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colleen_mc's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining. A good mystery - nothing really special, but worth reading all the same.
am4man's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Trafficking, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
desert_rose's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book in the Lily Bard Mysteries series.
Lily Bard is a very efficient cleaning lady living in Shakespeare. When her landlord is murdered she becomes a prime suspect because of her past.
So she tries to prove her innocence by figuring out who the true killer is.
This is a first for me in this series - well since it's the first book - but I found that Lily is a very complex and interesting character who I enjoyed reading about! I enjoyed how she goes about to figuring clues and being very perceptive.
A fast and fun read that will not disappoint! I will be continueing this series which I think totals 5 books :)
Lily Bard is a very efficient cleaning lady living in Shakespeare. When her landlord is murdered she becomes a prime suspect because of her past.
So she tries to prove her innocence by figuring out who the true killer is.
This is a first for me in this series - well since it's the first book - but I found that Lily is a very complex and interesting character who I enjoyed reading about! I enjoyed how she goes about to figuring clues and being very perceptive.
A fast and fun read that will not disappoint! I will be continueing this series which I think totals 5 books :)
girl_of_books_and_wheels's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book and a great introduction to all the characters.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Lily Bard chose the quiet Arkansas town of Shakespeare to escape as the name appealed to her on the map. She's suffered in the past and wishes to keep it there, so she busies herself with her cleaning job and keeping out of trouble. Until one night she sees a body being dumped in the park near her home. Being a cleaning lady she is privy to the secrets of many and her curiosity leads her to investigate further.
I do like Charlaine Harris's easy-going writing style and this was a enjoyable light read. Maybe a few too many pages dedicated to cleaning and working out at the gym for my liking though it did guilt me into putting the book down and doing some cleaning myself! There weren't really enough clues for me to have formed an opinion on who-dunnit so the end was surprising but not in a wholly satisfying way. I will accept that the first instalment of a series needs to set up the characters and I definitely want to read more about them, especially that dishy policeman across the street!
For those of you used to Charlaine's supernatural books, this is a pure mystery (though I'm sure Lily popped up in one of the Sookie books briefly).
I do like Charlaine Harris's easy-going writing style and this was a enjoyable light read. Maybe a few too many pages dedicated to cleaning and working out at the gym for my liking though it did guilt me into putting the book down and doing some cleaning myself! There weren't really enough clues for me to have formed an opinion on who-dunnit so the end was surprising but not in a wholly satisfying way. I will accept that the first instalment of a series needs to set up the characters and I definitely want to read more about them, especially that dishy policeman across the street!
For those of you used to Charlaine's supernatural books, this is a pure mystery (though I'm sure Lily popped up in one of the Sookie books briefly).
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
2.0
Not that memorable. I actually had a difficult time remembering what I had read whenever I picked it up. At least the protagonist was interesting and only to follow her would I consider reading the series, which I don't really feel like doing.
i11iane's review against another edition
4.0
Good first book for Lily Bard, better than second book actually. Enjoyed it, nice intro to the main characters.
bohobiblio's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookwormjjb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I enjoyed the overall story and mystery of this book. I'm mixed on if I would recommend it to others. There is subject matter that this book covers (like rape and torture) that could be difficult or triggering for others to read. Lily, the main character of this book, and the fallowing series is a strong woman. There is no doubt about that. She is a survivor of kidnapping, rape, and torture. She is a survivor and is actively working through the trauma of her past. However, I don't know what to think of her on the whole. She can be a bit of a bitch at times, getting offended over little things and being rude to others for no real reason. I also don't like how she got into a relationship with a married (though separated) man with little lead up. Though this would more so be an issue with the writing of the book. We quite literally find out about Marshall's wife and how they have separated in the chapter before Lily and Marshall start sleeping together. I just feel like their relationship could have been handled better. While I enjoyed the mystery of this book, the murder of a local landlord. I wouldn't call this book a 'cozy mystery' like what I have seen advertised about it. Though it was a quick and interesting read.