Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson (Book Giveaway and Review!)



Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Publisher:
Obsidian (a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.)

Format:
Paperback

Release Date:
March 2012





Devereaux Sinclair makes a few life-changing decisions. She quits her city job, after a huge scandal rocks her company, moves back to her small hometown in Missouri, Shadow Bend, and buys an old fashioned five-and-dime store. Dev is quite happy until her ex-boyfriend’s fiancĂ©, Joelle, turns up dead. The murder weapon just happens to be items Dev used in a gift basket that Joelle purchased, making Dev the number one suspect.

With her father already serving time in prison, Dev has no desire to join him there. She’s just begun a new life in Shadow Bend and everything was going along so well. She, also, is the only one who can take care of her grandmother. Determined to clear her name, Dev seeks the help of her best friends Poppy and Boone to find out who the real killer is. Not to mention the handsome U.S. Marshall, Jake Del Vecchio, who just arrived in town willing to assist in the search.

There is, also, a secondary mystery which looks to be drawn through this series. Dev’s father is in prison for a crime he insists he didn’t do and intends to prove his innocence. It will be interesting to see what direction this goes.

One of my favorite things about this series is that it’s set in an old-fashioned five-and-dime store which made me feel very nostalgic.

Sometimes it takes awhile to get used to characters in a brand new series, but I didn’t find that with this book. By the end of the book, I felt as if I knew the main characters very well. The mystery had me going in several directions – choosing the wrong culprit every time. LOL

This is a fast-paced mystery with quite a bit of romance thrown into the mix. Toss in Dev’s matchmaking grandmother and readers have a great adventure in store for them.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.





Obsidian has given me the opportunity to give away one copy of Little Shop of Homicide.  Just a few rules...

1)  Entrants must leave a valid email address.
2)  US residents only.
3) For an extra entry - follow this blog either through GFC or subscribe through email.
4) For another entry - tell us what type of store you would open if you had the chance
5) For an extra 2 entries blog about this contest on your blog.

Just fill out the form below to enter! Giveaway ends on February 22nd!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
For reading challenges:

2012 ARC Reading Challenge
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge
Merely Mystery Reading Challenge
Where are you reading challenge? (Missouri)

34 comments:

  1. If I opened a shop, I like to have one that catered to the needs and wants of cats and dogs and their owners.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  2. I love the cover art, it reminds me of the old 1940's and 50's mysteries.

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  3. I'd probably have an international arts and craft store.

    harvee44@yahoo.com

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  4. I would love to have a small book and board game shop!

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  5. Thanks for hosting this contest. I'll add it to my blog's sidebar. I'm a follower. I'd like to have a gift shop which would have books and sundry items from travel. :)

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  6. I dream of opening up a used book store when I retire. Maybe it will happen?

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  7. I always thought I would love to open a used book store combined with a tea/coffee shop. I guess I do have it :-) But, I don't sell my books and it's in my house.

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  8. That is an easy one! I'd open a small bookshop complete with a resident kitty and a coffee/pastry shop.

    ♥Melissa

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  9. Another great one :) I do like the sound of this

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  10. I would open a quilting shop.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  11. I love the idea of opening a five and dime store like those I grew up with in the 40's and early 50's. They were wondrous places - not anything like the dollar stores of today.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  12. I've always wanted to own a bookstore with a coffee shop in it. That would be my dream.

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  13. If I had the chance I would open a used book store so everyone could enjoy reading and gain the knowledge and passion that I have over the years.

    mom2000_18(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. If I would have a chance, I would love to open an international store. A place that would incorporate foods, beverages, books and other interesting items from all around the world.

    scouts579(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I would open a cozy mystery shop/yarn shop. I am not sure if I could manage the shop well because I would always be checking out the books!!!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. I would open a book store with a coffee shop inside=D
    Thanks bunches for hosting the giveaway; looks like an awesome read!
    Lethea
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

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  18. I'd open a cross-stitch store with room to have classes and a playroom for kids.

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  19. Even in this day and age with book stores disappearing, I would want to have a book store selling mostly vintage and children's books. There would be lots of reading groups going on at all times of the day or night. Thanks for this fun contest that let's us dream a little. peanutpet@aol.com

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  20. I would love to have a book store similar to the one in the Death On Demand series. I love the coffee mugs and the cat. It could be so much fun!
    Glenda S.

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  21. Great book giveaway! I would love to open a Fair
    Trade Gift Shop...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  22. I'd open a book/coffee shop!
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

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  23. I have loved the other books by Denise and know that I will love this series too!

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  24. I would have to open a bookstore, I'd have a lot of help from my daughter, lol.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

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  25. I would open a coffee shop/book store. I would have it as a ministry.

    Glenda Parker

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  26. This book looks interesting! I would open a cupcake shop if I had the chance. =)
    readinginks ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com

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  27. I would open a needlework shop.

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  28. My husband and I talk about this a lot. I would like to open a coffee house/bookstore (specifically used). I also work in radio and my husband is a music nut. He would like to have a broadcast studio in the same shop. :) Something local. It would be great to combine all of our loves.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. No question - I would open a book store devouted to mysteries!

    Ellie Oberth

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  30. If I had a chance to open a shop - of course I would open a bookshop- that is the only shop I have ever wanted to open.

    Thank you for the chance to win

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  31. I'm hopin' to read this one. I placed a purchase request with my local library. I couldn't help but notice the town's name. Shadow Bend sounds so cool. Anyway, I stopped by to read your review, but I'm gonna stick around for the giveaway. Why not?

    So I would open a book store, of course. With an emphasis on a cozy (as in comfy) reading haven and author events. It would be hard going in this area though. Most of the bookstores in the area have closed with the economy.

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