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benmsmith's review against another edition
1.0
I needed to read a "cozy mystery" for a reading challenge I'm doing this year, and I picked this one from a list of cozy mystery series from the same website because I enjoy crossword puzzles. Based on my experience reading this, I'm pretty sure the person who compiled the list of cozy mystery series has not actually read any books in _this_ particular series.
Everyone in this book is awful, incompetent, or both, and the lead's whole deal appears to be "a grandma shouldn't do that!", which is cute for a minute but not when their main schtick seems to be alcoholism.
The author does not seem to understand how American crossword puzzle clues work - you can't clue "sweepstakes" by cluing "sweeps" and "takes" cryptic-style. There are a few other crossword-world references, like the CRUCIVERB-L mailing list, but these feel sprinkled in without actually understanding how those things work/what they do. The author also does not seem to understand how a police investigation of a murder works, even in a whimsical world where the killer is leaving crossword-esque clues with their kills.
how are there t w e n t y books in this series. who is approving these. w h o.
Everyone in this book is awful, incompetent, or both, and the lead's whole deal appears to be "a grandma shouldn't do that!", which is cute for a minute but not when their main schtick seems to be alcoholism.
The author does not seem to understand how American crossword puzzle clues work - you can't clue "sweepstakes" by cluing "sweeps" and "takes" cryptic-style. There are a few other crossword-world references, like the CRUCIVERB-L mailing list, but these feel sprinkled in without actually understanding how those things work/what they do. The author also does not seem to understand how a police investigation of a murder works, even in a whimsical world where the killer is leaving crossword-esque clues with their kills.
how are there t w e n t y books in this series. who is approving these. w h o.
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
3.0
Book #81 read in 2006
The thing I liked most about this book was the crossword puzzle. The story was okay. The writing was okay. Some of the dialogue was boring and unbelievable. I may give the second in the series a try -- if just for the crossword puzzle.
The thing I liked most about this book was the crossword puzzle. The story was okay. The writing was okay. Some of the dialogue was boring and unbelievable. I may give the second in the series a try -- if just for the crossword puzzle.
sarahpottenger's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't wild enough about this to pick up any more of them.
psalmcat's review against another edition
2.0
Silly, written in the vein of L. J. Braun. A pretty decent mystery plot, but centered on a lot of "hooks"--like a crossword puzzle at the beginning, and an obvious ploy for a series character. Doubt I'll read more by this author.
fxtrtr's review against another edition
2.0
The idea of crossword clues left by a killer is cute, in fact, I thought it would make a good story. Where this one is lacking is the drawn out banter between Sherry and Aaron every time they are together; Sherry's constant fear of her ex, Dennis; and the too numerous references to Sherry's analytical mind. Then we have Cora Feldon, the Puzzle Lady - a crotchety old woman who spends most of her time in the story drunk. If that vice isn't bad enough, she smokes as well, and not just cigarettes, cigars too. I grew tired of Cora's reasoning of why she wasn't a drunk (if you need a drink first thing in the morning, you have a problem). I hope Hall puts Cora in rehab by the second book, but I don't know if I will take the time to find out.
lilirose's review against another edition
3.0
Da grande amante dei cruciverba e dei gialli, non potevo farmi sfuggire questo libro che li fonde insieme: un'idea originale che l'autore ha saputo gestire con abilità, creando un cozy mistery piacevole e coinvolgente.
Gli elementi del genere ci sono tutti: un delitto efferato in una rispettabile cittadina in cui tutti si conoscono, una protagonista brillante ed eccentrica (con l'immancabile nipote-spalla più posata e pragmatica) e dei toni leggeri e vagamente ironici; la tensione c'è, ma è più mentale che emotiva. Insomma un prodotto confezionato a puntino e pensato per un target specifico, che non resterà deluso. Il che non significa che sia un'opera priva di difetti: c'è qualche ingenuità di troppo e ogni tanto si nota che la trama è stata tirata per le lunghe, ma soprattutto i dialoghi (in particolare tra i due "giovani") risultano forzati. Non si può trasformare ogni conversazione in duello verbale, è divertente all'inizio ma in breve tempo diventa stucchevole.
Sommando pro e contro, però, il bilancio resta comunque positivo: è un giallo senza pretese, a cui non si chiede altro che di intrattenerci per qualche ora e che assolve il compito piuttosto bene, lasciandoci anche la curiosità di leggere i volumi successivi.
Gli elementi del genere ci sono tutti: un delitto efferato in una rispettabile cittadina in cui tutti si conoscono, una protagonista brillante ed eccentrica (con l'immancabile nipote-spalla più posata e pragmatica) e dei toni leggeri e vagamente ironici; la tensione c'è, ma è più mentale che emotiva. Insomma un prodotto confezionato a puntino e pensato per un target specifico, che non resterà deluso. Il che non significa che sia un'opera priva di difetti: c'è qualche ingenuità di troppo e ogni tanto si nota che la trama è stata tirata per le lunghe, ma soprattutto i dialoghi (in particolare tra i due "giovani") risultano forzati. Non si può trasformare ogni conversazione in duello verbale, è divertente all'inizio ma in breve tempo diventa stucchevole.
Sommando pro e contro, però, il bilancio resta comunque positivo: è un giallo senza pretese, a cui non si chiede altro che di intrattenerci per qualche ora e che assolve il compito piuttosto bene, lasciandoci anche la curiosità di leggere i volumi successivi.
lasbury1991's review against another edition
I just couldn't get into the book. Didn't care for the characters. Wasn't for me.
victoranna263's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jbrueck's review against another edition
4.0
So I picked this up at the library, and really enjoyed it. If you like a good mystery, with interesting small town characters then this is definitely worth a read. I loved it because I've been reading some heavy stuff and it was just the right kind of 'light' read that I needed