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kariann_reading_journey's review against another edition
4.0
June Bug by Lourey was an entertaining, easy mystery read. This is a perfect mystery book to get you into the summer spirit. It follows Mira as she tracks the story of a necklace being left in the lake for a promotion based on a previous real event in town. As with other mystery series, there were little side quests that helped tie up the overall mystery in a neat little bow. For me, the best part of the story was the overall cast of characters. There were so many unique personalities that Mira found herself surrounded by that made it easy to connect with Mira and her Minnesota town. Lourey also added some pretty great lines that will have you laughing as you read. I had the audiobook for June Bug and while I enjoyed Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration, I think this book could easily be enjoyed either way. Araya did well bringing Mira’s quirky personality to life. This is perfect for cozy mystery fans especially for those that enjoy matching their read to the season.
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ALC courtesy of Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing
bdholloway256's review
3.0
In love with this series- Murder by Month Mystery. Such a fan of Jess Lourey’s writing style & looking forward to see what kind of murder next month brings. Check out this series- you’ll be glad you did!
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC copy of this book.
pn_hinton's review against another edition
4.0
I snatched this up when it was a Kindle freebie awhile back and just now got around to reading it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it enough to purchase another one while it was a low price (waiting for the others to drop a little as well). It opens with a man from Mira's past, Jason who climbs into bed thinking she's someone else. At first I was a little irritated with her because as other reviewers have said she's a bit spineless when it comes to this jerk but I forgave that when the story got rolling a little more. Mira has a wonderful sense of humor and wit and I laughed out loud while reading some of her commentary on her fellow neighbors. Lourey has a good way of dropping enough red herrings in the story so you're not 100% sure who is the bad guy, especially with a diamond necklace being thrown in because money always brings out the worst even in the best of people. I also like how there was just enough of Mira's background to be given to give a little insight on the person she was but not enough to drag the story down overall and it opened it up for more to be released in the later books. Come into reading this book with an open mind because I found it to not be like other mystery series and that Mira is special on her own so don't try comparing her of Lourey's sense of writing to other's in the craft and genre and I think you'll enjoy it as well.
tarana's review
4.0
Another funny mystery cozy set in the area where my sister lives (rural MN). Loved it. Still funny and quirky. Looking forward to the next one.
skis_vole's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
bodonereads's review
5.0
This is what I would call a soft mystery. I say that because the book focused more on building the series consistant features rather than the mystery its self. I still really enjoyed it. The main charcter is likeable and I will continue to read the series for her. This book, rather inexpilicably is a page turner.
mystereity's review
4.0
Just realized I didn't mark this one off my currently reading list. I'm doing a complete re-read of the series so I can remember the full story before I start the final book in the series. (Actually, that's just a disassociation tactic, I refuse to let Battle Lake and its eccentric citizens go off into the universe, never to be heard from again.)
This one starts with Mira getting an unpleasant awakening in the early hours by an old (and unwanted) associate who drunkenly made his way into her bed and went to sleep. After confronting him, he tells her that a treasure hunt is going to be started centering around an old legend of a diamond necklace that was lost in the lake over 100 years ago. This new treasure hunt is sponsored by a new resort in the area, and publicized by a newspaper story in the city as a way to drum up more tourism. Mira, (the part time reporter for the Battle Lake newspaper)is outraged at being scooped on such a big story and starts investigating, drawing her into a bigger mystery.
I'll admit, this series started out rough but the characters are what gives this series its oomph and I know how much better it gets as the series goes on. This is on the cusp of "cozy" mystery as there's more coarse language and adult situations that you'd find in a cozy, but less graphic than a regular mystery. Looking back on this as a long time reader, I love how the author grew as the series went on, and I loved being reminded of Mira's beginnings.
As for the plot in this one, the treasure hunt leading to a fake corpse in the lake and very real ones in town, I really enjoyed it. The colorful townspeople - Mayor Kennie Rogers (who, from the description tries to look like Dolly Parton, which I find hilarious) Police Chief Wohnt, Mrs. Berns and Johnny (*breathless gasp*) add flavor to the town and the quick pace led to a great action-packed ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed re-reading this one and it served to remind me of all the moments I'm looking forward to revisiting in later books.
This one starts with Mira getting an unpleasant awakening in the early hours by an old (and unwanted) associate who drunkenly made his way into her bed and went to sleep. After confronting him, he tells her that a treasure hunt is going to be started centering around an old legend of a diamond necklace that was lost in the lake over 100 years ago. This new treasure hunt is sponsored by a new resort in the area, and publicized by a newspaper story in the city as a way to drum up more tourism. Mira, (the part time reporter for the Battle Lake newspaper)is outraged at being scooped on such a big story and starts investigating, drawing her into a bigger mystery.
I'll admit, this series started out rough but the characters are what gives this series its oomph and I know how much better it gets as the series goes on. This is on the cusp of "cozy" mystery as there's more coarse language and adult situations that you'd find in a cozy, but less graphic than a regular mystery. Looking back on this as a long time reader, I love how the author grew as the series went on, and I loved being reminded of Mira's beginnings.
As for the plot in this one, the treasure hunt leading to a fake corpse in the lake and very real ones in town, I really enjoyed it. The colorful townspeople - Mayor Kennie Rogers (who, from the description tries to look like Dolly Parton, which I find hilarious) Police Chief Wohnt, Mrs. Berns and Johnny (*breathless gasp*) add flavor to the town and the quick pace led to a great action-packed ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed re-reading this one and it served to remind me of all the moments I'm looking forward to revisiting in later books.
kadiabel's review
4.0
This was a pretty good book. I've never read any mysteries like it and, was happy that all the random events made sense in the end. I will look into reading the other murder-by months.