leebeeloves's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
“Finding a dead body in your formal garden has got to rate in the top ten Bad Things that can happen to a person. To be fair, war and plague and famine do have a lock on the first three spots.”
Once again, Anna Gerard has me caught up in a book by the first few lines. I really enjoyed Peach Clobbered, the first in this Georgia B&B Mystery series, so I was very much looking forward to Peachy Scream – I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed this new installment as well.
Nina’s first person narrative voice is delightfully conversational and a little bit snarky (which I love), and the characters she encounters at her B&B and the small town of Cymbeline are as quirky and suspicious as you might expect for a cozy mystery. Instead of nuns, in Peachy Scream, Nina’s inn is descended upon by a troupe of Shakespearean actors with none other than Harry Westcott (Nina’s part nemesis, part potential love interest) at the helm. These Hamlet players bring a new level of layers (and dry humor) to the mix, making you simultaneously entertained by their drama & feeling sorry for Nina for having to put up with them. (And can I just say that I’m typing this from Georgia. In the summer. In the hot hot hot summer. And I can’t imagine being all dressed up in Shakespearean garb to rehearse and perform a play outside. Nope. Nope. Nope. lol)
I also really love the eccentricities of Cymbeline – the author has done a great job of capturing a small southern town with its offbeat way of doing things. Particularly the ‘one stop shop’ appeal (?) of the coroner who also happens to be a pastor and the funeral home director! (LOL) The police chief is refreshingly portrayed as a competent law enforcement officer and is a great supporting character – and, for her part, Nina is more responsible (sometimes) in her sleuthing than a lot of cozy mystery heroines. And, of course, Mattie the sweet & faithful dog – gotta love her!
Bottom Line: Engaging to read & smartly written, Peachy Scream is a fabulous followup to its predecessor in the Georgia B&B mystery series by Anna Gerard. The plot, with its infusion of entertaining & intriguing characters, will more than hold your attention from beginning to end, and you’ll turn the last page already eager for the next trip to Cymbeline. While my initial guess of the culprit was ultimately right, I was never 100% sure until just before the creative reveal – and I certainly didn’t guess the WHY behind the WHO. Fun series to add to your TBR list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first appeared on Reading Is My SuperPower
Once again, Anna Gerard has me caught up in a book by the first few lines. I really enjoyed Peach Clobbered, the first in this Georgia B&B Mystery series, so I was very much looking forward to Peachy Scream – I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed this new installment as well.
Nina’s first person narrative voice is delightfully conversational and a little bit snarky (which I love), and the characters she encounters at her B&B and the small town of Cymbeline are as quirky and suspicious as you might expect for a cozy mystery. Instead of nuns, in Peachy Scream, Nina’s inn is descended upon by a troupe of Shakespearean actors with none other than Harry Westcott (Nina’s part nemesis, part potential love interest) at the helm. These Hamlet players bring a new level of layers (and dry humor) to the mix, making you simultaneously entertained by their drama & feeling sorry for Nina for having to put up with them. (And can I just say that I’m typing this from Georgia. In the summer. In the hot hot hot summer. And I can’t imagine being all dressed up in Shakespearean garb to rehearse and perform a play outside. Nope. Nope. Nope. lol)
I also really love the eccentricities of Cymbeline – the author has done a great job of capturing a small southern town with its offbeat way of doing things. Particularly the ‘one stop shop’ appeal (?) of the coroner who also happens to be a pastor and the funeral home director! (LOL) The police chief is refreshingly portrayed as a competent law enforcement officer and is a great supporting character – and, for her part, Nina is more responsible (sometimes) in her sleuthing than a lot of cozy mystery heroines. And, of course, Mattie the sweet & faithful dog – gotta love her!
Bottom Line: Engaging to read & smartly written, Peachy Scream is a fabulous followup to its predecessor in the Georgia B&B mystery series by Anna Gerard. The plot, with its infusion of entertaining & intriguing characters, will more than hold your attention from beginning to end, and you’ll turn the last page already eager for the next trip to Cymbeline. While my initial guess of the culprit was ultimately right, I was never 100% sure until just before the creative reveal – and I certainly didn’t guess the WHY behind the WHO. Fun series to add to your TBR list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first appeared on Reading Is My SuperPower
jen_baroness_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard is a fabulous mystery, set in this quaint small town in Georgia, with these wonderfully dynamic characters.
Nina is our sleuth, innkeeper, and now an actress. Ok, that last one is a stretch, but she gives it ago. One of the things that I like about Nina is that she sees things differently than others, which can be good or bad. Nina is also curious but keeps her ethics strong. She makes a good sleuth. Oh, and isn't her dog Mattie cute.
Harry is an actor, and his aunt was the previous owner of Nina's house, now the Fleet House Bed and Breakfast. He once said he was going to sue Nina for the house. However, I think the two of them may also have a bit of a flirtation going on. They seem to be getting along better. Harry seems lost to me. His aunt was that one person that he felt unconditional love from, and now that she is gone, he doesn't have a home.
I like Harry, he listens to Nina and goes along with her schemes. They make good partners. Although, with Harry, I can't tell if he is scheming. Yet, I like the attraction between the two of them.
The mystery is the death of a businessman, one of the actors staying at the B&B for the Shakespeare Festival in town. Most of the others in the troupe don't like Len, and he has a way of picking on people. Yet, Len does have money and a trophy wife. Let's say there are lots of suspects with motive. The reasoning caught me off guard; that is for sure.
I love a good mystery, especially those with a hint of romance. This small town in Georgia is pretty lovely; I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating for Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard is five stars. I recommend this book to all cozy readers out there.
Prize: (3) Signed Print Copy - Peachy Scream: A Georgia B&B Mystery by Anna Gerard - U.S. ONLY
Is Len's death an accident, or is it murder?
Nina Fleet
Nina is our sleuth, innkeeper, and now an actress. Ok, that last one is a stretch, but she gives it ago. One of the things that I like about Nina is that she sees things differently than others, which can be good or bad. Nina is also curious but keeps her ethics strong. She makes a good sleuth. Oh, and isn't her dog Mattie cute.
Harry Westcott
Harry is an actor, and his aunt was the previous owner of Nina's house, now the Fleet House Bed and Breakfast. He once said he was going to sue Nina for the house. However, I think the two of them may also have a bit of a flirtation going on. They seem to be getting along better. Harry seems lost to me. His aunt was that one person that he felt unconditional love from, and now that she is gone, he doesn't have a home.
I like Harry, he listens to Nina and goes along with her schemes. They make good partners. Although, with Harry, I can't tell if he is scheming. Yet, I like the attraction between the two of them.
The Mystery
The mystery is the death of a businessman, one of the actors staying at the B&B for the Shakespeare Festival in town. Most of the others in the troupe don't like Len, and he has a way of picking on people. Yet, Len does have money and a trophy wife. Let's say there are lots of suspects with motive. The reasoning caught me off guard; that is for sure.
Five Stars
I love a good mystery, especially those with a hint of romance. This small town in Georgia is pretty lovely; I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating for Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard is five stars. I recommend this book to all cozy readers out there.
First Book in Series
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Prize: (3) Signed Print Copy - Peachy Scream: A Georgia B&B Mystery by Anna Gerard - U.S. ONLY
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jody_j's review against another edition
4.0
Revisiting Nina Fleet’s Georgia B&B in Cymbeline was another wonderful escape for me. In addition, of course, in walks Harry with the Shakespearean cast for the annual Shakespeare Festival. Once again, Nina stumbles upon another body.
I thoroughly enjoyed Peachy Scream as much as I did Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, and I cannot wait for the next Georgia B&B Mystery.
I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#PeachyScream #NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed Peachy Scream as much as I did Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, and I cannot wait for the next Georgia B&B Mystery.
I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#PeachyScream #NetGalley
joeyhannah's review against another edition
1.0
I've been thinking about whether or not to even finish this book and decided I will not.
I was enjoying it. Immensely actually.
And then the author decided to have the main character dead-name a trans character about 3/4 of the way into the book and deliberately mis-gender them, implying that their gender-identification was merely a mean of deceiving the other characters.
I kept going back and forth, thinking maybe it was a way of introducing a "teachable moment" to the characters. But one character essentially warns the main character be careful of this line of inquiry....and the way that the character even says that tells me the author KNEW that the way she was broaching the subject was bound to be offensive. But she wrote it anyway.
There are a lot of Shakespearean references in the book and maybe the author thought she was going for a 12th Night kind of vibe? But come on. This is the 21st century and it just reeks of transphobic.
I was enjoying it. Immensely actually.
And then the author decided to have the main character dead-name a trans character about 3/4 of the way into the book and deliberately mis-gender them, implying that their gender-identification was merely a mean of deceiving the other characters.
I kept going back and forth, thinking maybe it was a way of introducing a "teachable moment" to the characters. But one character essentially warns the main character be careful of this line of inquiry....and the way that the character even says that tells me the author KNEW that the way she was broaching the subject was bound to be offensive. But she wrote it anyway.
There are a lot of Shakespearean references in the book and maybe the author thought she was going for a 12th Night kind of vibe? But come on. This is the 21st century and it just reeks of transphobic.
sanpadhi's review against another edition
3.0
"Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!"
I love me a good mystery book and after reading the blurb of this book, I immediately tapped on the 'Read Now' button on my screen. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, I faced no problem in reading this story.
This was a delightfully engaging read consisting of vibrant, well-drawn characters, humour, brisk plot, gutsy protagonist, cozy portrayal of small town setting, etc. There were enough twists and turns to keep the readers engaged. Although, since the beginning of the part after the murder, I had my suspicions pinned on Susie, the dead man's wife, it was still interesting to see how it played out.
The plot wasn't very complex but quite simple actually. The author's skillful writing is what makes this standout. The subplots like the ones involving the Reverend also added a nice touch to the story. All in all, it was a good page-turning read.
Can't wait to read the first book in the series!
Full review: https://sugarplumsays.wixsite.com/sups/post/arc-review-peachy-scream-by-anna-gerard
I love me a good mystery book and after reading the blurb of this book, I immediately tapped on the 'Read Now' button on my screen. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, I faced no problem in reading this story.
This was a delightfully engaging read consisting of vibrant, well-drawn characters, humour, brisk plot, gutsy protagonist, cozy portrayal of small town setting, etc. There were enough twists and turns to keep the readers engaged. Although, since the beginning of the part after the murder, I had my suspicions pinned on Susie, the dead man's wife, it was still interesting to see how it played out.
The plot wasn't very complex but quite simple actually. The author's skillful writing is what makes this standout. The subplots like the ones involving the Reverend also added a nice touch to the story. All in all, it was a good page-turning read.
Can't wait to read the first book in the series!
Full review: https://sugarplumsays.wixsite.com/sups/post/arc-review-peachy-scream-by-anna-gerard
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
4.0
Peachy Scream was such an entertaining cosy mystery. The plot/mystery was well crafted and the characters were well developed. I also really liked the Shakespeare aspect of the book.
talewis219's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via the NetGalley website.
Big fan of Cozy Mysteries. This one started a little slow for me and I didn't really connect to any of the character. I like the storyline, but felt that it was a little bland.
Not sure if I would read another book in this series, but I would read another from the author.
Big fan of Cozy Mysteries. This one started a little slow for me and I didn't really connect to any of the character. I like the storyline, but felt that it was a little bland.
Not sure if I would read another book in this series, but I would read another from the author.
rebecca_isreading's review against another edition
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley for an advance e-galley for honest review.
No rating. I cannot recommend this series due to a storyline in this book that reads as transphobic.
No rating. I cannot recommend this series due to a storyline in this book that reads as transphobic.