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By the Book Mysteries #1
Buried in a Good Book
Bestselling thriller writer Tess Harrow is almost at the end of her rope when she arrives with her teenage daughter at her grandfather's rustic cabin in the woods. She hopes this will be a time for them to heal and bond after Tess's recent divorce, but they've barely made it through the door when an explosion shakes the cabin. Suddenly it's raining fish guts and…is that a human arm?
Tess was hardly convincing Gertie that a summer without Wi-Fi and running water would be an adventure. Now she's thrust into a murder investigation, neighbors are saying they've spotted Bigfoot in the woods near her cabin, and the local sheriff is the spitting image of her character Detective Gabriel Gonzales—something he's less than thrilled about. With so much more than her daughter's summer plans at stake, it's up to Tess to solve this case before anyone else gets hurt.
Put your sleuthing hat on—Buried in a Good Book features:
• A thriller writer who knows way more than anyone should about death and dismemberment
• Her young daughter who's more intrigued by dead bodies than she probably should be
• An isolated cabin in the woods that's probably—definitely—hiding something
• The tiny mountain town that seems less than troubled by a sudden abundance of murders
Tess was hardly convincing Gertie that a summer without Wi-Fi and running water would be an adventure. Now she's thrust into a murder investigation, neighbors are saying they've spotted Bigfoot in the woods near her cabin, and the local sheriff is the spitting image of her character Detective Gabriel Gonzales—something he's less than thrilled about. With so much more than her daughter's summer plans at stake, it's up to Tess to solve this case before anyone else gets hurt.
Put your sleuthing hat on—Buried in a Good Book features:
• A thriller writer who knows way more than anyone should about death and dismemberment
• Her young daughter who's more intrigued by dead bodies than she probably should be
• An isolated cabin in the woods that's probably—definitely—hiding something
• The tiny mountain town that seems less than troubled by a sudden abundance of murders
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2022
294 people are currently reading
9310 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Berry
9 books503 followersTamara Berry is an Edgar Award winning author of cozy mysteries. She has a B.A. degree in English Literature from Eastern Washington University. In addition to books, she has mad love for all things TV, movies, and pop culture.
She also writes romances under the pennames Lucy Gilmore and Tamara Morgan.
She also writes romances under the pennames Lucy Gilmore and Tamara Morgan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 793 reviews
April 22, 2022
Buried in a Good Book
by Tamara Berry is the first book in the By the Book Mysteries series. I’ve seen this categorized as a cozy mystery and that fits although it is slightly more gritty and gripping than many. It is also laugh-out-loud funny in places.
Tess Harrow is a bestselling thriller writer who has inherited her grandfather’s rustic cabin in the woods near Winthrop, Washington. Six months have passed since her divorce from Quentin and Tess has finally convinced her fourteen-year-old daughter Gertrude (Gertie) to spend the summer at the cabin. Hoping to bond, they’ve barely arrived at the cabin without electricity or running water when an explosion rocks the cabin. When they go outside, they find that it’s raining fish parts and what looks like a human arm.
Tess has a hard time separating her fictional detective’s methods, which aren’t always “by the book”, and local Sheriff’s Victor Boyd’s method of following procedure, which leads to some fascinating and funny interchanges between the two. Dealing with real law enforcement officers is harder than she expected. The normally calm and levelheaded sheriff doesn’t stay that way as he interacts with Tess. Additionally, Gertie seems to enjoy being part of a murder investigation a little too much for Tess’s comfort.
For book lovers, readers not only get a main character who is a thriller writer, but there is a bookmobile that makes the rounds of the local communities and a deputy that has been writing a science fiction novel in her spare time. Themes include a change of pace, recovery from a divorce, parent-child relationships, friendship, murder, and much more.
The writing is terrific. The characters, as well as the story, quickly engage readers. Visual and auditory imagery comes through vividly. The plot is absorbing and intriguing with a storyline that has a few red herrings, a couple of surprises, and lots of humor.
Overall, this engaging and funny novel immediately pulled me into the storyline and the lives of the characters. If you enjoy excellent cozy mysteries with a little extra grit, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book of the series.
Poisoned Ped Press and Tamara Berry provided a complimentary DRC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 24, 2022.
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Review coming soon.
Tess Harrow is a bestselling thriller writer who has inherited her grandfather’s rustic cabin in the woods near Winthrop, Washington. Six months have passed since her divorce from Quentin and Tess has finally convinced her fourteen-year-old daughter Gertrude (Gertie) to spend the summer at the cabin. Hoping to bond, they’ve barely arrived at the cabin without electricity or running water when an explosion rocks the cabin. When they go outside, they find that it’s raining fish parts and what looks like a human arm.
Tess has a hard time separating her fictional detective’s methods, which aren’t always “by the book”, and local Sheriff’s Victor Boyd’s method of following procedure, which leads to some fascinating and funny interchanges between the two. Dealing with real law enforcement officers is harder than she expected. The normally calm and levelheaded sheriff doesn’t stay that way as he interacts with Tess. Additionally, Gertie seems to enjoy being part of a murder investigation a little too much for Tess’s comfort.
For book lovers, readers not only get a main character who is a thriller writer, but there is a bookmobile that makes the rounds of the local communities and a deputy that has been writing a science fiction novel in her spare time. Themes include a change of pace, recovery from a divorce, parent-child relationships, friendship, murder, and much more.
The writing is terrific. The characters, as well as the story, quickly engage readers. Visual and auditory imagery comes through vividly. The plot is absorbing and intriguing with a storyline that has a few red herrings, a couple of surprises, and lots of humor.
Overall, this engaging and funny novel immediately pulled me into the storyline and the lives of the characters. If you enjoy excellent cozy mysteries with a little extra grit, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book of the series.
Poisoned Ped Press and Tamara Berry provided a complimentary DRC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for May 24, 2022.
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Review coming soon.
September 4, 2022
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry
By the Book Mysteries #1. Cozy mystery style.
Tess Harrow wants some space after her divorce so moves to a small isolated cabin in the woods, outside of a tiny mountain town. Tess is hoping she and her teen daughter can find their footing together but the lack of Wifi is a problem. An explosion from the lake as they arrive has fish guts raining down but more alarming is the arm. And the sightings of Big Foot. The local sheriff isn’t happy that Tess is a mystery writer but her attention to detail can help unravel the unusual happenings in the local area.
This has some funny situations and a surprising twist. I loved the true-to-life interactions between mother and daughter and the grumpiness of the sheriff. The whole BigFoot and explosions? Priceless.
I can’t wait to read what happens next in this tiny mountain town.
By the Book Mysteries #1. Cozy mystery style.
Tess Harrow wants some space after her divorce so moves to a small isolated cabin in the woods, outside of a tiny mountain town. Tess is hoping she and her teen daughter can find their footing together but the lack of Wifi is a problem. An explosion from the lake as they arrive has fish guts raining down but more alarming is the arm. And the sightings of Big Foot. The local sheriff isn’t happy that Tess is a mystery writer but her attention to detail can help unravel the unusual happenings in the local area.
This has some funny situations and a surprising twist. I loved the true-to-life interactions between mother and daughter and the grumpiness of the sheriff. The whole BigFoot and explosions? Priceless.
I can’t wait to read what happens next in this tiny mountain town.
May 12, 2022
Five stars for what I found to be an excellent opener to a new cosy series. As soon as it began I knew I was going to like the main character, Tess Harris. She is a famous writer of thrillers starring a detective called Gabriel Gonzales and tends to live all of life's experiences as though she is in a book herself. I thought she was great fun.
The book begins with Tess and her (also amazingly likeable) teenage daughter, Gertie, escaping to a wilderness cabin after a marriage break up. Their arrival does not bode well as an explosion in a nearby lake causes them to be showered by dead fish and a human arm. A murder investigation ensues and Tess meets Sheriff Victor Boyd, a man who always comes off second best to her imaginary hero Gabriel Gonzales.
The dialogue is frequently amusing, the story occasionally outrageous but always entertaining and there are even some teary moments. The author provides many red herrings and it is difficult to trust any of the characters. I thought I had cleverly guessed the baddy but it turned out I could not have been more wrong.
Altogether an excellent read and I am really looking forward to the next book. The author has given herself so much to work with in the setting and the characters that it should definitely be a good one!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book begins with Tess and her (also amazingly likeable) teenage daughter, Gertie, escaping to a wilderness cabin after a marriage break up. Their arrival does not bode well as an explosion in a nearby lake causes them to be showered by dead fish and a human arm. A murder investigation ensues and Tess meets Sheriff Victor Boyd, a man who always comes off second best to her imaginary hero Gabriel Gonzales.
The dialogue is frequently amusing, the story occasionally outrageous but always entertaining and there are even some teary moments. The author provides many red herrings and it is difficult to trust any of the characters. I thought I had cleverly guessed the baddy but it turned out I could not have been more wrong.
Altogether an excellent read and I am really looking forward to the next book. The author has given herself so much to work with in the setting and the characters that it should definitely be a good one!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 21, 2022
I was not sure that I was going to like this book at the beginning but as I kept reading, I was drawn in, the story unfolded, and it turned out to be a funny, entertaining read. Author Tess Harrow and her daughter head to the isolated rustic cabin that Tess inherited from her grandfather for a summertime of time away from electronics and distractions of life but the quiet is interrupted with an explosion in the pond behind the cabin, leaving body parts all over the place. Tess puts on her author hat to find answers along with the local sheriff, Victor Boyd, and his department personnel. She also friends the local bookmobile driver, Nicki. All have read Tess's books and are familiar with her characters. Tess's daughter Gertrude is a cute and smart fourteen-year-old missing her absentee father, who left them. This is a story with quirky, funny characters and a mystery plot that is unusual with a whodunnit that I did not see coming. Everyone is not as they seem in this one with twists, turns, and surprises. This is a new to me author that I plan to see what other books that she has written as well as the next in this series. I recommend for those who enjoy cozy mysteries set in the outdoors with a sense of humor.
I received a complimentary ARC from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I received a complimentary ARC from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
May 28, 2022
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry is the first book in the new cozy By the Book Mysteries series. As with most cozy mystery series this first book does contain a fully solved mystery so it could be read as a standalone if choosing to do so with only the character development carrying over to the next book.
After Tess Harrow’s divorce from her husband she gained custody of their teenage daughter but Tess didn’t want her ex completely out of her Gertie’s life. Every day Tess watched her Gertie’s disappointment when her father was a no show so Tess decided maybe some time away would do them good. After her grandfather’s passing Tess inherited his remote cabin and being an author Tess can work from anywhere so they head to the small town of Winthrop.
Once arriving at the cabin though Tess and Gertie were in for quite the shock when some loud booms sounded off nearby. Tess discovers a young man blast fishing on her property and unfortunately instead of just fish he’d blasted out a dead body from the pond. Being a best selling thriller author Tess knows way more than the average person about murder so she can’t help herself by poking into the sheriff’s investigation.
Tamara Berry is a cozy author that I have read before so going into Buried in a Good Book I was expecting to find one of those quirky and humorous cozies that I adore and I certainly did find one. This was such a fun start to a new series with plenty of twists and turns with the mystery to keep a reader on their toes. The characters were great and I enjoyed the tiny town and will definitely look forward to returning with the next book of the By the Book Mysteries series!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
After Tess Harrow’s divorce from her husband she gained custody of their teenage daughter but Tess didn’t want her ex completely out of her Gertie’s life. Every day Tess watched her Gertie’s disappointment when her father was a no show so Tess decided maybe some time away would do them good. After her grandfather’s passing Tess inherited his remote cabin and being an author Tess can work from anywhere so they head to the small town of Winthrop.
Once arriving at the cabin though Tess and Gertie were in for quite the shock when some loud booms sounded off nearby. Tess discovers a young man blast fishing on her property and unfortunately instead of just fish he’d blasted out a dead body from the pond. Being a best selling thriller author Tess knows way more than the average person about murder so she can’t help herself by poking into the sheriff’s investigation.
Tamara Berry is a cozy author that I have read before so going into Buried in a Good Book I was expecting to find one of those quirky and humorous cozies that I adore and I certainly did find one. This was such a fun start to a new series with plenty of twists and turns with the mystery to keep a reader on their toes. The characters were great and I enjoyed the tiny town and will definitely look forward to returning with the next book of the By the Book Mysteries series!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 2, 2022
Tess Harrow was a best-selling thriller writer and she and her teenage daughter, Gertrude moved to Tess’ grandfather’s rustic old cottage in Winthrop for six months, to put the divorce of her ex husband into the past, and help Gertrude get through the fact that her father wasn’t in contact with her at all. Tess didn’t expect to get involved with a murder right on their doorstep not long after they’d arrived. With no electricity, running water or Wi-Fi, Gertie wasn’t impressed, but when they met a lady who ran a mobile lending library, Gertie was happy to spend time reading. Soon Nicki and Tess were good friends, but Tess was using the knowledge she’d gleaned writing her novels, to find the murderer. The sheriff wasn’t impressed.
As Tess investigated, digging into the people in the area, telling the sheriff what she learned, she couldn’t make him happy. She was annoying him – so she decided to do it on her own. But what would that bring? Another body and more distractions than she could manage. Would she and Gertie stay safe until the killer was found?
Buried in a Good Book is the 1st in the By the Book Mysteries by Tamara Berry, and I quite enjoyed it. It was fun and entertaining, even though Tess did LOTS of silly things. The twists were good and the one at the end was a surprise! I didn’t expect it at all! I’m looking forward to #2 in the series. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
As Tess investigated, digging into the people in the area, telling the sheriff what she learned, she couldn’t make him happy. She was annoying him – so she decided to do it on her own. But what would that bring? Another body and more distractions than she could manage. Would she and Gertie stay safe until the killer was found?
Buried in a Good Book is the 1st in the By the Book Mysteries by Tamara Berry, and I quite enjoyed it. It was fun and entertaining, even though Tess did LOTS of silly things. The twists were good and the one at the end was a surprise! I didn’t expect it at all! I’m looking forward to #2 in the series. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2022
I enjoy reading cozy mysteries and the description of the book and all those 5-star ratings caught my attention. I thought a cozy mystery with a thriller author as the main character must be a winner for me, so I decided to give it a try.
This is the first book in a new cozy series, but it's not always a typical cozy mystery. It's a little more gruesome and there are some more serious tones here and there.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with twists and turns and red herrings, but there are a few aspects which made me give it only 3 of the 5 stars. I couldn't connect with Tess, the main character, I thought that her daughter Gertie was more likable and interesting. I also found the storyline a little convoluted and all over the place.
Nevertheless, I would like to see how the characters develop in the next installment of the series and want to read the second book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book in a new cozy series, but it's not always a typical cozy mystery. It's a little more gruesome and there are some more serious tones here and there.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with twists and turns and red herrings, but there are a few aspects which made me give it only 3 of the 5 stars. I couldn't connect with Tess, the main character, I thought that her daughter Gertie was more likable and interesting. I also found the storyline a little convoluted and all over the place.
Nevertheless, I would like to see how the characters develop in the next installment of the series and want to read the second book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2022
I honestly thought I'd love this book, however, I was wrong.
The main character was just awful, there was nothing to like about her, she was full of herself and her personality is not one I enjoy in a cozy mystery.
Her daughter wasn't much better, and the whole theme of the book seemed to focus on someone running around in a Bigfoot costume.
I saw no logic or any of those clues that suddenly fall into place.
There was so much comparison between the story and the character's own books that I felt I needed a blueprint just to follow along.
I will not be recommending this book to other readers.
The main character was just awful, there was nothing to like about her, she was full of herself and her personality is not one I enjoy in a cozy mystery.
Her daughter wasn't much better, and the whole theme of the book seemed to focus on someone running around in a Bigfoot costume.
I saw no logic or any of those clues that suddenly fall into place.
There was so much comparison between the story and the character's own books that I felt I needed a blueprint just to follow along.
I will not be recommending this book to other readers.
April 24, 2022
Picked this book up for several reasons: 1) The main character is an author; 2) it's the first in the series and sounds like it will be interessting; 3) I like cozy mysteries; and 4) Tamara Berry is a new author for me and I like to read new authors. After reading about 10% of the book I was laughing out loud and speeding through the pages. I'm already looking forward to the next book!
Thriller writer, Tess Harrow, and her daughter, Gertie (Gertrude), arrive at Tess's grandfather's cabin in northern Washington state - very neard the Canadian border. Before they even get in the door they hear a loud explosion and the earth shakes and then fish guts and to their horror a human arm come raining down on them. Tess becomes involved in a murder investigation, Bigfoott has been spotten in the woods near the cabin, and the Sheriff is very much like the lead character in Tess's thriller series, Detective Gonzales.
The book was fun from the beginning. Tess is a likable character who knows much about murder. She is impulsive and inquisitive and takes things too far sometimes. She also daydreams about plots, sometimes at inappropriate times, and imagines scenarios that may or may not pan out. Gertie is a likable, precocious fourteen-year-old - very smart and helpful. The writing drew me in and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 24, 2022.
Thriller writer, Tess Harrow, and her daughter, Gertie (Gertrude), arrive at Tess's grandfather's cabin in northern Washington state - very neard the Canadian border. Before they even get in the door they hear a loud explosion and the earth shakes and then fish guts and to their horror a human arm come raining down on them. Tess becomes involved in a murder investigation, Bigfoott has been spotten in the woods near the cabin, and the Sheriff is very much like the lead character in Tess's thriller series, Detective Gonzales.
The book was fun from the beginning. Tess is a likable character who knows much about murder. She is impulsive and inquisitive and takes things too far sometimes. She also daydreams about plots, sometimes at inappropriate times, and imagines scenarios that may or may not pan out. Gertie is a likable, precocious fourteen-year-old - very smart and helpful. The writing drew me in and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 24, 2022.
May 22, 2022
After a messy divorce, successful thriller writer Tess brings her teen daughter Gertie to a cabin in the woods that she inherited from her grandfather. Tess is hoping some rustic living — no internet, electricity, or running water — will get Gertie's mind off the fact that her dad doesn't seem to want her in his life anymore. Instead of peace and quiet, they find themselves wrapped up in a murder investigation when body parts are found in the pond behind the cabin.
I enjoyed the dynamics between characters, especially with Tess and Sheriff Boyd, who reminds her very much of her own fictional character Detective Gonzales from her hit thriller series. There were parts of the book I found silly (Bigfoot?) and the culprit was a big surprise, didn't make a lot of sense to me. Overall though, BURIED IN A BOOK is a fun start this new cozy series. 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the dynamics between characters, especially with Tess and Sheriff Boyd, who reminds her very much of her own fictional character Detective Gonzales from her hit thriller series. There were parts of the book I found silly (Bigfoot?) and the culprit was a big surprise, didn't make a lot of sense to me. Overall though, BURIED IN A BOOK is a fun start this new cozy series. 3.5 stars.
May 21, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
A rustic cabin in the woods of Northern Washington, “they could probably reach out and touch the Canadian border”, with no electricity, phone service, or Wi-Fi, seemed like the perfect place for bestselling author Tess Harrow to bond with her daughter and finish her book following her divorce. Expecting a lot of peace and quiet they are jolted literally when an explosion occurs and then another and another. When Tess and Gertie turn to investigate they see a man running toward them shouting followed by another BOOM! Then came a shower of water, fish guts, and a HUMAN ARM! They hadn’t even gotten unpacked and they already had to call the cops.
Tess writes about murder all the time but solving one in real life could be really exciting especially when she meets the local sheriff who bears a striking resemblance to her lead character Detective Gabriel Gonzales. Of course, the sheriff doesn’t want her help but that is not going to stop her from solving the case before he does. Plus all this drama is going to be perfect for her new book!
Oh, my, this was a hilarious cozy mystery!
Tess was a strong protagonist but could be a bit aggravating at times. She is always thinking about scenes for her next book, basically, she has her mind on murder almost 100% of the time and sometimes drifts off into her own little world, but she pulls it off. Her daughter Gertie, is a typical teenager, dependent on technology, livid that they are out in the boonies with no cell towers. But then she comes around and sometimes is several steps ahead of her mother in figuring things out. She also finds herself lost in a book during this story and I LOVED THAT!
Readers are introduced to several characters including Sheriff Boyd and that man was so patient with Tess. He really surprised me which made him my favorite character. He had to deal with some really crazy things and he didn’t get shook. The supporting cast is rounded out by a bookmobile librarian who becomes fast friends with Tess and Gertie, a couple of deputies including a budding author, the Peabody brothers who own Peabody Timber, and other residents of Winthrop. Tess’s ex also makes an appearance. I felt all the characters were pretty well fleshed out for the first book in the series.
Ms. Berry has written a really unique mystery full of corkscrew twists and gritty turns. Tess’s years of writing thrillers help her envision several different scenarios of what could be happening in the woods by her grandfather’s cabin and she is happy to share all of them with Sheriff Boyd. Some are pretty out there but she soon was on the right track. It was a lot of fun to follow in her footsteps as all the clues started to fall into place but I was totally surprised by the super exciting ending.
As I said, this book is so funny, I had several laugh-out-loud moments. But there were a few scenes that if I were watching it as a movie I may have covered my eyes. That being said those scenes were true to the plot the author was building so it made total sense in this off-the-wall mystery.
Buried in a Good Book will keep readers on their toes while tickling their funny bones. Tess and Gertie’s relationship really evolved into something wonderful by the end of the story and I am anxious to see what the author has in store for them next.
A rustic cabin in the woods of Northern Washington, “they could probably reach out and touch the Canadian border”, with no electricity, phone service, or Wi-Fi, seemed like the perfect place for bestselling author Tess Harrow to bond with her daughter and finish her book following her divorce. Expecting a lot of peace and quiet they are jolted literally when an explosion occurs and then another and another. When Tess and Gertie turn to investigate they see a man running toward them shouting followed by another BOOM! Then came a shower of water, fish guts, and a HUMAN ARM! They hadn’t even gotten unpacked and they already had to call the cops.
Tess writes about murder all the time but solving one in real life could be really exciting especially when she meets the local sheriff who bears a striking resemblance to her lead character Detective Gabriel Gonzales. Of course, the sheriff doesn’t want her help but that is not going to stop her from solving the case before he does. Plus all this drama is going to be perfect for her new book!
Oh, my, this was a hilarious cozy mystery!
Tess was a strong protagonist but could be a bit aggravating at times. She is always thinking about scenes for her next book, basically, she has her mind on murder almost 100% of the time and sometimes drifts off into her own little world, but she pulls it off. Her daughter Gertie, is a typical teenager, dependent on technology, livid that they are out in the boonies with no cell towers. But then she comes around and sometimes is several steps ahead of her mother in figuring things out. She also finds herself lost in a book during this story and I LOVED THAT!
Readers are introduced to several characters including Sheriff Boyd and that man was so patient with Tess. He really surprised me which made him my favorite character. He had to deal with some really crazy things and he didn’t get shook. The supporting cast is rounded out by a bookmobile librarian who becomes fast friends with Tess and Gertie, a couple of deputies including a budding author, the Peabody brothers who own Peabody Timber, and other residents of Winthrop. Tess’s ex also makes an appearance. I felt all the characters were pretty well fleshed out for the first book in the series.
Ms. Berry has written a really unique mystery full of corkscrew twists and gritty turns. Tess’s years of writing thrillers help her envision several different scenarios of what could be happening in the woods by her grandfather’s cabin and she is happy to share all of them with Sheriff Boyd. Some are pretty out there but she soon was on the right track. It was a lot of fun to follow in her footsteps as all the clues started to fall into place but I was totally surprised by the super exciting ending.
As I said, this book is so funny, I had several laugh-out-loud moments. But there were a few scenes that if I were watching it as a movie I may have covered my eyes. That being said those scenes were true to the plot the author was building so it made total sense in this off-the-wall mystery.
Buried in a Good Book will keep readers on their toes while tickling their funny bones. Tess and Gertie’s relationship really evolved into something wonderful by the end of the story and I am anxious to see what the author has in store for them next.
March 18, 2022
I had a hard time getting into this book. I found Tess Harrow hard to take as the main character. There was some comedy with the interaction of the sheriff and her. Towards the end I did enjoy the build up and the ending. I will let the reader decide about the book.
Thank you NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for this ARC.
May 15, 2022
Buried in a Good Book is the first book in the By the Book mystery series. It’s a hilarious who-dun-it that had me laughing hysterically! Our MC, Tess is a thriller writer. She and her daughter decided that in order for her to get away from her cheating ex husband they needed to take a little vacation, so they head to her grandfather’s old cabin. But the two get away more than they bargained for because just as they get there, body parts start falling from the sky! Literally. Now that doesn’t mean this is some sort of mythical novel where weird things like this just happen. Rather, someone in town was fishing with dynamite which happened to unearth a hidden body in the pond. What happens next is an epic and quite hilarious race to find the killer (or killers) before someone else ends up in pieces!
Overall, I thought this was the perfect cozy mystery! Tess is hilarious and I love the banter between her and her daughter Gertrude. While their relationship isn’t perfect and Gertrude is quite upset with having to go off the grid, the way they interact with one another is relatable and fun. I also love how Tess manages to always insert herself in the investigation despite the ornery sheriff telling her to stay out of it. I’ll tell you, those two will make you GIGGLE!
If you enjoy cozy mysteries then this is a must read, new series! I loved it and I can’t wait to read the next one!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mystery series
• Humor
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall, I thought this was the perfect cozy mystery! Tess is hilarious and I love the banter between her and her daughter Gertrude. While their relationship isn’t perfect and Gertrude is quite upset with having to go off the grid, the way they interact with one another is relatable and fun. I also love how Tess manages to always insert herself in the investigation despite the ornery sheriff telling her to stay out of it. I’ll tell you, those two will make you GIGGLE!
If you enjoy cozy mysteries then this is a must read, new series! I loved it and I can’t wait to read the next one!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mystery series
• Humor
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 17, 2023
4.4 stars
June 14, 2022
4.5 rounded upward.
I’ve been enjoying Berry’s Eleanor Wilde series, which I read and reviewed from the first book forward; when I found this one, Buried in a Good Book, the start of a brand new series, I was all in. My thanks go to Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy.
I’m a bit skeptical of novels that feature the words book, library, reading, bookstore and such because obviously, potential buyers are likely to get all warm and fuzzy-feeling just seeing the title. It’s a soft landing, that’s for sure, marketing books and book-related topics to booklovers; and then I wonder if the author is just too lazy to take on something more challenging. But every time Berry embraces the obvious, it turns out to be with her tongue planted firmly in her cheek, and by the end of the book I am laughing out loud. That holds true for this one as well.
Tess Harrow is newly divorced, and her adolescent daughter, Gertrude is heartbroken, because her father has more or less ghosted on her. When an elderly relative dies and leaves his cabin and his hardware store to Tess, it seems like an omen. She’ll get her girl out of Seattle and the heartbreak she’s experienced there; get off the grid, more or less, and enjoy Nature. Yikes.
Be careful what you wish for!
The day is nearly over when they pull up to the cabin, a fixer if ever there was one; Tess knew it might be rugged, but she didn’t know that the lovely little pond out back would be fully stocked with body parts, too. And whereas some might be daunted by such an occurrence, she looks at all of it as excellent material for her next bestselling thriller.
This novel is different from the Ellie Wilde mysteries in that we are more than half into it before the author moves in for the laughs. Just as I conclude that this time Berry is playing it straight, something happens—no, I will NOT tell you what—and I am guffawing and snorting, neither of which is becoming while one is eating lunch, but it simply cannot be helped. Berry is a sly one, all right. My notes say, “I never knew metacognition could be so damn funny.”
I enjoy everything she does here, and the fact that it’s set in my own stomping grounds of Washington State makes me love it all the better. Recommended to any reader that is ready for a good story and a good laugh. It’s for sale now.
I’ve been enjoying Berry’s Eleanor Wilde series, which I read and reviewed from the first book forward; when I found this one, Buried in a Good Book, the start of a brand new series, I was all in. My thanks go to Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for the review copy.
I’m a bit skeptical of novels that feature the words book, library, reading, bookstore and such because obviously, potential buyers are likely to get all warm and fuzzy-feeling just seeing the title. It’s a soft landing, that’s for sure, marketing books and book-related topics to booklovers; and then I wonder if the author is just too lazy to take on something more challenging. But every time Berry embraces the obvious, it turns out to be with her tongue planted firmly in her cheek, and by the end of the book I am laughing out loud. That holds true for this one as well.
Tess Harrow is newly divorced, and her adolescent daughter, Gertrude is heartbroken, because her father has more or less ghosted on her. When an elderly relative dies and leaves his cabin and his hardware store to Tess, it seems like an omen. She’ll get her girl out of Seattle and the heartbreak she’s experienced there; get off the grid, more or less, and enjoy Nature. Yikes.
Be careful what you wish for!
The day is nearly over when they pull up to the cabin, a fixer if ever there was one; Tess knew it might be rugged, but she didn’t know that the lovely little pond out back would be fully stocked with body parts, too. And whereas some might be daunted by such an occurrence, she looks at all of it as excellent material for her next bestselling thriller.
This novel is different from the Ellie Wilde mysteries in that we are more than half into it before the author moves in for the laughs. Just as I conclude that this time Berry is playing it straight, something happens—no, I will NOT tell you what—and I am guffawing and snorting, neither of which is becoming while one is eating lunch, but it simply cannot be helped. Berry is a sly one, all right. My notes say, “I never knew metacognition could be so damn funny.”
I enjoy everything she does here, and the fact that it’s set in my own stomping grounds of Washington State makes me love it all the better. Recommended to any reader that is ready for a good story and a good laugh. It’s for sale now.
January 29, 2023
SAY HELLO TO MY LATEST OBSESSION! 😍
You guys, I finally found a cozy mystery series I can 100% get behind! If you haven’t heard of this one yet, let me give you a little taste:
This story follows Tess Harrow, a best selling thriller author, and her 14-year-old daughter, Gertrude. After a nasty divorce and a struggle to pen her next novel, Tess decides she and Gertie need a nice getaway to her late grandfather’s old cabin, nestled in the woods of Okanogan County, Washington.
Little did she know, upon their arrival they would be met with an explosion that shakes the cabin and causes fish and human body parts to come falling from the sky!
Now Tess is thrust into a murder investigation led by the local sheriff who just so happens to be the spitting image of her famous character Detective Gonzalez.
Buried in a Good Book is full of Bigfoot sightings, old ladies losing their cats, female friendships, mother-daughter relationships, missing library books, twists and turns, and the best banter between Tess and Sheriff Boyd!
There was never a dull moment. I could go on and on about how perfect this book was, save some editing/mistype issues but those can be overlooked! I need all of you to get your hands on this book, pronto! I’m so excited to read the next book in the series, and the third one releases in May! FIVE GLOWING STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You guys, I finally found a cozy mystery series I can 100% get behind! If you haven’t heard of this one yet, let me give you a little taste:
This story follows Tess Harrow, a best selling thriller author, and her 14-year-old daughter, Gertrude. After a nasty divorce and a struggle to pen her next novel, Tess decides she and Gertie need a nice getaway to her late grandfather’s old cabin, nestled in the woods of Okanogan County, Washington.
Little did she know, upon their arrival they would be met with an explosion that shakes the cabin and causes fish and human body parts to come falling from the sky!
Now Tess is thrust into a murder investigation led by the local sheriff who just so happens to be the spitting image of her famous character Detective Gonzalez.
Buried in a Good Book is full of Bigfoot sightings, old ladies losing their cats, female friendships, mother-daughter relationships, missing library books, twists and turns, and the best banter between Tess and Sheriff Boyd!
There was never a dull moment. I could go on and on about how perfect this book was, save some editing/mistype issues but those can be overlooked! I need all of you to get your hands on this book, pronto! I’m so excited to read the next book in the series, and the third one releases in May! FIVE GLOWING STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 23, 2022
This is the debut book in the By the Book Mysteries series by Tamara Berry. My favorite feature of this book is that Tess, the lead character, is a thriller writer. It was also interesting to see how Gertie (Tess's daughter) was intrigued by the mystery. I find the parts in the book hard to believe: corpses falling from the sky and mention of Bigfoot among them. This is a cute book with great characters. In the end, I was surprised to find out who the killer was. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This was an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This was an honest review.
September 22, 2024
Such a fun and adventurous read. Also, the setting is my definition of perfection! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fast and cozy read!
May 22, 2022
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry is the first book in her new By the Book series, a bookish cozy mystery series. This book is fun and mysterious, and has a Sasquatch and flying Tucans!
Tess Harrow, a best-selling thriller writer, decided to spend some time in her Grandfather's rustic cabin in the woods with her teenage daughter Gertie. She recently inherited the cabin, set by a lake in a remote area in Washington state. With no electricity, wifi, or other distractions, Tess hopes this will be a bonding experience with her daughter after her divorce from Gertie’s father.
But, as soon as they arrive, they hear a large explosion from the lake, and body parts rain on top of them. Now Tess is involved in a murder investigation and decides to help the local sheriff, Victor Boyd, who happens to share an uncanny resemblance to her main character, Detective Gabriel Gonzales. Sheriff Boyd isn’t happy to have help with his investigation, but eventually, he grudgingly accepts her help.
This book was a quick read for me. There is an excellent balance of humor, mystery, and vivid characters that kept me turning pages until I could find out who the murderer was. Tess, as a thriller writer, knows just enough about murder investigations to be a pain in the behind to the sheriff, but without her sleuthing, he never would have figured out who was murdering his citizens. These characters are very well written, I felt like I could be a best friend to Tess, and enjoyed her smartmouthed daughter, Gertie very much.
The mystery had enough red herrings in it to keep me guessing until the very end. The addition of Sasquatch and some wild animals make for some humor as well as some interesting theories for the murderer. I loved the little town and all the quirky characters. I’m looking forward to the next books in this series.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry is the first book in her new By the Book series, a bookish cozy mystery series. This book is fun and mysterious, and has a Sasquatch and flying Tucans!
Tess Harrow, a best-selling thriller writer, decided to spend some time in her Grandfather's rustic cabin in the woods with her teenage daughter Gertie. She recently inherited the cabin, set by a lake in a remote area in Washington state. With no electricity, wifi, or other distractions, Tess hopes this will be a bonding experience with her daughter after her divorce from Gertie’s father.
But, as soon as they arrive, they hear a large explosion from the lake, and body parts rain on top of them. Now Tess is involved in a murder investigation and decides to help the local sheriff, Victor Boyd, who happens to share an uncanny resemblance to her main character, Detective Gabriel Gonzales. Sheriff Boyd isn’t happy to have help with his investigation, but eventually, he grudgingly accepts her help.
This book was a quick read for me. There is an excellent balance of humor, mystery, and vivid characters that kept me turning pages until I could find out who the murderer was. Tess, as a thriller writer, knows just enough about murder investigations to be a pain in the behind to the sheriff, but without her sleuthing, he never would have figured out who was murdering his citizens. These characters are very well written, I felt like I could be a best friend to Tess, and enjoyed her smartmouthed daughter, Gertie very much.
The mystery had enough red herrings in it to keep me guessing until the very end. The addition of Sasquatch and some wild animals make for some humor as well as some interesting theories for the murderer. I loved the little town and all the quirky characters. I’m looking forward to the next books in this series.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 23, 2023
First in a new cozy mystery series featuring Tess Harlow, a mystery-book author. Newly divorced, Tess decides to move to the remote cabin her late grandfather left her. She has kinda fond memories of a summer spent there when she was a child. Her teenaged daughter, Gertrude, is not enthused – no WiFi, no electricity, no indoor plumbing! And then there is the explosion and the “rain of fish and body parts” ….
Tess certainly has the imagination to go with being a mystery writer, even though she has difficulty actually sitting down to write, because she’s so focused on solving the crime. She’s also distracted by the hunky Sheriff Boyd, who is a dead ringer for her imaginary Detective Gonzalez she writes about.
There’s no shortage of suspects, including “Bigfoot,” to keep both Sheriff Boyd and Tess busy. Supporting characters and/or suspects include the local bookmobile librarian, the Peabody triplets and a female deputy on Boyd’s team who writes sci-fi in her spare time. This tiny community in upstate Washington near the Canadian border may have spectacular natural scenery, but there’s plenty of political infighting going on as well, pitting logging industry and “developers” against those who want to maintain the town’s “backwoods” feel.
I was as surprised as Tess to discover who the murderer was. There’s at least one more in the series and I’ll probably read it.
Tess certainly has the imagination to go with being a mystery writer, even though she has difficulty actually sitting down to write, because she’s so focused on solving the crime. She’s also distracted by the hunky Sheriff Boyd, who is a dead ringer for her imaginary Detective Gonzalez she writes about.
There’s no shortage of suspects, including “Bigfoot,” to keep both Sheriff Boyd and Tess busy. Supporting characters and/or suspects include the local bookmobile librarian, the Peabody triplets and a female deputy on Boyd’s team who writes sci-fi in her spare time. This tiny community in upstate Washington near the Canadian border may have spectacular natural scenery, but there’s plenty of political infighting going on as well, pitting logging industry and “developers” against those who want to maintain the town’s “backwoods” feel.
I was as surprised as Tess to discover who the murderer was. There’s at least one more in the series and I’ll probably read it.
June 16, 2022
I loved it! I loved the setting, the characters, the witty banter. I loved the tongue-in-cheek jabs at mystery writers. There were so many great elements to this story that had me reading WAY into the night to finish it. This was a well-paced mystery that had all the right elements of a cozy mystery, right down to the infuriating TSTL moments and an ending I did not see coming.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
May 30, 2022
Cozy mysteries are a dime a dozen and I've read several dozen! Most of them are average reads, with mediocre writing, blah characters, improbable plots, and lots of melodrama (even to the point of silliness). I usually give even my most favorite ones only about a 3 1/2 star rating here on Goodreads. Why do I bother reading them, then? Well, because they're generally clean, fun, easy reads that don't give me nightmares! I don't expect a lot out of them, though, to be honest. I was VERY pleasantly surprised, then, by the quality of BURIED IN A GOOD BOOK. It might, in fact, be the best written cozy I've ever read.
Cozies generally have a strong sense of place and this one is no different. The little town of Winthrop comes alive in Berry's hands, providing a lively backdrop for her story. Tess and the other characters are lively, with personalities that are not only discernable but also complex. For a cozy, these story folks are quite well-developed, while still being left with plenty of room for further growth. Their dialogue feels natural, not forced. Berry's prose is the same. It flows well and sparkles with humor and wit. The plot is, of course, a *little* far-fetched. Still, there's some originality to it and it's twistier than you might expect. Also, just to warn you: the murders are a little more gruesome than your average cozy deaths, although they're not described in an overly graphic way. While I did identify the murderer before Tess did, Berry kept me guessing until about 3/4 of the way through and I still didn't see EVERYTHING coming. Needless to say, I really enjoyed BURIED IN A GOOD BOOK. It's engrossing, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's smile-inducing. If you're into cozies (and even if you're not), give this one a shot. It's just SO fun!
Cozies generally have a strong sense of place and this one is no different. The little town of Winthrop comes alive in Berry's hands, providing a lively backdrop for her story. Tess and the other characters are lively, with personalities that are not only discernable but also complex. For a cozy, these story folks are quite well-developed, while still being left with plenty of room for further growth. Their dialogue feels natural, not forced. Berry's prose is the same. It flows well and sparkles with humor and wit. The plot is, of course, a *little* far-fetched. Still, there's some originality to it and it's twistier than you might expect. Also, just to warn you: the murders are a little more gruesome than your average cozy deaths, although they're not described in an overly graphic way. While I did identify the murderer before Tess did, Berry kept me guessing until about 3/4 of the way through and I still didn't see EVERYTHING coming. Needless to say, I really enjoyed BURIED IN A GOOD BOOK. It's engrossing, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's smile-inducing. If you're into cozies (and even if you're not), give this one a shot. It's just SO fun!
March 12, 2023
I enjoyed this in general, but also didn't fully connect to the characters and felt some of the details surrounding the murders were a bit more gruesome for my taste for a cozy - which this may not really be a cozy mystery - but that's what I went in thinking it was. Still a good ending - didn't expect the killer at ALLLLLL! I liked all the bookish references since the main charatcer is an author. 3 stars
This is all about best selling author, Tess Harrow. She has interited her grandfather's cabin i the woods in Washngton. She takes her 14 year old daughte Gertrude to spend the summer there at the cabin. As soon as they get there though, an explosion happens and they find fish parts and a human arm nearby.....the mystery begins....she mets a local Sherrif, Victor Bond and they work together to figure this out.
This is all about best selling author, Tess Harrow. She has interited her grandfather's cabin i the woods in Washngton. She takes her 14 year old daughte Gertrude to spend the summer there at the cabin. As soon as they get there though, an explosion happens and they find fish parts and a human arm nearby.....the mystery begins....she mets a local Sherrif, Victor Bond and they work together to figure this out.
November 8, 2022
Okay file this book on my ever growing shelf of “by cozy friends keep telling me to read this, why did I wait so long?!” Honestly I LOVED this book! Tess is my new favorite cozy sleuth, the perfect amount of sass and savviness and determination. I loooove seeing how her crime fiction writing brain works during this mystery and how it all shakes out. I also adore her daughter and the super rustic cabin in a small town is just the perfect setting. There were even some twists that truly had my heart drop and the writing was perfection.
January 2, 2023
Primo libro di una serie promettente. La protagonista ogni tanto mi sembra un po' troppo testarda e saputella, ma la figlia quattordicenne e lo sceriffo promettono bene. Ho scoperto il colpevole insieme alla protagonista (non lo avevo proprio mai lontanamente sospettato), ma al contrario di lei ho capito subito quale fosse il segreto della bibliotecaria (altro personaggio interessante). Continuerò a leggere questa serie. Oltrettutto il testo è scorrevole, si legge che è un piacere.
June 24, 2022
A delightful start to the new “By the Book Mysteries” series, Buried In A Good Book will thrill readers from start to finish! Tess Harrow is a woman after my own heart. I love her sarcastic attitude, how she treats her daughter and her imagination. Of course, spending a summer in a rustic cabin in the woods with no electricity or Internet/cell service and finding a body is not for the faint of heart. But add in the bigfoot sightings for humor, and you have a cozy made-in-heaven.
When Tess and her teenage daughter, Gertie, arrive at the cabin in the woods, they are met with explosions and body parts raining down on their heads. The police roll in, and out steps the sheriff, a man who looks exactly like Tess’ main character in the novels she writes. Before long, she is “helping” the sheriff track down the killer, and for some strange reason, bigfoot is smack in the middle of everything. Suspects are limited to a few people, no real motive can be found, which perplexes her and the sheriff, and the evidence is hard to fit together.
The characters throughout this book give readers a reason to smile, laugh and worry. There is at least one character that a reader will find something in common with, and another they will want to murder or call their best friend. Evidence is everywhere, and nowhere, rumors fly, primarily because of Tess’ overactive imagination. Tess’ cabin, which belonged to her grandfather, makes me want to spend time in the woods. The bigfoot sightings at first do not seem important, but as the story moves along, you realize they are integral to the plot.
The ending of Buried In A Good Book and the killer's reveal will have readers jumping with elation. The cabin is adorable, the bigfoot angle is original, and the plot is fascinating. Tess has quarks that endear her, especially to fiction writers and readers. Gertie is a kid I could spend time with; she is intelligent, funny, and very much like her mother with a head for a murder investigation. I can’t wait to read more of Tess and Gertie’s adventures!
When Tess and her teenage daughter, Gertie, arrive at the cabin in the woods, they are met with explosions and body parts raining down on their heads. The police roll in, and out steps the sheriff, a man who looks exactly like Tess’ main character in the novels she writes. Before long, she is “helping” the sheriff track down the killer, and for some strange reason, bigfoot is smack in the middle of everything. Suspects are limited to a few people, no real motive can be found, which perplexes her and the sheriff, and the evidence is hard to fit together.
The characters throughout this book give readers a reason to smile, laugh and worry. There is at least one character that a reader will find something in common with, and another they will want to murder or call their best friend. Evidence is everywhere, and nowhere, rumors fly, primarily because of Tess’ overactive imagination. Tess’ cabin, which belonged to her grandfather, makes me want to spend time in the woods. The bigfoot sightings at first do not seem important, but as the story moves along, you realize they are integral to the plot.
The ending of Buried In A Good Book and the killer's reveal will have readers jumping with elation. The cabin is adorable, the bigfoot angle is original, and the plot is fascinating. Tess has quarks that endear her, especially to fiction writers and readers. Gertie is a kid I could spend time with; she is intelligent, funny, and very much like her mother with a head for a murder investigation. I can’t wait to read more of Tess and Gertie’s adventures!
March 23, 2022
📚 Hello Book Friends! I truly enjoyed BURIED IN A GOOD BOOK by Tamara Berry. This is the first book in a brand-new series entitled By The Book. The first book presented us with fantastic characters who are faced with an incredible mystery to resolve. I loved the budding relationship between Mystery Written Tess Harrow and Sheriff Victor Boyd. You cannot go wrong with a mystery that includes a cabin with no electricity and running water, a dead body or two, Bigfoot, animals on the prowl, and an ostentatious business owner who is running to be the next Sheriff. If you are a fan of witty cozy mystery novels, or even if you are not one but would like to read a good one, this is it.
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July 23, 2022
What a great idea for a new cozy mystery series - a writer who pens mysteries! Tess, newly divorced, decides to spend some time at the very rustic cabin she inherited from her grandfather. With her less than enthusiastic teenaged daughter in tow, they arrive at a cabin that has no electricity and no running water. While they are trying to get into the cabin, they are floored by a gigantic boom, and then another. Running to the lake where the booms were emanating, they see a man running away, and they are hit with bits of fish, and a human arm. So begins this wonderful tale. It may seem a bit convoluted to some readers, but really, that’s the beauty of this mystery. Tess, being a mystery writer, tries to make sense of the reality around her as she digs for clues, but then her imagination gets the better of her and she is off writing her book in her head. Those around her have seen this happen before, and call her out of her trance. So, yes, as Tess goes off on her storylines, red herrings are added to this story. But what Tess comes up with seems so plausible! The main characters are well developed, especially for a first book in a series, even if the rugged sheriff looks a lot like Tess’s book detective. The plot is really engrossing and intriguing. Be sure to allow enough time to finish the last 50 pages in one go, because you won’t want to stop reading. This is the series I’ve been waiting for, and I didn’t even know that until I read this book.
December 23, 2022
Not going to lie, I was very skeptical going into this book. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I HAD to finish it as quickly as possible. The story left me wanting more and the ending was so surprising! The only thing that I didn't like was the end of the epilogue. Ivy had too much of a big head, and it made me dislike the character, even cringing because it was just so uncalled for. But the rest of the book was very entertaining.
July 9, 2023
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. The characters are interesting. However they do need a little more development, which is to be expected in a first book in a series. There were times that I was upset with a few characters for their actions. The mystery was entertaining with plenty of twists. I never saw the reveal coming. Overall this is a good start to a series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.
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