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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Read to Death by Terrie Farley Moran is the third book in A Read ‘Em and Eat Mystery series. Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield are taking the Cool Reads Warm Climate Book Club on an outing to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The tour ties in with the book The Florida Life of Thomas Edison the group just finished reading. Everyone has a good time and they return to Red ‘Em and Eat in high spirits. Bridgy forgot her sunglasses in the van and goes out to retrieve them. Upon hearing a scream, Sassy runs out to investigate. Their van driver, Oscar Frieland is dead. The police are called and Lt. Frank Anthony shows up (assigned the case). Everyone is separated and held for questioning. Bridgy ends up the main suspect (she just went to get sunglasses) and that does not sit well with Sassy. Sassy is determined to find the culprit. Of course, Bridgy’s mother, Emelia decides to come visit and brings Sassy’s mother, Sage with her (this should be interesting). Can the group find out who killed Oscar before Bridgy ends up in the brig?
Read to Death is nicely written and had a good pace which made for an easy to read book. The mystery was a bit of a letdown. Oscar made a comment (before he died), and I knew he would be the victim. A comment from someone else told me the name of the killer before the murder even occurred. I liked the setting of the novel in Fort Myers Beach. It was interesting to read about their trip to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (I have always wanted to visit). I liked most of the characters in the book the one exception was Sage, Sassy’s mother. I thought she was too over-the-top and extremely annoying (and pushy instead of funny). I give Read to Death 3.5 out of 5 stars. I just felt that book was lacking. We get quite a bit of information about the city, the sites, and books. I wish the author had put a more work into the mystery as she did the research on the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. I found some information to be repeated a few times and there were way too many references (more than eight) to the Heap-a-Jeep (the main characters’ car). Will I read the next book in A Read ‘Em and Eat Mystery series? Of course. This could have just been an off book in an otherwise enjoyable series.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Read to Death is nicely written and had a good pace which made for an easy to read book. The mystery was a bit of a letdown. Oscar made a comment (before he died), and I knew he would be the victim. A comment from someone else told me the name of the killer before the murder even occurred. I liked the setting of the novel in Fort Myers Beach. It was interesting to read about their trip to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (I have always wanted to visit). I liked most of the characters in the book the one exception was Sage, Sassy’s mother. I thought she was too over-the-top and extremely annoying (and pushy instead of funny). I give Read to Death 3.5 out of 5 stars. I just felt that book was lacking. We get quite a bit of information about the city, the sites, and books. I wish the author had put a more work into the mystery as she did the research on the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. I found some information to be repeated a few times and there were way too many references (more than eight) to the Heap-a-Jeep (the main characters’ car). Will I read the next book in A Read ‘Em and Eat Mystery series? Of course. This could have just been an off book in an otherwise enjoyable series.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
READ TO DEATH is a fun, lighthearted read that is character driven. The senior citizen group has some quirky characters, such as Bridgy’s Aunt Ophie. There is tension and mystery surrounding the fallout Aunt Ophie had with Bridgy’s mother and the subplot weaves nicely with the story Sassy’s mother, who calls herself Sage at the moment, has a free spirit keeping everyone on their toes and provides some humor. I also enjoyed the historical facts woven into this cozy mystery. I had no idea that both Edison and Ford wintered in Florida! I missed Oscar after he was murdered because he was a great tour guide providing all sorts of insight into the history of the area.
The author cleverly provides funny nicknames for so many things such as Sassy’s Heap-A-Jeep. She has also creatively named the food items sold in the cafe to correspond with books, such as Old Man and the Sea Chowder and My Secret Garden Salad. In addition to a cute culinary cozy, Terrie also includes a couple recipes with her book. The one that I was instantly drawn to and tried is the Drunken Raisin Scones....a delectable, super flavorful tender pastry that has become a new favorite!
The author cleverly provides funny nicknames for so many things such as Sassy’s Heap-A-Jeep. She has also creatively named the food items sold in the cafe to correspond with books, such as Old Man and the Sea Chowder and My Secret Garden Salad. In addition to a cute culinary cozy, Terrie also includes a couple recipes with her book. The one that I was instantly drawn to and tried is the Drunken Raisin Scones....a delectable, super flavorful tender pastry that has become a new favorite!
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
READ TO DEATH by Terrie Farley Moran
The Third Read 'Em and Eat Mystery
Sassy and Bridgy give their Cool Reads/Warm Climate book club a grand finale by hosting a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Upon their return to the Read 'em and Eat Cafe however, an ending they never expected occurs. Bridgy, instead of finding her lost sunglasses, finds the body of their murdered bus driver. Her unusual apology when Sassy appears on the scene has sheriff's deputies raising eyebrows so Sassy quickly calls in legal reinforcements. Surely Bridgy isn't responsible, but who is? The book club member who seems to have disappeared, a sailor with a grudge, someone from his past? When being questioned by law enforcement, not only is it handy to have a lawyer, but it's good to have your mother-so both Bridgy and Sassy's moms arrive to provide support, even though friction remains rife between Bridgy's mom and aunt. Can the Brice babes get along? Will Bridgy be exonerated? Will Sassy play nice with Lieutenant Anthony?
Sharing details about life in Florida brings readers right into Sassy and Bridgy's world, whether it's emergency preparedness planning for hurricanes or shopping in unique boutiques. I love being an armchair traveler and READ TO DEATH also gave me the opportunity to learn about the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Moran delves a bit deeper into familial relationships in this book. The bond between mothers and daughters, as well as sisters, is explored. While troubles and differences are part and parcel of being a family, so is love and support.
Terrie Farley Moran gives us another winner with READ TO DEATH. Adjusting to life with the snowbirds and their inevitable departure creates a different sense of community, but that sense of community is strong in her Read 'Em and Eat series. Unique characters filled with personality inhabit her pages providing plenty of fodder for the mysteries they encounter.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Read 'Em and Eat Mystery
Sassy and Bridgy give their Cool Reads/Warm Climate book club a grand finale by hosting a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Upon their return to the Read 'em and Eat Cafe however, an ending they never expected occurs. Bridgy, instead of finding her lost sunglasses, finds the body of their murdered bus driver. Her unusual apology when Sassy appears on the scene has sheriff's deputies raising eyebrows so Sassy quickly calls in legal reinforcements. Surely Bridgy isn't responsible, but who is? The book club member who seems to have disappeared, a sailor with a grudge, someone from his past? When being questioned by law enforcement, not only is it handy to have a lawyer, but it's good to have your mother-so both Bridgy and Sassy's moms arrive to provide support, even though friction remains rife between Bridgy's mom and aunt. Can the Brice babes get along? Will Bridgy be exonerated? Will Sassy play nice with Lieutenant Anthony?
Sharing details about life in Florida brings readers right into Sassy and Bridgy's world, whether it's emergency preparedness planning for hurricanes or shopping in unique boutiques. I love being an armchair traveler and READ TO DEATH also gave me the opportunity to learn about the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Moran delves a bit deeper into familial relationships in this book. The bond between mothers and daughters, as well as sisters, is explored. While troubles and differences are part and parcel of being a family, so is love and support.
Terrie Farley Moran gives us another winner with READ TO DEATH. Adjusting to life with the snowbirds and their inevitable departure creates a different sense of community, but that sense of community is strong in her Read 'Em and Eat series. Unique characters filled with personality inhabit her pages providing plenty of fodder for the mysteries they encounter.
Recipes Included.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little disappointed in this one. There wasn't really much to the mystery at all. And most of the time, the book focused just on the two girls and their moms. I didn't get why THIS mystery brought in the involvement of the AG.
And for #*&%s sake, Y'ALL does not refer to one person! Only someone who's not from the South and has little exposure to Southern people would make that mistake, yet one recurring character here does it all the time and another character even did it in this one.
And for #*&%s sake, Y'ALL does not refer to one person! Only someone who's not from the South and has little exposure to Southern people would make that mistake, yet one recurring character here does it all the time and another character even did it in this one.
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
A spunky heroine, a bookstore-cum-cafe, a host of interesting secondary characters, and Florida’s West Coast — this series is a lot of fun! Read to Death is the third book*, and Moran is on a roll. Sassy makes a delightful heroine, and Bridgy is a stalwart if not always enthusiastic friend, business partner, and sidekick. In this case, though, Bridgy finds the body, putting her near the top of the suspect list. And while the local police force is perfectly competent, Sassy’s loyalty to her friend puts clearing Bridgy’s name at the top of her to-do list. Luckily, she’s curious, clever, and creative enough to come up with some useful information.
I suspected the killer pretty early on, but was so entertained that I had to keep reading, not only to see if I was right (I was) but to enjoy the unfolding story. There were several incidents and clues that made me wonder if I had the wrong suspect, so I wouldn’t say that the mystery is too easy to solve; I could certainly have focused on a different person.
Two of my cozy-mystery bugaboos are heroines with TSTL syndrome (that’s too stupid to live, in case you’re wondering), and unbelievable police, whether it’s because they are portrayed as incompetent or because they share too much with the heroine without a legitimate reason. Moran skirts close to the line regarding TSTL, particularly in book one, but so far, almost everything I’ve seen Sassy do is in character, and this time around, she’s smarter about taking backup with her. As for the police, for the most part Sassy respects them, and while she doesn’t always get along perfectly with them—particularly the police chief—she does have a reasonable and believable relationship with them, and vice versa.
One of the things I liked most about Read to Death is that it introduces Sassy and Bridgy’s mothers. If you think Bridgy’s Aunt Ophelia is a tad eccentric (albeit a lot of fun), wait ’til you meet Sassy’s mother! Bridgy’s mom is a bit more traditional, but all three older ladies are sure to make you smile. There’s a strong theme of loyalty to family and friends that runs through this series—something I really relate to and appreciate. I also really enjoyed the teen book club’s yarn bombing; it’s always fun when knitting makes an unexpected appearance in a book (or in real life!)
I was expecting some sort of romantic relationship to have developed by now, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it hasn’t. That’s not to say there aren’t some potential love-interests for one or the other of the main characters, but so far, everything seems to be staying on a friendship level, and I’m just fine with that. Not every series has to include romance!
If you’re looking for a cozy series with with warmth, humor, and just a dash of whimsy, give Read to Death and the Read’ Em and Eat cafe a whirl. I think you’ll thank me.
*I read the first book, didn’t get to read the second (something I plan to rectify next time I get to the library), and thoroughly enjoyed the third without feeling I was missing anything, so you could start with this one if you wanted to.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy as part of a blog tour. All opinions are entirely my own.
A spunky heroine, a bookstore-cum-cafe, a host of interesting secondary characters, and Florida’s West Coast — this series is a lot of fun! Read to Death is the third book*, and Moran is on a roll. Sassy makes a delightful heroine, and Bridgy is a stalwart if not always enthusiastic friend, business partner, and sidekick. In this case, though, Bridgy finds the body, putting her near the top of the suspect list. And while the local police force is perfectly competent, Sassy’s loyalty to her friend puts clearing Bridgy’s name at the top of her to-do list. Luckily, she’s curious, clever, and creative enough to come up with some useful information.
I suspected the killer pretty early on, but was so entertained that I had to keep reading, not only to see if I was right (I was) but to enjoy the unfolding story. There were several incidents and clues that made me wonder if I had the wrong suspect, so I wouldn’t say that the mystery is too easy to solve; I could certainly have focused on a different person.
Two of my cozy-mystery bugaboos are heroines with TSTL syndrome (that’s too stupid to live, in case you’re wondering), and unbelievable police, whether it’s because they are portrayed as incompetent or because they share too much with the heroine without a legitimate reason. Moran skirts close to the line regarding TSTL, particularly in book one, but so far, almost everything I’ve seen Sassy do is in character, and this time around, she’s smarter about taking backup with her. As for the police, for the most part Sassy respects them, and while she doesn’t always get along perfectly with them—particularly the police chief—she does have a reasonable and believable relationship with them, and vice versa.
One of the things I liked most about Read to Death is that it introduces Sassy and Bridgy’s mothers. If you think Bridgy’s Aunt Ophelia is a tad eccentric (albeit a lot of fun), wait ’til you meet Sassy’s mother! Bridgy’s mom is a bit more traditional, but all three older ladies are sure to make you smile. There’s a strong theme of loyalty to family and friends that runs through this series—something I really relate to and appreciate. I also really enjoyed the teen book club’s yarn bombing; it’s always fun when knitting makes an unexpected appearance in a book (or in real life!)
I was expecting some sort of romantic relationship to have developed by now, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it hasn’t. That’s not to say there aren’t some potential love-interests for one or the other of the main characters, but so far, everything seems to be staying on a friendship level, and I’m just fine with that. Not every series has to include romance!
If you’re looking for a cozy series with with warmth, humor, and just a dash of whimsy, give Read to Death and the Read’ Em and Eat cafe a whirl. I think you’ll thank me.
*I read the first book, didn’t get to read the second (something I plan to rectify next time I get to the library), and thoroughly enjoyed the third without feeling I was missing anything, so you could start with this one if you wanted to.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy as part of a blog tour. All opinions are entirely my own.
helenwhite83's review against another edition
5.0
Sassy Cabot and Bridgy Mayfield return in the third instalment of the Read’em and Eat mystery series. Following a visit to the mainland with one of their book clubs, Bridgy and Sassy are once again embroiled in murder when their tour driver Oscar winds up dead in their cafe parking lot. Bridgy soon falls under the suspicious eye of local the local law enforcement, leading to the arrival of hers and Sassy’s mothers. Along with fielding arguments between Bridgy’s mum Emelia and her aunt Ophelia, Sassy digs deeper into Oscar’s past in order to clear her best friend’s name.
As with the previous two novels in the series, Terrie Farley Moran has created a cast of likeable characters and a well-written plot that keeps readers hooked until the end. The Read ‘em and Eat series has become one of my favourites - so imagine my disappointment in finding out that there hasn’t been another instalment since Read to Death was released three years ago! I’m hoping that Sassy and Bridgy are written into another adventure soon!
As with the previous two novels in the series, Terrie Farley Moran has created a cast of likeable characters and a well-written plot that keeps readers hooked until the end. The Read ‘em and Eat series has become one of my favourites - so imagine my disappointment in finding out that there hasn’t been another instalment since Read to Death was released three years ago! I’m hoping that Sassy and Bridgy are written into another adventure soon!
thehodgenator's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story - good mystery, good pace, just enough tension to keep me turning the page. It's just the way I love my cozy reads.
I love the Read 'Em and Eat bookstore cafe. I I wish we had one where I live because it's a fab combo.
I love the Read 'Em and Eat bookstore cafe. I I wish we had one where I live because it's a fab combo.
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
1.0
Part of the rating probably comes from my state of mind (I have a hard time focusing on novels at the moment) but it felt like a lot of filling and not much plot.
momentum262's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun group of characters. The mystery plot itself was little slow, but the actions of the characters kept things entertaining, even when the mystery itself was not progressing. Will definitely keep reading more of this series.
pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Moms, and mayhem and murder, OH MY! That's what you'll find in Terrie Farley Moran's 3rd Read
'Em and Eat mystery book!
The clubbies go for a fun and informative tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and all seems to be going well. Who would think after eating some Robert Frost fruit tartlets that the day would end in murder! If that's not enough, Bridgy is continuously questioned by the police because she discovered the body. Sassy's quick thinking gets a lawyer to help her handle the interrogations and but nobody is prepared when Bridgy's mom, Aunt Ophie's sister, comes to visit...and brings Sassy's mom along with her! Between interesting descriptions of Fort Myers sight seeing to a tutorial for Miguel on how to grow an indoor herb garden using seashells, this book was a delight from start to finish! That is all for now...I have to go try out some recipes that are included in the book!
'Em and Eat mystery book!
The clubbies go for a fun and informative tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and all seems to be going well. Who would think after eating some Robert Frost fruit tartlets that the day would end in murder! If that's not enough, Bridgy is continuously questioned by the police because she discovered the body. Sassy's quick thinking gets a lawyer to help her handle the interrogations and but nobody is prepared when Bridgy's mom, Aunt Ophie's sister, comes to visit...and brings Sassy's mom along with her! Between interesting descriptions of Fort Myers sight seeing to a tutorial for Miguel on how to grow an indoor herb garden using seashells, this book was a delight from start to finish! That is all for now...I have to go try out some recipes that are included in the book!