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robinlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
In the 22nd book of the series, Bill Stone is the main suspect when a man who was working with him was found dead. His name was Evan and he and bill were building a catapult for the town of Tinker's Cove Halloween contest.
While everyone in town was excited about the contest, there were things going on that indicated problems were going on behind the scenes. For one thing, Lucy, Bill's wife hated the fact that Bill and Evan were working together. Meanwhile, there was a lot of sabotage happening to some of the early preparation going in.
The big day comes, and Evan is nowhere in sight, and before long, his body is found in the trunk of a car. Will Lucy, part-time reporter, wife and mother, and also the town's resident amateur detective, find out what happened to Evan so that Bill doesn't end up in jail? The deeper Lucy digs to prove Bill's innocence, the more she finds out that something deeper was going on related to the town's past.
After being rather disappointed in the previous book in the series, I am pleased that this book led me down a different path. Candy Corn Murder was intriguing and busy enough that I was kept interested throughout the book and satisfied with the conclusion.
While everyone in town was excited about the contest, there were things going on that indicated problems were going on behind the scenes. For one thing, Lucy, Bill's wife hated the fact that Bill and Evan were working together. Meanwhile, there was a lot of sabotage happening to some of the early preparation going in.
The big day comes, and Evan is nowhere in sight, and before long, his body is found in the trunk of a car. Will Lucy, part-time reporter, wife and mother, and also the town's resident amateur detective, find out what happened to Evan so that Bill doesn't end up in jail? The deeper Lucy digs to prove Bill's innocence, the more she finds out that something deeper was going on related to the town's past.
After being rather disappointed in the previous book in the series, I am pleased that this book led me down a different path. Candy Corn Murder was intriguing and busy enough that I was kept interested throughout the book and satisfied with the conclusion.
daybreak1012's review against another edition
2.0
Well, my mini break from Lucy did not work. I am so frustrated with this series. Let me elaborate.
What I liked about Candy Corn Murder:
The actual mystery - Those two stars I awarded? Purely because the mystery itself kept me guessing, which kept me turning the pages even when I wanted to throw the book. (I would never actually abuse a book that way, for the record.) I was a bit unsure, at first, if the back-and-forth in the timeline was going to pose a problem for me, but the fact that it was in italics kept it clear when we were going back in time and its placement was never disruptive, so it worked for me.
What I didn't care for:
The press releases - While the flashbacks didn't bother me, the press releases at the start of each chapter were an odd addition, somewhat irritating, and didn't seem to serve any actual purpose.
Too many Millers - Between the flashbacks and the current Millers, I felt like I needed a family tree to figure out who was who and how they were related.
Politicizing - These books are starting to feel like the author is trying to be "fresh and poignant" by getting political in each installment now, something that wasn't really the character of the series early on. But by only offering one point of view, it comes off as grandstanding and that just isn't what I am looking for in a cozy mystery.
Here's where I stand: I am so deeply invested in this series that it's difficult to walk away at this point, even as it irritates me, but I am sitting not-so-firmly on the fence now and I suspect it won't take much to push me off. There are only eight more books currently published (at the time of this review), half of which are just holiday novellas and two of which I presently have in my possession on library loan. I suppose...for the time being...I move forward. I'll leave you to discern the operative words in the previous sentence.
What I liked about Candy Corn Murder:
The actual mystery - Those two stars I awarded? Purely because the mystery itself kept me guessing, which kept me turning the pages even when I wanted to throw the book. (I would never actually abuse a book that way, for the record.) I was a bit unsure, at first, if the back-and-forth in the timeline was going to pose a problem for me, but the fact that it was in italics kept it clear when we were going back in time and its placement was never disruptive, so it worked for me.
What I didn't care for:
The press releases - While the flashbacks didn't bother me, the press releases at the start of each chapter were an odd addition, somewhat irritating, and didn't seem to serve any actual purpose.
Too many Millers - Between the flashbacks and the current Millers, I felt like I needed a family tree to figure out who was who and how they were related.
Politicizing - These books are starting to feel like the author is trying to be "fresh and poignant" by getting political in each installment now, something that wasn't really the character of the series early on. But by only offering one point of view, it comes off as grandstanding and that just isn't what I am looking for in a cozy mystery.
Here's where I stand: I am so deeply invested in this series that it's difficult to walk away at this point, even as it irritates me, but I am sitting not-so-firmly on the fence now and I suspect it won't take much to push me off. There are only eight more books currently published (at the time of this review), half of which are just holiday novellas and two of which I presently have in my possession on library loan. I suppose...for the time being...I move forward. I'll leave you to discern the operative words in the previous sentence.
verityw's review against another edition
2.0
***Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
I'm a (very) late-comer to this series of cozy crimes featuring reporter Lucy Stone. I didn't feel too much like I was missing out on the backstory and I enjoyed the mystery - although it took a while to get going - we don't get a body until halfway through the book. Reading a Halloween themed book in early August is always a bit weird, but this was very evocative of the autumn and didn't feel too jarring in the hot summer weather.
A fun way of passing an afternoon.
I'm a (very) late-comer to this series of cozy crimes featuring reporter Lucy Stone. I didn't feel too much like I was missing out on the backstory and I enjoyed the mystery - although it took a while to get going - we don't get a body until halfway through the book. Reading a Halloween themed book in early August is always a bit weird, but this was very evocative of the autumn and didn't feel too jarring in the hot summer weather.
A fun way of passing an afternoon.
marycontrary's review against another edition
2.0
incredibly bland and boring. I didn't hardly care about a single thing or person. I didn't even care enough to really pay attention. the second things kicked off, there was 5% of the book left. felt utterly pointless.
bookswithbec's review against another edition
3.0
Lucy Stone really keeps her life interesting in this small, Maine town of hers. Tinker's Cove is home to some interesting characters, that is for sure.
This book I felt made Lucy's husband seem a little too much like an idiot so I was not surprised by the events of the book. Also felt like the ending / murder wrap-up was an extremely rushed ending.
This book I felt made Lucy's husband seem a little too much like an idiot so I was not surprised by the events of the book. Also felt like the ending / murder wrap-up was an extremely rushed ending.
luffy79's review against another edition
4.0
Candy Corn murder brings a revival of the Lucy Stone series with it. It centers around Halloween. The only person going to collect candy is Patrick, the grandson of Lucy. But, rest assured, nothing harmful befalls him. He doesn't experience anything uncomfortable until he sees his grandfather Bill Stone get arrested by the local cops.
Bill is my favorite character in this series. He features prominently. He was supposed to build a catapult for a pumpkin throwing contest. Helping him is Ev Wickes. The latter makes an unflattering impression to Lucy. Alas, it's him who is the feature victim in the book.
To confuse the readers' senses, the author has two murders running parallel to each other. the motives get entangled, and hence we cannot solve the case.
I liked this book partly because of the interaction between Lucy and her family. Also, I was able to keep track of the new characters of this adventure. There must always be new characters living in Tinker's Cove. There must be fresh suspects, you see. There must have been about 100 suspects ever since the book started on its long running stories. Bill has been a suspect here, but also a couple of times in the past.
What I want to tell you is that there is nothing really, REALLY new here. But I went along with it gleefully enough because Leslie Meier knows how to write a book. It's very difficult to write a book that even a handful of people will like. I tried writing one and I'm still stuck in chapter one. So, kudos to the author for having enough creativity to craft a new book that I gave 4 stars to.
Bill is my favorite character in this series. He features prominently. He was supposed to build a catapult for a pumpkin throwing contest. Helping him is Ev Wickes. The latter makes an unflattering impression to Lucy. Alas, it's him who is the feature victim in the book.
To confuse the readers' senses, the author has two murders running parallel to each other. the motives get entangled, and hence we cannot solve the case.
I liked this book partly because of the interaction between Lucy and her family. Also, I was able to keep track of the new characters of this adventure. There must always be new characters living in Tinker's Cove. There must be fresh suspects, you see. There must have been about 100 suspects ever since the book started on its long running stories. Bill has been a suspect here, but also a couple of times in the past.
What I want to tell you is that there is nothing really, REALLY new here. But I went along with it gleefully enough because Leslie Meier knows how to write a book. It's very difficult to write a book that even a handful of people will like. I tried writing one and I'm still stuck in chapter one. So, kudos to the author for having enough creativity to craft a new book that I gave 4 stars to.
bookswithbec's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Lucy Stone really keeps her life interesting in this small Maine town of hers. Tinker's Cove is home to some interesting characters that is for sure.
This book I felt made Lucy's husband seem a little too much like an idiot so I was not surprised by the events towards the end of the story. Also felt like the ending/murder wrap-up was an extremely rushed ending.
This book I felt made Lucy's husband seem a little too much like an idiot so I was not surprised by the events towards the end of the story. Also felt like the ending/murder wrap-up was an extremely rushed ending.
carolsnotebook's review
3.0
Candy Corn Murder is the first Lucy Stone I’ve read, even though it’s #22 in the series. The cover is just too cute to pass up. That being said, maybe if I had read earlier ones in the series, I would have enjoyed this one more.
The author spent a lot of time introducing the characters and getting us involved in the town life. As this was my first time in Tinker’s Cove I appreciated it, but I feel like if you had read the others, you might be thinking “get a move on.” Of course, I can’t tell which are recurring characters and which are new to the series, so maybe it was all necessary.
The murder itself and the solution was interesting, as was the reason a certain somebody was against the Halloween festival. I liked seeing Lucy hunt down the clues and put it altogether, but it was a bit rushed.
My main problem, though, was I didn’t really like any of the characters. Lucy was okay I guess; I didn’t dislike her but she seemed to let people take advantage of her and didn’t really have much of a personality. Her husband was a bit of a jerk and sexist. Her grandson was cute, but his parents seemed a little nuts, even if they weren’t actually present. The day care worker was a snob. Her friends each seemed to have their own agenda when they asked her to do something. The only people I actually liked were the two daughters she had at home, they seemed like real teenage girls.
In addition to the murder, the story touches on violence against women, and although I think it’s an important topic, the coverage here felt a bit contrived.
It just overall didn’t work for me. I doubt I’ll read any others in the series.
The author spent a lot of time introducing the characters and getting us involved in the town life. As this was my first time in Tinker’s Cove I appreciated it, but I feel like if you had read the others, you might be thinking “get a move on.” Of course, I can’t tell which are recurring characters and which are new to the series, so maybe it was all necessary.
The murder itself and the solution was interesting, as was the reason a certain somebody was against the Halloween festival. I liked seeing Lucy hunt down the clues and put it altogether, but it was a bit rushed.
My main problem, though, was I didn’t really like any of the characters. Lucy was okay I guess; I didn’t dislike her but she seemed to let people take advantage of her and didn’t really have much of a personality. Her husband was a bit of a jerk and sexist. Her grandson was cute, but his parents seemed a little nuts, even if they weren’t actually present. The day care worker was a snob. Her friends each seemed to have their own agenda when they asked her to do something. The only people I actually liked were the two daughters she had at home, they seemed like real teenage girls.
In addition to the murder, the story touches on violence against women, and although I think it’s an important topic, the coverage here felt a bit contrived.
It just overall didn’t work for me. I doubt I’ll read any others in the series.