Donna Huston Murray
...series characters fans think of as friends
PAPERBACK, EBOOK & AUDIO
The Main Line Is Murder
A Ginger Barnes Cozy Mystery #1
WHEN HER HUSBAND becomes headmaster of struggling Bryn Derwyn Academy, Ginger Barnes learns that murder on the campus can kill a school’s reputation in a heartbeat. To move the scandal off the front page before the school goes under, Gin attempts to hurry the investigation along. Will her amateur sleuthing save her husband’s career and her family’s new home, or will her good intentions backfire big-time?.
Universal Link
Editorial reviews:
“Barnes’ irreverent attitude about her situation makes for a great character – almost as if Spenser was a housewife.” THE DROOD REVIEW OF MYSTERY
What readers are saying:
“A smart, well plotted mystery. In addition to a great murder mystery the novel gives the reader insight into the family life of the head of a private school and the staff members and students they are responsible for.” 5* Jean L.
“If you dislike housework, accidentally get into a jam occasionally, and want a fun read, get this book.” 5* S. Haggert
"Donna Huston Murray's voice is as familiar as a long-time girlfriend's yet provocative and wise as a favorite aunt's...intelligent and timely. I consider each book a necessary addition to my mystery collection."- Earlene Fowler, Agatha winning author
"...a murder mystery with a female main character who's quick witted, really intelligent, knows her stuff, pays attention to detail and doesn't stumble around all the clues that she comesupon while trying to solve a murder...highly recommend." 5* Trica, WashDC
“Particularly good in audio! We listened to the book on a long drive…We particularly enjoyed the reading by Robynne M. Graffam. The energy she put into the reading and the various tones associated with different characters enlivened the book.” 5* Earl B.
ABOUT
I once read a story about a fisherman's wife who thought her next door neighbor was crazy. Every day the girl dressed up like someone different—a ballerina, a farmer, a nun. As it turned out, the girl pitied the older woman because she was living her "only, only, only life."
I love imagining I'm someone else. I invariably ask people I meet what their interests are because it makes their eyes shine, and because I get to learn about something they truly love. Try it, you'll see.
Writing mysteries and crime novels allows me to "live" lots of different lives without making my neighbors nervous... although I guess I really can't be sure about that.
The anxiety of speaking to hundreds of students may be over, but the astonishment of receiving this amazing award will last a lifetime. Hear my advice to the kids HERE. Listener's alert: I AM nervous!
UPCOMING: The audiobook of FINAL ARRANGEMENTS, and the third Lauren Beck crime novel STRANGER DANGER.
2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
HALL OF FAME
INTERVIEWS
***NEWEST VIDEO INTERVIEW by Joseph Carrabis***
How many breaths does a racehorse take in 6 furlongs (3/4 mi.?) True answer in my interview on bookpleasures.com. Got it from the horse's mouth!
Omnimystery News interview includes why it's a bad idea to put sugar in the gas tank of a school bus.
On Colleen Story's "Writing and Wellness" blog I share my early experiences, advice for newbies, and the name of the cream I use every day on my sore "mouse muscle." Worth reading if only for the tip about the back rub!
A YouTube interview produced by two talented Germantown Academy students.
The Map Your Mystery, Pennsylvania, interviewer surprised me by saying THE MAIN LINE IS MURDER has "the scariest ending of any book I have read in a long time."
BIO
Donna Huston Murray’s cozy mystery series features an amateur sleuth much like herself, a DIY headmaster's wife with a troubling interest in crime. The latest Gin Barnes’ FOR BETTER OR WORSE was a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award for mysteries, and the first two novels in the Lauren Beck mystery/crime series won Honorable Mention in genre fiction from Writer’s Digest.
In 2022, Donna became the tenth inductee into her high school’s Lifetime Achievement Award Hall of Fame. To hint that she’s still writing, the plaque reads, “…and more,” below her listed books.
When she isn’t plotting mayhem, Donna assumes she can fix anything until proven wrong, calls trash-picking recycling, and, although she should probably know better by now, adores Irish setters.
Donna and husband, Hench, live in the greater Philadelphia, PA, USA, area.