Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Read Herring Hunt is the second installment in the Mystery Bookshop series featuring Samantha "Sam" Washington owner of the Market Street Mysteries bookstore in North Harbor, Michigan. The MISU star quarterback, Dawson Alexander, who lives at the bookstore and also does all of the baking of the treats served up to the customers is dating Melody Hardwick.
Neither Sam nor her Grandmother Nana Jo are too fond of the girl, and when she turns up dead in an alley they aren't really surprised. Even though they witnessed a verbal altercation between the two and the couple had another physical altercation that left Dawson wounded, they are shocked when Dawson is named the prime suspect.
Calling in her sister Jenna, the attorney, to represent Dawson, Sam, Nana Jo and the Sleuthing Seniors set out to find the real killer. They quickly discover that there is something shady about Melody's past and that she has a history of attaching herself to the most popular and star athletes.
Against Detective "Stink" Pitts warning to stay out of the investigation, the ladies are determined to solve the murder before he does.
As readers from the debut in the series will remember, Sam is also a writer of British cozy mysteries. Interspersed throughout the book are chapters from the book that Sam is writing featuring the newest adventures of Lord William Marsh and his family. I had a really hard time relating to the British story line in this edition because while I thought the plot lines were similar in the first book, there was nothing at all relating the two stories in this addition to the series and it was such a distraction that I found my self skipping those sections.
Neither Sam nor her Grandmother Nana Jo are too fond of the girl, and when she turns up dead in an alley they aren't really surprised. Even though they witnessed a verbal altercation between the two and the couple had another physical altercation that left Dawson wounded, they are shocked when Dawson is named the prime suspect.
Calling in her sister Jenna, the attorney, to represent Dawson, Sam, Nana Jo and the Sleuthing Seniors set out to find the real killer. They quickly discover that there is something shady about Melody's past and that she has a history of attaching herself to the most popular and star athletes.
Against Detective "Stink" Pitts warning to stay out of the investigation, the ladies are determined to solve the murder before he does.
As readers from the debut in the series will remember, Sam is also a writer of British cozy mysteries. Interspersed throughout the book are chapters from the book that Sam is writing featuring the newest adventures of Lord William Marsh and his family. I had a really hard time relating to the British story line in this edition because while I thought the plot lines were similar in the first book, there was nothing at all relating the two stories in this addition to the series and it was such a distraction that I found my self skipping those sections.
Read Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns is the second installment in A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series. Samantha âSamâ Washington owns Market Street Mysteries in North Harbor, Michigan. Dawson Alexander works (and lives) at the shop as well as bakes delights for their customers. Dawson is also MISU (Michigan Southwest University) star quarterback. On Monday, Dawson's ex-girlfriend, Melody Hardwick is found dead by a jogger and Dawson is the police's primes suspect. Sam calls her sister and criminal defense lawyer, Jenna to defend Dawson. Jenna tells all of them (with a special look at Nana Jo) to not speak with the press. Unfortunately, Dawson's wayward father, Alex did not get the message. Dawson is suspended from school and the football team pending the outcome of the case. Sam, Nana Jo and the Sleuthing Seniors dig up dirt on Melody to see who could have wished her harm. They need to clear Dawson's name before the next big game or his future will be over before it begins.
Read Herring Hunt can be a read alone. All the information a reader needs is included. The case from The Plot is Murder is discussed three times and the background on the main characters is included. Read Herring Hunt is an easy to read cozy mystery. I like that the main story has a nice steady pace and an active murder investigation. I felt that Nana Jo overwhelmed the main character, Sam. Nana Jo has a lively personality, a variety of friends and a busy social life. Sam comes across as rather bland (she is also a blabbermouth). Sam is busy working on her second British cozy mystery and the chapters from it are included in the book (alternating chapters). I do not like that the author included the book Sam is writing into the story. It does not enhance the main story and it felt like filler. It also takes a reader out of the story. I wish the author had focused on improving her main story which could have used further development. I found it lacking in depth and complexity. All readers should be able to solve the murder mystery. One detail gives away the killer's identity (especially fans of Agatha Christie). I do appreciate that the investigation was hands-on. The Sleuthing Seniors and their connections are helpful in ferreting out details that aid in narrowing down their suspect list and pointing them in the direction of the evil doer. I could have done without the cliché nasty detective with the unfortunate nickname of Stinky Pitt (courtesy of Nana Jo). While A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series is not the right fit for me, I suggest you get a sample and see if it works for you. We all have different reading tastes!
Read Herring Hunt can be a read alone. All the information a reader needs is included. The case from The Plot is Murder is discussed three times and the background on the main characters is included. Read Herring Hunt is an easy to read cozy mystery. I like that the main story has a nice steady pace and an active murder investigation. I felt that Nana Jo overwhelmed the main character, Sam. Nana Jo has a lively personality, a variety of friends and a busy social life. Sam comes across as rather bland (she is also a blabbermouth). Sam is busy working on her second British cozy mystery and the chapters from it are included in the book (alternating chapters). I do not like that the author included the book Sam is writing into the story. It does not enhance the main story and it felt like filler. It also takes a reader out of the story. I wish the author had focused on improving her main story which could have used further development. I found it lacking in depth and complexity. All readers should be able to solve the murder mystery. One detail gives away the killer's identity (especially fans of Agatha Christie). I do appreciate that the investigation was hands-on. The Sleuthing Seniors and their connections are helpful in ferreting out details that aid in narrowing down their suspect list and pointing them in the direction of the evil doer. I could have done without the cliché nasty detective with the unfortunate nickname of Stinky Pitt (courtesy of Nana Jo). While A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series is not the right fit for me, I suggest you get a sample and see if it works for you. We all have different reading tastes!
