Helpful Score: 15
A very worthy companion to the Evanovich Plum mysteries. Not quite as laugh out loud, but a lot of fun. (And I did LOL once!)
Longer and more complex than the Plum stories.
Longer and more complex than the Plum stories.
Helpful Score: 5
Funny and intriguing. I was kept guessing until the very end. Although some unpleasant topics are discussed (like murder) the book is a relatively light read. I enjoyed it and I cannot wait until the next one.
Helpful Score: 4
I don't know why some reviewers have said the writing is bad; it seems OK to me, given the kind of book this is. It's not supposed to be finely crafted Jane Austen prose; it's supposed to be casual and chatty, as if Jane were telling us her experiences over coffee somewhere. On that level, it works fine. It's not something I'd ever reread, but I liked Jane and was intrigued enough to finish it. Comparisons to Janet Evanovich are probably unfair; the Plum books are comedy adventure and this is more of a mystery; I don't think it was supposed to be laugh out loud funny. It's a good evening's read, the literary equivalent of a couple of episodes of your favorite crime show.
Helpful Score: 3
A first novel by the sister of Lisa Jackson.A fun, frantic sexy mystery with a heroine and her pug named Binky.
Helpful Score: 3
Good story, interesting characters, I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a debut mystery about a sometimes process server in Oregon. The setting is nice (I love the coffee shop and the lakeside restaurant) and the characters are okay (especially the dog) but it just didn't grab me like many amateur sleuths do. I'll give the author another chance, but from the library.
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
Helpful Score: 3
I didn't much care for it. I thought it was slow and the story line was weak.
Helpful Score: 3
New author ... and I can't wait to get my hands on her next book. Jane Kelly is funny, feisty, a private investigator who's unique and witty. I loved the book!
Helpful Score: 3
I ordered this book because another PBS member said it was very similar to the Stephanie Plum series, which I love... But UGH, it was terrible. The writing is just so awful that I couldn't get past the first few chapters.
Helpful Score: 2
Liked the book after I got into it. Title is not even mentioned until late in book and the "meaning" is very subtle. I think the author just thought it was catchy. The cover art of the anorexic redhead in stilettos with gun on thigh is totally misleading. Our hero Jane is a VERY casual dresser and does not carry a gun. Again, catchy but irrelevant. The book did get much better and I do want to read the sequel.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book! :D If you like Janet Evanovich, you will love Nancy Bush. Jane Kelly has her own style that makes her almost as good as Stephanie Plum. Electric Blue, the sequel to Candy Apple Red, is the best of the Jane Kelly series so far though, so keep reading!
Helpful Score: 2
Lots of twists, but very predictible. Easy, entertaining read.
Helpful Score: 1
Unexpected twisty plot that I enjoyed and a heroine I learned to like, although what is it with these women PI's having an anti-clothes fetish? Can't you be a clever detective and dress well? And The Binkster won my heart! (And I share Jane's anti-dw thing---but from the description of Dwayne...maybe I could get over it too!)
Helpful Score: 1
OK, but not great. I would read another by her to see.
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say about this book other than I probably lost brain cells while reading it. I finally gave up about 100 pages into it. I just couldn't handle anymore horrible writing.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't know why anyone would say this book is comparable to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. This book wasn't funny but rather annoying. I couldn't even get a 1/4 way thru the book before giving up. Very disappointed..
Such fun to read.I don't think I found a page when there wasn't something going on. I know there wasn't a page that I was bored with or skimmed thru. Although I love the Evanovich series I think I may have liked this 3 part series a tad better than the Janet Evanovich series. This was my first time with this author & I would read everything she has written since I have become familiar with her work. She has a comfortable way with words that makes me want more. This is a catchy little series that isn't to short or to long. I loved the characters, & I do mean they are characters. I liked that they follow thru in each of books 2 & 3 that no main character is left out. I personally find this something I like in a short series. It's idiotic, serious, comical, dangerous, a tiny bit sexy, & a whole lot of fun. If you think you may like this read just give it a try. I'm glad I didn't miss out on it. Candy Apple Red is book 1. Electric Blue is book 2 & Ultra Violet is book 3.
Lisa Jackson's review says "Move over, Stephanie Plum," but this isn't laugh-out-loud funny, even when the pug rescues Jane from a man who really does have a gun in his pocket.
Jane Kelly is through following men. She left Southern California for the murky quaintness of Lake Chinook, Oregon, apparently so she could trade her bartending skills for much more glamorous work: process serving. And the boyfriend, of course, is long gone. But things have been looking a littl brighter lately. Her hobby doing PI work is kind of fun, especially when she lands a real case - that pays real money.
"Funny sex scenes, good drinks and a likable dog lift Bush's first Jane Kelly mystery" - Publisher's Weekly
"Funny sex scenes, good drinks and a likable dog lift Bush's first Jane Kelly mystery" - Publisher's Weekly
This book was okay, but the heroine is a little to negative for my taste. I skimmed over whole pages at a time while she was going on about her negative reaction to some person or place. I managed to finish the book, but even though I did, I felt the story wasn't over. It's set in Oregon, so maybe if you're from that area of the USA, this book would have more appeal.
A little slow at the beginning but then picked up. Overall, I like the series.
Good Book...
Good story
This is a good series.
good read
