You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by amicarlton
A Most Malicious Messenger by Katherine Black
5.0
Katherine Black's "The Most Unusual Mysteries" #cozymystery series proves the adage "don't judge a book by its cover better than any book I've yet to encounter. The adorable dachshunds on the front made me think it would be the coziest of cozies I'd ever read.
This is such an interesting take on the cozy crime genre. It definitely harkens back to an earlier day of cozy crime, when it was edgier and took bigger chances. Cozies are frequently sanitized and clean, like murder is very much beside the point. This book is absolutely a #murderbook - no doubt about it.
As a lover of #cozymysteries - the cozier the better - you'd think that means I didn't enjoy the book, but you would be wrong. I frequently enjoy when a writer takes something I love and subverts it, turning it on its head. As long as they do it well. Ms. Katherine Black has broken the "rules" of modern-day cozies like a true artist.
Though, maybe she has really stuck with the rules. May, our unlikely sleuth, is a retired librarian, even if she has a few secrets. Her dependable sidekick and cast of zany, small-town characters are super loveable, if not a lot more edgy than most. And Minty, whom I thought I would not like at first, turned out to be a delight.
The romantic encounters were another spot of fresh air. While everything remained closed door, which is how I prefer it, for once there was no pretense that s3x didn't exist. This is one of my complaints about typical cozies. They're sweet and adorable, but even the nicest men I've ever met are not as patient as them. This is cozy mystery for the grown-up crowd, and I'm here for it.
This series is filled with dark humor, and can get graphic. Be sure to check content warnings and know that there are some morally grey characters at the center of the book. This is not your typical cozy mystery, but if you will give it a chance, I think you will absolutely love it! I can't wait to see more from Katherine Black. I will wait (probably not so) patiently watching for the next book to come out.
If you love a good cozy, but also have found some love for some of the old-school edgier ones like the "Goldy Bear" mysteries and the "Odelia Grey" ones that started in the 90s and probably should have had some trigger warnings, these are fantastic for you! And, if dark humor, cute pups, and zany friendships and relationships are your jam, pick this book up! You can read it as a standalone, but since I'm a completionist, I'd recommend starting with the first in the series "A Most Unusual Demise."
Content Warnings: Murder, Violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Religious Ideas, Sexual Shaming, Adult Language, Adult Situations, Implied Harm to Animals (Off Page), Unintentional Cannibalism, Crude Humor, Dark Humor, Discussion of Suicide, Suicidal Ideations, Assisted Suicide
This is such an interesting take on the cozy crime genre. It definitely harkens back to an earlier day of cozy crime, when it was edgier and took bigger chances. Cozies are frequently sanitized and clean, like murder is very much beside the point. This book is absolutely a #murderbook - no doubt about it.
As a lover of #cozymysteries - the cozier the better - you'd think that means I didn't enjoy the book, but you would be wrong. I frequently enjoy when a writer takes something I love and subverts it, turning it on its head. As long as they do it well. Ms. Katherine Black has broken the "rules" of modern-day cozies like a true artist.
Though, maybe she has really stuck with the rules. May, our unlikely sleuth, is a retired librarian, even if she has a few secrets. Her dependable sidekick and cast of zany, small-town characters are super loveable, if not a lot more edgy than most. And Minty, whom I thought I would not like at first, turned out to be a delight.
The romantic encounters were another spot of fresh air. While everything remained closed door, which is how I prefer it, for once there was no pretense that s3x didn't exist. This is one of my complaints about typical cozies. They're sweet and adorable, but even the nicest men I've ever met are not as patient as them. This is cozy mystery for the grown-up crowd, and I'm here for it.
This series is filled with dark humor, and can get graphic. Be sure to check content warnings and know that there are some morally grey characters at the center of the book. This is not your typical cozy mystery, but if you will give it a chance, I think you will absolutely love it! I can't wait to see more from Katherine Black. I will wait (probably not so) patiently watching for the next book to come out.
If you love a good cozy, but also have found some love for some of the old-school edgier ones like the "Goldy Bear" mysteries and the "Odelia Grey" ones that started in the 90s and probably should have had some trigger warnings, these are fantastic for you! And, if dark humor, cute pups, and zany friendships and relationships are your jam, pick this book up! You can read it as a standalone, but since I'm a completionist, I'd recommend starting with the first in the series "A Most Unusual Demise."
Content Warnings: Murder, Violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Religious Ideas, Sexual Shaming, Adult Language, Adult Situations, Implied Harm to Animals (Off Page), Unintentional Cannibalism, Crude Humor, Dark Humor, Discussion of Suicide, Suicidal Ideations, Assisted Suicide