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Calamity Jayne #5
Calamity Jayne Heads West
When Tressa "Calamity" Jayne Turner heads West to celebrate her grandmother's remarriage, she, along with a colorful cast of characters, are caught up in mystery and mayhem when someone steals "Kookamunga," a hideous fertility figurine.
326 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2007
31 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 30, 2021
I forgot how much I enjoy this series. I really like Tressa, she has a great personality. The story was lots of fun and I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
October 14, 2023
I am 5 books into this series. Will I finish it? Heck yeah! Is it the best cozy mystery series ever? Heck no! Is it sometimes predictable? Oh yeah. Is it hilarious and worth a read if you have some time on your hands? Heck yeah!
I like these books and this one is right on par with the others. I am happy that it looks like the series ends in a few more books which I hope means it will not turn crappy like other series that just carry on too long.
I like these books and this one is right on par with the others. I am happy that it looks like the series ends in a few more books which I hope means it will not turn crappy like other series that just carry on too long.
September 13, 2021
While still being very enjoyable, the installment seemed to stall a bit on character development.
As with the others, the mystery itself is not all that difficult, but the journey to get there is what these stories are about.
As with the others, the mystery itself is not all that difficult, but the journey to get there is what these stories are about.
April 6, 2021
Registered on Bookcrossing -
Really fun book. Tressa "Calamity Jayne" Turner is such a fun character. I love this series.
Really fun book. Tressa "Calamity Jayne" Turner is such a fun character. I love this series.
July 15, 2024
I love this series for one simple reason, they make me laugh. Not many books do that.
April 4, 2009
Things are heating up for Tressa Jayne...not only because she's in Arizona, but Ranger Rick is making her temperature rise.
The Turner and Townsend families make their way out west to Flagstaff, Arizona to Tressa's Aunt Kay's for Hannah and Joe's nuptials. Little Nick Townsend, Rick's nephew, is a miniature Ranger Rick and driving Tressa crazy before they even make it to Arizona. He already knows all her buttons and is pushing them like a kid in an elevator.
Tressa needs to find a gift for her gammy and granpappy-to-be. When she sees the perfect fertility idol her gammy would love and Joltin' Joe would be mortified of, she snaps it up. Unfortunately for her, someone else wants the ugly little statue more than she does. And the craziness ensues.
No one believes Tressa when she says the statue is the reason bad things keep happening to them. Then, she and Nick figure out why the statue is so important. And the real "mystery" begins.
Rick and Tressa'a relationship grows in this book more than any other. Tressa knows she wants Rick and he knows he wants her...only problem is that something keeps stopping them from taking the leap. I really like the progression in this book. Rick's revelations at the end show real growth on his part.
This book leaves off where you definitely need to read the next book...it isn't a "cliffhanger," but it does leaving a bit dangling.
One of the better in the series.
The Turner and Townsend families make their way out west to Flagstaff, Arizona to Tressa's Aunt Kay's for Hannah and Joe's nuptials. Little Nick Townsend, Rick's nephew, is a miniature Ranger Rick and driving Tressa crazy before they even make it to Arizona. He already knows all her buttons and is pushing them like a kid in an elevator.
Tressa needs to find a gift for her gammy and granpappy-to-be. When she sees the perfect fertility idol her gammy would love and Joltin' Joe would be mortified of, she snaps it up. Unfortunately for her, someone else wants the ugly little statue more than she does. And the craziness ensues.
No one believes Tressa when she says the statue is the reason bad things keep happening to them. Then, she and Nick figure out why the statue is so important. And the real "mystery" begins.
Rick and Tressa'a relationship grows in this book more than any other. Tressa knows she wants Rick and he knows he wants her...only problem is that something keeps stopping them from taking the leap. I really like the progression in this book. Rick's revelations at the end show real growth on his part.
This book leaves off where you definitely need to read the next book...it isn't a "cliffhanger," but it does leaving a bit dangling.
One of the better in the series.
September 23, 2013
Reviewed by Lissa Staley
Posted September 16, 2007
Mystery Woman Sleuth | Romance Contemporary
Tressa "Calamity" Jayne Turner is well-known around her hometown of Grandville, Iowa, because wherever she goes, a calamity seems to follow. When her granny gets engaged to Tressa's sometimes-boyfriend Rick's grandpa, the whole clan heads west for the Arizona wedding. Out in the desert near the Grand Canyon, Tressa finds a hideously tacky fertility figurine at a roadside stand and buys it for her granny's wedding gift. From purse-snatching to near hit-and-run accidents, trouble begins immediately, until Tressa wonders if her purchase may be cursed. With help from park ranger Rick, who's just as sexy out West as he was back in Iowa, she's sent on a scavenger hunt of clues to discover who wants the figurine and why -- before Tressa ends up getting hurt -- or worse!
The distinctive, quirky writing style of author Kathleen Bacus combined with Tressa "Calamity" Jayne's outlandish monologues deliver a story filled with riotous laughter, along with the occasional snicker, giggle or grin. Tressa Jayne's adventures are funnier than Stephanie Plum, smarter than Bubbles Yablonsky and jam packed with hip references to keep the reader wanting more. In her fifth contemporary mystery, Tressa Jayne Turner is sure to amuse and entertain, and guaranteed to find calamity along the way. Get on board as CALAMITY JAYNE HEADS WEST!
Posted September 16, 2007
Mystery Woman Sleuth | Romance Contemporary
Tressa "Calamity" Jayne Turner is well-known around her hometown of Grandville, Iowa, because wherever she goes, a calamity seems to follow. When her granny gets engaged to Tressa's sometimes-boyfriend Rick's grandpa, the whole clan heads west for the Arizona wedding. Out in the desert near the Grand Canyon, Tressa finds a hideously tacky fertility figurine at a roadside stand and buys it for her granny's wedding gift. From purse-snatching to near hit-and-run accidents, trouble begins immediately, until Tressa wonders if her purchase may be cursed. With help from park ranger Rick, who's just as sexy out West as he was back in Iowa, she's sent on a scavenger hunt of clues to discover who wants the figurine and why -- before Tressa ends up getting hurt -- or worse!
The distinctive, quirky writing style of author Kathleen Bacus combined with Tressa "Calamity" Jayne's outlandish monologues deliver a story filled with riotous laughter, along with the occasional snicker, giggle or grin. Tressa Jayne's adventures are funnier than Stephanie Plum, smarter than Bubbles Yablonsky and jam packed with hip references to keep the reader wanting more. In her fifth contemporary mystery, Tressa Jayne Turner is sure to amuse and entertain, and guaranteed to find calamity along the way. Get on board as CALAMITY JAYNE HEADS WEST!
September 16, 2015
The fifth book in a series about a quirky blonde who seems to be a magnet for trouble. If you haven't read the first 4 books -- this book probably isn't worth the time. If you've read the previous ones and enjoyed them, this is a quick read that provides continued adventures for a character you're already familiar with.
This series has been compared to the Evanovich Stephanie Plum works, and I can see the similarity. Unfortunately I think this series falls short in comparison to the early Plum books (That series itself has gone down hill).
Clearly I've enjoyed the character and cozy mystery plots enough to get book 5, but I seem to find myself on the fence about whether I can actually say I liked them. It has the ingredients for a modern cozy mystery - spunky female sleuth, humor, mystery, love-interests. I think my issue has been with the latter. I don't like the characters intended love-interest and by book 5 I'm somewhat over the back and forth between them. I will likely read the next in the series -- I've come this far and it's ok for a fast cozy.
This series has been compared to the Evanovich Stephanie Plum works, and I can see the similarity. Unfortunately I think this series falls short in comparison to the early Plum books (That series itself has gone down hill).
Clearly I've enjoyed the character and cozy mystery plots enough to get book 5, but I seem to find myself on the fence about whether I can actually say I liked them. It has the ingredients for a modern cozy mystery - spunky female sleuth, humor, mystery, love-interests. I think my issue has been with the latter. I don't like the characters intended love-interest and by book 5 I'm somewhat over the back and forth between them. I will likely read the next in the series -- I've come this far and it's ok for a fast cozy.
April 9, 2013
More like 3.5*. I liked this book much more than the previous one. Shelby Lynne is still irritating and I have just about had enough of Aunt Mo. Manny needs to just tell her already. I am closer to believing and cheering for the Rick-Tressa relationship than I have been. But Rick is still so dumb sometimes! How does he not see that she is like a little deer; any sudden moves and she will run away. And then flirting with other women and giving them his number in front of her? That is not likely to make her trust him and move the relationship forward! UGH! I hope this back and forth gets a resolution in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2016
Tressa and family heads to Arizona to witness granny and Joe tie the knot. Rick's nephew becomes a thorn in Tressa's side, Tessa and Rick's relationship is taken to a new level, and Tressa has trouble following her ever since she bought granny's wedding present from a roadside van. The present, a statue of a fertility god with a glorified 'organ' that would give any normal man an inferiority complex, comes with hidden secrets and clues that Tressa is determined to follow.
Fun read. Glad Tressa is beginning to confront her feelings about Rick. Granny is a hoot and Nick is a typical brat that the reader learns to love.
Fun read. Glad Tressa is beginning to confront her feelings about Rick. Granny is a hoot and Nick is a typical brat that the reader learns to love.
August 1, 2009
calamity travels to flagstaff for gramma helen's wedding to joe townsend. tressa buys a fertility god as a wedding gift then has her cake stolen, her cousin's purse and her uncle's house broken in to. she discovers a clue in the statue that leads to several others and pieces of authentic jewelry and artifacts. the people who want the stuff back take ranger rick's nephew. calamity exchanges the finds for nick. she's able to help the cops solve the crimes and find out who is behind the thefts. rick buys her a dress and they talk a/b having fun on the cruise. they aren't officially together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2013
Yes, i have finally finished! I have a love hate relationship with these books. Yet I had to finish them! I like Calamity and Joltin Joe. I sometime like Rick and mostly find myself rooting for he and Tressa to get together. Yet, they have an odd relationship that Bugs me. Tressa needs to get her self together! I liked the way this series finished (if its actually finished) but not necessarily the way it finished.
March 22, 2016
Finally! Thank you! Jayne finally said what I had been waiting for her to say since book one! So far this is the best book in this series. I saw growth in characters and even in relationships, though I would have to read the next book to find out if it lasts. Like in most real situations gratitude only lasts so long, and things get back to square one. I'm hoping, that while a few things can get back to square one, I want others to move forward and develop more.
February 5, 2009
Seriously love this series. Tressa's character is very easy to relate to even if your not a blonde. This book was incredibly funny and it was very difficult to put down. As usual, "Ranger Rick" is quite a catch and makes you wish you had one in your life. Amazing read and I cannot wait to read the next (and final?) installment in the series.
January 12, 2011
In this book Jayne and her family head to Arizona where she gets involved in a treasure hunt involving native artifacts. I didn't find this book as funny as the earlier books in the series. Jayne's cousin Soophie is a new character that is somewhat entertaining. We don't see as much of Hannah and Joe, although the trip is for their wedding. Overall just an ok read.
Read
December 7, 2014Definitely a little more over the top than Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun. The characterization became broader and a little trite and the plot seemed just a little out of control regarding the number of iterations we went through before the conclusion. Saying all that, it's not the worst book I've ever read, I think the author was just trying a little too hard with the wrong things on this one.
January 6, 2013
What a fun story! Calamity Jayne is a hoot, and I love her asides to the reader as she tells the story. Witty, clever, self-deprecating, and a bit of a screwball... my kind of friend. I'll be looking forward to reading the entire series!
June 17, 2015
Despite the at times annoying voice of the main character, I really really liked this. It was funny and interesting, even though the plot was a little far-fetched....and kind of out of nowhere. But it was funny and a slightly satisfying ending.
March 22, 2008
Slow to start, even slower to get to the mystery. Still, it was worth a couple days reading. Better than answering the door to those Jehovah's Witnesses who came by recruiting this morning.
February 15, 2009
In this book things are heating up with the men in Calamity's life. The mystery that happens along the way of course are all funny.
December 23, 2010
Why does novelist compare this to Evanovich - both characters have spunk but that is where the similarity ends - can we please have alittle bit of sex, we are adults
April 17, 2011
Hilarious!! ;)
July 26, 2012
Good mystery in this one with some fun new characters. One more to go in Tressa's adventure and I really hope it's to the finish line with Rick. These two are so back and forth, it's killing me.
November 5, 2012
Halfway through and its funny.
December 13, 2012
While I enjoy this series of books, I think this one in particular could have been left out. Not that is wasn't good, but since I'm done with the series I don't see the point of this one.
May 21, 2013
Really cute.
November 15, 2013
I just did not care for - ugly sense of humor but then, I don't care for Janet Evanovich's books so..........guess it was my mistake for picking it up!
October 29, 2014
I just love this series! I don't know what I'm going to read when I finish the last book :(
December 12, 2021
One of her better books, still some editing errors but not so many & not so distracting.
February 26, 2015
Cute book. I love the addition of Ranger Rick's nephew, Nick.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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