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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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:
Complicated
The 3rd book and the mystery is finally solved. There was a few unexpected surprises. This complete series kept my interest from start to finish and I loved how it was neatly tied up. Valor and Bisham have been two of my favourite characters. I also liked that Hugh played a bigger part and Bisham's family were as great as ever.
A good series
A good series
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the trilogy, and you MUST read book one, Dead In The Garden, and book two, Dead In The Pond, before you read this one. They are NOT stand alone books and need to be read in order!
With Bishan in the hospital, Valor has to dig deep within himself to keep it together. When there is another murder, the police finally decide that they need to draw the murderer out. And Valor finds himself not only fighting for Bish, but for his life.
I have LOVED these three books, I really have! But I think you would get a better enjoyment if you read them back to back, not with several other books between each one, like I did! Just my personal opinion, though!
Again, only Valor has his say and I did miss Bishan and his off-on-tangents thing, so it would have been nice if they both had their say here, but it doesn't affect my rating , I'm just bloody greedy and always want more!
As always, with Ms Donovan's work, lots of giggles among the drama and murders and lots of lovely ways that show that Bishan and Valor really are perfect for each other.
Some surprises too, with that murder being front and centre, but some budding romances within the supporting cast!
The way it all went down with the murderer was a fitting end, and one I didn't see coming, so that's always good, being kept on your toes!
I shall miss these guys, along with all their friends and family, I really shall!
A very fitting . . . .
5 stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 3 in the trilogy, and you MUST read book one, Dead In The Garden, and book two, Dead In The Pond, before you read this one. They are NOT stand alone books and need to be read in order!
With Bishan in the hospital, Valor has to dig deep within himself to keep it together. When there is another murder, the police finally decide that they need to draw the murderer out. And Valor finds himself not only fighting for Bish, but for his life.
I have LOVED these three books, I really have! But I think you would get a better enjoyment if you read them back to back, not with several other books between each one, like I did! Just my personal opinion, though!
Again, only Valor has his say and I did miss Bishan and his off-on-tangents thing, so it would have been nice if they both had their say here, but it doesn't affect my rating , I'm just bloody greedy and always want more!
As always, with Ms Donovan's work, lots of giggles among the drama and murders and lots of lovely ways that show that Bishan and Valor really are perfect for each other.
Some surprises too, with that murder being front and centre, but some budding romances within the supporting cast!
The way it all went down with the murderer was a fitting end, and one I didn't see coming, so that's always good, being kept on your toes!
I shall miss these guys, along with all their friends and family, I really shall!
A very fitting . . . .
5 stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A very satisfying end to this trilogy.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. The two main characters are both sweet and humorous. The side cast are all entertaining. The romance was sweet and the murder mystery was well done.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. The two main characters are both sweet and humorous. The side cast are all entertaining. The romance was sweet and the murder mystery was well done.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. I read all three of these short novels by the pool on a short mini-vacation two hours away from home. With the cliffhangers on books one and two, you might as well make sure you have all three queued up because if you like it even a little, you have to keep reading. This is basically one book split into three parts, which is probably all due to marketing and fairly common on Amazon, honestly. It’s a sweet, inclusive, gay cozy mystery with maybe more Murder and Stress than most cozies. Once I’m not typing on my phone poolside I’ll try to add more thoughts.
**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie from Give Me Books Promotions for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**
Dead in the Shop is the third and final book in a trilogy by Dahlia Donovan. All three books are connected and continue the same story and mystery so I’d recommend that if you’re going to read this you read them in the appropriate order. The murder mystery spread among the three books so you won’t find out until this book who is responsible and the reason for it.
This series is the first I’ve read from this author and I thought the writing was really well-done. I especially love cozy mysteries and I thought this series fit well within that genre. The author has built a world full of interesting people. In this book we’re back with the story being told from Valor’s perspective.
This was my favorite book of the series, maybe because there’s a conclusion with no cliffhanger ending. What can I say, I’m easy that way! But, this story is any easier for Bishan and Valor, it’s even crazier and fast-paced. The men may want their life to go back to normal but they have quite a bit to overcome to get there. But they do and are stronger for it.
Something I loved in this series is the relationship between Bishan and Valor. They very much have a strong, loving relationship but not in the “traditional” sense of one found in a romance book and that I especially loved. I really enjoyed seeing Bishan and Valor’s relationship in this series, something I don’t typically say about mysteries.
The mystery was written really well and you won’t figure out who the murderer is until the author wants you to. I highly recommend this series but make sure you have all three books ready to go so you don’t have to wait cause cliffhangers suck!
Rating: 5 stars!!
Dead in the Shop is the third and final book in a trilogy by Dahlia Donovan. All three books are connected and continue the same story and mystery so I’d recommend that if you’re going to read this you read them in the appropriate order. The murder mystery spread among the three books so you won’t find out until this book who is responsible and the reason for it.
This series is the first I’ve read from this author and I thought the writing was really well-done. I especially love cozy mysteries and I thought this series fit well within that genre. The author has built a world full of interesting people. In this book we’re back with the story being told from Valor’s perspective.
This was my favorite book of the series, maybe because there’s a conclusion with no cliffhanger ending. What can I say, I’m easy that way! But, this story is any easier for Bishan and Valor, it’s even crazier and fast-paced. The men may want their life to go back to normal but they have quite a bit to overcome to get there. But they do and are stronger for it.
Something I loved in this series is the relationship between Bishan and Valor. They very much have a strong, loving relationship but not in the “traditional” sense of one found in a romance book and that I especially loved. I really enjoyed seeing Bishan and Valor’s relationship in this series, something I don’t typically say about mysteries.
The mystery was written really well and you won’t figure out who the murderer is until the author wants you to. I highly recommend this series but make sure you have all three books ready to go so you don’t have to wait cause cliffhangers suck!
Rating: 5 stars!!
Hooooooooooo boy! Does this book get very interested less than 1/3 of the way into it. You will never believe who ends up dead this time! It's…. Oh, wait, you really thought I was going to tell you? Just think, "Calling all cars! Calling all cars!" from the old time radio shows and black and white TV shoes and you will understand how this ramps up so quickly. Wow, just wow! IT surprised me on who the killer was and why! This was an incredible mystery series to read! Maybe in the future, we'll get to see Valor and Bishan pop up again. I truly hope so! Enjoy the reading...
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Cliff hangers done, ending achieved...and what thrill ride it was. Dead in the Shop is the third and final book in the Grasmere Cottage Mystery series. Dead in the Garden started the journey, only we quickly realized we didn't know as much as we thought we did. Dead in the Pond continued the story, but we were knocked around and couldn't exactly figure out which end was up. And finally, Dead in the Shop rounds out the trilogy and all I have to say is brava!
The whole mystery series keeps you guessing and holding your breath while you try to keep your wits about you, and you can't. It sends you every which way while you try to figure it out, and then slaps you along side the head. WOW! I can't say too much without giving certain things away, but Valor and Bishan fight their way thorugh another brilliant book with brains, a sense of humor, and pudding. Of course pudding. Each character in this series is unique and adds something to the mystery and intrigue...and there were a few times that I wondered about a couple of characters.
I'm giving this book 5 stars. It was a fantastic ending to an amazing series with characters who are memorable and real. Once again, I have to applaud this author for her work and writing characters that are relevant. On top of that, the story is enjoyable, and at times you will find yourself holding your breath as you turn the page. I had to remind myself to breathe more than once. I highly recommend this series and this book. They are must reads and you need to read them in order. You will not be disappointed except for the fact that it did have to come to an end.
The whole mystery series keeps you guessing and holding your breath while you try to keep your wits about you, and you can't. It sends you every which way while you try to figure it out, and then slaps you along side the head. WOW! I can't say too much without giving certain things away, but Valor and Bishan fight their way thorugh another brilliant book with brains, a sense of humor, and pudding. Of course pudding. Each character in this series is unique and adds something to the mystery and intrigue...and there were a few times that I wondered about a couple of characters.
I'm giving this book 5 stars. It was a fantastic ending to an amazing series with characters who are memorable and real. Once again, I have to applaud this author for her work and writing characters that are relevant. On top of that, the story is enjoyable, and at times you will find yourself holding your breath as you turn the page. I had to remind myself to breathe more than once. I highly recommend this series and this book. They are must reads and you need to read them in order. You will not be disappointed except for the fact that it did have to come to an end.
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
A perfect ending to this amazing series! My love for this series was only dulled for a brief moment when I read the last page. If I could, I would continue to read about Valor and Bishan for much longer.
Valor and Bishan are two of the best characters that I have read about in a really long time. Usually, after a couple of books with the same characters, I get bored. But not with these two! I loved getting to know them and watching them grow as individuals and as a couple while reading this series. In this book, I laughed with them, cried with them, and worried with them.
The killer really ups the ante in this book. They become more brazen and daring.
Eventually, we learn who has been killing people throughout these books. A twist I never expected because I thought that I knew for sure who the killer was. But I was wrong!
The ending is simply divine. Since it had to end at some point, I wouldn't have wished for it to end any other way.
Valor and Bishan are two of the best characters that I have read about in a really long time. Usually, after a couple of books with the same characters, I get bored. But not with these two! I loved getting to know them and watching them grow as individuals and as a couple while reading this series. In this book, I laughed with them, cried with them, and worried with them.
The killer really ups the ante in this book. They become more brazen and daring.
Eventually, we learn who has been killing people throughout these books. A twist I never expected because I thought that I knew for sure who the killer was. But I was wrong!
The ending is simply divine. Since it had to end at some point, I wouldn't have wished for it to end any other way.
I received this book for free from Silver Dagger Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Content Warning: Murder, Attempted Murder, Stalking, Arson, Kidnapping, Ableism, Racism.
So, I was actually only supposed to review the first book, Dead in the Garden. Instead, I totally read all three back to back in quick succession. Great reading experience for me, harder to review as I think of all three books as one, like seeing the forest instead of the trees. Which leaves me to review the whole in general terms. I HIGHLY recommend reading this series and you're going to want the next one right away anyways.
Valor is a typical English lad, grew up privileged but was disowned for being gay and falling in love with an Autistic Asian Indian man, Bishan. He and Bishan met in at their boarding school, which comes with an old boys network that isn't the usual terrible scum.
They're life is pretty good until someone murders the former school bully, leaves the body in their garden, and frames Bishan. Not so good.
Valor and Bishan aren't the typical bungling amateurs. They work with the police. They listen and follow the detective's instructions. I love their partnership and cooperation with the detectives and the system. I'm not saying their perfect citizens or are necessarily happy about it, but they do it like most people actually would.
grasmere cottage mystery series isn't a weekend or two week romp on the wild side.
This series stays with the pair while they're trying to survive a murderous terror campaign. Because of the lengthened timeline, it does feel slower and longer than most cozies I've read, The stakes here are real. There's no one really off limits or acts out of bounds for this killer. It makes it more suspenseful than the typical cozy mystery. A particular murder or two was legit shocking and hurtful.
And in the end? Scars remain. Valor and Bishan get their happy ending for now like any good romantic suspense and cozy mystery. But not exempt from real world consequences. I want more of this pair, but it would be difficult to continue the series with more killers.
I will so be keeping an eye out for more of Donovan's work though.
bishan's perspective is perfection
There was this one particular moment I will never forgot. If it was seen through Valor's eyes, it'd be an easy sell as a romantic gesture and the gap between readers and allistic readers would have grown. BUT because it was in Bishan's POV, I was legit confused why Valor thought it'd be romantic! With Valor sputtering and trying to explain and talking about it, it really drove how how different and difficult navigating an allistic world is for autistics.
Brilliant code switching between the two perspectives. I think the Autistic aspect is authentic, but I'm an allistic so YMMV. I can confidently say it really helped me see his POV clearly, the differences, and raise my consciousness going forward.
Family Is Important
Bishan's family is soooo cute!! They're supportive but not perfect. They remind me of Simon's family in Simon Vs. actually. I can totally see Valor & Bishan as an older English version of Simon & Blue too.
But I love Valor's found family a little more. That's the stuff I know and love seeing reflected in books. I can never get enough.
My fave though? Their cat, Staccato. He was not harmed during this series. Frogs were only mildly inconvenienced when thrown back over a fence where they below. (Fun article to explain how frogs fly) Birds, not so lucky. Sorry :/
Killer Ableism
The killer doesn't get a lot of spotlight in the end, and I get why. If this was a standard psychopath, I'd be okay. But the sweeping dismissiveness of "craziness" when there's clear treatable mental health issues and how they lash out with the blame...I am not okay with that. Bishan has trouble navigating an allistic world but it gets explored. The mental illness of the antagonist, not so much. Hence the ableism tag. If you're having a bad or sensitive mental health day, my fellow neurodivergents, wait a bit before finishing this one until you're looking up again.
Content Warning: Murder, Attempted Murder, Stalking, Arson, Kidnapping, Ableism, Racism.
So, I was actually only supposed to review the first book, Dead in the Garden. Instead, I totally read all three back to back in quick succession. Great reading experience for me, harder to review as I think of all three books as one, like seeing the forest instead of the trees. Which leaves me to review the whole in general terms. I HIGHLY recommend reading this series and you're going to want the next one right away anyways.
Valor is a typical English lad, grew up privileged but was disowned for being gay and falling in love with an Autistic Asian Indian man, Bishan. He and Bishan met in at their boarding school, which comes with an old boys network that isn't the usual terrible scum.
They're life is pretty good until someone murders the former school bully, leaves the body in their garden, and frames Bishan. Not so good.
Valor and Bishan aren't the typical bungling amateurs. They work with the police. They listen and follow the detective's instructions. I love their partnership and cooperation with the detectives and the system. I'm not saying their perfect citizens or are necessarily happy about it, but they do it like most people actually would.
grasmere cottage mystery series isn't a weekend or two week romp on the wild side.
This series stays with the pair while they're trying to survive a murderous terror campaign. Because of the lengthened timeline, it does feel slower and longer than most cozies I've read, The stakes here are real. There's no one really off limits or acts out of bounds for this killer. It makes it more suspenseful than the typical cozy mystery. A particular murder or two was legit shocking and hurtful.
And in the end? Scars remain. Valor and Bishan get their happy ending for now like any good romantic suspense and cozy mystery. But not exempt from real world consequences. I want more of this pair, but it would be difficult to continue the series with more killers.
I will so be keeping an eye out for more of Donovan's work though.
bishan's perspective is perfection
There was this one particular moment I will never forgot. If it was seen through Valor's eyes, it'd be an easy sell as a romantic gesture and the gap between readers and allistic readers would have grown. BUT because it was in Bishan's POV, I was legit confused why Valor thought it'd be romantic! With Valor sputtering and trying to explain and talking about it, it really drove how how different and difficult navigating an allistic world is for autistics.
Brilliant code switching between the two perspectives. I think the Autistic aspect is authentic, but I'm an allistic so YMMV. I can confidently say it really helped me see his POV clearly, the differences, and raise my consciousness going forward.
Family Is Important
Bishan's family is soooo cute!! They're supportive but not perfect. They remind me of Simon's family in Simon Vs. actually. I can totally see Valor & Bishan as an older English version of Simon & Blue too.
But I love Valor's found family a little more. That's the stuff I know and love seeing reflected in books. I can never get enough.
My fave though? Their cat, Staccato. He was not harmed during this series. Frogs were only mildly inconvenienced when thrown back over a fence where they below. (Fun article to explain how frogs fly) Birds, not so lucky. Sorry :/
Killer Ableism
The killer doesn't get a lot of spotlight in the end, and I get why. If this was a standard psychopath, I'd be okay. But the sweeping dismissiveness of "craziness" when there's clear treatable mental health issues and how they lash out with the blame...I am not okay with that. Bishan has trouble navigating an allistic world but it gets explored. The mental illness of the antagonist, not so much. Hence the ableism tag. If you're having a bad or sensitive mental health day, my fellow neurodivergents, wait a bit before finishing this one until you're looking up again.