Lesley A. DiehlCritiques

4.5 out of 5 stars rounded up.

Grilled, Chilled, and Killed is the second book in the Big Lake Murders series. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. While it didn't have that extra pizzazz that throws it up to a 5-star read for me, it was still delightful. This installment finds our characters dealing with Emily finding a murder victim at the local barbecue cook-off.

I really enjoy Emily as a character as well as the others in these books. I think she's quirky and fun. She does occasionally get herself into trouble, but she usually at least takes one other person with her so she's not going into dangerous situations without backup.

I did know who the villain was way before the end of the book, but it wasn't too disappointing as the parts of the book outside the mystery were also very interesting. The plot line moved along better in this one than in the first book. I didn't have any time where I felt it was going too slow.

I'm definitely looking forward to the third book in this series!

*** Thank you to Lesley A. Diehl for giving me an ARC of this book. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. ***

4 out of 5 stars.

I had a little trouble getting into this book, but once I did, I enjoyed it. At first, I felt a little confused about what was going on and why. I think I got one of the subplots mixed up with the main plot. I believe part of that were my own issues and mindset at the time and not the actual writing.

The characters in the book are well-rounded, complex, and interesting. The more I've read, the more I've started liking them. Our heroines take some chances, but they're not the "too stupid to live" heroines who thrust themselves into danger all the time. Even though our main character, Emily, annoys our illustrious Detective Lewis with her snooping, for the most part, she doesn't deliberately go looking for trouble. I appreciate that in a heroine.

The story line moves along at a decent pace. There was an area in the middle where it felt like it was dragging a little bit, but it soon picked back up again. Setting descriptions are adequate. They're perhaps slightly less than I would prefer, but I'd rather authors err on the side of not enough description rather than too much description.

I enjoyed the personal relationships that developed during this book and I'm looking forward to how they continue to develop in the second book. I'm interested to see if Emily makes a choice on a new male companion or if she decides on being single for a while.

All in all it's a good start to the series and I look forward to reading the second book.

*** Thank you to Lesley A. Diehl for giving me an ARC of this book. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. ***

4.5 out of 5 stars rounded up.

Grilled, Chilled, and Killed is the second book in the Big Lake Murders series. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. While it didn't have that extra pizzazz that throws it up to a 5-star read for me, it was still delightful. This installment finds our characters dealing with Emily finding a murder victim at the local barbecue cook-off.

I really enjoy Emily as a character as well as the others in these books. I think she's quirky and fun. She does occasionally get herself into trouble, but she usually at least takes one other person with her so she's not going into dangerous situations without backup.

I did know who the villain was way before the end of the book, but it wasn't too disappointing as the parts of the book outside the mystery were also very interesting. The plot line moved along better in this one than in the first book. I didn't have any time where I felt it was going too slow.

I'm definitely looking forward to the third book in this series!

*** Thank you to Lesley A. Diehl for giving me an ARC of this book. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. ***

4 out of 5 stars.

I had a little trouble getting into this book, but once I did, I enjoyed it. At first, I felt a little confused about what was going on and why. I think I got one of the subplots mixed up with the main plot. I believe part of that were my own issues and mindset at the time and not the actual writing.

The characters in the book are well-rounded, complex, and interesting. The more I've read, the more I've started liking them. Our heroines take some chances, but they're not the "too stupid to live" heroines who thrust themselves into danger all the time. Even though our main character, Emily, annoys our illustrious Detective Lewis with her snooping, for the most part, she doesn't deliberately go looking for trouble. I appreciate that in a heroine.

The story line moves along at a decent pace. There was an area in the middle where it felt like it was dragging a little bit, but it soon picked back up again. Setting descriptions are adequate. They're perhaps slightly less than I would prefer, but I'd rather authors err on the side of not enough description rather than too much description.

I enjoyed the personal relationships that developed during this book and I'm looking forward to how they continue to develop in the second book. I'm interested to see if Emily makes a choice on a new male companion or if she decides on being single for a while.

All in all it's a good start to the series and I look forward to reading the second book.

*** Thank you to Lesley A. Diehl for giving me an ARC of this book. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. ***

Pretty good (especially as a freebie) cozy mystery set in upstate NY in a region with a lot of microbreweries. The romantic subplot between Hera (the main character, a young woman struggling to keep her brewery going) and Jake, the local policeman (who coincidentally is Hera's old flame from when they were both in law school!) was predictable and the weakest part of the book.

Dr. Laura Murphy finds herself pulled into a murder investigation, when a coed is murdered. Her participation in the fact gathering is ostensibly to provide an in to the academic community for her good friend Detective Derrick “Der” Pasquis. When information about the murder along with other disturbing information turns up as part of Dr. Murphy’s long term research study, she jumps into the investigation full steam ahead, risking life and limb and even putting her romantic relationship in jeopardy.

~~
Half way doesn’t seem to seem to be a term in Laura’s vocabulary. Restraint and circumspection are other words she might look up as well. She doggedly pursues the clues wherever they they tend lead. As a sleuth she is incomparable and as such she is her own worst enemy. I haven’t decided if her running headlong into trouble is a personality idiosyncrasy or a response to men in her life asking her to show restraint.

Laura does tend to disregard absolutely everyone in her life and I am not really sure if I like her. I do appreciate seeing the facets of her character. The story is packed full of interesting characters expertly written into the various layers of this story, not the least are Der and Laura’s boyfriend Guy, both of whom deserve medals for putting up with her impulsiveness.

I did enjoy the mystery as there were so many times the clue trail twisted back on itself moving from one puzzle to another, seemingly connected - then not, only to be tied together nicely at the end. I might have enjoyed a bit more discussion about the Why but it was definitely worth taking the time to read and Ms. Diehl is definitely an author worth checking out.



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

With all the fascinating characters this book has to offer, mystery fans are sure to find this a page turner. Emily has found herself becoming a bartender at a country club after a sudden death finds her all alone. Poor Emily can't seem to catch a break when she finds a dead body in the dumpster outside the club. She now must deal with not only her partners ex-wife in a dispute over an estate, but the a dead body dumped at her work. I found Emily to me a bit annoying. It's hard to believe that everywhere she turns, trouble is there waiting for her. My favorite character hands down is the lawyer Emily hires. He is grouchy at times, loves the women and oh yeah lives in a nursing home.

Clara the manager of the country club and Emily's best friend is somehow the main suspect in the death of the person dumped like garbage at the club. I did like Clara and thought she had a great sassy attitude. I guess when you have a best friend it isn't always true that you tell them everything . Clara has a big secret that will play a huge role in the mystery and one that Emily wasn't aware of. But have no fear readers, Emily has her own secret that will hit her square in the face. The author does make Florida sound like a fun place to live with luscious golf courses and lively gators waiting to say hi. The story has many little side stories that all intercede to make a delightful book that I found intriguing. Get ready for some laughs, good old boys and a story that will have you keeping score of all the bad guys. I loved the banter between the characters and thought it was funny when Emily tried to act tough around a certain person. Overall the book is good with a mystery within a mystery.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

Why have I not heard of this author before? I can tell you that I have found a new hero in Eve Appel. She is one sassy, funny, and determined woman. The author has done a great job of keeping the story at a high caliber level with a mystery within a mystery. It's not everyday that a construction company digs up bones at a job site. The question is who is do the bones belong to? How long have they been there and how did they get there?

I loved reading about Eve's shop and all the nice things she had there for customers to look at. The grandmother is a character that I want to hang out with. She is feisty and can be very forceful at times. She is someone you really want on your side. The story is very interesting as the bones discovered could be those found on an Indian burial ground. I loved how the author gives details of the Miccosukee tribe. Sammy , Eve's boyfriend is a Miccosukke Indian and he and his brother Walter believe the bones found could be their father. Walter is mysterious when he finds something among the bones and slips it in his pocket. What did he find that could put him in danger?

I think my favorite character has to be the mob boss that is Eve's friend. He is one powerful man that can put fear in people just by looking at them. Eve trusts him and finds herself asking for his help with several issues that only he can solve without drawing attention to himself. I loved how he is very kind to Eve and will do anything for her. It is an uncommon friendship that really makes the story intriguing.

The story has many twists in it and I like how the author incorporated an aspect of the story that involves a young boy who could face jail time . I don't want to give that part of the story away but it ties into the main story very nicely. There are some very emotional moments in the story that readers will find compelling. The ending is excellent and I believe readers may be a bit surprised. Grab your copy of this mystery and follow Eve and her crew as the mystery will take them to seedy parts of town and danger that appears out of nowhere.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

I love a good mystery and this was no exception. It was light and fun and had enough twists that I didn't figure out who the criminal was until a few chapters before the end of the book. Laura Murphy is our main character and she was perfect. She had a small group of close friends who appreciated and accepted her for who she was, which was a good person with good intentions who consistently meddled where she really didn't belong. She may have been a detective in her previous life. She is the friend whom you love to pieces but who knows how to push all of your buttons... at once.

The story wasn't overly complicated and the reader has several opportunities to evaluate the evidence and theories and develop some hunches. Mine were wrong twice but then as I got closer to the end, I was able to figure it out and that's when the action really started. I couldn't put the book from this moment forward. In addition to the murder mystery, there is also a little romance and the unavoidable turmoil that goes with it. What story would be complete without a little bit of swoon, right?

The story wraps up nicely but also leaves an opening for the next book and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what the characters get into next.

I also really loved the setting. Laura's house on the lake was gorgeous and made me want to start looking for real estate. The lake was also a perfect backdrop for many of the events in the story.

This is a fairly nice, easy-going cozy mystery. Eve and her friend Madeline own a consignment shop in Florida. During a pleasure ride on Madeline’s new beau’s boat, they encounter a near mishap with Dave’s nasty neighbor Blake Reed. When a mutual client of Dave and Blake is killed, Dave is implicated in the murder. Eve and Madeline jump into the fray, with amateur sleuth Eve trying to figure out what exactly happened, much to the chagrin of her current boyfriend Alex, a working detective. During all this, Blake’s nasty wife, Elvira is trying to take over Eve and Madeline’s consignment shop store area, intending to start her own consignment shop in direct competition with that of Eve and Madeline. Eve’s “ace up her sleeve” turns out to be a reputed mobster, who, along with her other friend, Sam, who is an Indian, and her grandmother work with Eve, each in his/her own peculiar way, to follow the clues as Eve unravels them to solve the mystery.

This is an easy-to-read book, with just enough humor and mystery to take you all the way through the end without boring you or disappointing you. The repartee between Alex and Eve, as she butts into the investigation, much to his dismay, is well done and entertaining. The crime is a serious one, but the way Eve goes about solving it is not too heavy-handed. I enjoyed the additional sub-plot of the difficulties Eve and Madeline encounter with Blake Reed’s wife and her attempt to take over the consignment business, leaving Eve and Madeline high and dry, as they helped me better understand Eve and her friends. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but I will probably look for them after reading this one. This book will interest anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I makes a great beach read.

This book is the first in the Eve Appel series, of which I hope to read more of. Eve is the owner of a second hand shop called Second to None, that caters to down on their luck formerly rich women who want to sell their clothes and accessories on consignment but do not want their cronies to know that their luck has changed. Eve then, with the help of her employee Madeleine, resell the merchandise to woman wanting quality slightly used clothing at a discount.

Eve has just opened up shop for the day when she discovers a woman dead in the backroom of the shop. The woman is a West Palm socialite and as it turns out, Eve has had a previous encounter with the woman. Eve becomes a suspect and she is determined to find out what is going on and who the real murderer is. So along with Madeleine, Alex, who is a PI, Eve's Grandy and her husband and a full cast of zany and dangerous characters makes this cozy mystery a fun read. With laugh out loud scenes and some scary moments, this book is so hard to put down and when the end did come, I found myself wondering what madcap adventure awaits the reader in the next book. I loved it!!

In A Secondhand Murder, the first book of the Eve Appel Mystery Series, author Lesley A. Diehl weaves an entertaining cozy mystery that will keep the reader laughing-out-loud. Set in the rural town of Sabal Bay, Florida, and written in the first person narrative, the reader follows the madcap adventures of Eve Appel and best friend Madeleine Boucheau, as they try to solve the murder of a West Palm socialite that occurred in the dressing room during the grand opening of their consignment shop, Second to None. When Eve is targeted as the suspect in the murder, she is determined to find out who the real murderer is with the help of a gang of amateur sleuths: best friend Madeleine, a sexy PI named Alex Montgomery, her estranged husband Jerry, a shady mobster, and some hot cowboys. Can Eve and her quirky gang of misfits solve the murder mystery?

This was such a fun book to read! I really enjoyed following sassy Eve, clutzy Madeleine, and the rest of the quirky cast of characters on their zany adventure to solve the murder mystery. The author easily draws the reader into the story with a mixture of drama, mischief, and suspense that keeps them guessing what would happen next. The author does a great job of providing clues about the murder mystery, while adding a sexy romance between Eve and Alex into the mix. I really enjoyed the lighthearted humor that is so prevalent throughout the story.

A Secondhand Murder is a fast-paced cozy mystery that has enough drama & mischief, suspenseful twists and turns, and a slow-building romance that is sure to keep the reader entertained. It is an enjoyable story that will tickle your funny bone.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-secondhand-murder-by-lesley-...

A Secondhand Murder by Lesley A. Diehl is the first of a series of new cozy mystery series.

Eve Appel moves from Connecticut to set up secondhand clothing soft in rural Florida. She is catering to the high society women in the area who are experiencing a little less cash in these bad economic times. On opening day, the body of one of town’s society women is found in the dressing room with a knife in her back. Eve is flustered as she fears that this may be bad for business. Then she finds out that she is a person of interest and decides to find the murderer in order to not be charged.

She is separated from her husband and expected to be divorced soon. Even though she knows that her husband, Jerry should be good riddance, she still has some lingering feelings for him.
Eve is tall, skinny and daring. Madeleine is her best friend and works in her shop. She is severely accident prone, petite and beautiful. There are plentiful of potential love interests for both of them in this town.

It does cross the line a little for cozies. There is a little more sex than usual but not more violence. But I really enjoyed the page turning action that even involved getting help from a Mob boss. The story was complex but very easy to follow. The quirky characters including Eve lead the reader through lots of excitement. I want to read this next book in this series to see if anything comes of a possible beau for Eve. At the beginning the humor seemed a little forced but that seemed to go away as the story progressed.

I heartedly recommend this cozy for all cozy mystery readers.

I received this book from the author after choosing this book to review from Partner’s in Crime Tours. That in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings in this review.

Emily Rhodes, a retired preschool teacher, lives in rural Florida and works as a bartender to supplement her small pension. To make a little extra money, she agrees to work at a local barbeque cook-off. When she finds a dead body covered in barbeque sauce in the beer cooler, she decides to stay out of it and let Detective Stanton Lewis do his job. Well... until she finds out that his idea of whodunit is just plain wrong. Lewis is so condescending toward her that Emily packs up her theories and starts doing her own snooping. With a crooked cop muddying the investigative waters, it's anyone's guess who's going to be declared the winner in solving this case: Detective Lewis or Emily Rhodes.

The very first things that grabbed me about Grilled, Chilled and Killed were the characters and the author's sense of humor. You learn the major characters' histories as you go along-- finding out what events shaped their lives and make them react the way they do to other people's behavior and to the action as it unfolds. Also, Emily is different from the normal cozy amateur sleuth because she gave her daughter Naomi up for adoption at birth. They are now forging a relationship, and that adds an interesting element to the story.

Emily has two men interested in her: Detective Stanton Lewis and her boss, Donald Green, a man who never met a bass he didn't like. (We're talking fish here, folks.) Both men have a tendency to rub her fur the wrong way, but with the amount of arguing she and Lewis do, you know the chemistry is sparking between them. The romantic element of the book adds spice and doesn't detract from the story one bit, although I do hope Emily and Lewis tone down their squabbling a bit in future books.

A lot of the humor that I appreciate so much is done in flashes: a descriptive phrase here, a small laugh-out-loud funny scene there. For instance, Emily decides that questioning suspects in restaurants isn't a good idea because she seems to be gaining weight; one person wears a shirt that's had "too many meetings with Maytag"; and Detective Lewis has a run-in with an old hound that will make you laugh a few pages later. Humor can be difficult to pull off, but Diehl does it very well.

The villains are good ones, too. They have different agendas, which (as Poirot would say) makes the reader fire up the little grey cells in an attempt to deduce what's going on and why. Emily flirts with danger at one point, and her fear is palpable. What makes that entire section work is the fact that she doesn't allow herself to become so frightened that she can't think of ways to get out of the situation. I like my heroines feisty and smart, and that's Emily Rhodes in Grilled, Chilled and Killed.

Good characters, good humor, good story. I'll be heading to the Big Lake country of Florida again. Why don't you meet me there?½

A writer, unexpected guests, pool sharks, and a death that didn't appear to be from natural causes.

Angel Sleuth took place in a small town that was for the most part free from crime, but not free from the pettiness and gossip that happens in small towns. Now with the death of the town's most-loved resident, Leda, who was also the local advice columnist, the town heated up with intrigue and suspicion. Once Leda’s body showed up, there were more bodies to follow and many connections that were discovered.

This is a fun cozy mystery with great characters. The characters are sweet, lovable, innocent, and delightful....well most of them were :) There also are characters that are evil, characters that are involved in drug traffic and organized crime, and characters such as Desdemona the pig who saved the day at one point.

The story line was great and with all the eccentric, adorable characters, the book was difficult to put down. Enjoy this quick, delightful read. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.