The Body in the Landscape

A Cherry Tucker Mystery #5

by Larissa Reinhart

“Anyone who likes humorous mysteries will also enjoy local author Larissa Reinhart, who captures small town Georgia in the laugh-out-loud escapades of struggling artist Cherry Tucker.” – Fayette Woman Magazine

“Cherry is a quirky spitfire who lights the match that sets her little town on fire.” – Dru’s Book Musings

When Cherry Tucker’s invited to paint the “kill portrait” for the winner of Big Rack Lodge’s Hogzilla hunt, it seems like a paid vacation. Back home in Halo, a Hatfield-McCoy-style standoff builds between Luke and Cherry’s families. She’s ready for a weekend away, hobnobbing with rich and famous hunters, where she can forget her troubles and nobody knows her name.

As Georgia sunshine turns to bleak December rain, Cherry’s R&R goes MIA when she finds a body in the woods. While the police believe the local drunk took an accidental spill, Cherry has her doubts, particularly when a series of malicious pranks are targeted at the rifle toting contestants. With loyal companions at her side—sort-of-ex-husband Todd and a championship bayer named Buckshot—Cherry tracks suspects through a forest full of pitfalls and perils. And all the while, a killer’s stalking the hunt party with a bead on Cherry.

Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), humorous murder mysteries, book club recommendations, amateur sleuth books, Southern humor.

Books in the Cherry Tucker Humorous Mystery Series: QUICK SKETCH (Novella prequel to PORTRAIT in HEARTACHE MOTEL) PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1) STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2) HIJACK IN ABSTRACT (#3) DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE (#4) THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE (#5)

Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Cozy, Whodunit, Southern, Murder Mystery

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2015

About the author

A Wall Street Journal bestselling and international award-winning author, Larissa loves to tell funny, sweet stories about sassy Southern women looking for love (and sometimes dead bodies) in all the wrong places, like in her award-winning Cherry Tucker Mystery, Maizie Albright Star Detective, and/or Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series. You might have seen Larissa and her family with their little dog, Biscuit, on HGTV's House Hunters International "Living for the Weekend in Nagoya" episode. They’re back in Georgia where Biscuit has a bigger yard but now has to live with thunderstorms.
Check out LarissaReinhart.com to learn more and get a free story while you're visiting.

Her books have been chosen as book club picks by Woman's World Magazine and Hot Mystery Reviews. They've also been finalists for Georgia Author of the Year, the Silver Falchion, the Daphne du Maurier Award, The Emily Award, and Dixie Kane Memorial. Her work also appeared in the 2017 Silver Falchion Reader’s Choice winner, Eight Mystery Writers You Should Be Reading Now.

Cherry Tucker Mysteries (in order):

A CHRISTMAS QUICK SKETCH (prequel)
PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY
STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW
HIJACK IN ABSTRACT
DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE
THE VIGILANTE VIGNETTE
THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE
A COMPOSITION IN MURDER
A VIEW TO A CHILL
A MOTHERLODE OF TROUBLE

Maizie Albright Star Detective series in order:

15 MINUTES
16 MILLIMETERS
NC-17
A VIEW TO A CHILL
17.5 CARTRIDGES IN A PEAR TREE
18 CALIBER
18 1/2 DISGUISES
19 CRIMINALS (coming soon!)
20 CARATS

Finley Goodhart Crime Capers in order:

PIG’N A POKE (prequel short story for Larissa's subscribers)
THE CUPID CAPER

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Cherry Tucker is one of my favorites out of all the Henery Press published characters. I love her Walmart trailer park ways. HA!! Just some of her phrases are enough to crack me up. I can't remember the phrase but the first thought in my mind was a quote from Blazing Saddles by Mr. Taggart (Slim Pickens) about how Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) used his tongue. Only real Cherry fans would know that quote. HA!!

Cherry's at it again. She's going to save the big hunt from people getting killed. Of course, her actions are not usually the most thought out, but they are hilarious at times. I missed Max in this one as he only played a cameo role, but Viktor made up for him. HA!! That guy was a hoot.

Despite all the killing and evil shenanigans going on, there were plenty of laughs and I truly enjoyed reading this 5th in the series. I've read them all and they just keep getting better and better. You can't go wrong with this series. It's guaranteed to entertain and amuse. Cherry will have you shaking your head and busting your gut at her wardrobe style and phrasing of words, but she's got a big heart and she's not going to let the bad guys get away.

Thanks Henery Press and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. Everyone needs to see what this series is all about. You'll be a fan forever!

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy
I’m a big fan of the Cherry Tucker series, and was eager to see another book released. The mysteries are always well-written and engaging, and there was no difference with this fifth installment. It was so interesting for me to read about the Hogzilla hunt, as that isn’t what is in my typical books, but it gave a unique spin for sure. It was fun to see Cherry get out of Halo and into a new environment, but of course her romantic woes follow her even there. This series is so fun to read but it really does concentrate on mostly the mystery aspect, and it’s easy to get caught up in the suspect list and the body count and manipulation happening throughout the way. Plenty of twists and turns throughout, and one I highly enjoyed!
4 stars

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This book kept me captivated until the hunt was over and I don't mean the hunt for the hog. The story kept me guessing as to who was responsible and every time I thought I knew, the story would go running off In a different direction at full speed. I liked that they got stranded in the forest with all the suspects in one place. Add In a Hogzilla that every body wants to bag, a cute dog that would rather lick everybody to death than hunt, flying bullets and tempers and you have one crazy mystery to solve. I just loved it. The characters are just as colourful and funny as the plot and I dare you not to find something to laugh at. The mystery does get solved but the author sets up the story for the next book and it looks like we finally get to know what happened to Cherry's mother and I for one can't wait.
In terminal over her love life back home, Cherry jumps at the chance to get away from the decision of choosing the man she loves or her family and heads to Big Rack Lodge. The lodge is being pester by a large hog and In order to solve there problem they are hosting a competition to see who can bag it. She is along to work and is required to paint the winning hunter with his or her prize. Instead she finds a dead body and nobody willing to investigate the supposed accident. Funny things start happening at the lodge and protesters to the hunt are blamed. The day of the hunt a storm hits leaving the contestants stuck in the woods and Cherry knows there is a killer amongst them, especially when the bullets start to fly and the bodies pile up. Can she find the killer before she gets trapped under the crosshairs of a killer?
I like the narrator. Her accent is just charming and really help you to imagine the characters.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntary left this review.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the characters in Body in the Landscape. Cherry is so awesome in the way she faces adversity and stands up for others. Part of her tendency to get involved in situation that cause her problems is from curiosity, but for the most part she is trying to help someone else or to stand for her personal sense of justice. Life has never been fair to her and she doesn't expect that to change but she sees no reason to just accept that bad things happen. She will probably be battling someone to her last breath. Luke is afraid that if she doesn't learn to think with her head more than with her heart that her last day may come much sooner that he is prepared for.

Since her life long nemesis has force her to close her art studio in her home, Cherry is teaching art lessons at am upscale independent and assisted living facility. One of the big names in town asks for her help and offers the one thing that Cherry can not refuse shortly before dying. Even though the older woman can no longer fulfill her part of the deal, the artist takes the woman's request to heart and determines to find the person who may have already murdered twice.
The residence of the facility are so fun and Cherry falls for many of them. That caring leads her into another mystery that may or may not connect to the murders. It is a good thing her teaching schedule is light!

I requested an advanced reader's copy of this book from NetGalley. I reviewed this book voluntarily as I do all books that I love.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Body in the Landscape is the sixth book in the Cherry Tucker Humorous Mystery series. Escaping troubles at home in Halo, Georgia, Cherry Tucker, portrait artist and amateur sleuth, is happy to accompany her benefactor Max Avtaikin and her good friend Todd McIntosh, to a special hunting event at the Big Rack Lodge. Max has bet Bob Bass, a bombastic country artist with a bio as false as his bravado, that the one to actually take down the Herculean hog will get a portrait by Cherry.

On the evening of their arrival at the Lodge, walking the grounds Cherry meets local hunting dog trainer Able Spencer after he has brought his dogs to the kennel. All seems well then. However, the next day as Cherry takes some quiet time to venture out to try her hand at landscapes, there is a strange blue item in the background. When Todd comes to collect her before the rains arrive, they investigate the odd item, to find it’s a knocked off Braves cap, and below in the gully lies the lifeless body of Able Spencer.

Cherry being Cherry, there is no letting it go and moving on. She questions the rookie police officer investigating as much as she herself is questioned. It does not look like an accident to Cherry, anymore than the subsequent accidents and other deaths do. But what is the scheme that’s afoot and who is behind it?

This is a very well plotted story with many twists and a conclusion that is surprising. I very much enjoy the down home wit and Cherry’s tenacity. This is a well written mystery. I enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it!

[Jan L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs, hogs and danger

"Although blending proves challenging when you’re wearing a neon fuchsia and lime green hand-painted camo sweatshirt with the outline of a deer rack studded in mandarin-orange crystals." And the weekend of hunting Hogzilla in a dreary, rain soaked Georgia pine forest begins! Not only is Cherry Tucker ' s fashion sense highlighted but her inability to allow an old man's death, whom she met one time, be called an accident when she believes it's murder, be pushed aside. Family problems back in Halo had Cherry seeking a peaceful weekend but she can't get a break. Freaky accidents, a thousand pound hog, a chef that won't serve biscuits and a bunkhouse full of suspicious characters leave Cherry fearful she can't find a killer in time. The dark woods and the darkness threatening Cherry's heart keep her fighting even as she fears she can't find justice. This series needs to be read in order to follow Cherry's simple small town Georgia girls complicated life!

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Body in the Landscape is the 5th book in the Cherry Tucker series. This book is a light-hearted humorous cozy mystery with likable characters especially Cherry. Cherry is invited to Big Rack Lodge’s hog hunt along with her super nice friend Todd. Cherry is going to paint the portrait of the winner. Cherry and Todd find a man dead. She ends up traipsing through the woods looking for clues and questioning the other participants for most of the book. Cherry is also dealing with her secret relationship with Luke who is back in Halo. The ending is good. I had the audiobook narrated by Joan Dukore. She does a good job but the men’s voices are difficult. I received a free audiobook from Larissa Reinhart and I voluntarily leave this review.
#TheBodyInTheLandscape #CherryTuckerMysteries

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read! Gotta love Cherry Tucker and her penchant for wanting answers. Her Southern charm has won over this Yankee. I love her antics and her outlook, and appreciate her loyalty to her friends and family.
In this segment Cherry discovers a blue baseball cap in what should have been a plein air landscape setting, and gets to spend a rainy weekend annoying everyone with her determination to obtain answers to 'who?' and 'why', while on the surfce it appears that everyone else is more interested in hog hunting. Of course there's enough intrigue, displaced and misplaced loyalties, and twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Body in the Landscape is a twisty mystery with many suspects! This well plotted mystery captured and held my attention throughout. In fact I was so into the mystery that I ignored my todo list and lost myself in Big Rack Lodge's Hogzilla hunt! With more bodies popping up and too many suspects, I was certainly glad that Cherry was on the hunt for the murderer. You do not want to miss this exciting book.

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series with Cherry being both parts fascinating and frustrating. Sadly, much of Halo was reminiscent of a place near and dear ...almost disturbingly so. Fortunately I am no Cherry soni had a much different small town experience, though the author caught the southern quirks quite well.

[Marianne McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hogtied

Larissa Reinhart continues to entertain the reader with Cherry Tucker's escapades as an arist and rank investigator. Hired to do a portrait of the winner of a hog hunt, Cherry gets involved in everything but the hunt. Hard to put down until the surprise ending, the author does it again!

[Gena - My Book Reviews for You · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery! I loved the character Cherry and her musings. Cherry’s off to paint a portrait of the winner of a large hog hunt. Expected fun quickly turns bad once a dead body is discovered. Rainy weather and suspicious events add to the unfortunate events occurring. There were lots of interesting characters in scenes throughout the story.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stubborn as a pitbull, that is Cherry Tucker

Again I find myself town between wanting to find out what happens to the story and saying this it it. Cherry Tucker is a mess waiting to be cleaned up.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heading to the next book

This keep me wondering in all direction basic investing with a artist eye . Can't wait to see what happens with Luke

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Abel Spencer and why??? Accidents used to distract??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off slow. I almost gave up on it, but the book ended well.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherry Tucker is an artist who has been hired by her friend Max Avtaikin to paint the portrait of the winning hunter who kills Hogzilla, a giant boar that has been terrorizing farms in the area of the hunt, Big Rack Lodge. Also along is Cherry's best friend Todd, who is there to help Max, who is recovering from a bad knee.

Max's main competitor is a loudmouth with a reality show, Bob Bass, who insists it will be he and not the Bear (Max) who will make the final kill, although there are other competitors - except one, who has one a "local" raffle - all who have paid an entry fee of $10,000 for the 'privilege' of hunting and killing the boar. There are Bob's girlfriend, Peach Payne, LaToya Peterson, Clinton and Jenny Sparks, the local Rick Miller, and Bob's publicist Rita Rispoli.

But things begin to go awry from the very first night. Cherry decides to do a little painting on her own, and when Todd joins her, she notices something in the distance. It turns out to be a blue ball cap. When Cherry gets a little closer to the cap, she finds the person it belongs to: Abel Spencer - and he's no longer among the living. Cherry is shaken up, because she spoke with him not too long ago. And though everyone insists Abel must have been drunk and fallen to his death, Cherry knows he was sober and that there's more than meets the eye.

Given the brush off by the local police, she decides to investigate on her own, which at times isn't subtle at all. And when there are ensuing "accidents" Cherry knows she's on the right trail, even if Max seems disinterested and everyone else tells her she's crazy. Eventually Cherry discovers a lot of the 'accidents' are aimed toward her, which convinces her she was right all along.

Cherry, for all her worth as an artist, can't seem to stay out of trouble. This is the fifth book in the series, and she manages to find it no matter where she goes. I would go so far as to say that when trouble comes knocking at the door, she invites it in and offers a chair. The reason she is on the hunt in the first place is because Max is trying to give her a weekend where she can relax and enjoy herself, but I've come to the conclusion that Cherry doesn't know how to do that.

She can't stop thinking about the fact that her brother is facing serious jail time, and Luke Harper, her wanna-be boyfriend, is the arresting officer and part of the clan that is trying to put him away. Even though she knows Luke is on her side, it isn't enough and Cherry is keeping him at arms' length. In her mind, her family hates his, and she needs to stand with her family. So with her love life in a shambles, she now also has to contend with the fact that someone is out to kill someone in the hunting party, and it could very well be her.

Some of the situations she finds herself in are both crazy and humorous at the same time, and there were moments that were outright funny. The mystery was written well and plot twists abound. Even when things seem to come out alright, as they always do in the end, she still has the problem facing her of her family hating Luke.

All in all, a solid entry into the series. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but this in no way influenced my decision.

http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016...

[Lauren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wanted a distraction. The local phone book had contained Abel Spencer’s address. My lodge had contained a local phone book. Some would call that a sign. Or Standard hotel phone book practice. Either way, I felt a quick visit to Mr. Spencer’s homestead in order. Just to round out my curiosity on the man. I couldn’t focus on schmoozing while my brain kept taking trips to what’s-the-deal-with-Abel-Spencer land. I’l admit my brain doesn’t always work like others. It runs along the tracks toward Morbidity and Inquisitiveness Junction. Often with a quick stop at Meddling-ville. We’ll just chalk it up to my artistic nature and not to my constant need to fix lemonade in my life’s contact barrage of lemons.”

An artist’s perception of the life around them is filled with creativity, intrigue and sometimes—downright troublesome curiosity. Reinhart captivates her readers with this novel by allowing the murderous viewpoint to be addressed by a painter. Cherry Tucker is the mysterious problem solver who always needs to meddle into the cases within local law enforcement. Her decision to take a small trip for commission has gone awry—very awry. With the knowledge that she holds, her actions speak volumes—which makes her seem more like an annoyance than someone who truly wants to help in catching the criminal. Upon Cherry’s first day out in the field, she spots a blue speck that doesn’t belong in a landscape—in a sea of browns and greens. With her curiosity peaked, she heads over to investigate what is assumed to be a piece of trash. Soon, she discovers a blue ball cap and then a body. While Cherry’s intentions are typically good, her gut instinct has always led her to sniff out the truth—no matter the costs. Since everyone is going hunting, her commission coming from the winner’s portrait being painted, Cherry fears that the Hogzilla might not be the only thing that is being hunted.

Reinhart has a vast array of personalities and she does a superb job with character development as well as credibility. As this story reaches its climax, so many factors are thrown into the mix which always leaves this mystery—well, a mystery. It is not difficult to identify reasons to why everyone may have an investment in murdering another local…could a secret have been learned? Could Mr. Spencer have walked in on something? Could he be that notoriously disliked? After two more bodies are found through the hunting excursion, Cherry is determined more than ever to find the one responsible.

With such a charismatic and practical Nancy Drew plot, the author is leading her readers into a basic murder investigation; however, the wonder and curiosity will always be the same—interest and general curiosity. Reinhart has a compelling novel that will leave readers with the desire to read through the entire investigation, until the suspect is found. If you are a reader of mystery, this may be an interest to you. The Body in the Landscape is the fifth installment in the Cherry Tucker Mysteries; however, it can be read as a standalone for those who want to pick up their copy.

A free copy was exchanged for an honest review of this fictional piece.

[Robin Leslie Coxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Body in the Landscape
Larissa Reinhart

The Body in the Landscape is the 5th book in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series by Larissa Reinhart. The setting is the Big Rack Lodge just outside Atlanta for the Great Hog Hunt. Cherry Tucker has been invited by Max Avtaikin, aka the Bear, to paint his picture with the hog, which he has assured Cherry and others that he will succeed in killing. Her fee, as well as Todd McIntosh’s, had been paid by Max in order for them to partake in the hunt in whatever capacity he needs. Also taking part in the hunt were musician, Bob Bass and his lady friend, Peach Payne and publicist Risa Rispoli; LaToya Peterson – Jr. Olympic Rifleman; Clinton and Jenny Sparks – affluent individuals from Atlanta and local resident Rick Miller who won a raffle in order to take part in the hunt. Bob Bass was touting that he was going to be the winner and was filming his part of the hunt to publicize on his televised show.
Cherry, aka the Artist, agreed to go on the hunt thinking this would be a great way to take advantage of staying in the posh lodge and to be able to paint some of the woodland scenes. It was during her first painting session that she discovers a speck of blue amongst the leaves in the area she was capturing on her canvas. Knowing this could not be a part of the natural surroundings, Cherry checks it out to find an Atlanta Braves hat that had been dropped. Looking further around the area, she found the body of Abel Spencer, a local who was providing his dog, Buckshot, to use for the hunt. The Swinton Deputies under the direction of Deputy Deborah Holt secured the area. Cherry finds she has struck the wrong not with Deputy Holt after mentioning her Uncle Will who was with the Fork County Sheriff. As the story continues Cherry refuses to let the death of Abel Spencer, who is considered as the town drunk, to just be written off as an accident. She also finds many other strange things are taking place that only adds to the mystery.
I enjoyed this book even though I hadn’t read any of Larissa Reinhart’s previous books in this series. There were many characters and several seemed to not be important in the plot of the book. This could make for someone to lose an interest in the plot. I like Cherry Tucker’s character and her grittiness. Her relationship with Sheriff Luke Harper would be one I would enjoy seeing developed further after answers are found to the family feud. A copy of this book was provided to me for an honest review.

[Jane Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Body in the Landscape, the fifth book in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series by Larissa Reinhart. It's an amazing Five Star Read, as are the previous books in the series. [NOTE: This book can be read as a stand-alone, as far as the mystery itself; however, to fully appreciate all that is Cherry, and to understand the back-story of all of the characters, I recommend reading the series books in order.]

Unlike the previous books, none of The Body in the Landscape takes place in Cherry Tucker's hometown of Halo, Georgia. Instead, all of the action occurs at Big Rack Hunting Lodge, Swinton, Georgia. Big Rack is the site of a special weekend boar hunt for "Hogzilla," a giant feral European boar. Two of the hunters have a side bet going, that one of them will bag Hogzilla. Cherry, a struggling artist, is there at Big Rack because she has been commissioned by these two hunters to paint the Kill Portrait of the winner with Hogzilla.

While waiting for the hunt to begin, Cherry goes out into the woods to paint an autumnal landscape, because painting clears her mind from all the goings-on in Halo. Her mind gets so clear that she includes a royal blue blob that she sees in the distance, without realizing just how out of place it is. When she checks out what the blue object is (a ball cap), she discovers "the body in the landscape."

The Swinton police rule the death an accident, but Cherry gets it in her head that the victim was murdered. Then she takes it upon herself to "help" the police with their non-investigation into his death, by asking a lot of questions of the lodge staff and the other hunt participants.

Other incidents occur, sometimes with unclear targets. The lodge staff says they are just pranks, but Cherry believes the incidents are intended to maim or kill. The other folks at Big Rack aren't used to Cherry, and the way she gets when she involves herself in what may or may not be crimes. Some of the others even suspect Cherry herself of being the "prankster."

Are these incidents just pranks, or murder attempts? Who's the target? And who's the perpetrator? For the answers to these questions, read The Body in the Landscape by Larissa Reinhart, rated an amazing Five Star read.


[Note: I received a complimentary copy of The Body in the Landscape in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.]

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Body In The Landscape is the fifth book in the entertaining Cherry Tucker Mystery Series. Written in the first person narrative, the reader is transported back to Halo, Georgia, for the latest investigative adventure of struggling artist Cherry Tucker.

Cherry Tucker sure has a knack for getting into trouble, and in this latest installment of her quirky adventures, Cherry is commissioned to paint the portrait of the winner of the Big Rack Lodge's Hogzilla hunting competition. The feral hog has been terrorizing the Big Rack Lodge's property and
surrounding farms. Cherry thought that this would be the perfect weekend getaway, a chance to get away from the family drama back home with the arrest of her brother Cody for kidnapping Cherry's old nemesis Shawna Branson. And if that isn't enough, Cherry's love life is a mess because her boyfriend, Sheriff's Deputy Luke Harper is the arresting officer! But wait, there's more ... the weekend getaway gets a tad bit hairy when Cherry and ex-husband Todd find a body of a man in the woods, and Cherry knows him! Can it get any worse? Cherry and Todd have to track down the killer before there are more people killed at the hunting lodge, including herself!

This was such a fun whodunit to read, it had a great mixture of mystery, romance and humor. I easily found myself entertained by Cherry's craziness and her madcap investigative adventures. From Cherry's dysfunctional family, to her ongoing romantic issues, to her amateur sleuthing skills, this sassy southern lady's antics kept me entertained and laughing as I followed her quest to solve the latest murder case.

With a zany cast of characters (many who return from the previous books in the series) who keep the reader in stitches with their witty dialogue and hilarious interactions; a storyline filled with enough drama, suspense and twist and turns that keeps the reader guessing; and a richly detailed setting that transports the reader to a quirky Southern small town; The Body In The Landscape is an entertaining cozy mystery interwoven with Southern charm and humor that leaves you wanting to go on more crazy adventures with sassy Cherry Tucker!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Crittermom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherry Tucker is one-of-a-kind, a petite Georgia spitfire with a big imagination and a talent for getting into trouble. Filled with wild hijinks and amazing jumps of logic, her adventures make for a hilarious read. While she is no Sherlock Holmes, Cherry manages to steamroll her way to the truth in a highly entertaining manner.

Cherry’s impulsiveness and curiosity have caused her to become involved in more than a few murder investigations, and her antics have offended more than a few people in Halo. A weekend reprieve comes in the form of Big Rack Lodge's Hogzilla Hunt. Cherry has been commissioned to paint the portrait of the victorious hunter – a welcome break from the feud at home. Mingling with rich hunters and keeping an eye on her friend Max (the Bear) seems a simple task, but no sooner than the vacation begins, Cherry manages to discover a body in the woods.

Everyone believes that Abel, the town drunk met with an unfortunate accident, but Cherry is certain he was murdered. When a series of malicious pranks target the hunters, Cherry believes more murders will follow. But who is being targeted? The offensive musician Bob Bass and his flighty girlfriend Peaches, Max (the Bear), or is it Cherry who has been asking one too many questions about Abel's death. Thankfully Cherry has backup in the form of her ever supportive friend Todd and Abel's champion hunting dog Buckshot.

The Cherry Tucker mysteries are fun to read, and The Body in the Landscape is no exception. If you like cozy mysteries filled with wild antics and humorous misadventures this novel is a perfect choice.

5/5

The Body in the Landscape is the 5th Cherry Tucker mystery. The books do not have to be read in order.

The Body in the Landscape is available for preorder and will be released December 15, 2015.

I received a copy of The Body in the Landscape from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

http://muttcafe.com/2015/12/the-body-...

[Elite Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hogfather

No messing about here, straight in with a dead body, barely time to settle comfortably. And I don't believe that to be a spoiler because I’m talking first sentence here!! I liked the easy going, first person style of chapter one.


But as I read on though I think we have a fine example of genre fusion here, crime and chick lit, not usually a combination to get me over excited.


But to say that I didn't enjoy this book would not be true for I did. However, despite a reasonably complex plot, more 'who is it' than 'whodunnit', which always kept me thinking until nearly the end, it doesn't quite have the wow factor. I think it might have done had it not been overlong. Get rid of the chick lit aspect, I'm excited about the crime not that one of the characters has 'cerulean' eyes and looks good just out of the shower! (Am I getting old?) There was a sub plot that didn't seem to add much to anything and seemed largely unresolved by the end of the book so I didn't see the point of it. Pare down some of the descriptions that don't further the plot or add to the atmosphere and I'd say it was heading for four stars. There’s plenty going on in this book to keep the reader entertained. Personally the hunting of animals doesn’t fill me with euphoria and I was always rooting for the hog to avoid capture.


I liked Cherry Tucker, Stephanie Plum she ain't, but there was enough substance to the character to engage and carry the book along. And I realise that this is by no means the first Cherry Tucker tale. its the fifth. I’ve not read any of the others and maybe I would have benefited from doing so. I note that Ms Reinhart is the recipient of more than one award including being a finalist for the 2012 Daphne Du Maurier award. So respect is due. I’m not going to rush out to read more Cherry Tucker stories but if another came my way I’d read it and I dare say I’d enjoy it as I did this one. So I’d like to offer three and half stars if I may?


Whizz

Breakaway Reviewers were given an advanced copy of the book

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that we are already 5 books into the world of Cherry Tucker. She's a small town girl from a backwater town in Georgia. But she has dreams, of making in big in the art world - some day. If she can ever get beyond her own insatiable curiosity when it comes to the dead bodies that she keeps finding. Because they do land her in quite the pickle from time to time.

Cherry sees the world in shades of oil paint colors, describing a scene in the colors she would use to capture it. She also expresses her creativity in her clothing, often bedazzling or adding paint to highlight and transform them into something more. Is Cherry a bit out there and over the top? You bet, but in the nicest, sweetest way possible... Unless you hurt her family. Then it's on, in only the way a true southern girl can provide. Having grown up in the south, I can sympathize and laugh about her antics.

The scenes describing getting ready for the hunt, struck many cords with me. I haven't personally been, but have known enough guys (and girls) who go regularly to appreciate the humor of the situations in this book. Plus I have been out tromping through the woods enough to have had no problem being able to completely picture the scene, right down to the smells of the fires burning on a cold rainy night.

The overall story arc didn't have any major advances in this book, but it did give Cherry a break from Luke and a chance for her to make up her mind and decide how she was going to handle their relationship. Cherry also makes some decisions regarding her ex-husband Todd and their relationship. From the way things wrapped up at the end, it looks like book 6 will be full to bursting with drama. Is it wrong that I am rubbing my hands together in anticipation and glee? Even though it doesn't feel necessary to the series, I still had a good time with it and gave it 4 stars.

Thank to Netgalley, Henery Press and Great Escapes for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new series and author for me. This book is the fifth in the series.

Cherry Tucker is an artist who has been hired to paint the portrait of the winner of a hunting contest. The winner will be the one who has killed a “hogzilla” which has been running rampant near a luxurious hunting lodge.

This plot was interesting to me, but at times it seemed to become bogged down in too much detail. We start with two separate dead bodies and at first it is not certain whether these were accidents or something more sinister. Sinister and dangerous events start happening on a regular basis.

Cherry is a young woman who did not draw my sympathy for any of her behavior in any situation. We continue to read that she is barely 5 feet tall and that somehow means that qualifies her to be most likely to take dumb chances. She considers herself smarter than nearly everyone she meets. She is more annoying than attractive to this reader.

It is evident to me that if I had read the earlier books in the series, I might have been able to understand a little more of the background of characters and certain events.

The characters were interesting and at times each of them drew me in to their story. But, I would have liked a little more well rounded development. There are many characters which keep the plot moving forward. A rock star hunter, his bimbo girlfriend, some disgruntled red necks and hotel personnel to list just a few.

There is a great deal of mystery in the story along with humor which is something I always enjoy. The list of suspects is long and at one time or another everyone seems viable as a villain.

I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in the hope of a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite publishing companies that I enjoy reading their releases is Henery Press as they write enjoyable cosy mysteries with a romantic side chucked into the mix, they are also fast-paced and filled with adventure and more often than not the leading character is a female heroine who always finds themselves bang smack in the middle of trouble. They often remind me of a Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich type character. In The Body in the Landscape, we meet Cherry Tucker who is an artist of sorts who has been commissioned to paint the portrait of the winner of the Big Rack Hogzilla Hunting competition. As there have been rumours floating around that there is a giant Hog aka Hogzilla and rewards for anyone who captures it. This seems like the perfect getaway for Cherry as back home it's family drama central as her brother has been arrested for kidnapping of Shawna who happens to be her worst-enemy and also possible sister/ step-sister and if that wasn't bad enough her secret boyfriend Luke happens to be the arresting officer of Cherry's brother. So back home it's family rivalries blaring and heading for war. What will happen though when Cherry stumbles upon a dead body, and she is the only one convinced he was in fact murdered and not just an accidental death ? As the story goes on and strange things keep a-happening , it has to make you wonder - who wants who dead and that someone badly wants this Hogzilla Hunting competition to be cancelled.

For a fun romantic comedy/suspense novel filled with OMG and laugh moments, check out The Body in the Landscape by Larissa Reinhart.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

For Southern girl and painter Cherry Tucker, finding commissions have been challenging. However, it seems as if her luck is about to chang as she has just been asked to paint a portrait of the winner of the Big Rack Hogzilla hunt. As she and her boyfriend Luke are at a stall because their families have a hatred that rivals the Hatfield and McCoys; Cherry thinks it will be good to get away from it all. But things do not go quite as expected: instead of sunshine there is rain, a series of pranks are being played, and the whole weekend gives Cherry a bad feeling. To make matters worse, Cherry discovers a dead body in the woods. But when the police rule it as an accidental fall from the town drunk instead of murder, Cherry decides it is up to her to find out the truth. But with a killer who is an expert hunter on the loose, an activist group trying to eradicate humans, and an insane lodger trying to do all he can to protect the giant hog; will Cherry have taken on more than she can handle?
As this was my first book in the Cherry Tucker mystery series I did find it hard at first to get into the novel as there was a lot I didn’t know about the characters and their histories. Putting that aside it was a very enjoyable mystery novel. The character of Cherry is dogged, intelligent, interesting, and altogether likable. She has a well developed background, which makes the novel stronger. The mystery was a little slow in the beginning, but once they left the hotel to the hunting lodge and found themselves without a ride back to civilization or a radio, courtesy of the prankster, it becomes gripping and near impossible to put down. I’d give this novel four out of five stars.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]


"I’ll admit my brain doesn’t always work like others. It runs along the tracks toward Morbidity and Inquisitiveness Junction. Often with a quick stop at Meddling-ville. We’ll just chalk it up to my artistic nature and not to my constant need to fix lemonade in my life’s constant barrage of lemons."

That's OK Cherry, its the reason we love you! Looking to get away from family and its related "baggage" Cherry Tucker agrees to paint the picture of the hunter who wins at a shoot at a resort called Big Rack. She's hired by one big shot who'd bet another big shot that he couldn't track down Hogzilla, a feral boar that terrorizes any place he might be.
Thinking it might be a neat getaway from her boyfriend Luke, she and her ex Todd join the party and stumble across a series of situations that almost cost Cherry her life!

When I first was introduced to Larissa Rheinhart and her Cherry Tucker mysteries ( this is the fifth one) I was captivated that this tiny speck of a woman could stand on her own two feet in a world that is certainly a hodgepodge. This one takes on European expats and reality stars in a fast paced story that proves Cherry Tucker is here to stay, no matter what happens!

[Judy Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cherry Tucker and I could never become friends. Not even the sit quietly in the same room kind of friends. Mainly that would be because Cherry seems incapable of knowing which thoughts to keep locked up tight in her brain and which ones are fine to share with others. If there was ever a modern version of The Perils of Pauline, this character is spot on. Need to move quietly through the woods while following someone? Let Cherry loose and everybody in the county will know she's behind you. Need to sneak up on a tent to see who's inside? Let Cherry loose and she will fall into the tent and bring the whole thing down. No...too, too many of those episodes for me to want to go anywhere near Cherry Tucker ever again.

The characters are out in the Georgia woods for a wild boar hunt with Cherry along because she is supposed to paint a portrait of one of the two men who have a side bet about being the winner of the hunt. Cherry finds the body of a local man who seems to have died from a fall. Cherry thinks it was no accident.

This is definitely what I would consider a light mystery novel. The character was simply not the type of person I would ever want to be around so it didn't work for me to have to read about her. In a group of expert marksmen nobody could distinguish between a rifle with a silencer and a ..............Nope, never mind.

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.

[Elayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just who is this all so nosy artist who just keeps encountering crimes including murder? And why is her brother in jail? And who is Tod? Luke? Max? And what are her relationships with them? How did Max hurt his knee?
For me, whilst this was a light-hearted romp through crime and murder, it was clearly not at all aimed at people who had not read the previous books in the series. There were a lot of complicated relationships. Family rivalries and past incidents that affected how people behaved that remained sketchily explained and then not as one first encountered them. Whilst I don’t mind this in a series, it does make it more difficult to give a critical review of a book when many of the links and much of the background is not explained.
That said, by 30% of the way through, enough was explained about some of the characters to encourage me to read on. I had considered giving up because I had been only peripherally drawn into the scenes and storyline.
But by 50% in I was irritated by the gun and hunting culture that permeated the story. And was not sufficiently concerned about the outcome to continue.
I agree with the reviewers of the author’s previous books that the style of writing has amusing elements, but I was never inclined to smile let alone laugh – mainly I think due to the hunting and guns!