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Cozy Mystery Corner discussion
Featured Series and Cozies
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Do-It-Yourself series (Fatal Fixer-Upper) - JennIe Bentley
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Oh, I feel bad. I suggested this one because it looked good, but I only gave it 2 stars. It was not my favorite series start. The main problems were that (1) the characters were relatively flat and I didn't care for any of them all that much and (2) the "villain" was obvious from the start. I thought the main character, Avery, came across as simpering and silly at times. There was enough to make me think that perhaps in future books it might develop into a decent series, but not yet in this first book.
Hmmm - the first and second were both out at the library when I was looking for these. Maybe that was lucky?
Don't worry, we've all had bum picks at one time. :)
I actually really enjoyed it. I agree that the ending was reeeeaaaalllllyyyyy easy to figure out (and I very rarely figure out the ending early in the book). But I liked the characters and thought it was a fun, light read.Maybe I was just in the perfect mood for it, but I would recommend it.
Ashley FL wrote: "I actually really enjoyed it. I agree that the ending was reeeeaaaalllllyyyyy easy to figure out (and I very rarely figure out the ending early in the book). But I liked the characters and though..."Oh, good, Ashley. I'm glad you liked it. Maybe it was just me, then.
I am still going to read it because it has been on my TBR! No worries, Lynn!
I just got this one from PBS so I'll give it try! I'm starting it today!
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The characters: I agree with Lynn's characterization of Avery. I thought she was very immature. But what really started getting on my nerves was how all of a sudden Derek started ending every sentence with 'yeah'. Wasn't he a grown man who'd studied medicine???
The romance: It was too easy. I like them sassy. There wasn't much sexual tension, and I didn't feel any chemistry.
The mystery: It was easy to figure out who did it, and I usually try not to. Mr. Rodgers was so wooden, I was starting to look for the stick :) I found it hard to believe that Avery had the pictures of the stolen items and would think and talk about the items as they related to Marie Antoinette, but didn't make the connection that she had recent pictures of them, so they had to have been seen since the burglaries.
Overall: I would have liked to see more on the remodelling, and the probable wars over Avery's decorating ideas. I think it's more interesting when info about the profession/hobby is included as part of the story. In many ways the book drove me nuts, but I liked the basic story line, and did see some potential, so I'm willing to read the next one, or at least start it :D
I'm really glad that you picked this book because I had bought it a while ago and put it on my TBR stack. I just started reading it 2 days ago so I'm only a few chapters into it. I think it's ok so far... a little predictable, though.
I liked this book yet I agree with everyone else that it lacks something in character development. There is little magic between Avery and Derek. However I think the ensemble of characters has potential as a series.
I agree with Jaxnsmom--the fact that Derek just all of a sudden started adding "yeah" at the end of every sentence drove me nuts. Where was the editor?
Over all I will probably try the next in the series at some point.
I agree with Jaxnsmom--the fact that Derek just all of a sudden started adding "yeah" at the end of every sentence drove me nuts. Where was the editor?
Over all I will probably try the next in the series at some point.
I just finished this book. I agree with everyone that there was not much chemistry between Avery and Derek and (view spoiler) Overall I thought it was a cute story and I liked the characters. I'll probably read the next couple books in this series.
I've read this entire series. The first book was fairly simplistic and the characters were underdeveloped.
Cheryl wrote: "I've read this entire series. The first book was fairly simplistic and the characters were underdeveloped."I take it that means that the series improves? I thought that it did show promise as a developing series.
Yes, it definitely improves. The characters' relationships with each other develop more chemistry, the plots aren't as simplistic, and (I think) the author becomes more confident.
Cheryl wrote: "Yes, it definitely improves. The characters' relationships with each other develop more chemistry, the plots aren't as simplistic, and (I think) the author becomes more confident."Maybe I'll try the next one, too, then.
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Glad to hear that. I like the ones that involve old houses. Don't know if it's the renovation or the descriptions of the woodwork :)
I'm about 70 pages in and I am liking it ok at the moment. It's certainly not blowing me away but its ok.
I really like this series. I just wish the library here had the next one!!!!
I just finished this. I thought this was well done as far as plotting and character development. Good first of a series. I would read more in the series.However, I did have a problem with the author’s limited knowledge of genealogy. The 'aunt' is not meant to be an affectionate title given because of her age but rather the author goes to some length to describe the connection. However, when a great grandfather has 2 sons and they have children, those children are cousins. If one of the cousins has children, the other is not an aunt to those children. They are cousins and we get into the "removed" category. Avery as the next generation becomes a further removed cousin. This does not seem to be a difficult concept and something an editor should have caught. Later they were talking of another relationship between her Mother and a 'second' cousin and they again go to great depth to say how this is so, only to verify that they are indeed first cousins. This is a small matter but why go to such lengths when you don't know what you’re talking about.
I haven't read this, do not own it, and after reading the above comments, I probably won't. Well, you all have aroused my curiosity and that's a dangerous thing.Joan K. Maze
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The whole "cousin once removed" thing has always confused me to no end. If I understand correctly, the children of my father's cousins are my second cousins, but I have no idea whether they're removed, replaced, retired or heaven knows what! :)
Barb wrote: "Linda C wrote: "They are cousins and we get into the "removed" category. Avery as the next generation becomes a further removed cousin."The whole "cousin once removed" thing has always confused m..."
The problem with this book wasn't so much the level of cousin, which can get very confusing, but the use of aunt. An aunt is a sister of a parent or, for great aunt, a grandparent. If she had just said that the lady was a relation but everyone called her Aunt ... this would have been fine. In the second case she could have simply said cousin and skipped the explanation. The reader could make the connection, if they wanted to pursue it.
Joan wrote: "I haven't read this, do not own it, and after reading the above comments, I probably won't. Well, you all have aroused my curiosity and that's a dangerous thing.Joan K. Maze"
Well, I want to reiterate that I did enjoy this book, despite the genealogy.
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Oh ok, I see your point now :) I haven't yet read the book, although it's on my list.
Barb wrote: "Linda C wrote: "They are cousins and we get into the "removed" category. Avery as the next generation becomes a further removed cousin."The whole "cousin once removed" thing has always confused m..."
I'm with you Barb! I've always figured a cousin, is a cousin but don't understand all the other titles either :)
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That said - I do like the characters and the author's writing style. I may read the next in this series if I find it at a UBS.
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This thread is for discussing all books in this series.