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sparklingreader's review against another edition
5.0
In this next book in the Tallie Graver series, our intrepid heroine is in the midst of the holidays. She not only has to deal with her grumpy grandmother, but apartment renovations (with the marvelous Max), another murder, and an arsonist. Her mother and grandmother drag her to Christmas Eve bingo—not her first choice of how to spend the evening—and when she wins (much to the anger of the regular players), instead of gathering her prize, she finds a body. But the real surprise is when Police Chief Burton actually asks for her input. And then her uncle Sherman asks her to help find the firebug who’s burning up buildings around town. With the help of Max and her friends, Tallie once again discovers the secrets being hidden. But before we get to the satisfying ending, there are a lot of twists and turns that leave you guessing. One thing about the series is that each one is a stand-alone story. Yes, reading them in order gives you background on the family that would help you get deeper into the story, but you don’t need to have in order to enjoy the stories.
What I liked: I love the family dynamics in the Tallie stories. The books aren’t just about the murder, but about Tallie and her life and relationships. And it all keeps you turning the pages.
What I didn’t like: Nothing. I love the Tallie Graver series!
Recommendation: If you’ve read the other ones in this series, you need to read this one. But if you haven’t, you can still read this one and know what’s going on. I suggest you read them all for a fun, light-hearted mystery with interesting characters and endings that satisfy.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by anyone or anything.
What I liked: I love the family dynamics in the Tallie stories. The books aren’t just about the murder, but about Tallie and her life and relationships. And it all keeps you turning the pages.
What I didn’t like: Nothing. I love the Tallie Graver series!
Recommendation: If you’ve read the other ones in this series, you need to read this one. But if you haven’t, you can still read this one and know what’s going on. I suggest you read them all for a fun, light-hearted mystery with interesting characters and endings that satisfy.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by anyone or anything.
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 5th book in the Tallie Graver Mystery series, and while I have enjoyed them all, I think this book is my favorite so far in this series. Ms. Simon has crafted one of the best opening paragraphs in a cozy mystery that I have read in a long time. I was literally laughing from the first sentence and hooked for the rest of the book. Tallie has come a long way since we first met her. She is in a better place with her family, the town, her career and her boyfriend Max. Things are changing for them and I love how Tallie is adapting and rolling with the punches, so to speak. This time around, we get to meet Tallie's grandmother and Burton's father, both of whom are great characters.
I really loved the mystery in this book. It kept me on my toes trying to unravel the clues and piece together just what happened and the identity of the culprit. I also like that Tallie and Burton are in a much better place. I'm wondering when he is going to convince her to join the force. The author is not overly generous on suspects, especially as we get further along in the story making it important for me to stay focused. I was able to unravel a bit of the mystery but the reveal was well done and I finished this book feeling very satisfied.
I will definitely be back to see where this author takes this series and the characters. It is always fun and when I finish the book I've spent several hours being entertained.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The thoughts expressed are my own.
I really loved the mystery in this book. It kept me on my toes trying to unravel the clues and piece together just what happened and the identity of the culprit. I also like that Tallie and Burton are in a much better place. I'm wondering when he is going to convince her to join the force. The author is not overly generous on suspects, especially as we get further along in the story making it important for me to stay focused. I was able to unravel a bit of the mystery but the reveal was well done and I finished this book feeling very satisfied.
I will definitely be back to see where this author takes this series and the characters. It is always fun and when I finish the book I've spent several hours being entertained.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. The thoughts expressed are my own.
a_devine_read's review against another edition
5.0
Tallie is at it again, solving a murder and this time she also has to find an arsonist.
With her aunt dead, her uncle missing and a bunch of fires being lit, Tallie has her work cut out for her. She has the help of her love, Max. The police chief is actually asking for help this time.
Opinion
I haven’t read any of the previous books and had no problem following this story. I would however recommend you start from the beginning of the series.
Overall, I loved this book. It appealed to me because it is set in the middle of Pennsylvania, where I grew up. I could definitely see this book set in my hometown.
The plot was fun and interesting. Throughout the whole book, I was trying to figure out “who dunnit,”
If you like fun, cozy mysteries then you will want to check this one out.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
With her aunt dead, her uncle missing and a bunch of fires being lit, Tallie has her work cut out for her. She has the help of her love, Max. The police chief is actually asking for help this time.
Opinion
I haven’t read any of the previous books and had no problem following this story. I would however recommend you start from the beginning of the series.
Overall, I loved this book. It appealed to me because it is set in the middle of Pennsylvania, where I grew up. I could definitely see this book set in my hometown.
The plot was fun and interesting. Throughout the whole book, I was trying to figure out “who dunnit,”
If you like fun, cozy mysteries then you will want to check this one out.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Christmas, Bingo, and Bodies! Yes, it is another fun book from Misty Simon!
Tallie and Max are turning her little apartment above the funeral home into their own little penthouse just in time for the holidays. Max is trying to get his accountant practice up and running but he could be making a career change. Tallie is trying to take a little break from her cleaning business to run interference between her mother and grandmother who has come to town for the holidays. Her plans go a little awry when she is separated from her elders at the annual Christmas Eve bingo event at the fire station. She ends up sitting next to her Aunt Ronda, a bingo regular who is upset by all the holiday interlopers winning the prizes.
When Tallie wins the final game Ronda leaves in a huff. Tallie notices Ronda has left her bag behind tries to catch up with her outside. She does find her but Ronda won’t be playing bingo ever again as she is very dead with a can of varnish by her side. Boy, that happened quick.
Seeing that her Uncle Hoagie owns the local hardware store where the varnish came from the police want to talk to him immediately. One problem, Uncle Hoagie is nowhere to be found. Add to that, someone is setting fires around town. No one has been hurt yet but it appears the firebug is escalating.
Tallie isn’t sure if it’s the holiday spirit or if Police Chief Burton facing the inevitable but he asks for Tallie’s help in solving the murder case. Equally surprising, her Uncle Sherman, the fire chief, asks for Tallie’s assistance in solving the firebug case too. If Tallie wants to ring in a bright and shining new year she needs to wrap up both mysteries as soon as possible.
Wow, Ms. Simon packs a lot into these pages along with a generous supply of giggles.
I am so happy Max has moved in with Tallie. They compliment each other nicely and he has a way of handling her family in a way she never could. Tallie is getting stronger but hasn’t left behind all her insecurities.
We are introduced to two new characters in this story. Tallie’s grandmother and Burton’s father. Both strong characters and meeting them shines a light on the other characters they have touched over a lifetime. The author continues to allow her characters to grow in a realistic way.
The story has a nice twist in that not one but two people ask Tallie for her help realizing she has a talent for solving mysteries. She proves it when her observations turn the story in a different direction. Due to the murder, we meet Ronda and Hoagie’s children and again it prompts Tallie to ask key questions. Ms. Simon’s writing style takes her readers right into the ebbs and flows are Tallie’s life, like we are looking right over her shoulder as she follows the clues wherever they lead. This new partnership between Tallie and Burton gives a different dimension. I wonder if it will last.
I have enjoyed every book in this series but I feel Varnished without a Trace is the best one yet. I just can’t get enough of these characters. I strived this year to get caught up on this series and I am a little sad that I now have to wait for the next installment. Until next year, Tallie! I am not tapping my foot or anything. Okay, I am, but I know writing and publishing great stories take time.
Christmas, Bingo, and Bodies! Yes, it is another fun book from Misty Simon!
Tallie and Max are turning her little apartment above the funeral home into their own little penthouse just in time for the holidays. Max is trying to get his accountant practice up and running but he could be making a career change. Tallie is trying to take a little break from her cleaning business to run interference between her mother and grandmother who has come to town for the holidays. Her plans go a little awry when she is separated from her elders at the annual Christmas Eve bingo event at the fire station. She ends up sitting next to her Aunt Ronda, a bingo regular who is upset by all the holiday interlopers winning the prizes.
When Tallie wins the final game Ronda leaves in a huff. Tallie notices Ronda has left her bag behind tries to catch up with her outside. She does find her but Ronda won’t be playing bingo ever again as she is very dead with a can of varnish by her side. Boy, that happened quick.
Seeing that her Uncle Hoagie owns the local hardware store where the varnish came from the police want to talk to him immediately. One problem, Uncle Hoagie is nowhere to be found. Add to that, someone is setting fires around town. No one has been hurt yet but it appears the firebug is escalating.
Tallie isn’t sure if it’s the holiday spirit or if Police Chief Burton facing the inevitable but he asks for Tallie’s help in solving the murder case. Equally surprising, her Uncle Sherman, the fire chief, asks for Tallie’s assistance in solving the firebug case too. If Tallie wants to ring in a bright and shining new year she needs to wrap up both mysteries as soon as possible.
Wow, Ms. Simon packs a lot into these pages along with a generous supply of giggles.
I am so happy Max has moved in with Tallie. They compliment each other nicely and he has a way of handling her family in a way she never could. Tallie is getting stronger but hasn’t left behind all her insecurities.
We are introduced to two new characters in this story. Tallie’s grandmother and Burton’s father. Both strong characters and meeting them shines a light on the other characters they have touched over a lifetime. The author continues to allow her characters to grow in a realistic way.
The story has a nice twist in that not one but two people ask Tallie for her help realizing she has a talent for solving mysteries. She proves it when her observations turn the story in a different direction. Due to the murder, we meet Ronda and Hoagie’s children and again it prompts Tallie to ask key questions. Ms. Simon’s writing style takes her readers right into the ebbs and flows are Tallie’s life, like we are looking right over her shoulder as she follows the clues wherever they lead. This new partnership between Tallie and Burton gives a different dimension. I wonder if it will last.
I have enjoyed every book in this series but I feel Varnished without a Trace is the best one yet. I just can’t get enough of these characters. I strived this year to get caught up on this series and I am a little sad that I now have to wait for the next installment. Until next year, Tallie! I am not tapping my foot or anything. Okay, I am, but I know writing and publishing great stories take time.
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