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A Brooklyn Murder Mystery #2
No Memes of Escape
Amateur sleuth Odessa Dean is about to discover the only thing harder than finding her way out of an escape room is finding an affordable apartment in Brooklyn in this sequel to Killer Content.
Odessa Dean has made a home of Brooklyn. She has a fun job waiting tables at Untapped Books & Caf� and a new friend, Izzy, to explore the city with. When she's invited on a girls' day out escape room adventure, she jumps at the chance. It's all fun and games until the lights come on and they discover one of the girls bludgeoned to death...
The only possible suspects are Odessa and the four other players that were locked in the escape room with the victim. She refuses to believe that one of them is responsible for the murder, despite what the clues indicate. In between shifts at the caf�, Odessa splits her time interviewing the murder suspects, updating the bookstore's social media accounts, and searching for the impossible--an affordable apartment in Brooklyn.
But crime--and criminally high rent--waits for no woman. Can Odessa clear her and Izzy's names before the police decide they're guilty?
Odessa Dean has made a home of Brooklyn. She has a fun job waiting tables at Untapped Books & Caf� and a new friend, Izzy, to explore the city with. When she's invited on a girls' day out escape room adventure, she jumps at the chance. It's all fun and games until the lights come on and they discover one of the girls bludgeoned to death...
The only possible suspects are Odessa and the four other players that were locked in the escape room with the victim. She refuses to believe that one of them is responsible for the murder, despite what the clues indicate. In between shifts at the caf�, Odessa splits her time interviewing the murder suspects, updating the bookstore's social media accounts, and searching for the impossible--an affordable apartment in Brooklyn.
But crime--and criminally high rent--waits for no woman. Can Odessa clear her and Izzy's names before the police decide they're guilty?
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2021
19 people are currently reading
1080 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Blacke
14 books618 followersMysterious, Spooky, Cozy & Kooky
Olivia Blacke (she/her) is the Anthony Award-winning author of the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, as well as the cozy Record Shop Mysteries and the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries. She had her first ghost encounter when she was five, but wasn’t involved with an active crime scene until much later, when she accidentally stepped into a chalk outline on a Manhattan sidewalk. Armed with a Criminology degree, she channels her love of the supernatural and passion for writing into darkly humorous supernatural mysteries. She wants to be a unicorn when she grows up.
A NEW LEASE ON DEATH: https://bit.ly/ANLOD
Social media links, blog, and up-to-date news is found at: OliviaBlacke.com
Newsletter signup: http://www.oliviablacke.com/newsletter
Olivia Blacke (she/her) is the Anthony Award-winning author of the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, as well as the cozy Record Shop Mysteries and the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries. She had her first ghost encounter when she was five, but wasn’t involved with an active crime scene until much later, when she accidentally stepped into a chalk outline on a Manhattan sidewalk. Armed with a Criminology degree, she channels her love of the supernatural and passion for writing into darkly humorous supernatural mysteries. She wants to be a unicorn when she grows up.
A NEW LEASE ON DEATH: https://bit.ly/ANLOD
Social media links, blog, and up-to-date news is found at: OliviaBlacke.com
Newsletter signup: http://www.oliviablacke.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 5, 2021
I read this book to confirm that this series was not for me and boy howdy did it.
Odessa Dean is back stumbling into a crime scene and spending more time telling the reader her every waking thought than solving a mystery, and then somehow at 97% revealing a killer like she'd been diligently following up leads the entire goddamn time. It's absolutely bonkers that people are seeing these as viable mysteries.
Instead of doing literally any detective work, Odessa spends much of the book telling the reader her thoughts on important things such as: the geography of New York, ideal styles of luggage, the affordable housing crisis (AGAIN), accessibility in restaurants, the logic of manicures, craft beers, and the benefits of homemade food over purchased food. I'm convinced that Blacke thinks her readers are idiots, because she insists on explaining every little concept introduced like it's absolutely the first time the reader has been exposed to it. I don't think it's news to most folks that there are five boroughs in New York City??? These little diatribes are condescending and patronizing and I'm over it.
These books aren't inherently problematic -- if anything, they lean very hard into the "how do you do fellow kids, I too am Woke" vibe -- and clearly, they work for a lot of people. I'd mention them to someone looking for a modern cozy mystery series, but I am super done with them.
Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.
Odessa Dean is back stumbling into a crime scene and spending more time telling the reader her every waking thought than solving a mystery, and then somehow at 97% revealing a killer like she'd been diligently following up leads the entire goddamn time. It's absolutely bonkers that people are seeing these as viable mysteries.
Instead of doing literally any detective work, Odessa spends much of the book telling the reader her thoughts on important things such as: the geography of New York, ideal styles of luggage, the affordable housing crisis (AGAIN), accessibility in restaurants, the logic of manicures, craft beers, and the benefits of homemade food over purchased food. I'm convinced that Blacke thinks her readers are idiots, because she insists on explaining every little concept introduced like it's absolutely the first time the reader has been exposed to it. I don't think it's news to most folks that there are five boroughs in New York City??? These little diatribes are condescending and patronizing and I'm over it.
These books aren't inherently problematic -- if anything, they lean very hard into the "how do you do fellow kids, I too am Woke" vibe -- and clearly, they work for a lot of people. I'd mention them to someone looking for a modern cozy mystery series, but I am super done with them.
Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.
January 20, 2022
I really enjoyed the story. I know little about New York and the Bronx or Queens, and I learned some interesting stuff reading this novel. For the protagonist to only have lived there two months, she’s seen plenty, and is now involved in a second murder. The story is easy to read; flows swiftly; and I enjoyed the secondary cast at the pub/bookstore, her best friend, Izzy, and the aunt. I honestly didn’t have a clue what an escape room was and was a little worried I might not like that part of the plot, but it was fine—a mystery unto itself! I recommend this book and the previous book in this series.
October 14, 2021
I enjoyed this second visit to Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs! New York City was once my favorite vacation destination, and I enjoy vicariously visiting some of the museums and events. Seeing it through the eyes of young women who were about the same age I was the last time I went there and relished the thrill of spending a week or two there. The characters are portrayed well through their conversations and actions.
Odessa came from a very small place in Louisiana to watch her aunt’s cat and apartment for three months while Melanie explored Europe. If I had opportunity to stay that long, I’m not sure I could have left, and I fully appreciate that Odessa wants to get an apartment with friend and co-worker, Izzy, and stay in the city that doesn’t sleep. Izzy had some things come up and was staying at Aunt Melanie’s apartment with Odessa. They thought they had about six weeks left before Melanie would return, until she arrived home early due to a broken foot. And it couldn’t happen at a worse time.
Izzy and Odessa had been at a festival and won first place in the cornhole toss. Who knew they could win a trophy for it? They ran into two ladies who had been Izzy’s neighbors when in school. They and two others were going to an escape room to celebrate one of the ladies, Vickie, winning the broker of the year award. Vickie has not been one of Izzy’s favorite people, so when the group of four invited them to join them at the escape room, Izzy didn’t care to go. Odessa had never been, and was excited, and accepted for the two of them.
They didn’t solve everything they needed to before the allotted time, so the Game Master came to let them know their turn was over. He noticed that one of the ladies was missing, and they realized Vickie had stayed behind in an area just before a tunnel that had to be crawled through. The Game Master went back to find her, and when they heard a scream, Odessa and Izzy ran back. Vickie was dead, clubbed over the head with the cornhole trophy that had somehow been left behind.
With Melanie’s return, Izzy had to move out and didn’t have any place to go. Izzy is the only person of interest. Her boyfriend, the investigating detective, suggested she have an attorney the next time she would be questioned. Izzy disappeared, and even Odessa doesn’t know where she is hiding. Melanie is sending Odessa back to Louisiana on the Wednesday bus. They had to find the real whodunit and an apartment they could afford together on their minimum wage jobs so Odessa could stay.
This is a well-written cozy mystery and great sequel to Killer Content. There is excellent continuity between the two, and the writing flows well. It is a new take on the traditional locked-room mystery, especially challenging as nobody in the group seems to have a motive. At first. There is at least one healthy red herring until the big reveal. The conclusion was very satisfying with all open items neatly checked off. I highly recommend this mystery to anyone who enjoys new adult cozy mysteries, New York City, and being actively dialed in to social media.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Odessa came from a very small place in Louisiana to watch her aunt’s cat and apartment for three months while Melanie explored Europe. If I had opportunity to stay that long, I’m not sure I could have left, and I fully appreciate that Odessa wants to get an apartment with friend and co-worker, Izzy, and stay in the city that doesn’t sleep. Izzy had some things come up and was staying at Aunt Melanie’s apartment with Odessa. They thought they had about six weeks left before Melanie would return, until she arrived home early due to a broken foot. And it couldn’t happen at a worse time.
Izzy and Odessa had been at a festival and won first place in the cornhole toss. Who knew they could win a trophy for it? They ran into two ladies who had been Izzy’s neighbors when in school. They and two others were going to an escape room to celebrate one of the ladies, Vickie, winning the broker of the year award. Vickie has not been one of Izzy’s favorite people, so when the group of four invited them to join them at the escape room, Izzy didn’t care to go. Odessa had never been, and was excited, and accepted for the two of them.
They didn’t solve everything they needed to before the allotted time, so the Game Master came to let them know their turn was over. He noticed that one of the ladies was missing, and they realized Vickie had stayed behind in an area just before a tunnel that had to be crawled through. The Game Master went back to find her, and when they heard a scream, Odessa and Izzy ran back. Vickie was dead, clubbed over the head with the cornhole trophy that had somehow been left behind.
With Melanie’s return, Izzy had to move out and didn’t have any place to go. Izzy is the only person of interest. Her boyfriend, the investigating detective, suggested she have an attorney the next time she would be questioned. Izzy disappeared, and even Odessa doesn’t know where she is hiding. Melanie is sending Odessa back to Louisiana on the Wednesday bus. They had to find the real whodunit and an apartment they could afford together on their minimum wage jobs so Odessa could stay.
This is a well-written cozy mystery and great sequel to Killer Content. There is excellent continuity between the two, and the writing flows well. It is a new take on the traditional locked-room mystery, especially challenging as nobody in the group seems to have a motive. At first. There is at least one healthy red herring until the big reveal. The conclusion was very satisfying with all open items neatly checked off. I highly recommend this mystery to anyone who enjoys new adult cozy mysteries, New York City, and being actively dialed in to social media.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
September 7, 2021
After reading the first in Blacke's series, KILLER CONTENT https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I was absolutely hooked! The characters and setting just spoke to my heart, a waitress in a pub + bookstore? in NY? How could I not fall for it?! So when I was gifted an advance reader's copy of the upcoming book 2 I was beyond thrilled!
NO MEMES OF ESCAPE did NOT disappoint, this past year I have just adored cozies and how they leave me feeling a bit warm and fuzzy! This book instantly felt like I was wrapped up in a story about some old friends, immediately making me remember how much I adored Odessa, Izzy and their friends and co-workers!
Olivia was a must read author for me after her debut, and I cannot wait for more readers to enjoy this series with book 2's release! I'll be sharing my thoughts in my full review on my blog for the book tour with Berkley Publishing on 10/5, I gave this one 4.5 stars, just a fantastic second book!
NO MEMES OF ESCAPE did NOT disappoint, this past year I have just adored cozies and how they leave me feeling a bit warm and fuzzy! This book instantly felt like I was wrapped up in a story about some old friends, immediately making me remember how much I adored Odessa, Izzy and their friends and co-workers!
Olivia was a must read author for me after her debut, and I cannot wait for more readers to enjoy this series with book 2's release! I'll be sharing my thoughts in my full review on my blog for the book tour with Berkley Publishing on 10/5, I gave this one 4.5 stars, just a fantastic second book!
November 21, 2021
I was expecting there to be memes.
Also, a 23 year old is not a millennial.
The book was fine, but I was expecting it to be funny. Instead, it's like the literary equivalent of a Hallmark movie. Definitely a cozy mystery, wrapped up in a bunch of hipster references to try to feel young and hip.
Anyways, if you like cozy mysteries, it's fine, but not as funny as the title makes it sound.
Lastly, each chapter starts with a social media post, but the hastags are all lower case which is harder to read. #CamelCaseIsMoreAccessible #CapitalizeEachWordSoPeopleCanReadIt
Also, a 23 year old is not a millennial.
The book was fine, but I was expecting it to be funny. Instead, it's like the literary equivalent of a Hallmark movie. Definitely a cozy mystery, wrapped up in a bunch of hipster references to try to feel young and hip.
Anyways, if you like cozy mysteries, it's fine, but not as funny as the title makes it sound.
Lastly, each chapter starts with a social media post, but the hastags are all lower case which is harder to read. #CamelCaseIsMoreAccessible #CapitalizeEachWordSoPeopleCanReadIt
April 16, 2022
I think anyone who is from NYC will not like this book. As someone from NYC and who has lived in Brooklyn all my life, I found this book so annoying to read, it felt so touristy. It was also just repetitive and badly written, I feel like I wrote similarly styled stories in middle school. It was overall just boring and I did not like how NYC was portrayed in it.
November 14, 2021
NO MEMES OF ESCAP
Olivia Blacke
Well, alrighty then. So I have a new genre here, chatty-girl-type mysteries. That is what I thought while I was reading it.. or we could call it Airhead-type mysteries, either one would do here.
This is a super light and breezy read and I really didn't mind the chatty girl thing, I just took it for what it is. The main character Odessa Dean from the swamps of Louisiana arrived in NYC and of course, ends up embroiled in a murder mystery. Odessa is a hot mess with a Cal/Lousiana way of speaking. She is waiting tables at the Untapped Books and Cafe when her aunt comes home early from her trip.
Meanwhile, Odessa and some new friends end up in an escape room, but when one of the girls ends up dead, the investigation is on. Blacke spends a great deal of time recounting social issues such as high rent, and housing shortages were a hot topic in the book. It was woven in the story as a major part, but still brightly noted.
The read was 3 stars, which means that it was an average enjoyable read, nothing spectacular, but ok. So if this new genre is up your alley you might love this one.
3 stars
Happy Reading1
Olivia Blacke
Well, alrighty then. So I have a new genre here, chatty-girl-type mysteries. That is what I thought while I was reading it.. or we could call it Airhead-type mysteries, either one would do here.
This is a super light and breezy read and I really didn't mind the chatty girl thing, I just took it for what it is. The main character Odessa Dean from the swamps of Louisiana arrived in NYC and of course, ends up embroiled in a murder mystery. Odessa is a hot mess with a Cal/Lousiana way of speaking. She is waiting tables at the Untapped Books and Cafe when her aunt comes home early from her trip.
Meanwhile, Odessa and some new friends end up in an escape room, but when one of the girls ends up dead, the investigation is on. Blacke spends a great deal of time recounting social issues such as high rent, and housing shortages were a hot topic in the book. It was woven in the story as a major part, but still brightly noted.
The read was 3 stars, which means that it was an average enjoyable read, nothing spectacular, but ok. So if this new genre is up your alley you might love this one.
3 stars
Happy Reading1
June 21, 2021
NO MEMES OF ESCAPE by Olivia Blacke is a mystery you won't want to escape from! Odessa Dean is back in NYC in this follow up novel to Blacke's debut, KILLER CONTENT, and this mystery is just as twisty, thrilling, and charming as the first. When Odessa's first experience with an escape room party goes wrong, leaving one of the participant's dead, Odessa feels compelled to investigate after the finger of blame seems to be pointed right at her bestie, Izzy. I want Izzy to be my best friend. I'd do anything to try and protect her too. The writing is fresh and fun. NO MEMES OF ESCAPE is a delightfully youthful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Preorder and read this one.
October 11, 2021
This series is clearly meant for people that have never stepped foot in NYC as 80% of the story is biased exposition about various spots or quirks within the city. Also, the explanation of the NYC rental process is highly inaccurate and felt more like a scare tactic (look how tough I am for conquering NY and finding an apartment) than anything else.
Odessa is just not a believable character with her one pair of shoes and her indifference to sexual attraction to any gender. I wanted to stop every time she repeated the phrase "Just Ducky."
I gave this series 2 tries and it is not my cup of tea.
Odessa is just not a believable character with her one pair of shoes and her indifference to sexual attraction to any gender. I wanted to stop every time she repeated the phrase "Just Ducky."
I gave this series 2 tries and it is not my cup of tea.
August 10, 2022
The plot lacks agency. The majority of the story follows Odessa around the city rather than doing any kind of actual research on the literal murder she is implicated in. If you flip to a random page, she's probably at work with at least 15 other named characters for some reason.
The writing is also criminally Millennial. The language in the story attempts to relate to a younger audience, but falls flat. It feels like it was published in 2013, not 2021.
This would be a good read for someone who's not actually looking for a murder mystery, but a young adult novel about a young woman trying to find housing in NYC.
The writing is also criminally Millennial. The language in the story attempts to relate to a younger audience, but falls flat. It feels like it was published in 2013, not 2021.
This would be a good read for someone who's not actually looking for a murder mystery, but a young adult novel about a young woman trying to find housing in NYC.
October 26, 2021
Odessa is such a breath of fresh air in Brooklyn: she’s still Southern in manners and charm and is constantly discovering something new to try. I loved the references to craft beer and good food and escape room as the stage for the murder was an added bonus. The mystery itself was good but was overshadowed by Odessa’s life in Brooklyn but it worked well in the story. I can’t wait for the next!
September 3, 2021
A clever cozy that provided a fun escape with its puzzling mystery, urban setting, and charming main character. The social media epitaphs at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch, and loved the resolution of Odessa's search for an apartment!
October 20, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/n...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
No Memes of Escape is a solid second offering in this series that appeals to a new generation of cozy mystery lovers. We get to know Odessa, her new friend Izzy, and their co-workers better. We follow them through Brooklyn and other boroughs of New York City as they attempt to solve a new murder despite Odessa’s protests that the first solve was a fluke. The characters are defined well as fitting their roles, and friendships forged with co-workers are sturdy and caring. The mystery itself is quite the challenge to solve.
Odessa came to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn to watch Aunt Melanie’s apartment and cat Rufus while she is on a 3-month tour of Europe. It is six weeks into Odessa’s Brooklyn stay, and she realizes that she does not want to return to Piney Island, Louisiana. She wants to find an apartment she and Izzy can share and stay in the most fascinating city she could imagine. Odessa has been working at Untapped Books and Café, within walking distance of where she is staying, and Izzy ended up staying at her aunt’s place with her.
The girls get invited to an escape room adventure when they run into a couple of Izzy’s high school acquaintances. Reservations have been made and paid for by six women, and at the last minute, two were unable to attend. Odessa has never been to an escape room, was excited by the idea of it, and accepted. These were not Izzy’s first choice of people to spend the afternoon with, but since the tickets were already paid for, she agreed to go.
The original group was celebrating Vickie being named the top condo and apartment broker of the year. Marlie, an older broker from the same office, was with them. Marlie had been deemed second best. The six ladies had one hour to get through the clues and find their way out of the escape room suite. Vickie stayed behind in the library while the other five forged ahead through a tunnel to the next room. Their hour was up before they found their way out, and the young man overseeing their departure noticed that one person was missing. Vickie was dead in the library where she had chosen to remain, having been bludgeoned by something that Izzy and Odessa had with them from earlier that day.
When statements were taken and evidence collected, Detective Vince Castillo is unhappy with the results. Izzy, who the detective has been dating for a few weeks, is the only suspect. Only her fingerprints and Odessa’s are identified on the object used to kill Vickie. Izzy and Vickie were enemies from years past. Amid the high-stress day, Aunt Melanie returned early from Europe with a fractured foot. Izzy has nowhere to go, and Odessa’s aunt will purchase her bus ticket back to Piney Island. They have three days to find an apartment and get Izzy off the suspect list.
I like the intelligence and resourcefulness of Odessa and Izzy. They are kind, caring and get along well with co-workers and customers. This is not a slight against food service workers as their work is valuable! The lack of ambition beyond being a waitress or cashier in a cafe was surprising for new adults desiring a lifestyle requiring a more substantial income to pay rent, even if it means working in higher-end restaurants.
This mystery had me stumped! There was little possibility of other suspects who met evidence, motive, and opportunity. The author’s writing flows well and describes the place that I used to love to visit. I am looking forward to their next adventure and seeing more of today’s Brooklyn! The resolution was excellent, and all loose ends tied up. Overall I enjoyed this cozy, and highly recommend it!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
No Memes of Escape is a solid second offering in this series that appeals to a new generation of cozy mystery lovers. We get to know Odessa, her new friend Izzy, and their co-workers better. We follow them through Brooklyn and other boroughs of New York City as they attempt to solve a new murder despite Odessa’s protests that the first solve was a fluke. The characters are defined well as fitting their roles, and friendships forged with co-workers are sturdy and caring. The mystery itself is quite the challenge to solve.
Odessa came to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn to watch Aunt Melanie’s apartment and cat Rufus while she is on a 3-month tour of Europe. It is six weeks into Odessa’s Brooklyn stay, and she realizes that she does not want to return to Piney Island, Louisiana. She wants to find an apartment she and Izzy can share and stay in the most fascinating city she could imagine. Odessa has been working at Untapped Books and Café, within walking distance of where she is staying, and Izzy ended up staying at her aunt’s place with her.
The girls get invited to an escape room adventure when they run into a couple of Izzy’s high school acquaintances. Reservations have been made and paid for by six women, and at the last minute, two were unable to attend. Odessa has never been to an escape room, was excited by the idea of it, and accepted. These were not Izzy’s first choice of people to spend the afternoon with, but since the tickets were already paid for, she agreed to go.
The original group was celebrating Vickie being named the top condo and apartment broker of the year. Marlie, an older broker from the same office, was with them. Marlie had been deemed second best. The six ladies had one hour to get through the clues and find their way out of the escape room suite. Vickie stayed behind in the library while the other five forged ahead through a tunnel to the next room. Their hour was up before they found their way out, and the young man overseeing their departure noticed that one person was missing. Vickie was dead in the library where she had chosen to remain, having been bludgeoned by something that Izzy and Odessa had with them from earlier that day.
When statements were taken and evidence collected, Detective Vince Castillo is unhappy with the results. Izzy, who the detective has been dating for a few weeks, is the only suspect. Only her fingerprints and Odessa’s are identified on the object used to kill Vickie. Izzy and Vickie were enemies from years past. Amid the high-stress day, Aunt Melanie returned early from Europe with a fractured foot. Izzy has nowhere to go, and Odessa’s aunt will purchase her bus ticket back to Piney Island. They have three days to find an apartment and get Izzy off the suspect list.
I like the intelligence and resourcefulness of Odessa and Izzy. They are kind, caring and get along well with co-workers and customers. This is not a slight against food service workers as their work is valuable! The lack of ambition beyond being a waitress or cashier in a cafe was surprising for new adults desiring a lifestyle requiring a more substantial income to pay rent, even if it means working in higher-end restaurants.
This mystery had me stumped! There was little possibility of other suspects who met evidence, motive, and opportunity. The author’s writing flows well and describes the place that I used to love to visit. I am looking forward to their next adventure and seeing more of today’s Brooklyn! The resolution was excellent, and all loose ends tied up. Overall I enjoyed this cozy, and highly recommend it!
September 29, 2021
A cozy mystery series that’s a little different. No small town bakeries and love triangles for this city-dwelling sleuth! Odessa is a a small-town transplant, living in Brooklyn while she apartment-sits for her aunt while she travels, and making money waitressing and the hipsteriest of hipstery bookstore and cafes that also serves beer. When Odessa and her roommate/friend/coworker participate in an escape room and one of them ends up dead, Odessa begins to investigate!
I think this series is a fun change of pace from typical cozies, and a young single waitress trying to make it in the big city is always nice to hear about. At times, the book drags, and this mystery seemed much easier to predict than the first in the series, but it was overall a fun read.
Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars - 8/10
I think this series is a fun change of pace from typical cozies, and a young single waitress trying to make it in the big city is always nice to hear about. At times, the book drags, and this mystery seemed much easier to predict than the first in the series, but it was overall a fun read.
Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars - 8/10
October 18, 2021
3.5
This is a fun, hipsterish cozy mystery featuring Odessa Dean, a small town Louisianna transplant living in Brooklyn and working at a Craft beer slash book store (seriously, she's living the dream!). But when a girl turns up dead during an Escape room adventure gone wrong, it's up to Odessa to help prove her friend's innocence. As in the first book, the use of technology and social media apps are key to helping solve this murder mystery. These books are a fun, modern take on the traditional cozy mystery genre and I really enjoy them, especially on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy!
This is a fun, hipsterish cozy mystery featuring Odessa Dean, a small town Louisianna transplant living in Brooklyn and working at a Craft beer slash book store (seriously, she's living the dream!). But when a girl turns up dead during an Escape room adventure gone wrong, it's up to Odessa to help prove her friend's innocence. As in the first book, the use of technology and social media apps are key to helping solve this murder mystery. These books are a fun, modern take on the traditional cozy mystery genre and I really enjoy them, especially on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy!
February 13, 2022
No Memes of Escape is another great book in the Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Killer Content, and am happy to report that there was no sophomore slump with the second book in the series.
I thought that having the murder occur while in an escape room was a really unique, fun idea and it was fascinating following along as Odessa tried to figure out who the killer was. I adore the setting of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and love the characters in this series. Im excited to see what happens in the next book. This is a really fun series that I hope continues for a long time.
I thought that having the murder occur while in an escape room was a really unique, fun idea and it was fascinating following along as Odessa tried to figure out who the killer was. I adore the setting of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and love the characters in this series. Im excited to see what happens in the next book. This is a really fun series that I hope continues for a long time.
August 17, 2022
this is a perfect four star book
it wasn’t mind blowing, nothing spectacular happened but it was good! i had a nice time reading and odessa was great to read from. all the tweets before each chapter were so smart and funny and the main character had a good dynamic with everyone. nothing was scary despite it being a MURDER mystery and it made me feel cool
happy endings are nice!
i will say some of the small character / plot details were repeated a lot and no one was as freaked out about the murder and a real person would be?? like everyone was like “oh well🫤 she lowkey had it coming” OKAY SURE BUT YOU WERE THEREEE!! YOU WERE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED?? she’s still DEAD?? lol
it wasn’t mind blowing, nothing spectacular happened but it was good! i had a nice time reading and odessa was great to read from. all the tweets before each chapter were so smart and funny and the main character had a good dynamic with everyone. nothing was scary despite it being a MURDER mystery and it made me feel cool
happy endings are nice!
i will say some of the small character / plot details were repeated a lot and no one was as freaked out about the murder and a real person would be?? like everyone was like “oh well🫤 she lowkey had it coming” OKAY SURE BUT YOU WERE THEREEE!! YOU WERE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED?? she’s still DEAD?? lol
September 22, 2021
I was so excited to return to the world of Odessa Dean! Our intrepid heroine finds herself once more embroiled in a murder mystery, and as in Killer Content, Blacke deftly throws out red herrings and curveballs to keep the reader wondering who the killer could possibly be. I loved the fresh take on the cozy genre, I loved the humour, and I adored the wonderful, engaging cast of characters. Odessa is an absolute delight. This book sparkles, and I'm looking forward to more from Olivia Blacke!
February 7, 2023
An equally cute sequel to the first book, Killer Content! I adore Odessa and all the cast of characters. I hope there will be more in the series!
December 30, 2021
A little too happily ever after. I kind of saw the ending coming. But it was still a cute book. I think this truly shows what it's like to have New York as a separate character. It was very well written but wasn't fully right for me.
November 3, 2021
Odessa is staying at her aunt’s apt in New York while her aunt is away. She goes with some other people to an escape room. One of the group is found dead. Odessa’s friend is blamed so Odessa wants to prove her innocent. She also has to find a way to stay in New York when her aunt comes home early.
December 23, 2021
I don’t care that the culprit was a but random because this was SOOOOO cute. I am loving the more modern cozies so much and Odessa is a blast.
November 11, 2021
I was so excited that @oliviablackauthor wrote a second book in her Brooklyn cozy mystery series. No Memes of Escape was such a fun read!
Our favorite city sleuth, Odessa is back at working at Untapped Books and Cafe when her friend Izzy gets invited to a night at an escape room and Odessa tags along. It’s a fun time until the end when they discover they are down one person and she’s… dead! The only people that could have done it are in the room together. Odessa knows it’s not her or Izzy so they need to solve the mystery!
I just love this series so much. I truly hope there’s a 3rd book in the series. Odessa is such a spunky character and she doesn’t really let anyone or anything bother her (except she won’t rent an apartment where a huge murder took place!) We get to meet her eccentric aunt Melanie in this book. I loved Odessa’s struggle with finances which felt very true to the story. I also enjoy her love of the city and her fish out of water experiences!
Thank you so much to @berkleypub, @netgalley and the author for my ARC. No Memes of Escape is on sale now!
Our favorite city sleuth, Odessa is back at working at Untapped Books and Cafe when her friend Izzy gets invited to a night at an escape room and Odessa tags along. It’s a fun time until the end when they discover they are down one person and she’s… dead! The only people that could have done it are in the room together. Odessa knows it’s not her or Izzy so they need to solve the mystery!
I just love this series so much. I truly hope there’s a 3rd book in the series. Odessa is such a spunky character and she doesn’t really let anyone or anything bother her (except she won’t rent an apartment where a huge murder took place!) We get to meet her eccentric aunt Melanie in this book. I loved Odessa’s struggle with finances which felt very true to the story. I also enjoy her love of the city and her fish out of water experiences!
Thank you so much to @berkleypub, @netgalley and the author for my ARC. No Memes of Escape is on sale now!
November 6, 2021
Another fun adventure with Odessa Dean! I like this series because it does a good job capturing a sense of place where the reader really does get a feel for Brooklyn. Untapped Books & Cafe sounds like a fun shop but I would like to hear more about the book side of things. The mystery element was ok so hopefully it's a bit more compelling in the next instalment.
July 17, 2022
The first thing that made me cringe about this book were the hashtags at the beginning of each chapter. BUT if I ignored those, the story was okay. I actually think this book would be more enjoyable if the random themes of memes didn’t keep being forced into the story. Overall though, it was an easy read to discover the mystery and to meet a range of characters. I didn’t love the mystery resolution, but it fit with the cost murder mystery genre!
February 13, 2022
This book feels a decade old. There are a thousand outdated references to millennial hipsters; 23 year olds now are gen z, not millennials, and nothing felt current or relevant. It was hard for me to root for the main character because she was painfully naïve and foolish. And the mystery was not really a mystery at all. Disappointing read.
December 29, 2021
Literally 300 pages of nothing relevant to the murder only for the killer to confess at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
DNF. Boring. Annoying. Bad narration
January 5, 2024
OBVIOUS KILLER
The mystery solving doesn’t start until the near end????????
The mystery solving doesn’t start until the near end????????
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2021
No Memes of Escape is book two in A Brooklyn Murder Mystery series. This cozy mystery follows Odessa, a small-town girl, as she navigates Brooklyn while apartment sitting for her aunt. She works at what sounds like the coolest bookstore and cafe as a waitress. This time around we see Odessa and her co-worker and friend turned roommate Izzy go on an escape room adventure with some of Izzy's childhood friends. When someone winds up dead in the escape room, Odessa decides to investigate to help clear Izzy's name.
This was a fairly quaint and cozy mystery. I enjoyed seeing what it was like for Odessa to transition to big city living and the financial struggle felt very real and relatable. I did find this mystery a little easier to figure out and the ending seemed a little too coincidental to me. I felt as though the focus of this book was less on the mystery and more on Odessa trying to stay in New York when her aunt came back. As such, I wanted a little more investigating.
I was incredibly frustrated with Izzy during this book. She is not always a good friend to Odessa. In fact, when Izzy . I loved Parker's food creations as always and am excited to see more of him in the next book.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fairly quaint and cozy mystery. I enjoyed seeing what it was like for Odessa to transition to big city living and the financial struggle felt very real and relatable. I did find this mystery a little easier to figure out and the ending seemed a little too coincidental to me. I felt as though the focus of this book was less on the mystery and more on Odessa trying to stay in New York when her aunt came back. As such, I wanted a little more investigating.
I was incredibly frustrated with Izzy during this book. She is not always a good friend to Odessa. In fact, when Izzy . I loved Parker's food creations as always and am excited to see more of him in the next book.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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