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msnyderk's review
4.0
I liked this next to last installment of this series. The mystery was good although I did figure out the murderers. I liked seeing how Grace’s life is progressing and look forward to seeing how it all gets wrapped up in the last book.
morticia32's review against another edition
3.0
Book 7 in the series. Not my favorite in the series, but an all around fun, quick read.
I love the relationship between Grace and Bennett and the fact that Grace is there because she loves him, (and did so long before they did the DNA testing that proved their relationship) and not his money.
I enjoyed finding out more about Frances, it's easier to see where her attitude comes from, though I still don't care for her much. I do hope we see more of Percy and Kyle. I also would like to see more of Bruce and Scott again. They've been in the background long enough.
I like that Grace's personal life seems to be getting a boost, but that it's almost an afterthought, and not a major plot point.
I will admit to not being excited to see more of Liza. And I really don't like the way Grace seems to be sticking her head in the sand and hoping Liza won't find out about the blood relationship between her, Grace and Bennett. Grace has always seemed to down to earth for that kind of wishful thinking.
I love the relationship between Grace and Bennett and the fact that Grace is there because she loves him, (and did so long before they did the DNA testing that proved their relationship) and not his money.
I enjoyed finding out more about Frances, it's easier to see where her attitude comes from, though I still don't care for her much. I do hope we see more of Percy and Kyle. I also would like to see more of Bruce and Scott again. They've been in the background long enough.
I like that Grace's personal life seems to be getting a boost, but that it's almost an afterthought, and not a major plot point.
I will admit to not being excited to see more of Liza. And I really don't like the way Grace seems to be sticking her head in the sand and hoping Liza won't find out about the blood relationship between her, Grace and Bennett. Grace has always seemed to down to earth for that kind of wishful thinking.
msrichardsreads89's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Oh this story was sooooooo goooooood!
In this installment the action takes place away from Marshfield Manor. Grace’s assistant, Frances needs help. We finally get a close look at Frances’ life away from work and it was quite surprising. Also Grace’s roommates, Bruce and Scott have a major problem and it could be the end of their business.
I love these characters. The relationship between Bennett and Grace always warms my heart and now that the news is out that they truly are related there are many new t’s to cross and i’s to dot. They are both amazing people. The world needs more people like them. I loved that Frances was front and center in this story and I always enjoy catching up with Scott and Bruce.
Hyzy introduces us to a great group of quirky characters as we venture to Indwell, an assisted living facility. We meet patients, their families, staff and even a couple of local detectives. The descriptions made it so easy to picture every one of them. They sure are an interesting bunch.
The mystery this time was quite puzzling. Several twists had me changing my mind on the real culprit too many times to count. As we neared the conclusion I could see I was completely wrong and I was totally surprised.
When you reach the 7th book in a series the characters have become comfortable. As a reader you are engaged from the start and totally invested into finding out what happens next. That is so true for this series. Frances may not be the easiest woman to get along with but I was thrilled to know more about her personal life. I am excited to see what the author has planned for my fictional friends in upcoming installments.
Each visit to Emberstowne passes too quickly. Of course that is because the story keeps those pages flying. As usual I read this one all in one sitting.
I highly recommend everything Julie Hyzy writes and this story is a prime example as to why.
Oh this story was sooooooo goooooood!
In this installment the action takes place away from Marshfield Manor. Grace’s assistant, Frances needs help. We finally get a close look at Frances’ life away from work and it was quite surprising. Also Grace’s roommates, Bruce and Scott have a major problem and it could be the end of their business.
I love these characters. The relationship between Bennett and Grace always warms my heart and now that the news is out that they truly are related there are many new t’s to cross and i’s to dot. They are both amazing people. The world needs more people like them. I loved that Frances was front and center in this story and I always enjoy catching up with Scott and Bruce.
Hyzy introduces us to a great group of quirky characters as we venture to Indwell, an assisted living facility. We meet patients, their families, staff and even a couple of local detectives. The descriptions made it so easy to picture every one of them. They sure are an interesting bunch.
The mystery this time was quite puzzling. Several twists had me changing my mind on the real culprit too many times to count. As we neared the conclusion I could see I was completely wrong and I was totally surprised.
When you reach the 7th book in a series the characters have become comfortable. As a reader you are engaged from the start and totally invested into finding out what happens next. That is so true for this series. Frances may not be the easiest woman to get along with but I was thrilled to know more about her personal life. I am excited to see what the author has planned for my fictional friends in upcoming installments.
Each visit to Emberstowne passes too quickly. Of course that is because the story keeps those pages flying. As usual I read this one all in one sitting.
I highly recommend everything Julie Hyzy writes and this story is a prime example as to why.
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
In her latest adventure from Marshfield Manor, Julie Hyzy brings another murder mystery to light and places sleuthing responsibilities in the capable hands of Grace Wheaton. While touring the Manor one morning, Grace receives a call from her assistant, Frances, who is highly distressed and in need of immediate assistance. Once Grace makes her way to the address Frances offered, it is soon discovered to be an assisted living facility. Frances uses her weekends to visit someone at the facility, her ex-husband, Percy, and has been doing so for many years. The surprises do not end there, as Grace discovers that Percy's neighbour has died and Frances remains a person of interest in his suspicious death. There is no love loss between Frances and Gus, something she is happy to admit to anyone who will listen. However, Grace will not stand idly by and her her friend be dragged through the mud. Once Frances has retained counsel, Grace commences sleuthing, checking stories and trying to determine what might have happened to Gus. Could he have died naturally or taken matters into his own hands, as there is evidence of a possible insulin injection. Local law enforcement are less than keen to have someone poking around, though Grace does her best not to step on any toes. When the victim's family arrives to handle the situation, Grace sees new avenues that may work in Frances' favour. While all this is taking place, Grace handles an issue on the home front when her roommates' winery is suddenly closed by an overzealous building inspector. She tries to quell disaster there by coming up with a plan that might solve everyone's concerns, but Frances and her situation are not completely solved. When Frances is formally arrested, Grace knows that she cannot wait any longer and pushes her investigation into high-gear, calling in the assistance of anyone who might be able to help. Will Frances finally have to fess-up for her antics to rid herself of an annoying human, or is someone trying to frame her for the death? All is revealed in true Manor fashion in Hyzy's latest novel, which is as cute as it is entertaining.
I never tire of a good Hyzy novel, for it allows me to shift into neutral, but also keep my wits about me. The stories are usually not very complicated, but they are layered with interesting characters, great bantering dialogue, and just enough mystery to keep me from figuring it all out in the opening chapters. Added to that, Grace Wheaton and her backstory are always developing, which keeps her from getting stale and allows Hyzy to take readers inside her drama-filled life. Much like the other series Hyzy successfully pens, Grace seems to fall into these mysteries as she denies leading the way towards them. Be that as it may, they are always highly entertaining and leave a cliffhanger at the end just tantalizing enough that the reader will curse having to wait another year.
Kudos, Madam Hyzy for another hit in the series. One can only hope you have many more ideas, for things are far from going stale with Grace and the rest of the Marshfield gang.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I never tire of a good Hyzy novel, for it allows me to shift into neutral, but also keep my wits about me. The stories are usually not very complicated, but they are layered with interesting characters, great bantering dialogue, and just enough mystery to keep me from figuring it all out in the opening chapters. Added to that, Grace Wheaton and her backstory are always developing, which keeps her from getting stale and allows Hyzy to take readers inside her drama-filled life. Much like the other series Hyzy successfully pens, Grace seems to fall into these mysteries as she denies leading the way towards them. Be that as it may, they are always highly entertaining and leave a cliffhanger at the end just tantalizing enough that the reader will curse having to wait another year.
Kudos, Madam Hyzy for another hit in the series. One can only hope you have many more ideas, for things are far from going stale with Grace and the rest of the Marshfield gang.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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