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pussreboots's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tribefan33's review
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
An okay read. I don't know if I'll read anymore is this series or not... I did not like the main character at all nor how she treated her supposed "best friend" but the other characters might intice me to read another one, since I already own it... I'll have to think on it!
hugbandit7's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this book was just ok. I don't plan to read any more by this author because I didn't like how the chapters flipped between the two main characters as if they were telling the story. When Ryan Stevens "spoke" it was definitely from his point of view, but when it was Megan's turn it was more 3rd person. I just didn't like it that type of writing.
The story in itself was good and I actually figured it out near the end but not the "why".
The story in itself was good and I actually figured it out near the end but not the "why".
ncrabb's review against another edition
2.0
Whoever said book clubs are harmless never attended the one Megan Clark leads. She’s a fictional reference librarian in Amarillo with a doctorate in paleopathology. She lets you know that throughout this book, too, which is one of my several complaints, but I digress.
Megan facilitates the mystery book club hosted by Agnes at the Time and Again used bookstore. The group is made up of an eclectic bunch of characters from a graduate student whose fond of fondling the knee of her fellow club member and professor at the college she attends. There’s the extremely obese writer who funnels double handfuls of cookies or other book club refreshments into her mouth. Then, there’s Ryan. He’s Megan’s friend—a 45-year-old guy who has the hots for Megan, who is in her mid-20s and whose best friend is Ryan’s daughter. Can you say creepy? At least in this book, Megan doesn’t seem to reciprocate that weirdness in this first book, focusing instead on a cop more her age.
Agnes’s bookstore takes in a lot of used books, some of them more valuable than others. When a book club member dies at the hands of a killer, Megan realizes she’s not the first customer of the store to die violently in recent months.
Sadly, you’ll figure this out pretty early, and there’s some debate with me as to whether I’ll continue to read the series, but I suspect I’ll give it one more book.
Megan facilitates the mystery book club hosted by Agnes at the Time and Again used bookstore. The group is made up of an eclectic bunch of characters from a graduate student whose fond of fondling the knee of her fellow club member and professor at the college she attends. There’s the extremely obese writer who funnels double handfuls of cookies or other book club refreshments into her mouth. Then, there’s Ryan. He’s Megan’s friend—a 45-year-old guy who has the hots for Megan, who is in her mid-20s and whose best friend is Ryan’s daughter. Can you say creepy? At least in this book, Megan doesn’t seem to reciprocate that weirdness in this first book, focusing instead on a cop more her age.
Agnes’s bookstore takes in a lot of used books, some of them more valuable than others. When a book club member dies at the hands of a killer, Megan realizes she’s not the first customer of the store to die violently in recent months.
Sadly, you’ll figure this out pretty early, and there’s some debate with me as to whether I’ll continue to read the series, but I suspect I’ll give it one more book.
etkahler's review against another edition
3.0
I have to say, it was really cool to read a book set in my hometown (thanks reading challenge!). So many "Oh, I've been there!" "I know where that is!" just made for a new reading experience.
As for the mystery itself, not too bad. I may dig up the second one since there were a few loose ends not quite tied up.
Reading Challenge: #43 - set in your hometown.
As for the mystery itself, not too bad. I may dig up the second one since there were a few loose ends not quite tied up.
Reading Challenge: #43 - set in your hometown.
dontmissythesereads's review
3.0
Book #21 read in 2008
This book was a little slow to start, and I'm not sure why someone other than the main character narrates the story. However, about 70 pages into the story it finally picked up. I will probably check out the next one in the series before I decide if I read them all.
This book was a little slow to start, and I'm not sure why someone other than the main character narrates the story. However, about 70 pages into the story it finally picked up. I will probably check out the next one in the series before I decide if I read them all.
playnejaynedoe's review
1.0
This book was painful to read.
The dialogue was HORRIBLE.
The characters were ill-conceived and flat.
The plot was weak.
This is a "wannabe" murder mystery that FAILS miserably.
The dialogue was HORRIBLE.
The characters were ill-conceived and flat.
The plot was weak.
This is a "wannabe" murder mystery that FAILS miserably.
angrygreycatreads's review
1.0
Murder in Volume was this month’s read for the Cozy Mystery Corner Mystery Group on Goodreads. There is a plethora of book/library/bookstore themed cozies and many of them are among my favorite cozy series. This is an book one of a 5 book series. The protagonist is Megan Clark, a librarian and frustrated paleopathologist. She has a sidekick history professor, Ryan, who is much older than her, and in fact is the father of her childhood friends. She drags Ryan along on all of her adventures. It is on one of these new activities, a book club, that Megan and Ryan stumble on a body and are embroiled in the mystery.
The point of view switches back and forth throughout the book. It is in this switching that we learn that Ryan is having romantic feelings towards Megan, seemingly unrequited as Megan is dating someone else. The mystery includes references to other mystery series, similar to Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand series. Part of these are understandable as discussion in the mystery book club meetings.
I did not connect with Megan Clark as a protagonist, she seemed arrogant and takes herself and her paleopathology degree far too seriously, even though it seems like it is not an employable degree. I also didn’t like the developing romance with Ryan at all, not being able to stop wondering what his kids would think of it.
I don’t think this is a series I will continue with, especially when there are so many other very good book themed cozies.
The point of view switches back and forth throughout the book. It is in this switching that we learn that Ryan is having romantic feelings towards Megan, seemingly unrequited as Megan is dating someone else. The mystery includes references to other mystery series, similar to Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand series. Part of these are understandable as discussion in the mystery book club meetings.
I did not connect with Megan Clark as a protagonist, she seemed arrogant and takes herself and her paleopathology degree far too seriously, even though it seems like it is not an employable degree. I also didn’t like the developing romance with Ryan at all, not being able to stop wondering what his kids would think of it.
I don’t think this is a series I will continue with, especially when there are so many other very good book themed cozies.
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