maeclair's review against another edition
5.0
House flippers, Jazzi, Ansel, their families and friends are back in the fourth Jazzi Zanders mystery novel. This time around the stakes are higher as Jazzi finds herself immersed in two separate murders.
The book starts with a bang—literally. Ansel’s brother Radley is in River Bluff when their older brother Bain arrives to try to get Radley to return to the family farm. After an argument between Radley and Bain, Radley’s boss is shot and killed. Bain becomes the prime suspect when it’s discovered his gun is missing from his truck. Murder #1, but things are far from over. It isn’t long before another killing occurs.
As Jazzi and her detective friend Gaff begin to fit the pieces together, it becomes apparent the two murders are related. Getting there—unraveling multiple threads, false leads, numerous suspects and motives makes this the most intricate Jazzi mystery to date. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, each with plenty of motive. If you like your cozies complex, while maintaining a wonderfully breezy feel, you’ll love this series and this book.
As with most mystery readers, I always like trying to “finger” the murderer before the reveal, but I love the family and friends element in this series every bit as much. This time around there is a wedding to prepare for, the arrival of a new baby, Easter celebrations, and the flush of new romance for new friends. Twine all of that up with a great mystery, adorable pets, two fabulous lead characters, plus lots of home cooking, and you’ve got the winning combination that makes this series a sheer delight!
The book starts with a bang—literally. Ansel’s brother Radley is in River Bluff when their older brother Bain arrives to try to get Radley to return to the family farm. After an argument between Radley and Bain, Radley’s boss is shot and killed. Bain becomes the prime suspect when it’s discovered his gun is missing from his truck. Murder #1, but things are far from over. It isn’t long before another killing occurs.
As Jazzi and her detective friend Gaff begin to fit the pieces together, it becomes apparent the two murders are related. Getting there—unraveling multiple threads, false leads, numerous suspects and motives makes this the most intricate Jazzi mystery to date. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, each with plenty of motive. If you like your cozies complex, while maintaining a wonderfully breezy feel, you’ll love this series and this book.
As with most mystery readers, I always like trying to “finger” the murderer before the reveal, but I love the family and friends element in this series every bit as much. This time around there is a wedding to prepare for, the arrival of a new baby, Easter celebrations, and the flush of new romance for new friends. Twine all of that up with a great mystery, adorable pets, two fabulous lead characters, plus lots of home cooking, and you’ve got the winning combination that makes this series a sheer delight!
melmo2610's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the best yet in the series and I really enjoyed it. The mystery was very good and I liked the glimpses in to the lives of the characters that weren't mystery related. That made for a nicely well rounded story. Looking forward to the next book.
pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
This book contained a well planned mystery and the author’s descriptions of George the pug were spot on! I’d love to know if the author has a pug since I have a one myself!
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator but many of the male characters’ names sounded the same so I really had to pay attention to who was who. Can’t wait to read the next one.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator but many of the male characters’ names sounded the same so I really had to pay attention to who was who. Can’t wait to read the next one.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
This book is as entertaining and engrossing as the other instalment in this series.
It's well plotted, the cast of characters is likeable and interesting, the mystery solid and kept me guessing.
I appreciated the fast paced plot that kept me hooked.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's well plotted, the cast of characters is likeable and interesting, the mystery solid and kept me guessing.
I appreciated the fast paced plot that kept me hooked.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
mystereity_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
After several months of Ansel's brother Radley staying with them, he's finally moving out into his own place, an apartment downtown that's right upstairs from his friend and co-worker Donovan. On moving day, older brother Bain shows up to drag Radley home to Wisconsin, but Radley's not having it. As the move is finishing up, Bain starts an argument with Donovan and when Donovan returns to his apartment, he's shot by an intruder and dies soon after. Under suspicion, Bain is forced to stay in town with Jazzi and Ansel until he is cleared as a suspect. Meanwhile, Jazzi teams up again with Gaff to find a killer among several ex-cons recently out of prison. Which one is callous enough to kill for money?
There was a whole lot going on in this one, and the plot was a little bit darker than a lot of cozy mysteries. Still, it was compelling, there was no shortage of suspects and no shortage of attacks related to a search for missing money from an earlier heist. I loved that so many of the characters redeemed themselves as the book went on, from Bain mellowing from a curmugeonly ape to a happier man to former thug Jarrett, who is trying desperately to keep his nose clean and out of jail.
The culprit wasn't a big surprise, but the exciting ending made for a great conclusion and overall, a very enjoyable read. Onto the next!
There was a whole lot going on in this one, and the plot was a little bit darker than a lot of cozy mysteries. Still, it was compelling, there was no shortage of suspects and no shortage of attacks related to a search for missing money from an earlier heist. I loved that so many of the characters redeemed themselves as the book went on, from Bain mellowing from a curmugeonly ape to a happier man to former thug Jarrett, who is trying desperately to keep his nose clean and out of jail.
The culprit wasn't a big surprise, but the exciting ending made for a great conclusion and overall, a very enjoyable read. Onto the next!
annarella's review
4.0
This book is as entertaining and engrossing as the other instalment in this series.
It's well plotted, the cast of characters is likeable and interesting, the mystery solid and kept me guessing.
I appreciated the fast paced plot that kept me hooked.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's well plotted, the cast of characters is likeable and interesting, the mystery solid and kept me guessing.
I appreciated the fast paced plot that kept me hooked.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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