gcolston1832's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
cariadreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
panda_charlotte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
jodyladuemcgrath's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the first in a new series by E. J. Copperman, author of the Haunted Guesthouse series.
Rachel Goldman is a mystery novelist, who writes about a consultant for the prosecutor's office named Dusty Madison. When she starts getting phone calls and then approached by a man named Dusty Madison, who works as a consultant for the prosecutor's office, she dismisses him as a nut job. But when his strange story checks out and she finds out that there is a killer on the loose targeting mystery writers, she agrees to help Dusty with his investigation. The question is, has she she just agreed to help a serial killer?
I have read a lot of cozy mysteries. I mean a lot. This book was so very unique with its plot. Is Dusty who he claims to be, or is he imitating a character from her book? And how does his background check out? The other part of the plot with the serial killer was clever, and had me guessing between two people on and off. Rachel is a very likable character and is so clever and funny. I love how she talks about mystery novels in a mystery novel. It isn't exactly breaking the 4th wall, but more of poking fun out of overused clichés in the trope.
Dusty is a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. He doesn't just solve crimes, he makes a production out of it. He thinks everything should be a lesson and hints around at things he has figured out to get Rachel (and the reader) to follow his train of thought and arrive at the correct conclusion.while he is stiff and doesn't necessarily grasp normal social manners, he is very likable. This type of stand-offish character, like Sherlock Holmes, is quite popular right now, and Dusty does a great job in the role.
For anyone who has enjoyed E. J. Copperman's other works, or anyone who enjoys a funny cozy mystery, I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for the 2nd one to come out.
Rachel Goldman is a mystery novelist, who writes about a consultant for the prosecutor's office named Dusty Madison. When she starts getting phone calls and then approached by a man named Dusty Madison, who works as a consultant for the prosecutor's office, she dismisses him as a nut job. But when his strange story checks out and she finds out that there is a killer on the loose targeting mystery writers, she agrees to help Dusty with his investigation. The question is, has she she just agreed to help a serial killer?
I have read a lot of cozy mysteries. I mean a lot. This book was so very unique with its plot. Is Dusty who he claims to be, or is he imitating a character from her book? And how does his background check out? The other part of the plot with the serial killer was clever, and had me guessing between two people on and off. Rachel is a very likable character and is so clever and funny. I love how she talks about mystery novels in a mystery novel. It isn't exactly breaking the 4th wall, but more of poking fun out of overused clichés in the trope.
Dusty is a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. He doesn't just solve crimes, he makes a production out of it. He thinks everything should be a lesson and hints around at things he has figured out to get Rachel (and the reader) to follow his train of thought and arrive at the correct conclusion.while he is stiff and doesn't necessarily grasp normal social manners, he is very likable. This type of stand-offish character, like Sherlock Holmes, is quite popular right now, and Dusty does a great job in the role.
For anyone who has enjoyed E. J. Copperman's other works, or anyone who enjoys a funny cozy mystery, I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for the 2nd one to come out.
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Very Entertaining!
I really really loved this one! Full of humor, a feel of Sherlockian to it, great characters and an unexpected ending that's also a clever cliffhanger. I applaud the author for a job fantastically well done even as I eagerly look forward to book two! Five stars!
I really really loved this one! Full of humor, a feel of Sherlockian to it, great characters and an unexpected ending that's also a clever cliffhanger. I applaud the author for a job fantastically well done even as I eagerly look forward to book two! Five stars!
michellet85's review against another edition
3.0
Audio book. I really like the premise of this book. Crime writer Rachel Goldman is sought out to help investigate a case by a man she herself created.
I thought that story line of a charter coming to life was pretty cool. However, this book could have been better. This was hard for me to rate because I think two stars is too little but three stars is too much. In the end I decided to stick with three stars, because although I did find myself a little bored with the first half of the book, the second half kept my attention more and I really do like the narrator. I might try the next in this series or I might stick with the Haunted Guesthouse series by Copperman as I liked that better.
I thought that story line of a charter coming to life was pretty cool. However, this book could have been better. This was hard for me to rate because I think two stars is too little but three stars is too much. In the end I decided to stick with three stars, because although I did find myself a little bored with the first half of the book, the second half kept my attention more and I really do like the narrator. I might try the next in this series or I might stick with the Haunted Guesthouse series by Copperman as I liked that better.
tylovesbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
See my review in the June 2016 issue of RT Book Reviews magazine