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Carpet Diem

(A Tallie Graver Mystery #4)

Misty Simon (Goodreads Author)

4.39 · Rating details · 62 ratings · 50 reviews

Live and let dust . . .

Now that Tallie Graver’s cleaning business is starting to shine, she’s ready to go squeegee to squeegee against Audra McNeal for a major contract at the Astercromb mansion. Tallie’s not afraid of a little friendly competition from the new cleaner in town. In fact, Tallie likes Audra, though she wonders how her glamorous rival manages to clean house ...more

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Paperback, 304 pages

Published September 24th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

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Lists with This Book

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Cozy Mysteries 2019 New Releases

181 books — 78 voters

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· 62 ratings · 50 reviews

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Start your review of Carpet Diem (A Tallie Graver Mystery #4)

Oct 09, 2019 Carrie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Carpet Diem by Misty Simon is the fourth book in the cozy A Tallie Graver Mystery series. Each book in the series features it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so or in any order. Of course though there are details to the story and characters that carry over book to book so it’s always best to enjoy the series from the beginning.

Tallulah Graver never wanted to go into the family business of running the Graver Funeral Home. Instead ...more

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Aug 20, 2019 Shelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

This is a great cozy. There are likable characters, realistic dialogue and an fun plot with twists and turns. When the book ended found myself wanting more of the Tallie Graver mysteries. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

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Sep 23, 2019 Jerri Cachero rated it it was amazing

Who knew vying for a cleaning contract could lead to murder? Tallie Graver is on the hunt for a murderer without being the next victim! When a cleaning competitor is murdered, the one-time society wife is determined to bring the killer to justice.

Tallie, one my favorite down to earth and practical sleuths, has her hands full - vying for a contract, deciding whether or not to follow her dream of opening a tea shop and the wonderful opportunity of having Max spend a whole month with her, Mr. ...more

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Aug 18, 2019 Peggy R rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-craving-for-cozies-challenge, arc, 2019-goodreads-reading-challenge, cozy-mystery-books, netgalley

Misty Simon has crafted a very enjoyable cozy mystery series and this 4th book continues that tradition. Tallie Graver is a fun character. She is easily likable and the author has done a great job in 4 books of growing and developing Tallie on a personal level. She is surrounded by a wonderful cast of secondary characters that include her parents, brother, best friend and her mother, the town sheriff and her boyfriend, Max. I like how Ms. Simon has also developed and grown the relationship ...more

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Aug 08, 2019 Rima Aiello rated it it was amazing

This series is so much fun, and I think this book was the best one yet! I adore Tallie, she is all over the place yet grounded. The fact that the author can depict her like that speaks volume for the writing. I love how everything has progressed character wise as well. The mystery was perfectly done, with just enough of a curve ball at the end to make you scratch your head. A wonderful series and an awesome new part of it!

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Aug 09, 2019 Jane rated it really liked it

This was a great read. I could never guess who the killer was until the very end. Well-crafted mystery, engaging storyline and wonderful characters. I enjoyed the banter between the main character Tallie Graver and Burton, Chief of police. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Misty Simon, NetGalley, and Kensington for an ARC of this book.

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Nov 09, 2019 Kirsti rated it liked it

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Now I read a whole heap of cozy, but there is always something inherently easy about them; they are easy to fall into, easy to like characters, and we always get a resolution. There are no cliffhangers in cozy. I like to think I'm a good judge of them too, with at least experience. What makes this book fall down slightly is the extremely complicated plot, with Tallie dashing this way and that and constantly changing her ...more

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Jun 28, 2019 Vicky rated it really liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery

Tallie Graver has done it again. Okay, for those of you who are not familiar with the Tallie Graver cozy mysteries, Tallie is a 30-something woman who was once rich and now works as a cleaning lady for the same rich folks she used to pal around with. She lives in a tiny studio apartment over the funeral home her family owns—along with a St. Bernard, an uppity cat, and, on occasion, her boyfriend Max. When Tallie divorced her rich husband, she took on the role of squeegee queen. She now has built Tallie Graver has done it again. Okay, for those of you who are not familiar with the Tallie Graver cozy mysteries, Tallie is a 30-something woman who was once rich and now works as a cleaning lady for the same rich folks she used to pal around with. She lives in a tiny studio apartment over the funeral home her family owns—along with a St. Bernard, an uppity cat, and, on occasion, her boyfriend Max. When Tallie divorced her rich husband, she took on the role of squeegee queen. She now has built a reputation as an honest—and good—cleaner and has a crew of women working for her. She is quirky and fun and adding a little bit of romance to the mystery only ups the intrigue.

Like most cozy mysteries, this one is set in a small town where everyone knows everyone and think they know everything. But it is really Tallie who has all the info. Well, almost. In this one, she relies on Max to help her dig up the dirt on the possible perpetrators. That, in addition to the gossip queen (friend Gina’s mother!) and other sources, Tallie starts putting together the pieces of this puzzle.

In this one, Tallie is helping the local chief of police, Burton, figure out who killed the woman rolled up in the carpet in the dumpster. But nothing is coming together. There are too many clues—and not enough. Both Burton and Tallie are frustrated. But things do come together in the end.

I love these stories, but the end of this one felt a little rushed to me. I couldn’t figure a couple things out (like how everyone knew Tallie was in trouble and how they all got to where she was). That’s the only reason for the half-sparkler off. But you have to try the recipe for snickerdoodles that is included. Yummy cookies!

If you’re a cozy-mystery lover, take a look at the Tallie Graver mysteries. Each book is a stand-alone, but I’d start with the first one (Deceased and Desist) just so you know what’s going on in Tallie’s life and the background on some of the people. It’s not absolutely necessary, but it is a good idea.

I definitely recommend these books.

Note: I received this ARC free from the author for a true and honest review.

Also noted: Misty is a friend of mine, but the review is honest and I still recommend the books.

Vicky 6/26/19
...more

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Sep 10, 2019 FMSWarrior rated it really liked it

Tallie Graver runs a cleaning business in town and solves mysteries in her spare time. When she is up against a friend for a big job cleaning a bnch of old houses the owner is looking to sell, she and her rival each need to clean a room in the old Astercromb mansion to see who will win the business. Quickly Tallie realizes the cards have been stacked against her and the owner tells her that she has lost the opportunity. Fuming, Tallie leaves the house and her tools behind.

Going back to the ...more

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Oct 21, 2019 Theresa Larson rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-mysteries, netgalley, cozy-mystery

Tallie Graver’s cleaning business has grown to the point that she now has a cleaning crew working for her. This has allowed her to take on more and bigger jobs. When a large job becomes available, Tallie knows that her and her crew are up to the task. This job involves cleaning a mansion for Mrs. Petrovski, a very rich but condescending member of the elite community. Tallie will not just be given this job though. She has to compete for it against the new girl in town, Audra. Tallie has her work Tallie Graver’s cleaning business has grown to the point that she now has a cleaning crew working for her. This has allowed her to take on more and bigger jobs. When a large job becomes available, Tallie knows that her and her crew are up to the task. This job involves cleaning a mansion for Mrs. Petrovski, a very rich but condescending member of the elite community. Tallie will not just be given this job though. She has to compete for it against the new girl in town, Audra. Tallie has her work cut out for her because it turns out that the mansion job is even bigger than she imagined, and she is butting heads with Mrs. Petrovski’s nephew, who doesn’t seem to want her to win the contract. Thanks in part to his sabotaging, Tallie loses the contract. She returns later that night to get some of her cleaning supplies she has left behind. What she finds when she gets there though is Audra’s body in the dumpster. Tallie decides she must find out who killed Audra because she was just starting to call Audra a friend. Tallie’s determination is clear when she says, “I’m in full amateur-sleuth mode at the moment. Perpetrators, watch out!”

Each book in this series gets better and better. I believe that one of the reasons for this is the excellent character development. Throughout the series, Tallie grows personally and professionally. Personally, I feel like she comes into her own in this installment. She no longer feels like just Waldo’s ex-wife, and a fallen from the upper echelon victim. She is comfortable with who she and where she is at. She even begins to realize she has gained some respect in the community. Her relationship with Burton really changes in this story. Tallie becomes aware that she was stepping on Burton’s toes, and while she really wants to help, she doesn’t want to do that anymore. Burton in turn comes to realize that Tallie is able to bring helpful information to the table. Tallie’s relationship with Max also changes, but I’ll let you read the novel to see what’s in store with these two.

The mystery itself is well crafted. The author is very skillful in that nothing seems to be exactly how it first appears. With the pieces seeming to constantly change shape, Tallie is kept on her toes while trying to piece this puzzle together. While clues are sprinkled throughout the novel, they are cleverly murky and leave the reader just as puzzled as Tallie. The mystery keeps you guessing all the way until the end. The ending is very gratifying.

This is a fun, page-turning mystery that cozy mystery readers will love. While the book could be read as a stand alone novel, I think reading the previous books will give you a better take on the characters. I’m hoping there will be another book in this series.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Book for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #CarpetDiem ...more

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Aug 11, 2019 Lisa Morin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite, favorite-cozy-mysteries, pet-lovers, favorite-fiction, netgalley, favorite-author, cozy-mystery-top-50, favorite-female-protagonist

Misty Simon has done it again with her newest book, Carpet Diem.
Tallie Gravers is a fun, exuberant character, who is very easy to love.
Tallie is still putting her life back together after a disastrous first marriage. Working at her family's funeral home isn't really her ideal job, but she isn't sure of exactly what she wants to do.
Her boyfriend Max is extremely supportive and is willing to do most anything to keep her happy.
When she has the opportunity to land a big job cleaning houses, she is ...more

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Nov 25, 2019 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Can I start a review by stating how much I love really well written characters? Cause I love the character writing in this book. The mystery is good but man characterization take front stage. I really enjoyed getting to know them all even though this is a book in the middle of a series and I just started reading it. I have already picked up the others in the series. Thank you so much.

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Sep 24, 2019 J.C. McKenzie rated it it was amazing

Tallie goes head to head with cleaning rival, Audra McNeal, for a job, but it’s clear right away the odds aren’t in Tallie’s favour...until the competition turns up dead. Tallie once again struggles to stay out of the investigation, and fails...again!

Misty Simon has delivered a wonderfully complex and enjoyable cozy mystery for this reader’s delight. I didn’t think she could top the first Tallie book I read, yet she has, further developing each character so they feel so real and relatable, they ...more

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Sep 06, 2019 The Kawaii Slartibartfast rated it really liked it

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cracking good mystery! I appreciated the characters and the mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading this series from the beginning.

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Aug 10, 2019 Valerie rated it really liked it

Wow, what a story. Very unique storyline. the characters, jobs and living arrangements are interesting and make this book very different from most cozy mysteries. I can't wait to read more. #CarpetDiem #NetGalley

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Oct 05, 2019 Mary rated it it was amazing

Tallie Graver is at it again in this 4th installment of this mystery series. Max (her boyfriend who lives in DC) is in town and they are on the town to see a play (which she won tickets for) when she runs into Preston a member of her ex-husbands uppity circle who never liked Tallie. He is rude and condescending, however, Tallie needs to play nice as his Aunt is currently bidding out the cleaning for her mansion and a couple of other properties she is selling. Audra who is new to town and someone Tallie Graver is at it again in this 4th installment of this mystery series. Max (her boyfriend who lives in DC) is in town and they are on the town to see a play (which she won tickets for) when she runs into Preston a member of her ex-husbands uppity circle who never liked Tallie. He is rude and condescending, however, Tallie needs to play nice as his Aunt is currently bidding out the cleaning for her mansion and a couple of other properties she is selling. Audra who is new to town and someone Tallie thinks she can be friends with and is the other cleaner bidding on the jobs. Tallie was given access to take pictures but since she is at the play she sends one of her employees but the pictures don't come thru. So the next day Tallie and Audra are basically in a clean-off for the job and Tallie is doing a great job when she sees cobwebs and runs out to get her feather duster. When she returns the room in shambles and Preston is there with his Aunt and Tallie is sent packing. Furious that she lost due to sabotage she returns to the mansion to get her cleaning supplies and vacuum. The vacuum has been thrown in the dumpster and when Tallie is inside the dumpster she finds the body of Audra rolled up in carpet. Just as she is calling the police someone comes to take the dumpster and she has to stop them. Burton (the chief of police) and her cousin Matt arrive on the scene and they tell Tallie to butt out of the investigation. Max is assigned a job nearby and will be with Tallie for the next month so she does not want to investigate but she was beginning to think of Audra as a friend and wants justice for her. Burton and his team are overworked and understaffed so she does some sleuthing while she is helping out at the funeral home etc. She finds out Audra has been bad mouthing her around town and trying to steal her clients and it appears she has some connection to Preston as well. This was a good solid cozy and I do like Tallie and her friends. Her sleuthing this time really was not outrageous and she was sharing all her info with Burton. Looking forward to the next in this series. Definitely recommend. ...more

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Sep 29, 2019 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-craving-for-cozies-challenge

Just one more chapter and I will go to bed......and I didn't take my own advice. I kept on reading way past my bed time. I have read the previous three books in this series and I should know better than to limit my reading time that way. Tallie is one of my favorite characters. She is divorced and her life style has gone from high society to making a new start in the house cleaning business. Now, in the fourth mystery Tallie gets mixed up in, her life is progressing pretty well. Her business is Just one more chapter and I will go to bed......and I didn't take my own advice. I kept on reading way past my bed time. I have read the previous three books in this series and I should know better than to limit my reading time that way. Tallie is one of my favorite characters. She is divorced and her life style has gone from high society to making a new start in the house cleaning business. Now, in the fourth mystery Tallie gets mixed up in, her life is progressing pretty well. Her business is doing well, she has a very nice boyfriend and she is thinking of starting another business. She gets along with her family who own the Graver Funeral Home. Living over the shop and driving a hearse part time helps with the expenses. Now the chance comes to bid on a big cleaning contract for the Astercomb mansion and there are only two in competition for the job. The other woman vying for the gig is Audra and Tallie likes her - until she realizes that the playing field isn't level and Audra is the winner. The 'contest' was for each woman to clean a room and then be judged on the results. Tallie leaves in haste, leaving her tools behind so she has to return for them. She sure didn't think she'd find Audra dead and rolled up in a carpet, tossed in the dumpster.
One thing leads to another as Tallie sets out to find out who would want such a nice person dead...but was Audra as nice as Tallie thought? Not at all and, joining with Burton, the chief of police, she starts investigating. Fortunately her boyfriend Max is back in town and he lends a hand to her search for the killer. Family and friends all add their help in one way or the other. They are people I would love to hang out with.
Each book in the series stands alone but if they are read in order Tallie's recovery from her divorce and the reinventing of herself has more impact. As for the mystery, the clues are there as are the twists and red herrings. I guessed wrong.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. ...more

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Jul 31, 2019 Abby Fabian rated it really liked it

Tallie is a very likeable character that has gone through a lot of personal growth. A static character she is not! Tallie's work ethic is strong and makes the reader admire her even more. It was touching to see how much she cared about the women she employs in her cleaning crew. She willingly puts up with a simply horrible property owner because she wants to not only support her crew, but also make them proud. Her relationship with Max, her boyfriend, is very sweet and it's wonderful to see her ...more

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Sep 24, 2019 Cozy Cat Reviews rated it it was amazing

This is the 4th Tallie Graver Mystery by author Misty Simon. I enjoy this series and have read it since the beginning. I recommend this cozy series for your reading enjoyment. This is a fun series that is written very smart with well crafted sleuths and likable charcters I enjoy knowing about. I love the protagnist Tallie who is smart, hard working and has a great sense of humor.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My review opinions are my own.

Tallie Garver has a cleaning ...more

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Oct 13, 2019 Susan Johnston rated it it was amazing

Princess Fuzzypants here: Tallie Graver’s cleaning business is booming, her love life is going well and she is up for a big contract that could mean more growth. That is unless one of her nemesis from her days in the Social Register does not torpedo her chances with his aunt for the contract. He not only doesn’t want to help her, he is determined to see the contract goes to her competitor. When said competitor ends up dead in a dumpster the contract goes to Tallie. While she is not a suspect and ...more

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Oct 18, 2019 Toni rated it really liked it

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Tallie Graver mystery series by Misty Simon. This is my first foray into this cleaner mystery series and I am sure it will not be my last. I am continually amazed at how many avenues there are in the cozy mystery genre. Your character can have any job and you can make it all seem so plausible and wonderful.

I felt bad for Tallie when she was vying for the cleaning job of a big mansion but it seemed everyone was against her and even sabotaged her efforts. ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Sandra rated it it was amazing

Carpet Diem by Misty Simon is the fourth installment in A Tallie Graver Mystery series.

Ms. Simon has managed to create a likable, fun and completely relatable heroine. Tallie is an average woman fallen on hard times after her divorce and she has opened up cleaning service while somehow managing to stumble on dead bodies.

In this particular book, Tallie is doing good, she is even competing for a very lucrative cleaning job, she is surrounded by her loving family and friend and even her love life ...more

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Aug 15, 2019 Amary Chapman rated it it was amazing

Tallie Graver is making a new life after divorcing her ex-husband, back in her hometown. Driving a hearse in the family business and starting up her own cleaning company keeps her busy, but not too busy for her boyfriend Max.
Unhappy about running into the nasty friend of her ex, Preston, she's even more unhappy when he intrudes upon the job she's trying to bid....and ruins her cleaned room, one that was to determine who got the contract.
When she finds the body of her winning competitor for the ...more

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Sep 08, 2019 Karen Hollins-Stallman rated it really liked it

Shelves: net-galley-arc

“Carpet Diem” is the 4th entry in the “Tallie Graver Mysteries” by Misty Simon. Even though this is the first book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed it and practically read in one sitting and have since purchased the other books in the series.

Live and let dust . . .

Now that Tallie Graver’s cleaning business is starting to shine, she’s ready to go squeegee to squeegee against Audra McNeal for a major contract at the ...more

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Jun 28, 2019 Ann rated it really liked it

Now that Tallie Graver’s cleaning business is starting to shine, she’s ready to go squeegee to squeegee against Audra McNeal for a major contract at the Astercromb mansion. Tallie’s not afraid of a little friendly competition from the new cleaner in town. In fact, Tallie likes Audra, though she wonders how her glamorous rival manages to clean house and maintain her fancy manicure. Tallie has her rubber-gloves full staying one step ahead of her nemesis. Until she finds a well-polished hand poking ...more

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Aug 30, 2019 Homerun2 rated it liked it

Shelves: first-reads, series-in-limbo

3.5 stars

This is the fourth entry in the Tallie Graver mystery series, a pleasant and undemanding read. Tallie is continuing to make a new life for herself after divorcing a rich husband and losing her social position and creature comforts. She has moved home and lives upstairs in her family's funeral parlor while running a cleaning business on the side.

In this outing, Tallie is competing for a contract to clean a mansion, when her competitor is found dead. Tallie had considered this woman a ...more

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Sep 24, 2019 Laura rated it it was amazing

Tallie Graver is working agaiinst Audra McNeal for a major cleaning contract at Astercomb Mansion. Tallie is not afraid of competition, especially since she likes Audra. But when they get to work she finds Audra dead, rolled up in a carpet.

The murder means Tallie gets the job, but she's determined to find out who killed Audra, before she herself meets a nasty ending.

Tight writing, expert plotting, and fun characters make this book a true winner. I love the way the story unfolded, from beginning ...more

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Oct 26, 2019 Annie rated it really liked it

I love Tallie, she's one of the funniest and most fun amateur sleuths in cosy mystery-land! She asks great questions, has solid relationships with her friends and family, who are always (un)willing to help her figure it out, and has a job she loves and which puts her in a perfect position to be able to find bodies.

This time it's the body of another cleaner vying for a very big job in town. Audra was on her way to becoming both a friend and rival in Tallie's house cleaning world. Who would want ...more

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Sep 21, 2019 Kathleen Gray rated it it was amazing

Tallie's worked hard to get where she is after her divorce. She works part time for her family's funeral home but more importantly, she's got her own cleaning business. She thinks she's made a friend in Audra, who is a competitor but who's also been nice to her. Regrettably, she not only loses a job thanks to a rotten friend of her loathsome ex, she also (yikes) finds Audra's body. Working with Burton, the police chief, and her band of merry friends and family (including her boyfriend Max), ...more

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Sep 01, 2019 Maureen rated it really liked it

Tallie Graver is settling into her life as part cleaner, part boss, and part-time helper at her father's funeral home. But she's not sure what she wants to be when she "grows up." Should she become a private investigator? Because she keeps finding herself in the middle of murders and mysteries, much to the annoyance of the local police force and the concern of her boyfriend.

This was a fast-paced, easy read. Tallie comes off as having a bit of an anger management issue at the beginning but ...more

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