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A Tobi Tobias Mystery #1
Death in Advertising
When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder. Sometimes when opportunity knocks, the door you open leads to a closet. That’s certainly the case for Tobi, whose weekends spent cleaning cages in her best friend’s pet shop may soon be over. She’s just landed her first big break—Zander Closet Company needs a catchy campaign slogan ASAP, and Tobi thinks she’s got the right hook to knock ’em “When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.” But when a real dead body topples out of a showcase closet, she’s about to discover there is such a thing as bad publicity. To save her fledgling business and not get killed by the competition, Tobi takes on a new pet solving the murder. But with a stressed-out parrot as the only witness to the crime, Tobi will really have to wing it to put the cagey killer behind bars.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2017
80 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bradford
58 books887 followersAka Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend's house nearly forty years ago, Laura Bradford fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil.
Those early attempts at the craft had her writing and illustrating stories for young children. Wise beyond her years, Laura saved her first writing attempt in a hand decorated shoe box (complete with sparkly stickers) and moved on to her next idea. Her second book—O’Casey’s Wish—was so utterly brilliant, she sent it off to a well-known New York publishing house at the tender age of ten, confident she was on the verge of becoming the next Don Freeman (Corduroy) or Shel Silverstein (Giving Tree).
Months later, she received her first form letter rejection.
While she wasn’t of the mindset to save that first crushing blow for posterity, Laura did save the original copy of this particular literary masterpiece in the event the letter was a mistake.
Desperate to prove her flexibility as a writer, Laura soon found herself dabbling in jokes (for her Girl Scout troop’s newsletter), stories of angst (a somewhat autobiographical look at her teenage years), movie reviews (for the Xavier University Newswire), and countless news and feature articles (for newspapers in CT, SC, TN, and MO).
It wasn’t until Laura was home raising children of her own though, that she was finally able to dust off that rainy day dream and bring it back to its original form—writing fiction. Today, she is a bestselling mystery author with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Publishing), and an award winning romance author with Harlequin American. She lives in New York with her family.
Oh, and if you meet Laura at a book event in the future, ask her about O’Casey’s Wish. It tends to travel with her everywhere she goes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 7, 2017
A new series by author Laura Bradford! Seven. Best. Words. Ever!
I started reading DEATH IN ADVERTISING with an excited expectation. I was looking for what I have seen in every book I’ve read by Laura Bradford, clever mystery, likable characters I can connect with, and a story that would make me hate reading the last word of the last page. Well, Ms. Bradford delivered all of the aforementioned, and much, much more!
My first bit of happiness with the book happened on page one with protagonist, and series namesake, Tobi Tobias. DEATH IN ADVERTISING is told from Tobi’s point of view, which lends itself to many extremely witty scenes! She’s so fun! I can see Tobi and I being great friends. My second, third…one-hundredth bit of happiness came from every page there after!
Laura Bradford has seriously blown me away with this book! This was a fast moving story that held tight to my attention the whole way through. It was truly a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat guessing at and waiting for the truth to come out. I was completely taken by surprise with the who in the dunit!
No reader could ask for or expect more from the first book in a series then what Laura Bradford has accomplished with DEATH IN ADVERTISING. Simply brilliant!
I started reading DEATH IN ADVERTISING with an excited expectation. I was looking for what I have seen in every book I’ve read by Laura Bradford, clever mystery, likable characters I can connect with, and a story that would make me hate reading the last word of the last page. Well, Ms. Bradford delivered all of the aforementioned, and much, much more!
My first bit of happiness with the book happened on page one with protagonist, and series namesake, Tobi Tobias. DEATH IN ADVERTISING is told from Tobi’s point of view, which lends itself to many extremely witty scenes! She’s so fun! I can see Tobi and I being great friends. My second, third…one-hundredth bit of happiness came from every page there after!
Laura Bradford has seriously blown me away with this book! This was a fast moving story that held tight to my attention the whole way through. It was truly a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat guessing at and waiting for the truth to come out. I was completely taken by surprise with the who in the dunit!
No reader could ask for or expect more from the first book in a series then what Laura Bradford has accomplished with DEATH IN ADVERTISING. Simply brilliant!
February 15, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It is always exciting to start a new series. This one introduces us to Tobi Tobias, an ad executive just starting her own firm. She also works part time at a pet store to help pay the bills until she gets more clients. She never intended to steal clients from her old firm, but when they come to her she is not going to turn them away. Zander Closet Company is in a pickle, they need a catchy slogan A.S.A.P. and she delivers a fantastic one. She then needs to put a brochure together for them. What better way than to include pictures of their fixtures in a real home? Unfortunately, she wasn’t ready for a dead body to come out of the closet during the photo shoot. This can’t be happening! Her 1st big break is now all over the news for the worst possible reasons. She needs to save her company by catching the killer and prove that there are no skeletons in her closet. She finally gets the clue she needs from a very unlikely source.
This was a very entertaining read. Tobi and I would be fast friends. She loves Cocoa Puffs and has a unique laugh, I don’t actually snort the way she does, but ask my friends, when I laugh they would know from rooms away it is me. The author has surrounded her with a great group. Her friend, Mary Fran owns the pet store where she works on the weekends. Mary Fran’s teenage son also works there but his real interest is photography. Her assistant, JoAnna, always seems to be two steps ahead of her, but in a good way. She also has some unique neighbors, the victim’s wife is a little bit out there, as is one of the Zander brothers. The other brother is more down to earth and Tobi would love to know him better but she has her reasons for holding back.
Tobi’s investigation of the murder gives us plenty of suspects but for some reason I zeroed in on one person right away and I was amazed when I reached the end that I was actually right, I picked up on all the clues and even knew a key thing about another character well before Tobi. This is unusual for me and I truly wasn’t sure that I had everything right until the very end. The story did try to divert me several times, nicely played, Ms. Bradford or I should say very cleverly written Ms. Bradford, very cleverly written.
This is a delightful debut for this new series. The characters are very engaging and I really love this theme. I am excited for the next installment. Time to restock the Cocoa Puffs
It is always exciting to start a new series. This one introduces us to Tobi Tobias, an ad executive just starting her own firm. She also works part time at a pet store to help pay the bills until she gets more clients. She never intended to steal clients from her old firm, but when they come to her she is not going to turn them away. Zander Closet Company is in a pickle, they need a catchy slogan A.S.A.P. and she delivers a fantastic one. She then needs to put a brochure together for them. What better way than to include pictures of their fixtures in a real home? Unfortunately, she wasn’t ready for a dead body to come out of the closet during the photo shoot. This can’t be happening! Her 1st big break is now all over the news for the worst possible reasons. She needs to save her company by catching the killer and prove that there are no skeletons in her closet. She finally gets the clue she needs from a very unlikely source.
This was a very entertaining read. Tobi and I would be fast friends. She loves Cocoa Puffs and has a unique laugh, I don’t actually snort the way she does, but ask my friends, when I laugh they would know from rooms away it is me. The author has surrounded her with a great group. Her friend, Mary Fran owns the pet store where she works on the weekends. Mary Fran’s teenage son also works there but his real interest is photography. Her assistant, JoAnna, always seems to be two steps ahead of her, but in a good way. She also has some unique neighbors, the victim’s wife is a little bit out there, as is one of the Zander brothers. The other brother is more down to earth and Tobi would love to know him better but she has her reasons for holding back.
Tobi’s investigation of the murder gives us plenty of suspects but for some reason I zeroed in on one person right away and I was amazed when I reached the end that I was actually right, I picked up on all the clues and even knew a key thing about another character well before Tobi. This is unusual for me and I truly wasn’t sure that I had everything right until the very end. The story did try to divert me several times, nicely played, Ms. Bradford or I should say very cleverly written Ms. Bradford, very cleverly written.
This is a delightful debut for this new series. The characters are very engaging and I really love this theme. I am excited for the next installment. Time to restock the Cocoa Puffs
February 14, 2017
It’s always an exciting moment when I find out that a brand new series is releasing from an author I already admire! Such is the case with DEATH IN ADVERTISING, the Tobi Tobias Mystery series by Laura Bradford. The tongue in cheek humor pulled me in from the very first page while the antics of the quirky characters had me chuckling, anxious to see what they were going to do next. I was in awe of the creativity the author exhibited in portraying the advertising campaign her protagonist, Tobi, was involved in….impressive, witty slogans that had me wondering if Laura had been in advertising herself in a prior life. Even though DEATH IN ADVERTISING is a lighthearted and entertaining read, the murder mystery itself is well plotted with believable suspects. I adored the setup of finding the victim in the closet right after Tobi Tobias debuted her ad slogan, “Zander’s closet system can find a place for everything. Even a skeleton”.
In addition to a good mystery and fun, laugh out loud moments, there’s a sweet closeness between Tobi, her friends, and her grandfather. Tobi realizes that no matter what happens, true friends are what’s most important in life. I especially enjoyed the protagonist’s involvement in her best friend’s pet shop, which showed heartwarming care and concern towards the animals in its facility. The African Grey Parrot, Baboo, who was rescued after his owner was murdered, is a good example. The sensitive, heartbroken bird is treated with respect and love as they try to help the creature mend. It was refreshing to see active concern exhibited over finding forever homes for the animals vs. turning a profit.
In addition to a good mystery and fun, laugh out loud moments, there’s a sweet closeness between Tobi, her friends, and her grandfather. Tobi realizes that no matter what happens, true friends are what’s most important in life. I especially enjoyed the protagonist’s involvement in her best friend’s pet shop, which showed heartwarming care and concern towards the animals in its facility. The African Grey Parrot, Baboo, who was rescued after his owner was murdered, is a good example. The sensitive, heartbroken bird is treated with respect and love as they try to help the creature mend. It was refreshing to see active concern exhibited over finding forever homes for the animals vs. turning a profit.
February 25, 2017
Fantastic book! Everything about it is great, it is one of the best books I have read so far this year, and I cannot wait until the next one!
February 13, 2017
Tobi Tobias is trying to make a go of owning her own advertising agency, but the lack of clients is making it very hard. Things are so hard, she’s working in a friend’s pet store to earn some money. Things appear to be turning around when she is hired to do a campaign for the Zander Closet Company. But her winning slogan turns into a nightmare when a dead body is found in one of their closets. Can Tobi find the killer in order to save her business?
This is another winning series from Laura Bradford. The characters are strong right out of the gate, and I fell in love with them. Tobi has a wonderful group of friends and family I’m looking forward to getting to know better in future books. The plot is strong with many secrets on the way to a logical ending.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is another winning series from Laura Bradford. The characters are strong right out of the gate, and I fell in love with them. Tobi has a wonderful group of friends and family I’m looking forward to getting to know better in future books. The plot is strong with many secrets on the way to a logical ending.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 4, 2017
Tobi Tobias loves creating ads and she's very good at her job. Once a slogan she creates for Zander Closet Company hits the TV and airwaves with rave reviews, Tobi hopes her small business will soar. However, when taping a video segment in a Zander Closet client's home; one of the owner's bodies is found stuffed in a closet and Tobi fears her successful ad campaign is doomed.
Laura Bradford pens a nicely thought out cozy mystery with plenty of humor and a happy ending. I enjoyed the two African grey parrots and how they helped nab the culprit! This story left me feeling good and anticipating the next story in the series.
Laura Bradford pens a nicely thought out cozy mystery with plenty of humor and a happy ending. I enjoyed the two African grey parrots and how they helped nab the culprit! This story left me feeling good and anticipating the next story in the series.
December 15, 2016
What a treat to read Laura Bradford's new first in series, February 7th's release called Death in Advertising. Laura is a wonderful author, and this is a great series idea. I loved the quirky main character Tobi Tobias. She is a coco puff cereal loving, Mcdonald's eating, slightly down on her luck completely relate able character. Creative, kind, and learning to make her way on her own in business. She is not only relate-able she is inspiring. Great cast of supporting characters especially her Grandfather and young photographer friend. I really enjoyed this story, mystery and getting to know Tobi and the crew. I look forward to more books in this series for sure.
February 7, 2017
A new author for me and I found a chic - light book with a tinge of mystery. I am not a fan of the first person format. At times I almost didn't finish. The addition of the African gray parrots is a nice addition and very well done. I felt Tobi Tobias was self-center and not very likable. The quirky characters did not work for me. There were very few clues given for the mystery making the end hard to understand. Tobi has struck out on her own as an advertising executive. She is almost broke and making ends meet by working weekends at a pet shop. She has a chance to write a slogan for Zander Closet Company. The slogan is successful and it gets a lot of publicity. When she and a young friend, Sam go to shoot photos, they find a trophy wife and an African Grey Parrot at the house. When they open the closet a body falls out. Her slogan becomes a joke. Tobi feels she must solve the murder to clear the negative connotation on the slogan. She begins to explore the circumstances of the death.
Disclosure: I received a free copy Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own
Disclosure: I received a free copy Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own
November 26, 2017
Death in Advertising is the 1st book in the Tobi Tobias mystery series by Laura Bradford. If you have enjoyed her previous series then you won't be disappointed by this one!
Tobi is down on her luck in the world of advertising. She just needs one big account to get her name out there. When the Zander brothers ask her to help advertise their business, Tobi thinks she's struck gold! Little does she know there are others out there want to leave her advertising agency in the dust...and she has no idea why!
This book was very different from other cozies (no coffee, tea or donuts to be found, although Tobi does like cocoa puffs!!) but was very engaging from the beginning. Full of fun characters from a kooky grandpa to a few talking birds with attitudes, this book had me excited to find out what happens in the future books in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Tobi is down on her luck in the world of advertising. She just needs one big account to get her name out there. When the Zander brothers ask her to help advertise their business, Tobi thinks she's struck gold! Little does she know there are others out there want to leave her advertising agency in the dust...and she has no idea why!
This book was very different from other cozies (no coffee, tea or donuts to be found, although Tobi does like cocoa puffs!!) but was very engaging from the beginning. Full of fun characters from a kooky grandpa to a few talking birds with attitudes, this book had me excited to find out what happens in the future books in this series.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 7, 2017
This book appealed to me for several reasons. I worked for many years at an advertising agency. I have an African Grey Parrot and there are two in this story. There is a little romance, some interesting characters and a murder mystery. I am so happy to see this is the first in a series. I look forward to reading more of Tobi's adventures. Great name, too! The publisher provided a copy via NetGalley for my voluntary review.
June 4, 2019
Absolutely enjoyed this one. It worked for me in so many ways. Also enjoyed the appearances of the African grey parrots; my mom has one (good ole Billy Grey!) and he's a hoot. Good book!
February 7, 2017
Death In Advertising is the first book in the Tobi Tobias Mystery series. Another delightful series from Laura Bradford.
Tobi Tobias, having had enough of being overworked and underpaid and not really appreciated at Beckler and Stanley Ad Agency has formed her own agency. She is about to give up on her venture when Andrew and Gary Zander. They own Zander Closet Company, a manufacturer of closet organization systems. They are visiting Tobia’s as they weren’t happy with the campaign that Beckler had come up with. The Zander company is going to install their product in the home of Preston and Mitzi Hohlbrook as part of the Home Showcase and need an advertising slogan to endear their name to the public. Gary is one to be rather brash and somewhat uncouth, so Tobi is not sure about this particular job, but Andrew more than makes up for his brother and agrees to come up with a winning campaign for them.
Saturday comes and Tobi is off to the pet store that her friend Mary Fran owns, along the way she asks friends and neighbor along the way for what they first think when they hear the word closet, but sticks until she gets to the pet store and Mary Jane’s 15 year-old son, Sam says skeleton. And Tobi comes up with a slogan: Zander Closet Company. When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.” When she present the slogan and the advertising materials the brothers are excited and sure they having a winning campaign. Andrew suggests that Tobi gets some shots of the closet that is being installed at the Hohlbrook house for use in brochures to be handed out at the Home Showcase. As Sam starts to take pictures of the closet installation, the body of Mr. Hohlbrook is found between some of the shelving units. Publicity like this could prove disastrous for the Zander Company and Tobi would hate to see that happen as her ad slogan would forever be attached to the event.
I think Bradford has another winning series in the works. A wonderfully plotted story with a believable cast of character. A real hoot is Ms. Rapple, Tobi’s nosy neighbor and her dog Gertrude who have to get into everybody’s business. Then there is Carter, another neighbor, who is a make-up and hair guru at a local community theater. One never knows the what hair style he will have or what color it will be and of course Grandpa Stu and his clothes from the past and his quick wit.
Will be watching for the next book in this new series.
Tobi Tobias, having had enough of being overworked and underpaid and not really appreciated at Beckler and Stanley Ad Agency has formed her own agency. She is about to give up on her venture when Andrew and Gary Zander. They own Zander Closet Company, a manufacturer of closet organization systems. They are visiting Tobia’s as they weren’t happy with the campaign that Beckler had come up with. The Zander company is going to install their product in the home of Preston and Mitzi Hohlbrook as part of the Home Showcase and need an advertising slogan to endear their name to the public. Gary is one to be rather brash and somewhat uncouth, so Tobi is not sure about this particular job, but Andrew more than makes up for his brother and agrees to come up with a winning campaign for them.
Saturday comes and Tobi is off to the pet store that her friend Mary Fran owns, along the way she asks friends and neighbor along the way for what they first think when they hear the word closet, but sticks until she gets to the pet store and Mary Jane’s 15 year-old son, Sam says skeleton. And Tobi comes up with a slogan: Zander Closet Company. When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.” When she present the slogan and the advertising materials the brothers are excited and sure they having a winning campaign. Andrew suggests that Tobi gets some shots of the closet that is being installed at the Hohlbrook house for use in brochures to be handed out at the Home Showcase. As Sam starts to take pictures of the closet installation, the body of Mr. Hohlbrook is found between some of the shelving units. Publicity like this could prove disastrous for the Zander Company and Tobi would hate to see that happen as her ad slogan would forever be attached to the event.
I think Bradford has another winning series in the works. A wonderfully plotted story with a believable cast of character. A real hoot is Ms. Rapple, Tobi’s nosy neighbor and her dog Gertrude who have to get into everybody’s business. Then there is Carter, another neighbor, who is a make-up and hair guru at a local community theater. One never knows the what hair style he will have or what color it will be and of course Grandpa Stu and his clothes from the past and his quick wit.
Will be watching for the next book in this new series.
February 6, 2017
Tobi Tobias is worried. Her fledgling ad agency is not doing well, the bills are piling up and she's just received a 14-day notice to pay her overdue rent or be evicted from her apartment. Just when things look darkest, a new client comes to her office. Zander Closet Company needs a new ad campaign and a great slogan to make their company stand out from the competition. Tobi comes up with a great idea, but just as the campaign gets off the ground, a dead body falls out of one of the Zander closets during a home showcase event. Suddenly Tobias Ag Agency is getting bad press because of the new ad, exactly the opposite of what Tobi needed. The only way to save the situation and her company is to discover who killed Preston Hohlbrook and stuffed him in a closet.
Death is Advertising is the first book in the new Tobi Tobias series by Laura Bradford. The characters are interesting and a bit quirky in a fun way. Tobi is a great main character. She has spunk, intelligence, and a good sense of humor. Her bestie Mary Fran and her teenage son, Sam, are great sidekicks. The story flowed well with excellent pacing, several suspects and a few twists and turns. I figured out a few parts of the subplot quickly, but I didn't figure out the final outcome before it happened. Excellent mystery! Excellent first book! I will definitely be reading more of the Tobi Tobias series!
Laura Bradford writes romances and cozy mysteries, including the Amish Mystery and Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series.
Death in Advertising will be available February 7th. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys mysteries and cozies. A fun, quick read!
To find out more about the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.laurabradford.com/
**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
Death is Advertising is the first book in the new Tobi Tobias series by Laura Bradford. The characters are interesting and a bit quirky in a fun way. Tobi is a great main character. She has spunk, intelligence, and a good sense of humor. Her bestie Mary Fran and her teenage son, Sam, are great sidekicks. The story flowed well with excellent pacing, several suspects and a few twists and turns. I figured out a few parts of the subplot quickly, but I didn't figure out the final outcome before it happened. Excellent mystery! Excellent first book! I will definitely be reading more of the Tobi Tobias series!
Laura Bradford writes romances and cozy mysteries, including the Amish Mystery and Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series.
Death in Advertising will be available February 7th. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys mysteries and cozies. A fun, quick read!
To find out more about the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.laurabradford.com/
**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
March 4, 2017
Ms. Bradford has done it again with her new Tobi Tobias series. I loved it, Tobi is not Ms. Bradford's usual character, she is quirky, snorts, a klutz at times and loves Cocoa Puffs, she is outright fun and lovable, someone I could sit and have some laughs with. The secondary characters are just as fun, with Joanna who seems to read her mind, Carter who is always happy, Mary Fran strong likable and raising her teenage son who I loved, not your usually surly teen that seem to be in so many books. The mystery was excellent, I pieced it together along with Tobi, the clues are there and placed perfectly to lead you along and had me turning the pages quickly as I was nearing the end. I cannot wait for the next in this series.
*I was lucky enough to have received an early copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
*I was lucky enough to have received an early copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
February 7, 2017
Death in Advertising by Laura Bradford is the first book in the Tobi Tobias mystery series, and an excellent start. I can not wait for the next book to come out. Tobi is trying to save her advertising business when she lands a client, and things are looking up. Until a dead body shows up.
I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. There is a wonderful mixture of mystery, suspense, friendship, and romance for a well-balanced story. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. There is a wonderful mixture of mystery, suspense, friendship, and romance for a well-balanced story. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2017
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
Oh my gosh I loved this book! Tobi is awesome, her friends are hilariously quirky, and I never thought I'd laugh that much at a parrot (snort, snort). The mystery was great, too, although the ending did feel a little anticlimactic. I can't wait until the next book comes out!
Oh my gosh I loved this book! Tobi is awesome, her friends are hilariously quirky, and I never thought I'd laugh that much at a parrot (snort, snort). The mystery was great, too, although the ending did feel a little anticlimactic. I can't wait until the next book comes out!
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this first in a new series! Interesting characters and a whodunit that was well written and kept me guessing. I look forward to reading the next in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 30, 2016
Death in Advertising is the first installment in the Tobi Tobias Mystery series featuring Tobi Tobias owner of the Tobias Ad Agency and part time pet shop worker. Tobi has left her job at Beckler and Stanley Ad Agency and is branching out with her own business, but with few clients and mounting bills she subsidizes her income by working part time at the To Know Them Is To Love Them pet store.
When brothers Andrew and Gary Zander come to Tobi for help designing a new ad campaign for Zander Closet Company, she thinks she has come up with winning slogan "when we're done, even your skeletons will have a place". Little did she know that the catchy phrase was about to come true when Zander client Preston Hohlbrook comes tumbling out of his newly designed closet.
Anxious to find the killer and salvage her reputation, Tobi sets out with the help of her friends and neighbors to investigate a murder. With plenty of suspects to choose from, she soon discovers that everyone involved has a skeleton in their closet.
A fun, fast paced storyline with well developed and engaging characters and a delightful pair of African Grey parrots. A terrific debut in this new cozy series from author Laura Bradford.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground, a division of Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
When brothers Andrew and Gary Zander come to Tobi for help designing a new ad campaign for Zander Closet Company, she thinks she has come up with winning slogan "when we're done, even your skeletons will have a place". Little did she know that the catchy phrase was about to come true when Zander client Preston Hohlbrook comes tumbling out of his newly designed closet.
Anxious to find the killer and salvage her reputation, Tobi sets out with the help of her friends and neighbors to investigate a murder. With plenty of suspects to choose from, she soon discovers that everyone involved has a skeleton in their closet.
A fun, fast paced storyline with well developed and engaging characters and a delightful pair of African Grey parrots. A terrific debut in this new cozy series from author Laura Bradford.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground, a division of Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
December 16, 2016
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher and NetGalley.
I absolutely loved this first in a new series by Laura Bradford.
Tobi Tobias is a cleverly written character who is likable right from the beginning.
Deciding to venture out and open her own ad agency is a risky decision for Tobi. Having her own business is wonderful, but she still needs to work at the pet shop. She is thrilled to get her first client, Zander Closet Company.
Her catchy slogan is a big hit, but when it comes true, she fears she will never get another client.
This book is sure to please any cozy mystery fan. The story is well told and the cast of characters will leave you breathlessly awaiting the next in the series.
I absolutely loved this first in a new series by Laura Bradford.
Tobi Tobias is a cleverly written character who is likable right from the beginning.
Deciding to venture out and open her own ad agency is a risky decision for Tobi. Having her own business is wonderful, but she still needs to work at the pet shop. She is thrilled to get her first client, Zander Closet Company.
Her catchy slogan is a big hit, but when it comes true, she fears she will never get another client.
This book is sure to please any cozy mystery fan. The story is well told and the cast of characters will leave you breathlessly awaiting the next in the series.
February 7, 2017
Laura Bradford's new series set in St. Louis comes out of the gate strong. Animal lovers are going to enjoy the pet shop angle, and lovers of wit and words are going to enjoy the ad slogans Tobi comes up with. Fans of good mysteries are going to be tickled pink, too. The mystery in Death in Advertising is a good one-- I didn't have it figured out, but once the killer was revealed, I could see the trail of breadcrumbs that had been left for everyone to follow.
As with all good cozy series, the cast is the most important thing and these characters shine. I really liked Tobi's voice, even though I wasn't enamored of her slogan for the closet company. She's just the sort of character readers would choose as a friend. Smart, funny, compassionate, willing to help, and she has an excellent support system.
Sam is the teenage photographer that Tobi likes to work with for her ad agency clients, and she works with his mother in the pet shop. Ms. Rapple and her dog are the neighbors from hell, and closet king Andy Zander is mouthwatering as a possible love interest. Perhaps the best secondary character of all is Tobi's Grandpa Stu, although I wish he'd find another term of endearment for his granddaughter besides "Sugar Lump." He called her that so often that it began to grate on my nerves. My belief that being called a lump isn't a good thing is probably just a personal quirk. (All readers have them.)
Lumps or no, Bradford's first Tobi Tobias mystery is a winner, and I'm certainly looking forward to book two.
As with all good cozy series, the cast is the most important thing and these characters shine. I really liked Tobi's voice, even though I wasn't enamored of her slogan for the closet company. She's just the sort of character readers would choose as a friend. Smart, funny, compassionate, willing to help, and she has an excellent support system.
Sam is the teenage photographer that Tobi likes to work with for her ad agency clients, and she works with his mother in the pet shop. Ms. Rapple and her dog are the neighbors from hell, and closet king Andy Zander is mouthwatering as a possible love interest. Perhaps the best secondary character of all is Tobi's Grandpa Stu, although I wish he'd find another term of endearment for his granddaughter besides "Sugar Lump." He called her that so often that it began to grate on my nerves. My belief that being called a lump isn't a good thing is probably just a personal quirk. (All readers have them.)
Lumps or no, Bradford's first Tobi Tobias mystery is a winner, and I'm certainly looking forward to book two.
February 6, 2017
Setting: Metropolitan St. Louis
Characters
Tobi Tobias: Sharp, savvy, and sometimes sarcastic narrator. Tobi is an advertising executive whose business has been struggling
Andrew and Gary Zander: Brothers and business owners. Clients of Tobi
Mary Fran: Tobi's neighbor, friend, and owner of the pet shop where Tobi works on weekends. Mother of Sam.
Plot: Things are looking bleak for Tobi and her business. Out of the blue, a new client walks in and Tobi has the chance to reignite both her business and her client's business, as well. But all of Tobi's hard word may have been for nothing. At a photo shoot for a new brochure showing off her client's closet organizational systems, a body literally falls at Tobi's feet, making her kill slogan for Zander's Closet Systems eerily prophetic.
Pacing: Good
Predictability: Pretty low! As everything came together, I had a hunch, but I only pieced things together right before the big reveal.
Wild Card: Smart, sharp, witty, and engaging new series!
Hit, Miss, or Draw? Hit
Characters
Tobi Tobias: Sharp, savvy, and sometimes sarcastic narrator. Tobi is an advertising executive whose business has been struggling
Andrew and Gary Zander: Brothers and business owners. Clients of Tobi
Mary Fran: Tobi's neighbor, friend, and owner of the pet shop where Tobi works on weekends. Mother of Sam.
Plot: Things are looking bleak for Tobi and her business. Out of the blue, a new client walks in and Tobi has the chance to reignite both her business and her client's business, as well. But all of Tobi's hard word may have been for nothing. At a photo shoot for a new brochure showing off her client's closet organizational systems, a body literally falls at Tobi's feet, making her kill slogan for Zander's Closet Systems eerily prophetic.
Pacing: Good
Predictability: Pretty low! As everything came together, I had a hunch, but I only pieced things together right before the big reveal.
Wild Card: Smart, sharp, witty, and engaging new series!
Hit, Miss, or Draw? Hit
June 15, 2017
First in a New Series!
When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder.
As far as I'm concerned, Laura Bradford has created another wonderful series.
This is a fun, light cozy mystery, with a good set of characters that I want to learn more about, and see if there are any skeletons hanging in their closets! Well plotted and written, with a good entertaining story line.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Published by Lyrical Underground/Kensington Books, and downloaded via NetGalley.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder.
As far as I'm concerned, Laura Bradford has created another wonderful series.
This is a fun, light cozy mystery, with a good set of characters that I want to learn more about, and see if there are any skeletons hanging in their closets! Well plotted and written, with a good entertaining story line.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Published by Lyrical Underground/Kensington Books, and downloaded via NetGalley.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
February 2, 2017
What a fun new cozy series. Tobi Tobias quit her job and opened her own advertising agency. She works part time at a pet store to help pay the bills. The Zander brothers own a closet, shelving company and are on the verge of losing their business. When she comes up with a great advertising campaign for them it's marred by finding a dead body in their closet. If she can't help find the killer quickly they will all be unemployed. A great first book for this new series. (Tobi Tobias mystery).
January 1, 2018
Review coming soon..... Happy New Year to y'all my goodreads friends :)
February 7, 2017
While the advertising business can be cutthroat, I never thought that it can be murder…literally. The first novel in Laura Bradford’s “A Tobi Tobias Mystery” series, ‘Death in Advertising’ is a fabulous, delightful, and intriguing first-in-series for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy servings of a lovable protagonist, humor, pets, and romance.
Tobi Tobias has her own advertising agency, but she had hoped for at least a couple accounts to make the first six months worthwhile. She perseveres, but that doesn’t pay for groceries, rent, or payroll for her top-notch admin and friend, JoAnna. She has a fun part-time job at a pet store, working for friend Mary Fran and her talented and friendly son, Sam.
Gary and Andrew Zander, brothers and owners of the Zander Closet Company, are desperate for a catchy ad to save their company. The company where Tobi used to work hadn’t come up with anything for them, and Zander has radio time scheduled before the Home Show starts. They installed custom closet organizers for the wealthy and respected Car King, Preston, and his bride, Mitzi, and need the exposure to secure their company.
Tobi does it! She has the perfect ad with a radio script and ideas for their new color brochure, and her young friend Sam who would excels at photography. The radio spots are successful and the Car King’s neighbors are jealous of the notoriety his home gets. Tobi, Sam, and Andy Zander arrive to take photos of the beautifully organized closets at Preston and Mitzi’s. All was goes well until the dead body of the Car King fell out of a closet cubby, at their feet.
Tobi becomes the pariah of the advertising industry. Who would have thought her catchy slogan would be a precursor to murder? In an attempt to save her company and by virtue save the Zanders’ company, Tobi puts all her energy into finding the murderer.
I like Tobi; the author gives us a lovable protagonist who readers can empathize with. A woman who snorts when she laughs, is intelligent, hardworking, and a loyal friend. Tobi is an open book with friends who would do anything for her, who we learn about through her eyes, their actions and words. JoAnna is the elusive species of the excellent admin support, one who is a friend as well as employee. Carter is one of my favorites; he is a colorful and exotic rare species of loyal friend, as is Mary Fran. Sam is the very rare, endangered species of responsible and trusted teen. Grandpa Stu is the bestest of grandpas and friends, someone who loves a good mystery yet allows Tobi the opportunity to find out who the murderer is while being a good sounding board. Andy – the genuinely good guy who is smart, a gentleman, easy to get along with – but darn, he has that new roommate…
The reader gets to know Tobi and her friends before the murder occurs, which I think is perfect. One does not spend precious time learning about the good guys while trying to vet potential suspects. The plot twists kept the novel interesting even as it changes the course of the mystery; I followed one of the red herrings all the way until the real bad guy/ gal is revealed. The plot is so tightly planned and executed that I did not ever consider the ‘real’ bad guy as a suspect! I highly recommend ‘Death in Advertising’! Fans of Laura Bradford won’t want to miss this new series opener!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Tobi Tobias has her own advertising agency, but she had hoped for at least a couple accounts to make the first six months worthwhile. She perseveres, but that doesn’t pay for groceries, rent, or payroll for her top-notch admin and friend, JoAnna. She has a fun part-time job at a pet store, working for friend Mary Fran and her talented and friendly son, Sam.
Gary and Andrew Zander, brothers and owners of the Zander Closet Company, are desperate for a catchy ad to save their company. The company where Tobi used to work hadn’t come up with anything for them, and Zander has radio time scheduled before the Home Show starts. They installed custom closet organizers for the wealthy and respected Car King, Preston, and his bride, Mitzi, and need the exposure to secure their company.
Tobi does it! She has the perfect ad with a radio script and ideas for their new color brochure, and her young friend Sam who would excels at photography. The radio spots are successful and the Car King’s neighbors are jealous of the notoriety his home gets. Tobi, Sam, and Andy Zander arrive to take photos of the beautifully organized closets at Preston and Mitzi’s. All was goes well until the dead body of the Car King fell out of a closet cubby, at their feet.
Tobi becomes the pariah of the advertising industry. Who would have thought her catchy slogan would be a precursor to murder? In an attempt to save her company and by virtue save the Zanders’ company, Tobi puts all her energy into finding the murderer.
I like Tobi; the author gives us a lovable protagonist who readers can empathize with. A woman who snorts when she laughs, is intelligent, hardworking, and a loyal friend. Tobi is an open book with friends who would do anything for her, who we learn about through her eyes, their actions and words. JoAnna is the elusive species of the excellent admin support, one who is a friend as well as employee. Carter is one of my favorites; he is a colorful and exotic rare species of loyal friend, as is Mary Fran. Sam is the very rare, endangered species of responsible and trusted teen. Grandpa Stu is the bestest of grandpas and friends, someone who loves a good mystery yet allows Tobi the opportunity to find out who the murderer is while being a good sounding board. Andy – the genuinely good guy who is smart, a gentleman, easy to get along with – but darn, he has that new roommate…
The reader gets to know Tobi and her friends before the murder occurs, which I think is perfect. One does not spend precious time learning about the good guys while trying to vet potential suspects. The plot twists kept the novel interesting even as it changes the course of the mystery; I followed one of the red herrings all the way until the real bad guy/ gal is revealed. The plot is so tightly planned and executed that I did not ever consider the ‘real’ bad guy as a suspect! I highly recommend ‘Death in Advertising’! Fans of Laura Bradford won’t want to miss this new series opener!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
February 18, 2017
I really enjoy Laura Bradford’s brand of humor, mystery, characters, and romance – and this first book in her newest series is a great example of all four.
Tobi Tobias is a witty, relatable heroine who endears you from the first faces she makes at herself in the mirror to the copious bowls of Cocoa Puffs she consumes over the course of the novel to her enthusiasm for Bruce Springsteen’s music. However, she can’t win for trying, it seems – personally or professionally – and you’ll soon find yourself rooting for her success in both realms. Aiding in both is Andy Zander, the sweet and hunky co-owner of Zander Closet Company and a possible (i hope, i hope) romantic lead in future books.
Rounding out the cast of players are a couple of African grey parrots, her colorful friends Mary Fran and Carter, her Grandpa Stu (who uses the word Yowza!) and Mary Fran’s super sweet son Sam. (Alliteration!) There’s also a sleazy businessman or two, a sparkly Mitzi, faithful employees, and Tobi’s crotchety (and nosy) neighbor Ms. Rapple. Each one is well-defined and unique, and though some are of course more stereotypical than others the ones who are supposed to be fun and endearing… are.
Bottom Line: Death is Advertising by Laura Bradford is nicely plotted and well written. While some aspects of the mystery seem fairly obvious at first, it’s not as cut and dried as it appears. The story keeps a steady pace, and when all is said and done you won’t be quite ready for it to be over. Tobi and the other characters are so likable that you’ll wish you had your hands on book 2 right away – not because there’s a cliffhanger (there isn’t) but because you just want to keep spending time with them.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Tobi Tobias is a witty, relatable heroine who endears you from the first faces she makes at herself in the mirror to the copious bowls of Cocoa Puffs she consumes over the course of the novel to her enthusiasm for Bruce Springsteen’s music. However, she can’t win for trying, it seems – personally or professionally – and you’ll soon find yourself rooting for her success in both realms. Aiding in both is Andy Zander, the sweet and hunky co-owner of Zander Closet Company and a possible (i hope, i hope) romantic lead in future books.
Rounding out the cast of players are a couple of African grey parrots, her colorful friends Mary Fran and Carter, her Grandpa Stu (who uses the word Yowza!) and Mary Fran’s super sweet son Sam. (Alliteration!) There’s also a sleazy businessman or two, a sparkly Mitzi, faithful employees, and Tobi’s crotchety (and nosy) neighbor Ms. Rapple. Each one is well-defined and unique, and though some are of course more stereotypical than others the ones who are supposed to be fun and endearing… are.
Bottom Line: Death is Advertising by Laura Bradford is nicely plotted and well written. While some aspects of the mystery seem fairly obvious at first, it’s not as cut and dried as it appears. The story keeps a steady pace, and when all is said and done you won’t be quite ready for it to be over. Tobi and the other characters are so likable that you’ll wish you had your hands on book 2 right away – not because there’s a cliffhanger (there isn’t) but because you just want to keep spending time with them.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 24, 2017
Laura Bradford is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This book kept me guessing. Enjoyed the characters especially the grandpa!
January 7, 2017
My thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance manuscript of this book. I enjoyed Death in Advertising. It's the first book in a new series about Toby Tobias, who is the owner of a new advertising agency. She's struggling to make ends meet and is competing with her former agency, She finally gets a new client and comes up with a witty slogan for the Zander closet company that she hopes will bring in even more new clients, until a murder takes place in a Zander closet and the media starts quoting her slogan, and not in a good way. It's all too much for Toby, who has a talented advertising mind, and she decides to solve the murder to clear her name and save her agency.
Laura Bradford is a good writer and her characters are well drawn. I look forward to reading future books where Toby will get new clients, solve more murders, and expand on the love interest that develops towards the end of this book. A nice cozy mystery and an afternoon well spent.
Laura Bradford is a good writer and her characters are well drawn. I look forward to reading future books where Toby will get new clients, solve more murders, and expand on the love interest that develops towards the end of this book. A nice cozy mystery and an afternoon well spent.
February 5, 2017
Death In Advertising
A Tobi Tobias Mystery, Book #1
Laura Bradford
5+ Stars
Synopsis:
When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder.
Sometimes when opportunity knocks, the door you open leads to a closet. That’s certainly the case for Tobi, whose weekends spent cleaning cages in her best friend’s pet shop may soon be over. She’s just landed her first big break—Zander Closet Company needs a catchy campaign slogan ASAP, and Tobi thinks she’s got the right hook to knock ’em dead: “When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.”
But when a real dead body topples out of a showcase closet, she’s about to discover there is such a thing as bad publicity. To save her fledgling business and not get killed by the competition, Tobi takes on a new pet project: solving the murder. But with a stressed-out parrot as the only witness to the crime, Tobi will really have to wing it to put the cagey killer behind bars. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I thought Tobi was funny and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She is a hard worker and really wants to make her advertising agency a success. She is very clever, witty and funny. I loved when she got caught dancing in her car. That was something I could really picture happening. And I also liked the secondary characters, such as Sam and Mary Fran. I loved the fact that they were such animal lovers and wanted to help animals in any way that they can. And who would not like her grandfather, Stu. He was funny, he loves solving mysteries and you could tell how much he loved Tobi. I almost felt like I was getting a glimpse of a special relationship the author had with someone and this made them seem more real to me.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery was carried on well throughout the whole book and there were enough suspects and clues to keep this reader guessing until the end. One thing I really liked and appreciated in this book is that when Tobi figured out the killer, she did not confront him or put herself in danger. That made everything more believable to me.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place and listening to conversations going on around me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This author, who has a few other successful series, has another winner on her hands. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A Tobi Tobias Mystery, Book #1
Laura Bradford
5+ Stars
Synopsis:
When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder.
Sometimes when opportunity knocks, the door you open leads to a closet. That’s certainly the case for Tobi, whose weekends spent cleaning cages in her best friend’s pet shop may soon be over. She’s just landed her first big break—Zander Closet Company needs a catchy campaign slogan ASAP, and Tobi thinks she’s got the right hook to knock ’em dead: “When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.”
But when a real dead body topples out of a showcase closet, she’s about to discover there is such a thing as bad publicity. To save her fledgling business and not get killed by the competition, Tobi takes on a new pet project: solving the murder. But with a stressed-out parrot as the only witness to the crime, Tobi will really have to wing it to put the cagey killer behind bars. (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I thought Tobi was funny and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She is a hard worker and really wants to make her advertising agency a success. She is very clever, witty and funny. I loved when she got caught dancing in her car. That was something I could really picture happening. And I also liked the secondary characters, such as Sam and Mary Fran. I loved the fact that they were such animal lovers and wanted to help animals in any way that they can. And who would not like her grandfather, Stu. He was funny, he loves solving mysteries and you could tell how much he loved Tobi. I almost felt like I was getting a glimpse of a special relationship the author had with someone and this made them seem more real to me.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery was carried on well throughout the whole book and there were enough suspects and clues to keep this reader guessing until the end. One thing I really liked and appreciated in this book is that when Tobi figured out the killer, she did not confront him or put herself in danger. That made everything more believable to me.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place and listening to conversations going on around me.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This author, who has a few other successful series, has another winner on her hands. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 9, 2017
Laura Bradford is a new author for me. I learned of her when this book was selected for one of the book clubs I am in. I didn't have expectations when I began reading. I had hope for a fun book. I am happy to say that hope was realized. I'm not going to go into how slowly or quickly I solved the mystery. One: I hate spoilers and try to avoid them. Two: We are all different in our sleuthing skills, reading speed and comprehension. I don't want to look at a review as a contest to see who was faster or smarter. I read these types of books for enjoyment. So if that is what you want to know, you can skip to the next review. No hard feelings. No judgments.
What did I like about this book? The characters, for starters. I connected with Tobi. I absolutely adore Grandpa Stu. Their relationship brought me thoughts of my grandpas and how much I miss them. Sam. Oh how I love this character! For once we have a teenager who acts like a teen without all the narcissist, petty or angry behavior I find in many books, (tv, movies, music and, sadly, real life), now. Sam loves his mom, is understanding of animals, is loyal to friends, is respectful, responsible and works. I know there are many, many Sams in real life but it is always the other teens who get noticed. I was thrilled to see such a caring teen included as a possibly returning character. And then the birds! They were awesome. This is my second book where birds played a part in the plot. I am a dog lover. My Shih Tzu, Zoey, is my reading partner. We tend to choose a lot of books with dogs in them, followed by ones with cats. We have been surprised by how fun birds can be. I hope Rudder continues to make appearances in the series. Beyond the characters, I really enjoyed the plot. It was interesting, fast paced and had us laughing together in a few parts. Aside from the murder to be solved there was also a possibility of romance, (or two, if Grandpa Stu hangs around). I had a good time reading this book. I was drawn in quickly and easily. Actually the only thing I missed was an update on Baboo. Zoey thinks that may come in the next book. I hope she is right.
There wasn't any graphic sex, violence, gore or language. No typos or editing issues that jumped out at us. I know some people are interested in knowing that before they choose a book. Zoey gives it two paws up and I give 5 stars.
What did I like about this book? The characters, for starters. I connected with Tobi. I absolutely adore Grandpa Stu. Their relationship brought me thoughts of my grandpas and how much I miss them. Sam. Oh how I love this character! For once we have a teenager who acts like a teen without all the narcissist, petty or angry behavior I find in many books, (tv, movies, music and, sadly, real life), now. Sam loves his mom, is understanding of animals, is loyal to friends, is respectful, responsible and works. I know there are many, many Sams in real life but it is always the other teens who get noticed. I was thrilled to see such a caring teen included as a possibly returning character. And then the birds! They were awesome. This is my second book where birds played a part in the plot. I am a dog lover. My Shih Tzu, Zoey, is my reading partner. We tend to choose a lot of books with dogs in them, followed by ones with cats. We have been surprised by how fun birds can be. I hope Rudder continues to make appearances in the series. Beyond the characters, I really enjoyed the plot. It was interesting, fast paced and had us laughing together in a few parts. Aside from the murder to be solved there was also a possibility of romance, (or two, if Grandpa Stu hangs around). I had a good time reading this book. I was drawn in quickly and easily. Actually the only thing I missed was an update on Baboo. Zoey thinks that may come in the next book. I hope she is right.
There wasn't any graphic sex, violence, gore or language. No typos or editing issues that jumped out at us. I know some people are interested in knowing that before they choose a book. Zoey gives it two paws up and I give 5 stars.
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