Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Wall to Wall Dead by Jennie Bentley




Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Berkeley
ISBN: 0425255565 (ISBN13: 9780425255568)
edition language: English
series: A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #6


From the publisher:
Avery and her fiancé Derek are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money for their wedding. It seems like a simple project, and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.

But they didn't expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo: Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone's comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she's doing some snooping of her own, and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her - for good.

My thoughts:  Lots of good things going on in this one; plenty of suspects with viable motives (a must have in a cozy as far as I'm concerned), good pacing, mostly realistic dialogue, great setting and a satisfying ending. The relationships between the characters felt real to me. My only quibble is at times Avery did some "stupid" things like chasing a suspect (more than once!) in her very recognizable beetle. How dumb is that? Otherwise, this was a fun read.

I forgot this was book #6 in the series and it didn't matter at all because it is truly a stand-alone mystery. There were references to other incidents in Avery and Derek's life but it didn't feel repetitive or bog down the present story at all. Overall, I would go back and read the ones in the series I missed. Some decorating tips are included at end of book.  3.5*

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

To celebrate this week's release, I have one copy of Wall to Wall Dead for giveaway. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is September 15th at 5 PM (est)

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline.  Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment, you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Wall to Wall Dead  in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good Luck!

16 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of this series yet but it sounds intriguing, especially since the author is a renovator herself!

    +4 - Networked blogs as Karen Purbaugh Barnett

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  2. I like that it can be read as a stand alone. I'm putting the rest on my wish list though :)
    +4 networked blogs - mamabunny shelor
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  3. This one sounds good! I'd love to be entered to win it.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  4. I'd probably enjoy the decorating tips as much as the mystery.

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  5. I'd like to be entered for this one. A nice combination of decor and mystery!

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  6. I haven't read this series but would love to!!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  7. I love a good cozy. Thanks for the chance.

    valleyreader at gmail dot com

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  8. Your reviews of cozies are making my reading list go crazy!! This sounds like a good book!

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  9. I am always surprised to find that there is indeed a cozy for everyone, and though this one doesn't strike my fancy, I am sure it would for a lot of other folks! Very nice review today!

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  10. cannot wait to read Wall to Wall!!!
    congrats to Jennie on the release & good luck to her!!

    thank you for the giveaway!!!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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  11. This is one of my favorite series! Follower (WordTrix) and added to my blog sidebar. Email: word_trix (at) yahoo (dot) com.

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  12. This reminds me not to be a busybody!!

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  13. Nosy neighbors! This sounds like a great read.
    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Networked Blogs: Fiery Na

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  14. I love fix it up mysteries even it is not a profitable idea right now. Glad that you said it works as a stand alone.

    +4 Networked Blogs-Carol Naomi Wong

    +3 Tweeted: http://t.co/Y5GW7xc2

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I enjoy mysteries and this looks like a very good one.

    +4 Networked Blogs - Beth Clark
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  16. Sounds like another good cozy by Bentley! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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