3.5 stars
I like this series, it's cute, enjoyable and a quick read. A little longer than a short story and a little shorter than a cozy, something you can read in an hour or 2. I love all the cats, and the setting

Although I enjoyed this book, there wasn't a lot of plot, and it was more suspense than mystery. It was more like several mini-plots strung together. I think a lot of future story lines were introduced, making this book a bridge between the previous books and what's to come. Or at least, that's how I'm looking at it. Either way, it's still a series I enjoy and I look forward to the next one.

Great book! Very Miss Marple-like (if that's not an adjective, it should be): this one didn't rely on the gang getting together to toss around ideas.  In fact, there was comparatively little of Hugh and Rockwell in this one.  A well paced plot; although there was a lot to the story, it moved along quickly and kept me turning pages.  There were a few red herrings, too.  Kept me guessing until the end and I can guarantee you won't guess the ending of this book.  Very satisfying conclusion that ended quickly but not abruptly.  Truly a well-written mystery and a great series.

Buried In A Bog (and my To Read shelf) I'm sorry I took so long to start this book, I really enjoyed it.  I can see how some people might be put off by Maura, but I found it easy to relate to her.  Who hasn't been at a point in their life where everything changes and you're anxious and confused at what to do? Her actions and thoughts were realistic and, although she's not the most optimistic person in the world, she's not negative and angry. 
 
Beautiful setting (who doesn't like Ireland?) and the other characters were charming (well, most of them) and I look forward to seeing them grow as time goes on.
 
This book was mostly just plain fiction, with a hint of mystery thrown in.  Which was fine.  The pace kept it moving along and the ending, while unsurprising, was satisfying.
 
Overall, a cute book, and I look forward to the next.

Trouble At Snake And Clearwater I love this series. They're the ADD equivalent of a cozy: short, sweet and to the point. Being an impatient ADD'er myself, I appreciate this.  I can rattle off 10 books I've read in the last year that would be greatly improved by this formula.
 
Anyway, the series follows Minnie as she travels in her RV, investigating a murder at each new stop (it's a cozy series, you have to allow for that or else you'd never get through one) with the help of her 18th century ghost friend Ben. 
The plots are are pretty basic, and there isn't much character development, but with the stories so short, I don't see it as detrimental. You're only given enough details follow along with the story.  Even so, the plot is imaginative and the setting is always gorgeous. Without all the extra information and character development clogging things up, the story moves along quickly. And that's what I love: a book I can read in one sitting that is fun, quirky and enjoyable.

3.5 stars (dammit, GR, can you fix it so half stars can be done?)

Not as good as the others in the series. It seemed shorter, more rushed and something just seemed a bit...off about this one, but I can't put my finger on what. I think it just wasn't as detailed as the others in the series; I just didn't get a sense of location and the characters were just kind of wallpaper. The plot was good, the rest of it wasn't up to snuff.

Enjoyable, but not as great as the previous ones. Also, the flirting with Ben (the ghost) is starting to feel a bit creepy.

Scandal In Skibbereen This is the second book in the series, and this book was even better than the first. I identify in a lot of ways with Maura and her thought processes, so I find her to be a believable and likeable character. I loved the date with Sean, I could put myself in the same situation easily.
 
The plot with this one was a little convoluted; a gardener at an estate is murdered at the same time a brash New Yorker shows up looking for a valuable painting that could be at the estate. I got the feeling that the plot was stretched out a little too much (it could've been solved in half the amount of time) but I enjoy the setting and the characters so much, I didn't really mind. 
 
Seriously, though, if Maura doesn't punch Jimmy in the mouth soon, I'll go over there and do it for her.
 
 

Just ok. This another mediocre entry to a Lavene series. I've tried all the series that the Lavenes have written and only the Missing Pieces series stands out. The plots are promising, but there's always something that doesn't quite gel. It was a few hours of entertainment, but not a blockbuster.

Slated For Death A likeable series, and this installment had a great plot, lots of twists and turns and moved along very well.  I had the who in whodunit figured out fairly early on, but that didn't dampen my enjoyment.  A few more details were filled in about Penny's past, and I have to say the romance (or lack thereof) with Gareth distresses me a bit.  I feel bad for Gareth, why do nice guys always get hung up on the wrong women? *sigh*