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Dusty Deals Mystery #2
Cut Loose
No one’s perfect.
At least that’s what Lucy Mathews tells herself. Except faced with her boyfriend’s rodeo queen ex-wife and perfectly trained Australian shepherd, she has to wonder if maybe this whole ‘no one’s perfect’ thing was made up by someone like…Lucy.
Lucky for Lucy though, things are hopping around Helena. It’s rodeo season, and she has a booth. It’s a great opportunity to expand her clientele and maybe even snag a cash prize for Kiska as the world’s first sheep herding malamute.
Except Kiska can’t herd, Lucy loses her wallet, and oh yeah…there’s that dead rodeo queen Lucy just stumbled over.
Good thing her boyfriend’s a detective. Except that’s not going so well either. A new detective is in town, and he’s convinced Lucy’s involved in the rodeo queen’s murder. Her boyfriend is no help at all and worse he’s spending a little too much time with his ex-wife.
Lucy finds herself out of money, out of love, and maybe this time, out of luck.
At least that’s what Lucy Mathews tells herself. Except faced with her boyfriend’s rodeo queen ex-wife and perfectly trained Australian shepherd, she has to wonder if maybe this whole ‘no one’s perfect’ thing was made up by someone like…Lucy.
Lucky for Lucy though, things are hopping around Helena. It’s rodeo season, and she has a booth. It’s a great opportunity to expand her clientele and maybe even snag a cash prize for Kiska as the world’s first sheep herding malamute.
Except Kiska can’t herd, Lucy loses her wallet, and oh yeah…there’s that dead rodeo queen Lucy just stumbled over.
Good thing her boyfriend’s a detective. Except that’s not going so well either. A new detective is in town, and he’s convinced Lucy’s involved in the rodeo queen’s murder. Her boyfriend is no help at all and worse he’s spending a little too much time with his ex-wife.
Lucy finds herself out of money, out of love, and maybe this time, out of luck.
196 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2012
82 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Rae Davies
12 books58 followersRae Davies is the pen name of goodreads author Lori Devoti.
Lori Devoti worked for three different newspapers in two different states before deciding to stay home with her children and begin writing fiction. Lori has been a finalist for many awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award and is a member of Novelists Inc., a prestigious group for professional writers. She lives near Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and children as well as two dogs.
Like Lucy, Lori loves antiques, Montana and malamutes.
Rae Davies has a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RaeDaviesAuthor and Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/raedaviesauthor/
(Source: http://raedavies.com/about/ )
Lori Devoti worked for three different newspapers in two different states before deciding to stay home with her children and begin writing fiction. Lori has been a finalist for many awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award and is a member of Novelists Inc., a prestigious group for professional writers. She lives near Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and children as well as two dogs.
Like Lucy, Lori loves antiques, Montana and malamutes.
Rae Davies has a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RaeDaviesAuthor and Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/raedaviesauthor/
(Source: http://raedavies.com/about/ )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 20, 2016
This second entry in the Dusty Deals series is not as good as the first. There is no character growth in the character of Lucy Mathews whatsoever. In fact, her naivete and her internal thought patterns are more like those of a 14-year-old just starting high school than a 29-year-old college-educated ex-journalist. I realize that the author has established a lead character who has, for very good reasons, low self-esteem but that is an entirely different situation from childishness.
And, for a book with a 2012 copyright, the author's handling of basic police investigatory and questioning techniques is unacceptably inaccurate. While the classification of "cozy" mystery basically implies a lack of descriptive violence and descriptive sex, that classification does not imply that inaccuracies of law, technology and history are acceptable.
There is only one book left in the 3-book box set that I purchased. If that entry is as irritating as this one, I can't see purchasing the remaining two books in the series. But, every author has a poor entry sooner or later, so I will maintain a "benefit of the doubt" mode for one more novel.
And, as a post-script, the only reason this entry got 3 stars instead of 2.5 starts is the dog - and the fact that I can't actually choose 2.5 stars in the rating menu.
And, for a book with a 2012 copyright, the author's handling of basic police investigatory and questioning techniques is unacceptably inaccurate. While the classification of "cozy" mystery basically implies a lack of descriptive violence and descriptive sex, that classification does not imply that inaccuracies of law, technology and history are acceptable.
There is only one book left in the 3-book box set that I purchased. If that entry is as irritating as this one, I can't see purchasing the remaining two books in the series. But, every author has a poor entry sooner or later, so I will maintain a "benefit of the doubt" mode for one more novel.
And, as a post-script, the only reason this entry got 3 stars instead of 2.5 starts is the dog - and the fact that I can't actually choose 2.5 stars in the rating menu.
March 1, 2018
Easy Read
I have read the first two 'Who Done Its and they are a cute read, kind of cookie cutter kind of western .
Because of that I gave them 4 stars. That said, they are addictive. I like a book that is honest about the behaviour and personality of any dog breed represented in a story. Every breed is not for every one and it's a wise person who has that realization. I'm pretty knowledgeable about breeds and barrel racers; not so much Rodeo Queens. But I believe, amongst young people,it may be a bit catty and cutthroat. I had 3 daughters who were involved in various contests, barrel racing. Steer riding and California Cowbelles competitions, and PRCA Rodeos. I have fond memories of good, bad and some scary times going down the road with a top barrel racer and her horse Geronimo. These stories spoke to those memories. straw and manure _ _ unforgettable!
I have read the first two 'Who Done Its and they are a cute read, kind of cookie cutter kind of western .
Because of that I gave them 4 stars. That said, they are addictive. I like a book that is honest about the behaviour and personality of any dog breed represented in a story. Every breed is not for every one and it's a wise person who has that realization. I'm pretty knowledgeable about breeds and barrel racers; not so much Rodeo Queens. But I believe, amongst young people,it may be a bit catty and cutthroat. I had 3 daughters who were involved in various contests, barrel racing. Steer riding and California Cowbelles competitions, and PRCA Rodeos. I have fond memories of good, bad and some scary times going down the road with a top barrel racer and her horse Geronimo. These stories spoke to those memories. straw and manure _ _ unforgettable!
March 8, 2022
I'd read the first book in the series back in 2017 and honestly didn't remember much at all about the story, so it was like getting to know the characters again. It was well-written and funny in some places. Lucy had hired the most unlikely person who turned out to be a great asset to her shop. I just loved Kiska, the malamute and how they were trying to train her for a contest.
A dog got to be the hero in the showdown (I always love that!). I had a suspicion about whodunit but was never sure. The mystery was very twisty and poor Lucy sure had more than her share of problems with it. The first two were the only books I happened to have in the series, so I doubt I'll be continuing unless it goes on KU.
A dog got to be the hero in the showdown (I always love that!). I had a suspicion about whodunit but was never sure. The mystery was very twisty and poor Lucy sure had more than her share of problems with it. The first two were the only books I happened to have in the series, so I doubt I'll be continuing unless it goes on KU.
December 16, 2017
I read the first Dusty Deals Mystery with enjoyment, although I did think the heroine was a rather silly twit. However, in this second outing, the idiotic decision-making and immaturity of Lucy was too off-putting. As well, when I read books with amateur sleuths, I expect them to solve the mystery, not waiting until trapped by the murderer before the penny drops. The idea of the rugged hero dashing in in the nick of time to rescue the fair damsel is just too dated. While the setting of the story is appealing and there are some interesting characters, I am reluctant to read further in the series.
October 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book better than Loose Screw. I found Cut Loose moved faster than Loose Screw. I liked the story line, but I found Lucy's character really did not grow. I biggest issue is with Lucy's decision making. I get her wanting to prove her innocence, but if your freed is on the line you need to keep your attorney informed. Sometimes I felt Lucy was more of a teenager instead of a 29 year old adult. Overall the book is okay.
March 2, 2019
This was an okay book. Trouble follows the protagonist wherever she goes. The author did a good job of blending the evidence to make Lucy look guilty but Lucy can't seem to see past the end of her nose. I identified the murderer almost from the beginning. And of course there was the required number of distracting typos!
May 14, 2024
What on earth happened. The first in the series was somewhat promising and this one just tanked. Lucy acts like a 10-year old, sputtering around, running away from people, getting herself accused of murder, and all in all just being supremely self righteous and annoying. I almost wanted to not finish. Debating on if I want to continue this series or not...
May 4, 2017
Easy to read. Characters are interesting and the story flowed. Just a light-hearted read.
February 21, 2018
Another fun Read.
I finished reading this one over three days. Can't wait to start the next one.
I am really enjoying this series.
I finished reading this one over three days. Can't wait to start the next one.
I am really enjoying this series.
November 5, 2018
Husky
All I can say is as a detective she better not give up her day job!!! Love the depiction of the Malamute.
All I can say is as a detective she better not give up her day job!!! Love the depiction of the Malamute.
January 18, 2019
Great read
I love this series by Rae Davies and if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read
I love this series by Rae Davies and if you love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read
January 14, 2016
3.5 Stars! Book two in the Dusty Deals mysteries, Cut Loose is a light, easy mystery to pass the time. It has a bit of humor and lovable characters, but the mystery wasn’t hard to solve.
Summary:
Lucy and Kiska are back at it again. This time around, the fair and rodeo are in town, and Lucy is counting on using the high traffic flow as a marketing strategy, to boost sales in her antique shop. Too bad the fair means she has to see more of her maybe-boyfriend, Peter’s, ex-wife. So what if Sheila’s a former rodeo queen, gorgeous, always put perfectly together, and has a superhero-like, trained Australian shepherd. Nobody’s perfect, right? It’s a good thing Lucy has her fair booth and her goal to expand clientele to focus on or she might be feeling a little inferior. But as things usually go for Lucy, the situation starts to go downhill, and fast. First Lucy loses her wallet then she signs Kiska up for a herding contest when he does not herd, and she manages to stumble over the dead body of a rodeo queen contestant. Wait...dead body? Lucky her sort-of boyfriend is a detective, huh? Wrong. There’s a new sheriff, ergh, detective in town, and he’s convinced Lucy committed the heinous crime. Not only is Peter no help at all but he’s also spending quite a bit of time with his ex, lately. So, out of money, out of love, and the prime murder suspect, Lucy just may be out of luck. Can she piece all of the clues and what she knows about the wanna-be rodeo queen together before she finds herself in cuffs and charged with murder?
I like Lucy as a heroine. She’s got a sense of humor, is a bit neurotic, and can stick her head in the sand as good as anybody. Lol. Mostly though, I enjoy reading her inner dialogue when she finds herself in a situation or really at any given moment. She’s surprisingly smart and alert, for someone not at all organized. Her dog Kiska is a sweetie, and you can’t help but fall in love with him. He’s a part of the story instead of a prop. Things continue to move forward with Peter Blake, but I still want more. I’m team Lucy and I’d love to see her with romantic entanglements, especially those with a cop, and how she navigates them. Jeremy is heart meltingly sweet, and kind of steals the show when he’s in a scene. I could do without Sheila, though. Or at the very least see her not perfect. Overall, it was a light, fun read. I’m always up for a good cozy mystery with characters I can get invested in. The mystery wasn’t a state secret, and it wasn’t hard to figure out, but it was still nice piecing together the clues with Lucy. I look forward to the next instalment and getting more of Lucy and Kiska’s antics. <3
Summary:
Lucy and Kiska are back at it again. This time around, the fair and rodeo are in town, and Lucy is counting on using the high traffic flow as a marketing strategy, to boost sales in her antique shop. Too bad the fair means she has to see more of her maybe-boyfriend, Peter’s, ex-wife. So what if Sheila’s a former rodeo queen, gorgeous, always put perfectly together, and has a superhero-like, trained Australian shepherd. Nobody’s perfect, right? It’s a good thing Lucy has her fair booth and her goal to expand clientele to focus on or she might be feeling a little inferior. But as things usually go for Lucy, the situation starts to go downhill, and fast. First Lucy loses her wallet then she signs Kiska up for a herding contest when he does not herd, and she manages to stumble over the dead body of a rodeo queen contestant. Wait...dead body? Lucky her sort-of boyfriend is a detective, huh? Wrong. There’s a new sheriff, ergh, detective in town, and he’s convinced Lucy committed the heinous crime. Not only is Peter no help at all but he’s also spending quite a bit of time with his ex, lately. So, out of money, out of love, and the prime murder suspect, Lucy just may be out of luck. Can she piece all of the clues and what she knows about the wanna-be rodeo queen together before she finds herself in cuffs and charged with murder?
I like Lucy as a heroine. She’s got a sense of humor, is a bit neurotic, and can stick her head in the sand as good as anybody. Lol. Mostly though, I enjoy reading her inner dialogue when she finds herself in a situation or really at any given moment. She’s surprisingly smart and alert, for someone not at all organized. Her dog Kiska is a sweetie, and you can’t help but fall in love with him. He’s a part of the story instead of a prop. Things continue to move forward with Peter Blake, but I still want more. I’m team Lucy and I’d love to see her with romantic entanglements, especially those with a cop, and how she navigates them. Jeremy is heart meltingly sweet, and kind of steals the show when he’s in a scene. I could do without Sheila, though. Or at the very least see her not perfect. Overall, it was a light, fun read. I’m always up for a good cozy mystery with characters I can get invested in. The mystery wasn’t a state secret, and it wasn’t hard to figure out, but it was still nice piecing together the clues with Lucy. I look forward to the next instalment and getting more of Lucy and Kiska’s antics. <3
February 24, 2017
Lucy and Trouble Meet Again
I liked this book because I met Lucy again. Her gorgeous dog is one of the best thing in the book. I would love to read more about him and Lucy having more adventures, even though they seem to attract murders.
I liked this book because I met Lucy again. Her gorgeous dog is one of the best thing in the book. I would love to read more about him and Lucy having more adventures, even though they seem to attract murders.
October 19, 2013
Rae Davies’ Cut Loose (Dusty Deals#2) is about ‘antique’ store owner Lucy Matthews trying to make a go of it in Helena. Things should be looking up – she’s dating a detective (Peter) and it’s rodeo time. She even has a booth at the rodeo and great hopes that this will ensure that she can pay the bills. The problem is that the Detective’s trophy ex-wife and her Australian shepherd are also getting ready for the rodeo and seem to be spending a lot of time with Peter. In an effort to avoid running into the two of them, Lucy ducks into the nearest trailer and stumbles on the body of the dead rodeo queen. Add to that some other evidence, and Lucy is first in the line of suspects, especially since she is too embarrassed to explain why she was in the trailer. She clearly needs an attorney but doesn’t have the money to handle that and other expenses. In the meantime, she agrees to let her untrained dog Kishka be entered into the contest to please Peter’s son. Davies has created as story with multiple conflicts and complexities and spins the story to a somewhat unexpected ending.
September 7, 2016
It was ok. Lucy and Kiska are both something else. I like the developing relationship between Lucy and Peter. You can tell that she is extremely frightened of her feelings for him and simultaneously wants her close and far away. Its amusing. I also love that he recognizes this and respectfully keeps pursuing. I'm new to the series but I imagine that there is a reason for her caution that we will read about sooner or later.
***Spiritism alert***
I have a problem with Rhonda's increasing spiritism. In the first book there was some sage bundle for warding off evil I guess that I skipped over. In this book there was some kind of beads or crystals that they were going into so I skipped that part and then they go into Tarot card. Oh no! I can't stick with this series after that and I'll have to use extreme caution with this author going forward as well.
***Spiritism alert***
I have a problem with Rhonda's increasing spiritism. In the first book there was some sage bundle for warding off evil I guess that I skipped over. In this book there was some kind of beads or crystals that they were going into so I skipped that part and then they go into Tarot card. Oh no! I can't stick with this series after that and I'll have to use extreme caution with this author going forward as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2016
The second book in the Dusty Deals series was even better than the first. The character development progressed to the point that I felt like I knew the characters. In fact, there were a few times I wanted to slap Lucy (the main character who owns the antique store) up side her head for being an idiot! Yes, that's how real that character is. Her unwillingness to ask for help and her stubbornness with thinking she can do things on her own - even when she is in over her head legally - creates suspense (albeit with frustration at the character) that keeps one reading. And, of course, I once again enjoyed the antiques business references, being in the business myself.
On to book 3....
On to book 3....
September 8, 2014
Lucy Matthews is a believable protagonist; the kind we can envision as a neighbor or long time friend. Her catalyst is her store, Dusty Deals, which opens opportunity for good stories, not too intense, not at all frivolous, just good interesting reading. In this one she's at odds with her boyfriend's ex, while not even sure of her own status with him. How she holds her own in this situation paired with a rodeo environment and the murder of one of the queen contestants, makes a good 'Cozy' genre story.
September 10, 2015
#2 book in Dusty Deals Mystery Series.
Oh gosh. I don't know where to start with this one. I had read the first book in the series, and while I didn't LOVE that book, I did enjoy the scenery and location, and the book series did have potential. But this book just continues what I already knew about the character: she comes off as boring, and a little too absorbed. And the series feels very cookie-cutter in writing style.
It just didn't appeal to me at all. The best part was that it is a fairly quick read. I finished in a few nights.
Two stars.
Oh gosh. I don't know where to start with this one. I had read the first book in the series, and while I didn't LOVE that book, I did enjoy the scenery and location, and the book series did have potential. But this book just continues what I already knew about the character: she comes off as boring, and a little too absorbed. And the series feels very cookie-cutter in writing style.
It just didn't appeal to me at all. The best part was that it is a fairly quick read. I finished in a few nights.
Two stars.
February 20, 2015
Lucy, owner of Dusy Deals antique shop is prepping to sell her wares at the rodeo in Helena, MT. While setting up Lucy stumbles across the dead body of a rodeo queen, Lucy's wallet in hand. Lucy's detective boyfriend is banned from the case and a new detective is brought in, a detective determined to charge Lucy with murder. In order to save herself, her Malamute and her business Lucy dives head first into proving her own innocence.
March 1, 2015
Easy to ready, easy to figure out, but still a good book. The humor (none of which was side splitting) was consistent. Liked the heroine, loved her dog.
I would recommend for anyone that had an afternoon where they wanted something fun to read. I did have the killer figured out, and why, fairly early, but that's okay. Most of these books aren't meant to be Agatha Christie's. Read it just for enjoyment.
Light cursing, no sexual content, for those who are opposed.
I would recommend for anyone that had an afternoon where they wanted something fun to read. I did have the killer figured out, and why, fairly early, but that's okay. Most of these books aren't meant to be Agatha Christie's. Read it just for enjoyment.
Light cursing, no sexual content, for those who are opposed.
June 7, 2014
What a change from Gormenghast! A short, light read. I know I read the first in the series, but I realised early on that I could remember much more than the dog :)
Still, that didn't stop this being enjoyable with a typical "happy ever after" ending. Not high literature, but I doubt it was ever supposed to be :)
Still, that didn't stop this being enjoyable with a typical "happy ever after" ending. Not high literature, but I doubt it was ever supposed to be :)
April 16, 2013
This was a good story.I didn't love it as much as the first book, but it was still good. The main character was a little silly and seemed dumber than in the first book. I did like the mystery though. That part was very well written.
June 23, 2014
It's ok
this one wasn't funny, complex, thrilling, or fast paced. the characters were cliche and there was no spark in any romance. for a simple read its ok. have read worse and I did finish it ( although I may have jumped ahead a bit)
this one wasn't funny, complex, thrilling, or fast paced. the characters were cliche and there was no spark in any romance. for a simple read its ok. have read worse and I did finish it ( although I may have jumped ahead a bit)
March 20, 2017
As much as I love Cozy mysteries
I just couldn't seem to enjoy this one as much as the first book. I can't justify spending $3.99 on the next book and$4.99 on the 4th book in this series.
I just couldn't seem to enjoy this one as much as the first book. I can't justify spending $3.99 on the next book and$4.99 on the 4th book in this series.
June 15, 2012
i enjoyed both of these books and am waiting hopefully for the next.
January 18, 2013
Just plain fun.
June 17, 2012
I enjoyed it. easy refreshing read.
June 21, 2012
A nice quick read. I can't wait for the next one.
July 10, 2012
A really quick read. I really enjoyed this one and cannot aait for the next.
August 3, 2012
I like this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews