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Darling Investigations #1
Deadly Summer
Ten years ago, Summer Butler was television’s most popular teenage sleuth. Since then, she’s hit—what gossip sites just love to call—the gutter. Nearly bankrupt, betrayed, estranged from her greedy mother, and just about unemployable, she’s coaxed into that desperate haven for has-beens: reality TV. Winging it as a faux PI, she’ll solve off-the-cuff mysteries in her hometown of Sweet Briar, Alabama. For added drama, there’s police chief Luke Montgomery, inconveniently Summer’s first and only love. It’s when Summer stumbles upon a very real corpse that Darling Investigations takes an unexpected twist. The growing list of suspects is a big draw to viewers, but the reality is that Summer doesn’t know whom she can trust. Someone has written this killer new scene especially for her, and unless Summer gives the role everything she’s got, it could be her last…
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
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June 18, 2020
Deadly Summer is book one in the brand new series, Darling Investigations by Denise Grover Swank.
Summer Butler was a very popular teenage television star portraying Isabella Holmes, a teenage sleuth. Now, ten years later, she can’t find work, she’s broke, and about to lose her house. A loan payment is also due on her family’s farm in Alabama and if she doesn’t figure something out soon, they will lose that as well.
Summer is offered the chance to star in a reality show with her as a now grown up private investigator solving small town crimes. The problem is, the show is being shot in her home town of Sweet Briar, Alabama. The salary for the show will allow her to be able to pay off the farm. But she hasn’t been home in eight years. Her grandmother had made it clear she wasn’t welcome any longer. And then there is the case of the broken heart she left behind, of the only man that she had really ever truly cared for. The now Chief of Police, Luke Montgomery.
Summer arrives in town determined to do whatever it takes to make this show successful. It doesn’t take long, though, to realize that the cases are ridiculous and that the show wasn’t going to make it. But then the dead bodies start showing up. And Summer, her cousin/assistant Dixie, and their cameraman, Bill, start to do a little of their own detective work to try to solve the murders.
This was a cute whodunit that keeps you guessing until the very last minute. Summer has finally had enough and chooses this time to assert herself and I was so proud of her. I loved her side kick, Dixie. They may have started out as fake PI’s, but these two just might have enough smarts and common sense to make this work. I usually like a little more romance in my books. It’s clear that Summer and Luke still care for each other but their acceptance of giving things a second chance is a very slow build. Perhaps that will get a little more attention in the next book, Blazing Summer, when Sweet Briar seems to have a town arsonist, and Summer and Dixie try to figure out who it is.
Summer Butler was a very popular teenage television star portraying Isabella Holmes, a teenage sleuth. Now, ten years later, she can’t find work, she’s broke, and about to lose her house. A loan payment is also due on her family’s farm in Alabama and if she doesn’t figure something out soon, they will lose that as well.
Summer is offered the chance to star in a reality show with her as a now grown up private investigator solving small town crimes. The problem is, the show is being shot in her home town of Sweet Briar, Alabama. The salary for the show will allow her to be able to pay off the farm. But she hasn’t been home in eight years. Her grandmother had made it clear she wasn’t welcome any longer. And then there is the case of the broken heart she left behind, of the only man that she had really ever truly cared for. The now Chief of Police, Luke Montgomery.
Summer arrives in town determined to do whatever it takes to make this show successful. It doesn’t take long, though, to realize that the cases are ridiculous and that the show wasn’t going to make it. But then the dead bodies start showing up. And Summer, her cousin/assistant Dixie, and their cameraman, Bill, start to do a little of their own detective work to try to solve the murders.
This was a cute whodunit that keeps you guessing until the very last minute. Summer has finally had enough and chooses this time to assert herself and I was so proud of her. I loved her side kick, Dixie. They may have started out as fake PI’s, but these two just might have enough smarts and common sense to make this work. I usually like a little more romance in my books. It’s clear that Summer and Luke still care for each other but their acceptance of giving things a second chance is a very slow build. Perhaps that will get a little more attention in the next book, Blazing Summer, when Sweet Briar seems to have a town arsonist, and Summer and Dixie try to figure out who it is.
June 24, 2024
3.5
🔪I love these suspense romance reads and have been reading more and more. So I’m gonna break them down differently from my other reviews.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away so you can go into it it blind and enjoy all the twists and turns❤️.
Ratings 0-5 Star Scale
😮Mystery/Suspense-
This one is kinda light w Romcom feels
2.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The mystery was easy to solve early on.
But the store as a whole was fun and entertaining so that made up for it.
-This was ok as a whole. The premise of a star falling from grace and rebooting her career. Her going back home and facing her family and the lost love of your life. The PI aspect was fun. But how harsh and mean Lauren the shows producer was is ridiculous. In real life she would not be working against the celebrity star of the show. And the fact that Summer had ZERO backbone made it annoying. I mean stick up for yourself.
Overall I would continue this series if the author continued with it. And only if we had serious character growth and more romance.
❤️🔥Romance/Chemistry-
2 ⭐️ ⭐️
It could have been good if we had more pages dedicated to it. I hate second chance romance in general. I did like that the H was still so in love with the h but she needed to have some growth there as well.
Another thing…. Why is it he had a relationship 6 months ago where for her it was 3 years!? She’s a beautiful actress I mean come on let’s not make her completely pathetic. I hate when authors do this.
Also they fight the whole book and only get it together at the very end and I’m not felling very secure in them.
Lots of lack of communication leads to all their issues.
🚹Hero-
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
He needed more time to grow and develop but I liked what we did get of him. He was definitely more invested in a second chance and he pursued the h cause it’s clear she’s the one for him.
🚺Heroine-
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
She was a DOORMAT. I get it she messed up lots of things in her past. But the author is trying to make it seem like she’s gonna grow and be strong and take control of her life one minute and then the next the h falls right back to being a doormat to everyone.
She really needs more development. And since this series is cut short we won’t ever see it. And I know the next book the h is the same if not worse.
⚠️Safety-
Kinda safe. No OP after they reconnect but 10 years the are separated and they both had relationship. Nothing serious is talked about but we know the h hasn’t dated in 3 years and the H last relationship was 6 months ago.
There’s family drama
Death of family members
Murder
Attempted murder
Lots of Southern tropes and cliches
Hollywood cliches
Doormat h
🎧Audiobook Narration-
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was really good with great chances for each character and emotions
🥰Overall Enjoyment-
I wish this series didn’t get cancelled so I could see how the characters grew and the romance played out. The small town southern vibes were enjoyable
🔪I love these suspense romance reads and have been reading more and more. So I’m gonna break them down differently from my other reviews.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away so you can go into it it blind and enjoy all the twists and turns❤️.
Ratings 0-5 Star Scale
😮Mystery/Suspense-
This one is kinda light w Romcom feels
2.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The mystery was easy to solve early on.
But the store as a whole was fun and entertaining so that made up for it.
-This was ok as a whole. The premise of a star falling from grace and rebooting her career. Her going back home and facing her family and the lost love of your life. The PI aspect was fun. But how harsh and mean Lauren the shows producer was is ridiculous. In real life she would not be working against the celebrity star of the show. And the fact that Summer had ZERO backbone made it annoying. I mean stick up for yourself.
Overall I would continue this series if the author continued with it. And only if we had serious character growth and more romance.
❤️🔥Romance/Chemistry-
2 ⭐️ ⭐️
It could have been good if we had more pages dedicated to it. I hate second chance romance in general. I did like that the H was still so in love with the h but she needed to have some growth there as well.
Another thing…. Why is it he had a relationship 6 months ago where for her it was 3 years!? She’s a beautiful actress I mean come on let’s not make her completely pathetic. I hate when authors do this.
Also they fight the whole book and only get it together at the very end and I’m not felling very secure in them.
Lots of lack of communication leads to all their issues.
🚹Hero-
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
He needed more time to grow and develop but I liked what we did get of him. He was definitely more invested in a second chance and he pursued the h cause it’s clear she’s the one for him.
🚺Heroine-
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
She was a DOORMAT. I get it she messed up lots of things in her past. But the author is trying to make it seem like she’s gonna grow and be strong and take control of her life one minute and then the next the h falls right back to being a doormat to everyone.
She really needs more development. And since this series is cut short we won’t ever see it. And I know the next book the h is the same if not worse.
⚠️Safety-
Kinda safe. No OP after they reconnect but 10 years the are separated and they both had relationship. Nothing serious is talked about but we know the h hasn’t dated in 3 years and the H last relationship was 6 months ago.
There’s family drama
Death of family members
Murder
Attempted murder
Lots of Southern tropes and cliches
Hollywood cliches
Doormat h
🎧Audiobook Narration-
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was really good with great chances for each character and emotions
🥰Overall Enjoyment-
I wish this series didn’t get cancelled so I could see how the characters grew and the romance played out. The small town southern vibes were enjoyable
December 30, 2017
Full Review at: https://wp.me/p2B7b5-iJ
Many thanks to Montlake Romance for providing me with this Review Copy.
June 9, 2020
Deadly Summer by Denise Grover Swank is the first book in the Darling Investigations series. Desperate for work, former child star, Summer Butler, returns to her home town of Sweet Briar, Alabama to star in a reality TV show as a private investigator, recreating her former television role, only to find herself investigating a murder after her first case of a missing person winds up dead. I enjoyed this book very much. It has everything a good cozy mystery needs. There is plenty of humour, great characters and a bit of romance. An excellent and engaging start to the series.
February 3, 2018
In the mood for a cozy mystery book? Deadly Summer by Denise Grover Swank is the first in the Darling Investigation series. Summer Butler was once the teenage star of the TV show "Gotcha." Now ten years later she is a washed-up TV star and about to not only lose her house but also the family farm. As a last resort at getting her finances in check, she is offered a reality TV show being a PI. The downside though is that it is in her hometown of Sweet Briar and even worst is that Sweet Briar is a small town filled with gossipy birds and history and for Summer, that history isn't all good. Back home now Summer will have to not only face a lot of demons and family issues but when one of her first cases - a missing person turns up dead and then not one but two connected to the dead, missing person is also killed. Now Summer is determined to solve the mystery of who killed Otto? If that wasn't bad enough, Summer has a crazed fan stalker - Sebastian Jenkins to deal with. Can Summer stay alive in Sweet Briar to make it to the end of Season One of Darling Investigations? Find out in Book #1 of the Darling Investigations - Deadly Summer.
May 10, 2018
Full disclosure: I won a free Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Summer Butler's career is on the rocks. A former child star, best known for her role as Isabella Holmes, teenaged detective, she hasn't had a decent role in a while. The money is long gone, taken by her own mother after Summer fought with her over the way her career was being managed. But now a second chance has arisen: Summer is to star in her own reality TV series, which will present her as a real life private eye in her old hometown of Sweet Briar, Alabama. Her producer is perfectly willing and eager to set her up with fake “cases” to solve, but then Summer stumbles into a real murder mystery …
It's a decent hook for a mystery series, and, while events aren't played completely for laughs, there's definitely some tongue in cheek humor going on, particularly in the Boll Weevil Parade toward the end of the book. Denise Grover Swank has created an engaging and likeable cast of characters. The mystery is decent enough, though it's not really the main draw here. Add a splash of romance as Summer encounters an old flame who just happens to be the chief of police, and you’ve got a nice, light summer beach read. Recommended!
Summer Butler's career is on the rocks. A former child star, best known for her role as Isabella Holmes, teenaged detective, she hasn't had a decent role in a while. The money is long gone, taken by her own mother after Summer fought with her over the way her career was being managed. But now a second chance has arisen: Summer is to star in her own reality TV series, which will present her as a real life private eye in her old hometown of Sweet Briar, Alabama. Her producer is perfectly willing and eager to set her up with fake “cases” to solve, but then Summer stumbles into a real murder mystery …
It's a decent hook for a mystery series, and, while events aren't played completely for laughs, there's definitely some tongue in cheek humor going on, particularly in the Boll Weevil Parade toward the end of the book. Denise Grover Swank has created an engaging and likeable cast of characters. The mystery is decent enough, though it's not really the main draw here. Add a splash of romance as Summer encounters an old flame who just happens to be the chief of police, and you’ve got a nice, light summer beach read. Recommended!
June 8, 2018
I wanted to love this. I love cozy mysteries with quirky heroines and add a hot cop and OMG, I am in love. However, I was not in love with this one. I was not able to connect with Summer. The author tried to give the sense that Summer was thoughtful, considerate, smart, caring, etc., but I never felt that. Those things about Summer were told to me and some of her actions were supposed to lead me to those feelings, but it never happened.
Misunderstanding overload with Luke. He thinks one thing when Summer can just clear it up by telling him the truth. I prefer when the hero loves the heroine more than the other way around. However, in this story, I felt that the heroine cared for the hero, but she was not in love with him. She did not know what she wanted. The reader could sense that the hero had strong feelings for the heroine and was deeply hurt at how things ended, but I never thought Summer felt the same. She was the wishy-washy character.
Everything does not come together until the very end and I mean the very end.
I felt that there was a lot of nothing in between of things that actually happened. When I skipped a chapter on my audible, I did not miss anything. All I thought was "we are still at that part"??? It dragged. This could have been so good. The premise, concept, and idea were there, but the execution, in my opinion, was weak.
Misunderstanding overload with Luke. He thinks one thing when Summer can just clear it up by telling him the truth. I prefer when the hero loves the heroine more than the other way around. However, in this story, I felt that the heroine cared for the hero, but she was not in love with him. She did not know what she wanted. The reader could sense that the hero had strong feelings for the heroine and was deeply hurt at how things ended, but I never thought Summer felt the same. She was the wishy-washy character.
Everything does not come together until the very end and I mean the very end.
I felt that there was a lot of nothing in between of things that actually happened. When I skipped a chapter on my audible, I did not miss anything. All I thought was "we are still at that part"??? It dragged. This could have been so good. The premise, concept, and idea were there, but the execution, in my opinion, was weak.
December 26, 2017
3.5 stars
Denise Grover Swank is at her best when writing mysteries with a touch of romance set in small Southern towns, and this new series fits the bill quite nicely. Summer Butler left her hometown in Alabama as a teen to star in a hit TV series in which she solved mysteries. A dozen years later, her career washed up and her debts mounting (her mother ran off with her money and she’s been trying to save the family farm), she seizes a last-chance opportunity by agreeing to star in a reality TV show. Needless to say, the show takes her back to her hometown, complete with family drama and the love of her life she thought she’d never see again.
Summer’s reality show gets a little more real than anticipated when dead bodies appear, friends and family harbor secrets, and Summer is threatened. Summer makes a likeable and believable protagonist and her old flame an appealing romantic interest. If the mystery at times seemed a bit obvious, it didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment of the characters and story. I’ll definitely look forward to the next in the series.
Denise Grover Swank is at her best when writing mysteries with a touch of romance set in small Southern towns, and this new series fits the bill quite nicely. Summer Butler left her hometown in Alabama as a teen to star in a hit TV series in which she solved mysteries. A dozen years later, her career washed up and her debts mounting (her mother ran off with her money and she’s been trying to save the family farm), she seizes a last-chance opportunity by agreeing to star in a reality TV show. Needless to say, the show takes her back to her hometown, complete with family drama and the love of her life she thought she’d never see again.
Summer’s reality show gets a little more real than anticipated when dead bodies appear, friends and family harbor secrets, and Summer is threatened. Summer makes a likeable and believable protagonist and her old flame an appealing romantic interest. If the mystery at times seemed a bit obvious, it didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment of the characters and story. I’ll definitely look forward to the next in the series.
November 28, 2017
I have a feeling this is going to be one of the best Mystery Series YET from Denise. I was delighted to have the chance to read it.
I have to tell you that it is everything I love about DGS. Mystery, humor, love, sass, and twists that you never see coming at you at high speeds.
Unpredictable events in southern Alabama have these characters causing more trouble than they bargained for resulting in the local police department investigating in circles around them.
I am quietly awating the next in this series, it can only get better. If I know Denise, there are more sheninagians to come in ways one can never foresee.
I have to tell you that it is everything I love about DGS. Mystery, humor, love, sass, and twists that you never see coming at you at high speeds.
Unpredictable events in southern Alabama have these characters causing more trouble than they bargained for resulting in the local police department investigating in circles around them.
I am quietly awating the next in this series, it can only get better. If I know Denise, there are more sheninagians to come in ways one can never foresee.
February 23, 2020
Mon avis en Français
My English review
J’avais lu une romance contemporaine de l’auteure et ayant passé un très bon moment avec, j’étais curieuse de me lancer dans un de ses cozy mystery et j’avoue que j’ai vraiment passé un super moment avec l’histoire.
Summer est une star dans le déclin. Célèbre dans une série adolescente, ça fait longtemps que son moment de gloire est révolu. Alors que sa réputation empire et qu’elle a de gros problèmes d’argent, elle se porte vers la dernière chose qu’elle désirait : la télé-réalité. Elle incarnera une détective privée, comme le rôle qu’elle incarnait sur le petit écran, et elle devra résoudre des affaires dans sa petite ville natale. Problème ? Oui, parce qu’il y en a plusieurs en fait. C’est la ville de sa famille avec qui elle n’a plus de liens et qui la déteste, mais aussi la ville du seul homme qu’elle ait jamais vraiment aimé et qui lui a brisé le cœur.
Malgré les problèmes de traduction, j’ai vraiment passé un bon moment avec l’histoire. Summer est une héroïne qu’il est très facile d’apprécier. Son retour dans sa ville ne se passera pas vraiment comme prévu et si les enquêtes sont au départ des affaires montées de toutes pièces, il y a en a une qui deviendra bien plus dangereuse que prévue. En effet, quand un homme disparait en ville, Summer est déterminée à le retrouver et peu importe ce que l’émission désire. Mais voilà, quand elle tombe sur un cadavre et qu’elle se sent poursuivie, les choses vont très vite tourner au vinaigre. Et que dire de Luke ? C’est aussi très facile de tomber sous son charme et j’étais très curieuse d’en apprendre plus à son sujet.
C’était un très bon premier tome et je dois dire que je suis assez impatiente de découvrir le second à présent.
My English review
J’avais lu une romance contemporaine de l’auteure et ayant passé un très bon moment avec, j’étais curieuse de me lancer dans un de ses cozy mystery et j’avoue que j’ai vraiment passé un super moment avec l’histoire.
Summer est une star dans le déclin. Célèbre dans une série adolescente, ça fait longtemps que son moment de gloire est révolu. Alors que sa réputation empire et qu’elle a de gros problèmes d’argent, elle se porte vers la dernière chose qu’elle désirait : la télé-réalité. Elle incarnera une détective privée, comme le rôle qu’elle incarnait sur le petit écran, et elle devra résoudre des affaires dans sa petite ville natale. Problème ? Oui, parce qu’il y en a plusieurs en fait. C’est la ville de sa famille avec qui elle n’a plus de liens et qui la déteste, mais aussi la ville du seul homme qu’elle ait jamais vraiment aimé et qui lui a brisé le cœur.
Malgré les problèmes de traduction, j’ai vraiment passé un bon moment avec l’histoire. Summer est une héroïne qu’il est très facile d’apprécier. Son retour dans sa ville ne se passera pas vraiment comme prévu et si les enquêtes sont au départ des affaires montées de toutes pièces, il y a en a une qui deviendra bien plus dangereuse que prévue. En effet, quand un homme disparait en ville, Summer est déterminée à le retrouver et peu importe ce que l’émission désire. Mais voilà, quand elle tombe sur un cadavre et qu’elle se sent poursuivie, les choses vont très vite tourner au vinaigre. Et que dire de Luke ? C’est aussi très facile de tomber sous son charme et j’étais très curieuse d’en apprendre plus à son sujet.
C’était un très bon premier tome et je dois dire que je suis assez impatiente de découvrir le second à présent.
June 20, 2021
100 pages of this and I dnf'd. The main character annoyed the sh*t out of me. Actually, most characters annoyed me. The way Summer's treated and the way she responds just...nope. I'm going to give this 2.5 ⭐ and a no thank you. Moving along.
April 1, 2018
4 stars, I really enjoyed this book!
What I most enjoyed has to be the humour, this book has got to be the funniest one I've read in a while. Most, if not all, of the jokes landed, with gems like these:
"You claimed it was love", she scoffed. "What could you possibly know about love at seventeen?"
"I obviously didn't learn from you", I snapped back. "You still haven't learned what real love is at fourty-six."
"Did you just say MY AGE on TV?" my mother asked in horror.
*************
It was then I noticed he'd set two paper plates on the sofa next to me with sandwiches, potato salad, and pickles.
"It's your lunch break", he said, handing me a plate. "You need to eat."
"You got this for me?"
He grinned. "I'd hoped to eat what was on one of the plates, but if you want it, you're welcome to them."
The characters were well written, and the plot was unpredictable and kept me guessing (the ending WAS a little predictable, but okay), plus the entire "Former teenage star is now bankrupt and struggling to reconnect with her family" is a story I never knew I wanted to read, and also never knew I could relate to.
(Disclaimer: I am not a former teenage star)
The book DID require a certain suspension of disbelief at times, and it dragged on at some points, but these flaws didn't prevent me from enjoying the book at all. I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
**A big thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with a free copy of this book**
What I most enjoyed has to be the humour, this book has got to be the funniest one I've read in a while. Most, if not all, of the jokes landed, with gems like these:
"You claimed it was love", she scoffed. "What could you possibly know about love at seventeen?"
"I obviously didn't learn from you", I snapped back. "You still haven't learned what real love is at fourty-six."
"Did you just say MY AGE on TV?" my mother asked in horror.
*************
It was then I noticed he'd set two paper plates on the sofa next to me with sandwiches, potato salad, and pickles.
"It's your lunch break", he said, handing me a plate. "You need to eat."
"You got this for me?"
He grinned. "I'd hoped to eat what was on one of the plates, but if you want it, you're welcome to them."
The characters were well written, and the plot was unpredictable and kept me guessing (the ending WAS a little predictable, but okay), plus the entire "Former teenage star is now bankrupt and struggling to reconnect with her family" is a story I never knew I wanted to read, and also never knew I could relate to.
(Disclaimer: I am not a former teenage star)
The book DID require a certain suspension of disbelief at times, and it dragged on at some points, but these flaws didn't prevent me from enjoying the book at all. I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
**A big thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with a free copy of this book**
January 8, 2018
I'm not a stranger to Denise's books, I found this one to be somewhat fresh from all her other books. Summer was the childhood stardom, but something happen and her career went downhill.
She took a chance in trying a new reality show as an investigator, although she has no background and no license. All the show needed was a made up story and her acting as an investigator.
The made-up story however lead to an actual case and curiosity takes over.
For most part of the book, I like the fact that it was an semi-reality/script acting type of thing/ Denise did well as being the "director" of the show/book.
The romantic notion of the story, sure it was a little long ending but I can understand from each point of view. She/he broke their heart, but when one still cares for the other it's hard not to wonder how far one will push to shove their feelings.
I enjoy the little twist between fake cases and an actual real murder case, I was glad that Summer took it in her control to keep investigating her first "not so fake" case because she knew in her guts that something was off from the get go.
I look forward to the next book.
She took a chance in trying a new reality show as an investigator, although she has no background and no license. All the show needed was a made up story and her acting as an investigator.
The made-up story however lead to an actual case and curiosity takes over.
For most part of the book, I like the fact that it was an semi-reality/script acting type of thing/ Denise did well as being the "director" of the show/book.
The romantic notion of the story, sure it was a little long ending but I can understand from each point of view. She/he broke their heart, but when one still cares for the other it's hard not to wonder how far one will push to shove their feelings.
I enjoy the little twist between fake cases and an actual real murder case, I was glad that Summer took it in her control to keep investigating her first "not so fake" case because she knew in her guts that something was off from the get go.
I look forward to the next book.
probado-y-no
January 8, 2018You can find this review in English below.
Esta historia no es para mí. A pesar de no haber pasado del 10% del libro ya sé que no va a funcionar. Tiene mucho de chick-lit, un género maravilloso pero que no consigue atraerme.
No puntúo. No sería justo.
ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley.
This story is not for me. I have hardly reached the 10% mark in the book and I know it´s not going to work for me. There is a bit of Chick-lit, a fabulous genre which it seems I can´t enjoy.
So no rating, it would be unfair.
Esta historia no es para mí. A pesar de no haber pasado del 10% del libro ya sé que no va a funcionar. Tiene mucho de chick-lit, un género maravilloso pero que no consigue atraerme.
No puntúo. No sería justo.
ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley.
This story is not for me. I have hardly reached the 10% mark in the book and I know it´s not going to work for me. There is a bit of Chick-lit, a fabulous genre which it seems I can´t enjoy.
So no rating, it would be unfair.
March 20, 2018
Meh. I enjoyed this book, but by the end of it, I was ready for it to be finished. The characters were your typical "southern" archetypes which I found to be a bit tired. I also felt like Summer's relationship with some of her family members, especially her Mamaw and Mama was left a bit unexplored.
March 2, 2020
Deadly Summer is a first book in a series with a very interesting premise. It features former child/teenage star, Summer Butler, now grown and down on her luck. She is given the opportunity to stage a comeback on a reality TV series where she is a private investigator solving crimes. As far as the TV series developers are concerned, Summer is playing a role, but she becomes interested in actually solving cases. What follows in an interesting and humorous caper. Throw in being back in her hometown, estranged relatives, a former boyfriend, and Summer has almost more than she can deal with while trying to solve a case.
Summer was a great character, and I enjoyed her interactions with the secondary characters. I liked the setting of her southern hometown. This book shows that the series has potential to be very promising.
Summer was a great character, and I enjoyed her interactions with the secondary characters. I liked the setting of her southern hometown. This book shows that the series has potential to be very promising.
April 22, 2018
Corny, silly and lots of tears.... but fun to read. My guilty pleasure.
July 27, 2020
Fun, léger et quelques surprises à la clé !! Il’a fait le job! Parfait pour la période estivale.
January 4, 2018
Deadly Summer is more of a cozy mystery than it is a romantic to suspense to me but it really was truly entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat after the 25/30% mark. The beginning was a bit slow for me and I really had to push past it, but once I did it was a great read!
Deadly Summer is a perfect blend of Swank's Rose Gardner Series and Magnolia Steele. The southern in this book isn't overplayed or done up too much. Even if the producer tried to make them appear that way.
Not only was Deadly Summer a mystery, but we also have a second chance romance budding between Summer and her ex-boyfriend turned chief of police. He will frustrate you but the tension between these two is perfection.
If you are looking for a romantic suspense that is light on the sex and more of a slow burn cozy mystery then you need to read Deadly Summer!
Deadly Summer is a perfect blend of Swank's Rose Gardner Series and Magnolia Steele. The southern in this book isn't overplayed or done up too much. Even if the producer tried to make them appear that way.
Not only was Deadly Summer a mystery, but we also have a second chance romance budding between Summer and her ex-boyfriend turned chief of police. He will frustrate you but the tension between these two is perfection.
If you are looking for a romantic suspense that is light on the sex and more of a slow burn cozy mystery then you need to read Deadly Summer!
December 26, 2017
I’m sometimes hesitant to start a new series, especially one that isn’t completed, but I’m so in love with Rose’s series I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did! Summer is the perfect mix of Rose and Magnolia, she has sass and class and I fell in love with her almost immediately. It was so hard to put this book down, it kept my attention from the first few pages. Another A+ book for Denise Grover Swank!
February 2, 2018
Move over Rose and Magnolia - there’s a new favorite in town. Another incredible start to a new series. I’m so looking forward to the next book, and this one just came out! Congratulations, Denise, on another fabulous book.
March 15, 2019
I really wanted to like this more. I liked the set-up. The idea of a down-at-heal actress returning to her small town and bringing an entourage of TV people with her to help her start all over again was great. The characters were winning. The narrator was good. It just felt to me that the story within the story was a little too flimsy. A lot of hardened criminals caved pretty easily! And there was a good bit of repetition of each character's motivations.
All in all, it was an easy listen, charming in intent but not compelling enough to get me to try another. I like a good cosy mystery. And this was plenty cosy..... maybe just not enough mystery, or forward momentum in there, for me.
All in all, it was an easy listen, charming in intent but not compelling enough to get me to try another. I like a good cosy mystery. And this was plenty cosy..... maybe just not enough mystery, or forward momentum in there, for me.
December 6, 2017
This is a wonderful new series by Denise Grover Swank. She certainly has "the touch" when it comes to writing books. Summer is an actress that hasn't worked in a while. Her mother ran off with all her money and now she is being forced to make a choice about her career. This is a really good book with murder and a handsome chief of police, who just happens to be Summer's former boyfriend. I highly recommend getting this book now so you can stay on top with the journey through this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley.
January 8, 2018
4.5/5.0
An almost pitch perfect beginning for a very promising new series! Ms. Swank has a wonderful talent for keeping the reader glued to the page trying to figure out the mystery while imbuing the characters with humor and warmth. It all adds up to a delightful journey to the finish!
An almost pitch perfect beginning for a very promising new series! Ms. Swank has a wonderful talent for keeping the reader glued to the page trying to figure out the mystery while imbuing the characters with humor and warmth. It all adds up to a delightful journey to the finish!
April 6, 2018
This was such a fun read! Looking forward to the second book coming out soon.
November 26, 2022
Finished reading: November 26th 2022
"You're too much of a stickler for the rules. Sometimes you've gotta break 'em."
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
August 6, 2018
Oh that was fun!
I wasn't too tempted by Deadly Summer because...that cover. Erms. Not my thing. But! I'd read Swanks other series (Rose Gardner) and loved it and wanted more from her so I decided to give these a go and I am SO glad I did!
The Story: Was so fun! Summer's a former child star who's lost everything and is desperately trying to pull herself out of ruin. Her hopefully saving grace? Returning to her home town to star in a reality tv show where she plays the part of a private investigator. They're supposed to be light fluffy investigations but she keeps finding dead bodies! Ergs!
I liked Summer. She's a nice lady and patient. Doing whatever she can to save herself and her family farm after her mother stole all of her money. I liked seeing her back in her home town. Reconnecting with estranged family and her former boyfriend. Things definitely got messy on both the work and home front. I had a good time piecing things together with Summer and her gang.
The Narration: This was my first time listening to Megan Tusing and wow! I loved her narration. I listened at 1.20x an it was perfect. Great pacing, nice distinction between characters, a bit of an accent thrown in when needed. She kept things exciting and had me listening every chance I got. It was just a pleasing narration. I instantly downloaded book two.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vlMwFr
I wasn't too tempted by Deadly Summer because...that cover. Erms. Not my thing. But! I'd read Swanks other series (Rose Gardner) and loved it and wanted more from her so I decided to give these a go and I am SO glad I did!
The Story: Was so fun! Summer's a former child star who's lost everything and is desperately trying to pull herself out of ruin. Her hopefully saving grace? Returning to her home town to star in a reality tv show where she plays the part of a private investigator. They're supposed to be light fluffy investigations but she keeps finding dead bodies! Ergs!
I liked Summer. She's a nice lady and patient. Doing whatever she can to save herself and her family farm after her mother stole all of her money. I liked seeing her back in her home town. Reconnecting with estranged family and her former boyfriend. Things definitely got messy on both the work and home front. I had a good time piecing things together with Summer and her gang.
The Narration: This was my first time listening to Megan Tusing and wow! I loved her narration. I listened at 1.20x an it was perfect. Great pacing, nice distinction between characters, a bit of an accent thrown in when needed. She kept things exciting and had me listening every chance I got. It was just a pleasing narration. I instantly downloaded book two.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vlMwFr
June 20, 2018
What a wonderful surprise! I probably never would have picked this up if not for a friend's review. 1) I'm not big on mystery (It's too suspenseful and I can't keep my eyes to the top of the page :P) and 2) I can't stand reality television. But this was surprisingly engaging!
Summer has no desire to do reality television, but after her mother stole her money and with a payment on the family farm looming, she's desperate. In the beginning the number of situations that Summer seemed to let herself be pushed into (throughout her life) started to get frustrating (at some point she's got to make things happen for herself and stand up for herself, by god!), but just when I was started to get really annoyed, she turned it around.
I could have hoped for a bit more of Luke and Summer's relationship. Luke seemed to change his feelings/thoughts about Summer for the last decade around almost overnight and I would have liked to see that gradual progression a bit more, but otherwise I loved their chemistry. Every time Luke tried to tell Summer to do something too authoritatively she didn't listen, which was a good balance for each other. Was their relationship perfect? No. But I want more!!
Summer has no desire to do reality television, but after her mother stole her money and with a payment on the family farm looming, she's desperate. In the beginning the number of situations that Summer seemed to let herself be pushed into (throughout her life) started to get frustrating (at some point she's got to make things happen for herself and stand up for herself, by god!), but just when I was started to get really annoyed, she turned it around.
I could have hoped for a bit more of Luke and Summer's relationship. Luke seemed to change his feelings/thoughts about Summer for the last decade around almost overnight and I would have liked to see that gradual progression a bit more, but otherwise I loved their chemistry. Every time Luke tried to tell Summer to do something too authoritatively she didn't listen, which was a good balance for each other. Was their relationship perfect? No. But I want more!!
October 17, 2018
I tried, I really did. So much repetition in character motivations, explaining things rather than showing them, and no understanding of how reality TV actually works was enough. Made it through more than a 33% before calling it quits. I just couldn’t take one more plot necessitated reversal of a character’s feelings.
Shame really, because the premise is great.
Shame really, because the premise is great.
July 13, 2018
So much fun! I love the series characters and the concept. I figured out the baddie fairly early on, but still a good read.
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