Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 4
I think Adams' Books By the Bay novels are some of the very best cozies being written today. I love them, so I was excited to learn that she was writing a new series, and I bought a copy as soon as it arrived at my local bookstore. From the first paragraph, I was in heaven. Storyton Hall is any serious book lover's perfect world, and the countryside and village outside its walls complete the dream scenario. There are times when I read that I want to be drawn into the type of world that should exist but doesn't outside of my imagination. This is the sort of world that Ellery Adams has created in her first Book Retreat mystery.
I was enchanted. Jane's aunt and uncle are still deeply in love after decades of marriage. Jane deals with the public the way everyone wants to be treated. Her twin sons Hem and Fitz (Hemingway and Fitzgerald) are a pair of typical, high energy, ornery six-year-old boys. The staff working at Storyton Hall and even the small business owners in the nearby village are lovingly drawn individuals. Jane and her sons bicycle back and forth to the village. It was plain to see that the pages of this book were liberally sprinkled with fairy dust.
There are touches of humor throughout the book as well, but the scene that literally made me laugh out loud was the description of the garden in front of the Cheshire Cat Pub and what would happen some evenings when the pub patrons and local felines would gather together.
The mystery was a good one, keeping me guessing all along the way, but something happened in Murder in a Mystery Suite that just didn't set well with me. Problem is, I can't talk about it without screaming SPOILER ALERT in fluorescent pink flashing neon ten feet high. Spoiler alerts in reviews just aren't my style, so suffice it to say that the suspension bridge of my disbelief collapsed like "Galloping Gertie" did in 1940. The only other thing I will say on the subject is that your enjoyment of the book will depend in large part on how well you like fantasy.
I may have just scared some of you away from reading this book, but don't forget that mileage can certainly vary when it comes to reading books. Your suspension bridge may be much more stable than mine, so don't be afraid to give this book a try. If you're still feeling nervous, then head on over to Ellery Adams' Books By the Bay series. It's marvelous.
I was enchanted. Jane's aunt and uncle are still deeply in love after decades of marriage. Jane deals with the public the way everyone wants to be treated. Her twin sons Hem and Fitz (Hemingway and Fitzgerald) are a pair of typical, high energy, ornery six-year-old boys. The staff working at Storyton Hall and even the small business owners in the nearby village are lovingly drawn individuals. Jane and her sons bicycle back and forth to the village. It was plain to see that the pages of this book were liberally sprinkled with fairy dust.
There are touches of humor throughout the book as well, but the scene that literally made me laugh out loud was the description of the garden in front of the Cheshire Cat Pub and what would happen some evenings when the pub patrons and local felines would gather together.
The mystery was a good one, keeping me guessing all along the way, but something happened in Murder in a Mystery Suite that just didn't set well with me. Problem is, I can't talk about it without screaming SPOILER ALERT in fluorescent pink flashing neon ten feet high. Spoiler alerts in reviews just aren't my style, so suffice it to say that the suspension bridge of my disbelief collapsed like "Galloping Gertie" did in 1940. The only other thing I will say on the subject is that your enjoyment of the book will depend in large part on how well you like fantasy.
I may have just scared some of you away from reading this book, but don't forget that mileage can certainly vary when it comes to reading books. Your suspension bridge may be much more stable than mine, so don't be afraid to give this book a try. If you're still feeling nervous, then head on over to Ellery Adams' Books By the Bay series. It's marvelous.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
I really started just loving this book, Jane and her twins, and her village and her friends are amazingly fun. There is the mysterious death of a clothed Lady Godiva, and then the murder at Murder and Mayhem week, that are connected of course. So the mystery is good. THEN bam the author throws in the most amazing twist to the plot, that I loved. Then I felt like the mystery fizzled, and we find out who the culprit is, and we still have 20 more pages of winding it up.
This is the same author who writes the Charmed Pie shop mysteries, and after the 3rd pie book, I couldnt buy into the authors fantasy world. I am afraid this series will going to jump the shark with its fantasy element, which so far I love and find believable.
I think most of the cozy mystery readers will love this first book, as it is chocked full of fun characters who attend a costume ball. Lots of mystery reference and name dropping. Very fun.
This is the same author who writes the Charmed Pie shop mysteries, and after the 3rd pie book, I couldnt buy into the authors fantasy world. I am afraid this series will going to jump the shark with its fantasy element, which so far I love and find believable.
I think most of the cozy mystery readers will love this first book, as it is chocked full of fun characters who attend a costume ball. Lots of mystery reference and name dropping. Very fun.
The summary of this book does not begin to describe the context of this series. Had it been only that, I probably would have liked the book. But I had trouble attaching to the basic premise of the book. I also didn't like the indulged children of the main character. I mean, high spirited boys run in my family, but these were beyond reason. I wanted to love the sub-characters and so wanted to attach to their quirky personalities. Sadly, I did not. I was disappointed, because I DID love the Bay series.
Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat, Bk 1) on + 319 more book reviews
love this series about a feisty mom of twin boys who manages the family resort and just happens to be a guardian of a secret library.
This book just didn't hold my attention like the Bay series does. I couldn't relate to the characters, and the plot was just a tad too far fetched. I probably won't read more of this series.
This was absolutely an enchanting fun mystery! The town in which it is set and Storyton Hall Mansion had enough hidden doorways, hallways, servants, to hide enough secrets to outlive many lives! The main characters were a remarkable family ---- again, not enough stars to rate it!
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
I basically liked the book, even though the plot theme is a bit out there! Liked the characters...will read the next one in the series!
