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Ingrid Beaumont Mystery #1
Footprints in the Butter
Released in 1999 for the Rocket eBook, FOOTPRINTS IN THE BUTTER returns in all new electronic formats for the next generation of ebook reading devices and software.Ingrid Beaumont, flaky but prolific songwriter for B-movie soundtracks, attends her Denver high school reunion for a wild night of fun and good times. However, the morning-after hangover proves sobering indeed when the news of the murder of Wylie Jamestone, a popular local artist and genuine creep, reaches the ears of his classmates. He leaves a mile-long list of enemies and a challenge for Ingrid to find his killer.Ingrid accepts the challenge, trying to fit together the pieces of Wylie Jamestone's scandal-ridden life to find out whom he finally pushed too far. With the help of a large, lovable dog Hitchcock, Ingrid manages to pull together a few theories that are obviously catching the notice of a killer determined to make sure that neither they-nor Ingrid herself--see the light of day.
256 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1998
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Denise Dietz
26Ìýbooks11ÌýfollowersWhen Denise [Deni] Dietz was in the third grade, she wrote her first story, The Pencil Who Grew Up to Be a Stub. Although the assignment was to write a one-page story, using an ink pen, Deni wrote a five-page story, first-person...and she used a pencil (the narrator of her story). Whereupon, she received a failing grade for not following orders. Like Hitchcock the Dog in Footprints in the Butter, Deni doesn't follow orders unless they make sense.
Years later, after Deni had enjoyed a short-lived singing career and acting career, she sat at her typewriter, flexed her fingers, and pounded out her first culinary mystery: Throw Darts at a Chessecake, inspired by her part-time job as a Weight Watchers lecturer. In Cheesecake diet club members are getting killed off at goal weight and eating as if their lives depended on it. Switching to a computer, Deni hit the bestseller list with Footprints in the Butter - an Ingrid Beaumont Mystery co-starring Hitchcock the Dog. She followed that success with her stand-alone, Fifty Cents for Your Soul, her "reluctant witch mystery," Eye of Newt and three more diet club mysteries.
Married to Aussie/Canadian author, Gordon Aalborg (AKA Victoria Gordon), whom she met on-line through a writers loop, Deni moved to Vancouver Island, where she is owned by a chocolate Lab named Magic.
Years later, after Deni had enjoyed a short-lived singing career and acting career, she sat at her typewriter, flexed her fingers, and pounded out her first culinary mystery: Throw Darts at a Chessecake, inspired by her part-time job as a Weight Watchers lecturer. In Cheesecake diet club members are getting killed off at goal weight and eating as if their lives depended on it. Switching to a computer, Deni hit the bestseller list with Footprints in the Butter - an Ingrid Beaumont Mystery co-starring Hitchcock the Dog. She followed that success with her stand-alone, Fifty Cents for Your Soul, her "reluctant witch mystery," Eye of Newt and three more diet club mysteries.
Married to Aussie/Canadian author, Gordon Aalborg (AKA Victoria Gordon), whom she met on-line through a writers loop, Deni moved to Vancouver Island, where she is owned by a chocolate Lab named Magic.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It's the only one in the series from 1998. I would've liked to read more of this series. Ingrid Beaumont has a great big comical dog named Hitchcock. The story's is based around a class reunion where 8 of them hung around together back then. One of them gets up in front of everybody and ridicules and says some real mean things about some of them. That person is found murdered the next day. The victim has left her a painting and a brief message for her about letting the treasure hunt begin. (Because She enjoys crosswords this person always cracked jokes and talked in rhymes and left without telling her the answer to one of their jokes.) Alot of them were not on good terms with the victim, including her but she had told the victim she had forgiven them. So she sets out to find out who the murderer is and feels she needs to find the clues. She thinks back to all of their relationships with the victim back then, the time in high school some of them formed a band, some of the songs she wrote. It was in the 60's when the Vietnam war was going on. Movies with actors like Doris Day and Cary Grant had played into it. She finds herself reunited with her high school sweetheart too. She also finds herself into some trouble while investigating.
September 29, 2022
A murder mystery of bad jokes and high school reunions, which goes rather well together. Honestly not sure why the overall rating of this is so low, as it was an quirky but enjoyable murder mystery. Scooby Doo meets Stephanie Plum.
There's flashbacks of a past rape, though reasonably written, might make some uncomfortable, so I'll mention it.
There's flashbacks of a past rape, though reasonably written, might make some uncomfortable, so I'll mention it.
February 26, 2025
Audiobook- this was a fun little murder book with an entertaining audiobook.
February 24, 2017
Great book
December 31, 2017
Ingrid Beaumont had an excellent alibi which excluded her from the suspect list in the investigation of her friend Wylie's murder: nearly every Denver Broncos fan saw her on TV in the stands giving the opposing team the finger. While not the most appropriate method of proving one's innocence, Ingrid takes what she can get, because it allows her more time to find the killer herself, much to the annoyance of friends and local police.
Now, I enjoyed Ms. Dietz's Beat Up a Cookie and eagerly read this title, only to be disappointed by a story and writing I thought lackluster compared to the other title. I thought it clever to include a supporting player from the other book (Lt. Miller), thus connecting the two series, but I'm sorry to say this book did not enthrall me. I thought some of the dialogue silly and unbelievable at times, and the relationship between Ingrid and her boyfriend odd.
Maybe it's just me, but I found it strange that a former couple who had not seen each other in years could resume a sexual relationship like nothing had happened. Also, I would like to have seen more of Hitchcock the dog. The "co-starring" line on the book cover misled me a bit -- I was expecting something along the lines of Rita Mae's Mrs. Murphy stories where the pets have a larger role in the mystery.
I would recommend to anyone interested in reading Ms. Dietz to read her Ellie Bernstein mysteries, Throw Darts at a Cheesecake and Beat Up a Cookie, and I would hope Ms. Dietz chooses to continue this series.
Now, I enjoyed Ms. Dietz's Beat Up a Cookie and eagerly read this title, only to be disappointed by a story and writing I thought lackluster compared to the other title. I thought it clever to include a supporting player from the other book (Lt. Miller), thus connecting the two series, but I'm sorry to say this book did not enthrall me. I thought some of the dialogue silly and unbelievable at times, and the relationship between Ingrid and her boyfriend odd.
Maybe it's just me, but I found it strange that a former couple who had not seen each other in years could resume a sexual relationship like nothing had happened. Also, I would like to have seen more of Hitchcock the dog. The "co-starring" line on the book cover misled me a bit -- I was expecting something along the lines of Rita Mae's Mrs. Murphy stories where the pets have a larger role in the mystery.
I would recommend to anyone interested in reading Ms. Dietz to read her Ellie Bernstein mysteries, Throw Darts at a Cheesecake and Beat Up a Cookie, and I would hope Ms. Dietz chooses to continue this series.
June 10, 2011
This is my first Denise Dietz book and I enjoyed it a lot.
Ingrid and her dog Hitchcock are the main characters but with a high school reunion weekend planned there are a lot of people around them. Ben is Ingrid's first love and now new love, Perfect Patty and her famous artist husband Wylie, Alice and husband Dwight, Junior and girlfriend Tad, and the memories of Stewie who died in Vietnam. When Wylie is killed and leaves a ton of clues for Ingrid, she is off and running to try and solve the murder, all the while spouting riddles and elephant jokes (Wylie's favorites).
This is a pretty fast paced tale with lots of twists to the story. Ingrid can be a bit frustrating because she goes on on tangents occasionally but once I got used to that it worked for me.
I'll be reading more in this series.
Ingrid and her dog Hitchcock are the main characters but with a high school reunion weekend planned there are a lot of people around them. Ben is Ingrid's first love and now new love, Perfect Patty and her famous artist husband Wylie, Alice and husband Dwight, Junior and girlfriend Tad, and the memories of Stewie who died in Vietnam. When Wylie is killed and leaves a ton of clues for Ingrid, she is off and running to try and solve the murder, all the while spouting riddles and elephant jokes (Wylie's favorites).
This is a pretty fast paced tale with lots of twists to the story. Ingrid can be a bit frustrating because she goes on on tangents occasionally but once I got used to that it worked for me.
I'll be reading more in this series.
May 21, 2010
Ingrid Beaumont is a musician who composes scores for movies. While at her high school reunion, one of her former friends is found dead. The dead man leaves (or Ingrid thinks he leaves) her clues to his killer in the form of riddles and paintings that he created. Ingrid, who likes a challenge, is quickly off and running--trying to find out who killed her friend.
I liked many things about this book. Ingrid is an out-going, open-hearted, and likeable heroine. Her dog Hitchcock adds a lot of comic notes. The love scenes between Ingrid and Ben, the veterinarian, are steamy.
The plot is a bit hard to follow at times and more time is spent on flashbacks of the former high schoolers than on present-day goings-on. Even so, it's a fast-paced read with friendly characters.
I liked many things about this book. Ingrid is an out-going, open-hearted, and likeable heroine. Her dog Hitchcock adds a lot of comic notes. The love scenes between Ingrid and Ben, the veterinarian, are steamy.
The plot is a bit hard to follow at times and more time is spent on flashbacks of the former high schoolers than on present-day goings-on. Even so, it's a fast-paced read with friendly characters.
July 28, 2008
This was the book I chose to read for Colorado. It was somewhat disappointing in that respect, as just about the only local color was connected with the Denver Broncos. Also, it was set at a high school class reunion -- which was also the setting of by Sinclair Browning, my Arizona book. There's only so much class reunion stuff one can take in a short period of time. The book also billed itself as having more involvement of the protagonist's dog than was actually the case. I wouldn't say this was a bad book, but it just wasn't the right book for me at this point.
November 29, 2011
I couldn't finish this book. Not sure why - guess I just couldn't get into the story for some reason. I may or may not try reading it again in the future (sometimes I will love a book I couldn't stand before... but so many books and so little time...).
March 10, 2013
This book spins you back and forth between the 1960's and now, with a fun musician named Ingrid Beaumont and her dog, Hitchcock. Loved the elephant jokes and riddles, and how you have to keep guessing and second-guessing yourself to the end of the story to figure out who dunnit.
March 31, 2010
just didn't care for it. The puns were annoying in there delivery, the characters were not well flushed out and the pace was choppy.
July 18, 2012
Story and plot were good but I just had a hard time caring too much about the main character. But it was a well written story that passed the time.
February 9, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love how the author describes the interaction with Hitchcock the dog. It was really quite an entertaining book.
February 6, 2013
It's a good book.
April 12, 2014
A "vacation" read. Not greatly impressed, but a book to read if you don't want to haul it back home.
January 7, 2017
Well... the audio production kept this book somewhat interesting, with a full cast, sound effects, etc. Absent this, the three star rating would be generous indeed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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