A review by katiya
Publishable By Death by ACF Bookens
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.