Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 2
You definitely get a feel for life in a retirement community from reading Booked 4 Murder. I haven't been over on that side of the valley for a while, so it's good to know that you still have to watch out for golf carts. There's a lot to like about this debut mystery even though it has one or two small things I'd rather do without. I've obviously been spoiled by my own family's behavior because pushy, interfering, "colorful" mothers like Harriet Plunkett drive me nuts. Harriet also makes a big production of her rescue dog she's named Streetman, but I found Streetman to be very much underutilized throughout the book-- other than showing that Harriet cares more about the dog's needs than she does her own daughter's. Ah well. If nothing else, I have a greater appreciation for my own mother!
But as I said, there's a lot to like. Phee may not have many police/investigative smarts, but she does have a friend in the Mankato PD whom she can call for advice. And she does need advice. The writing team of J.C. Eaton has created a mystery with many layers, and I had fun watching Phee piece all her clues together. I have to admit that I found the reason for the whole "cursed book" scenario rather disappointing-- probably because it's easy to see it actually happening. Read it for yourself and see if you agree. Phee's mother may have worked my last nerve, but I still found Booked 4 Murder to be a very enjoyable read.
But as I said, there's a lot to like. Phee may not have many police/investigative smarts, but she does have a friend in the Mankato PD whom she can call for advice. And she does need advice. The writing team of J.C. Eaton has created a mystery with many layers, and I had fun watching Phee piece all her clues together. I have to admit that I found the reason for the whole "cursed book" scenario rather disappointing-- probably because it's easy to see it actually happening. Read it for yourself and see if you agree. Phee's mother may have worked my last nerve, but I still found Booked 4 Murder to be a very enjoyable read.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Booked 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball, Bk 1) on + 885 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoy cozy mysteries. However, I struggled to get through this one. Not sure exactly why. Phee is summoned from MN to AZ by her retired mother. Her mother's book club started reading a new book by an unknown author and suddenly several members of the group are dead and an attempt is made on another's life. The rumor spreads that the book is cursed. Phee is there to unravel the details.
Sometimes, as we all know, the first book in a series can be a bit of a challenge to read. However, this book is, IMHO just not very good. Other members speak of wading through the book and that just about summarizes it for me. There are somewhat less than a million retirees who are mentioned at one time or another, I didn't like the dog at all, Phee's mother got on my last nerve as well, and I found it hard to figure out why no one knocked Phee off somewhere during the book for being so nosy. Don't think I will be reading the next book in the series.
Charlie M. (bookaddicted) -
As first in a series I see potential but this one was just ok.
Both Phee (I'll get back to that) and her mother are mildly annoying. Her mother listens with half an ear and barks out orders. Phee, a 45 year old woman just folds under her mother's domineering personality. As to the ending, yes, it's all wrapped up but too much of the solution is about things that happened off screen as they say.
Quibble: The series is called "A Sophie Kimball Mystery" but she's called Phee throughout the book. I think it was a good number of pages in that she actually mentions her name is Sophie. I'm probably just being picky...haha
Both Phee (I'll get back to that) and her mother are mildly annoying. Her mother listens with half an ear and barks out orders. Phee, a 45 year old woman just folds under her mother's domineering personality. As to the ending, yes, it's all wrapped up but too much of the solution is about things that happened off screen as they say.
Quibble: The series is called "A Sophie Kimball Mystery" but she's called Phee throughout the book. I think it was a good number of pages in that she actually mentions her name is Sophie. I'm probably just being picky...haha
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Booked 4 Murder is the debut of the Sophie Kimball Mystery series featuring Sophie "Phee" Kimball, an accountant for the Mankato Police Department in Mankato, Minnesota. Sophie receives an agitated phone call from her mother, Harriet Plunkett and soon finds herself jetting off to Sun City West, Arizona to investigate the untimely deaths of several of her mother's book club members.
Harriet's book club is reading, The Twelfth Arrondissement, a very obscure book written by an unknown author recommended to the group by the town librarian Gretchen Morin. Unfortunately, several members have died since starting the book; by golf cart accident, a broken hip resulting in pneumonia and a swarm of bees. Harriet is convinced that the book is cursed and she demands that Sophie help to put a stop to the curse.
The book gets off to a very slow start, but eventually picks up speed and has a surprising conclusion. While Sophie is fairly likeable it is difficult to relate to her as she is in a retirement community where other than her mother she doesn't know any of the other residents. It's rather difficult to imagine the bumbling accountant playing at detective and relying solely on the telephone advice she receives from Detective Nate Williams, fellow Mankato employee.
The ending and excerpt from the next in the series held my attention enough that I will look for the second installment. I have a feeling that Sophie and Harriet will find themselves in many more sticky situations.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy of offer my honest opinion.
Harriet's book club is reading, The Twelfth Arrondissement, a very obscure book written by an unknown author recommended to the group by the town librarian Gretchen Morin. Unfortunately, several members have died since starting the book; by golf cart accident, a broken hip resulting in pneumonia and a swarm of bees. Harriet is convinced that the book is cursed and she demands that Sophie help to put a stop to the curse.
The book gets off to a very slow start, but eventually picks up speed and has a surprising conclusion. While Sophie is fairly likeable it is difficult to relate to her as she is in a retirement community where other than her mother she doesn't know any of the other residents. It's rather difficult to imagine the bumbling accountant playing at detective and relying solely on the telephone advice she receives from Detective Nate Williams, fellow Mankato employee.
The ending and excerpt from the next in the series held my attention enough that I will look for the second installment. I have a feeling that Sophie and Harriet will find themselves in many more sticky situations.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy of offer my honest opinion.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
Fantastic cozy!~
An excellent first book in the series. I loved how well written this was. A ton of action and mystery. Loved the characters and the creative title and story.
5 stars from me!
An excellent first book in the series. I loved how well written this was. A ton of action and mystery. Loved the characters and the creative title and story.
5 stars from me!
Booked 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton is the first book in A Sophie Kimball Mystery series. Sophie âPheeâ Kimball is at work (Accounts Receivable Department at the Mankato Police Department) when she receives a call from her mother, Harriet Plunkett. Phee's mother claims that the book, The Twelfth Arrondissement is cursed. It is the current selection being read by her book club, Booked 4 Murder. Three members of the book group have already died. She wants Phee to fly to Arizona and figure out what is happening (and she will not take no for an answer) before the curse kills off more of the group. Before Phee can decide, Harriet calls about a fourth woman succumbing to the âcurseâ. After consulting with her friend, Detective Nate Williams, Phee heads to Sun City West, Arizona. Phee arrives and hears about a fifth member of the book club who almost died from carbon monoxide poisoning. What is going on? Phee hits the ground running with her investigation. She digs into the various members deaths, queries the local librarian on how the books are chosen for the book club, and searches for information on the author of The Twelfth Arrondissement. Phee only has one week before she needs to return to work (if she can survive the heat). Can Phee discover what is happening to the members of Booked 4 Death before someone else is hurt and curse fever takes over the town?
Booked 4 Murder sounded entertaining, but I had a hard time wading through it. I found the pace slow (glacial) and the writing flat. The characters were not fleshed out and given life. Phee's characters do not go with her profession (that are mentioned early in the book about her). Normally, an accountant is organized and detail oriented (good at taking notes). Phee's character seemed contradictory. The only character I cared about was Detective Nate Williams (shame he was not featured more prominently). The mother was over-the-top and annoying (her dog, Streetman was obnoxious). I found items to be repeated several times throughout the story. Mentioned most frequently is that Phee is not a detective and how she cannot stand the heat (it was exasperating). There are also a couple of outdated references in the book. I did enjoy the Agatha Christie references throughout the story. My rating for Booked 4 Murder is 2.5 out of 5 stars (I am being a little generous since this is a first book by these writers). The mystery had several moving parts. I would say more but that would spoil it for readers. I believe the author was trying to make a complicated mystery that would bewilder readers. The whodunit can be solved effortlessly (I kept hoping for a surprise twist). The ending is expected and disappointing (and a little shocked that Phee would consider itâshe has issues). Personally, I would have preferred that Phee work mysteries with Nate in Mankato. An accountant and a detective teaming up to solve crimes (a unique combo). There is a preview of Ditched 4 Murder at the end of the book (the next book in A Sophie Kimball Mystery series). I will not be continuing with the series as it is not the right type of cozy mystery series for me.
Booked 4 Murder sounded entertaining, but I had a hard time wading through it. I found the pace slow (glacial) and the writing flat. The characters were not fleshed out and given life. Phee's characters do not go with her profession (that are mentioned early in the book about her). Normally, an accountant is organized and detail oriented (good at taking notes). Phee's character seemed contradictory. The only character I cared about was Detective Nate Williams (shame he was not featured more prominently). The mother was over-the-top and annoying (her dog, Streetman was obnoxious). I found items to be repeated several times throughout the story. Mentioned most frequently is that Phee is not a detective and how she cannot stand the heat (it was exasperating). There are also a couple of outdated references in the book. I did enjoy the Agatha Christie references throughout the story. My rating for Booked 4 Murder is 2.5 out of 5 stars (I am being a little generous since this is a first book by these writers). The mystery had several moving parts. I would say more but that would spoil it for readers. I believe the author was trying to make a complicated mystery that would bewilder readers. The whodunit can be solved effortlessly (I kept hoping for a surprise twist). The ending is expected and disappointing (and a little shocked that Phee would consider itâshe has issues). Personally, I would have preferred that Phee work mysteries with Nate in Mankato. An accountant and a detective teaming up to solve crimes (a unique combo). There is a preview of Ditched 4 Murder at the end of the book (the next book in A Sophie Kimball Mystery series). I will not be continuing with the series as it is not the right type of cozy mystery series for me.
