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gillianw's review
4.0
This is the kind of murder mystery that's perfect for people who don't like a lot of murder in their mystery. It's murder mystery light, if you will. But never fear; this book is still strong on story and characters and is thoroughly enjoyable.
Reminiscent of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series, Cited to Death features Jamie Brodie, a commitment-phobic, asthmatic librarian who lives with his brother and girlfriend. Unlike most books featuring amateur sleuths, Jamie has no problem calling in the cavalry when things get weird, which is a pretty bold move when most of the other stories rely on their MC's doing stupid things to move the plot along. I also liked the fact that Jamie's relationship with his 'friend' Pete seems grown up and and real. They're honest with each other, they talk, they try and work things out - it makes for a refreshing change from the jump-to-the-nearest-wrong-conclusion mentality that can be found in too many romance novels. All the sex takes place off the page, but I knew that going in and I didn't really miss it too much. The story is interesting enough without it.
I thought this was a perfect, easy read with an enjoyable plot and great characters. 4 stars
Reminiscent of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series, Cited to Death features Jamie Brodie, a commitment-phobic, asthmatic librarian who lives with his brother and girlfriend. Unlike most books featuring amateur sleuths, Jamie has no problem calling in the cavalry when things get weird, which is a pretty bold move when most of the other stories rely on their MC's doing stupid things to move the plot along. I also liked the fact that Jamie's relationship with his 'friend' Pete seems grown up and and real. They're honest with each other, they talk, they try and work things out - it makes for a refreshing change from the jump-to-the-nearest-wrong-conclusion mentality that can be found in too many romance novels. All the sex takes place off the page, but I knew that going in and I didn't really miss it too much. The story is interesting enough without it.
I thought this was a perfect, easy read with an enjoyable plot and great characters. 4 stars
avsfan08's review
2.0
Fairly pedestrian mystery. Didn't find Jamie compelling enough of a narrator and not invested enough in his relationship to continue with the series.
isalaur's review
fast-paced
5.0
I love the premise of this series and look forward to reading more. An academic librarian as a sleuth is a different idea. The military/cop family background gets us away from stereotypes and gives plausible explanation for some skills and connections. It was a very enjoyable read and I loved the author note at the end with an explanation of some of the database aspects and journal info that those not steeped in academia might not be familiar with. Having dealt with database licensing myself as the director of a college in the classroom program for HS students I recognized the situation and appreciated the explanation at the end for those that wouldn’t.
Jamie is a very likable protagonist and the secondary characters contributed to moving the storyline. I look forward to learning more about Pete and I definitely am curious about Clinton!
Jamie is a very likable protagonist and the secondary characters contributed to moving the storyline. I look forward to learning more about Pete and I definitely am curious about Clinton!
suze_1624's review
4.0
3.5/4*
enjoyed this story of college librarian investigating. Easy to read and engaging
Police are linked through Jamie's brother, plenty of help from academia contacts, long term crush/past hook up turns up too.
I liked that police were called in times of trouble, rather than plowing on. Though the end could be classed a TSTL moment but with Jamie's brother top the rescue it worked out.
Pete and Jamie do get together at the end, will look at the next one soon
enjoyed this story of college librarian investigating. Easy to read and engaging
Police are linked through Jamie's brother, plenty of help from academia contacts, long term crush/past hook up turns up too.
I liked that police were called in times of trouble, rather than plowing on. Though the end could be classed a TSTL moment but with Jamie's brother top the rescue it worked out.
Pete and Jamie do get together at the end, will look at the next one soon
shazov's review
4.0
When I first started this book, I didn't think I would end up enjoying it as much as I did. To be honest I initially had the feeling I was missing a book, as there was little to no introduction to the characters or their history. We were filled in with (most) details during the books, but yes, in the first instance I did have a "what the?" feeling.
Once that was overcome, I became engrossed in the story and the MCs. The mystery part of it was good enough to leave you guessing for most of the book, which I appreciate, lol.
The romance definitely takes a backseat in this book, but it is there for sure. I actually really liked the balance and as it is a mystery, that the romance took the backseat for the most part. I'm actually looking forward to what the next book is going to bring now *grin*
Once that was overcome, I became engrossed in the story and the MCs. The mystery part of it was good enough to leave you guessing for most of the book, which I appreciate, lol.
The romance definitely takes a backseat in this book, but it is there for sure. I actually really liked the balance and as it is a mystery, that the romance took the backseat for the most part. I'm actually looking forward to what the next book is going to bring now *grin*
claudia_is_reading's review
4.0
Well, seems that I found a winner!
I enjoyed this book a lot: it was intriguing and funny and the protagonist is a librarian! How could I not like it? :P
It's not perfect, the dialogues are a bit stilted, mostly on the romantic scenes, but it has a solid mystery and very interesting and endearing characters.
I like Jamie a great deal, I like his family and co-workers and I like Pete. A lot. But I'm fascinated by Clinton and his word for the day :P
And yay! this is a very long series, so it seems that I'll be having a good time for a long while :)
I enjoyed this book a lot: it was intriguing and funny and the protagonist is a librarian! How could I not like it? :P
It's not perfect, the dialogues are a bit stilted, mostly on the romantic scenes, but it has a solid mystery and very interesting and endearing characters.
I like Jamie a great deal, I like his family and co-workers and I like Pete. A lot. But I'm fascinated by Clinton and his word for the day :P
And yay! this is a very long series, so it seems that I'll be having a good time for a long while :)
lillian_francis's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed the story, got completely hooked into the mystery. The romance didn't take centre stage which is fine for me with this type of story but still left me satisfied with the outcome, relationship-wise.
Issues: I like a dialogue tag but a one point there were so many 'said's that it pulled me from the story, also around this point I was hoping for a bit more action between the dialogue. Also I noticed some repetition, characters repeating what had already been discussed earlier- made me wonder if it had started life in serial form.
For all those little niggles I really enjoyed the story and liked the characters involved. Would certainly read more by this author.
Issues: I like a dialogue tag but a one point there were so many 'said's that it pulled me from the story, also around this point I was hoping for a bit more action between the dialogue. Also I noticed some repetition, characters repeating what had already been discussed earlier- made me wonder if it had started life in serial form.
For all those little niggles I really enjoyed the story and liked the characters involved. Would certainly read more by this author.
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