Reviews

Murder by the Book by Gina LaManna

smithsj123's review

4.0

This is yet another ‘hit’ from Gina LaManna, plenty of humour and intrigue, quirky characters and potential love interests to keep you on your toes… oh as well as a series of small town murders that need to be solved!

Lucy’s life isn’t quite going to plan, after heartbreak and betrayal, she is back home living with her parents, or rather in their garden shed!?! As a romance writer, she has lost her muse, so after a local murder she decides to try her hand at crime and mystery writing.

She decides to try to solve the murders to write a new mystery novel, and dives right into sleuthing. She is aided / hindered by other fabulous characters - octogenarian friends, local police and a successful book author on tour.

This is a great story that will leave you satisfied and yet still wanting more!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

kidisitor's review

5.0

Great beginning to a new series. It's similar in style to the Murder in Style series by this author. A young woman decides it's her job to help solve the murder. This time it's an aspiring author, who had written romance, but quickly (after seeing a murder scene,) decides maybe she'd have more success with mystery. Then she proceeds to investigate, with the help of her elderly friends and neighbors. Those same friends and neighbors bring much of the humor to the book. The Protagonist is a bit, let's just call her quirky. She is also a tad accident prone. She also has a tendency to be somewhat self-depreciating, and often makes fun of herself, but also accepts herself for who she is. Oh, and she's living in her parents gardening shed. The mystery itself isn't too complicated, and there aren't too many suspects, though that makes it all the more puzzling. It doesn't have that scene where she finally realizes who the culprit is, only it's a little too late. In addition to the mystery, there is also a romance in the making. A love triangle actually. (I'm sure this aspect will carry over into future books in the series.) It's easy to read and is a fun read. It is written from the Protagonist's POV.

pikasqueaks's review

i usually love gina lamanna's books, but i was not a big fan of lucy little, and i'm really tired of books where ppl date cops...

missalyssap's review

3.5

3.5 stars…easy read, but with that said I didn’t love the plot…I didn’t love Lucy all that much,

 especially her switching between Kent and Henry like the whole book…the mystery was interesting but not liking Lucy also almost ruined that too, though it was interesting who the murderer was! I wish the ending had been more focused on the murder rather than her love life…

katykat_reads's review

funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5

cassaundra_reed1's review

4.0

Another great series for Gina LaManna! I’m so excited to read the next and see what is in store for Lucy Little! I didn’t expect who the murderer was and I NEED to know who Lucy falls for!

***I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

hannahbythebook's review

4.0

This is my first cozy mystery & I loved it!! I’ll be picking up more from this author.

nickieandremus's review

5.0

Lucy Little is an aspiring romance author, with a practically non-existent list of books to her name. After she faints at her book signing, her ex-boyfriend who is now a cop takes her for pizza and while they are eating, he gets a call....there has been a murder. He invites Lucy to do a ride-along, and she decides to use what she sees as part of her next book. The only problem is, as she writes, another murder is commited, and then Lucy begins to be worried she may not make it to the end of the book.

This is the fun start to a new series starring Lucy Little....an author who lives in a she-shed at the back of her parent's property, and drives a yellow VW hippie van. Lucy is just as delightful and quirky as she sounds, and I can't wait to read more of her adventures. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then you will want to check this one out.