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melissa_who_reads's review
3.0
Fun if convoluted plot. Enjoyed it for a bit of light reading, but was ready for it to end when it did.
littletaiko's review
3.0
Out of two series that Joan Hess writes, I've always preferred the Claire Malloy series over Maggody, so I was very happy to have Claire return in Deader Homes and Gardens. The usual murder occurs and Claire does what she can to solve the crime - this time in pursuit of her dream house. If I found a house with a library like that, I'd do whatever it took to get that house too. :)
bethanyread's review
4.0
really good book. I haven't read in order -- just as I have found them. Good mysteries, good characters and storylines. Claire is a little too persistent and adventurous for me -- puts herself in danger. Definitely enjoyed
bigotterbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This series just keeps grinding along as old favorite characters move into new life stages. Claire & Peter have married and decide to buy a house. The 'perfect' house of course isn't actually quite so perfect and the murder mystery begins! The plot is as confusing as they always are with tons of characters in and out of the action until I decided I didn't care who did it or why. Claire makes poor choices (as usual) and her cop husband just shakes his head at her shenanigans instead of locking her up for everyone's safety and solving the crime himself! Caron & Inez are growing up-they need to have their own series.
jcbmathcat's review
3.0
When Claire Malloy returns from her honeymoon following her wedding to Peter Hanson, deputy police chief of the Farberville Police Department, she realizes that her current dwelling is no longer able to accommodate her teenaged daughter, Caron, Peter, and her. She begins the hunt for a new house, and her real estate agent, Angela Delmond, shows her multiple properties. None fit the bill until Angela calls to tell her about a place that is not on the market, might be tied up in legal situations, but is perfect.
Claire goes to see the place and is immediately ready to buy it and move in. Unfortunately, Angela receives a phone call, rushes outside to handle it, and then disappears without a word to Claire. Having no transportation, Claire decides to wait a bit and meets her first member of the Hollow family. Thus, her adventures begin.
This is book #18 in the series, so I have missed a lot of back story by reading this one first. It was almost too "cosy" for me. I also didn't understand how Claire could enter the house so many times, eat food there, have Caron and Inez there to swim, and basically behave as if the house was hers when she had no legal claim at all. I know that she needed to be there in order to follow the mysterious death and murder of two people, but she was breaking the law. She also did a few other illegal things, so I questioned her credulity.
However, like other civilians who "help" the police, Claire proved useful. It also seemed odd to me that some of the family members would share information with this relative stranger in their midst. If you can let go of these thoughts, then it is an engaging read.
I might try one of the previous books, as reviews on another site indicated that this was not one of her better entries in the series.
Claire goes to see the place and is immediately ready to buy it and move in. Unfortunately, Angela receives a phone call, rushes outside to handle it, and then disappears without a word to Claire. Having no transportation, Claire decides to wait a bit and meets her first member of the Hollow family. Thus, her adventures begin.
This is book #18 in the series, so I have missed a lot of back story by reading this one first. It was almost too "cosy" for me. I also didn't understand how Claire could enter the house so many times, eat food there, have Caron and Inez there to swim, and basically behave as if the house was hers when she had no legal claim at all. I know that she needed to be there in order to follow the mysterious death and murder of two people, but she was breaking the law. She also did a few other illegal things, so I questioned her credulity.
However, like other civilians who "help" the police, Claire proved useful. It also seemed odd to me that some of the family members would share information with this relative stranger in their midst. If you can let go of these thoughts, then it is an engaging read.
I might try one of the previous books, as reviews on another site indicated that this was not one of her better entries in the series.
nonna7's review
3.0
Claire Malloy is one of my favorite cozy characters. Joan Hess is really great at making murder a laugh out loud event! In this edition, Claire has married Peter, member of the local police department, who also works with the FBI, son of a wealthy New England family. The two of them plus her teenage daughter, Caron, are all crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment above Claire's bookstore. Claire starts looking at houses with an agent. However nothing suits until the agent, Angela, tells her about an unlisted house that may be perfect. It is located in an area surrounded by family members of the late owner. Of course it's perfect. It even got ME excited! Before you know it, the late partner of the owner, who has inherited the house has been murdered. Claire is intent on solving the murder and getting her hands on the house. this is one of those books that just a lot of fun. Joan Hess writes well - something that seems to be lacking in more and more of the cozies. Enjoy!
jcbmathcat's review against another edition
3.0
When Claire Malloy returns from her honeymoon following her wedding to Peter Hanson, deputy police chief of the Farberville Police Department, she realizes that her current dwelling is no longer able to accommodate her teenaged daughter, Caron, Peter, and her. She begins the hunt for a new house, and her real estate agent, Angela Delmond, shows her multiple properties. None fit the bill until Angela calls to tell her about a place that is not on the market, might be tied up in legal situations, but is perfect.
Claire goes to see the place and is immediately ready to buy it and move in. Unfortunately, Angela receives a phone call, rushes outside to handle it, and then disappears without a word to Claire. Having no transportation, Claire decides to wait a bit and meets her first member of the Hollow family. Thus, her adventures begin.
This is book #18 in the series, so I have missed a lot of back story by reading this one first. It was almost too "cosy" for me. I also didn't understand how Claire could enter the house so many times, eat food there, have Caron and Inez there to swim, and basically behave as if the house was hers when she had no legal claim at all. I know that she needed to be there in order to follow the mysterious death and murder of two people, but she was breaking the law. She also did a few other illegal things, so I questioned her credulity.
However, like other civilians who "help" the police, Claire proved useful. It also seemed odd to me that some of the family members would share information with this relative stranger in their midst. If you can let go of these thoughts, then it is an engaging read.
I might try one of the previous books, as reviews on another site indicated that this was not one of her better entries in the series.
Claire goes to see the place and is immediately ready to buy it and move in. Unfortunately, Angela receives a phone call, rushes outside to handle it, and then disappears without a word to Claire. Having no transportation, Claire decides to wait a bit and meets her first member of the Hollow family. Thus, her adventures begin.
This is book #18 in the series, so I have missed a lot of back story by reading this one first. It was almost too "cosy" for me. I also didn't understand how Claire could enter the house so many times, eat food there, have Caron and Inez there to swim, and basically behave as if the house was hers when she had no legal claim at all. I know that she needed to be there in order to follow the mysterious death and murder of two people, but she was breaking the law. She also did a few other illegal things, so I questioned her credulity.
However, like other civilians who "help" the police, Claire proved useful. It also seemed odd to me that some of the family members would share information with this relative stranger in their midst. If you can let go of these thoughts, then it is an engaging read.
I might try one of the previous books, as reviews on another site indicated that this was not one of her better entries in the series.
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