Reviews

Tide and Punishment by Bree Baker

analicia_simar's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

msnyderk's review against another edition

4.0

Love this series! Cool that this was a Christmas book. Perfect for the holidays!

ellenareads's review against another edition

I found this book so formulaic. I read the previous book recently and this one hits the same beats as previous one but with a more Christmas theme. It introduced all characters like you never read any of the previous books. It's just so frustrating when you read them close together because the 20% I read was almost a copy-pase from the first 20% of the previous book. The character even has the exact same scene of going through town in her car where she meets characters along the way with introductions and recaps.
For now, I'll be pausing this series at least until I forget some so that I might enjoy it.

bookmarklit's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Another strong installment in this cozy mystery series! I feel pretty good recommending this one overall at this point. It’s not as cheesy or cringeworthy as some others I’ve read and the setting is adorable. This story had the added benefit of taking place at Christmas time; really glad I held off on reading it until now! Not a ton of holiday feels but just enough. My only qualms are Everly’s ever present discussion of weight loss and the fact that she gets a concussion in every book lol.  

tai08's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition

5.0

Tide and Punishment is the third instalment in the A Seaside Cafe Mystery Series by Bree Baker. I fall more in love with this series with each new book. This year the holidays are bringing murder and mayhem ...

No one dreams of a killer Christmas. . .
It's Christmastime in Charm, North Carolina, and while Everly Swan would prefer to focus on decorating her iced tea shop for its first holiday season, Great-Aunt Fran has decided to run for mayor against her long-time nemesis. But when the other candidate turns up dead just before the first scheduled debate, all eyes turn to Fran as the suspect with the most obvious motive.

Everly knows her sweet, elderlyAunt Fran couldn't have murdered anyone, but as she struggles to find the real killer, it begins to seem like this may be the last merry Christmas her family may ever have.

Protagonist Everly I baking up her Grans Christmas cookies like crazy and trying to figure out who is framing her aunt for murder. I love the main group of characters, there each individual, quirky and heartfelt in their own way. I'm including the feathered friend Lou and fur baby Maggie in the mix. I like how she is also coming to grips with Wyatt being in town.

I did suspect the killer a few times but then was like nah, as there were just enough red herrings and twists and turns to keep you guessing.
The story was wrapped up with a nice helping of hope, kindness and Christmas blessings! I also agree with another reviewer it's about time ~squeal~

I cannot recommend this series enough!

I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

samantha_45's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

chrelaine's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite of the series, so far. Character relationships develop. Yes, it's a cozy mystery set at Christmas, fit for Hallmark movies. It is also exactly what I need to read when the world feels overly harsh and heavy. At various points the book is sentimental, funny, happy, scary, dangerous and, above all, hopeful. Just what I needed at this point.

pussreboots's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

rants_n_reads's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0