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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
DNF
I wanted so bad to love this book but I have to say it just predictable and flat out boring. I've read my fair share of mysteries and while cozy mysteries are meant to be tamer side this book was about as vanilla as a cozy mystery can get
I wanted so bad to love this book but I have to say it just predictable and flat out boring. I've read my fair share of mysteries and while cozy mysteries are meant to be tamer side this book was about as vanilla as a cozy mystery can get
I had a great time reading this!
Really interesting cozy mystery, with a side of house renovation which was quite fascinating. A bit too detailed sometimes maybe, but very interesting. I really love that the MC <i>doesn't</i> try to investigate herself. She's pulled into the stuff because it's a family matter, but she doesn't creep into people's home to go through their papers. That's the detective's work, she just talk to people and puts clues together from what she knows and what they say.
I loved the characters. The MC Jazzy was fun and I liked the way she thought. Not perfect, but well rounded. There were quite a few characters involved, but the author managed to make them all distinct and colorful, with qualities and bad sides. I really enjoyed the glimpses in each family. About the romance between Jazzy and Ansel was really nice. A slow burn, which both characters interested but relationship shenanigans involved that kept them apart for half of the book. I really enjoyed the lead up. And seeing Ansel come out of his shell afterward. And how they complimented each other. It was maybe a bit "heavy" on the "they fit so well together", but it was also super satisfying. And George the pug was a fun addition :D
I really like that the story is very... Organic? The MC isn't focus on finding THE guy, but they live their lives, with the mystery and the rebuilding, so the romance is a slow get together-probably slow burn later. It feels very balanced.
The dead guy's story (Cal) was really sad. The poor guy, I got really attached, I wish that I could go back in time and make it better for him. He really got the worst of everything.
One other thing that I really like is that the detective is NOT useless. Jazzi helps a lot put details together because she has the confidence of people around her, but Gaff also does his own detective work (not seen by the reader), using tech and stuff to find out clues.
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What kept this from being a 5* was that sometimes, the writing felt... abrupt? Fast paced but at the same time not. There was a lot of explanations about the food and the house renovations which sometimes fell unnecessary and I did skim over some parts, but at the same time, it kept the book/intrigue from all running together. Because she's not looking for info, it just comes to her as she lives her life.
Even with the maybe-too-much-filler by moment, I was still riveted. I loved the mystery and how things ran together to give more clues and red herring.
Overall a great story, I'll be waiting for the next books eagerly!
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Prime reading picks are always a gamble. I wasn’t the target for this book. Not my taste at all.
A great mystery
This was a good one, it was really well written. I liked the main characters. Jazzi was smart and wasn't poking her nose in everywhere without a care. I loved the detective, too. And I liked how natural the romance was and how she wasn't flip-flopping between two guys. The mystery was really good and steady, though there was a lot of sad details. But I really liked this one.
This was a good one, it was really well written. I liked the main characters. Jazzi was smart and wasn't poking her nose in everywhere without a care. I loved the detective, too. And I liked how natural the romance was and how she wasn't flip-flopping between two guys. The mystery was really good and steady, though there was a lot of sad details. But I really liked this one.
Not a bad book, and the audio was ok. But I'm not sure what the theme of this really is supposed to be. Is it house flipping or family or cooking or what? Just seemed to have a lot tossed into the mix. Jazzie is a likable enough character, but the romance seemed a little forced & quick. The mystery itself wasn't bad. I didn't solve it ahead of time, but maybe because I was distracted by the home reno, flipping, decorating, cooking, menus, eating, romance and all. Maybe that was the purpose?
It was an interesting story. The first novel where the characters flip houses. That was different; but that was about it.
The Body in the Attic by Judi Lynn has readers traveling to River Bluffs, Indiana. Jasmine “Jazzi” Zanders runs a home flipping business with her cousin, Jerrod. Their newest acquisition belonged to Cal Juniper who was once engaged to Jazzi’s aunt, Lynda who disappeared twenty-six years ago. They are moving a trunk in the attic when they hear rattling inside it. When they open the trunk, they find a woman’s body. Jazzi notices the silver locket around the victim’s neck and knows she has found Lynda. Detective Richard Gaff is assigned the case, but it will be difficult to solve such an old crime. Family and friends are shocked by the discovery and try to remember the events that transpired prior to Lynda vanishing. Jazzi, Jerrod and their contractor, Ansel proceed with the renovation and notice that the water is not draining properly. Jerrod is digging near the septic tank when he makes a gruesome discovery. As Jazzi works on the house, she falls in love with its beauty and decides to make it her home. Ansel has great ideas for the rooms and works with Jazzi on the finishes. As the family reminisces about Lynda, Jazzi learns helpful information and shares with Detective Gaff who includes her in the investigation. Someone, though, feels threatened by Jazzi and makes threatening phone calls. Will Jazzi get to enjoy her new home or will she up the next victim?
The Body in the Attic is easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style. The book has a nice, steady pace and good flow. I liked the characters and the home renovation angle. Jazzi is twenty-seven years old who has been working with her cousin, Jerrod for the last four years. They buy run down homes and fix them up. Ansel, a tall handsome blonde man (think Viking), is their contractor and Jazzi’s friend. Jazzi is attracted to Ansel, but he is currently living with prima donna, Emily. Ansel and Emily’s relationship is on the rocks when she takes a job in California and expects him to follow her. I did find too much of the book devoted to Ansel and Emily’s relationship. It competed with the mystery and it followed an expected path (reminded me of a romance novel). I loved Ansel’s little pug, George who is his faithful companion. George is a spoiled little pooch and he has attitude (he drinks beer too). Jazzi is the most developed character in the book. It would have been nice if the author fleshed out the main characters more in The Body in the Attic. I like that Jazzi is close to her family and hosts Sunday dinner for them at her place. She has a loving relationship with her grandmother who is in the early stages of dementia. There are two mysteries in the story. There are a couple of suspects in each one. The investigating is focused on Jazzi and Detective Gaff talking with various people and gathering information. Jazzi makes various connections based on the information obtained. Both mysteries can be solved before the reveal. Detective Gaff is a friendly, likeable man and willingly includes Jazzi. I did find it unrealistic that a detective would take a civilian along when questioning suspects and that he would share so many details regarding the cases. I enjoyed the descriptions of Jazzi’s finished house. I especially loved how she finished the kitchen ceiling. There are recipes at the end of The Body in the Attic for the dishes Jazzi created. The Body in the Attic is a light cozy mystery perfect for reading on a relaxing Saturday afternoon. I look forward to reading The Body in the Wetlands when is releases.
The Body in the Attic is easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style. The book has a nice, steady pace and good flow. I liked the characters and the home renovation angle. Jazzi is twenty-seven years old who has been working with her cousin, Jerrod for the last four years. They buy run down homes and fix them up. Ansel, a tall handsome blonde man (think Viking), is their contractor and Jazzi’s friend. Jazzi is attracted to Ansel, but he is currently living with prima donna, Emily. Ansel and Emily’s relationship is on the rocks when she takes a job in California and expects him to follow her. I did find too much of the book devoted to Ansel and Emily’s relationship. It competed with the mystery and it followed an expected path (reminded me of a romance novel). I loved Ansel’s little pug, George who is his faithful companion. George is a spoiled little pooch and he has attitude (he drinks beer too). Jazzi is the most developed character in the book. It would have been nice if the author fleshed out the main characters more in The Body in the Attic. I like that Jazzi is close to her family and hosts Sunday dinner for them at her place. She has a loving relationship with her grandmother who is in the early stages of dementia. There are two mysteries in the story. There are a couple of suspects in each one. The investigating is focused on Jazzi and Detective Gaff talking with various people and gathering information. Jazzi makes various connections based on the information obtained. Both mysteries can be solved before the reveal. Detective Gaff is a friendly, likeable man and willingly includes Jazzi. I did find it unrealistic that a detective would take a civilian along when questioning suspects and that he would share so many details regarding the cases. I enjoyed the descriptions of Jazzi’s finished house. I especially loved how she finished the kitchen ceiling. There are recipes at the end of The Body in the Attic for the dishes Jazzi created. The Body in the Attic is a light cozy mystery perfect for reading on a relaxing Saturday afternoon. I look forward to reading The Body in the Wetlands when is releases.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced