Mass Market Paperback
Published 2012 by Berkley Publishing Group
Glory Martine has inherited her uncle's Florida souvenir shop, one stuffed with collectibles, mementos of times gone by--and ghosts--who, like her customers, refuse to let go of the past. But things take an even more unexpected turn when a local football hero dies far too suddenly and suspiciously. Now, Glory has to uncover the truth before someone makes her history... When items keep arranging themselves in Southern Treasures, a small shop Glory inherited from her Uncle Louis, she assumes it is her parrot, Bluebeard, who is wreaking all the havoc. After the local football hero is killed in a car crash, Bluebeard goes on a tear, insisting it was not an accident. Bluebeard has never talked like this before. Why now? Why does he sound just like Uncle Louis? Huh? Psychic parrot? Haunted bird? Even the police assume it is nothing but an accident. There is no evidence to suspect foul play but Glory and her friend, Karen, start to take Bluebeard seriously. They think Bluebeard is channelling Glory's late Uncle Louis. They set out to investigate and prove it was really a homicide.
"What did I hope to accomplish with this silliness? To prove that Kevin Stanley's death wasn't an accident? Based on the word of a parrot? Or a ghost? Was I out of my mind?"
Actually, I was kind of wondering the same thing. As much of a cozy fan as I am, I am not thrilled when the protagonist does totally foolish things while investigating what doesn't even seem like a real crime. There was way too much time being spent on one "suspect" which made the first third of the book seem to drag a little. I've never really been a fan of talking animals or ones that appear to be able to rationalize. Even in cozies, there is a limit to what is tolerable to me. It's a matter of taste; anyone else may very well love it!
Once we got past all that, I do have to say the ending was pretty good. Also on the plus side, the characters were appealing and their relationships were believable. I'm just chalking this one up to debut novel kinks. 3***
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Due to the ever so generous Berkley, I am able to offer a giveaway of one copy of this book. Open to US only with the deadline to enter being March 22nd at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:
+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me how you follow and under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.
If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Win Murder Buys a T Shirt in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com
Good luck!
Thanks for your honest review. I do enjoy cozies, and I would like to read this one.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
Your review is the first one I've read that hasn't gushed - I like that! Still, I'd like to read/win it.
ReplyDelete+4 Networked blogs as Karen Purbaugh Barnett.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Thank you for your review on this book. I'll have to put it on my wish list.
ReplyDelete+4 for being a Networked follower, Wendy Newcomb
+3 for tweeting:
https://twitter.com/#!/WendyNewcomb/status/180299125739368449
and blogging:
http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I would love this read!
ReplyDeleteharvee44@yahoo.com
Sounds like an interesting read.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon.net
This looks great! I love these cozies! Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Networked Blogs follower (Beth Book Review).
bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com
great giveaway
ReplyDeletefollow via gfc
drakebdog@gmail.com
It sounds like Field is an author to keep an eye on.
ReplyDeleteI am always drawn to a new title and premise too. And I'm always willing to give a promising cozy a chance! Thanks for the fair review, I know what you mean by it could be debut kinks!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I often find that cozies are a little over the top, the characters just a bit too much, and don't hold it against them.
ReplyDeletealready added to my WishList!!!
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
My hope is that this series will improve. Still would like to give it a try.
ReplyDelete+4 Networked Blogs as Carol Naomi Wong
+3 for tweeting:
http://t.co/lmmesOh3
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
It does sound a tad on the "too quirky " side.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteblwilstead(at)aol(dot)com
I like how very sweet you are in your reviews of books that just didn't quite hit it out of the ball park. I would balk a bit at the talking parrot thing and I hate it when they do stupid things..like go into someone's house in the middle of the night!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to try this one.
ReplyDelete+4 following with networked blogs
ericandsarita at gmail dot com
Would love to read it.
ReplyDelete+4 for following on Networked blogs
karin56381 (at) gmail.com