Murder Marks the Page

A Tomes & Teas Mystery, Book 1

De: Karen Rose Smith

Narrado por: Romy Nordlinger

New York State's Belltower Landing is a lakeside resort town where tourists spend their summer days boating, floating, and paddle-boarding on the water. It's also the perfect place to cuddle up with a good book and enjoy a cup of tea, courtesy of Tomes & Tea. Owned and operated by Jazzi and her best friend Dawn Fernsby, the book bar is beloved by vacationers and locals alike, but browsers grabbing brews in the off season aren't enough to help them make ends meet.

Between brainstorming social media publicity ideas for the shop and fending off flirtatious men she has no interest in or time for, Jazzi befriends a woman named Brie who has recently made contact with her biological father. As an adopted child herself, Jazzi is more than happy to give Brie emotional support, especially as her wealthy father's wife and children see her as a threat.

But Brie is also looking to start a family of her own. Unfortunately, all the potential princes she's met through a dating app turn out to be frogs. Then, when Brie is found murdered, Jazzi finds herself playing detective. With a list of suspects ranging from jealous half-siblings to less-than-suitable suitors, Jazzi may need to consult some of her shop's bestselling mysteries to help her uncover a killer . . .

©2024 Karen Rose Smith (P)2024 Tantor

Narration and Writing combined = Tedious Tome

I finished this book as a matter of principle but before a quarter ways through I was already annoyed. Never did come to care for the characters, murdered or living. Two things bothered me most - the overly descriptive writing (I DO NOT need to know how many steps there were to the front door, or what color shorts someone wore paddleboarding) which didn't add to the story, simply dragged any forward momentum down. Flat descriptions do not help the narrative if there is no true prose involved. Also - hated narrator. Her vocal fry made the characters, who are in their early 20's sound much older and frumpier, although the main character also acted way older than expected. (Another character pointed that out.) The fact that during moments of actual.....peril(?) she didn't inflect any real fear or panic didn't help.
I love books on books and book shops but this is one bookshop cozy mystery series I will not be continuing, there are much better writers and characters of those out there.

Unfortunately, not particularly engaging

I finished the book as a matter of principle, but it was clear early on it wasn't very interesting or engaging. As other reviewers pointed out, the story doesn't seem to fit character's in the mid 20's. As well as using a narrator that clearly is not in her mid 20's. The story mostly drug on about the day to day (or hour to hour) of the characters owning a tea shop with the murder of their friend happening in the background. I was hopeful once the murder happened the story would take off. Very slow story that never seemed to get off the ground.

Had to Skip to the End

The main character is in her 20’s but the narrator is obviously not, which I could tolerate if she didn’t use a high pitched squeaky voice for some of the other female characters.

The storyline itself is pretty painful…it seems slow and forced.

Hallmark Murder Mystery

The narration was annoying at times. The author filled the pages with descriptions of outfits and foliage more than actual story line. Fell asleep regularly through narration and realized I hadn't missed anything.

Overall a great listen and narrator

I listened to this because I love the narrator Romy Nordlinger and a few of her series are favorites of mine. This is a really good first book. The characters are memorable and the plot is pretty good. And I love the narration. I'm looking forward to the next.

TOO MANY CLOTHES

I don't like a murder mystery where everything every single person wears is the most important thing written. Unfortunately, after the last, "she wore XXX and had her hair XXX" I got seriously bored. Besides, the murderer was obvious almost from the start. don't spend your money. Not worth it.