A solid start to a new series

Oh, how I love finding a new Cozy Mystery series. When I originally came across Death by Committee on Netgalley, I knew that I had to read it. I did not regret my choice.

While it is true that this book seemed to follow your typical cozy mystery formula, I found myself loving the story, nonetheless.

I appreciated that the author made a clear effort to mix up the stereotypical sleuth profile and feature a middle-aged divorcee along with a pack of seniors as the main character focus. I also enjoyed Tripp’s character a lot (is it possible to have a crush on a book character? asking for a friend).

As for the narration, there isn’t much to say other than I thought that Coleen Marlo did a splendid job bringing the work to life.

However, if I have to state my nitpicks about this book it was that pacing of the book was a little quick; It seemed like the police investigation had barely started when Abby started to poke around for info. Additionally, I felt that there were a few instances where Abby was excessively defensive and stubborn with little regard for safety and consequences. My final 'criticism’ is that I believed the killer was too easy to guess; I had him/her pegged upon the first meeting. Nevertheless, these points were only minor and were not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I truly enjoyed Death by Committee; it was a start to a new series, and I'm keen to read more.

10 people found this helpful

Nice start to new series

Alexis Morgan has crafted a storyline that is both entertaining and enjoyable. The characters are well-developed, enjoyable, and ones you’d like to include among your group of friends. Ms Morgan even has a mastiff mix dog as one of the co-stars. Coleen Marlo brings it all to life with her wonderful performance. I highly recommend this book/audiobook to cozy mystery fans.

3 people found this helpful

Has potential, but cheesy and eye rolling

I do find the story interesting and captivating, but there were some irksome parts too.
Firstly, the murderer was pretty obvious once he/she appeared, and that took the suspense out of the rest of story.
Next, the so called 'chemistry' between Abby and Tripp was such a turn off. Their converstions, peppered with teases or flirts, often came across as cheesy and juvenile. For goodness sake they were supposed to be mature grown ups in their late 30s to 40s, not high school teens.
The author may be trying to portray Tripp as the hunky protector, but it has been overdone and he came across as too intense and crazily protective, like getting all riled up and ready to punch just because someone upset Abby. I cannot helped but rolled my eyes each time when these two interact.
I do feel this series has potential for good cosy murder story, but characters need some fine tuning.

1 person found this helpful

was it the auntie

This story can be a mystery movie. has a good mystery going on. the Characters is very likable, I'm looking forward to the 2nd series. the mystery had me trying to guess who was the killer, this have a good mystery puzzle to it.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
When Abby McCree suddenly inherits her favorite relative's property in small town Snowberry Creek, Washington, she soon realizes that the ramshackle home comes with strings attached--one of which is tied to a dead body!

MY TAKE
I listened to the second book first, so I did them out of order. It was fun to see how she met Gage and to see the kiss mentioned in Death by Jack-o-lantern. This was another fun story with engaging characters and the hint of a possible romance between Abby and her tenant Tripp. I love her dog Zeke too. I figured this one out. Looking forward to listing to the next book in the series.

The narrator is wonderful!

Slow

Too slow. Dialogue boring. Wasn’t a build up of clues . Red herrings were just doubting common sense.

A solid start to a new series

Oh, how I love finding a new Cozy Mystery series. When I originally came across Death by Committee on Netgalley, I knew that I had to read it. I did not regret my choice.

While it is true that this book seemed to follow your typical cozy mystery formula, I found myself loving the story, nonetheless.

I appreciated that the author made a clear effort to mix up the stereotypical sleuth profile and feature a middle-aged divorcee along with a pack of seniors as the main character focus. I also enjoyed Tripp’s character a lot (is it possible to have a crush on a book character? asking for a friend).

As for the narration, there isn’t much to say other than I thought that Coleen Marlo did a splendid job bringing the work to life.

However, if I have to state my nitpicks about this book it was that pacing of the book was a little quick; It seemed like the police investigation had barely started when Abby started to poke around for info. Additionally, I felt that there were a few instances where Abby was excessively defensive and stubborn with little regard for safety and consequences. My final 'criticism’ is that I believed the killer was too easy to guess; I had him/her pegged upon the first meeting. Nevertheless, these points were only minor and were not enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I truly enjoyed Death by Committee; it was a brilliant start to a new series, and I'm keen to read more.

enjoyable

slow start but gets better and better as you go, I enjoyed it - left me wanting more

Narrator

I disliked the heavy breathing of the narrator. I have heard far better. Her reading did improve as the story unfolded,

Busy Body Biddies and a Backyard Burial

After Abby McCree’s Aunt Sybil passed away, Abby moved back to Snowberry Creek, Washington to her aunt’s rundown home and to Zeke, her aunt’s mastiff. Her aunt, an avid quilter and member of the local Quilters’ Guild was well known and loved, by all but one of the townsfolks, Dolly Cayhill, her arch nemesis and rival. Still stinging after a rough divorce, Abby takes refuge in the old house, with the gardens out back . . . that is until the body of Dolly Cayhill is found buried, wrapped in what appears to be one of Aunt Sybil’s quilts. Now with both Aunt Sybil and Dolly dead, the authorities put Sybil at the top of their suspect list. Unable to bear having her aunt’s name smeared, Abby vows to prove Aunt Sybil’s innocence. Abby’s tenant, Tripp Blackston is best friends with the local police chief, Gage Logan, both having served together in the military. Several of the Quilting Guild’s quilts have gone missing, and Abby searches for them while also looking for Dolly’s murderer. Continually being called off by Gage and Tripp, Abby stealthily continues to nose around for clues. The old ladies in the guild spread gossip quicker than wild fire, and the small town keeps loading Abby up with committee assignments which had previously belonged to her Aunt Sybil. All comes to an explosive (and satisfying) conclusion, much to the entire town’s surprise . . . I definitely will go on to the next in the series!

2 people found this helpful