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Nell Forrest #2
Ill-Gotten Gains
There are secrets in the sleepy town of Majic, where the past trips over the present ... and then looks the other way.
The country town of Majic is about to celebrate a milestone. It's been 150 years since the founding father, Petar Majic, rode into the bush after a liquid lunch, vowing to build a house at whatever spot he reached by sunset. However, what happened next isn't quite what town legend would have you believe.
A minor act of cemetery vandalism lands local columnist and amateur detective Nell Forrest right in the path of historical inevitability. An apparent murder-suicide leads to the unveiling of a century-old scandal and a trail left by a trio of long-dead women.
Nell's investigations are hampered both by the arrival of the handsome district detective and by her family – whose dramas almost eclipse that of the town itself. With directionless daughters, unplanned pregnancies, a spot or two of adultery and an ex-husband who wants her house, Nell barely has time for the case, let alone the energy to keep her wits about her at the same time.
And Nell will need her wits about her as the mystery of Majic begins casting its shadow into the present day, putting Nell and her family in grave danger. In the end, Nell must decide whether it is a tale of epic fortitude, or treachery and ill-gotten gains, before the past catches up with her.
The country town of Majic is about to celebrate a milestone. It's been 150 years since the founding father, Petar Majic, rode into the bush after a liquid lunch, vowing to build a house at whatever spot he reached by sunset. However, what happened next isn't quite what town legend would have you believe.
A minor act of cemetery vandalism lands local columnist and amateur detective Nell Forrest right in the path of historical inevitability. An apparent murder-suicide leads to the unveiling of a century-old scandal and a trail left by a trio of long-dead women.
Nell's investigations are hampered both by the arrival of the handsome district detective and by her family – whose dramas almost eclipse that of the town itself. With directionless daughters, unplanned pregnancies, a spot or two of adultery and an ex-husband who wants her house, Nell barely has time for the case, let alone the energy to keep her wits about her at the same time.
And Nell will need her wits about her as the mystery of Majic begins casting its shadow into the present day, putting Nell and her family in grave danger. In the end, Nell must decide whether it is a tale of epic fortitude, or treachery and ill-gotten gains, before the past catches up with her.
234 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Ilsa Evans
16 books64 followersIlsa Evans is an Australian author. She has written across several genres from light fiction (such as the books that make up the 'laundry series') to more gritty social realism. Two of her books, Broken and Sticks and Stones stem from the findings of a PhD on the long-term effects of family violence that Ilsa completed in 2005. Ilsa teaches creative writing and carries out public speaking when she is not writing. She lives in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne with her children, assorted pets and several uninvited possums.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 22, 2015
With the 150 year celebrations looming, Nell Forrest was accompanying her youngest daughter Quinn to the cemetery of Majic to research the town’s founder, Petar Majic – her latest school assignment was one Quinn wanted to excel in. But when Quinn disturbed Petar’s headstone, much to Nell’s horror, it started a chain of events which left the town shattered and Nell’s amateur detective status on dangerous ground.
Nell was a recently single mother to five daughters; Scarlet, Lucy, Ruby, Red and Quinn. Her husband - soon to be ex – was the bane of her existence and she tried not to think about him. But the preparations, investigations and all historical researching involved members of a family deeply entrenched in Majic’s history. When tragedy struck, not once but twice with Detective Sergeant Ashley Armistead as senior in the investigation, Nell realized she still had feelings for the handsome detective.
Could Nell solve the mystery from the past which had overshadowed the present? Would the highly anticipated celebrations take place or would the disgrace of secrets from the past outweigh it all? And would the danger that Nell’s family was in abate without injury to anyone?
I thoroughly enjoyed Ill-Gotten Gains which is the second in the Nell Forrest series by Aussie author Ilsa Evans. Nell is a wonderful character – so natural and down to earth; funny too! Quote: on ringing daughters regarding a family meeting – “Apologies would be accepted, however efforts to attend would be reflected in the quality and quantity of individual Christmas presents later this year”. 35%
I have no hesitation in highly recommending this series and hope to get to book #3 sooner rather than later.
Nell was a recently single mother to five daughters; Scarlet, Lucy, Ruby, Red and Quinn. Her husband - soon to be ex – was the bane of her existence and she tried not to think about him. But the preparations, investigations and all historical researching involved members of a family deeply entrenched in Majic’s history. When tragedy struck, not once but twice with Detective Sergeant Ashley Armistead as senior in the investigation, Nell realized she still had feelings for the handsome detective.
Could Nell solve the mystery from the past which had overshadowed the present? Would the highly anticipated celebrations take place or would the disgrace of secrets from the past outweigh it all? And would the danger that Nell’s family was in abate without injury to anyone?
I thoroughly enjoyed Ill-Gotten Gains which is the second in the Nell Forrest series by Aussie author Ilsa Evans. Nell is a wonderful character – so natural and down to earth; funny too! Quote: on ringing daughters regarding a family meeting – “Apologies would be accepted, however efforts to attend would be reflected in the quality and quantity of individual Christmas presents later this year”. 35%
I have no hesitation in highly recommending this series and hope to get to book #3 sooner rather than later.
September 24, 2013
I so enjoyed the first Nell Forest Mystery, Nefarious Doings that I was delighted to be able to move on so quickly to the second, Ill-Gotten Gains.
Picking up just a few months after the end of Nefarious Doings, the town of Majic is about to celebrate its 150th anniversary when Nell's youngest daughter, Quinn, uncovers a surprising anomaly at the crypt of the town founder. Nell dutifully shares the information with the local Historical Society unaware that the discovery will rewrite the history of the town and make her the target of a killer desperate to keep the past a secret.
I think the plot is stronger in Ill-Gotten Gains (than in Nefarious Doings), the mystery is less predictable and, just when you think you might have figured it all out, it twists nicely. Evan's teases out the secret, which stretches back into the town's history, without compromising the drama of present. The tension is also more immediate with Nell targeted by the killer, leading to a spectacular confrontation at the height of the town's celebrations.
As with the first book, I adored the characters, I'd love to share a coffee with Nell (even though I can't stand the stuff). I love the little asides shared from her column, 'Middle Age Spread', and her sense of humour makes me laugh. Nell's familial relationships are so realistically drawn, I can empathise with the chaos her daughters introduce into her life and the love, and concern, she feels for all of them.
The supporting characters within the community of Majic are part of the appeal of the series, often quirky, sometimes completely insane, they add colour to the story. I've mentioned it previously but look out for Grace June Rae, a character I won naming rights to.
Oh and the dashing Detective Sergeant Ashley Armistead returns to charm Nell in Ill-Gotten Gains, even while he despairs of her habit of finding dead bodies and attracting trouble.
Ill-Gotten Gains is a delightful blend of mystery, humour and domestic drama with a touch of romance. I adore this new cosy mystery series - Ilsa, you can expect I'll be harassing you on Words With Friends until the next installment is in my hands!
December 23, 2019
Another excellent instalment in this small Australian town mystery series - I just love the sense of wry humour that threads its way through these books.
December 10, 2013
ILL-GOTTEN GAINS is the second Nell Forest Mystery by Ilsa Evans set in the imagined country town of Majic (somewhere out near Bendigo if I remember from the first book :) )
When reviewing the earlier book, NEFARIOUS DOINGS recently, I commented on the style of accidental female PI series that these books fall into and what a good example of that genre they are. Whilst the first book was, in itself, a fun example of that style, ILL-GOTTEN GAINS adds a much stronger plot to other strong elements.
Part of what makes these books work so well is the central character - Nell. She's an accidental investigator. A bit of a sticky beak that gets herself into the middle of any questionable goings on. Either by just being in the vicinity or because she actively seeks out involvement. When her youngest daughter uncovers a mystery about the founding father of the town, right on the eve of the 150th Anniversary celebrations, of course Nell's going to get involved. There's lots of strong twists and turns in the reveal of that story that will keep the reader guessing up until the end.
The supporting cast from the first book is back with various daughters, local cops, sister, mother and local entities all there. There's also a stronger part for the ex-husband and his new girlfriend and a lot of fleshing out of the relationships between everyone. There's the will / they won't they romance element which whilst expected in this style of book, is nicely done - with humour and a strong feeling of new attraction tempered with the reality of slightly advanced years.
Humour, mystery, family relationships and small town complications all get their moments in ILL-GOTTEN GAINS. I suspect you'd be able to read these books out of sync, but they would work better if you can start with the first. But if your a fan of this sort of lighter style, then you really should try both of these books.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
When reviewing the earlier book, NEFARIOUS DOINGS recently, I commented on the style of accidental female PI series that these books fall into and what a good example of that genre they are. Whilst the first book was, in itself, a fun example of that style, ILL-GOTTEN GAINS adds a much stronger plot to other strong elements.
Part of what makes these books work so well is the central character - Nell. She's an accidental investigator. A bit of a sticky beak that gets herself into the middle of any questionable goings on. Either by just being in the vicinity or because she actively seeks out involvement. When her youngest daughter uncovers a mystery about the founding father of the town, right on the eve of the 150th Anniversary celebrations, of course Nell's going to get involved. There's lots of strong twists and turns in the reveal of that story that will keep the reader guessing up until the end.
The supporting cast from the first book is back with various daughters, local cops, sister, mother and local entities all there. There's also a stronger part for the ex-husband and his new girlfriend and a lot of fleshing out of the relationships between everyone. There's the will / they won't they romance element which whilst expected in this style of book, is nicely done - with humour and a strong feeling of new attraction tempered with the reality of slightly advanced years.
Humour, mystery, family relationships and small town complications all get their moments in ILL-GOTTEN GAINS. I suspect you'd be able to read these books out of sync, but they would work better if you can start with the first. But if your a fan of this sort of lighter style, then you really should try both of these books.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
October 8, 2013
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley via Momentum Books.
Nell Forrest has a sneaking suspicion that her life is quickly spiraling out of control. Her husband has left her and wants to sell the house out from under her. Her daughters are all over the place with their career changes and boyfriend swaps. Also, she seems to be accidentally involved in a murder investigation for the second time in a year. When Nell and her daughter Quinn uncover something strange at the tomb of one of the town’s founders, Peter Majic, Nell inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will lead to suspicious deaths and several near-fatal accidents. Nell realizes that all these events are related to her discovery about Peter Majic, so she teams up with her sister Petra, Deb Taylor of the Majic historical society, and Deb’s enthusiastic husband Lew to discover the truth about Majic’s past. But they have to work quickly – the town’s anniversary celebration is only a few days away, and the closer Nell gets to the truth, the more determined someone becomes to make sure she doesn’t find it.
I think Nell is a great narrator. Each chapter begins with a comment that Nell receives on the advice column she writes for the paper. Some of these are really funny. Also, Nell is constantly thinking in headlines. When she fears she’s being followed in the cemetery, she imagines that the next day’s headline reads “Woman’s corpse found locked in car. No visible signs of injury. Dog useless.” I definitely had sympathy for her watching her try to deal with her soon-to-be-ex-husband and her crazy daughters.
The mystery is an interesting one, and I was just as involved in learning the truth about Majic’s history as I was in catching the modern-day murderer. I will say that it is a bit difficult to pick up on all of Nell’s family relationships without having read the first book in this series. But otherwise, I enjoyed the read!
Nell Forrest has a sneaking suspicion that her life is quickly spiraling out of control. Her husband has left her and wants to sell the house out from under her. Her daughters are all over the place with their career changes and boyfriend swaps. Also, she seems to be accidentally involved in a murder investigation for the second time in a year. When Nell and her daughter Quinn uncover something strange at the tomb of one of the town’s founders, Peter Majic, Nell inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will lead to suspicious deaths and several near-fatal accidents. Nell realizes that all these events are related to her discovery about Peter Majic, so she teams up with her sister Petra, Deb Taylor of the Majic historical society, and Deb’s enthusiastic husband Lew to discover the truth about Majic’s past. But they have to work quickly – the town’s anniversary celebration is only a few days away, and the closer Nell gets to the truth, the more determined someone becomes to make sure she doesn’t find it.
I think Nell is a great narrator. Each chapter begins with a comment that Nell receives on the advice column she writes for the paper. Some of these are really funny. Also, Nell is constantly thinking in headlines. When she fears she’s being followed in the cemetery, she imagines that the next day’s headline reads “Woman’s corpse found locked in car. No visible signs of injury. Dog useless.” I definitely had sympathy for her watching her try to deal with her soon-to-be-ex-husband and her crazy daughters.
The mystery is an interesting one, and I was just as involved in learning the truth about Majic’s history as I was in catching the modern-day murderer. I will say that it is a bit difficult to pick up on all of Nell’s family relationships without having read the first book in this series. But otherwise, I enjoyed the read!
October 27, 2013
Meet Nell Forest. A middle-aged woman contending with an ex-husband who is happily moving on with the 'other woman'; an insufferably disapproving and unaffectionate mother; an infuriatingly interfering sister; and a plethora of daughters all bringing their own dramas to the table...life for Nell Forest is far from serene.
But all of this is nothing compared to the drama that arises when her sleepy little home-town becomes embroiled in a scandal of deep dark secrets, betrayal, deceit, and murder....and Nell finds her own life is in very real danger.
Ill-Gotten Gains is the second in a series of books - the first of which I hadn't read, and luckily I hadn't needed to - apart from a couple of 'What have you gotten yourself involved in this time?' type comments, that don't really affect the current story, the author ensures you know enough about Nell and her life for this to uphold as a stand-alone.
Anyway, the 'mystery' itself was sadly really not all that mysterious, and you didn't really have to make much of a leap to figure out what was going on. The 'whodunnit' reveal was delivered a bit too quickly and lacked any real suspense...luckily a twist was hinted at and so I held hope that it may redeem itself later on....unfortunately the final reveal, although not the one I'd suspected, was a bit lackluster and quite frankly a bit naff in my opinion.
Having said that, a huge redeeming merit is the dry humour and sarcasm of the down-trodden Nell Forest - Ok it seems almost ridiculously flippant sometimes considering what is going on around her - but it manages to make the character very likeable and adds a much needed dose of entertainment.
All in all not a complete write off - no its not a nail-biting, brilliantly clever, suspense-riddled mystery; but it is an entertaining read that would probably satisfy a great deal of 'light mystery' fans.
My thanks to Ilsa Evans and Momentum Books for providing this book for review.
But all of this is nothing compared to the drama that arises when her sleepy little home-town becomes embroiled in a scandal of deep dark secrets, betrayal, deceit, and murder....and Nell finds her own life is in very real danger.
Ill-Gotten Gains is the second in a series of books - the first of which I hadn't read, and luckily I hadn't needed to - apart from a couple of 'What have you gotten yourself involved in this time?' type comments, that don't really affect the current story, the author ensures you know enough about Nell and her life for this to uphold as a stand-alone.
Anyway, the 'mystery' itself was sadly really not all that mysterious, and you didn't really have to make much of a leap to figure out what was going on. The 'whodunnit' reveal was delivered a bit too quickly and lacked any real suspense...luckily a twist was hinted at and so I held hope that it may redeem itself later on....unfortunately the final reveal, although not the one I'd suspected, was a bit lackluster and quite frankly a bit naff in my opinion.
Having said that, a huge redeeming merit is the dry humour and sarcasm of the down-trodden Nell Forest - Ok it seems almost ridiculously flippant sometimes considering what is going on around her - but it manages to make the character very likeable and adds a much needed dose of entertainment.
All in all not a complete write off - no its not a nail-biting, brilliantly clever, suspense-riddled mystery; but it is an entertaining read that would probably satisfy a great deal of 'light mystery' fans.
My thanks to Ilsa Evans and Momentum Books for providing this book for review.
September 12, 2013
ILL-GOTTEN GAINS is the sequel to Nefarious Doings that I read, and loved, last month. I love Nell, I can so relate to her on many, many levels. For me, she is a character that is so believable that I felt I could knock on the door and have a cuppa and gossip with no problems. Various aspects of Nell’s daughters are each based on one of my daughters I am sure. Or are all teens like this? Maybe a bit of both! When Nell and her daughter make an important discovery about the town’s founding father she tells the head of the historical society, that night he rings her in a state of excitement wanting to see Nell in person to tell her his great discovery. The next morning Nell finds him dead in his office - with the door locked from the inside. Shortly after there is an attempt on Nell’s life so things become serious for her. Trouble is her life is a bit complicated right now, daughters doing their own thing; various surprise pregnancies; an ex who is insisting she sells the family home and then the gorgeous Detective Sergeant Ashley Armistead turns up to investigate the murder, Nell is not sure what to tackle first.
ILL-GOTTEN GAINS is very well written with a good mystery that has you suspecting everyone at one stage or another. The book is full of believable but quirky characters complete with a ‘normal’ family that the story is built around. As with the first book, each chapter starts with a funny response to one of Nell’s column articles which adds to the overall humour of the book. Readers will laugh as they get drawn into the tale as they try alongside Nell to discover just who the murderer is. All is revealed in a heart stopping finale when Majic’s 150th birthday celebrations swing into action and the town is choc a bloc with people. I do hope there is book three not too far away as I would love to spend more time in Majic.
ILL-GOTTEN GAINS is very well written with a good mystery that has you suspecting everyone at one stage or another. The book is full of believable but quirky characters complete with a ‘normal’ family that the story is built around. As with the first book, each chapter starts with a funny response to one of Nell’s column articles which adds to the overall humour of the book. Readers will laugh as they get drawn into the tale as they try alongside Nell to discover just who the murderer is. All is revealed in a heart stopping finale when Majic’s 150th birthday celebrations swing into action and the town is choc a bloc with people. I do hope there is book three not too far away as I would love to spend more time in Majic.
August 27, 2013
Ill-Gotten Gains by Australian author Ilsa Evans is the second in the Nell Forrest mystery series.
The little Australian town of Majic is preparing an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town's founding. Nell's youngest daughter Quin has a school assignment to find a previously unknown fact about Petar Majic, the Croatian immigrant who founded the town, and when Nell takes her to visit Petar's crypt--a small act of vandalism results in a big surprise.
Nell reports the information to Sam, the head of the historical society. That night Sam calls sounding very excited and wants to see Nell in person to tell her the news. The next day, Sam is dead. Heart attack or murder?
When another member of the historical society is discovered in what looks like a suicide scenario, events take another turn.
Nell is the author of The Middle-Age Spread newspaper column; she has five daughters and a rather messy personal life. Each chapter begins with a comment about Nell's column, and throughout the narrative Nell has personal thoughts that she imagines as newspaper headlines.
Nell, her sister Petra, and her new friend Deb (who happens to be the sister of the woman Nell's husband left her for -if you are a grammar purist, reword syntax to include for whom) instigate their own investigation and discover some strange twists of fate that within 150 years have self-corrected some terrible misdeeds.
While the historic mystery is serious, the current mystery has plenty of humorous moments. I enjoyed both the mystery and the characters.
NetGalley/Momentum Books
Mystery. Sept. 2013. Print version: 234 pages.
The little Australian town of Majic is preparing an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town's founding. Nell's youngest daughter Quin has a school assignment to find a previously unknown fact about Petar Majic, the Croatian immigrant who founded the town, and when Nell takes her to visit Petar's crypt--a small act of vandalism results in a big surprise.
Nell reports the information to Sam, the head of the historical society. That night Sam calls sounding very excited and wants to see Nell in person to tell her the news. The next day, Sam is dead. Heart attack or murder?
When another member of the historical society is discovered in what looks like a suicide scenario, events take another turn.
Nell is the author of The Middle-Age Spread newspaper column; she has five daughters and a rather messy personal life. Each chapter begins with a comment about Nell's column, and throughout the narrative Nell has personal thoughts that she imagines as newspaper headlines.
Nell, her sister Petra, and her new friend Deb (who happens to be the sister of the woman Nell's husband left her for -if you are a grammar purist, reword syntax to include for whom) instigate their own investigation and discover some strange twists of fate that within 150 years have self-corrected some terrible misdeeds.
While the historic mystery is serious, the current mystery has plenty of humorous moments. I enjoyed both the mystery and the characters.
NetGalley/Momentum Books
Mystery. Sept. 2013. Print version: 234 pages.
October 18, 2013
Kat's Review
I chose this book because it looked as though it had the right atmosphere for an October read. I don't read too many unlikely-detective-type books, but this one was funny with a great protagonist, and I found myself laughing at Nell's insights and personal commentary along the way. Nell Forrest is a middle aged woman grappling with some big life changes. Her husband left her and their five children for another woman, Nell's daughters are dealing with the trials of entering adulthood, and Nell is struggling with putting her life back together and moving on.
Her down-to-earth personality that's infused with self-deprecating humour and keen insights are what makes this character so enjoyable to read. When she stumbles onto the mystery of Majic's founders, you just know it's going to be a funny ride. The case itself is an interesting one, and it's clear that Nell is in danger, but she's smart and resourceful and sets her sights on figuring it out.
There's a great supporting cast of characters here, and the setting makes for the perfect location for a murder mystery.
Kat's Rating: A Good Read
This is fun, but not so frivolous that you don't care about the mystery. The writing can be heavy on metaphors at times, but it suits the character so much that it just added to the story. This is the kind of story where you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley & the publisher in return for an honest review.
- See more at: http://www.katsbookbuzz.net/2013/10/r...
I chose this book because it looked as though it had the right atmosphere for an October read. I don't read too many unlikely-detective-type books, but this one was funny with a great protagonist, and I found myself laughing at Nell's insights and personal commentary along the way. Nell Forrest is a middle aged woman grappling with some big life changes. Her husband left her and their five children for another woman, Nell's daughters are dealing with the trials of entering adulthood, and Nell is struggling with putting her life back together and moving on.
Her down-to-earth personality that's infused with self-deprecating humour and keen insights are what makes this character so enjoyable to read. When she stumbles onto the mystery of Majic's founders, you just know it's going to be a funny ride. The case itself is an interesting one, and it's clear that Nell is in danger, but she's smart and resourceful and sets her sights on figuring it out.
There's a great supporting cast of characters here, and the setting makes for the perfect location for a murder mystery.
Kat's Rating: A Good Read
This is fun, but not so frivolous that you don't care about the mystery. The writing can be heavy on metaphors at times, but it suits the character so much that it just added to the story. This is the kind of story where you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley & the publisher in return for an honest review.
- See more at: http://www.katsbookbuzz.net/2013/10/r...
August 9, 2016
I loved this book. I love Nell Forrest. I also distinctly adore the chapter quotes, in the form of emails Nell gets from her 'middle aged women' column/blog.
Nell Forrest is getting a reputation with the police. She seems to be present at all murders in the small town of Majic. It's nothing she's trying to do, for goodness sake's. She's a middle-aged mom and has five children, all girls. The youngest is still finishing high school. [paraphrase] She doesn't go looking for trouble, but it sure seems to find her! Nell isn't one to back away from intrigue.
Nell's separated from her husband, who is pursuing an affair. And now he wants the divorce and basically, the house. Because his paramour is pregnant. That wouldn't be quite the oddest thing, but two of their daughters are also pregnant. AWKWARD.
This kind of family drama is exactly what the local historians have stumbled across. Piecing together clues from the last 150 years, the town's lineage is found to be false. It's nothing like what the town has believed. Someone in Majic does not want this information to get out.
....Anything more would be spoilers!
Nell Forrest is getting a reputation with the police. She seems to be present at all murders in the small town of Majic. It's nothing she's trying to do, for goodness sake's. She's a middle-aged mom and has five children, all girls. The youngest is still finishing high school. [paraphrase] She doesn't go looking for trouble, but it sure seems to find her! Nell isn't one to back away from intrigue.
Nell's separated from her husband, who is pursuing an affair. And now he wants the divorce and basically, the house. Because his paramour is pregnant. That wouldn't be quite the oddest thing, but two of their daughters are also pregnant. AWKWARD.
This kind of family drama is exactly what the local historians have stumbled across. Piecing together clues from the last 150 years, the town's lineage is found to be false. It's nothing like what the town has believed. Someone in Majic does not want this information to get out.
....Anything more would be spoilers!
September 6, 2013
Ill-Gotten Gains is the second book in the Nell Forrest Series. Like the first book, Nell Forrest is involved in another cozy murder mystery in the town of Majic. Entertaining and engaging, readers will find themselves amused, bemused and at the edge of ones seat trying to guess who the culprit is. Nell's character is so relatable and real that you actually will be rooting for her and trying to punch her ex in behalf of her. Other quirky characters in the book adds dimension and makes you believe this town really exists and you just want to drop by one day and have a visit. Very well written and hoping to read the next one soon.
April 9, 2015
Book 2 in the series and it rolled on as well as the first. These books are something of a cross between "Murder She Wrote" and the "Midsomer Murders". Once you get over the fact that a sleepy little country town in Victoria has an alarming number of socio/psychopaths and murders, you can relax and enjoy the story!
I love the characters in the series - they are all so believable, in their actions and conversations. There are definitely laugh out loud moments and times when I grind my teeth in mutual frustration with Nell.
On to Book 3...
I love the characters in the series - they are all so believable, in their actions and conversations. There are definitely laugh out loud moments and times when I grind my teeth in mutual frustration with Nell.
On to Book 3...
September 8, 2013
The second book in this new series is even better than the first. Ilsa Evans has a great sense of humour and knows how to develop a solid plot. The characters are just great fun. See my review at
http://birch-bark.blogspot.ca/
http://birch-bark.blogspot.ca/
September 6, 2015
Loved the second in the series. These characters really grow on you! The family set up in this promises #3 will lots of fun. I have #3 downloaded and ready to go. Highly recommend this series!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews