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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Cancelled by Murder by Jean Flowers is the second book in A Postmistress Mystery series. Cassie Miller has been back in her hometown for about a year, and she is enjoying being the local postmaster. A hurricane is heading towards North Ashcot, Massachusetts, and Cassie decides to close up the post office early (as is the rest of the town). On her way home, Cassie notices that Daisy Harmon of Daisy’s Fabrics is just closing up. After Cassie is settled at home, she hears a siren and then an ambulance whisks by her home and later two police cars. Soon there is a report on the news of the first casualty of the storm (hurricane storm). When Cassie receives a call from Sunni Smargan, her best friend and chief of police, she finds out that the victim is Daisy. She was found dead under a big tree limb. But the limb was not the cause of Daisy’s death. Someone was trying to blame the storm on Daisy’s death. Daisy had been the driving force behind the opposition to the farmer’s market proposal (because it closed off all traffic to the main street of shops). Daisy had also added cards to her shop which angered card shop owner, Liv Patterson. Cassie was not going to get involved in the investigation, but Cliff Harmon, Daisy’s husband, request her help. He wants to find out what happened to his wife. Cassie knows that Sunni will tell her to not get involved (and threaten to arrest her), but Cassie agrees to look into Daisy’s death. Cassie is privy to all the local gossip working at the post office and this aids her mission. But someone does not like Cassie delving into Daisy’s affairs. Let’s hope Cassie does not end up getting cancelled!
Cancelled by Murder is well-written and entertaining. I like the characters and Cassie’s job as postmistress (unique for cozy mysteries). The story actually ends up with two mysteries (sorry, spoilers). The author tried to make the mysteries complicated, but I thought it was fairly simple to pick out the culprits (I write down my guess on paper and then read the book and wait to see if I am right). North Ashcot is your typical small-town with everyone knows everyone else’s business. There seemed to be a lot of attention on Cassie’s everyday life in the beginning of the book (reading, watching television, meeting friends, lack of food in her fridge, etc.) that slowed down the pace of the book. I was glad when the pace picked up (as we delved more into the investigation). Cancelled by Murder can be read alone. Events from the first book in A Postmistress Mystery series are mentioned in Cancelled by Murder. I liked the postal information included at the end of the book along with the postal humor. I give Cancelled by Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I look forward to reading the next book in A Postmistress Mystery series when it is published.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Cancelled by Murder is well-written and entertaining. I like the characters and Cassie’s job as postmistress (unique for cozy mysteries). The story actually ends up with two mysteries (sorry, spoilers). The author tried to make the mysteries complicated, but I thought it was fairly simple to pick out the culprits (I write down my guess on paper and then read the book and wait to see if I am right). North Ashcot is your typical small-town with everyone knows everyone else’s business. There seemed to be a lot of attention on Cassie’s everyday life in the beginning of the book (reading, watching television, meeting friends, lack of food in her fridge, etc.) that slowed down the pace of the book. I was glad when the pace picked up (as we delved more into the investigation). Cancelled by Murder can be read alone. Events from the first book in A Postmistress Mystery series are mentioned in Cancelled by Murder. I liked the postal information included at the end of the book along with the postal humor. I give Cancelled by Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I look forward to reading the next book in A Postmistress Mystery series when it is published.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
squish_reader893's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a gasp-worthy climax, but it did take a bit to get there. A great cast of characters though, with that small-town mystery and whodunit humor. It's a great #2 in the series, can't wait for #3!!
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad, exactly, but I didn't engage with it. It felt like the story jumped around too much, making it difficult to follow along with the investigation. Also, again with the cat on the cover and no cats in the book! I swear if they pull this trick on me one more time I quit the series for good!
mystereity's review against another edition
4.0
See this and all of my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
After a powerful storm hits North Ashcot, Cassie's friend, Daisy, is found dead underneath a tree branch. When it's found that Daisy's death was no accident, the victim's husband, Cliff, enlists Cassie's help investigating the murder.
The plot was convoluted, but not in a bad way! With deftly written misdirections and red herrings, it was easy to get turned around and doubt my instincts, and the surprising ending was satisfying and enjoyable.
One thing I like about this series is that a fascination and appreciation for history, especially postal history, is sprinkled throughout. It's obvious the author has a real penchant for it, and her enthusiasm is infectious.
Overall, an enjoyable book and a great cozy mystery. This book can be read as a standalone, but the first book in the series is worth a read as well.
After a powerful storm hits North Ashcot, Cassie's friend, Daisy, is found dead underneath a tree branch. When it's found that Daisy's death was no accident, the victim's husband, Cliff, enlists Cassie's help investigating the murder.
The plot was convoluted, but not in a bad way! With deftly written misdirections and red herrings, it was easy to get turned around and doubt my instincts, and the surprising ending was satisfying and enjoyable.
One thing I like about this series is that a fascination and appreciation for history, especially postal history, is sprinkled throughout. It's obvious the author has a real penchant for it, and her enthusiasm is infectious.
Overall, an enjoyable book and a great cozy mystery. This book can be read as a standalone, but the first book in the series is worth a read as well.
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