Book Review: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series.  It’s been on my “To Read” list for awhile.  I won the latest book (Red Velvet Cupcake Mystery) and wanted to read the first book in the series before reading Red Velvet.

As with most series, the first book pretty much sets up the main characters.  It was how Hannah came to be involved in the mystery of who killed the milkman (a modern day version of one) that threw me for a loop.  She knew him and she found the body, but that’s not what drove her involvement.  What drove her involvement was her desire to help her brother-in-law, who has recently passed the Detective’s exam, solve the case.  At his invitation.  Seriously?  I’m still not sure what I think about this except I don’t think a lot of the brother-in-law for asking in the first place.

The mystery itself was well done and had a gradual, but not too slow, build up to the finale, but I did it figure it out toward the end.  I liked the characters - especially Norman (the local dentist), Andrea, Hannah’s sister, and Lisa, Hannah’s assistant at her cookie shop.  I did not like Hannah’s mother and wondered why she would move back to her hometown knowing she’d have to put up with that woman on a daily basis.  (This seems to be a theme in a lot of cozy series - daughters moving back to small home towns with absolutely dreadful mothers).  However, it was balanced by Hannah’s basically good relationship with Andrea and with the other folks she knew.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, though it was overshadowed by what I thought was a ridiculous reason for Hannah’s “snooping” and “helping.”  Having said that, I’m looking forward to reading the Red Velvet Cupcake Mystery.

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Book Review: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I won this as Goodreads First Read and was very excited as the book really appealed to me, more for what seemed to be the mystery aspect (Sophie’s “shadowed past”).  I knew it was a romance, but I didn’t realize it was a Christian romance.  I do enjoy Christian fiction, however, the Christian aspect of this book doesn’t really flow.  It’s not really integral to the story -- it’s just there.  The author tried to bring it front and center, but it almost seemed to just be stuck randomly in the story and almost always in relation to attending church.

The book centers on Sophie Caldwell, who has returned to Hickory Ridge, TN to run a newspaper.  There she meets Ethan Heyward, who is overseeing the building of a resort that is sure to revive Hickory Ridge. Each has a “secret.” It is one of the best written books I’ve read lately -- the mechanics were nearly flawless.  Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.   I liked Sophie and Ethan, but it seems like their relationship sprung full blown.  I felt like I missed the in-between of the developing relationship as it it seemed to go from introduction to “I hate keeping secrets” to we’re destined to spend the rest of our lives together.  And, there’s another relationship between Gilly (a friend of Sophie’s who wants to be a nurse and open a clinic) and a beau that comes out of nowhere at the end.

While the story was supposed to be the romance of Sophie and Ethan and their secrets, Gilly’s push for a clinic seems to share as much of the story as Sophie and Ethan (and came across a tad preachy to me).  Sophie’s “secret” is resolved pretty much in the middle of the book and is anti-climatic.  Ethan’s secret is also resolved around the same time in an overly dramatic way.  And, I had a hard time finding the “romance.”

I liked the setting of Hickory Ridge and the people, but I couldn’t connect with any of them.  This may be because this is the third and final book in this series and I hadn’t read the previous titles.  However, each book focuses on a different one, though one of those did introduce the reader to Sophie as a child.  My disconnect could also be because I don’t read a lot of romance and even less Christian romance.

Having said all of that, given how well written this book is, I would recommend it for those that enjoy Christian romance, but with the caveat to read the other two books first.


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Book Review: Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by Jane Graves and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I don’t normally read Romance, but I’d say this is more chick-lit than romance.  No matter, it was a fun read.

The premise is straight laced Heather impulsively weds future bar owner Tony.  Copious amounts of liquor were involved.  They set out to dissolve the whole thing, but Heather’s family is so excited over the marriage, that Tony offers to ride out the “marriage” until the annulment comes through, letting Heather be the one to end it all and thus save face.  It goes from there.

The characters in this book were well done and believable, though aspects of the story were totally cliche.  For example, Heather isn’t exactly a twig, though she’s not super heavy.  She also not a beauty though she’s not plain.  Average would be a good description.   Tony is gorgeous and somewhat of a ladies man and maybe a tad shallow.  What I loved most about this book is Tony could have been a complete cad, however, he was a good guy to start with and by the end, he had certainly learned to look beyond the surface.  Heather also grew in similar ways.

As someone who’s lived in Plano, Texas, I also enjoyed the setting.  Overall, while this is a bit of a fluff read, it was an enjoyable read.  Recommended for anyone who’s looking for a super good, light read.


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Book Review: The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch

The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Charles Lenox series and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.  A good part of this book focused on Charles’ run for Parliament.   I wasn’t sure whether I wanted him to win his seat or not and am not sure I’m happy with the results, but we’ll see.

The mystery was almost overshadowed by the campaign for Parliament, but it was blended well into the overall story.  This I’m sure was helped by likable townsfolk and Lenox’s true passion for being a member of Parliament.  I liked that Charles did not let his unexpected sudden run for Parliament overshadow everything.  His protege (of sorts), Dallington, seeks his help when an acquaintance is accused of murder, and while Lenox seems torn, in the end his need to investigate comes to the front and he does lend his help and direction to Dallington.  Up until the resolution, which was well done, Charles solution almost had overtones of obsession with a particular criminal, however, the ending took it out of the obsession realm and tied up everything nicely.

The main characters are back - his brother, Sir Edmund, McConnell and his wife, Toto, and of course, his manservant, Graham, who is invaluable with his campaign.  This book also introduced some great characters in the town he was campaigning to represent in Parliament.  A side story involved Lenox engagement to Lady Jane Grey, which added a bit of tension on that end, but blended well with the overall story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and the series.  

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