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charlenejx's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
_lera_'s review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
amylwest's review
funny
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
apressler's review against another edition
4.0
I don't often read cosy mysteries but this one caught my eye. I downloaded an ARC for this book, and then life got in the way - but I'm so glad I found the time to dedicate to this book because it is SO WONDERFUL.
Claire is a candlemaker in a factory who wants to start her own candle-making business (steal those trade secrets, sister!), but then the boss of the factory is brutally murdered. Claire takes it on herself to solve the murder, as is the to-do thing in cosy mysteries, and what follows is a delightful mystery full of twists and turns to get to the real killer.
I think Claire is a well-rounded character and a good lead - it makes sense why she'd insert herself into the investigation, which is my issue with cosy mysteries most of the time. My only criticism is that I would have loved to see her with a bit more ambition but you do see her come into herself more as the book progresses. Overall, a nice cosy read.
Claire is a candlemaker in a factory who wants to start her own candle-making business (steal those trade secrets, sister!), but then the boss of the factory is brutally murdered. Claire takes it on herself to solve the murder, as is the to-do thing in cosy mysteries, and what follows is a delightful mystery full of twists and turns to get to the real killer.
I think Claire is a well-rounded character and a good lead - it makes sense why she'd insert herself into the investigation, which is my issue with cosy mysteries most of the time. My only criticism is that I would have loved to see her with a bit more ambition but you do see her come into herself more as the book progresses. Overall, a nice cosy read.
paxsupernova's review against another edition
4.0
I am so unbelievably excited to have a new series by Agatha Frost! I read this after binging and catching up on the Peridale series, which may have not been a great idea since it did take me a bit to transition and get used to this new setting and new characters. With that being said, this series is, so far, as delightful as Peridale and I can't wait to get to know these characters more!
ljwrites85's review against another edition
4.0
Before I get into my review, I want to show the cover of Vanilla Bean Vengeance some love. I don’t usually go on about the covers, because you know you should judge a book by its cover and all that, but it’s so cute and fits the book perfectly.
So I read the first in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe series a few months ago, so when I saw Vanilla Bean Vengeance, the first in the Claire’s candle series, I want to see what that’s all about. I’m always on the lookout for a new twist on the whole cozy mystery tropes, .i.e. Bakeries, witches, bookshops etc and I thought, I haven’t come across candles before, so I’ll admit I was intrigued on how the two would mesh.
Vanilla Bean Vengeance has all the typical cozy ingredients, a village setting, a determined amateur sleuth with a hint of potential romance.
My issue with Agatha Frost’s other series is I felt the characters were a little flat but I really liked Claire, she’s a character I really found myself rooting for. Plus a fab array of quirky back up characters, although Claire’s pushy mother who’s obsessed with her daughter getting married and having kids kind of got on my nerves.
The story kept me guessing to the end and I’ve already put the second in the series, Black Cherry Betrayal on my tbr list.
If you love a cozy mystery, I’d highly recommend this book!
So I read the first in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe series a few months ago, so when I saw Vanilla Bean Vengeance, the first in the Claire’s candle series, I want to see what that’s all about. I’m always on the lookout for a new twist on the whole cozy mystery tropes, .i.e. Bakeries, witches, bookshops etc and I thought, I haven’t come across candles before, so I’ll admit I was intrigued on how the two would mesh.
Vanilla Bean Vengeance has all the typical cozy ingredients, a village setting, a determined amateur sleuth with a hint of potential romance.
My issue with Agatha Frost’s other series is I felt the characters were a little flat but I really liked Claire, she’s a character I really found myself rooting for. Plus a fab array of quirky back up characters, although Claire’s pushy mother who’s obsessed with her daughter getting married and having kids kind of got on my nerves.
The story kept me guessing to the end and I’ve already put the second in the series, Black Cherry Betrayal on my tbr list.
If you love a cozy mystery, I’d highly recommend this book!
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
The first in a new series, with something of a tick-box approach to the cosy mystery.
Our main character Claire lives at home with her parents and is working a dead-end job in a local candle company. She dreams of opening her own candle shop, but money is an issue.
When the owner of the factory is found dead, suspicion turns to the man she was kissing in the office. He has an alibi, but someone wanted her dead and Claire is determined to find out why.
Clues fall into her lap and she doesn’t have to break much of a sweat in working things out. Along the way we learn a little more about her life and past, and seeds are down for the ways her story may continue in the future.
Our main character Claire lives at home with her parents and is working a dead-end job in a local candle company. She dreams of opening her own candle shop, but money is an issue.
When the owner of the factory is found dead, suspicion turns to the man she was kissing in the office. He has an alibi, but someone wanted her dead and Claire is determined to find out why.
Clues fall into her lap and she doesn’t have to break much of a sweat in working things out. Along the way we learn a little more about her life and past, and seeds are down for the ways her story may continue in the future.
books__brews_and_booze's review against another edition
This book really picked up in the last few chapters. An enjoyable enough read, especially when the action picked up.
My favorite scene was the panicked call to the police and Damon’s Scottish accent. I laughed out loud.
There were some parts of the story that frustrated me, and mainly had to do with characters that were one dimension. Claire is a little overweight, so naturally she gravitates toward a slightly overweight person to be her friend at work.
She can almost always eat no matter what, so when she’s not hungry, she must be really upset. Her mom packed her a salad one day, and she didn’t finish it. But did finish sandwiches, chips, brownies, etc.
Oh and the mom... classic stereotype of mom who wants daughter to get married and have kids. Plus complains about her daughter’s weight. And doesn’t get along with her mother-in-law. And that’s all we know about her. Very one note.
I might give another one of the books in the series a go, although in seeing a sample chapter of book two, it starts out with Claire not being able to button her jeans.
What I wanted more of
- More depth to characters
What I enjoyed
- The action at the end
- The friendship between her and Damon
- The grandmother’s sass
My favorite scene was the panicked call to the police and Damon’s Scottish accent. I laughed out loud.
There were some parts of the story that frustrated me, and mainly had to do with characters that were one dimension. Claire is a little overweight, so naturally she gravitates toward a slightly overweight person to be her friend at work.
She can almost always eat no matter what, so when she’s not hungry, she must be really upset. Her mom packed her a salad one day, and she didn’t finish it. But did finish sandwiches, chips, brownies, etc.
Oh and the mom... classic stereotype of mom who wants daughter to get married and have kids. Plus complains about her daughter’s weight. And doesn’t get along with her mother-in-law. And that’s all we know about her. Very one note.
I might give another one of the books in the series a go, although in seeing a sample chapter of book two, it starts out with Claire not being able to button her jeans.
What I wanted more of
- More depth to characters
What I enjoyed
- The action at the end
- The friendship between her and Damon
- The grandmother’s sass