Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 5
What a great beginning to a new series! I liked the main character, Erin, her mother, friends, and other shop owners in the village of Jewel Bay. Lots of action, great character development, and I was completely surprised at who was the murderer. This is a well-written, fast-paced, and gentle cozy. I highly recommend this one.
Helpful Score: 1
Best cozy mystery I've read in awhile. Likable characters, good mystery, great writing.
Deborah T. (nysbikergirl) reviewed Death Al Dente (Food Lovers' Village, Bk 1) on + 97 more book reviews
It's a stretch for me to give this book two and a half stars, but it's middle of the road in ratings, and that is about correct. I know I always take a chance on liking a new cozy theme, with the first in a series. I had high hopes for this one, but alas. To say it dragged on and on is an understatement. The main gist of the plot, as well as the characters was substantial and somewhat enjoyable, but as the book went on, it became muddy waters, and the names kept coming, and the confusion snowballed. I think a cozy should be kept somewhat simplistic and fun, and easy to sort out, not necessarily easy to solve, but an uncomplicated read. This book took so many twisty turns and compounded explanations in the second half that I still am not sure who actually was the killer. There were two arrests and bad guys in the end...but by then, did it even matter?
I found many half sentences, and in the middle of quoted conversations, there would be statements just kind of floating there. Who said them? Was it an observation of the author? Who knows? Also there were many one liners that I had never heard of, although, not necessarily a bad thing, just kind of weird. I will not go on to read the second installment if there is one. Just too many other cozy reads I can prefer.
I found many half sentences, and in the middle of quoted conversations, there would be statements just kind of floating there. Who said them? Was it an observation of the author? Who knows? Also there were many one liners that I had never heard of, although, not necessarily a bad thing, just kind of weird. I will not go on to read the second installment if there is one. Just too many other cozy reads I can prefer.
