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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
A Literal Mess by J.C. Kenney is debut book in An Allie Cobb Mystery series. Allie Cobb is awakened during the night by a phone call from her brother, Luke. Her father has passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Allie quickly heads home to Rushing Creek, Indiana. The day after her father’s funeral, Sloane Winchester (her best friend) arrives at the Cobb house in distress. Her father and famous author, Thornwell Winchester was found dead under the Rushing Creek Bridge. It is a shame that someone killed him just when Thornwell was turning his life around. Police Chief Matt Roberson (and Allie’s ex-brother-in-law) has Sloane at the top of the suspect list which puts Allie into investigator mode. The mayor is pushing Roberson to quickly close the case before the Fall Festival begins and the leaf peepers arrive in town. Allie is not about to let Sloane get railroaded for a crime she did not commit. Allie uses her deductive skills and keen eye for detail to work on clearing her friend. There are various suspects including Thornwell’s ex-girlfriend, a local literary agent and the mayor. The killer is not happy with Allie’s sleuthing and attacks her to warn her off the case. Allie is not to be dissuaded and redoubles her efforts to identify the murderer. When not sleuthing, Allie is keeping up-to-date on literary clients in New York, catching up with her family and friends, and working to close her father’s agency as he requested. Allie also meets local genealogist, Brent Reynolds who proves to be a distraction along with the delicious hot chocolate served up at Creekside Chocolates. Can Allie locate the killer before she becomes his next victim?
A Literal Mess takes us to the small town of Rushing Creek, Indiana where Allie Cobb grew up with her parents and two siblings. Allie went away to college and then moved to New York City to have a career as a literary agent. She wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps who ran his own literary agency out of their home. I enjoyed the descriptions of the cozy town which has a new chocolate shop that I would love to visit. There are a variety of characters for readers to like and dislike. The disagreeable residents are perfect murder suspects especially Mayor Larry Cannon (I am not sure how this man got elected). The mystery was interesting with red herrings, multiple suspects and good clues. Readers should have no problem solving the crime long before Allie confronts the killer. I was surprised that Chief Matt Roberson asks for Allie’s assistance on the case and hands over case details plus video footage. I found it be farfetched, but it does aid Allie’s investigation. I was happy that the case was completely wrapped up at the end of the book. There is some repetition of information and inconsistencies. Allie has a boyfriend, Lance who at one point she states they have been dating a year and later says a couple of months. I found A Literal Mess to be nicely written with various pacing. I found the story to drag throughout the middle, but it does pick up again later in the story (could have used more action). I like that the author set the stage for this book and the series by describing the town and various residents. There is a cute tortoiseshell cat named Ursula plus a sweet dog named Sammy who takes a shine to Allie. A Literal Mess is a light cozy mystery with a quaint small town, friendship, a close family, adorable animals, enticing chocolates and a mystery for readers to solve. I am curious to see what trouble Allie gets into next time. I am giving A Literal Mess 3.5 out of 5 stars.
A Literal Mess takes us to the small town of Rushing Creek, Indiana where Allie Cobb grew up with her parents and two siblings. Allie went away to college and then moved to New York City to have a career as a literary agent. She wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps who ran his own literary agency out of their home. I enjoyed the descriptions of the cozy town which has a new chocolate shop that I would love to visit. There are a variety of characters for readers to like and dislike. The disagreeable residents are perfect murder suspects especially Mayor Larry Cannon (I am not sure how this man got elected). The mystery was interesting with red herrings, multiple suspects and good clues. Readers should have no problem solving the crime long before Allie confronts the killer. I was surprised that Chief Matt Roberson asks for Allie’s assistance on the case and hands over case details plus video footage. I found it be farfetched, but it does aid Allie’s investigation. I was happy that the case was completely wrapped up at the end of the book. There is some repetition of information and inconsistencies. Allie has a boyfriend, Lance who at one point she states they have been dating a year and later says a couple of months. I found A Literal Mess to be nicely written with various pacing. I found the story to drag throughout the middle, but it does pick up again later in the story (could have used more action). I like that the author set the stage for this book and the series by describing the town and various residents. There is a cute tortoiseshell cat named Ursula plus a sweet dog named Sammy who takes a shine to Allie. A Literal Mess is a light cozy mystery with a quaint small town, friendship, a close family, adorable animals, enticing chocolates and a mystery for readers to solve. I am curious to see what trouble Allie gets into next time. I am giving A Literal Mess 3.5 out of 5 stars.
puppyphant's review
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cosy and well written. Reminded me of my hometown.
bookedonbooks2020's review
4.0
A Literal Mess by J.C. Kinney is a fun first book in the Allie Cobb series. Allie returns home for the first time in quite awhile following her father's death. Plagued by guilt for not returning home in time to say goodbye, or help during his illness, she sets about closing out his business when another reason to stay happens. Her best friend's father, difficult author and long time client of her father's, dies under suspicious circumstances. Her friend could be a suspect and Allie needs to stay and help find the killer, to the dismay of her former brother-in-law who is heading the investigation.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
ashlyc's review
4.0
This was a good cozy mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Allie Cobb is a like-able character, along with her family and friends, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
cj_mo_2222's review
5.0
Allie Cobb returns from the publishing world of New York City to her hometown of Rushing Creek, Indiana after her beloved father passes away. The morning after her father’s funeral, Allie learns her best friend’s father and important client of Allie’s late father is found murdered. Allie knows her friend Sloane would never kill her father, but Sloane has become the prime suspect of the local chief of police, who happens to be Allie’s former brother-in-law. Allie uses the instincts and organizational skills that make her a great literary agent to try her hand at sleuthing to prove Sloane’s innocence.
Most cozy mysteries I’ve read are told in the third person, so I was surprised to see this one is told in the first person. However, Allie’s voice is perfect for telling this lighthearted cozy and I really enjoyed it. Allie is intelligent and loyal, if a little too over-the-top when she becomes angry. I liked her, though, and was rooting for her to find the truth about the murder victim’s death. Although the police have quickly zeroed in on Sloane, Allie learns there are plenty of other suspects and she logically goes through the list to eliminate who she can to figure out who really committed murder. She makes the common cozy heroine mistake of trying to confront the potential killer on her own, but that’s the biggest flaw in the story. The author is especially good at dialogue, which is natural and realistic throughout the book.
I like that although Matt, the chief of police, starts out very antagonistic, he isn’t afraid to admit he is in over his head and can use Allie’s help. I like the way they eventually work together and share information to solve the crime. There is also a possible love interest for Allie which has a lot of potential for future books. The ending of this book is satisfying and answers all the outstanding questions while leaving interesting possibilities as the series continues. This is an excellent debut to a new series that I would rate 4.5 stars, and I look forward to seeing Allie solve additional crimes.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Lyrical Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Most cozy mysteries I’ve read are told in the third person, so I was surprised to see this one is told in the first person. However, Allie’s voice is perfect for telling this lighthearted cozy and I really enjoyed it. Allie is intelligent and loyal, if a little too over-the-top when she becomes angry. I liked her, though, and was rooting for her to find the truth about the murder victim’s death. Although the police have quickly zeroed in on Sloane, Allie learns there are plenty of other suspects and she logically goes through the list to eliminate who she can to figure out who really committed murder. She makes the common cozy heroine mistake of trying to confront the potential killer on her own, but that’s the biggest flaw in the story. The author is especially good at dialogue, which is natural and realistic throughout the book.
I like that although Matt, the chief of police, starts out very antagonistic, he isn’t afraid to admit he is in over his head and can use Allie’s help. I like the way they eventually work together and share information to solve the crime. There is also a possible love interest for Allie which has a lot of potential for future books. The ending of this book is satisfying and answers all the outstanding questions while leaving interesting possibilities as the series continues. This is an excellent debut to a new series that I would rate 4.5 stars, and I look forward to seeing Allie solve additional crimes.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Lyrical Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
girlonthecsaw's review
4.0
Very promising debut! I immediately connected with the protagonist and the supporting characters are engaging. I look forward to the developments with several relationships in the series. There was a sound resolution to the mystery but the author has established an interesting community with lots of material to draw from for future installments.
morticia32's review
3.0
Book one in a new series.
This was a nice, quick read. Readers are introduced to Allie Cobb and her family, along with her best friend, Sloan, as Allie goes home for her father's funeral and to clear up loose ends in his literary agency.
The book, like most first in a series books, spends a lot of time building relationships and characterization and not so much on the murder mystery. The mystery was fairly easy to figure out. The writing was solid though, and I really like Allie and her family.
I am looking forward to book two.
This was a nice, quick read. Readers are introduced to Allie Cobb and her family, along with her best friend, Sloan, as Allie goes home for her father's funeral and to clear up loose ends in his literary agency.
The book, like most first in a series books, spends a lot of time building relationships and characterization and not so much on the murder mystery. The mystery was fairly easy to figure out. The writing was solid though, and I really like Allie and her family.
I am looking forward to book two.
mholles's review
4.0
The first book in a new cozy mystery series. Allie leaves Manhattan to go back to her home town in Indiana for her fathers funeral.Great characters. I liked how her ex-BIL, on the local police force, accepted her help when a local author is found dead. Though, I don't understand why it took Allie so long to realize that she should take over her fathers literary agency rather than return to Manhattan. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Losing a parent can be devastating and Allie Cobb is upset she was unable to get home to say that final good-bye to her dad. She was so much like him and she left home for New York to make it on her own in a field where he was very well known and she did. Now she and her cat Ursula have come back to Indiana for the funeral and so that she can close his office and pass his literary clients on to others.
Then one of his clients is murdered. Thornwell Winchester, a prominent author and the father of Allie’s best friend. The man had issues but he was said to be working on another book and trying to beat his demons. There are several people that could be on the suspect list but the police decide his daughter, Sloane, is to blame. All they and the mayor want is the case wrapped up before the Fall Festival begins. Allie knows she has to clear her friend before they throw the book at her. She just needs to stay on step ahead of the killer which isn’t easy, or she could be next.
If I could back up a couple of decades knowing then what I know now I would love to have a job in book publishing. A literary agent would be a job I know I would enjoy. So when I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to get to know Allie Cobb. With a literary agent for a father, you know reading was an integral part of Allie’s life. So much so she followed in his footsteps but was independent enough to want to make her own way in the field. I really enjoyed watching her do her job, the queries, the editing, the push to get the books into the right hands to be published. Her attention to detail not only helps with her job, it is a key element to being a great amateur sleuth. Her mother is a physician and I could see a lot of her mother in her as well. Mr. Kenney has created a wonderful protagonist, a woman who can think on her feet and ask the right questions. She also doesn’t give up.
Rushing Creek, Indiana is populated by a quirky bunch of residents. Those readers will love and those readers will love to hate. The mayor along with Allie’s missing boyfriend were high up on my list of the later. He also includes a couple of four-legged characters that will steal your heart. For the first book in a series, there was a great deal of character development while still leaving plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
The mystery itself was very well written with a pace that ramped up as the story continued. Red herrings, yes there are a few and along twists that led to a surprising ending. I was very wrapped up in the drama and read the entire book, just under 200 pages in one afternoon.
The series is off to an excellent start. I look forward to A Genuine Fix, the second book in this series hits stores July 16.
Losing a parent can be devastating and Allie Cobb is upset she was unable to get home to say that final good-bye to her dad. She was so much like him and she left home for New York to make it on her own in a field where he was very well known and she did. Now she and her cat Ursula have come back to Indiana for the funeral and so that she can close his office and pass his literary clients on to others.
Then one of his clients is murdered. Thornwell Winchester, a prominent author and the father of Allie’s best friend. The man had issues but he was said to be working on another book and trying to beat his demons. There are several people that could be on the suspect list but the police decide his daughter, Sloane, is to blame. All they and the mayor want is the case wrapped up before the Fall Festival begins. Allie knows she has to clear her friend before they throw the book at her. She just needs to stay on step ahead of the killer which isn’t easy, or she could be next.
If I could back up a couple of decades knowing then what I know now I would love to have a job in book publishing. A literary agent would be a job I know I would enjoy. So when I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to get to know Allie Cobb. With a literary agent for a father, you know reading was an integral part of Allie’s life. So much so she followed in his footsteps but was independent enough to want to make her own way in the field. I really enjoyed watching her do her job, the queries, the editing, the push to get the books into the right hands to be published. Her attention to detail not only helps with her job, it is a key element to being a great amateur sleuth. Her mother is a physician and I could see a lot of her mother in her as well. Mr. Kenney has created a wonderful protagonist, a woman who can think on her feet and ask the right questions. She also doesn’t give up.
Rushing Creek, Indiana is populated by a quirky bunch of residents. Those readers will love and those readers will love to hate. The mayor along with Allie’s missing boyfriend were high up on my list of the later. He also includes a couple of four-legged characters that will steal your heart. For the first book in a series, there was a great deal of character development while still leaving plenty of room for growth as the series continues.
The mystery itself was very well written with a pace that ramped up as the story continued. Red herrings, yes there are a few and along twists that led to a surprising ending. I was very wrapped up in the drama and read the entire book, just under 200 pages in one afternoon.
The series is off to an excellent start. I look forward to A Genuine Fix, the second book in this series hits stores July 16.
mrskatiefitz's review
4.0
This was such a quick and fun read. I really liked Allie, and I felt that her motivation for getting involved in solving murders was one of the most believable that I've seen in a cozy mystery. I'm excited for book two!