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sparklingreader's review
4.0
Thoughts: This was a cute story with a touch of mystery, intrigue, and romance. The romance is light with old friends meeting up as adults. The mystery, not really much of a mystery as I knew who the perps were almost from the start. But there was at least a little intrigue surrounding two of the characters that kept my interest. I will say this though, giving Julie—Retta’s cousin—an interesting malady that makes it impossible for her to recognize faces was fascinating. I’d never heard of this—though I did look it up. Prosopagnosia is exactly what the author described and added an interesting layer to the character and mystery. The conflict Retta has with herself and her future is well-done. We don’t have a HEA, but a happy for now that works for the story. I also loved the way the townspeople came together to help out at the end after the ice-cream shop had been seriously vandalized. I was left with some questions though about a couple of the characters. But they were minor.
Recommendation: For a relatively short read (novella) with a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a decent ending, pick this one up.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Recommendation: For a relatively short read (novella) with a bit of romance, a bit of mystery, and a decent ending, pick this one up.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
meezcarrie's review
4.0
Who can resist a book with ice cream on the cover? And a mystery besides? Not me, which is how I came to be reviewing Double Dipped by Terry Korth Fischer – a cozy mystery quick read perfect for your summer vacation TBR list!
A teacher debating whether to renew her contract for another year impulsively decides to go back to the place where her happiest memories reside while she takes a couple more weeks to decide. That happy place is her Gram’s cottage in Moon Lake, Wisconsin, a place where her cousins and childhood sweetheart still live. However, nothing is as Retta remembers, at least not at first glance. So much has changed … and something other than the lake seems fishy.
Retta is a great character with a love for kids and a determined spirit. Despite the short word count, I felt like we did get to know Retta and childhood sweetheart Dean pretty well … but, that said, I would still love to spend more time in Moon Lake with these characters to unpack even more layers. For instance, Julie and Boone have great potential for further mysteries, too. Even old man Magruder’s dog Herman needs a story or two. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their community – which despite its decline maybe hasn’t quite yet lost all of the heart that filled Retta’s memories.
Bottom Line: Double Dipped by Terry Korth Fischer is a quick read, light mystery with a couple of unexpected twists and several intriguing characters. The community of Moon Lake has its share of secrets and less-than-reputable characters but who is which may surprise you in the end. A bit of nostalgia, a bit of romance, and a bit of mystery combine to give readers a lovely choice for their own lakeside (or poolside or bedside) reading this summer – or any time of year.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
A teacher debating whether to renew her contract for another year impulsively decides to go back to the place where her happiest memories reside while she takes a couple more weeks to decide. That happy place is her Gram’s cottage in Moon Lake, Wisconsin, a place where her cousins and childhood sweetheart still live. However, nothing is as Retta remembers, at least not at first glance. So much has changed … and something other than the lake seems fishy.
Retta is a great character with a love for kids and a determined spirit. Despite the short word count, I felt like we did get to know Retta and childhood sweetheart Dean pretty well … but, that said, I would still love to spend more time in Moon Lake with these characters to unpack even more layers. For instance, Julie and Boone have great potential for further mysteries, too. Even old man Magruder’s dog Herman needs a story or two. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their community – which despite its decline maybe hasn’t quite yet lost all of the heart that filled Retta’s memories.
Bottom Line: Double Dipped by Terry Korth Fischer is a quick read, light mystery with a couple of unexpected twists and several intriguing characters. The community of Moon Lake has its share of secrets and less-than-reputable characters but who is which may surprise you in the end. A bit of nostalgia, a bit of romance, and a bit of mystery combine to give readers a lovely choice for their own lakeside (or poolside or bedside) reading this summer – or any time of year.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
dollycas's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Can you ever really go home again?
First-grade teacher, Retta Curt feels like her life is at a crossroads. There are some changes coming to the school where she teaches meaning her contract is now for a higher grade and she just isn’t sure if that is what she wants. She has just two weeks left to make her decision so on the spur of the moment she packs a bag and heads for Moon Lake. She has so many great memories of her time there with Gram and other friends and family.
When she arrives her heart just drops. The cottage is in bad shape, as is Sweet Picks, her family’s ice cream stand. So much more has changed as well. Family cottages are being bought up and turned into rental properties. The businesses are being bought too. A man named Magruder has big plans for the area turning it into a place Retta will no longer recognize.
Can she take the man on and try to return the charm to a place she loves so much or should she sign her contract and go home? She doesn’t have a lot of time to discover her bliss but she is going to use her time at Moon Lake to try to figure out how to get to her happy place.
Retta Curt is an excellent main character. She is dealing with real-life issues. She is easy to relate to and I found her very engaging. It is tough to go back and see people she hadn’t seen in years. There are emotions in play that have been brewing for years and like her, her friends have some challenges and sorrow in their lives. The author does a nice job of giving all the characters layers to peel away.
There was definitely something fishy going on at Moon Lake. Vandals have been targeting the ice cream stand and other places but there is something more. Retta is completely in the dark about what happened years ago but is quickly brought up to speed and works with her friends to solve the current crimes. The author portrayed the true complications of dealing with something huge in a small town where everyone knows each other and most of their business.
I loved the way the community supported Retta and her cousin Julie after so many things went wrong at Sweet Picks. It is something you used to see in a lot of small towns and it gave the story such a positive ending. It gave me the feelings I had growing up as a child when I played outside until the street lights came on and if I needed anything I could go to any house on the block.
Double Dipped
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