Helpful Score: 4
Good first in a series cozy. There is a lot of room to grow the characters and plotlines in this series. Mainly this book introduced us to the characters and little about their background. Often in cozy there is a bit more emphasis on theme (cooking, tea shop, flowers etc). The book started with bargain hunter scene, but didn't follow up much on it after that. Will read book two.
Helpful Score: 4
My TBR pile is growing every day. I have friends, family and co-workers that all know I love books. I am not ashamed of my TBR pile, but I do admit that books that are "first in a new series", well, I tend to get to them when I am in the mood. I want to read them, but starting a new series and then the next book not following for a few months or even a year, I just keep putting it off. That is what I did with this book and today, I finally got it out and now I am saying "Self, why did you do that?"
I love this series! Maggie is just as loveable as she can be and you know what? All of the characters in the book are not only unique in their own way, but could be the neighbor next door. That is what I love about it! Along with the tips to save money and in today's economy, who could not use the tips, right?
"First in a new series" books, they sometimes have a slow read in them. Not this one! I was caught up in the first 10 pages and found that I did not want to put it down. Now I am finding myself saying, "Self, why are you surprised?" Jenn McKinlay is writing as Josie Belle and we all know how enjoyable her books are!
So as I write this, I say, "bring it on, Josie Belle". I am ready for book two!
I love this series! Maggie is just as loveable as she can be and you know what? All of the characters in the book are not only unique in their own way, but could be the neighbor next door. That is what I love about it! Along with the tips to save money and in today's economy, who could not use the tips, right?
"First in a new series" books, they sometimes have a slow read in them. Not this one! I was caught up in the first 10 pages and found that I did not want to put it down. Now I am finding myself saying, "Self, why are you surprised?" Jenn McKinlay is writing as Josie Belle and we all know how enjoyable her books are!
So as I write this, I say, "bring it on, Josie Belle". I am ready for book two!
Helpful Score: 3
What a lovely summer read, took me maybe 8 hours to finish it! Was fast
moving, I didn't want to put it down once I started. Has a comical air about
it with good, believable characters with a tad of romance in it. Very
entertaining and I hadn't figured out who the killer was until they made
their move to kill off one of the Good Buy Girls! Was a pure pleasure to
read and I look forward to reading the next in the series!
moving, I didn't want to put it down once I started. Has a comical air about
it with good, believable characters with a tad of romance in it. Very
entertaining and I hadn't figured out who the killer was until they made
their move to kill off one of the Good Buy Girls! Was a pure pleasure to
read and I look forward to reading the next in the series!
Helpful Score: 1
Jenn McKinlay writing as Josie Belle introduces the bargain hunting women of St. Stanley, VA. The ladies band together to find a killer after one member is accused of murder. A high school flame returns to town as the new sheriff and causes trouble for our heroine, Maggie. A quick, cute summer read. 3.5 stars
I have to say that overall I did like this book and will read the next in the series. However, until about half way through the book I really wanted to slap the main character silly. Her attitude toward the sheriff, with whom she has had a history, really was obnoxious. The mystery really got started after that and that was very good. Tips in the back of the book on how to save money. 3 stars.
"50% Off Murder" by Josie Belle is the first in a new cozy series about a group of bargain-hunting and money-saving friends who call themselves the "Good Buy Girls." They meet at Maggie Gerber's house for this most recent meeting, but one of the members, Claire Freemont, is late. She arrives, bringing dessert, but acts distracted and a bit strange.
The next day Maggie goes to the library where Claire works to take her niece's little boy, Josh, for story time, and winds up helping Claire take some boxes of books to the basement. When they reach the library basement, they find the dead body of a man with Claire's cake knife protruding from his body and a book laying beside him that is from Claire's own personal library. Claire becomes the number one suspect, especially when it becomes known that Claire dated this man back in Baltimore, MD from where she has moved to Saint Stanley. Her friends know that she has more to tell that she is hiding, though. They become the major sleuths in the investigation to clear the name of their friend.
The new sheriff in the small town of Saint Stanley, VA has returned after many years away and it so happens that twenty-four years ago he and Maggie Gerber had a romance. This all adds suspense and a tad of romantic suspense to the story.
This is a good start to a new series that has some great bargain-hunting tips throughout the book and at the end there is a list of more money-saving ideas that I found useful. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and getting to know the other members of the Good Buy Girls better.
Josie Belle, author of this book, is the pen name of author Jennifer McKinlay, who writes other cozy series.
The next day Maggie goes to the library where Claire works to take her niece's little boy, Josh, for story time, and winds up helping Claire take some boxes of books to the basement. When they reach the library basement, they find the dead body of a man with Claire's cake knife protruding from his body and a book laying beside him that is from Claire's own personal library. Claire becomes the number one suspect, especially when it becomes known that Claire dated this man back in Baltimore, MD from where she has moved to Saint Stanley. Her friends know that she has more to tell that she is hiding, though. They become the major sleuths in the investigation to clear the name of their friend.
The new sheriff in the small town of Saint Stanley, VA has returned after many years away and it so happens that twenty-four years ago he and Maggie Gerber had a romance. This all adds suspense and a tad of romantic suspense to the story.
This is a good start to a new series that has some great bargain-hunting tips throughout the book and at the end there is a list of more money-saving ideas that I found useful. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and getting to know the other members of the Good Buy Girls better.
Josie Belle, author of this book, is the pen name of author Jennifer McKinlay, who writes other cozy series.
First Line: "Okay, is everyone clear on what they're supposed to do?" Maggie Gerber asked.
Life is quiet in St. Stanley, Virginia, and Maggie Gerber likes it like that. Widowed at a young age, Maggie's daughter is away at college, but her niece Sandy and her two-year-old son Josh live with her while Sandy studies nursing and her husband is in Afghanistan. Maggie's a founding member of the Good Buy Girls, a group of friends who meet weekly to share coupons and to plan their buying strategies. But all that quiet goodness is about to change....
Sam Collins is the new sheriff in town. That bodes ill since he and Maggie have been at each other's throats since they were in diapers. Maggie decides that she's going to avoid him as much as possible, but it simply is not meant to be. Claire Fremont-- Good Buy Girl, local librarian, and all-round good person-- has been hauled off to jail by none other than Sam Collins himself after a body is found in the library basement. Claire not only knew the victim, she owns the cake knife that was found buried in his chest. Although Maggie realizes Claire isn't being completely honest with her, she knows Claire to be incapable of murder, so Maggie sets out to find the real killer-- whether the high and mighty Sheriff Sam Collins likes it or not!
I was a bit hesitant to give this book a try. Having spent most of my working life in the retail field, I've lived through madness like the Cabbage Patch Dolls and Tickle Me Elmo (to name a few), and once you've stood on the other side of the door from a seething crowd showing mob-like tendencies, it tends to color how you look at a group of women who have battle plans when they go out to shop.
I shouldn't have worried because the ultimate reason why I read the book-- author Jenn McKinlay writing as Josie Belle-- is the reason why I loved it. McKinlay has such a playful and slightly twisted sense of humor that I can't help but smile and laugh as I read her books. The four women who comprise the Good Buy Girls are fabulous characters who work well together whether it's shopping for Gucci or searching for clues. I even enjoyed the sparks flying between Maggie and Sam. Let's face it. All that fussing and feuding since they were toddlers? What else could it have been leading to?
I loved the characters and the humor. I even appreciated the shopping because the Good Buy Girls have taken the time to get to know the businesses and the business people in their area. It's not just about scoring a deal; it's also about friendship and looking out for each other. The only thing that marred this book for me was the blazing red neon sign hanging above the killer's head, and although that was a bit of a disappointment, I don't really care. McKinlay/Belle has created such a great cast of characters that I'm really looking forward to reading what they get into next.
Life is quiet in St. Stanley, Virginia, and Maggie Gerber likes it like that. Widowed at a young age, Maggie's daughter is away at college, but her niece Sandy and her two-year-old son Josh live with her while Sandy studies nursing and her husband is in Afghanistan. Maggie's a founding member of the Good Buy Girls, a group of friends who meet weekly to share coupons and to plan their buying strategies. But all that quiet goodness is about to change....
Sam Collins is the new sheriff in town. That bodes ill since he and Maggie have been at each other's throats since they were in diapers. Maggie decides that she's going to avoid him as much as possible, but it simply is not meant to be. Claire Fremont-- Good Buy Girl, local librarian, and all-round good person-- has been hauled off to jail by none other than Sam Collins himself after a body is found in the library basement. Claire not only knew the victim, she owns the cake knife that was found buried in his chest. Although Maggie realizes Claire isn't being completely honest with her, she knows Claire to be incapable of murder, so Maggie sets out to find the real killer-- whether the high and mighty Sheriff Sam Collins likes it or not!
I was a bit hesitant to give this book a try. Having spent most of my working life in the retail field, I've lived through madness like the Cabbage Patch Dolls and Tickle Me Elmo (to name a few), and once you've stood on the other side of the door from a seething crowd showing mob-like tendencies, it tends to color how you look at a group of women who have battle plans when they go out to shop.
I shouldn't have worried because the ultimate reason why I read the book-- author Jenn McKinlay writing as Josie Belle-- is the reason why I loved it. McKinlay has such a playful and slightly twisted sense of humor that I can't help but smile and laugh as I read her books. The four women who comprise the Good Buy Girls are fabulous characters who work well together whether it's shopping for Gucci or searching for clues. I even enjoyed the sparks flying between Maggie and Sam. Let's face it. All that fussing and feuding since they were toddlers? What else could it have been leading to?
I loved the characters and the humor. I even appreciated the shopping because the Good Buy Girls have taken the time to get to know the businesses and the business people in their area. It's not just about scoring a deal; it's also about friendship and looking out for each other. The only thing that marred this book for me was the blazing red neon sign hanging above the killer's head, and although that was a bit of a disappointment, I don't really care. McKinlay/Belle has created such a great cast of characters that I'm really looking forward to reading what they get into next.
I think this was a very good first in series. The characters were developed well and the story was cute. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series when it comes out.
Enjoying the cozy mystery story this spring. It is a fun read about some neighborhood gals that enjoy shopping and each others company. There are always a few not so friendly neighbors in the small town, and mysteries are to be found. A good read for mystery fans for light reading this summer.
Brenda W. (threecatsandahusband) reviewed 50% Off Murder (Good Buy Girls, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Great beginning to a new series of "A Good Buy Girls Mystery." The characters in this book love to shop for bargains, but they did not bargain for a murder!
