Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Call number
F MCC
Publication
REVELL
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Christian Fiction. A mysterious disappearance fuels the mutant curiosity of Ivy Malone, whose oddball humor, possum-gray hair, and quirky sleuthing skills make her unlike any average crime fighter. Book one of the Ivy Malone mysteries.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lisanicholas
I got this free from Amazon for my Kindle; otherwise, I probably would not have been interested in it, as it falls in the "cozy" mystery category, one that I find generally rather tedious. However, for those who favor that sort of thing, "Invisible" should prove a fairly satisfying read. The first
In this first of a series, Ivy makes some new friends who will undoubtedly be making returns in future novels, including a couple of potential romantic interests (Mac MacPherson, a travel writer who specializes in chronicling "unusual celebrations [such as a] do-something-strange or eat-something-yucky contest," and Jordan Kaine, a retired lawyer). I have a feeling this series will improve as it goes along, as Ivy gets more accustomed to taking chances.
I notice that a number of Amazon readers have complained bitterly that they discovered "too late" that the sleuth is a Christian -- apparently, they think that this is something offensive, about which the unsuspecting reader should be warned (Christianity being regarded much as violence or pornography used to be). I, however, see no reason to relegate this book to the literary ghetto of "Christian fiction." It's true that Ivy is a church-going Christian (as are many of her friends, unsurprisingly), and she even invites one or two people to attend church with her; what is more, sitting out under the stars at night her thoughts turn to the God who made them all. Aside from these details, however, which might be attributed merely to character development, there is nothing particularly "Christian" about the novel -- the plot does not depend on a Christian point of view, nor does the book push a "Christian" agenda. Non-Christians are not demonized, nor is there any sermonizing embedded in the story. It seems to me that the only potential readers who might insist that this novel be branded "Christian fiction" would be those in one of two extreme groups -- either knee-jerk militant "secularists" who find all non-derisive references to Christians or their faith to be abhorrent or, at the other extreme, sectarian Christians who choose to live in an imaginary Christian ghetto and consume popular culture only if it bears the "Christian" brand. I say, let the story sink or swim by its merits as a mystery novel, and on that basis, "Invisible" is pretty good.
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in a series, "Invisible" has as its protagonist Ivy Malone, a widow and self-described LOL (Little Old Lady) who discovers that, as an aging woman, she has become "invisible" to most people (shop clerks, policemen, etc.). After the death of her last close friend, Ivy is rather at loose ends, a condition that leads her to try new things and, ultimately, leads her into unlikely and dangerous circumstances. Unlike a number of other "little old lady" sleuths (such as Miss Marple, Mrs. Pollifax, Miss Seeton, et al.), Ivy distinguishes herself not by any endearing eccentricities but by being almost stereotypically bland and normal: a retired librarian and faithful churchgoer, whose idea of adventure is eating out at foreign restaurants on Thanksgiving Day. What drives Ivy is her conventional sense of decency -- she is unwilling to let wrongs go unacknowledged or uncorrected.In this first of a series, Ivy makes some new friends who will undoubtedly be making returns in future novels, including a couple of potential romantic interests (Mac MacPherson, a travel writer who specializes in chronicling "unusual celebrations [such as a] do-something-strange or eat-something-yucky contest," and Jordan Kaine, a retired lawyer). I have a feeling this series will improve as it goes along, as Ivy gets more accustomed to taking chances.
I notice that a number of Amazon readers have complained bitterly that they discovered "too late" that the sleuth is a Christian -- apparently, they think that this is something offensive, about which the unsuspecting reader should be warned (Christianity being regarded much as violence or pornography used to be). I, however, see no reason to relegate this book to the literary ghetto of "Christian fiction." It's true that Ivy is a church-going Christian (as are many of her friends, unsurprisingly), and she even invites one or two people to attend church with her; what is more, sitting out under the stars at night her thoughts turn to the God who made them all. Aside from these details, however, which might be attributed merely to character development, there is nothing particularly "Christian" about the novel -- the plot does not depend on a Christian point of view, nor does the book push a "Christian" agenda. Non-Christians are not demonized, nor is there any sermonizing embedded in the story. It seems to me that the only potential readers who might insist that this novel be branded "Christian fiction" would be those in one of two extreme groups -- either knee-jerk militant "secularists" who find all non-derisive references to Christians or their faith to be abhorrent or, at the other extreme, sectarian Christians who choose to live in an imaginary Christian ghetto and consume popular culture only if it bears the "Christian" brand. I say, let the story sink or swim by its merits as a mystery novel, and on that basis, "Invisible" is pretty good.
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LibraryThing member Robin661
Invisible (Ivy Malone Mystery Series # 1)
Lorena McCourtney
This was a great find on Amazon.com. It was free and a mystery. The story line is that there are people damaging the graves at an old cemetery, her long time friend dies, the friends tenant disappears - who is actually dead and Ivy decides
Lorena McCourtney
This was a great find on Amazon.com. It was free and a mystery. The story line is that there are people damaging the graves at an old cemetery, her long time friend dies, the friends tenant disappears - who is actually dead and Ivy decides
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to investigates both the mysteries going on around her while coping with the loss of her best friend.A fun fast moving story that I had to frequently remind myself that Ivy was a senior citizen during this story, because she was so much fun! I want to read the rest of this series and look forward to doing that someday. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
Another new series I’m trying and it might be a winner. It was a Friday freebie on Nook a couple of weeks ago and the blurb compared the heroine to Miss Marple. In my opinion Ivy is more like a geriatric Nancy Drew—always blundering into dangerous situations as she tries to figure out two
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mysteries—vandalism in an old cemetery and the murder of a young friend. I enjoyed the characters, the antics, and the humor. She also gives a new meaning to LOL—Little Old Lady Show Less
LibraryThing member rhonda1111
Nice enjoyable read. Ivy is an older widow that feel like she is invisible because she old and short. Her friends die. she decides to find out out who is vandlizing cemetary even stays thier at nights waiting to find out. she cares for people and meets a lot of good friends. but she keeps trying to
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help find out who her neighbor really was and why she was using a different identy and who murdered her. Ivy takes a lot of risks. I look forward to reading another book about ivy. Show Less
LibraryThing member yonitdm
Cute read, mystery was ok, the characters were likable.
Ivy is a LOL (little old lady) who has some spunk that leads her into dangerous places.Definetely gutsier than Mrs. Marple.
Most definitely Christian literature trying to pretend it's mainstream. It was forced in many places, but if you skim
Ivy is a LOL (little old lady) who has some spunk that leads her into dangerous places.Definetely gutsier than Mrs. Marple.
Most definitely Christian literature trying to pretend it's mainstream. It was forced in many places, but if you skim
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over those bits it's not so bad. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Ivy Malone is elderly and feels invisible - and as I read this novel, I considered how the elderly fit into our society and though Ms. McCourtney captures Ivy's experience in a very realistic way. There is an element of faithful Christianity written into the story, but it sort of feels layered on,
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instead of an integral part of the story. The mystery was interesting I enjoyed getting to know Ivy. Show Less
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Ivy Malone is an elderly woman whose best friend dies. Her best friend rents an apartment to a young woman going by the name of Kendra. When Kendra disappears and a body is found matching her description, Ivy comes forward to identify the body. The woman had been using the identity of someone
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deceased. Ivy is not satisfied that the police are being thorough and sets out to investigate. There were parts of this story I enjoyed. The opening chapter has Ivy and her best friend in a cemetery and appalled by the vandalism that had taken place there. Having seen cemeteries in this condition, I can completely identify with the outrage. Ivy, however, has some neighbors who are obsessed with genealogy. Unfortunately the author seems to be making fun of their avocation. Genealogical research is not pictured in a favorable light, and the author's unfamiliarity with professional genealogical standards is quite apparent. This is a minor plot line, but it marred my enjoyment of the book. There is a problem with believability. I really cannot picture an elderly woman such as Ivy crouching all night in a cemetery behind tombstones hiding out or being willing to do so. There are also other things that just do not seem that plausible. Ivy is a likable sleuth. This is a work of Christian fiction, and at times I felt that the author was being evangelistic rather than allowing testimonies to take a natural course. All this said, Ivy is likeable, as is one of the detectives, and I would probably read the second book if it is offered as a free Kindle download as this first one was. Show Less
LibraryThing member krsball
Great book, great main character.
LibraryThing member Kathy89
Cozy little mystery about Ivy, a petite, little old lady who because she's disregarded by young people feels that she's invisible. She inserts herself into the missing person's case of her late best friend's tenant much to the warnings of the police. Also, she's staking out the Cemetery late at
It's preposterous the way she is oblivious to the danger facing her by as an example -- hiding out in the jjunkyard.
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night to learn who's knocking over the tombstones.It's preposterous the way she is oblivious to the danger facing her by as an example -- hiding out in the jjunkyard.
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LibraryThing member ClifSven
A good story. Too much religious leaning for me.
LibraryThing member nsjlh
This story had an interesting concept in that the amateur sleuth is an older woman. Ivy looses her best friend which in my opinion did not help the story. I found that as soon as Thea dies, there is very limited involvement with the other characters.
I enjoyed all the characters for the brief time
The mystery story was fine, in its clues and leads to the end. I was just disappointed in the additional plot and interactions with the characters.
I did enjoy the reasoning of the title and how it fit into the story. That was pretty clever and did make me grin. Kind of made you think about elderly people as well.
I was also intrigued with the film in the camera and the one hour photo shop. It seems like it has been ages since this was how we took pictures, but maybe it was the author trying to also portray the age of the characters.
I enjoyed all the characters for the brief time
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Ivy was involved with them, but then she ends up doing so much by herself that there isn’t much conversation. I think I’ve figured out why in other cozy mysteries they sleuth ends up having a buddy and/or friend that tags along. The mystery story was fine, in its clues and leads to the end. I was just disappointed in the additional plot and interactions with the characters.
I did enjoy the reasoning of the title and how it fit into the story. That was pretty clever and did make me grin. Kind of made you think about elderly people as well.
I was also intrigued with the film in the camera and the one hour photo shop. It seems like it has been ages since this was how we took pictures, but maybe it was the author trying to also portray the age of the characters.
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LibraryThing member dougbq
This book was just a fun read. Ivy Malone is a widow who has seen the world around her change as she has aged. She isn't letting that stop her. She pokes her nose into places that other people don't want it. That gets her into trouble.
This book was well-written and easy to ready. I found myself
If you are looking for a fun read that is a nice way to pass the time, you could do a lot worse than reading about Ivy Malone.
This book was well-written and easy to ready. I found myself
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rooting for Ivy and all her friens along the way.If you are looking for a fun read that is a nice way to pass the time, you could do a lot worse than reading about Ivy Malone.
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LibraryThing member DTChantel
What a wonderful, enjoyable read. It's hard not to fall in love with Ivy Malone. She's a spunky, likeable LOL (little old lady) who ends up getting the bad guys but puts her future in jeopardy in the process.
As a Christian myself, I loved the fact that this was a Christian-based mystery. I haven't
I'm looking forward to reading the further adventures of Ivy as she sets out on a new course for her life.
As a Christian myself, I loved the fact that this was a Christian-based mystery. I haven't
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made the opportunity to read much Christian fiction, but I believe this to be an outstanding example of what it should be. There was just the right amount of references to Ivy's faith without being off-putting for those that aren't at that point in their lives.I'm looking forward to reading the further adventures of Ivy as she sets out on a new course for her life.
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LibraryThing member annertan
Got this as a freebie and went on to read the rest of the series. Love the down to earth retired Ivy. Lately there has been a barrage of elderly grandmas characters that are outrageous for comedic relief. It’s nice to find one I could recognize among the retired elderly woman that I know.
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Ivy Malone's husband and son are dead, and she herself is in her twilight years, but she's got irrepresible spunk. She spends her days chatting with friends and going to church. It's a low-key, quiet life. But when her mysterious neighbor disappears, Ivy investigates, and turns up murders,
It's not bad. The mystery itself is pretty obvious: no red herrings or kindly faced villains here. The style is similar to Charlaine Harris's, where every day's events and chores are detailed (which can be either excrutiatingly boring or a good way to get a feel for the character) and all the side characters are one-dimensional. It didn't hook me, though.
Plus, there's an unexpected subplot that kept throwing me out of the story. Every.single.time Ivy meets someone, she asks them if they go to church (doesn't even ask if they're Christian or not--just assumes) and then badgers them to go every time she sees them from then on. It's weird, because there really isn't much discussion of faith or actual biblical passages--just a lot of talk about the importance of going to church. And the dialog is so ham-handed and clunky when the characters are talking about religion that it really feels out of place and artificial, like a poorly done PSA.
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conspiracy, and a lot more excitement than she'd planned for.It's not bad. The mystery itself is pretty obvious: no red herrings or kindly faced villains here. The style is similar to Charlaine Harris's, where every day's events and chores are detailed (which can be either excrutiatingly boring or a good way to get a feel for the character) and all the side characters are one-dimensional. It didn't hook me, though.
Plus, there's an unexpected subplot that kept throwing me out of the story. Every.single.time Ivy meets someone, she asks them if they go to church (doesn't even ask if they're Christian or not--just assumes) and then badgers them to go every time she sees them from then on. It's weird, because there really isn't much discussion of faith or actual biblical passages--just a lot of talk about the importance of going to church. And the dialog is so ham-handed and clunky when the characters are talking about religion that it really feels out of place and artificial, like a poorly done PSA.
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LibraryThing member readingover50
3-10-2011 So far the book seems a little slow moving. Also, the main character,Ivy, is a little depressing. She feels invisible because she is old. That makes me feel sad.
3-12-2011 I am just a little over half way done. I feel like I am reading slower than usual. The story line is picking up. Ivy
3-14-2011 I finished the book this afternoon. The pace picked up in the second half. Ivy really goes far in her investigation. Some of her actions are pretty questionable - who would spend several nights alone in a graveyard watching for vandals? I did enjoy the subplot with her two suitors. I was hoping she would get together with one of them, but she is taking romance slow. Other reviewers have mentioned being put off by the Christian talk, but I didn't feel it was excessive. I would read more in this series.
3-12-2011 I am just a little over half way done. I feel like I am reading slower than usual. The story line is picking up. Ivy
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is actively investigating the murder of her friend, and getting into trouble.3-14-2011 I finished the book this afternoon. The pace picked up in the second half. Ivy really goes far in her investigation. Some of her actions are pretty questionable - who would spend several nights alone in a graveyard watching for vandals? I did enjoy the subplot with her two suitors. I was hoping she would get together with one of them, but she is taking romance slow. Other reviewers have mentioned being put off by the Christian talk, but I didn't feel it was excessive. I would read more in this series.
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LibraryThing member kaylynvh
A little old lady with a gift for snooping in all the right places. Ivy Malone is hilarious and determined. McCourtney’s book is a whimsical, fun summer read.
LibraryThing member mollybdenum
Entertaining story and will look for more by this author!
LibraryThing member okjlsaz
This was a really fun read. Ivy Malone was a senior citizen who believed that one fact made her nearly invisible to those around her. She gets involved in two seemingly unrelated mysteries: the vandalism of an old cemetery that she and her neighbor, Thea, happen to visit one day and the mysterious
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disappearance of Thea's renter, Kendra. I enjoyed the way Ivy was so curious about both mysteries that she wouldn't stop until she figured things out. Along the way she becomes friends with the police detective investigating the murder. I couldn't stop myself from reading it every chance I got. Show Less
LibraryThing member DomingoSantos
"Invisible" is an easy and fairly entertaining read, albeit a bit of a lightweight for the genre. Some of Ivy's actions stretch credulity, but as a whole the story hangs together. A strength is the author's insight into how society often views senior citizens, if society sees them at all; hence,
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the title "Invisible." Show Less
LibraryThing member Vesper1931
This was okay especially as it was a free book but I could have done without the Christian aspects which may have put me off reading any more in the series.
Original publication date
2004-08-01
ISBN
9780800759537
Series
IVY MALONE MYSTERY 1