jesab's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kristen2193's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sprinklesofspooky's review
5.0
Guidebook to Murder-A Tourist Trap Mystery
“In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store–Coffee, Books, and More–open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?”
This cozy mystery delivers. It’s a light easy read, able to be devoured in a day, but full of substance. Murder, kidnapping, pirate treasure, a hunky cop and much more are packed in.
Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, seems to have peacefully passed away in her sleep, but it turns out to be murder. Jill must balance her store, her inheritance and her lust for Detective Greg King while the mayor and others put pressure on her to give the inheritance up.Yo distract herself from all of it, Jill throws herself into rehabbing Miss Emily’s home and trying to find a killer that wants her out of the house.
I definitely recommend this for any mystery fan and it’s a must read for fans of cozy’s.
“In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store–Coffee, Books, and More–open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?”
This cozy mystery delivers. It’s a light easy read, able to be devoured in a day, but full of substance. Murder, kidnapping, pirate treasure, a hunky cop and much more are packed in.
Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, seems to have peacefully passed away in her sleep, but it turns out to be murder. Jill must balance her store, her inheritance and her lust for Detective Greg King while the mayor and others put pressure on her to give the inheritance up.Yo distract herself from all of it, Jill throws herself into rehabbing Miss Emily’s home and trying to find a killer that wants her out of the house.
I definitely recommend this for any mystery fan and it’s a must read for fans of cozy’s.
its_thekla's review
3.5
Cute and easy to read. I don't see myself continuing this series, as there are frankly far better written cozy mysteries out there.
thegeekyblogger's review
3.0
Listened for Review (Tantor)
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
Read It File It Review (short):Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon was a delightful cozy mystery with characters that I can't wait to revisit. There was only one thing that kept it from rating higher (a relationship troupe that I personally can't stand) but that was resolved in the very last chapter. I have really high hopes for the rest of the series! The mystery was solid and I loved how it tied up (no spoilers). The female characters were fun, quirky, and well written. The men were a little one-dimensional but I think they will grow as the series progresses. The pacing was outstanding and the story left me smiling. All in all--a pretty good read!
Audio Thoughts:
This was such an easy listen. Susan has a great voice for this cozy mystery. She has just enough pizazz to make you laugh and enough urgency for you to feel the mystery part. I will definitely listen to her again!
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
Read It File It Review (short):Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon was a delightful cozy mystery with characters that I can't wait to revisit. There was only one thing that kept it from rating higher (a relationship troupe that I personally can't stand) but that was resolved in the very last chapter. I have really high hopes for the rest of the series! The mystery was solid and I loved how it tied up (no spoilers). The female characters were fun, quirky, and well written. The men were a little one-dimensional but I think they will grow as the series progresses. The pacing was outstanding and the story left me smiling. All in all--a pretty good read!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Susan Boyce / Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
This was such an easy listen. Susan has a great voice for this cozy mystery. She has just enough pizazz to make you laugh and enough urgency for you to feel the mystery part. I will definitely listen to her again!
caitkom's review
5.0
I really enjoyed the first in this series. I have enjoyed her other series, and had this one on my TBR for quite a while, well I am glad I picked it up! Jill Gardner left her high paying job as a lawyer in San Francisco and moved to the small town of South Cove to open a book/coffee shop. Her day usually consists of working in the shop, reading and spending time with her friend Amy and Miss Emily, the old curmudgeon who befriended Jill. Miss Emily dies and leaves Jill her estate, which totally throws Jill for a loop. Jill is the one to find Miss Emily and notices that something doesn't seem quite right about her death.
The estate does not come without consequences, however and Jill is told by the city council that she has to clean up the house and property within a month, otherwise they will take the house. With the help of her aunt, and Detective Greg King, she throws herself in to saving Miss Emily's house as well as solving her murder.
The estate does not come without consequences, however and Jill is told by the city council that she has to clean up the house and property within a month, otherwise they will take the house. With the help of her aunt, and Detective Greg King, she throws herself in to saving Miss Emily's house as well as solving her murder.
houdini117's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pupylov's review
4.0
Really liked this one. Quick read and the characters are fun. Also didn't figure out who-done-it in first 2 chapters.
itabar's review
1.0
The heroine does one stupid thing after another. And the stupid things she did got stupider, as in LIFE-ENDANGERING. As a way of moving the plot along, it really sucked.
The constant references to her weight and trying to resist delicious food got old.
The constant references to how attractive the detective was, but oh no, he's married, when you know he isn't, was also super annoying.
And leaving the valuable thing in a random drawer?? What idiot does that? What idiot focuses on decorating instead of proper storage??
And the villains in the piece didn't even stretch to two-dimensions.
And the person who filed a false paternity lawsuit gets rewarded at the end?? Really?