Friday, November 16, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Written in Stone by Ellery Adams





Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: November 6th 2012 by Berkeley

ISBN: 042525173X (ISBN13: 9780425251737)
edition language: English


From the publisher:

When Munin Cooper, known as the Witch of Oyster Bay, warns Olivia Limoges that death is coming, neither of them realize that it is the older woman herself who will soon be found dead. And Olivia’s instincts tell her that something—or someone—more sinister than a mystical force is at play… Olivia has a lot on her plate preparing for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival. When she hears the news of Munin’s untimely death, however, finding the murderer takes priority. The witch left behind a memory jug full of keepsakes that Olivia knows must point to the killer—but she’s got to figure out what they mean. With handsome Police Chief Rawlings by her side, Olivia starts to identify some of the jug’s mysterious contents—and finds its secrets are much darker than she suspected. Now Olivia must enlist the help of the Bayside Book Writers to solve the puzzle behind the piece of pottery and put an end to a vengeful killer before any more damage can be done…
 

My thoughts: When I read the first book in this series, A Killer Plot, I thought Olivia was cold and had a few hard edges to her but I was wrong.  In the last three books, Adams has fleshed out Olivia's character so much that now I can easily see what was there all the time; her vulnerability and caring heart underneath what was at first a stand-offish appearance. I love the way Adams has shown growth in Olivia with her being more comfortable in her own skin. Part of this is due to finding her place among Oyster Bay and the writers who have become her dear friends and sometimes fellow sleuths as she solves mysteries in the area. Olivia's emotional softening can also be attributed to her growing love for Chief Rawlings. The Chief is a fabulous character in his own right.

As far as the mystery is concerned, it is well done. Adams had me stumped as to the perpertrator's identity. One other thing I like about this series is how Adams takes historical facts or events and builds an intelligent plot around it. In this case it is the 1958 Battle of Hayes Pond and the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina. This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm really looking forward to Poisoned Prose, the next one in the series. 4****

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

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is November 25th at 5 PM (est).

If no e-mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.

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 Written in Stone in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!



20 comments:

  1. I love this series! Ellery is one of my favorite mystery authors.

    I follow via GFC and Networked Blogs. And I posted your give away on my blog. http://bookladysbooknotes.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/written-in-stone-giveaway-over-at-pudgy-penguin-perusals/

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Beverly aka Booklady bevarcher (at) me (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  2. A beach on the cover? Count me in!
    Caitemaire@hotmailDOTcom

    +4 follow on networked blogs

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really like it that you were stumped, then I will be too! Good to know that Olivia is softening up too. Please enter me!

    + 4 I follow on Networked Blogs as Carol Naomi Wong

    +3 I tweeted: http://t.co/WjpdfZ9X

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a great cozy! kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is one of my favorite series and one of the few on my keeper shelf!
    +4 Networked blogs as Karen Purbaugh Barnett
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't read any in the series, but it sounds like I would enjoy it. And I love the cover.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to read this book!
    networked blogs mamabunny shelor
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please enter me as I would also love to read this book. Thanks for doing this giveaway.

    +4 Networked Blog as Kimberlee Gibbs

    email: girllostinabook@hotmail.com

    Kimberlee
    http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Enter me please. The start of this series has been great. Look forward to more.

    cyderryATyahooDOTcom
    Chèli
    Cheli's Shelves

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow through blogger.

    cyderryATyahooDOTcom
    Chèli
    Cheli's Shelves

    ReplyDelete
  11. Posted on my blog.
    cyderryATyahooDOTcom
    Chèli
    Cheli's Shelves

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have not read this series. Now is a good time to start.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

    +4 for Networked Blog follower (Wendy Newcomb)
    +3 for blogging: http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds great and I love cozies :) Lisa@2713 at gmail dot com

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like a good one! Thanks for the chance.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. another add to my WishList!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks like a fun cozy. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -follow by Networked Blogs
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Now this is a series that isn't too far into it!! I could catch up!! I like the way it sounds and I also love that the author has given growth and depth to Olivia!!

    stacijoreads@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. One of my favorite series! GFC follower and added it to the blog sidebar. word_trix (at) yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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