Reviews

Curses, Boiled Again! by Shari Randall

megasaurus_wes's review against another edition

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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

4.0

constancepsych's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Excellent read, loved the characters and the plot.  New author for me but I did like it enough to buy the next 2 and get to reading them next.  If you love summer cozies, lobster, and a small town this is your book.

littletaiko's review against another edition

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2.0

I wanted to like this more than I did. First of all major points to the author for having a non-romance related reason for Allie to move back home. Allie is a professional dancer recuperating from an injury. While recovering, she is helping out at her aunt's lobster shack. There wasn't even a whiff of a romance much less the usual triangle that seems to feature in so many cozy mysteries. The mystery is set during a lobster roll competition that Aunt Gully is competing in. When all of the judges fall ill after eating one of the lobster rolls and suspiscion falls on Aunt Gully, Allie of course investigates on her own. While I enjoyed most of the characters, Allie was the one who aggravated me the most. She kept making idiotic choices that just didn't feel believable. It's the first in a series so there is potential for improvement.

ja3m3's review against another edition

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4.0

Cute cozy mystery. I will continue with the series.

elleko's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious

3.0

tlvz721's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

peggyemi's review against another edition

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3.0

This is the first in a new culinary cozy mystery series that is off to a good start. It is a well paced story with a lot happening throughout. I enjoyed the main character Allie, while recovering from a injured ankle, is helping her aunt with her new business venture - a lobster shack. Allie is fun, loyal and I enjoyed the way her relationship with her aunt and her best friend was written. In addition, there is a secondary cast of quirky fun characters that I think readers will enjoy. The one character I had trouble connecting with was Lorel, Allie's sister. To me she felt a bit distant and maybe a tad judgmental. The mystery was woven throughout the story and there were plenty of clues, twists and turns peppered throughout the plot along the way. There was a nice twist when the killer's identity was revealed that I didn't suspect.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley. This book is scheduled for release on January 30, 2018.

caitkom's review against another edition

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4.0

This was the first intstallment of the Lobster Shack Mysteries. Set in Mystic Bay, CT, Allie Larkin is home on medical leave from her job as a ballerina. She is helping Aunt Gully who is a well loved cafeteria lady turned Lobster Shack owner. The Lazy Mermaid has been selected to participate in the best lobster roll competition and this would be a great way for the Lazy Mermaid to get on the map, until one of the judges dies from eating one of the competetors lobster rolls. Allie is so set on proving that the competetor couldn't have poisoned their own lobster roll that she shifts the heat onto Aunt Gully. Allie along with her sister and her best friend start poking into the murder to prove Aunt Gully's innocence. This was a great first book in the series. I am looking forward to reading the other ones.

kokoro's review against another edition

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3.0

Creo es uno de los cozy menos típicos que he leído en el sentido de las acusaciones y en la inexistencia de romance…. Hurra esto último XD

Como la mayoría de los cozy, tiene una estructura, redacción e historia sencilla pero entretenida. Lamentablemente la protagonista si bien no me cayó mal tampoco me súper encantó, preferí a su amiga y compañera de investigación. Había momentos donde pensaba como su hermana “por qué no cierras la boca para no seguir metiendo la pata?” Era medio desesperante PERO la mayoría de las veces la autora continuaba esa escena con algo que ponía en aprietos, momentáneamente, a nuestra detective improvisada y confieso era divertido. Pero, sin duda la otra estrella cayó debido a que en esta ocasión adivine con mucha antelación quien fue el responsable y su motivo, y algo relacionado con una sub-trama, sentí satisfacción y un poco de decepción de que lo intuido resulto verdad. Aun así, la historia y el como la chica investiga para exonerar a una persona, posteriormente su tía y luego a sí misma es, de nuevo lo recalco, entretenida.

En casi todos los cozy hay romance para la protagonista en la forma de un guapo detective, policía, u otro tipo de agente de la ley, pero aquí no ocurre tal cosa, de hecho la prota dice que es su hermana la que despierta pasiones, y si bien aparecen dos hombres guapos, uno es un reportero que busca la nota, el otro es un agente de seguros que aparece para dar un soplo, no hay mayor trato entre estos y ella, de una forma se agradece pues es un soplo de aire fresco en el género, ahora que si surge algo en posteriores entregas de la serie ahí si ya no sé.

"Some people are their own worst enemies" Aunt Gully.

lunifur's review against another edition

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4.0

**I voluntarily read this ARC**

I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story at first, but it ended up being a good book. It has a highly unique ending. Even the characters point out how bizarre it was. The mystery was enjoyable with interesting characters.