A review by oceanwriter
Etiquette for Lovers and Killers by Anna Fitzgerald Healy

mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

A seaside town in the 1960s is perhaps the perfect place for a murder. For Billie, a murder mystery is an exciting change of pace in her humdrum life. But that change of pace puts her in a precarious predicament. 
 
If you’re looking for a taste of 60s pop culture, this book is for you. Unfortunately, for me, the references were overwhelming, and it felt like more time was spent setting up the atmosphere, and there was little room for an actual story. I love this era, so I do love a good reference to shows I watch, celebrities I’m more familiar with, and so on, but not so much that I want it to be the majority of a novel, especially when they’re not cohesive references and read more as though they’re there for the sake of fitting as many nods as possible. 
 
I did love the chapter titles/blurbs. That was a cute touch. I would flip through this book again for those alone. It was a unique setting for this era, showing a more prim and proper lifestyle than historical fiction authors typically take in the 1960s, so that was fun as well. 
 
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for inviting me to read a free digital ARC of the book. 
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