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chelsealeigh's review
4.0
Nice east read! Breezed through in about 2 days around work schedule. Very enjoyable :)
shai3d's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lolasreviews's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed Erin Johnson's other series, so I decided to give this one a try as well. I liked the idea of a main character who talks to pets and was curious how that would play into the mystery. Unfortunately this book didn't quite work for me.
I was hoping for a light and fun cozy mystery, but this one didn't quite have that vibe I was looking for. It at times has a more gritty dark world vibe with how down on her luck Jolene is and she lives in a bad part of town. It didn't quite have that cozy comfortable vibe. It also doesn't have the close group of characters that I had expected from the author's other series.
The mystery didn't really grip me, but there was a nice twist toward the end. I also liked seeing how Jolene cared about justice and wanted to help solve this. It felt a bit unrealistic how Jolene got involved. She is hired as a consultant, but she mostly just acts as a partner for the police officer and there aren't as many animals she talks to. There is a parakeet that has some valuable info, which was fun. I didn't care for her interactions with Daisy the dog, both were rude to the other and while it was supposed to be funny, it just felt annoying to me.
I didn't really like Jolene. I understood she didn't have a good life and I felt bad for her. Her tough outside layer made sense, but at times she just acted rude or in a way I didn't like. I did appreciate how she was willing to do or act or ask what was needed to get the case solved. Peter the detective was the most likable character probably, he seemed a bit too naive for a police officer, but he seemed capable and I liked how he gave Jolene a chance.
To summarize: Unfortunately this one didn't quite work for me. I liked the idea of a main character who could talk to pets. The story had a bit of a gritty feel at times and didn't feel as cozy as most cozies. The mystery wasn't gripping me, but there was an interesting twist toward the end. the investigation is pretty straightforward and more police procedural than amateur sleuth as Jolene is a consultant and tags along the police officer. I felt bad for Jolene, but never really quite warmed up to her. I didn't like how Jolene and Daisy the dog interacted with each other. Peter the police officer was a likable character, he was a bit naive, but had a certain kindness that made me like him.
I was hoping for a light and fun cozy mystery, but this one didn't quite have that vibe I was looking for. It at times has a more gritty dark world vibe with how down on her luck Jolene is and she lives in a bad part of town. It didn't quite have that cozy comfortable vibe. It also doesn't have the close group of characters that I had expected from the author's other series.
The mystery didn't really grip me, but there was a nice twist toward the end. I also liked seeing how Jolene cared about justice and wanted to help solve this. It felt a bit unrealistic how Jolene got involved. She is hired as a consultant, but she mostly just acts as a partner for the police officer and there aren't as many animals she talks to. There is a parakeet that has some valuable info, which was fun. I didn't care for her interactions with Daisy the dog, both were rude to the other and while it was supposed to be funny, it just felt annoying to me.
I didn't really like Jolene. I understood she didn't have a good life and I felt bad for her. Her tough outside layer made sense, but at times she just acted rude or in a way I didn't like. I did appreciate how she was willing to do or act or ask what was needed to get the case solved. Peter the detective was the most likable character probably, he seemed a bit too naive for a police officer, but he seemed capable and I liked how he gave Jolene a chance.
To summarize: Unfortunately this one didn't quite work for me. I liked the idea of a main character who could talk to pets. The story had a bit of a gritty feel at times and didn't feel as cozy as most cozies. The mystery wasn't gripping me, but there was an interesting twist toward the end. the investigation is pretty straightforward and more police procedural than amateur sleuth as Jolene is a consultant and tags along the police officer. I felt bad for Jolene, but never really quite warmed up to her. I didn't like how Jolene and Daisy the dog interacted with each other. Peter the police officer was a likable character, he was a bit naive, but had a certain kindness that made me like him.
abeautytoyourbeast's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caitkom's review against another edition
2.0
This was a rough one for me. I'm not sure if it was because I was listening to it on audio and I didn't care for the narrator, or if it was the book itself, but I could barely finish it. I really liked the premise, a magic market. A "pet psychic" who is really a shifter, making a living by talking to people's pets. When a police officer brings his sick dog to her office for help, she takes him to her friend, who has an illegal vet clinic in town. After she is able to "talk" to his dog and save her life, the police officer recruits her to help on a case in which the only witness to a murder was a parakeet. After that, it just go hard for me to listen to. The dog's voice made me cringe and I found her to be super annoying. I really wanted to like this book, and maybe if I try another one, I will read it instead of listen to it.
elegancesicy's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson is a magnificent first book in this new series by Ms. Johnson. I love these new characters and a different outlook on Bijou Mer's citizens.
Jolene is our main character and point of view character throughout the whole book. She is a cautious and thoughtful character as we were first introduced to shifters in the Spells and Caramels series, and now we have one as our main point of view character. Jolene was cursed, which is a huge thing since now she can't shift and lost most of her powers. Well, except for the ability to talk to animals and now to hearing and talking to all the animals. She was a lawyer before she was cursed, but now she is a pet psychic that is working with the police for her ability to hear the animals' thoughts.
I like this character a lot, and she is different than Imogen. However, they are both orphaned, but for Jolene, she grew up in this world while Imogen wasn't. I don't have a dislike for her, but I hope that she does trust Phil enough at some point to tell him the truth about herself.
Peter Flint is the police officer and Jolene's love interest in this series. These two will be interesting as he is a police officer through and through. By that, I mean that he wants to do well with his job, but he also wants the truth about it. His dog is Daisy, who is a golden lab, can tell when someone is lying or telling the truth. Daisy's attitude when she realizes that Jolene is a shifter is pretty hilarious. Daisy is the Iggy of this series, and I adore it.
I love these two a lot, and I can see some things, not going too well with the three of them. Peter is a great guy, and Daisy is a wonderful girl who only wants what is best for Peter.
Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson is another fantastic book and the start of another excellent series. I can't wait to get back into the world of Jolene, Peter, and Daisy so that I can be laughing out loud all over again. I am giving this book five stars as I adore anything from Ms. Johnson, and this book is no exception. Along with my rating, I am recommending it to anyone that loves cozy paranormal mysteries.
Can Jolene help Peter and Daisy find the killer?
Jolene
Jolene is our main character and point of view character throughout the whole book. She is a cautious and thoughtful character as we were first introduced to shifters in the Spells and Caramels series, and now we have one as our main point of view character. Jolene was cursed, which is a huge thing since now she can't shift and lost most of her powers. Well, except for the ability to talk to animals and now to hearing and talking to all the animals. She was a lawyer before she was cursed, but now she is a pet psychic that is working with the police for her ability to hear the animals' thoughts.
I like this character a lot, and she is different than Imogen. However, they are both orphaned, but for Jolene, she grew up in this world while Imogen wasn't. I don't have a dislike for her, but I hope that she does trust Phil enough at some point to tell him the truth about herself.
Peter Flint and Daisy
Peter Flint is the police officer and Jolene's love interest in this series. These two will be interesting as he is a police officer through and through. By that, I mean that he wants to do well with his job, but he also wants the truth about it. His dog is Daisy, who is a golden lab, can tell when someone is lying or telling the truth. Daisy's attitude when she realizes that Jolene is a shifter is pretty hilarious. Daisy is the Iggy of this series, and I adore it.
I love these two a lot, and I can see some things, not going too well with the three of them. Peter is a great guy, and Daisy is a wonderful girl who only wants what is best for Peter.
Five Stars
Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson is another fantastic book and the start of another excellent series. I can't wait to get back into the world of Jolene, Peter, and Daisy so that I can be laughing out loud all over again. I am giving this book five stars as I adore anything from Ms. Johnson, and this book is no exception. Along with my rating, I am recommending it to anyone that loves cozy paranormal mysteries.
Next Books in the Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
ifadoja's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0