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lakecake's review against another edition
2.0
This was a story where nothing much happened, and the outcome was really unsatisfying. It relied a lot on coincidences and lucky connections to solve the "mystery" that was honestly super unnecessary. The book really only served to move forward some of the personal details of the people of Granford, and the mystery felt like an obligation.
asanford's review against another edition
2.0
A nice feel good cozy mystery. I’m always happy when it’s not a dead body that they stumble upon. This book was the first of the series that I found myself bugged by the Meg. She was far too self absorbed in this book. Which is funny considering her whole “focus” was on solving the mystery rather than her wedding. It just felt like everything that wasn’t about her turned into about her. Plus everything that was about her became a production and became even more about her rather than about those doing nice things for her.
bfth23's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thus far of the series. This did not go where I thought it might from the beginning. And I really liked the fact that it didn't. A little more wedding detail might have been nice, but...
carebear102106's review against another edition
5.0
Love the series. Love the author. I would recommend these books to anyone.
_kristiew_'s review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book much better than the last two. I read almost half of it in a day! The mystery involving an old Granford event was quite interesting, as was the twist on who actually committed the crime. I am glad I decided to continue on with the series. I liked seeing more progress with Seth & Meg, Meg & Bree and Meg being more involved with Seth's family.
dollycas's review against another edition
4.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have loved this series from the start and absolutely think this one has the best cover so far. Yes, those are alpacas!
Almost all the apples have been picked and it is time for Meg and Seth to get into high gear for their upcoming nuptials, but when Aaron Eastman comes to town Meg is drawn into his story like a moth to a flame. Oh and Seth decides to overall the plumbing and add two bathrooms and update the existing one. At least he is on hand if Meg needs any help.
The plot to this one was different and interesting as Meg tries to solve a mystery from the past and reunite what it left of a family and give them some closure. I was ready for the expected twist and thought I knew what had happened and I was partially right but I picked the wrong bad apple.
I did enjoy the mystery and the way Meg, Seth, their family and friends all worked together to solve it, but was left just a little disappointed that the Gala, the Wedding, the Big Event was lost until the final chapter. Meg and Seth were just so low key about the whole thing, Meg hadn’t even picked out a dress and the reception planning was so last minute. I felt I was looking more forward to the wedding than the bride and groom. I understand this is a mystery novel not a romance novel and the author has to find balance, but with a title A Gala Event, I was hoping for a little more GALA.
Now don’t get me wrong, the mystery was well plotted and the story was very well written and I did enjoy it. The visiting alpacas were so funny, especially Meg’s first reaction. So it did have everything that usually makes for a perfect escape, if it just had a few more wedding elements then it would be perfect.
I am excited for the next book, Seeds of Deception, out next month to see how they start their married life together and what kind of trouble they get involved in next.
I have loved this series from the start and absolutely think this one has the best cover so far. Yes, those are alpacas!
Almost all the apples have been picked and it is time for Meg and Seth to get into high gear for their upcoming nuptials, but when Aaron Eastman comes to town Meg is drawn into his story like a moth to a flame. Oh and Seth decides to overall the plumbing and add two bathrooms and update the existing one. At least he is on hand if Meg needs any help.
The plot to this one was different and interesting as Meg tries to solve a mystery from the past and reunite what it left of a family and give them some closure. I was ready for the expected twist and thought I knew what had happened and I was partially right but I picked the wrong bad apple.
I did enjoy the mystery and the way Meg, Seth, their family and friends all worked together to solve it, but was left just a little disappointed that the Gala, the Wedding, the Big Event was lost until the final chapter. Meg and Seth were just so low key about the whole thing, Meg hadn’t even picked out a dress and the reception planning was so last minute. I felt I was looking more forward to the wedding than the bride and groom. I understand this is a mystery novel not a romance novel and the author has to find balance, but with a title A Gala Event, I was hoping for a little more GALA.
Now don’t get me wrong, the mystery was well plotted and the story was very well written and I did enjoy it. The visiting alpacas were so funny, especially Meg’s first reaction. So it did have everything that usually makes for a perfect escape, if it just had a few more wedding elements then it would be perfect.
I am excited for the next book, Seeds of Deception, out next month to see how they start their married life together and what kind of trouble they get involved in next.
jgallagher1983's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving this book an extra star because it has Alpacas on the cover. I broke my cardinal rule and didn't read these in order. Full disclosure: I only bought it because it has Alpacas on the cover. I like cozy mysteries but I feel that I missed a lot with this one. The characters were already very developed - which means Ms. Connolly knows what she's doing! - so this was hard to get into. The side plots were good though as well, the baby, the renovations, etc. The mystery of a long ago crime was interesting too, but didn't hold my interest as much as some of the other mysteries I've read. I will be keeping this book though - and it'll live on my llama shellves!
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