Time After Tyme Kick-Off Package
About the Book
Book: Time After Tyme
Author: Kay DiBianca
Genre: Cozy mystery
Release date: November 29, 2021
Time After Tyme is a fun and thought-provoking mystery about secret codes, university intrigue, and two young girls who fancy themselves 21st-century Nancy Drews.
When strange, coded messages turn up in the chapel prayer box at Bellevue University, the minister suspects a recent campus death may have been murder, so he enlists the help of amateur sleuths Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman to decipher the codes and solve the mystery. But when a couple of young girls get wind of it, they decide to find the killer on their own. Almost everyone on campus has something to hide, and the story fluctuates between the rational search for the truth by the adults, and the occasionally misguided, but surprisingly perceptive, insight of the children.
Set on the campus of a modern university, Time After Tyme is both a joyful romp through a cozy mystery and a serious look at the search for truth. The book reminds us of the seasons of our lives, from the irrepressible curiosity of youth to the treasured experience of maturity.
My Review:
This well-written, faith-based cozy mystery was fun to read. The storyline was intriguing with twists coming along at just the right time to keep me turning pages to see what happened next. I loved the characters in this book. My favorite character was Reen, a ten year old girl who reminded me so much of Nancy Drew. Reen is a tomboy who has decided that she wants to be a detective. She overhears a conversation that indicates that there may have been a murder in their community. From that point on, Reen has a single-minded focus on solving the mystery, and is helped along in her investigation by adult sisters Kathryn and Cece. As clues begin to come together, all three find themselves in danger; and the ending takes a twist that I did not see coming.
Although this book is part of a series, I had no trouble at all reading this book on its own. This is my first book to read by this author. I enjoyed this one so much that I want to go back and read the other books in the series.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Kay DiBianca is an award-winning author who loves to create literary puzzles in the mystery genre for her readers to solve. Her characters come to life as they struggle to solve murders and create relationships amidst the ongoing themes of faith and family. Her first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, won an Illumination Award for General Fiction and an Eric Hoffer Award for Mystery. The second book in the Watch series, Dead Man’s Watch, was a Silver Falchion Award finalist.
Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Collierville Christian Writers Group. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. Her background in software development fuels her fascination with puzzles and mysteries, and her dedication to running helps supply the endurance and energy she needs to write about them.
Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee. You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.
More from Kay
When ten-year-old Reen Penterson overhears the words “foul play” in a conversation not meant for her, she jumps to the conclusion that a murder has been committed and says, “Foul play? Murder! My heart pounded and my future life unfolded in front of me like a YouTube video. I could solve the mystery and expose the killer! I’d be famous. I’d be rich. I’d be one of those people who gets a college degree without having to go to school.”
To aid in her “investigation,” Reen enlists the help of her nine-year-old cousin, Joanie Finelson. And the chaos begins.
Writing Time After Tyme was great fun for me. This is the third book in the Watch series of cozy mysteries, and I wanted to add another dimension to the stories. Since I intended to dedicate the book to my best friend from childhood, my cousin Joan, I thought the misadventures of two young girls would be the perfect addition. Although Reen and Joanie are secondary characters in the book, they steal the show from the adults with their misguided attempts to find a killer.
Set on the campus of fictional Bellevue University, the story revolves around the recent death of the university librarian, Mr. Tyme. When strange, coded messages are found in the university chapel prayer box, main characters Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman are asked to decipher them. While Kathryn and Cece work to solve the mystery behind the codes, Reen and Joanie are turning things upside down in the search for a killer.
There were several things I particularly enjoyed about writing this book. I loved creating the coded messages, each of which relates to a Biblical proverb. I also liked exploring the secrets many of the adults in the book harbored to avoid being associated with Mr. Tyme’s death.
But more than anything else, I enjoyed the all-out approach to solving the mystery by the two young girls. At times, their unfiltered approach to their quest made me laugh out loud and reminded me of the wonder of that special time of life.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 20
lakesidelivingsite, April 20
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 21
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 22
Texas Book-aholic, April 23
Inklings and notions, April 24
Blogging With Carol, April 24
For Him and My Family, April 25
Book Looks by Lisa, April 25
deb’s Book Review, April 26
Vicarious Living, April 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27
Mary Hake, April 27
She Lives To Read, April 28
Bigreadersite, April 28
Older & Smarter?, April 29
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 30
Paula’s Persuasion, April 30
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2
Pause for Tales, May 2
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 3 (Author Interview)
I luv the books, May 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thank you, Patti, for reviewing Time After Tyme on your blog. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. (Reen sends her regards too.) Thanks again, Kay
Time After Tyme sounds like a book that I will really enjoy reading! Thanks for sharing it with me and have an awesome day!
this sounds like a great mystery to read
Thank you for sharing! Time After Tyme sounds like one not to miss.
Thank you for sharing your review of Time After Tyme, this sounds like a wonderful cozy mystery book and series, a must read for me
It sounds like the youngster, Reen, may be the star character. Cozy mysteries are fun to read, but those that are faith-based are the best.