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Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery #5
Make, Take, Murder
Dumpster diving for her lost paycheck is definitely the low point of Kiki Lowenstein's day―that is, until she finds a severed leg thrown in with the trash. Who'd toss a body part in the garbage outside the scrapbook crafts store where Kiki works? Accompanying the grisly "gift" is a creepy computerized voice message, a warning to the store's "rich and snotty" female shoppers. Kiki soon discovers that the leg belonged to Cindy Gambrowski, a customer with a tyrannical and violent husband―who's now harassing Kiki. Combing through Cindy's scrapbook projects for hidden clues, Kiki tries to find the killer. Was it a crime of marital malice, or did someone else beat Cindy's husband to the punch? Includes holiday-themed projects and recipes! “The characters are so well developed that each installment leaves the reader yearning for the next." ― Kirkus Reviews "This author's craft mysteries are topically relevant and chock-full of side stories. Compare with Clare O'Donohue's Someday Quilts series for women's empowerment topics."― Library Journal "There are chuckle-out-loud moments as well as wonderful scrapbooking tips and recipes scattered throughout the book."― RT Book Reviews
345 pages, Paperback
Published May 8, 2011
398 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Campbell Slan
163 books857 followersNational bestselling and award-winning author Joanna Campbell Slan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in a small town in Indiana. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, a newspaper ad salesperson, a television talk show host, a college teacher, a public relations professional, and a motivational speaker. In that capacity, she was named by Sharing Ideas Magazine as “one of the top 25 speakers in the world.”
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
Slan's work has appeared in five of the New York Times Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and one of those became a television show. She is the author of nearly 80 books, nonfiction and fiction, including Death of a Schoolgirl, which won the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence.
Joanna's personal essays have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and one was made into a television program on the Pax Network. The college textbook Joanna wrote—Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience—has been praised as an invaluable resource by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter and endorsed by Toastmasters, International.
RT Book Reviews has called Joanna “one of mystery’s rising stars.” Her first novel—Paper, Scissors, Death—was an Agatha Award finalist. It features Kiki Lowenstein, a spunky single mom who lives in St. Louis. The sixth book in that series will be released Summer 2013.
Kirkus Reviews has said, “Slan’s mysteries are most valuable for the well-developed characters and the issues they raise.” RT Book Reviews has said, “Kiki is so darn entertaining that she’ll keep readers hooked.” A series of short stories featuring Kiki are available on Kindle.
Joanna’s newest series—The Jane Eyre Chronicles—began with Death of a Schoolgirl (Berkley) and continues with the release of Death of a Dowager. The series features Charlotte Brontë’s classic heroine Jane Eyre as an amateur sleuth.
As “Lila Dare,” Joanna has penned the fourth book in the Southern Beauty Shop series—Wave Good-bye.
Joanna is married to David Slan. The Slans live on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Website: www.JoannaSlan.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbel...
Twitter: @JoannaSlan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 3, 2019
Over the top especially with the romances
September 9, 2011
First Line: I was rummaging around in the trash Dumpster searching for my lost paycheck, when I reached down and grabbed Cindy Gambrowski's severed leg.
Finding a severed leg in the Dumpster would be a memorable beginning to anyone's day, and it certainly was to Kiki Lowenstein. The discovery begins a search for Cindy Gambrowski, and while the police are looking, Kiki has to keep on truckin' with her almost teenaged daughter who's an angel one second and a demon the next, with her mother-in-law (who always seems to be the latter), and with her prickly co-owner of their scrapbooking store Time in a Bottle. To put the icing on the cake, it's December in St. Louis, Missouri, and anyone in retail can tell you that the sales figures for this month can make or break a business. But Cindy Gambrowski was a customer, and Kiki can't get her out of her mind-- even when co-owner Bama goes ballistic when the shop is featured on the television news. Kiki searches for clues as best she can during the busiest season of all.
The scrapbooking and retail aspects of this book are very well done. By the time I was finished with the last page, I had an itch to take up scrapbooking-- a craft I'd never had any interest in before. Slan shares ideas and tips that are guaranteed to get any crafter anxious to start a new project. Trying to walk that fine line of supply and demand, a shoplifter who's stealing some of their best items, having enough help in the shop to serve all the customers-- the author made this retail veteran feel right at home.
There were some characters who got on my nerves a time or two. Kiki has a mother-in-law who goes out of her way to be hateful to her. I've said in other reviews that I can do without the obnoxious mother-in-law, and my opinion hasn't changed. Bama, the co-owner of Time in a Bottle, is abrasive to the point of being outrageous. Although the reason for Bama being the way she is is given at book's end, I still wondered why everyone let her get away with her behavior.
Kiki seemed to me to be the type of woman who wants to be liked by everyone... a woman who wants to get along with no fighting and harsh words. Unfortunately, she's not surrounding herself with the right people for her wishes to be a reality. The only time I really disagreed with something she did, however, was when a man walked up to her and her co-workers at 11 PM and asked about a mutual acquaintance because he had flowers to deliver. Come on, Kiki-- what flower shop would spend the payroll to make deliveries at that hour of night?
The search for Cindy Gambrowski is a puzzling one, and although subtle clues are given all along the way, the ending is still a shocker. This isn't your typical cozy mystery. There's more meat on the bone. Yes, the characters are front and center as they should be, and yes, you get a feel for the craft aspect of the book. You also see how difficult it is for a single mother with limited funds to raise a child. But there are even deeper issues-- such as spousal abuse-- that Slan deals with in such a way to make us all stop and think... and wonder what we would do in the same situation.
Did it feel strange for me to begin reading a series with book four? No, the author does a good job of providing enough backstory for things to make sense without bogging down the plot. I enjoyed being in Kiki's world for a while and look forward to meeting her again.
Finding a severed leg in the Dumpster would be a memorable beginning to anyone's day, and it certainly was to Kiki Lowenstein. The discovery begins a search for Cindy Gambrowski, and while the police are looking, Kiki has to keep on truckin' with her almost teenaged daughter who's an angel one second and a demon the next, with her mother-in-law (who always seems to be the latter), and with her prickly co-owner of their scrapbooking store Time in a Bottle. To put the icing on the cake, it's December in St. Louis, Missouri, and anyone in retail can tell you that the sales figures for this month can make or break a business. But Cindy Gambrowski was a customer, and Kiki can't get her out of her mind-- even when co-owner Bama goes ballistic when the shop is featured on the television news. Kiki searches for clues as best she can during the busiest season of all.
The scrapbooking and retail aspects of this book are very well done. By the time I was finished with the last page, I had an itch to take up scrapbooking-- a craft I'd never had any interest in before. Slan shares ideas and tips that are guaranteed to get any crafter anxious to start a new project. Trying to walk that fine line of supply and demand, a shoplifter who's stealing some of their best items, having enough help in the shop to serve all the customers-- the author made this retail veteran feel right at home.
There were some characters who got on my nerves a time or two. Kiki has a mother-in-law who goes out of her way to be hateful to her. I've said in other reviews that I can do without the obnoxious mother-in-law, and my opinion hasn't changed. Bama, the co-owner of Time in a Bottle, is abrasive to the point of being outrageous. Although the reason for Bama being the way she is is given at book's end, I still wondered why everyone let her get away with her behavior.
Kiki seemed to me to be the type of woman who wants to be liked by everyone... a woman who wants to get along with no fighting and harsh words. Unfortunately, she's not surrounding herself with the right people for her wishes to be a reality. The only time I really disagreed with something she did, however, was when a man walked up to her and her co-workers at 11 PM and asked about a mutual acquaintance because he had flowers to deliver. Come on, Kiki-- what flower shop would spend the payroll to make deliveries at that hour of night?
The search for Cindy Gambrowski is a puzzling one, and although subtle clues are given all along the way, the ending is still a shocker. This isn't your typical cozy mystery. There's more meat on the bone. Yes, the characters are front and center as they should be, and yes, you get a feel for the craft aspect of the book. You also see how difficult it is for a single mother with limited funds to raise a child. But there are even deeper issues-- such as spousal abuse-- that Slan deals with in such a way to make us all stop and think... and wonder what we would do in the same situation.
Did it feel strange for me to begin reading a series with book four? No, the author does a good job of providing enough backstory for things to make sense without bogging down the plot. I enjoyed being in Kiki's world for a while and look forward to meeting her again.
August 18, 2022
OK first, This one had some major trigger issues. (Domestic violence, abuse, miscarriage, drug use, cheating and more). So make sure you check them if you have triggers. But damn, it was soooooo much better than the last one. There were still a few grammatical and editing issues but these were not nearly as severe as the last book. The survival in this one was so empowering and the abuse was so harrowing the entire story was just a Rollercoaster of emotion for me. I laughed, I cried, I was so angry, my heart broke, I think I spanned the gammet of emotional projection in this one. But in the end, I felt redeemed and satisfied with a much better story and a mostly pleased overview. I know they semi-resolved one of the issues (thievery) but I wanted a more absolute solution with answers. But maybe in the next one :)
October 5, 2018
This one seemed a bit darker than some of the other books in the series and maybe it's just because it was dealing with domestic abuse. The story was well written and Kiki definitely had a difficult and busy holiday season. Even though I don't scrapbook I enjoy reading about it and like that if I did scrapbook I could get ideas from these books and that she even includes project directions (and recipes) in the books. I'm really interested to see what happens next in her love life as well.
March 20, 2018
All the many confusing things we find in life are touched upon in this series of books. Still the read leaves you with a certain feeling of contentment. As you go through each day with Kiki and the ins and outs of life, mystery, danger, and the promise of love at day's end you you sigh in relief that she made it through another day.
May 25, 2019
These books get better and better!! Great characters.
Fun, quick reads.
Fun, quick reads.
May 21, 2021
Four stars for story. Two for execution. Too many proofreading errors and incorrect use of words.
This book was part of a digital “boxed edition” of the first 6 in the series and may have been cleaned up in other editions.
My opinion: if that is the case, why sell this edition and ruin your reputation? It’s DIGITAL! Dump it.
This book was part of a digital “boxed edition” of the first 6 in the series and may have been cleaned up in other editions.
My opinion: if that is the case, why sell this edition and ruin your reputation? It’s DIGITAL! Dump it.
January 3, 2018
Best One Yet!
Scrappy scrapbooker Kiki Lowenstein is at the center of mysteries, murder, and men. In book 5, the theme is domestic violence, and we finally find out why her crabby coworker Bama is such a cipher. Meanwhile, Kiki continues to grow more of a backbone, which is ever so satisfying, though her obsession with Dettweiler, the married detective, continues to be tiresome.
SPOILER ALERT: We see a glimpse of alternate possibilities in this book (finally!), but the gravitational pull of Dettweiler always seems to win in the end. (I’m curious how it will play out in the end—Dettweiler is certainly being painted as the favorite.)
Scrappy scrapbooker Kiki Lowenstein is at the center of mysteries, murder, and men. In book 5, the theme is domestic violence, and we finally find out why her crabby coworker Bama is such a cipher. Meanwhile, Kiki continues to grow more of a backbone, which is ever so satisfying, though her obsession with Dettweiler, the married detective, continues to be tiresome.
SPOILER ALERT: We see a glimpse of alternate possibilities in this book (finally!), but the gravitational pull of Dettweiler always seems to win in the end. (I’m curious how it will play out in the end—Dettweiler is certainly being painted as the favorite.)
November 20, 2021
Unbelievably poignant . . .
. . . and yet . . .
Right off the top, three things:
#1 have tissues handy
#2 TRIGGER - domestic violence
#3 have tissues handy
Slan handles a highly triggering, complex, fraught subject with gentleness and understanding.
A wife disappears, a piece of her body found, death is surmised; her wealthy, well-thought of husband is under the microscope. Meanwhile, Kiki comes to find out that a co-worker is also a victim of domestic violence.
This highly reactive subject is handled with delicacy while at the same time, there are no punches held back. It isn't pretty, but it's important and ultimately inspires hope too.
Masterful writing here; Make, Take, Murder will leave you reeling, but you will read every word and it will change you!
. . . and yet . . .
Right off the top, three things:
#1 have tissues handy
#2 TRIGGER - domestic violence
#3 have tissues handy
Slan handles a highly triggering, complex, fraught subject with gentleness and understanding.
A wife disappears, a piece of her body found, death is surmised; her wealthy, well-thought of husband is under the microscope. Meanwhile, Kiki comes to find out that a co-worker is also a victim of domestic violence.
This highly reactive subject is handled with delicacy while at the same time, there are no punches held back. It isn't pretty, but it's important and ultimately inspires hope too.
Masterful writing here; Make, Take, Murder will leave you reeling, but you will read every word and it will change you!
April 19, 2012
SPOILER ALERT!!! I am giving away key plot points, do NOT read further if you haven't read the book!!!!
I really enjoy this series. This book had a couple of big things going for it, the most important being getting rid of Bama! What a thoroughly hateful character. I don't care what the circumstances were, she was awful. I'm so glad to see the end of that character. Secondly, it was nice to see Kiki open her eyes and give Ben a real shot. As much as I like Detwiler there are too many impediments to their relationship. The ending of the book, of course, left the relationship up in the air. If I had a friend who was in this situation I'd be pushing her away from the toxic Detwiler relationship, directly into the arms of Ben. Just like her friends are trying to do. In earlier books I was rooting for Detwiler to leave his horrid wife and be with Kiki, but I don't think it's fair for him to keep her dangling on a string, hoping for his wife to leave. Stick with Ben, Kiki!!
I really enjoy this series. This book had a couple of big things going for it, the most important being getting rid of Bama! What a thoroughly hateful character. I don't care what the circumstances were, she was awful. I'm so glad to see the end of that character. Secondly, it was nice to see Kiki open her eyes and give Ben a real shot. As much as I like Detwiler there are too many impediments to their relationship. The ending of the book, of course, left the relationship up in the air. If I had a friend who was in this situation I'd be pushing her away from the toxic Detwiler relationship, directly into the arms of Ben. Just like her friends are trying to do. In earlier books I was rooting for Detwiler to leave his horrid wife and be with Kiki, but I don't think it's fair for him to keep her dangling on a string, hoping for his wife to leave. Stick with Ben, Kiki!!
July 25, 2011
I've given this author 4 tries now and I think this is the last one for me. The main character, Kiki Lowenstein, is just getting on my nerves for reasons too numerous to mention. But the biggie for me is the on again- off again romance with Detweiler, the police detective that started with the first book in the series. Then, oops, we find out that Detweiler is actually married & had been separated from his wife at the time. Then, the wife threatens Kiki & we find out that she's been addicted to drugs. Back & forth, back & forth & always we wind up with the two of them saying that they love each other. In the meantime, Kiki is dating a nice Jewish guy that her ex-MIL is pushing at her, occasionally dating the son of her friend, and now in this book, dates another detective in the department! Good grief! I had enough of this with Janet Evanovich & the formulaic Plum books with the Morelli/Ranger business.
November 26, 2014
The review I wrote for another book somehow wound up here. Although Joanna's novel--and all the others she's written that I haven't already read--are on my Kindle, I haven't read this one yet. When I do, I'll post the correct review here. I apologize for my techno-ineptness.
July 27, 2012
I like a mystery that is a bit harder to figure out, and this one was not as tricky as earlier books in the series, but I still just love spending time with Kiki and her friends in St. Louis!
January 6, 2019
Dumpster diving for her lost paycheck is definitely the low point of Kiki Lowenstein's day―that is, until she finds a severed leg thrown in with the trash. Who'd toss a body part in the garbage outside the crafts store where Kiki works? Accompanying the grisly "gift" is a creepy computerized voice message, a warning to the store's "rich and snotty" female shoppers. Kiki soon discovers that the leg belonged to Cindy Gambrowski, a customer with a tyrannical and violent husband―who's now harassing Kiki.
I love how these books make people aware of different issues of today's society. This one is about abused women. This book is fantastic. The story line is great and the characters keep you wanting more. My one thing that drives me crazy is she is suppose to be in love with this married man but when ever she sees him she still calls him by his last name. I am hoping he either divorces the current wife or she gets over him soon this is dragging on a bit long.
I love how these books make people aware of different issues of today's society. This one is about abused women. This book is fantastic. The story line is great and the characters keep you wanting more. My one thing that drives me crazy is she is suppose to be in love with this married man but when ever she sees him she still calls him by his last name. I am hoping he either divorces the current wife or she gets over him soon this is dragging on a bit long.
February 7, 2021
I've been a fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series for years, and have read the complete series to date. The Kiki Lowenstein series is filling that space. I love the characters, and they have become more and more familiar. The stories are exciting, and the side stories just keep up the flow. There are always "laugh out loud" moments within each story, and that is a big plus in "my book". Being a scrapbooker, I enjoy that aspect of the stories too. I would definitely recommend this book, and all the rest in the series to anyone that enjoys a mystery with a touch of humor and romance.
September 18, 2022
wonderful series!!
I am absolutely in love with these books. I’m flying through them. I finish one and download the next. It’s the first series in ages that I stay up way too late reading. As the books progress, Kiki, Anya, Detweiler, Sheila, Dodie and all the other characters become real. They are very well-written, three-dimensional books. I don’t scrapbook, but I appreciate seeing into the crafting world. Make, Take Murder deals with issue of spousal abuse very respectfully while still building an engrossing whodunnit. I’m ready to download #6!
I am absolutely in love with these books. I’m flying through them. I finish one and download the next. It’s the first series in ages that I stay up way too late reading. As the books progress, Kiki, Anya, Detweiler, Sheila, Dodie and all the other characters become real. They are very well-written, three-dimensional books. I don’t scrapbook, but I appreciate seeing into the crafting world. Make, Take Murder deals with issue of spousal abuse very respectfully while still building an engrossing whodunnit. I’m ready to download #6!
July 29, 2023
The Never Ending Adventure Continues
The Kiki Lowenstein mysteries is a great series. I have hundreds of other books that I want to read, but this series keeps pulling me back to read just one more. I love the way Joanna Campbell Slan puts a mystery together, l never see it coming. The characters are all very well developed and realistic with their own unique backgrounds. This book, number 5, is full of surprises and some romance, as well as some people who want to kill Kiki. There are also many loveable animals, don't miss it. And as always, the unique ending.
The Kiki Lowenstein mysteries is a great series. I have hundreds of other books that I want to read, but this series keeps pulling me back to read just one more. I love the way Joanna Campbell Slan puts a mystery together, l never see it coming. The characters are all very well developed and realistic with their own unique backgrounds. This book, number 5, is full of surprises and some romance, as well as some people who want to kill Kiki. There are also many loveable animals, don't miss it. And as always, the unique ending.
September 30, 2025
While Kiki’s waffling between being a helpless woman and a strong one gets to me, I am enjoying the series. This one has to do with spousal abuse, Kiki continuing to deal with feelings for a certain law enforcement officer, and a man of her faith who has made it clear that he likes her. Kiki’s daughter is well into the early teen years and associated up-&-down histrionics with being a teenager. Money continues to be a problem.
Other issues surface from Kiki’s past, just a hint of them, so I imagine there is more to come in future books.
Other issues surface from Kiki’s past, just a hint of them, so I imagine there is more to come in future books.
November 22, 2020
Surprise Twist
I really enjoyed this book. It was about domestic violence, but the mystery of it was excellent. I loved how Cindy left clues in her scrapbooking to lead Kiki to her abuser. The surprise was hinted that Cindy wasn't really dead either. She escaped to her favorite place with the help of her daughter.
I really like the romances building between Kiki and Ben too. I'm rooting for Ben, but I know Kiki will end up with Detective Detweiler.
I really enjoyed this book. It was about domestic violence, but the mystery of it was excellent. I loved how Cindy left clues in her scrapbooking to lead Kiki to her abuser. The surprise was hinted that Cindy wasn't really dead either. She escaped to her favorite place with the help of her daughter.
I really like the romances building between Kiki and Ben too. I'm rooting for Ben, but I know Kiki will end up with Detective Detweiler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2021
Excellent book wt Kiki tackling domestic violence
An impossible-to-put-down page turner having Kiki becoming aware of domestic violence, in all its malignancy, for the 1st time. Slan has added realism to her tales, in this, and the previous book, forcing many of her friends to have a hard look at the consequences. As always, well, defined characters, wt many twists and turns. And new characters one would gladly see hang. A must read.
An impossible-to-put-down page turner having Kiki becoming aware of domestic violence, in all its malignancy, for the 1st time. Slan has added realism to her tales, in this, and the previous book, forcing many of her friends to have a hard look at the consequences. As always, well, defined characters, wt many twists and turns. And new characters one would gladly see hang. A must read.
May 22, 2022
Wonderful!
Not sure who has more fun in this book, the author or the reader, but I do know that our character "Kiki" is one smart cookie who is very entertaining and has enough empathy for all of us. She is quite the busy woman in this particular chapter and I have found myself worn out just reading about her. She has had so many decisions to make and I'm hoping she makes the right one for her own sake. That said I must move on to the next book. See you there.
Not sure who has more fun in this book, the author or the reader, but I do know that our character "Kiki" is one smart cookie who is very entertaining and has enough empathy for all of us. She is quite the busy woman in this particular chapter and I have found myself worn out just reading about her. She has had so many decisions to make and I'm hoping she makes the right one for her own sake. That said I must move on to the next book. See you there.
August 15, 2022
This series combines creativity, friendship, adorable animals, dysfunctional relationships of many kinds and MURDER. The romance in this series has many ups and down and sideways moves to keep you (and the characters) guessing. This particular book may include some TRIGGER issues, focusing on domestic abuse. It also fills in some background info for fans of the series.
Sensitive topics are dealt with compassionately. The series offers valuable information for all.
Sensitive topics are dealt with compassionately. The series offers valuable information for all.
September 3, 2019
Book 5 in this series and I really enjoyed it. Only Kiki could throw out her paycheck and have to go dumpster diving in her scrapbook business to retrieve the paycheck. Well lets just say she doesn't end up with the paycheck but yet another murder to solve. On to book #6. I will say in this book we find out a little more about the marriage of Detective Detweiler.
September 10, 2020
Kiki
This story is about spousal abuse, how it happens from the richest people to the poorest. How it happens to people we know and work with. Kiki finds a severed leg in her trash dumpster at her scrapbooking store. And finds out it belongs to one of her customers. She again helps the police search out clues to find the killer.
This story is about spousal abuse, how it happens from the richest people to the poorest. How it happens to people we know and work with. Kiki finds a severed leg in her trash dumpster at her scrapbooking store. And finds out it belongs to one of her customers. She again helps the police search out clues to find the killer.
April 15, 2022
Interesting
This is the 5th book in the Kimi Lowenstein series. While it can be read as a stand alone book, I think it is better to read the series. You really need the back story to really understand a lot of what is happening. While the mystery in the bok was interesting, the book really shined the light on domestic violence and abuse. Well worth writing about.
This is the 5th book in the Kimi Lowenstein series. While it can be read as a stand alone book, I think it is better to read the series. You really need the back story to really understand a lot of what is happening. While the mystery in the bok was interesting, the book really shined the light on domestic violence and abuse. Well worth writing about.
August 22, 2024
Very Gritty Cozies
I hesitate to call these cozies. It very much touches on the cruelties of life, spousal abuse, cheating and a sort of violence that leaves an aftertaste. While I love Sheila and the characters I’m not sure how I feel about Kiki or Detweiler anymore. If you like good characters and a grittier novel these may be for you.
I hesitate to call these cozies. It very much touches on the cruelties of life, spousal abuse, cheating and a sort of violence that leaves an aftertaste. While I love Sheila and the characters I’m not sure how I feel about Kiki or Detweiler anymore. If you like good characters and a grittier novel these may be for you.
January 13, 2025
ridiculous in places
Kiki is stupid. Her behavior is childish and ridiculous. Who tells a man to go on in a building with a woman who is alone? I like these books for the most part but one it’s just such scattered religion and this one really got on my nerves. I’ve liked the other ones much better. And for goodness sake stop toying with that poor man I know he’s fake, but still.
Kiki is stupid. Her behavior is childish and ridiculous. Who tells a man to go on in a building with a woman who is alone? I like these books for the most part but one it’s just such scattered religion and this one really got on my nerves. I’ve liked the other ones much better. And for goodness sake stop toying with that poor man I know he’s fake, but still.
September 23, 2017
When a group of people get together frequently, some of them share more than you want and some don’t share anything. How do you tell what is going on behind the scenes??? Kiki has more cuts and bruises than I do as a result of this. This story is a little dark, but good and I recommend it.
September 30, 2017
I'm so glad
I appreciate the fact that Ms Span isn't afraid to use such a topic as spouse abuse for a mystery setting. And I can't wait to read one of the short stories that figures in between the books!
I appreciate the fact that Ms Span isn't afraid to use such a topic as spouse abuse for a mystery setting. And I can't wait to read one of the short stories that figures in between the books!
April 1, 2018
Liked it a lot and I have sped through these this month but I have to say that as a victim of a stalker, Kiki seems somewhat clueless about personal safety. Sure stranger go see someone who’s alone and been in a panic lately for some strange reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews