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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I loved this book so much. My reading spree has been a little all over the place, but reading this was definitely something I had been missing.
The cozy atmosphere. The small but progressive town. The friendships, love, and the entire history was really well written. Well thought out characters, and a great murder mystery.
I also really enjoyed that this novel didn't go the route of being too graphic in terms of romance/sex as I feel there is already an overabundance of those type of books already available. It's nice to read just a good cozy book like this. I look forward to more from Mark.
The cozy atmosphere. The small but progressive town. The friendships, love, and the entire history was really well written. Well thought out characters, and a great murder mystery.
I also really enjoyed that this novel didn't go the route of being too graphic in terms of romance/sex as I feel there is already an overabundance of those type of books already available. It's nice to read just a good cozy book like this. I look forward to more from Mark.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Quirky. Engaging. Funny.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
overall not bad, solid 4 stars.
There were some cringe moments, and times when I felt secondhand embarrassment. But this isn't the only book to cause secondhand embarrassment for me, and there was some good sleuthing. What really pulled it down was the eye roll moments. There weren't many but the ending was the biggest one. Very cliche like wow okay. It's a cozy mystery so sure use them, but maybe not so cut and paste next time.
Now that I'm thinking about the ending maybe the book is more 3.5 stars. I'm not totally convinced about that explanation, and it's rather sad when that is the whole point of a mystery book.
If this becomes a series (it feels like it will be) I'm curious about the next book. Lots of things I had with issues could be solved now that everything is established...well except cliched endings.
There were some cringe moments, and times when I felt secondhand embarrassment. But this isn't the only book to cause secondhand embarrassment for me, and there was some good sleuthing. What really pulled it down was the eye roll moments. There weren't many but the ending was the biggest one. Very cliche
Spoiler
from the "you got too close to my secret" all the way to the explanatory monologuing because "I'm going to kill you anyway"Now that I'm thinking about the ending maybe the book is more 3.5 stars. I'm not totally convinced about that explanation, and it's rather sad when that is the whole point of a mystery book.
Spoiler
If I am waiting (in the woods) to kill a man (who also walked through those woods) why drop the body in the pond? Why not kill him in the woods and leave him there? Maybe I heard wrong and he didn't go through the woods. In that case, she mentioned he was drunk, why not make it look like an accident? he "fell" on the rock you hit him with? Or better yet he "fell" on that rocky beach?If this becomes a series (it feels like it will be) I'm curious about the next book. Lots of things I had with issues could be solved now that everything is established...well except cliched endings.
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell is like finishing a cup of warm tea, and now all you want is another.
This queer cozy mystery debut is about Luke Tremblay, an investigative journalist gone freelance, learning that his aunt has died. She left him a cottage and an antique shop in the small hamlet of Crescent Cove. When Luke arrives to sell the properties, he has a slightly violent altercation with a stranger sneaking around the cottage. The next morning, he finds this stranger dead in the back garden. The local Mountie, an old friend of Luke’s, seems to believe he’s the murderer. Luke takes matters into his own hands, determined to clear his name. Thus many shenanigans ensue.
This truly is a cozy mystery. While the murderer was quickly decipherable, that didn’t lessen the intrigue. I still asked myself why they resorted to these drastic measures and how they went about it.
Luke’s investigations were fun too. He has a knack for getting into trouble, and getting out of it. There are plenty of side characters in this book, too. The author’s excellent at giving them all distinct personalities, making them feel fully fleshed out in a couple of words.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the adorable slow burn romance between Luke and Jack Munro, the local Mountie. I ate up every interaction they had. Mark Waddell does an excellent job combining intriguing mystery, a pinch of action, and fun flirting. Luke and Jack made for an excellent investigative duo.
Even if you aren’t a fan of mysteries, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s truly fun meeting all the potential suspects, hearing why Luke suspects them, and how the truth comes to light. All the while, a little romance happens in the background. I won’t spoil the ending, I’ll just say I love the choices Luke makes.
This is the first ARC I’ve ever received, and I’m delighted to say that I had a blast. This is a series I will definitely be keeping my eyes on.
Thank you, Crooked Lanes, for sending me this ARC.
This queer cozy mystery debut is about Luke Tremblay, an investigative journalist gone freelance, learning that his aunt has died. She left him a cottage and an antique shop in the small hamlet of Crescent Cove. When Luke arrives to sell the properties, he has a slightly violent altercation with a stranger sneaking around the cottage. The next morning, he finds this stranger dead in the back garden. The local Mountie, an old friend of Luke’s, seems to believe he’s the murderer. Luke takes matters into his own hands, determined to clear his name. Thus many shenanigans ensue.
This truly is a cozy mystery. While the murderer was quickly decipherable, that didn’t lessen the intrigue. I still asked myself why they resorted to these drastic measures and how they went about it.
Luke’s investigations were fun too. He has a knack for getting into trouble, and getting out of it. There are plenty of side characters in this book, too. The author’s excellent at giving them all distinct personalities, making them feel fully fleshed out in a couple of words.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the adorable slow burn romance between Luke and Jack Munro, the local Mountie. I ate up every interaction they had. Mark Waddell does an excellent job combining intriguing mystery, a pinch of action, and fun flirting. Luke and Jack made for an excellent investigative duo.
Even if you aren’t a fan of mysteries, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s truly fun meeting all the potential suspects, hearing why Luke suspects them, and how the truth comes to light. All the while, a little romance happens in the background. I won’t spoil the ending, I’ll just say I love the choices Luke makes.
This is the first ARC I’ve ever received, and I’m delighted to say that I had a blast. This is a series I will definitely be keeping my eyes on.
Thank you, Crooked Lanes, for sending me this ARC.