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nerodia2348's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I'll start by saying that I didn't realize this was book thirteen in a series until after I finished reading it. I'm not sure whether reading earlier books would have made a difference.
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, the plot jumped all over the place. The characters were too plain and similar for me to sort them all out in my memory. I found myself repeatedly going backward in the book to refresh my memory about different characters, and it kind of became a chore. I also got no sense of this being a mystery that I, as the reader, could solve. There were few coherent clues about what was going on. Then, in the last chapter, the the answer was abruptly handed to me. There was also very little of the descriptive world-building I'd normally expect from this type of fiction. It just wasn't for me.
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, the plot jumped all over the place. The characters were too plain and similar for me to sort them all out in my memory. I found myself repeatedly going backward in the book to refresh my memory about different characters, and it kind of became a chore. I also got no sense of this being a mystery that I, as the reader, could solve. There were few coherent clues about what was going on. Then, in the last chapter, the the answer was abruptly handed to me. There was also very little of the descriptive world-building I'd normally expect from this type of fiction. It just wasn't for me.
katkinney's review
5.0
Ah, another fun Lucy Stone mystery. Lucy is wrangling some pesky new neighbors on her street who can’t seem to leave well enough alone, as well as anonymous letters to the Pennysaver and a Bake Sale that will leave anyone who’s ever had to sit through a PTA meeting in stitches. And of course, wherever Lucy goes, there’s always a murder to investigate. I loved that this one was set in Tinker’s Cove (my favorite books in this series are) and liked seeing all the familiar town characters as well as the everyday problems of conflict with friends and controlling bake sale partners as Lucy also has to solve the case. And the parts with Libby the lab and her tendency to eat everything except Lucy’s homemade dog biscuits were fun
felinity's review
2.0
This works well as a standalone read, unlike many series. It seemed to be going nicely, but everything wrapped up *far* too quickly. There were a lot of characters introduced, almost all of whom remained basically unknown. And I was very surprised at the reference to floppy disks, as this was published in 2012...
Spoiler
The hazing, for example, was being built up as a big thing, with the 3 cheerleaders and Tommy's attempted suicide, and yet in the end it appeared to be just the way Meier was drawing in the coach. The brother's appearance in town also seemed to be a loose end that was never really explained.opalthegembookreviews's review
These women are too catty and downright cutthroat mean to each other it was hard to stomach any further this is supposed to be a cheerful cozy mystery not an episode of Real Housewives, I will try another book from this series and give it another shot but this one was not for me.
irurian's review
3.0
So, I have started well into the series, but I did get this book for free. Honestly, I doubt I would have spent money on it. Not because I think it's necessarily a bad book, but the cover and title leads a lot to be desired.
Although it is the 13th book, it's still easy for newcomers to jump in, which I really appreciated. Also, I didn't guess the murderer immediately, which is always a bonus. The book was also a real page-turner - I ended up reading it in one sitting, plus it did make me laugh a few times.
However, the book isn't perfect. Lucy managed to rub me the wrong way at times, and I failed to see why anyone in their right mind could be friends with Sue. Additionally, I feel like the hazing aspect of the book fizzled out and a lot of details in the story didn't make sense with closer examination.
But overall, I think it's a great light read. There's certainly a place for these types of books in the world.
Although it is the 13th book, it's still easy for newcomers to jump in, which I really appreciated. Also, I didn't guess the murderer immediately, which is always a bonus. The book was also a real page-turner - I ended up reading it in one sitting, plus it did make me laugh a few times.
However, the book isn't perfect. Lucy managed to rub me the wrong way at times, and I failed to see why anyone in their right mind could be friends with Sue. Additionally, I feel like the hazing aspect of the book fizzled out and a lot of details in the story didn't make sense with closer examination.
But overall, I think it's a great light read. There's certainly a place for these types of books in the world.
lisahelene's review
4.0
Kind of a silly book, nothing like a real murder mystery, but it was a fun read.
wildflowerz76's review
2.0
First, the positive: I got this one free from Amazon. Apparently it's the 13th in a series, but it doesn't feel like that. I loathe reading book out of order. And while this does feel like a series book, it doesn't, at all, feel like I've missed anything by just reading this book. I mean, Lucy's just meeting a lot of her neighbors! Anyway, this one was also very readable and kept me interested right until the end. I didn't see it coming as far as the culprit either.
Now, the negative: Lucy's kind of a dumbass. She stumbles into all sorts of situations that she shouldn't be in and she can't manage her time well. Her daughter's distraught about something and makes her drive an hour out of her way to pick her up and yet she doesn't demand answers at all. Sue is a hateful bitch with no apparent redeeming qualities as a friend. The entire town, including Lucy's husband, doesn't seem to care that the football team is being hazed, including harassing the cheerleaders, one of which is Lucy's daughter, as long as the team is finally winning games. Also, was there another reason why the brother came to town? Because he never actually talked to anyone. His part seemed thrown together and unnecessary. Also, what was the deal with Mimi's husband? That was never really explained either.
*SPOILERS* In the end, no one seemed to care why the hazing was going on. There was never any explanation on what the coach thought it would accomplish or any punishment for the kids who went along with it. The book could do with some better proofreading for continuity also. At least twice, the author makes a point of saying that Mimi's older than her brother. Yet in the report in the paper in the end, Mimi's listed as a few years younger than her brother. Also, how the hell would Bonnie make the brother drink the alcohol? How would she get close enough to him to get him to do it either? I mean, all reports were that he ran from anyone and everyone that got near him.
Now, the negative: Lucy's kind of a dumbass. She stumbles into all sorts of situations that she shouldn't be in and she can't manage her time well. Her daughter's distraught about something and makes her drive an hour out of her way to pick her up and yet she doesn't demand answers at all. Sue is a hateful bitch with no apparent redeeming qualities as a friend. The entire town, including Lucy's husband, doesn't seem to care that the football team is being hazed, including harassing the cheerleaders, one of which is Lucy's daughter, as long as the team is finally winning games. Also, was there another reason why the brother came to town? Because he never actually talked to anyone. His part seemed thrown together and unnecessary. Also, what was the deal with Mimi's husband? That was never really explained either.
*SPOILERS* In the end, no one seemed to care why the hazing was going on. There was never any explanation on what the coach thought it would accomplish or any punishment for the kids who went along with it. The book could do with some better proofreading for continuity also. At least twice, the author makes a point of saying that Mimi's older than her brother. Yet in the report in the paper in the end, Mimi's listed as a few years younger than her brother. Also, how the hell would Bonnie make the brother drink the alcohol? How would she get close enough to him to get him to do it either? I mean, all reports were that he ran from anyone and everyone that got near him.