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annrawson's review
5.0
I loved this mystery and was several times surprised, and several times my suspicions were confirmed, but I promise there are no spoilers in the review!
Although I am more of a psychological thriller fan, I do also love cosy (cozy? across the Atlantic) mysteries, going back to my childhood love of the Miss Marple stories. A good cosy mystery does in fact hinge on pretty much the same intersection of character and community as a psychological thriller, when you think about it. It's all about what is rippling beneath the surface of an apparently placid exterior.
The main character here is Cam Flaherty, a farmer, who used to be in software. As someone with related experience I guessed a connection when I saw the name of the farm, Produce Plus Plus - and was rather sad when Cam decided to change it during the course of the novel.
Her change of direction in life makes her an interesting character and one many of us can empathise with, as she is adjusting to a new way of life. Finding out about new subjects is one of the pleasures of reading mysteries, and Edith's knowledge of farming life was evident throughout.
The murder victim had annoyed a lot of people, and so there was no shortage of suspects. I particularly liked that even so she was not one dimensional, but there was a more sympathetic side to her which we found out later. In fact all the main characters have depth and complexity, and that was especially interesting when it came to Cam's personal life. Another reason I want to know what happens in the next book.
I was lucky enough to win an early copy of this one in Edith's prize draw on Facebook, and I devoured it as soon as it arrived. The novel is beautifully written and very readable. The first thing I did afterwards was order the first novel in the series, because I now want to catch up with the backstory.
Although I am more of a psychological thriller fan, I do also love cosy (cozy? across the Atlantic) mysteries, going back to my childhood love of the Miss Marple stories. A good cosy mystery does in fact hinge on pretty much the same intersection of character and community as a psychological thriller, when you think about it. It's all about what is rippling beneath the surface of an apparently placid exterior.
The main character here is Cam Flaherty, a farmer, who used to be in software. As someone with related experience I guessed a connection when I saw the name of the farm, Produce Plus Plus - and was rather sad when Cam decided to change it during the course of the novel.
Her change of direction in life makes her an interesting character and one many of us can empathise with, as she is adjusting to a new way of life. Finding out about new subjects is one of the pleasures of reading mysteries, and Edith's knowledge of farming life was evident throughout.
The murder victim had annoyed a lot of people, and so there was no shortage of suspects. I particularly liked that even so she was not one dimensional, but there was a more sympathetic side to her which we found out later. In fact all the main characters have depth and complexity, and that was especially interesting when it came to Cam's personal life. Another reason I want to know what happens in the next book.
I was lucky enough to win an early copy of this one in Edith's prize draw on Facebook, and I devoured it as soon as it arrived. The novel is beautifully written and very readable. The first thing I did afterwards was order the first novel in the series, because I now want to catch up with the backstory.
likesbooks's review
3.0
Not horrible. I started at book #2 and like so many cozy mysteries there is a bit of a recap of events from book #1. I got enough back story from this one to know where the characters had alliances and conflicts.
Cam is a newly minted CSA provider (Community supported agriculture) at the end of her first harvest. At her first farm to fork dinner in the field for interested folks one particular patron draws ire from just about everyone. When one of the characters turns up dead Cam is a suspect along with half the town.
Better written than some mysteries (ie I can think of a particular series where books get to a bigger page count by constantly reviewing material every time there is a new person walking in the room....think "hi person x, this is what we know since the last time we've seen you" 5 or 50 times in the course of a 300 page book or "character x recalls what happened two books ago". blech!!!) the CSA info is interesting (I participate in one).
I am not sure I will read more of this series. The love interests (or potential ones) seem contrived and for such a "smart girl" the choice should be clear. I think instead I will look up CSA recipes on the internet and just imagine that Cam makes the right choice.
Cam is a newly minted CSA provider (Community supported agriculture) at the end of her first harvest. At her first farm to fork dinner in the field for interested folks one particular patron draws ire from just about everyone. When one of the characters turns up dead Cam is a suspect along with half the town.
Better written than some mysteries (ie I can think of a particular series where books get to a bigger page count by constantly reviewing material every time there is a new person walking in the room....think "hi person x, this is what we know since the last time we've seen you" 5 or 50 times in the course of a 300 page book or "character x recalls what happened two books ago". blech!!!) the CSA info is interesting (I participate in one).
I am not sure I will read more of this series. The love interests (or potential ones) seem contrived and for such a "smart girl" the choice should be clear. I think instead I will look up CSA recipes on the internet and just imagine that Cam makes the right choice.
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