Author: Claire Donally
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
Series: Sunny & Shadow Mystery, Bk 1
ISBN: 9780425248027
Pages: 293
Obtained: Library copy
My Thoughts:
I requested the local library purchase this because it was a new cozy mystery. It looked okay, but didn't especially draw me to it. Until I saw a couple reviews on some other blogs. First I saw mention of it here on Alison's Cozy Crimes blog. It was an overall positive feedback with some small exception for Sunny's character. Then I saw Ariel's review on her blog, Mysteries and My Musings. It's another positive review, but she especially liked Sunny's character. Now I had a library copy on hand, two positive reviews, and a difference of opinion to look into. The Big Kitty was considerably bumped up on my mental reading priority list. So when I needed reading material for the trip to the LitFest (more on that later), this is the book I scooped up.
Happily, I enjoyed it. I especially (and this came as a shock to me) enjoyed when the story turned to Shadow's perspective. After reading the cats and curios books I'd never have guessed I'd enjoy the animals perspective, but there you go. Regarding Sunny, I fell somewhere between the two aforementioned opinions. I mostly liked her. She was fleshed out enough for me to feel like I knew her, but she didn't stand out as special among cozy characters for me either. I also enjoyed some of the other characters such as Constable Will Price and Mrs. Martinson. I did guess the murderer pretty early on, but that's never deterred me from enjoying a story. Or at least it's never the only factor. Anyway, I don't yet know anything about the next book in the series.
Reading this puts me in the mood for a Charlaine Harris mystery, her early stuff.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, have you been keeping up with the Sookie series?
I've been pretty bad about that. I haven't read the last 2 or 3, let alone any shorts that came out during that time. I had to wait for the next one to come out after the challenge (back when you were still blogging), and by then... Well the same thing happened that always happened. I was distracted.
ReplyDeleteJo, I understand about getting distracted; however, this has been one of the handful I books I've kept up with. Also, many times, I'll lose interest. For some reason, I haven't with this series and her Grave series. Have you read that one?
ReplyDeleteI have the first 2 or 3, but I haven't read them yet, no.
ReplyDeleteLoved those! It's darker, but still good. There was only one issue I had but can't say. It'd be a spoiler. The author spends so much time putting out the Sookie books, I feel this series has been neglected. I want to see the next book and soon! Maybe I should write a fan letter...lol.
ReplyDeleteYou should (says the hypocrite who has never done so). Is she still writing the Grave series?
ReplyDeleteJo, I thought so, but wasn't sure. The fourth book wasn't final. There was no "The End" feeling, but then I did a little research and this is what I read:
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll be writing any more Harper and Tolliver books. If I have another story to tell about them, I'll tell it, but right now I don't have that.
Charlaine Harris
I am so blasted depressed that I need a box of chocolate. :(
lol. But I'm sorry. :( I hate when that happens to me. And if I start the series, which from everything else you've said about it, I should, I'll have to deal with that lack of an end too.
DeleteKnowing your taste, I think you'll enjoy this series as much as I did. And even knowing the series pretty much stops, I'd still recommend reading these books.
Delete