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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass in Books

Jul 29, 2026 - 5:52 AM  
Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass
Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass
Heather Day Gilbert | 2023 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How did the Body Slither into Belinda’s Garden?
Belinda has just moved from New York City to Greenwich, Connecticut, where she is renting the carriage house behind the Carrington estate. And she is currently pet-sitting the python of one of her clients. But she’s barely settled in when she finds a young woman dead in the flower bed outside her cottage. The victim was a friend of the handsome Stone Carrington the Fifth. With the body being so close to her new home, Belinda starts to investigate. Will she figure out what happened?

I have quite a few books from this author, so I thought I’d start with this three-book series. Despite the quick start, I thought the first couple of interview scenes were a little short, but the book got over that. The ending was a little weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer my questions. I like Belinda, and the rest of the cast were developed well. I’m hoping to see where the series goes next soon.
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Guest Cottage in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
TG
The Guest Cottage
Nancy Thayer | 2015
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sophie leads a calm and predictable life, but not necessarily a happy and fulfilling one, especially in the love department. When her husband announces he's leaving her, she decides to rent a cottage on Nantucket for the summer, along with her kids, Jonah and Lacey. At the same time, Trevor Black, a young widower with a four-year-old son named Leo, decides to rent a cottage on Nantucket, hoping it will get Leo (and himself) away from the memories of Leo's late mother.

All is well until Sophie and Trevor arrive on the island and realize they've rented the same house. The two decide to share the large house for the summer and quickly become fast friends. But are Sophie and Trevor destined to become more than friends?

I usually enjoy the occasional book like this, where the plot is predictable, but comfortable and sort of cozy. However, I just couldn't get into this one, especially the first half or so. In fact, I almost gave up, which I rarely ever do on a book. I couldn't find myself empathizing with Sophie or her predicament - she came across as a bland character, who gave you little reason to root for her. Also, while I know these books are based a bit on absurdity and implausibility, this one seemed particularly so. The fact that Sophie and Trevor so easily melded together in the house was amazing and that Sophie's older kids played so well with his younger one. Hmm. I can't imagine going on vacation and just agreeing to share my rental with another family!

The book picked up a little over halfway through, when Sophie took more control over her life and we finally found more about her back-story. Still, the book uses Sophie's piano-playing as a sort of backdrop, but it rings hollow at times, and is a little strange. I couldn't get into it - but that may just be me. I did enjoy the second half of the book more than the first and it certainly went faster and was more what I was expecting. Sophie became a bit more engaging and likable.

Overall, though, if you're looking for a light and fluffy beach read, there are definitely better ones out there.

(Note: I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.)