Reviews with content warning for Murder - Cold Clay

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. This one had a lot of the charm of the first book, and a lovely fall setting, but I don't love when I'm 10+ steps ahead of the main character in a mystery. I don't love solving it immediately. I was surprised in the first book, and I was expecting to be surprised again. Instead of the "who" it was more about the "how" for me. So this one was just okay. I might continue on with the series, since it's sweet and comforting, but I can be picky about mysteries, so we'll see.

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emilywemily6's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Although the mystery of this book was not as robust as the last one, I enjoyed it more and felt the book overall had more going for it. The pacing was more consistent throughout the story, and while the creature behind the murder seemed obvious, the “why” was harder to parse out. I still had questions that kept me engaged in the mystery even though it felt like Vera and Orville were slow to connect the dots I saw. I listened on audio and found I liked it better than a physical book; I could suspend my disbelief easier in the awkward way some of the characters talk.

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catwhisperflubbs's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Such a Good Sequel!
Plot:
It's been a month or so since Herald Office reporter, Vera Vixen, solved the case of Otto Sumpf & Reginald von Beverpelt's untimely murders.
The town is finally back at peace, and Vera is now happily dating the attractive Shady Hollow Police deputy, Orville Braun. And just in time for the crisp chilly early autumn breeze. You would think life would be perfect for Vera with the solved case and dating a kind and respectful bear who cares about her more than anything. Right? Wrong.
As much as she likes her new life, friend, and lover, she's bored and is scared for her job with the news shortage. That is, until, a School of etiquette opens and bones are found in the main source of Shady Hollow's fruit, Cold Clay Orchards.

Pros:
This book was such a good way to get back into the world of Shady Hollow. It had similar focuses to the first book while also doing a good job of making it its own separate novel. Unlike some book series and movies where it's just a remake of the first one.
An interesting thing about Cold Clay is that the murder is of someone who died not only before the series but years ago (11 years to be specific), unlike the first book where the murder is fresh.

Cons:
The murder was a bit weird since it was from over a decade ago. And there's some spots in the book where little happens. I think this was so it would fill more pages which they needed since it would be clue, clue, clue, and I'm guessing they wanted to space it out to make Vera's sleuthing to feel more natural (although it did keep me reading so I'm not too mad about it).
Like I said there's not much to the murder and it's pretty straight forward which made a lot of little things in between. Vera's life outside of sleuthing was also slightly exaggerated. And the Wilbur Montague Nevermore Books reading scene aside from the Royal History of Minks book wasn't tied to the murder nor did it effect Vera's personal life. Although the book was very well written and it was all tied together pretty neatly.

Overall, I liked the book. It was a good sequel and a lot of fun to read. While I gave Shady Hollow a 5.0, I give Cold Clay a 4.75.

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brianna_moye's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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liv2199's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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meecespieces's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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slothburglar's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This series is oddly addictive, even if it's not particularly groundbreaking in it's tropey (but delightful) characters or its mystery twists. But I think there's something about the way the setting is so comforting that draws me back.

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whatcaitreads's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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