Helpful Score: 6
I liked the basic concept of the mystery and the information on furniture refinishing and finding good furniture was interesting. However, there was just to much stuff going on that didn't have anything to do with the actual murder mystery. Also, Dyce took To Stupid To Live to whole new levels. Overall, like a 500 page book jammed into a 280pg book. Probably will not try the next one in this series.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a Did Not Finish for me. I give every book at least 5 chapters, and I gave this one an extra 2. I liked the premise of the book, but once again,it was overshadowed by the main character's whole Too Stupid to Live behavior.
Who acts like this in real life? Her inner monologue was a continuous stream of verbal diarreah, and so distracting that I would have to go back to the beginning to figure out what her point was.
And yeah, I get that she's divorced and she hates her ex, don't most of us? But every time she referred to her ex-husband as All-ex instead of Alex, it totally pulled me from the story. I tried, I really did, but it was just not good. I had high hopes but they were sunk pretty quickly.
Who acts like this in real life? Her inner monologue was a continuous stream of verbal diarreah, and so distracting that I would have to go back to the beginning to figure out what her point was.
And yeah, I get that she's divorced and she hates her ex, don't most of us? But every time she referred to her ex-husband as All-ex instead of Alex, it totally pulled me from the story. I tried, I really did, but it was just not good. I had high hopes but they were sunk pretty quickly.
Shannon Y. (dolphinlover) reviewed Dipped, Stripped, and Dead (Daring Finds, Bk 1) on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
fun cozy that I could relate to on many levels. I like the fact that the author allows the heroine to show her flaws and mistakes parenting. Makes her seem all the more believable. The story was enjoyable and interesting.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought this was a good start to a new series, it takes place in a fictional town called Goldport in Colorado. I also like that the main character is a divorced mother with a toddler.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is an enjoyable beginning to a cozy mystery series. Although Dyce and I don't see eye to eye about taking a paint brush to a piece of furniture, I did learn several good tips about furniture refinishing, and I loved her irreverent sense of humor. Another part of her charm for me was Dyce's ability to look at a piece of furniture and see its potential. It's the sort of ability that anyone who's decorated a house on the cheap can appreciate, and it bodes well for future mystery-inducing finds for her store.
Hyatt has a different take on parents who have a bookstore background, and between family, former spouses, and friends, there's quite the support group to help her in future investigations. I found the plot to be a bit weak, but the characterization and writing style are winners, and I look forward to reading more in the series.
Hyatt has a different take on parents who have a bookstore background, and between family, former spouses, and friends, there's quite the support group to help her in future investigations. I found the plot to be a bit weak, but the characterization and writing style are winners, and I look forward to reading more in the series.
Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed Dipped, Stripped, and Dead (Daring Finds, Bk 1) on + 319 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A light and fast read. Typical divorced mom trying to support herself and child while trying to work from home and the jerk of an ex won't pay his child support. Candyce can't afford to buy antiques to resell, so she goes dumpster diving for good pieces to refinish and sell. Unfortunately, this dumpster also has a body in it. Since I am interested in antiques, I found that theme of the book enjoyable. I do hope Candyce can move on a bit from being so bitter about her ex, because I think she has potential as a strong woman on her own.
