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Hand Lettering Mystery #1
Who Shot the Serif?
When Jamie Lang finds one of her hand lettered quotes on the window of her shop, Flourish, with a hole shot through a serif, she knows someone's trying to drive her business into red ink. Jamie confronts Earleen Culp, the ruthless owner of the local stationery shop, in front of the most popular breakfast spot in the small town of Cedar Valley. Of course, Earleen professes shock and innocence, so when she’s found dead in front of Jamie's home the next morning, Jamie becomes the prime suspect.
Jamie's one cross-stroke short of acquittal, and even her best friend has her doubts. But Jamie's not the only one in town with a motive for wanting Earleen silenced for good. To clear her name, Jamie's going to need every last drop of ink in her quill.
With the hot police chief Ridge, and her makeup artist friend Nora on her side, she’s prepared to go out with a flourish if that's what it takes to catch the real murderer. She’s desperate to save her hand lettering business, but will her quest lead her right into a killer’s snare?
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with something new, or if you're a fan of hand lettering, pen and ink art, graphic design, watercoloring, typography, calligraphy, and creative inspiration, this series is for you! Indulge your inner artist and sleuth. Welcome to Cedar Valley, a thriving tourist town and popular wedding venue. Once you slip into town, you'll want to stay and grab a cup of coffee with Jamie while she solves crimes.
Jamie's one cross-stroke short of acquittal, and even her best friend has her doubts. But Jamie's not the only one in town with a motive for wanting Earleen silenced for good. To clear her name, Jamie's going to need every last drop of ink in her quill.
With the hot police chief Ridge, and her makeup artist friend Nora on her side, she’s prepared to go out with a flourish if that's what it takes to catch the real murderer. She’s desperate to save her hand lettering business, but will her quest lead her right into a killer’s snare?
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with something new, or if you're a fan of hand lettering, pen and ink art, graphic design, watercoloring, typography, calligraphy, and creative inspiration, this series is for you! Indulge your inner artist and sleuth. Welcome to Cedar Valley, a thriving tourist town and popular wedding venue. Once you slip into town, you'll want to stay and grab a cup of coffee with Jamie while she solves crimes.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2019
214 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Daisy Robyns
8 books18 followersDaisy writes sweet, funny, warm-hearted cozy mysteries. Her characters are witty, adventurous, and crafty in the nicest way. She loves playing small town sleuth and transporting readers to a world where wine pairs with hand lettering, there's a hint of romance, and justice always prevails.
If you want to know when Daisy's next book will be available, visit her website, www.DaisyRobyns.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter.
If you want to know when Daisy's next book will be available, visit her website, www.DaisyRobyns.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 13, 2019
An appealing cozy that’s a fast, friendly read! Jamie Lang is a hand-lettering designer who owns Flourish in Cedar Valley, WA. She’s upset when someone maliciously uses one of her original numbered Serif prints for target practice and tapes it on her front door. When the stiff body of her nemesis shows up on her porch, Jamie has to choose from multiple suspects who is setting her up to take the blame for the murder. Great story!
September 1, 2019
Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer is the first book in A Hand Lettering Mystery series. Jamie Lang owns Flourish in Cedar Valley, Washington. When Jamie finds one of her hand lettered quotes on the front door of the store full of holes, she believes her rival, Earleen Culp is responsible. In desperate need of caffeine, Jamie heads to the Cedar Valley Bakery and, unfortunately, runs into Earleen which leads to a nasty encounter with numerous witnesses. The next morning Jamie steps out her front door and stumbles over Earleen dead on her “No Knockee before Coffee” welcome mat clutching another one of Jamie’s hand lettered quotes. Jamie is at the top of the suspect list and is losing customers left and right. She has no choice but to search for Earleen’s killer before Jamie ends up working in the prison sign shop. I thought Who Shot the Serif? is a lighthearted, amusing new cozy mystery. It is nicely written and progressed at a spry pace. There are interesting characters with a quaint small town full of gossips. Everyone knows everybody else’s business. There are sparks between Jamie and her longtime friend, Ridge Calhoun who is also the chief of police (and the town’s only detective). Jamie finds Ridge attractive and cannot help but admire his form. Whoever killed Earleen intends Jamie to take the fall. Since Earleen was not well liked, there are several viable suspects, misdirection plus pointed clues. Most readers will be able to solve this whodunit before the solution is exposed. I like Jamie’s unique shop, Flourish with her beautiful hand lettered quotes and other items. Who Shot the Serif? is a humorous cozy mystery with a nasty nemesis, police chief with a fine physique, rampant rumors, cancelling customers, surprising secrets and a hand lettering artist with a desperate need for coffee.
March 31, 2021
Coffee drinker fanatic Jamie is a a Hand Letterier. She came back to Seattle to open her store Flourish. Ridge a police man now and The were twins that Jamie knew when she she was younger. Rut died along time ago. Jamie and Rud were a couple. But now Jamie would like to be with Ridge. But she scared to tell him how she feels. Earleen was a high school nemesis of Jamie and her friends. She had a Stationary shop trying to run Jamie out of business. But fortunately Earleen got shot on Jamie front door on a mat that she love . Jamie and her very best friend Nora tried to be sleuths to because Jamie was a suspect. Ridge(the police man and Rud bro) was looking to find other suspects. In this book I though Jamie talked really to much. And some of the story it just went on and on. Not gonna read 2nd book
September 8, 2019
This new series has plenty of suspects but only one killer, but who could it be?
I quite enjoyed the first book in this new series, from the clever writing to the killer hiding in plain sight. Then there is Jamie's business, hand lettering, something I admire but cannot do myself. I think I should have paid more attention to my cursive in grade school!
Jamie is falsely accused of murdering her arch nemesis, Earleen. Earleen is someone everyone loved to hate and there were plenty of people that would not have minded a bit if something happened to her or she went away somewhere. Unfortunately, her death on Jamie's door puts Jamie smack dab in the middle of the case trying to clear her name and save her business. She is very methodical with her research into other possibilities but does not unearth the correct person until it is almost too late.
There is even a potential love interest, Ridge, but there is a mention of his twin brother, Rut, and that something tragic happened to him because he is dead, but no real details. I am assuming that will come in future books. At least I hope so!
We give this new series 4 paws up and can't wait to learn more hand lettering techniques.
I quite enjoyed the first book in this new series, from the clever writing to the killer hiding in plain sight. Then there is Jamie's business, hand lettering, something I admire but cannot do myself. I think I should have paid more attention to my cursive in grade school!
Jamie is falsely accused of murdering her arch nemesis, Earleen. Earleen is someone everyone loved to hate and there were plenty of people that would not have minded a bit if something happened to her or she went away somewhere. Unfortunately, her death on Jamie's door puts Jamie smack dab in the middle of the case trying to clear her name and save her business. She is very methodical with her research into other possibilities but does not unearth the correct person until it is almost too late.
There is even a potential love interest, Ridge, but there is a mention of his twin brother, Rut, and that something tragic happened to him because he is dead, but no real details. I am assuming that will come in future books. At least I hope so!
We give this new series 4 paws up and can't wait to learn more hand lettering techniques.
August 21, 2019
This is a cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I won a kindle edition of this book from a goodreads giveaway.
July 19, 2019
Author Blurb>
When Jamie Lang finds one of her hand lettered quotes on the window of her shop, Flourish, with a hole shot through a serif, she knows someone's trying to drive her business into red ink. Jamie confronts Earleen Culp, the ruthless owner of the local stationery shop, in front of the most popular breakfast spot in the small town of Cedar Valley. Of course, Earleen professes shock and innocence, so when she’s found dead in front of Jamie's home the next morning, Jamie becomes the prime suspect.
Jamie's one cross-stroke short of acquittal, and even her best friend has her doubts. But Jamie's not the only one in town with a motive for wanting Earleen silenced for good. To clear her name, Jamie's going to need every last drop of ink in her quill.
With the hot police chief Ridge, and her makeup artist friend Nora on her side, she’s prepared to go out with a flourish if that's what it takes to catch the real murderer. She’s desperate to save her hand lettering business, but will her quest lead her right into a killer’s snare?
My review 4**** (by Shoshanahlila 18 July 2019): Cozy yet twisty mystery with most of the heinous violence off-screen.
This murder mystery is set in a quaint small-town backdrop rich with believable inhabitants.The side characters are not merely cardboard cutouts but seem to have interesting lives of their own off-camera. Our main villain is written with a talent for misdirection and camouflages her own actions by appearing as just one of the not-so-perfect crowd. The victim is not spotless either. She allows the secret deeds the rest of the townspeople would rather keep hidden--for a price. The only one who seems naive is our heroine with her somewhat two dimensional thinking on the problem of being framed for murder, which makes sense because her art form is also two dimensional.
This was a slide-puzzle-like story. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out who-done-it along with Jamie and Ridge. Thanks and more please!
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Jamie Lang finds one of her hand lettered quotes on the window of her shop, Flourish, with a hole shot through a serif, she knows someone's trying to drive her business into red ink. Jamie confronts Earleen Culp, the ruthless owner of the local stationery shop, in front of the most popular breakfast spot in the small town of Cedar Valley. Of course, Earleen professes shock and innocence, so when she’s found dead in front of Jamie's home the next morning, Jamie becomes the prime suspect.
Jamie's one cross-stroke short of acquittal, and even her best friend has her doubts. But Jamie's not the only one in town with a motive for wanting Earleen silenced for good. To clear her name, Jamie's going to need every last drop of ink in her quill.
With the hot police chief Ridge, and her makeup artist friend Nora on her side, she’s prepared to go out with a flourish if that's what it takes to catch the real murderer. She’s desperate to save her hand lettering business, but will her quest lead her right into a killer’s snare?
My review 4**** (by Shoshanahlila 18 July 2019): Cozy yet twisty mystery with most of the heinous violence off-screen.
This murder mystery is set in a quaint small-town backdrop rich with believable inhabitants.The side characters are not merely cardboard cutouts but seem to have interesting lives of their own off-camera. Our main villain is written with a talent for misdirection and camouflages her own actions by appearing as just one of the not-so-perfect crowd. The victim is not spotless either. She allows the secret deeds the rest of the townspeople would rather keep hidden--for a price. The only one who seems naive is our heroine with her somewhat two dimensional thinking on the problem of being framed for murder, which makes sense because her art form is also two dimensional.
This was a slide-puzzle-like story. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out who-done-it along with Jamie and Ridge. Thanks and more please!
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2025
A cute cozy mystery featuring one of my other favorite hobbies.
September 11, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer is fabulous. The characters, setting, and knowledge of hand lettering are amazing. I enjoyed the story, but the mystery was perfectly crafted. Jessa Archer is one of my favorite new authors this year. Ms. Archer explains the title wonderfully for all of us who don't do hand lettering.
Will Jamie figure out who killed Earleen before it's too late?
Jamie Lang
Jamie is our sleuth, main character, and point of view. She owns and operates Flourish a hand lettering stationery shop in Cedar Valley Washington. Jamie is not a morning person, and she has a coffee addiction. Some might even call her a coffee snob (which she calls herself). She has a long-running rivalry with Earleen who owns Culp's Stationery. This rivalry is what puts Jamie, and her shop in the court of public opinion, well after Earleen is found shot in the head on Jamie's porch.
I like Jamie; she has lots of friends, her Aunt Opal is a kick. Jamie lives in a lovely house, loves her business, you know to not bother her early in the morning before she has had enough coffee. The only thing that Jamie needs to really deal with is Ridge. Seriously, she needs to figure out what her feelings are and discuss it with him. Otherwise, you know the clock is ticking.
Mystery
So, the mystery was super. I figured it out not because I saw the clues, but I was guessing about a few things that happened and guessed correctly. I didn't see the clues until it started to unravel for the culprit. Oh, and I so didn't see what was going to happen. Let's say that Jamie should have listened to Ridge better, maybe next time. Who am I kidding? Hopefully, there won't be the next time?
Extra
I am not the hand lettering type, so I found this part of the plot fascinating. The author even includes a practice sheet in the book. I won't show you how mine turned out, Jamie would think it was terrible.
Four Stars for Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer
I am giving Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer four stars and adding the next two books in the series to my TBR. This book is excellent, and I recommend it to all you cozy fans out there.
Other Books in Series
Will Jamie figure out who killed Earleen before it's too late?
Jamie Lang
Jamie is our sleuth, main character, and point of view. She owns and operates Flourish a hand lettering stationery shop in Cedar Valley Washington. Jamie is not a morning person, and she has a coffee addiction. Some might even call her a coffee snob (which she calls herself). She has a long-running rivalry with Earleen who owns Culp's Stationery. This rivalry is what puts Jamie, and her shop in the court of public opinion, well after Earleen is found shot in the head on Jamie's porch.
I like Jamie; she has lots of friends, her Aunt Opal is a kick. Jamie lives in a lovely house, loves her business, you know to not bother her early in the morning before she has had enough coffee. The only thing that Jamie needs to really deal with is Ridge. Seriously, she needs to figure out what her feelings are and discuss it with him. Otherwise, you know the clock is ticking.
Mystery
So, the mystery was super. I figured it out not because I saw the clues, but I was guessing about a few things that happened and guessed correctly. I didn't see the clues until it started to unravel for the culprit. Oh, and I so didn't see what was going to happen. Let's say that Jamie should have listened to Ridge better, maybe next time. Who am I kidding? Hopefully, there won't be the next time?
Extra I am not the hand lettering type, so I found this part of the plot fascinating. The author even includes a practice sheet in the book. I won't show you how mine turned out, Jamie would think it was terrible.
Four Stars for Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer
I am giving Who Shot the Serif? by Jessa Archer four stars and adding the next two books in the series to my TBR. This book is excellent, and I recommend it to all you cozy fans out there.
Other Books in Series
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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars
July 30, 2019
Jamie Lang, owner of Flourish, a hand lettering shop in Cedar Valley, WA, finds herself a suspect in a murder. Jaimie had found one of her hand lettered quotes in the shop window with a hole shot through a serif and had confronted Earleen Culp in front of witnesses, not only because she had motive as a competitor with her stationery store, but because her two young nephews had just received new BB guns recently and she had chased them out of her yard for shooting at inappropriate targets! So naturally when Earleen is found murdered in front of Jamie's home the following morning, Jamie becomes the prime suspect.
As the suspicious townspeople wonder whether Jamie might actually be guilty, it not only threatens Jamie’s business, but she realizes she needs to figure out who the actual murderer was before things get too complicated! Jamie is an excellent detective with her quick wit and sharp eye! But instead of slimming down the suspect list, it just grows larger as she finds many people who disliked the victim had had their own reasons for being relieved by her death! Working with Police Chief Ridge Calhoun and her friend Nora, can they discover the real murderer? Or will Jamie instead be putting herself in the killer’s sights?
This mystery has twists, turns and enough suspense that will keep you reading to find out who really did the deed. If you are inclined to be artsy the descriptions of Jamie’s hand lettering projects will want you to pick up a pen and create.
This was another very well-done story in this series with twists and turns to keep the reader turning those pages! The small town environment definitely gives the book that feeling of authenticity where everyone knows everyone else (and their business). Grab your copy and see how quickly you can figure out “who-dun-it”?
As the suspicious townspeople wonder whether Jamie might actually be guilty, it not only threatens Jamie’s business, but she realizes she needs to figure out who the actual murderer was before things get too complicated! Jamie is an excellent detective with her quick wit and sharp eye! But instead of slimming down the suspect list, it just grows larger as she finds many people who disliked the victim had had their own reasons for being relieved by her death! Working with Police Chief Ridge Calhoun and her friend Nora, can they discover the real murderer? Or will Jamie instead be putting herself in the killer’s sights?
This mystery has twists, turns and enough suspense that will keep you reading to find out who really did the deed. If you are inclined to be artsy the descriptions of Jamie’s hand lettering projects will want you to pick up a pen and create.
This was another very well-done story in this series with twists and turns to keep the reader turning those pages! The small town environment definitely gives the book that feeling of authenticity where everyone knows everyone else (and their business). Grab your copy and see how quickly you can figure out “who-dun-it”?
September 11, 2019
The quirky title drew me to this book, I loved the play on words for the title- Serif instead of Sheriff given that Jamie Lang does hand lettered quotes. Jamie Lang own Flourish - a shop where she creates hand lettered quotes prints etc, and she discovers one of her hand lettered quotes on the front door of the store full of holes, she believes her rival, Earleen Culp is responsible. In the local bistro later that morning she has row with Earleen which ended with Jamie basically saying to her 'if you don't stop I will stop you'. Well you can bet your bottom dollar that Earleen turned up dead after that exchange! Jamie literally stumbles over Earleens dead body on her doorstep the next morning!
There were a host of suspects that Jamie thought has killed her, but since Jamie herself was a suspect since her gun was missing and Earlnee was shot, Jamie takes it upon herself to find the killer and prove her innocence. I really enjoyed this book and the who-dunnit had me guessing all along with Jamie as she narrowed it down.
There were a host of suspects that Jamie thought has killed her, but since Jamie herself was a suspect since her gun was missing and Earlnee was shot, Jamie takes it upon herself to find the killer and prove her innocence. I really enjoyed this book and the who-dunnit had me guessing all along with Jamie as she narrowed it down.
September 10, 2019
This was a mystery that started off slowly but gradually gained momentum until the final showdown!
At first I wasn't sure about this book, but as Jamie has more coffee to kick start her day this also kick started, what started as an annoyance (Earleen trying to stop her business) gets worse with one of her limited edition hand lettered quotes shot and pinned to the door. Jamie hadn't had enough coffee when she saw Earleen and managed to get into an argument with her, that should have been the end of it, only Jamie trips over Earleen the next day, literally trips over her as she is well and truly dead on Jamie's front door step!
Now with people cancelling orders, being stopped from the Wedding Fair and people calling her a murderer Jamie needs to find out who is framing her so she can go back to framing her quotes! Having said I wasn't sure at the beginning by the end I was thinking about adding the later books to my TBR list!
At first I wasn't sure about this book, but as Jamie has more coffee to kick start her day this also kick started, what started as an annoyance (Earleen trying to stop her business) gets worse with one of her limited edition hand lettered quotes shot and pinned to the door. Jamie hadn't had enough coffee when she saw Earleen and managed to get into an argument with her, that should have been the end of it, only Jamie trips over Earleen the next day, literally trips over her as she is well and truly dead on Jamie's front door step!
Now with people cancelling orders, being stopped from the Wedding Fair and people calling her a murderer Jamie needs to find out who is framing her so she can go back to framing her quotes! Having said I wasn't sure at the beginning by the end I was thinking about adding the later books to my TBR list!
May 11, 2021
This series has had a recent rebrand - new author name - new covers - and they fit well with the concept - the MC is a hand lettering artist.
In a world of retail downturns, hand made is selling. Much to the disgust of her rival from high school days who now owns a stationery store. And they both are in love with the town police officer Ridge.
So when her rival's body is dumped on her doorstep, Jamie is suspect number 1.
888
I know the bar is not very high with cosy mysteries, but honestly...
When a character actually says 'As you know, ...' and then dumps all the info. It is literally the example they use to tell writers NOT to do that.
But I just don't connect with Jamie as a character. Does Jamers really work as a pet name? makes a face.
And I admit, this is probably just me. But I am squicked. Ridge had an identical twin, Rut. Jamie was engaged to Rut when he died, and now she is in love with Ridge and she says she always was; but he was her best friend, so she deliberately dated his twin.
blinks.
No. Just... NO. If this is where the series arc romance is going, I don't want to be reading to see it.
2 stars
In a world of retail downturns, hand made is selling. Much to the disgust of her rival from high school days who now owns a stationery store. And they both are in love with the town police officer Ridge.
So when her rival's body is dumped on her doorstep, Jamie is suspect number 1.
888
I know the bar is not very high with cosy mysteries, but honestly...
When a character actually says 'As you know, ...' and then dumps all the info. It is literally the example they use to tell writers NOT to do that.
But I just don't connect with Jamie as a character. Does Jamers really work as a pet name? makes a face.
And I admit, this is probably just me. But I am squicked. Ridge had an identical twin, Rut. Jamie was engaged to Rut when he died, and now she is in love with Ridge and she says she always was; but he was her best friend, so she deliberately dated his twin.
"Ridge was my best friend. I never wanted to blow it. I don't want to risk destroying that friendship now. That's half the reason I dated Rut instead. He was Ridge, but if things went bad…"
Robyns, Daisy. Who Shot the Serif? (Hand Lettering Mystery Book 1) (p. 162). Three Jays Press LLC. Kindle Edition.
blinks.
No. Just... NO. If this is where the series arc romance is going, I don't want to be reading to see it.
2 stars
September 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and getting to know Jamie and the rest of the characters in this little town near Seattle. Jamie happened to be best friends with both Nora and Ridge--he was the police chief of the town. It was a little hard to do any sleuthing with Ridge of course, so Jamie and Nora did some of their own after the town rumors had Jamie killing her so-called competition.
The author did a great job of making me forget about suspecting the person I wanted to suspect, which turned out to be the killer. It was kind of a surprise at the end anyway. The showdown was a good one, partially serious and partially funny. Jamie's sense of humor was great all through the book, and I liked how she wouldn't let things get to her. Once she'd sleuthed even though she knew Ridge wouldn't approve, she was honest with what she'd found out.
There was a prequel to this book that I forgot I had, so I'm going to give it a quick read then hopefully read the second book soon!
The author did a great job of making me forget about suspecting the person I wanted to suspect, which turned out to be the killer. It was kind of a surprise at the end anyway. The showdown was a good one, partially serious and partially funny. Jamie's sense of humor was great all through the book, and I liked how she wouldn't let things get to her. Once she'd sleuthed even though she knew Ridge wouldn't approve, she was honest with what she'd found out.
There was a prequel to this book that I forgot I had, so I'm going to give it a quick read then hopefully read the second book soon!
March 22, 2021
This was a fantastic book one to a cozy series.
Great bunch of characters introduced, small town rivalry drama. I'm excited to see what this cast gets itself into. The mystery spread the whole town, so it gave us a change to get to know a little bit about everyone.
I loved that Jamie communicated with the police and her friends. No once did I find myself yelling "Just tell someone!" lol Which was a great change of pace compared to the normal cozy trope of the sleuth keeping everything to herself.
The coffee obsession has me from the first page, and I loved the way the small businesses worked together. The author did her research or lives in a small town. It was hard not to get sucked into the story, and I read the whole story in one sitting. The romantic elements were fluttered throughout the cast and the drama, not just focused on the MC, making the world more realistic to the typical circle of acquaintances.
Can't wait to read the next book.
You'll love this story if you love murder mysteries, with no paranormal elements, and a MC with common sense.
Great bunch of characters introduced, small town rivalry drama. I'm excited to see what this cast gets itself into. The mystery spread the whole town, so it gave us a change to get to know a little bit about everyone.
I loved that Jamie communicated with the police and her friends. No once did I find myself yelling "Just tell someone!" lol Which was a great change of pace compared to the normal cozy trope of the sleuth keeping everything to herself.
The coffee obsession has me from the first page, and I loved the way the small businesses worked together. The author did her research or lives in a small town. It was hard not to get sucked into the story, and I read the whole story in one sitting. The romantic elements were fluttered throughout the cast and the drama, not just focused on the MC, making the world more realistic to the typical circle of acquaintances.
Can't wait to read the next book.
You'll love this story if you love murder mysteries, with no paranormal elements, and a MC with common sense.
October 17, 2021
I really hate blurbs that don't match the book. The quote didn't have "a hole shot through a serif." It had a bunch of holes shot through everything with no specific mention of one through a serif. Neither of her best friends have any doubts, but since one is the police chief he has to do his job no matter what he thinks. Even more ridiculous is that the very next paragraph states exactly that. Did the blurb writer actually read the book?
The story was decent, although given the level of detail in the plot it felt rushed. A good number of characters, most with fairly distinct personalities, but not so many that you lost track of who was who. Good use of red herrings and mistaken assumptions to distract from what was really going on, and I particularly that some of the elements of the crime were unplanned and really felt random by the time the explanations were over.
I'd definitely read more in this series.
The story was decent, although given the level of detail in the plot it felt rushed. A good number of characters, most with fairly distinct personalities, but not so many that you lost track of who was who. Good use of red herrings and mistaken assumptions to distract from what was really going on, and I particularly that some of the elements of the crime were unplanned and really felt random by the time the explanations were over.
I'd definitely read more in this series.
December 14, 2022
I think the day to day problems, the leisurely discussions and the even handed reactions in a small town made this story move in a reasonable fashion quite dissimilar from my usual high intensity murder mysteries. The flow made it easy to want to keep reading while weighing the info and, of course, looking for logic mistakes.
I haven't figured out why Jamie would think that the persons who looked in her gun hiding place could be the killer. The killer had already taken the gun and would know there is no reason to look. What did I miss? It means the opposite to me. And the other thing that I didn't like is bunch of explanation from the killer at the end similar to Murder She Wrote when Jessica says You did it and the whole story explanation and confession simply follows. Seems lazy to not write so almost everything falls into place at the end.
Other than that, the story ran nicely and was a comfortable read.
I haven't figured out why Jamie would think that the persons who looked in her gun hiding place could be the killer. The killer had already taken the gun and would know there is no reason to look. What did I miss? It means the opposite to me. And the other thing that I didn't like is bunch of explanation from the killer at the end similar to Murder She Wrote when Jessica says You did it and the whole story explanation and confession simply follows. Seems lazy to not write so almost everything falls into place at the end.
Other than that, the story ran nicely and was a comfortable read.
August 4, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
I read the prequel to this series last year and liked it enough to "continue" with book #1. I kept stumbling over that, thinking this book was #2 in the series, which may have clouded my opinion a bit. Having read the prequel, I was already familiar with the setting, many of the characters and Jamie's business, so having all of that information presented again in this book made it seem repetitive.
The mystery here was good, with quite a few suspects to consider, most with similar motives. I guessed the identity of the killer before it was revealed, mostly because . Jamie did not knowingly put herself in danger, which is something I'm seeing in more and more cozies lately, and something I appreciate.
I read the prequel to this series last year and liked it enough to "continue" with book #1. I kept stumbling over that, thinking this book was #2 in the series, which may have clouded my opinion a bit. Having read the prequel, I was already familiar with the setting, many of the characters and Jamie's business, so having all of that information presented again in this book made it seem repetitive.
The mystery here was good, with quite a few suspects to consider, most with similar motives. I guessed the identity of the killer before it was revealed, mostly because . Jamie did not knowingly put herself in danger, which is something I'm seeing in more and more cozies lately, and something I appreciate.
October 18, 2020
Excellent first book in a new series
I enjoy books where the characters could be real people. That is what you will find in Who Shot the Serif. There is a confrontation between Earleen and Jamie. Then Earleen is murdered and suspicion falls on Jamie. Of course, Jamie must find the killer in order to save her reputation and business. The plot is smooth and more characters, good and bad, are introduced along the way. Not everything about the town and people is revealed. The reader will want to know more and will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I enjoy books where the characters could be real people. That is what you will find in Who Shot the Serif. There is a confrontation between Earleen and Jamie. Then Earleen is murdered and suspicion falls on Jamie. Of course, Jamie must find the killer in order to save her reputation and business. The plot is smooth and more characters, good and bad, are introduced along the way. Not everything about the town and people is revealed. The reader will want to know more and will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 19, 2020
I love it when I can start and finish a book all in a day's time. This book was fun--a lighthearted small town murder mystery that turned out to be just the escape I needed. I enjoyed the array of characters, the clue-finding and suspect-guessing, the little hint of romance, and... well, I'll be off to buy book two now.
September 27, 2020
Jamie and Ridge
Jamie is the owner of Flourish, a hand lettering and stationary shop. Ridge is her long-time best friend and romantic interest. He was a twin and she was engaged to his brother when he died, so both have stuck with friendship rather than romance. It will be interesting to see this play out. Oh, he is also a detective, but she is also good at solving murders.
Jamie is the owner of Flourish, a hand lettering and stationary shop. Ridge is her long-time best friend and romantic interest. He was a twin and she was engaged to his brother when he died, so both have stuck with friendship rather than romance. It will be interesting to see this play out. Oh, he is also a detective, but she is also good at solving murders.
March 25, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised in reading this book. It was fun and witty, I really like the characters. It was a good storyline with enough suspects to really throw you off balance so I was not expecting “who done it”. The author is creative and a good storyteller. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!
May 11, 2020
This mystery was quite riveting. I stayed up way too late reading it. The characters are believable, the premise is different than the plethora of cozy mysteries out there, and the book itself is well-written and fast paced.
The remaining books in the series are now in my wish list.
The remaining books in the series are now in my wish list.
October 1, 2020
Who Shot the Serif...
Fantastic! Getting framed for a murder of someone that didn’t like you and you didn’t like, makes life pretty rough. Things goes to the better side and you’d never guess who the murder was found! This is a definite must read!!
Fantastic! Getting framed for a murder of someone that didn’t like you and you didn’t like, makes life pretty rough. Things goes to the better side and you’d never guess who the murder was found! This is a definite must read!!
October 6, 2020
New author for me.
Enjoyable read. A small town, where everyone knows everybody's business, has a murder. The lady, who owns the lettering shop, is blamed. She then decided, to solve the crime.
Enjoyable read. A small town, where everyone knows everybody's business, has a murder. The lady, who owns the lettering shop, is blamed. She then decided, to solve the crime.
October 13, 2020
I enjoyed this story! Engaging characters and fun story line. I got stuck in one spot where I lost a bit of interest, but completed once I picked it up again. Willing to check out another in this series.
October 28, 2020
Quick fun murder mystery with plenty of suspects. Love the setting and some great characters. The lettering idea makes this different from others I've read so nice change. Jamie was pretty smart with her investigation.
August 8, 2021
Had me guessing almost to the very end!
So I generally figure these things out pretty quickly but this one definitely had me confused (in a good way) to the very end. So nice to come upon an author who can do that and still keep you wanting to read! Totally enjoyed this book.
So I generally figure these things out pretty quickly but this one definitely had me confused (in a good way) to the very end. So nice to come upon an author who can do that and still keep you wanting to read! Totally enjoyed this book.
September 12, 2020
An extremely cute mystery
I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are very small towned theme, and the fact that they all know each other made it such a super cute read.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are very small towned theme, and the fact that they all know each other made it such a super cute read.
October 6, 2020
Cute, sweet cozy with fun and funny heroine who needs to learn to talk, REALLY talk with the Ridge.
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