Review: Between a Book and a Hard Place by Denise Swanson

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Obsidian Mystery

Release Date:
March 2016








In this fifth book of “A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery” series, Devereaux “Dev” Sinclair has her hands full. She has two sexy men fighting for her attention and now her long-lost mother, Yvette, has returned to Shadow Bend. Dev is determined to ignore her mother, the same way her mother has ignored her all these years but nothing is ever that simple.

When Shadow Bend’s library receives a monetary donation so that it can re-open its doors, Dev is stunned to learn that Yvette and her new husband, Jett, are the donors. However, Dev can’t help being suspicious of their intentions. When Jett turns up dead, Yvette is the number one suspect. Dev isn’t all that concerned about her mother but the evidence not only points towards Yvette, but towards Dev and her father as well. She has no choice but to track down the real killer. She asks for a little help from her friends, which include the two men fighting for her.

I’ve been a fan of Denise Swanson’s Scumble River cozy mystery series for years. So, I was thrilled when she started a new series. I read the first book, which I loved, but as usual I fell behind on my series reading and missed the next couple of books. I have them, just haven’t had a chance to read them. When the latest book came out, I skipped ahead and I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything. Although, rest assured, I will be going back and read the ones I missed.

As for this one, I was so engrossed in it that I was shocked to discover I was nearly finished reading the book. Talk about moving at a fast-pace, this one certainly did. I ended up devouring this one in just a couple of days. The characters are likeable from Dev down to her supporting cast of friends. I loved how they stood by each other.

I’m not sure how I feel about the two men in Dev’s life. Both Noah and Jake are good guys with much baggage attached to them. I don’t know how Dev can choose, I couldn’t and I’m going to feel bad if she leaves one out in the cold. I almost wish there was only one clear choice for Dev’s affections. We’ll have to see how this plays out.

Overall, intriguing story with interesting characters. I can’t ask for more than that.



For reading challenges:
2016 NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2016

Disclosure: The publisher and Edelweiss provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.