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efirer's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a cozy mystery lover, you will enjoy this one.
meliaraastiar's review against another edition
4.0
Flew right through book 2 of this great series!
I looked up the page count on Goodreads (I have the Large Type version so the page count is a bit irrelevant) and I see a lot of complaints about this book. My two big gripes are 1) it’s mentioned that Lila used to be frustrated with her mother, the professional tarot card reader, and didn’t believe her predictions. You wouldn’t believe this from reading the series though – seems that they are close and Lila seems to listen to her predictions. This relationship alludes to changing and building but since we never got a glimpse of Lila thinking she was weird, it doesn’t really change much throughout books 1 and 2. My other gripe is 2) Sean seems totally fine to have Lila cut in on police investigations. Many cozy mysteries let the protagonist have an in with a cop and have access to much info they shouldn’t have. But Sean brings her in on interrogations, confides details that are secret to the case, and seems to have no problem with her hunting down suspects. Sure, it mentions that he’s angry, but he’s always just so relieved she is fine that he always lets it go…way past what is realistic. I don’t think cops are too fond of civilians getting involved in investigations and taking justice into their own hands. And Sean would be fired for some of the things he allows.
This doesn’t really address the complaints I see on Goodreads, though. The main ones I see are:
1) In this book, we know who the killer is. Yes, but the mystery lies in tracking him down and figuring out who he really is, so I don’t think this takes away from the mystery aspect of this book.
2) Lila’s over-involvement in the official investigation. I agree.
3) Lila’s character is a little unbelievable – hiding in a closet to facing down the bad guy. I can sort of see this, but aren’t we all kind of like that at times? At times just too terrified to move but somehow work up our courage to face down our fears when we really have to?
I do agree with many Goodreads readers (Goodreaders?) that the true star of this series is the agency that Lila works for. Her coworkers are gems of characters and any chapter that they are in is a good one. Each has such a unique but fleshed out personality and that’s really enjoyable to see such 3 dimensional characters in so many supporting characters.
Overall, I did enjoy this book…and I’m already half way through the next one (didn’t want to stop reading to write :P). I’ll go with 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability (the large type might have helped that score!) More to come soon!
-Holly
For more book reviews, see: https://bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com/2018/05/03/every-trick-in-the-book-by-lucy-arlington/
I looked up the page count on Goodreads (I have the Large Type version so the page count is a bit irrelevant) and I see a lot of complaints about this book. My two big gripes are 1) it’s mentioned that Lila used to be frustrated with her mother, the professional tarot card reader, and didn’t believe her predictions. You wouldn’t believe this from reading the series though – seems that they are close and Lila seems to listen to her predictions. This relationship alludes to changing and building but since we never got a glimpse of Lila thinking she was weird, it doesn’t really change much throughout books 1 and 2. My other gripe is 2) Sean seems totally fine to have Lila cut in on police investigations. Many cozy mysteries let the protagonist have an in with a cop and have access to much info they shouldn’t have. But Sean brings her in on interrogations, confides details that are secret to the case, and seems to have no problem with her hunting down suspects. Sure, it mentions that he’s angry, but he’s always just so relieved she is fine that he always lets it go…way past what is realistic. I don’t think cops are too fond of civilians getting involved in investigations and taking justice into their own hands. And Sean would be fired for some of the things he allows.
This doesn’t really address the complaints I see on Goodreads, though. The main ones I see are:
1) In this book, we know who the killer is. Yes, but the mystery lies in tracking him down and figuring out who he really is, so I don’t think this takes away from the mystery aspect of this book.
2) Lila’s over-involvement in the official investigation. I agree.
3) Lila’s character is a little unbelievable – hiding in a closet to facing down the bad guy. I can sort of see this, but aren’t we all kind of like that at times? At times just too terrified to move but somehow work up our courage to face down our fears when we really have to?
I do agree with many Goodreads readers (Goodreaders?) that the true star of this series is the agency that Lila works for. Her coworkers are gems of characters and any chapter that they are in is a good one. Each has such a unique but fleshed out personality and that’s really enjoyable to see such 3 dimensional characters in so many supporting characters.
Overall, I did enjoy this book…and I’m already half way through the next one (didn’t want to stop reading to write :P). I’ll go with 8 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability (the large type might have helped that score!) More to come soon!
-Holly
For more book reviews, see: https://bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com/2018/05/03/every-trick-in-the-book-by-lucy-arlington/
lilkim714's review against another edition
4.0
http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/03/review-every-trick-in-book-by-lucy.html
katlynn_tay's review against another edition
4.0
I greatly enjoyed this second entry in the "Novel Idea" series. Sorry I waited two years to pick up this second book in the series, and determined to NOT wait another two years before reading book 3. Was lovely to rediscover the charming (if slightly cheesy) town of Inspiration Valley, where every business has a name that references books or the nature of the business housed inside. We got to see some emotional growth from Lila's son Trey, which was enjoyable, as well as the ups and downs of Lila's burgeoning relationship with Officer Sean Griffiths.
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Murder
holly_keimig's review against another edition
4.0
Another exciting book in this series. There are two concurrent mysteries happening in this one and the whole family is involved. An author festival starts off a chain of murder and fear when a publisher ends up dead. I can't wait for the next one!
judithdcollins's review against another edition
2.0
Every Trick in the Book is the second book in the A Novel Idea Mystery series. (I have not read the first in the series; and think I would have enjoyed it more, if I had done so –so may go back and read to catch up).
The main draw was the setting in NC (I am a native), and the small little town sounded so dreamy and the fall season (which is my favorite)-combine with books, literary agent, single woman with son and a new adorable little cottage -- I thought it would be a five star. The set up was good, but missing something along the way.
It was ok, but not one of my favorites. Did not hold my interest; however, was sort of quirky with the Tarot cards (mother), two murders, a co-op, and other nutty characters. If you like this sort of light mystery, you may enjoy. There are too many other awesome authors out there with books on my to-read list – ones which are calling me. I always try and venture out beyond my usual reading, to see if I am missing anything.
The main draw was the setting in NC (I am a native), and the small little town sounded so dreamy and the fall season (which is my favorite)-combine with books, literary agent, single woman with son and a new adorable little cottage -- I thought it would be a five star. The set up was good, but missing something along the way.
It was ok, but not one of my favorites. Did not hold my interest; however, was sort of quirky with the Tarot cards (mother), two murders, a co-op, and other nutty characters. If you like this sort of light mystery, you may enjoy. There are too many other awesome authors out there with books on my to-read list – ones which are calling me. I always try and venture out beyond my usual reading, to see if I am missing anything.
auntbopp's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
literary__escapism's review against another edition
5.0
Lila Wilkins and the literary agents at Novel Idea Literary Agents are sponsoring the Book and Author Festival and are excited to bring authors and agents to their sweet town of Inspiration Valley. However along with discovering some new talents Lila discovers the dead body of Melissa Plume, a editor, and shortly after the body of up-and-coming author is discovered.
With these two murders bringing a dark cloud over the Festival, Lila is determined to put her sleuthing skills to work and uncover the killer. Meanwhile Lila’s son, Trey, is trying to uncover a mystery surrounding the co-op, where he lives.
90% of the books I read are cozy mysteries, so I have a habit of falling in love with all these idyllic villages all the time. Inspiration Valley is one of my all-time cozy villages and the first book in this series (Buried in a Book) was “one of the best debut cozy mysteries I’ve read in a long time“.
In picking up the second book in the series, I was interested to see if the author could bring the same kind of reading delight in me, and I’m proud to say she did. Every Trick in the Book is, if it’s possible, better than Buried in a Book.
I loved being back in the town of bookish charm, especially Catcher in the Rye – the only cafe I know that they call your order by giving you the name of a fictional character! The murder mystery kept me guessing, and I liked how there was the added mystery about what was happening with Trey at the co-op.
Every Trick in the Book left me with a feeling of having read another fantastic cozy mystery and absolutely wanting more of this series. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, which is due for release in December, 2013.
With these two murders bringing a dark cloud over the Festival, Lila is determined to put her sleuthing skills to work and uncover the killer. Meanwhile Lila’s son, Trey, is trying to uncover a mystery surrounding the co-op, where he lives.
90% of the books I read are cozy mysteries, so I have a habit of falling in love with all these idyllic villages all the time. Inspiration Valley is one of my all-time cozy villages and the first book in this series (Buried in a Book) was “one of the best debut cozy mysteries I’ve read in a long time“.
In picking up the second book in the series, I was interested to see if the author could bring the same kind of reading delight in me, and I’m proud to say she did. Every Trick in the Book is, if it’s possible, better than Buried in a Book.
I loved being back in the town of bookish charm, especially Catcher in the Rye – the only cafe I know that they call your order by giving you the name of a fictional character! The murder mystery kept me guessing, and I liked how there was the added mystery about what was happening with Trey at the co-op.
Every Trick in the Book left me with a feeling of having read another fantastic cozy mystery and absolutely wanting more of this series. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, which is due for release in December, 2013.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
great follow up to the first book. interesting characters and several story lines going on that tied together nicely.