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For Charlie McClung, going home to Virginia with Marian was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but upon arrival at his childhood home, he’s met with a note instead of his family. “Don’t worry, Love, we’re all okay. Come to the shop. A dead girl was found in an armoire delivered just now. Huggies, Ma” Charlie is quickly recruited to help solve the murder of a young girl who was on the path to becoming a nun. The suspects begin to mount as Charlie delves deep into the girl’s life revealing a sordid and ugly side of the town’s good girl. “Is there anything more fun to read than a book that’s equal parts captivating mystery and charming romance? A GOOD GIRL will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing and will warm you to your bones as Marian and Charlie, meant for each other, race to the end.

244 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2014

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About the author

Mary Anne Edwards

12 books369 followers
Born in Mercedes, Texas, Mary Anne has lived in Georgia most of her life. A lifelong fan of authors such as Agatha Christie, Anne Perry, Caroline Graham, and Elizabeth Peters, it wasn’t until a few years ago that Mary Anne listened to the voices in her head and wrote her own series of traditional mysteries featuring Detective Charlie McClung.

Mary Anne is working on book nine, Somewhere Under Heaven, and a cookbook inspired by the series.

Although Mary Anne is middle-aged and approaching old age, she believes you are as old as you act. The main female protagonist in the Charlie McClung Mysteries is an interesting snapshot of the author's sensibilities.

Mary Anne and her husband live in Canton, GA, with an ill-tempered tuxedo cat named Gertrude. Mary Anne volunteers at MUST Ministries.

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5 stars
34 (61%)
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15 (27%)
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6 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for T.M. Payne.
Author 29 books88 followers
December 31, 2014
This book brings us another adventure of sorts for Charlie and Marian.
In the first book Charlie is the one who rescued Marian and they have been dating every since. Charlie knows Marian is the one for him now he hopes she feels the same way for him.

They are heading out of town to visit with his family. Once they are there a murder mystery awaits them. The men of his family are all cops or FBI or similar. Charlies brother Luke enlists Charlies help in trying to find a murderer.

While the men folk try to find the killer Marian and the women of Charlie's family do some planning.

What do you suppose the women are planning?
Is Charlie who Marian sees herself with forever?

I really enjoyed going through the suspect list. And the one who did it? Well who would have guessed.

Well pickup your copy of this really funny and romantic mystery ..
Mary Anne Edwards
Profile Image for Barbara Tobey.
2,413 reviews66 followers
October 22, 2014
The Irish family is charming. The murder has many suspects. I raced through this in one day. Once I had settled on a suspect, I had to keep reading to make certain I had guessed correctly. I want to read the first in this series and hope there will be more to come.
Profile Image for Miranda Shanklin.
Author 14 books109 followers
March 1, 2015
This is the second book in the series. It continues a short time after the first book. It is a continuation of Charlie and Marian's story.

I found all the new characters to be introduced in a way that you never felt overwhelmed even though there were a lot of new characters.

The large family of Charlie is a great addition to this story. I love the feeling of closeness and how the family will do anything for each other.

The way that the characters show their flaws and you still want them to succeed and be happy is a sign of how in depth the author gets with them.

I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the third book in this series to come out!
Profile Image for Angie Dokos.
Author 3 books226 followers
April 8, 2016
Loved this book. It's a good mystery with just the right about of romance added in. I read it on Kindle, but I'm heading over to Amazon to order the paperback for my mom. She will love it!
Profile Image for Jenny Schwartz.
Author 90 books456 followers
January 18, 2015
The problem with this mystery is that the fantastic McClung clan turned up and simply overwhelmed me with their charm. What fabulous prospective in-laws for Marian. So I could have simply read about them -- especially Ma.

But the mystery is solid, the suspects well established and Mary Anne Edwards plays fair with readers, scattering clues.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say -- perfect ending.

*Disclosure: copy received from author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Shelby.
44 reviews8 followers
August 2, 2016
This was a nail biting twist and turn who did it book.. I loved the way you can feel the emotions of excitement of the mystery and then the romance between Charlie and Marian. The way the characters and settings flow in the book make you feel like you are there trying to solve the mystery with them. The suspense had me to where I found it very hard to put the book down.. This is a MUST Read.. So glad I found The Charlie McClung Mysteries..
Profile Image for Paula Genereau.
3,002 reviews39 followers
September 16, 2015
Charlie goes home to see his family. He takes Marian with him. He's not ready for what he's about to be a part in. He's got to help solve a murder of a local girl who was gonna be a nun

Hurricane readers book review gave me the book for my honest review
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,190 reviews23 followers
August 11, 2021
Charlie McClung has taken Marian home to meet the family as promised. They welcome her in from the first day. Everyone knows everyone in this small town. Charlie needs to help his brother-in-law solve the murder of a young lady who was leaving to become a nun, was she so innocent though? Charlie asks Marian to marry him and the family decides the wedding has to be there with them before they go home. What a whirl wind when they are trying to solve the murder and be ready to get married by Sunday.
6 reviews
June 11, 2023
Another hit!!!

I was hooked from the first page to the last. I literally could not put it down, finishing it within a few short hours! Another hit! Great job, Mary Ann!! Now on to book 3 . Kathy G.
Profile Image for Jenn Sut.
547 reviews32 followers
June 21, 2016
A Good Girl
By Mary Anne Edwards
4.5

Charlie is taking Marian home to meet his family. They don't even get a proper introduction before a dead body turns up at a local antiques store. Although it not Charlie's case, it is his hometown so he is quickly asked by Luke to help out with the investigation. It is a small town that does not see a lot of homicides, so Charlie's help is needed. In the meantime, Marian gets to know Charlie's family.

This is the second book in the Charlie McClung series, but it can be read as a stand alone. I would, however, highly recommend reading the first one , Brilliant Disguise, for the background on Marian and Charlie's romance. (Also because it is a very entertaining read!) I loved this book. It is so nice to meet Charlie's family and explore his hometown while a mystery unfolds. The book was paced well. The author fleshed out the characters even more in this second book in the series. Their chemistry is undeniable which makes the story so enjoyable to read. I am looking forward to reading Criminal Mind, the next book in the series. I am hooked on this author and the McClung Mysteries.
Profile Image for Melissa Burcham.
240 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2016
I was asked for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS

Another great book by Mary Anne Edwards! She is quickly becoming one of my favorite suspense crime novelist. This book kept me pulled in throughout the whole book. I couldn't figure out "who dun it" and I loved that about this book. I kept trying to figure out the murderer only to be wrong again! The love and family aspect added a whole other layer to the story. I can't wait to start the next novel in this series!

Marian is finally going to meet Charlie's family. The day they are to go to a victim is found. The victim is found in an antique that was delivered to The Antique Store that is owned by Charlie's family. Although Charlie isn't a detective for that police force, he spends his vacation helping his brother try to track down the murder. Meanwhile, Charlie's mom and family keeps Marian entertained. Is the murder found?

The dynamics of Charlie's family is amazing. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.
1,824 reviews
July 3, 2016
Part of my problem with this book (I know it's my own foible... A crazy one at that) is that I dislike the word Ma... somehow it seems disrespectful to me! Mary Kathleen insists on being called just that! Not just by her family and soon to be daughter in-law but by the whole church family and by most of the town.. So I kinda got "Ma'd" to death. Also the big reveal in the book wasn't so big as I pretty much knew who did it... Maybe it wasn't really intended to be a reveal but more a confirmation of what we (the reader) already knew. Other than that it was a sweet story revolving around family and small town values. While Ma is orchestrating a whirlwind of a wedding, her son Charlie is busy solving a murder. Sweet but not for me...
Profile Image for Mary.
483 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2015
I have now added Mary Anne Edwards to the top of my list of must have next in a series. She writes her mysteries in such a way, you stay engrossed in the story. You might have your suspicions throughout the story but the reasoning will surprise you. The group of characters in this the 2nd in the McClung Mysteries were a wild mix. Loving family, screwed up relationships, naughty girls and sick minds. Each book can be read as a stand alone mystery, you are not left hanging. I would love to find my own Charlie :) I can not wait until I am able to get my next Mary Anne Edwards book. I highly recommend for a great read.
89 reviews
January 28, 2016

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.


After reading the first book in the series, I was really looking forward to this one. The mystery itself can be stand alone. It is the development of the characters and their lives that make this part of a great series. I have found that I really do like detective mystery books after reading these two books!

This book was engrossing and hard to put down. I loved every page! It was a very easy read as opposed to dark and dangerous books. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I can't wait!!

Good work, Ms Edwards!!
Profile Image for Lorraine.
487 reviews43 followers
August 19, 2015
The second book in the series picks up soon after the first, with another crime and another mystery.
It introduces us to Charlie's extended family who were fun and likeable. The introduction of so many new characters was done in such a way as to not overwhelm you.
Each book could be read as a stand-alone mystery because you are not left hanging, but you wouldn't have the background or see the love developing between Charlie & Marian.
Another well-written mystery, although this time I did have the suspect pegged before the end. ;)
4,417 reviews41 followers
October 4, 2015
Who is the good girl: The pathetic, old, ugly cow, the one blessed with beauty and charm, or the one who has had two great loves in her life? Who is the bad boy: The father, the boyfriend, the taxi driver, or the priest? How can a wedding be planned and the murder solved in only three days. It’s easy peasy when the McClung Clan is in charge. This was another very good read by Mary Anne Edwards and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
1,370 reviews88 followers
Read
April 25, 2016
This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Charlie and Mariam story continues and again you will find a well written plot with interesting characters. A great cozy mystery with suspense, murder, and romance that will keep you thoroughly immersed in the book to the last page. This one is my favorite so far.
1,867 reviews6 followers
Read
July 29, 2016
Second book to a brilliant series

Wow. We finally find out how Marian and Charlie are doing. We get to meet the rest of McClung family. And of course we got another murder. I love this series, and the writing. I recommend this series to anyone.
Profile Image for Kerrie Hatcher.
443 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2022
Book 2 in the Charlie McClung series could easily be a stand alone. I enjoy the two main characters, Charlie and Marian. They are enchanting. The plot moved along quickly. While the men prepare to solve a murder, the women plan a wedding. I enjoy this endearing cozy mystery series.
453 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2015
I received this book from the author for an honest review! Great Book! Mystery romance at it's best! Totally clean! Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Robin Toy.
259 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2016
was a pretty good mystery read love that it is set in the 1980's :)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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