Thursday, August 14, 2025

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Half Empty (Squeaky Clean In Between Mysteries Book 3) by Christy Barritt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Half Empty (Squeaky Clean In Between Mysteries Book 3) by Christy Barritt. It's a really fun and quick read. 

About the Book
Sometimes the glass really is half empty—especially when people are willing to kill for it.

Crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire needs extra cash, so when she’s offered a courier job transporting a box of antique dishes from North Carolina to Virginia, she figures it’s easy money. What could go wrong with delivering a dozen old teacups?

Everything, as it turns out. When half the precious cargo disappears during transport, Gabby finds herself facing an angry recipient who wants his family heirlooms delivered as promised—or else.

As the clock ticks toward a fatal deadline, Gabby must use her sleuthing skills to track down the missing cups. But when dangerous people suddenly take an interest in her whereabouts and she starts receiving threatening messages, she soon realizes these teacups are more than just sentimental keepsakes.

Can she uncover the truth behind the “simple” delivery job? Or will her latest attempt at easy money become her last?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
“I know these teacups don’t look like much, but they have a lot of sentimental value to me and my family.” Glen Larson stared me dead in the eye. “They may not be important to anyone else, but they’re important to me. That’s why I hired you to transport these instead of shipping them.”

Friday 56
“So instead of doing the job yourself, you thought of me because…?”
“Because Tim says you’re good at this kind of stuff. You know, getting things done, solving problems, and being weirdly comfortable around sketchy situations.”

What have you been reading lately?

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun book. I've had this series recommended to me before, but I haven't gotten around to reading it.

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    1. It's a really fun series! I think you'd enjoy it. Hope you have a great week, Mark!

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  2. I like the sound of this one. And I wish I had the kind of writing mojo Christy Barritt has...she sure can create a lot of stories in a short amount of time.

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    1. I wish I did too! I don't know how she writes so fast and yet the books are still so good! It's impressive! Hope you have a wonderful week, Lark! :D

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  3. Hmm. The opening lines sounds very suspicious. I'd read on to find out what is going on.

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    1. I was instantly suspicious of the guy. Hope you have a great week, Anne! :)

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  4. I've never heard of the author, but the snippet sounds intriguing.

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    1. It was a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by! :D

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  5. This sounds like an interesting read! https://bibliophilebree.blogspot.com/2025/08/first-line-friday-friday56.html

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