kyleemccarthy's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
michellet85's review
4.0
What a fun little mystery. This was a great book to get me out of my reading slump. It was a fast read that was entertaining and funny. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
ennime713's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story and it's characters. Abigale moves to the little town called Spooky and finds out that a mother and her two children who used to live in the house she just bought vanished 30 years ago. While cleaning the place she starts finding notes from the kids and her suspicion is starting to grow. Did Emily and her twins really back up and leave town without telling anyone? Abigale gets the whole town involved in trying to solve the mystery. Unfortunately not everyone wants the truth to come out.
I got the book as a kindle freebie and will definitely buy the next in the series. Looking forward to the next adventure in Spookie.
I got the book as a kindle freebie and will definitely buy the next in the series. Looking forward to the next adventure in Spookie.
debinva's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
directorpurry's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Animal death
kimit_1976's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dmwhipp's review
2.0
After finally getting confirmation that her missing husband is dead, artist Abigail Sutton packs up her belongings in the big city and moves to a little town called Spookie, population 558. She has the amazing (or ridiculous) fortune to finding a house for nothing but back taxes and bank fees. The house needs nothing but cosmetic work and Abigail has it all fixed up in looking great in about a week (eye roll). She’s also decided to establish herself as free-lance artist to make her living and has commissions from Spooky residents in no time. I’m not sure how sustainable that is, considering the whole “Population 558”, but whatever. Abigail’s house has a history and she’s soon finding notes from children who formerly lived there with their mother, before the three of them moved away under mysterious circumstances.
So many issues with this book: kids hiding notes without naming the bad guy in them, everyone declaring how great Emily was when all evidence spoke to the contrary (kids being abused by her sister and boyfriends, going hungry, etc.); multiple break-ins where the ex-cop boyfriend and current law enforcement apparently don’t feel the need for fingerprints; ridiculous story about a serial killer who murdered 7 door-to-door salespeople who visited him and was only caught when someone saw him burying animals in broad daylight…. I could go on, but you get the picture. Additionally I found the main character dull and the story bland and predictable. I was surprised to learn this is a series, but I’ve personally decided to part ways with Abby and Spookie.
So many issues with this book: kids hiding notes without naming the bad guy in them, everyone declaring how great Emily was when all evidence spoke to the contrary (kids being abused by her sister and boyfriends, going hungry, etc.); multiple break-ins where the ex-cop boyfriend and current law enforcement apparently don’t feel the need for fingerprints; ridiculous story about a serial killer who murdered 7 door-to-door salespeople who visited him and was only caught when someone saw him burying animals in broad daylight…. I could go on, but you get the picture. Additionally I found the main character dull and the story bland and predictable. I was surprised to learn this is a series, but I’ve personally decided to part ways with Abby and Spookie.
bookworm_enni's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this story and it's characters. Abigale moves to the little town called Spooky and finds out that a mother and her two children who used to live in the house she just bought vanished 30 years ago. While cleaning the place she starts finding notes from the kids and her suspicion is starting to grow. Did Emily and her twins really back up and leave town without telling anyone? Abigale gets the whole town involved in trying to solve the mystery. Unfortunately not everyone wants the truth to come out.
I got the book as a kindle freebie and will definitely buy the next in the series. Looking forward to the next adventure in Spookie.
I got the book as a kindle freebie and will definitely buy the next in the series. Looking forward to the next adventure in Spookie.
catra121's review
3.0
This is not my favorite genre...so for ME...it's just ok. But...it did hold my interest the entire time and I enjoyed the writing style. But cozy mystery stories like this are just not my thing. If they are yours...then I definitely would recommend this one.