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Northwest Cozy Mystery #1
Murder on Bainbridge Island
When Lisa Sanders, a well-known Seattle art gallery owner, is found dead at a prestigious dinner party, shock waves ripple through the local art community. For DeeDee Wilson, the death becomes a personal tragedy, because the dinner party was the first ever event for her fledgling catering business.
On the following day, newspaper reports indicated the cause of death was possibly poisoning, but could it have come from the food she served the guests? In order to save her business and protect her reputation, DeeDee has to find out how Lisa, the art gallery owner, died, and if it was murder, who did it and why?
Could it have been the smarmy competing gallery owner who was jealous of Lisa's success in getting a top art glass artisan to exhibit in her gallery? Or the artist whose work she rejected because she didn't feel it was up to her standards? Was it the disgruntled ex-girlfriend who was dumped by the man Lisa was currently seeing? Or was it a museum employee who was fired by the woman who hosted the dinner party?
Join DeeDee, Jake, a private investigator she's developed a relationship with after her divorce, and her new dog, Balto, a husky dog with a blue eye and a brown eye, as they try to save DeeDee's new business venture.
On the following day, newspaper reports indicated the cause of death was possibly poisoning, but could it have come from the food she served the guests? In order to save her business and protect her reputation, DeeDee has to find out how Lisa, the art gallery owner, died, and if it was murder, who did it and why?
Could it have been the smarmy competing gallery owner who was jealous of Lisa's success in getting a top art glass artisan to exhibit in her gallery? Or the artist whose work she rejected because she didn't feel it was up to her standards? Was it the disgruntled ex-girlfriend who was dumped by the man Lisa was currently seeing? Or was it a museum employee who was fired by the woman who hosted the dinner party?
Join DeeDee, Jake, a private investigator she's developed a relationship with after her divorce, and her new dog, Balto, a husky dog with a blue eye and a brown eye, as they try to save DeeDee's new business venture.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
November 9, 2017
DeeDee Wilson was sad to sell the home she and her husband had raised their two children in. Belonging to the family for twenty-four years, now with the divorce and needing a new start, DeeDee moved from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where she would live in her parent’s house which had been left to her some time previously. DeeDee also knew she needed an income and being an excellent cook, the thoughts of her own catering company, which she’d dreamed of for years, slowly came to fruition.
Her very first event with her fledgling company “Deelish” was with members of the art society at Maureen’s home. But the death of an art gallery owner as dessert was about to be served was a terrible shock. Did it mean that "Deelish" would fail before it even got off the ground? When the victim’s death was ruled murder by the local sheriff, DeeDee and her new friend Jake, a private investigator, decided to find the murderer so she could clear her name.
With DeeDee’s new dog, husky Balto (one blue eye, one brown) by her side, and Jake providing information, they searched for the killer. But was danger heading DeeDee’s way? It seemed the deeper she dug, the more secrets she found – was her life in peril?
Murder on Bainbridge Island is 1st in the Northwest Cozy Mystery series by Dianne Harman and quite an enjoyable ride. With a mixture of bad guys, helpful others and the beautiful husky dogs in attendance, Murder on Bainbridge Island is one I don’t hesitate to recommend.
Her very first event with her fledgling company “Deelish” was with members of the art society at Maureen’s home. But the death of an art gallery owner as dessert was about to be served was a terrible shock. Did it mean that "Deelish" would fail before it even got off the ground? When the victim’s death was ruled murder by the local sheriff, DeeDee and her new friend Jake, a private investigator, decided to find the murderer so she could clear her name.
With DeeDee’s new dog, husky Balto (one blue eye, one brown) by her side, and Jake providing information, they searched for the killer. But was danger heading DeeDee’s way? It seemed the deeper she dug, the more secrets she found – was her life in peril?
Murder on Bainbridge Island is 1st in the Northwest Cozy Mystery series by Dianne Harman and quite an enjoyable ride. With a mixture of bad guys, helpful others and the beautiful husky dogs in attendance, Murder on Bainbridge Island is one I don’t hesitate to recommend.
February 16, 2018
Disappointing
I enjoy cozy mysteries, and I don't expect great literary works, but this one was just bad. It read like a script from a forgettable TV series wherein the characters announce their feelings, intentions and history with almost no prompt in virtually every scene. The characters and the plot have no nuance or subtlety, and there was nothing interesting about any of it. The basic elements of a fun and lighthearted story and series are present, yet this book feels like a first draft rather than a completed piece.
I enjoy cozy mysteries, and I don't expect great literary works, but this one was just bad. It read like a script from a forgettable TV series wherein the characters announce their feelings, intentions and history with almost no prompt in virtually every scene. The characters and the plot have no nuance or subtlety, and there was nothing interesting about any of it. The basic elements of a fun and lighthearted story and series are present, yet this book feels like a first draft rather than a completed piece.
February 19, 2022
(Full disclosure: I'm a native of Bainbridge Island.)
MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND is a victim of two self-inflicted wounds:
1. The author displays ignorance about Bainbridge Island and the Seattle area, making erroneous references to "Pike's Place Market" (it's Pike Place Market, something even a casual visitor to the area would know), "Queen Ann Hill" (It's "Queen Anne"), and "oceanfront" on Bainbridge Island (it's on Puget Sound, not the Pacific Ocean). Not to mention that she refers to a "run-down area" of the island, where none exists. These displays of laziness (and poor editing) fatally undermine the novel's credibility as a representation of the area.
2. The story fails Cozy Mystery 101 storycraft in one big way: it fails to establish a plausible rationale for the heroine, DeeDee Wilson, to investigate the murder of a guest at a dinner party she catered. She claims she has to do her own sleuthing to "clear her name" and keep her fledgling catering business from being fatally swamped by bad publicity, but MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND fails to establish that either of those are legitimate issues. Further, she appears to be the only one investigating, but there's no established reason the Bainbridge Island police — or her private-investigator boyfriend — wouldn't be diligently covering all the investigative bases and finding out all the facts that DeeDee uncovers. She simply has no legitimacy as an investigator, and no plausible rationale for not leaving the investigating to others.
It's clear the author has some polish and some storycraft through her diverse characterizations and brisk pacing, but MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND is overall a poor, slipshod representation of the author's abilities. And a poor, slipshod representation of Bainbridge Island and its surroundings. Has the author spent any time here?
MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND is a victim of two self-inflicted wounds:
1. The author displays ignorance about Bainbridge Island and the Seattle area, making erroneous references to "Pike's Place Market" (it's Pike Place Market, something even a casual visitor to the area would know), "Queen Ann Hill" (It's "Queen Anne"), and "oceanfront" on Bainbridge Island (it's on Puget Sound, not the Pacific Ocean). Not to mention that she refers to a "run-down area" of the island, where none exists. These displays of laziness (and poor editing) fatally undermine the novel's credibility as a representation of the area.
2. The story fails Cozy Mystery 101 storycraft in one big way: it fails to establish a plausible rationale for the heroine, DeeDee Wilson, to investigate the murder of a guest at a dinner party she catered. She claims she has to do her own sleuthing to "clear her name" and keep her fledgling catering business from being fatally swamped by bad publicity, but MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND fails to establish that either of those are legitimate issues. Further, she appears to be the only one investigating, but there's no established reason the Bainbridge Island police — or her private-investigator boyfriend — wouldn't be diligently covering all the investigative bases and finding out all the facts that DeeDee uncovers. She simply has no legitimacy as an investigator, and no plausible rationale for not leaving the investigating to others.
It's clear the author has some polish and some storycraft through her diverse characterizations and brisk pacing, but MURDER ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND is overall a poor, slipshod representation of the author's abilities. And a poor, slipshod representation of Bainbridge Island and its surroundings. Has the author spent any time here?
June 28, 2025
definitely a mystery. The only thing I was interested in was who the actual killer was. Other than that it is not original in any way at all.
Needless to say I won't be reading anymore book by this author.
Needless to say I won't be reading anymore book by this author.
October 1, 2018
This was a hot mess. It wasn’t long, but I had a hard time finishing it. The dialogue and writing were really forced, with hardly any descriptions or background. I was hoping to learn some information and scenery of Bainbridge Island! That’s really why I started the book. Immediately I realized the novel wouldn’t meet my expectations, but I was hoping for a good mystery. Nope. I have seldom met a mystery series I didn’t like. I guess we’ll call this a rarity.
February 3, 2021
Good start to a fun series
Enjoyed the first book. Quick easy read. Strong female characters. And of course a dog! Her description of the area is spot on.
Enjoyed the first book. Quick easy read. Strong female characters. And of course a dog! Her description of the area is spot on.
June 30, 2021
This paperback book was intriguing, suspenseful, action packed, a page turner and so much more. Just loved this book.
Look forward to reading the next print book in this series.
Highly recommend and will read again and have.
Look forward to reading the next print book in this series.
Highly recommend and will read again and have.
January 8, 2022
It was OK. Didn't really tie into Bainbridge Island. It kept me reading until I finished it.
October 21, 2020
I enjoyed Dianne Harman's book, Murder on Bainbridge Island. It is the story of 49 year old, DeeDee Wilson, who is now on her own after being married for 26 years. Her ex left her for a much younger woman. She has decided to leave the Mercer Island home she once shared with her husband and 2 kids and move to the house her parents left to her on Bainbridge Island (a 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle). DeeDee has decided to open a catering business called Deelish. At the end of her first catering event for Seattle art luminaries, the owner of Pioneer Square Art Gallery--Lisa Sanders, is found dead! Luckily for her besides Dan Hewson the Chief of Police arriving at the scene of the murder, Jake Rogers, PI also arrives. DeeDee has been dating Jake. Dianne Harman does a great job providing suspects and reasons why they would have wanted Lisa dead. I liked that her heroine is older and trying to get her life going again after divorce. I am eager to read the next book in this series!
November 14, 2019
A well know art gallery owner is found dead at a prestigious dinner party. Dee Dee is the caterer of the event and the news suggested possible poisoning. In order to save her new business she has to find out how Lisa died. She does find at least 3 possible suspects and chooses to meet them with a story that is a lie, in order to get to know if they could possibly be the murderer. Along with Jake the private investigator she meets when buying a dog they solve the crime of who killed Lisa. Luckily Jake was keeping track of where Lisa was at the time of a scary event when Dee Dee met up with the last suspect. Great Quick read and I enjoyed the author who I read for the first time.
January 2, 2019
I was really hoping that I had found a series about the pacific northwest that I could latch onto. I kept hoping that I was reading a short story that was leading into a bigger story. But that didn't happen. The characters were not drawn out enough for me to want to get to know them, thus the author did not get more than a 'fair' rating from me.
May 20, 2024
A nice Pacific Northwest mystery
March 30, 2017
Fun cozy
Short and sweet. Perfect for an afternoon at the beach. Time to binge read her long list of regional cozies.
Short and sweet. Perfect for an afternoon at the beach. Time to binge read her long list of regional cozies.
December 3, 2020
Nice story, very light and quick read. I enjoyed it and will read more of the series.
July 14, 2022
I've read multiple cozy mysteries with female entrepreneurs opening various types of businesses related to cooking from coffee shops to tea rooms to restaurants so the thought of a catering business was a welcome addition. Ready for a fresh start, DeeDee Wilson is moving to Bainbridge Island to reside in the family home willed by her parents and will begin her own business of Deelish Catering.
I really enjoyed multiple aspects of this cozy. One delight was a "Prologue" providing the special event where the murder occurred rather than waiting multiple chapters for the escalation to the murder. Chapter 1 begins the lead-in that led to the special event and continues through the investigation to conclusion. All the transitions flow naturally even at the timing of the "scene of the crime" there is no repeat of the details previously provided in the "Prologue" and the story continues fluidly.
I also enjoyed the protagonist as DeeDee was given a very level and natural personality from the excitement of the opportunities of her fresh start to the moments of anxiety in the multiple changes in her life all beginning simultaneously even though they were of her own creation. DeeDee is someone that one would like to have as a friend and/or hire as a caterer.
I've been fascinated by the Iditarod Race since a family member was the volunteer (actually only one in the group that volunteered) for a short sled ride during a tour in Alaska. I loved the aspects of the story that created the opportunity for DeeDee to own a husky. The weave of the Iditarod and husky dogs rescued from Alaska woven into the story captivated my attention especially when DeeDee and Balto were walking or playing catch on the beach. This addition to the story also brought lovely memories of a former neighbor who owned a Siberian Husky. Huskies are beautiful animals.
DeeDee is a great amateur sleuth without endlessly mulling over question after question during her private time that is often very annoying in a cozy. Due to the timing of the murder it was also possible for DeeDee to take on the investigator role without leaving her business unattended. Another frequent annoyance in a cozy is how often the new entrepreneur leaves their new business in charge of recently hired employees to go sleuthing about town.
A terrific opener of the "Northwest Mystery" series. I'm looking forward to spending more time with DeeDee, Balto, and another character that will surely make more appearances in this series.
I really enjoyed multiple aspects of this cozy. One delight was a "Prologue" providing the special event where the murder occurred rather than waiting multiple chapters for the escalation to the murder. Chapter 1 begins the lead-in that led to the special event and continues through the investigation to conclusion. All the transitions flow naturally even at the timing of the "scene of the crime" there is no repeat of the details previously provided in the "Prologue" and the story continues fluidly.
I also enjoyed the protagonist as DeeDee was given a very level and natural personality from the excitement of the opportunities of her fresh start to the moments of anxiety in the multiple changes in her life all beginning simultaneously even though they were of her own creation. DeeDee is someone that one would like to have as a friend and/or hire as a caterer.
I've been fascinated by the Iditarod Race since a family member was the volunteer (actually only one in the group that volunteered) for a short sled ride during a tour in Alaska. I loved the aspects of the story that created the opportunity for DeeDee to own a husky. The weave of the Iditarod and husky dogs rescued from Alaska woven into the story captivated my attention especially when DeeDee and Balto were walking or playing catch on the beach. This addition to the story also brought lovely memories of a former neighbor who owned a Siberian Husky. Huskies are beautiful animals.
DeeDee is a great amateur sleuth without endlessly mulling over question after question during her private time that is often very annoying in a cozy. Due to the timing of the murder it was also possible for DeeDee to take on the investigator role without leaving her business unattended. Another frequent annoyance in a cozy is how often the new entrepreneur leaves their new business in charge of recently hired employees to go sleuthing about town.
A terrific opener of the "Northwest Mystery" series. I'm looking forward to spending more time with DeeDee, Balto, and another character that will surely make more appearances in this series.
August 9, 2018
I don't generally read "cozy" mysteries and I know why if this is an example. Fortunately, I didn't pay for this book but downloaded it because I've lived on Bainbridge Island for almost 30 years and thought a "murder" happening here would be interesting. There is absolutely nothing in this book that makes this "murder" unique to Bainbridge Island. The story could've taken place anywhere. The lovely cover doesn't even show a Washington State Ferry. While I understand that a particular store might not be mentioned in the book, there was no reference to 305, Madison, Island Center, Winslow Mall, Winslow Green, Erickson, Waterfront Park, Frog Rock, Fay Bainbridge Park - places and streets here on Bainbridge. The author clearly didn't do any research because there is no printing store "near the library" and the street looking out from our local "Starbucks" located on High School Road has very little foot traffic. I was not impressed with this author's writing or the reason for the murder.
July 31, 2019
I was excited to see this book on Amazon and looking forward to reading it. I totally expected to love it and I really tried to love it. However, I found it very disappointing. The characters were not complex or well fleshed out. The whole book was very predictable. I was intrigued by the caterer/detective/clueless suspect aspect because I love the Goldie the Caterer books so much. This is no Goldie book. I know this is fiction, but really, DeeDee just decides on the spur of the moment that she is going to start a catering business and BOOM she is in the catering business. The characters were not believable and there were too many that were not well described that I started not caring who was who or who the murderer was! The fact that it was located in the Northwest was interesting because I thought there would be something unique or, at least, some beautiful scenery described. Nope. Could have happened in my own state or yours. I would not recommend this book really. If you want a good caterer mystery, stick with Goldie.
July 16, 2017
This was a short novel, easy to read, and it was a fun book. Good part is you did not know who the culprit was till near the end. A good start for a series. It is basically about Deedee who ends up being divorced and deciding to head back to her parents home, start up a catering business, and adopt a dog within a few days. She also gets a new boyfriend in the process. However, on her first catering event near the end where she is about to serve the sundae's a person dies and so she must solve who did this in order to save her new business.
June 27, 2022
Definitely a cozy. If you are wanting short, fast reads, this one serves that person. This one may have people going through divorces and wanting revenge in the business world and relationships, but none of it seems dark and angsty like many of today's mystery series. Our MC's going through the whole divorce, moving, starting a new business, meeting a new guy, AND being the last to see the murdered party, all feels pretty familiar to many of us. Well, except for the murdered person bit...
I enjoyed this light fare enough to read the next in the series.
Includes recipes at the end.
I enjoyed this light fare enough to read the next in the series.
Includes recipes at the end.
March 22, 2019
Very nice
Keeps you guessing until the end. Great characters. Look forward to reading more, and getting to know them as they evolve.
Keeps you guessing until the end. Great characters. Look forward to reading more, and getting to know them as they evolve.
May 19, 2020
This was an interesting mystery, makes me want to visit Bainbridge Island. I enjoyed the way the potential killer's point of views were incorporated in the story.
March 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book. This is the first book in a new series, I must admit I have heard later books so it was fun to go back and see how it all came about. The story starts with the murder and then goes back in time to explain why Dee Dee was catering the event (so all good background information for the series) and to give you motives and suspects as to why Lisa Sanders needed to die. I did work out the killer and how Dee Dee was going to work it out (a bit to obvious a clue) but it was still a lot of fun getting there. There is also a cute dog and likeable characters in the form of Dee Dee and Jake.
After her divorce and with her grown children having left the nest Dee Dee decides to start her life over by moving to her family home she inherited after her parents death, start a new catering business and get a dog. But things go wrong on her very first job and one of the guests is killed. It is quickly proved that her cooking wasn't the cause but Dee Dee fearing that the bad publicity of a death at her event would be bad for business, especially of such a famous art gallery owner, that she takes matters into her own hands and starts to investigate. Aided by her new dog Balto and the man who sold him to her, who is also a private investigator can they narrow down the suspects and find the killer?
The narrator was good and kept the story exciting and flowing nicely.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
After her divorce and with her grown children having left the nest Dee Dee decides to start her life over by moving to her family home she inherited after her parents death, start a new catering business and get a dog. But things go wrong on her very first job and one of the guests is killed. It is quickly proved that her cooking wasn't the cause but Dee Dee fearing that the bad publicity of a death at her event would be bad for business, especially of such a famous art gallery owner, that she takes matters into her own hands and starts to investigate. Aided by her new dog Balto and the man who sold him to her, who is also a private investigator can they narrow down the suspects and find the killer?
The narrator was good and kept the story exciting and flowing nicely.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 15, 2019
I really enjoy reading the Cedar Bay Mystery series by Dianne Harman, so when this Northwest Mystery #1 was offered for free, I downloaded it to read immediately. The Prologue jumps right into main character DeeDee Wilson catering a party for people in the artist realm. Someone is found dead and DeeDee thinks that it's the end of her newly started business.
Suddenly the story jumps to DeeDee selling, and moving out of, her beloved home (divorced her hubby after catching him cheating), moving to Bainbridge Island, telling folks she is starting a catering business without even planning on it before hand. Talk about bingo - bango - boom! Suddenly, again, chapter 12 and we're back to the murder scene; DeeDee is determined to solve the murder and clear her catering business' name which isn't even mentioned in the papers.
Sorry, but I had a difficult time keeping up with so many characters and their roles in the art world. With main character DeeDee, I just did not like her; the only aspects of her personality that I was drawn to was that she could cook and loved dogs. Aside from that, yeah, this series is just not for me.
Suddenly the story jumps to DeeDee selling, and moving out of, her beloved home (divorced her hubby after catching him cheating), moving to Bainbridge Island, telling folks she is starting a catering business without even planning on it before hand. Talk about bingo - bango - boom! Suddenly, again, chapter 12 and we're back to the murder scene; DeeDee is determined to solve the murder and clear her catering business' name which isn't even mentioned in the papers.
Sorry, but I had a difficult time keeping up with so many characters and their roles in the art world. With main character DeeDee, I just did not like her; the only aspects of her personality that I was drawn to was that she could cook and loved dogs. Aside from that, yeah, this series is just not for me.
January 1, 2024
Murder on Bainbridge Island by Dianne Harman was exactly what I needed! I just read two intense books, Liz Cheney’s Oath and Honor, and Mao’s America by Xi Van Fleet, and I needed a breath of fresh air book. This wasn’t a very long book, but enough of a mystery to keep me engaged, and as I was reading I thought I’d like this to be a series with DeeDee and Jake continuing to solve cases together because their case discussing chemistry was good. As a special treat, at the end of the book there’s a salmon recipe with some side dishes, a tie in to the catering business DeeDee had started. I like salmon so I’ll give it a try. I love the setting of the novel on Bainbridge Island just off Seattle’s coast. I always loved the San Juan Islands, and anytime I find a mystery from that neck of the woods, I’m drawn to it. The other plus is DeeDee adopts a husky, and we have one in the family so I’m fond of husky characters in books, and enjoyed the one in Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London I read a few months ago. I may just snatch up a few more of these Diane Herman books for New Year’s Day, as I’m not eager to get back to intense books too quickly!
April 19, 2024
This cozy little mystery book will satisfy those who like an easy read, and nothing too deep.
The story is centered around the Pacific Northwest locations of Seattle and Bainbridge Island, and as a local this was interesting to me. I felt like the murder suspects were introduced as possible candidates way too early in the story line, and then later on, their reason for being a possible suspect was repeated.
The main protagonist Dee Dee, while moving to the island to start a new life and a new catering business, sure seemed to have a lot of extra time on her hands in order to run around and question everyone. Her new man, Jake the private detective, just seems to sit on his hands most of the time.
The dialogue can get cheesy at times and there's a "Hallmark" element that can seem cringe worthy, but if you want to read a quick little mystery by a one time local author, this is okay.
The story is centered around the Pacific Northwest locations of Seattle and Bainbridge Island, and as a local this was interesting to me. I felt like the murder suspects were introduced as possible candidates way too early in the story line, and then later on, their reason for being a possible suspect was repeated.
The main protagonist Dee Dee, while moving to the island to start a new life and a new catering business, sure seemed to have a lot of extra time on her hands in order to run around and question everyone. Her new man, Jake the private detective, just seems to sit on his hands most of the time.
The dialogue can get cheesy at times and there's a "Hallmark" element that can seem cringe worthy, but if you want to read a quick little mystery by a one time local author, this is okay.
September 3, 2017
Island murder mystery
Exciting new cozy series. Dee Dee is making a new life for herself on Bainbridge Island, off the coast of Seattle, following an unpleasant divorce. New beginnings include a new home, new friends, new catering business, new relationship, and a new furry friend, Balto. Just when things seem to be taking off for her, a murder takes place at a dinner party she's catering. While not a suspect, this could negatively impact her new business, so she's desperate to find the murderer. With a little help from her new friend, Jake, a private investigator and some old friends and contacts in the Seattle art world, she's in full sleuth mode. Love the characters, the beautiful settings, and the murder mystery. Easy, light, but enjoyable read. Ready to begin the next in series.
Exciting new cozy series. Dee Dee is making a new life for herself on Bainbridge Island, off the coast of Seattle, following an unpleasant divorce. New beginnings include a new home, new friends, new catering business, new relationship, and a new furry friend, Balto. Just when things seem to be taking off for her, a murder takes place at a dinner party she's catering. While not a suspect, this could negatively impact her new business, so she's desperate to find the murderer. With a little help from her new friend, Jake, a private investigator and some old friends and contacts in the Seattle art world, she's in full sleuth mode. Love the characters, the beautiful settings, and the murder mystery. Easy, light, but enjoyable read. Ready to begin the next in series.
October 27, 2018
Good Read
I enjoyed the characters and the setting. There were two unfinished areas - Dee Dee didn't get her pan back, which I really can't see happening since Marlene would want to know what brought her there, and along with that she never got paid for the job. There was also one unrealistic part to the story - I really can't see Jake sending Dee Dee out to check out suspects. Nope. I could see her going on her own without him agreeing or knowing, but an investigator or detective sending anyone else to do this is unreasonable and even dangerous, even with a gun or dog to protect them.
Lastly, naming the dog Balto? Hmmm, reminds me of another Balto in a kids movie. Either mention the movie connection or find another name. Hehehe
Other than that, I enjoyed your book.
I enjoyed the characters and the setting. There were two unfinished areas - Dee Dee didn't get her pan back, which I really can't see happening since Marlene would want to know what brought her there, and along with that she never got paid for the job. There was also one unrealistic part to the story - I really can't see Jake sending Dee Dee out to check out suspects. Nope. I could see her going on her own without him agreeing or knowing, but an investigator or detective sending anyone else to do this is unreasonable and even dangerous, even with a gun or dog to protect them.
Lastly, naming the dog Balto? Hmmm, reminds me of another Balto in a kids movie. Either mention the movie connection or find another name. Hehehe
Other than that, I enjoyed your book.
July 15, 2017
Disappointing. To begin with, this book is quite short, at less than 150 pages. Then the potential suspects are all revealed in short chapters from their own POV, with each of them plotting to commit the murder. The story begins with the actual murder, then goes back and follows the protagonist as she moves from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and sets up her new catering business there. Along the way she makes new friends, which include Jake, a private investigator, who helps her when she decides she must investigate the murder to keep her business from going under. It was, however, interesting to read an book set in an area with which I am quite familiar. However, the author makes it sound like there is no way off Bainbridge Island except by ferry, which is inaccurate.
May 3, 2020
DeeDee Wilson has recently been divorced, and she moves to her parent's old house on Bainbridge Island. She buys a dog from Jake, and they become friends. She needs a job, and decides to open a catering business. She soon gets asked to do a dinner for the Seattle Arts Center head Marlene Palmer. As DeeDee is fixing the desserts, she hears a commotion in the yard, and finds that one of the guests, a Seattle Gallery owner, is dead.
The police arrive, but fortunately for DeeDee, Jake is right behind, since the police first think it must be food poisoning. To save her business, DeeDee must find the killer. However, she didn't realize the killer would also find her!
The police arrive, but fortunately for DeeDee, Jake is right behind, since the police first think it must be food poisoning. To save her business, DeeDee must find the killer. However, she didn't realize the killer would also find her!
July 3, 2025
I must admit...I didn't choose this book to read...it chose me!! First, it was a novel about the Seattle area (my home town for over 50 years). When I learned the main character's name is DeeDee Wilson, I HAD to read it as I went to high school with a DeeDee Wilson!! I loved Ms. Harman's personal knowledge of Seattle and Bainbridge Island (although the name of the downtown Farmers' Market is Pike Place Market...not Pike's Place market). The bones of an intriguing and complex crime story was present, the actual story was very thin with almost no 'flesh' to speak of. It's a quick read and an easily solved mystery but lacking depth and texture.
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