Reviews

Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette

jemau11'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

By far the best part of this book was the setting. The descriptions of Cattail Island were so specific and natural that I was surprised to read that the author made it up. I liked the writing style for the most part, but unfortunately the main character felt flat. Her motivations were a little muddled and some of the things she did were ridiculous. There were also a few too many red herrings that went nowhere. Not a bad beach read, but I don’t think I’ll continue with the sequels. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide

Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Ableism

cozettezimmerman's review against another edition

4.0

A cute novel about murder and a treasure hunt and finding yourself after a career change. Wrapped up nicely without feeling too much like a detective novel. Heavily name drops famous author and books

blush_bookworms's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

stachalreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

jaren's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing

4.0

abooklikeyou's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

4.0

natalie_deane's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This is probably one of the whitest books I’ve ever read, but I appreciate that it strayed away from some of the typical tropes in the cozy mystery genre that I don’t particularly enjoy (like cops being love interests). The mystery itself was fun to follow, and while I didn’t love every plot choice, I think it came together nicely at the end. And, of course, I’m a sucker for any book that has the main character working in a small town bookshop, even if Callie was a bit of a bummer main character until like halfway through the book, when she was allowed to have an actual personality.

bvannevel's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

kelseygbobo's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

katy_lee's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5