Jody M. (jodymcgrath) -
Helpful Score: 3
Marlee Jacobs lives in Oriole Point, Michigan and runs a little shop called The Berry Basket. She was raised here but has just returned two years ago after being embroiled in a media shocking murder investigation in New York. Marlee loves her life here, is engaged to a gorgeous man, and has an amazing house on the lake. When a fellow shop owner is murdered and Marlee just happens to be on his house at the time, thinks start to haywire. Marlee is positive that the murder is tied into a real estate deal and blackmail, and she is going to prove it, even if it means alienating herself from the rest of the town.
This is the first book in the Berry Basket Mystery series. It amazed me that this was the first book. I felt like I had missed so much backstory. She keeps referring back to stuff, like the reader is suppose to know what she is talking about, so I was positive this was at least book 2 or 3 in the series. With it being the first, it is confusing why Ms. Farrow would write it this way. Maybe I am missing something...
As for the characters, some were good and some were cardboard cutouts. The main character, Marlee, was likable, but I didn't really understand her. The murder had nothing to do with her really, yet she went all out to solve it. And why would these other shop owners tell her stuff. I don't get it. I mean she was all for justice telling everyone that finding the murderer trumped their heartfelt secrets, but who was she to pick and choose what the police got to know and what they didn't. I didn't understand any of the motivations of most of the characters, except the murderer.
The mystery was good. I liked how it really could have been multiple people. It was a pretty straightforward cozy, except it really felt like you were reading the third book in the series. It was an okay read. I wouldn't preorder the next in the series, but I might read it. A give it a solid C.
* I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book and gave an honest review *
This is the first book in the Berry Basket Mystery series. It amazed me that this was the first book. I felt like I had missed so much backstory. She keeps referring back to stuff, like the reader is suppose to know what she is talking about, so I was positive this was at least book 2 or 3 in the series. With it being the first, it is confusing why Ms. Farrow would write it this way. Maybe I am missing something...
As for the characters, some were good and some were cardboard cutouts. The main character, Marlee, was likable, but I didn't really understand her. The murder had nothing to do with her really, yet she went all out to solve it. And why would these other shop owners tell her stuff. I don't get it. I mean she was all for justice telling everyone that finding the murderer trumped their heartfelt secrets, but who was she to pick and choose what the police got to know and what they didn't. I didn't understand any of the motivations of most of the characters, except the murderer.
The mystery was good. I liked how it really could have been multiple people. It was a pretty straightforward cozy, except it really felt like you were reading the third book in the series. It was an okay read. I wouldn't preorder the next in the series, but I might read it. A give it a solid C.
* I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book and gave an honest review *
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Helpful Score: 2
Dying for Strawberries is the first in the A Berry Basket Mystery series featuring Marlee Jacobs, owner of the Berry Basket in Oriole Point, Michigan. Marlee has recently returned to her hometown after leaving her job in New York City as the producer of a hit cooking show on the Gourmet Living Network. Marlee had found herself embroiled in the murder of one of the shows stars John Chaplin by his wife Evangeline, after she'd discovered he had been cheating on her with another woman, April Byrne.
Oriole Point is preparing for the annual Strawberry Moon Bash, organized by founding family member Piper Pierce. Busy with preparations for the Festival, Marlee also finds herself dealing with her friend Natasha Bowman's marital woes. Natasha and her husband Cole own the Kitchen Cellar, and he has a reputation as a domestic abuser. After a nasty fight public, Natasha goes missing and Marlee is concerned that Cole has finally murdered his wife.
In her efforts to solve the disappearance of her friend, Marlee soon discovers that Cole has purchased a large tract of land and convinced the Zoning members to switch the land to commercial which will allow fast food chains and box stores to build in the idyllic town. Marlee suspects that Cole is blackmailing the committee members to vote his way, and not long after she publicly accuses him, an attack is made on her life. Determined to unmask her attacker, Marlee sets out with help from best friend, Tess Nakamura to start investigating and stumbles upon the bludgeoned body of Cole.
Dying for Strawberries is darker and edgier than a traditional cozy but still has the basics including a small community with tight knit members harboring secrets, the possibility of the dreaded love triangle, best friends, family and a talking African Grey. A fast paced storyline with plenty of suspects to keep you turning the pages and salivating over the tasty strawberry recipes. Unanswered questions leave the door open for further adventures at the Berry Basket.
Oriole Point is preparing for the annual Strawberry Moon Bash, organized by founding family member Piper Pierce. Busy with preparations for the Festival, Marlee also finds herself dealing with her friend Natasha Bowman's marital woes. Natasha and her husband Cole own the Kitchen Cellar, and he has a reputation as a domestic abuser. After a nasty fight public, Natasha goes missing and Marlee is concerned that Cole has finally murdered his wife.
In her efforts to solve the disappearance of her friend, Marlee soon discovers that Cole has purchased a large tract of land and convinced the Zoning members to switch the land to commercial which will allow fast food chains and box stores to build in the idyllic town. Marlee suspects that Cole is blackmailing the committee members to vote his way, and not long after she publicly accuses him, an attack is made on her life. Determined to unmask her attacker, Marlee sets out with help from best friend, Tess Nakamura to start investigating and stumbles upon the bludgeoned body of Cole.
Dying for Strawberries is darker and edgier than a traditional cozy but still has the basics including a small community with tight knit members harboring secrets, the possibility of the dreaded love triangle, best friends, family and a talking African Grey. A fast paced storyline with plenty of suspects to keep you turning the pages and salivating over the tasty strawberry recipes. Unanswered questions leave the door open for further adventures at the Berry Basket.
Helpful Score: 1
Dying for Strawberries by Sharon Farrow is the first book in A Berry Basket Mystery. Marlee Jacobs owns the Berry Basket in Oriole Point, Michigan. Marlee opened the store where she sells berries and berry related items two years ago after leaving New York (a murder ended her career at the Gourmet Living Network). Marlee is getting ready for the Strawberry Moon Bash that will be held on Friday when her friend, Natasha Bowman comes into the store. Natasha is married to Cole Bowman who physically abuses his wife (but she refuses to leave him). Later that day, Natasha and Cole have a big fight. Natasha has not been seen since then. At a business meeting that evening, they find out that a lot known as strawberry fields has been sold to Taylor Investments. Taylor Investments is owned by Cole Bowman. If Cole's plans go through, all the small businesses in town will be out of business. Of course, it turns out that he owns many of those buildings as well including Marlee's (which he is selling to outsiders). The next night Marlee is waiting for Ryan, her fiancé, at the marina when someone comes up behind her and whacks her on the end. They then push her into the water. But no one believes her story (she had been drinking). Marlee is worried about Natasha. Marlee feels the police are not being proactive and sets out to get answers. She starts asking questions (alienating her fellow shop owners). Marlee then searches Cole and Natasha's house for clues. Instead she finds Cole dead on his doorstep. Marlee has more questions than answers. She is determined to find her friend as well as Cole's killer. Marlee is sure the attempt on her life is connected. Will Marlee find the culprit or be another victim?
Dying for Strawberries is the first book in the series, but it did not feel like it. It felt more like a book in the middle of a series. The reader was missing information. There is also way too much going on in this book. It was one thing after another. Marlee has to deal with her store, her fiancé, Natasha is missing, Cole's murder, the development of strawberry fields, the future of her shop since Cole is determined to sell the building (he does not like Marlee), Marlee's attempted murder, the secrets of the zoning commissioners, and Marlee's nemesis from New York. The book is easy to read and can be finished in about three hours (if you just sit and read). I had a hard time liking Marlee especially after she began her questioning. She was pushy, rude, and annoying (no one taught her the art of subtlety). Marlee felt she was entitled to these people's secrets since someone whacked her on the head (maybe the head whack caused some damage). I did enjoy the mystery. It was the best part of the book. I give Dying for Strawberries 3 out of 5 stars (the good mystery raised the score). I am not sure if I will read the next book in A Berry Basket Mystery series. Knowing me, I will probably give the series one more chance.
Dying for Strawberries is the first book in the series, but it did not feel like it. It felt more like a book in the middle of a series. The reader was missing information. There is also way too much going on in this book. It was one thing after another. Marlee has to deal with her store, her fiancé, Natasha is missing, Cole's murder, the development of strawberry fields, the future of her shop since Cole is determined to sell the building (he does not like Marlee), Marlee's attempted murder, the secrets of the zoning commissioners, and Marlee's nemesis from New York. The book is easy to read and can be finished in about three hours (if you just sit and read). I had a hard time liking Marlee especially after she began her questioning. She was pushy, rude, and annoying (no one taught her the art of subtlety). Marlee felt she was entitled to these people's secrets since someone whacked her on the head (maybe the head whack caused some damage). I did enjoy the mystery. It was the best part of the book. I give Dying for Strawberries 3 out of 5 stars (the good mystery raised the score). I am not sure if I will read the next book in A Berry Basket Mystery series. Knowing me, I will probably give the series one more chance.
JoAnne M. (joannefm2) - , reviewed Dying for Strawberries (Berry Basket, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Marlee Jacob owns The Berry Basket, a business in the touristy town of Oriole Point, Michigan, selling berry-related items. After a run-in with the town's bully, Cole Bowman, who has promised he won't renew Marlee's lease, effectively closing her business, she's stunned; as are the rest of the townspeople, but for a different reason: it seems Cole has come into ownership of Strawberry Fields, a parcel adjoining the town, and plans to turn it commercial, allowing chains into their little village that will probably put local businesses out of business. What Marlee doesn't understand is how the four members of the council could approve such a move, since they are also local business owners; and blurts out at the meeting that they were either bribed or blackmailed into agreeing to it.
When Marlee is attacked on the night of the Strawberry Moon Bash, and no one will believe her, she's determined to find out who wants her dead. And when Cole's wife Natasha goes missing, she's convinced he's killed her, and decides to investigate on her own. She doesn't find Natasha, but she does find Cole...dead at his home.
Now she's convinced that he was killed by one of the members of the council, and learns that Piper and Lionel have hired detectives to dig up secrets. So Marlee decides to question each of them on her own, hoping to find out first if one of those secrets were terrible enough to cause one of them to kill Cole, and attempt murdering her. But it just might get her killed instead...
I don't like giving mediocre reviews, but I will tell you right off that I'm not compromising myself by giving a great one just to make everyone happy. Sometimes a book isn't always a stinker, but it still makes it hard to slog through. This, unfortunately, was one of those books.
Since the rest of my review includes spoilers, you can find it here:
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/dying-for-strawberries-berry-basket.html
When Marlee is attacked on the night of the Strawberry Moon Bash, and no one will believe her, she's determined to find out who wants her dead. And when Cole's wife Natasha goes missing, she's convinced he's killed her, and decides to investigate on her own. She doesn't find Natasha, but she does find Cole...dead at his home.
Now she's convinced that he was killed by one of the members of the council, and learns that Piper and Lionel have hired detectives to dig up secrets. So Marlee decides to question each of them on her own, hoping to find out first if one of those secrets were terrible enough to cause one of them to kill Cole, and attempt murdering her. But it just might get her killed instead...
I don't like giving mediocre reviews, but I will tell you right off that I'm not compromising myself by giving a great one just to make everyone happy. Sometimes a book isn't always a stinker, but it still makes it hard to slog through. This, unfortunately, was one of those books.
Since the rest of my review includes spoilers, you can find it here:
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/dying-for-strawberries-berry-basket.html
