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A review by fiction_aficionado
Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard
5.0
It’s here! The much anticipated conclusion to the Serena Jones series is fast-paced, full of twists, u-turns, and surprises, and crackling with romantic tension! I seriously thought I would be reading this one with my hands over my eyes, peeking through my fingers in some absurd attempt to thwart the nerves over how it would play out (if anyone says ‘it’s just a story’, I’ll throw the nearest object I can find at you!) but I was sucked in from the get-go, and my nerves gradually eased as the humour that has laced this whole series lightened the mood at all the right moments.
There’s quite a cast of suspects in this case, including Serena’s childhood bosom buddy Ashley, and Ashley’s brother Ben. Add in a bitter almost-step-daughter, her boyfriend, the deceased’s business partner, and a variety of law enforcement officers who may or may not be on the up-and-up, and you’ve got plenty of tails to chase. Aunt Martha, of course, throws her oar in, and when Nate and Tanner both drop everything to be by her side, Serena can no longer ignore their increasingly-less-subtle hints at their feelings for her.
For those who have been eagerly waiting to see who Serena ends up with, you will be holding your breath to the very end, but this series has still managed to avoid all the pitfalls that can so easily make stories with love triangles painful to read. There’s no angst, both Nate and Tanner are perfect gentlemen who retain their usual sense of humour throughout (with some moments of touching sincerity thrown in), and Serena is genuinely torn between two men who mean a great deal to her. Yet she never leads either one on, and really, she doesn’t get much opportunity to examine her feelings until the very end, when circumstances lead quite naturally to a moment of clarity for her.
This has become one of my favourite mystery series thanks to the intriguing plots, the gentle wit and humour, and the array of unique and down-to-earth characters. If only the series could continue!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
There’s quite a cast of suspects in this case, including Serena’s childhood bosom buddy Ashley, and Ashley’s brother Ben. Add in a bitter almost-step-daughter, her boyfriend, the deceased’s business partner, and a variety of law enforcement officers who may or may not be on the up-and-up, and you’ve got plenty of tails to chase. Aunt Martha, of course, throws her oar in, and when Nate and Tanner both drop everything to be by her side, Serena can no longer ignore their increasingly-less-subtle hints at their feelings for her.
For those who have been eagerly waiting to see who Serena ends up with, you will be holding your breath to the very end, but this series has still managed to avoid all the pitfalls that can so easily make stories with love triangles painful to read. There’s no angst, both Nate and Tanner are perfect gentlemen who retain their usual sense of humour throughout (with some moments of touching sincerity thrown in), and Serena is genuinely torn between two men who mean a great deal to her. Yet she never leads either one on, and really, she doesn’t get much opportunity to examine her feelings until the very end, when circumstances lead quite naturally to a moment of clarity for her.
This has become one of my favourite mystery series thanks to the intriguing plots, the gentle wit and humour, and the array of unique and down-to-earth characters. If only the series could continue!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.