Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - Strawberry Shortcake Murder

I couldn’t resist following up the first book with the second right away and this did not disappoint. Another fun twisty small town mystery.

Just like the first there’s some very questionable/problematic dialogue/comments/humor. Again nothing that wasn’t acceptable at the time the book was published but that really doesn’t belong in modern literature. I’ll leave content warnings but it’s nothing really egregious.

The characters are well crafted and seem to be whole persons. The love triangle is very subtle and while this is not often a trope I enjoy, I’m appreciating it here. The plot was intriguing and the resolution satisfying. It definitely requires some suspension of disbelief in terms of luck and realism but that is the way with most cozy mysteries.

My only comment is that both this and the first book were set in winter of the same year and I read the description of the next book and it seems to be another winter setting. How many people are gonna be murdered in a small town in 3 months??? Hahahahaha

Content Warnings

aylonit's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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owlien's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

skelbea's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

This book is sadly almost a carbon copy of the first one. Same progression and not much character development. It wouldve been better as a stand alone. The mystery itself was solidly average. Not grounbreaking but not awful. Combine that with the outdated opinions on Indigenous people, fatphobia and an ableist slur, it make for a pretty disappointing read overall.

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