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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75 ⭐️
Overall this was a good read! I did find it hard to invest in the characters and felt that certain plot elements could have been further developed, but the concept was definitely unique. I think fans of 'Only Murders In The Building' and 'A Man On The Inside' would enjoy this!
Thank you NetGalley for the copy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Murder
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I feel like this review needs to be split into two parts.
First, the positives, I genuinely loved the humor and the sheer hilarity brought on by the innocent, orphaned turtle. It added such a charming, whimsical touch to the story. I'm also a sucker for a bumbling detective who somehow manages to solve the case before anyone else, and that element was executed well here. Another aspect I appreciated was the focus on an often overlooked demographic of the elderly. It's refreshing to see stories told through their perspectives.
Now, onto the down side. I found myself constantly frustrated with the main characters. Amber, for instance, spends so much time complaining and playing the victim it’s exhausting, especially coming from a middle aged woman who seems to have no interest in getting her life together. Even when she's handed a once in a lifetime opportunity to live rent free and have a job provided by a grandmother she’s never met, she still manages to grumble about it. Then there’s Jade, the grandmother, whose steamroller personality pushes everyone into doing her bidding through guilt and manipulation. And finally, the narcissistic mother, who takes every opportunity to berate both her daughter and her own mother, with no real explanation or depth to her behavior.
I truly wanted to love this book, the premise was unique and had so much potential but I struggled to feel any real connection to the characters, which made it hard to fully engage with the story.
*Thank you to Tamara Berry, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
Slower than expected, but still a fun mystery. I am curious to see what happens next if that's an option.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Delightful mystery. An aspiring PI searches and finds her estranged grandmother at a luxury retirement complex in Arizona where she co-produces a cold case podcast.While there's an immediate recognition between them, it's short lived before her grandmother is arrested for the murder and carted off to jail. Amber is left trying to figure out what happened while caring for a 90+ year old tortoise who may have an important clue. Fun and funny without devolving into a madcap farce. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In Murder runs in the family, the main character, Amber, visits her grandma who resides at a retirement home in Arizona. While at the retirement home, she learns that her grandma is part of a podcast and a dead body is found at the podcast recording studio. Amber embarks in the journey of investigating the murder and the disappearance of the victim's tortoise and valuable ring.
Cozy mystery that takes place in a retirement home in Arizona; while reading this story, it reminded me a lot of the Netflix Show, A Man on the Inside, with Ted Danson. The overall story was well written and entertaining; will definitely be reading more from Tamara Berry.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Cozy mystery that takes place in a retirement home in Arizona; while reading this story, it reminded me a lot of the Netflix Show, A Man on the Inside, with Ted Danson. The overall story was well written and entertaining; will definitely be reading more from Tamara Berry.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first time reading Tamara Berry; I loved the writing. I can't wait to read more. This book had eccentric characters, a lovable found family (maybe), true crime podcasts, wannabe P.I.s, and a missing tortoise.
When Amber decides to leave her ex ( a famous P.I.) and working as his assistant/apprentice, she heads for her Grandmother. A woman she has never met, but has heard a lot of stories about from her Mom. Hoping she can crash with her till she figures out what to do with her life. When she arrives at Seven Ponds, a retirement community filled with Senior Citizens, that will keep her on her toes. Starting with her Grandma, it turns out she is Jade McCallan, known for her True Crime Podcast. Jade and her friends all run the podcast and enjoy getting into trouble. As soon as Amber arrives, The Admiral winds up dead, and his family wants to know what happened to a family heirloom. Now her Grandma is under arrest, and everyone is looking at her to find some clues and a missing tortoise.
Will she be able to help her Grandma and find out what happened to The Admiral? Before the Director kicks her off the property, or Nasty Nancy gets rid of her? Just wait till her Ex shows up. This book is filled with twists and Turns that keep you guessing.
Fair warning… this Book will have you laughing out loud. If you don’t want weird looks, avoid reading in waiting rooms. :) Learned the hard way.
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Amber decides to leave her ex ( a famous P.I.) and working as his assistant/apprentice, she heads for her Grandmother. A woman she has never met, but has heard a lot of stories about from her Mom. Hoping she can crash with her till she figures out what to do with her life. When she arrives at Seven Ponds, a retirement community filled with Senior Citizens, that will keep her on her toes. Starting with her Grandma, it turns out she is Jade McCallan, known for her True Crime Podcast. Jade and her friends all run the podcast and enjoy getting into trouble. As soon as Amber arrives, The Admiral winds up dead, and his family wants to know what happened to a family heirloom. Now her Grandma is under arrest, and everyone is looking at her to find some clues and a missing tortoise.
Will she be able to help her Grandma and find out what happened to The Admiral? Before the Director kicks her off the property, or Nasty Nancy gets rid of her? Just wait till her Ex shows up. This book is filled with twists and Turns that keep you guessing.
Fair warning… this Book will have you laughing out loud. If you don’t want weird looks, avoid reading in waiting rooms. :) Learned the hard way.
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes