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Julia Lives in a Van #1

The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo

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Julia Ross is a 48-year-old divorcee who decides to completely upend her life.

A year after her divorce, Julia sells everything (including the house), turns her minivan into a camper, and heads to an idyllic beachfront state park in Florida. What is supposed to be a month of sunbathing, hiking, biking, and self-care, however, turns into a murder investigation when a camper is found dead in his RV.

At first, Julia doesn't want to get involved. After all, she’s at the beach to relax. But her new camping friends, Dottie and Penelope, insist she help them find the murderer. They believe the Sheriff has arrested the wrong man, one of their birding club friends. And they believe Julia is precisely the right person to prove their friend innocent and find the real killer.

The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo is the first book in the Julia Lives in a Van series. It’s a light-hearted, cozy murder mystery with a delightful cast of characters, which includes Julia and her two new camping friends, Dottie and Penelope, and also Toby, an abandoned pup Julia found on her drive down to Florida. This book is safe for anyone at any age to read. It has no swearing, no explicit content, and no gore. Yes, there’s a murder to solve, but this is all done against a backdrop of exquisite natural beauty, budding friendships, and of course, birdwatching.

If you like cozy mysteries with lovable characters and a fun murder to solve, then you’ll love L. C. Richards’ brand-new mystery, The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2021

About the author

L.C. Richards

11 books6 followers

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5 stars
164 (57%)
4 stars
81 (28%)
3 stars
41 (14%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Sarka B.
219 reviews
June 25, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book about Julia and her dog Toby who together with her new friends Dottie and Penelope resolves the murder in a birders group in beachfront state park in Florida. It is very well written and I intend to read following books in the serie very soon.
783 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2023
Fun story

I loved having a heroine who decided once she was divorced that she could try the RV lifestyle ,adopt a dog and just be free
Profile Image for Tari.
3,065 reviews91 followers
September 27, 2021
This was a nice start for an interesting-sounding series I found on Kindle Unlimited. I love the little beagle, Toby. And Dottie, Julia's new friend and camping neighbor was probably my favorite character. I wasn't really sure whodunit, so I just followed along as the three new friends (Dot, Pen and Julia) found leads and did their sleuthing.

The side story of Julia having a crush on Ranger Rick Dobson was pretty cute and eventually resulted in a date which was told in a little more detail in the very cute short story I found by following the link to sign up for the author's newsletter. It's called Toby Solves a Murder and is kinda like a "cutting room floor scene" if you want to think of it that way. I'll probably borrow the next on KU eventually. I'm interested to see what Julia gets into next and if Dottie and Pen are going to join her.
7 reviews
June 6, 2024
This was a fun book to read. I don’t normally try to figure out “whodunnit,” because I just want to read and enjoy the story, but I did for this one. There were many light parts and overall, the book was not “heavy,” which is exactly what I was looking for. I’m enjoying this genre - cozy mysteries - and this author has done a great job with this story. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
57 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2024
This is a real cozy mystery. The way it is written: right from the start I just sat back and enjoyed my reading, no irritating characters, grammar or spelling mistakes. Enjoyment all around. And the killer remained a mystery until the very end.
8 reviews
January 22, 2024
Fugitive flamingo

I enjoyed the book, great fun, easy read, and kept my attention. It is nice to read about older independent women enjoying life with friendships travel, and mystery. I wish there was more about the flamingo aspect in the he book.
665 reviews
June 27, 2024
Let's go to the beach!

A light hearted story that was fun to read. After a divorce and being discontent for so long Julie was ready for a change. She decided to hit the road in her minivan. This book was about her first adventure.
Profile Image for Jen Dodrill.
Author 1 book29 followers
September 8, 2024
So fun!

I know the Florida panhandle well and this was a fun cozy mystery set just outside of Panama City. Julia is sweet and looking for a new life. Then there's Toby, her little rescue dog. So adorable! Just a fun cozy!
2,001 reviews20 followers
November 13, 2024
This was a cute mystery. The characters are engaging and interesting. I liked the 3 female campers gathering together to sleuth. I got the wrong suspect but enjoyed the journey. Julia showed a lot of growth as a newly divorced woman and really put herself out there for a second life.
10 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2024
Really liked the plot

Very nice quirky characters. Loved the story line. The first time I have seen this type of plot. Permanent camping sounds like a great time.
3 reviews
January 25, 2024
great characters and plot!

This book is well worth your time and energy reading. The characters are great and the plot did not disappoint.
1,415 reviews6 followers
June 15, 2024
Who killed Wiggins and why??? A paper??? From so long ago??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
2 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2024
super cute book

I was entertained from start to finish on this one, and am definitely going to be reading more of this series!
Profile Image for Jackie Bacher.
3 reviews
June 30, 2024
Fun!

The perfect fun and light summer cozy mystery read! Can't wait to start the next one in the series. Truly a delight to read.





11 reviews
Read
July 12, 2024
great read

Enjoy and relatable. Middle aged woman finding a new life after a divorce. I enjoyed reading this. And she rescued a dog!
Profile Image for Kimberly A Vowel.
18 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved all the characters, and the mystery plot. Mostly I loved Toby! I’ve just finished reading the second book in the series, and just downloaded the third book and can’t wait to jump into that one!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
1,260 reviews22 followers
December 9, 2022
Fun book

Julia not only survived her first camping trip alone in her new life, she also solved a murder. I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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