Source: Publisher
Description: As the owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner likes to support other Main Street businesses, so she attends a paint-and-sip event where, sadly, her brushstrokes look more like blobs. It’s still fun, though—aside from some disruption by a couple doing more sipping than painting. Jill’s police-detective boyfriend is on alert, but a designated driver volunteers to take the drunken pair back to their bed and breakfast, and everything seems resolved. Until the wife’s body turns up the next morning back in the studio.
The victim, Nan, is from out of town, so it’s hard to imagine who’d have a motive aside from her spouse. Now, in between puzzling over her fortuneteller neighbor’s strange behavior, preparing for her best friend’s wedding, and pouring cups of java at the bookstore, Jill must uncover the secrets of Nan’s life and find out who wanted her out of the picture . . .
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: This is one of my favorite cozy series so I couldn't resist picking up the newest book in the series.
My Impression: Starting a new Tourist Trap Mystery is like going back to visit friends and this one was no different. There are a few changes in South Cove these days - a few new businesses, a new barista in the Coffee, Books and More family and a St. Patrick's Day Street Festival to get ready for. One of those new businesses is one of those drink wine and paint places which leads Jill and friends into an uncomfortable encounter with a tourist who has done far more of the first and not nearly enough of the second. Still it's a bit shocking when that tourist ends up murdered in the very place they had had their class. Jill's complete and total lack of artistic talent had me laughing and I could relate to her all the more.
There's a lot going on in this mystery with regular business at the bookstore, town business, current relationship issues, past relationship issues, and general snooping. While this did make the book busy it wasn't chaotic - instead it was like just hanging out with Jill and tagging along while she gets involved in the investigation and tries to sort through all the information she's picking up. I really enjoy the dynamics between all the characters (though I won't be sorry to see the end of the Bridezilla version of Amy) and am really growing to like Deek and Evie - the two newer members of the series.
The mystery is a good one with lots of digging into the past and uncovering secrets. I do wish the ending was a little more developed which is my standard complaint with this series. I was satisfied with the ending but just wish it started to unravel a little earlier in the book then it did. This is probably a series best read from the beginning as it is so character driven but it is such a consistent and enjoyable series that I don't think any cozy reader will be disappointed!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm already looking forward to my next visit with Jill and Greg.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you're a cozy lover this is a fun series though I do recommend starting from the beginning.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I think I would enjoy this series as I do like the more character driven cozy series. I noticed this cover I think on NetGalley and was drawn by it, but if I get to it would definitely start at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI love this series. I haven't read this one yet.
ReplyDeletei know i have this series on my tbr; i need to look and see if i had even read book one.
ReplyDeleteMysteries in a bookstore? Count me in! Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteI recently read this author for the first time and enjoyed her writing. This is another series that i would like to read someday. I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
ReplyDelete