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librarianlinda82's review
4.0
I enjoyed it. It did continue to set up the next book in the series that was introduced in the first book. You definitely need to read them in order or you will be lost.
staticdisplay's review
3.0
this was weird! I was debating between 2 and 3 stars. the title made me think I was about to read something whimsical and silly, but the text seemed to take itself very seriously. there were a lot of very odd characters (premonitions, hermits, whatever Judicious P. Bosworth was), but, again, there was no winking in the text. I wanted it to be more of a "fun" read. having said that, there were little quirky elements that I did not enjoy - Candy Holliday sounds like a stage name at a strip club (XXXMas Town HAHAHA*)(but seriously why is that her name? why is her dad named Doc Holliday???) and Maggie's behavior was so inappropriate and weird. I also found it very difficult to get into the story when soooo many characters were introduced and the author kept referring to past books very opaquely (probably just enough information to spoil the endings, but not enough to actually understand what was being referenced). I did enjoy the overarching conspiracy theme, because it was so unusual for this genre and kind of fun conceptually. this is definitely a series that is meant to be read in order and it is not friendly to people who are not following the rules. plus, I am NEVER able to figure out mysteries, and I had figured out one of the big twists almost immediately. so, lots of weird elements that didn't quite hang together. nonetheless, I appreciated that the author is trying to be ambitious and creative and I don't feel that deserves 2 stars. (having said that, I'm also not sure I will continue to read the series...)
*ignore me
*ignore me
cj_mo_2222's review
3.0
Making ends meet in Cape Willingham, Maine takes a lot of hard work. That doesn't bother Candy Holliday who lives with her dad "Doc" on their blueberry farm and makes pies for a local diner. Candy is preparing to cover the town's annual Winter Moose Fest as part of her other job as a reporter when Solomon Hatch, the town hermit, stumbles onto her property claiming to have discovered a dead body in the woods. The police dismiss Solomon's claim when they can't find the body, but Candy won't rest until she finds out the truth about the body and if it has anything to do with a beautiful white moose that has been appearing in town, or the strange events that have been going on for months.
The book gets off to a great start. It begins with one of Candy's articles, and that gives the reader a flavor of the town and its residents. The book has a great location and an appealing main character. Candy is hard-working, values her family, and is a kind person. I love that Candy is fair-minded enough to admire the writing talent of her nemesis Wanda Boyle who runs a competing news website and blog. Having the annual Moose Fest as a focus for the book is a great idea and I loved learning about ice sculpting along with Candy as she interviews some of the artists for her coverage of the event. I was at first reminded of Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series and looked forward to discovering what would happen next. However, I quickly became confused about the plot and the backstory of the characters and didn't know who or what I should be rooting for.
There are many different continuing series out there for mystery lovers, and many books that are part of a series are best if you've read the previous books. You enjoy a "shared history" with the main characters and have experienced the events they have and can see how they have grown and changed. However, most books that are part of a series will give new readers enough information so each book in the series can stand alone. Unfortunately, that is not the case for "Town on a Wild Moose Chase." While it's only the third book in this series, Candy constantly makes references to things that occurred in previous books that are directly related to the current mystery, as well as her relationship with her boyfriend and boss Ben. Things are hinted at through vague descriptions, but not enough information is shared to shed light on things going on now in the story. Perhaps the author didn't want to give away the solution to mysteries in prior books, but I was left confused and frustrated though much of the book. That being said, I was still able to figure out one of the suspects very early on, so it was lacking in suspense.
Part of the mystery is wrapped up at the end, but the books ends with a cliffhanger and the reader is left with many unanswered questions. There is an epilogue, but instead of providing closure, it brings up more questions. Those who have read the prior books in the series are likely to enjoy catching up with the interesting characters and the continuation of past events in their lives, but as a new reader, I found myself more confused than entertained.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The book gets off to a great start. It begins with one of Candy's articles, and that gives the reader a flavor of the town and its residents. The book has a great location and an appealing main character. Candy is hard-working, values her family, and is a kind person. I love that Candy is fair-minded enough to admire the writing talent of her nemesis Wanda Boyle who runs a competing news website and blog. Having the annual Moose Fest as a focus for the book is a great idea and I loved learning about ice sculpting along with Candy as she interviews some of the artists for her coverage of the event. I was at first reminded of Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series and looked forward to discovering what would happen next. However, I quickly became confused about the plot and the backstory of the characters and didn't know who or what I should be rooting for.
There are many different continuing series out there for mystery lovers, and many books that are part of a series are best if you've read the previous books. You enjoy a "shared history" with the main characters and have experienced the events they have and can see how they have grown and changed. However, most books that are part of a series will give new readers enough information so each book in the series can stand alone. Unfortunately, that is not the case for "Town on a Wild Moose Chase." While it's only the third book in this series, Candy constantly makes references to things that occurred in previous books that are directly related to the current mystery, as well as her relationship with her boyfriend and boss Ben. Things are hinted at through vague descriptions, but not enough information is shared to shed light on things going on now in the story. Perhaps the author didn't want to give away the solution to mysteries in prior books, but I was left confused and frustrated though much of the book. That being said, I was still able to figure out one of the suspects very early on, so it was lacking in suspense.
Part of the mystery is wrapped up at the end, but the books ends with a cliffhanger and the reader is left with many unanswered questions. There is an epilogue, but instead of providing closure, it brings up more questions. Those who have read the prior books in the series are likely to enjoy catching up with the interesting characters and the continuation of past events in their lives, but as a new reader, I found myself more confused than entertained.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
krisrid's review
2.0
As "cozy mysteries" go, this was okay. Not fantastic, but okay.
Candy Holliday lives in a very small town in rural Maine, and, much like that other Maine person, Jessica Fletcher, she seems to get caught up in murder despite her best efforts not to get involved. Candy is a younger woman, and she's also the town's reporter, so she does tend to be out and about and up in people's business. And while it annoys the local sheriff no end, Candy DOES seem to find out what's going on.
In this story, the local hermit stumbles out of the forest behind the house Candy lives in with her father, battered and bleeding, tells her that he's seen a dead body, then promptly disappears. Candy reports the incident to the police, but they can't seem to find any body.
This was kind of fun, and if you like winter wonderlands, rural small-town goings-on, or light murder mysteries, you may enjoy this. Admittedly, I picked this book up out of order, as it's the third in the series and I haven't read the others, but there is enough of a self-contained storyline that I was able to follow along, even though there are references to what is clearly continuing sub-plots. Probably it would be good to start at the beginning and read in order, but I didn't love the characters or the setting enough that I would likely read others in the set. It was just an okay read for me.
Candy Holliday lives in a very small town in rural Maine, and, much like that other Maine person, Jessica Fletcher, she seems to get caught up in murder despite her best efforts not to get involved. Candy is a younger woman, and she's also the town's reporter, so she does tend to be out and about and up in people's business. And while it annoys the local sheriff no end, Candy DOES seem to find out what's going on.
In this story, the local hermit stumbles out of the forest behind the house Candy lives in with her father, battered and bleeding, tells her that he's seen a dead body, then promptly disappears. Candy reports the incident to the police, but they can't seem to find any body.
This was kind of fun, and if you like winter wonderlands, rural small-town goings-on, or light murder mysteries, you may enjoy this. Admittedly, I picked this book up out of order, as it's the third in the series and I haven't read the others, but there is enough of a self-contained storyline that I was able to follow along, even though there are references to what is clearly continuing sub-plots. Probably it would be good to start at the beginning and read in order, but I didn't love the characters or the setting enough that I would likely read others in the set. It was just an okay read for me.
dollycas's review
5.0
It’s time for the Annual Moose Fest in Cape Willington featuring a Sleigh and Sled parade, an ice sculpting exhibition, and the Moose Fest Ball. Candy again is in the center of the action covering things for the local newspaper but her mind is filled with things Solomon Hatch has told her. He claims he saw a dead body in the woods behind her blueberry farm. As if that is not enough, a mysterious white moose is showing up in the strangest places. How do all of these things fit together? You can be sure Candy will figure it out.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Life is never dull in the quaint seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine. The plot in this story really thickens and Candy is right in the thick of things. She is a very strong, savvy, smart protagonist. She has really grown in this series and I have grown to love her. But I am so jealous of her. We once took a vacation to Canada and the only moose we saw were on the moose crossing signs and Candy not only has a moose in her woods, but a white moose. We should have went to Maine!
The team of B.B. Haywood have written another captivating cozy sure to be enjoyed by all cozy lovers. These books are unique in that they all feature yearly events in Cape Willington. I hope they have many, many, more events planned to keep Candy busy for several stories. The title for the next book, Town in Pumpkin Bash already has my mouth watering and mind anxiously awaiting its release next year.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Life is never dull in the quaint seaside village of Cape Willington, Maine. The plot in this story really thickens and Candy is right in the thick of things. She is a very strong, savvy, smart protagonist. She has really grown in this series and I have grown to love her. But I am so jealous of her. We once took a vacation to Canada and the only moose we saw were on the moose crossing signs and Candy not only has a moose in her woods, but a white moose. We should have went to Maine!
The team of B.B. Haywood have written another captivating cozy sure to be enjoyed by all cozy lovers. These books are unique in that they all feature yearly events in Cape Willington. I hope they have many, many, more events planned to keep Candy busy for several stories. The title for the next book, Town in Pumpkin Bash already has my mouth watering and mind anxiously awaiting its release next year.
allisoncc's review
2.0
A REAL cozy mystery, without any twists and turns. As the reader I had it solved pages, pages and PAGES before Candy Holliday has it told to her by the villain. I was waiting for all that set up to be a red herring, and alas, it wasn’t. If it had been, I would have had a vastly different experience with this book.
Cape Willington is a cute town, but even this special albino moose character is developed and then left with no further action or resolution. Candy also makes a point to internalize and shame herself every time she eats something sweet. Blah.
Cape Willington is a cute town, but even this special albino moose character is developed and then left with no further action or resolution. Candy also makes a point to internalize and shame herself every time she eats something sweet. Blah.
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