Reviews

Mayhem at the Orient Express by Kylie Logan

moondance120's review against another edition

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3.0

If it weren't for Jerry Garcia peeing on my pansies, I never would have joined the League of Literary Ladies.

Bea, Kate and Chandra find themselves in front of the local magistrate because of petty fighting between them. His sentence is for them to join the local library book club to keep the library's funding .A number of people become snowbound in Bea's bed and breakfast following a murder and a freak spring snowstorm. The ladies use their current book assignment of Murder on the Orient Express as a guideline to solve the murder.

Although this was a quick easy read, I never quite felt that I clicked with the characters. I'm not sure if I will read the next book in the series or not.

krazyizkool's review against another edition

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4.0

Fun easy read!

mrskatiefitz's review against another edition

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2.0

I bought this book for Kindle based on the strength of the author's writing in [b:Italian Iced|36435706|Italian Iced (Ethnic Eats Mystery #3)|Kylie Logan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1510114374l/36435706._SY75_.jpg|58136272], but I didn't find this book to be as well-written. The premise of the entire series, that three women who can't get along are sentenced to join a book club by a local judge, is pretty thin, and to have them solve a murder mystery that mirrors the events in the book they're reading just feels too coincidental. It was way too hard to suspend my disbelief. I also didn't love the main character, so I've decided not to continue with the series.

nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition

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1.0

I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t with this book. I feel extreme annoyance whenever any of the three main protagonists speak. Once I put it down, I have absolutely no desire to pick it back up. I have a feeling is I try to force myself to read this book, I am headed for slumpville. DNF’d at 10%

murderbydeath's review against another edition

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5.0

I ::Loved:: this book! I never say that about firsts-in-series; most of them are a bit clunky and awkward, as the author is getting to know their characters on paper for the first time. This book was just excellent and I felt like it took off from the first page.

I love the setting - an island 12 miles into Lake Michigan. That just invites quirky characters and eccentricities. And the location allows for weather of all kinds - a spring blizzard in this book, allowing the setup to work perfectly.

The POV is first person, but it's set up in a way that's a *bit* like Bea is talking directly to you - not irritatingly so - just enough that her personality really comes through, and I love her personality. She's smart, accomplished, wealthy AND she has a past. But instead of dumping it all out on you right at the beginning, there are just small comments; reactions to things that hint at bigger things and again, not in an irritating fashion; the action is fast paced and interesting so you aren't feeling like you're being teased (too much) or led around by a hook. I'm pretty sure I know what her former career was, and she comes right out and eventually shares what brought her to the island and a new life, but there's still so much to learn!

The other characters are all introduced almost at once, but each is so unique I didn't have any trouble keeping them straight. I like Kate's character; Chandra is just a wee bit too much of a caricature at points, but she shows a streak of mischief I really like! And oh my heaven, Levi. Ms. Logan's other series (which I genuinely like a LOT) has a sweet romance sub-plot that you find yourself cheering for. But this series and Levi - HOT! Love the banter between him and Bea; the author does an excellent job making the tension between those two vivid. And he just screams "man with a past!" to me - I hope I'm not wrong. Kate has a possible love interest as well who intrigues me - I want to know more about him as well - and Chandra is too busy having fun looking back. ;)

Finally, the plot - well done Ms. Logan, well done. I never had a clue who the villain was - lots of suspects, disparate clues - and when it was revealed, well, I read a lot of cozies, and I'm not saying it's never been done before, but this is the first time I've seen it.

I can't wait to read more about these three. Ms. Logan has set the bar high for herself with this one; I hope it's a sign of things to come. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air in a genre that's been threatening to stale for some time now. I'll be eagerly awaiting word of book two!

julieputty's review against another edition

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4.0

Entertaining. I'm not sure how well the conceit will hold up in a series, but I'll give it a try.

kimberlyp's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition

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3.0

Not sure why this one didn't wow me. It was a fun premise and decently well written, but it just didn't pull me in. Maybe I was in the wrong mood or something.