The Gertrude, Gumshoe Cozy Mystery Box Set by Robin Merrill contains the first three installments in the hilarious Gertrude, Gumshoe Cozy Mystery series: Introducing Gertrude, Gumshoe, Gertrude, Gumshoe: Murder at Goodwill and Gertrude, Gumshoe and the VardSale Villain. Come meet this zany old lady for laughs, mysteries, and cats.
by Robin Merrill
Series: Gertrude Gumshoe #1
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Gertrude has been called a lot of things: a hoarder, an odd duck, and a crazy cat lady—but she's never been called a gumshoe. Until now. When her neighbor goes missing, she can't help but get involved, no matter how many people ask her not to.
In Introducing Gertrude, Gumshoe we meet Gertrude (Gert to her friends) a disabled cat lady whose a bit of a curmudgeon. After taking a count of her cats she discovers one has escaped her trailer and sets out with her walker to find Tornado (the missing cat). A woman and her two young children have recently moved into one of the trailers and it is here she discovers Tornado. Only the kids aren’t at school and their mother is missing. What began as a quest to find their mom soon leads to a murder mystery. The cops dismiss, Gertrude’s investigative skills and encourage her to go home, but she has evidence and sets out to save others and catch a killer! Oh lord, Gert is an absolute hoot. Rude, surly, and apt to say whatever pops out of her mouth, I couldn’t help but laugh at her over the top antics. I wouldn’t call her lovable but she is entertaining. She gains help from the disability van service, a friend and even enlists her reluctant neighbor Old Man Crow. Humor, a little suspense and Gertrude’s over the top mannerisms, conversations, and actions made this a quick fun read.
by Robin Merrill
Series: Gertrude Gumshoe #2
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Gertrude is back! When she finds a murder victim at her local Goodwill, she tries to tell the Sheriff's Department everything she knows. Of course, they don't listen. So of course, she must solve the mystery herself. And the only way she can figure to do this is to go undercover—as the Mattawooptock Goodwill's newest team member. Anyone who knows Gertrude knows this probably isn't the best idea. She'll probably get fired. Or arrested. Or worse.
Gertrude is back in Gertrude, Gumshoe: Murder at Goodwill. Needing to get her Christmas shopping done, she calls the van and gets a ride to the local Goodwill. It’s Saturday and quite crowded. After rummaging through the children’s section she heads off to the perfume section where she makes a ghastly discovery. She discovers the body of a dead woman and the ugliest green lamp she has ever seen. She lets out a scream and is soon discovered by employees. She turns to tell them she simply found the body and that quick the lamp disappears. Hale the local handsome detective is shocked to find Gert at another murder scene and angers Gert when he isn’t upset about the missing lamp. Once again Gert beings investigating, even going to so far as to secure a job at Goodwill. A burglary, boobytraps, and trouble insue as Gert and her reluctant neighbor investigate. For me, this was a stronger story and I enjoyed seeing familiar characters. This was a quick, funny, and clever case that I quite enjoyed.
by Robin Merrill
Series: Gertrude Gumshoe #3
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Samantha Cooper is missing and her boyfriend is desperate to find her. Desperate enough to hire Gertrude, Gumshoe. Thrilled to have her first real client, Gertrude gets right to work. But is she really ready for a real case? Can she catch a kidnapper without getting herself kidnapped?
Again we see a tie-in from a former character in Gertrude, Gumshoe and the VardSale Villain. In the first story, we met Andy a janitor who works at Private Eyes (a dance club) His girlfriend is missing and Gertrude has her first paying customer. Thanks to a calendar she learns Samantha Cooper was met by a seller from a wildly popular site called Vardsale. She enlists the help of Calvin (Old Man Crow) since she needs A. his computer and B. a ride. Gertrude’s investigations have her meeting sellers, gathers clues and getting herself in trouble. Hilarious, and daring Merrill delivered another interesting case.
You can buy these books individually or grab The Gertrude, Gumshoe Cozy Mystery Box Set containing all three cozy mysteries. These are fast reads and total about the length of a full novel. Gertrude is hilarious from her jitterbug to interactions with Hale, a local police officer. If you are looking for a hilarious, light cozy mystery these are great fun. Each book was stronger than its predecessor and I enjoyed Gertrude’s antics.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Wattle
I love a good cozy mystery and this one sounds delightful, and a bit different. I’ll just have to go and grab the boxset for myself!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
This sounds like so much fun! I love this kind of character and the mysteries sound a like they would be filled with moments that would make me giggle.
Suzanne
This boxset would be absolutely perfect for my sister who loves mysteries and is also crazy about cats. Hmmm, last minute gift idea 🙂
Tyler H. Jolley
I thought for a second this was a Nona’s Corner post, the covers really threw me for a loop. Lol.
Kimberly
I would have been ok with that since I always do Nonna’s Corner on Wednesday. Then we could just jump ahead and tomorrow would be Thursday!
Nikki @ Notes of Life
I’ve not heard of these books before, but they sound great fun! 🙂
Geybie's Book Blog
Awesome review, Kim.❤️ Gertrude sounds like a great character. She reminds me of the movie I watched years ago. Hehe..
Kristin @ Addicted to HEA
These sound like fun, cozy mysteries! I think I want to BE Gertrude when I’m older 😉 Great reviews!!
Robin
Thank you, Kimberly!!!
Kimberly
You are very welcome. I meant to email you the link today, but my daughter has mono and I have had my grandbabies (2 and 1) since Friday.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh this series sounds too fun! You know I love a good quirky cozy so I’m definitely going to add this to my list.
Jo
I love a good cozy mystery! Definitely need to check these series up 🙂
Angela Adams
Sounds like a great package deal! Thanks for the post.
Mary Kirkland
Those sound good and the covers are cute.
sherry fundin
Such fun covers.
Stormi Johnson
Sounds like a cute series!
Debbie Haupt
Oh wow I gotta read all about Gertrude Kim. Thanks for the heads up
Nadene
Cute covers and the stories sound fun. Great reviews.
kindlemom1
These sound like they are fun and cute and a good boxed set to try.
Silvia
Sounds like a great box set! Will add it to my list, perhaps Santa will do something about it 😛
Melliane
they’re new to me but the covers are really sweet!