Scan barcode
kimdavishb's review
5.0
A PARFAIT CRIME is the ninth book in the Five-Ingredient Mysteries by Maya Corrigan. If you’re a fan of Dame Agatha Christie, you’ll be a fan of this newest addition to the series! With the stage play, “The Mousetrap”, the focal point of the mystery, protagonist Val Deniston and her grandfather take part in a local production after one of the cast members is murdered. One of the many things I love about this series are the characters. Val and her granddad, Don, are roomies and great friends. Their close relationship is built on love and respect for each other, which reflects how they treat other people which is refreshing in today’s society. They rely on each other as they investigate, each bringing their own strengths to tracking down clues. They, along with the cast of supporting characters, are people you’d love to hang out with and call your friends.
As much as this is a character-driven book, Ms. Corrigan doesn’t forget that a murder mystery is the purpose of the book. A shocking discovery starts the story off with a bang and continues with twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. I also appreciated how the author touches on the personal psychological trauma emergency responders face when they can’t save victims, especially of those who are known to them. It brings a gravity to the storyline that can often be missing in cozy mysteries. There are plenty of clues for the armchair detective to follow and with the reveal, all my questions were answered in a highly satisfactory manner. I’m looking forward to the next book with eager anticipation!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As much as this is a character-driven book, Ms. Corrigan doesn’t forget that a murder mystery is the purpose of the book. A shocking discovery starts the story off with a bang and continues with twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. I also appreciated how the author touches on the personal psychological trauma emergency responders face when they can’t save victims, especially of those who are known to them. It brings a gravity to the storyline that can often be missing in cozy mysteries. There are plenty of clues for the armchair detective to follow and with the reveal, all my questions were answered in a highly satisfactory manner. I’m looking forward to the next book with eager anticipation!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
booklet0829's review
mysterious
slow-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
It wasn't a bad read, and it really wasn't who I was expecting, but it's one of those where there's no earthly way to guess who it was until you get key information right before the reveal. Kind of a stinker in that way.
valeris29's review
4.0
“It was a mousetrap.”
Outing number nine for Val and the Codger Cook has a sound mystery and thrilling conclusion but it simply felt a bit long and repetitive when as our sleuths seem to endlessly go over the same theories without any evidence to support them for a good portion of a book. I wanted to love it, I really did yet I’ll be tuning in for the next installment because it looks like change is on the horizon for Val and her grandfather.
More...