Danny Andre seldom asks for anything, but when he finally does, it is too late. He calls Nicki Price, a longtime friend from high school at 2 a.m., but she chatters on about how great life is for her and he realizes it is hopeless to burden her. Feeling devastated by not appreciating the seriousness of his call, Nicki is determined to help and opts to go to Memphis from her home in New Orleans to find out how she can help. ,

Along with her cousin, Nate Price, and now most recently, her boss in his PI firm, they arrive in Memphis. The leads they have to Danny are few. When they arrive at his place, they are shocked by what they see. Then when the cousins connect with Isabelle, Danny's sister, she beseeches them to find out what happened to her brother. Will they be able to find Danny in time? How will they find him?

WHAT HAPPENED ON BEALE STREET is the second book in a new romantic suspense series, Secrets of the South Mysteries, by Mary Ellis. Already well known for her Amish and historical romances, fans of Ellis will enjoy how she nicely links WHAT HAPPENED ON BEALE STREET to her very well received first book in the series MIDMIGHT ON THE MISSISSIPPI, while still making a satisfying standalone mystery for her readers.

Ellis gets top marks for character development as both main and secondary characters are well-developed and authentically described. I found Nate Price to be a likable and realistic character and hope to read more about him in the future. Nicki Price is a caring and compassionate person; however, for my taste, I found too many of her actions and reactions in the story make her seem more like an immature teenager than a newly trained private investigator about to be married. That character misalignment is a bit ff-putting for me to identify with her as a strong character. Fortunately, the subject matter, the history and the mystery keep me intrigued to find out WHAT HAPPENED ON BEALE STREET.

Ellis is also skilled in developing storylines and has two mysteries going on that definitely highlight the juxtapositions of the high and low life in Memphis, including the lives of the contract musician and the homeless. While Nate is busy pulling together his information and clues while being very careful to not cross the line into police work, Nicki is off on her own scavenger hunt for clues to a different mystery, including meeting a number of clever seniors.

So head on down to Memphis and find out for yourself WHAT HAPPENED ON BEALE STREET! You are sure to find an intriguing story, a puzzling mystery, some scary suspense and a touch of romance, along with some great background info on the Blues and a grand old hotel. Enjoy!

Book Summary

WHAT HAPPENED ON BEALE STREET is an exciting addition to the Secrets of the South Mysteries from bestselling author Mary Ellis. These standalone, complex crime dramas follow a private investigator’s quest to make the world a better place…solving one case at a time.

A cryptic plea for help from a childhood friend sends cousins Nate and Nicki Price from New Orleans to Memphis, the home of scrumptious barbecue and soulful blues music. When they arrive at Danny Andre’s last known address, they discover signs of a struggle and a lifestyle not in keeping with the former choirboy they fondly remember.

Danny’s sister, Isabelle, reluctantly accepts their help. She and Nate aren’t on the best of terms due to a complicated past, yet they will have to get beyond that if they want to save Danny.

On top of Danny’s alarming disappearance and his troubled relationship with Isabelle, Nate also has to rein in his favorite cousin’s overzealousness as a new and eager PI. Confronted with a possible murder, mystery, and mayhem in the land of the Delta blues, Nate must rely on his faith and investigative experience to keep one or more of them from getting killed.

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