I must admit I have some qualms about that title. It seems a bit "iffy" to me. The premise is at least mildly original in that the main character buys one of these ultra-cheap villas in Sicily on the agreement that she upkeeps the place. I've seen those mentioned in news items several times. The book then has to have a murder committed in the place, of course - and these villas are usually in small villages so how the author hopes to make this into a series I do not know. The little Sicilian village would end up having a murder rate greater than some cartel region in Mexico! LOL! The blurb says, "After buying a fixer-upper in Sicily, veterinarian Audrey is ready to embrace her fresh start. But she never expected solving a murder to come with her new home - nor finding romance...." It's funny that the author doesn't expect it, because every reader of the book expected exactly that! LOL! It would be more amusing if the character's name were Cecily and the title were "Cecily in Sicily". But how is she going to find enough work as a vet in a little village to support herself? Oh don't worry - she'll be so busy solving murders every volume that there won't be any time at all to work. Or to fix up the place. But at least everyone in this obscure village in the middle of nowhere speaks perfect English. Dumb from the ground up.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Murder in the Manor by Fiona Grace
"Looking for a fresh start, New Yorker Lacey moves to a quiet seaside town in England and opens an antiques shop." Why? How did she get a residency and a business permit? God forbid the story should be just about English characters. You can't do that it's illegal. You have to have at least one American character in your novel or it's worthless. "But when a customer is found dead, does she have what it takes to clear her name?" Because under English law you're not innocent until proven guilty, you're guilty as sin and must prove your own innocence. The cops and the courts are all out to get you. This is not about antiques, it's all garbage and trash without an original bone in its body.
Monday, July 5, 2021
Beachfront Bakery: A Killer Cupcake by Fiona Grace
"Hoping for a charming new life, exhausted chef Allison leaves the big city and sets up a bakery on the boardwalk - but when a man is found dead outside her shop, she'll have to dust the flour off her hands and do some serious sleuthing" Why? This isn't even in her shop! And it's none of her damned business! Another half-baked 'cozy' mystery. What would be funny is if her bakery were literally on the boardwalk - right in the middle of it. Then I might get with this story. But barf.