Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Death Crashes the Party is the first in the Liv and Di in Dixie cozy mystery series. Liv McKay is the established owner of Liv 4 Fun, a party planning business located in the small town of Dixie, Tennessee.
Liv is in the early stages of planning the 40th anniversary party for the Erdman's, when she stumbles upon the bodies of brothers Duane and Darrell Farrell. The men, dressed in Confederate soldier uniforms, also work for McKay's Trucking Company owned by Liv's father in law, Daddy Wayne. It is soon discovered that the brothers may have been involved in running a drug smuggling business using the McKay's trucks.
In an effort to salvage not only the reputation of her party planning business but the future of McKay's Trucking, Liv teams up with her best friend Diane "Di" Souther to find the killer. Also taking an active role in the investigation is Di's love interest Sheriff Eulyse "Dave" Davidson, and Liv's husband Larry Joe.
A great first in a new series it was a refreshing change to have the main character happily married and getting along with her in-laws. Liv and Di have a great friendship, and their conversations and snooping antics will have you occasionally laughing out loud. Yes, there are the typically stupid breaking and entering scenes and bad decision making that cause you to shake your head in amazement, but they keep you turning the pages and rooting for Liv and Di.
A wonderful cast of main and secondary characters, lots of red herrings and great description of life in a small Southern Town. I'll definitely be looking for the second in the series to release.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Liv is in the early stages of planning the 40th anniversary party for the Erdman's, when she stumbles upon the bodies of brothers Duane and Darrell Farrell. The men, dressed in Confederate soldier uniforms, also work for McKay's Trucking Company owned by Liv's father in law, Daddy Wayne. It is soon discovered that the brothers may have been involved in running a drug smuggling business using the McKay's trucks.
In an effort to salvage not only the reputation of her party planning business but the future of McKay's Trucking, Liv teams up with her best friend Diane "Di" Souther to find the killer. Also taking an active role in the investigation is Di's love interest Sheriff Eulyse "Dave" Davidson, and Liv's husband Larry Joe.
A great first in a new series it was a refreshing change to have the main character happily married and getting along with her in-laws. Liv and Di have a great friendship, and their conversations and snooping antics will have you occasionally laughing out loud. Yes, there are the typically stupid breaking and entering scenes and bad decision making that cause you to shake your head in amazement, but they keep you turning the pages and rooting for Liv and Di.
A wonderful cast of main and secondary characters, lots of red herrings and great description of life in a small Southern Town. I'll definitely be looking for the second in the series to release.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Kristina A. reviewed Death Crashes the Party (Liv and Di in Dixie, Bk 1) on + 1528 more book reviews
Death Crashes the Party by Vickie Fee is the first book in A Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery series. Olivia âLivâ McKay owns and runs Liv 4 Fun, a party planning business in Dixie, Tennessee. Liv is married to Larry Joe McKay who runs McKay Trucking with his father. Her best friend (and partner in crime) is Diana âDiâ Souther. Di is the postal carrier for the town. Liv is busy planning an anniversary party for the Erdman's who want conflicting themes. Liv ends up coming up with Moonshine and Magnolias (the husband wants redneck and the wife wants classy). While checking the freezer in the Erdman's garage to see if it will hold the ice sculpture (Mrs. Erdman's request), Liv finds a dead body. She jumps back, trips over a green trash can, knocks it over and finds another body. They turn out to be Duane and Darrell Farrell. They worked at McKay Trucking. Determined to clear McKay Trucking and the McKay name (since her husband and father-in-law are the prime suspects), Liv (with the help of Di) sets out to find the killer. Their methods are not very ethical (actually they are against the law), but they feel the results are worth it. Can Liv solve the murders and plan a party at the same time? Will Di and Liv be able to stay out of jail?
I found Death Crashes the Party to be easy to read. The mystery was good (there were some twists thrown in), but it was figuring out the killer that was a cinch. I found Death Crashes the Party to be a little superficial. It was lacking depth (and details). We did not get a lot of information on the characters. I also wish the murder had not happened right at the beginning. It needed a little more lead in before the crime (it makes for a long book). There is too much foul language in the book (especially for a cozy mystery). I do not think the foul language was needed. I give Death Crashes the Party 3 out of 5 stars. An interesting start to a new series. I will read the next book in the series to see if it improves.
I received a complimentary copy of Death Crashes the Party from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found Death Crashes the Party to be easy to read. The mystery was good (there were some twists thrown in), but it was figuring out the killer that was a cinch. I found Death Crashes the Party to be a little superficial. It was lacking depth (and details). We did not get a lot of information on the characters. I also wish the murder had not happened right at the beginning. It needed a little more lead in before the crime (it makes for a long book). There is too much foul language in the book (especially for a cozy mystery). I do not think the foul language was needed. I give Death Crashes the Party 3 out of 5 stars. An interesting start to a new series. I will read the next book in the series to see if it improves.
I received a complimentary copy of Death Crashes the Party from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
