
Synopsis
Professor Bay Browning has more snake problems than the Garden of Eden in this twisted mystery. The English Literature instructor is busy preparing for a new semester when a serial killer, known as Medusa, bites her quiet life in the behind.
A wild ride ensues when Bay and her grifter sister, Cass, assist a perturbed Detective Downing with the investigation. What else can the sisters do, once they become Medusa’s targets? Will the slithering trail of mythology, art history, and family secrets help them catch a killer before she turns them to stone?
My Thoughts
Professor L.L. Browning is an empowered modern woman who doesn’t take any crap. I like her! She is strong, sassy, smart, and comfortable in her own skin, which makes for a solid series debut and leaves the reader anticipating the next entry in the series.
Joy Ann Ribar writes with abandon, fiercely describing scenes that pop off the page. It’s not often that a cozy mystery ticks all the boxes of a great novel, but Ribar does that with ease here. She has a splendid vocabulary which creates vividly described scenes that are strung together with a tightly plotted mystery. She also handles the family dynamics at the heart of the story with honesty and sensitivity. Well done.
Praise for The Medusa Murders:
“This first-in-series held me captive on the edge of my seat where I frantically turned the pages of this intricately crafted story, desperate to solve the mystery. And, oh, what a revelation it is!”
~ Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels
“A gritty and intense mystery that grabs you and won’t let go until the end. The personal relationships are complex, just like many in real life, and the familial drama pulls you in.”
Kelly Young, author of A Travel Writer mystery series and Haunted and Harassed paranormal mystery series
“Ribar effectively wraps mythology, academia, archeology, and a touch of paranormal phenomena together to produce a more than satisfying read. Looking forward to spending more time with Bay.”
~ Debra H. Goldstein, author of The Sarah Blair Mysteries
“A well-written, fast-paced and vibrant debut novel.
A highly recommended new series.”
~ Christine DeSmet, writing coach and author of The Fudge Shop Mystery series and Mischief in Moonstone series
Book Details:
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Mystery, Crime
Published by: Wine Glass Press
Publication Date: November 2023
Number of Pages: 316
ISBN: 9781959078203
Series: Bay Browning Mysteries, #1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | BookBub | Goodreads
Book Shortlinks:
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3twnPXG
Barnes & Noble – https://bit.ly/3SbUM60
BookShop.org – https://bit.ly/408YCi8
BookBub – https://bit.ly/45uu0bV
Goodreads – https://bit.ly/3LglTIY

Author Bio:
Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. She loves to bake, read, do wine research, and explore nature. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people. Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.
Catch Up With Joy Ann Ribar:
JoyRibar.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @ribarjoy
Instagram – @authorjoyribar
Facebook – @JoyRibarAuthor


Great review!
“strong, sassy, smart, and comfortable in her own skin” ~ I love those qualities in a female lead!
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