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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
deepwinterodd's review
2.0
A great example of how some really solid series have a less-than-stellar debut. There was some seriously wtf-y policework going down along with Herculean leaps of logic and cat abuse, but I did like that Joe Flynn appears to be the only cop in recent crime fiction memory who doesn't get obsessed with a case but is all OH HEY FIVE O'CLOCK DONE NOW. Then lets Judith solve everything for him.
Speaking of which, I was not at all happy to see Judith letting everyone browbeat her into a tiny pulp. Several people in this book needed a sharp slap, or at least a word upside the ear. But Renie is in lovely fine form here too, so all was not lost.
Speaking of which, I was not at all happy to see Judith letting everyone browbeat her into a tiny pulp. Several people in this book needed a sharp slap, or at least a word upside the ear. But Renie is in lovely fine form here too, so all was not lost.
angiehowie's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
a_duck_with_a_book's review
4.0
I love this series for rainy days and mornings when I want to stay in bed with a cup of tea. They are fun, interesting mysteries!
arnoldad1's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cindilm76's review
Couldn't finish this one. I guess there was a reason I hadn't read it sooner... Disappointed that after 30% of the book I didn't care about the story, the characters and was just bored. Sad. :(
Update Sept 20 2016 - tried again & still couldn't stand it. Can't believe she has so many books out. Won't try it again.
Update Sept 20 2016 - tried again & still couldn't stand it. Can't believe she has so many books out. Won't try it again.
cooperca's review
1.0
I couldn't get into this whodunit.
The author proceeds to vomit up every little detail and backstory in the first 20 pages. Then we're introduced to, I don't know how many characters, as I lost count at 8. They all sounded the same and couldn't differentiate one from another and I got tired of going back to figure out who was talking. Judith, the main character, is a bitch with a capital B! She hates her cat and treats him like a disposable toy. She treats her cousin, who is doing her a huge favor, like a peasant and treats her guests even worse. Who the hell would want to go to a B&B and be treated like crap by the hostess??
The policing is a joke. Readers have become more sophisticated when it comes to police investigations and methods of killing and this "mystery" must think the readers are stupid or just willing to go along with absolute nonsense.
I had another in this series but this one put me off reading any additional by this author.
Obviously there is an audience for this series, but it's not my cup of tea at all.
The author proceeds to vomit up every little detail and backstory in the first 20 pages. Then we're introduced to, I don't know how many characters, as I lost count at 8. They all sounded the same and couldn't differentiate one from another and I got tired of going back to figure out who was talking. Judith, the main character, is a bitch with a capital B! She hates her cat and treats him like a disposable toy. She treats her cousin, who is doing her a huge favor, like a peasant and treats her guests even worse. Who the hell would want to go to a B&B and be treated like crap by the hostess??
The policing is a joke. Readers have become more sophisticated when it comes to police investigations and methods of killing and this "mystery" must think the readers are stupid or just willing to go along with absolute nonsense.
I had another in this series but this one put me off reading any additional by this author.
Obviously there is an audience for this series, but it's not my cup of tea at all.
thepeacefulmuser's review
5.0
New classic
I love her style. So real and honest. Her books are ones that you'll go back to time and time again.
I love her style. So real and honest. Her books are ones that you'll go back to time and time again.
melinda1962's review
3.0
The story was really good. The writing was good. Loved the setting and characters. But there were a couple big problems for me in this book. There was a lot of name calling which I disliked. The words stupid and idiot were used too often. Another was the abuse of the cat throughout the book. Threatening it, calling it names, kicking it aside. Animal abuse is so not necessary for the story. I will read the next one in the series and hope these issues are resolved as I do like it otherwise. The author gets brownie points for mentioning my favourite childhood mystery series, "I should of just bribed her out in the kitchen but those two goofy dames were hanging around like the Bobbsey Twins."