Member Reviews
I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley
The story progresses very nicely in this cozy mystery. I wasn't able to guess who did it until the end and that's always a plus in my book.
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A MURDER LIKE NO AUTHOR (Book 3 of the Main Street Book Club Mysteries), by Amy Lillard, in exchange for an honest review. The town of Sugar Springs is gearing up for the premiere of Missing Girl, a film based on deceased local author’s bestselling novel. However, as the event approaches, a stranger arrives in town, makes a spectacle, claims the local author didn’t write the novel, and promises to hold a press conference to present proof of his claims. When the man is found murdered in his hotel room, Arlo and the book club swing into action. In order to insure the success of the premiere, Arlo and the gang must not only solve the murder but must also determine the veracity of the man’s claims.
I liked the book. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, small towns, books, and movies.
Even though it’s the 3rd in the series, it was the title that drew me to this one. It could easily read as a stand-alone as the author gave you enough background information. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery and would like to go back and start with the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader copy. My opinions are my own.
This was an enjoyable book. It's the third in the series and while I did feel a little lost on characters and previous deaths it wasn't overwhelming sense of being lost and was easy enough to get into the story.
It was refreshing to have a heroine who is leery about stepping into an active investigation. I did find the Book Club to be a bit tiring.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press.
Book three in the series, A Murder Like No Author. I really, really enjoy this series! I read many different cozy mystery series and this one is becoming one of my favorites. I love the Mississippi setting. The main female character, Arlo, is a fantastic character. She is different then many of the lead sleuths in the different cozy mysteries out there, mainly because she doesn't go off looking for trouble. She is the voice of reason among the older ladies in the Book Club, who do go off making crazy decisions and looking for trouble. Arlo is very mature in how she thinks, especially regarding possible romantic relationships, and with her friendships. I really enjoy that aspect of this series (no silly, flying off the handle girl here). Her support system friends are very likeable! In this book, the 'scene' where she's home alone just after helping her friend make arrangements for his mother's funeral was really good. I also enjoy the relationship forming with Mads. He seems like a very good fit for her, both are level headed. Seems like they can both be who they naturally are, together. I think that would be nice to read in the future, vs just going on attraction, like in most other cozy series. I could go on and on about the different subtleties that make this series so different and special. It's that good. Hoping there are many more to come in this series.
First in the series for me, but it was pretty easy to get caught up, so no need to have read the previous books. The mystery was definitely fun and enjoyable, and I really like that Arlo actively tried not to snoop or interfere with the police. However, the book club drove me insane. I was equally as frustrated with them as Arlo is.
My review for book three in the series is basically the same as book 1. It's light on the mystery, both in the development and suspects. I knew who it was as soon as the person made a comment.
<spoiler> (These are deliberately vague to make them as non-spoilerish as possible.) I also don't believe it was mentioned how the murder knew the victim in order to get the motive to kill him. It was noted very near the end that the victim could have been saved when we get an additional detail that I don't think was also mentioned earlier. However, I think that possibility is wrong as well.
Why does one of the characters do something in the victim's bedroom that would be noticed?
It made no sense and didn't help the person? <\spoiler>
Regarding the characters and their development: The romance aspect is quite light in this book, but an undeveloped triangle still exists. I still feel the book club members could be any age, there's really nothing other than some minor physical descriptions (hair color) to indicate age. At one point, Helen was on her knees, then sits back on her feet (ok she does mention needing help to get up, still, I need help or a chair and I'm a few decades younger), not something my 70 and 80 year old parents could do or were likely to do. Some reviewers say that the book club members tell Arlo what to do and make her do things. I find they pretty much have an equal standing and at one point, Arlo says something a bit harshly.
Arlo mentions polical correctness and stopping herself. Yup, a whole lot of issues brought up such as the town not being the best place for people who are different. However, there was less, maybe only one mention of church in this one unlike the first book. There are some big leaps to categorize the victim as different.
The read was still pleasant enough to finish, yet I wouldn't really recommend it due to the weakness of the mystery element.
This book was sent to me on Kindle by Netgalley for review…this is a mystery with murder and mayhem…a bookstore which I love…always a good story when a bookstore or a library is the setting of a book. However, that being said, this book had too, many characters too quickly…it was difficult to keep track and the story just fizzled for me. Other readers may like the fact that multiple characters are involved. Try it.
I enjoyed the story but the enormous number of typos detracted from my enjoyment. There were A LOT of sentences that were missing a word. Every time I read one of those sentences, it was like slamming on the brakes while driving down the freeway. I would go back and re-read the sentence and mentally insert the word that was missing. There were a number of sentences that were so convoluted that I had to re-read them several times to try to figure out what the author was trying to say. Some sentences had bad grammar, missing commas, and/or missing capitalization. I hope they plan to edit this book before publication because the story is good but it definitely needs editing. I would have given the book four stars, but due to the enormous number of typos, I can only give it three.
This series is a very charming & well written one. I love that each mystery builds off the last book & its previous mystery. It really aids in the world building & makes it feel well thought out. Arlo & her book club are a fun, fiery bunch, always getting into the mysteries to try & solve them to protect their small town. The book club is more a front for them to solve the murders. In the first book of the series, the murder victim was of an author & now in this book his novel has been made into a movie & is set to premiere in two weeks. Lillard expertly creates an ever growing world, which in this case reading the previous books, is more of a must. But in a good way. Definitely a must read series for cozy fans!
Hollywood is coming to the small town of Sugar Springs! A film adapted from local author Wally Harrison's book is about to premiere. Everyone, including bookstore owner Arlo, is doing what they can to make sure the town is ready for its day in the spotlight. However, when a stranger comes to town claiming that Wally didn't actually write the book, the premiere is put in jeopardy. When the stranger is found dead in the very theatre the movie is supposed to premiere in, Arlo knows that it could be lights out on Sugar Springs' big day if the police don't catch the killer - and fast.
It's refreshing to see a book where the protagonist doesn't actually want to jump head-first into the sleuthing. Instead, Arlo is the one who has to restrain her enthusiastic Book Club friends from interfering too much in the police investigation! This doesn't mean she's a passive protagonist either though, as she works hard to piece together the clues.
I can feel Arlo's irritation with the Book Club's antics through the pages! I can also feel her empathy for others and her love of Sugar Springs. Arlo is an expressive narrator with a clear voice. The town of Sugar Springs also seems lovely, like a real town I might one day want to visit.
There is a lot of action in this book, which makes for a fun and fast read. At the same time, having too much action can sometimes mean that some parts of the book aren't as developed as they could be. In particular, I feel that there could have been a larger emphasis on the mystery itself, even if Arlo is reluctant to directly participate herself. At times, I felt that the mystery was secondary to some of the other subplots. Spending more time on fleshing out the clues would lead to a fuller and more complex mystery.
That being said though, I did appreciate that the mystery was clearly executed. By the end of the book, I could see how the pieces of the mystery felt together in spite of the book's twists and turns.
It's possible to read this book as a standalone, but I think new readers to the series would benefit from starting from the beginning. This way, they will get to know the starring characters and their relationships better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Readers should know that there is no foul language and minimal violence in this book. The book has a significant romantic sideplot; readers who are not interested in romance may want to skip this one.
A cozy mystery that will delight you. That it revolves around books made it quite appealing.
In the small town of Sugar Springs, Mississippi, a Hollywood movie premier is about to take place based on a book written by hometown author Wally Harrison. But a strange man comes to town to disrupt the premier claiming that another person wrote the book and not Wally. Of course, Wally can’t rebuke it because he was murdered the year before. Then the stranger ends up dead, pushed from the balcony of the historic theater where the premier will take place. Arlo, owner of the town bookstore, and her book club made up of very old ladies set off to solve the crime and interfere every which way they can, much to the chagrin of Mads the police chief. Although sometimes predictable, it’s a classic who-dunit with surprises, red herrings, and plenty of motives. Sometimes silly, sometimes funny, this story is just plain fun to read.
I liked visiting this little town where everyone knows everything about everyone. The relationship between the ladies is heart-warming. Good for them to have so much gumption. Amy Lillard invites you in to become part of this town and become part of this story. I think I’ll have to visit Sugar Springs again in other books by Lillard.
Many thanks to #netgalley #amylillard # amurderlikenoauthor #sourcebooks to allow me to read and review this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's movie time in Sugar Springs and the whole town is pitching together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year—the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film.
Thrilled to bring tourists to Sugar Springs, the town comes together to host the late author's event. But when a stranger arrives, boasting he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write Missing Girl...well, drama leaps from the page into real life. Mishaps start taking place around the theater—and then the stranger is discovered dead in his hotel room right before his press conference.
I enjoyed this one I thought it was fun. The gang is great at sifting through the clues!
#amurderlikenoother#netgalley
A murder like no author by Amy Lillard was unlike any mystery book I’ve read in years, it was a very different change of pace from regular murder mysteries that I’ve read previously the characters were all likeable and enjoyable to read about. The idea of having a book club that primarily reads murder mysteries get invested in multiple homicide cases is amazing not to mention the fact that pretty much all of them are in there 80s. I had a blast picturing these grandmas running around solving murders while our main character tries to keep a grip on there where abouts. The ending was unexpected and shocking. I definitely plan to read the first two in the future to come.
Bookstores and cozies are a sure hit! Well developed characters that are interesting and likeable. A good story plot that is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. Can be read as a standalone. Love it! Thanks #netgalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
I enjoyed reading the book. You had me stomped to the end. I realy didnt think it was Shasha but OK it realy was him I didn't see that one coming. Good luck on the next one. Thank You.
This was an enjoyable, quick read, cozy mystery.
The town is excited about the publication of a book by a local author. There are rumors that the author did not actually write the book, but stole it from someone. Then someone is murdered, and Arlo is determined to solve the mystery.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was drawn to this particular book because of the pun in the title - I do adore literary puns! Add to that, the setting of a bookstore was too much to resist, and even though I had never read anything by this author before, I jumped at the opportunity to read an ARC when NetGalley offered it.
I am so glad that I did. Even without reading the previous books in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Amy Lillard includes just enough back story to catch the reader up on what happened previously without being tedious, as can so often happen. The book is well written, with true-to-life characters and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages and guessing until the very end.
I look forward to reading the previous books, and highly recommend this series to all cozy mystery fans.
Arlo and the Friday Night Book Club take off on another adventure in this latest book by Amy Lillard.
The story is interesting and kept me engaged from the beginning. Everyone is excited to celebrate a local author's new book, but a murder puts a damper on the party. Rumor has it that the author didn't write the book as he claims, and everyone turns to Arlo to solve the problem.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read the book. I found this a quick and delightful read and can't wait to read more.