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Devereaux's Dime Store #2
Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death: A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery
"In "New York Times "bestselling author Denise Swanson's "slightly zany"* new mystery series, Devereaux Sinclair loves running her old-fashioned store in her small Missouri hometown. If only murder didn't keep landing on her doorstep...
"Dev's five-and-dime may be doing well, but her love life is in turmoil. She's torn between Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio, who is on an undercover assignment, and her ex-beau Noah Underwood, the local doctor from a high-society family. So she welcomes the distraction when Elise Whitmore offers her a great deal on antique chocolate molds that would be perfect for her Easter gift baskets. But do the molds actually belong to Elise's soon-to-be ex-husband? In buying them, has Dev committed a felony?
When Elise is found shot to death, the mystery deepens--and Dev's good friend Boone, who discovered the body, is taken into custody. With the help of her best buds, Dev must clear Boone's name and find the real killer. Good thing that when it comes to amateur sleuths, they broke the mold with Dev Sinclair.
*"Library Journal"
"Dev's five-and-dime may be doing well, but her love life is in turmoil. She's torn between Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio, who is on an undercover assignment, and her ex-beau Noah Underwood, the local doctor from a high-society family. So she welcomes the distraction when Elise Whitmore offers her a great deal on antique chocolate molds that would be perfect for her Easter gift baskets. But do the molds actually belong to Elise's soon-to-be ex-husband? In buying them, has Dev committed a felony?
When Elise is found shot to death, the mystery deepens--and Dev's good friend Boone, who discovered the body, is taken into custody. With the help of her best buds, Dev must clear Boone's name and find the real killer. Good thing that when it comes to amateur sleuths, they broke the mold with Dev Sinclair.
*"Library Journal"
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
42 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Denise Swanson
69 books1,128 followersDenise 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 23, 2018
I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are fun and the mysteries entertaining. I'm totally with Birdie and am Team Jake.
April 3, 2014
Let's knock out the negative first, I don't see Noah and Dev together, friends yes, but to me they don't have the sizzle. Not thrilled with the diagnosis of the mayor with low blood pressure, I have low blood pressure but if mine was as low as his I would be hospitalized (as a matter of fact I was). I'm also not a big fan of Poppy, her friend is arrested and she acts like a brat, she'll make a scene at the police station to embarrass her father? Really, are you going to hold your breath next? Any way that being said I love Dev and her grandma. Noah is much more likeable in this book, he is trying to get back in Dev's, and friends good graces, and is quite good at finding out info. He's a likeable guy, but I just see him as a friend. The mystery was excellent with a lot of suspects, and a plot with so many twists, plus a surprise one that kept me guessing. I will definitely move on to the next in the series.
March 26, 2021
It's closing time at the small country store Devereaux Sinclair owns. She has plans for the night with one of the two guys she's seeing and agonizing about throughout the book. A woman pushes her way into the almost-locked door and hands Devereaux a bunch of antique chocolate molds. They settle on a price, and the woman leaves the store. Later that night, someone murders her, and the cops charge Devereaux's friend, Boone, with the murder.
Her search for the actual killer takes Devereaux in lots of directions and leads to a cliff-hanger conclusion in some ways.
I would have enjoyed this much ore had Inot dealt with the constant vacillating between would-be lovers. The old Mary MacGregor song from the late '70s played incessantly in my head as I read this--you know the one, "Torn Between Two Lovers." Obnoxious? Yeah, it kind of is, but that's what was playing.
Her search for the actual killer takes Devereaux in lots of directions and leads to a cliff-hanger conclusion in some ways.
I would have enjoyed this much ore had Inot dealt with the constant vacillating between would-be lovers. The old Mary MacGregor song from the late '70s played incessantly in my head as I read this--you know the one, "Torn Between Two Lovers." Obnoxious? Yeah, it kind of is, but that's what was playing.
December 17, 2016
Book #131 Read in 2016
Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death by Denise Swanson
This is the second installment in a cozy mystery series, where Dev owns a dime store. In this book, her lawyer friend Boone is accused of murdering one of his clients and Dev begins her own investigation. At the same time, she is caught between two would-be suitors: Noah and Jake. A good cast of secondary characters and an intelligent heroine make this a good cozy series. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death by Denise Swanson
This is the second installment in a cozy mystery series, where Dev owns a dime store. In this book, her lawyer friend Boone is accused of murdering one of his clients and Dev begins her own investigation. At the same time, she is caught between two would-be suitors: Noah and Jake. A good cast of secondary characters and an intelligent heroine make this a good cozy series. I borrowed this book from the public library.
October 1, 2024
I know, I know I broke my promise to myself not to start a series without reading in order but I had to for cozy mystery bingo.
I like the Scumble River series by the author and had this series on my TBR. I needed a book that started with N and this fell off the shelf into my hands while working at the Friends of the Library.
This book was entertaining from beginning to end. There is the dreaded love triangle but I have to remind myself this was written 11 years ago and it appears love triangles were the rage in books.
There are some not so politically correct themes but I love it. I’m hoping to read book one for a theme this go around.
I like the Scumble River series by the author and had this series on my TBR. I needed a book that started with N and this fell off the shelf into my hands while working at the Friends of the Library.
This book was entertaining from beginning to end. There is the dreaded love triangle but I have to remind myself this was written 11 years ago and it appears love triangles were the rage in books.
There are some not so politically correct themes but I love it. I’m hoping to read book one for a theme this go around.
July 18, 2013
In this second novel of the series, I found myself feeling like I was sitting with a friend's letter and catching up with all the gossip and news since we last wrote. There was a sense of familiarity and interest in the lives of the characters.
The main character is Devereaux Sinclair. Dev owns the local Nickel and Dime store in downtown Shadow Bend, Missouri. It is Easter time and Dev is busy making up seasonal gift baskets, when she is surprised by a deal she can not pass by...solid Easter bunny chocolate molds. The seller demands cash but the deal, is just too good to miss. The seller is Elise Whitmore.
Next, Dev updates us on her love life. She is torn between Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio suddenly back on the job and undercover, and Dev's former beau, Dr. Noah Underwood, back in her life after thirteen years.
As we are reading along in the midst of a work/date dinner fundraiser where Noah and Dev are reconnecting, we are shocked by the news that Dev's BFF, Boone has been arrested for the murder of his client, Elise Whitmore!
What is going on? Has this something to do with the chocolate molds? Since Noah is no fan of Boone's, Dev flees the fundraiser with girlfriend, Poppy, the estranged daughter of the Police Chief. Soon we are getting all caught up with Dev's family and friends.
This novel is a cozy murder mystery as well as a romantic suspense tale. I found both equally compelling to read. Yes, this series is like catching up on the lives of the Shadow Bend citizens and I enjoyed reading it.
The main character is Devereaux Sinclair. Dev owns the local Nickel and Dime store in downtown Shadow Bend, Missouri. It is Easter time and Dev is busy making up seasonal gift baskets, when she is surprised by a deal she can not pass by...solid Easter bunny chocolate molds. The seller demands cash but the deal, is just too good to miss. The seller is Elise Whitmore.
Next, Dev updates us on her love life. She is torn between Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio suddenly back on the job and undercover, and Dev's former beau, Dr. Noah Underwood, back in her life after thirteen years.
As we are reading along in the midst of a work/date dinner fundraiser where Noah and Dev are reconnecting, we are shocked by the news that Dev's BFF, Boone has been arrested for the murder of his client, Elise Whitmore!
What is going on? Has this something to do with the chocolate molds? Since Noah is no fan of Boone's, Dev flees the fundraiser with girlfriend, Poppy, the estranged daughter of the Police Chief. Soon we are getting all caught up with Dev's family and friends.
This novel is a cozy murder mystery as well as a romantic suspense tale. I found both equally compelling to read. Yes, this series is like catching up on the lives of the Shadow Bend citizens and I enjoyed reading it.
August 6, 2016
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Why does every book have to have a love triangle? I really like Dev and Jake and don't want to have doubts about the relationship and like Noah!
This book puts Dev in the middle of another murder mystery, some girls have all the luck! This time she is looking to clear Boone when his client is murdered. So much intrigue!!
This time we get a split narrative between Dev and dishy Doc Noah. Dang it I did not want to like him!! But he is now winning brownie points with me! I still prefer sexy as all get out bad boy Jake!
Once again the steam is relegated to a few hot kisses. We never seem to get past making out. Sigh!
The mystery is once again really intriguing and not an easy solve. I love all the twists and turns! This is easily my new fave mystery series!! Wonderfully paced and not a dull moment to be found!
Once again Maia Guest does a superb job of narrating. I love her characterizations and she really makes the story sing!
Why does every book have to have a love triangle? I really like Dev and Jake and don't want to have doubts about the relationship and like Noah!
This book puts Dev in the middle of another murder mystery, some girls have all the luck! This time she is looking to clear Boone when his client is murdered. So much intrigue!!
This time we get a split narrative between Dev and dishy Doc Noah. Dang it I did not want to like him!! But he is now winning brownie points with me! I still prefer sexy as all get out bad boy Jake!
Once again the steam is relegated to a few hot kisses. We never seem to get past making out. Sigh!
The mystery is once again really intriguing and not an easy solve. I love all the twists and turns! This is easily my new fave mystery series!! Wonderfully paced and not a dull moment to be found!
Once again Maia Guest does a superb job of narrating. I love her characterizations and she really makes the story sing!
August 7, 2013
Ok, so I gave Ms. Swanson too much credit for the first Devereaux dime Store Mystery. I am having one heck of a time getting through #2. It is supposed to be a mystery but 90% of it is romance. And this switching from first person to get into the thoughts of Noah has gotten old quick. Also, the guy just lost his fiancé to murder a month ago and he is hot and heavy for a rekindled romance with Dev?
Ok so something jumps out at me and I have to comment. The mayor has exceptionally low blood pressure and Noah's treatment mirrors what one does for high blood pressure. Add to that the mayor is low weight so Doc Noah this this thinks that it is due to his REFUSAL to exercise? What planet does Doc Noah reside on
So a few pages later it is revealed that the mayor's BP is 62/40. Yeah. And Doc Noah isn't putting the guy in the hospital for tests?????? That is almost comatose. Ms. Swanson, do your freaking homework before you write!
Done! done! Done!
Ok so something jumps out at me and I have to comment. The mayor has exceptionally low blood pressure and Noah's treatment mirrors what one does for high blood pressure. Add to that the mayor is low weight so Doc Noah this this thinks that it is due to his REFUSAL to exercise? What planet does Doc Noah reside on
So a few pages later it is revealed that the mayor's BP is 62/40. Yeah. And Doc Noah isn't putting the guy in the hospital for tests?????? That is almost comatose. Ms. Swanson, do your freaking homework before you write!
Done! done! Done!
May 25, 2018
I really liked this book. I love Dev and her love interests. Poppy and Boone are people I would love to be friends with. I am so used to reading cozy mysteries where there is a suspenseful, “watch out main character... the killer has a gun pointed at you,” moment that I was pleasantly surprised to finish the book and never experiencing one. I thought at one point that I knew who the killer was but I couldn’t figure out why. There were enough twists and turns in this story to keep me guessing. If I had more time to read, this book would have been read in a week or less. I just love this series and can’t wait to start the next one.
April 9, 2013
This was the second book in this series by Denise Swanson. It was pretty interesting. I'm getting to like the characters. I like her Scumble River series better, though.
November 25, 2023
Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death (Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery, #2)
by Denise Swanson (Goodreads Author)
I was really torn on how many stars to rate this book. I finally settled on 3.
This is the first book I've read in the "Dime Store Mystery" series and it's the 2nd book in the series.
Some thoughts:
a. Dev Sinclair is somewhat more likable than Dani Sloan from the "Chef to Go" series. Dani's a doormat.
b. What concerns me about Dev Sinclair is that she's close to slipping into the same "slut" mode as Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's Numbers series. The two hot suitors is okay. For me, I read many of the Plum books until I couldn't stomach them anymore. Where Sinclair is tiptoeing up to the line is 'they both kiss her hot enough to melt her panties off'. Plum hops in and out of bed with both of her suitors and I wonder if Sinclair is headed in the same direction.
c. Dev seems to be a little immature re: US Marshall Jake Del Vecchio's job. Perhaps in all of her fancy education, she missed learning what the word "undercover" means. She expects him to call while he's undercover. And worse, he actually breaks cover to visit her! No cop would risk a mission for a girlfriend, and if he did, he should be removed from duty. If Dev can't handle his job, she should break it off with him completely.
d. Dev Sinclair doesn't seem to have matured emotionally beyond her 16-year-old self. Her heart was broken by Noah at 16 and at 29, she seems to want to accept his lame excuses because he's hot, and at 16 "he was the love of her life." Or is she just mad at Jake because he can't call while undercover and working with his ex-wife on his team?
e. I do like that there was actual "sleuthing" done by Dev in this book. Dev made an effort to ask questions and put "2 and 2" together, unlike Dani Sloan who just kind of stumbles into stuff.
f. I don't like that the Sinclair family's fall from grace is all wrapped up in a bow in Book 2 and .... what? Dad's going to get out of prison and go back to work at the bank? Dev's humiliation at the hands of the town due to Dad being in prison just goes away and everyone apologizes? Maybe we'll find out in a future book but why?
Denise Swanson seems to be one of those writers who throws stuff into books and doesn't really do much research on whether her plot lines or circumstances are really possible or likely. I understand the 'suspension of belief' needed for books and movies but readers don't stop being intelligent people while reading books. It's not big items but the little items that just spoil a little bit here and there, and eventually can erode trust in her as a writer. I also briefly got a sense of Swanson's midwest America/small-town people's attitudes towards people in larger cities. I hope this doesn't show up too much in future books.
I will read a couple more books in this series to see if I feel differently about it later. The stories are entertaining and a nice way to pass a couple of afternoons. I would recommend that readers who like cozy mysteries give them a try and decide for themselves.
POLL: Using the author's initials for the female main characters in her books:
Yes/No?
Cute/Narcissistic?
by Denise Swanson (Goodreads Author)
I was really torn on how many stars to rate this book. I finally settled on 3.
This is the first book I've read in the "Dime Store Mystery" series and it's the 2nd book in the series.
Some thoughts:
a. Dev Sinclair is somewhat more likable than Dani Sloan from the "Chef to Go" series. Dani's a doormat.
b. What concerns me about Dev Sinclair is that she's close to slipping into the same "slut" mode as Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's Numbers series. The two hot suitors is okay. For me, I read many of the Plum books until I couldn't stomach them anymore. Where Sinclair is tiptoeing up to the line is 'they both kiss her hot enough to melt her panties off'. Plum hops in and out of bed with both of her suitors and I wonder if Sinclair is headed in the same direction.
c. Dev seems to be a little immature re: US Marshall Jake Del Vecchio's job. Perhaps in all of her fancy education, she missed learning what the word "undercover" means. She expects him to call while he's undercover. And worse, he actually breaks cover to visit her! No cop would risk a mission for a girlfriend, and if he did, he should be removed from duty. If Dev can't handle his job, she should break it off with him completely.
d. Dev Sinclair doesn't seem to have matured emotionally beyond her 16-year-old self. Her heart was broken by Noah at 16 and at 29, she seems to want to accept his lame excuses because he's hot, and at 16 "he was the love of her life." Or is she just mad at Jake because he can't call while undercover and working with his ex-wife on his team?
e. I do like that there was actual "sleuthing" done by Dev in this book. Dev made an effort to ask questions and put "2 and 2" together, unlike Dani Sloan who just kind of stumbles into stuff.
f. I don't like that the Sinclair family's fall from grace is all wrapped up in a bow in Book 2 and .... what? Dad's going to get out of prison and go back to work at the bank? Dev's humiliation at the hands of the town due to Dad being in prison just goes away and everyone apologizes? Maybe we'll find out in a future book but why?
Denise Swanson seems to be one of those writers who throws stuff into books and doesn't really do much research on whether her plot lines or circumstances are really possible or likely. I understand the 'suspension of belief' needed for books and movies but readers don't stop being intelligent people while reading books. It's not big items but the little items that just spoil a little bit here and there, and eventually can erode trust in her as a writer. I also briefly got a sense of Swanson's midwest America/small-town people's attitudes towards people in larger cities. I hope this doesn't show up too much in future books.
I will read a couple more books in this series to see if I feel differently about it later. The stories are entertaining and a nice way to pass a couple of afternoons. I would recommend that readers who like cozy mysteries give them a try and decide for themselves.
POLL: Using the author's initials for the female main characters in her books:
Yes/No?
Cute/Narcissistic?
July 16, 2022
This second book in the Devereaux Sinclair series seems to follow a pattern that I have seen both in Denise Swanson’s Scumble River series and in Janet Evanovitch’s Stephanie Plum series- the protagonist can’t make up her mind if she is in love with the Law enforcement officer or the other wealthy man in her life. Is all this angst really needed to cause conflict in the small town investigators life?
Worth reading if you like these other mentioned series.
Worth reading if you like these other mentioned series.
November 15, 2023
3.5 Stars. A cute, easy and light read. There are a few unrealistic things and unbelievable moments, but nothing terrible. I appreciate that the heroine isn’t just nosy but actually has very valid reasons for her investigation and she is very believable in how she goes about it. I personally enjoy when romance is a big part of my mysteries, but I’m not a big fan of the love triangle. Hopefully it won’t drag on.
August 2, 2021
Enjoyed the complicated mystery with a number of possible suspects, and the satisfactory wrap up. Boone is not like his normal self in this book, but who is while they are under police arrest and suspected of murder? Wish that Dev could work out a less fractious relationship with her grandmother and make a decision about Jake or Noah.
December 25, 2017
I did like this one a little more than the first book in the series, but maybe the characters are just more familiar to me now. I am a bit annoyed by the will they or won't they, back and forth of Dev and her 2 love interests in this book. I just want her to pick already!
June 13, 2019
Every single woman should have Devereaux's problem of having two really nice and gorgeous men chasing after her!! Even better they help her solve the crime. I love the idea of her Dime Store. Reminds me of Woolworths back in the day, except for the specialized baskets. Cute Cozie.
September 25, 2019
I was generous with three stars. The book still had too much romance for my taste. The story got interesting near the conclusion although lots of discoveries and plot twists were squeezed in to a short part of the book.
July 8, 2020
Book 2 we get to follow a little more of her love life and try to figure out where her heart will lead her. The murder plot is a little far fetched, but for a cozy murder series I expected it. Hopefully book 3 will pick back up.
January 19, 2021
Having fun with some quick reads..and Denise Swanson and her 'Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery' series is entertaining me.
Quote from the Gran character, Birdie...
"...your fences needed to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong."
Now..that would be indeed, a good fence!!
Quote from the Gran character, Birdie...
"...your fences needed to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong."
Now..that would be indeed, a good fence!!
September 27, 2018
will not read the rest of the series. Not my favorite
June 23, 2019
I liked the first one in the series much more, however not sure why. I was also hoping for some more animal-themed parts...
September 18, 2019
Loving this series / glad I stumbled upon this author.
April 29, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
August 4, 2020
3 - Good
January 7, 2021
Decent light read, like a pastel version of the Stephanie Plum series. The romance was a little heavy for my taste, as I prefer a mystery to be more procedural and detective in nature.
December 30, 2021
Love this series!
September 28, 2022
The story was pretty good and I like the characters, but there were a few things that just didn't quite make sense, and oh, the typos!
January 7, 2023
She does cozy mysteries very well, that's why this is the second series I'm reading by her.
April 30, 2019
Enjoyable read from a very good author. Dev is a really good character and I look forward to more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews