kali_readsbooks4's review against another edition
3.0
Publishable by Death was such a fun and comforting cozy mystery. The focus was on Harvey's everyday life (her starting her own bookstore in the small town of St. Marin and her friendships), but I didn’t mind it. It took a while before I felt like the mystery really went somewhere. Luckily there was enough going on that I didn’t mind..
saldragski's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
DNF
denaiir's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the information about the Green Book and the backstory of the gas station, but the narration was a bit weird (a lot of Southern twang, didn't really feel like Maryland) and I didn't care too much for the characters
mollyfiddler's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dogoodwithbooks's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Publishable by Death was okay, but I don't think I would read this book again nor continue with the rest of the series.
While the characters were okay and Bookens got my attention when I first started reading Publishable by Death, I slowly lost interest over time. For me, the plot dragged on in a lot of places and I feel like some of the chapters would not be as long if Bookens either reduce or eliminate the scenes that don't really contribute to the plot (ex. Harvey hosting another gathering with friends). Also, I felt that the writing as well as character interactions were unrealistic and forced at times, which I wasn't a fan of.
Though I really wanted to like Publishable by Death and read through a new cozy mystery series, unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
While the characters were okay and Bookens got my attention when I first started reading Publishable by Death, I slowly lost interest over time. For me, the plot dragged on in a lot of places and I feel like some of the chapters would not be as long if Bookens either reduce or eliminate the scenes that don't really contribute to the plot (ex. Harvey hosting another gathering with friends). Also, I felt that the writing as well as character interactions were unrealistic and forced at times, which I wasn't a fan of.
Though I really wanted to like Publishable by Death and read through a new cozy mystery series, unfortunately this book wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Racism
Moderate: Blood
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I am really enjoying this author's Stitches In Crime series, so I bought this one and kept wanting to get around to read it. When I was in this busy and stressful week and I only felt like reading comforting reads by authors I already knew, I realized it was the perfect time to pick this up. And it was the perfect time to read this one.
I really enjoyed Publishable by Death. The story follows Harvey who is starting her own bookstore in the small town of St. Marin. This book starts as she is about to open her store for the first day and ofcourse not everything goes smoothly when she finds a dead body in her store on opening day.
Publishable by Death was such a fun and comforting cozy mystery. The focus was more of the every day life of Harvey, but I didn't mind that as I really enjoyed reading about Harvey. It was easy to relate to Harvey with her love for books. I thought she was a likable character and I liked how she was curious, which ofcourse gets her involved in the mystery. I also liked how kind she was, she is very respectful of other people and I like how she helps others out when she can. She also has a great group of friends around her.
It was at times a bit hard to remember everyone as there are a lot of side characters in this book, but luckily most had a distinctive personality and made appearances often enough to make it easier to remember. I liked Harvey's friendship with Mart and Rocky. And how she makes some new friends in Cate and Lucas. Then there is the bit of building romance with Daniel, which I liked. I also liked all the doggos and cat that were part of this book. I just loved the cozie and comforting vibe this book had and I look forward to spending more time with these characters.
The mystery didn't grip me as much as Harvey's daily life. There were three possible suspects from the start and it took a long time before I felt like the mystery really went somewhere. Luckily there was enough going on that I didn't minded that the mystery gripped me less. I was curious to see how it al played out and how Harvey uncovered some clues and I actually liked how they figured out who did it. I wasn't surprised at the murderer, but was surprised by the motive as I hadn't thought of that motive for this person.
To summarize: Publishable by Death is a great start to this series. Harvey runs her own bookstore and I really enjoyed reading about her and her friends. There is a lot of daily life stuff next to the murder. I actually enjoyed the daily life parts more than the actual mystery. The mystery didn't grip me as much, but still kept me curious about who had done it. The reveal wasn't a big surprise, but I was surprised by the motive. This book felt very cozie and comforting. I liked the small town feel and the tight groups of friends around Harvey. I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to the next book!
I really enjoyed Publishable by Death. The story follows Harvey who is starting her own bookstore in the small town of St. Marin. This book starts as she is about to open her store for the first day and ofcourse not everything goes smoothly when she finds a dead body in her store on opening day.
Publishable by Death was such a fun and comforting cozy mystery. The focus was more of the every day life of Harvey, but I didn't mind that as I really enjoyed reading about Harvey. It was easy to relate to Harvey with her love for books. I thought she was a likable character and I liked how she was curious, which ofcourse gets her involved in the mystery. I also liked how kind she was, she is very respectful of other people and I like how she helps others out when she can. She also has a great group of friends around her.
It was at times a bit hard to remember everyone as there are a lot of side characters in this book, but luckily most had a distinctive personality and made appearances often enough to make it easier to remember. I liked Harvey's friendship with Mart and Rocky. And how she makes some new friends in Cate and Lucas. Then there is the bit of building romance with Daniel, which I liked. I also liked all the doggos and cat that were part of this book. I just loved the cozie and comforting vibe this book had and I look forward to spending more time with these characters.
The mystery didn't grip me as much as Harvey's daily life. There were three possible suspects from the start and it took a long time before I felt like the mystery really went somewhere. Luckily there was enough going on that I didn't minded that the mystery gripped me less. I was curious to see how it al played out and how Harvey uncovered some clues and I actually liked how they figured out who did it. I wasn't surprised at the murderer, but was surprised by the motive as I hadn't thought of that motive for this person.
To summarize: Publishable by Death is a great start to this series. Harvey runs her own bookstore and I really enjoyed reading about her and her friends. There is a lot of daily life stuff next to the murder. I actually enjoyed the daily life parts more than the actual mystery. The mystery didn't grip me as much, but still kept me curious about who had done it. The reveal wasn't a big surprise, but I was surprised by the motive. This book felt very cozie and comforting. I liked the small town feel and the tight groups of friends around Harvey. I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to the next book!
ava96's review
1.0
This book frustrated me to no end.
Why did the main character who was 44 act like a teenager? Why did she tear up 5 times on every page? Did anyone have an actual job or was everyone's job taking over the main character's job so she could run around and do who knows what? And why did everyone keep saying how much she had done when literally everyone else was doing her job and she was just talking about how busy she is? Why was every single person a dog lover? Why didn't anyone have emotions logical for a grown-up?
The level of eye-rolling, cringing and frustration it provoked in me was way too high.
Why did the main character who was 44 act like a teenager? Why did she tear up 5 times on every page? Did anyone have an actual job or was everyone's job taking over the main character's job so she could run around and do who knows what? And why did everyone keep saying how much she had done when literally everyone else was doing her job and she was just talking about how busy she is? Why was every single person a dog lover? Why didn't anyone have emotions logical for a grown-up?
The level of eye-rolling, cringing and frustration it provoked in me was way too high.
katiya's review
4.0
Harvey Beckett is building a new life in St. Marin. After turning an old gas station into a successful bookstore and cafe, she's ready to settle into a comfortable existence in her chosen hometown. A murder behind her business is going to throw a spanner in the works, though, and so is the handsome mechanic who keeps popping into her thoughts.
Harvey and her friends are warm and personable and the entire story is in a very Utopian type of setting - well, except for the murder, of course. Even the Sheriff who warns Harvey several times to leave the case alone is benevolent and passive about a civilian who keeps butting into police business. Don't get me wrong, I despise meanness but this was almost too much "nice".
As for the mystery - it was a corker. Looking back with absolute 20/20 vision, at the beginning of the investigation, I see a couple of minuscule (check them out under the microscope) hints as to the identity of the killer. Further on, the clues become more blatant but by that time, the reader is at the denouement with the explanations filling in the missing pieces.
My final thoughts are that I like the premise, the characters and the first book in this series. I'll probably keep this as an antidote for reading after gritter novels when I really need the comfort of a friendly decompression.
Recommended.
Harvey and her friends are warm and personable and the entire story is in a very Utopian type of setting - well, except for the murder, of course. Even the Sheriff who warns Harvey several times to leave the case alone is benevolent and passive about a civilian who keeps butting into police business. Don't get me wrong, I despise meanness but this was almost too much "nice".
As for the mystery - it was a corker. Looking back with absolute 20/20 vision, at the beginning of the investigation, I see a couple of minuscule (check them out under the microscope) hints as to the identity of the killer. Further on, the clues become more blatant but by that time, the reader is at the denouement with the explanations filling in the missing pieces.
My final thoughts are that I like the premise, the characters and the first book in this series. I'll probably keep this as an antidote for reading after gritter novels when I really need the comfort of a friendly decompression.
Recommended.
spectacledbear's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
3.5