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Mitten State Mystery #1
Meet Isabel Puddles
To the tourists and summer residents, Kentwater County is a picturesque community of small-town charm, fruitful farmland, and gorgeous freshwater beaches. To middle-aged widow Isabel Puddles, it’s where she enjoys breakfast every morning at a local cafe with her childhood best friend and spends her evenings cozying up with a good book and her devoted Jack Terrier, Jackpot. In between, Isabel makes ends meet through a variety of trades—preserving pickles, backing pies, working the counter at her cousin’s hardware shop, and occasionally helping “fix-up” the hair of corpses at the local funeral parlor.
When Isabel discovers a two-inch nail embedded in the skull of Earl Jonasson, it seems the octogenarian may not have died of a stroke. His son is quickly arrested when his alibi doesn’t check out. But Isabel has known Earl Jr. since they were kids and can’t believe he’d murder his own father, regardless of his financial difficulties. As gossip about Earl Sr.’s land and insurance policy money starts to spread around the county, Isabel finds herself conducting her own investigation to clear her friend’s name. But real detective work isn’t like what she sees on TV, and she’s meeting dangerous suspects who don’t like Isabel poking around in their business…
When Isabel discovers a two-inch nail embedded in the skull of Earl Jonasson, it seems the octogenarian may not have died of a stroke. His son is quickly arrested when his alibi doesn’t check out. But Isabel has known Earl Jr. since they were kids and can’t believe he’d murder his own father, regardless of his financial difficulties. As gossip about Earl Sr.’s land and insurance policy money starts to spread around the county, Isabel finds herself conducting her own investigation to clear her friend’s name. But real detective work isn’t like what she sees on TV, and she’s meeting dangerous suspects who don’t like Isabel poking around in their business…
330 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 30, 2021
Meet Isabel Puddles and Isabel Puddles Investigates by M.V. Byrne are the first and second book respectively of the cozy Mitten State Mystery series. As with most cozy mysteries each book of the Mitten State Mystery series does contain it’s own mystery that will be solved so they can be read as a standalone of in any order if choosing to do so. There is however character development that carries over book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.
Isabel Puddles is a widow and the mother of two grown children living in Gull Harbor, Michigan. Isabel supports herself by doing all kinds of odd jobs and considers herself a jack of all trades. Most notably of late this avid mystery fan has taken a job in the local funeral parlor doing up the hair of the corpses. This is where Isabel finds a nail in the head of the departed, Earl Jonasson, and opens up a murder case.
Then in the second book Isabel decides that after her first dive into the deep waters of solving a murder to add to her resume once again and got herself a P.I. license. Isabel however still works her other odd jobs and as she’s helping out at her cousin’s hardware shop a new client walks in. Soon Isabel is hired by the extravagant recluse, Abigail Bachmeier, when her nephew disappeared and she tasks Isabel with finding another missing relative.
Meet Isabel Puddles and Isabel Puddles Investigates by M.V. Byrne were both cozy mysteries that fell right into the this was alright pile but not ones that really grabbed me. Both books had a slower pace to them which would be fine if full of the laughs I love but those were fewer than I’d like too. The second book even felt as if completely starting over again with the series instead of just being peppered with reminders here and there. Overall these are in the not bad but not ones I fell in love with leaving them at three stars each.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Isabel Puddles is a widow and the mother of two grown children living in Gull Harbor, Michigan. Isabel supports herself by doing all kinds of odd jobs and considers herself a jack of all trades. Most notably of late this avid mystery fan has taken a job in the local funeral parlor doing up the hair of the corpses. This is where Isabel finds a nail in the head of the departed, Earl Jonasson, and opens up a murder case.
Then in the second book Isabel decides that after her first dive into the deep waters of solving a murder to add to her resume once again and got herself a P.I. license. Isabel however still works her other odd jobs and as she’s helping out at her cousin’s hardware shop a new client walks in. Soon Isabel is hired by the extravagant recluse, Abigail Bachmeier, when her nephew disappeared and she tasks Isabel with finding another missing relative.
Meet Isabel Puddles and Isabel Puddles Investigates by M.V. Byrne were both cozy mysteries that fell right into the this was alright pile but not ones that really grabbed me. Both books had a slower pace to them which would be fine if full of the laughs I love but those were fewer than I’d like too. The second book even felt as if completely starting over again with the series instead of just being peppered with reminders here and there. Overall these are in the not bad but not ones I fell in love with leaving them at three stars each.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 4, 2023
If you like cozy mysteries and want one with a little more depth, M.V. Byrne and the Isabel Puddle series, is one that you will want to check out. Readers are introduced to a new sleuth named Isabel Puddles, a widower, the all around normal woman who will probably remind you of someone you know (as Isabel reminded me of my own grandmother). She carries around what I would believe the female version of MacGyver would carry, in a purse. She has "side hustles" like her own pickling company, knitted materials she produces and sells, along with a pie making company. And, whenever a person she knows and cares about is in trouble, Isabel Puddles is right in the middle of the situation, even if she has to go out and solve the mystery or problem herself.
When Isabel picks up one more side hustle, helping to prepare a corpse for a friend who owns a mortuary, she discovers the murder of Earl Sr. was missed, when she finds a nail deep in his skull from a gun. When the police arrest the wrong person for the crime (Earl Jr.), Isabel is determined to right the wrong of the police and prosecutors, even if she has to do it all herself (Isabel is used to solving problems herself as no one around her can seem to). And for some reason, Isabel has a feeling that Tammy Trudlow, one of the worst (if not the worst) woman she has ever known, has something to do with the murder. Tammy is, after all, in and out of jail and "the scum" of the community.
When Isabel's newly adopted dog, Corky, attacks the man who comes out to fix her porch stairs, since it is behavior unlike any the dog has ever exhibited in his long life, Isabel is puzzled (by this piece of the puzzle). And, when she finds out Corky's victim is the brother of Tammy Trudlow, the mystery only deepens. It only further goes to serve the thought Isabel has that Tammy is up to something. Since Tammy is such a bad person Isabel knows that the woman will do anything to get what she wants. After all, when the murder of Earl Sr. occurred, Tammy was in jail. Isabel has to find out why Tammy would want Earl Sr. dead, what Tammy's ultimate goal is. Isabel knows the crime will only be solved if she figures that out and, if she does not, Earl Jr. may end up in jail permanently, his four children without their only parent for a crime he didn't commit.
M.V. Burne has created the wonderful world of Isabel Puddles, who lives in a small town, with great friends and family, on the property she lived at with her own parents and then, with her husband, raising children of her own. It really is a charming set up for a great cozy series. Though Isabel's life can be hard at times, as a widower having to pay bills, she is very active and productive, constantly involved in something. And the inclusion of a character with such an active life only helps to increase the attachment a reader comes to find she has with the character. I believe I was about a third of the way into the book when I realized that Isabel Puddles had captured me, not just as a reader, but as a person who genuinely liked the person she was reading about. I felt as though M.V. Byrne had pulled me into the book, with the attachment I came to find I had with the main character. This only helped to further bind me to the writer, the series, Isabel Puddles, as I immediately set out to read the second book after the first, not wanting to loose out on the new friend I felt I had made.
I'd like to thank the writer for introducing me to Isabel and her world and encourage others to read the book as I feel they will find and feel the same!
When Isabel picks up one more side hustle, helping to prepare a corpse for a friend who owns a mortuary, she discovers the murder of Earl Sr. was missed, when she finds a nail deep in his skull from a gun. When the police arrest the wrong person for the crime (Earl Jr.), Isabel is determined to right the wrong of the police and prosecutors, even if she has to do it all herself (Isabel is used to solving problems herself as no one around her can seem to). And for some reason, Isabel has a feeling that Tammy Trudlow, one of the worst (if not the worst) woman she has ever known, has something to do with the murder. Tammy is, after all, in and out of jail and "the scum" of the community.
When Isabel's newly adopted dog, Corky, attacks the man who comes out to fix her porch stairs, since it is behavior unlike any the dog has ever exhibited in his long life, Isabel is puzzled (by this piece of the puzzle). And, when she finds out Corky's victim is the brother of Tammy Trudlow, the mystery only deepens. It only further goes to serve the thought Isabel has that Tammy is up to something. Since Tammy is such a bad person Isabel knows that the woman will do anything to get what she wants. After all, when the murder of Earl Sr. occurred, Tammy was in jail. Isabel has to find out why Tammy would want Earl Sr. dead, what Tammy's ultimate goal is. Isabel knows the crime will only be solved if she figures that out and, if she does not, Earl Jr. may end up in jail permanently, his four children without their only parent for a crime he didn't commit.
M.V. Burne has created the wonderful world of Isabel Puddles, who lives in a small town, with great friends and family, on the property she lived at with her own parents and then, with her husband, raising children of her own. It really is a charming set up for a great cozy series. Though Isabel's life can be hard at times, as a widower having to pay bills, she is very active and productive, constantly involved in something. And the inclusion of a character with such an active life only helps to increase the attachment a reader comes to find she has with the character. I believe I was about a third of the way into the book when I realized that Isabel Puddles had captured me, not just as a reader, but as a person who genuinely liked the person she was reading about. I felt as though M.V. Byrne had pulled me into the book, with the attachment I came to find I had with the main character. This only helped to further bind me to the writer, the series, Isabel Puddles, as I immediately set out to read the second book after the first, not wanting to loose out on the new friend I felt I had made.
I'd like to thank the writer for introducing me to Isabel and her world and encourage others to read the book as I feel they will find and feel the same!
December 10, 2020
There was so much rambling dialogue to this book that I could not get very far into it. It just wasn’t the book for me.
March 22, 2021
I'm always looking for new cozy mysteries for the many library readers who inhale them. As a result, I've met Isabel Puddles and really can't recommend the experience:
* She's so perfect she's dull. Her pies are the best. Her pickles are the best. Her advice is the best. She's everybody's best friend / employee / relative / neighbor, depending on how they know her. She is the anti-antihero. 1950s/60s-vintage Superman had more depth and was so deadly dull that DC Comics came up with Evil Superman just to add a little zing. Zing is missing here. Humor. Charm. Isabel's one character flaw is constantly judging other people by how well they fit into her Pleasantville mindset, although of course neither the author nor the character question this habit. (It is a 2020 title, so of course there's a gay couple to show that Isabel isn't prejudiced ... a gay couple straight out of Queer Eye: Handsome, perfectly groomed, impeccable manners, and more than know their way around California wine and gourmet cheese. And it's OK that they're gay because one of them wanted to be a Marine until his being gay had him drummed out of ROTC. And in case it's still not clear who the intended audience is, their coming out to the locals at one of Isabel's perfect dinner parties is what passes for humor here ... .)
* Naturally, Isabel solves the case. Not that it's all that hard. Your granny could likely solve it, given that major clues tend to walk in and announce themselves.
* The publisher's blurb throws in Murder, She Wrote as a touchstone, which is not an unreasonable comparison ... Jessica Fletcher was pretty damned holier-than-thou perfect on the couple of episodes I watched. But the author name-drops Agatha Christie as a mention, which given the shallow, predictable nature of this book is pretty much heresy. A key plot point is revealed in the aftermath, where characters sit around and talk about how things happened, which would be anathema to Christie. If you are looking for a good cozy, go back and re-read some of the Marple and Poirot oeuvres. Or do yourself a favor and try a Louise Penny if you haven't yet, especially if you're looking for a quirky / charming small-town setting. If you need a senior-citizen crime solver, try The Thursday Murder Club.
??Three stars?? territory if you're the target audience; one star for me.
* She's so perfect she's dull. Her pies are the best. Her pickles are the best. Her advice is the best. She's everybody's best friend / employee / relative / neighbor, depending on how they know her. She is the anti-antihero. 1950s/60s-vintage Superman had more depth and was so deadly dull that DC Comics came up with Evil Superman just to add a little zing. Zing is missing here. Humor. Charm. Isabel's one character flaw is constantly judging other people by how well they fit into her Pleasantville mindset, although of course neither the author nor the character question this habit. (It is a 2020 title, so of course there's a gay couple to show that Isabel isn't prejudiced ... a gay couple straight out of Queer Eye: Handsome, perfectly groomed, impeccable manners, and more than know their way around California wine and gourmet cheese. And it's OK that they're gay because one of them wanted to be a Marine until his being gay had him drummed out of ROTC. And in case it's still not clear who the intended audience is, their coming out to the locals at one of Isabel's perfect dinner parties is what passes for humor here ... .)
* Naturally, Isabel solves the case. Not that it's all that hard. Your granny could likely solve it, given that major clues tend to walk in and announce themselves.
* The publisher's blurb throws in Murder, She Wrote as a touchstone, which is not an unreasonable comparison ... Jessica Fletcher was pretty damned holier-than-thou perfect on the couple of episodes I watched. But the author name-drops Agatha Christie as a mention, which given the shallow, predictable nature of this book is pretty much heresy. A key plot point is revealed in the aftermath, where characters sit around and talk about how things happened, which would be anathema to Christie. If you are looking for a good cozy, go back and re-read some of the Marple and Poirot oeuvres. Or do yourself a favor and try a Louise Penny if you haven't yet, especially if you're looking for a quirky / charming small-town setting. If you need a senior-citizen crime solver, try The Thursday Murder Club.
??Three stars?? territory if you're the target audience; one star for me.
October 2, 2021
Isabel Puddles would like to tell you some things. She’d like to tell you about being a widow and retired and living in a small Michigan town. She’d like to tell you how she became an octogenarian who avoids cell phones and just how she makes her famous pot roast. She’d especially like to tell you about the nail she found jammed into the skull of Earl Johnson while filling in as a funeral home beautician. It’s kind of a long story.
Thankfully, even with all the murder and mayhem, it’s also an entertaining one. And really, who better to tell it than Isabel herself?
After stumbling into the mystery, she serves as both sleuth and tour guide of her tiny Gully Harbor, a seemingly otherwise idyllic town. Conveniently, Isabel seems to know both everything and everyone—and sometimes this comes off as a distraction from the main case. Author M.V. Byrne, in his cozy debut, has Isabel pop off with anything that comes to mind. However, while it might seem as though she’s off on another unrelated tangent, ranging from her thoughts on windmills to reminiscing of prom dates past, the result is an absolutely charming main character completely unlike many of her contemporaries in the genre. She’ll talk about anything, making it as though she’s a friend who’s just popped around to tell you about her weekend … which just happened to include a murder.
Of course, while Isabel might be the heart of the book, the mystery takes center stage. In terms of puzzles, Byrne expertly weaves a plausible case. While Isabel uses a mix of interrogation and general snooping, she also relies heavily on a cadre of new and old friends. Byrne has crafted a great—and often funny—secondary characters whose bantering lightens up the otherwise horrifying scenario.
Between a sleuth with a penchant for saying whatever comes to mind and solid mystery, M.V. Byrne has written a great start to a new series.
Thankfully, even with all the murder and mayhem, it’s also an entertaining one. And really, who better to tell it than Isabel herself?
After stumbling into the mystery, she serves as both sleuth and tour guide of her tiny Gully Harbor, a seemingly otherwise idyllic town. Conveniently, Isabel seems to know both everything and everyone—and sometimes this comes off as a distraction from the main case. Author M.V. Byrne, in his cozy debut, has Isabel pop off with anything that comes to mind. However, while it might seem as though she’s off on another unrelated tangent, ranging from her thoughts on windmills to reminiscing of prom dates past, the result is an absolutely charming main character completely unlike many of her contemporaries in the genre. She’ll talk about anything, making it as though she’s a friend who’s just popped around to tell you about her weekend … which just happened to include a murder.
Of course, while Isabel might be the heart of the book, the mystery takes center stage. In terms of puzzles, Byrne expertly weaves a plausible case. While Isabel uses a mix of interrogation and general snooping, she also relies heavily on a cadre of new and old friends. Byrne has crafted a great—and often funny—secondary characters whose bantering lightens up the otherwise horrifying scenario.
Between a sleuth with a penchant for saying whatever comes to mind and solid mystery, M.V. Byrne has written a great start to a new series.
August 24, 2020
Isabel Puddles is on the case, before she even knows there is one! When an 88 year old man is murdered, Isabel is determined to find the killer. Along the way, it's clear she may be the next victim!
I loved Isabel! A "mature" widow, she's kind, smart, curious, quirky and busier than a person half her age, in order to make ends meet, she bakes pies, preserves pickles, works part-time at a hardware store but when Isabel agrees to help "fixup" deceased Earl Sr. for his funeral, that's when the mystery begins. The way she discovers it may be murder instead of natural causes is one of the most original scenes I've read!
This was a wonderful introduction to Isabel and Kentwater County! We meet so many wonderful characters - Ginny (her cousin), Grady the sheriff & Ginny's boyfriend are favorites. An important character, is Jackpot her much loved Jack Russell Terrier. Jackpot gets an unexpected surprise and a new family member that warmed my heart!
I can't wait to return to Kentwater County!
I loved Isabel! A "mature" widow, she's kind, smart, curious, quirky and busier than a person half her age, in order to make ends meet, she bakes pies, preserves pickles, works part-time at a hardware store but when Isabel agrees to help "fixup" deceased Earl Sr. for his funeral, that's when the mystery begins. The way she discovers it may be murder instead of natural causes is one of the most original scenes I've read!
This was a wonderful introduction to Isabel and Kentwater County! We meet so many wonderful characters - Ginny (her cousin), Grady the sheriff & Ginny's boyfriend are favorites. An important character, is Jackpot her much loved Jack Russell Terrier. Jackpot gets an unexpected surprise and a new family member that warmed my heart!
I can't wait to return to Kentwater County!
July 20, 2021
From the moment I started this book, I knew I was going to love it.
Isabel Puddles is a fantastic character, she brings a breath of fresh air to the cozy mystery genre.
Isabel is a funny, colorful character, who stops at nothing when she discovers that a long time neighbor and friend has been murdered.
The cast of supporting characters works well with Isabel and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good solid mystery.
Isabel Puddles is a fantastic character, she brings a breath of fresh air to the cozy mystery genre.
Isabel is a funny, colorful character, who stops at nothing when she discovers that a long time neighbor and friend has been murdered.
The cast of supporting characters works well with Isabel and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good solid mystery.
December 28, 2021
3.5 stars for this first book in the series. It was a good introduction to the eccentric widow Isabel Puddles and her group of unusual family and friends. The ending of the murder mystery was more drawn out and over the top for my liking, but I loved the setting along the shore of Lake Michigan.
September 26, 2021
3.5/5
Meet Isabel Puddles by M.V. Byrne was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series, and you know how much I love my cozies! Isabel was a fun character to follow along with as she investigates her friend's death, and she also finds herself in some pretty dangerous situations that way. This was a funny and slightly wacky book which I loved, but it did seem to drag in a way I didn't love. I think it could have easily been shorter and I would have appreciated a more tightened-up storyline and dialogue, but that is definitely not going to stop me from reading more of this series. I loved Isabel's character completely, and I always find it refreshing to read books that focus on older adults. There is a lot of focus on her as a character, so you need to be prepared to get to know her very well. This first book definitely feels like it is setting the stage for her in the series more so than focusing on the mystery itself, and now the title makes so much more sense!
The book may drag a little, but the audiobook was a joy to listen to and narrated by Angie Hickman. She was perfect for Isabel in my mind, and I really hope they stick with her as this series progresses. I did just see that the next book Isabel Puddles Investigates, is coming out at the end of November and I will definitely be grabbing the audio for that. Thankfully it is also narrated by Hickman, and I'm excited to hear Isabel's story continued through her narration. The mystery aspect itself in Meet Isabel Puddles was surprising to me, and this definitely had a bit more edge to it than your average cozy mystery. The last chapter is more like an epilogue and it doesn't leave much to the imagination. I really enjoyed how everything had tied up in the previous chapter, so it didn't feel necessary and at that point, I was ready for it to be over. I hope Byrne's next book doesn't have the issues I mentioned above, and if it doesn’t, I think it has the potential to be a 5-star read. I can't wait to find out!
Meet Isabel Puddles by M.V. Byrne was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series, and you know how much I love my cozies! Isabel was a fun character to follow along with as she investigates her friend's death, and she also finds herself in some pretty dangerous situations that way. This was a funny and slightly wacky book which I loved, but it did seem to drag in a way I didn't love. I think it could have easily been shorter and I would have appreciated a more tightened-up storyline and dialogue, but that is definitely not going to stop me from reading more of this series. I loved Isabel's character completely, and I always find it refreshing to read books that focus on older adults. There is a lot of focus on her as a character, so you need to be prepared to get to know her very well. This first book definitely feels like it is setting the stage for her in the series more so than focusing on the mystery itself, and now the title makes so much more sense!
The book may drag a little, but the audiobook was a joy to listen to and narrated by Angie Hickman. She was perfect for Isabel in my mind, and I really hope they stick with her as this series progresses. I did just see that the next book Isabel Puddles Investigates, is coming out at the end of November and I will definitely be grabbing the audio for that. Thankfully it is also narrated by Hickman, and I'm excited to hear Isabel's story continued through her narration. The mystery aspect itself in Meet Isabel Puddles was surprising to me, and this definitely had a bit more edge to it than your average cozy mystery. The last chapter is more like an epilogue and it doesn't leave much to the imagination. I really enjoyed how everything had tied up in the previous chapter, so it didn't feel necessary and at that point, I was ready for it to be over. I hope Byrne's next book doesn't have the issues I mentioned above, and if it doesn’t, I think it has the potential to be a 5-star read. I can't wait to find out!
November 23, 2020
I love finding a new mystery series to add to my must read list. From the first page I knew Isabel Puddles belonged on the list. Her name alone made me smile and then getting to know her, well, I wish I could join The Land's End Breakfast Club with Isabel (Izzy) and her BFF Frances - breakfast special $6.99. It feels welcoming and comfortable and I like small towns like Gull Harbor, Michigan.
Isabel is a widow of a certain age with grown children. She has a Jack Russell terrier named Jackpot and she lives on a fixed income. At one time she was a hairdresser but didn't enjoy it but times are hard and converting the mother-ion-law apartment into a salon. She also works part time at her cousins hardware store, she knits items for sale and she is a regular visitor to the library. As Isabel sees it, if sh'e physically able to do the job and it's legal, well then go for it. That's how she found herself doing the final hair and makeup for the dearly departed at the Tate Funeral Home - a favor to a friend. Turns out her current "client" didn't die of a stroke, even though he was 88. He had help in the form of a two inch nail rammed into his skull. Now the question becomes did his son bump him off or did someone else do the deed? The son is a friend of Isabel's and she is certain he couldn't have killed his father. So Isabel uses her talents to track down a killer.
Isabel hears all of the gossip, knows just about everybody in town and figures out which dots to connect. It makes for a believable mystery and I am already looking forward to her next case. To be fair, the pace is on the slow side to start but I was fine with it as it takes time to set the stage and get everybody introduced. It was a great de-stressing read.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Isabel is a widow of a certain age with grown children. She has a Jack Russell terrier named Jackpot and she lives on a fixed income. At one time she was a hairdresser but didn't enjoy it but times are hard and converting the mother-ion-law apartment into a salon. She also works part time at her cousins hardware store, she knits items for sale and she is a regular visitor to the library. As Isabel sees it, if sh'e physically able to do the job and it's legal, well then go for it. That's how she found herself doing the final hair and makeup for the dearly departed at the Tate Funeral Home - a favor to a friend. Turns out her current "client" didn't die of a stroke, even though he was 88. He had help in the form of a two inch nail rammed into his skull. Now the question becomes did his son bump him off or did someone else do the deed? The son is a friend of Isabel's and she is certain he couldn't have killed his father. So Isabel uses her talents to track down a killer.
Isabel hears all of the gossip, knows just about everybody in town and figures out which dots to connect. It makes for a believable mystery and I am already looking forward to her next case. To be fair, the pace is on the slow side to start but I was fine with it as it takes time to set the stage and get everybody introduced. It was a great de-stressing read.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2020
Though I really enjoyed Isabels zany and funny character, I didn’t like how the story line dragged on and on. Just seemed like the dialogue was going on forever.
Lots of charming characters, intriguing mystery and humorous moments kept me interested enough to read to the end.
Would be interested in reading the next book in the series to see what Isabel gets involved in. I’m sure it will be just as wacky as Meet Isabel Puddles.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lots of charming characters, intriguing mystery and humorous moments kept me interested enough to read to the end.
Would be interested in reading the next book in the series to see what Isabel gets involved in. I’m sure it will be just as wacky as Meet Isabel Puddles.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 7, 2024
Oh Isabel I wanted to like you so much. And I wanted to like this book so much. Alas, I did not.
It started off promising but there’s foreshadowing that goes nowhere, a thin mystery at best, a detective who “figures it out” only by sheer coincidences, stereotyping all around, and a main character (Isabel) whose age is also a mystery (for a while) and could be anywhere between late 40s and 80 based on her words and the way she acts. Maybe the author was going for “quirky” but Isabel as a character just didn’t work for me.
I was hoping for better so this was a disappointment for me. 2.5 rounding down for now.
It started off promising but there’s foreshadowing that goes nowhere, a thin mystery at best, a detective who “figures it out” only by sheer coincidences, stereotyping all around, and a main character (Isabel) whose age is also a mystery (for a while) and could be anywhere between late 40s and 80 based on her words and the way she acts. Maybe the author was going for “quirky” but Isabel as a character just didn’t work for me.
I was hoping for better so this was a disappointment for me. 2.5 rounding down for now.
July 6, 2022
2 stars bc I have read Olive Kitteridge. I know they are totally different books and stories, but I could not help feeling like (especially in the opening) the author was attempting an an Olive-like character and setting. It bothered me so much I stopped reading lol. Also it wasn’t psychologically dark enough for me.
Don’t let me ruin it for you though, I can see circumstances where it would be an enjoyable read.
Don’t let me ruin it for you though, I can see circumstances where it would be an enjoyable read.
December 12, 2020
Meet Isabel Puddles by M.V. Byrne is a new cozy mystery featuring widow Isabel Puddles. She is active in her community and knows everyone (along with their stories). We get detailed information on Isabel and what seems like everyone she knows. It felt like an information dump in the beginning with all the details. I did not feel we needed a life history on Isabel (not in the first book) and anyone who lived or worked nearby (it was too much). There are some interesting and quirky characters in the story. I enjoyed the humorous moments which had me laughing. The vivid depictions of the town allowed me to visualize it. It took a bit to get to the mystery (we are busy getting to know Isabel). There are multiple suspects in the whodunit. Isabel works her way through each one. I wish the whodunit had been more of a challenge. Identifying the guilty party is a piece of cake even with the number of suspects. The mystery is not at the forefront of the story. Just when I would start to get into the whodunit, Isabel would launch into one of her tales (she has so many of them). We follow Isabel and the sheriff as they investigate Carl’s death. I do like how it all comes together at the end. The author needs to find a balance between too much information and too little. I cannot imagine what else there is to learn about Isabel. It seems that we know everything about her. I thought the pacing of the story was slow and the story felt like it dragged on forever. I really struggled to finish Meet Isabel Puddles. There were some bright moments that I truly enjoyed. I hope there are more of them in future books. This is just the first book in A Mitten State Mystery series. We must wait to see how the series develops as well as the author’s writing. Meet Isabel Puddles has potential with its interesting main character, quirky residents, and charming town.
August 15, 2020
Meet Isabel Puddles is the first book in the Mitten State Mystery series. This is what I consider a cozy mystery, but there are differences from the other cozies I have read. Firstly, I have never had so much background and character development in a cozy before. Maybe it is just those I have read. I forget is it was chapter 3 or 4 before a murder took place. Prior to that is was all development. Also, this book had a bit of an edge. Not necessary more violent than other cozies, but defiantly more edgy. Neither of these were bad qualities, just different from other cozies I have read. Isabel is a widow who seems to have more time in a day then possible. This is based on all her jobs and hobbies. on top of that she is not inadvertently a mystery solver. Others in the story are her BFF Frances, her cousin Ginny, Ginny's boyfriend and police officer Grady, Meg and others from the town. We are also introduced to new friends Zander, Josh, and Beverly. Each of whom we know a great deal about based on that mentioned character development. When a loved local 88 year old man is listed as a natural death, Isabel finds evidence that it was not natural, he was actually murdered. I will not go more into that as you deserve to follow Isabel and her friends along as they argue, chat, suspect, and discover who actually killed Earl Sr and why.
May 14, 2022
Maybe I shouldn't review this because I didn't actually finish it, but I got pretty far before giving up. I hate giving poor reviews, but in this case I feel I must.
I couldn't stand Isabel Puddles. That's problem #1. And it's pretty ironic since there are plenty of unattractive characters in other books whom I really enjoy. Perhaps the problem is that Ms. Puddles thinks a little bit too much of herself while looking down on others. I know that writing advice includes 'saving the cat,' and, while Isabel doesn't save a cat, she does save a dog. Didn't change my mind. I would not want to be in the same town with her.
Then there's the writing. M.V. Byrne could have used an editor with a heavy hand. In fact, I'd love to cut all the extraneous details out of this book. It would probably be half the length.
I hope M.V. Byrne continues to practice his craft. I think he could write a book I would enjoy if he would get real with the characters and cut, cut, cut!
I couldn't stand Isabel Puddles. That's problem #1. And it's pretty ironic since there are plenty of unattractive characters in other books whom I really enjoy. Perhaps the problem is that Ms. Puddles thinks a little bit too much of herself while looking down on others. I know that writing advice includes 'saving the cat,' and, while Isabel doesn't save a cat, she does save a dog. Didn't change my mind. I would not want to be in the same town with her.
Then there's the writing. M.V. Byrne could have used an editor with a heavy hand. In fact, I'd love to cut all the extraneous details out of this book. It would probably be half the length.
I hope M.V. Byrne continues to practice his craft. I think he could write a book I would enjoy if he would get real with the characters and cut, cut, cut!
August 28, 2020
This first of a new series features Isabel (Izzy) Puddles, a widow whose many part time jobs keep her financially afloat. Isabel knows everybody in her small town and most of the county.which introduces us to a host of interesting characters.. Isabel's disdain of cellphones puts her at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to contacting Sheriff Grady Pemberton when she needs him the most. Her dogged determination to solve the murder of 88 yr old Earl Jonasson leads her into a dangerous encounter..
Skip the first chapter, rewrite the Gladys story into an opening chapter minus most of the Kentwater County & Peabody family history, and this is quite a fun to read novel .
I thoroughly enjoyed Isabel Puddles and look more adventures in Kentwater County.
I volunteered to read an ARC from Kensington through Net Galley
Release date Nov 20, 2020.
Skip the first chapter, rewrite the Gladys story into an opening chapter minus most of the Kentwater County & Peabody family history, and this is quite a fun to read novel .
I thoroughly enjoyed Isabel Puddles and look more adventures in Kentwater County.
I volunteered to read an ARC from Kensington through Net Galley
Release date Nov 20, 2020.
December 4, 2020
This was extremely well-written, and I think I felt like Izzy was an old friend before the first couple of chapters even ended. There was a lot going on besides the mystery, and the book was lots more detailed than the cozies I'm used to, but if I thought about it, it was just like visiting Jessica in Cabot Cove and all the small town goings-on. Izzy and her friends all tended to go off on a tangent, some of which had a lot of bearing on the mystery itself, and some were just interesting back stories for the characters. But it was all worth paying attention to.
I couldn't believe how exciting it got toward the end when they knew whodunit! It was great and provided an experience Iz and her friends wouldn't soon forget. She'd ended up making friends with a high-profile lawyer in the process and helping someone change their ways. I loved that Iz was all about helping people which made people happy to do nice things for her. No matter what the person had done, she always saw the good in them.
There were so many laugh out loud moments too, and by the end of the book, I felt like I'd made a whole group of new friends that I can't wait to visit again. I loved how the epilogue reflected back, and everything that could possibly have been considered a loose thread was neatly resolved and explained. I'm really anxious now for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I couldn't believe how exciting it got toward the end when they knew whodunit! It was great and provided an experience Iz and her friends wouldn't soon forget. She'd ended up making friends with a high-profile lawyer in the process and helping someone change their ways. I loved that Iz was all about helping people which made people happy to do nice things for her. No matter what the person had done, she always saw the good in them.
There were so many laugh out loud moments too, and by the end of the book, I felt like I'd made a whole group of new friends that I can't wait to visit again. I loved how the epilogue reflected back, and everything that could possibly have been considered a loose thread was neatly resolved and explained. I'm really anxious now for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
October 10, 2023
If you read this book you might find it peculiar that anybody could get riled up about it—but I genuinely consider this book pernicious for how lazy, uncreative, and phony it is.
I flew into Richmond, VA a few weeks ago and, uncharacteristically, finished the book I'd brought on the flight there. Browsing a local bookstore is a must-do in any city I visit already, so the fact that I was staying on the same block as the Fountain Bookstore was a clear sign I should buy a literary souvenir. Gorgeous facade, nice cozy-but-not-cramped layout, cool and wonderful staff, a meticulously curated selection. I landed on Meet Isabel Puddles because a staffer blurb said it was a nice little mystery with a great cast of characters and a Midwestern setting and attitude.
From page 1 my alarm bells were going off. This didn't read like anyone who had spent any significant time in the Midwest US. I can't blame a Virginian for not recognizing faux-Midwesternism; I can blame author M.V. Byrne, however, who on the jacket and insert makes it sound like they're someone with deep ties to the Midwest. It was about 60 pages into the book that I flipped back to the insert and noticed the careful wording: "M.V. Byrne was born in Lansing, Michigan. After years of living in both NYC and LA, he has settled in LA..." Aha—"born," not "born and raised!" A quick lookup followed and revealed Byrne was "born" in Lansing but grew up his whole life in San Francisco, sometimes vacationing in one of the ritzy lakeside Michigan towns.
Byrne's distant, tangential connection to the Midwest is a backbreaking problem for the book, which attempts to trade on Midwestern charm and customs. Any ideas Byrne has about those customs are purely superficial, and I would not be afraid to levy that he has never spoken to actual modern residents of those areas for longer than the few minutes it takes to order at a restaurant. The main way he attempts to evoke Midwestern charm is having every character be obnoxious and fogeyish. Everybody is a dull mouthbreathing busybody. Either Byrne has this view of Midwesterners, or he is a dull mouthbreathing busybody himself.
This includes Mrs. Isabel Puddles, who I very much wish I had not met. Isabel is depicted as a luddite to an entirely unbelievable sense. This book was published in 2020 and seemingly set in the 2010s. Isabel is somewhere in her 50s or early 60s. Isabel doesn't just not have a cell phone, she does not know that cell phones have cameras on them. Either M.V. Byrne is in this cohort, or he has this view of people who are in their 50s/60s now. Buddy, if Isabel is that age then she was in her 30s at the turn of the millennium. People her age are, on average, not just familiar with cell phones—they're using them constantly to accidentally post selfies and get into arguments on Facebook about how younger generations don't work hard any more. Meanwhile there's a running gag where Isabel drives like an idiot and blows through stop signs and it's supposed to be a cute and morally right thing, while it's a morally wrong thing for a deputy to give her a ticket for it because Isabel knows best. The vibe coming off this book is not that M.V. Byrne is poking fun at or purposefully exaggerating this attitude for comic effect, but that he thinks people are actually like this and that they are right to be this way. Byrne draws an absolutely malodorous picture of Midwesterners and then promotes their way of being as aspirational. Be like Isabel Puddles? Not on my life.
But if one would disregard my defensive Midwesterner reaction, I would hope they would still heed this: Isabel Puddles is shit as a gumshoe and this is an awful mystery. In this book, in the first few chapters, Isabel suspects someone of being guilty of the murder. And then...that's who's guilty. There are no reversals. No red herrings along the way, where Isabel starts to suspect someone else and then is led back to her original suspicion. There's simply zero deviation. "Hmm, did X murder Y? Yes, they did. The end." I genuinely do not know how someone writing a mystery book flubs the basic requirements of writing a mystery book this badly.
What's more is that the lead, perspective character is essentially inconsequential. For 80% of the book, Isabel hears snippets of evidence on the grapevine or learns new wrinkles by happenstance, and when she brings them to the police...they already know! She straight-up does not provide the investigation with any new information. She'll go to the sheriff and be like, "I heard X was asking about this money deal and Y and Z are working with them!" And the sheriff will say, "Yeah I know I'm looking into them already. Thanks though." Then there's a small chunk where Isabel does not fall for an obvious and incredulous ruse by the murderers, while the entirety of the police force in Michigan does for some reason, and she gets captured and then escapes because the murderers are really stupid and illogical. She is a completely passive and not particularly intelligent character.
A bad detective, a bad mystery, a bad and dishonest sense of Midwestern nature. Meet Isabel Puddles fails at everything it attempts to be. Unredeemable.
I flew into Richmond, VA a few weeks ago and, uncharacteristically, finished the book I'd brought on the flight there. Browsing a local bookstore is a must-do in any city I visit already, so the fact that I was staying on the same block as the Fountain Bookstore was a clear sign I should buy a literary souvenir. Gorgeous facade, nice cozy-but-not-cramped layout, cool and wonderful staff, a meticulously curated selection. I landed on Meet Isabel Puddles because a staffer blurb said it was a nice little mystery with a great cast of characters and a Midwestern setting and attitude.
From page 1 my alarm bells were going off. This didn't read like anyone who had spent any significant time in the Midwest US. I can't blame a Virginian for not recognizing faux-Midwesternism; I can blame author M.V. Byrne, however, who on the jacket and insert makes it sound like they're someone with deep ties to the Midwest. It was about 60 pages into the book that I flipped back to the insert and noticed the careful wording: "M.V. Byrne was born in Lansing, Michigan. After years of living in both NYC and LA, he has settled in LA..." Aha—"born," not "born and raised!" A quick lookup followed and revealed Byrne was "born" in Lansing but grew up his whole life in San Francisco, sometimes vacationing in one of the ritzy lakeside Michigan towns.
Byrne's distant, tangential connection to the Midwest is a backbreaking problem for the book, which attempts to trade on Midwestern charm and customs. Any ideas Byrne has about those customs are purely superficial, and I would not be afraid to levy that he has never spoken to actual modern residents of those areas for longer than the few minutes it takes to order at a restaurant. The main way he attempts to evoke Midwestern charm is having every character be obnoxious and fogeyish. Everybody is a dull mouthbreathing busybody. Either Byrne has this view of Midwesterners, or he is a dull mouthbreathing busybody himself.
This includes Mrs. Isabel Puddles, who I very much wish I had not met. Isabel is depicted as a luddite to an entirely unbelievable sense. This book was published in 2020 and seemingly set in the 2010s. Isabel is somewhere in her 50s or early 60s. Isabel doesn't just not have a cell phone, she does not know that cell phones have cameras on them. Either M.V. Byrne is in this cohort, or he has this view of people who are in their 50s/60s now. Buddy, if Isabel is that age then she was in her 30s at the turn of the millennium. People her age are, on average, not just familiar with cell phones—they're using them constantly to accidentally post selfies and get into arguments on Facebook about how younger generations don't work hard any more. Meanwhile there's a running gag where Isabel drives like an idiot and blows through stop signs and it's supposed to be a cute and morally right thing, while it's a morally wrong thing for a deputy to give her a ticket for it because Isabel knows best. The vibe coming off this book is not that M.V. Byrne is poking fun at or purposefully exaggerating this attitude for comic effect, but that he thinks people are actually like this and that they are right to be this way. Byrne draws an absolutely malodorous picture of Midwesterners and then promotes their way of being as aspirational. Be like Isabel Puddles? Not on my life.
But if one would disregard my defensive Midwesterner reaction, I would hope they would still heed this: Isabel Puddles is shit as a gumshoe and this is an awful mystery. In this book, in the first few chapters, Isabel suspects someone of being guilty of the murder. And then...that's who's guilty. There are no reversals. No red herrings along the way, where Isabel starts to suspect someone else and then is led back to her original suspicion. There's simply zero deviation. "Hmm, did X murder Y? Yes, they did. The end." I genuinely do not know how someone writing a mystery book flubs the basic requirements of writing a mystery book this badly.
What's more is that the lead, perspective character is essentially inconsequential. For 80% of the book, Isabel hears snippets of evidence on the grapevine or learns new wrinkles by happenstance, and when she brings them to the police...they already know! She straight-up does not provide the investigation with any new information. She'll go to the sheriff and be like, "I heard X was asking about this money deal and Y and Z are working with them!" And the sheriff will say, "Yeah I know I'm looking into them already. Thanks though." Then there's a small chunk where Isabel does not fall for an obvious and incredulous ruse by the murderers, while the entirety of the police force in Michigan does for some reason, and she gets captured and then escapes because the murderers are really stupid and illogical. She is a completely passive and not particularly intelligent character.
A bad detective, a bad mystery, a bad and dishonest sense of Midwestern nature. Meet Isabel Puddles fails at everything it attempts to be. Unredeemable.
November 13, 2020
The first page screamed “This is going to be a fun read not too serious, not too frilly, just fun.”
Set in Gull Harbor, Michigan, a community on the shores of Lake Michigan, Isabel Puddles is a down to earth woman, who has many jobs, friends and interests and not much disposable income. She meets her overbearing and outspoken best friend, Frances, at the Land’s End most mornings for the $6.99 breakfast special. She works at her cousin’s hardware store when needed. She knits and sells scarves, makes amazing pickles and pot roast, loves animals and has a heart as big as the moon. As the story spins out we are introduced to Isabel’s relatives, friends and acquaintances, many of whom she has known for decades. She is fiercely loyal and tolerates even the most cantankerous characters. Naturally shy the moniker of super crime fighter is what this story is all about.
Having just finished Fannie Flagg’s most recent “Whistle Stop” installment I kept drawing parallels. Feels similar, feels good, no need to take notes, just go with the flow and enjoy the small town, down home atmosphere and be prepared for a story that takes a left turn.
“Meet Isabel Puddles” might have been a little too descriptive, maybe a few too many words, but enjoyable from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books.
Set in Gull Harbor, Michigan, a community on the shores of Lake Michigan, Isabel Puddles is a down to earth woman, who has many jobs, friends and interests and not much disposable income. She meets her overbearing and outspoken best friend, Frances, at the Land’s End most mornings for the $6.99 breakfast special. She works at her cousin’s hardware store when needed. She knits and sells scarves, makes amazing pickles and pot roast, loves animals and has a heart as big as the moon. As the story spins out we are introduced to Isabel’s relatives, friends and acquaintances, many of whom she has known for decades. She is fiercely loyal and tolerates even the most cantankerous characters. Naturally shy the moniker of super crime fighter is what this story is all about.
Having just finished Fannie Flagg’s most recent “Whistle Stop” installment I kept drawing parallels. Feels similar, feels good, no need to take notes, just go with the flow and enjoy the small town, down home atmosphere and be prepared for a story that takes a left turn.
“Meet Isabel Puddles” might have been a little too descriptive, maybe a few too many words, but enjoyable from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books.
September 1, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were flesh and blood. I felt as if I would know them if I met them. The main one, Isabel, was level headed, not given to flights of fancy or jumping to conclusions. A refreshing change from amateur sleuths who act impetuously and get into trouble. Not that Isabel doesn't get into trouble: she just wasn't trying to find it! She accidently discovers a murder, prevents another, then almost ends up murdered as well. In between, she discovers someone in her small Michigan town is trying to get rich, even if it means putting a few people in the ground.
The pacing of the story was just right. I really felt the tension escalate when Isabel realized one of her friends was in terrible danger. She doesn't hesitate to go to the rescue.
This is a wonderful addition to the cozy mystery field. I loved the small town life and the feeling of community. I also liked the fact the characters were on the, ahem, mature side. Not that I wouldn't read a story with younger people in it, it's just nice to see someone else who remembers the 70s detective shows. (Rockford rules!) I look forward to the next entry in this series. Alas, it won't be for another year!
The pacing of the story was just right. I really felt the tension escalate when Isabel realized one of her friends was in terrible danger. She doesn't hesitate to go to the rescue.
This is a wonderful addition to the cozy mystery field. I loved the small town life and the feeling of community. I also liked the fact the characters were on the, ahem, mature side. Not that I wouldn't read a story with younger people in it, it's just nice to see someone else who remembers the 70s detective shows. (Rockford rules!) I look forward to the next entry in this series. Alas, it won't be for another year!
November 15, 2020
An interesting start to a new series that is as much about life as a middle aged woman in a small town as it is about solving a murder. Isabel Puddles has cobbled together a batch of money making enterprises, including, as it turns out, doing hair in a funeral home. She discovers that Earl Jonasson probably didn't die the way everyone thought- he has a nail in his head! Of course, Isabel decides to use her wide network (as wide as it can be in Gull Harbor, Michigan) to find out what really happened. Byrne introduces a lot of characters (this is the first book after all) and gives you a good sense of the town. It does meander a bit as this is detection by gossip but it's entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
December 18, 2020
I wanted to read this book because the premise sounded interesting, but the book fell a little bit short for me. First off, we certainly did meet Isabel Puddles. In fact, we learned everything about her that there is to know. How many people do you meet where they tell you there life story at the first meeting? Well, this book is much like that. In fact, so much information was given that there won't be anything left to know about her in future books (if there are any planned). It's like everything was thrown at us as fast as it could come.
I felt as if it detracted from the murder, which should have taken front and center, but didn't. It took awhile to get there, because we were learning All About Isabel. Not that this is a bad thing; it just took so long to tell it all, and the book could have been sheared down at least two dozen pages less. Yes, I get that the author wanted to give us background, which is always appreciated; but there was so much of it that I began to find Isabel the most boring woman on earth. She was constantly telling us stories that were decades old and weren't needed to tell the current tale.
That being said, I had a hard time getting into the mystery itself because of this. Every time we were given a bit of it, she started telling us another story. The murderer became apparent early on, but I was waiting to see how the sheriff and Isabel put everything together. It wasn't until the end that Isabel had her 'aha' moment, which was fine with me; and the ending brought everything together nicely. I only wish we had more to learn about Isabel, but I think we've learned it all.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
I felt as if it detracted from the murder, which should have taken front and center, but didn't. It took awhile to get there, because we were learning All About Isabel. Not that this is a bad thing; it just took so long to tell it all, and the book could have been sheared down at least two dozen pages less. Yes, I get that the author wanted to give us background, which is always appreciated; but there was so much of it that I began to find Isabel the most boring woman on earth. She was constantly telling us stories that were decades old and weren't needed to tell the current tale.
That being said, I had a hard time getting into the mystery itself because of this. Every time we were given a bit of it, she started telling us another story. The murderer became apparent early on, but I was waiting to see how the sheriff and Isabel put everything together. It wasn't until the end that Isabel had her 'aha' moment, which was fine with me; and the ending brought everything together nicely. I only wish we had more to learn about Isabel, but I think we've learned it all.
I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
January 15, 2023
I picked up this book because the cover has cross-stitching on it, so I thought it might be a cozy mystery involving cross-stitch, and I thought my mom might like that (hi Mom!). But the cover cross-stitching had absolutely nothing to do with the story, unfortunately. This was an okay story but definitely nothing special. It was a cozy mystery, no swearing or graphic content, and only slight peril. Most of the book was quite pointless. There was a whole section of the book that was dedicated to celebrating two young men who were engaged to be married. The characters talk a lot about how happy they are for them, and how awful the people are who don’t support their relationship. It felt like it was the requisite gay section that you find in pretty much every modern book these days. It felt completely unnecessary.
January 18, 2021
Yes, I did Meet Isabel Puddles. In fact, I Iearned so much that I don't know what's left for future books. In addition, I learned about her ancestors, her friends, her high school activities, who she went to prom with, and the backgrounds of all the others as well. There were 2 to 3-page reminiscences and anecdotes, which I wanted to skim over, but I thought they might be significant. They weren't.
This is a cozy mystery, but it does have more edginess than most of the cozies I read. And it has an epilogue (I don't remember if it was called that) that wraps up what happens to everyone.
I may read another in the series out of curiosity to see if there is anything else to tell.
This is a cozy mystery, but it does have more edginess than most of the cozies I read. And it has an epilogue (I don't remember if it was called that) that wraps up what happens to everyone.
I may read another in the series out of curiosity to see if there is anything else to tell.
April 21, 2022
Isabel is a widow piecing together a living with odd jobs in the town where she has always lived, on the shores of Lake Michigan. She loves her family and her friends, her dogs and her mystery stories. But when she finds that a recently deceased, elderly farmer was murdered, her life turns upside down. The police are sure that Earl Jonasson Jr. murdered his father, but Isabel's good friend, Earl's sister, is equally convinced that he didn't do it. The tough Detroit defense lawyer who's hired to defend Earl doesn't really care if he's guilty or not--but she changes her tune when her client is kidnapped and she's swept into Isabel's search for the missing woman.
February 1, 2021
At first I thought there was too much minutia of detail, but I came to realize it made the whole story authentic. Certainly the discovery of the initial crime was very unique and the resulting nefarious plots were both surprising and intense. By the end of the climax it seemed like bodies littered the county with multiple kidnappings, sometimes of the same people! The final scene in the car was particularly chilling.
I enjoyed meeting Isabel Puddles and look forward to the continuation of her story. This is a great mystery with some very funny scenes and interesting friendships amidst the chaos.
I enjoyed meeting Isabel Puddles and look forward to the continuation of her story. This is a great mystery with some very funny scenes and interesting friendships amidst the chaos.
Isabel was going to do what she thought was right. And that gag order didn't prevent her from quietly doing her own investigating, as long as she kept her mouth shut. After all, she was, as Gil pointed out, the one who got the proverbial ball rolling, so she was duty bound to follow that ball wherever it rolled. Isabel Puddles was now officially on the case.
January 24, 2022
This is an excellent cozy mystery debut. I admit I was charmed by the setting on the western coast of Michigan, though the towns are imaginary. Isabel Puddles is a great character, and her friends and family are equally amusing. The mystery made sense, and was both complex and believable.
I expect this will not be Mrs. Puddles last adventure (the "first in a new series" on the cover is a clue) and I will be looking forward to the next one.
Recommended for all cozy fans, and those who vacation on the western Lake Michigan coast.
I expect this will not be Mrs. Puddles last adventure (the "first in a new series" on the cover is a clue) and I will be looking forward to the next one.
Recommended for all cozy fans, and those who vacation on the western Lake Michigan coast.
August 23, 2021
This was a fun little find! It is the first book in a new series-A Mitten State Mystery. It was well written and thoroughly enjoyable. Great characters and a good mystery. Looking forward to the 2nd book!
dnf
April 22, 2024DNF @ 9%. I like the premise, and Isabel seems likeable, but there was too much scene setting, too many characters being introduced, and seemingly the back story of the entire town being described, to keep my interest.
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