The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
This was an ok start to a series. A lot of the reviews on here had me believing this would be terrible, and it wasn't so, but there were some quirks to this that I didn't love. Yes, our heroine asks a lot of questions of herself, and yes, she also does some dumb stuff that makes her seem very naive and young--although, as she mentions at least three times she's 32 and not a child!--but it's not distracting, at least in my opinion. It caused me to shake my head a couple of times, but it truly wasn't the thing that made this kind of a "meh" book for me. The crime seems to be neatly wrapped up and then there's an additional, and I'd say unnecessary, twist that just confuses the issue and leads to a rather unsatisfying conclusion. Sister Becca is overbearing in the extreme, and thankfully she's not in this book too much but she gets very annoying very quickly, so hopefully that will regulate. Otherwise, I found the small town atmosphere and quirky cast of characters sort of endearing. I'll check out another in this series to see how the characterizations evolve.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Jaymie Layton is thrilled to be the highest bidder at a local auction on a vintage kitchen cabinet dating back to the 1920s. Jaymie is so happy about winning the âHoosierâ cabinet, she isnât about to let her older sister Rebeccaâs complaints about an already over-crowded kitchen dampen her excitement. However, it seems there are others visiting their quaint Michigan town that seem to be a little too interested in Jaymieâs treasure. Jaymie is shocked to discover a dead body on the porch where she is temporarily storing the cabinet. The police easily determine it is murder, but nobody knows who the victim is. There are plenty of people in town acting suspiciously, including Jaymieâs attractive new neighbor Daniel Collins.
"A Deadly Grind" is a fun debut in the new Vintage Kitchen mystery series. I especially like the main character, Jaymie. Jaymie enjoys her peaceful life, working part-time jobs, collecting vintage cookware and cookbooks, and working on a cookbook of her own that she dreams of getting published. Jaymie doesnât want to trade her life for a stressful, high-profile career for anything and I immediately related to her character. It took a bit longer for me to click with her older sister Becca, but I do grow to like her, too. As the book gets going, Becca proves she isnât just a bossy older sister, but that will always be there when Jaymie needs her.
There is a slow build to the mystery. Jaymie doesnât do much investigating until the latter part of the book, but she does find important clues that the handsome police officer, Detective Zachary Christian overlooks. However, itâs frustrating that she shares information with him throughout the story, but then she ends up putting herself in danger by withholding the most important clue of all! There are several suspects for the murder and this keeps the book interesting. Unfortunately, as things go on, it gets a little silly when all of the strangers in town seem to have a motive, but everything is explained at the end.
In addition to the mystery, there is a promise of romance in the future. Jaymie is getting over being dumped by her boyfriend Joel but there are two other men who seem interested in her now that she is a âfree womanâ. It fits her character and what she went through with Joel that Jaymie is enjoying the male attention, but taking it slow. Jaymie is learning to move on and she takes a big step by reciprocating some of Joelâs new, younger girlfriendâs overtures of friendship. Subsequent books could get even more interesting if Jaymie and Heidi become better friends and if Jaymie starts dating again.
The book isnât perfect. The ending is a bit drawn out and Jaymie makes some poor choices in how she handles the investigation. However, I like her down-to-earth personality and the way she is the first to come to the aid of her friends, which makes her a well-liked member of the town. In addition, the way she is willing to take time and really listen to people, especially the elderly, gives Jaymie an edge on learning important information related to the case. The bookâs setting on the Canadian border is interesting, and I would love to attend the âTea with the Queenâ event celebrating Canadaâs Victoria Day that is the focus of the book. Fans of Joanne Fluke or of Virginia Lowellâs Cookie Cutter Shop mysteries will feel right at home in Queenstown.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"A Deadly Grind" is a fun debut in the new Vintage Kitchen mystery series. I especially like the main character, Jaymie. Jaymie enjoys her peaceful life, working part-time jobs, collecting vintage cookware and cookbooks, and working on a cookbook of her own that she dreams of getting published. Jaymie doesnât want to trade her life for a stressful, high-profile career for anything and I immediately related to her character. It took a bit longer for me to click with her older sister Becca, but I do grow to like her, too. As the book gets going, Becca proves she isnât just a bossy older sister, but that will always be there when Jaymie needs her.
There is a slow build to the mystery. Jaymie doesnât do much investigating until the latter part of the book, but she does find important clues that the handsome police officer, Detective Zachary Christian overlooks. However, itâs frustrating that she shares information with him throughout the story, but then she ends up putting herself in danger by withholding the most important clue of all! There are several suspects for the murder and this keeps the book interesting. Unfortunately, as things go on, it gets a little silly when all of the strangers in town seem to have a motive, but everything is explained at the end.
In addition to the mystery, there is a promise of romance in the future. Jaymie is getting over being dumped by her boyfriend Joel but there are two other men who seem interested in her now that she is a âfree womanâ. It fits her character and what she went through with Joel that Jaymie is enjoying the male attention, but taking it slow. Jaymie is learning to move on and she takes a big step by reciprocating some of Joelâs new, younger girlfriendâs overtures of friendship. Subsequent books could get even more interesting if Jaymie and Heidi become better friends and if Jaymie starts dating again.
The book isnât perfect. The ending is a bit drawn out and Jaymie makes some poor choices in how she handles the investigation. However, I like her down-to-earth personality and the way she is the first to come to the aid of her friends, which makes her a well-liked member of the town. In addition, the way she is willing to take time and really listen to people, especially the elderly, gives Jaymie an edge on learning important information related to the case. The bookâs setting on the Canadian border is interesting, and I would love to attend the âTea with the Queenâ event celebrating Canadaâs Victoria Day that is the focus of the book. Fans of Joanne Fluke or of Virginia Lowellâs Cookie Cutter Shop mysteries will feel right at home in Queenstown.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
kitsunesakura's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maddox22's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
blacksentai's review against another edition
2.0
Parts of the book are pretty good. A couple of small unforced errors hold it back.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2. A wee bit disappointing. I think that it has the bones of a nice cozy/series, but it's not executed well. It's very repetitive with minor details, the heroine could use a bit more spunk and the ending was way too melodramatic.
gimmetacos's review against another edition
If I heard the term Hoosier Cabinet one more time!!!! Also, Buttons. Ugh.Â
lymadebell's review against another edition
3.0
This book was cute, for a murder mystery... Jayme is a 32 year old woman that has a love of vintage cookware and recently recipes. It must run in her family because her sister buys and sells vintage items as well... Which would be the reason that both sisters are at the estate sale in their town.
I loved that this book was based around this old time Hoosier cabinet that would have been popular in the 1920/1930 for women. Plus.... The murder weapon is a big old steel grinder, creepy! But honestly, it's very light with a few twists and turns with a cute and sweet ending.
My only issue with this book is how sad Jayme is over her break up... Really? At 30 you still moon that much over a dude that cheated on you? Maybe... But she comes off as a bit whiney in the beginning.
I loved that this book was based around this old time Hoosier cabinet that would have been popular in the 1920/1930 for women. Plus.... The murder weapon is a big old steel grinder, creepy! But honestly, it's very light with a few twists and turns with a cute and sweet ending.
My only issue with this book is how sad Jayme is over her break up... Really? At 30 you still moon that much over a dude that cheated on you? Maybe... But she comes off as a bit whiney in the beginning.
_bookdreamer's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 92 pages. I feel like some cozy mysteries are awesome and some I just canât get through. The writing of this one just didnât appeal to me.