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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.
sannas'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.
maggietoussaint55's review against another edition
5.0
Nina Fleet enters stage left when a troupe of traveling thespians stays at her Georgia B&B. One of the players dies by another’s hand, and Nina answers the call to action. After all, she can’t let her B&B become nefarious as the place people come to die.
This is my second Anna Gerard book, and it was just as wonderful as the first. A page-turner worth savoring.
I received an advance reading copy of this book through NetGalley.
Maggie Toussaint, reviewing as Muddy Rose Reviews
This is my second Anna Gerard book, and it was just as wonderful as the first. A page-turner worth savoring.
I received an advance reading copy of this book through NetGalley.
Maggie Toussaint, reviewing as Muddy Rose Reviews
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This series is becoming a favorite and this was an excellent addition to the series.
I was happy to meet again the well written cast of characters and the quaint small town. I had a lot of fun in read the plot and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next instalment, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I was happy to meet again the well written cast of characters and the quaint small town. I had a lot of fun in read the plot and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next instalment, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Harry Westcott is back and he has brought a troupe of Shakespearean actors with him. They are booked into Nina Fleet’s Georgia B&B for the next two weeks to take part in Cymbeline’s annual Shakespeare festival. Nina is sure this is just part of Harry’s scheme to take her home away from her but with no other lodging available she can’t send the group away and be responsible for ruining the festival. The trouble with actors though is they always bring the drama. This crowd seems to snipe at each other constantly and are not beyond playing a prank or two. But did someone’s prank go too far? Just two days into their stay lead actor Len Marsh is found dead in Nina’s Shakespeare garden. Foul play? or natural causes?
Nina definitely believes there is murder afoot and shares her thinking with Harry. Soon Nina and her nemesis are teaming up with a little assistance from a certain Australian Shepherd to catch the killer before the curtain comes down on another B&B guest.
Nina (Nine-A) Fleet is a great protagonist and is learning the ropes of being a great innkeeper. She does her best to keep her guests happy and to tend to their needs. Even Harry Westcott. Harry does put his career first and agrees to put his feud with Nina on the backburner if she allows everyone to stay. Having them work together on the murder investigation really shows how much these characters have grown.
Readers are introduced to quite a group of thespians. They include lead actor, playing Hamlet, and victim Les Marsh and his trophy wife Susie, who will be playing Ophelia. Earth Mother, Professor Tessa Benedict, and her hippy husband Bill, who will be playing Queen Gertrude and King Claudius. Bill will also be playing the ghost of Hamlet’s father. Radley Heller, a research and development bigwig, will be playing Laertes. Marvin Lasky who just sold his small electronics development company for a few million dollars, playing Polonius and Horatio. And Chris Boyd, the youngest and newest member of the group. He is quiet with his nose in his phone and earbuds in his ears. He will be playing a variety of minor roles, but really wants the major role of Hamlet. The author does a fine job of fleshing out these characters quickly. It seems they all had reasons to kill Marsh and with everyone staying together at the B&B they all had the opportunity too.
The mystery is well-plotted and I did like Harry and Nina working together but I did pick the culprit out early in the story. That being said I loved the way all was revealed on opening night. A little rewrite of the script and a few background images changed and the show must go on. And go on it does, allowing the killer to reveal themselves. It was entertaining to read and I bet it would have been delightful to watch.
Peachy Scream is a peachy keen addition to this series. I enjoy the realistic characters and the way Ms. Gerard injects humor in all the right places. The Shakespeare theme was fun too.
The next book in this series, Peaches and Schemes will be released on May 11.
Harry Westcott is back and he has brought a troupe of Shakespearean actors with him. They are booked into Nina Fleet’s Georgia B&B for the next two weeks to take part in Cymbeline’s annual Shakespeare festival. Nina is sure this is just part of Harry’s scheme to take her home away from her but with no other lodging available she can’t send the group away and be responsible for ruining the festival. The trouble with actors though is they always bring the drama. This crowd seems to snipe at each other constantly and are not beyond playing a prank or two. But did someone’s prank go too far? Just two days into their stay lead actor Len Marsh is found dead in Nina’s Shakespeare garden. Foul play? or natural causes?
Nina definitely believes there is murder afoot and shares her thinking with Harry. Soon Nina and her nemesis are teaming up with a little assistance from a certain Australian Shepherd to catch the killer before the curtain comes down on another B&B guest.
Nina (Nine-A) Fleet is a great protagonist and is learning the ropes of being a great innkeeper. She does her best to keep her guests happy and to tend to their needs. Even Harry Westcott. Harry does put his career first and agrees to put his feud with Nina on the backburner if she allows everyone to stay. Having them work together on the murder investigation really shows how much these characters have grown.
Readers are introduced to quite a group of thespians. They include lead actor, playing Hamlet, and victim Les Marsh and his trophy wife Susie, who will be playing Ophelia. Earth Mother, Professor Tessa Benedict, and her hippy husband Bill, who will be playing Queen Gertrude and King Claudius. Bill will also be playing the ghost of Hamlet’s father. Radley Heller, a research and development bigwig, will be playing Laertes. Marvin Lasky who just sold his small electronics development company for a few million dollars, playing Polonius and Horatio. And Chris Boyd, the youngest and newest member of the group. He is quiet with his nose in his phone and earbuds in his ears. He will be playing a variety of minor roles, but really wants the major role of Hamlet. The author does a fine job of fleshing out these characters quickly. It seems they all had reasons to kill Marsh and with everyone staying together at the B&B they all had the opportunity too.
The mystery is well-plotted and I did like Harry and Nina working together but I did pick the culprit out early in the story. That being said I loved the way all was revealed on opening night. A little rewrite of the script and a few background images changed and the show must go on. And go on it does, allowing the killer to reveal themselves. It was entertaining to read and I bet it would have been delightful to watch.
Peachy Scream is a peachy keen addition to this series. I enjoy the realistic characters and the way Ms. Gerard injects humor in all the right places. The Shakespeare theme was fun too.
The next book in this series, Peaches and Schemes will be released on May 11.
msrichardsreads89's review
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
2.0
I was really enjoying this book until the author wrote characters who dead named a trans person and kept referring to them with the wrong pronouns. I feel like this should have been addressed in editing. It is 2021, and we need to do better.