leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
This is an entertaining start to a new to me series. I enjoy a "life starts at 40" attitude in my mystery heroines, especially the older I get. I love the food and spice descriptions and the information weaved into the mystery. I love the setting, as Pike's Place Market is a favorite spot.
The mystery is interesting, taking us all over the city and getting to know all the characters that will no doubt play a part in future books.
The mystery is interesting, taking us all over the city and getting to know all the characters that will no doubt play a part in future books.
jaxgirl007's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I pick one word to start my review. For 'Assault and Pepper', the word I picked is: overstuffed.
Merriam-Webster defines 'overstuffed' as: to stuff too full
I love cozies...I really do. And I'm usually much easier on them when reviewing/rating because I love them even if they are lighter fare. On the surface, this one looked like it would be a winner for sure.
But I knew within the first couple chapters it wouldn't work out. I saw a Character List in the front and skipped over it because I don't really need them. Big mistake. Characters were stuffed into the first pages so quickly, I couldn't keep up. And then Seattle attractions were stuffed in-between meal after meal. I know that it's a book about spices and so I expected some talk about food. But as much as she eats out, I can't figure out how Pepper avoids overeating. And all this overstuffing cut into what should have been the plot (i.e., Pepper's investigating).
The ending was fine, there were some clues and I had my suspicions. But I just couldn't get with the vibe of the story, the characters and everything else (except for Arf...I love pets). It's really a shame...I think this had a lot of potential and it's been awhile since I rated a cozy this low. But the quality just was not here.
Merriam-Webster defines 'overstuffed' as: to stuff too full
I love cozies...I really do. And I'm usually much easier on them when reviewing/rating because I love them even if they are lighter fare. On the surface, this one looked like it would be a winner for sure.
But I knew within the first couple chapters it wouldn't work out. I saw a Character List in the front and skipped over it because I don't really need them. Big mistake. Characters were stuffed into the first pages so quickly, I couldn't keep up. And then Seattle attractions were stuffed in-between meal after meal. I know that it's a book about spices and so I expected some talk about food. But as much as she eats out, I can't figure out how Pepper avoids overeating. And all this overstuffing cut into what should have been the plot (i.e., Pepper's investigating).
The ending was fine, there were some clues and I had my suspicions. But I just couldn't get with the vibe of the story, the characters and everything else (except for Arf...I love pets). It's really a shame...I think this had a lot of potential and it's been awhile since I rated a cozy this low. But the quality just was not here.
anne_seebach's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rosescottagee's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
caitkom's review against another edition
4.0
Pepper Reece has been enjoying running her spice shop in Seattle's Pike Place Market. She has a great team of employees and is recovering from her divorce and past life working in a law office. When a homeless man named Doc dies right in front of her shop, holding a cup with the spices shops logo on it, one of her employees is arrested. Pepper is convinced that her employee is innocent and starts investigating.
lauramfarrell's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
blmonahan's review against another edition
4.0
I want to go hang out in a real spice shop now. While the story was good, the descriptions of spices and food were mouth-watering!
asanford's review against another edition
3.0
New author for me - thanks again to the cozy mystery group. Now that we have set the stage and the characters, I’ll give the next book a try. It was fine - I didn’t love it. It didn’t kick off a read-a-thon for me. When I finished, I didn’t immediately go check the availability of the next book in the series. But I am trying out her “food lovers village” series.
I didn’t feel invested enough in the characters when the murder happened. The team of employees in the spice shop, the bike cop ex-husband, and the homeless group just didn’t have enough character development early on for me to care.
I didn’t feel invested enough in the characters when the murder happened. The team of employees in the spice shop, the bike cop ex-husband, and the homeless group just didn’t have enough character development early on for me to care.
missa31's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this! The narrator is a great character! I will read more of this series!