Diners, Dives & Dead Ends

by Terri L Austin

[tellemonstar]

Full review here
Rose Strickland's life is somewhat of a hot-mess. Her high society mother essentially kicked her out after she refused to go back to the exclusive all-girls college her parents had sent to to. Now she works as a waitress and attends community college, much to her mother's utter disdain. The two major perks in her life are her nephew Scotty, and her friend Axton. So when Ax goes missing under suspicious circumstances, she is determined to find him.

The mystery was well plotted and it was a change from all the murders you most often find in a cozy mystery. The whole thing was well thought-out and it was interesting to follow the clues and connect the dots as Rose did throughout the book.

Something that I felt didn't work in the books favour was that parts of it felt too long. There was a lot of play-by-play which dragged in some spots and a few conversations that could easily have been edited out/shortened without losing the plot. We didn't need to know each time Rose was filling in every character about what had happened. Coming in from their reactions to the catch-up would have been more efficient (and more effective) in some parts.

Some of the by-play with all of the guys was a bit much too, I mean, I understand Rose is an attractive girl but how was every guy she met almost instantly in lust or in very deep like with her? It got a bit old. Not every guy a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl meets is going to be all-over her like ants on a picnic. Guys have differing tastes to.

Those last few points are probably why I didn't give the book I higher rating, however I am eager to read the second one - it sounds good, and I did enjoy this one.