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pulchro24's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
Caught Read-Handed by Terrie Farley Moran
The Second Read 'Em and Eat Mystery
While dropping off a book donation at the local library Sassy sees a familiar face, but a closer look reveals it's not the man she thought it was, her former boss. Before she can continue into the library itself she hears a caterwauling, and the man rushes out of the library he had just entered. The carrying on came from a trouble making volunteer, who seems to be there only to placate her rich husband and give headaches to the librarian and patrons. However, when Tonya "Trouble" is found murdered the deputies zoom in on this homeless veteran who so recently had an altercation with her as a person of interest. Sassy can't believe this man, who looked haunted, not predatory, could possibly murder anyone, and when she discovers his name, she realizes he must be the brother of her former boss. With the real murderer still on the loose and a lawyer who seems more slimy than the giant anaconda threatening Bow and the small animals of Fort Meyers, Sassy and the gang at the Read 'Em and Eat Cafe delve into the thick of things once again!
The importance of friends, family, and community is at the heart of Caught Read-Handed. Joining together, despite differences, for the betterment of all can be seen not only with Sassy, Bridgy, and Aunt Ophie, but with Alan and his family, the group of veterans, and the whole of Fort Myers Beach. While delivering an entertaining mystery, Moran also touches on an important societal issue, military veterans suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
The subject of homeless veterans and PTSD is treated with respect. There is however, one error that I must mention. In a later part of the book we hear about the family visiting their relative, who is currently in a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, while he is in restraints. A patient would never be allowed to have visitors while in restraints, at least according to the mental hygiene laws in my state. I have to believe that the laws must be similar in this regard in Florida.
Although distracting for me, the above mentioned issue did not effect the story which presented as a well structured mystery filled with fun characters in an inviting location. The relationship between Miguel and Bow is wonderful and I look forward to reading what the future holds for everyone in Fort Myers Beach, Florida!
The Second Read 'Em and Eat Mystery
While dropping off a book donation at the local library Sassy sees a familiar face, but a closer look reveals it's not the man she thought it was, her former boss. Before she can continue into the library itself she hears a caterwauling, and the man rushes out of the library he had just entered. The carrying on came from a trouble making volunteer, who seems to be there only to placate her rich husband and give headaches to the librarian and patrons. However, when Tonya "Trouble" is found murdered the deputies zoom in on this homeless veteran who so recently had an altercation with her as a person of interest. Sassy can't believe this man, who looked haunted, not predatory, could possibly murder anyone, and when she discovers his name, she realizes he must be the brother of her former boss. With the real murderer still on the loose and a lawyer who seems more slimy than the giant anaconda threatening Bow and the small animals of Fort Meyers, Sassy and the gang at the Read 'Em and Eat Cafe delve into the thick of things once again!
The importance of friends, family, and community is at the heart of Caught Read-Handed. Joining together, despite differences, for the betterment of all can be seen not only with Sassy, Bridgy, and Aunt Ophie, but with Alan and his family, the group of veterans, and the whole of Fort Myers Beach. While delivering an entertaining mystery, Moran also touches on an important societal issue, military veterans suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
The subject of homeless veterans and PTSD is treated with respect. There is however, one error that I must mention. In a later part of the book we hear about the family visiting their relative, who is currently in a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, while he is in restraints. A patient would never be allowed to have visitors while in restraints, at least according to the mental hygiene laws in my state. I have to believe that the laws must be similar in this regard in Florida.
Although distracting for me, the above mentioned issue did not effect the story which presented as a well structured mystery filled with fun characters in an inviting location. The relationship between Miguel and Bow is wonderful and I look forward to reading what the future holds for everyone in Fort Myers Beach, Florida!
hugbandit7's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this 3 1/2 stars
This is the second book in this series and I will have to say I had no clue who to suspect until some clues were sort of dropped near the end. I did suspect this person at one point earlier but just because something seemed off. I will say there were not a lot of people that could have done it so you might be able to figure it out.
The book seemed light on the mystery and more on veteran's affairs/rights which I think brought it out into the open, that they need our help. Then there was the anaconda that needed to be caught and disposed of one way or another.
The book was enjoyable and I'll check out the next book.
This is the second book in this series and I will have to say I had no clue who to suspect until some clues were sort of dropped near the end. I did suspect this person at one point earlier but just because something seemed off. I will say there were not a lot of people that could have done it so you might be able to figure it out.
The book seemed light on the mystery and more on veteran's affairs/rights which I think brought it out into the open, that they need our help. Then there was the anaconda that needed to be caught and disposed of one way or another.
The book was enjoyable and I'll check out the next book.
dnemec's review against another edition
1.0
DISCLOSURE: I only read half this book. And if I wouldn't have done that had I not spent 90 minutes on the treadmill attempting to atone for my turkey day binge. I just couldn't deal with all the cutesy crap - the character names (Sassy, Bridgy, Orphie), the dish names (Green Eggs and Ham, The Secret Garden Salad, Catcher in the Rye toast) and the nicknames (Tanya Trouble, Heap-a-Jeep). Then we have Aunt Orphie and her faux-southern crap like calling people "honey chile" and her overabundance of drama, and Miguel who is in love with is Maine Coon, Bow, and worried about an intruding green anaconda.
Halfway through, and I hate every character in this book and couldn't care less who killed the trophy wife. And I don't plan on reading the other book of hers on my shelf either.
Halfway through, and I hate every character in this book and couldn't care less who killed the trophy wife. And I don't plan on reading the other book of hers on my shelf either.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
2.0
Yeah, I don't know. It's been a bit since I read the first one. In the mean time, I read the first in another series that I didn't really like, but reminded me of this one, so I think I might be getting them mixed up. I don't remember the aunt (?) Ophie being quite so annoying in the past book. Sassy doesn't seem to really do a lot of sleuthing and in the end, the culprit really just fell into her lap. Also, how did they make any money? They're constantly giving food away to everyone who comes in. The cook kind of annoyed me too, to be honest. I don't know. The parts where Sassy and Bridgy are being silly felt really off. What they laughed about wasn't really funny in the least. And I get there are times when you're just kind of punch-drunk tired and dumb things seem funny, but this didn't come across that way. It was just odd. I think there's just one more in this series. I hate leaving things undone, so I'll probably read the last if I come across it, but I'm not in any hurry.
helenwhite83's review against another edition
5.0
The second instalment of the Read ‘em and Eat mystery series by Terrie Farley Moran sees Sassy Cabot and her best friend and business partner Bridgy Mayfield turning detective once more. When Tanya ‘Trouble’ Lipscome is found dead in the hot tub of her swanky mansion on the shore the evidence points towards Alan Mersky, a Vietnam veteran with PTSD. With Alan’s mental health in decline, and with corrupt lawyer Goddard Swerling demanding more money to fight his corner, it’s left to Sassy and Bridgy to uncover the real culprit.
A brilliant, easy, cozy read - perfect escapism during the current climate. Sassy, Bridgy and the residents of Fort Myers Beach are likeable characters. One of my favourite series.
A brilliant, easy, cozy read - perfect escapism during the current climate. Sassy, Bridgy and the residents of Fort Myers Beach are likeable characters. One of my favourite series.
thehodgenator's review against another edition
4.0
A fab second book in the "Read 'Em and Eat" series - more to come
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. It was all right, but it's never a good sign when I can put down a book for days, or even weeks, at a time. It just couldn't grab my attention.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
A bout of insomnia last night helped me to finish this, Caught Read-Handed, the second book in the A Read ‘Em and Eat Mystery Series. The mystery involves a local trophy wife who volunteers in the library amidst other extra-curricular activities. Sassy and Bridgy become involved in the case when the brother of Sassy’s ex-boss, a veteran with PTSD is accused of the crime. They track down clues, question suspects, and follow up on motives. While all this is going on they still have to run their bookshop cafe, run the book groups that meet there, host Sassy’s ex-boss who comes to town to help his brother, and deal with a wild life issue in the form of an anaconda on the loose.
A cozy slice of Florida life with murder and mystery!
A cozy slice of Florida life with murder and mystery!
krisrid's review against another edition
1.0
I liked some of the first book in this series, and had hoped that the parts that annoyed me might come down in the second. Nope. If anything, they increased and I was just too irritated to continue.
The busybody aspect is a cozy staple. I get that. But it can be done in a less "hit-you-over-the-head" manner than it is here. These people don't even try to pretend that they are anything other than the nosiest parkers in the history of the world. Nor do they care how inappropriate that nosiness may be in a given situation. It felt mean to me, especially when Sassy is supposed to be someone they care about. It just didn't work for me.
I also didn't like Sassy's continued putting up with the bossing her around that her supposed best friend delivers. If I were Sassy, I would tell these people off in 5 minutes. She certainly does not live up to her name.
This series just became too annoying to me, and this is only book 2. I'm done here and moving on to something else.
The busybody aspect is a cozy staple. I get that. But it can be done in a less "hit-you-over-the-head" manner than it is here. These people don't even try to pretend that they are anything other than the nosiest parkers in the history of the world. Nor do they care how inappropriate that nosiness may be in a given situation. It felt mean to me, especially when Sassy is supposed to be someone they care about. It just didn't work for me.
I also didn't like Sassy's continued putting up with the bossing her around that her supposed best friend delivers. If I were Sassy, I would tell these people off in 5 minutes. She certainly does not live up to her name.
This series just became too annoying to me, and this is only book 2. I'm done here and moving on to something else.