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hugbandit7's review
4.0
This new series has plenty of suspects but only one killer, but who could it be?
I quite enjoyed the first book in this new series, from the clever writing to the killer hiding in plain sight. Then there is Jamie's business, hand lettering, something I admire but cannot do myself. I think I should have paid more attention to my cursive in grade school!
Jamie is falsely accused of murdering her arch nemesis, Earleen. Earleen is someone everyone loved to hate and there were plenty of people that would not have minded a bit if something happened to her or she went away somewhere. Unfortunately, her death on Jamie's door puts Jamie smack dab in the middle of the case trying to clear her name and save her business. She is very methodical with her research into other possibilities but does not unearth the correct person until it is almost too late.
There is even a potential love interest, Ridge, but there is a mention of his twin brother, Rut, and that something tragic happened to him because he is dead, but no real details. I am assuming that will come in future books. At least I hope so!
We give this new series 4 paws up and can't wait to learn more hand lettering techniques.
I quite enjoyed the first book in this new series, from the clever writing to the killer hiding in plain sight. Then there is Jamie's business, hand lettering, something I admire but cannot do myself. I think I should have paid more attention to my cursive in grade school!
Jamie is falsely accused of murdering her arch nemesis, Earleen. Earleen is someone everyone loved to hate and there were plenty of people that would not have minded a bit if something happened to her or she went away somewhere. Unfortunately, her death on Jamie's door puts Jamie smack dab in the middle of the case trying to clear her name and save her business. She is very methodical with her research into other possibilities but does not unearth the correct person until it is almost too late.
There is even a potential love interest, Ridge, but there is a mention of his twin brother, Rut, and that something tragic happened to him because he is dead, but no real details. I am assuming that will come in future books. At least I hope so!
We give this new series 4 paws up and can't wait to learn more hand lettering techniques.
karen_the_baroness's review
4.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer is fabulous. The characters, setting, and knowledge of hand lettering are amazing. I enjoyed the story, but the mystery was perfectly crafted. Jessa Archer is one of my favorite new authors this year. Ms. Archer explains the title wonderfully for all of us who don't do hand lettering.
Jamie is our sleuth, main character, and point of view. She owns and operates Flourish a hand lettering stationery shop in Cedar Valley Washington. Jamie is not a morning person, and she has a coffee addiction. Some might even call her a coffee snob (which she calls herself). She has a long-running rivalry with Earleen who owns Culp's Stationery. This rivalry is what puts Jamie, and her shop in the court of public opinion, well after Earleen is found shot in the head on Jamie's porch.
I like Jamie; she has lots of friends, her Aunt Opal is a kick. Jamie lives in a lovely house, loves her business, you know to not bother her early in the morning before she has had enough coffee. The only thing that Jamie needs to really deal with is Ridge. Seriously, she needs to figure out what her feelings are and discuss it with him. Otherwise, you know the clock is ticking.
So, the mystery was super. I figured it out not because I saw the clues, but I was guessing about a few things that happened and guessed correctly. I didn't see the clues until it started to unravel for the culprit. Oh, and I so didn't see what was going to happen. Let's say that Jamie should have listened to Ridge better, maybe next time. Who am I kidding? Hopefully, there won't be the next time?
I am not the hand lettering type, so I found this part of the plot fascinating. The author even includes a practice sheet in the book. I won't show you how mine turned out, Jamie would think it was terrible.
I am giving Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer four stars and adding the next two books in the series to my TBR. This book is excellent, and I recommend it to all you cozy fans out there.
Will Jamie figure out who killed Earleen before it's too late?
Jamie Lang
Jamie is our sleuth, main character, and point of view. She owns and operates Flourish a hand lettering stationery shop in Cedar Valley Washington. Jamie is not a morning person, and she has a coffee addiction. Some might even call her a coffee snob (which she calls herself). She has a long-running rivalry with Earleen who owns Culp's Stationery. This rivalry is what puts Jamie, and her shop in the court of public opinion, well after Earleen is found shot in the head on Jamie's porch.
I like Jamie; she has lots of friends, her Aunt Opal is a kick. Jamie lives in a lovely house, loves her business, you know to not bother her early in the morning before she has had enough coffee. The only thing that Jamie needs to really deal with is Ridge. Seriously, she needs to figure out what her feelings are and discuss it with him. Otherwise, you know the clock is ticking.
Mystery
So, the mystery was super. I figured it out not because I saw the clues, but I was guessing about a few things that happened and guessed correctly. I didn't see the clues until it started to unravel for the culprit. Oh, and I so didn't see what was going to happen. Let's say that Jamie should have listened to Ridge better, maybe next time. Who am I kidding? Hopefully, there won't be the next time?
Extra
I am not the hand lettering type, so I found this part of the plot fascinating. The author even includes a practice sheet in the book. I won't show you how mine turned out, Jamie would think it was terrible.
Four Stars for Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer
I am giving Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer four stars and adding the next two books in the series to my TBR. This book is excellent, and I recommend it to all you cozy fans out there.
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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
katierodante's review
4.0
I love it when I can start and finish a book all in a day's time. This book was fun--a lighthearted small town murder mystery that turned out to be just the escape I needed. I enjoyed the array of characters, the clue-finding and suspect-guessing, the little hint of romance, and... well, I'll be off to buy book two now.
aconitecafe's review
5.0
This was a fantastic book one to a cozy series.
Great bunch of characters introduced, small town rivalry drama. I'm excited to see what this cast gets itself into. The mystery spread the whole town, so it gave us a change to get to know a little bit about everyone.
I loved that Jamie communicated with the police and her friends. No once did I find myself yelling "Just tell someone!" lol Which was a great change of pace compared to the normal cozy trope of the sleuth keeping everything to herself.
The coffee obsession has me from the first page, and I loved the way the small businesses worked together. The author did her research or lives in a small town. It was hard not to get sucked into the story, and I read the whole story in one sitting. The romantic elements were fluttered throughout the cast and the drama, not just focused on the MC, making the world more realistic to the typical circle of acquaintances.
Can't wait to read the next book.
You'll love this story if you love murder mysteries, with no paranormal elements, and a MC with common sense.
Great bunch of characters introduced, small town rivalry drama. I'm excited to see what this cast gets itself into. The mystery spread the whole town, so it gave us a change to get to know a little bit about everyone.
I loved that Jamie communicated with the police and her friends. No once did I find myself yelling "Just tell someone!" lol Which was a great change of pace compared to the normal cozy trope of the sleuth keeping everything to herself.
The coffee obsession has me from the first page, and I loved the way the small businesses worked together. The author did her research or lives in a small town. It was hard not to get sucked into the story, and I read the whole story in one sitting. The romantic elements were fluttered throughout the cast and the drama, not just focused on the MC, making the world more realistic to the typical circle of acquaintances.
Can't wait to read the next book.
You'll love this story if you love murder mysteries, with no paranormal elements, and a MC with common sense.
jayneecarebear's review
4.0
Super cute and enjoyable cozy mystery! Enjoyed the characters and will continue to read this series!
thatswhatshesreading's review
5.0
I love coming across a new cozy series, especially one with a title like this! And while I don't actually do any hand lettering myself, I do love finding interesting objects or pieces with a great font for use as decor or gifts. While obviously, the primary focus of the story is on the crime, I loved the balance the author created in showcasing the inner workings of running a business, while also crafting an intriguing and puzzling murder mystery. I loved following Jamie through the story and learning more about her work and the art she creates.
"My goal is to bring sunshine into people's worlds one quote at a time, if that's what it takes."
The dialogue and interactions between characters truly captures the story and was witty, humorous, and realistic, moving the plot along at break neck speed! At just over two hundred pages, this isn't a very long book, but the author's casual and friendly writing style brings this quaint yet quirky community to life, making you feel at home in Cedar Valley right away. I really enjoyed that the characters never seemed like caricatures, which is quite the norm within the genre itself. They were well developed with believable motives that made just about everyone suspicious! The story's pacing created the right amount of tension and suspense to keep the pages turning in an effort to figure out who the murderer ultimately was, and with quite a few twists and turns along the way, the whodunit is as much as mystery to the reader as it is to Jamie.
"Unless the murderer is some vagrant who was passing through town, whoever the murderer is won't seem like the person we know them to be."
Aren't those the famous last words?
Jamie's style of amateur sleuthing was both engaging and entertaining. She was confident in her abilities when she needed to be, but also knew when to back off and let the authorities play their part as well. This was made all the more easier with a best friend like Nora as well as being the potential love interest of the police chief, Ridge.
Overall, this was a delightful gem of a mystery that was short, sweet, satisfying and really set some high expectations for the rest of the series. If you've been looking for a place to start in the cozy world, this is an excellent place to begin! Or if you're like me and you've read quite a few, this one hits all the notes for a highly enjoyable and entertaining cozy that will leave you wondering why you haven't heard of this series before!
Many thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours and the author for providing me with a copy of this book. This is my honest and thoughtful review.
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