katiemayveil's review
4.0
This is the 2nd time I've read this book. I still don't love Sadie, she's one of those characters that you love to hate. She just wants to help, but she has a nasty habit of sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. I do like that she sticks to her ideals, she is not easily swayed off her course. There are some great supporting characters who help move the story along and add depth to Sadie's busy - body attitude.
I have read the entire series, Sadie does become more likeable. but I enjoyed that the main character and heroine wasn't perfect.
I have read the entire series, Sadie does become more likeable. but I enjoyed that the main character and heroine wasn't perfect.
valeriew's review against another edition
5.0
Good book! I never guessed the twist at the end. Very good mystery.
morgannerose's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
bethgiven's review against another edition
2.0
OCTOBER 2015: Reread this for book club, and I made a conscious effort to try to like it a little better, but the things that bothered me the first time around bugged me again. So no, I still didn't like this book much -- I just can't figure out the appeal of this "cozy mystery" genre, I think! -- but I am excited to discuss it at book club because I always enjoy a book more after I talk about it.
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APRIL 2010: I don’t think I’ve ever tried a mystery before — or, if I have, it’s been a long time.
I think there’s a reason for that. Turns out I don’t really like mysteries.
So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I didn’t love this book. Don’t get me wrong — it was an quick read and held my interest — but I didn’t like any of the characters. The heroine is a total busybody and gets herself in the craziest situations (of course, if she kept her nose out of everyone’s business, she’d make a pretty poor detective). And I know that the focus is supposed to be on solving the mystery, as though it were an afternoon jigsaw puzzle … but there wasn’t a whole lot of grieving in this book, you know? It made the characters feel unrealistic and flat to me, and I’m big on character development.
That said, this book was clean (despite the fact that it’s about a gruesome murder) and the twists kept me turning the pages. And I might just have to try some of the recipes included in this book. Is it really that easy to make alfredo sauce?? Hmm…
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APRIL 2010: I don’t think I’ve ever tried a mystery before — or, if I have, it’s been a long time.
I think there’s a reason for that. Turns out I don’t really like mysteries.
So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I didn’t love this book. Don’t get me wrong — it was an quick read and held my interest — but I didn’t like any of the characters. The heroine is a total busybody and gets herself in the craziest situations (of course, if she kept her nose out of everyone’s business, she’d make a pretty poor detective). And I know that the focus is supposed to be on solving the mystery, as though it were an afternoon jigsaw puzzle … but there wasn’t a whole lot of grieving in this book, you know? It made the characters feel unrealistic and flat to me, and I’m big on character development.
That said, this book was clean (despite the fact that it’s about a gruesome murder) and the twists kept me turning the pages. And I might just have to try some of the recipes included in this book. Is it really that easy to make alfredo sauce?? Hmm…
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars -
This was pretty fun. I got a bit frustrated with how nosy the main character was, and the book was a hair on the preachy side, but the mystery is good and the writing is fine. Those who enjoy cony mysteries will enjoy this one.
This was pretty fun. I got a bit frustrated with how nosy the main character was, and the book was a hair on the preachy side, but the mystery is good and the writing is fine. Those who enjoy cony mysteries will enjoy this one.
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
This book had two things I love - a good mystery and recipes! The writing was just so-so but the story itself was good and made up for the writing. I liked that it wasn't predictable and it wasn't obvious who the bad guy was.
andreagraves's review
4.0
This is a really fun and fast read. I loved how the main character is cute, nervy, good, and daring all at once! I'm looking forward the the next book by this author! :)
kjeanne's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5