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Topic: Laura Durham's Annabelle Archer mysteries

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goozylucy avatar
Subject: Laura Durham's Annabelle Archer mysteries
Date Posted: 6/15/2008 1:58 PM ET
Member Since: 1/10/2008
Posts: 427
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Has anyone else read these? I am about 100 pages into the first book "Better off Wed" and so far it's not bad...it has kept me turning pages. However, I find myself liking Annabelle's friend, the caterer, and her assistant Kate better than I do her. Kate and the guy (Roger?) are funny. Annabelle, so far, is kind of boring. I guess I expected more humor or something.

So I'm wondering if I should get the next 2 books in the series or not. Are they worth sticking with and reading the series? What are your impressions of the books?

Thanks

Kukana avatar
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Date Posted: 6/15/2008 2:18 PM ET
Member Since: 1/26/2006
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Hi Michelle!  I agree with you about the characters...and I had a hard time getting thru the first book.  I was afraid I wasn't going to like the second book either, but stuck with it.  Here are the comments I wrote in my book journal about the second one:  "Some of these characters are a little annoying, but once I stopped taking them so seriously, I started to enjoy the book for what it is - a cozy with some crazy characters".

Have you tried the Carnegie Kincaid series by Deborah Donnelly?  I've read the first one, and thought it was really good!

Susie

goozylucy avatar
Date Posted: 6/15/2008 6:01 PM ET
Member Since: 1/10/2008
Posts: 427
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Susie,

Nope. Never tried the Deborah Donnelly ones. In fact I'd never heard of them til you mentioned them. I'll have to see if i can find some of those to try.

I guess I'll go ahead and order the 2nd Laura Durham one from here and I'll stick with them. I'm not taking them seriously at all...cause I just LOVE cozies. I am just used to the main character being more engaging I guess. In these books it's more the secondary characters that I'm drawn to.

Thanks for your imput and now I'm off to find a another new author to try. LOL.

 

 

Mendy avatar
Mendy -
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Date Posted: 6/15/2008 8:42 PM ET
Member Since: 6/16/2005
Posts: 8,262
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Michelle - one thing I've found is that first books in a series tend to be rough and not as good as later books.  I think it has a lot to do with the author finding her rhythm and introducing all of the characters.  Try the 2nd book and see if you don't find it to be better.  I almost always like book 2 better than book 1.

goozylucy avatar
Date Posted: 6/16/2008 10:37 AM ET
Member Since: 1/10/2008
Posts: 427
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Well I stuck it out and finished the book last night. It turned out pretty good. Tho I did have it figured out (not why but who) when the first red herring was thrown out :)

I went ahead and ordered the 2nd one and will see if I like it better. I still like Kate and Richard better than Annabelle.

I'll keep that in mind Mendy. I've kind of noticed that too with most books.

Beanbean avatar
Date Posted: 6/17/2008 8:55 AM ET
Member Since: 12/19/2007
Posts: 2,408
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I might check these out at the library before committing one to my WL. LOL!
sumagoo avatar
Date Posted: 6/17/2008 1:36 PM ET
Member Since: 11/10/2006
Posts: 1,251
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I have read all three and I really enjoyed them.  i didn't seem to have a hard time getting into the first one at all.  But I do agree liked the other players in the book alot better.



Last Edited on: 6/17/08 1:39 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
cottre26 avatar
Date Posted: 6/17/2008 3:58 PM ET
Member Since: 4/12/2007
Posts: 106
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I am planning on trying both of these series (Annabelle and Carnegie Kincaid).  If it gets slow I'll remember to keep plugging!

Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Annabelle Archer
Date Posted: 7/25/2008 7:52 PM ET
Member Since: 1/29/2007
Posts: 131
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I have read all of the books that are out and find them enjoyable.  I do reccommend them to noe and all.

Leyba

 

goozylucy avatar
Date Posted: 7/25/2008 9:51 PM ET
Member Since: 1/10/2008
Posts: 427
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I'm reading the 2nd book now. i started it then got onto a different author and laid it aside. I also have the first 3 Carnegie Kinkaid ones in my TBR.

I find I am enjoying the 2nd one more from the start. the first one turned out to be very good but was slow to start.

 

 

BookShopGal avatar
Date Posted: 7/26/2008 9:39 AM ET
Member Since: 7/5/2006
Posts: 4,669
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I love theAnnabel Archer Series... I lived in DC for 10 years and got married there, and love that I can "picture" the spots she talks about (like the hotel in book 2, and the Corcoran from book 1).