thatlemonadelife's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com
Lucy, in addition to being a busy mom of four, and an occasional freelance feature writer for the local newspaper, is now a member of the board of directors at the town's library. She is one of seven directors, and imagine her horror, on the very first day of her new duties, when the librarian, Bitsy Howell is murdered. The detective on the case, Lieutenant Horowitz, is certain that one of the directors is responsible for Bitsy's death. She met Hororwitz before and as he knows of her propensity to get involved, he strictly warns her to leave things to the police.
Over the past few years, several cases have arisen involving the gruesome act of murder, and Lucy was right in the thick of things with the very intent of solving them, which she did admirably. Things will be no different this time - she will not wait around for the police. She intends on finding the murderer as soon as possible, despite being commanded by the detective to stay out of it.
Per usual Lucy Stone style, Lucy knows just who to talk to and just what questions to ask. She is superb when it comes to digging to the bottom of matters. All the while playing sleuth, she is living a real life with relationships and situations that cannot be ignored. I especially love her role as a mother - it brings to much to an already well-written story and series.
However, I want to mention two things that kept me from giving this more than four stars. For one thing, the parents were quite lax with their computer and there was no internet safety for their children. Also, while running to the store, she left her four-year-old Zoe in the car in order to avoid an argument over what the little one might want her to buy. (Actually, she left Zoe in the car alone one other time come to think of it.) While the story may be set in small-town Maine, real dangers (well, fictionalized, but real, you know?) do exist and I feel that these matters weren't handled right. Also, a small thing irritated me - ten-year-old Sarah is in the 3rd grade? Hopefully just an editing error.
As with all connected series and books, familiar characters are back. We don't see as much as one of my favorites in this book, however, Barney Culpepper, but with 24 books in this series, I do hope to see him more. Ms. Tilley remains as cantankerous as ever, but I still feel a bit of patience for her. Bill, Lucy's husband, is growing on me. Then, of course, there is the mystery of the murder. It is handled well and efficiently, with enough twists and turns to keep the story at a fast pace. With only a handful of suspects, it was great fun trying to pinpoint the murderer. For an enjoyable and quick read for lovers of cozy mysteries, even with the problems in the story, be sure to pick up this next installment in the series. I am looking forward to reading Christmas Cookie Murder next.
Lucy, in addition to being a busy mom of four, and an occasional freelance feature writer for the local newspaper, is now a member of the board of directors at the town's library. She is one of seven directors, and imagine her horror, on the very first day of her new duties, when the librarian, Bitsy Howell is murdered. The detective on the case, Lieutenant Horowitz, is certain that one of the directors is responsible for Bitsy's death. She met Hororwitz before and as he knows of her propensity to get involved, he strictly warns her to leave things to the police.
Over the past few years, several cases have arisen involving the gruesome act of murder, and Lucy was right in the thick of things with the very intent of solving them, which she did admirably. Things will be no different this time - she will not wait around for the police. She intends on finding the murderer as soon as possible, despite being commanded by the detective to stay out of it.
Per usual Lucy Stone style, Lucy knows just who to talk to and just what questions to ask. She is superb when it comes to digging to the bottom of matters. All the while playing sleuth, she is living a real life with relationships and situations that cannot be ignored. I especially love her role as a mother - it brings to much to an already well-written story and series.
However, I want to mention two things that kept me from giving this more than four stars. For one thing, the parents were quite lax with their computer and there was no internet safety for their children. Also, while running to the store, she left her four-year-old Zoe in the car in order to avoid an argument over what the little one might want her to buy. (Actually, she left Zoe in the car alone one other time come to think of it.) While the story may be set in small-town Maine, real dangers (well, fictionalized, but real, you know?) do exist and I feel that these matters weren't handled right. Also, a small thing irritated me - ten-year-old Sarah is in the 3rd grade? Hopefully just an editing error.
As with all connected series and books, familiar characters are back. We don't see as much as one of my favorites in this book, however, Barney Culpepper, but with 24 books in this series, I do hope to see him more. Ms. Tilley remains as cantankerous as ever, but I still feel a bit of patience for her. Bill, Lucy's husband, is growing on me. Then, of course, there is the mystery of the murder. It is handled well and efficiently, with enough twists and turns to keep the story at a fast pace. With only a handful of suspects, it was great fun trying to pinpoint the murderer. For an enjoyable and quick read for lovers of cozy mysteries, even with the problems in the story, be sure to pick up this next installment in the series. I am looking forward to reading Christmas Cookie Murder next.
daybreak1012's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't the sort of book that is going to win accolades or literary awards. It's a predictable (in format, anyway) little cozy mystery, with a 'whodunnit' and some red herrings and plenty of hijinks. When you keep your expectations in check, understanding the sort of book you've picked up, this was another fun installment in a series I've enjoyed thus far. It's exactly what I expected, after reading the first four books in this series. There were parts that made me chuckle. There were parts that made me want to read a little faster. I spent the entirety of the story trying to figure out who was responsible, and why, right alongside Lucy. And in the end, my initial suspicions were right, even though I'd changed my guess several times while I read. The only thing preventing me from awarding four stars to an otherwise amusing read was the fact that I got no explanation or resolution from Horowtiz, who seemed to drop off the face of the earth, despite how events played out. I know some people complain that these books aren't "high quality writing" to which I say: accept the genre for what it is and if this type of storytelling irritates you so much, perhaps cozy mysteries are not a genre for you, and that's ok. I happen to enjoy mixing in some silly, frivolous reading to my reading rotation, and this fits the bill for me.
ncrabb's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book to be the least satisfying of all in the series I've read so far. Amateur sleuth Lucy Stone has been appointed to the town's library board, and she's already late for her first meeting. Upon entering the library, she goes in search of its new director, a rather quiet young woman named Bitsy. Other board members have preceded Lucy to the building with its new addition. Indeed, the new addition is the major topic of the meeting, since some members are questioning what they see as discrepancies in the figures. In fact, Bitsy, too, has discovered those discrepancies, and she will bring up her concerns to the members when she finishes story hour. But board members are intent on dictating to her what kind of story should be read to the children that day, so in frustration, Bitsy determines to gather art supplies so the children can make valentines rather than hear a story.
When Lucy finds Bitsy's body, it is crumpled at the bottom of the stairs with art supplies scattered everywhere around it. Clearly, the woman has been shot; what isn't so clear is who shot her. Naturally, all of the board members are suspects. Lucy is particularly singled out by an obnoxious state policeman as a prime suspect. Warned against becoming involved, Lucy ignores the warnings and ultimately finds a killer; but it's nearly too late for someone she loves.
I never really warmed to the character of the librarian. I think I would have invested more of myself in the book had the librarian been someone who mattered more. I also thought the ending was far too contrived for me to merely shrug it off. Still, it's early days for the series, and I'm not inclined to blow it off just yet.
When Lucy finds Bitsy's body, it is crumpled at the bottom of the stairs with art supplies scattered everywhere around it. Clearly, the woman has been shot; what isn't so clear is who shot her. Naturally, all of the board members are suspects. Lucy is particularly singled out by an obnoxious state policeman as a prime suspect. Warned against becoming involved, Lucy ignores the warnings and ultimately finds a killer; but it's nearly too late for someone she loves.
I never really warmed to the character of the librarian. I think I would have invested more of myself in the book had the librarian been someone who mattered more. I also thought the ending was far too contrived for me to merely shrug it off. Still, it's early days for the series, and I'm not inclined to blow it off just yet.
mbedrosian's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pussreboots's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tle_1994's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
albyscout's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
It was a good book, nothing too special. I did find the ending quite predictable. I did enjoy the adventure along the way.
luffy79's review
4.0
I didn't like the character of Miss Tilley at all. It beggared belief that Lucy Stone would get emotional enough to shed tears for the former. This is not progress. This is back to square one. I was aware that the writer tried to work out an unusual climax to this story. Also the balancing act between the investigation and the private life of the amateur sleuth lay anchored at a place where the focus on family life is less considered. I just think that further loss of that factor would not make me a happy bunny. I may lose interest in what, in my opinion, made this series attractive.
My thoughts veered on the practical and the episodic shenanigans of Mr and Mrs Stone. Lucy had confessed in the previous book that she enjoys marital bliss more and more rarely. Yet in this book it seemed, it was hinted, that the couple took the initiative equally. I think this is dishonest and makes the growing up of the souls peopling Tinker's Cove, a side note.
Lucy Stone started as a strong character in this book. Her troubles were less formidable in this book. I think her best point here is her interaction with her 4 year old daughter Zoe. It is safe to say that she is not developing her detective side. She will remain a mom and a woman - though for how long in her early forties, I don't know. There has been a two year gap for the last three books. Lucy may well reach her mid fifties by book nineteen. I have fresh doubts now, and I do wish feverishly that the future tomes do not take a turn for the worse. I cannot believe I read this book in one day. That must mean something about the quality of the book, no? Not all is lost. Not yet.
My thoughts veered on the practical and the episodic shenanigans of Mr and Mrs Stone. Lucy had confessed in the previous book that she enjoys marital bliss more and more rarely. Yet in this book it seemed, it was hinted, that the couple took the initiative equally. I think this is dishonest and makes the growing up of the souls peopling Tinker's Cove, a side note.
Lucy Stone started as a strong character in this book. Her troubles were less formidable in this book. I think her best point here is her interaction with her 4 year old daughter Zoe. It is safe to say that she is not developing her detective side. She will remain a mom and a woman - though for how long in her early forties, I don't know. There has been a two year gap for the last three books. Lucy may well reach her mid fifties by book nineteen. I have fresh doubts now, and I do wish feverishly that the future tomes do not take a turn for the worse. I cannot believe I read this book in one day. That must mean something about the quality of the book, no? Not all is lost. Not yet.
kab599's review
4.0
Fun Holiday Book
Another great book in the Lucy Stone series. A quick, fun mystery that keeps you guessing with a Valentine theme.
Another great book in the Lucy Stone series. A quick, fun mystery that keeps you guessing with a Valentine theme.