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gallagirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
cecile87's review against another edition
3.0
I shouldn’t really rate this book as I started it and then skipped around to learn of each woman’s secret.
As a black reader, I appreciated that one of the women is black. I’ve not run into any cozy mysteries with black characters—whether as the stereotypical running buddy/sidekicks, as a judge in a court scene, or some other token background character.
(I decided, while writing this, to look up black cozy mysteries. It just dawned on me to do that! GR has a whole list of them! I hadn’t tuned into the fact that The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was a cozy mystery series. And even more interesting to me is that there are some written by black authors, which the Ladies’ Detective Agency is not. I also found one I read way back in 2001. Can’t recall if I liked it or not. Maybe I’ll start with the ones with 4 stars.)
The author didn’t really have to make the black woman “talk black,” with the “girl,” and the “honey.” I don’t talk like that. And my black female friends don’t either. But this isn’t a major flaw.
Anyway, I picked at the book after the first four chapters, finding passages that interested me, starting with the final chapter, the afterward, and then hopping around forward. This book is darker than your typical cozy mystery, but that didn’t bother me.
I may read the next one, which would be my fifth (four and a half?) Adam’s book. I’m intrigued by the author’s book knowledge and references to other real books. Her stories always make me hungry—lots of coffee and pastries in all of them so far. I’ve read three of the Book Retreat series. Stopped that one as I’m not into romance themes so much.
So, next time I’m in the mood for some tasty empty calories, I’ll pick up the next of this series. Perhaps the complaints other reviewers had about the writing will be smoothed out.
As a black reader, I appreciated that one of the women is black. I’ve not run into any cozy mysteries with black characters—whether as the stereotypical running buddy/sidekicks, as a judge in a court scene, or some other token background character.
(I decided, while writing this, to look up black cozy mysteries. It just dawned on me to do that! GR has a whole list of them! I hadn’t tuned into the fact that The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was a cozy mystery series. And even more interesting to me is that there are some written by black authors, which the Ladies’ Detective Agency is not. I also found one I read way back in 2001. Can’t recall if I liked it or not. Maybe I’ll start with the ones with 4 stars.)
The author didn’t really have to make the black woman “talk black,” with the “girl,” and the “honey.” I don’t talk like that. And my black female friends don’t either. But this isn’t a major flaw.
Anyway, I picked at the book after the first four chapters, finding passages that interested me, starting with the final chapter, the afterward, and then hopping around forward. This book is darker than your typical cozy mystery, but that didn’t bother me.
I may read the next one, which would be my fifth (four and a half?) Adam’s book. I’m intrigued by the author’s book knowledge and references to other real books. Her stories always make me hungry—lots of coffee and pastries in all of them so far. I’ve read three of the Book Retreat series. Stopped that one as I’m not into romance themes so much.
So, next time I’m in the mood for some tasty empty calories, I’ll pick up the next of this series. Perhaps the complaints other reviewers had about the writing will be smoothed out.
mumay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
4.25
hlflosser's review against another edition
3.0
I wish we could give 1/2 stars. I would rate 3.5. This was a good cozy with a great twist. I fell in love with the group of ladies and their friendship. I also loved all of the books and quote’s mentioned throughout the story. I will continue to read this series although I like her other series better “the retreat mysteries”
dockoala's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
anigoose's review against another edition
2.0
read for distraction
didn’t care for the disability narrative it felt very hallmark and like the author is not disabled themselves nor do they know anyone who is.
didn’t care for the disability narrative it felt very hallmark and like the author is not disabled themselves nor do they know anyone who is.
abutler's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
martinhope19's review
4.0
Audiobook. This mystery was adorable. Just the right amount of friendship, literary references, and solving crime. I’m pretty sure I’ll end up continuing onto book two!