Rating: Very Good
Source: NetGalley
Description: Jenny Weston moves home to Bear Falls, Michigan to nurse her bruised ego back to health after a bitter divorce. But the idyllic vision of her charming hometown crumbles when her mother's little library is destroyed. The next door neighbor, Zoe Zola, a little person and Lewis Carroll enthusiast, suspects local curmudgeon Adam Cane, but when he's suddenly found dead in Zoe's fairy garden, all roads lead back to her. Jenny, however, believes Zoe is innocent, so the two women team up to find the true culprit, investigating the richest family in Bear Falls, interrogating a few odd townspeople and delving into old hidden transgressions - until another body turns up. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli's quaint and compelling series debut A Most Curious Murder will delight cozy mystery readers new and old.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: Really all I saw were the words "library" and "fairy garden" and I knew I had to have it!
My Impression: I'm very glad I didn't read this blurb too closely because if I'd really noticed the Alice in Wonderland inspiration I might have passed on this one. I think I would have worried about how the nonsense of Alice would translate into a modern day mystery. Instead it turned out to be a delightful whimsical touch to a solid mystery.
The story starts with newly divorced Jenny Weston arriving at her mother's and discovering her mother's beloved little library smashed to pieces. While processing that she encounters her mother's new neighbor Alice fan, author and lover of all things fairy, Zoe Zola. Most of the Alice-ness is concentrated in Zoe's big personality as she loves to quote from the book and goes into her own nonsensical ramblings frequently dragging Jenny along with her in the banter. Jenny is a likable main character. She has her hangups but even her seeming fixation on an old boyfriend works because it doesn't feel like she's still in love with him but more that their breakup is tangled up in so much emotion that she's never taken the time to deal with. The mystery soon goes from trying to figure out who would destroy the little library that the community loves so much to a murder investigation and Zoe has a gift for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As the evidence adds up against Zoe Jenny can't help but become involved in trying to prove the woman's innocence and trying to figure out the real murderer is. Along the way Jenny's sister Lisa, her mother Dora, carpenter Tony, and old high school classmate turned lawyer Penelope all join the merry band of misfits to figure out just what is going on in the Cane family. While I did figure out the who relatively early on there were lots of why I couldn't wait to find out about. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. It's off to a strong start!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series and more books from the author.
Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely! If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is one not to miss. You don't have to like Alice in Wonderland but it's an extra treat if you're familiar with the story.
These look adorable. I love that the series is called A Little Library Mystery. Does the series focus on the same main character, or are their different main characters in each book?
ReplyDeleteOh, so cool! I added this to my wishlist. Cozy, library, mystery... all these words pulled me in!
ReplyDeleteThis is the second glowing review for this book I've read in two days. I really must read it. And I love Alice in Wonderland, so I think that would be a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteYay a Michigan setting! I've seena few cozies now set in my state and always love to see that. Who would smash a library? And Zoe sounds like a lot of fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThe word "library" drew me in, too....and the "fairy garden" is a nice addition to a bookish mystery. I love that cover, and the fact that this one is Book One is very appealing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I'm not a huge Alice fan, but I like her well enough. The little library would more than make up for that anyway. This sounds like one that is not to be missed!
ReplyDeleteI have this one to read too and I didn't pick up on the Alice in Wonderland either or I would have passed it up as I am not a fan. I hope I still enjoy it like you did.
ReplyDeleteI hesitated a little when I saw that about Alice in the blurb, so I'm o hear it worked well. I'm actually more curious now.
ReplyDeleteSounds good and even though you pick a culprit early often it doesn't take away from the enjoyment, when there is much more to a book.
ReplyDeleteOo I think I'd be like you too after seeing library and fairy garden. lol
ReplyDeleteI really need to add some cozy mysteries to my pile. This is perfect because it is book one not twenty-two..lol
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this come up on NetGalley or somewhere, and thinking I'd like to read it. Now I'm really intrigued. I love the whole idea of the Little Free Libraries, and the Alice in Wonderland connection is a nice touch. I will have to look around for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new author to me. Sounds like a great read. Since I'm from Michigan I really like reading stories set in Michigan. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new author to me. Sounds like a great read. Since I'm from Michigan I really like reading stories set in Michigan. Thanks for the chance.
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