Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Although this is Sherry Harris's fourth Garage Sale mystery, it's the first one I've read, and I'm happy to say that A Good Day to Buy works very well as a standalone. I didn't feel lost once, nor did I feel bogged down in backstory. I was a bit reluctant to read a book that focuses on garage sales, but Sarah Winston doesn't focus on just those. We also read about her attendance at estate sales as well as working with art and antiques. So it's not just about people's "cast-off junk." (I think Harris also managed to raise my opinion of garage sales as I read.)
This is an excellent, multi-layered mystery that revolves around Sarah's estranged brother. It's a chance for readers to learn some of the main character's family dynamics... speaking of which, the relationship she has with her ex-husband is an interesting one. Sarah Winston is a main character I rapidly grew to like, and I had to smile when her friend Gennie laid down the law and insisted Sarah learn self-defense after finding herself in a dangerous situation once again. I know of several other main characters in cozy mystery series who should do the same thing. Gennie could have a flourishing career.
The mystery is solved in A Good Day to Buy, but the book ends on a cliffhanger with Sarah's personal life. I was very impressed with my first Garage Sale mystery, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if I visit Sarah Winston again-- especially to see how that cliffhanger turns out.
This is an excellent, multi-layered mystery that revolves around Sarah's estranged brother. It's a chance for readers to learn some of the main character's family dynamics... speaking of which, the relationship she has with her ex-husband is an interesting one. Sarah Winston is a main character I rapidly grew to like, and I had to smile when her friend Gennie laid down the law and insisted Sarah learn self-defense after finding herself in a dangerous situation once again. I know of several other main characters in cozy mystery series who should do the same thing. Gennie could have a flourishing career.
The mystery is solved in A Good Day to Buy, but the book ends on a cliffhanger with Sarah's personal life. I was very impressed with my first Garage Sale mystery, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if I visit Sarah Winston again-- especially to see how that cliffhanger turns out.
Tim H. (Timbuktu126) reviewed A Good Day to Buy (Sarah Winston Garage Sale, Bk 4) on + 479 more book reviews
This is a really solid series. I have enjoyed all of them including this one. This one has a plot that I have not seen in any other book I've read, which is a rarity. I like all of the characters that appear in all of the books and I was surprised by the ending too- both the culmination of the plot and the personal story of Sarah.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
A Good Day to Buy is the fourth installment in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series set in Ellington, Massachusetts featuring Garage Sale organizer Sarah Winston. Her business includes onsite organization as well as a virtual garage sales site, and she combines these two things with her volunteer work at the thrift shop on nearby Fitch Air Force base.
Sarah has her hands full at the sale for Velma and Verne Spencer. The elderly couple is downsizing in order to put their home on the market and move closer to their son Tim in Florida. Sarah has taken a liking to veteran Verne but Velma isn't easy to please as the woman doesn't want to give up any of her belongings no matter how useless or worthless.
Things go quickly downhill when Sarah discovers the bodies of the Spencers in their garage and soon finds herself involved in another murder investigation led by ex husband and now boyfriend Police Chief CJ Hooker. To complicate things her estranged brother Luke has appeared on her doorstep begging her not to tell anyone, including CJ, that he is in town.
Luke claims he is working on a story and needs a place to hide out for a few days. Not quite sure what her brother is involved in Sarah becomes even more anxious when Luke goes missing and a homeless man turns up dead with Luke's backpack in his possession. With her brother soon the main suspect in both murders, Sarah is determined to clear his name.
A fast paced storyline with well developed characters both returning and new. Plenty of suspects and the disturbing yet real topic of Veteran benefits being abused. A cliffhanger at the end that you won't see coming will have you searching for the next addition in the series.
Sarah has her hands full at the sale for Velma and Verne Spencer. The elderly couple is downsizing in order to put their home on the market and move closer to their son Tim in Florida. Sarah has taken a liking to veteran Verne but Velma isn't easy to please as the woman doesn't want to give up any of her belongings no matter how useless or worthless.
Things go quickly downhill when Sarah discovers the bodies of the Spencers in their garage and soon finds herself involved in another murder investigation led by ex husband and now boyfriend Police Chief CJ Hooker. To complicate things her estranged brother Luke has appeared on her doorstep begging her not to tell anyone, including CJ, that he is in town.
Luke claims he is working on a story and needs a place to hide out for a few days. Not quite sure what her brother is involved in Sarah becomes even more anxious when Luke goes missing and a homeless man turns up dead with Luke's backpack in his possession. With her brother soon the main suspect in both murders, Sarah is determined to clear his name.
A fast paced storyline with well developed characters both returning and new. Plenty of suspects and the disturbing yet real topic of Veteran benefits being abused. A cliffhanger at the end that you won't see coming will have you searching for the next addition in the series.
Kristina A. reviewed A Good Day to Buy (Sarah Winston Garage Sale, Bk 4) on + 1528 more book reviews
A Good Day to Buy by Sherry Harris is the fourth book in A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. Sarah Winston is helping Verne and Velma Spencer downsize their collections for a move to Florida. Today is garage sale day, and Velma keeps trying to reclaim items. Her husband, Verne takes her inside, and Sarah gets ready to bargain. Later in the morning, a customer attempts to enter an off-limits area in the garage that Sarah has cordoned off with sheets. Behind the sheets, Sarah discovers the couple on the floor. Verne is dead, but Velma still has a pulse. Through the back door of the garage, Sarah sees a man fleeing into the woods. After giving her statement to the police, Sarah is home enjoying a Fluffernutter sandwich (marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter) when there is a knock at the door. It is Sarah's estranged brother, Luke who is twitchy and acting cagey. He needs a place to stay and asks Sarah not to tell anyone that he is there especially C.J. (Chief of Police and Sarah's ex-husband/current paramour). Luke tells Sarah that he is an investigative reporter working on a story. Luke stays a short time, but he is soon gone without a word. When Luke's fingerprints turn up in the Spencer's garage and he becomes a âperson of interestâ, Sarah knows she must take action. Sarah finds a notebook of Luke's in the couch that contains a list of names. Sarah hopes that Luke's research will lead her to him. She knows her brother did not hurt the Spencer's. Now, she has to prove it and then explain her deception to C.J. Sarah will need to stay alert and on her toes, because she is not the only person trying to find Luke!
A Good Day to Buy is nicely written and has a good pace (and flow). A Good Day to Buy can be read alone. The needed background information on Sarah is provided in the book (and she has a complicated history). There are some wonderful descriptions of antiques in the book. I love vintage items and there are several objects described that I want to own. I give A Good Day to Buy 4 out of 5 stars. I am not a fan of the romance in this series. I was very disappointed to see Sarah take up with her ex-husband again (I preferred her with Seth). He strikes me as a self-centered individual, and he does not seem happy with the new Sarah (who she has become since the divorce). I believe Sarah is with him because it is comfortable, easy, and familiar. It will be interesting to see what happens between C.J. and Sarah in the next book. The murder mystery was complex and a delight to solve. I believe many readers will be stumped by this one. The secondary storyline regarding veterans was shocking (spoiler). There are some handy garage sale tips at the end of the book. I enjoyed A Good Day to Buy better than the previous book in the series. I was especially grateful that Ms. Harris cut down on the Fluffernutter sandwich references (makes me queasy just thinking about them). I was surprised by the cliffhanger ending (and disappointed). I hope the author will resolve the issue early in the next book and not drag it out (sorry, but I do not want to spoil it for anyone).
A Good Day to Buy is nicely written and has a good pace (and flow). A Good Day to Buy can be read alone. The needed background information on Sarah is provided in the book (and she has a complicated history). There are some wonderful descriptions of antiques in the book. I love vintage items and there are several objects described that I want to own. I give A Good Day to Buy 4 out of 5 stars. I am not a fan of the romance in this series. I was very disappointed to see Sarah take up with her ex-husband again (I preferred her with Seth). He strikes me as a self-centered individual, and he does not seem happy with the new Sarah (who she has become since the divorce). I believe Sarah is with him because it is comfortable, easy, and familiar. It will be interesting to see what happens between C.J. and Sarah in the next book. The murder mystery was complex and a delight to solve. I believe many readers will be stumped by this one. The secondary storyline regarding veterans was shocking (spoiler). There are some handy garage sale tips at the end of the book. I enjoyed A Good Day to Buy better than the previous book in the series. I was especially grateful that Ms. Harris cut down on the Fluffernutter sandwich references (makes me queasy just thinking about them). I was surprised by the cliffhanger ending (and disappointed). I hope the author will resolve the issue early in the next book and not drag it out (sorry, but I do not want to spoil it for anyone).
