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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Mystic Summer in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
MS
Mystic Summer
Hannah McKinnon | 2016
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maggie Griffin seems to have the perfect life - she has a good teaching job at a private school in Boston, even if some of the parents can be a little trying sometimes. She has a loving boyfriend who wants to move in with her. Her best friend is getting married and Maggie is co-maid of honor. She even has a supportive family back in her hometown of Mystic, Connecticut. But when things start to unravel in Boston, Maggie finds herself back in Mystic. She tells herself it's just because her best friend, Erika, is getting married there, but once Maggie arrives back home, she isn't sure she wants to leave.

This book started out a bit slowly, but it quickly grew on me. Maggie is a slightly frustrating character at times, but she's also endearing and sweet. She's still finding herself, so you have to cut her a little slack. It happens to us all as we near thirty, right? The novel is certainly a bit predictable, but Maggie's character, as well as some of the supporting characters -- mainly her high school boyfriend Cameron -- keep it from being too silly and saccharine. It's not a literary masterpiece, but it's a fun, quick read: perfect to toss into a beach bag for the summer.

I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 6/7/2016.
  
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ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Gifted (A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #14) in Books

Jul 5, 2018  
TG
The Gifted (A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #14)
Gail Bowen | 2013
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mid range rating - I think I would have found it more entertaining had I read the first books in the series as I was a little lost with all of the characters and all of the names being thrown around - there was a LOT of people in this book.

Overall it was alright - there were moments that were suspenseful and that was fun, there were moments that were glaringly obvious (the whodunit was not as fun as it was a wee bit obvious to me) but the surprise was cool at some moments.

I think the art aspect was cool too, I havent read many books that were heavy in that, though it was also heavy in politics and I didn't like that much.

I also didn't like the authors repetitive use of landmarks/streets/city names - using the city name repeatedly in just a few pages was excessive to me, I get you were trying to make this hometown based or saskatchewan based (believe me I'm from Saskatoon, shout out to the "small towns") but excessive use of Regina and the house address was just frustratingly annoying. There was also the reference to November 24th and plus 10.. have you lived in Saskatchewan?? it's November 22 today and it's going to be -11 feels like -18 .. and the Riders have you seen a game...........that's all I have to say about that one *snort*
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Buyer, Beware in Books

Jan 14, 2020  
Buyer, Beware
Buyer, Beware
Diane Vallere | 2013 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Is Samantha in Danger Taking a Dead Buyer’s Job?
Samantha Kidd is excited about another fashion store opening up in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania. She and some friends attend the opening night party, but the party ends abruptly when Samantha stumbles on the body of a dead woman in the handbag department. The woman was the store’s handbag buyer, and the police quickly rule it a murder. Then Samantha gets another shock – the store’s owner asks Samantha to take over the dead woman’s job and use her position to help figure out what happened. But is Samantha putting herself in danger by taking a dead woman’s job?

I might not normally have picked up this book because of the fashion theme, but I already knew that author Diane Vallere can craft a great cozy mystery. Yes, fashion is certainly an aspect of the book, and even plays into the plot, but it never overwhelmed the story or bored me since the book never loses sight of the fact that it is a mystery first and foremost. And what a mystery! The suspects are all outstanding and do a great job of misleading us. Samantha has to deal with twists and red herrings galore until she finally figures things out. I did feel a few of the details could have been smoothed into the story better, but that’s a minor complaint overall. I enjoyed this book and need to make time to visit with Samantha again soon.