bookcraft's review
4.0
Great protagonist, flawed and human but interesting rather than irritating. Love the supporting characters, and the local color reminds me of everything I love (and maybe occasionally of things I don't love quite so much) about this place.
Nicole Kimberling is one of my auto-buy authors. This was a re-read to refresh my memory for the two latest volumes in this series, which I hadn't realized were out.
Nicole Kimberling is one of my auto-buy authors. This was a re-read to refresh my memory for the two latest volumes in this series, which I hadn't realized were out.
cmira2027's review
4.0
What a fun book! I loved the charactors and the story - can't wait to read more from this author
suze_1624's review
3.0
A fairly light, quick to read cosy mystery. 3.5*
Peter is the meddling reporter, the rest of the cast is a commune of artists and there is a potential Russian gangster thrown in.
The small number of potential murderers in the commune, as well as artistic differences, still manage to lead Peter a bit of a dance. The mysterious Russians seem like a big red herring.
Nick is one of the artists and by turns seems innocent and guilty. Though that doesn't stop Peter getting in his pants!
Because of its cosy nature, great leaps of logic lead to culprit being exposed - as well as the Russians getting their just desserts.
Liked it
11.7.17 reread : enjoyable reread, especially having read all in the series already it was good to go back to the start. I felt Nick had got more taciturn during the series so good to see him being nice - though as an MC he is quite in the background really - we get no inner thoughts, just Peter's.
5.10.21 reread : definitely an almost jolly Nick compared to later on, Peter is a bit ‘fools rush in’ in his approach but good to revisit
Peter is the meddling reporter, the rest of the cast is a commune of artists and there is a potential Russian gangster thrown in.
The small number of potential murderers in the commune, as well as artistic differences, still manage to lead Peter a bit of a dance. The mysterious Russians seem like a big red herring.
Nick is one of the artists and by turns seems innocent and guilty. Though that doesn't stop Peter getting in his pants!
Because of its cosy nature, great leaps of logic lead to culprit being exposed - as well as the Russians getting their just desserts.
Liked it
11.7.17 reread : enjoyable reread, especially having read all in the series already it was good to go back to the start. I felt Nick had got more taciturn during the series so good to see him being nice - though as an MC he is quite in the background really - we get no inner thoughts, just Peter's.
5.10.21 reread : definitely an almost jolly Nick compared to later on, Peter is a bit ‘fools rush in’ in his approach but good to revisit
kaje_harper's review
4.0
A well-written mystery with the beginnings of a romance in it. The MC, investigative reported Peter, is appealing and his job gives him some excuse for poking his nose in where he really shouldn't. The book has light moments and the plot hangs together well.
lillian_francis's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed Peter and the whole Hardy Boys feel to the mystery. Felt the relationship could have done with some more depth. I needed more of Peter and Nick together after the final curtain rather than a 'one year later' epilogue, especially since there are sequels. I would have happily waited until the next book for more relationship development.
I enjoyed Peter and the whole Hardy Boys feel to the mystery. Felt the relationship could have done with some more depth. I needed more of Peter and Nick together after the final curtain rather than a 'one year later' epilogue, especially since there are sequels. I would have happily waited until the next book for more relationship development.
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