3 out of 5 stars.
I would like to thank Bastei Entertainment for allowing me to read an ARC of this book via Netgalley for an open and honest review.
This is the 13th book in a series of, currently, 14 books. Unfortunately I didn’t know this when I requested a copy and haven’t had the opportunity to read the rest of the series first. Though, in a way, it didn’t really matter. Why? Because there was a helpful little blurb in the front of the book that gave me a quick catch up as to whom the two main characters were and it helped me set the scene before I began to read. And, besides the occasional reference to other stories in the series, this book was very easy to read as a stand-alone.
I enjoyed it a lot, but probably would have rated it a bit higher if I’d read the rest of the series first. To be honest, most cosy crimes get a 3 out of 5 stars for me, this means it’s good. Take it as good, it’s rare I go higher for any book.
What did I like? It had a good, fast but steady paced story. It used short, sharp sentences to keep it going and enticing the reader to keep reading. Something I love in a “short story” cosy crime.
There was one thing I didn’t like that much and that was the thought italics that seemed to appear every other paragraph. It got a tad annoying, but didn’t put me off story. Though I do wish there was less of them.
Would I recommend this book to others? Possibly. But I would probably recommend they start with the first book and read the whole series.
Would I seek out more Cherringham and read the rest of the series? Yes I would. It has entertained and interested me enough that I can see myself heading to an eBook store near me to check some more of the stories out. I don’t know if it will become one of my favourites, but it’s intrigued me enough to at least give a few more of them a read.
A fun read. A fantastic, quick cosy crime and an introduction to a very interesting new series. Definitely recommend.
Until next time,
Janis. XXOO
Janis's Journal 