Thank you, local library, for saving me from spending money on this.

DNF at 27%, because there is no intrigue, no suspense, thus, no curiosity. By 20% in we ought to have Potential For More Danger and Conflicting Alibies and so on, but all we get is polite confusion and one of the dullest gay attractions I've ever read. Which, since apparently nothing's done with it, is superfluous in the worst way. It could've offered bits of levity in an intense investigation, had there been any sign of the latter, but fellow reviewers warn there's nothing much to it.

This is the diet food of the cozy mystery genre, all puff, no substance. ( )

Good, enjoyable cosy mystery with interesting characters and a place I'd like to visit again. Double points for not having on screen intimacy stronger than a kiss*. Kudos!


[*However, romance does not equal sexual attraction.] ( )

The plot is nicely interwoven with a few mysteries, clues slowly trickling in and reveals that are just WOW at times. Robin and Adam are attracted but there is the fact that Robin is working the case and Adam is a witness that is stopping them for going further. We watch them learn about one another and find a relationship beyond the attraction in the terms of friendship first. They learn to trust and respect one another. They lean on each other and help one another out before they act on the attraction. When they do act on the attraction, it is very understated in the book so it doesn’t take away from what the main plot is about. The author sticks nicely to the main plot about Robin solving the murders and how he goes about doing this. I had never read anything by this author but will find more as I would like to see more of Robin and Adam. ( )

Excellent cosy mystery. The characters, including the side characters, are well drawn with amusing quirks.
The romance takes a back seat to the mystery, just as the relationship has to by necessity take a back seat to the police investigation. Consequently the relationship is low key and there is no sex in the book but I still believed in the attraction between the leads.
Favourite side characters: Anderson, the DS, and Campbell, the dog.
I worked out the murderer some pages before it occurred in the book and the general, rather than specfic, reason. ( )

4.5
Really good mystery, I enjoyed following the clues and working out who done it. Light romance with engaging main characters, there was a nice balance between the mystery and the romance. Definitely recommended. ( )