I enjoyed this series in the beginning. The whole notion of the Southern librarian with the Maine Coon cat who solves mysteries worked. However, theI enjoyed this series in the beginning. The whole notion of the Southern librarian with the Maine Coon cat who solves mysteries worked. However, the awful truth about The Pawful Truth for me is that I was bored silly through most of it. It had a good mystery at the core, but there was so much repetition and focus on the food and grandkids that the real mystery got lost. There's cozy and then there's way too cozy for my tastes. ...more
**spoiler alert** The book had a lot of potential and started off well, but went off the rails in the end.
Victoria's young cousin Penny wants to use**spoiler alert** The book had a lot of potential and started off well, but went off the rails in the end.
Victoria's young cousin Penny wants to use her property for a wedding reception. That's put on hold when a body is found hanging in her cellar. When the odious groom Rocco finds out that his fiance is penniless, he calls off the wedding completely.
While parts of the novel that describe the town and the wonderful setting are enjoyable, going through the long list of people intent on murdering Rocco is not. Everyone wants the man dead. Many chapters are spent explaining in detail not only how they're going to kill him but why.
The ending is ludicrous and totally unrealistic. It's a big disappointment because I like the main character, but not this particular plot that was more like a mob story than a cozy one....more
**spoiler alert** Cleo is a senior librarian whose library has been storm damaged. She's fighting against a mayor who wants the library funds to start**spoiler alert** Cleo is a senior librarian whose library has been storm damaged. She's fighting against a mayor who wants the library funds to start a fishing resort. When she enlists a local eccentric for her campaign, things don't go well. He's murdered and her best friend is arrested. It's up to her to find the real killer and save her library at the same time.
I liked Cleo, but many of the characters weren't developed enough. It's only the first book in the series, so I'm hoping she'll flesh out those people and bring the town to life more....more
**spoiler alert** Krista Davis is one of my favorite cozy writers. Both her Diva and Paws & Claws mystery series are delightful reading. COLOR ME**spoiler alert** Krista Davis is one of my favorite cozy writers. Both her Diva and Paws & Claws mystery series are delightful reading. COLOR ME MURDER is the first in a new series and she hits the ground running. Florrie manages a bookstore for a wealthy man who just happens to have a carriage house on his property. He begs Florrie to move in, paying no rent, just to keep his nasty nephew out. The cottage is everything she's dreamed about and it even has its own private garden. For an artist it's heaven. She draws adult coloring books and the new place will offer all kinds of inspiration.
However, as soon as she's there, the trouble begins. She's dropped right into a family conflict and then a murder. She never stops believing in her boss's innocence even though the police have him locked up and aren't even looking for other suspects. Only when her own life is threatened does it look to others like she might be right. There really is a killer still running around free.
If you're looking for realism, forget it. This book is not a gritty crime novel. It's a cozy with mostly likeable characters, misadventure for the protagonist, but also lucky events and circumstances. I mean, who gets free rent on a lovely cottage? Or who can order up their own security on the boss's dime? Who gets practically adopted by the rich boss? And the coincidence factors involved in the case are off the charts.
Even with all that, it's still a great read. I read it in one sitting. It gets four stars instead of five only because it was a bit predictable in terms of who gets killed and the romance that develops between Florrie and one of the police officers. Otherwise it's a PG delight....more
**spoiler alert** I've enjoyed most of the books in the series, but this one is so slow in the first half that I nearly didn't finish it. It does pick**spoiler alert** I've enjoyed most of the books in the series, but this one is so slow in the first half that I nearly didn't finish it. It does pick up, but how many times can one read about what Charlie and Diesel are having for lunch?
Charlie meets a man who turns out to be his cousin by marriage. He's the illegitimate son of the man who married his aunt, both of whom are now deceased. He's a very quiet, self-effacing man and Charlie feels sorry for him until he finds out his history. Apparently he was the main suspect in the murder of a family decades ago. They never prove he was the killer, but apparently the police didn't have to. Everyone thinks he did it and his life has been miserable since. Someone even tries to run him down in a hit and run. Is it really an accident or someone from his past trying to settle the score?
Meanwhile, Charlie's been contacted by a true crime writer who wants to do a series about Charlie's cases of amateur sleuthing. Charlie mulls that over in his head, and then mulls some more.
Like I said, this is a very slow book. If you like the kind of cozy that puts the case second, has a lot of repetition, lots of meals, lots of trips to the library, lots of goo-gooing over the new grandson, this might hit the spot. If not, it might not be for you....more
**spoiler alert** It's nearing Christmas and Meg's husband is working with an alcoholic as his lead for A Christmas Carol. She's doing her best to**spoiler alert** It's nearing Christmas and Meg's husband is working with an alcoholic as his lead for A Christmas Carol. She's doing her best to keep the guy sober, but isn't having much luck. In her task she comes across an exotic animal trafficking ring and soon stumbles across a murder.
Like most of the books in this series there are dozens of characters and one chaotic situation after another. I've always found this frustrating. I'd much rather the author focus on one main story, but this is the 22nd book in the series and I don't see that happening. Each novel seems more farfetched than the one before it....more
**spoiler alert** I give the cover of the book five stars!! However, I was extremely disappointed by the book. It had all the makings to be a**spoiler alert** I give the cover of the book five stars!! However, I was extremely disappointed by the book. It had all the makings to be a favorite, but it failed miserably. I loved the setting, Reindeer Games Tree Farm right at Christmas and it's snowing. There are a slew of wonderful, and well developed characters. So, what's the problem? The problem is that I could barely stand the protagonist and narrator, Holly White. She pretty much defines the cozy protagonist who's too stupid to live. She acts more like a snotty teenager than a grown woman.
She's left her fiancee and come home after he's cheated on her. She's doing her best to help her parents run the farm during their busiest time to forget her personal woes. When the local historian is murdered, there's no drought of suspects starting with her own father. That's where the trouble starts. Holly starts acting like she's entitled to run amok looking for clues even after being warned not to by the sheriff and threatened personally by who is likely the killer. She doesn't stop even when her parents and their farm is threatened. It's like what's wrong with this woman?
Then there's the whole romantic angle with the sheriff. I don't mind a dash of romance here and there, but she's just been jilted. Is it really fine and dandy that she's got eyes for someone else already?
On the positive side, I did like how good she was with the animals and the atmosphere of the games was fun reading. I just wish Holly had just an ounce of common sense. ...more
Caprise is staging the historic home of Sara and Chris, friends of her father. Sara really doesn't want to sell, but can't seem to convince herCaprise is staging the historic home of Sara and Chris, friends of her father. Sara really doesn't want to sell, but can't seem to convince her husband she wants to stay in the home where she raised her kids. What's his hurry?
There were several things that bothered me about this book.
1. It takes forever to get to the actual mystery and you can easily guess who the murderer is as soon as the person shows up. 2. Caprice gets a little too personally involved in Sara's business, especially after the murder. There's supportive and there's just plain nosy. 3. Caprice it tooth-achingly wholesome and sweet and everything from snowflakes to a children's toy make her think about her true love Grant. There are way, way too many romantic thoughts going on for my taste. Maybe some people like that in their cozy mysteries, but when it overshadows the actual mystery, it's too much. 4. There's too much repetition of the clues. 5. There's a lot of religious judgment going on.
Overall, I gave it a 2 because I do like the dog story line. I just couldn't get into the actual story and characters that much....more
Lucy Stone is a mom and reporter for a small town paper. It's Thanksgiving and she's all in a rush because her oldest son is coming home from college.Lucy Stone is a mom and reporter for a small town paper. It's Thanksgiving and she's all in a rush because her oldest son is coming home from college. She's covering a story about the local Indian group which wants to build a casino. Tempers are high on both sides of the controversial move.
The thing is, the murder is just a thin backdrop because most of the story is in Lucy's mind as she frets about how her son has changed and about her busy life in general. I found myself getting annoyed with her pondering and ended up skimming some of the parts about cooking and cleaning.
I've read a few of this series, but it all comes down to the fact that I don't much care for the main character. ...more
This is probably my favorite holiday book in a long time and it's the best book in the series. Davis has created a whole world in Wagtail, a petThis is probably my favorite holiday book in a long time and it's the best book in the series. Davis has created a whole world in Wagtail, a pet friendly small town in Virginia. It's almost Christmas and Holly is playing elf and delivering presents to the needy each night leading up to Christmas day.
During the daytime, she's running the hotel for her grandmother. This year she's dealing with seeing the man she loves marrying a woman who is totally unsuited for him. Still she handles it well and goes on by counting her blessings, trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Sadly, people start dying which sort of kills the festive mood.
I love this series, but this one in particular hits all the marks by setting it at Christmas and not making it too simplistic. Holly is a dynamic, but reasonable person who loves her friends, family, animals, and town.
I have to say I was a bit disappointed in this book. First and foremost, I hate love triangles, and this book takes that to the extreme. It reallyI have to say I was a bit disappointed in this book. First and foremost, I hate love triangles, and this book takes that to the extreme. It really made it difficult for me to finish. Second, the mystery itself was hardly there.
What I did like was the relationship between Liz and her father. That said, I think she'd rather do anything else but work in a toy store and that comes through.
Oh, and I really hated the ending.
It's a shame, because the first book wasn't bad, but this one let me down a bit. Don't get me wrong. It's not a bad book and if you love love triangles, this one has it in spades. It's just it wasn't as good as it could've been if there had been more focus on the murder instead of the romance.
**spoiler alert** I love a good Christmas cozy and this fits the bill for the most part. Angie and Patrick's personal Christmas plans get hijacked by**spoiler alert** I love a good Christmas cozy and this fits the bill for the most part. Angie and Patrick's personal Christmas plans get hijacked by Patrick's famous actress mother who comes home and expects to have storybook decorations all done in her mansion. With Angie and her friends' help, they do manage to get it done. Unfortunately, his mother brings some famous friends with her and one is murdered. All private plans are off at that point.
The holiday details are very well done and I enjoy those. However, the mystery itself is pretty simple and rather obvious. Still, it doesn't spoil the Christmas atmosphere that the author creates. ...more
**spoiler alert** Cassie Baxter is totally unprepared to be a mom, even a temporary one, for a little five and a half year old boy named Truman. His**spoiler alert** Cassie Baxter is totally unprepared to be a mom, even a temporary one, for a little five and a half year old boy named Truman. His mom has been murdered and her friend has pushed her into lying about being related. Half the fun is Cassie worrying about being sent to jail for kidnapping Truman.
Cassie, who is not a "kid person", luckily lives with her sci-fi writing father who is. Between them and her boyfriend, they just manage to make things a little better for the child and his cat Notz.
It's really a cute story, nearly madcap in places, but amusing.
The only negative was the overdone use of the science fiction story telling from the father. A few times would have been plenty.
I will warn you that this is more a character and comedy piece that a serious mystery, so if you're not in to that, you might skip it. But if you like stories with a clever kid and nervous adults, this could work for you....more
Despite the warm location of Louisiana, Maggie, her family, and friends are going out of their way to make it a great Christmas with all the trimmingsDespite the warm location of Louisiana, Maggie, her family, and friends are going out of their way to make it a great Christmas with all the trimmings including decorations and bonfires.
There's a lot of things going on in this book and a lot of characters. However, Byron does an excellent job of making many of the characters, especially Maggie, very likeable and the plot believable. You care about what's happening to her, and she's not doing stupid things to help investigate the crimes. That puts her way ahead of a lot of cozy book protagonists of late.
Cute and fluffy, no heavy thinking needed. It's an easy read with some funny dialogue. The mystery is an easy one, though, so this is more about theCute and fluffy, no heavy thinking needed. It's an easy read with some funny dialogue. The mystery is an easy one, though, so this is more about the characters and humor than any mystery solving....more
**spoiler alert** Bailey King goes home because her Amish grandfather is ill. While she's there, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder.
One of the**spoiler alert** Bailey King goes home because her Amish grandfather is ill. While she's there, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder.
One of the unique features is that her grandfather is a candy maker and so is she. There's also an Amish community element.
There are also some not so unique features. She's a big city girl going home to a small town. She's got a crappy boyfriend. She's attracted to a small town cop. She stays to take over the business, giving up her own candy making career in NYC.
It wasn't badly written, but I swear I feel like I've read this book 20 times this year with the only difference being a candy making business instead of a quilting, dressmaking, coffee shop, you name it kind of store....more
**spoiler alert** Victoria Trumbull has been asked to teach a poetry class at the local college. The first day they find a body in her classroom. She**spoiler alert** Victoria Trumbull has been asked to teach a poetry class at the local college. The first day they find a body in her classroom. She holds her class outside. I swear, nothing seems to faze this woman. When the bodies start to stack up, it becomes apparent that there's a serial killer on the loose.
There were a several very unrealistic things going on in this one, and it just didn't seem on par with the more solid plots of the earlier books. ...more
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