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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
d_marie's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a great way to start a series. I loved that it is a cozy mystery with candle making instead of a bakery. There are a lot of twists and turns and I couldn’t believe who the killer was. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
marilanoire's review
3.0
Not bad for a firsts book in a series but I’m not sure if I like the characters enough to continue. It was entertaining but not enough that I will continue immediately with the next book.
lynnmcshanestewart's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this authors other series (Peridale) so was really looking forward to see if this new series was as good and it is. I wasn’t sure if it would be too similar to the Peridale series as the setting are quite similar but it stood out on its own and I liked the little character cross over. I can’t wait to see how the characters develop over the series. It took until the very end to work out “who did it” and it was a really good twist at the end.
tabtalksbooks's review
4.0
Pleasantly surprised.
This was a first “cozy mystery” read for me. I enjoyed it, it was light and not overly predictable. It wasn’t anything WOW-worthy but I kept wanting to read. Not a long read so I could see myself reading more Agatha Frost books in between heavier reads. I did not realize this was part of a continuing series about Claire, so I can’t wait to read book two soon (Black Cherry Betrayal.)
This was a first “cozy mystery” read for me. I enjoyed it, it was light and not overly predictable. It wasn’t anything WOW-worthy but I kept wanting to read. Not a long read so I could see myself reading more Agatha Frost books in between heavier reads. I did not realize this was part of a continuing series about Claire, so I can’t wait to read book two soon (Black Cherry Betrayal.)
edeangelis18's review
5.0
Hooked beginning to end!
I have been a Frost fan since the beginning and let me tell you I fell in love with the deep characters and friendly banter all over again. I haven't read a Frost series I haven't liked and am super excited to read the 2nd Claire's candles! Claire is something special!
I have been a Frost fan since the beginning and let me tell you I fell in love with the deep characters and friendly banter all over again. I haven't read a Frost series I haven't liked and am super excited to read the 2nd Claire's candles! Claire is something special!
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