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hollyg35's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bkdrgn303's review
3.0
Frothy, fun, funny brain candy. I was halfway through when I realized this was the second book in a new series. Off to read the first. Definitely pick this one up if you're in the mood for something light and entertaining.
lisaarnsdorf's review
4.0
This book suffered a bit because of my mental state while reading it. First, really stressed out, followed up several days of having a fever. I still wanted to read it, though! But I'm sure I missed some details.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a complicated and interesting mystery with lots of action. The characters are a lot of fun. I did not yet read the first book in the series, and I did miss a more comprehensive overview. I felt like I was jumping into the middle of a story that I wasn't oriented to, making it hard for me to keep the characters straight or understand their history with our protagonist. A little more introduction of the established background would have been extremely helpful.
There was one twist that came out of left field for me and felt really unresolved. I hope that Cox comes back to that bit in the next book because it could use some more wrap-up.
I've already reserved the first book from the library and would be happy to read more in this series. An interesting and unique series for sure!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a complicated and interesting mystery with lots of action. The characters are a lot of fun. I did not yet read the first book in the series, and I did miss a more comprehensive overview. I felt like I was jumping into the middle of a story that I wasn't oriented to, making it hard for me to keep the characters straight or understand their history with our protagonist. A little more introduction of the established background would have been extremely helpful.
There was one twist that came out of left field for me and felt really unresolved. I hope that Cox comes back to that bit in the next book because it could use some more wrap-up.
I've already reserved the first book from the library and would be happy to read more in this series. An interesting and unique series for sure!
louisekf's review
4.0
The Man in the Microwave Oven is a fast-paced mystery set in San Francisco. The main character is Theo Bogart, a woman who fled London after her parents died suddenly and is living under an assumed name. Her backstory is explained somewhat in the book, so, even though I haven’t read the first book in this series, I got the gist of things pretty easily. Theo (short for Theophania) is the owner of a store that sells upscale soaps, shampoos, lotions and things of that sort. She is active in her neighborhood association. Her neighborhood is threatened by a planned condominium development and that provides the backdrop for this story. The story gets kind of convoluted with references to an orphanage in Ukraine, but it all works out in the end, of course. I’d call it a cozy mystery, in that Theo is trying to get to the bottom of a crime and she’s an amateur, but this is not your typical cozy mystery setup. Trouble seems to find her, as this is not the first crime she’s been involved in, in just the short amount of time she’s lived in this San Francisco neighborhood.
I enjoyed the many neighborhood characters and Theo’s grandfather and his “friends.” The lyrics of Dire Straits song about a microwave oven became an ear worm while I read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the many neighborhood characters and Theo’s grandfather and his “friends.” The lyrics of Dire Straits song about a microwave oven became an ear worm while I read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
angrygreycatreads's review
2.0
I received a free ebook copy of The Man in the Microwave Oven from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Theo is a British expat who owns a soap store in San Francisco. She is trying to keep a low profile and avoid detection after events in her native England. Murder is not very low profile and so when her neighborhood becomes the scene of one, she is definitely concerned. The murder ends up leading to a world of international espionage, old spies, and more entanglements with her family. An okay mystery read.
3no7's review
4.0
“The Man in the Microwave Oven” is eccentric, funny, and original. This book two in the “Theo Bogart Mystery” series, but Cox carefully folds previous characters and relationships into the current storyline so first-time readers can easily follow along. Theophania Bogart has escaped drama and trauma in England, has relocated to San Francisco, and readers are glad of it. The atmosphere and personality of the city comes through on every page. Theo gets coffee from a place where the letter “o” is fashioned into a coffee bean and a one-car garage in the Mission District sells for $300,000. If the day were sunny, she could see a panoramic view of the wide sands of Ocean Beach, but mostly she sees the completely opaque curtain of fog.
The drama unfolds in Theo’s first person narrative. Readers hear what she says, what others say, and what she thinks about it all. She is a fierce, following in the grand tradition of fierce women in underwear: Wonder Woman, Brandi Chastain. When her friend Nat finds something “shocking” in a microwave oven, Theo is the person to dive in and look for answers, although having the microwave seized by police can be seen as positive by people who want to avoid GMOs, high tension power lines, and cell phone radiation. Another body is found, and things get more serious after that – NOT!
“The Man in the Microwave Oven” has mystery, but not at the expense of fun and entertainment. Clues are hidden in the trash among the McDonald’s wrappers and coffee cups. The characters are compelling with a sense of humor. I received a copy of “The man in the microwave Oven” from Susan Cox and Minotaur Books. It has enough crime, suspense, and mystery to be compelling but an abundance of hilarity and amusement to balance it out.
The drama unfolds in Theo’s first person narrative. Readers hear what she says, what others say, and what she thinks about it all. She is a fierce, following in the grand tradition of fierce women in underwear: Wonder Woman, Brandi Chastain. When her friend Nat finds something “shocking” in a microwave oven, Theo is the person to dive in and look for answers, although having the microwave seized by police can be seen as positive by people who want to avoid GMOs, high tension power lines, and cell phone radiation. Another body is found, and things get more serious after that – NOT!
“The Man in the Microwave Oven” has mystery, but not at the expense of fun and entertainment. Clues are hidden in the trash among the McDonald’s wrappers and coffee cups. The characters are compelling with a sense of humor. I received a copy of “The man in the microwave Oven” from Susan Cox and Minotaur Books. It has enough crime, suspense, and mystery to be compelling but an abundance of hilarity and amusement to balance it out.
gracereads82's review
4.0
What a delightful cozy mystery. Theo Bogart has made a life for herself in San Francisco after leaving England due to a family tragedy. It seems like this gets covered in the first novel, but enough was hinted throughout that it was fine to be read as a standalone. Great setting, atmospheric San Fran neighborhood, quirky cast of characters and some dead bodies turning up. Theo, with the help of some of her friends, scurries around San Fran trying to solve the murders, from decrepit buildings to a strip club, all while running her small business and keeping an eye on the neighborhood. I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to mystery lovers. It's a little more colorful and gory than a traditional cozy mystery but it has some of those characteristics. Can't wait to go back and read the first installment. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
readswithnatalieb's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this book 3.5 stars!
This title makes me giggle in itself because it is so unique. This series can’t be ignored because the titles and covers are so good. This series is a perfect blend of action, mystery, and entertainment. A lighter mystery that doesn’t require too much thinking.
The Man in the Microwave Oven is the second book of the series and it definitely picks up where book one, The Man on the Washing Machine, left off. My only complaint about the second book is I don’t think it can act as a standalone. There are so many characters and references to the first book that don’t include an explanation. I know that’s the point of a series, but I personally prefer an explanation to book one’s references!
This story is fast-paced with a lot of important moving parts that ends up tying together really well. It’s quirky and humorous that kept me on my feet.
But one of my favorite things about this series is that it takes place in San Francisco. After living there for three years, I enjoyed all the local references and knew exactly where the characters were at all times.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy series, this is for you.
Big thank you to Net Galley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
This title makes me giggle in itself because it is so unique. This series can’t be ignored because the titles and covers are so good. This series is a perfect blend of action, mystery, and entertainment. A lighter mystery that doesn’t require too much thinking.
The Man in the Microwave Oven is the second book of the series and it definitely picks up where book one, The Man on the Washing Machine, left off. My only complaint about the second book is I don’t think it can act as a standalone. There are so many characters and references to the first book that don’t include an explanation. I know that’s the point of a series, but I personally prefer an explanation to book one’s references!
This story is fast-paced with a lot of important moving parts that ends up tying together really well. It’s quirky and humorous that kept me on my feet.
But one of my favorite things about this series is that it takes place in San Francisco. After living there for three years, I enjoyed all the local references and knew exactly where the characters were at all times.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy series, this is for you.
Big thank you to Net Galley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
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