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4.3 Stars
Detective Sergeant Zoe Meyers is back in action after a recovery break of 4 months. Her first day at work takes her to a crime scene in the sweltering heat of Melbourne. Accompanied by her loyal service dog, Harry, Zeo, works with her team to find the killer.
A small meeting with an investigative journalist leads her to examine a couple of past cases. And when her current case follows the same pattern, Zoe knows it’s all too neat. The killer isn’t the one the evidence points to. Her team is hesitant and doubtful. After all, Zoe is back from a break, and the case isn’t meaty enough for her.
But instincts are never wrong, and when Zoe starts digging for the truth, things become clear (or maybe not). Zoe isn’t the one to give up, and she’s vowed to get the killer behind the bars.
The Long Game sounds like a perfect police mystery, and in many ways, it is. The writing is neat, crisp, and steady. The plot flows well, though it seemed a little too easily tied up at the end. Zoe is assertive, methodical, and smart. She knows to trust her instincts and connect the dots. She’s also brave and capable.
However, Zoe is still recovering and gets panic attacks (hence the service dog) because of the previous case. Don’t worry, though. The details of the case are shared as flashbacks in the book. The last flashback is longer with all the information and comes at a crucial time. I skipped it, completed the book, and went back to read the flashback. Since it has no relation to the current case, this method worked great for me.
The book is standalone but has all elements of becoming a successful series. The relationship between Zoe and her dog is naturally woven into the story. We also see her dynamics with other police personnel. (There should be a mandatory nasty guy in the office, and we do have one here).
The case unfolds without too much drama. I enjoyed that my thoughts were almost always in sync with Zoe’s. I didn’t have to mutter about her not seeing what’s right in front of her. Zoe reminded me of Eve Dallas from the In Death Series by JD Robb. Eve has been here for a long time, and it’s natural to compare. Zoe can stand on her own and assert her identity if the author decides to turn this into a series.
Since I could finish it in two days, I added the extra 0.3 stars.
Overall, this is a good crime thriller to enjoy without stressing the grey cells. The Australian setting and police procedural were fun to read. I haven't read any until this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Text Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLongGame #NetGalley
Detective Sergeant Zoe Meyers is back in action after a recovery break of 4 months. Her first day at work takes her to a crime scene in the sweltering heat of Melbourne. Accompanied by her loyal service dog, Harry, Zeo, works with her team to find the killer.
A small meeting with an investigative journalist leads her to examine a couple of past cases. And when her current case follows the same pattern, Zoe knows it’s all too neat. The killer isn’t the one the evidence points to. Her team is hesitant and doubtful. After all, Zoe is back from a break, and the case isn’t meaty enough for her.
But instincts are never wrong, and when Zoe starts digging for the truth, things become clear (or maybe not). Zoe isn’t the one to give up, and she’s vowed to get the killer behind the bars.
The Long Game sounds like a perfect police mystery, and in many ways, it is. The writing is neat, crisp, and steady. The plot flows well, though it seemed a little too easily tied up at the end. Zoe is assertive, methodical, and smart. She knows to trust her instincts and connect the dots. She’s also brave and capable.
However, Zoe is still recovering and gets panic attacks (hence the service dog) because of the previous case. Don’t worry, though. The details of the case are shared as flashbacks in the book. The last flashback is longer with all the information and comes at a crucial time. I skipped it, completed the book, and went back to read the flashback. Since it has no relation to the current case, this method worked great for me.
The book is standalone but has all elements of becoming a successful series. The relationship between Zoe and her dog is naturally woven into the story. We also see her dynamics with other police personnel. (There should be a mandatory nasty guy in the office, and we do have one here).
The case unfolds without too much drama. I enjoyed that my thoughts were almost always in sync with Zoe’s. I didn’t have to mutter about her not seeing what’s right in front of her. Zoe reminded me of Eve Dallas from the In Death Series by JD Robb. Eve has been here for a long time, and it’s natural to compare. Zoe can stand on her own and assert her identity if the author decides to turn this into a series.
Since I could finish it in two days, I added the extra 0.3 stars.
Overall, this is a good crime thriller to enjoy without stressing the grey cells. The Australian setting and police procedural were fun to read. I haven't read any until this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Text Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheLongGame #NetGalley
3.8 Stars
I truly admire the author’s attempt to use verses from great poets and writers to create a Spring poem for kids. It started great but then became disjointed midway through. The flow was lost, and my focus was only on the charming illustrations.
After much thought, my rating is as follows (I don’t do this often)-
Thought- 4 stars
Poem- 2.5 stars
Illustrations- 5 stars
And that gives us ~3.8 stars. This book would be perfect for kids who love full-page illustrations. The warm indoors and the white cold outdoors were contrasted very well. Though I love snow (since I don’t see it in my region), I understand the kid’s love for spring. The illustrations of the wild blooms are so, so beautiful!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Vanita Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I truly admire the author’s attempt to use verses from great poets and writers to create a Spring poem for kids. It started great but then became disjointed midway through. The flow was lost, and my focus was only on the charming illustrations.
After much thought, my rating is as follows (I don’t do this often)-
Thought- 4 stars
Poem- 2.5 stars
Illustrations- 5 stars
And that gives us ~3.8 stars. This book would be perfect for kids who love full-page illustrations. The warm indoors and the white cold outdoors were contrasted very well. Though I love snow (since I don’t see it in my region), I understand the kid’s love for spring. The illustrations of the wild blooms are so, so beautiful!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Vanita Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.3 Stars
The Aftermath is about three women- Helen (mother), Julia (daughter), and Claire (friend).
Helen had been in an accident twenty-six years ago and has been barely present for her daughter, Julia. Julia grew up with bare minimum affection and spent more time with her therapist as she grew older.
Claire comes as a breath of fresh air into Julia’s life, bringing laughter and mindless fun. She has a loving family, understanding parents, a nice husband, and a cute 6yo daughter. She’s ever-ready to help others, even if it puts her under immense strain.
One rash decision by Julia changes everything. She can’t rely on Claire to make her laugh. Her mother is beginning to act different, and Julia isn’t sure if she likes it or not.
Things get further complicated, and the lives of the three women are entwined more than ever. What happens next? Can they find peace and happiness one way or another?
The book has multiple POVs, with Helen, Julia, and Claire sharing their version of the story. Another character, Daniel, also gets to share his side of things, and let’s just say that he’s someone who needs to be hit on the head with a hot frying pan to knock some sense into it.
I love how the author has presented four different POVs (three of which are women) and still maintained their voices true to their characters. There is no confusion or mix-up in the narration. The character arcs are steady, and so are the voices as the story progresses.
Despite being a 350-page book, the short chapters and free-flowing narrative style make the book an easy read. The characters do their thing, muddle through life, make a few wrong decisions, make the right ones, try to get life back on track, and well… just live.
Though I don’t identify with any of the characters, I could understand their decisions and motives. The characters are real and flawed. Yet, they aren’t weak. They carry the story from start to finish with apparent ease. As a reader, I know they’ll handle whatever comes in the way, and they do.
The story deals with multiple themes of life, love, loss, friendships, and so on. It’s a contemporary drama without seeming to be one. The side characters are well-etched within their scope and add more depth to the story.
All of it sounds great, but there are teeny things I wished the book had. As someone who likes complete endings, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I wanted to hear all the women say goodbye to the readers.
The secret isn’t something devastating or major. Yeah, it is important. But it doesn’t define or change things per se. And it comes towards the end. That part of the blurb makes the book sound more like a family thriller, but it isn’t.
Apart from these, the setting is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The story is set in a suburb of Johannesburg, SA. Now, when you read the book, you hardly find anything related to the region. People want the setting to be an inherent part of the story; this could disappoint them a little. This book could be set just about anywhere, and it would more or less be the same. While the universal factor is a plus, and I like it (that’s how I write too), not every reader sees it that way.
Overall, The Aftermath is a very well-written, steady-paced book with strong characters and a definite storyline. There aren’t many twists or confusing changes of directions. We can guess how things will proceed, and most of the time, they go the same way. If you enjoy such books, The Aftermath is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheAftermath
The Aftermath is about three women- Helen (mother), Julia (daughter), and Claire (friend).
Helen had been in an accident twenty-six years ago and has been barely present for her daughter, Julia. Julia grew up with bare minimum affection and spent more time with her therapist as she grew older.
Claire comes as a breath of fresh air into Julia’s life, bringing laughter and mindless fun. She has a loving family, understanding parents, a nice husband, and a cute 6yo daughter. She’s ever-ready to help others, even if it puts her under immense strain.
One rash decision by Julia changes everything. She can’t rely on Claire to make her laugh. Her mother is beginning to act different, and Julia isn’t sure if she likes it or not.
Things get further complicated, and the lives of the three women are entwined more than ever. What happens next? Can they find peace and happiness one way or another?
The book has multiple POVs, with Helen, Julia, and Claire sharing their version of the story. Another character, Daniel, also gets to share his side of things, and let’s just say that he’s someone who needs to be hit on the head with a hot frying pan to knock some sense into it.
I love how the author has presented four different POVs (three of which are women) and still maintained their voices true to their characters. There is no confusion or mix-up in the narration. The character arcs are steady, and so are the voices as the story progresses.
Despite being a 350-page book, the short chapters and free-flowing narrative style make the book an easy read. The characters do their thing, muddle through life, make a few wrong decisions, make the right ones, try to get life back on track, and well… just live.
Though I don’t identify with any of the characters, I could understand their decisions and motives. The characters are real and flawed. Yet, they aren’t weak. They carry the story from start to finish with apparent ease. As a reader, I know they’ll handle whatever comes in the way, and they do.
The story deals with multiple themes of life, love, loss, friendships, and so on. It’s a contemporary drama without seeming to be one. The side characters are well-etched within their scope and add more depth to the story.
All of it sounds great, but there are teeny things I wished the book had. As someone who likes complete endings, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I wanted to hear all the women say goodbye to the readers.
The secret isn’t something devastating or major. Yeah, it is important. But it doesn’t define or change things per se. And it comes towards the end. That part of the blurb makes the book sound more like a family thriller, but it isn’t.
Apart from these, the setting is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The story is set in a suburb of Johannesburg, SA. Now, when you read the book, you hardly find anything related to the region. People want the setting to be an inherent part of the story; this could disappoint them a little. This book could be set just about anywhere, and it would more or less be the same. While the universal factor is a plus, and I like it (that’s how I write too), not every reader sees it that way.
Overall, The Aftermath is a very well-written, steady-paced book with strong characters and a definite storyline. There aren’t many twists or confusing changes of directions. We can guess how things will proceed, and most of the time, they go the same way. If you enjoy such books, The Aftermath is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheAftermath
3.5 Stars
Liam and Laura go to a remote island in Scotland for their honeymoon. It’s supposed to be only the two of them for a week. But soon, they discover that the island is haunted by a tragic past. Add to it, there seems to be another person sharing the island with them.
Who is this person? What do they want, and why are they stalking the couple? When did their perfect honeymoon turn into a deadly nightmare?
The book starts with Laura and Liam going to a local Scottish pub before heading off to the Island of Shura. The weather is gloomy and matches Laura’s mood. We come to know that she’s fighting the depression of losing her mother.
As the story progresses, Laura tells us her story as the couple explores the island’s ruined castle, chapel, burrows, beaches, and more. She feels someone stalking them, and soon enough, the evidence is visible as a craving on the window glass.
The narration is fast-paced though nothing much happens during the first few pages. The setting makes it easy to create an atmosphere of tension and fear. As a fan of Scotland-based stories, I was looking forward to reading this book. The cover added to the vibe, and I had quite a few expectations.
The author does tick a few boxes for a heady thriller. The plot had merit, and her narration was good enough to carry the story. However, towards the end, the plot losses steam. Of course, there needs to be a sort of closure, but it fell a little flat.
There’s a twist in the second half that explains the red flags I noticed in the first half. I can’t go into details because even the tiniest hint would be a spoiler. Suffice to say, I re-adjusted my guesses based on the hints the writer scattered around.
I did find a few inconsistencies, though I’m not sure if they were deliberate or if the author missed them. If it’s the former, readers (thriller fans) would know the storyline before the twist is revealed.
I didn’t relate to the character, but that’s not uncommon. I don’t relate to a lot of them. And this one felt like I was watching a show on the screen. For a thriller, that’s not a bad thing. It just didn’t involve me as much as I would’ve liked.
Overall, the author did a decent job of creating a suspense thriller with the right atmosphere and good narration.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Liam and Laura go to a remote island in Scotland for their honeymoon. It’s supposed to be only the two of them for a week. But soon, they discover that the island is haunted by a tragic past. Add to it, there seems to be another person sharing the island with them.
Who is this person? What do they want, and why are they stalking the couple? When did their perfect honeymoon turn into a deadly nightmare?
The book starts with Laura and Liam going to a local Scottish pub before heading off to the Island of Shura. The weather is gloomy and matches Laura’s mood. We come to know that she’s fighting the depression of losing her mother.
As the story progresses, Laura tells us her story as the couple explores the island’s ruined castle, chapel, burrows, beaches, and more. She feels someone stalking them, and soon enough, the evidence is visible as a craving on the window glass.
The narration is fast-paced though nothing much happens during the first few pages. The setting makes it easy to create an atmosphere of tension and fear. As a fan of Scotland-based stories, I was looking forward to reading this book. The cover added to the vibe, and I had quite a few expectations.
The author does tick a few boxes for a heady thriller. The plot had merit, and her narration was good enough to carry the story. However, towards the end, the plot losses steam. Of course, there needs to be a sort of closure, but it fell a little flat.
There’s a twist in the second half that explains the red flags I noticed in the first half. I can’t go into details because even the tiniest hint would be a spoiler. Suffice to say, I re-adjusted my guesses based on the hints the writer scattered around.
I did find a few inconsistencies, though I’m not sure if they were deliberate or if the author missed them. If it’s the former, readers (thriller fans) would know the storyline before the twist is revealed.
I didn’t relate to the character, but that’s not uncommon. I don’t relate to a lot of them. And this one felt like I was watching a show on the screen. For a thriller, that’s not a bad thing. It just didn’t involve me as much as I would’ve liked.
Overall, the author did a decent job of creating a suspense thriller with the right atmosphere and good narration.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars
This fun book shows a small snippet of a boy’s life with his dear grandpa. The narration rhymes more or less throughout the book, and that makes it even more interesting to read. The illustrations are warm and appealing. It’s great to see the characters resemble the author's heritage. The expressions of the dog and the bee are just too good.
While the story has merit on its own about the special relationship between a grandson and grandfather (and pets), the illustrations add a lot of depth to the story. This is one sweet book and has Tea with a Drop of Honey.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Script Novel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BizzyBzzztheBeeandGrandpasTea #NetGalley
This fun book shows a small snippet of a boy’s life with his dear grandpa. The narration rhymes more or less throughout the book, and that makes it even more interesting to read. The illustrations are warm and appealing. It’s great to see the characters resemble the author's heritage. The expressions of the dog and the bee are just too good.
While the story has merit on its own about the special relationship between a grandson and grandfather (and pets), the illustrations add a lot of depth to the story. This is one sweet book and has Tea with a Drop of Honey.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Script Novel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BizzyBzzztheBeeandGrandpasTea #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
Meet Sara, a 32 yo greeting card writer with a teaching position at college. She’s the daughter of the great author Cassandra Bond, whose Ellery series 50 million copies and is being made into a movie. The fifth book of this suspense thriller is supposed to be released. But Cass passes away, and there is no book.
She leaves a letter asking Sara to finish the book. Sara, and not her perfection-craving elder sister Anna-Kath! With barely any writing experience and even lower self-esteem, can Sara even take up the audacious responsibility? Her mother definitely wants her to. Her sister is supporting and encouraging her.
But can Sara do it? Can she finish the book without help from the dreaded Phil? Can she overcome the hurdles set by Jane from Iris Publishing? What about the whispers of plagiarism, and who is this Meredith Lamb?
The book is about Sara learning to get back her confidence in life (after her husband walked out on her a few months ago) and understanding that writing is not scary; it’s terrifying and soul-satisfying.
The book is 400 pages long, and I was a bit skeptical in requesting it. I like my books small and compact.
However, the writing was engaging, and the narration flowed well from start to finish. The book is a potpourri of emotions, and that made the characters more real. No one is perfect, and no one is really a villain or a baddie.
While I didn’t identify with Sara, I could understand her insecurities and vulnerabilities. It’s no small feat to finish a book from a bestseller series written by another person. As a writer, I know just how stressful it is. It’s hardly surprising that Sara wants nothing to do with the book or the series.
But it’s time she accepts a challenge and proves her worth. How long is she going to mop around? What follows is Sara’s journey of self-realization while digging up a dark past that further complicates things.
The book has its share of romance, but it is sweet and comforting, a perfect balance to Sara’s growing anxiety. We see Sara understanding what it is to be a writer. The words on paper are just letters stringed together if the writer doesn’t feel them tear their insides, isn’t it?
What I love most about the book is how writing is presented to the readers. There is no glossing over writer’s block. There’s no exaggerating the frustration or the satisfaction when words flow. Each chapter in the book starts with a quote from a writer, and I love them all.
The book has several elements, and at times, I wanted Sara to go ahead and take the plunge. There were instances I fast read a few paragraphs to get on with the story. That’s just me, though. I’m not the kind that relates to anxious heroines who take helluva time to decide their next move.
However, the relationship between the characters more than makes up for Sara’s indecisiveness. Overall, The Audacity of Sara Grayson is a warm and inspiring book for book lovers and writers. You won’t regret reading this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Meryl Moss Media, and Post Hill Press and am leaving a voluntary review.
#NetGalley #TheAudacityofSaraGrayson
Meet Sara, a 32 yo greeting card writer with a teaching position at college. She’s the daughter of the great author Cassandra Bond, whose Ellery series 50 million copies and is being made into a movie. The fifth book of this suspense thriller is supposed to be released. But Cass passes away, and there is no book.
She leaves a letter asking Sara to finish the book. Sara, and not her perfection-craving elder sister Anna-Kath! With barely any writing experience and even lower self-esteem, can Sara even take up the audacious responsibility? Her mother definitely wants her to. Her sister is supporting and encouraging her.
But can Sara do it? Can she finish the book without help from the dreaded Phil? Can she overcome the hurdles set by Jane from Iris Publishing? What about the whispers of plagiarism, and who is this Meredith Lamb?
The book is about Sara learning to get back her confidence in life (after her husband walked out on her a few months ago) and understanding that writing is not scary; it’s terrifying and soul-satisfying.
The book is 400 pages long, and I was a bit skeptical in requesting it. I like my books small and compact.
However, the writing was engaging, and the narration flowed well from start to finish. The book is a potpourri of emotions, and that made the characters more real. No one is perfect, and no one is really a villain or a baddie.
While I didn’t identify with Sara, I could understand her insecurities and vulnerabilities. It’s no small feat to finish a book from a bestseller series written by another person. As a writer, I know just how stressful it is. It’s hardly surprising that Sara wants nothing to do with the book or the series.
But it’s time she accepts a challenge and proves her worth. How long is she going to mop around? What follows is Sara’s journey of self-realization while digging up a dark past that further complicates things.
The book has its share of romance, but it is sweet and comforting, a perfect balance to Sara’s growing anxiety. We see Sara understanding what it is to be a writer. The words on paper are just letters stringed together if the writer doesn’t feel them tear their insides, isn’t it?
What I love most about the book is how writing is presented to the readers. There is no glossing over writer’s block. There’s no exaggerating the frustration or the satisfaction when words flow. Each chapter in the book starts with a quote from a writer, and I love them all.
The book has several elements, and at times, I wanted Sara to go ahead and take the plunge. There were instances I fast read a few paragraphs to get on with the story. That’s just me, though. I’m not the kind that relates to anxious heroines who take helluva time to decide their next move.
However, the relationship between the characters more than makes up for Sara’s indecisiveness. Overall, The Audacity of Sara Grayson is a warm and inspiring book for book lovers and writers. You won’t regret reading this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Meryl Moss Media, and Post Hill Press and am leaving a voluntary review.
#NetGalley #TheAudacityofSaraGrayson
5 Stars
I got this book just to stare at Ruby’s cloud of hair. No kidding, look at those cute messy curls crowing her. The book is fairly simple yet wonderful. Ruby is a young girl who loves to be curious and is always trying to learn something new. She’s happy, she’s playful and has a great imagination.
The book focuses more on illustrations (which are too good) and gives an important message about being curious and adventurous. Focus on today and do what makes you happy. It also shows the various options kids can choose when they grow up. And until then, they can be everything from an astronaut to a chef.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Tundra Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley
I got this book just to stare at Ruby’s cloud of hair. No kidding, look at those cute messy curls crowing her. The book is fairly simple yet wonderful. Ruby is a young girl who loves to be curious and is always trying to learn something new. She’s happy, she’s playful and has a great imagination.
The book focuses more on illustrations (which are too good) and gives an important message about being curious and adventurous. Focus on today and do what makes you happy. It also shows the various options kids can choose when they grow up. And until then, they can be everything from an astronaut to a chef.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Tundra Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley
4.5 Stars
The name of our little heroine itself rhymes, and so does the entire story. The author chose the AA rhyme scheme and worked it very well to create a nice plot for kids. Ella is a busy girl, playing and having fun. But as it gets dark, she starts to fear the monsters in the shadows of her room.
The book shows how she finds the courage to fight the monsters and realize the importance of nighttime. Her books, teddy bears, and music are her strength.
The illustrations are super cute. Ella’s pom-pom hairstyle makes me want to tug them a little. I love the little monsters, especially when they grab a suitcase and walk away. So cute!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Notable Kids Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#EllaMcBellaInTheDark #NetGalley
The name of our little heroine itself rhymes, and so does the entire story. The author chose the AA rhyme scheme and worked it very well to create a nice plot for kids. Ella is a busy girl, playing and having fun. But as it gets dark, she starts to fear the monsters in the shadows of her room.
The book shows how she finds the courage to fight the monsters and realize the importance of nighttime. Her books, teddy bears, and music are her strength.
The illustrations are super cute. Ella’s pom-pom hairstyle makes me want to tug them a little. I love the little monsters, especially when they grab a suitcase and walk away. So cute!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Notable Kids Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#EllaMcBellaInTheDark #NetGalley
4 Stars
This graphic novel comes with comic strips to show us the imaginative childhood of young Leonardo. It is fun to read and see how his mind was constantly working overtime in coming up with something or another.
The illustrations are cute and would look much better on paper. The book ends with details about Da Vinci to help students understand the book easily. There is a list of questions and topics to have a great discussion in the classrooms.
Overall, this is a cute book. Read it when you have time so that you can enjoy the teeny bits of humor in leisure.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Humanoids Inc, and BiG am voluntarily leaving a review.
This graphic novel comes with comic strips to show us the imaginative childhood of young Leonardo. It is fun to read and see how his mind was constantly working overtime in coming up with something or another.
The illustrations are cute and would look much better on paper. The book ends with details about Da Vinci to help students understand the book easily. There is a list of questions and topics to have a great discussion in the classrooms.
Overall, this is a cute book. Read it when you have time so that you can enjoy the teeny bits of humor in leisure.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Humanoids Inc, and BiG am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.8 Stars
Juno Browne inherited Old Nick (an antique store) when the owner died (in the previous book, I guess). Now she has to find a way to run the store while recovering from injuries (from book 3) and try not to get into any more trouble.
But when she opens the wardrobe that’s a part of her latest purchase to fill the store, a body tumbles out onto the floor. Juno has no idea who the dead man is, nor does she know if the crooked seller Fred had anything to do with this.
Another death happens in succession, and Juno tries her best to not get into the mess. It’s hard when the police can’t find anything, and she’s not satisfied not knowing the truth. The dead man’s twin brother arrives, wanting Juno’s help to solve the murder. She’s Devon’s amateur sleuth, after all.
Things start to happen, and Juno is in the middle of it. Not everything is related to the murders, but it’s up to Juno to sort the mess, or so it seems. Can Juno find the killer without risking her neck in the process?
I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series but had no trouble following this one. Some characters are recurring, but it’s easy to understand the relationship between them. The book is more of a cozy mystery than a suspense thriller. The story progresses at its own pace, adding more subplots as we read. Luckily, the subplots are also tied up before the book ends.
Reviewing this book is turning out to be tough. I liked the story enough but was impressed or wowed by it. Somehow, the allure of the cover and the title (main reasons why I requested the book) seemed a bit missing in the story. That said, the book is nowhere dull. I’m going to read the previous books to get a better idea.
It is narrated by Juno, and we see her quirky humor scattered throughout. The insights into her life are entertaining as she regales them in a dry tone. Story-wise, there are no unexpected pull-the-rug moments, so that’s a plus. I did guess the killer and even the reason to an extent. It was fun to see my guess confirmed.
Overall, The Dartmoor Murders is a good book for a lazy afternoon. Pick it up when you don’t want to rush through a book. It’s not a slow read by any means, but things take time to get to the end. Remember, it’s a cozy mystery.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Allison & Busby and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheDartmoorMurders
Juno Browne inherited Old Nick (an antique store) when the owner died (in the previous book, I guess). Now she has to find a way to run the store while recovering from injuries (from book 3) and try not to get into any more trouble.
But when she opens the wardrobe that’s a part of her latest purchase to fill the store, a body tumbles out onto the floor. Juno has no idea who the dead man is, nor does she know if the crooked seller Fred had anything to do with this.
Another death happens in succession, and Juno tries her best to not get into the mess. It’s hard when the police can’t find anything, and she’s not satisfied not knowing the truth. The dead man’s twin brother arrives, wanting Juno’s help to solve the murder. She’s Devon’s amateur sleuth, after all.
Things start to happen, and Juno is in the middle of it. Not everything is related to the murders, but it’s up to Juno to sort the mess, or so it seems. Can Juno find the killer without risking her neck in the process?
I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series but had no trouble following this one. Some characters are recurring, but it’s easy to understand the relationship between them. The book is more of a cozy mystery than a suspense thriller. The story progresses at its own pace, adding more subplots as we read. Luckily, the subplots are also tied up before the book ends.
Reviewing this book is turning out to be tough. I liked the story enough but was impressed or wowed by it. Somehow, the allure of the cover and the title (main reasons why I requested the book) seemed a bit missing in the story. That said, the book is nowhere dull. I’m going to read the previous books to get a better idea.
It is narrated by Juno, and we see her quirky humor scattered throughout. The insights into her life are entertaining as she regales them in a dry tone. Story-wise, there are no unexpected pull-the-rug moments, so that’s a plus. I did guess the killer and even the reason to an extent. It was fun to see my guess confirmed.
Overall, The Dartmoor Murders is a good book for a lazy afternoon. Pick it up when you don’t want to rush through a book. It’s not a slow read by any means, but things take time to get to the end. Remember, it’s a cozy mystery.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Allison & Busby and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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