Scan barcode
mease_moose's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annamgreene's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
emeb's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
chaptersoncapecod's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well, I finally read a cozy mystery by Maddie Day (it's been on my list for a while). "Murder on Cape Cod" is the first of the "Cozy Capers" mystery series. In a cozy mystery (if you're not familiar), you find out the murder or the worst possible thing that will happen in the book right away, and then the rest of the book unravels the mystery.
In "Murder on Cape Cod," we find out that Westham local, Jake, has been found murdered on the bike path, right behind Mackenzie (Mac)'s home. Mac owns the local bike shop and is part of a book club in town. It's prime tourist season, so Mac and her book club friends decide to pull out all the stops in trying to figure out who killed Jake, despite the police saying "We've got this."
This book takes place in a fictional town, Westham, on Cape Cod, but I was picturing Falmouth the entire time. Falmouth is mentioned in the book, but I still couldn't shake that Westham is actually Falmouth, haha.
Overall, this was a fun read. I liked the aspect of the book club members trying to solve a crime - I wouldn't put that past my book club ladies either (we all want a safe community, am I right?!). And this was a nice break from some of the other intense mystery/thrillers that I read.
In "Murder on Cape Cod," we find out that Westham local, Jake, has been found murdered on the bike path, right behind Mackenzie (Mac)'s home. Mac owns the local bike shop and is part of a book club in town. It's prime tourist season, so Mac and her book club friends decide to pull out all the stops in trying to figure out who killed Jake, despite the police saying "We've got this."
This book takes place in a fictional town, Westham, on Cape Cod, but I was picturing Falmouth the entire time. Falmouth is mentioned in the book, but I still couldn't shake that Westham is actually Falmouth, haha.
Overall, this was a fun read. I liked the aspect of the book club members trying to solve a crime - I wouldn't put that past my book club ladies either (we all want a safe community, am I right?!). And this was a nice break from some of the other intense mystery/thrillers that I read.
victorycheers's review
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
readerjenn's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
blogginboutbooks's review
3.0
Cozy mystery series are a dime a dozen, so I'm picky about which ones I read. Like many others, this one—at least its initial installment—falls under the "just okay" category. Why? Well, for starters, the characters are likable, but bland. Other than her choice of pet, Mac really doesn't stand out in any way. Neither do her friends, family, and fellow townsfolk. In fact, they all kind of blend together because none of them have much personality. The town of Westham is kind of the same. It's quaint, but in a very generic way. As far as plot goes, there's not a lot of action, meaning the story drags at time. Also, as much as I like the idea of a book group solving a murder, the gang doesn't do much but ask a few questions. There are few real clues presented in this mystery; maybe that's because the killer's identity is so obvious that they aren't really needed?
In some ways, MURDER ON CAPE COD is actually the most realistic cozy mystery I've ever read. The main character spends lots of time actually working at the business she owns; she doesn't engage in any crazy, over-the-top sleuthing activities; she doesn't bicker with her feisty neighbors or interfering family; and nothing super far-fetched or unrealistic happens to her. Unfortunately, though, that makes this book a bit dull. It's very tame for a cozy mystery. Still an easy, entertaining enough read, it's just not a super compelling one.
All these things considered, MURDER ON CAPE COD is a very average cozy. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it. It does have potential, though, I think. I actually checked the second book in the series out of the library at the same time I checked out the first, just in case I wanted to read it. Do I? Not sure. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. I'm undecided at this point.
In some ways, MURDER ON CAPE COD is actually the most realistic cozy mystery I've ever read. The main character spends lots of time actually working at the business she owns; she doesn't engage in any crazy, over-the-top sleuthing activities; she doesn't bicker with her feisty neighbors or interfering family; and nothing super far-fetched or unrealistic happens to her. Unfortunately, though, that makes this book a bit dull. It's very tame for a cozy mystery. Still an easy, entertaining enough read, it's just not a super compelling one.
All these things considered, MURDER ON CAPE COD is a very average cozy. I didn't hate it, but I certainly didn't love it. It does have potential, though, I think. I actually checked the second book in the series out of the library at the same time I checked out the first, just in case I wanted to read it. Do I? Not sure. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. I'm undecided at this point.
calycat2's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
MURDER ON CAPE COD by Maddie Day
The First Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery
Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida appreciates her life as a small business owner in the Cape Cod hamlet of Westham. Her bicycle rental and repair shop is always busy, she has a wonderful boyfriend, and her cozy mystery book club keeps her mind active. Walking home from a book club meeting she stumbles in the fog, only to realize that she's tripped over the dead body of the local handyman. She also realizes the knife in the dead man looks just like the custom one her half brother owns. Her book club friends are eager to solve a murder mystery, just like their books, while Mac has reservations. But, to protect herself and her brother she decides to organize her fellow sleuths and look into the matter. With so many people discretely investigating, no one could get hurt, right?
The first Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery introduces us to a charming new protagonist. Mac is down to earth, resourceful, and willing to cooperate with the police. A best friend who owns a taffy shop to walk with every morning, an enterprising librarian, a minister father, an astrologist mother, a social grandmother, and a variety of friends create a great foundation to not only support each other, but solve a mystery together. I love dogs and adore cats, but it's nice to see a different type of companion animal in a mystery. Belle, an African Grey parrot. is both sassy and loving, providing an extra layer of character development. Another fun aspect to the series is that Mac's book club is for cozy mysteries! It not only references current books in the genre, it also shows the prejudice some cozy readers face from certain book people!
While MURDER ON CAPE COD is definitely a cozy mystery, and not a bit dark, not everything is perfect in this cozy world. I appreciate the real life touches added to this book, including ex cons and having a main character who is a recovering alcoholic. I also enjoyed meeting characters who happen to have varied ethnic backgrounds, from Cape Verdean to Wampanoag!
MURDER ON CAPE COD brings together a diverse cast of characters in an appealing tourist town. Intelligent snooping by friends and family ensure both a successful investigation and a great start to a new series.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery
Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida appreciates her life as a small business owner in the Cape Cod hamlet of Westham. Her bicycle rental and repair shop is always busy, she has a wonderful boyfriend, and her cozy mystery book club keeps her mind active. Walking home from a book club meeting she stumbles in the fog, only to realize that she's tripped over the dead body of the local handyman. She also realizes the knife in the dead man looks just like the custom one her half brother owns. Her book club friends are eager to solve a murder mystery, just like their books, while Mac has reservations. But, to protect herself and her brother she decides to organize her fellow sleuths and look into the matter. With so many people discretely investigating, no one could get hurt, right?
The first Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery introduces us to a charming new protagonist. Mac is down to earth, resourceful, and willing to cooperate with the police. A best friend who owns a taffy shop to walk with every morning, an enterprising librarian, a minister father, an astrologist mother, a social grandmother, and a variety of friends create a great foundation to not only support each other, but solve a mystery together. I love dogs and adore cats, but it's nice to see a different type of companion animal in a mystery. Belle, an African Grey parrot. is both sassy and loving, providing an extra layer of character development. Another fun aspect to the series is that Mac's book club is for cozy mysteries! It not only references current books in the genre, it also shows the prejudice some cozy readers face from certain book people!
While MURDER ON CAPE COD is definitely a cozy mystery, and not a bit dark, not everything is perfect in this cozy world. I appreciate the real life touches added to this book, including ex cons and having a main character who is a recovering alcoholic. I also enjoyed meeting characters who happen to have varied ethnic backgrounds, from Cape Verdean to Wampanoag!
MURDER ON CAPE COD brings together a diverse cast of characters in an appealing tourist town. Intelligent snooping by friends and family ensure both a successful investigation and a great start to a new series.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.