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tayparks's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cozettezimmerman's review
5.0
Cute and fun with a twist that I never saw coming. Loved the characters and I became so attached to the nuns.
It did bother me that she pronounced her name Nine-ah, not Nee-nah
It did bother me that she pronounced her name Nine-ah, not Nee-nah
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Peach Clobbered was an entertaining cozy mystery. Nina (pronounced Nine-ah) was charmed with the Queen Anne Victorian she stumbled across while looking for antiques in the small town of Cymbeline. She wanted a new start after her divorce from pro-golfer, Cameron Fleet. Nina thought about using the large home for a bed-and-breakfast until Mayor Green turned down her rezoning request. But then Mayor Green finds herself with six nuns and no vacancies in town. Nina gets her home rezoned and immediately has six divine residents. The one fly in the ointment is Harry Westcott who believes the home should be his since his great-aunt, Daisy Lathrop wrote him that she is leaving the turn-of-century home to him. Then greedy developer, Gregory Bainbridge is murdered in the Taste-Tee-freeze Creamery penguin costume which Harry had been wearing earlier in the day. There is plenty of action in the cute story. I liked Nina, but we are not given her complete history. I hope we learn more about her in the next book. The nuns were just delightful. They got to enjoy new experiences and food while staying with Nina plus there was the protest. Harry is an amusing character who I believe we will be seeing more of in future books. He is an actor who travels around in a converted bus. I enjoyed the humor and wit which had me chuckling frequently while reading Peach Clobbered. I thought the story was well-written and it progressed at a nice clip which made it easy to read. I enjoyed the descriptions of Nina’s new home and the quaint town. I can understand why Nina was drawn to Cymbeline and her Queen Anne. The mystery had several suspects, a red herring and subtle clues. The take down was an enjoyable and amusing scene. I was sorry for Peach Clobbered to end. Peach Clobbered is a diverting cozy mystery with Harry the theatrical thespian, a rapacious real estate developer, six saintly sisters, several suspicious suspects, and one inquisitive B&B owner.
sagethesagesage's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookwoman37's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this first book in this cozy series. Nina has moved to a small Georgia town to start over and open a Bed and Breakfast. Not everyone in the town is happy about her plans. The previous owner's nephew believes he was supposed to inherit the house. Meanwhile a developer is turning a local nunnery into a resort and the homeless nuns have moved in. When the developer is found dead they set out to solve the crime. I enjoyed the small town setting and the characters. The mystery was good with lots of suspects. I look for word to the next book in the series.
katreader's review
5.0
PEACH CLOBBERED by Anna Gerard
The First Georgia B&B Mystery
Nina Fleet lives in Georgia, not the Antarctic, yet penguins start to play a major part of her life. First a penguin appears at her front door trying to sue her. OK, it's actually a man dressed in a penguin suit, but he's the one trying to take the gorgeous old house she bought away from her, claiming his aunt actually left it to him. Then she's surrounded by a group of penguins. OK, they're actually nuns in traditional habits, but they're moving in with her. The town bad guy has kicked the sisters out of their home so the mayor sped through Nina's bed and breakfast paperwork and made her an offer she couldn't refuse. As Nina accompanies the nuns on their protest of the developer she's led by a screaming woman to a penguin who has been stabbed. OK, not a real penguin, it's the same costume as Harry wore, but it's not Harry inside...it's the dastardly developer. Almost everyone in the small town of Cymbeline wanted to kill him, but who actually did? Or was Harry the real target?
I really like this new series! Nina (pronounced like the number, not Nee-nah) is a smart capable woman thrust into a most unusual situation. In fact, the book is filled with smart capable women, from the sheriff to the mayor to the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty. I'm impressed with the manner in which the nuns are represented along with the hard truths they are forced to face from their own archbishop. I'm especially fond of Sr. Mary Thomas as her love of animals shines through the pages. Mattie is a sweet dog and the town of Cymbeline is utterly charming with its nod to all things Shakespeare. The relationship between Nina and Harry is quite unique. Harry vacillates from being a villain out to take away Nina's dream, a victim of pathos, and a possible romantic interest. Lots of interesting character inhabit the pages making for a compelling read.
PEACH CLOBBERED is a charming, witty, and engaging mystery that pulled me in from the start. I'll miss some of the characters I met here, but am looking forward to meeting Nina's next guests!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Georgia B&B Mystery
Nina Fleet lives in Georgia, not the Antarctic, yet penguins start to play a major part of her life. First a penguin appears at her front door trying to sue her. OK, it's actually a man dressed in a penguin suit, but he's the one trying to take the gorgeous old house she bought away from her, claiming his aunt actually left it to him. Then she's surrounded by a group of penguins. OK, they're actually nuns in traditional habits, but they're moving in with her. The town bad guy has kicked the sisters out of their home so the mayor sped through Nina's bed and breakfast paperwork and made her an offer she couldn't refuse. As Nina accompanies the nuns on their protest of the developer she's led by a screaming woman to a penguin who has been stabbed. OK, not a real penguin, it's the same costume as Harry wore, but it's not Harry inside...it's the dastardly developer. Almost everyone in the small town of Cymbeline wanted to kill him, but who actually did? Or was Harry the real target?
I really like this new series! Nina (pronounced like the number, not Nee-nah) is a smart capable woman thrust into a most unusual situation. In fact, the book is filled with smart capable women, from the sheriff to the mayor to the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty. I'm impressed with the manner in which the nuns are represented along with the hard truths they are forced to face from their own archbishop. I'm especially fond of Sr. Mary Thomas as her love of animals shines through the pages. Mattie is a sweet dog and the town of Cymbeline is utterly charming with its nod to all things Shakespeare. The relationship between Nina and Harry is quite unique. Harry vacillates from being a villain out to take away Nina's dream, a victim of pathos, and a possible romantic interest. Lots of interesting character inhabit the pages making for a compelling read.
PEACH CLOBBERED is a charming, witty, and engaging mystery that pulled me in from the start. I'll miss some of the characters I met here, but am looking forward to meeting Nina's next guests!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
hugbandit7's review
5.0
I loved this book - from the witty dialogue, quirky characters, and southern setting. It is a winning combination.
This is a new series you will want to read and should you read this book (and you should!) you might be surprised at the turn of events and who the killer turns out to be in the end. I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing and surprises me in the end.
Nina (Nine-ah) has left the big city of Atlanta and has found her new home in Cymbeline after a disastrous marriage. As with all small towns, there are politics and it is all in who you know to get things done. The historic home that she has purchased is now a B&B at the behest of the Mayor (hence the fast tracking of certain things) to house a motley group of nuns. While this may not be her plans for her home, she falls into the groove pretty quickly and it helps that the nuns aren't your typical guests. She does have a thorn in her side, Harry. He is a nephew of the previous owner and is contesting her purchasing the house. This causes for some sticky situations peppered throughout the book, but it adds another twist in the tale.
I thought that the cast of characters was just right - not too many and not too few. I felt like the characters were well developed for a first book and expect that to continue with future books. I do think there could have been a little bit more about how Nina came to Cymbeline and why she left Atlanta. There are a few mentions but not enough for my liking but hopefully, there will be a further exploration into her past life.
I am curious to see how this situation with Harry will play itself out. He is an actor and has done various roles, so will he want to continue contesting the sale of the house or will he move on if his career takes off? Only future books will tell.
This peach of a book is entertaining and we give it 5 paws up.
This is a new series you will want to read and should you read this book (and you should!) you might be surprised at the turn of events and who the killer turns out to be in the end. I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing and surprises me in the end.
Nina (Nine-ah) has left the big city of Atlanta and has found her new home in Cymbeline after a disastrous marriage. As with all small towns, there are politics and it is all in who you know to get things done. The historic home that she has purchased is now a B&B at the behest of the Mayor (hence the fast tracking of certain things) to house a motley group of nuns. While this may not be her plans for her home, she falls into the groove pretty quickly and it helps that the nuns aren't your typical guests. She does have a thorn in her side, Harry. He is a nephew of the previous owner and is contesting her purchasing the house. This causes for some sticky situations peppered throughout the book, but it adds another twist in the tale.
I thought that the cast of characters was just right - not too many and not too few. I felt like the characters were well developed for a first book and expect that to continue with future books. I do think there could have been a little bit more about how Nina came to Cymbeline and why she left Atlanta. There are a few mentions but not enough for my liking but hopefully, there will be a further exploration into her past life.
I am curious to see how this situation with Harry will play itself out. He is an actor and has done various roles, so will he want to continue contesting the sale of the house or will he move on if his career takes off? Only future books will tell.
This peach of a book is entertaining and we give it 5 paws up.
caitkom's review
5.0
Nina (pronounced Nine-ah) Fleet has divorced her cheating golf-pro husband and retired to a small Georgia town. She purchased a Queen Anne house which she is turning in to a B&B. Just when Nina is settling in a man in a penguin suit (Harry Westcott) shows up on her door step, claiming the house was rightfully his and that he will be taking her to court to get it back. Shortly thereafter, Nina is propositioned by the mayor to take in her first B&B customers- the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty have lost their lease at the local convent and they need a place to stay until they get their new assignment. The real estate developer who planned to turn the convent in to condos is found dead, wearing Harry's penguin suit! Was Harry the intended target? Nina and Harry develop a bond and work together to find the killer before he can strike again!
meezcarrie's review
4.0
“If the incidents of the past few weeks are ever turned into one of those Hallmark Channel murder mysteries, I’ll suggest the producers call it Summer of the Penguins.”
Considering that the main character Nina (pronounced Nine-ah) lives in small town Georgia where the temps are never arctic, especially not in the summer, that first line from Peach Clobbered should pique your interest right from the start. It only gets more engaging from there, as poor Nina must juggle a penguin-costumed actor who insists he has legal claim to her newly purchased home, a gaggle of suddenly-displaced nuns with nowhere else to go, and a murder victim that any number of people wanted dead.
I really enjoyed ‘meeting’ Nina and the rest of the residents of Cymbeline, Georgia. In typical cozy mystery fashion, the quaint town houses a healthy dose of quirky characters as well as a heaping helping of loyal friends and a host of potential suspects. The nuns were particularly endearing, with several chuckles as well as sweet moments, and I hope we might encounter them again at some point. I’m also curious about Harry and the role he’ll play in future books – and Nina’s life. And of course Nina’s faithful companion and sweet dog Mattie totally had my heart.
The mystery is well-plotted and full of twists and turns, including a surprise find or two. Local law enforcement seems competent, and Nina did at least try to play by the rules. I mean, it’s not her fault that she’s housing two of the potential suspects in her impromptu B&B – it’s only logical that she would try to prove their innocence. But she’s (mostly) smart about it which I always appreciate in a cozy mystery heroine.
Bottom Line: Delightfully written with plenty of characters to love (and suspect), Peach Clobbered is a great start to a new cozy series! The author portrays small town southern life with wit, authenticity and fondness, and while I figured out whodunit the journey to get to the why was truly enjoyable. I’m looking forward to finding out what Nina and Mattie are up to next, as well as what role (if any) some of the characters we met in this story will play in future books.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Considering that the main character Nina (pronounced Nine-ah) lives in small town Georgia where the temps are never arctic, especially not in the summer, that first line from Peach Clobbered should pique your interest right from the start. It only gets more engaging from there, as poor Nina must juggle a penguin-costumed actor who insists he has legal claim to her newly purchased home, a gaggle of suddenly-displaced nuns with nowhere else to go, and a murder victim that any number of people wanted dead.
I really enjoyed ‘meeting’ Nina and the rest of the residents of Cymbeline, Georgia. In typical cozy mystery fashion, the quaint town houses a healthy dose of quirky characters as well as a heaping helping of loyal friends and a host of potential suspects. The nuns were particularly endearing, with several chuckles as well as sweet moments, and I hope we might encounter them again at some point. I’m also curious about Harry and the role he’ll play in future books – and Nina’s life. And of course Nina’s faithful companion and sweet dog Mattie totally had my heart.
The mystery is well-plotted and full of twists and turns, including a surprise find or two. Local law enforcement seems competent, and Nina did at least try to play by the rules. I mean, it’s not her fault that she’s housing two of the potential suspects in her impromptu B&B – it’s only logical that she would try to prove their innocence. But she’s (mostly) smart about it which I always appreciate in a cozy mystery heroine.
Bottom Line: Delightfully written with plenty of characters to love (and suspect), Peach Clobbered is a great start to a new cozy series! The author portrays small town southern life with wit, authenticity and fondness, and while I figured out whodunit the journey to get to the why was truly enjoyable. I’m looking forward to finding out what Nina and Mattie are up to next, as well as what role (if any) some of the characters we met in this story will play in future books.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower