My Very Own Murder (2006) Testimonial

When asked what my favorite novel is, this one comes to mind. But being an avid reader and book collector (mostly Harlequin Romance) I couldn't say it out loud. I couldn't commit to the fact that My Very Own Murder by Josephine Carr was my favorite novel of everything I've read. Not that I didn't want to, but I hadn't read the book in question since I was pretty young (eighth grade I believe). I had found it amongst the many books in my town's local library back in Texas. I couldn't tell exactly why either. From the synopsis on the back cover you wouldn't expect it to spark a thirteen year old's interest.

"Free-spirited and freshly divorced, fifty-year-old Anne Johnson is living the good life. She spends her days in her luxurious, elegant apartment in Washington, D.C., cuddled up with a book in one hand and a martini in the other. Then, she hears a voice in her head, warning that there'll be a murder in her building in thirty days-and she must prevent it. Anne confides in Mary, the building's large-and-in-charge cleaning woman, and together, they plan a party to ferret out the would-be killer. But if they don't act quickly, the swanky soiree might end up being a goodbye party for both of them."

But the title itself, brought a heap of curiosity to the surface.

Curiosity killed that cat....But satisfaction brought it back!

...My Very Own Murder

I remember thinking, "Was she going to commit a murder?" "Was she going to discover a murder?" Or "Was she already dead and telling us how she ended up being murdered?"

Long story short, eight grade me thought it was hilarious as well as brilliant but I knew so much had probably went over my head. So I took myself to my local library and went to the mystery section hoping to surprise myself by finding the novel without any real effort. Safe to say, I had no luck.

My gut was telling me that my new hometown's library had this book and I was going to find it. I had to. I needed to know if the book I had read all those years ago was actually as good as I seemed to remember or was I just an easily pleased preteen with an unnatural relationship with curiosity?

One quick computer search and I had the book in my hand. I won't lie, I skipped out of the library to my car; welcoming stares and all.

Bringing the novel with me to work, I read it at low traffic times. I finished the book in four days. And question was answered pretty quickly. The book was hilarious, off-beat in the best way, a little bizarre, but was still able to keep you on edge of you seat at times. The main character astonishing! Not in a way one would expect, especially not I. A new discovery I made that obviously my younger self had not was that this character was me!

Every chapter I finished I could pick out similarities between her and I. And not like, Oh! We have the same hair color and eye color and she's my height. Oh no, it was her actions, train of thought, and quirkiness! The entire novel is a situation that if happened to me; I would no doubt go about it the same way. I would investigate, make a friend or friends very easily—who would no doubt join the search, and allow my confidence in my sleuthing skills to mistakenly take the sleeping pill meant for my much younger lover!  Besides, I've already cut my long locks into a pixie. I think I'm on the right path... To a nonchalant divorce, two grown kids, an intense talent for cooking, and a martini glass attached to my hand. Okay, so margarita glass, but that's the only difference!

[Like I said, can't resist a bullet list]

     ~Pixie cut [CHECK]

     ~Fifty years old [Halfway there!]

     ~Divorced [Have to date to even have the opportunity...]

     ~Two kids [Got two dogs...Practice makes perfect!]

     ~Cooking talent [CHECK...out my Instagram @olivejuuiice]

This is my saddest list yet. Jesus help!

If you haven't read this novel. Go find it! Read...even if for a good slow cooker chili recipe (It came out fantastic when I tried it).

To those who are wondering, how can this be my favorite novel...It's not. I don't have one. So, I'll leave you with one of the most memorable quotes from the novel:

"I felt downright beautiful, even if I wasn't. That is, I often felt beautiful when I was alone, not when I was the object of a man's gaze."--- My Very Own Murder by Josephine Carr

I'm all out of time...not really. But this is it for Sunday's Novel of the Week post