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villianess's review against another edition
4.0
Cherry went to art school to become an artist in small town Halo. When she gets the opportunity to do a portrait of Dustin for a grieving mother in his coffin is a far throw from getting her art shop up and going. Dustin's family wants to have a family member paint the picture and so Cherry tells them that both she and Shawna will do a portrait. She is betting that she will do a better job and will get the commission and the recognition she needs to get started.
Cherry needs to get into the funeral home to paint Dustin in his coffin and decides that coming in after hours and without the knowledge of the owner Cooper. She gets all set up to start the painting when she is hit over the head and wakes up with her sheriff Uncle hovering over her and accusing her of burglary and trespassing. The family decides that Cherry shouldn't do the portrait, but she decides that she has something to prove and not only needs to finish the painting but find out who tried to rob a corpse.
The characters in the book are fun loving and believable. Some of the plot was lacking as far as a mystery goes, in that there wasn't hold on to the pages mystery, but more gentle.
A quick fun read.
Cherry needs to get into the funeral home to paint Dustin in his coffin and decides that coming in after hours and without the knowledge of the owner Cooper. She gets all set up to start the painting when she is hit over the head and wakes up with her sheriff Uncle hovering over her and accusing her of burglary and trespassing. The family decides that Cherry shouldn't do the portrait, but she decides that she has something to prove and not only needs to finish the painting but find out who tried to rob a corpse.
The characters in the book are fun loving and believable. Some of the plot was lacking as far as a mystery goes, in that there wasn't hold on to the pages mystery, but more gentle.
A quick fun read.
erinnejc's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable start to what promises to be a good series about Cherry and the town of Halo. I look forward to more...
git_r_read's review against another edition
4.0
ute cozy on the Nook, neat premise of an artist, Cherry Tucker, coming home and trying to make ends meet doing portraits in her small town of Halo, Georgia.
Her first commission might be the portrait of a murder victim in his coffin. He's the numbskull son/stepson of a wealthy couple caught in the wrong place in the wrong time.
There are some funny, crazy people who abound in the town, most of whom are Cherry's family and friends.
There is much hilarity and hijinks and Cherry is caught in the middle.
Her first commission might be the portrait of a murder victim in his coffin. He's the numbskull son/stepson of a wealthy couple caught in the wrong place in the wrong time.
There are some funny, crazy people who abound in the town, most of whom are Cherry's family and friends.
There is much hilarity and hijinks and Cherry is caught in the middle.
dianevallere's review against another edition
5.0
Forget judging a book by its cover--I judged this one by its funny title and I wasn't disappointed. Larissa Reinhart's sense of humor and frequent laugh-out-loud one liners will make you want to read every word for fear you'll miss something if you skim. In addition to the voice, I loved how main character Cherry Tucker experiences everything from her perspective as an artist, including the colors she sees when she's knocked out. I found myself racing ahead, not just for the mystery, but for Cherry's romantic entanglements, too. Can't wait to see where this series goes next!
raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
*I won this as a First Reads Giveaway.*
I really liked this book. It was so fun and enjoyable. I finished it in two settings but if I had the time I would've finished it in one. I didn't want to put it down. I was guessing until the end whodunit and that's so important for me. I hate when I can see who did it early on, especially with a bumbling stupid cast set around to make the story work. That's so not the case here. The miss steps and misleads are understandable and the reader makes them along with Cherry.
The characters all popped out and felt real. Cherry is are strong lead woman who has clear flaws but she's loveable and trying to do the right thing. Her family isn't perfect but they are family. They annoy each other but band together when there's trouble. There is the love triangle thing going on which has become a staple in these kind of books. It often becomes annoying with the indecisive back and forth. However, Cherry clearly has her mind about her and knows what she wants. She just had a bit of trouble getting her backbone to work with her. She's feminine but not the stereotypical princess. She's country but not the stereotypical redneck. She's southern but not the stereotypical Southern bell nor the Southern Cross flag loving moron. She's real and I love her for it. She's an artist and it colors how she views thing and the author loving helped paint it. Honestly, Cherry is one of my new favorite characters, for all of these reasons and more.
I like the setting. I know how things get twisted in small towns, how everyone knows everything about everyone while pretending not to and the futility of fighting against the flow. Now this small town setting is common but is often idealized. I love the realistic portrayal here. The town and it's people are still engaging, still lovable (or hateable) and really gives you a good idea how small towns really work. It's still understandable why people live there and love it, but there are no illusions used to get this across, it's reality is enough.
It was also a nice break to get a book with working poor people as the cast. I mean really, in a small town there's the one person who owns everything due to inheriting and the rest of us are struggling to get along usually. That was the case in my small town and that's the case here. It's nice to get an honest look and portrayal of people like this, like me. It's refreshing and I loved it. Even city slickers will love it, it's not too above their understanding. ;-) /joke
This book is really beautifully written. The author has a wonderful voice, that lends itself so well to her characters. This sentence "The object of my desire, Todd's functioning vehicle, jerked to a stop at the curb while the object of my ire bounded up the slope to my porch." is such a great example. I love it. There's other examples but you should experience it for yourself.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. My only real hesitation I feel is due to being lead on and disappointed with the continuation of other series. *cough Stephanie Plum cough* However, this is a stunning debut. It will draw you in and you'll fall in love with this book. If you're feeling disappointed and disenchanted, Portrait of a Dead Guy will renew your love for this genre.
I really liked this book. It was so fun and enjoyable. I finished it in two settings but if I had the time I would've finished it in one. I didn't want to put it down. I was guessing until the end whodunit and that's so important for me. I hate when I can see who did it early on, especially with a bumbling stupid cast set around to make the story work. That's so not the case here. The miss steps and misleads are understandable and the reader makes them along with Cherry.
The characters all popped out and felt real. Cherry is are strong lead woman who has clear flaws but she's loveable and trying to do the right thing. Her family isn't perfect but they are family. They annoy each other but band together when there's trouble. There is the love triangle thing going on which has become a staple in these kind of books. It often becomes annoying with the indecisive back and forth. However, Cherry clearly has her mind about her and knows what she wants. She just had a bit of trouble getting her backbone to work with her. She's feminine but not the stereotypical princess. She's country but not the stereotypical redneck. She's southern but not the stereotypical Southern bell nor the Southern Cross flag loving moron. She's real and I love her for it. She's an artist and it colors how she views thing and the author loving helped paint it. Honestly, Cherry is one of my new favorite characters, for all of these reasons and more.
I like the setting. I know how things get twisted in small towns, how everyone knows everything about everyone while pretending not to and the futility of fighting against the flow. Now this small town setting is common but is often idealized. I love the realistic portrayal here. The town and it's people are still engaging, still lovable (or hateable) and really gives you a good idea how small towns really work. It's still understandable why people live there and love it, but there are no illusions used to get this across, it's reality is enough.
It was also a nice break to get a book with working poor people as the cast. I mean really, in a small town there's the one person who owns everything due to inheriting and the rest of us are struggling to get along usually. That was the case in my small town and that's the case here. It's nice to get an honest look and portrayal of people like this, like me. It's refreshing and I loved it. Even city slickers will love it, it's not too above their understanding. ;-) /joke
This book is really beautifully written. The author has a wonderful voice, that lends itself so well to her characters. This sentence "The object of my desire, Todd's functioning vehicle, jerked to a stop at the curb while the object of my ire bounded up the slope to my porch." is such a great example. I love it. There's other examples but you should experience it for yourself.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. My only real hesitation I feel is due to being lead on and disappointed with the continuation of other series. *cough Stephanie Plum cough* However, this is a stunning debut. It will draw you in and you'll fall in love with this book. If you're feeling disappointed and disenchanted, Portrait of a Dead Guy will renew your love for this genre.
limabean74's review against another edition
4.0
The cover of this book is great. The name of the book cracks me up and after reading the book makes me laugh even harder. I absolutely love the fonts for this cover too I think that’s the graphic designer in me :)
The character of Cherry Tucker is fantastic. I absolutely love her. The entire cast is written so well. I loved how when something would happen it was like a game of telephone, by the time it got back to Cherry it was nothing like what really happened. This made it hilarious as she tried to explain what really happed but no one would listen to her or really cared they pretty much liked their version better. The chemistry she had with the handsome Luke was just enough to make me love him. I can just picture how handsome he is. **sigh** Todd wasn’t to bad either I think he is a complete sweet potato :) (that’s me channeling my inner southern lingo or watching to much of the movie Shag)
This is just an amazing read by the time you find out who did it I was like WHAT!!! LOVED this book. Such a great story I really enjoyed reading about Cherry and her entire family and the town of Halo. They are a hoot to read about.
Since this is a mystery book and I really never reviewed one of these we can assume that I really can’t say too much since I don’t want to give anything away. I want you to be able to enjoy the book as much as I did with all the twist and turns, shifty characters and total craziness that it had.
But I will say BEST. FUNERAL. EVER. I snort laughed and actually read it three times. After writing this I might have to read it again. Hilarious. I had to stop reading so I could stop crying LOL. SNORT LAUGH!!!!
From the Grandfather, her siblings, Her 5 minute husband Todd, Shawna, the entire Branson clan, Crazy ass goat and of course the dead guy this is a great book to sit back and enjoy, you will not be disappointed. Since this is a series I can’t wait to jump back in and hang out with everyone from Halo, Georgia again. Larissa Reinhart is a wonderful mystery writer that tells an amazing story and I cannot wait to read more from her. Can I officially say one of my favorite humorous mystery writers? I think I can :)
I can’t recommend this book enough to you. I really think this is a series that could become one of my favorites.
The character of Cherry Tucker is fantastic. I absolutely love her. The entire cast is written so well. I loved how when something would happen it was like a game of telephone, by the time it got back to Cherry it was nothing like what really happened. This made it hilarious as she tried to explain what really happed but no one would listen to her or really cared they pretty much liked their version better. The chemistry she had with the handsome Luke was just enough to make me love him. I can just picture how handsome he is. **sigh** Todd wasn’t to bad either I think he is a complete sweet potato :) (that’s me channeling my inner southern lingo or watching to much of the movie Shag)
This is just an amazing read by the time you find out who did it I was like WHAT!!! LOVED this book. Such a great story I really enjoyed reading about Cherry and her entire family and the town of Halo. They are a hoot to read about.
Since this is a mystery book and I really never reviewed one of these we can assume that I really can’t say too much since I don’t want to give anything away. I want you to be able to enjoy the book as much as I did with all the twist and turns, shifty characters and total craziness that it had.
But I will say BEST. FUNERAL. EVER. I snort laughed and actually read it three times. After writing this I might have to read it again. Hilarious. I had to stop reading so I could stop crying LOL. SNORT LAUGH!!!!
From the Grandfather, her siblings, Her 5 minute husband Todd, Shawna, the entire Branson clan, Crazy ass goat and of course the dead guy this is a great book to sit back and enjoy, you will not be disappointed. Since this is a series I can’t wait to jump back in and hang out with everyone from Halo, Georgia again. Larissa Reinhart is a wonderful mystery writer that tells an amazing story and I cannot wait to read more from her. Can I officially say one of my favorite humorous mystery writers? I think I can :)
I can’t recommend this book enough to you. I really think this is a series that could become one of my favorites.
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
Struggling small town artist, commissions are thin on the ground for Cherry, so when the town's wealthiest family ask her to paint a portrait of their murdered son she takes the job despite the creepy nature of the commission.
Then she finds herself accused of burglary, stealing from a corpse and she's also the suspect in a murder. Her struggling business is taking hit after hit and if she can't clear her name the best she can hope for is being run out of town.
Portrait of a Dead Guy isn't bad. It's typical of a lot of Southern Mysteries, a ditzy heroine bumbling her way through crime scenes; a hero who is honestly a jackass; and the other guy who is a loveable idiot. After I manage to suppress my annoyance at jackass heroes it's quite enjoyable.
Then she finds herself accused of burglary, stealing from a corpse and she's also the suspect in a murder. Her struggling business is taking hit after hit and if she can't clear her name the best she can hope for is being run out of town.
Portrait of a Dead Guy isn't bad. It's typical of a lot of Southern Mysteries, a ditzy heroine bumbling her way through crime scenes; a hero who is honestly a jackass; and the other guy who is a loveable idiot. After I manage to suppress my annoyance at jackass heroes it's quite enjoyable.
slc333's review against another edition
DNF with no rating as i read less than half.
Touted as a hilarious cosy southern mystery with a plethora of positive reviews I was keen to dive right in. Unfortunately instead of the amusing, clever and quirky story I was hoping for I got ditsy dumb and sort of annoying for a MC with a side order of cocky jerk for a love interest. I considered persevering but I just didn't care about any of the characters and found them a little annoying so i decided to be kind to myself and move on to something else.
Touted as a hilarious cosy southern mystery with a plethora of positive reviews I was keen to dive right in. Unfortunately instead of the amusing, clever and quirky story I was hoping for I got ditsy dumb and sort of annoying for a MC with a side order of cocky jerk for a love interest. I considered persevering but I just didn't care about any of the characters and found them a little annoying so i decided to be kind to myself and move on to something else.
brokebybooks's review against another edition
5.0
*I won this as a First Reads Giveaway.*
I really liked this book. It was so fun and enjoyable. I finished it in two settings but if I had the time I would've finished it in one. I didn't want to put it down. I was guessing until the end whodunit and that's so important for me. I hate when I can see who did it early on, especially with a bumbling stupid cast set around to make the story work. That's so not the case here. The miss steps and misleads are understandable and the reader makes them along with Cherry.
The characters all popped out and felt real. Cherry is are strong lead woman who has clear flaws but she's loveable and trying to do the right thing. Her family isn't perfect but they are family. They annoy each other but band together when there's trouble. There is the love triangle thing going on which has become a staple in these kind of books. It often becomes annoying with the indecisive back and forth. However, Cherry clearly has her mind about her and knows what she wants. She just had a bit of trouble getting her backbone to work with her. She's feminine but not the stereotypical princess. She's country but not the stereotypical redneck. She's southern but not the stereotypical Southern bell nor the Southern Cross flag loving moron. She's real and I love her for it. She's an artist and it colors how she views thing and the author loving helped paint it. Honestly, Cherry is one of my new favorite characters, for all of these reasons and more.
I like the setting. I know how things get twisted in small towns, how everyone knows everything about everyone while pretending not to and the futility of fighting against the flow. Now this small town setting is common but is often idealized. I love the realistic portrayal here. The town and it's people are still engaging, still lovable (or hateable) and really gives you a good idea how small towns really work. It's still understandable why people live there and love it, but there are no illusions used to get this across, it's reality is enough.
It was also a nice break to get a book with working poor people as the cast. I mean really, in a small town there's the one person who owns everything due to inheriting and the rest of us are struggling to get along usually. That was the case in my small town and that's the case here. It's nice to get an honest look and portrayal of people like this, like me. It's refreshing and I loved it. Even city slickers will love it, it's not too above their understanding. ;-) /joke
This book is really beautifully written. The author has a wonderful voice, that lends itself so well to her characters. This sentence "The object of my desire, Todd's functioning vehicle, jerked to a stop at the curb while the object of my ire bounded up the slope to my porch." is such a great example. I love it. There's other examples but you should experience it for yourself.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. My only real hesitation I feel is due to being lead on and disappointed with the continuation of other series. *cough Stephanie Plum cough* However, this is a stunning debut. It will draw you in and you'll fall in love with this book. If you're feeling disappointed and disenchanted, Portrait of a Dead Guy will renew your love for this genre.
I really liked this book. It was so fun and enjoyable. I finished it in two settings but if I had the time I would've finished it in one. I didn't want to put it down. I was guessing until the end whodunit and that's so important for me. I hate when I can see who did it early on, especially with a bumbling stupid cast set around to make the story work. That's so not the case here. The miss steps and misleads are understandable and the reader makes them along with Cherry.
The characters all popped out and felt real. Cherry is are strong lead woman who has clear flaws but she's loveable and trying to do the right thing. Her family isn't perfect but they are family. They annoy each other but band together when there's trouble. There is the love triangle thing going on which has become a staple in these kind of books. It often becomes annoying with the indecisive back and forth. However, Cherry clearly has her mind about her and knows what she wants. She just had a bit of trouble getting her backbone to work with her. She's feminine but not the stereotypical princess. She's country but not the stereotypical redneck. She's southern but not the stereotypical Southern bell nor the Southern Cross flag loving moron. She's real and I love her for it. She's an artist and it colors how she views thing and the author loving helped paint it. Honestly, Cherry is one of my new favorite characters, for all of these reasons and more.
I like the setting. I know how things get twisted in small towns, how everyone knows everything about everyone while pretending not to and the futility of fighting against the flow. Now this small town setting is common but is often idealized. I love the realistic portrayal here. The town and it's people are still engaging, still lovable (or hateable) and really gives you a good idea how small towns really work. It's still understandable why people live there and love it, but there are no illusions used to get this across, it's reality is enough.
It was also a nice break to get a book with working poor people as the cast. I mean really, in a small town there's the one person who owns everything due to inheriting and the rest of us are struggling to get along usually. That was the case in my small town and that's the case here. It's nice to get an honest look and portrayal of people like this, like me. It's refreshing and I loved it. Even city slickers will love it, it's not too above their understanding. ;-) /joke
This book is really beautifully written. The author has a wonderful voice, that lends itself so well to her characters. This sentence "The object of my desire, Todd's functioning vehicle, jerked to a stop at the curb while the object of my ire bounded up the slope to my porch." is such a great example. I love it. There's other examples but you should experience it for yourself.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. My only real hesitation I feel is due to being lead on and disappointed with the continuation of other series. *cough Stephanie Plum cough* However, this is a stunning debut. It will draw you in and you'll fall in love with this book. If you're feeling disappointed and disenchanted, Portrait of a Dead Guy will renew your love for this genre.
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
I've been so naughty! I've had this book for a while and somehow it just slipped through the cracks. But I was in the mood for something different yesterday and finally got to Cherry!
I love the town of Halo. Small town life has always interested me, I'm a city girl who always wanted to live in a small village/town but after reading this may be the longing will no longer be there. Small town life is deadly (boring or excited there seems to be no in-between!)
Cherry is all kinds of kooky but she has a way with the boys, one annulment, one rekindled love, and who knows who else will crawl out during the series! I must really buy the rest of the series now.
I love the town of Halo. Small town life has always interested me, I'm a city girl who always wanted to live in a small village/town but after reading this may be the longing will no longer be there. Small town life is deadly (boring or excited there seems to be no in-between!)
Cherry is all kinds of kooky but she has a way with the boys, one annulment, one rekindled love, and who knows who else will crawl out during the series! I must really buy the rest of the series now.