Execution in E

Gethsemane Brown Mysteries #5

by Alexia Gordon

Romance is in the air. Or on the 'Gram, anyway.

When an influencer-turned-bridezilla shows up at the lighthouse to capture Insta-perfect wedding photos designed to entice sponsors to fund her lavish wedding, Gethsemane has her hands full trying to keep Eamon from blasting the entire wedding party over the edge of the cliff.

Wedding bells become funeral bells when members of the bride's entourage start turning up dead. Frankie's girlfriend, Verna, is pegged as maid-of-honor on the suspect list when the Garda discover the not-so-dearly departed groom was her ex and Gethsemane catches her standing over a body.

Gethsemane uncovers devilish dealings as she fights to clear Verna, for Frankie's sake. Will she find the killer in time to save Frankie from another heartbreak? Or will the photos in her social media feed be post-mortem?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Cozy

262 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

A writer since childhood, I continued writing through college but put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and Family Medicine residency training. My medical career established, I returned to writing fiction.

I won a Lefty Award, was nominated for an Agatha Award and a Silver Falchion Award, and was chosen one of Suspense Magazine's best debuts of 2016.

Raised in the southeast and schooled in the northeast, I migrated to the southwest after a three-year stint in Alaska reminded me how much I needed sunlight and warm weather. After a time in the desert, I missed deciduous trees so I headed northeast to the Chicago area. I completed Southern Methodist University's Writer's Path program in Dallas, Texas. If pushed, I will admit Texas brisket is as good as Carolina pulled pork. I enjoy classical music, fine whiskey, art, travel, embroidery, and a good ghost story.

I am a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Crime Writers of Color. I am represented by Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary Services, LLC and published by Henery Press.

You can find me on:

Facebook: @AlexiaGordon.Writer

Twitter: @AlexiaGordon

Instagram: @drlex1995

Goodreads: Alexia_Gordon

Pinterest: alexia_gordon

Blogs:
www.missdemeanors.com, one of Writers' Digest's Best 101 Websites for Writers.
https://femmesfatales.typepad.com/my_...

Podcast: The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon, part of the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network
https://anchor.fm/alexia-gordon

Reviews

[Bina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried to read this as slowly as possible and savor it...but it was just too good. Highly recommend for all cozy crime fans, Gethsemane and Eamon and the gang are clever sleuths again and it was a great way to relax for a bit admit all the horribleness of March. Another one, please!

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love having an author that I can reliably depend on to give me a story that I will enjoy and for me Alexia Gordon is one of those authors. I enjoyed this installment just as much as the others. It's a little darker in theme with a hint of the occult, more deaths, betrayals, and coerced loyalties that go wrong. I enjoyed every page of this one and read it in a day which is my only complaint! That's the bad thing with a story that I enjoy so much-it ended before I wanted but left me satisfied and ready for the next installment. The story greed is real!

Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Until this book, I have liked this series, even though paranormal is not my cup of tea at all. But this book moves from cozy mystery, lighter-but-intelligent fare to rather darker, and dips into the occult beyond what has come up before. Plus, I am just not keen on the way things are going between the ghost and the protagonist--a bit creepy, IMO.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic musician turned amateur sleuth, Gethsemane Brown is back with another installment in her mystery series.

This wasn’t bad, but I’m not as big a fan of this particular story as I am the others. This one took a major jump in the paranormal realm which didn’t quite fit with the overall story.

This is the latest release(2020). I do not know if there will be others, but I’ll still continue to read.

[Jamie Canaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the few series that I actually stay up to date with and this is now my favorite book in the series. We get an awful influencer and her also awful wedding party, a suspicious death, and a music teacher and her ghost friend on the case. It’s fun!

(Heads up the entire case revolves around whether it was a suicide or murder.) Think of Gethsemane like Jessica Fletcher–if Fletcher were Black, and younger, and assisted by a ghost–because people just keep dropping like flies ever since Gethsemane, an American musician, moved to the Irish countryside. Luckily for the town, she’s nosy, capable, and has a ghost–whose name she helped clear in a past case–to help her snoop for evidence. This time we have a destination wedding with an awful couple who are only marrying each other for what they can do for the other: a social media wedding for the influencer bride; marrying into money and status for the groom. But then the groom ends up dead and those who know him are certain it wasn’t suicide.

So Gethsemane and her ghostly friend Eamon decide to find out what really happened, because if it was murder then the number one suspect will be local friends, since the groom actually dated a local and it ended badly! Basically, anyone who knew the groom is also a suspect because, as I mentioned, these people are awful. Enter the occult, a priest, the Garda who wants nothing more than for Gethsemane to stick to teaching music and not crime solving, the entertaining banter between Gethsemane and Eamon, and town gossip for a fun, everyone-is-a-suspect mystery!

(TW main case is a possible suicide, details/ suicide on page/ briefly recounts drowning)

--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...

[Deidra (ShadeTreeReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3 of 5 stars
I thought by book 5 that I would have gotten used to the narrator but the problems I had got worse and worse. For this one, there were problems with the mixing/mastering of the recording itself. At first, I thought I was tripping but then it happened maybe 3 more times. They forgot to delete the multiple takes for a scene in some instances. So a passage was reread/repeated (but with a different tone or different emphasis on a different part of the sentence(s) and then there'd be long pauses before moving on. To me that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was that Duff never stuck to the same voice for a particular character. Meaning in some chapters Gethsemane's voice was more or less southern than in other chapters. And then the other female characters' voices all sort of blended together if there were more than 2 in a given scene. Duff did fine for most of the male characters but don't compare them between books or from the beginning to the end.

All that to say...read these physically for a better time. Gordon's writing is on point. But I was so distracted by all this that I ended up re-listening to a few chapters near the end to make sure I had things straight. Plus this was a fairly big departure from the ghostly elements of the previous 4 books. This one was mostly to do with occult goings on plus the resident ghost. Which...I'm into. But the narration really messed things up for me. Happy to have access to an audiobook though! I guess I'd rather have that than no audiobook at all. That said, I have no idea if I just read the finale. I would read another one but the ending of this book #5 makes me think this series is finished for a while. We'll see I suppose...

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this latest installment in the series Gethsemane has to deal with bridezilla determined to have a wedding fit for social media perfect.And Gethsemane can't wait for the social media influencer to pack her bags and head out of town. But as with every other big event in this small town something goes wrong. The groom ends up dead and at first it looks like a suicide but now they aren't so sure. Of course Gesethmane and Eamon are determined to crack the case to prevent an obnoxious ghost from haunting Dunmullach.

All potential suspects involved had interesting back stories that kept me entertained. I did miss more of Gethsemane's music career. She only picked up the violin once towards the end. I did like how to paranormal elements were amped up here. I was not expecting the elements this book dove in to.

And we even got an appearance from Gesethmane's doctor brother. I would like to see more of her family or maybe even an old friend coming to visit in the future.

[TinaNoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though a major character in this series is a ghost, it didn't particularly feel too paranormal. It has always felt like a good cozy mystery series with, hey, that guy is a ghost.

But this one walked way over the paranormal line. And it also went a little darker than I generally like.

In this one, a former resident of Dunmullach Ty Lismore, comes back to the village in tow with his super rich, super spoiled fiancee. She is an American heiress and a social media influencer with millions of followers. Everything she does is about appearances and she is a total enfant terrible. But Ty is no winner either. He's kind of an ass.

Horrible Ty, his horrible fiancee Sunny, and their entire wedding party consisting of Ty's two male best friends groomsmen and Sunny two bridesmaids (who don't seem to like her much) have come to take pre-wedding photos that Sunny can post on her social media.

To add to the chaos, Ty was once engaged to be married to Verna Cunningham, Frankie's new girlfriend. He left her at the altar and very publicly humiliated her. So there is a lot of drama surrounding this bunch.

But drama isn't the only thing that accompanies this crew, murder does as well. Lots and lots of murder. A lot of past history is uncovered between Verna and Ty and members of his entourage and Gethsemane gets involved. She is determined that not only would Frankie's heart not be broken (again) but also that he would not be blamed for a murder he did not commit (again).

Like I said, this installment read as much darker than the previous ones in the series. There is a strong paranormal element that goes beyond Eamon's ghostly self. The mystery is interesting and twisty. I liked the backstory and even the motives of the killer. But I am not sure I am on board with the occult piece of it.

This takes place in the summer, so Gethsemane's classes aren't in session and I have to say I really missed that aspect of the story. I liked Gethsemane's interaction with her students and I like it when there is a school subplot. This was hyperfocused on all these horrible strangers and the mystery so imo this one lost some of the charm I associate with this series.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nooo, it's over! What am I to do now!?

I wanted this book to last, but did it? Oh, no. I gobbled it down quickly, like a kid unsupervised with a big pile of candy. And it was just as good as the previous ones. I'm quite impressed by Alexia Gordon's ability to keep these books fresh, inventive, creative, and, yes, cosy.

I feel awful for Frankie. I hope he will be ok.
I also feel somewhat worried about the future, considering the ending.

But I 100% need the next book some time soon. I would seriously move into this series if I could. Such a treat. I'm so happy I stumbled over it and gave it a chance because it has deeply nestled itself into my soul now.

Fingers crossed for many more, great books about Dr. Gethsemane Brown. 💜️🎻️🎶

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Execution in E” earns 5+/5 Wedding Photos…“Insta-perfect!”

Alexia Gordon’s Gethsemane Brown mystery series is a big favorite I look forward to every year. This fifth book was well worth the wait with a Kardashian-like Bridezilla entangling everyone in Dunmallach, Ireland. Bride, American heiress, and “social media influencer,” Sunny Markham, is hoping to gather internet support and sponsors for her elaborate wedding, but it’s the groom that interests Gethsemane and has caused venomous threats from a few locals. Verna and her sister hold serious animosity toward the groom due to a tragic “accident,” and he left Verna at the altar. Gethsemane’s early “musical” warning system (Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique”) has been loud and annoying when around several in the wedding party which usually heralds the coming of a dead body. At dawn, Inspector Sutton emphatically pounds on the cottage door; the groom was found hanging at “her” lighthouse. The sisters will need much to explain away their textbook motive, means, and opportunity.

Alexia Gordon’s well-written drama uses a third-person narrative debunking the idea what happens in the past, stays in the past. Secrets, past events, and character connection seemingly unrelated are revealed, but not soon enough to avoid several murders. The descriptive language brings out the Irish countryside, the Inn and lighthouse, and character appearances along with banter to show tone and personalities and provide a few giggles with snarky humor. I love a bit of the paranormal in my cozy, but I demand realism, too. With this series, I get both. Eamon McCarthy is the perfect roommate, exasperating at times with colorful auras, energy orbs, and snarky retorts. He is a good listener, gives sound advice or criticism, and plays the piano. He also eavesdrops, levitates, transports, and makes coffee, the perfect detective’s assistant. It isn’t juvenile hocus-pocus; “Irish” is an effective character and the ghostly manner can be overlooked as just another quirk. And a cliffhanger? Oh, to wait another year...

Disclosure: I received an ARC from Henery Press thru EdeilweissPlus. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Execution in E, Gethsemane's landlord rents out the lighthouse next to her cottage to a social media influencer for her wedding. The bridezilla is there with an entourage to take pre-wedding photos to use to entice sponsors for her wedding. No one, including Eamon, the ghost who haunts the property, likes the obnoxious group. When the groom turns up dead, one of Gethsemane's friends is a suspect due to her prior relationship with the man. When things go from bad to worse, with more members of the wedding party turning up dead, amateur detective Gethsemane dives into the investigation and finds herself in far more danger than she could have anticipated.

This paranormal mystery is a fun and fast read with lots of suspects, all of which have interesting backstories and motives. The mystery is well-plotted and engaging. I recommend it for those who enjoy paranormal mysteries..

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

[Diane Shearer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it went really very dark, much more like a thriller than a cozy mystery. The occult aspects went over the line for my taste. I’ve been enjoying this series, though I’m a Christian and try to stay away from the paranormal. The first few books had a The Ghost and Mrs. Muir feel, but this one goes into tarot, spells tattooed onto people, and a Faustian deal with devil that features prominently in the solution. I got the feeling that this particular character is going to show up again. I think I’m going to have to stop reading this series, though I love the setting, the characters, and the whiskey drinking professional musician. I think I’ll pick up a bottle of Bushmill’s next time I’m out.

[Lynn Poppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a cup of tea (or something stronger like some Irish whiskey!), put on some Beethoven, and settle into a comfy chair for the most recent adventures of Gethsemane Brown.

“Tim, in the midst of the apocalypse, if the world was literally going to hell, I believe you’d offer the four horsemen a cuppa.”

Hah! I love that quote. There is certainly a lot of tea drinking in this novel!

Execution in E is a fun and fast paced read. I chuckled through numerous interactions between the characters, especially Eamon and Gethsemane. They have such a great relationship. I really appreciate Eamon wanting to use his special powers to rid the village of Dunmullach of social media influencers!

The writing in this novel is exceptional. The plot is intricate, with several red herrings pointing toward different characters. I especially appreciate how Ms. Gordon subtlety weaves in the story from the previous books into the most recent one in the series. I haven’t read all of the series, and these subtle nods to previous adventures really make me want to read the other novels! The banter between the characters is witty and often humorous. This time around, we also see more notes of the paranormal, including trips to the local occult bookstore, palm readings, and spell books.

Ms. Gordon’s characters are well written. I just love how Eamon is in tune with today’s lingo, even as a ghost. We see Great growth of the existing characters. Gethsemane plucks up her courage and goes to places and circumstances that she’s nervous about. Father Tim is helping young Saoirse learn about culinary history by baking a medieval pie. (I remember having a similar project back in the olden days of my own middle school!) In new characters, we meet the wedding party, including bride to be Sunny and groom to be Ty. These characters are so well written that I honestly can say I wouldn’t want to socialize with any of them!

In an unusual twist, I suspected who the killer was pretty early on in the novel. Though, I did not foresee the why. That took me completely my surprise. I don’t normally guess who the killer is while reading. I’m generally always taken in by one red herring or another. Maybe it’s a sign that I’ve been reading too many mysteries?

Overall, I really enjoyed Execution in E. If you are in the mood for a cozy mystery with a side or paranormal, check this one out. Yes, it can be read as a stand-alone, but is enhanced by reading the full series. 4.5 Stars!

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is good but I found it a little disappointing. Last so far both in publication and in my list of Alexia’s books.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really going to miss this enthralling and superior mystery series. Thank you, Dr. Alexia Gordon, for being a fantastic writer. These cozies were the best of the best. The character of Gethsemane Brown will be missed!

4 stars

[Chaitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. I prefer it on audio for the lilting Irish accent, but I didn’t find it on my library’s website. So I ended up buying the kindle version. Not regretting it, even though it took me a fair amount of time to get around to it. Not a whole lot of music in this one, except for the recurring Pathetique, but the usual suspects are all there. Poor Frankie can’t seem to catch a break, though. I would have liked closure in the same book but the killer in this one is so juicily evil that I suppose it’s okay to drag it out a bit. I’m ready for the next one!

[Robert Justice]

Enjoy Alexia Gordon and her Gethsemane Brown series?

Check out her interview--Whiskey, Ireland and Gethsemane Brown--on the Crime Writers of Color podcast!

Listen here: https://www.crimewritersofcolor.com/c...

[Jakarta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there's more books coming to the series 😩

[Andrea Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to finish this! Will there be a 6th book?

[Lorilei Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Execution in E is my first Alexia Gordon novel, but it most certainly will not be my last. Thanks to my Southern Baptist upbringing, I knew how to pronounce the heroine’s name, Gethsemane, without asking Google. Another thing that I did not have to research was backstory from the series’ first four books since Gordon gives us just the right amount of exposition. What’s the right amount? Why that’s when her explanations sprinkled here and there answer a question that begins to loom in your mind, but don’t satisfy it completely. Genius so that you will make a mental note to read the other books as soon as you are done with this one!

At first glance, the cover looked a bit old timey and didn’t prepare me for the influencer bits that the American character Sunny stomps in with to the picturesque Ireland. But given the amount that Gethsemane quotes the bard with her friends, I’m guessing that the artistic choice starts back from the beginning of the series. (See there? Now I really have to read the other books.) At any rate, I’m sure that some Instagram-esque cover would probably look a bit cheesy, not match books A through D, and not have that cozy mystery appeal on the shelf.

I don’t know that I’ve read many cozy paranormal mysteries (cozy and paranormal separately, but not usually together), but I love how Execution in E lets you know that you have come to the right place from page one: beautiful descriptions of the quaint little town and an introduction to Gethsemane’s “spectral roommate”. I could read about Eamon for days. You’ve gotta love a feisty ghost that will sort out your Irish curse words, spy on people without you having to ask, and be able to touch things – most notably, coffee pots and musical instruments.

I really enjoyed how much music is another character in this book. I’m ashamed to admit that although I have played classical music for years, I had to look up Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique on YouTube. There was a very calm movement that I have played in the past on the piano, but somehow I don’t think that it the same movement that Gethsemane hears in her head when danger is afoot.

The human characters are just as captivating as the invisible ones. The multiple car pile up of human beings that make up the wedding party is too intriguing to look away from. As despicable as Ty and Sunny (Mr. and Mrs. Instagram-to-be) are, you can’t help but hang onto their every word. I dare you to have a long conversation with someone like them in real life. Do it without so much as a smirk on your face that someone could be so self-involved. And what would be even more fascinating would be to dissect their “friends” if they were normal, non-vapid people. Which is pretty much what Gethsemane does in the book, and it is so satisfying.

The twists and turns, the shocking reveals, and the ominous ending were so much more than I expected from a cozy mystery. Cups of comforting tea aside, this story made my heart pound and I hated to have to put it down to sleep. If it weren’t wasteful to order the other four books one by one, I would. Because let’s face it, when I get them all at once, I probably won’t sleep for about a week so that I can devour them immediately.

[Jenn Z at That's What She's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since joining the Lone Star Book Blog team, I have heard nothing but rave reviews about the books in this series, so this year, I was finally able to read one, and I am so glad that I did! Though this is the fifth book in the series, I never felt that I was missing anything, but I will definitely be returning to the previous installments to spend some more time with Gethesmane and this fascinating life she has built in Ireland.

Amid these challenging times, if you are looking for a wholly new place to escape to, then look no further than the quaint Irish village of Dunmullach. The picturesque descriptions create such a captivating and atmospheric story that you will truly feel like you are in fact walking among the characters. Everything from the cliffs, the lighthouse, the church to the community itself are all captured in such intricate detail as to truly bring this rich setting to life. And it certainly isn't hard to imagine just how beautiful the Instagram photos would be!

Gethesmane is the perfect amateur sleuth to walk with through the story. She's charismatic enough to get people talking even when they don't really want to, inquisitive enough to try her hand at solving a mystery in the first place, and stubborn enough to find herself in some very precarious and dangerous situations. Her sidekick, Eamon, a ghost stuck on this side of the after-life, brings some levity and the right amount of common sense to fashion together the perfect crime-solving duo. This clever plot has great use of red herrings to keep you guessing until the very end, but add in a lot more than just a dalliance into the occult, and the twists keep coming! But ultimately, the story's cast of shady characters with all of their convoluted and conflicted relationships is intensely fascinating to read about and unravels into an unforgettable and grisly conclusion that should not be missed!

The author's deft storytelling created an unsettling, suspenseful, and slow-burning mystery that is so well done as to rival the great mystery writers of our time. This is definitely a series that will be highly recommended as an example of a great place to start with cozy mysteries. An absolutely fantastic and well done story that I can't wait to go back to with the first book! I'm so glad I had the chance to read this one and look forward to reading more.

Many thanks to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing me with a free copy of the book. This is my honest and thoughtful opinion.

[Ruthie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Execution in E by Alexia Gordon is book 5 in the Gethsemane Brown Mysteries series, and I recommend reading books 1 to 4 for two reasons: All of these books are completely fun, with top-notch characterization, including a highly unusual and very involved ghost named Eamon McCarthy. And each book builds upon the last and feels almost like one long story, with the characters evolving and backstories (especially Eamon's) emerging.

While all the books involve murder—these are cozy mysteries, after all—Execution in E takes a turn down a dark lane that will send chills down your spine. While the resident ghost, Eamon, at Carraigfaire cottage in Dunmullach, Ireland, has a temper, he is basically friendly. Eamon and Gethsemane Brown, our American music teacher working at a boy's school, got off to a rocky start in book 1, but by book 5, they are firmly ensconced in their friendship and are working together to solve quite the intricate mystery.

We have all heard stories about Bridezillas, but when an Instagram influencer shows up at the cottage with her groom and entire entourage for a one-of-a-kind photo shoot, both Gethsemane and Eamon have their work cut for them. The bride's antics are atrocious and self-centered, but when death occurs near the cottage, the mystery is ablaze with speculation, suspects, and a very dark secret. This dark secret adds a new paranormal layer that will entice, intrigue, and definitely frighten. How fun!

Amidst the drama and mayhem, some humor does shine through in book 5 and in all the books, actually. In Execution in E, Gethsemane, who rides a bicycle everywhere, keeps crashing for one reason or another. Eamon's quick temper and desire to throw orbs at any perceived offender keeps Gethsemane on her toes. Their relationship is always good for some humor and will capture your heart.

I don't know how she does it, but Alexia Gordon continues to deliver unique characters; energetic plots full of just the right amount of mystery, murder, and traces of occasional romantic feelings; and a wonderful Irish setting rife with plenty of local flare.

Alexia Gordon's writing style is not complicated and flows smoothly, but that does not mean all the mysterious are easily solved or that the recurring characters are stagnate. With each book, the characters become more lovable and familiar, with the new characters throwing wrenches into the mix and adding more than enough commotion and destruction. The only downside is that you will probably find yourself reading each book way too quickly, leaving you immediately hungry for more.

If you are caught up and ready for Execution in E, take your time and savor this wonderful story. The wait (no matter how short) for the next book is always excruciating but definitely well worth it.

[Christena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Impeccable Murder Mystery...

“Gethsemane scanned the area as she drove from St. Brennan’s to the village square and back. Without warning, Eamon materialized in the middle of the road leading up to the school. Gethsemane slammed on the brakes. The car skidded through Eamon, stopping with its hood in the ghost’s midsection. A charge buzzed through the car and into Gethsemane. She yelped and let go of the steering wheel.”

Alexia Gordon has emerged as one of my favorite authors from her very first book because she blends ghosts and crime so intriguingly. Her writing style is powerfully reminiscent of old noir movies, yet has a copiously modern-day style in her Gethsemane Brown mystery series. You can always count on Alexia at being expeditious with her writing style.

Now, enters the next book in the Gethsemane Brown series, Execution in E. First, this is a marvelous and impeccable story composition based on its crafty title. Gethsemane’s story continues in this book and this time she finds herself again not trying to solve one murder but many with the help of her ghost friend, Eamon. This story involves a bridezilla who is a wannabe social influencer who is getting married in the small southwest Ireland village of Dunmullach that Gethsemane now calls home. Bodies soon start being found and the mystery of who and why is doing the killings becomes a winding cozy story. Every time I tried guessing the killer I got it wrong this time!

Gethsemane is the friend you always want in your corner – one who defends you at all costs and will defy the police in order to help you.

The Irish village setting is quaint and overtime the characters have become like family. The best part is the church Poison Garden which is carried throughout this entire series. I keep saying I must create my own. The most cherished parts of these mysteries for me are anything dealing with Eamon. Of course, I want more Eamon in these mysteries. He’s the debonair character you want in your corner as well.

Execution in E is not be missed in this Gethsemane Brown series. It is the perfect story follow-up to book four, three, two, and one!

Overall, I highly applaud this cozy murder mystery series by Alexia Gordon. If you love true to life writing, mysteries, murders, and ghosts – then check out this series.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5

Wedding bells become a funeral dirge in Alexia Gordon's latest Gethsemane Brown mystery!

A domineering bride-to-be wants a picture-perfect wedding and part of that picture is the lighthouse on the cliff. Gethsemane has to work hard to stop her dead friend, Eamon, who formerly lived in the house, from killing the entire party. But it turns out that Eamon is the least of her concerns when members of the wedding party begin showing up dead. Gethsemane spots her friend Verna standing over one of the bodies and learns later that the groom was Verna's 'ex.' Verna couldn't possibly be responsible for the killings ... could she? Gethsemane is in a race against time to prove Verna's innocence before the Garda lock her away.

The previous Gethsemane Brown book was a little bit of a let-down for me, and I really missed the music connection that I felt defined Gethsemane and the Gethsemane/Eamon relationship. This book doesn't have much of a music connection either, but I didn't miss it as much this time around. The relationship with the members of the wedding party was tight and well-defined enough that I was really absorbed in the story.

This is one of the few mystery series' that I look forward to reading. Our protagonist is a highly educated woman and typically makes smart choices. Too many of the other cozy-type mysteries I've read have protagonists who succeed more by accident than by plan. Gethsemane may get some help from the after-life (which is done exceedingly well) but the decisions are still hers.

This is a series to read, but I highly recommend starting with the first book to best understand the characters.

Looking for a good book? Execution in E by Alexia Gordon is a delightful cozy mystery (book #5 in the Gethsemane Brown Mysteries series) and well worth reading.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn Belden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I could just copy/paste the reviews from any book in the Gethsemane Brown series and it would hold true. Alexia Gordon is consistent in her delivery of an imaginative plot, delightful setting, familiar patter (with a bit of the Irish thrown in), clever twists, a bit of the supernatural, and characters that will either delight or rile. In this, Execution in E did not disappoint!

Execution in E, is, as anticipated, a fun and fast-paced story. It has a tightly woven plot with plenty of twists. The overload of truly love-to-hate characters in the form of the bridezilla and her wedding party, and the fact that there is no love lost between a few of the locals and the wedding party make a great setup for this whodunit.

Gordon has given her characters interesting backstories that justify possible motives. There are plenty of red herrings thrown out, and I waffled between a few people as to the who. Gordon totally got me on the why, however, and for a change, we are left with a bit of unfinished business at the end. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that another entry to the series is coming because there were some ominous hints dropped!

Another reason I love this series is due to the easy camaraderie Gethsemane shares with Eamon. Her charming ghost-in-residence has a wicked sense of humor, a bit of a temper, a foul mouth, and a fondness for Gethsemane. Eamon plays well off of her, both as a friend and as a Watson to her Sherlock.

While part of a series, and while the author drops tidbits from previous stories into this book, you don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy Execution in E. But as this is one of my favorite cozy series, if you haven’t read her earlier books, I think you’ll want to go back to the first, Murder in G Major, and learn how she came to be living with a ghost.

[BookSinArt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started: 12.27.24
Finished: 12.30.24
~Execution in E (Gethsemane Brown.5) by Alexia Gordon | #audio
~Narrated by: Helen Duff
#JayBookSin2024Boal Book.143

Synopsis: When an influencer-turned-bridezilla shows up at the lighthouse to capture Insta-perfect wedding photos designed to entice sponsors to fund her lavish wedding, Gethsemane has her hands full trying to keep Eamon from blasting the entire wedding party over the edge of the cliff.But those wedding bells become funeral bells when members of the bride’s entourage start turning up dead. Frankie’s girlfriend, Verna, is pegged as maid-of-honor on the suspect list when the Garda discover the not-so-dearly-departed groom was her ex and Gethsemane catches her standing over a body.As Gethsemane uncovers devilish dealings, she fights to clear Verna, for Frankie’s sake. Will she find the killer in time to save Frankie from another heartbreak? Or will the photos in her social media feed be post-mortem?

SynopSin: I love this series and the characters. Gethsemane Brown is charming, snarky, smart, talented, and relatable. I love the cozy-mystery-supernatural elements. It’s relatively new to me (only experience really is with this series). Though I love the series, all 4 have been 4📚 ratings. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this one as much as the other books. Not to say this one is bad, just not as good as the 1st 4 books.
I still rec it, and the series as a whole.

This is my final book of 2📖24!
JBSR: 📚📚📚
JBSAR: 📚📚📚📚📚

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[Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexia Gordon brings back the paranormal world of Gethsemane Brown on the coast of Ireland. Gethsemane and Eamon McCarthy’s friendly and annoying ghost as they discover the person responsible for murdering Sunny Markham’s wedding party one by one. The motive focuses on a crime committed half-a-world away and a decade earlier - but then “revenge is a dish best served cold”, very cold.

The story brings back many of the key inhabitants of Dunmullach Ireland - Father Tim, Niall O’Reilly (the cold case detective), and Inspector Sutton (the local Garda Chief). What did make this story stand out was a stronger appeal to the occult than in other books in the series. I came close to putting down the book and not finishing it, The author also wove in more Irish slang and nomenclature - a page of definitions at the front of the book would have helped this reader.

The book will appeal to the classical music enthusiast (especially with the use of classical works as “sound”: effects) and for those who enjoy a hint of the occult in their reading (I did not enjoy it as much this time). The frequent mention of classical music works occasionally drove me to YouTube to hear snippets of the mentioned pieces. I even thought of building a Pandora station built off of those pieces - I did not, but it might be fun. I would give the author 3-½ stars for the latest book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read almost all of the books in the series. It is a series that I have enjoyed. In this most recent book, the story is told a little bit differently than previous books. In this book, there is more dialogue than description. While that is not one of my favorite book devices, it does work for the story.

The lighthouse, which is by the cottage that Gethsemane Brown rents, has been taken over by a wedding entourage. The bride and groom-to-be are both social media influencers and are aiming to get the best photos for them to post. Although the bride is quite wealthy, she is still looking for sponsors to pay for much of her wedding and to get lucrative sponsorship deals for the future.

However, the groom turns up dead. The thought is that he committed suicide. Something doesn’t smell quite right and Gethsemane decides to investigate in order to clear the individuals whom she cares for. She also has suspicions and wants to relieve her mind.

When other individuals related to the party in different ways turn up dead, it leads the both Gethsemane and the Gardia (Irish police) to believe that murder has taken place. The question is who is the murderer and what can they do to stop the individual from killing again?

There is less of a tie-in to Gethsemane’s musical talents but in the case of this story, more wouldn’t make sense. While the paranormal is still present by way of the ghost Eamon, it doesn’t have the emphasis it does in other of the books in the series.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Gethsemane Brown Mystery Series: Execution in E (#5)” was a paranormal mystery that was predictable, yet worth the read because of the main character, Gethsemane Brown and her relationship with the ghost that haunted her cottage, Eamon McCarthy. I liked their friendship a lot. I also know that I will go back ( something that I rarely do) and read books one through four to get a better handle of why Gethsemane is in Dunmullach, Ireland and what happened to Eamon.

Meanwhile, back to Book 5— it was creative and enjoyable. Gethsemane is a famous American musician living in a haunted cottage with a lighthouse to boot.
Her life is upended not by the ghost but by a visiting engaged couple and their entourage taking wedding photos using the lighthouse as a backdrop and filter for the bride’s social media posts. Things really get sticky icky when Gethsemane’s friend’s (Frankie Grennan) current girlfriend, Verna is the ex of the bridegroom’s and someone ends up dead.

And although this is technically not a cliffhanger because the murder is solved, the readers know that this is not the last time that we will be hearing from some of these characters (living and dead). I was thrilled to read this story because of the quaint village with it’s annoying visitors, the mythical and spiritual theme and the evolving relationship (hopefully romantic, but not that I have read so far) between Gethsemane and Eamon. It was a real treat!!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this has a similar tone to other books in the series, it proved much darker. Ultimately, I doubt I'll listen to the last hour of the audiobook. Until now, this series had surprised me in how much I enjoyed her skillful use of a ghost. But this story moves so much into engagement with malevolent spiritual forces that I think the cost of reading outweighs any enjoyment. (As a Christian, I actually believe in a complex spiritual realm, but not in the fairly one-sided sense depicted here.)

I'll be interested to see if Gordon picks up her pen again, and if she sticks with "paranormal" mysteries or tries another approach. She's created a very winning core cast and setting for this series, but this book suggested more conflict than I'd seen about the kind of stories she wants to tell.

As a sort of meta note, a fifth book also starts to raise questions about one's ambition for a series. Will the key characters grow or change in any way? In the best series, we get to watch people and relationships evolve, even if they keep facing similar problems (e.g., unsolved murders). Weaker series, like M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth books, largely have the main characters repeat themselves ad infinitum. Thus far, Frankie has faced the biggest challenges and opportunities to grow or change; Gethsemane has stayed largely the same, apart from settling into closer friendship with Frankie and Niall.