Saturday, April 14, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Dread on Arrival by Claudia Bishop





Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: April 3rd 2012 by Berkley
ISBN: 0425247074 (ISBN13: 9780425247075)
edition language: English

From the publisher The bitter rivalry between two employees of antique collecting television shows heats up when they come to Hemlock Falls to have it out in a cooking contest. And it's a good thing that inn owners Meg and Sarah Quilliam are experts at appraising motives for murder when one of them keels over on camera...

My thoughts: There are some really colorful characters in this one; one of the television shows, Pawn-O-Rama, is  hosted is a cliched characterization of a redneck complete with RV and overbearing Mama. The other show is hosted by by a snobby pompous twit of a  Brit. Right away you know there are bound to be problems when one of them suggests a cook-off.

With the advent of the TV show coming to town, tempers are on edge in the Chamber of Commerce introducing quite a few suspects and motives. The Chamber is comprised of some downright quirky personalities. They each have their own agenda and you know they're going to clash someone else's goals. Add in the TV show hosts' huge egos and the fur is bound to fly!

Sounds like a fun premise, doesn't it? Well, for me the beginning was a little slow. It took to almost page 200 before the "main event". The preceding pages were a slow build up to the murder and  explanations of the characters' relationships in the little town of Hemlock Falls, NY. When the murder does occur, the local inn owner, Sarah Quilliam is put on the spot to sleuth out the real killer. Sarah thinks she knows who the culprit is but proof is needed. Therefore a trap must be set . . . . .

Even though it took a while to get to the action, the ending was well worth the wait. I didn't see that one coming at all! Good job, Ms. Bishop!! Even though this is #18 in the series, it's a total stand alone. I haven't read any of this series and don't feel as if I were missing anything. 3.5***
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 beingApril 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 Dread on Arrival in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

14 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I'm intrigued by the cat on the cover as I've just finished reading a cat mystery. Doesn't seem as if the cat features much in this cozy tho.

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  3. 2/3 of the way into the book is a pretty slow start for a cozy. I'll have to think about this one.

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  4. This sounds like a great cozy mystery, thank you for hosting the giveaway.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. +4 for following in Networked Blogs, Wendy Newcomb

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  6. +3 for Blogging here:
    http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html

    and I tweeted here:
    https://twitter.com/#!/WendyNewcomb/status/191201176807673857

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Another series I seem to have missed but I like the premise!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  8. +4 Networked blogs as Karen Purbaugh Barnett.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  9. thank you for this giveaway!!!!!

    already added to my WishList......

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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  10. I enjoy mysteries and this looks fun!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. I'm glad the ending surprised you - not sure I'd have been as patient given it was #18 in the series.
    (not an entry - I just have too many on my TBR stacks)

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  12. love this series!
    great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  13. I would love to read this book! Just my type of read. :)
    ericandsarita at gmail dot com
    +4 I follow on networked blogs

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  14. I've read the earlier books in this series but didn't know there was a new one comming out.

    gfc follower
    sgiden at verizon.net

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