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Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder
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Claire, Daph & Jonquil - Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder
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Denise, Manufacturing Director
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May 27, 2017 09:40AM

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Let me know when you'd like to start; any date is fine with me.

Let me know when you'd like to start; any date is fine with me."
I'm ready to start when you two are. :) I have it within reaching distance right now lol
Thanks for setting up the thread, Denise! And Jonquil and Claire, thanks for letting me tag along for the fun reading experience!



Glad you will be reading with us and take your time, I say :)



Ouch! Hopefully the book isn't funny enough that laughing will make your back hurt!

Happy reading, Ladies.

Ouch! Hopefully the book i..."
I hope not lol But it's starting to feel a bit better, thank goodness!

I'm currently at 25 % of the book. It's a nice read and easy to read in English. I have still no clue what is going on. So that is a good mystery!

I'm currently at 25 % of the book. It's a nice read and easy to read in English. I have still no clue what is going on. So that is a good mystery!"
Funny you say that, Claire, because I was thinking the same thing. I keep thinking I know where the story is heading and then I wonder if I missed something because I'm confused. Not bad or frustrated confused, just puzzled but willing to let the story unfold.
I also like Rosett's writing style. Enough detail to paint images of the places, people and things, but she doesn't get bogged down in the hook--the professional organizing. Rosett doesn't let us forget the organizing. I flipped back, but can't find the passage, so I'm working from memory of the scene when Ellie is looking at a desk covered in messy piles and silently admonishes herself that she's not there as an organizing professional.
Some cozies read as though the author wrote the mystery and then went back and pasted in sewing facts or baking tips. That said, when we're all finished reading I have a question about the organizing tips at the end of some chapters. I've had the question since I read two earlier books, and I'm thrilled that I can discuss it with both of you.
Today is my day off, after I do some puttering, I'm going to dive back in.

Rosett has a very conversational writing style. I look forward to getting deeper into the story.

The final few pages explain the everything from the mixed up bags to the arrests. If I'd known I wouldn't have reread the confusing sections.
No rush, I took notes on what I want to remember. And I'm about to start an audiobook so I can fold laundry.


Take your time, there's no rush. I have my notes and I won't return the book until we can all chat. This is meant to be fun, not an obligation. :-)

Take your tim..."
Good points. TY! I appreciate you reminding me it's for fun and not a race :)


Awesome you finished it! So did Jonquil. I should have it done by Monday so we can really discuss it in depth. I am excited!

Awesome you finished it! So did Jonquil. I should have it done by Monday ..."
Monday is perfect for me. I'm consumed with a big work project and then I'll have to do the things I ignored to get it done, so next week works well for me.

We don't have to be on simultaneously, but it flows better if we're at least all commenting on the same date.





I didn't find a single useful organizing hint in either book. Most of the suggestions seemed pretty obvious to me or had been covered many times on daytime programming aimed at housewives, retirees and people taking a sick day from work.
In two of my jobs I was required to conduct community education seminars, and people frequently requested organizing. So I'm not sure if the hints in these books were obvious for me because I've read so many "self-help" books in order to teach the seminars or if they really are simplistic.

This chapter explained who did what, what happened and why they think it happened that way. I have no patience for summary chapters. (1) Either the existence of the recap indicates that the author or editor believes she failed in writing a clear narrative. Or (2) they think the reader was too stupid? distracted? out-of-touch? to understand what they just read in the previous 270 pages.
Thoughts?

I didn't find a single useful organizing hint in either book. Most of the sugg..."
I didn't find the tips helpful either. At all lol Seems like things most people know.

This chapter explained who did what, what happened and why they think it happened that way. I have no patience for summary chapters. (1) Either the existence of t..."
OMG I totally agree. I disliked that everything was recapped for us. It felt very exposition-ridden and exposition is telling, instead of showing, which is a big no-no with novels. Recap chapters are so annoying and needless.
I did like Ben took notice of Monica, the paparazzi - excuse me, reporter - woman that helped Ellie thru her ordeal. I was hoping that would happen somehow because Monica was my favorite thing about the book. Wait... her name was Monica right? lol The details are already fading. It was one forgettable book, though certainly not terrible.

I didn't think it was a good book. I like more character development, less stupid characters and a storyline that doesn't look like: 'see I managed to tie everything together, but that's about it'
About the organization stuff: I thought the clue would be she kept the pictures online right away. After all..she is an organizer. She gave plenty of tips while she carried on doing it wrong herself.
I gave it three stars, cause I can't honestely say it is bad, but it certainly has not what I look for in a book.