Booktown Mystery Series

 Booktown Mystery Series by Lorna Barrett

Bookmarked for Death [Booktown Mystery #2]

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It has been several months since I read the first book in the series, and I don’t recall what I liked or disliked about it, what I can remember is that I didn’t like it much but considered giving another book a try. This was better than the first book, perhaps because I didn’t have much of an expectation with it (owing to disastrous experience with other cozy mysteries I have recently read).

I had an early suspicion of the murderer’s identity which became a certainty well before the MC could figure it out. Still, I would say it was well crafted, though it did have weak points *** 

 The ambivalent attitude of the love-interest Russ, and unexplained antagonism of Sheriff Wendy continue to be sore points. The sister’s character is better in this book, for some positive points as well as negative ones, but the too-good-to-be-true heroines of the books of this genre is getting on my nerves.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Why, if so many people were sure that Zoe didn’t write the books, no one brought it out in open before her murder ?

*** 

 

Bookplate Special [Booktown Mystery #3]

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this better than the second book (which was better than the first). I am myself surprised at this, because I have been not just disappointed, but frequently annoyed, by most books of this genre (and yet I keep returning to it when I am looking for some light read).

The plot here was interesting, though improbable (but aren't they always in such mysteries!). The description of side events and interactions, even though not relevant to the story, are good (except perhaps a couple) and build up the atmosphere of the town.

What jars most in this series is the main character, Tricia, and I see that I am not alone in this opinion. Tricia is away frequently, trying to solve the murders and helping about everyone, leaving her assistant Ginny to handle to shop alone. This is a frequent phenomenon in such books, but then, she is unjustified in being annoyed with Ginny for being late by 5 minutes or 15, for two days, when Tricia herself admits that she is a fast learner and hard worker, genuinely concerned about the shop. She continues to interfere in the investigation, despite repeated warnings from the captain, jeopardizing the investigation and her own safety - and this becomes an irritation. But the point where she is downright stupid is her persistence in questioning Paige.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Why does she think she is entitled to ask him about those diary pages? Paige is under no obligation to answer her. But most important of all, if he was indeed the blackmail victim and the murderer as she suspected, she herself would have been lying dead where no one could find her

***

Chapter & Hearse [Booktown Mystery #4]

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After the previous book in the series, I was hoping that this series won't be disappointing, for some time at least. But I couldn't be more wrong. The plot in this book was not strong, and there is an increasing amount of filler content (how many times do you want to the told that the cat said 'yow' or Tricia hates 'not a problem'?)

I hate books where the women are so desperate to 'get a man' (I detest the phrase itself!), that they are willing to settle for anyone and anything. As for the MC Tricia, my growing dislike for her is now turning to hate. She is becoming more and more obnoxious, overbearing, egoistic and stupid. She is so infuriating that I am surprised someone doesn't murder her just for pestering them. If I were to list down the reasons for this thought, it's going to be a very long list, and I have no wish to waste time doing that. So I'll just say, goodbye and good riddance, Tricia.