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Maryann Miller
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Boxes For Beds Kindle Edition

by Maryann Miller (Author), Dany Russell (Illustrator), Audrey Lintner (Editor), Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 234 ratings
In 1961 the mob still ruled Hot Springs, Arkansas and had Sheriff Bates under their thumb. When babies are being kidnapped in nearby Pine Hollow, Bates has to put this case to bed before the bosses come down from Chicago. They don't need the heat of a major investigation that could involve the feds.

Who is taking the babies? Is the current case connected to the disappearance of babies 25 years ago?

In a desperate move to solve the case before the FBI has to be called in, Bates decides to arrest Leslie Richards, the new woman in town, even though there is only thin circumstantial evidence against her. Better for it to be a stranger taking those babies and not one of their own.

Leslie has left New York with her ten-year-old daughter hoping to escape from the secrets of her past and the ruins of a relationship, only to discover that there is little peace for her in Pine Hollow, Arkansas.
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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 26, 2013
  4. File size
    943 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maryann Miller is most happy when she is at her keyboard working on another mystery. No, wait, she is also happy playing on stage. Happy, too, when playing farmer on her acreage in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas. And immensely happy when spending time with her family. Professionally, she has published numerous books, won a few awards, and garnered some nice reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, and a number of satisfied readers. Those are the ones that mean the most to her.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BM9G53O
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MCM Enterprises (February 26, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 943 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1484077253
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 234 ratings

About the author

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Maryann Miller

Maryann Miller

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Maryann Miller, an award-winning author, has been in love with story-telling since she was a child and used to scare her sister with stories of the monsters in the cellar. Those tales were never written down. They were always whispered in the dark, and when Maryann started writing stories, they were different types entirely.

As a young child, she didn't consider that she would grow up to be a writer. She fancied herself quite the singer and thought she would someday sing in front of crowds of thousands. Alas, that proved to be more dream than reality.

At another point in her childhood, she dreamed of being an actress, but it took many years before she was brave enough to give it a try. For fifteen years she was the Theatre Directer at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts where she directed shows for some time before getting brave enough to step on stage. It appears she was more suited to acting than singing, and she has since starred in several productions at various community theatres in East Texas.

A diverse writer of columns, feature stores, short fiction, novels, screenplays and stage plays, Maryann has won numerous awards including being a semi-finalist at the Sundance Institute for her screenplay, A Question Of Honor. She has also received the Page Edwards Short Story Award and the 2015 Best Mystery award for Doubletake.

Miller lives in a small town in NE Texas with one dog, and four cats. The cats rule! She has been writing all her life and plans to die at her computer.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
234 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the plot intense and suspenseful. They describe the book as a fun, well-written read that keeps them hooked from beginning to end. The characters are described as realistic, three-dimensional, and fascinating. Readers praise the author's writing style as interesting, thought-provoking, and inviting. They appreciate the vivid descriptions and visual quality of the setting. Overall, customers consider the book an enjoyable read with a solid plot and engaging characters.

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PlotReadabilityCharacter developmentAuthor's ability to writeVisual qualityAuthor talentHistorical accuracy
85 customers mention "Plot"69 positive16 negative

Customers enjoy the plot. They find it intense, unpredictable, and engaging with plenty of suspense. The story includes historical events from the early 1960s.

"...Lastly, the plot was intense and unpredictable, which kept me on my toes...." Read more

"...mystery but, in truth, it fits into an every day reality being somewhat believable in spite of the ludicrous actions and comments of the local..." Read more

"Missing babies! This was such an intriguing twist to this mystery in the end...." Read more

"...That said, Boxes for Beds is a smooth, enjoyable read with a solid plot and a tense ending. I recommend this one." Read more

74 customers mention "Readability"64 positive10 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging. They praise its well-crafted narrative with period authenticity. The story is described as a quick read that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

"This was a suspenseful, enjoyable read. Leslie has left New York to come to Arkansas to start a new life...." Read more

"...There is something about the author’s writing style and pacing that kept me wanting more...." Read more

"This book was a fairly enjoyable read despite my disappointment at easily working out whodunit part way through...." Read more

"...I surely didn't expect the villain to be who it was. Nice work, Maryann...." Read more

27 customers mention "Character development"24 positive3 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and realistic. They appreciate the honest mother-daughter relationship between Leslie and Mandy. The fast-paced mystery keeps readers guessing and worrying about the heroine.

"...The characters were likable (minus the Sheriff, but you have to have one character that you don’t like), the setting was described well enough to..." Read more

"...Characters were fleshed out ok and it was well written, though somewhat shallow...." Read more

"...The characters are nicely portrayed--Leslie is a strong and believable character who has to deal with a corrupt cop as well as the man who wants to..." Read more

"...Maryann Miller is a gifted storyteller. Her characters are beautifully developed- at the end of the book you wonder what will happen to Leslie and..." Read more

15 customers mention "Author's ability to write"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's writing abilities. They find the book interesting, thought-provoking, and engaging. The author keeps readers guessing and engaged with the story. They say the story provides an insight into someone disconnected from reality and that the author has potential.

"...This author has a lot of potential. It was a good plot and quick read with a surprise ending...." Read more

"...this bit of history as a backdrop, the story reached out and invited me into its pages...." Read more

"...Glad we have come a long way. A page turning, thought provoking book but unsettling." Read more

"...What I really appreciated was how the author led me on, making me believe I knew the identity of the villain...." Read more

5 customers mention "Visual quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's visual quality. They find the depiction of the honest mother-daughter relationship well-depicted and magnificent. The descriptions make them feel like they are there.

"...They are magnificent." Read more

"The well-depicted, honest mother-daughter relationship between Leslie and ten year old Mandy in this mystery by Maryann Miller is what kept me..." Read more

"...Wonderful mix of characters and personalities. The scenic descriptions made me feel like I was right there...." Read more

"...Not terribly graphic which I like but enough details to keep you guessing till the end. Worth a read." Read more

3 customers mention "Author talent"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's storytelling ability. They say she is a gifted storyteller.

"...Our author, Maryann Miller has a wonderful talent of leading the reader in one direction and then when least expected pulling the rug out beneath us...." Read more

"...Maryann Miller is a gifted storyteller...." Read more

"...I think she is a great author. She really makes you feel like you are living with the people in the story. I hope she keeps writing." Read more

6 customers mention "Historical accuracy"3 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the historical accuracy of the book. Some enjoyed the references to Hot Springs and the small town setting in the 1960s. Others felt the mystery was too realistic for its time period and lacking historical facts, jarring their sense of time and place.

"...I live close to Hot Springs and loved all the references to the town. It is such a different place now than it was forty years ago...." Read more

"...This story is a mystery with few clues and to close to reality for its time period. Glad we have come a long way...." Read more

"I enjoyed the characters, the town setting, and the reference to the freedom riders. Would recommend it to my friends." Read more

"...period authenticity despite a couple of flubs that jar one's sense of time and place...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Avid Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This was a suspenseful, enjoyable read. Leslie has left New York to come to Arkansas to start a new life. Unfortunately, the narrow-minded people of the small town do not accept her because she is a Yankee. The Sheriff needs to solve the kidnapping of the babies as soon as possible, and he chooses Leslie to be the guilty person. She has the town against her, the sheriff accusing her of kidnapping, but she won't give in.

    The story seems to drag a little about half way through. I lost count of how many times Leslie washed dishes and made coffee. A couple of the characters didn't seem to add to the story at all. However, in the end it all came together.

    I "knew" who did it about half way through the book, but I was wrong. The ending was a great surprise. I would read other books by this author.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Heidi
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Unpredictable Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    When Leslie Richards decides to live a quieter, calmer lifestyle in Arkansas, never would she imagine that she would be in the mix of an investigation.

    With the mob pressuring Sheriff Bates to quiet the investigation for the disappearance of babies, he needs to place the blame on someone. However, the real question lies - who is actually kidnapping these babies? And, why are they committing such a horrible crime?

    The blurb alone had me hooked, and I can happily say that Ms. Miller did not disappoint. There is something about the author’s writing style and pacing that kept me wanting more. The characters were likable (minus the Sheriff, but you have to have one character that you don’t like), the setting was described well enough to give me a visual of Arkansas during 1961, including some aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. Lastly, the plot was intense and unpredictable, which kept me on my toes.

    This story was written in the third person point of view with alternating perspectives. What I loved about this read is the fact that even though the reader gets a sense of each character’s thoughts, the author still has the reader guessing all the way through.

    Even though the book did throw in some snapshots of the Civil Rights Movement, I honestly was expecting more. The main storyline itself may not have needed more detail, but since I’ve read a few reviews of this book, I was looking forward to gathering more information about this time in history. However, this did not deter one bit from my reading enjoyment.

    I highly recommend this read to those who enjoy suspenseful reads.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ophelia D
    3.0 out of 5 stars interesting story, but coarse language warning
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book was a fairly enjoyable read despite my disappointment at easily working out whodunit part way through. Characters were fleshed out ok and it was well written, though somewhat shallow. I especially liked the social issues that were woven throughout the story. In my opinion this was a standard B grade effort, bordering on C grade due to the language. The coarse language peppered throughput may have been realistic in one sense, but it was completely unnecessary and the book would have been a much finer offering without it.
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  • D S Texas
    4.0 out of 5 stars A single mom story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A good story for single moms of the late 50's through the 60's. New in town are single mom, Leslie, and her ten year daughter, Mandy. Running from the big city and the man who broke her heart, Leslie is looking for a quiet place to pen a new book where her daughter and her secrets are safe. But when babies go missing in a small town in Arkansas, the local sheriff is a little too quick to point a finger at the newcomer unwed, Yankee mom. The story unfolds a little too slow for a mystery but, in truth, it fits into an every day reality being somewhat believable in spite of the ludicrous actions and comments of the local sheriff. The author touches on the history of segregation and freedom riders while also reflecting on the prejudice society would inflict upon a single mother in a white male dominant era. I would have enjoyed the story more if the secondary characters had been built up a little with some insight of what makes them tick. I did enjoy a trip down memory lane with Leslie and Ronald as they visited a bath house in Hot Springs. My personal experience back in the late 70's was almost identical to Leslie's except without the mob guys and racial protesters. I tend to expect a little more action and fear inducing moments in a suspense novel but not all mysteries are thrillers. But for readers who enjoy a calmer tale and happy endings, this is a good story for you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Zoe J
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a twist!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Missing babies! This was such an intriguing twist to this mystery in the end. Our author, Maryann Miller has a wonderful talent of leading the reader in one direction and then when least expected pulling the rug out beneath us. I surely didn't expect the villain to be who it was. Nice work, Maryann. And if you dear reader ever have an opportunity to visit a Hot Springs Bath House, treat yourself. They are magnificent.
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  • Bob & Nancy Sanchez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth read, tense finish
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Babies have been disappearing, and no one seems to know why. Against the backdrop of Pine Hollow, Arkansas in the early 1960s, Boxes for Beds follows Leslie Richards, a single mother from New York who is falsely accused in the disappearances. The characters are nicely portrayed--Leslie is a strong and believable character who has to deal with a corrupt cop as well as the man who wants to be part of her life again. While the Civil Rights movement looms--are sit-ins imminent? --Leslie must not only clear her own name but learn the truth. Since the Civil Rights movement is mentioned several times, perhaps it could have been more tightly integrated into the plot. That said, Boxes for Beds is a smooth, enjoyable read with a solid plot and a tense ending. I recommend this one.
    3 people found this helpful
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