Helpful Score: 2
Olivia Limoges has been summoned to see Munin Cooper, known as the witch of Oyster Bay. Munin tells Olivia that death is coming. Neither woman realized that is was Munin's death that was imminent. When her body is found Olivia instincts tell her there is something more sinister than a mystical force at work.
Finding Munin's killer takes top priority for Olivia even though she needs to be getting ready for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival. Munin had given Olivia a memory jar that she had made and Olivia knows that if she can just figure out what the keepsakes mean she will be able to identify the killer. She enlists the help of the Bayside Book Writers to help her solve the pottery puzzle and help her to catch the culprit before he claims another victim.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ellery Adams just keeps topping herself. Each book is better than the last. This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year.
One of the mysteries of this series has been the star character herself and we are finally really getting into the heart of her life in this installment. Plus the character is evolving and moving forward in the most wonderful ways.
In this story we also learn about the Lumbee Indian Tribe. The Lumbee are one of eight state-recognized Native American tribes in North Carolina. The author took the history of this tribe and wove it right into Olivia's world. I really love the way she does this because added to the enjoyment of the story we get a little education as well. The memory jug with the keepsake clues added that additional element every great mystery needs. The puzzle to figure out, not just trying to pick up clues from what the characters say or remembering something at at that climatic moment.
To fully appreciate this story it is necessary to read all of the books in order. Only then can the reader enjoy the growth of all the characters.
Kudos Ellery!!! Bring on Poisoned Prose!! I can't wait!!
Finding Munin's killer takes top priority for Olivia even though she needs to be getting ready for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival. Munin had given Olivia a memory jar that she had made and Olivia knows that if she can just figure out what the keepsakes mean she will be able to identify the killer. She enlists the help of the Bayside Book Writers to help her solve the pottery puzzle and help her to catch the culprit before he claims another victim.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Ellery Adams just keeps topping herself. Each book is better than the last. This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year.
One of the mysteries of this series has been the star character herself and we are finally really getting into the heart of her life in this installment. Plus the character is evolving and moving forward in the most wonderful ways.
In this story we also learn about the Lumbee Indian Tribe. The Lumbee are one of eight state-recognized Native American tribes in North Carolina. The author took the history of this tribe and wove it right into Olivia's world. I really love the way she does this because added to the enjoyment of the story we get a little education as well. The memory jug with the keepsake clues added that additional element every great mystery needs. The puzzle to figure out, not just trying to pick up clues from what the characters say or remembering something at at that climatic moment.
To fully appreciate this story it is necessary to read all of the books in order. Only then can the reader enjoy the growth of all the characters.
Kudos Ellery!!! Bring on Poisoned Prose!! I can't wait!!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
Although Olivia Limoges has more than enough on her plate at the moment with preparing for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival, she finds herself seeking out this so-called witch. Munin Cooper is the woman known as the Witch of Oyster Bay, and she tells Olivia that death is coming. Little does Olivia know that it's Munin's own death that the woman foretold. Left with Munin's last memory jug embellished with keepsakes that she feels will lead to the identity of the killer, Olivia is drawn into a past that's much darker and much more dangerous than she ever realized.
I've mentioned before that I tend to treat cozies as lighter fare and very seldom ever give them the highest rating. (Yes, I realize I've been behaving like a snob.) Written in Stone is the cozy that changes all that. There's so much going on in this book that it's best if you start the series at the very beginning; otherwise, the significance of certain things is going to whiz right over your head.
Yes, I've been with this series from the beginning, and from the first book (2010's A Killer Plot), I had a feeling that I'd found something different. Olivia Limoges could very easily be called yet another "poor little rich girl." Having been abandoned by her father and going to live with an unemotional relative after the death of her beloved mother, Olivia learned how to spend her money wisely and well-- and to keep herself emotionally removed from others. Moving back to Oyster Bay and purposely making herself a part of the small community has very gradually been forcing Olivia to change her ways. However, she's still not always comfortable with social situations, and she doesn't always say what other people want to hear. In fact, some readers may prefer her dog, Captain Haviland, to Olivia.
In each book of the series, we've been learning the history of the Oyster Bay, North Carolina area, and Written in Stone is no exception, since the history of the Lumbee tribe is woven into the story. Food is important to all the books in this series as well. Olivia owns two restaurants, frequents another, and is preparing for a food festival in this current book. (If you're on a diet, do not read this book on an empty stomach. You will have to stop and devour something before you've gone very far.)
Another thread woven throughout Adams' series is the sometimes shocking information Olivia continues to gather about both her parents, and what she learns often has a bearing on the outcome of the mystery.
The Books By the Bay writers group works much more on solving the mystery in this book than they do on readying manuscripts for publication, but there's so much going on in Written in Stone that there's simply no time. What I was happy to see is that there's a strong story line involving Millay. She gets to be seen in a whole new light, and I for one definitely like what I see.
Another thing that sets this book apart is how much sympathy is shown for the killer. Normally the "bad guy" is the bad guy, and that's that. Here the person's background and history are gone into just enough to show how heartbreaking the twisting of a human being, the creation of a killer, can be.
Written in Stone is the best book in the series so far. There's a richness to Adams' stories, a depth to her characters, that makes this series rise above the rest. It feels to me as though this author is on a clearly defined mission, that she knows exactly where she wants to take Olivia-- and I'll be following her every step of the way.
I've mentioned before that I tend to treat cozies as lighter fare and very seldom ever give them the highest rating. (Yes, I realize I've been behaving like a snob.) Written in Stone is the cozy that changes all that. There's so much going on in this book that it's best if you start the series at the very beginning; otherwise, the significance of certain things is going to whiz right over your head.
Yes, I've been with this series from the beginning, and from the first book (2010's A Killer Plot), I had a feeling that I'd found something different. Olivia Limoges could very easily be called yet another "poor little rich girl." Having been abandoned by her father and going to live with an unemotional relative after the death of her beloved mother, Olivia learned how to spend her money wisely and well-- and to keep herself emotionally removed from others. Moving back to Oyster Bay and purposely making herself a part of the small community has very gradually been forcing Olivia to change her ways. However, she's still not always comfortable with social situations, and she doesn't always say what other people want to hear. In fact, some readers may prefer her dog, Captain Haviland, to Olivia.
In each book of the series, we've been learning the history of the Oyster Bay, North Carolina area, and Written in Stone is no exception, since the history of the Lumbee tribe is woven into the story. Food is important to all the books in this series as well. Olivia owns two restaurants, frequents another, and is preparing for a food festival in this current book. (If you're on a diet, do not read this book on an empty stomach. You will have to stop and devour something before you've gone very far.)
Another thread woven throughout Adams' series is the sometimes shocking information Olivia continues to gather about both her parents, and what she learns often has a bearing on the outcome of the mystery.
The Books By the Bay writers group works much more on solving the mystery in this book than they do on readying manuscripts for publication, but there's so much going on in Written in Stone that there's simply no time. What I was happy to see is that there's a strong story line involving Millay. She gets to be seen in a whole new light, and I for one definitely like what I see.
Another thing that sets this book apart is how much sympathy is shown for the killer. Normally the "bad guy" is the bad guy, and that's that. Here the person's background and history are gone into just enough to show how heartbreaking the twisting of a human being, the creation of a killer, can be.
Written in Stone is the best book in the series so far. There's a richness to Adams' stories, a depth to her characters, that makes this series rise above the rest. It feels to me as though this author is on a clearly defined mission, that she knows exactly where she wants to take Olivia-- and I'll be following her every step of the way.
Helpful Score: 1
I have really enjoyed this series. Good mystery without any gory details. I love picturing the town and its residents. A good quick read.
