(A Dangerous Type Mystery #1)
somewhere in the 3.5-4 star range
R- 1 (maybe)
So....
Let's take a moment to admire that title, can we?
Because it's kind of beautiful.
Anyway-- Paige Shelton. An author of cozy mysteries that I have very much enjoyed in the past.
And hey, a new series featuring books/fonts/typewriters.....
What's not to love??
Okay, so the writing wasn't the most amazing thing... it felt a little repetitive and clunky in places.
But overall the characters were entertaining.
And it was a fun story.
So I'll definitely be looking for more Dangerous Type mysteries.
Showing posts with label cozy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cozy. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Friday, October 21, 2016
Mom Zone Mysteries by Sara Rosett
Mimosas, Mischief, and Murder (#6)
Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder (#7)
Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder (#8)
Marriage, Monsters-in-Law, and Murder (#9)
4 stars (each)
R- 1
I got very behind on this enjoyable cozy mystery series, but I've caught up. (It helps that books take a year or so to be written and published but I can read them in a day or two.)
And just as was the case with the earlier Ellie Avery mysteries, these are fun fluffy stories.
Unfortunately I have AWFUL timing, reading the one about the grandfather's death less than a month after my own grandpa died. That was rough.
(Isn't he adorable?? Sigh. We miss you, Grandpa.)
Even though it was a rough read, though, it was still a really good story.
All in all, I'm still totally enjoying this series, and I'm all caught up until March. My only drawbacks I'm seeing are the increasing number typos (which is unfortunately true for oh-so-many series) and the unfortunate trend in titles. I liked the earlier titles better than the current onslaught of triple Ms.
Bottom line-- if you haven't tried these yet, you should.
Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder (#7)
Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder (#8)
Marriage, Monsters-in-Law, and Murder (#9)
4 stars (each)
R- 1
I got very behind on this enjoyable cozy mystery series, but I've caught up. (It helps that books take a year or so to be written and published but I can read them in a day or two.)
And just as was the case with the earlier Ellie Avery mysteries, these are fun fluffy stories.
Unfortunately I have AWFUL timing, reading the one about the grandfather's death less than a month after my own grandpa died. That was rough.
Even though it was a rough read, though, it was still a really good story.
All in all, I'm still totally enjoying this series, and I'm all caught up until March. My only drawbacks I'm seeing are the increasing number typos (which is unfortunately true for oh-so-many series) and the unfortunate trend in titles. I liked the earlier titles better than the current onslaught of triple Ms.
Bottom line-- if you haven't tried these yet, you should.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman
4 stars
R- 2
Guess what song is now stuck in my head? :P
A cute new cozy mystery series, featuring a young reporter assigned to the food column.
Only problem is... she can't cook.
A little predictable and cliche, (and obviously a first novel, but hey) but overall quite cute and fun.
Looking forward to the sequel. :)
R- 2
Guess what song is now stuck in my head? :P
A cute new cozy mystery series, featuring a young reporter assigned to the food column.
Only problem is... she can't cook.
A little predictable and cliche, (and obviously a first novel, but hey) but overall quite cute and fun.
Looking forward to the sequel. :)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Shore Excursion by Marie Moore
3 stars
R- 2
Copy received for review through Tribute Books
I want to be really careful how I review this one.
It had the makings of a fabulous cozy. Really fabulous.
But it wasn't there. It was riddled with problems, from unbelievable situations to completely stupid character choices.
And you know what, I don't blame the author at all. I blame the editor/publisher.
Take it from someone who does a fair amount of (unpublished) writing-- you NEED a good editor. You need someone to say- hey this works, but this doesn't, no one's going to buy that decision from that character, this scene doesn't advance the story, etc. Because you often can't see what is obvious to a reader.
I hope this author keeps going. I hope she writes the second Sidney Marsh mystery and gets a better editor to help her get it done.
Sidney Marsh is a fabulous heroine, she just needs some help. :)
R- 2
Copy received for review through Tribute Books
I want to be really careful how I review this one.
It had the makings of a fabulous cozy. Really fabulous.
But it wasn't there. It was riddled with problems, from unbelievable situations to completely stupid character choices.
And you know what, I don't blame the author at all. I blame the editor/publisher.
Take it from someone who does a fair amount of (unpublished) writing-- you NEED a good editor. You need someone to say- hey this works, but this doesn't, no one's going to buy that decision from that character, this scene doesn't advance the story, etc. Because you often can't see what is obvious to a reader.
I hope this author keeps going. I hope she writes the second Sidney Marsh mystery and gets a better editor to help her get it done.
Sidney Marsh is a fabulous heroine, she just needs some help. :)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston
3 stars
R- 2 maybe
reader's choice
Okay, we all know that I LOVE cozy mysteries.
I just didn't love this one.
At some point I couldn't suspend disbelief enough at the number of awful things to befall this woman in a two-week span.
And I totally saw the ending coming from hundreds of pages away.
Overall just fell kind of flat for me.
(Points for the crazy creepy way to kill someone. BONUS POINTS for the Shakespeare-spouting parrot.)
R- 2 maybe
reader's choice
Okay, we all know that I LOVE cozy mysteries.
I just didn't love this one.
At some point I couldn't suspend disbelief enough at the number of awful things to befall this woman in a two-week span.
And I totally saw the ending coming from hundreds of pages away.
Overall just fell kind of flat for me.
(Points for the crazy creepy way to kill someone. BONUS POINTS for the Shakespeare-spouting parrot.)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Ding Dong the Diva's Dead by Cat Melodia
3.5 stars
R- 3
Copy received for review through Tribute books
Cozy mystery full of opera singers. :)
And yes, Cat Melodia is a pen name.
Debbie has finally landed a decent role, but with all of the craziness will she be able to keep it? Who is this crazy "terrorist" group that seems to be targeting the opera?? Who targets an opera?!
Several Mormon jokes... some of which were funny, some were not. I guess it would have been worse if it had been set in Utah.
Liked the heroine and several of the supporting characters. (You know, the ones you're supposed to like.)
Overall, a little too cliche for me and there were a few loose ends, but it was fun.
R- 3
Copy received for review through Tribute books
Cozy mystery full of opera singers. :)
And yes, Cat Melodia is a pen name.
Debbie has finally landed a decent role, but with all of the craziness will she be able to keep it? Who is this crazy "terrorist" group that seems to be targeting the opera?? Who targets an opera?!
Several Mormon jokes... some of which were funny, some were not. I guess it would have been worse if it had been set in Utah.
Liked the heroine and several of the supporting characters. (You know, the ones you're supposed to like.)
Overall, a little too cliche for me and there were a few loose ends, but it was fun.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
5 stars
R- 1? maybe
An Amelia Peabody book (#3)
I love Elizabeth Peters.
I needed a light cozy mystery the other day and this fit the bill perfectly.
In this volume, the Emersons take their son Ramses (age 6? it never really says) to Egypt with them. That child can get into more mischief than Denis the Menace! It's hilarious.
Another great mystery. You don't have to read these in order, necessarily, but you might want to. It never hurts. :) Start with Crocodile on the Sandbank.
R- 1? maybe
An Amelia Peabody book (#3)
I love Elizabeth Peters.
I needed a light cozy mystery the other day and this fit the bill perfectly.
In this volume, the Emersons take their son Ramses (age 6? it never really says) to Egypt with them. That child can get into more mischief than Denis the Menace! It's hilarious.
Another great mystery. You don't have to read these in order, necessarily, but you might want to. It never hurts. :) Start with Crocodile on the Sandbank.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Liar, Liar by KJ Larsen
5 stars
R-2.5
LOVED this light mystery. Laugh-out-loud funny.
Think Spellmans-style PI meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (Only they're Italian and all the men in the family are cops.)
Hilarious.
Between her family trying to have an intervention and the FBI insisting that the man she keeps running into is dead, it's a miracle Cat solves anything. But this spunky heroine has Uncle Joey on her side. LOL.
Definitely recommended. Very entertaining. Does have some language.
A Reader's Choice book.
R-2.5
LOVED this light mystery. Laugh-out-loud funny.
Think Spellmans-style PI meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (Only they're Italian and all the men in the family are cops.)
Hilarious.
Between her family trying to have an intervention and the FBI insisting that the man she keeps running into is dead, it's a miracle Cat solves anything. But this spunky heroine has Uncle Joey on her side. LOL.
Definitely recommended. Very entertaining. Does have some language.
A Reader's Choice book.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Fiber and Brimstone by Laura Childs
4 stars
r-2
Yeah, I know they're cheesy, but I can't get enough of this series!
I love the characters and I love the setting/atmosphere.
This is another fun installment. And at Halloween, no less. :)
Plus, there are recipes in the back... and they sound YUMMY!
(Shrimp bake, anyone? Not that anyone in my house would eat it.... hmmm...)
Anyway, recommended, but you definitely want the start at the beginning on this series. (This is #8.)
r-2
Yeah, I know they're cheesy, but I can't get enough of this series!
I love the characters and I love the setting/atmosphere.
This is another fun installment. And at Halloween, no less. :)
Plus, there are recipes in the back... and they sound YUMMY!
(Shrimp bake, anyone? Not that anyone in my house would eat it.... hmmm...)
Anyway, recommended, but you definitely want the start at the beginning on this series. (This is #8.)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton
4 stars
R-1
Sequel to Farm Fresh Murder
While I was a little worried about the sustainability of this series, I really enjoyed the second book. Granted the farmer's market vendor disappearing felt a little like deja vu since something similar happens in the first book, but Paige Shelton pulls it off pretty well. (Now if someone goes missing like that in the third one.... lol)
I also kind of wish the love interest would go in a different direction, but hey.
(It's not that I don't like him, I just like the other guy better.... for Becca.)
Anyway, another great cozy mystery. And again, it has recipes. (CHOCOLATE Strawberry jam?! Awesome.)
And since this is a local author, I'm really tempted to contact her and ask A) are you willing to meet with book clubs? B) do you actually make Pumpkin Preserves and Chocolate Strawberry Jam? C) if you answered yes to A and B, how about a demonstration?! LOL
Seriously, though, wouldn't that be FUN? My mom would let us use her awesome kitchen..... Hmmm..... Very very very tempting.
R-1
Sequel to Farm Fresh Murder
While I was a little worried about the sustainability of this series, I really enjoyed the second book. Granted the farmer's market vendor disappearing felt a little like deja vu since something similar happens in the first book, but Paige Shelton pulls it off pretty well. (Now if someone goes missing like that in the third one.... lol)
I also kind of wish the love interest would go in a different direction, but hey.
(It's not that I don't like him, I just like the other guy better.... for Becca.)
Anyway, another great cozy mystery. And again, it has recipes. (CHOCOLATE Strawberry jam?! Awesome.)
And since this is a local author, I'm really tempted to contact her and ask A) are you willing to meet with book clubs? B) do you actually make Pumpkin Preserves and Chocolate Strawberry Jam? C) if you answered yes to A and B, how about a demonstration?! LOL
Seriously, though, wouldn't that be FUN? My mom would let us use her awesome kitchen..... Hmmm..... Very very very tempting.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton
4 stars
R-1
Reader's Choice AND a local author!
When a body is found at "her" famer's market and a close friend is the prime suspect, Becca simply must figure out what happened. But as she starts digging around she finds that perhaps not all of the vendors are quite what she thinks.
A fun cozy mystery. Not sure how sustainable the series is.... you can't just have body after body show up at the same farmer's market... but I hope the author can figure it all out because I'd enjoy reading more with these fun characters.
AND there are recipes in this book. For things like lemon meringue pie and pumpkin preserves (I can't tell you how curious I am about the pumpkin preserves. I may have to take up canning.)
R-1
Reader's Choice AND a local author!
When a body is found at "her" famer's market and a close friend is the prime suspect, Becca simply must figure out what happened. But as she starts digging around she finds that perhaps not all of the vendors are quite what she thinks.
A fun cozy mystery. Not sure how sustainable the series is.... you can't just have body after body show up at the same farmer's market... but I hope the author can figure it all out because I'd enjoy reading more with these fun characters.
AND there are recipes in this book. For things like lemon meringue pie and pumpkin preserves (I can't tell you how curious I am about the pumpkin preserves. I may have to take up canning.)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Slugfest by Rosemary Harris
5 stars
R- 2
A Dirty Business Mystery
I love these books.
There's something about the feisty heroine and cozy mystery style that just makes me want more.
And the antics of the New York crowd in this one are great!
Plus, the epilogue is a fabulous character by character update on what happens to them. I love that kind of thing, especially in a book like this where most of these characers probably won't show up again in subsequent books.
Personally, I would start at the beginning (Pushing Up Daisies), but really it's not necessary.
R- 2
A Dirty Business Mystery
I love these books.
There's something about the feisty heroine and cozy mystery style that just makes me want more.
And the antics of the New York crowd in this one are great!
Plus, the epilogue is a fabulous character by character update on what happens to them. I love that kind of thing, especially in a book like this where most of these characers probably won't show up again in subsequent books.
Personally, I would start at the beginning (Pushing Up Daisies), but really it's not necessary.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman
5 stars
R-0
In the same vein as the Mrs. Pollifax books, this is the story of two nuns who leave the cloister to venture out into the world. Why? Well, because some random man left the abbey an estate and someone must go take inventory.
Enter some "hippies", Sister Ursula, migrant workers, a rotten sheriff and several jars of "sugar" and Sisters John and Hyacinthe had better learn something of the world... and fast!
Really just a fun and funny read. I love the nuns.
Totally recommended. Quick and light. :)
R-0
In the same vein as the Mrs. Pollifax books, this is the story of two nuns who leave the cloister to venture out into the world. Why? Well, because some random man left the abbey an estate and someone must go take inventory.
Enter some "hippies", Sister Ursula, migrant workers, a rotten sheriff and several jars of "sugar" and Sisters John and Hyacinthe had better learn something of the world... and fast!
Really just a fun and funny read. I love the nuns.
Totally recommended. Quick and light. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)