Reviews of A Real Basket Case
“Claire Hanover, a Colorado Springs housewife who has started a gift-basket business, is feeling lonely and unloved by her work-obsessed husband. Her best friend, Ellen, divorced and bitter, urges her to attend an aerobics class. When the handsome instructor, Enrique, flirts with Claire, Ellen tells her to have an affair with him. Claire agrees only to a massage. After Enrique is shot and killed while giving Claire the massage, the police arrest her husband, Roger. Claire realizes that she has jeopardized her marriage and her husband, whom she still loves. She is sure that someone has framed him and sets out to prove it. As she investigates, she learns that there are many people who could have killed Enrique, ex-girlfriends and drug-dealing cohorts among them. Spying on drug dealers, confronting angry aerobics classmates who are now suspects, and screwing up gift-basket deliveries, not to mention a breaking-and-entering charge, complicate Claire’s life, but she carries on, determined to save her husband and marriage. This will appeal to Desperate Housewives fans and those who like cozies with a bit of spice.”
-- Barbara Bibel, Booklist Review, February 1, 2007
“Drugs and jealousy add up to a Rocky Mountain murder. Claire Hanover, a Colorado Springs empty-nester whose husband Roger's self-image is tied to climbing the corporate ladder, is restless and lonely. Although Claire's gift-basket business is fun and profitable, her divorced friend Ellen, who helped with the startup, suggests that gym classes will improve her mood and looks. When a buff aerobics instructor comes on to Claire, her old pal thinks a little fling would be just the thing. But after Enrique talks Claire into a massage at her home, he's shot there, and Roger arrives in their bedroom holding the murder weapon. Claire can only watch stunned when he's arrested for murder. Feeling betrayed, Roger moves out. Claire, certain he's innocent, starts sleuthing with the long-distance help of another friend, Ute shamus Deb Burch. Enrique, it seems, was not only servicing women at the health club; he was apparently dealing drugs. His boss Leon admires Claire's nerve but warns her not to poke around in his business. He suggests that she look at the ladies Enrique was involved with, a list that includes Ellen. Determined to find the culprit by enlarging the suspect pool before Roger's depression sinks him, Deb proceeds to break into the apartment of Enrique's girlfriend, intent on unearthing the necessary evidence before Claire's investigation makes her the next victim. A tense, exciting debut.”
-- Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2007 (Note: In the next to last line, "Deb" should be "Claire.")
“A crackling good novel with the kind of twists and turns that make roller coaster rides so scary and so much fun! The tension begins on the first page and never lets up. As Claire Hanover, the plucky heroine, fights to keep her life from spiraling out of control, I rooted for her every step of the way. Beth Groundwater has written a terrific debut mystery.”
-- Margaret Coel, author of The Drowning Man
“A gutsy sleuth, a fast-paced plot, and intriguing characters that keep you guessing. A Real Basket Case is a real winner! Don't miss it.”
-- Maggie Sefton, bestselling author of Knit One, Kill Two
“This cozy style mystery is a real treat to read. Claire quickly becomes a character the reader cares about and one alive in every sense of the word. As her character development continues to grow throughout the novel it becomes clear that Claire is relying on inner resources she never knew she had. At the same time, several of the secondary characters also grow and change and none are given short shrift in terms of plot or development. While the focus is primarily on Claire, the other characters play major roles and contribute to the overall read.
Full of twists and turns along with plenty of suspects, the book, currently scheduled to be released on March 21, 2007, is sure to keep readers entertained all the way to the end. Clearly the start of a series and a good one at that, this is a book that is sure to please a lot of readers.”
--Kevin R. Tipple, Kevin's Corner, January, 2007; Epinions (5 stars!), January, 2007;
Mouth Full of Bullets, March, 2007; Mysterical-E, Spring 2007
“Beth Groundwater has penned a clever, charming debut novel. Her well-crafted characters comprise a nicely balanced cast, and she does a good job incorporating a blend of humor and relationship drama into a deftly twisted plot with the kind of surprise ending guaranteed to satisfy. Quick-paced and well written with clear and comfortable prose, A REAL BASKET CASE is a perfect afternoon read for cozy fans.”
-- J.B. Thompson, Spinetingler Magazine, Spring 2007
“It is always with some trepidation that I pick up a book -- especially a first novel -- by someone I know personally. What if I don't like it? What will I say? Well, I needn't have worried in this case. Beth Groundwater's debut novel, A REAL BASKET CASE, doesn't disappoint. Her characters, especially Claire, are sympathetic and interesting, and I found myself really caring about Claire, her marriage, and that justice be done. A REAL BASKET CASE and its author are a welcome addition to the mystery genre.”
-- Judy Clemens, Crimespree Magazine, Mar/Apr 2007
“Ms Groundwater has written an amateur sleuth mystery with a gutsy heroine. The situations that she manages to get herself into as she tries to uncover the truth will have readers chuckling, gasping, and turning the pages. Readers will be kept guessing to the end in the best fashion of a good who-done-it.”
-- Love, Romances and More, April, 2007
“At first, I feared that Claire would be a character I couldn't relate to, let alone like. But it's clear from the first few pages that this is simply a woman at a crossroad in her life, and with one mistake, that life, and the lives of others, are now in peril. Granted, Claire is not the best detective in the world, but she makes up for it with sheer will and is not afraid to put herself in harm's way to prove that she still loves Roger, and that he didn't kill Enrique. Many wild scenarios run rampant throughout Beth Groundwater's book, and the author has successfully mixed humor with the macabre. Though A REAL BASKET CASE is not told in the first person, Claire's point of view is the main focus, but other characters all have their roles to play. An enjoyable mystery that will weave its way into your psyche, A REAL BASKET CASE should not be missed.”
-- Courtney Michelle, Romance Reviews Today, April, 2007
“I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read the next! Claire is such a fun character. The story kept my interest at every turn. It did have some situations where I found myself saying, no way would I do that. I felt a normal person would have called the police, but Claire persevered and won me over! I hope the author writes fast! I highly recommend this book.”
-- Dawn Dowdle, www.mysteryloverscorner.com, April, 2007
“Beth Groundwater has created a winner with her Claire Hanover series. If anyone deserves to be a basket case it's Claire Hanover, but nervous breakdown isn't on the menu. Having created the situation where her husband is charged with murder, she keeps her cool and sets out to prove him innocent. Like one of Claire's baskets, Beth Groundwater has put together the perfect mixture of humor, thrills and mystery. A terrific debut!”
-- Christine Goff, author of the "Birdwatcher's Mystery" series
“An impressive debut! Groundwater brings new meaning to the term menopausal in this flawlessly crafted mystery. Her gutsy, power surging heroine keeps the pressure on until the final chapter in a tale in which no one can be trusted-not even your best friend.”
-- Kathy Brandt, author of Under Pressure
“Claire Hanover is an endearing, kinda klutzy, amateur sleuth, and her gift basket business is a fresh and interesting facet of her character. A Real Basket Case is Beth Groundwater's debut mystery, and a fine one it is. It is not only entertaining, it is lacking in common rookie mistakes. Beth gives credit to the editor, Denise Dietz, for "polishing my prose until it gleamed." I think the prose was pretty shiny before Denise started on it.”
-- Shirley Wetzel, Over My Dead Body!, September, 2007
“What Beth Groundwater achieves so successfully is conveying the hopelessness and desperation felt by a woman who fears that her marriage is over and who must learn to fight for what she truly wants. It’s a pleasure to see Claire grow stronger and more determined than ever to save both Roger and her marriage. Although I initially believed that I identified the murderer early on, Groundwater is able to throw in enough complications to maintain suspense throughout the novel. Claire does make some stupendously ill-advised decisions (such as breaking into a drug dealer’s home and searching for clues), but she still arises as a very likable, believable, and enjoyable character. This is an extremely enjoyable debut novel.”
-- Cindy Chow, NoName Café Book Review Corner, September, 2007
“In reading this book I came up with something I really want to share. Some of the things I really hate to see in a book and is overkill in descriptions of the characters. Some writers go all the way to describing the lipstick that the character is wearing at the moment. I also hate to see the full description of the room that the character/characters are in at the moment. To me these are words I simply skip over. To me it feels like the author is trying to extend the length of the book. WELL, Beth Groundwater doesn't do this. I'm reading every word of her book and enjoying it very much. And the characters are REAL. As you meet them, you begin to feel as if they are people you really know.
Beth Groundwater kept me wondering who the real killer would turn out to be. Usually I have the bad guy figured out about halfway through a book. Not with this one. "A Real Basket Case" didn't reveal the killer until the last few pages. And I can't believe who it ended up being. This has been a really enjoyable book.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Beth, don't change your way of writing! I've really enjoyed reading Basket Case and will be reading more of Beth's books.”
-- Martha A. Cheves, A Book and A Dish review of A Real Basket Case
“A Real Basket Case is Beth Groundwater's debut novel. In this Agatha-nominated cozy mystery, Claire Hanover fights to prove her husband Roger is innocent of murdering Claire's fitness instructor, Enrique.
Roger has been spending far more hours with his job than with his wife, so when Claire's friend Ellen buys her a massage with Enrique, she reluctantly agrees. However, when Enrique is shot in the midst of this massage and Ellen looks up to see Roger standing in the doorway with the murder weapon in his hand, the evidence against him is damning. Claire is convinced that someone set Roger up and she's going to prove who that person is and win Roger's trust back.
A Real Basket Case is a light, quick, enjoyable read. But don't try to read it too quickly or you'll miss the creative subtleties woven throughout the plot.
Groundwater has a firm grasp on how to use the English language to create effect. At the onset of the novel, Claire is talking on the phone and watching a group of rock climbers. When one of the climbers falls,
"...he swung back and forth until he could scrabble a handhold. He pulled himself to the rock, found footholds, and clung to the cliff like a squashed spider, his chest heaving."
Not only does this passage contain the vivid imagery of the squashed spider and the sharp contrast of that spider to the heaving chest, but it also works with the rest of the rock-climbing event to build up an analogy with Claire, her friends, and the events that will make up the plot of this novel. So we see some foreshadowing happening as well. Just one example of how Groundwater's concise style can pack a powerful punch.
The humor in this book is also very subtle. Numerous times I was reading along, caught up in the plot when I had to halt because I realized, "hey! That was funny." Claire's character plays right into this effect. Her good intentions in preposterous situations just result in humorous outcomes. Her interactions with Leon, the ethical drug kingpin, are prime examples of this. The paradox of his "ethics" and her naivete makes the absurd seem completely natural.
The only qualm I had with Claire was her inability - or unwillingness? - to stand up to her husband. She stands up the cops, to drug pushers, to her friends. But she just let her husband blame her for his entire predicament and she accepted the blame. I was really cheering for her to give him "what for" just once. But, building self-confidence comes in small steps. She built her confidence to fight for her family in this step. I'll be looking forward to see what steps she makes as the "Basket Mysteries" continue.”
-- Jen Forbus, Jen’s Book Thoughts Review of A Real Basket Case
“When I finished this book I sat up straight and said WOW!!! This is definitely not your traditional cozy mystery. This is a hold on to the edge of your seat wild ride mystery!!! I got about halfway through and I couldn’t put it down. It was a late night as I stayed up to finish it and then couldn’t get to sleep.”
(for full review, go to: Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book)
-- Dolly Cas, Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book, November 22, 2011