Little Shop of Homicide

Devereaux's Dime Store #1

by Denise Swanson

Local girl Devereaux Sinclair has returned to her small Missouri town after a stint in Kansas City ended badly. Now self-employed as a general store owner/gift basket creator and acting as a caregiver to her grandmother, Dev is stunned when her ex-boyfriend's fiancée is murdered in a bizarre manner. Worse, a zealous local detective wants to pin the crime on her. But feisty Dev, a former investment professional, is no dummy, and she is not about to be intimidated by a detective with a grudge. With her two best friends, an attorney and a bar owner, she is ready to find the killer. Grandma has a strategy, too, and chaos ensues.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Romance, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Denise Swanson lives in rural Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr.

After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.

Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few years ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon I was watching some strange sport which involved horses and what appeared to be a dead animal...and I think at some stage all the players started shooting at each other. As I was sitting there I had what I thought at the time was a Eureka moment. I really love sushi and I really love sandwiches, so that being the case why not combine them?
Wandering into the kitchen I discovered I had all the ingredients I needed...one cucumber, half an avocado, rice, a few packs of wasabi from the local Sushi Train, 2 slices of slightly stale bread (but the microwave fixed that up) and some shredded dried seaweed. I pulled out my really dusty rice cooker which was a gift from a girlfriend who had long since left the scene. I don't quite know what she was telling me with that gift and if anyone can enlighten me I will be forever grateful.
As I waited for the rice cooker to work its magic I consumed 6 beers. Finally rice being ready I assembled the sandwich which I had named the "green sandwich" in honor of the 6 beers I had drunk.
Taking a bite I realized something...too much of a good thing isn't necessarily all that good. It was bloody horrible to be precise.

So "Little Shop of Homicide". I should love this book, it has so many things in it that I would normally love, but for some reason it just doesn't quite live up to the promise. It's good without ever quite managing to be great.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devereaux Sinclair escaped the high-stakes investment world weeks before they charged her employer with financial malfeasance. She moved back to her small Missouri town, bought the failing country store, and settled in to take care of her mildly demented grandmother. When she fled the town years earlier in light of a scandal that sent her dad to prison, Devereaux loved a local kid who loved her back. But he broke it off after the scandal, and she couldn't forgive him. Now someone murdered his fiancé, and the cops think Devereaux did it. In conjunction with two flamboyant friends and a disabled former U.S. Marshall, Devereaux has to prove she's not guilty while figuring out the land mines that an almost-insta-romance could create with the former Marshall.

This was ok; it's a short read, and I'll probably read the second book in the series. Devereaux is a woman worth following.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good first in series, with a good mystery and decent main characters. That this was a bit 'earthier' than most cozies didn't bother me much, as it pretty much reflects real life. As does romance and instant attractions. However, having said that, I am not a fan of triangles or even potential ones...

There was a big clue to the crime that I was surprised the true investigators didn't find, or simply didn't follow up on. At least not that I could tell. Never mind that the main detective held a big grudge, it was still a gross oversight, imo.

I'd love to see the final outcome to the mystery of the father's imprisonment. Maybe it will be a big part of the second installment...

[Ms. Ingrid]

I enjoyed it.

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like her Scumble River Mystery series. I give most books three, some four, and rarely five stars. That series has been getting three and four starts. Given that, I tried this new series. Let me make this simple: way too much "romance." Scumble series has some, but not too much (usually), this one was romance centric with some mystery. Thus, I did not like it.

She took an interesting approach to the mystery thread (at least in concept). Rather than emphasis finding the murderer, she emphasized proving the main character did not commit the murder. I give her credit for using a less used approach.

So, if you like, or at least don't mind, a predominantly romance book, you may like it. This is a series I will not be reading more of.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

First in a new cozy mystery series. It was okay...I little too heavy on the sexual innuendo for my liking. Most cozy mysteries I have read are not so risque. If I wanted sensual I would have opted for a Harlequin romance. I may read others in the series...not certain though.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to the series! I enjoyed the characters and the mystery - kept me guessing! The setting was good too. Looking forward to reading more.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devereaux Sinclair makes a few life-changing decisions. She quits her city job, after a huge scandal rocks her company, moves back to her small hometown in Missouri, Shadow Bend, and buys an old fashioned five-and-dime store. Dev is quite happy until her ex-boyfriend’s fiancé, Joelle, turns up dead. The murder weapon just happens to be items Dev used in a gift basket that Joelle purchased, making Dev the number one suspect.

With her father already serving time in prison, Dev has no desire to join him there. She’s just begun a new life in Shadow Bend and everything was going along so well. She, also, is the only one who can take care of her grandmother. Determined to clear her name, Dev seeks the help of her best friends Poppy and Boone to find out who the real killer is. Not to mention the handsome U.S. Marshall, Jake Del Vecchio, who just arrived in town willing to assist in the search.

There is, also, a secondary mystery which looks to be drawn through this series. Dev’s father is in prison for a crime he insists he didn’t do and intends to prove his innocence. It will be interesting to see what direction this goes.

One of my favorite things about this series is that it’s set in an old-fashioned five-and-dime store which made me feel very nostalgic.

Sometimes it takes awhile to get used to characters in a brand new series, but I didn’t find that with this book. By the end of the book, I felt as if I knew the main characters very well. The mystery had me going in several directions – choosing the wrong culprit every time. LOL

This is a fast-paced mystery with quite a bit of romance thrown into the mix. Toss in Dev’s matchmaking grandmother and readers have a great adventure in store for them.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this first-in-series!

It is hard to imagine someone bringing back the 5 and dime shop of the 60's (or earlier). Yet if anyone can, Dev is the one, who returns to her hometown only to find there is more to running it than she thought...especially when she finds herself as a murder suspect.

The characters are developed as much as necessary for their roles, and I enjoy Dev, especially when she begins to investigate to keep herself out of jail. She is funny, and brighter than many blonds will take credit for.

This author is excellent at designing characters and plots that combine humor, intrigue, suspense, and hard-to-solve mysteries. I am enjoying this series and highly recommend it!



The plot

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is set in a small Missouri town and features Devereaux Sinclair as the main character. In this book, she is the main suspect of a killing of a woman who was engaged to Devereaux's former boyfriend from high school. With the help of two childhood friends and a US Marshall she sets to prove that she didn't commit the crime. The book was an easy read.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and the characters and I will read on in the series as I come across the books. I wish there was more of the story based in the dime store setting...maybe the next book.

[Susie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cringy writing

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Devereaux’s Dime Store and Gift Baskets complete with a 3 stool soda fountain and a glass candy case. The best thing Dev ever did was quit the rat race, move home and buy this store.

Today she is rethinking her big decision as Kansas City Detective Woods arrives before the store is even open to accuse her of murdering her ex-boyfriend’s fiancée Joelle Ayers. Just because some items from a gift basket she created were used as murder weapons didn’t mean she had anything to do with the woman’s death and he surely doesn’t have enough evidence to arrest her. He makes a few threats and leaves.

Panicked Dev gets her friends Poppy and Boone to help her investigate. Then, hunky Jake Del Vecchio, a U.S. Deputy Marshall in town recovering from an injury, enters the picture. Seems his uncle and Dev’s grandmother are old friends and he has been encouraged to help her clear her name. Only one problem, this guy Jake is hot, and Dev is finding it difficult to concentrate on finding the real killer. If she is not careful to keep her mind on the tasks at hand she may find herself doing time behind bars instead of behind the counter of her five-and-dime.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
I keep breaking my own rules. I used to say I couldn’t give the first book in a new series 5 stars because it takes time for the characters to develop. However, I started this book and couldn’t put it down. The characters, while new, grabbed my heart immediately. The romantic tension was fabulous, a new twist to the typical cozy and I think it is wonderful. Plus the small town setting and the dime store evoke memories of a store from my childhood, a place I adored and drank quite a few cherry cokes.

Denise Swanson has created a marvelous debut for this new series. The mystery is top-notch, with several twists of its own. She has taken a small risk adding a bit of spice to the romance and this reader absolutely loved it. These are characters I am invested in and I can’t wait to tag along on their journeys. Bravo Denise!!

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Devereaux Sinclair quits her high paying job in the city and returns to her hometown, she opens an old-fashioned dime store. She supplements this with a gift basket business that seems to be her main source of income. Unfortunately it's one of her gift baskets that get her embroiled in a murder mystery since her fingerprints were at the crime scene. A Kansas City cop who got burned in a ponzi scheme involving Devereaux's previous boss, has her in his sights and is brutally harassing her as his only suspect. Devereaux turns to her besties Boone and Poppy and her neighbors grandnephew for assistance in clearing her name. Her neighbor Jake Del Vecchio is a U.S. Marshal and a hottie to boot.

This is a typical cozy with a generous dash of romance since I like both genres, I really liked this series starter. It honestly had me laughing out loud so I will definitely be reaching for Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death: A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery to continue the fun and excitement.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this for what it was, but I can't say I loved it, hence, the "it was ok" rating.

This started out well. I liked the small town and its characters, I liked the dimestore setting, and at the start, I liked Devereaux.

The murder and the investigation were good. It was interesting, and the pacing and the clues were well done.

About two-third of the way through, however, the book got way to focused on the various relationships happening with the characters - especially Devereaux - and it kind of fell of the rails for me.

I realize a cozy mystery is likely to have a romance, and that's okay. But this book ultimately felt more focused on the relationship angst than anything else, especially at the end. I don't care about other people's relationships that much, and I especially don't care when a woman can't know her own mind enough to decide between two men, especially when she's spent most of the book declaring that she's been done with one of them for YEARS. That kind of nonsense is just of no interest to me. I won't be continuing with this series. Not a fit for my interests.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

LITTLE SHOP OF HOMICIDE is a delightful start to Denise Swanson’s new series. My first thought after finishing this book was that romance fans will enjoy it. A significant part of the story was the budding relationship between Dev and Jake and their lustful attraction to each other. That may not work for some fans of cozy mysteries, but I loved it. I felt like Dev’s quest to uncover the real killer stayed the focus of the plot, so a heavier romantic element did not take away from the mystery. This was not an easy one to figure out – there were nice twists and turns along the way.

Likable, multi-dimensional characters and a colorful small town setting made this an enjoyable read. I loved the descriptions of Dev’s dime store, from the old-fashioned cash register to the soda fountains and paperback book racks. I could easily picture myself there. I’d recommend this book to mystery fans who don’t mind some spiciness in the mix. I’m eagerly anticipating the next Deveraux’s Dime Store Mystery.

[Oswego Public Library District]

Set in a small town in Missouri, Devereaux Sinclair has opened up a five-and-dime store that sells custom gift baskets for any occasion. Dev left her six figure job to move back to her hometown and take care of her aging grandmother; however her life turns upside down when the local detective storms into her store and accusing her of murdering her ex-boyfriend’s fiancé, Joelle. The murder weapon? Special items from one of Dev’s fancy gift baskets. As Dev turns to her friends and family for help, she meets Jake, a handsome and courageous U.S. Marshall. This novel is character driven and fast paced. Little Shop of Homicide is an amusing, light-read that is perfect for a day at the beach or an afternoon in a comfy chair. This is the first book of the cozy Devereaux’s Dime Store mystery series.

Click here to place a hold on Little Shop of Homicide.

[Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devereaux, who is the new owner of a small-town gift basket/dime store and whose family and business histories have had brushes with the law, tries (along with the help of her two best friends and a possible love interest) to clear her name in the murder of her ex-boyfriend’s fiancée. This is the first in a new series. The mystery itself was okay, and it was certainly a very quick and easy read. I’ll be honest, though: I didn’t like any of the characters (especially the best friends) nearly as much as I wanted to. But, anyone who knows me knows that it takes a while for me to warm up to characters, which is why I often don’t start a series by reading its first book. I’ll continue to read the next few books in the series, hoping to warm to the characters. I just hope to goodness there are not any love triangles! (Btw, page 245 has a typo: Boone becomes Booth.)

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an odd quibble with this author's works which is probably totally invalid, but it is annoying that the main characters always drive a stupid car. In this one the woman keeps a totally impractical sports car. In the Scumble River series Skye Denison drives a car from the 1950s despite it being 2012 because her loved ones fixed it up for her. She drives from school to school constantly and is always encountering crime, so it's hard to believe she wouldn't want something a lot easier to care for and less conspicuous.

The mystery in Little Shop of Homicide seems slight; even a detective with a grudge should think it odd someone would kill the fiancee of a former love interest not seen for more than ten years.

[Brenda Kirton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denise Swanson finally started a new series. Very good mystery even if the cast is a bit formulaic. You know protagonist with father in jail, mom run off, fiesty gramma, and several other standard cast characters. The mystery was good. The dialogue and plot were very interesting. Although the romance part was typical romance novel crossed wires. If less of the story was spent in angst over whether or not to have sec and more on they mystery it would have expected improved an already good story. I did enjoy what Denise did with the very common character types she used. It would be interesting to see if she would expand from this almost clichéd type characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read several of the Dime Store mysteries, but out of order. Each book was enjoyable, and stood on it's own as a good read. However, I decided to fill in the gaps, by starting at the beginning, and reading each story in order. I am so glad that I decided to go on this journey. This introduces Dev, her friends, and family, and provides a wonderful mystery, a touch of romance, and enough red herrings to keep me guessing till the end. This was a fun read on a cold winter day. Curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea or coffee, and you will find it hard to put this book down. (less

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson is the first book in A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery series. Devereaux Sinclair has returned to her hometown to look after her grandmother and bought the local Dime Store, creating gift baskets as part of the business. When the fiance of her ex-boyfriend is fond killed using implements from a Valentine's Day basket created by Devereaux for her, Devereaux becomes the main suspect. I loved everything about this book. The characters were engaging and the mystery fast paced and well written. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I've been reading the authors scumble river series since the first book and love it. I was almost afraid to start this new series in case I didn't like it. I should not have been worried. Fantastic book b a fantastic author.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had me laughing and I had no idea who dunnit till the very end! Can't wait for more in the series!!

[Britney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute mystery but could of had less romance.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 Stars.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to audio version. Light weight, cutesy book.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start with saying I rate my cozy mysteries different than all other genres of books I read. I still use a five star rating system (or with cozies I like to think instead of stars how many cups of coffee/tea.….which is my idea of cozy). The following is how I rate my cozies:
1 cup of coffee- did not finish or will not continue on in series.
2 cups of coffee- this book has potential, but on the fence whether I will read the next book.
3 cups of coffee- good- will definitely continue series, but did have some issues
4 cups of coffee- great- will definitely continue series- minor issues
5 cups of coffee-EXCEPTIONAL!
What I think about when I give my ratings:
1.) There called cozies for a reason, and that being said I know they are not for everybody. I love them. Therefore the first thing I think about is how cozy/cheesy are they? The more cheese the better for me…lol. The horrible puns in the titles…LOVE THEM. Yes…if you’re wondering I am the person who loves laffy taffy jokes.
2.) Characters/ and relationships with secondary characters
3.) Setting
4.) The mystery


This book was a 3.0.
I enjoyed the book. I did chuckle at the title, but all the other categories were just ok.
The authors like so many others started the whole love triangle plot. Hate it....especially when it drags on forever.
In conclusion I will read the 2nd book, and see if I connect more to the characters.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book & can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. This is one I'll want to own every book so I can reread them. Dev , her Gran, & her BFFs Poppy & Boone are people I'd want to be friends & hang out with. The old Dime Store sounds like my kind of place. The conversations were natural & real. I love how they had snarky names for the country club ladies & the Doc. & his mom. There wasn't anything I didn't like & I look forward to finding out how Jake & Dev. work out. Even Gran & Tony- I want to find out why Gran married so quickly. I think Gran & Tony will make a fun couple. Hope to find out more about Dev.'s dad too. Highly recommend this book to all cozy fans