Helpful Score: 2
I started this book today...or tried to start it. I got maybe 10 pages in and gave up. This reads like a total rush job on the part of this author team, and definitely not up to their usual standards. I am rather disappointed and can only hope that their upcoming Renaissance and Garden mysteries are up to the quality I'm used to from these authors.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 1
What a huge dissappointment of a book. I know many of you are waiting in line on the wishlist to get this book. and that is one of those books that doesnt get posted often, but really you have better things to read.
Something was just seriously wrong with this book. I felt like I was reading a book meant for kids, and I mean like 8 to 10 year olds. I read the whole thing, but just kept asking myself what is wrong with the writing? I know these authors, and they have written a well done serious [Missing Pieces Mysteries]. I also know that they have done some kids books and I think they just didnt cross over to the adult side correctly.
Let me see if I can pinpoint the areas that fell flat, Nope I cant, it just overall read like some amelia bedelia or scooby doo mystery.
Let me try again: For instance, our main character is thinking about romance with a few characters, but it all fell flat, no chemistry no reason why they might fall in love, and LOVE was the word used. Then the silly fist fights, and dialogue and characters threatening to hit each other, and the easy make up and apologies, and they took a captured crimiinal to one of the police officers homes in the middle of the night. Bad police procedure, bad sleuthing, bad dialogue. She needs stitches but she never does go get that medical attention, just a lot of unfinished business.
The only redeeming part was the way they described the communication between animals and humans. The cat and the turtle was very cute. I swear she actually picks up a raccoon in one part.
Something was just seriously wrong with this book. I felt like I was reading a book meant for kids, and I mean like 8 to 10 year olds. I read the whole thing, but just kept asking myself what is wrong with the writing? I know these authors, and they have written a well done serious [Missing Pieces Mysteries]. I also know that they have done some kids books and I think they just didnt cross over to the adult side correctly.
Let me see if I can pinpoint the areas that fell flat, Nope I cant, it just overall read like some amelia bedelia or scooby doo mystery.
Let me try again: For instance, our main character is thinking about romance with a few characters, but it all fell flat, no chemistry no reason why they might fall in love, and LOVE was the word used. Then the silly fist fights, and dialogue and characters threatening to hit each other, and the easy make up and apologies, and they took a captured crimiinal to one of the police officers homes in the middle of the night. Bad police procedure, bad sleuthing, bad dialogue. She needs stitches but she never does go get that medical attention, just a lot of unfinished business.
The only redeeming part was the way they described the communication between animals and humans. The cat and the turtle was very cute. I swear she actually picks up a raccoon in one part.
I read the first two chapters of this and could't go on. I'm sure it was probably a brilliant premise in theory, but badly implemented. Firstly, and most importantly, the story line didn't immediately grab me. When I have to force myself into reading something, it's a pretty good sign that the writing leaves something to be desired. I also had issues with the author telling the reader things instead of showing them (how was a character looking unusual? show us the detective's frustration instead of just telling us he is). Finally, I'm not entirely certain that the Spanish language was used appropriately, though it's not my native tongue so I can't say for sure.
Meet Mary Catherine and her orange tabby named Baylor. Its no secret MC is a pet psychic, and works for a local readio station. She also runs a free vet clinic out of her house.
When her producer and friend, (Collen)'s aunt Ferndale is found dead in her home, (the only survival a very timid and scared turtle named Tommy) MC uses her psychic ability to try and get Tommy to help her find out the killer.
A mysterios PI named Charlie shows up, fishing for answers MC eventually learns hes got secrets of his own. A mysterious caller keeps calling into the radio station threatning Mary Catherine. After a potential cat-napping and a suprise attack, MC uses her talent of talking to animals to get to the truth and help out her friend.
This book was ok. I wasnt really impressed with the writing style,(dual authors) and at times the plot seemed slow moving and repeatitve. The constant mentioning of the main charcaters' 4 (count'em 4) late husbands was redundant and un-nessasary, It felt like something was missing, perhapps 4 additional books. There was contant mentioning of previously working with the police, doing this, doing that.... WHATEV, lets get back to the task here! LOL However some of the interactions with the animals were absolutely histerically funny. I didnt really connect with any of the characters, and there were some that I flat out just couldnt stand. This is not a series I would rush right out to continue to read.
When her producer and friend, (Collen)'s aunt Ferndale is found dead in her home, (the only survival a very timid and scared turtle named Tommy) MC uses her psychic ability to try and get Tommy to help her find out the killer.
A mysterios PI named Charlie shows up, fishing for answers MC eventually learns hes got secrets of his own. A mysterious caller keeps calling into the radio station threatning Mary Catherine. After a potential cat-napping and a suprise attack, MC uses her talent of talking to animals to get to the truth and help out her friend.
This book was ok. I wasnt really impressed with the writing style,(dual authors) and at times the plot seemed slow moving and repeatitve. The constant mentioning of the main charcaters' 4 (count'em 4) late husbands was redundant and un-nessasary, It felt like something was missing, perhapps 4 additional books. There was contant mentioning of previously working with the police, doing this, doing that.... WHATEV, lets get back to the task here! LOL However some of the interactions with the animals were absolutely histerically funny. I didnt really connect with any of the characters, and there were some that I flat out just couldnt stand. This is not a series I would rush right out to continue to read.
I am surprised to see so many negative reviews of this book. I liked it. I liked how the main character could communicate with animals most. I wasn't thrilled with the ending, but overall I enjoyed this book.
