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The Misadventures of Miss Write #1
Finding Miss Write
When suspense novelist Carla Williams is accused of planning an actual murder, her life takes on more plot twists than one of her books. Sure, her life's in danger, but she's also caught the attention of handsome detective, Roger Graf, so that kind of evens things out. As Carla nears the end of her novel, it's up to Roger to catch the killer, or it might be the end of Carla's life story as well.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2018
47 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Gena Webb
9 books56 followersGena Webb aka Kay Wyont
Gena Webb’s passion has always been writing, but through the years it took second place to her other endeavor—serving her country. Born in California, she enlisted in the Air Force a few years after high school graduation. Her first assignment was as a computer operator in Omaha, Nebraska.
Eventually, she ended up in San Antonio, Texas, where she retired after serving more than 23 years. Eight months later, she got bored being a bum and went back to the Air Force where she served in a civilian capacity for another 19-plus years.
If Gena’s learned anything in her life, it's this: God is in control, He has a plan, and that plan includes only what is best for us. Although her books aren't "preachy" by any stretch of the imagination, she does tend to put that concept into her novels. Everyone could occasionally use a gentle reminder to live by faith, don't you think?
She currently lives in San Antonio with her wonderful, supportive husband of many years. Her children/stepchildren are scattered throughout the country, although their one daughter lives two houses away. This comes in handy when they want to travel, since she doesn't have to walk too far to feed their indoor kitty babies and the 4,000 stray cats that have taken up residence in the yard. That might be a slight exaggeration, but there are quite a few.
Gena Webb also writes under the pen name of Kay Wyont. Both of her series (The Misadventures of Miss Write and Alamo City Mystery) are set in San Antonio. They are liberally sprinkled with humor and the flavor of her adopted hometown. A percentage of all proceeds from her novels are donated to various charitable organizations. Visit her website at www.genawebb.com.
Gena Webb’s passion has always been writing, but through the years it took second place to her other endeavor—serving her country. Born in California, she enlisted in the Air Force a few years after high school graduation. Her first assignment was as a computer operator in Omaha, Nebraska.
Eventually, she ended up in San Antonio, Texas, where she retired after serving more than 23 years. Eight months later, she got bored being a bum and went back to the Air Force where she served in a civilian capacity for another 19-plus years.
If Gena’s learned anything in her life, it's this: God is in control, He has a plan, and that plan includes only what is best for us. Although her books aren't "preachy" by any stretch of the imagination, she does tend to put that concept into her novels. Everyone could occasionally use a gentle reminder to live by faith, don't you think?
She currently lives in San Antonio with her wonderful, supportive husband of many years. Her children/stepchildren are scattered throughout the country, although their one daughter lives two houses away. This comes in handy when they want to travel, since she doesn't have to walk too far to feed their indoor kitty babies and the 4,000 stray cats that have taken up residence in the yard. That might be a slight exaggeration, but there are quite a few.
Gena Webb also writes under the pen name of Kay Wyont. Both of her series (The Misadventures of Miss Write and Alamo City Mystery) are set in San Antonio. They are liberally sprinkled with humor and the flavor of her adopted hometown. A percentage of all proceeds from her novels are donated to various charitable organizations. Visit her website at www.genawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
February 9, 2022
I received a free review copy of this book from VRO.
I really liked the glimpse into a mystery writer’s life and the shenanigans that can ensue. I also thought that the friendships and romantic relationships in the book were cute.
The story was a bit disjointed at times, and where it ended up going was very different from where it started. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when done well, but this was a bit coincidental for my taste.
I thought Roger and Carla were cute, but their relationship moved very fast, especially with how soon he was staying over when she didn’t really know him. Carla’s preoccupation with whether or not she should have sex outside of marriage was also distracting for me and didn’t add anything to the story.
I enjoyed how close Carla and Maggie are, although at times during their conversations I would have trouble keeping track of which one was which.
Overall I think the story could use some refining, but I did enjoy it.
I really liked the glimpse into a mystery writer’s life and the shenanigans that can ensue. I also thought that the friendships and romantic relationships in the book were cute.
The story was a bit disjointed at times, and where it ended up going was very different from where it started. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when done well, but this was a bit coincidental for my taste.
I thought Roger and Carla were cute, but their relationship moved very fast, especially with how soon he was staying over when she didn’t really know him. Carla’s preoccupation with whether or not she should have sex outside of marriage was also distracting for me and didn’t add anything to the story.
I enjoyed how close Carla and Maggie are, although at times during their conversations I would have trouble keeping track of which one was which.
Overall I think the story could use some refining, but I did enjoy it.
January 21, 2020
"I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you. I grow so much from those conversations." Beyonce, American musician and actress
In literature, contemporary books that accentuate supportive women’s friendships are hard to come by. Many novels feature the dark side by describing how women tear each other down. Finding Miss Write, by Gena Webb is a cozy mystery in San Antonio, Texas with a sub plot narrating the relationship between two friends Maggie and Carla. They are at each other’s side: loss of a dog, during a life-threatening injury, and winning and losing at Scrabble.
Carla is a mystery writer and through a twist and turn of the plot becomes a victim. There is an attempt on her life by an unknown killer. She is thrown together with divorcee detective from San Antonio Police Department. They become a love interest. The plot is well thought out and the killer was not predicted.
I would rate this book three stars out of five stars (five being the Color Purple, Princess Bride, Agatha Christie). To move this book to a higher rating I would have liked more inner narration. I would have liked to liked to read more about what the characters were thinking. For example: when Carla’s dog Sugar died, I would have thought she would be very sad. This would have been a great opportunity for her friend to give her hugs. I also would have liked a firmer description of what the characters looked like or at least provided some body ticks that I could relate to the character. Sometimes I had a hard time identifying who was talking, maybe adding more often the name of the character. SPOILER ALERT: I also found it kinda creepy that Roger the love interest moved in that fast. At one point, I thought he was the killer sleeping at her house and Carla giving him a key to her house? Also, I think Webb could have played up San Antonio. And author could really have played up the two women’s friendship even more.
I really liked the treatment of law and investigation. Thinking outside of the box. I began wondering if Carla was a woman of color would she had been treated differently. The author alludes this. It might be something to explore with the mixture of cultures in Texas in her next book.
Finding Miss Write would be a book for a long plane ride. I would five this book an AAR sensuality rating Kisses. Reviewer for VoraciousReadersOnly
In literature, contemporary books that accentuate supportive women’s friendships are hard to come by. Many novels feature the dark side by describing how women tear each other down. Finding Miss Write, by Gena Webb is a cozy mystery in San Antonio, Texas with a sub plot narrating the relationship between two friends Maggie and Carla. They are at each other’s side: loss of a dog, during a life-threatening injury, and winning and losing at Scrabble.
Carla is a mystery writer and through a twist and turn of the plot becomes a victim. There is an attempt on her life by an unknown killer. She is thrown together with divorcee detective from San Antonio Police Department. They become a love interest. The plot is well thought out and the killer was not predicted.
I would rate this book three stars out of five stars (five being the Color Purple, Princess Bride, Agatha Christie). To move this book to a higher rating I would have liked more inner narration. I would have liked to liked to read more about what the characters were thinking. For example: when Carla’s dog Sugar died, I would have thought she would be very sad. This would have been a great opportunity for her friend to give her hugs. I also would have liked a firmer description of what the characters looked like or at least provided some body ticks that I could relate to the character. Sometimes I had a hard time identifying who was talking, maybe adding more often the name of the character. SPOILER ALERT: I also found it kinda creepy that Roger the love interest moved in that fast. At one point, I thought he was the killer sleeping at her house and Carla giving him a key to her house? Also, I think Webb could have played up San Antonio. And author could really have played up the two women’s friendship even more.
I really liked the treatment of law and investigation. Thinking outside of the box. I began wondering if Carla was a woman of color would she had been treated differently. The author alludes this. It might be something to explore with the mixture of cultures in Texas in her next book.
Finding Miss Write would be a book for a long plane ride. I would five this book an AAR sensuality rating Kisses. Reviewer for VoraciousReadersOnly
October 21, 2021
Author Carla Williams is accused of plotting a murder. Turns out it’s only in her book, but this still doesn’t prevent a run-in with a handsome police detective along with an altercation with her accuser. What happens next may just change Carla’s life forever.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book much. While the style of writing was good, easy-to-read and digest, I found myself skimming a lot to get through it. The book is dialogue-heavy, which can make the prose move along more quickly, though, I often found the conversations to be longer than they needed to be.
I had difficulty connecting to and liking the main character. I thought the supporting cast was more likeable but it seemed that they were “dumbed-down” in order to pump Carla up. I grew tired of reading dialogue with Maggie fawning all over Carla who, in turn, insulted her constantly.
I also felt the multiple story arcs seemed disjointed. The book began with a misinterpreted conversation being reported to the police. This led to both a series of altercations with the accuser, a very quick-building romance with the officer and the sudden appearance (later in the book) of a serial killer. The latter storyline is meant to mimic the book Carla is writing. Peppered into the story are excerpts from Carla’s book. I found these distracting and a detraction rather than an addition to the story. They did not add any information to the book.
The book tried to achieve a little of everything, but fell flat on all story arcs for me. I found myself wondering what the main point of the book was about halfway through since the “conflict” in the story continued to change to a new or different focus. Rather than an overarching story with other elements sprinkled in, it felt like a number of short stories joined together. As other reviewers pointed out, the serial killer was introduced late in the book and was never mentioned before his capture. This didn’t bother me in terms of a strong desire to want to solve it on my own, but it did add to the disconnected feel of the book.
The other point that heavily detracted from the book for me was the preoccupation with talking about sex. This was listed as a cozy mystery and, while there were no sex scenes in the book, there were constantly conversations about if a couple slept together, if it was good, when would they sleep together, what if the sex wasn’t good, etc. Along with that was the discussion about the main character’s weight between her boyfriend and his partner and how it may detract from the sexual experience. Given that this was listed as a cozy, I was disappointed at how heavily these elements weighed in the story.
All in all, it was a miss for me, definitely not my cup of tea.
*Thanks to Voracious Readers for a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.*
Overall, I did not enjoy this book much. While the style of writing was good, easy-to-read and digest, I found myself skimming a lot to get through it. The book is dialogue-heavy, which can make the prose move along more quickly, though, I often found the conversations to be longer than they needed to be.
I had difficulty connecting to and liking the main character. I thought the supporting cast was more likeable but it seemed that they were “dumbed-down” in order to pump Carla up. I grew tired of reading dialogue with Maggie fawning all over Carla who, in turn, insulted her constantly.
I also felt the multiple story arcs seemed disjointed. The book began with a misinterpreted conversation being reported to the police. This led to both a series of altercations with the accuser, a very quick-building romance with the officer and the sudden appearance (later in the book) of a serial killer. The latter storyline is meant to mimic the book Carla is writing. Peppered into the story are excerpts from Carla’s book. I found these distracting and a detraction rather than an addition to the story. They did not add any information to the book.
The book tried to achieve a little of everything, but fell flat on all story arcs for me. I found myself wondering what the main point of the book was about halfway through since the “conflict” in the story continued to change to a new or different focus. Rather than an overarching story with other elements sprinkled in, it felt like a number of short stories joined together. As other reviewers pointed out, the serial killer was introduced late in the book and was never mentioned before his capture. This didn’t bother me in terms of a strong desire to want to solve it on my own, but it did add to the disconnected feel of the book.
The other point that heavily detracted from the book for me was the preoccupation with talking about sex. This was listed as a cozy mystery and, while there were no sex scenes in the book, there were constantly conversations about if a couple slept together, if it was good, when would they sleep together, what if the sex wasn’t good, etc. Along with that was the discussion about the main character’s weight between her boyfriend and his partner and how it may detract from the sexual experience. Given that this was listed as a cozy, I was disappointed at how heavily these elements weighed in the story.
All in all, it was a miss for me, definitely not my cup of tea.
*Thanks to Voracious Readers for a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.*
May 16, 2024
I received a free review copy of Finding Miss Write from VoraciousReadersOnly.
The beginning of Finding Miss Write, has our main character Carla, a novelist discussing with her best friend Maggie, her desire to change the genre of stories she writes despite having been very successful to date.
Very few people apart from Maggie know that Carla is a writer as she writes under a pseudonym. This leads to Carla and Maggie being questioned by two local homicide detectives when an elderly couple overhears Carla telling Maggie she wants to kill someone. The someone is a character from Carla's novel but the couple don't know that so assume it's about a real person and tell the police what they heard.
Even before reading the story, I found it reminded me of one of my favorite old television shows called "Murder She Wrote", whose female lead was also a writer of murder mysteries & used her skills to solve mysteries around her in real life.
I found the story to be well-written. It was easy to read and had a good mix of drama, humor, and mystery. The ratio of cats to dogs was a bit high in favor of the cats but I'm a dog person, so personal preference.
The beginning of Finding Miss Write, has our main character Carla, a novelist discussing with her best friend Maggie, her desire to change the genre of stories she writes despite having been very successful to date.
Very few people apart from Maggie know that Carla is a writer as she writes under a pseudonym. This leads to Carla and Maggie being questioned by two local homicide detectives when an elderly couple overhears Carla telling Maggie she wants to kill someone. The someone is a character from Carla's novel but the couple don't know that so assume it's about a real person and tell the police what they heard.
Even before reading the story, I found it reminded me of one of my favorite old television shows called "Murder She Wrote", whose female lead was also a writer of murder mysteries & used her skills to solve mysteries around her in real life.
I found the story to be well-written. It was easy to read and had a good mix of drama, humor, and mystery. The ratio of cats to dogs was a bit high in favor of the cats but I'm a dog person, so personal preference.
January 3, 2020
I was given a copy of the book to review and right from the start I loved it! The characters, their relationships and the banter throughout was heart warming. It is a very clean cut story, cosy and perfect for a quiet read. It is a little too 'hallelujah' in the way that every single conversation and situation gets resolved perfectly before moving on to the next chapter. In reality there would be ugly words and conversations with parts unsaid etc. A bit 'perfect world' for the full 5 stars. Love the connection between the authors book and the actual book she has also written under that pen name. Love the quirk!
July 3, 2024
This book was adorable!!! The ending seemed somewhat rushed, but the entire story was well-written. The characters are lovable and it's very easy to see yourself as their friends. I read the entire book in a single sitting, and the book kept me hooked the entire time. It's a "clean" romance novel, with realistic characters, and I applaud the author for not writing easy stereotypes.
May 25, 2024
I received a copy of this book from Veracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.
Firstly, as a writer I love the easy and productive dialogue between our main character, author Carla Williams and Maggie, who at first glance appears to be, in essence, her beta reader. Their interaction feel very real and authentic and for me personally, very relatable. I wish the conversations I have with my co-author were even one tenth as productive as the back and forth they have about the mystery novel Carla is currently working on.
As we get into it, we find out that Maggie is not only proof-reading our MC's novel, but is also her best friend. It's made clear rather quickly that they have a really genuine bond that is very easy to envy. It's the type of closeness that comes from years of knowing a person. It gives you the feel that they met and clicked and that was just it- best friends forever. The way Carla and Maggie's friendship is written has a way of making you grateful if you have that kind of a connection and a little envious if you don't (or if your best friend just lives states away like mine does).
Most of my favorite interactions in the book were between the two of them.
Carla, is from my point of view, a very overall well-rounded character. She has a lot of strengths that balance well with her weaknesses, making her emotional struggles feel real and valid. She is relatable to the average person and as a reader, that's something I look for in a non-fantasy based novel. A mystery writer who lives on a farm in Texas isn't supposed to tax my suspension of disbelief system.
Carla is smart and confident, with a quick wit. She seems very focused on achieving her goals. She's independent, but not to the point of self-destruction- When she eventually runs into trouble, she's able to admit that she's out of her depth and needs some back up. She's very clearly an animal lover, a passionate cook and someone who sticks to her morals and honors her personal beliefs, but doesn't use them as a reason not to confront her fears or address her concerns.
Carla is also described as a plus size, successful, adult woman who has a realistic, healthy relationship with her body and we love to see that. She does have some very mild self-depreciating thoughts about the weight she put on after her husband's death, but they come across as relatable. She doesn't tear herself down and let it consume her or allow it to inhibit her budding relationship, but her concerns are echoes of thoughts all of us have probably had about our bodies at least once- as a plus size woman myself, reading those parts, all I could think was "Same, girl."
And this brings us to Roger Graf, our divorced homicide detective.
Initially, both he and his partner come across as a couple of idiots.
Where I'm from I don't know a whole lot of detectives that would try to drag anyone down to the station based on nothing but the word of a nosey Karen who just so happened to overhear a conversation two strangers were having in a public place- even if the topic was murder. But, that's neither here nor there.
Thankfully, as we get to know them, I still ended up thinking his partner is an idiot, but Roger really grew on me. He proves himself to be a dependable, stead-fast guy with a big heart who falls for Carla and does the absolute sexiest things a man can possibly do- treat her with basic respect and decency.
I absolutely love the way he loves her. He is patient and respectful of her boundaries, understanding that she's still dealing with grief, he's reassuring when she addresses her concerns and he's protective- without treating her like she's fragile and helpless. He never pressures or shames her and he's more happy to go into this relationship at her pace, even going so far as to say that she is "worth the wait". Absolutely love that.
As for the mystery aspects of this novel, the twists in the beginning aren't terribly twisty, some of them you can see coming, but it's still enjoyable to go on the journey. We find out there's a little bit of "art imitating life" going on when it's revealed that there's actually a serial killer in San Antonio and the acts of violence happening in Carla's life aren't all because of our nosey Karen.
As the plot thickens and we uncover who's actually behind everything, there's a bit of a gasp! factor, but the best part of unraveling everything for me was in the way they put all the evidence together to convict the responsible party.
Also love that the dog, Sugar the second, helped by literally taking a bite out of crime.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a sweet ending and I'd recommend giving it a shot. I'm pretty curious to see what else these characters get up to in the next one.
Firstly, as a writer I love the easy and productive dialogue between our main character, author Carla Williams and Maggie, who at first glance appears to be, in essence, her beta reader. Their interaction feel very real and authentic and for me personally, very relatable. I wish the conversations I have with my co-author were even one tenth as productive as the back and forth they have about the mystery novel Carla is currently working on.
As we get into it, we find out that Maggie is not only proof-reading our MC's novel, but is also her best friend. It's made clear rather quickly that they have a really genuine bond that is very easy to envy. It's the type of closeness that comes from years of knowing a person. It gives you the feel that they met and clicked and that was just it- best friends forever. The way Carla and Maggie's friendship is written has a way of making you grateful if you have that kind of a connection and a little envious if you don't (or if your best friend just lives states away like mine does).
Most of my favorite interactions in the book were between the two of them.
Carla, is from my point of view, a very overall well-rounded character. She has a lot of strengths that balance well with her weaknesses, making her emotional struggles feel real and valid. She is relatable to the average person and as a reader, that's something I look for in a non-fantasy based novel. A mystery writer who lives on a farm in Texas isn't supposed to tax my suspension of disbelief system.
Carla is smart and confident, with a quick wit. She seems very focused on achieving her goals. She's independent, but not to the point of self-destruction- When she eventually runs into trouble, she's able to admit that she's out of her depth and needs some back up. She's very clearly an animal lover, a passionate cook and someone who sticks to her morals and honors her personal beliefs, but doesn't use them as a reason not to confront her fears or address her concerns.
Carla is also described as a plus size, successful, adult woman who has a realistic, healthy relationship with her body and we love to see that. She does have some very mild self-depreciating thoughts about the weight she put on after her husband's death, but they come across as relatable. She doesn't tear herself down and let it consume her or allow it to inhibit her budding relationship, but her concerns are echoes of thoughts all of us have probably had about our bodies at least once- as a plus size woman myself, reading those parts, all I could think was "Same, girl."
And this brings us to Roger Graf, our divorced homicide detective.
Initially, both he and his partner come across as a couple of idiots.
Where I'm from I don't know a whole lot of detectives that would try to drag anyone down to the station based on nothing but the word of a nosey Karen who just so happened to overhear a conversation two strangers were having in a public place- even if the topic was murder. But, that's neither here nor there.
Thankfully, as we get to know them, I still ended up thinking his partner is an idiot, but Roger really grew on me. He proves himself to be a dependable, stead-fast guy with a big heart who falls for Carla and does the absolute sexiest things a man can possibly do- treat her with basic respect and decency.
I absolutely love the way he loves her. He is patient and respectful of her boundaries, understanding that she's still dealing with grief, he's reassuring when she addresses her concerns and he's protective- without treating her like she's fragile and helpless. He never pressures or shames her and he's more happy to go into this relationship at her pace, even going so far as to say that she is "worth the wait". Absolutely love that.
As for the mystery aspects of this novel, the twists in the beginning aren't terribly twisty, some of them you can see coming, but it's still enjoyable to go on the journey. We find out there's a little bit of "art imitating life" going on when it's revealed that there's actually a serial killer in San Antonio and the acts of violence happening in Carla's life aren't all because of our nosey Karen.
As the plot thickens and we uncover who's actually behind everything, there's a bit of a gasp! factor, but the best part of unraveling everything for me was in the way they put all the evidence together to convict the responsible party.
Also love that the dog, Sugar the second, helped by literally taking a bite out of crime.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a sweet ending and I'd recommend giving it a shot. I'm pretty curious to see what else these characters get up to in the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2021
I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only, in exchange for an honest review.
'Finding Miss Write' is the story of Carla, an author of historical romances, who is now vying into a new genre: mysteries. Coincidentally, as she and her friend, Maggie, are discussing the new book she is overheard plotting the death of a character - whom a passerby mistakes for a casual conversation between two friends as to how best kill off someone in real life. After being whisked down to the police station for some questioning, her innocence is confirmed, but her real life events begin to spiral to mimic the new plot of her book in the most unsettling way.
To be honest, I quite enjoyed the beginning of this book, despite finding it a little campy. The two policemen who escort her and Maggie to the station were incompetent, and the jokes that Carla was making during her interrogation were cringy, but it seemed a little fun. It was easy to read - although very dialogue heavy - and an easy plot to follow. This very quickly devolved into two separate genres in one story though, and I'm not sure it was executed all that well.
The romance. I didn't buy it. The characters were shallow, and underdeveloped. I didn't relate much to Carla, and even by the end of the book I still didn't feel as though I knew her too well. And Roger was - well I genuinely thought he might be the killer at some point mid way through the book. It all felt very rushed; after dating a few days he's practically moved in to her house, and considering proposing? I dunno, perhaps I don't read enough romance to get it, but I didn't buy it. He was suspicious, and I didn't trust him.
Then there's the mystery. Again, I'm not amazingly well versed in this genre, but I always feel the best mysteries are cleverly hidden in plain sight. Even if I can't figure out who the killer is myself, when it's revealed I should be able to go back and be like 'Yes, of course. It was all there in front of me!'. In this book however, the killer was completely disconnected from the story. We don't meet the killer until he's revealed, and the reason he was after Carla was pretty much just pure coincidence. It made the ending very anticlimatic, and honestly boring.
I must also add that I found a lot of the situations just quite unbelievable.
Overall, I rate it 2/5 stars. I was considering 3, but I really disliked the ending to this book. I read through some of the reviews before I wrote my own, and it appears that this is a cosy-mystery? I don't think this genre is for me tbh. I won't be checking out Gena's other books, but I hope they up the overall anticipation of the story and add some much needed character development.
'Finding Miss Write' is the story of Carla, an author of historical romances, who is now vying into a new genre: mysteries. Coincidentally, as she and her friend, Maggie, are discussing the new book she is overheard plotting the death of a character - whom a passerby mistakes for a casual conversation between two friends as to how best kill off someone in real life. After being whisked down to the police station for some questioning, her innocence is confirmed, but her real life events begin to spiral to mimic the new plot of her book in the most unsettling way.
To be honest, I quite enjoyed the beginning of this book, despite finding it a little campy. The two policemen who escort her and Maggie to the station were incompetent, and the jokes that Carla was making during her interrogation were cringy, but it seemed a little fun. It was easy to read - although very dialogue heavy - and an easy plot to follow. This very quickly devolved into two separate genres in one story though, and I'm not sure it was executed all that well.
The romance. I didn't buy it. The characters were shallow, and underdeveloped. I didn't relate much to Carla, and even by the end of the book I still didn't feel as though I knew her too well. And Roger was - well I genuinely thought he might be the killer at some point mid way through the book. It all felt very rushed; after dating a few days he's practically moved in to her house, and considering proposing? I dunno, perhaps I don't read enough romance to get it, but I didn't buy it. He was suspicious, and I didn't trust him.
Then there's the mystery. Again, I'm not amazingly well versed in this genre, but I always feel the best mysteries are cleverly hidden in plain sight. Even if I can't figure out who the killer is myself, when it's revealed I should be able to go back and be like 'Yes, of course. It was all there in front of me!'. In this book however, the killer was completely disconnected from the story. We don't meet the killer until he's revealed, and the reason he was after Carla was pretty much just pure coincidence. It made the ending very anticlimatic, and honestly boring.
I must also add that I found a lot of the situations just quite unbelievable.
Overall, I rate it 2/5 stars. I was considering 3, but I really disliked the ending to this book. I read through some of the reviews before I wrote my own, and it appears that this is a cosy-mystery? I don't think this genre is for me tbh. I won't be checking out Gena's other books, but I hope they up the overall anticipation of the story and add some much needed character development.
October 23, 2020
Carla Williams (aka Kay Wyont) is working on a new novel when she decides she might want to kill one of her main characters. When her conversation is overheard, a concern citizen tries to report her to the police, resulting in Carla being brought in for questioning. When the concerned citizen refuses to let the matter go, Carla becomes headline news and a serial killer's next target. With her safety an issue, Carla grows closer to the detective trying to protect her. I really wanted to enjoy this book. A novel about a romance writer who also writes cozy mysteries and always wins at Scrabble? I had to read this just to make sure it wasn't a biography about me. However, I found it very difficult to finish. While I enjoyed the story, several characters had very similar names (Roger & Randy, for example) to easily confuse me. The fact that they were also characters in Kay's novel didn't help, although I happened to enjoy that particular twist.
I also had a hard time getting into the story. The first chapters, while setting up a lot of background, did not really draw me into the story. While some of the dialogue felt authentic, some of it felt a little stiff and formal. As a result, I had a difficult time relating to the characters. I couldn't figure out whether they were middle aged or senior citizens. I kept envisioning Carla old enough to be a grandmother and it wasn't until the final chapters that I realized she was middle-aged.
While the story did garner my interest in the middle, I found myself drawn more to the romance than the mystery. I was also disappointed in the ending. As a result of the similar names, I had to reread the whodunit part several times, and I'm still not sure I figured it out, even though it is explained more than once. And, despite her friend's attempts to guess the whodunit in Kay's novel, the answer is never actually given to us.
(Edit: After posting this review, I was informed that the whodunit in Kay's novel is not given because we can read Kay's novel, One Inner Voice, and find out for ourselves. I'd call that a nice hook!)
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2024
A Lighthearted Mystery That Celebrates Friendship, Humor, and Whodunits
Gena Webb’s Finding Miss Write is a delightful small-town mystery with a witty and unconventional approach to storytelling. The story introduces readers to Carla Williams, a bestselling author who stirs up unintended chaos while hashing out the details of her latest murder mystery. Her casual, public conversation about "killing Danny" with her best friend Maggie—meant purely as brainstorming for her novel—sends the pair into an absurd whirlwind of mistaken identities, nosy bystanders, and police interrogations. The comedic misunderstanding escalates when well-meaning eavesdroppers misreport Carla’s plotting as an actual criminal plan, setting the stage for a fun, lighthearted caper.
Webb brings humor and heart to Finding Miss Write, skillfully blending quirky dialogue, amusing misunderstandings, and the undeniable bond of friendship between Carla and Maggie. Carla’s sharp, tongue-in-cheek banter is a highlight, making her a lovable protagonist who isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself or the situation. The novel leans heavily into the charm of small-town life, where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads faster than wildfire. The pacing is steady, balancing the unfolding events with comedic moments and emotional reflections that add layers to Carla’s character.
What makes the book so enjoyable is its relatability and Webb’s ability to create characters that feel like old friends. Readers who love cozy mysteries with a lighter tone will appreciate the absence of graphic violence, as well as the focus on humor and relationships over traditional suspense. The dialogue is natural and witty, and the story’s premise—rooted in a creative twist on an author’s life—adds a refreshing spin to the genre. Finding Miss Write is the perfect read for those who enjoy small-town whodunits, lively characters, and a generous dose of humor.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Gena Webb’s Finding Miss Write is a delightful small-town mystery with a witty and unconventional approach to storytelling. The story introduces readers to Carla Williams, a bestselling author who stirs up unintended chaos while hashing out the details of her latest murder mystery. Her casual, public conversation about "killing Danny" with her best friend Maggie—meant purely as brainstorming for her novel—sends the pair into an absurd whirlwind of mistaken identities, nosy bystanders, and police interrogations. The comedic misunderstanding escalates when well-meaning eavesdroppers misreport Carla’s plotting as an actual criminal plan, setting the stage for a fun, lighthearted caper.
Webb brings humor and heart to Finding Miss Write, skillfully blending quirky dialogue, amusing misunderstandings, and the undeniable bond of friendship between Carla and Maggie. Carla’s sharp, tongue-in-cheek banter is a highlight, making her a lovable protagonist who isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself or the situation. The novel leans heavily into the charm of small-town life, where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads faster than wildfire. The pacing is steady, balancing the unfolding events with comedic moments and emotional reflections that add layers to Carla’s character.
What makes the book so enjoyable is its relatability and Webb’s ability to create characters that feel like old friends. Readers who love cozy mysteries with a lighter tone will appreciate the absence of graphic violence, as well as the focus on humor and relationships over traditional suspense. The dialogue is natural and witty, and the story’s premise—rooted in a creative twist on an author’s life—adds a refreshing spin to the genre. Finding Miss Write is the perfect read for those who enjoy small-town whodunits, lively characters, and a generous dose of humor.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
March 25, 2023
I started reading this book a few weeks ago, and put it down a few pages in because although the banter at the beginning was very well written, and I can see from reviews that that appealed to a lot of people, I found it a bit much at the start where there's a lot of chatter and description that didn't seem to progress the plot. Clearly personal preference as a lot of people seem to like it, but it took me a few days to pick up the book again and keep going. I enjoyed the story a lot more once the narrative arc started.
I found the characters well-drawn as unique individuals, and the dialogue is really engaging. The prose relies heavily on telling instead of showing, though, and I found myself skimming over sections that felt like 'activity summaries' to get to the next scene with dialogue.
It required suspension of disbelief that police would be heavy handed over a crime that hadn't been committed yet and for which there was no evidence, even if conspiracy to commit murder is a crime. Horses also involve a lot more work than the story would lead you to believe.
Dog lovers be warned that a dog is killed in this book; I found the protagonist unlikeable on this point, to be honest, because she seems to have a 'revolving door' perspective on keeping dogs outside as a tool and replacing them with a dog of the same name when they die. It's like she likes having them but she doesn't really care for them? I'm a country girl and even people with working dogs that live in the barn esteem their dogs more highly than this protagonist. Maybe this is an American cultural difference?
I found the characters well-drawn as unique individuals, and the dialogue is really engaging. The prose relies heavily on telling instead of showing, though, and I found myself skimming over sections that felt like 'activity summaries' to get to the next scene with dialogue.
It required suspension of disbelief that police would be heavy handed over a crime that hadn't been committed yet and for which there was no evidence, even if conspiracy to commit murder is a crime. Horses also involve a lot more work than the story would lead you to believe.
Dog lovers be warned that a dog is killed in this book; I found the protagonist unlikeable on this point, to be honest, because she seems to have a 'revolving door' perspective on keeping dogs outside as a tool and replacing them with a dog of the same name when they die. It's like she likes having them but she doesn't really care for them? I'm a country girl and even people with working dogs that live in the barn esteem their dogs more highly than this protagonist. Maybe this is an American cultural difference?
September 21, 2020
Carla is changing genre in writing novels. Discussing her new novel with her best friend leads to some interesting and life changing consequences.
Finding Miss Write is a great first book (in a series) which lays down the main character Carla and the other characters that come into her life. The reading or narrative was easy and I enjoyed reading it from the beginning. One chapter in particular was hilarious and had me chuckling. It also had an ahhh moment at the end that left you happy for the characters.
The book itself is just shy of 200 pages and I think Gena Webb has done a good job with the page count. The characters are well thought and their interactions with each other strong, natural and emotionally expressive. The plot is complete for a crime sided novel and for a romance novel with its happily ever after. The whole story itself reminded me of an old TV series called "Murder She Wrote" about an author that ends up solving crimes alongside writing them. Ive given this 4 stars because it has a lot of strengths to it. However it didn't reach 5 stars because I just felt the story itself could have done with some suspense or a bit more action.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review. I am looking forward to seeing how Carlas career as a crime novelist gets on alongside her personal life. A good read.
Finding Miss Write is a great first book (in a series) which lays down the main character Carla and the other characters that come into her life. The reading or narrative was easy and I enjoyed reading it from the beginning. One chapter in particular was hilarious and had me chuckling. It also had an ahhh moment at the end that left you happy for the characters.
The book itself is just shy of 200 pages and I think Gena Webb has done a good job with the page count. The characters are well thought and their interactions with each other strong, natural and emotionally expressive. The plot is complete for a crime sided novel and for a romance novel with its happily ever after. The whole story itself reminded me of an old TV series called "Murder She Wrote" about an author that ends up solving crimes alongside writing them. Ive given this 4 stars because it has a lot of strengths to it. However it didn't reach 5 stars because I just felt the story itself could have done with some suspense or a bit more action.
I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review. I am looking forward to seeing how Carlas career as a crime novelist gets on alongside her personal life. A good read.
April 30, 2020
"I'm thinking of killing Danny." This it how the story begins and I must say, it hooked me. For about two pages. Then everything got bogged down in endless dialogue and long-winded conversations. Not that there weren't a few clever puns and word games, but the book has neither a gripping story line nor very exciting characters.
An author writing a crime novel and then getting entangled in her own crime story, while at the same time mirroring some real life facts of the book's own author, is a clever tactic, but it fails to engage in this book.
What is supposed to be a love story-cum-cozy mystery, falls between the cracks and ends up being good at neither. I failed to find any suspense or romantic sparkle. Once again, conversations, whether between detectives or lovers, go on and on and on.
The book has some basic writing errors. 'Show, don't tell' may be a writing cliche, but it is still a valid point of critique. That the telling occurs in dialogue, does not make it less of a problem. A lot of unnecessary detail could have been edited out to pick up the pace of the story. Telling what happened in one conversation and then repeating it between two other characters, had me gnashing my teeth with boredom. The best moment apart from the opening paragraphs? Getting to The End.
An author writing a crime novel and then getting entangled in her own crime story, while at the same time mirroring some real life facts of the book's own author, is a clever tactic, but it fails to engage in this book.
What is supposed to be a love story-cum-cozy mystery, falls between the cracks and ends up being good at neither. I failed to find any suspense or romantic sparkle. Once again, conversations, whether between detectives or lovers, go on and on and on.
The book has some basic writing errors. 'Show, don't tell' may be a writing cliche, but it is still a valid point of critique. That the telling occurs in dialogue, does not make it less of a problem. A lot of unnecessary detail could have been edited out to pick up the pace of the story. Telling what happened in one conversation and then repeating it between two other characters, had me gnashing my teeth with boredom. The best moment apart from the opening paragraphs? Getting to The End.
March 17, 2024
Finding Miss Write by Gena Webb is a mystery where danger is lurking in every shadow. Can Miss Write make it out alive?
** I would like to express my thanks to ☆ Gena Webb ☆ for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review **
Have you planned a murder? Have you planned one in public? Have you planned one in public and you are overheard? That’s how this novel started. I was living for the banter, the unexpected situations, and the absurdity of it all. This book felt very much like real life, we were very comfortably dipped into the water with the characters, and I really felt like I was one of the gang trying to decide where the mystery goes, and where the thrill is.
Of course, there were some places I wish I wasn’t brought along like some pretty intimate conversations about where someone’s relationship will go. But I think even then the author brought an interesting perspective that I never really considered (as I have not married/have never lost a spouse). I also never was able to find the killer, the author was really good at giving us only tidbits to profile someone, but even then that wasn’t enough. So I was in suspense the entire time as to who the killer could be.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants a mystery reading, full of danger, candid conversations, and friendship.
** I would like to express my thanks to ☆ Gena Webb ☆ for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review **
Have you planned a murder? Have you planned one in public? Have you planned one in public and you are overheard? That’s how this novel started. I was living for the banter, the unexpected situations, and the absurdity of it all. This book felt very much like real life, we were very comfortably dipped into the water with the characters, and I really felt like I was one of the gang trying to decide where the mystery goes, and where the thrill is.
Of course, there were some places I wish I wasn’t brought along like some pretty intimate conversations about where someone’s relationship will go. But I think even then the author brought an interesting perspective that I never really considered (as I have not married/have never lost a spouse). I also never was able to find the killer, the author was really good at giving us only tidbits to profile someone, but even then that wasn’t enough. So I was in suspense the entire time as to who the killer could be.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants a mystery reading, full of danger, candid conversations, and friendship.
June 27, 2021
Carla and her friend Maggie are taken in for questioning after a couple overhears them talking about killing a man. Little did the couple know, the discussion was around killing a fictional man in one of Carla’s books. A simple, embarrassing misunderstanding right? Nope, things begin to spiral out of control so while Carla is writing the end of her book featuring her fictional murderer, she needs detective Graf to catch a real life one.
I enjoyed the first few chapters of this book. I found Carla and Maggie likeable, the policemen incompetent and I thought it was setting the story up for Carla to begin to sleuth (I thought wrong). As it went on I found it lost all of the earlier flow and a lot of the credibility. I was confused with how I was given evidence that the police weren’t very good at their jobs then supposed to be rooting for them and their expertise later. Carla and Maggie’s relationship rang true, but Carla and Roger’s didn’t, so I didn’t feel invested in it. Therefore it lost me on both of the main elements that I was hoping for after reading the blurb. It was easy to read and understand, I was just hoping for a bit more I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the first few chapters of this book. I found Carla and Maggie likeable, the policemen incompetent and I thought it was setting the story up for Carla to begin to sleuth (I thought wrong). As it went on I found it lost all of the earlier flow and a lot of the credibility. I was confused with how I was given evidence that the police weren’t very good at their jobs then supposed to be rooting for them and their expertise later. Carla and Maggie’s relationship rang true, but Carla and Roger’s didn’t, so I didn’t feel invested in it. Therefore it lost me on both of the main elements that I was hoping for after reading the blurb. It was easy to read and understand, I was just hoping for a bit more I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2020
I have accidentally overheard some odd snippets of other people's conversations in the past myself, but perhaps overhearing an author explaining that she is going to kill someone called Danny would make you a bit worried.
Carla is the author, and the woman who overhears her goes into overdrive and complains to the police. This leads to the police questioning Carla and her great friend, Maggie. Carla is able to quickly explain herself, and the circumstances lead to her friendship with the detective Roger Graf. But the resultant publicity makes her the focus for some attempts on her life.
Of course between them the case is solved.
I don't think we should take too seriously any inconsistencies in the plot. The novel is intended I think to just provide enjoyment and distraction, which it does very well. And most people will be sympathetic to Carla who is Miss Write. This is the first of a series and I am sure the following books will have many enthusiastic readers.
I received my copy of the book from Voracious Readers and the author. I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review.
Carla is the author, and the woman who overhears her goes into overdrive and complains to the police. This leads to the police questioning Carla and her great friend, Maggie. Carla is able to quickly explain herself, and the circumstances lead to her friendship with the detective Roger Graf. But the resultant publicity makes her the focus for some attempts on her life.
Of course between them the case is solved.
I don't think we should take too seriously any inconsistencies in the plot. The novel is intended I think to just provide enjoyment and distraction, which it does very well. And most people will be sympathetic to Carla who is Miss Write. This is the first of a series and I am sure the following books will have many enthusiastic readers.
I received my copy of the book from Voracious Readers and the author. I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review.
March 2, 2021
Who knew listening into someone’s conversation at a cafe could lead to so much trouble.
When Carla and her best friend Maggie are overheard discussing killing off one of the character’s in Carla’s new book, they soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
What started out a as simple misunderstanding soon turns into a nightmare as things are blown out of proportion and more than one person pays a horrible price.
I received this story through Voracious Readers and I’m glad I had a chance to read it.
I loved the opening line in this book, it caches your attention straight away and I knew within the first couple of pages that I was going to enjoy this book.
The first half of this story was actually quite funny and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other, their conversations often causing me to giggle. As the story continues on things becomes more serious and there is a mystery to solve.
There was some sad moments and many happy moments in a story well worth reading.
I throughly enjoyed this book.
When Carla and her best friend Maggie are overheard discussing killing off one of the character’s in Carla’s new book, they soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
What started out a as simple misunderstanding soon turns into a nightmare as things are blown out of proportion and more than one person pays a horrible price.
I received this story through Voracious Readers and I’m glad I had a chance to read it.
I loved the opening line in this book, it caches your attention straight away and I knew within the first couple of pages that I was going to enjoy this book.
The first half of this story was actually quite funny and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other, their conversations often causing me to giggle. As the story continues on things becomes more serious and there is a mystery to solve.
There was some sad moments and many happy moments in a story well worth reading.
I throughly enjoyed this book.
March 15, 2022
It started with a misunderstood conversation about a murder plot that turned into a quick story line about the mad women who overheard the conversation suing everyone because they didn't take her story seriously. And then it turned into an entirely different story about finding the person who tried to attack one of the main characters, becoming an investigation to two murders that happened sometime in the past.
Yes, I wrote that first part of the review in a confusing way because that's how I felt reading this book. It was disjointed at best, and boring at worst. There was not any suspense or mystery, even when the detectives were investigating the real attempted and successful murders in the town. There was hardly any chemistry between the two main 'love interests' and I found it hard to believe that any woman who would let a man just stay at her house for her protection when they literally just met.
The one redeeming quality of the story was the close friendship between Carla and Maggie. That was well written and really sweet.
*I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my review.
Yes, I wrote that first part of the review in a confusing way because that's how I felt reading this book. It was disjointed at best, and boring at worst. There was not any suspense or mystery, even when the detectives were investigating the real attempted and successful murders in the town. There was hardly any chemistry between the two main 'love interests' and I found it hard to believe that any woman who would let a man just stay at her house for her protection when they literally just met.
The one redeeming quality of the story was the close friendship between Carla and Maggie. That was well written and really sweet.
*I received a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my review.
October 17, 2024
In this book I enjoyed the camaraderie of the 2 female characters, Carla and Maggie, very much. Their banter reminded me of the type of conversations that I might have had with my girl friends. Carla is a fiction writer and her friend Maggie is her editor and you can see that they have a deep understanding of each other and they have probably gone through a lot of things together over the years. I liked the idea of them being out at a local restaurant and being overheard plotting the murder of “Danny.”But their lame response to the investigating officers that show up at Carla’s home later made me doubt the intelligence of the pair. This initial meeting sets up the love story aspect of Carla and Det. Graf but I felt like their romance moved much too quickly for a woman who as reserved as Carla is portrayed to be and who has just experienced a traumatic loss in her life. The male characters are not as well defined and therefore not as engaging to me. But I liked that they were considerate and loving with their partners. Overall I felt the story needed more detail about reasoning behind the murders to make it more engaging.
December 29, 2024
I received a copy of the book from Voracious Readers only. It’s a quaint suspense mystery that’s quite predictable. Carla (a novelist) and her friend Maggie (Carla’s are in a cafe, discussing what would be the best way to kill a man named Danny. A lady sitting close to them overhears the conversation and she abruptly leaves. She storms out of the cafe and heads straight to the police to report their intent to murder Danny. Roger Graf, a police detective, drives to Carla’s home and asks them both to come into the station to answer some questions. Once they get to the station, Carla realizes the reason why they’re there and she continues the charade about the “murder” they were supposedly planning. She’s a popular novelist who writes under a pen name. When Graf finally catches on, he’s incredibly embarrassed to find out Danny is a character in a book she’s writing and they were discussing how to kill him off. Then actual murders start happening and Carla persuades Graf to let her tag along, so she can better understand police procedures. That wouldn’t happen in reality, so the storyline is rather silly.
August 26, 2023
**I received a copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only**
I loved the book from the opening scene. Followed with a host of animals, scrabble tournaments with a best friend and a great meet-cute. And I will be reading the next in the series.
But my star rating reflects the fact that I don't think the author was sure whether she was writing a cosy mystery or a rom-com and she missed the mark on both.
I felt that we were never solving a mystery, even though we had all the cosy mystery tropes - food, an amateur sleuth with a quirky profession (a gothic romance novelist trying to write a murder mystery) and red herrings. But the murders seemed almost incidental & were just there to hang the romance side of things on.
The rom-com side started well with an unusual adversarial meeting, the added impediment of the lead character not being quite over the death of her husband but veered into the unbelievable with talk of children which didn't jibe with the characterisation of middle aged widow & divorced cop.
I loved the book from the opening scene. Followed with a host of animals, scrabble tournaments with a best friend and a great meet-cute. And I will be reading the next in the series.
But my star rating reflects the fact that I don't think the author was sure whether she was writing a cosy mystery or a rom-com and she missed the mark on both.
I felt that we were never solving a mystery, even though we had all the cosy mystery tropes - food, an amateur sleuth with a quirky profession (a gothic romance novelist trying to write a murder mystery) and red herrings. But the murders seemed almost incidental & were just there to hang the romance side of things on.
The rom-com side started well with an unusual adversarial meeting, the added impediment of the lead character not being quite over the death of her husband but veered into the unbelievable with talk of children which didn't jibe with the characterisation of middle aged widow & divorced cop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2019
This story was gifted to me for an honest review
This story would have benefitted by not having two different avenues it was trying to work through.
I think this first book should have had the romance between Roger and Carla well established and figuring out how a cop and a novelist would date long term. At 150 pages I still did feel like I understood the characters, or what their motivations are geared toward. You never get in depth looks into them as a couple besides a few convos.
I loved the friendship between
Maggie and Carla but I still felt like i dont truly know the characters. Even though you are told they love one another and they have some sweet moments, your just left with what I want to know more about this friendship
Then from left field there is a serial killer plot thrown in. I think they could have dropped hints about this serial killer and laid the groundwork for everything since this is only the first book in a series.
This story would have benefitted by not having two different avenues it was trying to work through.
I think this first book should have had the romance between Roger and Carla well established and figuring out how a cop and a novelist would date long term. At 150 pages I still did feel like I understood the characters, or what their motivations are geared toward. You never get in depth looks into them as a couple besides a few convos.
I loved the friendship between
Maggie and Carla but I still felt like i dont truly know the characters. Even though you are told they love one another and they have some sweet moments, your just left with what I want to know more about this friendship
Then from left field there is a serial killer plot thrown in. I think they could have dropped hints about this serial killer and laid the groundwork for everything since this is only the first book in a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2020
I received a copy of Finding Miss Write, by Gena Webb, in exchange for a review from VoraciousReadersOnly.
I began this book expecting it to be a whodunit. Instead I was greeted with heavy dialogue, clever remarks, and a cheeky protagonist with heaps of emotional baggage. But, I can’t say I was disappointed.
Most of the book is dialogue, which can seem a bit tiring at first, but the characters comical sarcasm and teasing not only keeps the conversation going but your interest as well. It is hard not smile while reading this book. At times it can feel a little cliche, but not to a point where it is unbearable. The characters are also “tinted” in a way in which they are not perfect, which is refreshing and makes them seem that much more human and not just characters in a story.
Overall this book was a great read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series even if it means jeopardizing the great stance the characters left off with.
I began this book expecting it to be a whodunit. Instead I was greeted with heavy dialogue, clever remarks, and a cheeky protagonist with heaps of emotional baggage. But, I can’t say I was disappointed.
Most of the book is dialogue, which can seem a bit tiring at first, but the characters comical sarcasm and teasing not only keeps the conversation going but your interest as well. It is hard not smile while reading this book. At times it can feel a little cliche, but not to a point where it is unbearable. The characters are also “tinted” in a way in which they are not perfect, which is refreshing and makes them seem that much more human and not just characters in a story.
Overall this book was a great read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series even if it means jeopardizing the great stance the characters left off with.
September 11, 2020
Author Carla Williams is overheard at lunch planning a murder with her friend. When the police show up at her door to escort her to the police station, hilarity ensues, that is until someone tries to hurt Carla. Sure her life might be in anger, but at least she has managed to catch the attention of handsome detective Roger Graf. Now it’s all up to Roger to save the day and maybe even Carla’s life.
I would describe this book as a cozy mystery with a side of romance. The twists and turns were enjoyable and the humour was a nice addition that I think added a lightheartedness to the narrative. Although I really enjoyed the book, I got a bit confused about who the perpetrators were and what they had to do with the story. I definitely did not see it coming. I would recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries and those who love cutesy romance.
I received an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.
I would describe this book as a cozy mystery with a side of romance. The twists and turns were enjoyable and the humour was a nice addition that I think added a lightheartedness to the narrative. Although I really enjoyed the book, I got a bit confused about who the perpetrators were and what they had to do with the story. I definitely did not see it coming. I would recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries and those who love cutesy romance.
I received an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.
January 3, 2022
In the vein of damning with faint praise, let me say this is a nice book. No swears, little violence, no sex. I can think of a couple people I know who would absolutely love that. The thing is, how many times must the main character bring up the fact that she does not believe in premarital sex? I get it! And goody gumdrops for you. But sayng you don't believe in divorce because it breaks people - have you considered people, women often, need to leave a marriage where there is physical and/or mental abuse BEFORE they break? And what's with the characters repeatedly "necking"? I'm over 60, and i have never used that word.
Come to think of it - spoiler alert - there is gratuitous vioence in that both a dog and a child are killed. Otherwise, the mystery is fine, the romance utterly predictable (reminding me why I don't usually read romance novels), and everyone alive is happy in the end. Well, except for the bad guy.
Come to think of it - spoiler alert - there is gratuitous vioence in that both a dog and a child are killed. Otherwise, the mystery is fine, the romance utterly predictable (reminding me why I don't usually read romance novels), and everyone alive is happy in the end. Well, except for the bad guy.
August 13, 2023
I got sent a copy of this book by Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review...
To start off I didn't think I would like the main character as she seemed annoying while at the police station. However I ended up loving all the characters in this novel. I really enjoyed this book and it was a nice change for the romance side of it to be about romance not sex. The plot kept me interested until the end and i enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout.
The only bits i didn't like was when the main character talked about the death of her previous husband. These parts seemed rushed and quite insensitive in the wording. I found some comments quite harsh and came across as if the character had no feelings regarding her ex which is the opposite of what the author is trying to get across. It came across as too flippant at times.
I enjoyed this book however and have already downloaded the next in the series.
To start off I didn't think I would like the main character as she seemed annoying while at the police station. However I ended up loving all the characters in this novel. I really enjoyed this book and it was a nice change for the romance side of it to be about romance not sex. The plot kept me interested until the end and i enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout.
The only bits i didn't like was when the main character talked about the death of her previous husband. These parts seemed rushed and quite insensitive in the wording. I found some comments quite harsh and came across as if the character had no feelings regarding her ex which is the opposite of what the author is trying to get across. It came across as too flippant at times.
I enjoyed this book however and have already downloaded the next in the series.
May 7, 2024
Finding Miss Write -
While having lunch out with a friend, discussing how much you dislike somebody, and the ways in which you would like to murder them, is not a clever idea! You may be overheard; that is how the police land on your doorstep! It does, however, give an idea of the main characters in this excellent book, all of whom are introduced at this stage. Spare a thought for the feelings of the detectives who brought these two in for questioning; how were they supposed to know one of them was a famous author, the other her best friend? The characters develop, along with the story. Had a little common sense prevailed, maybe the damage and tragedy may have been avoided. On the other hand, if it hadn’t happened then there would not have been a touch (ok, maybe a tablespoon) of romance; the clue may have been in the title. What more could a reader ask for, it will make you laugh, cry, question human nature, and, ultimately, leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. Enjoy it!
While having lunch out with a friend, discussing how much you dislike somebody, and the ways in which you would like to murder them, is not a clever idea! You may be overheard; that is how the police land on your doorstep! It does, however, give an idea of the main characters in this excellent book, all of whom are introduced at this stage. Spare a thought for the feelings of the detectives who brought these two in for questioning; how were they supposed to know one of them was a famous author, the other her best friend? The characters develop, along with the story. Had a little common sense prevailed, maybe the damage and tragedy may have been avoided. On the other hand, if it hadn’t happened then there would not have been a touch (ok, maybe a tablespoon) of romance; the clue may have been in the title. What more could a reader ask for, it will make you laugh, cry, question human nature, and, ultimately, leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. Enjoy it!
July 20, 2020
While this is a quick, easy read, I found it a little underwhelming. I thought the featured characters, while being quite quaint, I couldn’t really connect to. I couldn’t figure out the age of the main character, for instance, and assumed she was considerably older, until there was some take about babies, late in the book.
I enjoy cozy mysteries, but I felt the resolution of the crime/mystery was a letdown. It felt like the “resolution” was just thrown in there to complete the story. In the last couple of chapters, in regards to the case, and in regards to Carla’s discussion about having children, the author has characters often say “ I don’t know” or “that specific information isn’t important “. I was disappointed with the way the book, and most importantly, the “mystery” itself wrapped up.
All in all, the writing wasn’t bad, albeit a little forced at times.
I enjoy cozy mysteries, but I felt the resolution of the crime/mystery was a letdown. It felt like the “resolution” was just thrown in there to complete the story. In the last couple of chapters, in regards to the case, and in regards to Carla’s discussion about having children, the author has characters often say “ I don’t know” or “that specific information isn’t important “. I was disappointed with the way the book, and most importantly, the “mystery” itself wrapped up.
All in all, the writing wasn’t bad, albeit a little forced at times.
March 12, 2021
Carla is a widowed best- selling author who has changed genres for her latest book series. The opening chapter gives her plenty of true-life experience for her next detective novel. I thought this part was hilarious and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The two policemen we meet in the first chapter become close friends and I really warmed to them, along with Carla’s best friend and scrabble partner, Maggie, and her husband Randy.
As Carla started to fall in love, I found it a little hard to imagine that a grown woman would be content to spend hours just kissing, taking things no further. But she has her Christian beliefs and sex outside of marriage is not one of them.
It’s a gentle book and a fun read although I thought a little too much time was spent describing numerous games of Scrabble in fine detail. Not everybody likes things too spicy these days. Sadly I do, so this was rather tame for me, but this will be very enjoyable for many readers who will want to continue with Miss Write’s adventures in the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and, in return, am giving an honest review.
The two policemen we meet in the first chapter become close friends and I really warmed to them, along with Carla’s best friend and scrabble partner, Maggie, and her husband Randy.
As Carla started to fall in love, I found it a little hard to imagine that a grown woman would be content to spend hours just kissing, taking things no further. But she has her Christian beliefs and sex outside of marriage is not one of them.
It’s a gentle book and a fun read although I thought a little too much time was spent describing numerous games of Scrabble in fine detail. Not everybody likes things too spicy these days. Sadly I do, so this was rather tame for me, but this will be very enjoyable for many readers who will want to continue with Miss Write’s adventures in the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and, in return, am giving an honest review.
August 12, 2021
A delightful offering from Voracious Readers starting the story of Carla Williams, an author in San Antonio and her best friend Maggie. One of the things I love about Carla and Maggie is that they are ordinary women--not high maintenance, ultra-glamorous and model thin. Carla has written romantic novels in the past and is branching out to murder mysteries. Maggie, a long standing friend proof-reads and helps edit Carla's books. While out for lunch, Carla discusses with Maggie a plot-line she's considering and is overheard by a busybody who takes part of the conversation and runs with it. The book has a little bit of everything--mystery, attempted murder, detectives, a little romance--all adding up to the simple fact that I want to read the next one. What more can you ask? Another one for a comfy chair and your favourite drink and just read.
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