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justasking27's review
3.0
It took me a few chapters to get into this cozy mystery and get a feel for the setting and characters, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The plot moved along at a steady pace, there were very few bad decisions made only to advance plot, and several interesting side characters were introduced who I hope get more developed over the series. I liked that the small business it not another coffee shop, and Star City has a lot of character. Would probably read another in this series.
smiley7245's review
4.0
More like 3.5* This was a cute, fast read. I liked that Clare works with her grandfather fixing books and that they have their own version of a Guttenberg Press. Clare was a smart, funny character, but bad at following directions. From the moment we met Seth I was hoping he was not the killer, and he wasn't! Him being a geologist was also an interesting job. Jodi was a little under developed, but she was a good secondary character, and has lots of potential; I hope we see more of her and Mutt. I was not surprised that Homer's family was connected to the murders; I was surprised that one of his grandsons killed another and tried to kill him. This was a fun story and I look forward to more in this series and more from this author!
_kristiew_'s review
4.0
Great new series by Paige Shelton! I found the characters, setting and storyline all to be very interesting. I love books but haven't read a series before about book restoration. If I had to knock the book at all, it would be for the main character finding a love interest already. At least wait til the 3rd book, ha!
snowdrowsey's review against another edition
1.0
This book I'd been wanting to read because of the title. It started off decently enough, but the ending was what was the most horrible of all. I don't think I can read anymore of this authors books since the ending of this book was so bad. It was so bad that it just didn't mesh with the rest of the story.
angrygreycatreads's review
4.0
This is the first in a new series revolving around a vintage typewriter and book repair shop, The Rescued Word, in Star City Utah. Clare works with her grandfather in the shop alongside a cat named Baskerville. An old friend of her grandfather’s brings in a typewriter to be repaired and it kicks off the mystery. Soon there is a murder in the alley behind the shop and Clare finds herself involved in the investigation. Her best friend is a police officer, which gives her an inside track as she gets follows the clues. There is also a romantic subplot developing along with the mystery.
A really engaging theme, at least to me having learned to type on a manual typewriter in Heidelberg Middle School back in the dark ages and I would think to lovers of anything vintage to do with books and writing. The story starts slowly, it took a little bit to draw me in as the background was developed, but then it took off. The last 2/3 of the book was great, fast paced and really interesting with references to the old mines, former crimes, mistaken identity and old secrets. I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to readers of cozy mysteries.
A really engaging theme, at least to me having learned to type on a manual typewriter in Heidelberg Middle School back in the dark ages and I would think to lovers of anything vintage to do with books and writing. The story starts slowly, it took a little bit to draw me in as the background was developed, but then it took off. The last 2/3 of the book was great, fast paced and really interesting with references to the old mines, former crimes, mistaken identity and old secrets. I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to readers of cozy mysteries.
justkeyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
krisrid's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a decent cozy.
The location of Utah was different, and not one I've read books set in before, so that was a good aspect of this for me. While I'm not a skier, I do live in Canada, so I can relate to snow. The location was just something unique and different for me and it added a new flavour to the story.
The plot was clever enough, and played on the location in an interesting way, which is all I will say to avoid spoiler.
The characters in this story weren't bad, although Clare kind of bugged me from time to time. Mostly I liked her, but every now and then she would do things that made me roll my eyes. The rest of the characters, though, I mostly liked. They were a good variety of personalities and quirks and perfect for a cozy mystery.
The thing that interested me initally about this book was the typewriter connection, and that turned out to not be quite as interesting as I had anticipated it would be. The talk about the typewriters was more mechanical than I expected, and wasn't really all that interesting, although it was kind of fun to hear about the various types of machines and their histories.
Overall, this was a fine example of a cozy. It had a good pace, interesting location, okay characters and all the right components were present.
The location of Utah was different, and not one I've read books set in before, so that was a good aspect of this for me. While I'm not a skier, I do live in Canada, so I can relate to snow. The location was just something unique and different for me and it added a new flavour to the story.
The plot was clever enough, and played on the location in an interesting way, which is all I will say to avoid spoiler.
The characters in this story weren't bad, although Clare kind of bugged me from time to time. Mostly I liked her, but every now and then she would do things that made me roll my eyes. The rest of the characters, though, I mostly liked. They were a good variety of personalities and quirks and perfect for a cozy mystery.
The thing that interested me initally about this book was the typewriter connection, and that turned out to not be quite as interesting as I had anticipated it would be. The talk about the typewriters was more mechanical than I expected, and wasn't really all that interesting, although it was kind of fun to hear about the various types of machines and their histories.
Overall, this was a fine example of a cozy. It had a good pace, interesting location, okay characters and all the right components were present.
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This theme is a really unique twist for a cozy series. Chester Henry owns The Rescued Word and his granddaughter Clare has been truly learning at his knee her entire life. Today they fix old typewriters, restore old books, and sell every kind of paper and pen imaginable. Set in an area of Star City, Utah, called Bygone Alley, The Rescued Word and other shops bring back the days of yesteryear. The Rescued Word also has a resident cat named Baskerville. He is a pretty temperamental feline who watches from a shelf high above the wares for sale. If he likes you he may hop down to say “hello”.
The alley is popular with both the locals and the tourists in town to hit the slopes. We meet Clare’s best friend, Jodie Wentworth, and her brother, Clare’s ex, CJ. Both are Star City police officers. We also meet local residents, Homer Mayfield, former newspaper editor and Mirabelle, typewriter owner and author. Seth Cassidy, who hales from my neck of the woods, is a geologist and new to Star City. He wants to get to know Clare a lot better.
This story has a stranger rush into The Rescued Word where he makes quite a scene as he insists he must have a particular typewriter, not one like it but that exact one. Clare is shaken but calling the police sends the stranger on his way. Clare is relieved until she sees something suspicious outside the back door and discovers the stranger dead as a door-nail. Did someone kill him because she failed to give him the typewriter? The story of his life came to an abrupt end, Clare is going to find out why…
These characters virtually pulled me right into this story. They are so real and fleshed out. I was engaged immediately. Everyone was so nice, I felt right at home. Chester has a secret but it is a sweet secret. Clare takes so much pride in the shop and her work and she gets excited about each new project. I love the way her romance with Seth is just beginning. With friends in the police department things can get sticky or helpful depending on the situation. Clare and Jodie are still finding their way.
The setting drew me in as well. I had been to Utah a couple of times several years ago. The descriptions in the book brought back memories of how beautiful things are there. Imagine living so close to the slopes that you can watch skiers from your windows or just ski from your backyeard. It would be wonderful to wake up to that day after day.
Now, the mystery was excellent, just what I expect from this author. She lays out a great base and then clues are dropped like snowflakes, you just have to catch them. Tracking down this killer is no easy task and the final reveal had me on the edge of my virtual lift chair. An epic read!
This theme is a really unique twist for a cozy series. Chester Henry owns The Rescued Word and his granddaughter Clare has been truly learning at his knee her entire life. Today they fix old typewriters, restore old books, and sell every kind of paper and pen imaginable. Set in an area of Star City, Utah, called Bygone Alley, The Rescued Word and other shops bring back the days of yesteryear. The Rescued Word also has a resident cat named Baskerville. He is a pretty temperamental feline who watches from a shelf high above the wares for sale. If he likes you he may hop down to say “hello”.
The alley is popular with both the locals and the tourists in town to hit the slopes. We meet Clare’s best friend, Jodie Wentworth, and her brother, Clare’s ex, CJ. Both are Star City police officers. We also meet local residents, Homer Mayfield, former newspaper editor and Mirabelle, typewriter owner and author. Seth Cassidy, who hales from my neck of the woods, is a geologist and new to Star City. He wants to get to know Clare a lot better.
This story has a stranger rush into The Rescued Word where he makes quite a scene as he insists he must have a particular typewriter, not one like it but that exact one. Clare is shaken but calling the police sends the stranger on his way. Clare is relieved until she sees something suspicious outside the back door and discovers the stranger dead as a door-nail. Did someone kill him because she failed to give him the typewriter? The story of his life came to an abrupt end, Clare is going to find out why…
These characters virtually pulled me right into this story. They are so real and fleshed out. I was engaged immediately. Everyone was so nice, I felt right at home. Chester has a secret but it is a sweet secret. Clare takes so much pride in the shop and her work and she gets excited about each new project. I love the way her romance with Seth is just beginning. With friends in the police department things can get sticky or helpful depending on the situation. Clare and Jodie are still finding their way.
The setting drew me in as well. I had been to Utah a couple of times several years ago. The descriptions in the book brought back memories of how beautiful things are there. Imagine living so close to the slopes that you can watch skiers from your windows or just ski from your backyeard. It would be wonderful to wake up to that day after day.
Now, the mystery was excellent, just what I expect from this author. She lays out a great base and then clues are dropped like snowflakes, you just have to catch them. Tracking down this killer is no easy task and the final reveal had me on the edge of my virtual lift chair. An epic read!
lightlessxo's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not that fond of the main character, but am interested enough to continue the series at a later time!