bookwoman37's review against another edition
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
Overall I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. This is the second book in the series. Lucy and the Town of Buttercup, Texas are celebrating Christmas. Lucy is woken in the middle of the night by someone digging for treasure on her property. The next day when picking up her goats they smell smoke and discover a house on fire and a dead body in the house. When her friend is arrested for the murder she sets out to solve the crime. I like the characters and the small town setting. I do not like it when the police are portrayed as stupid and need the amateur sleuth to solve the crime. The mystery was good and there were enough suspects to keep it interesting. There are a few surprises. The visit from Lucy's parents was a nice distraction. Enjoy this Holiday Cozy
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second installment in this series and I enjoy it as much as the Gray Whale Inn series. This author had crafted a cozy mystery that delivers in all the right places. Lucy is a wonderful main character and the reader can't help but like her. There is a terrific cast of secondary characters that rounds out the story nicely. The mystery is well done and provides plenty to twists, turns, lies and greed. I am looking forward to more to come in this series.
If you are a fan of a well written cozy with wonderful characters, a great plot, and a mystery full of lies, twists and turns then this is a book for you.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
If you are a fan of a well written cozy with wonderful characters, a great plot, and a mystery full of lies, twists and turns then this is a book for you.
I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinion and the thoughts expressed are my own.
caitkom's review against another edition
4.0
Lucy is still trying to get her farm up and running so when someone starts digging up her peach trees and digging holes in her garden she is understandably upset. She recently purchased two goats, Gidget and Hot Lips who have made Blossom look like a saint. Then her friend is arrested for the murder of a local woman. Lucy of course starts poking around to prove her friends innocence because local sheriff won't take the time to look any further. Great series, really enjoy it.
lmkent1's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
Once again a killer is loose in Buttercup, Texas, where novice farm girl Lucy Resnick is struggling to maintain her grandmother's farm by adding goats to the mix. While picking up her new wards Hot Lips and Gidget, Lucy and local goat farmer Peter notices a nearby house on fire. They arrive on the scene and find the body of Krystal Jenkins, a local young lady who has a sordid and secret past. After a few days, Lucy's friend Molly is arrested for the murder. Lucy quickly goes on the trail of the real killer to clear her friend's name. All while dealing with her ornery goats, looking for Molly's runaway teen, and dealing with her own woes concerning her boyfriend's ex-wife and a long visit from her parents for the holidays. All clues are pointing to the wife of a highfalutin wannabee tele-evangelist who seems to have his own little secret.
I generally don't read many mysteries but I thoroughly enjoy all of Karen MacInerney's cozy mystery series. I especially enjoy her Dewberry Farm Mysteries for the Texas references and setting. I am looking forward to further adventures in Buttercup, Texas.
I generally don't read many mysteries but I thoroughly enjoy all of Karen MacInerney's cozy mystery series. I especially enjoy her Dewberry Farm Mysteries for the Texas references and setting. I am looking forward to further adventures in Buttercup, Texas.
ewil6681's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
underwater_reader's review against another edition
5.0
When Lucy goes to pick up her new goats from Peter, they see a fire happening and rush to help. Unfortunately, it is too late for the woman inside, but the little black puppy that's also there may be okay! Turns out the woman in the fire was already dead and someone has murdered the young waitress.
I really liked this second entry into the Dewberry Farm series. Lucy is such a likable character and I really was wishing her well the whole book, but it just seemed like she hit one wall after another. There was plenty of side story going on in this one too. Lucy's parents show up as a surprise for the holidays. Lucy's friend, Molly has a daughter who runs off with her boyfriend, whose parents may have something to do with the murders but who definitely have something to do with the very un-Christian mega-church in town (the dad is the pastor), the church members are picketing the Christmas market, her two new goats are a handful, Quinn is still suffering some lingering trauma from her abusive ex, someone is mailing out poison pen letters to the women in town, someone is digging up the town looking for confederate gold (and they also hit Lucy in the head leaving her unconscious in the freezing cold!), and as if all that wasn't bad enough, her boyfriend's beautiful ex-wife is back in town looking to buy a home. Ugh.
The mystery was pretty good although I did solve it pretty early on in the book, though I couldn't figure out how that adorable little puppy played into everything. The pacing was good, but I got sick of hearing about how messed up Lucy's truck was. Also, Rooster- the world's WORST Sherrif is back and fouling things up for Buttercup, Texas. Every time he makes an appearance I just cringe. I liked this book a lot though and I like this town and these characters. I am really excited to carry on with this series and I don't know why it took me so long to get to book two! Overall a fun read and it's set at Christmas too; I love holiday-themed books. 5 stars!
I really liked this second entry into the Dewberry Farm series. Lucy is such a likable character and I really was wishing her well the whole book, but it just seemed like she hit one wall after another. There was plenty of side story going on in this one too. Lucy's parents show up as a surprise for the holidays. Lucy's friend, Molly has a daughter who runs off with her boyfriend, whose parents may have something to do with the murders but who definitely have something to do with the very un-Christian mega-church in town (the dad is the pastor), the church members are picketing the Christmas market, her two new goats are a handful, Quinn is still suffering some lingering trauma from her abusive ex, someone is mailing out poison pen letters to the women in town, someone is digging up the town looking for confederate gold (and they also hit Lucy in the head leaving her unconscious in the freezing cold!), and as if all that wasn't bad enough, her boyfriend's beautiful ex-wife is back in town looking to buy a home. Ugh.
The mystery was pretty good although I did solve it pretty early on in the book, though I couldn't figure out how that adorable little puppy played into everything. The pacing was good, but I got sick of hearing about how messed up Lucy's truck was. Also, Rooster- the world's WORST Sherrif is back and fouling things up for Buttercup, Texas. Every time he makes an appearance I just cringe. I liked this book a lot though and I like this town and these characters. I am really excited to carry on with this series and I don't know why it took me so long to get to book two! Overall a fun read and it's set at Christmas too; I love holiday-themed books. 5 stars!