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anja4800's review
2.0
This book was not for me, quite literally. I think the target audience was American millenials, and I am neither. The plot was a bit thin as were the cardboard characters, but I wouldn't have minded that in a cosy mystery. The setting was okay, The romance was a boring cliche I mostly skipped over. Still, I would have been okay with it.
There were other things that really annoyed me.
First of all the totally irrelevant quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Second, the inner commentary of the main character, which gave me the impression the author thought the readers must be terribly stupid and they need an extra explanation of every action and thought. Third, everyone behaved as if they were characters in a mediocre family TV show. And finally, the most annoying thing which made it almost unreadable: the endless number of movie quotes, pop culture references and even mentions of hashtags and OMGs. This was not a novel, it was a tumblr post.
There were other things that really annoyed me.
First of all the totally irrelevant quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Second, the inner commentary of the main character, which gave me the impression the author thought the readers must be terribly stupid and they need an extra explanation of every action and thought. Third, everyone behaved as if they were characters in a mediocre family TV show. And finally, the most annoying thing which made it almost unreadable: the endless number of movie quotes, pop culture references and even mentions of hashtags and OMGs. This was not a novel, it was a tumblr post.
bookwoman37's review against another edition
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? No
3.5
This was an ok cozy mystery. Quinn has moved back home to Vienna, Virginia to work at her parent’s bookstore and start a book binding business. When a boy she dated in high school fiancée is murdered she is the prime suspect. I liked the setting and the characters. The mystery was ok but I was able to figure out the killer rather early. It was a quick read
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid is the first A Book Binder Mystery. Quinn Caine has spent the last three years teaching English abroad. Quinn is happy to return home where she rents a converted barn from her aunt and uncle. She is working a book binder at her parent’s bookshop, Prose & Scones in Vienna, Virginia. Quinn is also an avid reader who is currently enjoying cozy mysteries. I like that the author took the time to establish the characters and set the stage for the series. We learn about the businesses in Vienna and meet various townspeople. I liked Quinn’s cousin, Sister Daria who is a novitiate living at Guinefort Home where they raise and train German Shepherds. Sister Daria and Quinn have a close relationship and I enjoyed their banter. I wish we had gotten to spend more time at Prose & Scones as well as learn more about bookbinding. There were just small snippets of Quinn’s craft. Quinn has a habit of sharing book and movie quotes. I had to laugh at one that referenced a magical invisibility cloak. The mystery seemed to fade into the background most of the time. I wanted it to be the feature with sleuthing and action. I thought the method of murder was clever. I found there to be too much romance for my liking. I wanted less flirting and more snooping. I do want to make readers aware that this book does contain mild foul language. My favorite line from To Kill a Mocking Girl is, “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” To Kill a Mocking Girl is a blithe cozy mystery with a clever canine, a snippy sister, dog donations, a mean-spirited mother, a debonair detective, and a busy bookbinder.
spectacledbear's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.5
It's entertaining enough, but didn't completely draw me in, and I'm not sure why.
A few errors (incorrect choice of words, etc) which were a bit annoying.
Not sure if I'll read any more.
A few errors (incorrect choice of words, etc) which were a bit annoying.
Not sure if I'll read any more.
kimlb's review against another edition
2.0
Too many PC overtones in this book. I didn't find the characters nor the story interesting. I wanted to like it since it was set in Northern VA. It is rare that I give up on a book before the end.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I listened to this one - mostly while sewing. It was perfect for the occasion. Twenty-something Quinn Caine has moved back to her hometown of Vienna, VA to practice her profession of bookbinding out of her parent's bookstore. Her best friend, Daria, is a novitiate in the local convent but that doesn't prevent the two young women from trying to solve the murder of one of their former classmates - especially because Quinn found her body. And of course, the local police detective, Aiden, is a 'person of interest' for Quinn's romantic life. It's fluff but fun - and is definitely set up to be a series. I will add that the voice of the reader, and her mispronunciation of a few words, was a bit jarring but that's a minor complaint.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I'm picky about the cozy mysteries I read and, to be honest, I'm still on the fence about this series. There are definitely things I liked about the first installment, including the charming setting and the warmth I felt between the main characters. I love that the Cains are a strong family that can tease, support, and count on each other. That was, by far, my favorite part of TO KILL A MOCKING GIRL.
As for irritants ... I'm pretty lukewarm when it comes to our heroine. She's not very convincing as a book binder or a person with "encyclopedic" knowledge. She seems like an immature ditz to me. Quinn IS likable, but she's also just ... annoying. Her leading man is easier to take although he suffers from a nice-guy blandness that is common in cozy mysteries. Plot-wise, the story is far-fetched (also common in a cozy—genre lovers know you've got to seriously suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy them), contrived in places, and overall rather slow. The characters' relationships take precedence over the mystery, which isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't exactly make for edge-of-your-seat action. I guessed the cause of death right off the bat—it seemed pretty obvious. The killer, however, came as a surprise, but only because there were no real clues pointing to him/her. I actually hate that in a mystery since it feels like the author is cheating instead of taking the time to carefully craft a clever plot.
So, like I said, I'm feeling so-so about this one. I'll probably continue with the series because the opener was upbeat and entertaining enough to keep me reading. I'm not chomping at the bit, though. If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.
As for irritants ... I'm pretty lukewarm when it comes to our heroine. She's not very convincing as a book binder or a person with "encyclopedic" knowledge. She seems like an immature ditz to me. Quinn IS likable, but she's also just ... annoying. Her leading man is easier to take although he suffers from a nice-guy blandness that is common in cozy mysteries. Plot-wise, the story is far-fetched (also common in a cozy—genre lovers know you've got to seriously suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy them), contrived in places, and overall rather slow. The characters' relationships take precedence over the mystery, which isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't exactly make for edge-of-your-seat action. I guessed the cause of death right off the bat—it seemed pretty obvious. The killer, however, came as a surprise, but only because there were no real clues pointing to him/her. I actually hate that in a mystery since it feels like the author is cheating instead of taking the time to carefully craft a clever plot.
So, like I said, I'm feeling so-so about this one. I'll probably continue with the series because the opener was upbeat and entertaining enough to keep me reading. I'm not chomping at the bit, though. If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.
storiedconversation's review
5.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This is my first book by Harper Kincaid and I must say I enjoyed it so much. It is the fist book in the Bookbinding Mystery series and is set in Virginia. I'm not sure I have ever read a heroine with the job of bookbinder but I loved it!
Quinn Caine along with her dog RBG, cousin Sister Daria, and others live int he small town of Vienna. Quinn's ex just got engaged to her frenemy from high school, Tricia. Tricia loves to flash that ring in Quinn's face and honestly a nicer person couldn't have ended up dead. I'm just saying, girl sort of deserved it.
Of course, that means Quin is accused and she has to clear her name. With a little help from family and friends she sets out to prove the new cop in town wrong and that she is innocent. I couldn't put this down! I just fell in love with Quinn and the other characters. As we got closer to finding out who the real murderer was I found myself biting my nails to see if I ahd figured it correctly or not.
This review was originally posted on Wickedly Romance
Quinn Caine along with her dog RBG, cousin Sister Daria, and others live int he small town of Vienna. Quinn's ex just got engaged to her frenemy from high school, Tricia. Tricia loves to flash that ring in Quinn's face and honestly a nicer person couldn't have ended up dead. I'm just saying, girl sort of deserved it.
Of course, that means Quin is accused and she has to clear her name. With a little help from family and friends she sets out to prove the new cop in town wrong and that she is innocent. I couldn't put this down! I just fell in love with Quinn and the other characters. As we got closer to finding out who the real murderer was I found myself biting my nails to see if I ahd figured it correctly or not.
This review was originally posted on Wickedly Romance
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
5.0
“To Kill a Mocking Girl“ by Harper Kincaid is the first instalment in the "Bookbinding Mystery" series. What a great start to a new series, I’ll definitely be adding this to my must read series!
I found myself staying up till almost 2am to finish the story, as I had to find out how it ended.
It was fast paced, entertaining, funny and I really loved the relationship Quinn had with RBG her German Shepard.
The setting of Vienna, Virginia was described in such a way I could picture it, I liked the relationships everyone seemed to have in the town. The book was filled with wonderful characters, I especially liked the close bond between Quinn and her cousin and BFF sister Daria.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. Plus I didn’t guess whodunnit!
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I found myself staying up till almost 2am to finish the story, as I had to find out how it ended.
It was fast paced, entertaining, funny and I really loved the relationship Quinn had with RBG her German Shepard.
The setting of Vienna, Virginia was described in such a way I could picture it, I liked the relationships everyone seemed to have in the town. The book was filled with wonderful characters, I especially liked the close bond between Quinn and her cousin and BFF sister Daria.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. Plus I didn’t guess whodunnit!
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.