Sandra Bretting

Each reading experience is a new adventure. I find it adds intrigue to the adventure and an extra spark of joy to either discover an author that I'm not yet familiar and/or on a subject that I have little or no knowledge. This novel stimulated enthusiasm in both ways.

I enjoyed the diversity of ages and backgrounds of the characters and their respective characterizations. The relationships of the characters at their homes and at work seemed true-to-life and the dialogue flowed naturally pertinent to the relationship or location. I was engaged learning some terms related to safecracking, skateboards, and the differences in buying locks.

I broke one of my own reading rules and read the back cover prior to reading the book. Reading the back cover of a book is now synonymous with watching a movie trailer. Back covers and trailers used to encapsulate the reader and filmgoer but there was a turn in marketing to reveal rather than entice. As marketing turned the corner I stopped reading the back covers of books and stopped watching movie trailers. However, on receipt of the book I read the back cover. So I was waiting and waiting and waiting for the reveal when the police would target Skye, the young protege as a chief suspect in their investigation. I thought I'd reach the end of the book before it occurred. Ignoring the back cover I feel I could have enjoyed the book more thoroughly even with the few loose ends that are never brought to conclusion. Loose ends sometimes begin the opening mystery of a new series but to my knowledge this was planned as a stand-alone.

My sincere appreciation to Sandra Bretting, Level Best Books, and The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity to read this title. The opinions about the novel within my review are my own.… (meer)

cozy-mystery, law-enforcement, murder, amateur-sleuth, wedding-madness*****

Asked to be there for the wedding rehearsal by the bride, Missy happens upon the body of the groom the day of the wedding. Next up she finds out that the paddle wheeler booked for her own wedding in a few short weeks has burned. And that's just the beginning! Fortunately the state police detective is a friendly and at least she doesn't have to butt heads with the law. Lots of twists and red herrings in this bayou country whodunit that I read in one afternoon and even got to learn a bit about the pricing and conservation of antique lace. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!… (meer)

This is a lovely little cozy. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting (Louisiana bayou), the occupation (hat maker) and the characters. Definitely some Southern eccentrics! I'm from the South so no haters, please. The book makes you want to experience the South for yourself. At least the wedding venues, maybe not the swamps. LOL! You can definitely read this as a standalone with no problem. The author does refer back to earlier books very well and it wets your appetite to read the rest of the series. I had never really considered what went into making fascinators and quite frankly, I'm fascinated. Sorry, I just had to!! All in all, a very good cozy.… (meer)