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ewil6681'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? Yes
4.0
amylwest's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hil_knecht's review
4.0
This was a fun cozy mystery. Is it high brow literature? No but it's nice to read (or listen) to these types of books, especially in these super weird times.
debbilynn42's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chrisrin's review
1.0
I really did not enjoy this mystery in part because I disliked the main character. She seemed more interested in romance than in grieving her murdered relative. I will not be reading further entries in this series.
megs_s's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
librarianinperiwinkle's review
2.0
Marley McKinney came to the tiny coastal town of Wildwood Cove to spend a couple of weeks running her Cousin Jimmy's restaurant while he recuperated in the hospital. When he is murdered right after returning to town, Marley struggles to help the police uncover the culprit without becoming the next victim.
What I liked about the first book in this new series:
*It was set on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula.
*The story was interesting, with a few twists and turns.
What I didn't like:
*The budding relationship between Marley and her former crush, Brett, felt too obvious and artificial.
*The dilemma of whether to stay in Wildwood or return to Seattle would have been much more convincing if her life in Seattle didn't sound so lonely & unfulfilling.
*The writing felt very amateurish in many places. Ms. Fox's editor should have helped her tighten her language and eliminate the zillions of repetitions (& variations) of the phrases "spinning thoughts" and "filled my mind." For example, on page 2 of chapter 3, there is an entire paragraph listing questions that Marley is thinking about, followed by a completely unnecessary one-sentence paragraph stating, "Those questions circled around and around in my head." Thank you, Captain Obvious! Removing that extraneous sentence would make the story flow much better, and this is just one example of many.
Bottom line:
The series has promise, but it needs more polish.
For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, setting secondary. It's a cozy mystery, so a couple of kisses but no sex, graphic violence, or profanity.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
What I liked about the first book in this new series:
*It was set on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula.
*The story was interesting, with a few twists and turns.
What I didn't like:
*The budding relationship between Marley and her former crush, Brett, felt too obvious and artificial.
*The dilemma of whether to stay in Wildwood or return to Seattle would have been much more convincing if her life in Seattle didn't sound so lonely & unfulfilling.
*The writing felt very amateurish in many places. Ms. Fox's editor should have helped her tighten her language and eliminate the zillions of repetitions (& variations) of the phrases "spinning thoughts" and "filled my mind." For example, on page 2 of chapter 3, there is an entire paragraph listing questions that Marley is thinking about, followed by a completely unnecessary one-sentence paragraph stating, "Those questions circled around and around in my head." Thank you, Captain Obvious! Removing that extraneous sentence would make the story flow much better, and this is just one example of many.
Bottom line:
The series has promise, but it needs more polish.
For readers' advisors: story doorway is primary, setting secondary. It's a cozy mystery, so a couple of kisses but no sex, graphic violence, or profanity.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
pumpkinspice89's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox is the first book in A Pancake House Mystery series. Marley McKinney has agreed to The Flip Side Pancake House in Wildwood Cove, Washington while her cousin, Jimmy Coulson, is ill (double pneumonia). She has taken a leave of absence from the law firm where she works as a legal assistant. Jimmy finally gets released from the hospital and is at home resting. But then Jimmy is found dead on the rocks by Leigh Hunter (a waitress at the restaurant) of a cliff near his home. Did he accidentally fall down the cliff while walking? What was he doing out alone? Then there is the guy lurking around her cousin’s workshop and the stolen paintings inside the workshop. Did Jimmy steal them? Marley does not want Jimmy’s good name tainted and, reluctantly, starts asking questions. Will Marley be able to pull out the pieces together to figure out the puzzle?
I found The Crepes of Wrath to be easy to read, but it was a lifeless book. The characters were not fleshed out and given life. This is especially true for Ivan, the chef. The pace is too slow and some information is repeated frequently (it was annoying). The mystery was not prominent in the book (at least not in the beginning). I was 35% of the way through the book and there was still no investigation. The mystery was interesting (there were even some little twists), but the reader can solve it. I give The Crepes of Wrath 2 out of 5 stars. It was okay for a first book, but some things were just off. Like where were the police? Why was Marley removing evidence from a crime scene? Marley notices a clue that no one else found. These are just two examples. Not everything added up in the end. The book reminded me of a rough draft, not a finished novel.
I found The Crepes of Wrath to be easy to read, but it was a lifeless book. The characters were not fleshed out and given life. This is especially true for Ivan, the chef. The pace is too slow and some information is repeated frequently (it was annoying). The mystery was not prominent in the book (at least not in the beginning). I was 35% of the way through the book and there was still no investigation. The mystery was interesting (there were even some little twists), but the reader can solve it. I give The Crepes of Wrath 2 out of 5 stars. It was okay for a first book, but some things were just off. Like where were the police? Why was Marley removing evidence from a crime scene? Marley notices a clue that no one else found. These are just two examples. Not everything added up in the end. The book reminded me of a rough draft, not a finished novel.
renatalynn's review
1.0
I am not impressed with the book. If Marley doesn't like you, you have committed murder, you are a low life person who can not do anything. She is to jugdemental, to do good dective work . I did not like her. Found myself wishing she would be the next victim.