kalventure's Review of For the Birds (Rose Gardner Investigations, #2)

by Denise Grover Swank

Rose Gardner is trying to build a new normal. One that leaves the Fenton County crime world—including James “Skeeter” Malcom, the current king—behind. Her best friend and roommate is a big part of that effort, but Neely Kate is busy building her own life anew. She disappeared for a few days, scaring the spit out of Rose—which is why Rose finds it impossible to deny her when she suggests they look for a missing parrot. Only this time Neely Kate isn’t interested in the reward money; she’s set them up to work with a cranky private investigator known as Kermit the Hermit. Rose sees it for what it is: another bid for them to become private investigators.

If nothing else, it’s a good distraction…until one of James’s nemeses, Buck Reynolds, comes calling for help. James’s brother has gone missing, and Reynolds is number one on the crime king’s suspect list. Only, according to him, he’s innocent.

Rose had promised herself she was through with the crime world, but she wants to see his James’s brother safe. Besides, can she really say no when she might be the only one who can keep order in the county?

Series Reading Order, per author:
1. Family Jewels, ★★★★☆
2. Trailer Trash, ★★★★☆
3. For the Birds, ★★★★☆

'Talking parrot last seen on Saturday morning in Henryetta Park. Squawker loves carrots, Wheel of Fortune, and long walks in the park.' Was the owner looking to find the parrot or a date?

This is the second installment of the new Rose Gardner Investigations series and third in the reading order. It's about one week after the events in Trailer Trash, and Rose seems to be finally be warming up to the idea of officially investigating the crimes of Fenton County and she is really stepping into her role as an unaffiliated protector.

It is hard to review mysteries without getting into spoiler territory, so this review will be a bit brief. It starts with a missing parrot, but as always with Rose and Neely Kate things are much more complicated. The romantic tension with a certain King comes a bit to a head in this installment, and despite Rose still being good she is starting to see the morally grey. Only time will tell which path she winds up taking. My favorite thing about these books and the world that Swank has created is the characters - I love each and every one of them. They are complex and they feel real; they are what keeps bringing me back.

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For the Birds (Rose Gardner Investigations, #2)

by Denise Grover Swank

Reviewed by kalventure on Apr 25, 2018

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