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Sparks & Joy #1

Death & Decluttering

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Joy Russo loves chaos. From her life as a busy reporter to her brawling, coffee-obsessed Italian family, there’s nothing she loves more than her messy, little life. Then the weird, slightly out-of-this-world Aurora Sparks arrives, whose life seems to revolve around creating order out of chaos.

The two of them have somehow ended up as roommates in the small Upstate New York town of Bent River, and the old adage that says “opposite attract” couldn’t be further from the truth! Sparks fly & tempers flare as each young lady tries to deal with the other’s eccentricities while not compromising their own values. Much easier said than done.

But when a man is found dead and Joy’s father is the prime suspect, the two must put aside their differences if they want to help him. They soon find that Joy’s tough, no-nonsense demeanor and Aurora’s ordered, structured nature perfectly complement each other when it comes to ferreting out clues. And thankfully so, as the danger threatens to escalate unless they can sort through the facts and solve this mystery in a hurry!

Death & Decluttering is the first cozy mystery adventure in Nancy McGovern’s new series, Sparks & Joy!

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2020

411 people are currently reading
384 people want to read

About the author

Nancy McGovern

83 books173 followers
I'm a mother, wife, homemaker, pet lover, teacher, student, reader, writer, drinker of tea & wine (depending on the time of day) and sleep-deprived dreamer. I live in Syracuse, NY, with my husband, Doug (also a writer with books available on Amazon), our three children and too many furred & feathered friends to list!

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5 stars
230 (49%)
4 stars
142 (30%)
3 stars
69 (14%)
2 stars
17 (3%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Sue Rae Buck.
345 reviews14 followers
September 5, 2020
Great story.

The first in the series by Nancy McGovern and I really enjoyed the story. A lot of different characters to keep track of but once you got into the story line it was easy to see how everyone connected. I can't wait to read her next one to find what Joy and Aurora get into .
Profile Image for JANE VAN HORN.
2,089 reviews12 followers
June 26, 2020
Excellent start

What an awesome start to what I hope to be an awesome new series by Nancy McGovern. I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Siobhan.
5,034 reviews597 followers
January 1, 2021
Death & Decluttering is the first book in Nancy McGovern’s Sparks & Joy series, and it was an entertaining start to the series. For those interested in easy mysteries, the cosy sort, this is a great introduction to the characters.

Death & Decluttering is a story that moves quickly, one that packs plenty into the pages. It is a quick read, but each element ensures you’re left desperate to see what happens next. With plenty of different theories included, the simple mystery takes you on a journey before the answers are provided. By the end, you’re curious to see what else is to come for the characters.

Without a doubt, this introduction to the Sparks & Joy series has me curious to see what comes next.
5 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2020
Excellent cozy mystery

This was well-written and entertaining. The ending was a complete surprise. It was clean and I enjoyed the cluttering tasks.
673 reviews15 followers
September 11, 2020
Aurora Sparks has quit her job and is moving to Bend River, New York. Fortunately for her, she inherited half of a house and the timing couldn't be better. Joy Russo inherited the other half of the house. Joy was both surprised and angered, as she had been certain she would inherit the entire house. Who Aurora Sparks is and how did she get Joy's maternal grandfather to leave her half of the house? Will the two women be able to work together to make the housing arrangement a success?

Joy gets a call from her mother at 3:00 AM. Her mother is at the police station, being questioned after she was found unconscious in Chip Goggins' house. Chip was the attorney who drew up the latest will. Unfortunately, he was found dead in his bedroom.
.
Who killed Chris Goggins? Why was he killed? Why did Joy's grandfather leave half of his house to a person he had never met?

It is not unusual to find the first book of a new series to be a bit slow. This is where characters are introduced, in addition to creating backgrounds and establishing relationships. Nancy McGovern does a wonderful job of this. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing clear to the end.
Profile Image for Toni.
1,568 reviews64 followers
June 30, 2020
4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Spark & Joy series by Nancy McGovern.

I picked this up on a whim from the Kindle store. I have been on a decluttering kick lately and thought it would be a fun read. Wow, was I right. This was not only fun but pretty intense for a cozy mystery. I had myself a little stress fest here and there while reading it. That shows that the characters are fully blown people who can make me feel all the feels.

This is definitely a series I want to continue with. There wasn’t as much decluttering as I would have liked but I figure more will come when new books come out.

Joy and Aurora didn’t quite see eye to eye when Joy’s grandfather left Aurora half the house Joy was currently living in. When Aurora left New York to move into her new house, Joy was not pleased and pretty perturbed that her grandfather had done this to her. There was a lot of ramped up tension in this. But there was a lot of family love and loyalty too. Just a good mix of it all.

If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!
Profile Image for David H..
2,510 reviews26 followers
October 5, 2021
This was a cozy mystery featuring two women forced to share a house between them due to an inheritance. We've got a bit of a Marie Kondo vibe from Aurora Sparks, who just moved to this small town outside of New York City, as she enters the world of Joy Russo, whose enormous family swarms the place.

It's very cute, and I found it to be easy reading, but I think I was hoping for more relevant cleaning and a better killer, to be honest.
7 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2020
Who done it?!?

Interesting and funny with an unexpected twist to the mystery- really enjoyed this book and this family! Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Jeni Neale.
2 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2020
Another great read by Nancy McGovern.

Absolutely brilliant 1st book of Nancy McGoverns new series. Loved the whole family especially Philbert. Away to read the next instalment xo
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,014 reviews11 followers
January 18, 2021
Though I enjoy cozy mysteries, they usually aren’t my favorites. However, I’ve discovered an author who won’t have any trouble gaining my interest from now on. Death & Decluttering was so much fun that I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the series.

Aurora and Joy are introduced when both find they’ve inherited 50% of Joy’s grandfather’s house. Though Joy is filled with gratitude, it doesn’t come as a complete surprise. But who is Aurora? How did she fall into line for such an inheritance?

So we’re off to a very interesting start.

Due to some unfortunate circumstances, this gifting of half a house couldn’t have come at a better time for Aurora. She’s looking forward to making new friends and moving away from the city . . . and discovering who added her to his Will, since she has no idea who the man is.

Joy, on the other hand is less than pleased to be sharing the house with a stranger. Especially since she likes things her way.

But when Joy’s dad is suspected of murder, the two girls begin to drop some of their animosity, and work together on proving Joy’s dad’s innocence.  In the process, each of the girls discover some fun traits in the other.

As I mentioned earlier, my experiences with cozy mysteries haven’t always been positive. They just didn’t meet my needs or expectations. But,  McGovern made me see a cozy mystery differently. The characters were believable and the story kept my interest!

So for those who typically do put cozy mysteries at the top of your to-be-read-books, this should make you really smile. And for those, like me, who are a bit reluctant, try this book! I think you’ll like it. 

Rating:  ☆☆☆☆

My thanks to Lola’s Blog Tours and the author for a copy of the book and the ability to post my opinion.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
August 16, 2020
Spark lived in the city. She had a argument with her boss and quit her job. Next day she's notified by a
attorney. Oh no my X-boss must be suing me. Ends up she inherited half of a house from a man she never heard of. Thinking it would be a new start she packed and headed to this little town unknown. She meets Joy the girl living in the house. They didnt seem to get along to well after talking and learning the two would share the house. Enter a ostrich with a man hanging on him- yes thats what I said. Okay now to get to the point of the story Theres a death, then a fire that almost destroyed a cafe. Seemed like bad things are happening to this family now that Spark moved in. She decided to do some investigating herself. Well everyone thought they knew who was the murderer but ends up they were all wrong. Keep your house clean you never know what you might find when you do. Good ending tho.
Profile Image for Trish Goodgame.
516 reviews5 followers
July 18, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery

I really enjoyed this story about Aurora and Joy, who inherited 50% each of Joy's grandfather's house. Aurora was a complete stranger and didn't know why half the house had been left to her until quite a way through the story. Joy was not impressed with her grandfather's will, but after initial animosity the two women gradually became more comfortable around each other, even though they are the most opposite personalities possible.
A murder occurs and somehow Joy's family seems to be involved. Many secrets are unearthed as both Joy and Aurora try to find clues to the real killer's identity. I read this in one sitting and didn't guess who the killer was until right at the end. Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries. Great characters and well written.
896 reviews3 followers
September 30, 2020
Small Town Sleuths Solvers

For Aurora, a surprising inheritance promises her a fresh start in a small town while also ensuring some inevitable curiosities, suspicions, and questions. Upon arriving at the inherited property of which she owns half, she meets current occupant, Joy, who had been caring for her dying grandfather at the residence.

Before Aurora can fully settle into her new living arrangements, she learns that the attorney, who had contacted her about the inheritance, has been shot, no less that six times. And so as accusations and motives increase, the messy secrets of this small town motivate Joy and Aurora on divergent paths of discovery that inevitably merge to reveal a long hidden truth that solves the current crime.

Comfortable, easy read that is less about gore and hype, more about puzzle piece-by-piece or clue-by-clue mystery solving.
Profile Image for Donna.
301 reviews
February 21, 2024
Good start to a new series. Joy lives in a house that she finds out half of it belongs to a stranger named Aurora. On top of her crazy family and their issues she now has to deal with living with a stranger who is the exact opposite of her. She loves her crazy, busy life as a reporter but Aurora likes things organized and planned. There couldn't be worse people to be roommates. . She can not understand why this has happened. Then someone dies and her father is the main suspect. But with Aurora's help things start turning around and they find other suspects. This book was a slow start but after a few pages I really got into it. There are so many characters with their own personalities that are very entertaining. Great writing with clear descriptions of events. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Tess Ailshire.
777 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2021
This is one of those I *almost* put down but decided it wasn't quite that bad, that it might have some redeeming value, and then that I was too close to the end. Reading all the way to the end didn't help. I found the story incoherent, and the frequent viewpoint shifts from Aurora to Joy and back nearly incomprehensible. No character but Uncle Beppe was fleshed out enough to truly seem real.

Imagine a mystery written by Marie Kondo, consistently telling you how much fun it is to clean and declutter. You've got it.

Oh, and please learn the difference between "decent" and "descent".

I did find ONE observation worth noting. Something like "One can't help the face they're born with." followed by "Yeah, but the face they're born with can help." How very true.
Profile Image for Bodies in the Library.
867 reviews6 followers
August 24, 2022
The latest APDO Book Club choice, this should have hit my sweet spot - a cozy crime with an organising bent.

Unfortunately it felt to me like it was trying a little too hard to be funny and the characters were a little too exaggerated - some of them like ostrich-riding Uncle Beppe were real caricatures.

As such, although the book achieved what it set out to do, it fell flat for me. I simply didn’t care about murder victims Lauren and Chip because they weren’t realistic enough people.

Probably one for the Agatha Raisin fans. My sense of humour just isn’t a match for the author’s, sorry.
294 reviews5 followers
August 15, 2020
WOW!😍I HOPE FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN AWESOME MYSTERY STORYLINES !

BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍😊😀😀😀 SERIOUSLY, MONEY 💰IS HARD TO HAVE FOR BUYING
PURCHASES AND I KNOW BUYING A BOOK NOW CAN BE TOUGH TO JUSTIFIABLE ! I URGE YOU TO 👀 SEE THIS BOOK ☝IS A WONDERFUL STRESS RELIEF! SO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND AUTHOR!😍RELAX WITH IT FOR A BREAK FROM ALL YOU DO AND 👌KNOW THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO FIND A STRESS RELEASE!😍 NOW GO BUY THIS SPLENDID, WELL WRITTEN CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK ☝!😍

Profile Image for Anne.
30 reviews
November 7, 2021
The latest APDO Book Club choice, this should have hit my sweet spot - a cozy crime with an organising bent.

Unfortunately it felt to me like it was trying a little too hard to be funny and the characters were a little too exaggerated - some of them like ostrich-riding Uncle Beppe were real caricatures.

As such, although the book achieved what it set out to do, it fell flat for me. I simply didn’t care about murder victims Lauren and Chip because they weren’t realistic enough people.

Probably one for the Agatha Raisin fans. My sense of humour just isn’t a match for the author’s, sorry.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,673 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2022
Fresh and well done!

This storyline is riotous, sometimes amusing, messy at times, and possesses both warmth and acceptance...kind of like a big Italian family! Aurora has no clue what her move to small town Bent River has in store beyond an arrogant, self-centered roommate named Joy. The reader ends up as engaged as Aurora and Joy in this mystery with multiple crimes, multiple levels of guilt, and even multiple sleuths with completely opposing viewpoints! This is cozy reading in the best sense, and I'm actually eager for Book Two.
47 reviews
March 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this gentle book. An easy read, mainly a murder mystery with a few lines or short paragraphs about decluttering. Not a book about decluttering as it doesn't tackle any decluttering and organising issues in depth. However, I read the whole thing without spotting the obvious pun that it's called a Sparks Joy mystery (as in Marie Kondo Sparks Joy) and the 2 main characters are called Aurora Sparks and Joy Russo. Doh! But basically, a fun bedtime read.
19 reviews
September 10, 2022
Cute start to a new series

A fun cozy mystery and start of a new series! I was surprised at the ending, something that doesn't often happen. The two main characters are as different as night and day, so you'll likely relate to one or the other. The only thing I didn't like was the dual viewpoints. I've read other books with multiple viewpoints, but I found it distracting in a cozy mystery. But that's just a personal preference! All in all, I enjoyed the book.
52 reviews
June 24, 2020
Fun read

Death &Decluttering is the 1st in a new cozy mystery series. It is a page-turner, fun and intriguing. Spark and Joy are evidence that opposites attract — and clash. This installment does a good job of filling in the backgrounds of these two characters, whom I hope will have many more adventures and mysteries to solve.
18 reviews
July 7, 2020
Italian family members can relate.

If you like cozy mysteries, if you have a bit of Italian (or Irish...like the Sullivan family) in your heritage, if you like Italian food, you'll want to read this book. I really enjoyed the two girls and the pet ostrich. Here's hoping there's another book soon.
Profile Image for Sandra Lopez.
Author 3 books348 followers
November 7, 2020
Aurora and Joy were 2 opposites that inherited a house and were now miserable roommates and essentially stuck with each other. Joy wasn’t happy that her Nonno (what?) willed her half of the house to some stranger. How odd, really.

The start is full of character intros and figuring out who’s who in the family. The whole thing was slow and not very interesting.
62 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2020
3.5 stars

This is a very light, fast reading cozy with lots of twists and turns. The main characters were a little too nasty for my taste but I loved Philbert the ostrich. While it is all tied up in the end, there were questions which should have been asked along the way that weren't. If you want a light, get away from it all book, this might be for you.
1,572 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2020
Good

For a short story this one has well rounded, fleshed out characters. It was easy to see them all as I read. I liked the bird! The plot was very well thought out and planned out so enticingly with a fast pace and new corners to see around with a surprising and good ending. So well worth reading. Loved the characters and want to read more now!
Profile Image for Catherine.
220 reviews1 follower
Read
December 3, 2020
With a family like this, you can accomplish anything.

There is nothing better than a mystery to take your mind off stressful things. A mystery with an ostridge is even better. This one was impossible for me to figure out. So it did the job of keeping my mind engaged. Thank you.
Profile Image for Terrie Stamey.
303 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2021
Death & Decluttering

Loved this story. It went round and round at first, but finally the truth came out in the end! The two girls in the story started off not liking each other, but had to live with each other in the same house. Then there was a murder to solve as well! Just loved this fantastic story!
Terrie Stamey
193 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2020
I couldn't stop reading

This was such an awesome mystery! I LOVED Philbert! ....what awesome twists and turns. I picked This book up this morning and instead of bed, 6 am comes early! I had to finish. It's 1 am! I can't wait for the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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