!
December 11, 2011
First in Balzo's Main Street mystery series. Annalise Griggs returns to her hill country home of Sutherton, North Carolina from Wisconsin where she works as a crime reporter. Her mother has been showing signs of memory lapses so Annalise returns to see how she is doing. There are two murders, an attempted murder and attack on Annalise within a couple of days of her arrival.
Interesting story as Annalise renews friendships and helps solve the murders.
Interesting story as Annalise renews friendships and helps solve the murders.
February 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to more in this new series. The characters were well developed, and the twists and turns in the plot kept me interested. I love unexpected endings.
The next book needs to include a map, though. The directions in this one were confusing, and my hand-drawn map according to the descriptions didn't make sense.
The next book needs to include a map, though. The directions in this one were confusing, and my hand-drawn map according to the descriptions didn't make sense.
April 27, 2014
I really enjoyed the characters in this book and can see it as a great beginning to a new series. For me, Running On Empty seemed to run a little slow near the middle to last half of the book, but then it picked up quite nicely with a fantastic finish. The revealing was quite a surprise at the end and more than made up for the slow places.
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