This is a fun entry in the series about bookseller/investigator Annie Murray. I'm thrilled that she's finally made her decision about which career patThis is a fun entry in the series about bookseller/investigator Annie Murray. I'm thrilled that she's finally made her decision about which career path to follow. It might be a totally unrealistic decision--hehe--but it's a cozy series, after all.
If you mix up the worlds of baking and bookselling and murder, you're bound to get something delicious. I love the sneak peek into the life of an influencer too. And Pri and Fletcher and Hal make such a great cast of supporting characters.
The investigation into Scarlet's murder (in the past) gets more airtime here, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. But I'm just not a big fan of over-arching dramatic storylines weaving over an entire mystery series.
Still, Ellie Alexander's such a reliable author. I know I'll get a good story from her pretty much every time!
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy, provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review....more
This book features a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of a Magnolia Lane-type empire. I'm not into "lifestyle brands," but it's an interesting woThis book features a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of a Magnolia Lane-type empire. I'm not into "lifestyle brands," but it's an interesting world to use as a book setting. I like main character Meg, though I'm annoyed by the fairly patronizing men in her life. And I enjoy the scene-to-scene writing, though the killer seems kind of obvious from early on. It's an enjoyable read, though I'd love a bit more mystery. 3-1/2 stars for me.
Thanks to the publisher for this review copy, provided via NetGalley....more
Hmm. This one doesn't quite do it for me, even though I really like protagonist Imma and her partner, Jo. There's no mystery here for the reader. TherHmm. This one doesn't quite do it for me, even though I really like protagonist Imma and her partner, Jo. There's no mystery here for the reader. There's a mystery for Imma, and she does solve it, but the reader knows basically what's happened from the very beginning. The drawn-out sections from Henry's point of view (especially all his dithering back and forth) especially make me disconnect from the book. And there's just not enough suspense to keep me happily reading even though I know who's done what. I feel like this could be shaped into a good mystery, but it's not there yet. Or it's just not my style.
Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I love this series, but I'll admit I'm ready for the Allie arc to be done. Still, the main plot of this one lured me in with its threads of old secretI love this series, but I'll admit I'm ready for the Allie arc to be done. Still, the main plot of this one lured me in with its threads of old secrets, family relationships, and grief. It felt like the real emotion of the book, the most intense parts, lay with the Allie arc, though, so I hope the next book finishes that up. Despite my misgivings about this title, it still held my interest, start to finish. Looking forward to the next one.
Merged review:
I love this series, but I'll admit I'm ready for the Allie arc to be done. Still, the main plot of this one lured me in with its threads of old secrets, family relationships, and grief. It felt like the real emotion of the book, the most intense parts, lay with the Allie arc, though, so I hope the next book finishes that up. Despite my misgivings about this title, it still held my interest, start to finish. Looking forward to the next one....more
Centering mostly on Bailey's visiting parents and on a local theft, this book feels rather lightweight. Maybe that's always the case in a novella? TheCentering mostly on Bailey's visiting parents and on a local theft, this book feels rather lightweight. Maybe that's always the case in a novella? The dialog felt stilted to me, but other than that, it was a quick, escapist read. This was fine for an in-between read. It wouldn't inspire me to read the full-length novels if I didn't already know from experience that they're much better, though.
Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Centering mostly on Bailey's visiting parents and on a local theft, this book feels rather lightweight. Maybe that's always the case in a novella? The dialog felt stilted to me, but other than that, it was a quick, escapist read. This was fine for an in-between read. It wouldn't inspire me to read the full-length novels if I didn't already know from experience that they're much better, though.
Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
A complex plot, insight into gang life (not a preachy look--a fascinating one), and the wrapping up of an overarching storyline I was getting tired ofA complex plot, insight into gang life (not a preachy look--a fascinating one), and the wrapping up of an overarching storyline I was getting tired of made this a dynamite Fixer book for me! Highly recommended.
Merged review:
A complex plot, insight into gang life (not a preachy look--a fascinating one), and the wrapping up of an overarching storyline I was getting tired of made this a dynamite Fixer book for me! Highly recommended....more
I didn't enjoy book 3 as much as I'd hoped to. There were many threads that were brought up over and over and over again. Whether it was the "Abbey beI didn't enjoy book 3 as much as I'd hoped to. There were many threads that were brought up over and over and over again. Whether it was the "Abbey being a cleaner" thread or the totes she needed to do for Brooke or the whole luxury cabinet. And the new employee who did absolutely nothing all the time. It seemed obvious from the beginning what was connected to the death. And then some things that I thought were going to pay off didn't--and were anti-climactic. I hate it when the actual moment of apprehending the criminal is just summarized in retrospect!
Anyway, this one just didn't gel for me. Not enough suspense, not enough surprise, and too much repetition. I really wanted to like it more, because I like the character of Abbey.
Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This is one of my favorite cozy series, and this book is definitely a fun read. I'm so glad the pathos has shifted (mostly) away from the tiresome draThis is one of my favorite cozy series, and this book is definitely a fun read. I'm so glad the pathos has shifted (mostly) away from the tiresome drama of Megan's partner and their breakup. That's the only thing about this series I was so dang tired of. I'm a lot more entangled in and sympathetic to other situations and characters in the book, like Ais and her relationship with her horrifying mom. It's a well-plotted mystery, and Megan is funny and smart. I so enjoy spending time with her and her friends. Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I love this series! This book is full of skepticism, great plotting, a main character I like and who feels very real, odd creatures, science, small toI love this series! This book is full of skepticism, great plotting, a main character I like and who feels very real, odd creatures, science, small towns, big mysteries, creepiness, and interesting relationships with colleagues and others. Can't wait for the next one!
Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm a fan of both Carolyn Hart and Diane Mott Davidson, but this didn't delight me at all. The narrator is incredibly annoying, and I didn't find the I'm a fan of both Carolyn Hart and Diane Mott Davidson, but this didn't delight me at all. The narrator is incredibly annoying, and I didn't find the book charming at all. Didn't get past chapter two, I'm afraid.
-- Review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
I'm a fan of both Carolyn Hart and Diane Mott Davidson, but this didn't delight me at all. The narrator is incredibly annoying, and I didn't find the book charming at all. Didn't get past chapter two, I'm afraid.
-- Review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I have loved the other Potting Shed mysteries, but I was a bit disappointed with this one. It seemed more about village life and family dynamics than I have loved the other Potting Shed mysteries, but I was a bit disappointed with this one. It seemed more about village life and family dynamics than about a mystery. The first body, an old one, from WWII, isn't discovered until a quarter of the way through. Then a contemporary murder, finally, around 40% in. And most upsetting of all, the killer is pretty obvious after about 50-60% of the book. I kept thinking he/she was a red herring, but...no. And when Pru thinks, X "was no criminal," I just shook my head. Brother. The whole thing left me feeling a bit "so what."
Now, despite those problems, I did enjoy spending time with Pru, Christopher, and the rest of the family. But I hope Wingate is back up to snuff by the time the next Potting Shed mystery comes out. This one was a disappointment.
The review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
I have loved the other Potting Shed mysteries, but I was a bit disappointed with this one. It seemed more about village life and family dynamics than about a mystery. The first body, an old one, from WWII, isn't discovered until a quarter of the way through. Then a contemporary murder, finally, around 40% in. And most upsetting of all, the killer is pretty obvious after about 50-60% of the book. I kept thinking he/she was a red herring, but...no. And when Pru thinks, X "was no criminal," I just shook my head. Brother. The whole thing left me feeling a bit "so what."
Now, despite those problems, I did enjoy spending time with Pru, Christopher, and the rest of the family. But I hope Wingate is back up to snuff by the time the next Potting Shed mystery comes out. This one was a disappointment.
The review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I enjoyed the first two books in this series. In this one, the killer feels really obvious from maybe halfway through. So that's a bummer. An enjoyablI enjoyed the first two books in this series. In this one, the killer feels really obvious from maybe halfway through. So that's a bummer. An enjoyable read, because I was hoping the ending would surprise me--but it didn't.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley....more
I'm a fan of most of Ellie Alexander's cozies, and this one's no exception. I like Annie and her friends, and I love the locked-room-house-party feel I'm a fan of most of Ellie Alexander's cozies, and this one's no exception. I like Annie and her friends, and I love the locked-room-house-party feel of the book, with its fundraising gala as the scene of the murder. I do feel like the "should I be a detective or a bookstore worker?" thing is getting old kind of quickly. And that Annie and Pri have some serious TSTL moments in the climax of the book. For those reasons, this one's a 3-1/2 stars out of 5 for me. Still an enjoyable escape read, though!
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
What a delightful start to a new series! I love Dahlia's awkwardness/neurodivergence (?) and her first-person narrative voice. When she says the utterWhat a delightful start to a new series! I love Dahlia's awkwardness/neurodivergence (?) and her first-person narrative voice. When she says the utterly wrong and inappropriate thing, I am right there with her! I love how there are things now and then, like her sister's relationship with Amal, that she's totally unaware of, even though the reader's aware.
It's so bittersweet that she and her sister were estranged for year's before her sister's death, and that tinges the whole book for me. It feels like something of a tender read, as Dahlia settles into the life that really, her sister Daisy was living (for the most part). Amal, Dahlia's niece, the neighbors...it feels like a community that I'd enjoy being part of...well, except for the murders.
And the murders are well plotted and explained. I can't wait for book 2!
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
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