Elizabeth Kane BuzzelliBesprekingen

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Zoe Zola is one of ten invitees to an Agatha Christie symposium. Tempers flare…and then there are nine. Can Jenny Weston save Zoe from murder on the Upper Peninsula?

Little Person author Zoe Zola believes that one of the unluckiest things in life is to receive an invitation—in the form of a letter edged in black—to an Agatha Christie symposium at an old Upper Peninsula hunting lodge. Her reluctance dissipates when she learns that the organizer is named Emily Brent—the name of a character poisoned by cyanide in Christie’s And Then There Were None.

As a dreary rain soaks the U.P., Zoe and nine other Christie scholars—each of whom bears a vague resemblance to one of the classic mystery novel’s characters—arrive at the lodge. At the opening night dinner, arguments flare over the experts’ discordant theories about Christie. Next morning, the guests find one particularly odious man has gone—whereabouts and reasons unknown. Such a coincidental resemblance to a work of fiction is surely impossible; therefore, it appears to be possible.

As the guests disappear, one by one, Zoe resolves to beat a hasty retreat—but her car won't start. She calls her friend, amateur sleuth/little librarian Jenny Weston, but Jenny will have to wait out a storm off Lake Superior before she can come to the rescue. If Zoe’s to stay alive to greet Jenny when she eventually arrives, she’ll have to draw on everything she knows about Agatha Christie’s devilish plots in Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli’s fourth tantalizing Little Library mystery.

This was a very interesting storyline, though a little slow at times.

The Agatha Christie influences were very clear running through this book (and I don't just mean the setting). The setting was definitely vivid and gave me some chills. The story overall is a bit dark, which is not what I was expecting, but it worked well. Overall a little torn on the plot, but the book was decently written, and dark mystery lovers are likely to enjoy it.

Michigan, small-town, murder, murder-investigation, greed, family, family-dynamics, friendship, rivalry, malice, vandalism.

The mystery was witty and entertaining. Hoping the next will be even better.

The narrator was a great disappointment who couldn't manage to pronounce Zoe correctly.

In Want of a Knife is the third book in the Little Library Mysteries series. While delivering newspapers, Harold Roach finds the body of a woman on the side of the road outside Bear Falls, MI. Janice Root, a 17 year old local, was apparently killed by a hit and run driver. But soon, another local girl, Camille Otis, disappears. Are the two incidents related? Where is Camille? Local Librarian Jenny Weston and author Zoe Zola team up to investigate.

This is the first book in this series that I've read. I had a bit of trouble connecting with the characters. I found the three main female characters to be a bit bitter, whiney and annoying... But that could be because I jumped into this series on book 3. I have the first two books on my TBR shelf and I'm going to read them....then return to this book and re-read it. I might change my opinions a bit once I have the full background and knowledge of the prior two books. As it stands, this cozy was an ok read, but nothing outstanding. It seemed a bit trope-y to me with its Pride and Prejudice references (two characters named Charles Bingman and Fitzwilliam Dillon, for example...and one character writing a book about the crappy treatment of women in Austen's time.) and predictable plot. It might be a case of this series just not being my cup of tea. Not every book will engage every reader. I love the Little Library concept...great background theme for a cozy series. I just didn't like the characters or the P&P references. Fell flat for me.

I will go back and read from book 1 and see if that improves my opinion. I will edit this review if it does.

Just an ok read for me. Entertaining enough as cozies are light reads....but not enjoyable enough for me to continue with this series.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Zoe Zola receives a strange black-edged invitation to an Agatha Christie symposium. Its appearance brings back horrible memories from her past. She decides to go and confront her personal demons -- and horrible relatives, if they are behind the invite -- so she can finally move on with her life. The event is at a strange, isolated hunting lodge. Zoe is one of 10 speakers attending the event. It isn't lost on her that each one seems to have something in common with characters from And Then There Were None, a famous Christie novel. But she's stuck and can't leave -- the road is washed out. When presenters start disappearing, Zoe fears she will be next. Will Jenny Weston arrive before Zoe becomes a victim?

I love the fact that Zoe is the main character in this 4th book in the Little Library Mysteries series! She is my favorite character in the series and is usually just a side plot enhancer. This time she is in the forefront, dealing with a spooky situation in the middle of nowhere. I liked how the plot linked up here and there with Christie's famous story. I was on the edge of my seat when presenters started to disappear...... Yikes!

Nice character development in this latest book. I still don't fully like Jenny Weston....she's just a bit too flighty and whiny for me. I did love the ending of the story. I sort of had an idea what it might be...but the actual end was a surprise. Nicely done!

Enjoyable story! It definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Zoe has been invited to participate in an Agatha Christie webinar. Though she is writing a book on the esteemed author, she believes this is a misleading invitation that really comes from her estranged family, and that they intend to do her harm. Still, she feels compelled to take part. She enlists her neighbor to drive her to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to a lodge in the woods so far removed from civilization that the roads aren't paved, cell phones don't work, and the only bridge leading to the lodge is partly under water from the unceasing rains the area has been receiving. Jenny drops off Zoe, and goes off to visit with her sister who is filming a documentary close by. All are apprehensive about Zoe's safety, as well they should be. The author does an excellent job of incorporating aspects of Christie's "And Then There Were None" into this story. And it was quite interesting to read so much about Zoe in this installment in the series. This cozy has a engrossing mystery, an eerie setting, and some unusual characters as well as the continuing characters readers of this series have come to enjoy.

The story sounded interesting so I picked up the book. However, almost immediately, I was uncomfortable. The author did a lot of "telling" rather than "showing." I couldn't see the characters. I couldn't connect with them. And the southern hospitality bit felt forced (yes I'm from the South, but not from Texas). Just not my cup of tea.

I picked the book mainly because it took place in my state...Michigan, and also because it fit into one of my never-ending challenges. I found it was...in a good way...a 'simple" read. it didn't require a great deal of thought and the writing flowed nicely. Anyone that doesn't want blood and guts cluttering up their murder mysteries will find this series fits that requirement perfectly.

Zoe Zola has received a mysterious invitation to take part in a webinar about Agatha Christie but the invitation itself seems a bit sinister, reminding Zoe of death notices from her mother's family. Jenny Weston agrees to take her to the remote location since her sister his nearby working on a documentary and it's a good excuse for a visit.

The weather is horrific,with constant rain and flooding, cutting off the webinar resort from the "rest of the world". Zoe seems to feel that the webinar is just an excuse for intrigue. There are 10 people at the resort and they start disappearing one by one - reminding Zoe of Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.

This book was very dark and had a cruel feeling to it. I didn't like it, especially since it didn't seem to really fit with the Little Library theme.

I thought this was a first in a series because the book started so slowly but it turns out to be the fourth in a series. Eventually, it picked up and I liked it OK.

The Agatha Christie angle drew my interest, which is why I chose to read it, but it was darker than the typical cozy, to my disappointment..

I might consider going back and reading the earlier books in the series but I'm not positive about that.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Zoe Zola is a writer who is writing a biography on the life of author Agatha Christie. When she receives a black-edged envelope, it's not the first time she's ever seen one. It always means death. And it's an omen she thought ended with the death of her own mother. Because it seemed her mother had sinned in the eyes of her family, and each time an envelope arrived, it meant the loss of one more family member she would never see again.

So Zoe doesn't open the letter, merely looks at it. She thought she was done with her mother's family, they would never find her. But now...when her neighbor Dora arrives, she sees the letter, and when Dora's daughter Jenny comes to Zoe's home, she finds both her mother and Zoe staring at it. So Jenny opens it - and finds not a death notice, but an invitation to a webinar on Agatha Christie.

After much indecision, Zoe decides to attend, and Jenny will drive her there. Jenny, for her part, has decided she can't marry the man who loves her but doesn't know why. So she's going to visit her sister Lisa, a documentary filmmaker, while Zoe is at the webinar, and will return to drive her home. But will either things turn out the way they want? Or will Zoe find herself in a bizarre twist of Christie's famous And Then There Were None?...

The rest of this review can be found on my blog, as I do not wish to ruin the book for those who have not read it:

https://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/and-then-they-were-doomed.html

mystery, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, Michigan *****

If you're looking for a really dark noir mystery, you've just found it! Interesting characters, overtones of vengeance, danger, and enough literary references and comparisons to thrill any mystery geek. The publisher's blurb is a good hook, but reading the book is a fascinating excursion!

Jenny Weston and her friend and neighbor, Zoe Zola, are drawn into the search for Cammy Otis who has disappeared. Recently Janice Root, a young woman, was found dead on the side of rode and now the town of Bear Falls thinks there may be a serial killer on the loose. Just as these tragedies are enveloping the town, they are informed that a new resident wants to gift $2 million to the town but wants to get to know the people as well.

The introduction of the new residents automatically points to them as the villains but the twists and turns of how Zoe and Jenny eventually solve these crimes kept this reader on the edge of her seat wondering if they would get there in time.

Definitely a winner!

I picked up this book because the series is called Little Library Mysteries. There is references to Little Libraries, but there is more to the story than that. Jenny Weston has returned home to Bear Falls, Michigan for the first time in five years. She has come home to lick her wounds after a bitter divorce and the loss of her job. When she arrives home, she sees her mother's little library, the one her father made for her before his death, broken to pieces and all the books destroyed. Jenny tries to clean up the mess before her mother sees it. Her mother's neighbour, "little person" Zoe Zola, interrupts her job. Jenny is not impressed by this strange person who quotes Lewis Carroll and is rather rude to her. Zoe still helps to clean up the mess and offers to break the news to Jenny's mom, Dora. Trying to figure out what happened, due to the police thinking it was probably just an accident, Zoe and Jenny end up finding dead bodies instead. Zoe is the main suspect in the first murder, as the body was found in her fairy garden. When Zoe's dog is found with the second body that turns up, it seems that no one else is being considered. There are a lot of questions that Jenny and Zoe have to sort out such as: Why the two murdered brothers were living in poverty while their sister lives in a luxurious mansion? Who would want the two lonely men dead and why did they try to frame Zoe? What does the antique key taped to Fida's collar open?

To be honest, I almost didn't finish this book as I didn’t like protagonist, Jenny Weston at the beginning. She was abrasive, rude, short tempered and whiny. I kept reading because I really liked the quirky Zoe and wanted to find out more about her. I also enjoyed the writing and the plot. I had to find out what was going to happen. I am glad I stuck with it because I did like Jenny by the end. This was a well thought-out mystery that kept adding more bad situations along the way. I couldn't believe so much bad luck could strike one family. As the story came together at the end, I couldn't stop listening. It was tied together nicely and the culprit, although he had a good motive, was a surprise to me. That makes for a good mystery in my books. I listened to the audio book and must say that the narrator did a wonderful job with the voices. I loved listening to this story and as soon as it ended, I borrowed the next one. If you are an Alice in Wonderland fan, you will find an added dimension to enjoy.

She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series and I enjoyed this one more than the first. Perhaps it was because I already knew the characters and what to expect from them. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan after returning home due to a divorce. Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. One evening, someone stops at the Little Library boxes and they notice it is the reclusive poet, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, but she quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Her only book of poetry was published twenty-five years earlier, and after a book tour, she did not venture out of her house again. She lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister Lorna, until Lorna packed up and left with a man. Her cousin, Althea did her shopping and stopped by to make sure she was okay. When Althea stopped coming by, Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe also agree to visit Althea and see if she is okay. It turns out that she is dead, murdered quite viciously. When Alex Shipley shows up in town, she is hunting for her Uncle Walter who has been missing for a few years. The last she knew of her uncle, he was coming to visit Emily. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to find the answers to these questions.

She Stopped for Death is a well written cozy mystery, with an interesting plot and some very odd and quirky characters. Jenny is still working through her issues, but she is much more likable than in the first book of the series. She is developing a friendship with handyman and retired cop Tony, but still has some serious trust issues. Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a little person who writes fairy tales, and has fairy houses all over her yard, complete with inhabitants. The poet, Emily Sutton is very strange. She was responsible for some very uncomfortable moments in the story. I figured out the mystery before it was revealed, but I was still interested right to the end. This series does not seem to be for everyone. Many found it silly and nonsensical, but I enjoyed it and am going to give the next one a try as well. I listened to the audio book and must say that the narrator did a wonderful job with the voices. I loved listening to this story and think that may have added to my enjoyment over reading this story.

Good story enjoyed this.

Good story enjoyed this.

This second book in the series has some serious issues besides the mystery of a dead body or two. Jenny is still living with her mother and nursing her wounds from her recent divorce. She is wondering where her romance with Tony is headed, and whether she should stay in Bear Falls or go on to Chicago. As if this wasn’t enough to occupy Jenny’s thoughts, a reclusive poet makes an appearance at Jenny’s mom’s little library. This tale was entertaining, but not quite as well written as the first installment. The mystery was not terribly engrossing and the characters were just plain unhappy. A good tale, just not a great cozy.

She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan. Jenny moved back home after she divorced her husband. They have two little library boxes in front of their home (one for adult books and one for children’s). Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. They notice a light coming down the street, and then someone stopped at the boxes. It is the reclusive poetess, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, and Emily quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Twenty-five years prior Emily had published a book of poetry. After a book tour, Emily returned to the family home and did not venture out until now. The next night Emily ventures by again and respond to Dora’s greeting. Emily had lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister, Lorna. Their cousin, Althea did the shopping for them (and the local banker paid their bills). Lorna packed up and left with man according to Emily, and Althea has not been by recently. Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe agree to visit Althea and see if she is well. Then Alex Shipley shows up in town looking for her uncle, Walter. He disappeared three years ago. Walter had corresponded with Emily and was coming to Bear Falls for a visit. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to get answers but what happens when Zoe disappears.

She Stopped for Death contains good writing and interesting characters. Jenny has several “issues”. She is jealous of her sister (Lisa), upset over her divorce, does not know what she wants to do with her life, has trust issues, and has trouble communicating especially with Tony Ralenti (the guy she is attracted to). Jenny stews about her relationship with Tony, rants about her sister, and has no clue what to do with her future (you just want to shove a sock in her mouth). Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a quirky character. Zoe is a little person who writes fairy tales. She has fairy houses all over her yard with fairy occupants (she moves them around, gives them stories, and talks to them). I am not a fan of Zoe. Instead of funny, I find her unlikeable (really dislike her dialogue). I give She Stopped for Death 3 out of 5 stars (am I being too kind?). I figured out the mystery early in the novel (it was not complicated). While She Stopped for Death is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides the character background and details from the first book in the series. I was hoping the second book in the series would be an improvement upon A Most Curious Murder (which is why I gave the series a second chance). A Little Library Mystery series is just not for me. I believe it is supposed to be quirky and humorous, but instead I found it foolish and nonsensical.

A kitschy read with too much emphasis on being kitschy.. Still, I was engaged enough to read it through. Enjoyed the literary references (though Zoe's unending Alice in Wonderland quotes got trite real quick!) A bashed in Little Free Library, 2 murders and one attempt. Most of which can be figured out within the first character introduction paragraph. I am delighted, just the same, to see a series started where a Little Free Library plays an important part.

Redeemer for me? Jenny reading M Train!

The quirky characters in this cozy add greatly to its enjoyment. With many illusions to Alice in Wonderland, you might think you’ve fallen through the looking glass. When a curmudgeony neighbor is killed, suspicion falls on a little person who lives next door to Jenny’s mother. Jenny is back home, nursing her wounds after losing her job and her husband. Now, trying to clear Zoe of any wrongdoing is her utmost project, even if it means dealing with her ex-boyfriend and his pregnant wife. It’s a complicated mess to be sure, but Jenny is up to the task, to even solving the destruction of her mom’s little library. A quick read that is sure to please.

Jenny Weston returns to her home after a messy divorce hoping for some peace bu instead she finds her mother traumjatized by the destruction of the Little Library that her father had built before his death. The next day she discovers a neighbor murdered in his yard and things just keep happening.

There appears to be some possibility for this first in a series, the characters are a bit odd and the story a bit pat. Could possibly use an influx of originality.

A Most Curious Murder by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the first book in A Little Library Mystery series. Jenny Weston has just moved back to Bear Falls, Michigan following her acrimonious divorce. One thing she has always loved is the Little Library her father built for her mother in front of their home. Her mother was a librarian before she married, but the town had no library. This was a way for her to be a librarian and help people picks books (it works a little differently from your traditional little library). But then they find the little library smashed to pieces. Who would do this? Everyone (well, almost everyone) loved the little library. Their neighbor, grumpy Adam Cane did not like it. He felt it caused extra traffic on their street. But when Adam Cane is found dead in Zoe Zola’s (another neighbor) backyard, it does not look good for Zoe. Zoe is a little odd, but she is no murderer. Zoe is a Little Person who loves fairies and has little fairy houses (with fairies inside) scattered around her yard (Adam Cane’s body really stood out). Zoe also quotes from the works of Lewis Carroll (and other stories) frequently (it is annoying) and is a writer (and a dreamer). Jenny needs to find the culprit for Zoe and her mother, Dora (who is upset over all this hoopla). Can Jenny solve the crimes and clear Zoe’s name? Will the unexpected appearance of her ex-husband hinder her investigation? Then there is Jenny’s infatuation with her old high school boyfriend!

A Most Curious Murder was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, but the author did not pull it off. The novel came across more odd than fantastical, magical, and intriguing. I had just started the book and all these characters are thrown at you. I found Zoe Zola to be overdone. The author tried to put all too many zany character traits in one person and it did not work (if I met this person I would run the other way). The constant quotes from Zoe Zola was not an endearing quality. They made absolutely no sense (despite my reading the same pages several times) and were a hindrance to my enjoyment of the novel. I found the writing to slightly awkward or stilted which severely lessened my enjoyment (I never got into this book) and the dialogue was stale (flat). The mystery was simple and easily solved (you need less than 50 pages to figure it out). I give A Most Curious Murder 2.5 out of 5 stars. Jenny’s fascination with her old high school boyfriend who cheated on her and got another girl pregnant was just absurd (the writer could have found another way to include the character). The idea or premise has possibilities. With work this could be an interesting and enjoyable series. A Most Curious Murder was just not for me (and I really wanted to like it).

I received a complimentary copy of A Most Curious Murder from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. The opinions and comments expressed above are strictly my own.

Nut and Buried is the third book in the A Nut House Mystery series.

And the name of the series says it all.

The series is set in the Pecan Valley of Texas and has a wonderful cast of characters. Lindy Blanchard has gotten her college education and has returned to the families pecan farm in Riverville where she trying to develop a drought resistant strain of pecan trees.

Lindy and her family have been invited to the Wheatly's to celebrate the marriage of Jeannie and Eugene and are asked to come in Texas related costumes. Lindy doesn't want to go to the celebration, but her grandmother, Miss Amelia insists. Lindy goes dressed as the first woman hanged in Texas and the celebration goes downhill from there. Eugene has a rather extensive gun collection and soon excuses himself so he can get some guns ready to show to a possible buyer. A gunshot is heard and when everyone gets to where the shot was, Eugene is dead and no one is around. Elizabeth, Eugene's sister, has been very possessive of brother all evening and has been extremely rude to Jeannie all evening. After the shooting, she informs Jeannie that she will not be getting any of the Wheatly's money.

Miss Amelia and Lindy are sure that Eugene has been murdered and begin to do a little sleuthing to find out who the murderer might be. At the same time they feel with the way Elizabeth is acting it would be best to get the grieving widow out of a stressful situation and ask the Chauncey twins, Melanie and Miranda, to take Jeannie in until things settle down. One of the guests at the party, Dr. Peter Franklin seems to have taken an interest in Lindy and telling her he is also a researcher along the same line that she is doing. Lindy is very protective of work and hopefully she can learn more about Franklin before it is too late.

Lindy and Miss Amelia are two strong willed, but compassionate women and provide the reader with entertaining banter, but above all has each others back and those they care about. I never tire of the Chauncey twins, 80 something, gun toting(somebody needs to kill the rattlesnakes on their farm) and feisty as the day is long. One would hate to be their enemy, but would love to be called their friend.

Will be watching for the next exciting book in this nutty series.

Well, it just goes to show. A GR friend of mine, whose taste is so close to mine I'd have called her recommendations close to infallible, loved this read. She's never steered me wrong, and I already had it on my TBR pile, so when I saw that she 5 starred it, I decided I'd pick it up next.

This will be the exception that proves the rule. Because I disliked this book. A lot. The MC could have been likeable; I love her background in horticulture and bioengineering. But she's so busy throughout this book running around reacting to everything, we never really learn much about her as a person at all. Her Grandmother, Miss Amelia, is a pivotal character, but she's so busy telling everyone how wise she is, how much life experience she has, she just irritated the fool out of me. Not to mention she spent a good deal of time contradicting herself; often within the same paragraph. The dialogue just did not work for me all; it felt disjointed and overdone; jerky. Too much "we're from Texas", too much verbal strutting.

The plot was sadly transparent. The author didn't introduce enough characters for there to be any real mystery. If the reader operates from the premise that the family is innocent, there's really only one option. But the author did tie old crimes and new together well, and she did build up a certain amount of suspense towards the end. I appreciated the total lack of TSTL moments, and I liked the way she crafted the ending.

I'm going to call out the editing too, while I'm at it. In one scene they are waiting at the jail until "almost 3pm" then go off to visit/interrogate a neighbour, who answers the door with "I never expected Blanchards at my door this morning." Also, throughout the first part of the book there are multiple references to her father being dead 2 years, then half way through it's suddenly 5 years.

All in all, I got no enjoyment out of this read. But it does seem to work for other people whose opinions I trust, so I'll leave it with: Your Mileage May Vary.½