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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. Kelly Jackson is an Executive Administrator for Resorts International. Her first single assignment is the Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast. The manager, Bob Phillips died in an accident and Kelly has been sent to take over as interim manager. Redwood Cove, California is a beautiful location with a lovely town. Shortly after arriving Kelly meets the Silver Sentinels. A group of senior citizens from the town who solve crimes. Bob Phillips was a member. The Silver Sentinels do not believe that Bob’s death is an accident, but they are unable to convince Deputy Sheriff Bill Stanton. After Bob’s office is ransacked, Kelly discovers an envelope in the safe. Bob had written in the information in code but there was a note asking that the contents be given to the Silver Sentinels. The group is thrilled to have something to investigate. Kelly decides to help the group and starts asking questions around town. Kelly is hoping to find out Bob’s movements the day he died from his phone. The phone is returned to Kelly’s office and stolen before she can look at it. Someone has something to hide. Will Kelly and the Silver Sentinels be able to figure out who wanted Bob dead and why?
I enjoyed reading Murder at Redwood Cove. It is a good first book in a series. I liked the setting of Redwood Cove and the Silver Sentinels (a fun group). I think Kelly will be a good main character, but she needs a little more development. We are given just a few details on Kelly’s life prior to coming to Redwood Cove (I found out more about Fred the basset hound than I did about Kelly). The mystery was complex (just how I like them) and not easy to solve (though I did). I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of Murder at Redwood Cove from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading Murder at Redwood Cove. It is a good first book in a series. I liked the setting of Redwood Cove and the Silver Sentinels (a fun group). I think Kelly will be a good main character, but she needs a little more development. We are given just a few details on Kelly’s life prior to coming to Redwood Cove (I found out more about Fred the basset hound than I did about Kelly). The mystery was complex (just how I like them) and not easy to solve (though I did). I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of Murder at Redwood Cove from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
renatalynn's review
4.0
Great fast read
This is a great read for a cool fall day and a cup of coffee
looking forward to reading the rest of the series
This is a great read for a cool fall day and a cup of coffee
looking forward to reading the rest of the series
cmx's review against another edition
Just ghastly, narrator sounded like a mousy little girl, dialogue and exchanges seemed spoon-fed for children. So much worse than MC beaton. Need to figure out why. Could learn something here about how to do it right.
melanietalksbooks's review
5.0
It was a nice mystery that I could not unravel that quick, but it did give you the clues needed. It was pretty good! The characters are likable, and the descriptions of the scenery make you feel like you are there. I enjoyed it.
git_r_read's review
5.0
I like finding new-to-me authors and series, especially when the story turns out to be so good! The premise is nifty, a woman, Kelly, is an administrator for a resort company and comes to town to help out after the manager of one of their inns has died. She finds herself immersed in the discovery of root causes of the death and various other misdeeds occurring in the town.
I like the camaraderie of the town and how grounded Kelly is in how she treats others and the job at hand. Especially how she interacts with the Silver Sentinels, the group of senior citizens who gather and share their observations of nefarious dealings in town. They are serious in their tasks and Kelly takes them as such. As does the sheriff's department, which I really admired.
There are a lot of characters in this book and I had a bit of a time getting everyone straightened out in my mind as I listened. Then I got over myself and kept the main characters straight: Kelly, Daniel, his daughter, Helen the inn's cook and her son Tommy and Fred the dog. Everyone else was almost superfluous.
The ending was "I did not see that coming" fab!
I can definitely recommend this book and likely the series and I am looking forward to more by the author.
I like the camaraderie of the town and how grounded Kelly is in how she treats others and the job at hand. Especially how she interacts with the Silver Sentinels, the group of senior citizens who gather and share their observations of nefarious dealings in town. They are serious in their tasks and Kelly takes them as such. As does the sheriff's department, which I really admired.
There are a lot of characters in this book and I had a bit of a time getting everyone straightened out in my mind as I listened. Then I got over myself and kept the main characters straight: Kelly, Daniel, his daughter, Helen the inn's cook and her son Tommy and Fred the dog. Everyone else was almost superfluous.
The ending was "I did not see that coming" fab!
I can definitely recommend this book and likely the series and I am looking forward to more by the author.
kristirose's review
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? No
3.0
tylovesbooks's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-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? No
3.5
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver is a perplexing whodunit set in the fictional town of Redwood Cove, CA. A warmly inviting bed and breakfast is the perfect backdrop for this cozy mystery and the novel features a delightful cast of well-drawn and likable characters.
An administrative executive for Resorts International, Kelly Jackson has the sad task of filling in temporarily at the Redwood Cove B&B following the tragic death of previous manager, Bob Phillips. Tasked with ensuring the property is safe for guests, Kelly is immediately welcomed by the B&B's handyman Daniel Stevens and housekeeper/cook Helen Rogers. She is also quite charmed by the "Silver Sentinels", a group of elderly men and women who keep themselves busy with a little sleuthing. They were also good friends with Bob and they are convinced his death was no accident. Keeping their suspicions in mind, Kelly decides to dig a little deeper into Bob's death and after a series of strange occurrences, she is almost certain the Sentinels might be right.
Kelly does not waste any time poking around in Bob's death in between her duties at the B&B. Helen is instrumental in introducing her to many of the inn's vendors and fellow B&B managers. When it appears someone ransacked Bob's office, Kelly becomes convinced there is more to his death than just an accident. She narrows her suspect pool to a handful of possibilities and she soon sets off on her investigation to track their movements on the day in question. Unable to completely rule anyone in or out, she, along with the Sentinels, try to figure out a possible motive for Bob's death. With the Sentinels hard at work trying to decipher Bob's cryptic notes, Kelly continues her investigation into her list of suspects.
Murder at Redwood Cove is a cleverly written mystery and Janet Finsilver does an excellent job obscuring the perpetrator's identity right up until the novel's dramatic and action-packed conclusion. With an all star cast of brilliantly developed characters, engaging storyline and idyllic setting, this riveting whodunit will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries.
An administrative executive for Resorts International, Kelly Jackson has the sad task of filling in temporarily at the Redwood Cove B&B following the tragic death of previous manager, Bob Phillips. Tasked with ensuring the property is safe for guests, Kelly is immediately welcomed by the B&B's handyman Daniel Stevens and housekeeper/cook Helen Rogers. She is also quite charmed by the "Silver Sentinels", a group of elderly men and women who keep themselves busy with a little sleuthing. They were also good friends with Bob and they are convinced his death was no accident. Keeping their suspicions in mind, Kelly decides to dig a little deeper into Bob's death and after a series of strange occurrences, she is almost certain the Sentinels might be right.
Kelly does not waste any time poking around in Bob's death in between her duties at the B&B. Helen is instrumental in introducing her to many of the inn's vendors and fellow B&B managers. When it appears someone ransacked Bob's office, Kelly becomes convinced there is more to his death than just an accident. She narrows her suspect pool to a handful of possibilities and she soon sets off on her investigation to track their movements on the day in question. Unable to completely rule anyone in or out, she, along with the Sentinels, try to figure out a possible motive for Bob's death. With the Sentinels hard at work trying to decipher Bob's cryptic notes, Kelly continues her investigation into her list of suspects.
Murder at Redwood Cove is a cleverly written mystery and Janet Finsilver does an excellent job obscuring the perpetrator's identity right up until the novel's dramatic and action-packed conclusion. With an all star cast of brilliantly developed characters, engaging storyline and idyllic setting, this riveting whodunit will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries.
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series by Janet Finsilver and the first book I have read by this author. I am a fan of cozy mysteries so I am always excited when I find a new voice in the genre. This was a great start to the series and I am anticipating the next installments.
Kelly Jackson, the main character, arrives at the Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast as the new manager. The last one was, Bob, found dead, so they need to fill the position quickly as the B & B is playng host to a Wine and Choclolate festival. As Kelly begins her job she is assisted by a number of friends of Bob that help her get up and running. However, Kelly begins to believe that Bob's death was due to natural causes as she originally thought so she begins to snoop around and quickly finds herself in danger.
In my opinion this was a strong start to a new series. The setting is perfect for a cozy mystery. The plot is well written and draws the reader along for the ride. But as with most books, the story is made by the well developed characters. In this case, not only is the main character one that the reader will like and root for, but there is a cast of secondary characters that give the plot dimension and completes ths story. And there is a surprise ending that will keep readers coming back to see what Ms. Finsilver has to offer. .
Kelly Jackson, the main character, arrives at the Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast as the new manager. The last one was, Bob, found dead, so they need to fill the position quickly as the B & B is playng host to a Wine and Choclolate festival. As Kelly begins her job she is assisted by a number of friends of Bob that help her get up and running. However, Kelly begins to believe that Bob's death was due to natural causes as she originally thought so she begins to snoop around and quickly finds herself in danger.
In my opinion this was a strong start to a new series. The setting is perfect for a cozy mystery. The plot is well written and draws the reader along for the ride. But as with most books, the story is made by the well developed characters. In this case, not only is the main character one that the reader will like and root for, but there is a cast of secondary characters that give the plot dimension and completes ths story. And there is a surprise ending that will keep readers coming back to see what Ms. Finsilver has to offer. .
aperrey's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0