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rusticreadingal's review against another edition
4.0
Lucy Resnick goes from big city reporter to small town homesteader when she buys her grandparents old farm. Her lifelong dream hits a snag, though, when she finds out that the woman she bought the house from, Nettie Kocurek, kept the mineral rights and plans to set up an oil rig right in the middle of Lucy's farm. Things get even worse when Nettie's found murdered just a couple days later, making Lucy the prime suspect.
Buttercup was a charming small town, but like most small towns, news travels fast, gossip faster, everybody knows everybody else, and newcomers are looked at with suspicion. And since Lucy's the newest resident of Buttercup, she's automatically prime suspect number one when Nettie's killed, even though there were many, many people who had their own motives to off the loathsome old lady.
I loved the animals in this book; Blossom the cow formerly know as #82, what a mischievous one she is, lol, and Chuck the adorable apricot poodle who reminds me of one of my dogs.
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It kept me guessing about who the culprit was. I thought I knew who did it, but I wasn't 100 percent sure because there were so many viable suspects. I also really liked getting a peek into Lucy's new homesteading way of life. There were times, though, when things were repeated quite often, even right after it was first mentioned, which got kinda annoying. Other than that, I loved Killer Jam and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Fatal Frost.
Buttercup was a charming small town, but like most small towns, news travels fast, gossip faster, everybody knows everybody else, and newcomers are looked at with suspicion. And since Lucy's the newest resident of Buttercup, she's automatically prime suspect number one when Nettie's killed, even though there were many, many people who had their own motives to off the loathsome old lady.
I loved the animals in this book; Blossom the cow formerly know as #82, what a mischievous one she is, lol, and Chuck the adorable apricot poodle who reminds me of one of my dogs.
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It kept me guessing about who the culprit was. I thought I knew who did it, but I wasn't 100 percent sure because there were so many viable suspects. I also really liked getting a peek into Lucy's new homesteading way of life. There were times, though, when things were repeated quite often, even right after it was first mentioned, which got kinda annoying. Other than that, I loved Killer Jam and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Fatal Frost.
jenniferx's review against another edition
4.0
Book/Author: [b:Killer Jam|25169890|Killer Jam (A Dewberry Farm Mystery, #1)|Karen MacInerney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1427739863l/25169890._SX50_.jpg|44874894], [a:Karen MacInerney|94892|Karen MacInerney|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1339976019p2/94892.jpg]
Pages: 253
Rating: 4.0
Review: Former Houston investigative reporter Lucy Resnick uses her retirement to buy her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup, Texas from the town's, not so well-liked matriarch, Nettie Kocurek. Just as Lucy is settling in, an oil company arrives on her door to begin exploring for oil in her pasture. Apparently, Nettie still owns the land's mineral rights and there doesn't appear to be much Lucy can do to stop the company. After a couple of "conversations" between Nettie and Lucy, Nettie turns up dead at the town's Founder's Day event and Lucy becomes the prime suspect in the eyes of Nettie's nephew, the sheriff.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters and setting are engaging. Having recently moved to a small town, I definitely relate to Lucy's "outsider" status. One of my complaints with many cozy mysteries is that the main character often wanders around talking to people and then, BAM! mystery solved. Not in this book. Yes, Lucy spends time interviewing people, but she follows those interviews up with research and facts.
Another pleasurable aspect of the book is there are multiple mysteries to resolve along with a secondary plot that gives the characters and town a depth lacking in many other cozy mysteries. I enjoyed the twists and surprises in the story along with not being completely sure how the story was going to end or even what the motive might have been until almost the climax. I definitely recommend this book.
Pages: 253
Rating: 4.0
Review: Former Houston investigative reporter Lucy Resnick uses her retirement to buy her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup, Texas from the town's, not so well-liked matriarch, Nettie Kocurek. Just as Lucy is settling in, an oil company arrives on her door to begin exploring for oil in her pasture. Apparently, Nettie still owns the land's mineral rights and there doesn't appear to be much Lucy can do to stop the company. After a couple of "conversations" between Nettie and Lucy, Nettie turns up dead at the town's Founder's Day event and Lucy becomes the prime suspect in the eyes of Nettie's nephew, the sheriff.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters and setting are engaging. Having recently moved to a small town, I definitely relate to Lucy's "outsider" status. One of my complaints with many cozy mysteries is that the main character often wanders around talking to people and then, BAM! mystery solved. Not in this book. Yes, Lucy spends time interviewing people, but she follows those interviews up with research and facts.
Another pleasurable aspect of the book is there are multiple mysteries to resolve along with a secondary plot that gives the characters and town a depth lacking in many other cozy mysteries. I enjoyed the twists and surprises in the story along with not being completely sure how the story was going to end or even what the motive might have been until almost the climax. I definitely recommend this book.
kristirose's review against another edition
5.0
After years of working in Houston as a reporter, Lucy Resnick cashed in her life savings to purchase her grandmother’s farm. A few months later, she is horrified to learn that the land’s mineral rights were not included with the farm’s title. When the person attempting to drill for oil on her property is found dead, Lucy is the primary suspect. Since the local sheriff seems determined to prove her guilty, Lucy sets out to discover the true culprit.
I am interested in homesteading, so the book’s theme was particularly interesting to me. I consider it one of the best new cozy mystery series that I have found in a long time. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. I live in area that is similar to the book’s location, and the characters were very believable. I plan to purchase the next installment in the series as soon as it is available for pre-order.
I am interested in homesteading, so the book’s theme was particularly interesting to me. I consider it one of the best new cozy mystery series that I have found in a long time. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. I live in area that is similar to the book’s location, and the characters were very believable. I plan to purchase the next installment in the series as soon as it is available for pre-order.
jenniferdenslow's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
This is going to be a great series, but then I'm partial to books set in Texas since I live in this state. always interesting to see how it will be portrayed or perceived in books. And of course I love the small town where everyone knows each other (or almost) and how most of the time people will step up to help each other out.
I was amazed at how quickly Lucy seemed to get into the swing of running a small farm. Perhaps it was all those summers visiting her grandparents? But she seemed to have the swing of things and wasn't trying to do too much since it was just her.
Lucy is thrown into the lead suspect because she had an issue with Nettie because Nettie retained the mineral rights and decided she was going to drill for oil on Lucy's property. I am not sure that the information portrayed in regards to this is correct. I would think for a company to be able to just come on to your land and drill for oil that they have to lease the property from you. But of course if that is correct it wouldn't cause the issue to put Lucy in the spotlight as a suspect.
There are several possibilities for who the killer might be and while I suspected this person I didn't have any clues to back it up, or not many anyway, but of all the possibilities this person makes the most sense.
There is another mystery within the book, the mystery marriage license found in a lockbox in Lucy's hayloft. It adds an interesting twist to the end.
There is also some humor and of course a hint of potential romance.
I was amazed at how quickly Lucy seemed to get into the swing of running a small farm. Perhaps it was all those summers visiting her grandparents? But she seemed to have the swing of things and wasn't trying to do too much since it was just her.
Lucy is thrown into the lead suspect because she had an issue with Nettie because Nettie retained the mineral rights and decided she was going to drill for oil on Lucy's property. I am not sure that the information portrayed in regards to this is correct. I would think for a company to be able to just come on to your land and drill for oil that they have to lease the property from you. But of course if that is correct it wouldn't cause the issue to put Lucy in the spotlight as a suspect.
There are several possibilities for who the killer might be and while I suspected this person I didn't have any clues to back it up, or not many anyway, but of all the possibilities this person makes the most sense.
There is another mystery within the book, the mystery marriage license found in a lockbox in Lucy's hayloft. It adds an interesting twist to the end.
There is also some humor and of course a hint of potential romance.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of Karen MacInerney since my first Gray Whale Inn mystery. I highly enjoyed the two Dewberry Farm mysteries I've read and I wanted to start at the beginning.
A mystery that has me cheering for the characters, especially the main character, is a winner for me. My husband grinned at me when I threw my fists in the air with a heartfelt "YES" as I read.
It has my requisites for enjoyment with a strong main character who I would like to have as a friend, good friends, a good premise, bad things possibly happening, and a really good reason for the main character to get involved in the investigation.
Lucy was big city investigative reporter, moves to small town Texas and sets up a small farm. I like the way she stays busy and nothing is neglected. Some books I've read have the main character with pets or children or a business to care for and it's like everything takes care of itself as the main character galavants around sticking their nose into whatever's going on.
Not the case here. Lucy takes care of her dog, her cow, her farm and knows what she needs to do make at least a small living with her jams, candles, produce.
The reader, at least this reader, is aggravated a the ineptitude of the sheriff and the blatant small town politics of the town wealthy allowed to get away with whatever they are doing.
Anyway, a book that has me wanting to smack some characters upside the back of the head and cheering when things go the better way is a good book.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
A mystery that has me cheering for the characters, especially the main character, is a winner for me. My husband grinned at me when I threw my fists in the air with a heartfelt "YES" as I read.
It has my requisites for enjoyment with a strong main character who I would like to have as a friend, good friends, a good premise, bad things possibly happening, and a really good reason for the main character to get involved in the investigation.
Lucy was big city investigative reporter, moves to small town Texas and sets up a small farm. I like the way she stays busy and nothing is neglected. Some books I've read have the main character with pets or children or a business to care for and it's like everything takes care of itself as the main character galavants around sticking their nose into whatever's going on.
Not the case here. Lucy takes care of her dog, her cow, her farm and knows what she needs to do make at least a small living with her jams, candles, produce.
The reader, at least this reader, is aggravated a the ineptitude of the sheriff and the blatant small town politics of the town wealthy allowed to get away with whatever they are doing.
Anyway, a book that has me wanting to smack some characters upside the back of the head and cheering when things go the better way is a good book.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
houdini117's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
caitkom's review against another edition
4.0
Lucy Resnick has cashed in her savings and returned to Dewberry Farm, her late grandmothers farm. She has recently purchased the farm from a local woman, Nettie. What she didn't realize was that Nettie wasn't the sweet old woman she first thought. She realized this when Nettie sends thumper trucks to Dewberry Farm to start looking for oil, as she may have sold the property but not the mineral rights to the property...This will ruin Dewberry Farm and Lucy has just gotten started! All eyes are on Lucy when Nettie is found dead with a jar of Dewberry jam next to her body. As the newest member of the town Lucy has very few allies and must rally them to help her clear her name.
teriboop's review against another edition
4.0
Killer Jam is the first in a new series by award winning author Karen MacInerney. Known for her Gray Whale Inn mystery series and Tales of an Urban Werewolf series, MacInerney begins a new tale centered around former newspaper reporter, Lucy Resnick. Lucy decided to leave her busy work life at the Houston Chronicle to purchase her grandparent's farm in Buttercup, Texas. Lucy expected a quiet farm life of milking Blossom the cow (aka Harriet Houdini) and makin' dewberry jam, but instead finds herself the prime suspect in the murder of cantankerous town matriarch Nettie Kocurek. While on the trail to clear her own name, Lucy also begins to unravel an old family mystery that could explain a long time rivalry.
I generally don't read many mysteries but I thoroughly enjoy Karen MacInerney's cozy mystery series. I especially enjoyed Killer Jam for the Texas references and setting. I am looking forward to further adventures in Buttercup, Texas.
I generally don't read many mysteries but I thoroughly enjoy Karen MacInerney's cozy mystery series. I especially enjoyed Killer Jam for the Texas references and setting. I am looking forward to further adventures in Buttercup, Texas.