adenise47's review
5.0
I enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I would definitely recommend this book!
socorrobaptista's review
4.0
Engraçado como uma mulher super imaginativa, que acredita firmemente em sequestros alienígenas, é capaz de resolver crimes reais, quase sendo morta por causa disso. Divertido, uma boa leitura.
s_healey's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
katiya's review against another edition
4.0
When your husband surprises you with his new girlfriend for your anniversary, it's never a good thing. Much less when you realize his new girlfriend is actually a sailboat and it's not the diamonds you were hoping for as your present. And then there's a murder on-board...could this gift get any worse?
I'm rather shocked at myself for giving this story 4 stars. When I first started reading, I did not like any of the characters and that impression hung on for three-quarters of the book. I stuck around for the fascinating descriptions of life at the marina. In part, it reminded me of various campgrounds I visited in my younger years with all the various personalities that populated such a place. But then, everything started to click and I began to enjoy following the ones we'll probably see on future trips to the waterfront. And so, I ended on a positive note.
The mystery was unnecessarily obscured by Mollie's quirks. Her sleuthing attempts were downright terrible and her questioning technique was excruciating. It was her first time out as a detective so some of that can be excused, but I really hope she'll improve in future books.
I'm rather shocked at myself for giving this story 4 stars. When I first started reading, I did not like any of the characters and that impression hung on for three-quarters of the book. I stuck around for the fascinating descriptions of life at the marina. In part, it reminded me of various campgrounds I visited in my younger years with all the various personalities that populated such a place. But then, everything started to click and I began to enjoy following the ones we'll probably see on future trips to the waterfront. And so, I ended on a positive note.
The mystery was unnecessarily obscured by Mollie's quirks. Her sleuthing attempts were downright terrible and her questioning technique was excruciating. It was her first time out as a detective so some of that can be excused, but I really hope she'll improve in future books.
jemifraser's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fabulous kickoff to a really great series!
Reading out of order didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. Lots of fun with this great cast of characters. Mollie is a great character and I love how her brain works!
Looking forward to more!
Reading out of order didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. Lots of fun with this great cast of characters. Mollie is a great character and I love how her brain works!
Looking forward to more!
northsidestories_'s review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
robinwalter's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
This sailing cosy sank like a stone. I'm increasingly realising that modern cosy mysteries featuring cutesy schmalzy "endearingly idiosyncratic" super sleuths have marginally less appeal than DIY dentistry. Even by the low standards of the genre, this one was close to a new nadir. I only finished it because it was so simplistic that skimming it at speeds fast enough to avoid slipping into a coma were possible
writeramyshannon's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
Quaint and interesting mystery
I only recently got introduced to "cozy mysteries" and have found them quite enjoyable. Jacobson writes a great mystery, and it fits right in with the genre perfectly. I like the character Mollie and how her investigative skills (or nosiness) gets her in deep into her own curiosity. It all starts with the gift of an unwanted boat for her anniversary. It's fun, and thrilling, and has that sense of quaint mysteriousness and suspense. Good and enjoyable story.
Quaint and interesting mystery
I only recently got introduced to "cozy mysteries" and have found them quite enjoyable. Jacobson writes a great mystery, and it fits right in with the genre perfectly. I like the character Mollie and how her investigative skills (or nosiness) gets her in deep into her own curiosity. It all starts with the gift of an unwanted boat for her anniversary. It's fun, and thrilling, and has that sense of quaint mysteriousness and suspense. Good and enjoyable story.
mollyt's review
4.0
Mollie McGhie and her husband Scooter are celebrating their ten year anniversary. Mollie is secretly hoping for a diamond necklace to mark the special milestone. Instead, Scooter gives her a run-down sailboat, the Marjorie Jane, with the promise of carefree life on the water. Mollie is less than impressed.
The marina provides the perfect setting for this "small town" mystery and true the genre, a cast of characters inhabit the area. Captain Dan, the boat broker who sold Majorie Jean to Scooter, is a sleek (and slimy) salesman who seems to make enemies everywhere he goes. He is found murdered on the McGhie's boat and Mollie is determined to use her investigative reporter skills to determine who did it.
Now, investigative reporter is quite a stretch. Mollie is a volunteer for FAROUT, an organization that explores possible alien abductions. But she does ask probing questions that elicit useful information.
While this aspect of the story did not quite resonate with me ... I must admit I found Mollie to be a delightful amateur sleuth (and not just because we share the same name). She is a little snarky, a bit of a buttinsky, and a confirmed chocoholic!
The author does a good job of developing a list of possible suspects. However, when the prime suspect becomes the second murder victim Mollie must double down on chocolate and dig a little deeper.
All-in-all this was a clever cozy and a fun read. I feel the author developed the characters well in this first novel and I look forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
* Disclaimer: I did receive a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The marina provides the perfect setting for this "small town" mystery and true the genre, a cast of characters inhabit the area. Captain Dan, the boat broker who sold Majorie Jean to Scooter, is a sleek (and slimy) salesman who seems to make enemies everywhere he goes. He is found murdered on the McGhie's boat and Mollie is determined to use her investigative reporter skills to determine who did it.
Now, investigative reporter is quite a stretch. Mollie is a volunteer for FAROUT, an organization that explores possible alien abductions. But she does ask probing questions that elicit useful information.
While this aspect of the story did not quite resonate with me ... I must admit I found Mollie to be a delightful amateur sleuth (and not just because we share the same name). She is a little snarky, a bit of a buttinsky, and a confirmed chocoholic!
The author does a good job of developing a list of possible suspects. However, when the prime suspect becomes the second murder victim Mollie must double down on chocolate and dig a little deeper.
All-in-all this was a clever cozy and a fun read. I feel the author developed the characters well in this first novel and I look forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
* Disclaimer: I did receive a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
claraa1999's review
5.0
First thing you should know: I'm not a fan of murder mysteries. Second thing you should know: I absolutely LOVED this book.
I can hardly believe this a debut novel by an indie author. The writing is strong and witty, the characters, though sometimes archetypal (as befits a murder mystery) are believable and endearing, and I found myself rooting for Mollie, the "nosy lady with a penchant for diamonds that acts as the story's POV. She's funny and annoying and quirky and adorable all at once. I really liked how, even though the story is told in the first person, it never felt contrived - Mollie is endearing, but not without flaws, and the first person narrative helps highlight that in a way that's funny but also relatable.
I'm really thankful to the author for sending me a free copy to review. I can definitely say that I'll happily pay to read the next book in this series (coming out by the end of this year). Even if you're not into murder mysteries I'd advise you to give this one a try. At the very least, I promise it will make you smile while you read it - it's escape literature at its best.
(I'm editing to add that apparently "cozy mysteries" isn't the series title but apparently a book genre. A whole new world is opening up in front of me.)
I can hardly believe this a debut novel by an indie author. The writing is strong and witty, the characters, though sometimes archetypal (as befits a murder mystery) are believable and endearing, and I found myself rooting for Mollie, the "nosy lady with a penchant for diamonds that acts as the story's POV. She's funny and annoying and quirky and adorable all at once. I really liked how, even though the story is told in the first person, it never felt contrived - Mollie is endearing, but not without flaws, and the first person narrative helps highlight that in a way that's funny but also relatable.
I'm really thankful to the author for sending me a free copy to review. I can definitely say that I'll happily pay to read the next book in this series (coming out by the end of this year). Even if you're not into murder mysteries I'd advise you to give this one a try. At the very least, I promise it will make you smile while you read it - it's escape literature at its best.
(I'm editing to add that apparently "cozy mysteries" isn't the series title but apparently a book genre. A whole new world is opening up in front of me.)
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