Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 5
First Line: "Stephanie Quinn Dowd, you've got to be kidding!"
Clara Quinn has returned to her hometown in Maine after living in New York City. While she looks for another job, she agrees to work at the Raven's Nest Bookstore to help the owner, her cousin Stephanie.
The bookstore has an enemy-- Ana Jordan-- a fellow businesswoman who believes that the bookstore's occult section is leading the town's youth astray. Molly, number one employee at the Raven's Nest Bookstore, has made no bones of the fact that Jordan works her last nerve and that Molly would be very happy if the woman vanished off the face of the earth.
When Jordan is found in the Raven's Nest stockroom with her head crushed by a bust of Edgar Allan Poe, Molly is the one and only suspect. Stephanie believes that they can prove Molly's innocence because she knows something no one else does: Clara has the "Quinn Sense": she can see into the future and read people's thoughts. Clara has spent years not listening to her gift, so this amateur investigation could prove very dangerous for all involved.
Stephanie did a lot of talking about Clara's "Quinn Sense" but it never really made an appearance. That could be chalked up to Clara's fighting and ignoring it for most of her life, but-- if it did work and work well-- this would've been a short story instead of a book.
As much as I hate to say this, it feels as though this book was phoned in from far, far away. There's the non-existent paranormal angle. Clara suffers from Silly Mother Syndrome. The book is supposedly set in a small town in Maine, but it really could've been anywhere. Clara's cousin Stephanie thought nothing of playing fast and loose with Clara's safety-- several times encouraging her to do dangerous things as if they were still children and there'd be no consequences. To her detriment, Clara knew Stephanie's suggestions were ill-advised but did most of them anyway.
Before I was halfway through the book, I was wondering why I was reading it. The plot is well-worn, none of the characters stand out... there's really nothing to set it apart from the competition. Needless to say, I'll be giving any future books in this series a miss. It's a shame because the author's writing style is very smooth and enjoyable to read.
Clara Quinn has returned to her hometown in Maine after living in New York City. While she looks for another job, she agrees to work at the Raven's Nest Bookstore to help the owner, her cousin Stephanie.
The bookstore has an enemy-- Ana Jordan-- a fellow businesswoman who believes that the bookstore's occult section is leading the town's youth astray. Molly, number one employee at the Raven's Nest Bookstore, has made no bones of the fact that Jordan works her last nerve and that Molly would be very happy if the woman vanished off the face of the earth.
When Jordan is found in the Raven's Nest stockroom with her head crushed by a bust of Edgar Allan Poe, Molly is the one and only suspect. Stephanie believes that they can prove Molly's innocence because she knows something no one else does: Clara has the "Quinn Sense": she can see into the future and read people's thoughts. Clara has spent years not listening to her gift, so this amateur investigation could prove very dangerous for all involved.
Stephanie did a lot of talking about Clara's "Quinn Sense" but it never really made an appearance. That could be chalked up to Clara's fighting and ignoring it for most of her life, but-- if it did work and work well-- this would've been a short story instead of a book.
As much as I hate to say this, it feels as though this book was phoned in from far, far away. There's the non-existent paranormal angle. Clara suffers from Silly Mother Syndrome. The book is supposedly set in a small town in Maine, but it really could've been anywhere. Clara's cousin Stephanie thought nothing of playing fast and loose with Clara's safety-- several times encouraging her to do dangerous things as if they were still children and there'd be no consequences. To her detriment, Clara knew Stephanie's suggestions were ill-advised but did most of them anyway.
Before I was halfway through the book, I was wondering why I was reading it. The plot is well-worn, none of the characters stand out... there's really nothing to set it apart from the competition. Needless to say, I'll be giving any future books in this series a miss. It's a shame because the author's writing style is very smooth and enjoyable to read.
Helpful Score: 4
This book was ok, but not great. They characters are all so vague, that you can't really grow attached to any of them. Their personalities are all pretty flat. I also thought there would be a bit more of a paranormal feel to this, but there really isn't enough of one. They always seem to kind of dance around it. I am hoping the next book will be better, because it's a good concept.
Kristin G. (kristing1123) reviewed Mind Over Murder (Raven's Nest Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
The idea of this book is better than the actual execution. I wanted to like the characters but found the main two lacking. Clara is likable enough but her cousin Stephanie is definitely a dim bulb. I figured out the killer long before the characters did. I might give the next one a try if other members give it a decent review.
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Mind Over Murder (Raven's Nest Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 701 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Set in Finn's Harbor, Maine, Stephanie Quinn Dowd owns The Raven's Nest Bookstore. Her cousin, Clara Quinn, has returned to Finn's Harbor unexpectedly without much of a plan. Stephanie has convinced Clara to help her out at the bookstore until she finds another job.
These cousins have always been close but it is not just being family or friendship that keeps them together. It is what Clara calls the family curse. Clara has "Quinn Sense". Little voices in her head that make observations, enable Clara to read other people's thoughts and even see into the future. Clara has spent her life shutting out the voices and willing her "Quinn Sense" to go away. It is the very reason she left Finn's Harbor in the first place. She thought the further she got away the less effective the family curse would be. Stephanie wishes she had the gift and Clara wishes she didn't.
Raven's Nest Bookstore is located downtown among a variety of shops and stores. Right next door is Ana Jordan's stationary store. She is extremely upset with Stephanie because she carries books dealing with the occult in her store. Ana believes Stephanie is corrupting the youth of the town with those books and she has let everyone in the town know of her outrage. Stephanie's employee Molly ends up having a very public argument with Ana on the subject.
The next day Ana is found dead in the bookstore storeroom. She has taken a fatal blow from a bust of Edgar Allan Poe made by Molly. All the evidence seems to point to Molly as the killer, but Stephanie knows it can't be true. She begs Clara to use her "Quinn Sense" to track down the real culprit.
My Thoughts:
Allison Kingsley is another pseudonym of a very well know author. Dorren Roberts Hight also writes as Kate Kingsbury and Rebecca Kent. This is her first contemporary mystery series. Mind Over Murder is a fine debut to this series.
I am not usually a fan paranormal but have been reading a few mild ones lately like this one and I am really enjoying them. I don't have a problem with visions or friendly ghosts or "Quinn Sense" but still not a fan or the undead, vampires or werewolves.
"Quinn Sense" is very subtle, helping Clara piece together the clues and make observations clearly. I enjoy the process of Clara learning about her gift. I am sure it she will continue learning in future editions.
The dialogue between the characters is very real and at points quite humorous. Stephanie's high expectations of Clara's gift kept me laughing as if Clara could just will the murderer to come forward. It is also set in a small town where everyone knows or thinks they know everyone's business and in Finn's Harbor this turns out to be a good thing as even the best laid plans can go awry.
I would say the author's first contemporary mystery is destined to be a huge success as will others in this series!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
These cousins have always been close but it is not just being family or friendship that keeps them together. It is what Clara calls the family curse. Clara has "Quinn Sense". Little voices in her head that make observations, enable Clara to read other people's thoughts and even see into the future. Clara has spent her life shutting out the voices and willing her "Quinn Sense" to go away. It is the very reason she left Finn's Harbor in the first place. She thought the further she got away the less effective the family curse would be. Stephanie wishes she had the gift and Clara wishes she didn't.
Raven's Nest Bookstore is located downtown among a variety of shops and stores. Right next door is Ana Jordan's stationary store. She is extremely upset with Stephanie because she carries books dealing with the occult in her store. Ana believes Stephanie is corrupting the youth of the town with those books and she has let everyone in the town know of her outrage. Stephanie's employee Molly ends up having a very public argument with Ana on the subject.
The next day Ana is found dead in the bookstore storeroom. She has taken a fatal blow from a bust of Edgar Allan Poe made by Molly. All the evidence seems to point to Molly as the killer, but Stephanie knows it can't be true. She begs Clara to use her "Quinn Sense" to track down the real culprit.
My Thoughts:
Allison Kingsley is another pseudonym of a very well know author. Dorren Roberts Hight also writes as Kate Kingsbury and Rebecca Kent. This is her first contemporary mystery series. Mind Over Murder is a fine debut to this series.
I am not usually a fan paranormal but have been reading a few mild ones lately like this one and I am really enjoying them. I don't have a problem with visions or friendly ghosts or "Quinn Sense" but still not a fan or the undead, vampires or werewolves.
"Quinn Sense" is very subtle, helping Clara piece together the clues and make observations clearly. I enjoy the process of Clara learning about her gift. I am sure it she will continue learning in future editions.
The dialogue between the characters is very real and at points quite humorous. Stephanie's high expectations of Clara's gift kept me laughing as if Clara could just will the murderer to come forward. It is also set in a small town where everyone knows or thinks they know everyone's business and in Finn's Harbor this turns out to be a good thing as even the best laid plans can go awry.
I would say the author's first contemporary mystery is destined to be a huge success as will others in this series!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Tim H. (Timbuktu126) reviewed Mind Over Murder (Raven's Nest Bookstore, Bk 1) on + 479 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was decent enough, but not a standout by any means. The premise of the book is that the heroine Clara possesses a special "sense", but it plays a very minor part in the story. No great surprises as I read and the killer was one of the few suspects Clara had been wondering about the whole book. Not sure if I will read the second one or not. It wasn't bad, but wasn't good enough to make me want more! (too bad because I like this author's two other series)
